JP2006336254A - Delivery system, center device for delivery system and delivery vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a delivery system and a center device used for its delivery system, capable of preventing illicit access to a delivery cargo. <P>SOLUTION: This delivery system is composed of the center device 1 communicable with an external part via a network 6 and transmitting an unlocking indicating signal to a delivery vessel 3, the delivery vessel 3 capable of storing a cargo of a delivery object, having an electric lock and controlling unlocking of the electric lock when receiving the unlocking indicating signal, and a receiving terminal 5 for transmitting a receiving signal by being operated by a receiver for receiving the cargo. The center device 1 also includes a delivery information table, a control information processing means for transmitting a delivery information signal including control information uniquely generated in response to delivery to a transmission destination corresponding to the delivery, and an unlocking processing means for transmitting the unlocking indicating signal to the delivery vessel 3 when confirming justice of received receiver identification information when receiving the receiving signal including the control information and the receiver identification information from the receiving terminal 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a delivery system and a center device used in the delivery system, and more particularly to a delivery system capable of preventing unauthorized access to a delivery package and a center device used in the delivery system.

  Conventionally, a service for receiving a package from a sender and delivering the package to a recipient is provided. Some packages to be delivered are highly confidential, such as confidential documents that should not be seen by third parties. Therefore, a service is provided for carrying out strict delivery management in which a package to be delivered is stored in a lockable storage so that a person other than the delivery person cannot access the package, and the confidentiality of the package is ensured.

  However, in the above-described operation, the driver has the key to perform locking / unlocking, so the possibility of unauthorized access to the package due to loss of the key or theft cannot be excluded.

  As a solution to such a problem, a delivery person's luggage compartment locking system has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this system, partitions that are locked and unlocked by the user are arranged in the order of delivery in the luggage compartment of the delivery vehicle, and the PIN set by the sender at the time of locking is received separately from the package (such as by telephone or FAX). To send to. By preventing the security code from being known to anyone other than the sender and recipient, unauthorized access to the package is prevented.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, since the sender needs to notify the receiver of the password using telephone or FAX, the notified content is intercepted by a third party, and the password is May leak. Further, it is necessary for the shipper to set a password at the time of locking, and the delivery person can know the password.

  In this way, in the conventional system, since the management of the personal identification number is left to the user, if the user easily sets the personal identification number or performs strict management, the personal identification number is leaked to a third party. There is a risk. Therefore, the possibility of unauthorized access to the package has not been completely eliminated.

JP-A-10-184138

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a delivery system that can eliminate unauthorized access to a package, and a center device used in the delivery system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a delivery system according to the present invention can communicate with the outside via a network, and can accommodate a center device that transmits an unlocking instruction signal to a delivery container, and a package to be delivered. A delivery container that has an electric lock and receives an unlocking instruction signal and controls the unlocking of the electric lock; and a receiving terminal that is operated by a recipient who receives the package and transmits a receipt signal. The center apparatus stores at least individual container identification information for identifying a delivery container, recipient identification information for identifying a recipient, and a delivery notification signal transmission destination in association with each individual delivery, and at least each individual delivery. Is sent, a delivery notification signal including management information generated uniquely corresponding to the delivery is transmitted to the destination corresponding to the delivery by referring to the delivery information table. When the physical information processing means and a reception signal including management information and recipient identification information are received from the receiving terminal, the delivery information table is referenced and the recipient identification information corresponding to the received management information and the received recipient identification information are received. And unlocking processing means for transmitting an unlocking instruction signal to the delivery container corresponding to the management information when at least matches.

  With this configuration, it becomes possible to centrally manage the information for locking and unlocking the electric lock of the delivery container with the center device, reducing the risk of information leakage, and the third party illegally handling the delivery package The risk of acquisition can be reduced.

  Further, the above delivery system includes a shipping terminal that transmits a shipping signal including container identification information and recipient identification information, and the center device further includes a receiving unit that inputs the shipping signal transmitted from the shipping terminal, It is preferable to store the container identification information and the recipient identification information included in the input shipping signal in a delivery information table.

