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

Abstract

[Problem] To improve efficiency related to the transport of a transport target. [Solution] Provided is an information processing system comprising an identification unit that, at the time of a transport request, identifies the use status of transport requests in a plurality of areas and a plurality of transport schedules on the basis of whether the type of each transport target in the plurality of areas and plurality of transport schedules is at least people or packages. In addition, the identification unit identifies the use status of the transport requests in the plurality of areas and plurality of transport schedules on the basis of whether the type of each transport target in the plurality of areas and plurality of transport schedules is people, packages, or both people and packages.

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, technologies have been developed to enable a transporter who is responsible for a delivery task related to delivery or collection of a package requested by a user to efficiently deliver or collect the package. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for acquiring the load capacity of one or more circular flights that circulate between three base stations, and determining whether to change the operation plan of the circular flight based on the acquired load capacity.

[0003] Furthermore, the object being transported (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "transport object") is not limited to luggage. For example, if the transporter is a bus driver, the object being transported may also be a person. Furthermore, recently, there has been growing interest in transportation services in which bus or truck drivers can transport both people and luggage, rather than just one of the two.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-52525

[0005] However, due to the characteristics of the mobile object transporting the object, there are cases where the mobile object can only carry either luggage or people. Therefore, when both luggage and people can be included as transportation objects, it is desirable to allocate an appropriate transportation means according to the utilization status of the transportation request for each area and each time.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program that enable efficiency in the transportation of transportation objects.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided which includes an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or luggage.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided which includes an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method executed by a computer is provided, which includes, at the time of a transfer request, identifying the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo.

[0010] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to realize a specific function of identifying the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or cargo at the time of a transfer request.

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the transportation of the transportation object.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of an information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a server 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of designation of a transportation means by a designation unit 335. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a display screen that displays proposed information. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operational process of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment.

[0013] The details of embodiments of the present invention will be listed below. An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration: [Item 1] An information processing system including: an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies a usage status of transfer requests in a plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules is at least a person or a baggage. [Item 2] The information processing system according to Item 1, in which the identification unit identifies a usage status of transfer requests in the plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules is a person, a baggage, or both the person and the baggage. [Item 3] The information processing system according to Item 1 or 2, further including: a designation unit that designates a transport means for the transfer target based on the usage status identified by the designation unit. [Item 4] The information processing system according to Item 3, in which the transport means includes a first moving body that cannot transport people and a second moving body that can transport the people. [Item 5] The information processing system according to Item 4, wherein the identification unit identifies, from the plurality of areas and the plurality of transfer schedules, an area and a transfer schedule that only includes transfer objects whose type is baggage. [Item 6] The information processing system according to Item 5, wherein the designation unit preferentially designates the first moving body as the transfer means for an area and a transfer schedule that only includes transfer objects whose type is baggage. [Item 7] The information processing system according to Item 6, wherein the second moving body has a space capable of loading the person, and the first moving body does not have a space capable of loading the person. [Item 8] The information processing system according to Item 7, wherein the designation unit preferentially designates the second moving body that can load the baggage for an area and a transfer schedule that only includes transfer objects whose type is baggage and the baggage cannot be loaded onto the first moving body. [Item 9] The information processing system according to any one of Items 3 to 8, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies proposal information that suggests using another area or another transfer schedule based on the usage status identified by the identification unit.[Item 10] The information processing system according to item 9, wherein the notification unit notifies a user who plans to use an area and a transfer schedule where the number of transfer objects of the type person is less than a predetermined number among the multiple areas and the multiple transfer schedules, of proposal information proposing use in an area and a transfer schedule where the number of transfer objects of the type person is equal to or greater than the predetermined number. [Item 11] The notification unit notifies a user who plans to use an area and a transfer schedule where the number of transfer objects of the type person is less than the predetermined number among the multiple areas and the multiple transfer schedules, of proposal information proposing use in an area and a transfer schedule where the number of transfer objects of the type person is equal to or greater than the predetermined number. [Item 12] The information processing system according to any one of items 3 to 11, wherein the designation unit designates a regular service as the means of transportation for an area and a transfer schedule where the number of transfer objects of the type person satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple areas and the multiple transfer schedules. [Item 13] The information processing system according to Item 12, wherein the regular service includes an autonomously moving unmanned vehicle. [Item 14] An information processing device comprising: an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies a usage status of transfer requests in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a baggage. [Item 15] An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: identifying, at the time of a transfer request, a usage status of transfer requests in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a baggage.[Item 16] A program that causes a computer to realize a specific function of identifying the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo when a transfer request is made.

