JP2004030159A - Locker use reservation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a locker use reservation system which can surely deposit a load by performing waiting reservation for an unoccupied state when the locker desired to use is an occupied state. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of lockers 12a-12n and a locker management center 11 are connected via a communication network 100. When a locker desired to use among a plurality of lockers by a use candidate of the locker is the occupied state, a use reservation and a use candidate's contact are transmitted from a prescribed operating means or a use candidate's mobile terminal 13 connected to the locker management center 11 through the communication network 100. When the locker desired to use becomes unoccupied, the locker management center 11 locks the locker concerned and informs that the locker is available to the above contact. After checking that the use of the locker is available by the notification from the locker management center 11, the use candidate goes to installation location of the locker, unlocks, and deposits a load. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a locker use reservation system that secures a locker capable of securely depositing a luggage by making a use reservation when a locker to which the luggage is to be deposited is in use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in multi-family housing and tenant buildings, it has become difficult to deliver mail and parcel delivery parcels due to the rise of buildings, the number of houses and tenants in the same building, and enhancement of security functions. . Ideally, a post office courier or a delivery person in charge of a delivery company ensures that postal items and parcels are delivered to each home or each tenant's door when delivering and delivering. However, it is often complicated to go to each door with a home delivery item due to the structure of the building. Also, if the destination is not present, the home delivery must be brought back once and then delivered again. Furthermore, in recent years, measures have been taken to curb crimes disguised as a delivery company, such as restricting the entrance and exit of the building itself to enhance the crime prevention function. It is becoming more difficult to do so.
[0003]
Normally, small mail is dealt with by installing a mailbox for the resident or tenant of the building near the entrance of the building. However, large mail that does not fit in the mail box, or registered mail and parcel parcels that require a receipt stamp must be delivered to each door.
[0004]
Therefore, there has been proposed a locker system provided with an article storage unit with a door, which is called a home delivery locker and cannot be opened and closed unless a predetermined operation is performed.
[0005]
This type of conventional locker system is installed near the entrance of a building, authenticates the user and a specific contractor who has contracted in advance with a magnetic recording card, etc., controls the opening and closing of the door of the article storage unit, and By issuing a delivery notice, a receipt, a receipt, and the like, an article is exchanged between the user and a delivery member or a delivery company through the article storage unit.
[0006]
Recently, home delivery lockers for receiving luggage delivered by delivery companies and the like have been installed near entrances of houses such as condominiums, and the number of home delivery lockers is increasing year by year. Such home delivery lockers are gradually being installed not only in residential areas such as condominiums, but also in public places such as companies, train stations, airports, convenience stores, and educational institutions such as universities and libraries.
[0007]
This home delivery locker has a built-in computer equipped with a communication function and is always connected to the management center online via a communication line, so that the center can grasp the usage status of each locker and provide security. Everything has been done. Therefore, the user can use it with peace of mind and is extremely convenient.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, in the case of luggage deposit, use of a luggage delivery service using a home delivery locker, and designation of a home delivery locker as a delivery destination of the luggage, there is no locker that can actually be deposited (there is no room). There was a problem that it could not be deposited.
[0009]
For example, the delivery company wants to leave the package in a delivery locker that can receive the package unattended when the recipient of the package is absent, but if there is no actual vacancy, take the package back once and provide guidance on the redistribution procedure. The recipient was notified of the package by means of a delivery slip or telephone. The recipient of the package confirms that the package has been delivered by checking the out-of-office delivery slip, etc., and then contacts the contact information on the out-of-office delivery slip to specify the desired date and time of receipt. Then, based on the notification of the resending procedure, the delivery company redistributes the package at the date and time desired by the recipient. According to this, the delivery company waits for notification of the re-delivery procedure before re-delivery processing of the package, so if there is no communication from the recipient of the package, the delivery service cannot complete the delivery processing of the package. There was a defect.
