Package delivery method and on-vehicle device

Abstract

This package delivery method includes: detecting the surrounding situation of a vehicle (1) during parking by a sensor (S1); detecting whether not a delivery worker (2) is present around the vehicle on the basis of the detected surrounding situation (S2); detecting whether or not a non-delivery worker (3) that is a person other than the delivery worker is present around the vehicle is detected (S3); and opening or unlocking shielding members (SM1-SM3) for shielding the inside of the vehicle from the outside on the basis of the detection result of the delivery worker and the detection result of the non-delivery worker (S4, S5).

Description

Luggage delivery method and vehicle-mounted device

[0001] The present invention relates to a package delivery method and an in-vehicle device.

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes an unlocking system in which, when a delivery person inputs a slip number and an unlocking instruction into a terminal, the door of a vehicle designated as a receiving location is unlocked, allowing the delivery person to deliver the package inside the vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-119798

[0004] The unlocking system described in Patent Document 1 requires the delivery person to input the slip number and unlocking instruction into a terminal in order to deliver the package into the vehicle, which makes the work complicated. The present invention aims to reduce the workload of delivery workers who deliver packages into vehicles or collect packages stored in vehicles.

[0005] In one aspect of the package delivery method of the present invention, a sensor detects the surrounding conditions of a parked vehicle, and based on the detected surrounding conditions, it detects whether a delivery worker is present around the vehicle, and also detects whether a non-delivery worker, a person other than a delivery worker, is present around the vehicle, and based on the detection results of the delivery worker and the non-delivery worker, a shielding member that shields the inside of the vehicle from the outside is opened or unlocked.

[0006] According to the present invention, the work of delivery personnel who deliver packages to or collect packages stored in a vehicle can be reduced. The objects and advantages of the present invention are realized and attained by using the elements and combinations set forth in the appended claims. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the invention as claimed.

[0007] It is a figure which shows the outline|schematic structure example of the in-vehicle device of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the parcel delivery method of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline|schematic structure example of the delivery system of 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the parcel delivery method of 2nd embodiment.

[0008] (First embodiment) (Configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment. The vehicle 1 enables a delivery worker 2 who delivers packages to deliver packages to a user into the vehicle 1, and enables the delivery worker 2 to collect packages that have been requested for delivery by a user and stored in the vehicle 1. In the following description, the delivery of packages into the vehicle 1 or the collection of packages stored in the vehicle 1 may be collectively referred to as "delivery work."

[0009] The on-board device 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 includes an external sensor 11, a shielding member driving actuator (shielding member driving ACTR) 12, and a controller 13. The external sensor 11 is a sensor that detects objects and people present around the vehicle 1 as the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1. For example, the external sensor 11 may be a camera. Alternatively, for example, the external sensor 11 may include a distance measuring device such as a sonar, a laser range finder, a radar, or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). The external sensor 11 outputs a detection signal of the surrounding conditions to the controller 13.

[0010] The shielding member driving actuator 12 is an actuator that opens or closes, or unlocks or locks, the shielding members SM1 to SM3 that shield the inside of the vehicle 1 from the outside, in accordance with a control signal from the controller 13. For example, the shielding member SM1 may be a door that opens and closes the entrance through which passengers get on and off the vehicle 1. Also, for example, the shielding member SM2 may be an openable and closable window. Also, for example, the shielding member SM3 may be the trunk door of the vehicle 1. In the following description, the shielding members SM1 to SM3 may be collectively referred to as "shielding member SM."

[0011] The controller 13 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the opening / closing or locking / unlocking of the shielding member SM. The controller 13 includes a processor 13a and peripheral components such as a storage device 13b. The processor 13a may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU). The storage device 13b may include a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or the like. The storage device 13b may include memories such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM) used as main storage devices, as well as registers and cache memories. The functions of the controller 13 described below are realized, for example, by the processor 13a executing computer programs stored in the storage device 13b.