  The center device further includes a locking processing unit that, when a shipping signal is input, refers to the delivery information table and transmits a locking instruction signal to a delivery container corresponding to the delivery specified by the shipping signal. When receiving the locking instruction signal, it is preferable to lock the electric lock.

The center device further includes a code generation unit for generating a code for each delivery, stores the code in association with each delivery in the delivery information table, and delivers the code by the lock processing unit. The lock instruction signal including the corresponding code is transmitted to the delivery container, and the unlock processing means transmits the unlock instruction signal including the code corresponding to the delivery to the delivery container, and the delivery container stores the code. The storage means, the lock control means for controlling the lock of the electric lock while storing the code included in the lock instruction signal when receiving the lock instruction signal, and the unlock instruction signal when receiving the unlock instruction signal It is preferable to have unlock control means for controlling the unlocking of the electric lock when the stored password code matches the stored password code.
For the locking and unlocking of the delivery container, a different security code is used for each individual delivery, so that higher security can be achieved.

  Here, the management information processing means of the center device generates management information by encrypting information related to each delivery stored in the delivery information table, and the unlocking processing means decrypts the management information included in the reception signal. It is preferable to identify individual deliveries.

Further, the management information processing means creates an address on the network to which management information is added and transmits the address to the transmission destination, and the unlock processing means is added to the address when the address is accessed from the receiving terminal. It is preferable to extract management information.
Here, the address on the network means a URL or IP address indicating the location (address) of information existing on a network such as the Internet.
The recipient of the package can, for example, access the given URL and make an unlock request by simply inputting specific information, thus simplifying the unlocking operation while maintaining a high level of security. can do.

  Further, the delivery system according to the present invention communicates via a network with a delivery container used for delivery of a package and a receipt terminal operated by the package recipient, and remotely instructs the locking and unlocking control of the electric lock provided in the delivery container. The center device for use at least stores container identification information for identifying a delivery container, recipient identification information for identifying a recipient, and a delivery notification signal transmission destination in association with each delivery, and stores at least each individual delivery information table. When a shipping signal designating delivery is input, the management information processing refers to the delivery information table and sends a delivery notification signal including management information generated uniquely corresponding to delivery to the destination corresponding to delivery. Means, and when receiving a reception signal including management information and recipient identification information from the receiving terminal, refer to the delivery information table and identify the recipient corresponding to the received management information. When the receiver identification information and the received broadcast is at least consistent, and having a unlocking processing means for transmitting the unlock command signal to the delivery container corresponding to the management information.

  In addition, the delivery container used in the delivery system according to the present invention includes an open / close monitoring unit that detects opening of the delivery container, a lock monitoring unit that detects locking / unlocking of the electric lock, and a position detection unit that acquires its own position information. When the opening / closing monitoring unit detects opening or the lock monitoring unit detects unlocking, the position information acquired by the position detection unit is wirelessly transmitted to the center device via the network. And

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the delivery system which can exclude the unauthorized access to a package, and the center apparatus used for the delivery system.

  Hereinafter, a delivery system according to the present invention and a center device used in the delivery system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of an example of a delivery system according to the present invention.
The delivery system 100 according to the present embodiment uses a delivery container equipped with an electric lock to deliver a package, and remotely controls the locking and unlocking of the electric lock of the delivery container by a center device, so that it can be received at the shipping source. This is a system that prevents a delivery container from being opened by a hand other than the recipient and unauthorized access to the package until the package is delivered to the destination.

  A delivery system 100 according to the present embodiment accommodates a center device 1 installed in a management center, a shipping terminal 2 and a receiving terminal 5 that are owned by a customer or designated by a delivery system operator, and a package to be delivered. A delivery container 3 having a case terminal 4 for controlling an electric lock is connected via a communication network 6 such as a mobile phone base station 7, a mobile phone network, a satellite communication network or an Internet network. The delivery container 3 is configured to be able to specify its own position from the GPS satellite 8.

  The center device 1 is a server that manages information related to customers and information related to delivery, and controls locking / unlocking of the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 from a remote location in response to a request from the shipping terminal 2 or the receiving terminal 5.