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, the mobile bodies are distinguished as needed, such as a manned mobile body 10A for a mobile body used by a transporter, and an unmanned mobile body 10B for a mobile body that moves by autonomous control or remote control. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the mobile bodies, each mobile body will be simply referred to as a mobile body 10. Furthermore, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the mobile bodies, each information terminal will be distinguished as needed, such as a transporter terminal 20A for an information terminal used by a transporter who transports the object to be transported, and a requester terminal 20B for an information terminal used by a requester who requests the transportation of the object to be transported. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the information terminals, each information terminal will be simply referred to as an information terminal 20.

[0016] <<1. Overview of the Information Processing System>> In recent years, due to a shortage of workers in the automobile transportation industry and a decrease in transportation demand due to population decline, ensuring the sustainability of logistics and delivery services for packages has become an issue in various regions, particularly depopulated areas. This issue also applies to transportation services for people, such as taxis.

[0017] Therefore, there is a growing demand for transportation services that can transport not only people (passengers) or luggage (cargo) separately, but also people and luggage together in a mixed cargo transport of passengers and cargo.

[0018] For example, by using buses (public buses, minibuses, etc.) that have traditionally been used for transporting people to carry both people and luggage, the bus driver can now act as a transporter and provide luggage delivery services in addition to the traditional transportation of people.Furthermore, by using a transport truck that has traditionally been used for luggage delivery services to carry both people and luggage, the truck driver can now act as a transporter and provide transportation services for people in addition to the traditional luggage delivery services.

[0019] In this way, by providing both passenger transport services and cargo delivery services, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the transport of each transport object. Therefore, it is necessary to build a system that can also handle such mixed passenger and cargo transport services.

[0020] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can identify the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer object (hereinafter sometimes referred to as transfer object type) is at least a person or luggage.

[0021] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes, for example, a mobile object 10, an information terminal 20, and a server 30, as shown in FIG.

[0022] The information terminal 20 and the server 30 are connected to each other via a network. The unmanned mobile body 10B and the server 30 may also be connected to each other via a network.

[0023] (Mobile body 10) The mobile body 10 according to this embodiment is a mobile body used to transport a transportation object. For example, the mobile body 10 is used to transport a transportation object requested by a requester U2. The transportation object here may be, for example, a package L as shown in FIG. 1 , a person (e.g., the requester U2 shown in FIG. 1 ), or both a package and a person (e.g., both the package L and the requester U2 shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0024] For example, if the object to be transported is a package L, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) collects the package L at a transport start position B (e.g., a home, a bus stop, etc.) of the package L registered by the requester U2. Then, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) delivers the package L to the transport end position registered by the requester U2.

[0025] Furthermore, when the transportation target is a requester U2, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) picks up the requester U2 at the transportation start position B (e.g., home, bus stop, etc.) of the requester U2 registered by the requester U2. Then, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) transports the requester U2 toward the transportation end position registered by the requester U2.

[0026] Furthermore, when the objects of transportation are both the luggage L and the requester U2, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) collects (picks up) both the luggage L and the requester U2 at the transportation start location B (e.g., a home, a bus stop, etc.) registered by the requester U2. Then, the mobile body 10 (or the transporter U1 using the mobile body 10) transports the luggage L and the requester U2 toward the transportation end location registered by the requester U2. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the transportation end location of the luggage L and the transportation end location of the requester U2 may be different locations.

[0027] Furthermore, the transfer start location of the package L does not necessarily have to be registered by the requester U2. For example, if the requester U2 places a shopping order, the base WH (e.g., a warehouse, store, etc.) where the package L is stored may be automatically set as the transfer start location. Furthermore, the transfer end location of the requester U2 does not necessarily have to be registered by the requester U2. For example, a specific transfer end location (e.g., a specific public transportation stop (including a station), a facility (e.g., a hospital, a government office), etc.) associated with the area requested by the requester U2 (which may be identified from location information acquired from the requester terminal 20B of the requester U2 or may be set by the requester U2 through a setting operation when using an application related to the system) or a specific transfer end location associated with the transfer time frame (time zone) may be set in advance.

[0028] The moving body 10 also includes a manned moving body 10A used by a transporter U1 transporting the object to be transported.

[0029] For example, the manned vehicle 10A according to this embodiment may be a manned vehicle that travels on land as shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., various types of automobiles such as passenger cars, public buses, microbuses, light trucks, and light vans, as well as motorcycles, bicycles, and kick scooters). However, the manned vehicle 10A is not limited to a manned vehicle. For example, the manned vehicle 10A may be a manned aircraft that flies by air, or a manned ship that travels on a waterway such as a seaway or a river. Furthermore, the manned vehicle 10A is not essential for the transfer operation; for example, the transferee U1 may make the delivery on foot with a cart (e.g., a box cart or a basket cart).

