Information processing method, information processing device, and information processing program

Abstract

An information processing method executed by an information processing device (10) involves deriving replenishment timing and replenishment place information for a product (G) to be replenished by a replenisher (P) from a replenishment mobile body (30) to a mobile body (20), on the basis of: mobile body information including sales state information of the product (G) of the mobile body (20) that autonomously moves and sells the product (G); replenishment mobile body information including position information of the replenishment mobile body (30) that autonomously moves and replenishes the mobile body (20) with the product (G); and replenisher information pertaining to the replenisher (P) that replenishes the mobile body (20) with the product (G) mounted on the replenishment mobile body (30).

Description

Information processing method, information processing device, and information processing program

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing method, an information processing device, and an information processing program.

[0002] There are known autonomous mobile objects that move autonomously and sell products to users. Systems that notify users of product replenishment timing based on product inventory status and systems that detect the location of vehicles with insufficient stock have also been disclosed.

[0003] However, in the prior art, no consideration has been given to improving the efficiency of replenishment of goods to mobile objects, which means that in the prior art, there are cases where goods are not replenished efficiently.

[0004] JP 2011-022972 A JP 2019-149060 A

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method, an information processing device, and an information processing program that can improve the efficiency of product replenishment.

[0006] The information processing method of the embodiment is an information processing method executed by an information processing device that controls a mobile object that moves autonomously and sells goods, and derives information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the goods from the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object based on mobile object information including sales status information of the goods of the mobile object, replenishment mobile object information including location information of a replenishment mobile object that moves autonomously and replenishes the goods to the mobile object, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher who replenishes the goods loaded on the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of mobile object management information. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of replenishment mobile object management information. FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of replenisher management information. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment location and replenishment timing. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment location and replenishment timing. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment location and replenishment timing. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment location and replenishment timing. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment timing. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of information processing executed in an information processing system. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of information processing executed by an information processing device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment timing according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of a replenishment location and replenishment timing according to a modified example. FIG. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing method, an information processing device, and an information processing program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0010] The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10, one or more mobile objects 20, a replenishment mobile object 30, and a replenisher terminal 40. The information processing device 10, the mobile objects 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 are communicatively connected via a network NW or the like.

[0011] The mobile body 20 is a movable object that moves autonomously and sells products. The mobile body 20 is, for example, an autonomously moving vehicle, a robot equipped with a mobility function and moving autonomously, etc. An autonomously moving vehicle is sometimes called a self-driving vehicle. The information processing system 1 has one or more mobile bodies 20. FIG. 1 shows three mobile bodies 20, mobile bodies 20A to 20C, as an example. Note that the number of mobile bodies 20 included in the information processing system 1 is not limited to three, as long as it is one or more.

[0012] The replenishment mobile unit 30 is a mobile unit that moves autonomously and replenishes merchandise to the mobile unit 20. The replenishment mobile unit 30 is an autonomously moving vehicle, an autonomously moving robot equipped with a movement function, or the like.

[0013] The replenisher terminal 40 is an information processing device operated by a replenisher P. The replenisher P is a user who replenishes the mobile unit 20 with the products loaded on the replenishment mobile unit 30. In other words, the replenisher P is a user who is in charge of the replenishment work of replenishing the mobile unit 20 with the products loaded on the replenishment mobile unit 30. It is preferable that the replenisher P is not a full-time user, but rather a local staff member in charge of the location where the mobile unit 20 is scheduled to sell the products G. By using a local staff member as the replenisher P, it becomes possible to more efficiently replenish the mobile unit 20 with the products G.

[0014] In this embodiment, the replenisher terminal 40 is described as an information processing device that can be carried by the replenisher P. Therefore, the description is given assuming that the location of the replenisher terminal 40 coincides with the location of the replenisher P. The replenisher terminal 40 is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

[0015] The information processing device 10 is an information processing device that manages the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 included in the information processing system 1. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 performs processing such as deriving information on the replenishment timing and replenishment location by the replenisher P from the replenishment mobile object 30 to the mobile object 20 based on the mobile object information of the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object information of the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher information of the replenisher P (details will be described later).

[0016] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0017] First, the moving body 20 will be described.

[0018] The mobile object 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a sensor 24, a drive unit 25, a memory unit 26, a sales operation unit 27, a product storage unit 28, and a control unit 29. The communication unit 21, the input unit 22, the output unit 23, the sensor 24, the drive unit 25, the memory unit 26, the sales operation unit 27, the product storage unit 28, and the control unit 29 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus or the like.

[0019] The communication unit 21 communicates with an external information processing device such as the information processing device 10 via a network NW or the like. The input unit 22 accepts various operations by a user. The input unit 22 is, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, an input button, a microphone, etc. The output unit 23 outputs various information. The output unit 23 is, for example, a display that displays various information, a speaker that outputs various sounds, etc. The input unit 22 and the output unit 23 may be integrated into a touch panel.

[0020] The sensor 24 is a sensor that acquires information about the traveling environment of the mobile object 20. The traveling environment is, for example, observation information about the mobile object 20 and information about the surroundings of the mobile object 20. The sensor 24 is, for example, an internal sensor and an external sensor.

[0021] The internal sensor is a sensor that observes observation information. The observation information includes at least position information of the mobile object 20. The position information may be a relative position or an absolute position. In this embodiment, a form in which the position information is an absolute position represented by latitude and longitude will be described as an example. The internal sensor includes, for example, a position sensor (GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), GPS (Global Positioning System)). The observation information may also include speed, acceleration, etc. In this case, the internal sensor further includes, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a rotary encoder, etc.

[0022] The external sensor observes information about the surroundings of the moving body 20. The external sensor may be mounted on the moving body 20 or may be mounted outside the moving body 20. The outside of the moving body 20 refers to, for example, other moving bodies 20 other than the moving body 20 in question, external devices, etc. In the following description, other moving bodies 20 other than the moving body 20 in question may be referred to as other moving bodies.

[0023] The surrounding information is information that indicates the situation around the mobile object 20. The surroundings of the mobile object 20 is an area within a predetermined range from the mobile object 20. This range is an observable range of an external sensor. This range may be set in advance.

[0024] The surrounding information is, for example, at least one of a captured image of the surroundings of the moving body 20 and distance information. The captured image is captured image data obtained by capturing an image. In the following description, the captured image data will be simply referred to as the captured image. The distance information is information indicating the distance from the moving body 20.

[0025] The external sensor is, for example, an imaging device that obtains a captured image by imaging, a distance sensor, etc. The distance sensor is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar, a laser sensor, a distance image sensor, etc. The captured image is, for example, digital image data in which a pixel value is defined for each pixel, or a depth map in which the distance from the sensor 24 is defined for each pixel, etc. The laser sensor is, for example, a two-dimensional LiDAR (Laser imaging Detection and Ranging) sensor or a three-dimensional LiDAR sensor installed parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0026] The drive unit 25 is a device mounted on the mobile body 20 and drives the movement of the mobile body 20. The drive unit 25 is, for example, an engine, a motor, wheels, etc. The drive unit 25 is driven under the control of the control unit 29. For example, the control unit 29 determines the surrounding situation based on information obtained from the sensor 24, etc., and controls the amount of acceleration, the amount of braking, the steering angle, etc.

[0027] The storage unit 26 stores various types of data. The storage unit 26 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 26 may be a storage device provided outside the mobile object 20. The storage unit 26 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc.

[0028] The sales operation unit 27 performs operations related to the sale of the product G loaded on the mobile body 20. In detail, the sales operation unit 27 provides the product G loaded on the product storage unit 28 provided on the mobile body 20 to the user in accordance with the user's operation instructions on the input unit 22, etc. The sales operation unit 27 also executes payment acceptance processing and settlement processing for the price of the product G in accordance with information input by the user in accordance with the user's operation instructions on the input unit 22, etc. The sales operation unit 27 provides the product G to the user when the payment acceptance processing and settlement processing for the product G are completed. The method of payment by the user may be either cash or electronic money, and is not limited to this.