[0010]
In addition, since the delivery locker as described above is not usually provided with a use time limit or the like, the luggage once deposited may be left as it is, and other users cannot deposit luggage. As a result, there was a problem that the number of rotations of the locker was significantly reduced.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a locker use reservation system that secures a locker that can be reliably used by making a reservation for waiting for use of a delivery locker as a delivery destination of luggage and goods. The purpose is to provide.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locker use reservation system that secures a delivery destination locker by making a reservation for use of a delivery locker that is a delivery destination at a stage before actual delivery processing of a package by a delivery company. And
[0013]
A further object of the present invention is to provide a locker use reservation system that improves the turnover rate of home delivery lockers installed in various places.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the locker use reservation system according to the present invention employs the following technical means.
[0015]
The present invention is a locker use reservation system in which a plurality of lockers provided with a predetermined operation means and a management center for managing the plurality of lockers are connected via a communication network. When the locker desired to be used among the plurality of lockers is in use, the locker is connected to the management center via the communication line network from the predetermined operation means or a terminal device available to the user. Connect, send the locker use reservation and the contact information of the person who wants to use it as reservation information, and the management center
When a locker desired to be used by the use applicant becomes available among the plurality of lockers, a lock instruction is transmitted to the available locker to make a reservation for use, and The contact person is notified that a locker is available, and the requester confirms that the locker is available, based on the notification from the management center, and then goes to the installation location of the locker. The locked locker is unlocked by the predetermined operation means to store the luggage.
[0016]
In addition, the management center transmits a message prompting collection of the package to a contact of the user of the locker when a predetermined time has elapsed while the package is deposited in the predetermined locker.
[0017]
The present invention is a locker use reservation system in which a plurality of lockers having predetermined operation means and a terminal device that can be used by a locker user are connected via a communication network, If the locker desired to be used is in use from among the plurality of lockers, the user may request any of the plurality of lockers from the predetermined operation means or the terminal device via the communication network. , A locker use reservation and the contact information of the desired applicant are transmitted as reservation information, and each of the plurality of lockers is
Monitoring means for monitoring the use status of the locker; and communication means for communicating with the terminal device, wherein after the use reservation and the contact information are received by the communication means via the communication network, the monitoring is performed. When the locker desired to be used by the means becomes available, the locker is locked, a use reservation is made, and the contact means of the use applicant is notified by the communication means that the locker is available, After confirming that the locker is available based on the notification by the communication means, the use applicant goes to the installation location of the locker and unlocks the locked locker by the predetermined operation means. Depositing luggage.
[0018]
Further, each of the plurality of lockers transmits a message prompting the user of the locker to pick up the luggage to the contact point of the user of the locker when the predetermined time has elapsed while the luggage is deposited by the monitoring means. It is characterized by doing.
[0019]
Further, the contact is a mail address or a telephone number.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a locker use reservation system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5 show a locker use reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a locker use reservation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in a locker use reservation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a locker management center 11 and a plurality of lockers 12a to 12n are connected via a communication network 100 (dedicated network or public network). The locker management center 11 is connected to a mobile terminal 13 (including a mobile phone) owned by a locker user (including a delivery company) via a mobile communication network 200.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a detailed configuration of the locker management center and a plurality of lockers. 2, the locker management center 11 includes a center terminal 111, a database server 112, and a backup server 113. Further, the locker management center 11 is provided with an operator (not shown) for performing a response by a telephone function (telephone call port 121) provided in each of the lockers 12a to 12n.
[0023]
The center terminal 111 manages information such as the installation location and contact information of the lockers 12a to 12n, personal information (name, room number, telephone number, etc.) of the contracting party, grasps the current locker use status, and manages security. Monitor in real time. The database server 112 stores the status monitored by the center terminal 111 in association with time information. The backup server 113 stores the same information as the information stored in the database server 112 by mirroring, and is provided so that even if a failure occurs in the database server 112, the system itself does not go down. I have.
[0024]
Each of the plurality of lockers 12a to 12n includes a telephone communication port 121 for making a call with an operator (not shown) of the locker management center 11, an operation key group 122 for specifying a delivery destination or taking out a package, and a locker management. A display 123 for displaying various information such as operation instructions from the center 11, and a card insertion slot for inserting a card (IC card, magnetic card, etc.) for authenticating an operator when depositing or unloading luggage. 124, a barcode reading port 125 for reading a barcode given to a delivery slip or the like, and a receipt issuing port 126 for issuing a receipt (delivery slip) indicating completion of luggage deposit and the like.
