JP2001266019A - Method for managing locker using network, and locker network management system using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a delivery system which smoothly delivers packages and considerably reduces transport expense and enables a user to receive a commodity or the like at his desired time by resolving the problem, where a conventional method using the door-to-door delivery service or the like is adopted in procedures of commodity delivery to require more labor and expenses in these procedures than those of commodity ordering though the commodity is easily ordered in the case of commodity sales using a network. SOLUTION: Lockers, managed through the network by a server computer, are installed in peripheries of stations, convenience stores, apartments, companies, etc., and a locker user is connected to the server computer via a network to determine a locker which the user should use, and the user unlocks the locker is using lock information informed by the server computer, to extract a package when the package is supplied in the locker. This system is realized so as to resolve the problem in a conventional delivery system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a locker network management method for streamlining product distribution in network sales and a locker network management system using the same. According to the present invention, a locker managed via a network is installed at an arbitrary location such as around a station, a convenience store, a condominium, a company, etc., so that the luggage can be smoothly delivered and the transportation cost can be significantly reduced. It was made.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid spread of intercommunication systems using the Internet at present, various products using networks have been actively sold. In order to sell products using this network, it is easy to order products from the Internet terminal, but the delivery procedure for delivering the ordered products to the orderer is mainly based on the conventional method using courier service etc. It is a fact that it takes a lot of trouble and cost compared to the procedure for ordering products. Recently, there has been a proposal to use a local store such as a convenience store to improve the procedure for delivery, but this method also requires that the storage of products and the management of delivery of luggage to the orderer be performed manually. In addition, it is difficult to deliver packages and to significantly reduce transportation costs.

[0003]

Therefore, the delivery of luggage can be performed very smoothly, and the transportation cost can be greatly reduced, and the transportation cost can be greatly reduced, and the time required by the user can be accommodated. There is a need for a delivery system that can receive products and the like.

[0004]

According to the present invention, a locker whose opening, closing, use state and the like are managed by a server computer via a network such as the Internet is provided at an arbitrary location such as around a station, a convenience store, a condominium or a company. The locker user connects to the server computer with a PC, mobile phone, PHS, etc., determines the locker to be used from the available locker information provided by the server computer, and when the package is delivered to the locker , You will be notified by the server computer,
A conventional delivery system is realized by realizing a locker network management method in which a target locker is unlocked by key information notified from a server computer and takes out packages, and a locker network management system using the locker network. It solves the problem of. Since the present invention allows a user to receive a product or the like at a desired time, it is possible to contribute to improvement of a desire to purchase a product.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a locker network management system configuration using a locker network management method of the present invention. In FIG. 1, BY is a product purchaser who purchases a product by selling various products using a network. The PC is a product purchaser's personal computer connected to the Internet. L
Reference numeral 1 denotes a locker connected to a network connected to a wired Internet or the like. L2 is a network connection locker connected to a network via a wireless telephone. Lockers L1 and L2 connected to the network are equipped with computers and the like, respectively, to grasp the use status of the lockers,
Controls key locking.

[0006] A plurality of lockers 2 connected to the network are installed so as to cover areas necessary for various places such as around stations, convenience stores, condominiums, companies, etc. In the example of FIG. L1, L
2, the function of these lockers will be described as a representative.
Locker L1 is wired, L2 is wireless (mobile phone, PHS
Etc.), and is connected to a network such as the Internet, and transmits the usage status to the server computer. Further, since the control computers of the lockers L1 and L2 can be connected to the server computer via the network, the control software can be changed from the server. Lockers L1, L2
There are lockers provided with various functions for storing various kinds of luggage and commodities because of their necessity of being able to store them. These temperature controls are managed by a rocker control computer. Further, by equipping the lockers L1 and L2 with a video camera, a digital camera, a microphone, various sensors, and the like, it is possible to prevent the lockers from being destroyed and used for crimes.

[0007] The SV is a server computer connected to the Internet. Server computer S
V supervises and manages the use status of lockers arranged in each area, and provides information to user terminals connected to the Internet. In addition, the locker manager notifies the locker manager of the locker use status, and issues delivery information instructions to the product or package sender. Upon receiving the abnormal information from the locker, the server computer immediately notifies the locker manager, organizes the abnormal information, and stores it in the server computer. Also,
By using this system together with the network map information providing system, it is possible to provide users with a more abundant search function for available lockers, and also to use the utilization rate to study locker installation plans.