[0012] The controller 13 may be formed of dedicated hardware for executing each of the information processes described below. For example, the controller 13 may include a functional logic circuit configured in a general-purpose semiconductor integrated circuit. For example, the controller 13 may include a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0013] The controller 13 detects whether a delivery worker 2 is present around the parked vehicle 1 based on the surrounding conditions detected by the external sensor 11, and also detects whether a non-delivery worker 3, a person other than the delivery worker 2, is present around the parked vehicle 1. For example, the controller 13 may determine the attributes of the people around the vehicle 1 based on the detection signal of the external sensor 11 that detects the people around the vehicle 1. The controller 13 may detect whether the people around the vehicle 1 are delivery workers 2 or non-delivery workers 3 based on the attribute determination result. For example, the controller 13 may recognize the clothing (work clothes, uniform, work cap, etc.) of the people as attributes based on an image of the people captured by the camera of the external sensor 11, and detect whether the people are delivery workers 2 or non-delivery workers 3 based on the recognized clothing.

[0014] For example, the controller 13 controls the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM of the parked vehicle 1 based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and the non-delivery worker 3. For example, when the controller 13 detects that a delivery worker 2 is present around the vehicle 1 and detects that no non-delivery worker 3 is present around the vehicle 1, the controller 13 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM (i.e., permitting the delivery worker 2 to perform delivery work).

[0015] For example, the controller 13 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to unlock or automatically open the door SM1. Also, for example, the shielding member drive actuator 12 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to automatically open the window SM2. Also, for example, the shielding member drive actuator 12 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to unlock or automatically open the trunk door SM3.

[0016] If the vehicle 1 has multiple doors SM1, for example, the controller 13 may unlock or automatically open only one of the multiple doors SM1 (e.g., one door) designated in advance by the user of the vehicle 1, and may not unlock the other doors. If the vehicle 1 has multiple windows SM2, for example, the controller 13 may automatically open only one of the multiple windows SM2 (e.g., one window) designated in advance by the user of the vehicle 1, and may not open the other doors.

[0017] On the other hand, when it is detected that there is no delivery worker 2 around the vehicle 1 or when it is detected that there is a non-delivery worker 3 around the vehicle 1, the controller 13 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 so as not to open or unlock the shielding member SM. Alternatively, the controller 13 may not control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM (i.e., prohibiting the delivery worker 2 from performing delivery work).

[0018] 2 is a flowchart of an example of the package delivery method of the first embodiment. In step S1, the external sensor 11 detects the surrounding conditions of the parked vehicle 1. In step S2, the controller 13 detects whether or not a delivery worker 2 is present around the parked vehicle 1 based on the surrounding conditions detected by the external sensor 11.

[0019] In step S3, the controller 13 detects whether or not a non-delivery worker 3 is present around the parked vehicle 1 based on the surrounding conditions detected by the external sensor 11. In step S4, the controller 13 determines whether or not the delivery worker 2 is permitted to perform delivery work based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and the non-delivery worker 3.

[0020] If the delivery operation is not permitted (step S4: N), the controller 13 does not open or unlock the shielding member SM, and the process ends. If the delivery operation is permitted (step S4: Y), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the controller 13 opens or unlocks the shielding member SM, and then the process ends.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a delivery system 100 according to a second embodiment. The delivery system 100 enables a delivery worker 2 of a parcel delivery company to deliver parcels to a user 5 into a vehicle 1, and enables the delivery worker 2 to collect parcels that have been requested for delivery by the user 5 and stored in the vehicle 1. The delivery system 100 includes an on-board device 10 mounted on the vehicle 1, a worker terminal 20 used by the delivery worker 2, a server device 40 operated by the delivery company, and a user terminal 50 used by a user 5 of the delivery service provided by the delivery company. The user 5 of the delivery service may be a natural person or a legal entity (e.g., a for-profit organization, a non-profit organization, or a public corporation). The user terminal 50 is an example of a "terminal device" as defined in the claims.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 10 in the second embodiment includes an external sensor 11, a shielding member driving actuator 12, and a controller 13, similar to the first embodiment. For example, the controller 13 may be a controller that controls in-vehicle infotainment (IVI). The in-vehicle device 10 further includes a communication device 14, an in-vehicle camera 15, a microphone 16, and a speaker 17.