[0025]
The mobile terminal 13 is a mobile phone or a mobile terminal (such as a PDA) owned by a locker user (such as a home delivery driver). The telephone number (e-mail address is also acceptable) of the mobile phone and the e-mail address of the mobile terminal are used as reservation information at the time of use reservation described later. In addition, as long as the terminal device can be connected to the locker management center 11, the terminal device is not necessarily limited to a portable terminal, and may be, for example, a terminal device installed in a convenience store or the like.
[0026]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an operation example of a delivery company who wants to deposit luggage in a home delivery locker will be described in detail.
[0027]
<First operation example>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the locker use reservation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this operation example, a case will be described in which a delivery company actually goes to a locker that is a delivery destination. Note that the delivery destination here is a user (luggage recipient) who has completed a contract for using a home delivery locker in advance, and the locker serving as the delivery destination is installed in the residence site of the user (for example, an entrance hall of an apartment). It is assumed that
[0028]
First, in order to deposit a package, the delivery company goes to a locker installed on the residence site of the package recipient to be delivered and checks whether or not the package can be deposited in the locker (step S1). Here, if there is a vacancy in the locker, the luggage is deposited in the locker, a delivery slip is posted in a post or the like, and the delivery process is terminated (step S1 / YES).
[0029]
If there is no free space in the locker in step S1 (step S1 / NO), a locker use reservation is made from the operating means provided on the door of any of the lockers installed (step S2).
[0030]
For example, the locker use reservation can be started by providing a “use reservation button” in a part of the operation keys 122 provided on the locker door and pressing the use reservation button. After pressing the use reservation button, a reservation information input screen is displayed on the display 123. The reservation information entered here includes personal information for identifying the luggage depositor (for example, information for identifying a delivery company or, in the case of an individual, license information, etc.), luggage deposit There is contact information such as a telephone number of a mobile phone and a mail address of a mobile terminal owned by a delivery company as an applicant. After inputting the reservation information, the locker use reservation is completed, and the locker transmits the reservation information to the locker management center 11 (step S3).
[0031]
The locker management center 11 constantly monitors the use status of each locker in which the locker that has transmitted the reservation information exists. When an empty locker is generated, the locker management center 11 sends a voice message or the like to the contact based on the contact information input by the delivery agent who has made a reservation based on the reservation information to the effect that there is an empty locker. The locker is notified by e-mail or the like, and instructs the locker to lock the empty locker (step S4). The empty lockers are locked based on a locking instruction from the locker management center 11.
[0032]
When the delivery company is notified from the locker management center 11 that there is a free locker by voice message or e-mail, the delivery company goes to the installation location of the free locker, and uses the reservation information (personal information, contact information, etc.) used at the time of the reservation. After unlocking the locker and depositing the luggage, the delivery slip is posted to a post or the like and the delivery process is completed (step S5).
[0033]
According to the first operation example of the present invention, when the user goes to the locker installation location and there is no actual free locker, the user can make a reservation on the spot, and furthermore, the locker can be used immediately when the locker becomes available. Since the management center notifies that the lockers can be used, lockers that can be delivered reliably can be secured.
[0034]
<Second operation example>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the locker use reservation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present operation example, a case will be described in which a delivery trader makes a use reservation at a stage before actually going to a locker serving as a delivery destination. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the delivery destination here is a user (luggage recipient) who has completed a contract for using a home delivery locker in advance, and the locker serving as the delivery destination is located on the residence site of the user (for example, , Entrance hall of a condominium).
[0035]
First, before the delivery company actually goes to the locker serving as a delivery destination, the delivery company uses the portable terminal 13 or a communicable computer (not shown) installed at the delivery company (delivery company) to report the usage status of the delivery destination locker. Confirmation is made from the management center terminal) to the locker management center 11 via the communication network 100 (step S11). By granting a system use permission by a contract or the like in advance between the locker management center 11 and the delivery company (delivery company), it is possible to smoothly access the system (saving the trouble of authentication processing and the like). .
