Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

This information processing device comprises: a determination unit that determines whether sensor information which has been acquired from a terminal of a deliverer who delivers a package according to a set delivery route and which is at least one among first sensor information detected by a sensor provided to the package and second sensor information detected by a sensor provided to the terminal satisfies an abnormality condition related to an abnormality of the package; and a risk information output unit that outputs information indicating at least one among the deliverer and the delivery route as risk information when the sensor information satisfies the abnormality condition.

Description

Information processing device and information processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method.

[0002] In the transportation industry, there are concerns about a shortage of delivery personnel resources at transportation companies. To address this concern, it is conceivable to develop a service in which, instead of transportation companies, general users deliver packages over short or medium distances while traveling. A commonly known service is one in which general users deliver food from a store to a delivery destination. In addition, assuming delivery by a transportation company, a technology is known in which management information acquired from a sensor attached to the package is managed by a server to manage the status of the delivered package (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-125955

[0004] If a service were to be realized in which general users could transport items such as luggage, since the transportation would be carried out by general users rather than by delivery companies, there would be concerns about a decline in the reliability of transportation, such as the luggage being opened, lost, or damaged.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent a decline in the reliability of transportation in a service in which general users transport goods.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination unit that determines whether sensor information obtained from a terminal of a transporter transporting goods according to a set transport route, at least one of first sensor information detected by a sensor installed on the goods and second sensor information detected by a sensor installed on the terminal, corresponds to an abnormal condition related to an abnormality in the goods, and a risk information output unit that outputs information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transport route as risk information when the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition.

[0007] According to the above aspect, when an item is transported along a set transportation route, if sensor information detected by a sensor of the item or transporter corresponds to a predetermined abnormal condition, risk information indicating the transporter or the transportation route is output. By referring to and using the output risk information, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures to prevent a decline in the reliability of transportation.

[0008] It is possible to prevent a decline in the reliability of transportation in services in which general users transport goods.

[0009] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an overview of a service to which a delivery management system configured with an information processing device of this embodiment can be applied. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the device configuration of an information processing system including the information processing device of this embodiment, and the functional configuration of the information processing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of sensor information detected and acquired for each delivery, stored in a sensor information storage unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of risk information stored in a package information storage unit, which indicates the occurrence of an abnormality for each delivered package. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating risk information output by the information processing device of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of risk information and attribute information, which indicate the occurrence of an abnormality for each deliverer, stored in a deliverer information storage unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of risk information, which indicates the occurrence of an abnormality (damage) for each delivery route, stored in a delivery route information storage unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of a determination process for determining whether the damage is caused by the delivery route or the deliverer, when it is determined that damage has occurred to a package. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of an information processing method in an information processing system. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing program. FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram of an information processing device.

[0010] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Whenever possible, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of a delivery service to which a delivery management system configured by an information processing device of this embodiment can be applied. The information processing device of this embodiment can be applied to a service in which a general user delivers (transports) luggage (items) when traveling, instead of a delivery company.

[0012] 1, in this delivery service, a user A1, who is a requester for delivery of a package D, stores the package D in a package storage location C1 and transmits a delivery request, which is a request for delivery of the package, to the delivery management system. The delivery request may include, for example, information about the destination (package recipient) and information about the delivery route (transportation route).

[0013] The delivery management system sets delivery routes based on delivery requests and selects users to be deliverers (transporters) for each delivery route. Users who wish to be deliverers may register in advance in the system the delivery routes they can deliver along as deliverer information, and the delivery management system may refer to the deliverer information and select users who have registered the set delivery routes as deliverers.

[0014] The delivery route information may include information indicating a luggage storage facility C2 as a relay point that is set as needed, and information indicating a luggage storage facility C3 where the recipient will receive the luggage.

[0015] A user B1 selected as a deliverer picks up a package D stored in a package storage C1, carries the package D to a package storage C2 set as a relay point along a set delivery route, and stores the package D in the package storage C2.

[0016] Next, the user B2 selected as the deliverer picks up the package D stored in the package storage C2, carries the package D to the package storage C3 for the recipient along the set delivery route, and stores the package D in the package storage C3.

[0017] Various sensors are provided on the delivered package D. For example, an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, and other sensors may be provided on the package D. A brightness sensor may also be provided inside the packaging of the package D. Sensor information (first sensor information), which is information detected by the sensor provided on the package D, may be acquired by the deliverer's terminal using technology such as short-range wireless communication (the communication method is not limited).