[0029] Furthermore, each time a product G loaded in the product storage unit 28 is sold to a user, the sales operation unit 27 detects sales status information including the inventory amount, sales amount, and sales amount per unit time of the product G, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 29. The control unit 29 of the mobile object 20 transmits mobile object information including the mobile object ID (Identification) of the mobile object 20, the product ID of the product G included in the detection result, and the sales status information to the information processing device 10.

[0030] The control unit 29 is a computer that controls the mobile object 20 that moves autonomously and sells the product G. The control unit 29 controls the drive unit 25 to autonomously move the mobile object 20. In detail, the control unit 29 controls the drive unit 25 to autonomously move the mobile object 20 using the captured image acquired by the sensor 24, the position information of the mobile object 20 detected by the sensor 24, and the like.

[0031] In this embodiment, the control unit 29 controls the drive unit 25 to autonomously move along a preset movement route in accordance with a preset movement schedule for the mobile object 20. The movement schedule includes planned sales location information indicating the location information of one or more planned sales locations, the start and end times of stay at the planned sales locations, route information between the planned sales locations, etc. The planned sales locations may be parks, locations where various events are held, etc., but are not limited to these locations.

[0032] Furthermore, when the control unit 29 of the mobile object 20 receives replenishment location information and replenishment timing from the information processing device 10, it controls the drive unit 25 to autonomously move toward the replenishment location indicated by the received replenishment location information. The memory unit 26 of the mobile object 20 stores map information of the real space, and the control unit 29 controls the drive unit 25 according to the map information to autonomously move toward a destination position according to the movement schedule, movement route, or replenishment location information.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 29 transmits to the information processing device 10, at predetermined time intervals, mobile object information including the mobile object ID of the mobile object 20, current location information of the mobile object 20 detected by the sensor 24, the average moving speed of the mobile object 20 detected by the sensor 24, the product ID, and sales status information including the inventory amount, sales volume, and sales volume per unit time of the product G. The predetermined time is, for example, one second, five minutes, etc., but is not limited to these times. As described above, in addition to the predetermined time intervals, the control unit 29 may transmit to the information processing device 10 mobile object information including the latest sales status information every time a product G is sold. The mobile object information may further include the movement schedule and movement route of the replenishment mobile object 30. The movement route is information indicating the movement route of the mobile object 20.

[0034] Next, the replenishing mobile unit 30 will be described.

[0035] The replenishing mobile unit 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, a sensor 34, a drive unit 35, a memory unit 36, a product storage unit 38, and a control unit 39. The communication unit 31, the input unit 32, the output unit 33, the sensor 34, the drive unit 35, the memory unit 36, the product storage unit 38, and the control unit 39 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus or the like.

[0036] The communication unit 31 communicates with an external information processing device such as the information processing device 10 via a network NW, etc. The input unit 32 accepts various operations by a user, similar to the input unit 22. The output unit 33 outputs various information, similar to the output unit 23.

[0037] The sensor 34 is a sensor that acquires information about the traveling environment of the supplementary vehicle 30. The sensor 34 is, for example, an internal sensor and an external sensor. The internal sensor and the external sensor are the same as those described above.

[0038] The drive unit 35 is a device mounted on the supplementary vehicle 30 and drives the movement of the supplementary vehicle 30. The drive unit 35 is, for example, an engine, a motor, wheels, etc. The drive unit 35 is driven under the control of the control unit 39. For example, the control unit 39 determines the surrounding situation based on information obtained from the sensor 34, etc., and controls the amount of acceleration, the amount of braking, the steering angle, etc.

[0039] The storage unit 36 ​​stores various types of data. The storage unit 36 ​​is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The storage unit 36 ​​may be a storage device provided outside the replenishment vehicle 30. The storage unit 36 ​​may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, or the like. The product storage unit 38 is a storage unit in which the products G are stored.

[0040] The control unit 39 is a computer that controls the autonomously moving supplementary vehicle 30. The control unit 39 controls the drive unit 35 to autonomously move the supplementary vehicle 30. In detail, the control unit 39 controls the drive unit 35 to autonomously move the supplementary vehicle 30 using the captured image acquired by the sensor 34, the position information of the supplementary vehicle 30 detected by the sensor 34, and the like.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the control unit 39 receives replenishment location information and replenishment timing from the information processing device 10, it controls the drive unit 35 so that the replenishment vehicle 30 reaches the replenishment location indicated by the received replenishment location information by the received replenishment timing. Map information of the real space is stored in the memory unit 36 ​​of the replenishment vehicle 30, and the control unit 39 controls the drive unit 35 so that the replenishment vehicle 30 moves autonomously in accordance with the map information.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 39 transmits replenishment mobile unit information, including the replenishment mobile unit ID of the replenishment mobile unit 30, the current position information of the replenishment mobile unit 30 detected by the sensor 34, and the average movement speed detected by the sensor 34, to the information processing device 10 at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval is, for example, one second, five minutes, etc., but is not limited to these times.

[0043] Next, the replenisher terminal 40 will be described.

[0044] The replenisher terminal 40 includes a communication unit 41, an input unit 42, an output unit 43, a sensor 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46. The communication unit 41, the input unit 42, the output unit 43, the sensor 44, the storage unit 45, and the control unit 46 are communicatively connected via a bus or the like.

[0045] The communication unit 41 communicates with an external information processing device such as the information processing device 10 via a network NW, etc. The input unit 42 accepts various operations by a user, similar to the input unit 22. The output unit 43 outputs various information, similar to the output unit 23.

[0046] The sensor 34 is a sensor that detects position information and speed information of the replenisher terminal 40. For example, the sensor 34 includes a position sensor (GNSS, GPS), an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, and the like.

[0047] The storage unit 45 stores various types of data. The storage unit 45 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 45 may be a storage device provided outside the replenisher terminal 40. The storage unit 45 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

[0048] The control unit 46 is a computer that controls the replenisher terminal 40. In this embodiment, the control unit 46 transmits replenisher information, including the replenisher terminal ID of the replenisher terminal 40, the current location information of the replenisher terminal 40 detected by the sensor 44, and the average movement speed of the replenisher mobile object 30 detected by the sensor 34, to the information processing device 10 at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval is, for example, one second, five minutes, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0049] Furthermore, when the control unit 46 receives the replenishment location information and the replenishment timing from the information processing device 10, it outputs the received replenishment location information and the replenishment timing to the output unit 43. A replenisher P using the replenisher terminal 40 visually checks the output unit 43 to recognize the replenishment location and the replenishment timing indicated by the replenishment location information.

[0050] Next, the information processing device 10 will be described.

[0051] The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15. The communication unit 11, the input unit 12, the output unit 13, the storage unit 14, and the control unit 15 are communicatively connected via a bus or the like.

[0052] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface that communicates with the mobile unit 20, the replenishment mobile unit 30, the replenisher terminal 40, etc. via a network NW, etc. The input unit 12 accepts various operations by the user. The input unit 12 is, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, an input button, a microphone, etc. The output unit 13 outputs various information. The output unit 13 is, for example, a display that displays various information, a speaker that outputs various sounds, etc. The input unit 12 and the output unit 13 may be integrated into a touch panel.

[0053] The storage unit 14 stores various types of data. The storage unit 14 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The storage unit 14 may be a storage device provided outside the information processing device 10. The storage unit 14 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, or the like. At least a portion of the information stored in the storage unit 14 may also be stored in an external storage device communicably connected to the information processing device 10.

[0054] In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores mobile object management information 14A, supplemental mobile object management information 14B, and supplemental agent management information 14C.

[0055] 3A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the mobile object management information 14A. The mobile object management information 14A is a database that stores mobile object information for each mobile object 20. The data format of the mobile object management information 14A is not limited to a database.

[0056] The mobile object information is information related to the mobile object 20 and includes at least sales status information. Specifically, the mobile object information is data that associates a mobile object ID, location information, product ID, sales status information, travel schedule, travel route, and average travel speed. The location information is information that represents the current location of the mobile object 20 identified by the corresponding mobile object ID. As described above, the sales status information includes information that represents the inventory amount, sales volume, and sales volume per unit time of the product G identified by the corresponding product ID that is carried on the mobile object 20 identified by the corresponding mobile object ID.