[0030] Furthermore, the mobile body 10 according to this embodiment may include an unmanned mobile body 10B that moves by autonomous control or remote control. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10B may move by autonomous control using input information such as two positions, such as a start point (e.g., a transfer start position of the transfer target or a transfer start position of the unmanned mobile body 10B) and an end point (e.g., a transfer end position of the transfer target), or three or more positions, including a relay point (e.g., a collection position of the baggage L in the case of a transfer involving the collection of the baggage L) and a return point (e.g., a position that is the same as the transfer start position of the unmanned mobile body 10B or a different waiting position). Note that the input information used for autonomous control may also include various information such as other intermediate points and transfer routes.

[0031] Furthermore, the "position" such as the transfer start position or transfer end position may be the ID of a stand such as a bus stop or a drone base (waiting position), or may be information indicating an address, or may be other position information that allows the coordinates or position to be recognized.

[0032] In addition, the unmanned mobile body 10B may be moved by remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10B.

[0033] For example, the unmanned mobile body 10B may be an unmanned aerial vehicle as shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be a drone that flies by autonomous control, or may be a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that flies by remote control by an administrator.

[0034] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10B according to this embodiment is not limited to an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, the unmanned mobile body may be an unmanned vehicle that travels on land, such as an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), or an unmanned ship that travels on waterways, such as seaways or riverways.

[0035] Furthermore, the mobile body 10 may be a mobile body that can travel on at least two or more routes, including land, water, and air routes.

[0036] The mobile body 10 according to this embodiment may include a first mobile body that cannot transport people and a second mobile body that can transport people. For example, the first mobile body may be a mobile body that does not have space for carrying people, such as a drone as shown in Fig. 1. The second mobile body may be a mobile body that has space for carrying people, such as a truck or a bus.

[0037] In the following, for convenience of explanation, the first moving body will be described as an unmanned moving body 10B and the second moving body as a manned moving body 10A, but the first moving body and the second moving body are not limited to this example. For example, the unmanned moving body 10B that can transport people corresponds to the second moving body, and the manned moving body 10A that cannot transport people corresponds to the first moving body.

[0038] (Information terminal 20) The information terminal 20 according to this embodiment is a terminal used by a party involved in a service related to the transportation of a transportation object. For example, the information terminal 20 may be various types of terminals such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0039] For example, the information terminal 20 includes a transporter terminal 20A used by a transporter U1 transporting luggage L. For example, the transporter U1 may use the transporter terminal 20A to check transport instruction information including a transport task based on the request content included in the transport request registered by the requester U2. Note that in FIG. 1, both the requester U2 who made the transport request and the luggage L of the requester U2 are the targets of transport, but this is not limited to such a case. For example, the requester U2 and the person to be transported may be different people, and the luggage L may not be a possession of the requester U2.

[0040] The transfer instruction information includes various information related to the transferee U1 who is responsible for transferring the transferee U1 using the transferee terminal 20A. For example, the transfer instruction information may include various information used by the transferee U1 to transfer the transferee U1, such as the name of the transferee U1, the type of transferee U1 (luggage only, people only, or both luggage and people), the transfer start location of the transferee U1 (pickup location of the luggage L, pick-up location of the people), the transfer end location (delivery location of the luggage L, destination location of the people), the transfer route, and waypoints. The transfer instruction information may also include various information used for, for example, autonomous control of the unmanned mobile unit 10B or remote operation of the unmanned mobile unit 10B. However, the transfer instruction information is not limited to the above-described example.

[0041] The information terminal 20 also includes a requester terminal 20B used by a requester U2 who requests the transportation of the transportation object. For example, the requester U2 may use the requester terminal 20B to register a transportation request regarding the transportation of the transportation object.

[0042] (Server 30) The server 30 according to the present embodiment is an example of an information processing device, and is a server that manages various information related to the transportation of transportation objects. For example, the server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC, or may be a cloud server.

[0043] For example, when a transfer request is made, the server 30 determines the usage status of the transfer request in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of transfer object in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or cargo.

[0044] The transfer schedule is a time frame in which the transferee (transferee U1 or unmanned mobile unit 10B) responds to transfer requests. For example, the daily transfer plan of unmanned mobile unit 10B (or transferee U1) is divided into predetermined transfer schedules (e.g., 15 minutes or 30 minutes for unmanned mobile unit 10B, or 1 hour for transferee U1), and unmanned mobile unit 10B (or transferee U1) transfers the transfer target registered for each transfer schedule at the time indicated by the transfer schedule. The transfer schedule of unmanned mobile unit 10B may register transfer targets to, for example, one or two transfer destinations, and the transfer schedule of transferee U1 may register transfer targets to multiple transfer destinations, for example, five to ten, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, the transfer plan and transfer schedule may be set for each of multiple candidate receiving locations.

[0045] The information processing system according to this embodiment has been outlined above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 20 and the server 30 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0046] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information terminal 20 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 230, and an operation display unit 240.