[0018] The deliverer's terminal may have various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and a vibration sensor. The deliverer's terminal may acquire information detected by a sensor provided in the terminal as sensor information (second sensor information). The deliverer's terminal may also acquire location information of the terminal acquired by GPS or the like as a type of sensor information. The deliverer may also capture images of the package D using a camera before and after delivery, and the terminal may acquire the captured images of the package as sensor information.

[0019] In addition, the delivery person's terminal may identify package D by scanning a QR code (registered trademark) attached to package D and obtain location information and a timestamp along the delivery route.

[0020] The delivery person's terminal transmits the sensor information detected by the sensor installed on the package D, the sensor information detected by the sensor installed on the terminal, and other information acquired by the terminal to the delivery management system at an appropriate time.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing the device configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to this embodiment and the functional configuration of the information processing device. The information processing system 1 constitutes a delivery management system that can be applied to a service in which general users deliver packages when traveling on behalf of a delivery company, and includes an information processing device 10 and terminals T (T1, T2, T3). The terminals T are configured to be able to access the information processing device 10 via a network N.

[0022] Terminal T1 is the terminal of user A1, who is the sender. Terminal T1 sends a delivery request to the information processing device 10. Terminal T2 is the terminal of deliverers B1 and B2. Terminal T3 is the terminal of the recipient of package D. Via terminal T3, the recipient can send a captured image of the delivered package D and a report that the delivered package D has been damaged to the information processing device 10.

[0023] 2, the information processing device 10 functionally comprises a route setting unit 11, a delivery person selection unit 12 (transporter selection unit), a sensor information acquisition unit 13, a determination unit 14, a risk information output unit 15, and a risk information aggregation unit 16. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the functional units 11 to 16 are configured in one information processing device 10, but they may also be configured in a distributed manner across multiple devices.

[0024] The terminal T is a device operated by a user, accepts input of information, transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 10, and presents the information on a display means (display). In the example shown in Fig. 2, three generations of terminals T are shown, but the number of terminals T is not limited.

[0025] Each functional unit of the information processing device 10 is configured to be able to access storage means (storage), such as a sensor information storage unit 21, a package information storage unit 22, a deliverer information storage unit 23, and a delivery route information storage unit 24. In the example shown in Fig. 2, these storage units 21 to 24 are configured in the information processing device 10, but may also be configured in other devices accessible from the information processing device 10. The sensor information storage unit 21, package information storage unit 22, a deliverer information storage unit 23, and a delivery route information storage unit 24 will be described in detail later.

[0026] Next, each functional unit of the information processing device 10 will be described. The route setting unit 11 sets a delivery route for a package based on a delivery request, which is a request for delivery of a package D. The delivery request may include, for example, information about the destination (the recipient of the package) and information about the delivery route. Specifically, the delivery request may include information about a package storage facility C1, which is the initial location from which the sender will ship the package, and a package storage facility C3, where the recipient will pick up the package.

[0027] The route setting unit 11 extracts the information on the luggage storage facilities in the delivery request and, if necessary, the luggage storage facility C2 as a relay point, and sets the route connecting the luggage storage facilities as the delivery route.

[0028] The deliverer selection unit 12 selects a deliverer for each set delivery route. The deliverer selection unit 12 may select a deliverer by referring to the deliverer information storage unit 23. For example, the deliverer information storage unit 23 stores information (not shown) indicating available delivery routes registered by users who wish to become deliverers as deliverer information, and the deliverer selection unit 12 may select, as a deliverer, a user who has registered the set delivery route as an available delivery route by referring to the deliverer information.

[0029] The sensor information acquisition unit 13 acquires sensor information from the terminal T2 of the deliverer who delivers the package along the set delivery route. The sensor information includes at least one of first sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the package D and second sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the terminal T2.

[0030] The determination unit 14 determines whether the sensor information acquired by the sensor information acquisition unit 13 corresponds to a predetermined abnormality condition regarding an abnormality in the package D. Specifically, the determination unit 14 may determine that at least one of damage, loss, and opening of the package D has occurred, based on the sensor information corresponding to an abnormality condition.

[0031] The sensor information storage unit 21 is a storage means for storing sensor information detected and acquired for each delivery of one package D. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of data stored in the sensor information storage unit 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor information storage unit 21 stores a deliverer ID for identifying a deliverer and the number of pieces of sensor information exceeding a predetermined threshold as the number of pieces of sensor information corresponding to an abnormal condition, in association with a delivery management ID corresponding to the delivery and delivery route of one package D. When the sensor information acquired by the sensor information acquisition unit 13 corresponds to an abnormal condition, such as exceeding a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 14 stores the number of pieces of sensor information in the sensor information storage unit 21 for each delivery management ID.