  The center device 1 records the information received from the delivery container 3 and notifies the delivery company as necessary. When notifying the delivery company, a communication network or a separately prepared recording medium is used.

  The shipping terminal 2 and the receiving terminal 5 are personal computers or mobile phones, and are used as communication terminals for requesting the center device 1 to lock and unlock. The shipping terminal 2 and the receiving terminal 5 vary depending on whether the package to be used is used on the delivery side or on the receiving side, and the same terminal is used as the shipping terminal 2 and the receiving terminal 5. You can also

  The delivery container 3 is a container provided with an electric lock 31 that can be controlled remotely via the case terminal 4 and accommodates a package received from the shipper. Further, the delivery container 3 is carried from the sender to the recipient by the delivery person dispatched from the delivery company.

  Further, the delivery container 3 calculates and stores position information composed of latitude and longitude based on the GPS signal received from the GPS satellite 8 and the base station information received from the mobile phone base station. The calculated / stored position information is transmitted to the center apparatus 1 at a predetermined timing.

  Furthermore, the delivery container 3 detects and stores the locked / unlocked state of the electric lock and the open / closed state of the opening. The detected / stored monitoring information is transmitted to the center apparatus 1 at a predetermined timing.

Next, the delivery container 3 used in the delivery system 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the delivery container 3, and FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the case terminal 4 built in the delivery container 3.

  The delivery container 3 includes a case main body 32, an electric lock 31 for keeping the opening (lid) of the case main body closed, and a case terminal 4 for performing communication with the outside and controlling the electric lock.

  The case terminal 4 includes a wireless communication unit 41 that transmits / receives data to / from the center device 1, a control unit 42 that controls the entire case terminal 4, and a storage unit 43 that stores programs used by the control unit 42. The power supply unit 44 supplies power to the case terminal 4, the notification unit 45 that outputs an alarm sound when an abnormality occurs, and the sensor unit 46 that detects the open / closed state of the delivery container 3.

  The wireless communication unit 41 includes a GPS reception unit 411 that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites, a transmission / reception unit 412 that performs wireless communication with the center device 1, and an antenna 413. For communication with the center apparatus 1, an Internet network using a wireless LAN, a mobile phone communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like can be used. Further, when the delivery container 3 has a function of blocking radio waves from the outside of the delivery container 3 like a duralumin case, the antenna 413 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside of the delivery container 3.

  The control unit 42 includes a microprocessor, a semiconductor memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and software incorporated in the ROM, and controls the entire case terminal 4. The control unit 42 includes a communication control unit 421 that controls communication in the wireless communication unit 41, a position detection unit 422 that acquires position information based on information received by the GPS reception unit 411, and the center device 1 via the wireless communication unit 41. The lock control unit 423 for controlling the locking / unlocking of the electric lock 31 based on the locking / unlocking instruction received from the lock monitoring unit 424 for monitoring the state of the electric lock 31 electrically connected to the case terminal 4 and the sensor unit 46 And an open / close monitoring unit 425 for monitoring the opening / closing of the delivery container.

  The storage unit 43 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a RAM, and stores various information such as an operation program of the control unit 42. In addition, the storage unit 43 includes a case terminal ID 431 that is identification information for specifying a delivery container, a unique address (telephone number) used for wireless communication with the center device 1, and a password required for locking / unlocking control of the electric lock 31. A number (password) 432 and a monitoring record 433 including a lock / unlock state of the electric lock 31, an opening / closing state of the delivery container 3, and a history of position information acquired during delivery are stored. The case terminal ID 431 is an identification number for specifying the case terminal (delivery container), and is used as an address for communication with the center apparatus 1.

The power supply unit 44 is a battery that supplies operation power for the electric lock 31 and the case terminal 4.
The notification unit 45 includes a speaker that outputs an alarm sound when an abnormality occurs.
The sensor unit 46 is an open / close detection sensor configured by a limit switch that detects the open / close state of the delivery container 3. As for the open / close detection sensor, various methods have been conventionally proposed, and a magnet type sensor or the like may be used.

