JP7419655B2 - Packaging boxes and unmanned aerial vehicle transportation systems - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a packaging box and an unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system.

Patent Document 1 describes a system for transporting boxes by an unmanned aircraft. In the system described in Patent Document 1, an unmanned aircraft transports boxes in which products are stored.

International Publication No. 2017/216972

In Patent Document 1, for example, products may be arranged unevenly inside the box. In such a case, the unmanned aircraft cannot confirm the inside of the box, making it difficult to transport the box stably. Furthermore, it is difficult for the worker who secures the box to the unmanned aircraft to secure the box in a stable state suitable for transportation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging box that can be transported stably and an unmanned aircraft transportation system that can transport this packaging box stably.

The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to the present invention includes a box that accommodates a target object , an unmanned aerial vehicle, and an identified part that is provided so as to be identifiable from the outside of the box. The identified portion indicates a position supported by the unmanned aerial vehicle when the box is transported by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle is transported with the box body supported by sandwiching both sides of the box body, and the identification portion is provided on both sides of the box body at a position where it is held between the unmanned aerial vehicle bodies. There is.
Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to the present invention includes a box body for accommodating a target object , an unmanned aerial vehicle, and an unmanned aerial vehicle provided on the surface of the box body so that when the box body is transported by the unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle an identified part indicating a position supported by the identification part. The identified portion indicates, as the traveling direction of the box, a direction of a side surface of the box that has a surface with less air resistance when the box is transported by an unmanned flying vehicle.
Further, the unmanned flying object according to the present invention includes identification means for identifying the part to be identified, and support means for supporting the position according to the identification result of the identification means.

The packaging box according to the present invention includes an identified portion that indicates the position supported by the transporter when the box body is transported by the transporter. Further, an unmanned flying vehicle transportation system according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned packaging box and an unmanned flying vehicle that is a transporter that transports the box body of the packaging box. Therefore, according to the present invention, a packaging box that can be stably transported and an unmanned aircraft transportation system that can transport this packaging box stably can be obtained.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging box of Embodiment 1. 1 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a drone according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box of Embodiment 2; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box of Embodiment 3; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box of Embodiment 7; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the unmanned aircraft transportation system according to the seventh embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts. In this disclosure, overlapping explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. Note that the present invention may include any combination of the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging box 10 according to the first embodiment. The packaging box 10 includes a box body 11 and a support position mark 12, as shown in FIG.

The box body 11 is a box-shaped member that houses an object therein. The objects accommodated in the box 11 include, for example, products, cushioning materials, and the like. The box body 11 is made of, for example, a corrugated cardboard sheet. The box 11 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that the shape of the box 11 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be, for example, a cubic shape or a rounded shape. Moreover, the material of the box body 11 is not limited to a corrugated cardboard sheet.

The support position mark 12 indicates the position where the box 11 should be supported when the box 11 is transported. The support position mark 12 is provided so that it can be identified from the outside of the box body 11. In this embodiment, the support position mark 12 is provided on the surface of the box 11. For example, the support position mark 12 is printed on the surface of the box 11. Note that the support position mark 12 is not limited to one printed on the surface of the box 11, and may be, for example, a sticker affixed to the box 11.

For example, the support position mark 12 is provided on the side surface of the box body 11. For example, the support position marks 12 are provided on two opposing sides of the side surfaces of the box body 11, respectively. For example, the support position marks 12 are provided on the right and left surfaces of the box body 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to the first embodiment. The unmanned aircraft transportation system according to this embodiment includes a packaging box 10 and a drone 100, as shown in FIG.

The drone 100 is an example of a transporter that transports the box 11. Further, the drone 100 is an example of an unmanned flying vehicle according to the present disclosure. The drone 100 is a device that is sometimes called an "unmanned aerial vehicle" or the like. Note that, in the present disclosure, the transporter that transports the box 11 includes various types of equipment, such as an industrial robot installed in a factory, in addition to an unmanned flying vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drone 100 includes a support mechanism 101. The support mechanism 101 is a mechanism that supports the box body 11. As an example, the support mechanism 101 supports the box 11 by sandwiching both side surfaces of the box 11. The drone 100 transports the box 11 while the box 11 is supported by the support mechanism 101 .