[0057] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 stores the received mobile object information in the mobile object management information 14A every time the information processing device 10 receives mobile object information from a mobile object 20. Therefore, the latest mobile object information of each of the mobile objects 20 included in the information processing system 1 is registered in the mobile object management information 14A.

[0058] 3B is a schematic diagram of an example of the data structure of the supplementary mobile unit management information 14B. The supplementary mobile unit management information 14B is a database that stores supplementary mobile unit information for each supplementary mobile unit 30. The data format of the supplementary mobile unit management information 14B is not limited to a database.

[0059] The supplementary mobile unit information is information relating to the supplementary mobile unit 30. Specifically, the supplementary mobile unit information is data that associates a supplementary mobile unit ID, location information, and an average moving speed. The location information is information that indicates the current location of the supplementary mobile unit 30 identified by the corresponding supplementary mobile unit ID.

[0060] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 stores the received replenishment mobile unit information in the replenishment mobile unit management information 14B every time it receives replenishment mobile unit information from a replenishment mobile unit 30. Therefore, the latest replenishment mobile unit information of the replenishment mobile unit 30 included in the information processing system 1 is registered in the replenishment mobile unit management information 14B.

[0061] 3C is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of the replenisher management information 14C. The replenisher management information 14C is a database that stores replenisher information for each replenisher P. The data format of the replenisher management information 14C is not limited to a database.

[0062] The replenisher information is information about the replenisher P. In detail, the replenisher information is data that associates a replenisher ID, a replenisher terminal ID, location information, an average movement speed, availability, and a work schedule.

[0063] The replenisher ID is identification information of the replenisher P. The replenisher terminal ID is identification information of the replenisher terminal 40 used by the replenisher P identified by the corresponding replenisher ID. The location information is information indicating the current location of the replenisher P identified by the corresponding replenisher ID, and is represented by the location information of the replenisher terminal 40 used by the replenisher P. The availability is information indicating the time required for the replenisher P identified by the corresponding replenisher ID to be able to start replenishing the product G to the mobile object 20 after being notified of the replenishment location information for the product G. For example, the availability is represented by information indicating either "available immediately," "available in n minutes," or "unavailable." n is a number indicating time. n is a first required time required for the replenisher P to be able to replenish the product G. The work schedule is information indicating the work schedule of the replenisher P identified by the corresponding replenisher ID. The work schedule includes information indicating the time periods during which the replenisher P can carry out the replenishment work of the product G, the time periods during which the replenishment work cannot be carried out, and the like.

[0064] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 overwrites and stores the received replenisher mobile body information in the replenisher management information 14C every time it receives the replenisher mobile body information from the replenisher terminal 40. Therefore, the latest replenisher information of the replenisher P included in the information processing system 1 is registered in the replenisher management information 14C.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 2, the description will continue.

[0066] The control unit 15 includes an acquisition unit 15A, a determination unit 15B, a derivation unit 15C, and a notification unit 15D. The acquisition unit 15A, the determination unit 15B, the derivation unit 15C, and the notification unit 15D are realized by one or more processors. For example, each of the above units may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, i.e., by software.

[0067] Each of the above units may be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC, i.e., hardware. Each of the above units may also be realized by a combination of software and hardware. When multiple processors are used, each processor may realize one of the units, or may realize two or more of the units. Furthermore, at least one of one or more functional units included in the control unit 15 may be mounted on an external information processing device communicatively connected to the information processing device 10 via a network NW or the like.

[0068] The acquisition unit 15A acquires mobile object information, supplementary mobile object information, and supplementary person information.

[0069] For example, each time the acquisition unit 15A receives mobile object information from the mobile object 20, it stores the received mobile object information in the mobile object management information 14A. Furthermore, each time the acquisition unit 15A receives replenishment mobile object information from the replenishment mobile object 30, it stores the received replenishment mobile person information in the replenishment mobile object management information 14B. Furthermore, each time the acquisition unit 15A receives replenishment mobile object information from the replenishment person terminal 40, it stores the received replenishment person information in the replenishment person management information 14C. The acquisition unit 15A acquires the mobile object information registered in the mobile object management information 14A, the replenishment mobile object information registered in the replenishment mobile object management information 14B, and the replenishment person information registered in the replenishment person management information 14C by reading these pieces of information from the storage unit 14. Note that if at least a portion of this information is stored in an external storage device, the acquisition unit 15A may acquire this information by reading this information from the external storage device. The acquisition unit 15A may also acquire this information by receiving this information from each of the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40.

[0070] The determination unit 15B determines the mobile object 20 to which the product G is to be replenished based on the mobile object information acquired by the acquisition unit 15A.

[0071] For example, it is assumed that the information processing system 1 includes one mobile object 20 .

[0072] In this case, if the inventory amount included in the mobile object information of the mobile object 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the determination unit 15B determines that the mobile object 20 is a target for replenishment of the product G. In other words, if the inventory amount included in the mobile object information is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the determination unit 15B determines that the mobile object 20 is in a state in which replenishment of the product G is required. The predetermined amount may be set in advance. Furthermore, the predetermined amount may be changeable as appropriate by a user's operation instruction via the input unit 12, etc.

[0073] The determination unit 15B also derives the sales volume of product G per unit time included in the mobile object information as sales trend information representing the sales status at a future timing. Then, based on the current inventory amount of product G and the sales trend information, the determination unit 15B derives a predicted elapsed time from the present when the inventory of product G will fall below a predetermined amount. Specifically, the determination unit 15B derives, as a predicted elapsed time, the time from a future timing after the present when the current inventory amount of product G will fall below the predetermined amount when the inventory amount decreases, in accordance with the change in sales amount of product G over time represented by the sales trend information. Then, if the predicted elapsed time is less than a predetermined time, the determination unit 15B determines the mobile object 20 identified by the mobile object ID included in the mobile object information as a mobile object 20 to be replenished. In other words, the determination unit 15B determines that the mobile object 20 requires replenishment of product G.

[0074] Also, for example, it is assumed that the information processing system 1 includes a plurality of mobile objects 20 .

[0075] In this case, the determination unit 15B uses the priority derived for each of the plurality of mobile bodies 20 to determine, from among the plurality of mobile bodies 20, a mobile body 20 to be a target for replenishing the product G. In detail, first, the determination unit calculates a priority for each of the plurality of mobile bodies 20 based on the inventory amount of the product G represented by the sales status information included in the mobile body information of each of the plurality of mobile bodies 20, the sales trend information, and the predicted arrival time required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the position of the mobile body 20.

[0076] As described above, the sales trend information is information that represents the sales situation at a future timing. As described above, the determination unit 15B uses the sales volume of the product G per unit time included in the sales situation information of the mobile object information as the sales trend information.

[0077] The predicted arrival time is the predicted time required for the replenishment mobile unit 30 or the replenisher P to reach the position of the mobile unit 20. In this embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which the longer of the time required for the replenishment mobile unit 30 to reach the position of the mobile unit 20 and the time required for the replenisher P to reach the position of the mobile unit 20 is treated as the predicted arrival time.

[0078] The determination unit 15B may use a known method to calculate a first time required for the replenishment mobile unit 30 to reach the current position of the mobile unit 20, using the current position information of the mobile unit 20 included in the mobile unit information and the position information and average movement speed of the replenishment mobile unit 30 included in the replenishment mobile unit information. The determination unit 15B may also use a known method to calculate a second time required for the replenisher P to reach the current position of the mobile unit 20, using the current position information of the mobile unit 20 included in the mobile unit information and the current position information and average movement speed of the replenisher terminal 40 included in the replenisher information. The determination unit 15B may then calculate the longer of the first time and the second time as the predicted arrival time.

[0079] The determining unit 15B then calculates a priority for each moving body 20 that is higher the smaller the inventory amount, the higher the sales volume per unit time represented by the sales trend information, and the longer the predicted arrival time.