[0008] LC is a locker manager. The locker manager LC receives information on the locker usage status, failure status, and the like from the server computer. Further, based on this information, the locker manager performs maintenance of the locker, opening of the locker after the deadline, delivery of the locker opening / closing key to the transport company, and the like. MK is a luggage sending requester such as a manufacturer or a store. The package sending requester MK receives the notification of the package (product etc.) information and the delivery locker information from the server computer, and transfers the package (product) and delivery locker information to the carrier. DV is a carrier that transports goods. The carrier DV holds an unused locker opening / closing key (including electronic information) for each locker provided by a locker manager (or a server computer) or the like. The carrier receives a delivery request for packages (products, etc.) and opens an unused designated locker with this key to deliver the products, etc.

The operation flow of the locker network management system using the thus configured locker network management method of the present invention will be described below.
The outline of the flow of system operation is as follows. The purchaser BY, who purchases the product by selling various products using the network, connects to the server computer SV using a personal computer PC, a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like of the product purchaser connected to the Internet. Of the available lockers provided by the computer SV of the PC, and a usable locker is determined from the locker information. Thereafter, when the package is delivered to the locker designated by itself, the purchaser BY receives a notification from the server computer SV, unlocks the target locker key using the key information notified from the server computer SV, and purchases the locker. Take out the product.

Hereinafter, the operation flow of this system will be described in detail with reference to the information in FIG. 1 and the numbers of the arrows indicating the flow of goods. (1),: Locker L connected to the network
1, L2 notifies the latest state of use of the lockers L1, L2 to the server computer SV via the network. (2): The locker management company LC obtains information on the use status of the lockers L1 and L2 from the server computer SV and manages and maintains the lockers. (3): The product purchaser BY who has purchased the product stores the product purchaser's personal computer P on the computer SV of the server.
C, or by connecting a mobile phone, PHS, or the like, and obtaining the free information of the locker, thereby knowing the state of the available locker. At this time, the computer SV of the server automatically calculates the locker size from the size and quantity of the product purchased by the product purchaser BY, and notifies only the appropriate available locker to the product purchaser BY. The search for available lockers can be performed by specifying a desired area.

(4): The product purchaser BY selects an appropriate locker from the available lockers indicated by the server computer SV, and selects the server computer SV.
Notify of locker reservation. (5): Upon receiving the notification from the product purchaser BY, the computer SV of the server notifies the locker of the provisional use reservation. (6): The server computer SV notifies the luggage sender MK such as a maker or a store of the shipment of the luggage (goods) purchased by the commodity purchaser BY together with the commodity information and the delivery locker information. The product sender MK is the product purchaser B
The credit authentication of Y is performed. If the credit approval is not obtained, the temporary reservation of the locker is released, the product purchaser BY is notified to that effect, and the procedure is terminated. When the credit approval of the product purchaser BY is selected, the reservation of the locker is made the main registration, and the process proceeds to (7). At this time, the product purchaser BY notifies the locker of key information for releasing the key. When unlocking the locker key with a mobile phone or PHS, the user's mobile phone or PHS phone number may be used. In some cases, electronic data (such as fingerprint information) that can identify an individual is notified. This information may be notified at the provisional reservation of (5) or at the time of (9). When using key release data, there is also a method in which the locker notifies the key release data.

(7): The commodity sender MK such as a maker or a store requests the transporter DV to deliver the corresponding commodity to the delivery destination locker. (8): The carrier DV opens the locker using the unused locker release key for the designated locker and delivers the package (goods). (9) 10: The locker detects the delivery of the package (product), locks it, and notifies the server computer SV that the package has been delivered. Upon delivery of the package (product), the locker determines that the delivered package is the correct package based on the package number, the barcode attached to the package, etc., and warns the supplier if the package is incorrect. (10) 11: The server computer SV transmits the delivery of the package (product) and the key information of the delivery locker to the product purchaser B.
Notify Y by e-mail or the like (including communication means such as telephone, fax, general mail, etc.) in a manner that does not leak information. At this time, the product purchaser BY can receive the key information and the locker information using a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like.

(11) 12: The product purchaser BY releases the key of the designated locker with the notified key information and receives the package. When releasing the locker key, there are the following methods for the product purchaser BY to release the locker key. I. E-mail, telephone (including mobile phone and PHS),
Enter the locker key number notified by fax or general mail into the relevant locker. B. Enter the barcode printed on the user's personal computer into the locker. C. A removable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a memory card, or an MO containing the locker key number is inserted into the key number reading device of the locker. D. The key number is transmitted to the corresponding locker from the mobile phone or PHS notified of the delivery of the product. Mobile phones, PHS
In the case of, the user can be identified only by the telephone number sent from the mobile phone or the PHS, and the key is released by this operation. C. The key is released by a method capable of recognizing the person (fingerprint, retinal blood vessels, voice, credit card, IC card, etc.). (12): The locker notifies the SV of the server computer that the package has been delivered to the purchaser BY. With the above operation, the work of delivering the baggage of the locker to the product purchaser BY ends.