In this embodiment, the support position mark 12 is provided at a location suitable for being sandwiched between the support mechanisms 101 of the drone 100. The support position mark 12 is provided at a position where the drone 100 can stably support the box body 11 by the support mechanism 101. The position where the support position mark 12 is provided depends on, for example, the center of gravity of the box 11 and the object stored in the box 11, the shape of the box 11, the structure of the box 11, the size of the box 11, etc. It will be set accordingly.

The support position mark 12 in this embodiment is an example of an identified part that indicates the position supported by the transporter when the box 11 is transported by the transporter. In this embodiment, the support position mark 12 directly indicates the position that the drone 100, which is an example of a transport object, should support. The drone 100 can stably transport the box 11 by supporting the position of the support position mark 12.

Here, the functional configuration of the drone 100 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the drone 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the drone 100 according to the present embodiment includes a support mechanism 101, an imaging device 102, a rotor 103, and a control unit 110.

The imaging device 102 is a device that includes a lens, an imaging element such as an image sensor, a flash, and the like. In this embodiment, the drone 100 has a function of operating based on images captured by the imaging device 102.

The rotor 103 is a device that generates lift through rotation. The drone 100 can fly using the rotor 103. By controlling the rotation of the rotor 103, the drone 100 can fly while ascending, descending, and moving horizontally.

Rotation of rotor 103 is controlled by control section 110. The rotor 103 in this embodiment is an example of a flight means for an unmanned flying vehicle to fly. Further, the control unit 110 is an example of a control means for controlling the operation of the unmanned flying vehicle.

In this embodiment, the control section 110 includes a support mechanism control section 111, a support position setting section 112, and a rotor control section 113, as shown in FIG. The support mechanism control unit 111 has a function of controlling the support mechanism 101. Further, the rotor control unit 113 has a function of controlling the rotor 103.

The support position setting unit 112 has a function of setting the support position of the packaging box 10 based on the image photographed by the imaging device 102. In this embodiment, the imaging device 102 captures an image of the outer surface of the packaging box 10. In this embodiment, the support position setting unit 112 sets the position where the support position mark 12 is provided as the support position of the packaging box 10 based on the image photographed by the imaging device 102.

The rotor control unit 113 controls the rotor 103 to move the drone 100 so that the support mechanism 101 can support the support position set by the support position setting unit 112. The support mechanism control unit 111 causes the support mechanism 101 to support the support position set by the support position setting unit 112. The support position set by the support position setting unit 112 is, in this embodiment, the position where the support position mark 12 is provided.

In this manner, in the unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to the present embodiment, the drone 100 can autonomously support the position where the support position mark 12 is provided and transport the packaging box 10. In the unmanned aircraft transportation system according to this embodiment, the position where the drone 100 supports the packaging box 10 is determined autonomously. The support position mark 12 in this embodiment is both an identified part that directly indicates the position supported by the transporter, and also an identified part for determining the position supported by the transporter.

Further, the imaging device 102 and the support position setting unit 112 in this embodiment are an example of an identification unit that identifies the identified portion according to the present disclosure. Note that the function of the support position setting unit 112 described above may be installed in the imaging device 102, for example. Further, the support mechanism 101 in this embodiment is an example of a support means that supports a position according to the identification result of the identification means. In this embodiment, a control unit 110, which is an example of a control means, controls a rotor 103, which is an example of a flight means, and a support mechanism 101, which is an example of a support means.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions of the control unit 110 of the first embodiment. Each function of the support mechanism control section 111, the support position setting section 112, and the rotor control section 113 of the control section 110 can be realized by the processing circuit 120.