[0080] Specifically, for example, the determination unit 15B divides the inventory amount into multiple stages and sets a higher (larger) first priority value as the inventory amount decreases. The determination unit 15B also divides the sales volume per unit time represented by the sales trend information into multiple stages and sets a higher (larger) second priority value as the sales volume increases. The determination unit 15B also determines a higher weight value as the predicted arrival time increases. The determination unit 15B then calculates the priority of each of the multiple mobile objects 20 represented by each piece of mobile object information by multiplying the determined weight value by the sum of the first priority value and the second priority value determined for each piece of mobile object information. In this case, the priority value indicates a higher priority. The determination unit 15B then determines a predetermined number of mobile objects 20 in descending order of priority as mobile objects 20 to be replenished. In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the determination unit 15B determines the mobile object 20 with the highest priority, i.e., the mobile object 20 with the largest calculated priority value, as the mobile object 20 to be replenished. In addition, when multiple mobile bodies 20 are determined as replenishment targets, a replenisher P is also determined for each mobile body 20 determined as a replenishment target, and the processing described below is performed for each pair of mobile body 20 and replenisher P.

[0081] Through these processes, the determination unit 15B determines the mobile object 20 to be replenished with products G. In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming a case where the information processing system 1 includes a plurality of mobile objects 20 and one mobile object 20 is determined to be the object to be replenished. Also, as described above, in this embodiment, a description will be given assuming a case where the information processing system 1 includes one mobile object 20 and, when it is determined that the mobile object 20 is in a state requiring replenishment of products G based on the mobile object information of the mobile object 20, the mobile object 20 is determined to be the object to be replenished with products G.

[0082] The derivation unit 15C derives information on the timing and location of replenishment of products G by the replenisher P from the replenishment mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20 based on the mobile unit information, the replenishment mobile unit information, and the replenisher information.

[0083] The deriving unit 15C derives replenishment location information that indicates a location where the product G is to be replenished for the mobile object 20 determined as the replenishment target by the determining unit 15B.

[0084] First, the derivation unit 15C determines whether the mobile object 20 to be replenished will stay at its current position for a predetermined time without moving.

[0085] The deriving unit 15C analyzes the location information and movement schedule included in the mobile object information of the mobile object 20 to be replenished, and derives the remaining time that the mobile object 20 will continue to stay at its current location without moving as the predetermined time. For example, the deriving unit 15C reads the stay end time that corresponds to the planned sales location information including the location information of the current location, which is included in the movement schedule of the mobile object information. Then, the deriving unit 15C determines the period from the current timing to the read stay end time as the remaining time, and derives the remaining time as the predetermined time.

[0086] In addition, the derivation unit 15C calculates a first predicted time t1 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the current position of the mobile body 20, and a second predicted time t2 required for the replenishment person P to reach the current position of the mobile body 20.

[0087] Specifically, the derivation unit 15C calculates the distance between the mobile unit 20 and the supplementary mobile unit 30 using the current position information of the mobile unit 20 included in the mobile unit information and the position information of the supplementary mobile unit 30 included in the supplementary mobile unit information. Then, the derivation unit 15C calculates a first predicted time t1 required for the supplementary mobile unit 30 to reach the current position of the mobile unit 20 by dividing the distance by the average movement speed of the supplementary mobile unit 30 included in the supplementary mobile unit information.

[0088] Similarly, the derivation unit 15C calculates the distance between the mobile body 20 and the replenisher P using the current location information of the mobile body 20 included in the mobile body information and the location information of the replenisher P included in the replenisher information. Then, the derivation unit 15C calculates a second predicted time t2 required for the replenisher P to reach the current location of the mobile body 20 by dividing the distance by the average movement speed of the replenisher P included in the replenisher information.

[0089] Then, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately," the derivation unit 15C executes the following process. In detail, the derivation unit 15C determines whether the predetermined time, which is the calculated remaining time, is equal to or greater than the longer of the calculated first predicted time t1 and second predicted time t2, thereby determining whether the mobile object 20 to be replenished will remain at its current position for the predetermined time without moving.

[0090] Figure 4A is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of the replenishment location RL and replenishment timing when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately" and the mobile body 20 to be replenished does not move but remains at its current location for a predetermined period of time.

[0091] When it is determined that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will not move but will remain at its current position for a predetermined time, the derivation unit 15C derives the location information included in the mobile object information of the mobile object 20 as replenishment location information indicating the replenishment location RL of the product G for the mobile object 20. That is, in this case, the derivation unit 15C derives replenishment location information in which the current position of the mobile object 20 is the replenishment location RL.

[0092] Then, the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment timing as the time at least a time elapsed from the present time that is the longer of the first predicted time t1 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information derived and the second predicted time t2 required for the replenisher P to reach the replenishment location RL.

[0093] On the other hand, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes," the derivation unit 15C executes the following process. In detail, the derivation unit 15C determines whether the predetermined time, which is the calculated remaining time, is equal to or greater than the longer of a first total time of the calculated first predicted time t1 and a first required time n required for the replenisher P to be able to replenish the product G, and a second total time of the second predicted time t2 and the first required time n, thereby determining whether the mobile object 20 to be replenished will remain at its current position for the predetermined time without moving.

[0094] Figure 4B is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of the replenishment location RL and replenishment timing when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes" and the mobile body 20 to be replenished does not move and remains at its current position for a predetermined period of time.

[0095] When it is determined that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will not move but will remain at its current position for a predetermined time, the derivation unit 15C derives the location information included in the mobile object information of the mobile object 20 as replenishment location information indicating the replenishment location RL of the product G for the mobile object 20. That is, in this case, the derivation unit 15C derives replenishment location information in which the current position of the mobile object 20 is the replenishment location RL.

[0096] Then, the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment timing as the time at least a time elapsed from the present time that is the longer of the first total time of the first predicted time t1 and the first required time n required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information, and the second total time of the second predicted time t2 and the first required time n.

[0097] On the other hand, when the derivation unit 15C determines that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will move from its current position within a predetermined time, the derivation unit 15C executes the following process.

[0098] The derivation unit 15C analyzes the location information and movement schedule included in the mobile body information of the mobile body 20 to be replenished, and derives the remaining time that the mobile body 20 will continue to remain at its current position without moving as the above-mentioned predetermined time.

[0099] In addition, the derivation unit 15C calculates, in the same manner as described above, a first predicted time t1 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the current position of the mobile body 20 and a second predicted time t2 required for the replenishment person P to reach the current position of the mobile body 20.

[0100] Then, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately," the derivation unit 15C determines whether the mobile body 20 to be replenished will move from its current location within the specified time by determining whether the calculated remaining time, which is the specified time, is less than the longer of the calculated first predicted time t1 and second predicted time t2.

[0101] Figure 5A is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of the replenishment location RL and replenishment timing when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately" and the mobile body 20 to be replenished moves from its current location within a specified time.

[0102] When the derivation unit 15C determines that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will move from its current location within a specified time, it derives the next planned sales location of the mobile object 20 or any location on the route to the next planned sales location, as replenishment location information, as represented by the movement schedule included in the mobile object information.

[0103] In detail, the derivation unit 15C derives the location information of the next planned sales location of the mobile body 20, which is represented by the movement schedule included in the mobile body information, as replenishment location information indicating the replenishment location RL of the product G for the mobile body 20. That is, in this case, the deriving unit 15C derives replenishment location information in which the next planned sales location of the mobile body 20 is the replenishment location RL.

[0104] Alternatively, the derivation unit 15C derives position information on the movement route to the next planned sales location, which is represented by the movement schedule and movement route included in the mobile object information, as replenishment location information that represents the replenishment location RL of the product G for the mobile object 20. That is, in this case, the deriving unit 15C derives replenishment location information in which the location on the movement route of the mobile object 20 to the next planned sales location is the replenishment location RL.

[0105] For example, the derivation unit 15C derives replenishment location information that defines a point on the moving route to the next planned sales location of the moving object 20 as the replenishment location RL, where the moving object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher P can gather within a predetermined distance when they move toward a point on the moving route at their respective average moving speeds. The predetermined distance is, for example, 10 m, but is not limited to this value.

[0106] Then, the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment timing as the time at least a time elapsed from the present time that is the longer of the first predicted time t1' required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information derived and the second predicted time t2' required for the replenisher P to reach the replenishment location RL.