[0023] The communication device 14 provides a communication function between the controller 13 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 14 may be, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, etc. The controller 13 transmits and receives data to and from the server device 40 and the user terminal 50 via the communication device 43.

[0024] The in-vehicle camera 15 captures images of the interior of the vehicle 1 (for example, the interior of the passenger compartment or the trunk) and outputs the images of the interior of the vehicle 1 to the controller 13. The microphone 16 detects sound waves in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 or near the outside of the vehicle 1, converts them into an electrical audio signal, and inputs it to the controller 13. The speaker 17 converts the electrical audio signal output by the controller 13 into a sound wave and outputs it.

[0025] The worker terminal 20 is an information processing device used by the delivery worker 2. The server device 40 notifies the delivery worker 2 of instructions and information related to the delivery work via the worker terminal 20. The delivery worker 2 inputs delivery work status report information into the worker terminal 20 and sends it to the server device 40. The worker terminal 20 is, for example, a portable personal digital assistant or a small, easily portable computer. The worker terminal 20 includes a communication device 21, a human-machine interface (HMI) 22, and a controller 23. The communication device 21 provides communication functions between the worker terminal 20 and external devices. The communication method used by the communication device 21 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, or the like. The worker terminal 20 transmits and receives data to and from the server device 40 via the communication device 21.

[0026] The HMI 22 is an interface device that exchanges information between the worker terminal 20 and the delivery worker 2. The HMI 22 includes a display device that can be seen by the delivery worker 2, and a speaker or buzzer that outputs alarm sounds, notification sounds, and audio information. The HMI 22 also includes controls and a voice input device that accept operational inputs to the worker terminal 20 by the delivery worker 2. The controls may be buttons, switches, levers, dials, keyboards, touch panels, etc.

[0027] The controller 23 is an electronic control unit that controls the operation of the worker terminal 20. The controller 23 includes a processor 23a and peripheral components such as a storage device 23b. The processor 23a may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 23b may include a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or the like. The storage device 23b may include memory such as a ROM or RAM used as a main storage device, a memory register, or a cache memory. The functions of the worker terminal 20 described below are realized when the processor 23a executes a computer program stored in the storage device 23b.

[0028] The server device 40 includes a processor 41, a storage device 42, a communication device 43, and a user database (user DB) 44. The processor 41 may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 42 may include a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or the like. The storage device 42 may include a non-transitory tangible storage medium such as a register, a cache memory, or a memory used as a main storage device, such as a ROM or RAM. The functions of the server device 40 described below are realized, for example, by the processor 41 executing a computer program stored in the storage device 42. The communication device 43 provides a communication function between the server device 40 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 43 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, or the like. The server device 40 transmits and receives data between the vehicle 1, the worker terminal 20, and the user terminal 50 via the communication device 43.

[0029] The user DB 44 stores information about users 5 who use delivery services provided by the delivery company that operates the server device 40. For example, the user DB 44 may store information about the name, address, and package delivery or collection location of the user 5. The user 5 can register in the user DB 44 that the user 5 wishes or is permitted to use a vehicle 1 available to the user 5 (e.g., a vehicle owned by the user 5) as a package delivery or collection location.

[0030] When registering the vehicle 1 as a delivery location or collection location for a package, for example, the vehicle license plate number and parking location of the vehicle 1 may be registered in the user DB 44. Furthermore, the terminal identification ID of the controller 13 of the vehicle 1 may be registered in the user DB 44 as a communication terminal that receives a push notification from the server device 40 to the vehicle 1.

[0031] The user terminal 50 is an information processing device used by the user 5. The user terminal 50 is, for example, a portable personal digital assistant or a small computer that is easy to carry. If the user 5 is a corporation, the user terminal 50 may be an intercom installed in the facility of the user 5 or an information processing device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a local area network within the facility of the user 5.