There are the following places for installing the lockers, and there are various advantages due to differences in the installation places. By placing it near the station, it is possible to expect a higher locker usage rate than conventional coin lockers. These lockers can also serve as conventional coin lockers. (B) By installing in a convenience store, the delivery of luggage can be automated and human rights costs can be reduced. C. By installing products in supermarkets, shopping streets, etc. where products are more abundant than convenience stores, goods can be delivered 24 hours a day, so OL or working housewives can be used, and it is possible to compete with convenience stores. We can also provide warm meals for singles. By installing in lockers, condominiums, housing complexes, etc., lockers can be used not only for simple locker use but also for security management because they are connected to the Internet. By installing in the company or company, employees can not only receive products at the company, but also store luggage delivered to the company on holidays. To golf courses, hotels, ski resorts, airports, bullet train stations,
You can easily travel by setting up at a rental car store.

[0015] Still other uses of the locker include: The locker reservation person requests the carrier to transport the luggage, and the person himself receives the luggage at a ski resort, a golf course, an airport, a bullet train station, a rental car store, and the like. 2. The locker reservation person requests the carrier to carry the package, and the recipient designated by the locker reservation person receives the package. 3. A home delivery convenience user can request a home delivery by placing a package in a locker designated by a home delivery company using a locker connected to the Internet, and the home delivery can be conveniently used for the user. Can be used to sell various products using the network, can carry out luggage very smoothly, can greatly reduce transportation costs, and can receive products etc. at the time desired by the user Things come. As a result, a delivery system that can respond to the sale of various products using the network, can deliver goods very smoothly, can significantly reduce transportation costs, and can receive products etc. at the time desired by the user is realized. I can do it.

[0016]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a locker whose opening, closing, use state and the like are managed by a computer of a server connected to a network such as the Internet is provided around a station, a convenience store, and an apartment. The locker is installed at an arbitrary location such as a company, etc., and the locker user connects to the server computer via a network using a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PHS, etc., obtains the available locker information provided by the server computer, and uses the locker. When the package is delivered to the locker, the locker receives a notification from the server computer, unlocks the target locker with the key information notified from the server computer, and removes the package from the locker network management The system can be realized. For this reason, the management system using the locker network of the present invention
Delivery of luggage can be performed very smoothly, transportation costs can be significantly reduced, and products can be received at the time desired by the user, so that it is possible to deal with the sale of various products using the network. Further, since the system of the present invention can receive a product or the like at a time desired by the user, it can also contribute to an increase in the desire to purchase the product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for describing a locker network management system configuration using a locker network management method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