Below, operation | movement of the case terminal 4 is demonstrated.
When receiving a locking instruction from the center device 1, the control unit 42 stores a password (password code) 432 included in the received locking control signal and locks the electric lock 31. Then, a lock completion signal is transmitted to the center device 1. If the password is not included in the lock control signal, the lock control is not performed because it is not a valid lock instruction. In addition, when performing lock control, it is confirmed whether the sensor part 46 has detected the closed state, and when it is an open state, the notification part 45 notifies that.

The control unit 42 enters the monitoring mode after locking the electric lock 31.
During the monitoring mode, position information is acquired every predetermined time such as every 10 minutes and every hour, and is recorded as a monitoring record 433. When the electric lock 31 is unlocked or the sensor unit 46 detects the opening of the delivery container 31, the position information is acquired and the unlocking information is recorded together with the opening information as the monitoring record 433, and the notification unit An alarm is issued at 45 and a monitoring record 433 is transmitted to the center apparatus 1 to notify the unlocking of the electric lock 31 or the opening of the delivery container 3.

  When the control unit 42 receives the unlocking instruction from the center device 1, the password (password) included in the received unlocking control signal matches the password 432 stored in the storage unit 43. It is confirmed by the lock control unit 423. As a result of the collation, when the personal identification number included in the unlocking control signal matches the personal identification number 432 stored in the storage unit 43, the unlocking signal is sent from the lock control unit 423 to the electric lock 31 and the electric lock 31 is sent. To unlock. Then, an unlocking completion signal is transmitted to the center device 1.

Next, the center device 1 of the delivery system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the center device 1.
The center device 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire center device 1, a storage unit 12 that stores an operation program of the control unit 11 and various information, a power supply unit 13 that supplies power to the entire center device 1, and a storage 12, a display unit 14 for displaying information stored in an administrator or the like, an operation unit 15 for switching display contents of the display unit 14 and inputting various operations, and a shipping terminal via a communication network 2, the receiving terminal 5, and a communication unit 16 for communicating with the delivery container 3.

The control unit 11 includes a microprocessor, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a RAM, and an operation program, and controls the center device 1 as a whole. The control unit 1 stores the communication control unit 111 that controls communication in the communication unit 16, and various information received from the shipping terminal 2, the receiving terminal 5, or the case terminal 4 via the communication unit 16 and the storage unit 12. A collation unit 112 that collates information, a code number generation unit 113 that randomly generates a code number of the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 when a lock request is received from the shipper, and a management code that uniquely corresponds to the delivery information (Management information) is generated, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator: Internet address) for unlocking request to which the management code is added is created, and management information for specifying delivery information from the management code embedded in the unlocking request URL The processing unit 114 and a lock / unlock control signal (lock control signal or unlock control signal) including the password are transmitted to lock the electric lock 31 to the case terminal 4 of the delivery container 3. Configured to include a locking-unlocking instruction unit 115 instructs the unlocking.
In the present embodiment, description is made using a URL, but any information indicating an address on the network such as an IP address may be used. In particular, if a URL for requesting unlocking is used, the procedure operation for unlocking requests described later can be simplified, and convenience can be improved.

  The storage unit 12 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a RAM, and stores various information such as an operation program of the control unit 11. Further, the storage unit 12 stores a customer information DB 121 that stores information related to customers, a case terminal information DB 122 that stores information related to the case terminal 4 of the delivery container 3, a delivery information DB 123 that stores information related to individual delivery, It has a database such as a monitoring record DB 123 that stores information including the lock / unlock state of the electric lock 31, the open / close state of the delivery container 3, and the history of position information acquired during delivery.

Hereinafter, each database will be described.
First, the customer information DB 121 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows an example of the customer information DB 121. In this example, the customer information DB 121 specifies a customer ID 61 uniquely assigned to each customer, a password 62 when each customer accesses the center device 1, and personal information 63 such as name and address and a terminal to be used. Terminal specifying information 64 to be stored is stored in association with each other.