[0032] The sensor information may be acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor provided on the package D. Alternatively, the sensor information may be acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor provided on the delivery person's terminal T2. In this case, when the sensor information, which is acceleration, exceeds a given threshold, the determination unit 14 may determine that an abnormal condition exists and that damage has occurred to the package D. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 may store the number of pieces of sensor information that exceed the threshold in the sensor information storage unit 21.

[0033] The sensor information may be information indicating the occurrence of vibration detected by a vibration sensor provided on the package D. Alternatively, the sensor information may be information indicating the occurrence of vibration detected by a vibration sensor provided on the delivery person's terminal T2. In this case, the determination unit 14 may determine that an abnormal condition exists and that damage has occurred to the package D when the degree of vibration exceeds a given threshold. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 may store the number of pieces of sensor information that exceed the threshold in the sensor information storage unit 21.

[0034] The sensor information may be images of the package D taken by the deliverer's terminal T2 or the recipient's terminal T3. In this case, the determination unit 14 may determine that an abnormal condition exists and that damage has occurred to the package D when the difference between an image taken before delivery along the delivery route and an image taken after delivery exceeds a predetermined level. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 may store the number of pieces of information about images determined to be damaged based on the image difference as the number of pieces of sensor information in the sensor information storage unit 21 (not shown).

[0035] The sensor information may be brightness detected by a brightness sensor provided inside the packaging of the package D. In this case, the determination unit 14 may determine that an abnormal condition exists and that the package D has been opened when the brightness exceeds a given threshold. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 may store the number of pieces of sensor information (brightness) that exceed the threshold in the sensor information storage unit 21.

[0036] The sensor information may be communication status information indicating the state of communication between a communication device for short-range wireless communication provided on the luggage D and the terminal T2. In this case, the determination unit 14 may determine that the luggage D has been lost when communication status information indicating that communication between the communication device and the terminal T2 has been interrupted is acquired. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 may store in the sensor information storage unit 21 (not shown) that communication status information indicating that loss has occurred has been acquired.

[0037] Furthermore, the judgment unit 14 may aggregate sensor information that exceeds a sensor threshold value related to the sensor detection value, and judge that an abnormal condition exists when the aggregated value exceeds or is equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold value related to the aggregated value of the sensor information.

[0038] 4 is a diagram showing an example of abnormality occurrence information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality for each delivered package stored in the package information storage unit 22. When the sensor information or the aggregate value of the sensor information satisfies the abnormality condition, the determination unit 14 may store abnormality occurrence information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in package D in the package information storage unit 22.

[0039] 4, the package information storage unit 22 stores a delivery destination ID that identifies the delivery destination, a deliverer ID that identifies the deliverer, package type, and abnormality occurrence information that indicates the occurrence of an abnormality in the package D, in association with a delivery management ID that corresponds to the delivery and delivery route of one package D. The abnormality occurrence information may include information such as the type of each abnormality and the location of occurrence, in addition to whether or not an abnormality such as damage, loss, or opening has occurred.

[0040] For example, in the delivery of a certain package D, the determination unit 14 may tally up the number of pieces of sensor information that exceed a predetermined threshold regarding damage by referring to the sensor information storage unit 21, and if the tally value is equal to or greater than the predetermined tally threshold, determine that damage has occurred to the package D, and store the fact that damage has occurred (damage presence / absence: 1) in association with the delivery management ID of the delivery in the package information storage unit 22. The tally threshold may be, for example, 1, or a larger number.

[0041] In addition to determining that damage has occurred based on sensor information, the determination unit 14 may store information indicating that damage has occurred in the package information storage unit 22 when it receives information indicating that damage has occurred from the recipient's terminal T3.

[0042] For example, when the determination unit 14 determines that a package D has been lost based on the acquisition of communication status information as sensor information indicating that communication between a communication device provided on the package D and the terminal T2 has been interrupted during delivery of the package D, the determination unit 14 may store the fact that the package D has been lost (presence or absence of loss: 1) in association with the delivery management ID of the delivery in the package information storage unit 22. Furthermore, when the sensor information acquisition unit 13 acquires location information of the terminal T2 together with the communication status information, the determination unit 14 may store the location information as the location where the loss occurred in the package information storage unit 22.