BY: a product purchaser who purchases a product using a network; PC: a personal computer of a product purchaser connected to the Internet; L1: a locker connected to a network such as a wired Internet; L2: Locker connected to the Internet via a wireless telephone, SV: Computer on a server connected to the Internet, LC: Locker manager, MK: Luggage such as manufacturer or retailer Shipping requester, DV: Carrier that transports goods,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E048 CA03 CA17 DA03 5B049 AA01 AA02 BB11 BB31 CC02 CC05 CC10 DD01 EE00 GG02 GG03 GG04 GG06 GG07 5K033 AA08 AA09 BA02 BA08 DA01 DA06 DB12 DB14 DB20 EA07 EC03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A locker whose opening, closing, use state and the like are managed by a computer of a server via a network communication means such as the Internet is installed in an arbitrary place such as around a station, a convenience store, a condominium, a company, etc. The locker user connects to the server computer using a personal computer, mobile phone, PHS, etc., and determines the locker to be used from the available locker information provided by the server computer. When the locker user receives the package to the locker, A locker network management method that receives a notification from a server computer, unlocks a target locker with key information notified from the server computer, and takes out a package. 2. Wired or wireless (cellular phones, P-phones, etc.) anywhere near stations, convenience stores, apartments, companies, etc.
HS, etc.), a locker for transmitting the use status to a server computer via a network such as the Internet and managing the opening / closing and use status is arranged, and the locker is arranged in each region by the server computer via the network. Integrate and manage the locker usage, provide information to the user's terminal via the network, notify the locker manager of the locker usage status, and give delivery information instructions to the product or package sender. The locker manager receives information on the locker usage status, failure status, etc. from the server computer, and based on this information, releases the locker after the expiration date and hands over the locker opening / closing key to the transport company, etc. Buyers who purchase products using, can use a computer connected to the Internet, Uses a mobile phone, PHS, etc. to access the server computer, obtain the available locker information provided by the server computer, determine the locker to be used, and inform the server computer when the package is delivered to the specified locker. A locker network management method in which the locker key is unlocked with the provided key information and the purchased product is taken out. [3] Wired or wireless (mobile phone, P-phone, etc.) at any location such as around a station, convenience store, apartment, company, etc.
HS, etc.), a locker that transmits the usage status to a server computer via a network and manages opening / closing and usage status is arranged, and is arranged in each region by a server computer connected to communication means such as the Internet. It supervises and manages the locker usage status, provides information to the user's terminal via the network, notifies the locker manager of the locker usage status, instructs the product or package sender on the delivery information, The administrator receives information on the locker usage status, failure status, etc. from the server computer, based on this information, releases the locker after the expiration date, hands over the locker opening and closing key to the transport company, etc. After receiving notification of package (product etc.) information and delivery locker information from the server computer via the network, (Commodity) and delivery locker information are transferred to the carrier, and the carrier holds unused locker opening / closing keys (including electronic information) for each locker passed from the locker manager (or server computer) via the network. By receiving a delivery request for luggage (products, etc.) and opening the unused designated locker with this key to deliver the products, the product purchaser who purchased the products using the network is connected to the Internet. Access to the server computer with a personal computer, mobile phone, PHS, etc., obtain the available locker information provided by the server computer, determine the locker to be used, and when the package is delivered to the designated locker, Unlock the locker with the key information provided by the computer and remove the purchased item Management method according to the network of the locker was. 4. A locker which is installed at an arbitrary place around a station, a convenience store, a condominium, a company, or the like, and whose opening / closing and use state are controlled via a network such as the Internet, and the locker is connected via a network such as the Internet. A means for the locker user to connect to the server computer via a computer, mobile phone, PHS, etc., and to determine the locker to be used from the available locker information provided by the server computer. When the package is delivered to the server, a notification is sent from the server computer via the network, the target locker is unlocked using the key information notified from the server computer, and the package is taken out. system. 5. It is installed at an arbitrary place such as around a station, a convenience store, a condominium, a company, and the like, and transmits its use status to a computer of a server via a network such as the Internet by wire or wireless (cellular phone, PHS, etc.). A locker that transmits and controls the open / close and use status, etc., supervises and manages the use status of the locker installed at any place, provides information to the user's terminal via the network, and uses the locker to the locker manager Server computers that provide status notifications, provide shipping information to the product or package shipper, locker usage from server computers,
Locker management means that receives information such as failure status and releases lockers that are overdue based on this information, transfers locker opening and closing keys to the transport company, etc., and product purchasers who purchase products using the network Means to access the server computer with a personal computer, mobile phone, PHS, etc. connected to the server, to obtain available locker information provided by the server computer, and to specify the product purchaser who purchased the product using the network When the package is delivered to the locker, a locker network management system consisting of means for unlocking the locker and extracting the purchased goods with the key information notified from the server computer. 6. A management system according to claim 4, wherein each locker has a control computer which can be connected to a server computer via a network, and the control software can be changed from the server. 7. A locker according to claim 4 or 5, wherein various sizes are prepared in each locker to enable storage of various kinds of luggage and goods, and fresh foods, frozen foods, and general foods are provided. A locker network management system with freezing, refrigeration, and warming functions so that it can handle other items. 8. The computer of the server according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each locker is equipped with a sensor such as a video camera, a digital camera, a microphone, etc., so that when the locker is destroyed or a crime occurs, the server computer becomes abnormal from the locker. A locker network management system that receives information, notifies the locker manager, organizes abnormal information, and stores it in the server computer. 9. A method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the key of each locker is released. E-mail, telephone (including mobile phone and PHS),
Enter the locker key number notified by fax or general mail into the relevant locker. B. Enter the barcode printed on the user's personal computer into the locker. C. A removable storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a memory card, an MO or the like containing the locker key number is inserted into the key number reading device of the locker. D. The key number is transmitted to the corresponding locker from the mobile phone or PHS notified of the delivery of the product. Mobile phones, PHS
In the case of, the user can be identified only by the telephone number sent from the mobile phone or the PHS, and the key is released by this operation. C. The key is released by a method capable of recognizing the person (fingerprint, retinal blood vessels, voice, credit card, IC card, etc.). Management system by a network of lockers adapted to use any one of the methods.