  The sender and the recipient are customers registered in the center device 1 in advance, and a customer ID is given to each customer. In addition to the password for accessing the center device 1 corresponding to the customer ID, and personal information such as name, address, contact information, and mail address, terminal identification information (for example, a computer used as a terminal) The physical address (MAC address) of the network card or the telephone number of the mobile phone) is registered. The mail address included in the personal information 63 is used for notification from the center apparatus 1 to the sending terminal 2 or the receiving terminal 5. The phone number of the mobile phone is used to notify only the specific receiving terminal when notifying the recipient, and the physical address verifies whether or not a registered customer has requested for unlocking / unlocking. Used for.

Next, the case terminal information DB 122 will be described. The case terminal information DB 122 is not shown.
In the case terminal information DB 122, a case terminal ID for specifying the case terminal 4 is registered. The case terminal ID is registered in association with the ID of the delivery container 3 to which the case terminal 4 is attached. It is updated when the combination is changed, such as when the case terminal 4 is replaced. Here, the case terminal ID is associated with a unique address (telephone number) used for wireless communication with the center device 1.

Next, the delivery information DB 123 will be described. FIG. 5B shows an example of the delivery information DB 123.
In the delivery information DB 123, the slip code 71, the customer ID 72 of the sender, the customer ID 73 of the recipient, the case terminal ID 74, and the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 are unlocked and unlocked as information (delivery information) related to each delivery. A personal identification number 75 is registered, and a management code 76 uniquely corresponding to each delivery information is registered in association with it. By referring to this delivery information DB 123, delivery information can be specified from each data (for example, slip code) or a combination thereof (for example, a customer ID of a sender and a customer ID of a recipient).
When the lock request information including the slip number and the like is received from the shipping terminal 2, the delivery information DB 123 adds the delivery information based on the lock request information. In addition, when information necessary for specifying delivery information such as a slip number and a customer ID of the recipient is obtained separately from other than the shipping terminal 2, before receiving the lock request information from the shipping terminal 2, The delivery information may be added to the delivery information DB 123.

Finally, the monitoring record DB 124 will be described. The monitoring record DB 124 is not shown.
The monitoring record DB 124 stores the case terminal ID and the monitoring records (locking / unlocking log, opening / closing log, position information log) received from the case terminal 4 in correspondence with the slip number as monitoring records in individual deliveries. . When new information is received from the case terminal 4, it is updated as needed.

The management information processing unit 114 will be described in detail below.
The management information processing unit 114 generates a management code that uniquely corresponds to the delivery information. As an example, it may be a combination of a number indicating the order of receiving a delivery request in an arbitrary period and a numerical value indicating the arbitrary period. For example, an arbitrary period is set for each month, and a number indicating the order of receiving the delivery request is displayed with 6 digits. If a delivery request is received for a package in May 2005, and the order in which the package is received in May 2005 is number 3000, the management code is a 12-digit number “20050505003000”. be able to. The generated management code is stored in the delivery information DB 123.

  The management information processing unit 114 performs the following processing. First, a management code is generated from the delivery information received at the time of the lock request. Convert the generated management code to text data. A text management code is added to the URL for the unlocking request (delivery management site described later) to create a delivery notification URL (for example, the URL is http://XXX.com/access?*** ***** is written, and ******** of these corresponds to the management code). When the recipient accesses the URL for delivery notification, the embedded management code is extracted and binarized. The binary management code is searched in the delivery information DB 123 to specify delivery information.

  By providing the management information processing unit 114 as described above, instead of notifying the package recipient of the delivery information as it is, a management code whose correspondence relationship with the delivery information is known only to the center device 1 is given to the package recipient. Since the delivery information can be concealed by notifying, the security can be further improved.

The power supply unit 13 is a commercial power supply and a battery that supply operation power for the center device 1.
The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display that visually displays information stored in the storage unit.
The operation unit 15 is configured as a touch panel or a touch pen integrated with the display unit 14 in addition to a keyboard and a mouse for switching display contents of the display unit 14 and inputting various operations.