The processing circuit 120 may be formed as dedicated hardware 121, for example. Processing circuit 120 may include a processor 122 and memory 123. A portion of the processing circuit 120 is formed as dedicated hardware 121 and may further include a processor 122 and a memory 123. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a part of the processing circuit 120 is formed as dedicated hardware 121, and the processing circuit 120 further includes a processor 122 and a memory 123.

Processing circuitry 120, a portion of which is at least one dedicated hardware 121, may include, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. do.

The processor 122 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Examples of the memory 123 include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, and DVDs.

When the processing circuit 120 includes at least one processor 122 and at least one memory 123, each function of the control unit 110 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 123. The processor 122 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 123 to execute preset processing and realize each function of the control unit 110. In this way, the processing circuit 120 can implement each function of the control unit 110 using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

As shown above, the packaging box 10 according to the present embodiment includes a box body 11 that accommodates an object, and a support position mark that is an example of an identified part that is provided so as to be identifiable from the outside of the box body 11. 12. The support position mark 12 indicates a position where the box body 11 is supported by a transport body such as the drone 100 when the transport body is transported. According to the above configuration, a packaging box 10 that can be stably transported is obtained. This prevents, for example, the packaging box 10 from falling from the carrier during transportation. Moreover, when the transporter supports the packaging box 10, the effect of reducing the work time required to adjust the support position can also be obtained.

Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to the present embodiment includes the above-described packaging box 10 and a drone 100 that is an unmanned aerial vehicle that supports the position indicated by the support position mark 12. According to the above configuration, an unmanned aircraft transport system capable of stably transporting the packaging box 10 can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the support position mark 12 directly indicates the position that the drone 100 should support. For example, the support position mark 12 may articulate the position that the drone 100 should support.

For example, the support position mark 12 may be provided directly above the position where the drone 100 should be supported. The support mechanism 101 of the drone 100 may support directly below this support position mark 12. Moreover, the support position mark 12 may be formed into a frame shape, for example. The support mechanism 101 of the drone 100 may support a portion surrounded by the frame-shaped support position mark 12. In such a case, the support mechanism 101 can support the packaging box 10 more stably due to the unevenness created on the surface of the box body 11 by the support position mark 12.

Furthermore, the support position mark 12 may be made of a material that does not easily slip on the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100, for example. Further, the outer shape of the support position mark 12 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be, for example, a circular shape. The support position mark 12 may be printed as characters such as "support position". The support position mark 12 may be formed, for example, as a two-dimensional barcode or the like in order to make identification by the drone 100 easier.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the support mechanism 101 supports the box 11 by sandwiching both sides of the box 11. The method of supporting the box 11 by the support mechanism 101 is not limited to clamping. For example, the support mechanism 101 may support the box 11 by scooping up or holding the bottom surface of the box 11. The support position mark 12 may be provided on the bottom surface of the box body 11 instead of on the side surface. Further, the support position mark 12 may be provided from the side surface to the bottom surface of the box body 11.

Furthermore, the support mechanism 101 may include, for example, a stand on which the box 11 is placed. This stand is provided with a positioning section for positioning the box 11, for example. For example, by placing the box 11 on the support mechanism 101 such that the positioning portion and the support position mark 12 provided on the bottom of the box 11 are aligned, the box 11 is kept in a stable state. It is supported by a support mechanism 101.

In the embodiments described above, the drone 100 autonomously supports the position indicated by the support position mark 12. The position where the drone 100 supports the box body 11 is determined autonomously. For example, the user may manually support the packaging box 10 by the drone 100. For example, the user may remotely control the drone 100 to have the support mechanism 101 support the position indicated by the support position mark 12.

Embodiment 2.
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and explanations are simplified and omitted. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a support position mark 12, as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the support position mark 12 is formed in the shape of an arrow, as shown in FIG. The arrow-shaped support position mark 12 indicates the traveling direction of the transport object, such as the drone 100.

For example, the support position mark 12 indicates, as the traveling direction, a direction in which there is a side surface of the box body 11 that has particularly low air resistance when the packaging box 10 is transported. Thereby, the transporter can transport the packaging box 10 more smoothly. For example, the power consumption of the vehicle is reduced.