[0043] For example, in the delivery of a certain package D, the determination unit 14 may tally the number of sensor information (brightness) values ​​that exceed a predetermined threshold regarding opening based on reference to the sensor information storage unit 21, and if the tally value is equal to or greater than the predetermined tally threshold, determine that opening has occurred on the package D, and store in the package information storage unit 22 the fact that opening has occurred (opened or not: 1) in association with the delivery management ID of the delivery.

[0044] Referring again to Figure 2, when the risk information output unit 15 determines that an abnormality has occurred based on the sensor information meeting an abnormality condition, it extracts the delivery person and delivery route involved in the occurrence of the abnormality, and outputs information indicating at least one of the extracted delivery person and delivery route as risk information.

[0045] 5 is a diagram showing the risk information output by the information processing device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the risk information output unit 15 of the information processing device 10 constituting the delivery management system outputs risk information ri to be used for measures to prevent a decline in delivery reliability.

[0046] Specifically, the risk information output unit 15, for example, refers to the abnormality occurrence information in the package information storage unit 22, extracts the delivery (delivery management ID) for which it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and outputs at least one of the delivery route ID and the deliverer ID associated with the extracted delivery management ID as risk information. The risk information exemplified in Figure 5 includes a delivery route R00, which is information identifying the delivery route, and a deliverer U00, which is a deliverer ID identifying the deliverer.

[0047] Furthermore, as one mode of outputting risk information, the risk information output unit 15 may notify the delivery route indicated in the risk information to the deliverer who will deliver the package D along that delivery route. By notifying the deliverer of the risk information regarding the delivery route, the deliverer can recognize that an abnormality has occurred with the package along that delivery route, and can therefore take care when making deliveries along that delivery route.

[0048] Furthermore, as one mode of outputting risk information, the risk information output unit 15 may output risk information for the purpose of aggregating the risk information.

[0049] The risk information aggregation unit 16 aggregates risk information indicating either the delivery person or the delivery route for each delivery person and delivery route. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of risk information and attribute information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality for each delivery person stored in the delivery person information storage unit 23.

[0050] The risk information aggregation unit 16 aggregates the output risk information and stores the number of times various abnormalities have occurred for each deliverer in the deliverer information storage unit 23. Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 6, the deliverer information storage unit 23 stores the number of times various abnormalities have occurred, i.e., the number of times damaged, lost, and opened, as well as the number of times normal deliveries have occurred, for each deliverer ID that identifies the deliverer. In addition, the deliverer information storage unit 23 may further store the number of times damage has occurred due to the deliverer, as determined by a determination process described below, as the number of times an abnormality has occurred due to human error.

[0051] In addition, the risk information aggregation unit 16 may calculate the reliability of the deliverer based on the number of normal deliveries and the number of abnormal occurrences using a predetermined calculation formula, etc., and store the calculated reliability in the deliverer information storage unit 23.

[0052] 7 is a diagram showing an example of risk information indicating the occurrence of abnormalities (damage) for each delivery route stored in the delivery route information storage unit 24. The risk information aggregation unit 16 may aggregate the output risk information and store the number of times abnormalities (damage to packages) have occurred for each delivery route in the delivery route information storage unit 24. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the delivery route information storage unit 24 stores the number of times abnormalities (damage) have occurred for packages D for each delivery route ID that identifies a delivery route. The delivery route information storage unit 24 may also store the number of times abnormalities (damage) have occurred due to the delivery route, as determined by a determination process described below.

[0053] The process of determining damage, which is one type of abnormality that occurs in a package, will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the process flow of the determination process for determining whether the damage is caused by the delivery route or the deliverer when it is determined that damage has occurred in the package.

[0054] In step S11, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not damage to the package has occurred based on the sensor information. If it is determined that damage to the package has occurred, the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is not determined that damage to the package has occurred, the determination in step S11 is repeated.

[0055] In step S12, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not a report indicating that the package has been damaged has been received from the terminal T3 of the recipient of package D. If it is determined that a report indicating that the package has been damaged has been received, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a report indicating that the package has been damaged has been received, the process is terminated, assuming that package D has not been damaged.