[0107] The derivation unit 15C calculates the distance between the replenishment mobile object 30 and the replenishment location RL using the current position information of the mobile object 20 included in the mobile object information and the derived replenishment location information of the replenishment location RL. Then, the derivation unit 15C divides the distance by the average movement speed of the replenishment mobile object 30 included in the replenishment mobile object information to calculate a first predicted time t1′ required for the replenishment mobile object 30 to reach the replenishment location RL.

[0108] Similarly, the derivation unit 15C calculates the distance between the replenisher P and the replenishment location RL by using the position information of the replenisher P included in the replenisher information and the derived replenishment location information B. Then, the derivation unit 15C divides the distance by the average movement speed of the replenisher P included in the replenisher information to calculate a second predicted time t2′ required for the replenisher P to reach the replenishment location RL.

[0109] On the other hand, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes" and the replenishment target mobile object 20 is determined to move from its current location within the predetermined time, the deriving unit 15C executes the following process. In detail, the deriving unit 15C determines whether the calculated predetermined time, which is the remaining time, is less than the longer of a first total time of the calculated first predicted time t1 and a first required time n required for the replenisher P to be able to replenish the product G, and a second total time of the second predicted time t2 and the first required time n, thereby determining whether the replenishment target mobile object 20 will move from its current location within the predetermined time.

[0110] Figure 5B is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of the replenishment location RL and replenishment timing when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes" and the mobile body 20 to be replenished moves from its current location within a specified time.

[0111] When the derivation unit 15C determines that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will move from its current location within a specified time, it derives, as described above, the next planned sales location of the mobile object 20 or any location on the route to the next planned sales location, as the replenishment location information of the replenishment location RL.

[0112] The derivation unit 15C then derives, as the replenishment timing, the time at which at least the longer of a third sum of a first predicted time t1' required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information and a first required time n required for the replenisher P to be able to replenish the product G, and a fourth sum of a second predicted time t2' required for the replenisher P to reach the replenishment location RL and the first required time n, from the present time, is at least equal to the replenishment timing. The first predicted time t1' and the second predicted time t2' may be calculated in the same manner as described above.

[0113] The derivation unit 15C may derive the following timing as the replenishment timing.

[0114] 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of deriving the replenishment timing, where time T0 represents the current timing.

[0115] When the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately," the derivation unit 15C may derive the replenishment timing as a time after time T1 and before time T4. Time T1 is the longer of a first time required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information and a second time required for the replenisher P to reach the replenishment location RL. Time T4 is the time that is the product replenishment time TA after the predicted time T3 when the inventory amount of product G will be equal to or less than the predetermined amount.

[0116] The derivation unit 15C may calculate the distance between the replenishment mobile object 30 and the replenishment location RL from the position information included in the replenishment mobile object information and the replenishment location information of the replenishment location RL, and may calculate the first time by dividing the distance by the average movement speed included in the replenishment mobile object information. The derivation unit 15C may also calculate the distance between the replenisher P and the replenishment location RL from the position information included in the replenisher information and the replenishment location information of the replenishment location RL, and may calculate the second time by dividing the distance by the average movement speed included in the replenisher information.

[0117] The derivation unit 15C also calculates a predicted timing T3 at which the inventory amount of the product G will fall below a predetermined amount based on the change in sales volume over time represented by the sales trend information and the inventory amount of the product G included in the mobile unit management information. The predetermined amount may be a predetermined threshold value for determining whether or not replenishment of the product G is necessary.

[0118] The product replenishment time TA is the time required for the replenisher P to replenish the product G from the replenishment mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20.

[0119] Furthermore, the derivation unit 15C may derive, as the replenishment timing, a timing that is after time T1 and before time T4, and that is within a time period TC during which the replenisher P is available. The time period during which the replenisher P is available refers to a time period included in the work schedule during which the replenisher P can perform the replenishment work of the product G. The derivation unit 15C may derive the time period TC during which the replenisher P can perform the replenishment work of the product G by analyzing the work schedule included in the replenisher management information.

[0120] Furthermore, if a time period after time T1 and before time T4 is a time period during which the replenisher P is unable to replenish products G and priority replenishment has been set in advance, the derivation unit 15C may send replenishment request information to the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenisher P. The time period during which the replenisher P is unable to replenish products G refers to a time period included in the work schedule during which the replenisher P is unable to perform the replenishment work of products G. When the derivation unit 15C receives information indicating acceptance of replenishment from the replenisher terminal 40, it may determine that the replenishment timing is a time period after time T1 and before time T4.

[0121] In addition, if the derivation unit 15C determines that multiple replenishers P are able to replenish product G after time T1 and before time T4, it may determine the multiple replenishers P as the replenishers P who will replenish product G, and perform the same processing as described above.

[0122] Furthermore, a replenisher P who is replenishing products G may request that the replenishment work be suspended. In this case, the replenisher P operates his / her replenisher terminal 40 to input a request to suspend the replenishment work. The replenisher terminal 40 that has received the request to suspend the replenishment work transmits information requesting suspension of the replenishment work to the information processing device 10. When the derivation unit 15C of the information processing device 10 receives the information requesting suspension of the replenishment work, it searches the replenisher information of each of the multiple replenishers P stored in the storage unit 14, determines another replenisher P who can handle the replenishment work, and executes the same process as described above.

[0123] Furthermore, the derivation unit 15C may execute the following process when the availability included in the replenisher information of each of the multiple replenishers P stored in the storage unit 14 is information indicating "not available," or when the derived replenishment timing is a time period during which replenishment work cannot be performed in the work schedule included in the replenisher information of the replenisher P. In this case, the derivation unit 15C may transmit interruption information indicating that replenishment of the product G has been interrupted to the mobile object 20 to be replenished, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40, and may transmit instruction information to instruct the mobile object 20 and the replenishment mobile object 30 to return to a predetermined location such as a warehouse.

[0124] Returning to FIG. 2, the description will continue.

[0125] The notification unit 15D notifies the replenishment mobile object 30 and the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenishment timing and replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C. The notification unit 15D may further notify the replenishment timing and replenishment location information to the mobile object 20 to be replenished determined by the determination unit 15B.

[0126] The replenishment vehicle 30, which has received the replenishment timing and replenishment location information, controls the driving unit 35 so that it reaches the replenishment location RL represented by the received replenishment location information by the received replenishment timing. The memory unit 36 ​​of the replenishment vehicle 30 stores map information of the real space, and the control unit 39 controls the driving unit 35 so that it moves autonomously in accordance with the map information. Therefore, the replenishment vehicle 30 moves autonomously to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C by the derived replenishment timing.

[0127] The control unit 46 of the replenisher terminal 40 that has received the replenishment timing and replenishment location information outputs the received replenishment location information and replenishment timing to the output unit 43 .

[0128] 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the display screen 48 displayed on the output unit 43 of the replenisher terminal 40. The display screen 48 includes replenishment location information for the replenishment location RL and information indicating the replenishment timing. A replenisher P operating the replenisher terminal 40 visually checks the display screen 48 to determine the replenishment location RL for the product G and the replenishment timing, and moves to the replenishment location RL by the replenishment timing.

[0129] When a replenisher P carrying a replenisher terminal 40 and the replenishment mobile unit 30 arrive at the replenishment location RL, the replenisher P replenishes the products G loaded on the replenishment mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20. Thus, the replenisher P replenishes the products G from the replenishment mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20.

[0130] Next, an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0131] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1 of this embodiment.

[0132] The acquisition unit 15A of the information processing device 10 acquires mobile object information, replenishment mobile object information, and replenisher information from the mobile object 20, replenishment mobile object 30, and replenisher terminal 40, respectively (steps S100 to S104).

[0133] The determination unit 15B of the information processing device 10 executes a determination process to determine the mobile object 20 to which the product G is to be replenished, based on the acquired mobile object information (step S106).

[0134] The derivation unit 15C of the information processing device 10 executes a derivation process to derive information on the timing and location of replenishment of product G by replenisher P from replenisher mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20 determined in step S106 based on the mobile unit information, replenisher mobile unit information, and replenisher information (step S108).

[0135] The notification unit 15D notifies the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenishment timing and replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C (steps S110 to S114). Then, this sequence ends.

[0136] Next, an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing device 10 will be described.

[0137] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing device 10.