  The communication unit 16 is a LAN card and a network driver for communicating with the case terminal 4, the sending terminal 2, and the receiving terminal 5 or a computer owned by the delivery company via a communication network, or a mobile phone communication network or satellite communication. It is composed of a communication circuit for performing communication on the network and software for driving.

The operation of the delivery system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a flow during locking.

  First, the shipper stores the package to be delivered to the recipient in the delivery container 3 brought by the delivery person dispatched by the delivery company, and closes the cover of the delivery container 3. By using an internet browser or the like, a delivery management site managed by the center device 1 is accessed, and an electric lock request (ie, transmission of a shipping signal) is made (step S01). At this time, the slip number received from the deliverer, the customer ID of the customer (shipper), the password, the customer ID of the recipient, and the case terminal ID written on the case terminal are input.

  Next, when the lock request information is input from the shipper's shipping terminal 2, the center device 1 refers to the customer information DB 121, and the collation unit 112 registers the shipper's customer ID or confirms the password. Are matched or the customer ID of the recipient is registered. Further, referring to the case terminal information DB 122, the collating unit 112 collates whether or not the case terminal ID of the shipping container 3 used for delivery is registered (step S02).

  As a result of the collation, if the input lock request information does not match the data stored in the storage unit 12, the center device 1 displays a collation error at the shipping terminal 2. On the other hand, if there is a match between the lock request information and the data stored in the storage unit 12, the center device 1 uses the password generation unit 113 to set the password set in the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3. Is generated (step S03). Then, the slip code, the customer ID of the sender, the customer ID of the recipient, the case terminal ID, and the generated personal identification number, which are input at the time of the locking request, are associated with each other and delivered to the delivery information DB 123 of the storage unit as delivery information. sign up.

  When the personal identification number is generated, the center device 1 uses the locking / unlocking instruction unit 115 to lock the case terminal 4 of the delivery container 3 specified by the case terminal ID included in the delivery information, including the generated personal identification number. A control signal is transmitted to give a locking instruction (step S04). This communication is performed by a short message service (SMS) using a mobile phone communication telephone number associated with the case terminal ID.

  When receiving the locking instruction through the transmission / reception unit 412 of the wireless communication unit 41, the case terminal 4 of the delivery container 3 in which the package to be delivered is stored stores the code number included in the locking control signal in the storage unit 43 and the lock. The electric lock 31 is controlled to be locked by the control unit 423 (step S05).

At this time, the case terminal 4 is set to the monitoring mode, and starts monitoring by the lock monitoring unit 424 and the opening / closing monitoring unit 425 and periodically acquiring position information by the position detecting unit 422.
Further, the case terminal 4 transmits a locking completion signal to the center device 1 through the transmission / reception unit 412 of the wireless communication unit 41, and notifies the center device 1 that the locking has been normally performed (step S06).

  When the center device 1 receives the locking completion signal, the management information processing unit 114 generates a management code uniquely corresponding to the delivery information registered in the delivery information DB 123 (step S07). Then, the management code is registered in the delivery information DB 123 in association with the corresponding delivery information.

  In addition, a delivery management URL is created by adding a text management code to the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the delivery management site (step S08). The created URL for delivery notification is stored in the storage unit 12.

  Next, a delivery notification signal is transmitted to the recipient at the delivery destination, and delivery guidance is provided (step S09). Delivery guidance is to send a slip number and a delivery notification URL relating to the delivery to a notification destination (a transmission destination of a delivery notification signal) specified by the customer ID of the recipient of the delivery information. At the time of sending, the customer information DB 121 is referred to, and an email address extracted from personal information corresponding to the customer ID of the recipient is used. Further, when delivery guidance can be performed by specifying the receiving terminal 5, it is preferable to perform delivery guidance by limiting the notification destination only to the specific receiving terminal 5. As an example, when the receiving terminal 5 is a mobile phone, delivery guidance is provided by using a short message service (SMS) instead of using e-mail so that only a specific receiving terminal 5 can receive the delivery guidance. be able to. As another example, when the receiving terminal 5 is connected to the center apparatus 1 via a dedicated line, the delivery guidance is provided through the dedicated line so that the delivery guidance can be received only by the specific receiving terminal 5. can do.