For example, the support position mark 12 may indicate the direction of the side surface of the box body 11 that is less likely to get dirty as the traveling direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the support position mark 12 indicates a more suitable direction of movement when the packaging box 10 is transported by the transporter.

Moreover, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box 10 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the box 11 does not have to be rectangular or cubic. As shown in FIG. 6, a slope inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the transporter and a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction may be formed on one horizontal side of the box 11. By transporting the box 11 toward one side of the box 11 in the horizontal direction, air resistance during transport can be further reduced.

Note that the shape of the support position mark 12 of this embodiment is not limited to the arrow shape. The shape of the support position mark 12 may be, for example, a triangle. The support position mark 12 of this embodiment may be any support position mark 12 as long as it can indicate the traveling direction of the transporter. For example, the support position mark 12 may be formed as a two-dimensional barcode or the like that can be identified by the drone 100. The support position mark 12 of this embodiment may directly indicate the traveling direction of the transporter, or may indicate the direction indirectly. The support position mark 12 of this embodiment may indicate information for determining the traveling direction of the transporter.

Embodiment 3.
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in each of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a center of gravity position mark 13. The center of gravity position mark 13 indicates the object housed in the box 11 and the position of the center of gravity of the box 11 . The center of gravity position mark 13 indicates, for example, the center of gravity in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction. The center of gravity position mark 13 is provided, for example, on the front and rear surfaces, the left and right surfaces, and the top surface of the box body 11.

For example, the center of gravity position mark 13 is printed on the surface of the box 11. Note that the center of gravity position mark 13 is not limited to one printed on the surface of the box 11, and may be, for example, a sticker affixed to the box 11.

The support position setting unit 112 of the drone 100 sets a support position according to the position of the center of gravity position mark 13, for example, based on an image photographed by the imaging device 102. In this embodiment, the support position of the packaging box 10 is determined according to the position of the center of gravity of the box and the object accommodated in the box. The packaging box 10 is stably supported and transported by being supported at a support position determined according to the position of the center of gravity of the box 11 and the object housed in the box 11.

Note that the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100, which is an example of a transport object, may support a position where the center of gravity position mark 13 is located. The center of gravity position mark 13 in this case is an example of a part to be identified that directly indicates the position supported by the transporter.

Further, the support position setting unit 112 of the drone 100 may refer to the position of the center of gravity mark 13 and set a position different from the center of gravity mark 13 as the support position. That is, the support mechanism 101 may support a location other than the location of the center of gravity mark 13. The center of gravity position mark 13 in this case is an example of an identified part that indirectly indicates the position supported by the transporter. The identified part according to the present disclosure may indicate information necessary for determining the position supported by the transport object, like the center of gravity position mark 13.

Moreover, the center of gravity position mark 13 may be provided only on the top surface of the box body 11, for example. The support position setting unit 112 of the drone 100 may set the support position according to the position of the center of gravity position mark 13 provided on the top surface of the box body 11.

When the center of gravity position mark 13 is provided on the side surface of the box body 11, the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100 preferably supports above the center of gravity position mark 13 provided on the side surface of the box body 11. This prevents, for example, the drone 100 transporting the packaging box 10 from wandering.

Moreover, the center of gravity position mark 13 may be formed by, for example, three straight lines passing through the center of gravity in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction. In other words, each intersection of these three straight lines indicates the respective centers of gravity in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction. Furthermore, the center of gravity position mark 13 may be formed as a character that is easy for the user to intuitively recognize, such as the alphabet "G". The center of gravity position mark 13 may be formed as a two-dimensional barcode or the like, similar to the support position mark 12 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box 10 of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the center of gravity position mark 13 may indicate the traveling direction of the transporter in addition to the position of the center of gravity, similar to the support position mark 12 in the second embodiment. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the box 11 does not have to be rectangular parallelepiped or cubic. A slope may be formed on one side of the box 11 in the horizontal direction, which is inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the transporter and a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. Note that a mark indicating the traveling direction of the transporter may be provided on the box 11 separately from the center-of-gravity position mark 13 indicating the position of the center of gravity.