[0032] For example, the user terminal 50 may include a communication device 51, an HMI 52, and a controller 53. The communication device 51 provides a communication function between the user terminal 50 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 51 may be, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, or the like. The user terminal 50 transmits and receives data to and from the controller 13 of the vehicle 1 and the server device 40 via the communication device 51.

[0033] The HMI 52 is an interface device that exchanges information between the user terminal 50 and the user 5. The HMI 52 includes a display device that can be seen by the user 5, and a speaker or buzzer that outputs alarm sounds, notification sounds, and audio information. The HMI 52 also includes controls and a voice input device that accept operation inputs from the user 5 to the user terminal 50. The controls may be buttons, switches, levers, dials, keyboards, touch panels, etc.

[0034] The controller 53 is an electronic control unit that controls the operation of the user terminal 50. The controller 53 includes a processor 53a and peripheral components such as a storage device 53b. The processor 53a may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 53b may include a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, etc. The storage device 53b may include memory such as ROM or RAM used as a main storage device, a memory register, and a cache memory. The functions of the user terminal 50 described below are realized by the processor 53a executing computer programs stored in the storage device 53b.

[0035] In the second embodiment, when there is a package to be delivered to or collected from user 5, server device 40 refers to user DB 44 to determine whether user 5 desires (permits) the use of vehicle 1 as a package delivery location or package collection location. When user 5 desires (permits) the use of vehicle 1 as a package delivery location or package collection location, server device 40 transmits a push notification to vehicle 1 as a delivery schedule signal informing user 5 that the package is scheduled to be delivered to or collected from user 5.

[0036] In response to receiving the delivery schedule signal, the controller 13 of the vehicle 1 detects whether a delivery worker 2 is present around the parked vehicle 1, and whether a non-delivery worker 3 is present around the parked vehicle 1, based on the surrounding conditions detected by the external sensor 11. The delivery schedule signal is used as a detection request signal requesting detection of whether a delivery worker 2 and a non-delivery worker 3 are present around the vehicle 1. The controller 13 transmits an approval request signal including the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and the non-delivery worker 3 to a pre-set user terminal 50. Upon receiving the approval request signal, the controller 53 of the user terminal 50 outputs a visual or auditory signal from the HMI 52 to notify the user 5 of the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and the non-delivery worker 3.

[0037] The controller 53 of the user terminal 50 accepts an operation of the HMI 52 by the user 5 to approve or prohibit the delivery work (delivery of a package to the vehicle 1 or collection of a package stored in the vehicle 1) by the delivery worker 2. The controller 53 transmits an approval / prohibition signal to the controller 13 of the vehicle 1 to notify approval or prohibition of the delivery work.

[0038] The controller 13 opens or unlocks the shielding member SM based on the approval / prohibition signal received from the user terminal 50. For example, the controller 13 may open or unlock the shielding member SM if the user 5 approves of the delivery work by the delivery worker 2. If the user 5 does not approve of (prohibits) the delivery work by the delivery worker 2, the controller 13 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 so as not to open or unlock the shielding member SM. Alternatively, the controller 13 may not need to control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, after transmitting an approval request signal to the user terminal 50 or receiving an approval / prohibition signal from the user terminal 50, the controller 13 may redetect the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1 using the external sensor 11, and determine whether to open or unlock the shielding member SM based on the approval result from the user 5 and the redetected surrounding conditions. For example, the controller 13 may open or unlock the shielding member SM when all of the following conditions C1 to C3 are met: (C1) The user 5 approves the delivery work of the delivery worker 2. (C2) After transmitting the approval request signal or receiving the approval / prohibition signal, the controller 13 does not detect that the delivery worker 2 has left the vicinity of the vehicle 1. (C3) After transmitting the approval request signal or receiving the approval / prohibition signal, the controller 13 does not detect that a non-delivery worker 3 has approached within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 1.