[0047] (Communication Unit 210) The communication unit 210 according to this embodiment performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 210 included in the requester terminal 20B may transmit to the server 30 the request content related to the transportation of the transportation object included in the transportation request registered by the requester U2. The communication unit 210 included in the requester terminal 20B may also receive proposal information that is generated based on the transmitted request content and that proposes the use of another area or another transportation schedule.

[0048] In addition, the communication unit 210 provided in the transporter terminal 20A may receive transport instruction information from the server 30 that instructs the transport of the transport object.

[0049] (Control Unit 230) The control unit 230 according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the information terminal 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 210. For example, the control unit 230 included in the requester terminal 20B may control the communication unit 210 to transmit the request content regarding the transportation of the transportation target input via the operation display unit 240.

[0050] The control unit 230 also controls the display of various information by the operation display unit 240. For example, the control unit 230 included in the requester terminal 20B may control the operation display unit 240 to display proposal information that suggests the use of other areas or other transportation schedules. The control unit 230 included in the transporter terminal 20A may also control the operation display unit 240 to display transportation instruction information received from the server 30.

[0051] (Operation display unit 240) The operation display unit 240 according to this embodiment functions as an operation unit for inputting request details regarding the transportation of the transportation target. The operation display unit 240 also functions as a display unit for displaying proposal information for suggesting the use of other areas or other transportation schedules.

[0052] For example, a requester U2 requesting transportation of a transportation object inputs the request details regarding the transportation request using the operation display unit 240. The request details may include various information related to the transportation of the transportation object, such as the name of the transportation object, the type of transportation object (baggage only, people only, both baggage and people), the transportation method (bus, drone, taxi, regular flight, etc.), the transportation start location of the transportation object (baggage collection location, person pickup location), and the transportation end location (baggage delivery location, person destination location). The request details may also include predetermined requests. For example, the request details may include predetermined requests such as urgent transportation or desired transportation time.

[0053] Furthermore, if the items to be transferred include luggage (i.e., if the type of item to be transferred is either luggage only or both luggage and people), the request may include information about the luggage. The information about the luggage may include various information such as the name of the luggage, the type of luggage, size, weight, and transfer conditions (such as the temperature range to be maintained, e.g., refrigerated or frozen).

[0054] Furthermore, if the transfer target includes a person (i.e., if the transfer target type is either a person only or both luggage and a person), the request content may include information about the person. The information about the person may include various information such as a user ID, a user name, and basic information (age or generation, gender, address (area), etc.).

[0055] Note that the requester U2 does not necessarily need to input all of the information for the above-described request content. For example, if the requester U2's basic information has been set in advance in basic settings, the requester U2 may omit the task of inputting the basic information when requesting transportation. Furthermore, if the transportation target type includes a person, only transportation target types and transportation means that can transport the person may be selectable. For example, in a transportation request where the transportation target type includes a person, transportation means that cannot transport people, such as drones, may be excluded from the transportation means selection options.

[0056] The function of the operation unit may be realized by, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. The function of the display unit may be realized by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The function of the display unit and the function of the operation unit may be configured separately.

[0057] The information terminal 20 may be equipped with a microphone (not shown), in which case the requester U2 may use the microphone to input the request details regarding the transportation of the transportation object by voice. The information terminal 20 may also be equipped with a speaker (not shown), in which case the transporter U1 may confirm the transportation instruction information by the voice output from the speaker.

[0058] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 30 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0059] (Communication Unit 310) The communication unit 310 according to this embodiment performs various communications with the information terminal 20. For example, the communication unit 310 receives, from the requester terminal 20B, request content regarding the transportation of the transportation target, which is included in the transportation request registered by the requester U2.

[0060] The communication unit 310 is an example of a notification unit, and may transmit to the requester terminal 20B proposal information that proposes the use of another area or another transportation schedule, generated by the notification information generation unit 339. Details of the proposal information will be described later.

[0061] Furthermore, when the transferee U1 is in charge of transferring the transfer target, the communication unit 310 may transmit transfer instruction information regarding the transfer of the transfer target to the transferee terminal 20A of the transferee U1. Specifically, the communication unit 310 may transmit the transfer instruction information to the transferee terminal 20A of the transferee U1 who is using the manned vehicle 10A designated as the transfer means by the designation unit 335.

[0062] Furthermore, when the unmanned mobile body 10B is responsible for the transportation of the transportation target, the communication unit 310 may transmit transportation instruction information to the information terminal 20 used by the administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10B. Specifically, the communication unit 310 may transmit the transportation instruction information to the information terminal 20 of the administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10B designated as transportation means by the designation unit 335. In this case, the administrator may remotely operate the unmanned mobile body 10B based on the transportation instruction information, or may transmit the transportation instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B using the information terminal 20 used by the administrator.