Embodiment 4.
Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in each of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a reinforcement mark 14. For example, the box 11 is provided with a reinforcing portion that reinforces the box 11. The reinforcing portion is provided inside the box 11, for example. As an example, the reinforcing portion is provided to fill a gap between the object housed in the box 11 and the box 11.

The reinforcing part mark 14 indicates the position of a reinforcing part that reinforces the box body 11. The reinforcement mark 14 is provided on the top and side surfaces of the box 11, for example. For example, the reinforcement mark 14 is printed on the surface of the box 11. Note that the reinforcement mark 14 is not limited to one printed on the surface of the box 11, and may be, for example, a sticker affixed to the box 11.

The support position setting unit 112 of the drone 100 sets a support position according to the position of the reinforcement mark 14, for example, based on an image photographed by the imaging device 102. In this embodiment, the supporting position of the packaging box 10 is determined according to the position of the reinforcing portion provided on the box body 11. Since the packaging box 10 is supported at a support position determined according to the position of the reinforcing portion provided on the box body 11, the packaging box 10 will not be crushed even if it is pinched by the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100.

The reinforcing part mark 14 is provided on the outer periphery of the reinforcing part inside the box 11, for example. In this case, the reinforcement mark 14 directly indicates the position of the reinforcement. For example, the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100 supports the position of the reinforcement part mark 14 that directly indicates the position of the reinforcement part. The reinforcing part mark 14 in this case is an example of a part to be identified that directly indicates the position supported by the transporter.

Furthermore, the reinforcing part mark 14 may indirectly indicate the position of the reinforcing part. For example, the reinforcement mark 14 may indirectly indicate the position of the reinforcement by an arrow or the like. Furthermore, the reinforcement mark 14 may be formed as a two-dimensional barcode or the like. The reinforcing part mark 14 may display information regarding the position of the reinforcing part. The reinforcing part mark 14 in this case is an example of a part to be identified that indirectly indicates the position supported by the transporter. The support position setting unit 112 of the drone 100, which is an example of a transport object, may set the support position by identifying the reinforcement mark 14 that indirectly indicates the support position. In this way, the reinforcement mark 14 may indicate information necessary for determining the position supported by the transporter.

Embodiment 5.
Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in each of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 according to the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a support position information mark 15. The support position information mark 15 is provided on the top surface of the box body 11. For example, the support position information mark 15 is printed on the top surface of the box 11. Note that the support position information mark 15 is not limited to one printed on the surface of the box 11, and may be, for example, a sticker affixed to the box 11.

The support position information mark 15 is an example of an identified part that indirectly indicates the position supported by the transporter. The support position information mark 15 is necessary for determining the position supported by the transporter.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the support position information mark 15 provided on the top surface of the box 11 indicates, for example, the position of the center of gravity on the side surface of the box 11. In other words, the support position information mark 15 provided on the top surface of the box 11 indicates, for example, the position of the center of gravity of the box 11 in the front-back direction and the up-down direction. In addition to the position of the center of gravity on the side surface of the box 11, the support position information mark 15 may also indicate the position of the center of gravity on the top surface of the box 11, similar to the center of gravity position mark 13 shown in FIG.

For example, the support position information mark 15 is provided near the outer edge of the top surface of the box 11. The support position information mark 15 is provided on the top surface of the box body 11 at a position close to the side surface. The support position information mark 15 indicates the position of the center of gravity on this side.

For example, characters or the like may be printed on the box 11 to clearly indicate to the user that the support position information mark 15 indicates the position of the center of gravity on the side surface of the box 11. For example, near the support position information mark 15, characters or the like may be printed to explain the meaning of the support position information mark 15, such as "This mark indicates the position of the center of gravity on this side surface." Furthermore, near the support position information mark 15, characters or the like indicating the position of the center of gravity on the side surface of the box body 11, such as "10 centimeters below the top surface", may be printed.