[0040] If the controller 13 detects that the delivery worker 2 has left the vicinity of the vehicle 1 or that a non-delivery worker 3 has approached within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 1 after sending the approval request signal or receiving the approval / prohibition signal, the controller 13 may control the shielding member drive actuator 12 so as not to open or unlock the shielding member SM. Alternatively, the controller 13 may not control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM. If the user 5 does not approve of the delivery work of the delivery worker 2, the controller 13 may also control the shielding member drive actuator 12 so as not to open or unlock the shielding member SM. Alternatively, the controller 13 may not control the shielding member drive actuator 12 to open or unlock the shielding member SM.

[0041] The controller 13 may determine whether the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed. For example, the controller 13 may detect that the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed when it detects that the door SM1 or the trunk door SM3 has been closed after the door SM1 or the trunk door SM3 has been opened or unlocked. Furthermore, for example, the controller 13 may detect that the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed based on video of the interior of the vehicle captured by the in-vehicle camera 15. When it detects that the delivery work has been completed, the controller 13 may close or lock the shielding member SM.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, when the controller 13 detects that the delivery work has been completed, it may transmit delivery completion information to the user terminal 50 informing the user 5 that the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed. For example, when the controller 13 detects that the delivery work has been completed, it may use the in-vehicle camera 15 to capture images of the situation in which the package has been delivered to the inside of the vehicle 1 and the situation after the package has been collected from the inside of the vehicle 1. The controller 13 may transmit delivery completion information to the user terminal 50 that includes images captured of the situation in which the package has been delivered to the inside of the vehicle 1 and the situation after the package has been collected from the inside of the vehicle 1.

[0043] The user terminal 50 that has received the delivery completion information may output a message from the HMI 52 informing the user 5 that the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed. For example, the user terminal 50 may display on the HMI 52 an image taken of the situation in which the package has been delivered to the inside of the vehicle 1 or the situation after the package has been collected from the inside of the vehicle 1.

[0044] The controller 13 of the vehicle 1 may provide a communication function between the delivery worker 2 and the user 5. The controller 13 may provide a communication function between the delivery worker 2 and the occupant of the user 5 by establishing indirect communication between the microphone 16 and speaker 17 of the vehicle 1 and the user terminal 50 via the controller 13. For example, the controller 13 may acquire a voice message spoken by the delivery worker 2 using the microphone 16. The controller 13 transmits the voice message of the delivery worker 2 to the user terminal 50 via the communication device 14. The controller 53 of the user terminal 50 outputs the voice message of the delivery worker 2 from the HMI 52.

[0045] Meanwhile, the controller 53 may acquire a voice message spoken by the user 5 using the HMI 52. The controller 53 transmits the voice message of the user 5 to the vehicle 1 via the communication device 51. The controller 13 of the vehicle 1 outputs the voice message of the user 5 from the speaker 17. For example, the controller 13 may activate a communication function between the delivery worker 2 and the passenger of the user 5 at the time when the shielding member SM is opened or unlocked based on the approval / prohibition signal.

[0046] Furthermore, for example, the worker terminal 20 may accept an operation by the delivery worker 2 to use a communication function between the delivery worker 2 and the occupant of the user 5. When the operation to use the communication function is accepted, the controller 23 of the worker terminal 20 may request the server device 40 to activate the communication function. The server device 40 may send a push notification to the vehicle 1 to cause the controller 13 to activate the communication function between the delivery worker 2 and the occupant of the user 5.

[0047] In addition, with regard to delivery work in which delivery worker 2 delivers a package to user 5, controller 13 may open or unlock shielding member SM based on the detection results of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 (or based on the detection results of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 and the approval result of delivery to vehicle 1 by user 5) only when delivery worker 2 is redelivering a package that he or she was unable to deliver to user 5 in the past.