[0063] Alternatively, when the unmanned mobile body 10B is responsible for transporting the transport object, the communication unit 310 may directly transmit the transport instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B. Specifically, the communication unit 310 may directly transmit the transport instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B designated as transport means by the designation unit 335. In this case, the unmanned mobile body 10B that has received the transport instruction information may autonomously transport the transport object based on the transport instruction information.

[0064] (Storage Unit 320) The storage unit 320 according to this embodiment may store software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 may store information related to the transfer target. Here, the information related to the transfer target may be information related to the request content. Specifically, the information related to the transfer target may include management information such as a request number in addition to various information included in the request content received from the requester terminal 20B.

[0065] The storage unit 320 may also store information related to the transferee (transferee U1 and the mobile unit 10). For example, the information related to the transferee may include various information such as a transfer plan for the transferee U1 and the unmanned mobile unit 10B, a transferee ID, a type of transportation means (vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, walking, drone, etc.), a transfer route for the transferee U1 or the unmanned mobile unit 10B, location information for the planned transfer by the transferee U1 or the unmanned mobile unit 10B, location information for each of a plurality of relay locations, a cargo loading status (available space information) for each transfer schedule of the manned mobile unit 10A or the unmanned mobile unit 10B used by the transferee U1 for transportation, information on the transfer target (baggage, people), and information on the number of transfer targets (maximum load capacity of luggage or people).

[0066] (Control Unit 330) The control unit 330 according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the server 30. As shown in FIG. 3 , the control unit 330 includes an identifying unit 331, a designating unit 335, and a notification information generating unit 339.

[0067] (Identification unit 331) The identification unit 331 in this embodiment identifies the usage status of the transfer request in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules when a transfer request is made by requester U2, based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or luggage.

[0068] In addition, the identification unit 331 may identify the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of transfer target for each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is a person, a cargo, or both the person and the cargo.

[0069] For example, the identification unit 331 may tally up the transfer target types of each transfer target in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules. Then, the identification unit 331 may identify, from the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules, an area and a transfer schedule that only includes transfer targets whose transfer target type is baggage.

[0070] Furthermore, the identification unit 331 may identify, from among the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules, an area and a transfer schedule that includes only transfer objects whose transfer object type is people. Furthermore, from among the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules, the identification unit 331 may identify, from among the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules, an area and a transfer schedule that includes a predetermined number or more of transfer objects whose transfer object type is people.

[0071] In this case, the area may be an area having a certain range that includes a predetermined location designated as the transfer start location (for example, a bus stop, a relay location, a drone waiting location, etc.).

[0072] In the following description, an area that includes only objects whose type is baggage may be referred to as an object area, and an area that includes only objects whose type is people may be referred to as a person area. An area that includes both objects whose type is people and objects whose type is baggage may be referred to as a mixed area.

[0073] In addition, the usage status of the transfer request identified by the identification unit 331 may include not only the usage status of the currently scheduled transfer request, but also the usage status of the transfer request that has been handled in the past (i.e., the transfer request that has already been handled).

[0074] (Designation Unit 335) The designation unit 335 according to this embodiment designates the transportation means to be used for the transportation based on the usage status of the transportation request identified by the identification unit 331.

[0075] Here, with reference to FIG. 4, a specific example of each process from when the usage status of the transfer request is identified to when the transfer means is designated will be described.

[0076] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of the designation of a transportation means by the designation unit 335. For example, in a certain transportation schedule (e.g., "10:00 to 10:15") in area A1 including transportation start position B1 shown in FIG. 4, only requester U2 is included in the transportation targets. In this case, the identification unit 331 identifies area A1 in the transportation schedule as a human area.

[0077] 4, in a certain transfer schedule (e.g., "10:00 to 10:15") in area A2 that includes transfer start position B2, the transfer targets include both another requester U3 and cargo L. In this case, the identification unit 331 identifies area A2 in the transfer schedule as a mixed loading area.

[0078] Furthermore, in a certain transfer schedule (e.g., "10:00 to 10:15") in area A3 that includes transfer start position B3, the transfer targets include only baggage L. In this case, the identification unit 331 identifies area A3 in the transfer schedule as an item area.

[0079] The designation unit 335 may then designate a transportation means for each area based on each usage status identified by the identification unit 331.

[0080] For example, the designation unit 335 may preferentially designate the unmanned mobile body 10B, which is the first mobile body, as the transportation means for an area and a transportation schedule that includes only transportation targets whose transportation target type is baggage. Specifically, the designation unit 335 may preferentially designate the unmanned mobile body 10B (for example, a drone as shown in FIG. 4 ), which does not have a space large enough to carry a person, as the transportation means for area A3, which is an object area.

[0081] However, the designation unit 335 does not have to designate only the unmanned vehicle 10B (for example, a drone as shown in Figure 4) that does not have space large enough to carry a person as the transportation means for the object area.