[0056] In step S13, the determination unit 14 refers to the delivery route information storage unit 24 and determines whether the number of pieces of risk information indicating that damage has occurred along the delivery route for the delivery of the target package D is equal to or greater than a given threshold (risk information threshold). If it is determined that the number of pieces of risk information indicating that damage has occurred along the route is equal to or greater than the given threshold, the processing proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the number of pieces of risk information indicating that damage has occurred along the route is equal to or greater than the given threshold, the processing proceeds to step S16.

[0057] In step S14, the determination unit 14 determines that the damage to the package D was caused by the delivery route. Then, the risk information output unit 15 outputs risk information indicating that the damage to the package D was caused by the delivery route.

[0058] In step S15, the risk information output unit 15 notifies the delivery person who delivers the package D via the delivery route of risk information indicating that the route is one on which damage to the package occurred.

[0059] Meanwhile, in step S16, the determination unit 14 determines that the damage to the package D was caused by the deliverer. Then, the risk information output unit 15 outputs risk information indicating that the damage to the package D was caused by the deliverer.

[0060] In step S17, the risk information aggregation unit 16 recalculates the reliability of the deliverer (see FIG. 6) based on the risk information output in step S16. The risk information aggregation unit 16 may notify the deliverer's terminal T2 of the content of the risk information, i.e., information such as the fact that damage has occurred to package D, the content of the sensor information that was the basis for determining that damage has occurred, and whether or not the recipient has reported the damage. Such notification can reduce the risk of the deliverer's next delivery.

[0061] Next, we will explain how the output and compiled risk information is used. In one aspect, the route setting unit 11 may exclude delivery routes indicated in the risk information from candidate delivery routes to be set based on a delivery request. Furthermore, the route setting unit 11 may exclude delivery routes on which abnormalities have occurred more than a given level (number of times) from candidate delivery routes to be set based on a delivery request, based on reference to the compilation of risk information in the delivery route information storage unit 24.

[0062] This means that the delivery route indicated in the risk information is excluded from candidates when setting the delivery route, thereby reducing the risk of abnormalities occurring with the package due to the delivery route.

[0063] Furthermore, the delivery person selection unit 12 may exclude deliverers indicated in the risk information when selecting a delivery person. Furthermore, the delivery person selection unit 12 may refer to the aggregated risk information (number of times of human-caused abnormalities) in the delivery person information storage unit 23 and not select a delivery person for which abnormalities caused by the delivery person have occurred more than a given level (number of times) when selecting a delivery person based on a delivery request.

[0064] This allows the deliverers indicated in the risk information to be excluded from the selection of deliverers, thereby reducing the risk of abnormalities occurring with packages caused by the deliverer.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the information processing method relating to delivery management in the information processing device 10.

[0066] In step S1, the information processing device 10 acquires a delivery request from the terminal T1 of the sender A1. In step S2, the route setting unit 11 sets a delivery route for the package D based on the delivery request. In step S3, the deliverer selection unit 12 selects a deliverer for each set delivery route. Then, in step S4, information such as the delivery route set in step S2 is sent to the terminal T2 of the deliverer selected in step S3, and the deliverer carries out the delivery.

[0067] In step S5, the sensor information acquisition unit 13 acquires sensor information from the terminal T2 of the deliverer who delivers the package according to the set delivery route.

[0068] In step S6, the determination unit 14 determines whether the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition. If it is determined in step S7 that the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition, the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition, the process ends.

[0069] In step S8, when the risk information output unit 15 determines that an abnormality has occurred based on the sensor information meeting an abnormal condition, it extracts the delivery person and delivery route involved in the occurrence of the abnormality, and outputs information indicating at least one of the extracted delivery person and delivery route as risk information.

[0070] Next, an information processing program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing program. The information processing program P1 is configured to include a main module m10 that comprehensively controls information processing in the information processing device 10, a route setting module m11, a delivery person selection module m12, a sensor information acquisition module m13, a determination module m14, a risk information output module m15, and a risk information aggregation module m16. Each of the modules m11 to m16 realizes a function for each of the functional units 11 to 16.

[0071] The information processing program P1 may be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a communication line, or may be stored in a recording medium M1 as shown in FIG.

[0072] According to the information processing system 1, information processing device 10, information processing method, and information processing program P1 of the present embodiment described above, when a package is delivered along a set delivery route, if sensor information detected by a sensor of the package or the delivery person satisfies a predetermined abnormal condition, risk information indicating the delivery person or the delivery route is output. By referring to and using the output risk information, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures to prevent a decline in delivery reliability.

[0073] The information processing device and information processing method according to the present disclosure may have the following configurations: The actions and effects of each configuration will be described as follows.