[0048] For example, server device 40 transmits a delivery schedule signal to vehicle 1 informing user 5 of the planned delivery of the package only when delivery work in which delivery worker 2 delivers a package to user 5 is work to redeliver a package that could not be delivered to user 5 in the past, and does not need to transmit a delivery schedule signal to vehicle 1 when delivering a package to user 5 for the first time. As a result, when delivering a package to user 5 for the first time, controller 13 does not start detecting delivery worker 2 and non-delivery workers 3, so even if delivery worker 2 approaches vehicle 1 with user 5's package, controller 13 does not open or unlock shielding member SM.

[0049] For example, the user 5 may specify in advance the time or time period when the delivery worker 2 can deliver a package to the vehicle 1 or the time or time period when the delivery worker 2 can collect a package stored in the vehicle 1. For example, the user 5 may input the time or time period when the delivery worker 2 can deliver a package to the vehicle 1 or the time or time period when the delivery worker 2 can collect a package from the vehicle 1 into the user terminal 50. The controller 53 of the user terminal 50 may transmit the input time or time period to the server device 40. The server device 40 may transmit to the vehicle 1 a delivery schedule signal including the time or time period received from the user terminal 50 (i.e., the time or time period specified by the user 5).

[0050] The controller 13 may limit the time period during which the shielding member SM is opened or unlocked to the time or time period included in the delivery schedule signal, based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 (or based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 and the user 5's approval of delivery to the vehicle 1). For example, the controller 13 may open or unlock the shielding member SM only at the time or time period specified in the delivery schedule signal, based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 (or based on the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 and the user 5's approval of delivery to the vehicle 1).

[0051] For example, controller 13 may detect delivery workers 2 and non-delivery workers 3 around vehicle 1 based on the surrounding conditions detected by external sensor 11 only at the time and time period specified in the delivery schedule signal. As a result, even if delivery worker 2 approaches vehicle 1 at a time or time period other than the time and time period specified in the delivery schedule signal, detection of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 and transmission of an approval request signal based on the detection results of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 are not performed, and controller 13 does not open or unlock shielding member SM.

[0052] Furthermore, when user 5 is unable to receive the package delivered by delivery worker 2 at home, controller 13 may open or unlock shielding member SM based on the detection results of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 (or based on the detection results of delivery worker 2 and non-delivery worker 3 and the result of user 5 approving the delivery to vehicle 1). For example, delivery worker 2 may input to worker terminal 20 that user 5 is unable to receive the package at home (e.g., user 5 is not at home). Controller 23 of worker terminal 20 may send report information to server device 40 notifying that user 5 is unable to receive the package at home.

[0053] Server device 40, which has received the report information, refers to user DB 44 to determine whether user 5 wishes (permits) to use vehicle 1 as a package delivery location. If user 5 wishes (permits) to use vehicle 1 as a package delivery location, server device 40 transmits a delivery schedule signal to vehicle 1 informing user 5 of a planned package delivery. This causes controller 13 to begin detecting delivery workers 2 and non-delivery workers 3, making it possible to open or unlock shielding member SM based on the detection results of delivery workers 2 and non-delivery workers 3 and the user 5's approval of delivery to vehicle 1.

[0054] For example, the user 5 may specify that a package be delivered to or collected from the vehicle 1 parked in a location other than the user's home (for example, a company parking lot or a parking lot of a store near the user's home). For example, when the server device 40 has a package to be delivered to the user 5, the server device 40 may transmit a delivery schedule notice to the user terminal 50 informing the user 5 that the package is scheduled to be delivered.

[0055] When a user 5 wishes to have a package delivered to a vehicle 1, the user 5 may input information about the desired time and time period for receiving the package and information about where the vehicle 1 will be parked at the desired time and time period into the user terminal 50. The user terminal 50 then transmits the information about the desired time and time period and the information about where the vehicle 1 will be parked to the server device 40. The server device 40 then transmits the information about the desired time and time period and the information about where the vehicle 1 will be parked to the worker terminal 20, allowing the delivery worker 2 to deliver the package to a vehicle 1 parked at a location other than the delivery worker's home.