[0082] For example, it is conceivable that there may be a case in which cargo L that cannot be loaded onto the unmanned vehicle 10B is present in area A3. Specifically, if the cargo present in the object area is larger than the drone's loading space, it may be difficult to load onto the drone. Also, if there is a large amount of cargo present in the object area, it may not be possible to load it all onto a single drone. Furthermore, if the cargo requires refrigeration (or freezing), the cargo must be transported by a transport means that has the functionality to satisfy this condition. Therefore, the designation unit 335 may determine the transport means to designate for the object area based on information about the cargo.

[0083] For example, the designation unit 335 may designate a manned mobile body 10A (second mobile body) that can carry the luggage L for an area A3 where the only item to be transported is luggage L and the luggage L cannot be loaded onto an unmanned mobile body 10B (first mobile body).

[0084] The designation unit 335 may also designate a manned vehicle 10A (for example, a microbus as shown in FIG. 4) having space large enough to carry people as the transportation means for the area A1, which is a people area.

[0085] Furthermore, the designation unit 335 may designate a manned vehicle 10A (e.g., a microbus as shown in FIG. 4) that has space large enough to carry people as the transportation means for area A2, which is a mixed-loading area. In this case, if loading both people and luggage onto a single manned vehicle 10A would exceed the maximum load capacity of the manned vehicle 10A, the designation unit 335 may designate an unmanned vehicle 10B as the transportation means in addition to the manned vehicle 10A, or may designate multiple manned vehicles 10A as the transportation means for area A1.

[0086] In this way, by preferentially designating the unmanned mobile body 10B (first mobile body) that cannot carry people as a transport means for the luggage area, it may become easier to secure a vacant manned mobile body 10A (second mobile body) that can carry people. Furthermore, by designating an appropriate transport means for each area and each transport schedule by the designation unit 335, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the loading space of the mobile body 10, and it may be possible to realize efficiency in the transport of the transport object.

[0087] Furthermore, the designation unit 335 may designate a regular service as the transportation means for areas and transfer schedules where the number of people to be transported satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules. For example, the designation unit 335 may designate a regular service for areas and transfer schedules (time periods) where there are many people to be transported, and designate a transportation means on demand for other areas and transfer schedules (time periods) when the requester U2 requests transportation. Note that the regular service here may be, for example, the unmanned vehicle 10B, or more specifically, the regular service may be, for example, an autonomously driven bus that moves autonomously.

[0088] Note that the designation unit 335 may use the usage status of transportation requests that have been handled in the past when designating a regular service. For example, if there are a predetermined number of weeks or more in which the number of transportation targets whose type is people is equal to or greater than a predetermined number in each transportation schedule from 17:00 to 17:15 every Friday in a certain area (for example, bus stop A), the designation unit 335 may designate a regular service as the transportation means for the transportation schedule from 17:00 to 17:15 every Friday in the area.

[0089] In addition, if a transportation means is specified in the request content, the designation unit 335 may preferentially designate the transportation means specified in the request content as the transportation means for the transportation object included in the request content.

[0090] (Notification information generation unit 339) The notification information generation unit 339 according to this embodiment generates proposal information that suggests the use of other areas or other transfer schedules based on the usage status of the transfer request identified by the identification unit 331. The notification information generation unit 339 may particularly generate and notify the proposal information after a transfer request is made by the requester and a predetermined time before the transfer schedule linked to the transfer request. The proposal information may include the usage status (i.e., congestion status) of the other proposed transfer schedules, and may explicitly state the usage status for each type of transfer target.

[0091] For example, the notification information generation unit 339 may generate proposal information that suggests to a user (referred to as a minority user) who plans to use an area and transfer schedule in which the number of transfer targets whose type is people is less than a predetermined number among multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules that the user use an area and transfer schedule in which the number of transfer targets whose type is people is more than a predetermined number.

[0092] Furthermore, because the loading space of the mobile body 10 is limited, different proposal information may be generated depending on the area and transfer schedule designated by the minority user. For example, the notification information generation unit 339 may generate proposal information for the above-mentioned minority user that suggests use in an area and transfer schedule that is included within a predetermined time range (e.g., one hour) from the transfer schedule planned for use by the minority user and that further includes a predetermined number or more of transfer targets whose transfer target type is people.

[0093] Then, the communication unit 310 may transmit the proposal information generated by the notification information generation unit 339 to the client terminal 20B. Here, an example of the proposal information displayed on the client terminal 20B will be described with reference to Fig. 5 .

[0094] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen that displays proposed information. For example, the operation display unit 240 included in the requester terminal 20B may display proposed information T as a message proposing a change to the transfer schedule to the requester U2, as shown in FIG. 5. Next, the requester terminal 20B may transmit information to the server 30, based on the operation of the requester U2, regarding whether or not to accept the proposal indicated in the proposed information T.