[0036]
The delivery company checks a currently available locker (desired delivery destination) on a homepage (Web) provided by the locker management center 11, and if there is no currently available locker, or the currently available locker is available. After confirming that, the user inputs locker use reservation information (step S12). The use reservation information here is the same as the reservation information described above, and includes personal information for specifying the delivery company of the package, contact information such as the telephone number of the mobile phone owned by the delivery company and the e-mail address of the mobile terminal. There is. Note that a method of contacting an actual delivery company via a delivery company terminal is also possible. After inputting the reservation information, the reservation for using the locker can be completed on the Web. Note that, as described above, the use reservation can be similarly made from the portable terminal owned by the delivery company (delivery driver).
[0037]
The locker management center 11 constantly monitors the individual use status of the lockers for which use has been requested based on the use reservation information. When an empty locker occurs, the locker management center 11 notifies the contact based on the contact information that there is an empty locker by a voice message or an e-mail, etc., and performs a lock processing of the locker to the empty locker. (Step S13). The empty lockers are locked based on a locking instruction from the locker management center 11.
[0038]
When the delivery company is notified from the locker management center 11 that there is a free locker by voice message or e-mail, the delivery company goes to the installation location of the free locker, and uses the reservation information (personal information, contact information, etc.) used at the time of the reservation. After unlocking the locker and depositing the luggage, the delivery slip is posted to a post or the like as before, and the delivery process is terminated (step S14).
[0039]
Note that the delivery company may have the locker management center 11 transmit the locker free information directly to the portable terminal 13 owned by the delivery company, but once via a computer (not shown) installed in the delivery company. You may make it transmit.
[0040]
According to the second operation example of the present invention, the delivery company can secure a locker to be a delivery destination before actually delivering the package, and therefore, as in the related art, the delivery company can collect the package by unattended delivery. The trouble of taking home and re-delivery can be reduced, and the transportation cost can be reduced.
[0041]
Further, in the present invention, when there is a package left in the locker for a predetermined time or longer, a voice message prompting the user who has a contract for using the locker in advance to automatically pick up the package from the locker management center 11 or Send e-mail. As a result, it is possible to provide more lockers that can be used, and it is possible to dramatically increase the number of rotations using the lockers.
[0042]
Further, in the above-described first and second operation examples, the use reservation made by the delivery company is such that even if a predetermined time (for example, about 2 hours) elapses, there is no use by the user who made the use reservation, The locker management center 11 automatically cancels the reservation for use (locking of the locker is also released), so that the locker can be operated without reducing the rotation speed of the locker.
[0043]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when there is a package left unattended for a predetermined time or longer in the locker, a voice message prompting the user who has a contract for using the locker to automatically pick up the package from the locker management center 11 or Send e-mail. As a result, it is possible to provide more lockers that can be used, and it is possible to dramatically increase the number of rotations using the lockers.
[0044]
<Second embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing a locker use reservation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a locker use reservation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is configured by connecting a locker 12a and a portable terminal 13 via a mobile communication network 200. The difference from the first embodiment described above is that the locker itself can complete the reservation for use of the locker without going through the locker management center.
[0045]
As in the first embodiment, each locker constituting the locker 12a has a predetermined operation means on its front face, a monitoring function for constantly monitoring the use status of the locker, and a mobile communication network 200. And a communication function of communicating with the mobile terminal 13 via the PC.
[0046]
First, when a locker user wishes to deposit luggage in the locker 12a in which all the lockers are in use, the locker 12a makes a reservation for use of the locker from predetermined operating means provided in the locker 12a. The reservation information here is the same as in the first embodiment described above.
[0047]
Next, the locker 12a, which has received the reservation for use, constantly monitors the use status of the locker by the monitoring function, and locks the empty locker when an empty locker occurs, and has made a reservation for use based on the reservation information. The contact information (portable terminal 13) input by the use applicant is notified by voice message, electronic mail, or the like that there is a free locker.