[0056] Furthermore, when the user 5 collects a package from the vehicle 1 parked at a location other than the user's home, the user 5 may input information about the desired time and time period for collecting the package and information about the parking location of the vehicle 1 at the desired time and time period into the user terminal 50. The user terminal 50 transmits the information about the desired time and time period and the information about the parking location of the vehicle 1 to the server device 40. By having the server device 40 transmit the information about the desired time and time period and the information about the parking location of the vehicle 1 to the worker terminal 20, the delivery worker 2 can collect the package from the vehicle 1 parked at any location other than the user's home.

[0057] 4 is a flowchart of an example of a package delivery method according to the second embodiment. In step S10, the controller 13 determines whether or not a delivery schedule signal has been received from the server device 40. If a delivery schedule signal has not been received (step S10: N), the process returns to step S10. If a delivery schedule signal has been received (step S10: Y), the process proceeds to step S11. The processes of steps S11 to S13 are the same as the processes of steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 2.

[0058] In step S14, the controller 13 sends an approval request signal including the detection results of the delivery worker 2 and the non-delivery worker 3 to the user terminal 50. In step S15, the controller 13 receives an approval / prohibition signal from the user terminal 50 indicating whether the user 5 has approved the delivery work (delivering a package to the vehicle 1 or collecting a package stored in the vehicle 1) by the delivery worker 2. If the user 5 does not approve the delivery work (step S15: N), the controller 13 ends the processing without opening or unlocking the shielding member SM. If the user 5 has approved the delivery work (step S15: Y), the processing proceeds to step S16.

[0059] In step S16, the controller 13 opens or unlocks the shielding member SM. In step S17, the controller 13 determines whether the delivery work by the delivery worker 2 has been completed. If the delivery work has not been completed (step S17: N), the process returns to step S17. If the delivery work has been completed (step S17: Y), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0060] In step S18, the controller 13 closes or locks the shielding member SM. In step S19, the controller 13 transmits delivery completion information to the user terminal 50, including images of the situation after the package has been delivered to the interior of the vehicle 1 and the situation after the package has been collected from the interior of the vehicle 1. The process then ends.

[0061] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) In the package delivery method, a sensor detects the surrounding conditions of a parked vehicle, and based on the detected surrounding conditions, it detects whether a delivery worker is present around the vehicle and whether a non-delivery worker other than the delivery worker is present around the vehicle, and based on the detection results of the delivery worker and the non-delivery worker, it opens or unlocks a shielding member that shields the inside of the vehicle from the outside. This eliminates the need for the delivery worker to open or unlock the shielding member of the vehicle, thereby reducing the workload of the delivery worker.

[0062] (2) The detection results of delivery workers and non-delivery workers may be sent to a terminal device used by a preset user, and the shielding member may be opened or unlocked only if the user's approval is obtained. This prevents the shielding member from being opened or unlocked without the user's approval, thereby reducing the risk of theft of items inside the vehicle. (3) After the user's approval is obtained, the surrounding conditions of the vehicle may be redetected by a sensor, and a determination may be made as to whether to open or unlock the shielding member based on the redetected surrounding conditions. For example, based on the redetected surrounding conditions, it may be detected whether the delivery worker has left the vicinity of the vehicle by the time the user's approval is obtained, and whether a non-delivery worker has approached within a predetermined distance of the vehicle by the time the user's approval is obtained. This prevents the shielding member from being opened or unlocked in an inappropriate situation, even if the surrounding conditions change before the user's approval is obtained.

[0063] (4) The attributes of people may be determined based on the detection signal of a sensor that detects people around the vehicle, and people with pre-registered attributes may be detected as delivery workers. This makes it possible to determine whether people around the vehicle are delivery workers. (5) Delivery completion information including an image of the delivery of the package to the vehicle may be sent to a terminal device used by the user. This allows the user to check the status of the interior of the vehicle after the delivery operation, thereby reducing the risk of theft of items inside the vehicle.