[0095] For example, when the requester U2 selects the "Accept Change" button shown in Fig. 5, the requester terminal 20B may transmit acceptance information indicating that the proposal will be accepted to the server 30. On the other hand, when the requester U2 selects the "Reject Change" button shown in Fig. 5, the requester terminal 20B may transmit rejection information indicating that the proposal will not be accepted to the server 30.

[0096] Then, when the designation unit 335 included in the server 30 receives the approval information from the requester terminal 20B, the designation unit 335 may change the transportation schedule of the requester U2 to a transportation schedule corresponding to the proposal information T. Then, the designation unit 335 may designate the mobile body 10 corresponding to the changed transportation schedule as the transportation means for the transportation target included in the request content of the requester U2.

[0097] Furthermore, when the server 30 receives rejection information from the requester terminal 20B, the server 30 may not change the transfer schedule of the requester U2. The designation unit 335 may designate, as the transfer means for the transfer target included in the request content of the requester U2, a mobile body 10 according to various situations, such as a mobile body 10 moving in the vicinity on the transfer schedule designated by the requester U2, or a mobile body 10 at a base where no transfer is scheduled.

[0098] By notifying the proposed information as described above, it may be possible to consolidate the transfer targets that are dispersed according to the transfer schedule. Furthermore, by reducing the variation in the transfer targets depending on the transfer schedule and area, the efficiency of the transfer of the transfer targets can be improved and the burden on the transferee U1 can be reduced. Furthermore, by only proposing areas and transfer schedules that fall within a predetermined time range from the transfer schedule planned by the requester U2 to the requester U2, there is no significant time difference from the transfer schedule specified by the requester U2, and therefore it is possible to meet the requests of the requester U2.

[0099] The proposal information generated by the notification information generation unit 339 is not limited to the above-described examples. For example, if the requester U2 receives some advantage (e.g., a special offer) by accepting the proposal, the proposal information generated by the notification information generation unit 339 may include information about the advantage. For example, if the fee for transporting the transport target is reduced by the requester U2 accepting the proposal, the proposal information may include information about the reduction (e.g., a message such as, "If you accept our proposal, your fee will be reduced by 500 yen."), or may include information about a predetermined coupon (such as a discount coupon for the next use or a discount coupon from an affiliated store) or information about a predetermined service.

[0100] Furthermore, the notification information generating unit 339 may generate, for example, suggestion information that suggests to minority users that they use the regular service described above. Since regular services are expected to be used by many people, the use of regular services by minority users can further improve the efficiency of the loading space of the regular service, thereby realizing efficiency in the transportation of transportation objects.

[0101] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, an example of the operation process of the server 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0102] <<4. Operation Processing Example>> Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of operation processing of the server 30 according to this embodiment. Note that in the example shown in Figure 6, the first moving body that cannot transport (carry) a person is a drone, and the second moving body that can transport (carry) a person is a manned vehicle. First, the communication unit 310 receives a transport request from the requester terminal 20B (S101).

[0103] Next, the identification unit 331 identifies the usage status of transfer requests in the multiple areas and multiple schedules based on whether the transfer target type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is a person or luggage (S105).

[0104] Next, the designation unit 335 determines whether there is an area where only luggage is to be transferred and whether there is a transfer schedule (S109). If it is determined that there is an area where only luggage is to be transferred and there is a transfer schedule (S109: Yes), the process proceeds to S113. If it is determined that there is no area where only luggage is to be transferred and there is no transfer schedule (S109: No), the process proceeds to S121.

[0105] If it is determined that there is an area in which only cargo is to be transferred and there is a transfer schedule (S109: Yes), the designation unit 335 determines whether or not the transfer schedule for that area includes cargo that cannot be loaded onto a drone (S113). If the transfer schedule for that area includes cargo that cannot be loaded onto a drone (S113: Yes), the process proceeds to S121, and if the transfer schedule for that area does not include cargo that cannot be loaded onto a drone (S113: No), the process proceeds to S117.

[0106] If the transfer schedule for an area in which only luggage is to be transferred does not include any luggage that cannot be loaded onto a drone (S113: No), the designation unit 335 designates a drone as the means of transport for the luggage in the transfer schedule for that area (S117), and the server 30 according to this embodiment terminates processing.

[0107] If it is determined that the area contains only luggage as the object to be transferred and there is no transfer schedule (S109: No), or if the area contains only luggage as the object to be transferred and there is a transfer schedule but the luggage cannot be loaded onto a drone (S113: Yes), the designation unit 335 designates a manned vehicle as the means of transport for the object to be transferred in the transfer schedule for that area (S121), and the server 30 according to this embodiment terminates processing.

[0108] <<4. Hardware Configuration Example>> The information processing described above is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware described below of the server 30. Note that the hardware configuration described below can also be applied to the information terminal 20.