[0138] The acquisition unit 15A acquires mobile object information, supplementary mobile object information, and supplementary person information (step S200).

[0139] The determination unit 15B determines the mobile object 20 to which the product G is to be replenished based on the mobile object information acquired in step S200 (step S202).

[0140] The derivation unit 15C derives information on the location where product G will be replenished by replenisher P from replenisher mobile unit 30 to mobile unit 20 based on the mobile unit information, replenisher mobile unit information, and replenisher information acquired in step S200 (step S204).

[0141] Then, the derivation unit 15C uses the mobile object information, replenishment mobile object information, replenisher information, and replenishment location information obtained in step S200 to derive the replenishment timing of product G at the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information (step S206).

[0142] The notification unit 15D notifies the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenishment location information and replenishment timing derived in steps S204 and S206 (step S208), and then ends this routine.

[0143] As described above, the information processing method executed by the information processing device 10 of this embodiment derives information on the timing and location of replenishment of goods G by the replenisher P from the replenisher mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20 based on mobile unit information including sales status information of goods G of the mobile unit 20 that moves autonomously and sells goods G, replenishment mobile unit information including location information of the replenisher mobile unit 30 that moves autonomously and replenishes goods G to the mobile unit 20, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher P who replenishes the goods G loaded on the replenisher mobile unit 30 to the mobile unit 20.

[0144] As described above, the information processing method of this embodiment derives replenishment timing and replenishment location information using mobile unit information on the mobile unit 20 and replenishment mobile unit information on the replenishment mobile unit 30, as well as replenisher information on the replenisher P who replenishes the mobile unit 20 with the products G carried on the replenishment mobile unit 30. Therefore, the information processing method of this embodiment can derive replenishment timing for the products G and replenishment location information for the replenishment location RL, taking into account the replenisher P who performs the replenishment work of the products G. Therefore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment enables smooth and efficient replenishment of the products G to the mobile unit 20.

[0145] Therefore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment can improve the efficiency of product replenishment.

[0146] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment enables the replenisher P to replenish products G from the replenishment mobile device 30 to the mobile device 20, eliminating the need to prepare multiple replenishment mobile devices 30 more than necessary. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment derives replenishment timing and replenishment location information based on the mobile device information, replenishment mobile device information, and replenisher information, thereby reducing the need to prepare multiple replenishers P more than necessary or the need to prepare multiple dedicated replenishers P. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment makes it possible to replenish products G with a low processing load and low cost.

[0147] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment derives replenishment timing and replenishment location information based on the mobile object information, replenishment mobile object information, and replenisher information, which makes it possible to prevent interruptions in the sale of goods G by the mobile object 20 compared to when goods G are replenished at predetermined fixed locations or fixed times. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment enables more efficient replenishment of goods G.

[0148] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the description is given assuming that there is one replenisher P included in the information processing system 1. However, there may be multiple replenishers P included in the information processing system 1. In this case, the information processing system 1 may be configured to include multiple replenisher terminals 40 that are used by multiple different replenishers P, respectively.

[0149] In this case, the derivation unit 15C may determine the user in charge of the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information as the replenisher P, and then execute the same process as above.

[0150] For example, the derivation unit 15C may further associate the replenisher ID in the replenisher management information 14C with the area information of the replenisher P identified by the replenisher ID and pre-register it. Then, the derivation unit 15C may determine the replenisher P identified by the replenisher ID associated with the area information including the derived replenishment location information as the replenisher P responsible for replenishing the products G. Then, the derivation unit 15C may derive the replenishment location information and the replenishment timing by performing the same processing as described above using the replenisher information of the replenisher P.

[0151] The notification unit 15D may notify the replenishment timing and replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C to the replenisher terminal 40 of the determined replenisher P. In detail, the notification unit 15D may notify the replenishment timing and replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C to the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenisher P represented by the replenisher ID associated in advance with the replenishment location information as the person in charge of the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information.

[0152] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing system 1 includes one replenisher P. However, the information processing system 1 may include multiple replenishers P. In this case, the information processing system 1 may be configured to include multiple replenisher terminals 40 that are used by multiple different replenishers P, respectively.

[0153] In this case, the derivation unit 15C may determine the replenisher P, who is identified by the replenisher ID associated in advance with the product ID of the product G, as the person in charge of replenishing the product G. Then, the derivation unit 15C may execute the same process as described above.

[0154] For example, the derivation unit 15C pre-registers the product ID of the product G that the replenisher P identified by the replenisher ID is responsible for replenishment, by further associating it with the replenisher ID in the replenisher management information 14C. Then, the derivation unit 15C determines the replenisher P identified by the replenisher ID associated with the product ID of the product G to be replenished to the mobile object 20 as the replenisher P responsible for replenishment of the product G. Then, the derivation unit 15C performs the same processing as above using the replenisher information of the replenisher P to derive replenishment location information and replenishment timing.

[0155] The notification unit 15D may notify the replenishment timing and replenishment location information derived by the derivation unit 15C to the replenisher terminal 40 of the determined replenisher P. In detail, the notification unit 15D may notify the replenishment timing and replenishment location information to the replenisher terminal 40 of the replenisher P, who is represented by the replenisher ID associated in advance with the product ID of the product G as the person in charge of replenishing the product G to be replenished.

[0156] (Variant 3) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the replenishment mobile body 30 and the replenisher P each move separately to the replenishment location RL, and at the replenishment location RL, the replenisher P replenishes the product G from the replenishment mobile body 30 to the mobile body 20.

[0157] However, the configuration may also be such that the replenishment vehicle 30 moves to the position of the replenisher P, the replenisher P gets on the replenishment vehicle 30, and then the replenishment vehicle 30 moves to the replenishment location RL.

[0158] In this case, the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment location information and replenishment timing based on the estimated time required for the replenishment vehicle 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the replenishment location information after the replenishment vehicle 30 moves to the location of the replenisher P and has the replenisher P board the replenishment vehicle 30.

[0159] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of derivation of the replenishment timing in this modified example.

[0160] In this modified example, the derivation unit 15C calculates a first total time (t10 + t20) of the first predicted time t10 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the current position of the replenisher P from its current position and the second predicted time t20 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the current position of the mobile body 20 from the current position of the replenisher P.

[0161] Then, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately," the derivation unit 15C determines whether the mobile body 20 to be replenished will remain at its current position for a predetermined period of time without moving by determining whether the calculated remaining time, which is a predetermined time, is equal to or greater than the calculated first total time.

[0162] Similarly to the above, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately" and the replenishment target mobile object 20 is determined to remain at its current position for a predetermined time without moving, the derivation unit 15C derives the current position information of the mobile object 20 as replenishment location information indicating the replenishment location RL. Then, the derivation unit 15C may derive the timing at which at least the first total time has elapsed from the present as the replenishment timing.

[0163] Similarly to the above, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately" and it is determined that the mobile object 20 to be replenished will move from its current location within a predetermined time, the deriving unit 15C derives, as replenishment location information, the next planned sales location of the mobile object 20 or any location on the route to the next planned sales location. Then, the deriving unit 15C may derive, as the replenishment timing, the timing when a second total time (t10+t20) of a first predicted time t10 required for the replenishment mobile object 30 to reach the current location of the replenisher P from its current location and a second predicted time t20 required for the replenishment mobile object 30 to reach the replenishment location RL from the current location of the replenisher P has elapsed from the present.

[0164] Furthermore, if the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes," the derivation unit 15C can derive the replenishment location information and replenishment timing by performing the same processing as described above using the value obtained by adding n minutes to the first total time and the second total time.

[0165] Furthermore, as described above, the derivation unit 15C may further derive, as the replenishment timing, a time period that satisfies the above conditions and in which the replenishment work indicated by the work schedule included in the replenisher information can be performed.

[0166] (Modification 4) The deriving unit 15C may derive the position information of the current position of the replenisher P as the replenishment location information.

[0167] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of deriving replenishment location information and replenishment timing in this modified example.

[0168] The deriving unit 15C derives the location information included in the replenisher information as the replenishment location information of the replenishment location RL.

[0169] Then, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available immediately," the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment timing as the time at least a time that has elapsed from the present time that is the longer of the first predicted time t1 required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information and the second predicted time t200 required for the mobile body 20 to reach the replenishment location RL.