Further, the support position information mark 15 in this embodiment is not limited to indicating the position of the center of gravity, but may also indicate, for example, the traveling direction of the transporter or the position of a reinforcing portion provided on the box body 11. good. Further, the support position information mark 15 may indicate a plurality of pieces of information such as the position of the center of gravity, the traveling direction of the transporter, and the position of the reinforcing part. As described above, characters or the like may be printed near the support position information mark 15 to clearly indicate the information indicated by the support position information mark 15 to the user.

As described above, the support position information mark 15 in this embodiment includes the information indicated by the support position mark 12 in the second embodiment, the information indicated by the center of gravity position mark 13 in the third embodiment, and the information indicated in the fourth embodiment. Information etc. indicated by the reinforcement mark 14 are indicated indirectly.

In this embodiment, the support position information mark 15 is photographed by, for example, the imaging device 102 of the drone 100. The drone 100 reads out information included in the support position information mark 15 by capturing an image of the support position information mark 15 using the imaging device 102. The support position setting unit 112 sets the support position based on the information included in the support position information mark 15, for example.

Note that the support position information mark 15 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 10. The support position information mark 15 may be, for example, a two-dimensional barcode.

Further, the support position information mark 15 may be formed so that the user can recognize the information on the support position by visually observing the support position information mark 15, for example. For example, the size and arrangement of the support position information mark 15 may be determined according to a preset support position. The user may operate the drone 100 so that the support mechanism 101 supports the support position according to the size and arrangement of the support position information mark 15.

In this embodiment, the support position information mark 15, which is an example of the part to be identified, is provided on the top surface of the box 11. Thereby, the vehicle such as the drone 100 and the user can easily identify the support position information mark 15, which is an example of the part to be identified.

Embodiment 6.
Next, Embodiment 6 will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in each of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a hanging ring 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the unmanned aircraft transportation system according to this embodiment includes a packaging box 10 and a drone 100.

The hanging ring 16 is an example of a portion to be identified that is formed in an annular shape and projects outside the box body 11 . The hanging ring 16 is supported by the transport body when the packaging box 10 is transported. As an example, the suspension ring 16 is supported by the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100.

The hanging ring 16, which is an example of the part to be identified, directly indicates the position supported by the transporter when the box 11 is transported by the transporter. More specifically, the hanging ring 16 shows itself as a position supported by the transport body.

For example, the hanging ring 16 is provided on the top surface of the box 11. The hanging ring 16 projects upward from the top surface of the box body 11. As an example, the hanging ring 16 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the box 11.

In this embodiment, the hanging ring 16 is supported by the support mechanism 101 when the box 11 is transported. This prevents, for example, the box 11 from being crushed due to being pinched by the support mechanism 101. Further, the printing on the surface of the box body 11 is prevented from being rubbed by the support mechanism 101. According to this embodiment, the quality of the packaging box 10 is maintained during transportation of the packaging box 10.

Embodiment 7.
Next, Embodiment 7 will be described. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in each of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the packaging box 10 according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an unmanned aircraft transportation system according to the seventh embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the packaging box 10 of this embodiment includes a box body 11 and a hanging ring 16, similar to the sixth embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the unmanned aircraft transportation system according to this embodiment includes a packaging box 10 and a drone 100.

In this embodiment, the packaging box 10 includes a plurality of hanging rings 16. As an example, the packaging box 10 includes four hanging rings 16. For example, the four hanging rings 16 are provided at the four corners of the upper surface of the box 11, respectively.

A support mechanism 101 of a drone 100, which is an example of a transporter, supports a plurality of hanging rings 16, as shown in FIG. This makes the posture of the packaging box 10 more stable during transportation. For example, shaking of the packaging box 10 during transportation is suppressed. In particular, when three or more hanging rings 16 are provided, the shaking of the packaging box 10 is effectively suppressed.

Further, for example, even if one of the plurality of hanging rings 16 comes off from the support mechanism 101, the remaining hanging rings 16 remain supported by the support mechanism 101. According to this embodiment, the possibility that the packaging box 10 will fall during transportation can be further reduced.