[0074] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination unit that determines whether sensor information obtained from a terminal of a transporter transporting goods according to a set transport route, at least one of first sensor information detected by a sensor attached to the goods and second sensor information detected by a sensor attached to the terminal, corresponds to an abnormal condition related to an abnormality in the goods, and a risk information output unit that outputs information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transport route as risk information when the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition.

[0075] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination step executed by a processor to determine whether at least one of sensor information obtained from a terminal of a transporter transporting goods according to a set transport route, the sensor information being first sensor information detected by a sensor attached to the goods and second sensor information detected by a sensor attached to the terminal, corresponds to an abnormal condition related to an abnormality in the goods, and a risk information output step to output information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transport route as risk information when the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition.

[0076] According to the above aspect, when an item is transported along a set transportation route, if sensor information detected by a sensor of the item or transporter corresponds to a predetermined abnormal condition, risk information indicating the transporter or the transportation route is output. By referring to and using the output risk information, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures to prevent a decline in the reliability of transportation.

[0077] In addition, an information processing device relating to another aspect further includes a route setting unit that sets a transport route for an item based on a transport request for transporting the item, which includes at least one of destination information regarding the destination of the item and transport route information indicating the transport route, and the route setting unit may exclude the transport route indicated in the risk information from the candidate transport routes to be set based on the transport request.

[0078] According to the above aspect, the transport route indicated in the risk information is excluded from candidates for the transport route to be set, thereby reducing the risk of abnormalities occurring in items due to the transport route.

[0079] In addition, in another aspect, the information processing device further includes a transporter selection unit that selects a transporter capable of transporting goods along the transport route set by the route setting unit based on transporter information that associates transport routes over which the goods can be transported with the transporter, and the transporter selection unit may exclude transporters indicated in the risk information when selecting a transporter.

[0080] According to the above aspect, transporters indicated in the risk information are excluded from transporter selection, thereby reducing the risk of abnormalities occurring in goods caused by the transporter.

[0081] In addition, in an information processing device according to another aspect, the risk information output unit may notify a transporter transporting an item along the transport route indicated in the risk information.

[0082] According to the above aspect, the transport route indicated in the risk information is notified to the transporter transporting the goods along that transport route, allowing the transporter to recognize that an abnormality has occurred with the goods along that transport route, thereby enabling the transporter to pay attention when transporting goods along that transport route.

[0083] In addition, in an information processing device according to another aspect, the abnormal condition may be that an aggregated value of sensor information that exceeds a sensor threshold related to a detection value of the sensor exceeds an aggregated threshold related to the aggregated value of the sensor information.

[0084] According to the above aspect, when the aggregate value of the sensor information exceeds a predetermined aggregation threshold value, it is determined that the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition, and therefore the occurrence of an abnormality in the transportation of goods is statistically determined. Therefore, it is possible to output highly accurate risk information that appropriately reflects the risk of an abnormality occurring.

[0085] In addition, in an information processing device according to another aspect, the determination unit may determine that at least one of damage, loss, and opening of an item has occurred based on the sensor information corresponding to an abnormal condition.

[0086] According to the above aspect, various types of abnormalities that may occur in an item can be determined based on sensor information.

[0087] In addition, in an information processing device relating to another aspect, the sensor information is at least one of information indicating acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, information indicating vibration detected by a vibration sensor, and an image of the item acquired by an image sensor, and the determination unit may determine that damage has occurred to the item when the sensor information corresponds to an abnormal condition related to at least one of the acceleration, vibration, and image.

[0088] According to the above aspect, by determining whether sensor information consisting of acceleration, vibration, or image corresponds to a predetermined abnormal condition, the occurrence of damage, which is one type of abnormality that occurs in an item, can be appropriately determined.

[0089] In addition, an information processing device according to another aspect may further include a risk information aggregation unit that aggregates risk information indicating either the transporter or the transport route for each transporter and transport route, and when the determination unit determines that damage has occurred to an item, the risk information output unit may output risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transport route if the number of risk information aggregated along the transport route of the item is equal to or greater than a risk information threshold for the number of risk information, and may output risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transporter of the item if the number of risk information aggregated along the transport route of the item is less than the risk information threshold.

[0090] According to the above aspect, when it is determined that damage has occurred to an item, it is determined whether the damage is likely to be caused by the transportation route or the transporter, depending on the number of risk information items collected regarding the transportation route of the item. Depending on the result of the determination, risk information indicating that the damage is caused by the transportation route or the transporter is output, making it possible to obtain risk information regarding the damage to the item, with the cause being appropriately identified.