[0170] Furthermore, when the availability information included in the replenisher information indicates "available in n minutes," the derivation unit 15C derives the replenishment timing as the time at least a time that has elapsed from the present time, whichever is longer: a first total time of the first predicted time t1 and the first required time n required for the replenishment mobile body 30 to reach the replenishment location RL represented by the derived replenishment location information; or a second total time of the second predicted time t200 and the first required time n.

[0171] Furthermore, as described above, the derivation unit 15C may further derive, as the replenishment timing, a time period that satisfies the above conditions and in which the replenishment work indicated by the work schedule included in the replenisher information can be performed.

[0172] The replenishment location RL and replenishment timing indicated by the replenishment location information are, for example, a cleaning location and a timing to perform cleaning. Note that the replenishment location RL and replenishment timing may be any current location of the replenisher P and any replenishment timing derived from the current location (replenishment location RL) by the above-mentioned processing or the like, and are not limited to the cleaning location and the timing to perform cleaning.

[0173] (Variation 5) The information processing system 1 may further control the supplementary mobile object 30 to be used temporarily as the mobile object 20 .

[0174] For example, when the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 determines that the products G loaded on the replenishment mobile unit 30 have been replenished to the mobile unit 20 at the replenishment location RL and replenishment has been completed, it determines whether or not a predetermined amount of products G is loaded in the product storage unit 38 of the replenishment mobile unit 30. The control unit 39 of the replenishment mobile unit 30 may transmit replenishment mobile unit information including a detection result of detecting the inventory amount of products G loaded in the product storage unit 38 to the information processing device 10. The control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 may then analyze the inventory amount detection result included in the replenishment mobile unit information to determine whether or not a predetermined amount of products G is loaded in the product storage unit 38 of the replenishment mobile unit 30. The predetermined amount may be determined in advance. Furthermore, the predetermined amount may be changeable as appropriate by a user's operation instruction on the input unit 12, etc.

[0175] Then, if the sales volume at a future timing represented by the sales trend information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 determines to increase the number of mobile units 20 and determines the replenishing mobile unit 30 as the mobile unit 20 that will sell the product G. The control unit 15 then associates the mobile unit information of the determined replenishing mobile unit 30 with a flag indicating that the mobile unit 20 is a temporary mobile unit 20, and registers the association in the mobile unit management information 14A of the storage unit 14. The control unit 15 also transmits instruction information to the replenishing mobile unit 30 instructing it to function as the mobile unit 20. Upon receiving the instruction information, the control unit 39 of the replenishing mobile unit 30 may start executing the same process as the control unit 29 of the mobile unit 20.

[0176] The control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 then periodically calculates the sales volume at a future timing represented by the sales trend information, and when the sales volume falls below the predetermined value, transmits cancellation instruction information to the supplementary mobile unit 30 registered as a temporary mobile unit 20, instructing the supplementary mobile unit 30 to cancel its function as the mobile unit 20. Upon receiving the cancellation instruction information, the control unit 39 of the supplementary mobile unit 30 executes the processing as the supplementary mobile unit 30 described above.

[0177] Through these processes, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 can control the supplementary mobile unit 30 to temporarily function as the mobile unit 20 .

[0178] (Variation 6) Furthermore, the information processing system 1 may further control the mobile object 20 so that it is temporarily used as the supplementary mobile object 30 .

[0179] For example, assume that the information processing system 1 includes multiple mobile objects 20 (20A, 20B). Assume also that the inventory amount of product G included in the mobile object information of mobile object 20A is equal to or greater than a threshold, and the inventory amount of product G included in the mobile object information of mobile object 20B is less than the threshold. In this case, based on the mobile object information and sales trend information of each mobile object 20, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 identifies the mobile object 20A whose inventory amount of product G is equal to or greater than the threshold as the replenishment mobile object 30 that will replenish product G to the mobile object 20B.

[0180] Also, for example, assume that the information processing system 1 includes multiple mobile objects 20 (20A, 20B). Assume that the product G included in the mobile object information of mobile object 20A and the product G included in the mobile object information of mobile object 20B are different products G, and that information indicating that sales will increase if these different products G are sold by the same mobile object 20 is stored in advance in the storage unit 14. In this case, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 identifies one of the mobile objects 20A as a replenishment mobile object 30 that replenishes the product G to the other mobile object 20B, based on the mobile object information and sales trend information of each mobile object 20.

[0181] Then, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 performs the same processing as described above for the mobile unit 20A identified as the replenishment mobile unit 30, thereby controlling the replenisher P to replenish the product G from the mobile unit 20A to the mobile unit 20B at the replenishment location RL.

[0182] Furthermore, the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 may further control the supplementary mobile unit 30 that has temporarily functioned as the supplementary mobile unit 30 to function as the mobile unit 20 when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0183] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10, the mobile object 20, the replenisher mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 in the above embodiment and modified examples will be described.

[0184] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10, the mobile object 20, the replenisher mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 according to the above embodiment and modified examples.

[0185] The information processing device 10, mobile body 20, replenishment mobile body 30, and replenisher terminal 40 in the above embodiment and modified example have a hardware configuration utilizing a conventional computer, in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 80, ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, RAM (Random Access Memory) 84, I / F 86, etc. are interconnected by a bus 88.

[0186] The CPU 80 is a computing device that controls the information processing device 10, the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 of the above embodiment and modified examples. The ROM 82 stores programs and the like that realize information processing by the CPU 80. The RAM 84 stores data necessary for various processes by the CPU 80. The I / F 86 is an interface that is connected to the storage unit, input unit, output unit, sensor, communication unit, etc., and is used to send and receive data.

[0187] In the information processing device 10, mobile body 20, replenishment mobile body 30, and replenisher terminal 40 of the above embodiment and modified example, the CPU 80 reads a program from ROM 82 onto RAM 84 and executes it, thereby realizing each of the above functional units on the computer.

[0188] The programs for executing the above processes executed by the information processing device 10, the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 in the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored in a HDD (hard disk drive). Also, the programs for executing the above processes executed by the information processing device 10, the mobile object 20, the replenishment mobile object 30, and the replenisher terminal 40 in the above embodiments and modified examples may be provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 82.