[0048]
When the locker 12a is notified by voice message or e-mail from the locker 12a that there is a free locker, the locker 12a goes to the installation location of the free locker, and uses the reservation information (personal information, contact information, etc.) used at the time of the reservation. ) To unlock the locker and deposit the luggage.
[0049]
According to the second embodiment of the present invention, a locker can be reserved for use without going through the locker management center, that is, it can be constructed as a self-contained use reservation system using lockers. In addition, when there is a package left in the locker for a predetermined time or longer, a voice message or an e-mail that prompts the user to automatically collect the package may be sent to the contact information of the user registered in the locker. Good.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the delivery process of the package by the delivery company has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be used by general users.
[0051]
When the locker is reserved for use, it is possible to make a reservation using a magnetic card, an IC card, or the like, which the delivery company has in advance. It is possible to use a card.
[0052]
Furthermore, in the case of individual use reservation, it is possible to use personal information recorded on a normal credit card or the like as a part of the reservation information, and it is naturally possible to use it for unlocking processing. is there.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, available reservation lockers can be reliably secured by making reservations for waiting for empty delivery of home delivery lockers as delivery destinations of luggage, goods, and the like.
[0054]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to secure a delivery destination locker by making a reservation for use of a home delivery locker as a delivery destination before a delivery company actually performs a package delivery process. By reducing unnecessary redistribution processing on the side, unnecessary costs (transportation costs) can be reduced.
[0055]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the user can be notified of the state in which the baggage is left in the locker, and the user is encouraged to pick up the baggage, thereby improving the usage rate of the locker.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a locker use reservation system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a detailed configuration of a locker management center and a plurality of lockers according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing a locker use reservation system according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Locker Management Centers 12a to 12n Locker 13 Mobile Terminal 100 Communication Line Network 111 Center Terminal 112 Database Server 113 Backup Server 121 Telephone Call Port 122 Operation Key Group 123 Display 124 Card Insertion Port 125 Barcode Reading Port 126 Receipt Issuance Port 200 Mobile Communication Network

Claims (5)

A locker use reservation system in which a plurality of lockers having predetermined operation means and a management center that manages the plurality of lockers are connected via a communication network,
If you want to use the locker,
Of the plurality of lockers, when a locker desired to be used is in a use state, the predetermined operation means or a terminal device available to the use applicant is connected to the management center via the communication network from the terminal device, Send the locker's use reservation and the contact information of the applicant as reservation information,
The management center,
When a locker desired to be used by the use applicant becomes available among the plurality of lockers, a lock instruction is transmitted to the available locker to make a reservation for use, and Notify contacts that lockers are available,
The applicant is
After confirming that the locker is available based on the notification from the management center, go to the installation location of the locker, unlock the locked locker by the predetermined operation means, and deposit the luggage. Do,
A locker use reservation system characterized by the following. The management center,
2. The locker use reservation according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined time elapses with the baggage being deposited in a predetermined locker, a message prompting the user of the locker to pick up the baggage is transmitted. system. A locker use reservation system in which a plurality of lockers having predetermined operation means and a terminal device that can be used by a locker user are connected via a communication network,
If you want to use the locker,
When the locker desired to be used is in use in the plurality of lockers, the predetermined operation means or the terminal device reserves a locker for any of the plurality of lockers via the communication line network. And sending the contact information of the applicant as reservation information,
Each of the plurality of lockers,
Monitoring means for monitoring locker usage;
Communication means for communicating with the terminal device,
After receiving the use reservation and the contact information via the communication line network by the communication means, when the locker desired to be used becomes available by the monitoring means, the locker is locked and the use reservation is performed. , Notify the contact person of the use applicant that the locker is available by the communication means,
The applicant is
After confirming that the locker is available based on the notification by the communication means, go to the installation location of the locker, unlock the locked locker by the predetermined operation means, and deposit the luggage. ,
A locker use reservation system characterized by the following. Each of the plurality of lockers,
4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein when a predetermined time has elapsed in a state where the luggage is deposited by the monitoring unit, a message urging the luggage user to contact the locker is transmitted by the communication unit. Locker use reservation system. The contact is
The locker use reservation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locker use reservation system is an e-mail address or a telephone number.

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