Moreover, FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a modification of the packaging box 10 of Embodiment 7. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of the unmanned aircraft transportation system according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the four hanging rings 16 do not necessarily have to be provided at the four corners of the top surface of the box 11. For example, the four hanging rings 16 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the object housed in the box 11 and the center of gravity of the box 11. For example, the four hanging rings 16 provided on the top surface of the box 11 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of gravity of the object housed in the box 11 and the center of gravity of the box 11 in plan view. By arranging the plurality of hanging rings 16 symmetrically with respect to the center of gravity of the object and the box body 11, the inclination of the packaging box 10 during transportation is effectively suppressed. According to this modification, the posture of the packaging box 10 during transportation is more stable.

In addition, in the case where the plurality of hanging rings 16 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of gravity of the object and the box body 11, the number of hanging rings 16 is not limited to four. In this case, at least three hanging rings 16 may be provided.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the box body 11 may be further provided with a center of gravity position mark 13 in addition to the hanging ring 16, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Further, the box body 11 may be provided with a support position mark 12 in addition to the hanging ring 16. The packaging box 10 may be configured to be transportable in both a configuration in which the hanging ring 16 is supported and a configuration in which the box body 11 is supported. According to such a configuration, a highly versatile packaging box 10 that is less dependent on the structure of the support mechanism 101 of the drone 100 can be obtained.

Further, the box body 11 may be provided with a support position information mark 15 for allowing the drone 100 to easily identify the position of the hanging ring 16. In this way, each of the embodiments described above can be combined, and a synergistic effect can be obtained by the combination.

10 packaging box, 11 box body, 12 support position mark, 13 center of gravity position mark, 14 reinforcement part mark, 15 support position information mark, 16 hanging ring, 100 drone, 101 support mechanism, 102 imaging device, 103 rotor, 110 control unit , 111 support mechanism control unit, 112 support position setting unit, 113 rotor control unit, 120 processing circuit, 121 dedicated hardware, 122 processor, 123 memory

Claims (10)

A box body that houses the object ;
unmanned aerial vehicle ,
an identified part that is provided so as to be identifiable from the outside of the box and indicates a position supported by the unmanned flying vehicle when the box is transported by the unmanned flying vehicle;
Equipped with
The unmanned aerial vehicle is transported with the box body supported by sandwiching both sides of the box body,
The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system is characterized in that the identified portions are provided on both sides of the box at positions that are held between the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the identified portion is provided on a surface of the box. The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to claim 2, wherein the identified portion indicates a traveling direction of the box . The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to claim 2, wherein the identified portion indicates the position of the center of gravity of the object and the box. The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to claim 2, wherein the identified portion indicates a position of a reinforcing portion that reinforces the box. A support position information mark indicating the position of the identified part is provided on the top surface of the box,
The unmanned aerial vehicle has an identification means for identifying the support position information mark, and a support means for supporting a position according to an identification result of the identification means,
The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position of the identification target portion is held by the support means. The unmanned aerial vehicle is
Identification means for identifying the identified portion;
support means for supporting a position according to the identification result of the identification means;
The unmanned aircraft transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising : A box body that houses the object ;
unmanned aerial vehicle ,
an identified portion provided on the surface of the box body and indicating a position supported by the unmanned flying vehicle when the box body is transported by the unmanned flying vehicle;
Equipped with
The to-be-identified part is characterized in that, among the side surfaces of the box, a direction having a surface with less air resistance when the box is transported by the unmanned flying vehicle is indicated as the traveling direction of the box. An unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system . 9. The unmanned aerial vehicle transportation system according to claim 8 , wherein a slope is formed on one horizontal side of the box body, the slope being inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the box body and a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. The unmanned aerial vehicle is
Identification means for identifying the identified portion;
support means for supporting a position according to the identification result of the identification means;
The unmanned aircraft transportation system according to claim 8 or 9, comprising:

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