[0064] (6) A communication function may be provided between the delivery worker and the user via a communication device installed in the vehicle and the user's terminal device. This allows smooth communication between the delivery worker and the user if a problem occurs during delivery. (7) When the delivery worker redelivers a package that was previously unable to be delivered to the user, the shielding member may be opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions. This reduces the number of times the delivery worker must redeliver the package.

[0065] (8) The shielding member may be opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions during a time period designated in advance by the user. This allows, for example, packages to be delivered to or collected from the vehicle at a time convenient for the user. (9) If the user is unable to receive a package delivered by a delivery worker at their home, the shielding member may be opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions. This reduces the number of times the delivery worker must redeliver the package.

[0066] All examples and conditional terms described herein are intended for educational purposes to aid the reader in understanding the present invention and the concepts provided by the inventor for the advancement of technology, and should be construed without limitation to the specifically described examples and conditions above, and the configuration of examples herein for illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of the present invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0067] 1...vehicle, 2...delivery worker, 3...non-delivery worker, 5...user, 10...in-vehicle device, 11...external sensor, 12...shielding member drive actuator, 13, 23, 53...controller, 13a, 23a, 41, 53a...processor, 13b, 23b, 42, 53b...storage device, 14, 21, 43, 51...communication device, 15...in-vehicle camera, 16...microphone, 17...speaker, 20...worker terminal, 22, 52...human-machine interface, 40...server device, 44...user database, 50...user terminal, 100...delivery system, SM, SM1 to SM3...shielding member

Claims

1. A method of delivering parcels, comprising: detecting the surrounding conditions of a parked vehicle using a sensor; detecting whether or not a delivery worker is present around the vehicle based on the detected surrounding conditions; and detecting whether or not a non-delivery worker other than a delivery worker is present around the vehicle; and opening or unlocking a shielding member that shields the inside of the vehicle from the outside based on the detection results of the delivery worker and the non-delivery worker.

2. The delivery method described in claim 1, characterized in that the detection results of the delivery worker and the non-delivery worker are sent to a terminal device used by a pre-set user, and the shielding member is opened or unlocked when approval is obtained from the user.

3. The delivery method described in claim 2, characterized in that after the user's approval is obtained, the surrounding conditions of the vehicle are re-detected by a sensor, and whether or not to open or unlock the shielding member is determined based on the re-detected surrounding conditions.

4. A delivery method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, based on the re-detected surrounding conditions, it is detected whether the delivery worker has left the vicinity of the vehicle before the user's approval is obtained, and it is detected whether the non-delivery worker has approached within a predetermined distance of the vehicle before the user's approval is obtained.

5. A delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attributes of the person are determined based on the detection signal of the sensor that detects the person around the vehicle, and a person with pre-registered attributes is detected as the delivery worker.

6. The delivery method according to claim 1, characterized in that delivery completion information including an image of the situation in which the package has been delivered to the vehicle is transmitted to a terminal device used by the user.

7. A delivery method according to claim 1, characterized in that a communication function is provided between the delivery worker and the user via a communication device mounted on the vehicle and the user's terminal device.

8. A delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the delivery worker redelivers a package that he or she was unable to deliver to the user in the past, the shielding member is opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions.

9. A delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shielding member is opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions during a time period designated in advance by the user.

10. A delivery method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the user is unable to receive the package delivered by the delivery worker at home, the shielding member is opened or unlocked based on the detected surrounding conditions.

11. An in-vehicle device comprising: a sensor that detects the surrounding conditions of a parked vehicle; and a controller that detects whether or not a delivery worker is present around the vehicle based on the surrounding conditions detected by the sensor, and detects whether or not a non-delivery worker other than a delivery worker is present around the vehicle, and opens or unlocks a shielding member that shields the inside of the vehicle from the outside based on the detection results of the delivery worker and the non-delivery worker.

12. A delivery system comprising an on-board device as described in claim 11 and a terminal device used by a pre-set user, wherein the on-board device transmits the detection results of the delivery worker and the detection results of the non-delivery worker to the terminal device, and opens or unlocks the shielding member when approval is obtained from the user.

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