[0091] In addition, in an information processing device relating to another aspect, when the sensor information is information indicating the brightness detected by a brightness sensor provided inside the packaging of the item, the determination unit may determine that the item has been opened if the sensor information exceeds a brightness threshold for brightness during transportation of the item, or when the sensor information is communication status information indicating the state of communication between a communication device for short-range wireless communication provided in the item and a terminal, the determination unit may determine that the item has been lost if communication status information indicating that communication between the communication device and the terminal has been interrupted is obtained.

[0092] According to the above aspect, by determining whether sensor information consisting of brightness detected inside the packaging of an item falls under a predetermined abnormal condition, the occurrence of opening, which is one type of abnormality that can occur in an item, can be appropriately determined, or by determining whether sensor information consisting of communication status information falls under a predetermined abnormal condition, the occurrence of loss, which is one type of abnormality that can occur in an item, can be appropriately determined.

[0093] The block diagram shown in FIG. 2 shows functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0094] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0095] For example, the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0096] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in FIG. 11 , or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0097] Each function of the information processing device 10 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations and control communication via the communication device 1004 and the reading and / or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0098] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the functional units 11 to 16 shown in FIG. 2 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0099] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the functional units 11 to 16 of the information processing device 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0100] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, and the like for implementing an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

[0102] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0103] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0104] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected to a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured as a single bus, or may be configured as different buses between the devices.

[0105] The information processing device 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0106] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0107] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (New Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems enhanced based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G, etc.) may also be applied.

[0108] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0109] In the present disclosure, a specific operation described as being performed by a base station may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, an MME or an S-GW, etc., but are not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

[0110] Information etc. may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), or may be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0111] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or managed in a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0112] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0113] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0114] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0115] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0116] Software, instructions, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and / or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0117] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0118] It should be noted that terms explained in this disclosure and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0119] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0120] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed as absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0121] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0122] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0123] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0124] When designations such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this disclosure, any reference to an element does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0125] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0126] To the extent that the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used herein or in the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or," as used herein or in the claims, is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0127] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0128] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0129] The information processing device 10 and information processing method disclosed herein may have the following configuration: [1] An information processing device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether sensor information acquired from a terminal of a transporter transporting an item along a set transport route, the sensor information being at least one of first sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the item and second sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the terminal, corresponds to an abnormality condition related to an abnormality of the item, and a risk information output unit that outputs information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transport route as risk information when the sensor information corresponds to the abnormality condition. [2] The information processing device described in [1] further comprises: a route setting unit that sets a transport route for the item based on a transport request for transporting the item, the transport request including at least one of destination information related to a destination of the item and transport route information indicating a transport route, and the route setting unit excludes the transport route indicated in the risk information from candidates for the transport route to be set based on the transport request. [3] The information processing device according to [2], further comprising a transporter selection unit that selects a transporter capable of transporting the item along the transport route set by the route setting unit based on transporter information associating transport routes capable of transporting the item with transporters, wherein the transporter selection unit excludes the transporter indicated in the risk information when selecting a transporter. [4] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the risk information output unit notifies the transporter transporting the item along the transport route indicated in the risk information. [5] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the abnormal condition is that an aggregate value obtained by aggregating the sensor information that exceeds a sensor threshold related to the detection value of the sensor exceeds an aggregation threshold related to the aggregate value of the sensor information. [6] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the determination unit determines that at least one of damage, loss, and opening of the item has occurred based on the sensor information satisfying the abnormal condition.[7] The information processing device according to [6], wherein the sensor information is at least one of information indicating acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, information indicating vibration detected by a vibration sensor, and an image of the item acquired by an image sensor, and the determination unit determines that damage has occurred to the item when the sensor information satisfies an abnormal condition related to at least one of the acceleration, the vibration, and the image. [8] The information processing device according to [7], further comprising a risk information aggregation unit that aggregates the risk information indicating either the transporter or the transportation route for each transporter and each transportation route, and wherein the risk information output unit, when it is determined by the determination unit that damage has occurred to the item, outputs risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transportation route if the number of risk information aggregated for the transportation route of the item is equal to or greater than a risk information threshold related to the number of risk information, and outputs risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transporter of the item if the number of risk information aggregated for the transportation route of the item is less than the risk information threshold. [9] The information processing device according to any one of [6] to [8], wherein the determination unit determines that the item has been opened if the sensor information indicates brightness detected by a brightness sensor provided in the packaging of the item and the sensor information exceeds a brightness threshold value related to brightness during transportation of the item, or determines that the item has been lost if the sensor information is communication status information indicating a state of communication between a communication device for short-range wireless communication provided in the item and the terminal and the communication status information indicating that communication between the communication device and the terminal has been interrupted.