[0189] Furthermore, the programs for executing the above processes executed by the information processing device 10, mobile unit 20, replenishment mobile unit 30, and replenisher terminal 40 of the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or flexible disk (FD) and provided as a computer program product. Furthermore, the programs for executing the above information processes executed by the information processing device 10, mobile unit 20, replenishment mobile unit 30, and replenisher terminal 40 of the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Furthermore, the programs for executing the above information processes executed by the information processing device 10, mobile unit 20, replenishment mobile unit 30, and replenisher terminal 40 of the above embodiments and modified examples may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0190] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0191] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) An information processing method executed by an information processing device that controls a mobile object that moves autonomously and sells products, the information processing method deriving information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the products from the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object, based on mobile object information including sales status information of the products of the mobile object, replenishment mobile object information including location information of a replenishment mobile object that moves autonomously and replenishes the products to the mobile object, and replenisher information regarding a replenisher who replenishes the products mounted on the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object. (2) The information processing method described in (1), which notifies the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information. (3) The information processing method described in (1) or (2), which determines the mobile object to be replenished with the products based on the mobile object information, and derives the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information for the determined mobile object to be replenished. (4) The information processing method described in (3), further comprising: deriving the sales volume of the product per unit time calculated based on the mobile object information as sales trend information representing the sales situation at a future timing; calculating a priority for each of the multiple mobile objects based on the inventory amount of the product represented by the sales situation information of each of the multiple mobile objects, the sales trend information, and the predicted arrival time required for the replenisher or the replenishing mobile object to reach the location of the mobile object; and determining the mobile object whose priority is equal to or greater than a threshold as the mobile object to be replenished. (5) An information processing method described in any one of (1) to (4), in which, when it is determined that the mobile body will remain at its current position for a predetermined period of time based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information, the location information of the mobile body included in the mobile body information is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the timing when at least the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location has elapsed.(6) An information processing method described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein, when it is determined that the mobile body will remain at its current location for a predetermined period of time based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information, the current location information of the mobile body included in the mobile body information is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the timing when at least the longer of a first total time of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a first required time required for the replenisher to be able to replenish, and a second total time of a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location and the first required time has elapsed. (7) An information processing method described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein, when it is determined that the mobile body will move from its current location within a predetermined time based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information, the next planned sales location of the mobile body or any point on the route to the next planned sales location is derived as the replenishment location information, and the timing at which at least the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location has elapsed is derived as the replenishment timing. (8) An information processing method described in any one of (1) to (7), wherein, when it is determined based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information that the mobile body will move from its current location within a predetermined time, the next planned sales location of the mobile body or any location on the route to the next planned sales location is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the time when at least the longer of a third total time of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a first required time required for the replenisher to be able to handle replenishment has elapsed, and a fourth total time of a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location and the first required time has elapsed.(9) An information processing method according to any one of (1) to (8), deriving the sales volume of the product per unit time calculated based on the mobile object information as sales trend information representing the sales situation at a future timing, and deriving the replenishment timing as a timing after the longer of a first time required for the replenishment mobile object to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location, and before a time when a predetermined product replenishment time required for product replenishment has elapsed from the predicted timing, derived based on the sales trend information, when the inventory amount of the product will be equal to or less than a predetermined amount. (10) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the replenishment timing is derived as sales trend information representing a sales status at a future timing, the replenishment timing being after the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach a replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location, the replenishment timing being before a predetermined replenishment time required for replenishment has elapsed from the predicted time, derived based on the sales trend information, when inventory of the product will fall below a predetermined amount, and within a time slot when the replenisher is available. (11) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the replenishment timing is after the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location, the replenishment timing being before the predicted time when inventory of the product will fall below a predetermined amount, the prediction being made based on the sales trend information, and within a time slot when the replenisher is available. (12) The information processing method described in any one of (1) to (11), wherein the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information are notified to a replenisher terminal of the replenisher represented by replenisher identification information that is previously associated with the replenishment location information as the person in charge of the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information.(13) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (12), further comprising notifying a replenishment timing and replenishment location information to a replenisher terminal of the replenisher, the replenisher being represented by replenisher identification information associated in advance with product identification information of the product as a person in charge of replenishing the product to be replenished. (14) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (13), further comprising deriving the replenishment location information and the replenishment timing based on an estimated required time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information after the replenishment mobile body moves to the replenisher's location and has the replenisher board the replenishment mobile body. (15) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (14), further comprising deriving location information of the replenisher as the replenishment location information. (16) An information processing device comprising: a derivation unit that derives information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the products from the replenishment mobile unit to the mobile unit, based on mobile unit information including sales status information of the products of a mobile unit that moves autonomously and sells products, replenishment mobile unit information including location information of a replenishment mobile unit that moves autonomously and replenishes the products to the mobile unit, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher who replenishes the products loaded on the replenishment mobile unit to the mobile unit. (17) An information processing program executed by a computer that controls a mobile unit that moves autonomously and sells products, the information processing program deriving information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the products from the replenishment mobile unit to the mobile unit, based on mobile unit information including sales status information of the products of the mobile unit, replenishment mobile unit information including location information of a replenishment mobile unit that moves autonomously and replenishes the products to the mobile unit, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher who replenishes the products loaded on the replenishment mobile unit to the mobile unit.

[0192] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing system 10 Information processing device 15A Acquisition unit 15B Determination unit 15C Derivation unit 15D Notification unit 20 Mobile object 30 Replenishment mobile object 40 Replenisher terminal P Replenisher

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that controls a mobile object that moves autonomously and sells products, the information processing method deriving information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the products from the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object based on mobile object information including sales status information of the products of the mobile object, replenishment mobile object information including location information of a replenishment mobile object that moves autonomously and replenishes the products to the mobile object, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher who replenishes the products loaded on the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising notifying the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining the mobile object to be replenished with the product based on the mobile object information; and deriving the replenishment timing and replenishment location information for the determined mobile object to be replenished.

4. The information processing method of claim 3, further comprising: deriving the sales volume of the product per unit time calculated based on the mobile object information as sales trend information representing the sales situation at a future timing; calculating a priority for each of the plurality of mobile objects based on the inventory amount of the product represented by the sales situation information of each of the plurality of mobile objects, the sales trend information, and the predicted arrival time required for the replenisher or the replenishing mobile object to reach the position of the mobile object; and determining the mobile object whose priority is equal to or greater than a threshold as the mobile object to be replenished.

5. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the mobile body will remain at its current position for a predetermined period of time based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information, the location information of the mobile body contained in the mobile body information is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the timing when at least the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location has elapsed.

6. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the mobile body will remain at its current location for a predetermined period of time based on the mobile body information of the mobile body, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information, the current location information of the mobile body included in the mobile body information is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the timing when at least the longer of a first total time consisting of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a first required time required for the replenisher to be able to replenish, and a second total time consisting of a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location and the first required time has elapsed.

7. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the mobile object will move from its current location within a predetermined time based on the mobile object information of the mobile object, the replenishment mobile object information, and the replenisher information, the next planned sales location of the mobile object or any location on the route to the next planned sales location is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the timing when at least the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile object to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location has elapsed.

8. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the mobile body will move from its current location within a predetermined time based on the mobile body information, the replenishment mobile body information, and the replenisher information of the mobile body, the next planned sales location of the mobile body or any location on the route to the next planned sales location is derived as the replenishment location information, and the replenishment timing is derived as the time when at least the longer of a third total time consisting of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile body to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a first required time required for the replenisher to be able to handle replenishment has elapsed, and a fourth total time consisting of a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location and the first required time has elapsed.

9. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein the sales volume of the product per unit time calculated based on the mobile object information is derived as sales trend information representing the sales situation at a future timing, and the replenishment timing is derived to be after the longer of a first time required for the replenishment mobile object to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location, and before a time when a predetermined replenishment time required for replenishment has elapsed from the predicted timing, derived based on the sales trend information, at which the inventory amount of the product will be below a predetermined amount.

10. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein the sales volume of the product per unit time calculated based on the mobile object information is derived as sales trend information representing the sales situation at a future timing, and the replenishment timing is derived to be after the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment mobile object to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location, and is before a time when a predetermined replenishment time required for replenishment has elapsed from the predicted time when the inventory of the product will fall below a predetermined amount, derived based on the sales trend information, and is within a time period when the replenisher is available.

11. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein the replenishment timing is derived to be a predetermined timing that is after the longer of a first predicted time required for the replenishment vehicle to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information and a second predicted time required for the replenisher to reach the replenishment location.

12. The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information are notified to a replenisher terminal of the replenisher represented by replenisher identification information that is pre-associated with the replenishment location information as the person in charge of the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information.

13. The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the replenishment timing and the replenishment location information are notified to the replenisher terminal of the replenisher, who is represented by replenisher identification information that is pre-associated with the product identification information of the product as the person in charge of replenishing the product to be replenished.

14. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment location information and the replenishment timing are derived based on an estimated time required for the replenishment vehicle to reach the replenishment location represented by the replenishment location information after the replenishment vehicle moves to the location of the replenisher and has the replenisher board the replenishment vehicle.

15. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein location information of the replenisher is derived as the replenishment location information.

16. An information processing device comprising: a derivation unit that derives information on the timing and location at which a replenisher will replenish the products from the replenishment vehicle to the mobile unit, based on mobile unit information including sales status information of the products of a mobile unit that moves autonomously and sells the products, replenishment vehicle information including location information of a replenishment vehicle that moves autonomously and replenishes the products to the mobile unit, and replenisher information regarding a replenisher who replenishes the products mounted on the replenishment vehicle to the mobile unit.

17. An information processing program executed by a computer that controls a mobile object that moves autonomously and sells goods, which derives information on the timing and location at which the replenisher will replenish the goods from the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object, based on mobile object information including sales status information of the goods from the mobile object, replenishment mobile object information including location information of a replenishment mobile object that moves autonomously and replenishes the goods to the mobile object, and replenisher information regarding the replenisher who replenishes the goods loaded on the replenishment mobile object to the mobile object.

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