[0109] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , the server 30 includes a control unit 330, a memory 31, a storage 32, a transmission / reception unit 33, an input / output unit 34, and the like, which are electrically connected to one another via a bus 35.

[0110] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the server 30, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing, etc. For example, the control unit 330 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 32 and deployed in the memory 31 to perform various information processing as described above.

[0111] The memory 31 includes a main memory configured with a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory configured with a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 31 is used as a work area for the control unit 330, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the server 30 is started, various setting information, and the like.

[0112] The storage 32 stores various programs such as application programs, etc. A database that stores data used in each process may be constructed in the storage 32.

[0113] The transceiver 33 connects the server 30 to a network and / or a blockchain network. The transceiver 33 may include a short-range communication interface for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0114] The input / output unit 34 includes information input devices such as a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0115] The bus 35 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0116] <<5. Supplementary Information>> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0117] Furthermore, the server 30 does not necessarily need to transmit various information such as the proposal information or the transport instruction information to an external device. For example, if the server 30 has a display unit, the proposal information or the transport instruction information may be displayed on the display unit.

[0118] Furthermore, the functional configuration of the server 30 may be divided and installed in a plurality of devices. For example, the identifying unit 331, the designating unit 335, or the notification information generating unit 339 may be divided and installed in a plurality of devices.

[0119] 4 illustrates an example in which the identification unit 331 identifies the areas A1 to A3, each including the transfer start positions B1 to B3, as a people area, an item area, and a mixed load area, respectively. However, the identification unit 331 may also identify the area including the transfer end position as a people area, an item area, and a mixed load area, respectively. In this case, the designation unit 335 may designate a transport means for each transfer target based on whether the transfer destination position of the transfer target is a people area, an item area, or a mixed load area.

[0120] Furthermore, although the present specification has mainly described an example in which the transporter U1 transports luggage using the mobile body 10, the transporter U1 does not necessarily have to use the mobile body 10. For example, the transporter U1 may transport luggage on foot.

[0121] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the information terminal 20 and the server 30 to perform functions equivalent to those of the respective components of the information terminal 20 and the server 30 described above.

[0122] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Mobile object 20 Information terminal 210 Communication unit 230 Control unit 240 Operation display unit 30 Server 310 Communication unit 320 Storage unit 330 Control unit 331 Identification unit 335 Designation unit 339 Notification information generation unit

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising: an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo.

2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the usage status of transfer requests in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of transfer object in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is a person, a cargo, or both the person and the cargo.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit that designates a means of transport for the object to be transported based on the usage status identified by the identification unit.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the transport means includes a first moving body that cannot transport people and a second moving body that can transport the people.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the identification unit identifies an area and a transfer schedule that includes only transfer objects whose type is cargo, from among the plurality of areas and the plurality of transfer schedules.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the designation unit designates the first moving body as a means of transportation with priority for areas and transportation schedules that include only transportation objects whose type is the luggage.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the second moving body has a space capable of carrying the person, and the first moving body does not have a space capable of carrying the person.

8. The information processing system of claim 7, wherein the designation unit preferentially designates a second mobile body capable of carrying the luggage for areas and transfer schedules that include only transfer objects whose type is the luggage and that include luggage that cannot be loaded onto the first mobile body.

9. The information processing system according to claim 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies proposal information that suggests the use of other areas or other transport schedules based on the usage status identified by the identification unit.

10. The information processing system of claim 9, wherein the notification unit notifies a user who plans to use an area and a transfer schedule in which the number of transfer objects of the type person is less than a predetermined number among the plurality of areas and the plurality of transfer schedules of proposal information proposing use in an area and a transfer schedule in which the number of transfer objects of the type person is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

11. The information processing system described in claim 10, wherein the notification unit notifies a user who plans to use an area and transfer schedule among the plurality of areas and the plurality of transfer schedules in which the number of transfer objects of the type person is less than the predetermined number, of proposal information proposing use in an area and transfer schedule that is included within a predetermined time range from the transfer schedule planned to be used by the user and in which the number of transfer objects of the type person is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

12. An information processing system as described in any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the designation unit designates a regular service as the means of transportation for areas and transfer schedules among the plurality of areas and the plurality of transfer schedules where the quantity of transportation objects of the type person satisfies a predetermined condition.

13. The information processing system according to claim 12, wherein the scheduled flight includes an autonomously moving unmanned vehicle.

14. An information processing device comprising: an identification unit that, at the time of a transfer request, identifies the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer target in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo.

15. An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: determining, at the time of a transfer request, the usage status of a transfer request in a plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules based on whether the type of each transfer object in the plurality of areas and a plurality of transfer schedules is at least a person or a cargo.

16. A program that enables a computer to realize a specific function of identifying the usage status of transfer requests in multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules based on whether the type of transfer object in the multiple areas and multiple transfer schedules is at least a person or cargo at the time of a transfer request.

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