[10] An information processing method executed by a processor, comprising: a determination step of determining whether at least one of sensor information obtained from a terminal of a transporter transporting goods along a set transport route, the sensor information being first sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the goods and second sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the terminal, corresponds to an abnormal condition related to an abnormality of the goods; and a risk information output step of outputting information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transport route as risk information when the sensor information corresponds to the abnormal condition.

[0130] 1...information processing system, 10...information processing device, 11...route setting unit, 12...deliverer selection unit, 13...sensor information acquisition unit, 14...judgment unit, 15...risk information output unit, 16...risk information aggregation unit, 21...sensor information storage unit, 22...package information storage unit, 23...deliverer information storage unit, 24...delivery route information storage unit, M1...recording medium, m10...main module, m11...route setting module, m12...deliverer selection module, m13...sensor information acquisition module, m14...judgment module, m15...risk information output module, m16...risk information aggregation module, P1...information processing program, T1, T2, T3, T...terminal.

Claims

1. A determination unit that determines whether at least one of the sensor information obtained from the terminal of a transporter that transports an article according to a set transportation route, the first sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the article, and the second sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the terminal, corresponds to an abnormal condition related to an abnormality of the article; and a risk information output unit that outputs, as risk information, information indicating at least one of the transporter and the transportation route when the sensor information corresponds to the abnormal condition. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. Further comprising a route setting unit that sets a transportation route of the article based on a transportation request related to the transportation of the article, including at least one of destination information regarding the destination of the article and transportation route information indicating the transportation route, wherein the route setting unit excludes the transportation route indicated by the risk information from candidates for the transportation route set based on the transportation request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a transporter selection unit that selects a transporter capable of transporting the article on the transportation route set by the route setting unit based on transporter information associating a transportation route capable of transporting the article with the transporter, wherein the transporter selection unit excludes the transporter indicated by the risk information in the selection of the transporter. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The risk information output unit notifies the transporter of the article of the transportation route indicated by the risk information for transporting the article on the transportation route. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The abnormal condition is that the aggregated value obtained by aggregating the sensor information exceeding a sensor threshold value related to the detection value of the sensor exceeds an aggregation threshold value related to the aggregated value of the sensor information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The determination unit determines that at least one of damage, loss, and opening of the article has occurred based on the fact that the sensor information corresponds to the abnormal condition. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The sensor information is at least one of information indicating acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, information indicating vibration detected by a vibration sensor, and an image of the article acquired by an image sensor. The determination unit determines that the article has been damaged when the sensor information meets an abnormal condition related to at least one of the acceleration, the vibration, and the image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The information processing apparatus further includes a risk information aggregation unit that aggregates the risk information indicating either the transporter or the transport route for each transporter and each transport route. When the determination unit determines that the article has been damaged, the risk information output unit outputs risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transport route if the number of pieces of risk information aggregated for the transport route of the article is greater than or equal to a risk information threshold related to the number of pieces of risk information, and outputs risk information indicating that the damage has occurred due to the transporter of the article if the number of pieces of risk information aggregated for the transport route of the article is less than the risk information threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. When the sensor information is information indicating luminance detected by a luminance sensor provided inside the package of the article, the determination unit determines that the article has been opened when the sensor information exceeds a luminance threshold related to luminance during transportation of the article. Alternatively, when the sensor information is communication status information indicating the communication status between a communication device for short-range wireless communication provided in the article and the terminal, the determination unit determines that the article has been lost when the communication status information indicating that the communication between the communication device and the terminal has been interrupted is acquired. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

10. A determination step of determining whether at least any one of the sensor information, which is sensor information obtained from a terminal of a transporter that transports an article according to a set transportation route, including first sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the article and second sensor information detected by a sensor provided on the terminal, meets an abnormal condition related to an abnormality of the article; and a risk information output step of outputting, as risk information, information indicating at least any one of the transporter and the transportation route when the sensor information meets the abnormal condition. An information processing method executed by a processor having the above steps.

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