  As will be described later, it is possible to specify which delivery is related to the delivery notification recipient only by accessing the URL for delivery notification.

  Finally, referring to the delivery information DB 123 stored in the storage unit 12, the sender's notification destination (e-mail address) is acquired, and information indicating that the delivery acceptance processing in the center device 1 has been completed is transmitted to the notification destination. (Step S10).

  The shipper delivers the delivery container 3 locked in the above flow to the delivery person, and the delivery person delivers the package stored in the delivery container 3 to the recipient.

Next, the flow at the time of unlocking will be described.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the flow during unlocking.

  When the recipient receives the delivery container 3 and the slip number from the deliverer, the recipient confirms the delivery guide transmitted from the center apparatus 1 using the receiving terminal 5, and sends a delivery notification URL ( The delivery management site is accessed and a request for unlocking the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 is notified to the center apparatus 1 (step S11). At this time, the customer's customer ID and password are input as unlock request information.

  Since the delivery notification URL is sent only to the customer notification destination specified by the delivery information, for example, a third party who intends to illegally receive a package temporarily enters the customer ID and password of the valid package recipient. Even if it is known, the URL for delivery notification cannot be accessed by itself, and the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 cannot be unlocked by pretending to be a valid recipient.

  When the unlock request information is input from the receiving terminal 5, the center device 1 stores the information in the delivery information DB 123 based on the management code embedded in the accessed delivery notification URL by the management information processing unit 114. A message that matches the management code is detected to specify delivery information (step S12).

When the delivery information is specified, the customer information DB 121 is referred to, and the collation unit 112 collates whether the customer ID of the recipient is registered or whether the password matches. Further, it is checked whether or not the customer is designated as a recipient by referring to the specified delivery information (step S13). As a result, even if a third party who intends to receive the package illegally obtains the delivery notification URL illegally, the customer ID and password of the recipient included in the delivery information identified from the delivery notification URL Unless it is known, the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 cannot be unlocked.
Furthermore, in order to further improve safety, it may be confirmed by checking the terminal identification information whether the receiving terminal 5 is a terminal registered in the customer ID. By confirming whether or not the receiving terminal 5 is a registered terminal, the third party illegally obtains the recipient's e-mail address / e-mail password, customer ID and password, and the personal computer owned by the third party Even when accessing the mail server from a terminal or the like to receive the delivery guidance and requesting the unlocking, it is possible to judge the unauthorized access in the center apparatus 1 and reject the unlocking request. The terminal identification information can be confirmed as follows. First, a button for executing an applet for acquiring a physical address is provided on the website designated by the URL for delivery notification. When the recipient who has received the delivery package accesses the URL for delivery notification according to the delivery guide, press the button (that is, click the mouse on the button displayed on the browser screen). Request. When the recipient presses the button, the physical address is acquired and transmitted to the center device 1. The center device 1 compares the received physical address of the terminal with the physical address of the recipient's terminal registered in the customer information DB 121 and confirms whether or not they match.

  If the unlock request information does not match the information stored in the center device 1 as a result of the verification, a verification error is displayed on the receiving terminal 5.

  Conversely, when the unlock request information matches the information stored in the center device 1, the center device 1 is identified by the locking / unlocking instruction unit 115 with the case terminal ID included in the identified delivery information. An unlock control signal including the code number included in the delivery information is transmitted to the terminal 4 to give an unlock instruction (step S14).

  When the case terminal 4 receives the unlocking instruction, the lock control unit 423 determines whether or not the password number included in the unlocking control signal matches the password number 432 stored in the storage unit 43. In that case, the electric lock 31 is controlled to be unlocked (step S15). Further, the personal identification number 432 stored in the storage unit 43 is deleted. At this time, the case terminal 4 cancels the monitoring mode, and ends the monitoring by the lock monitoring unit 424 and the opening / closing monitoring unit 425 and the periodical position information acquisition by the position detection unit 422.

  In addition, an unlocking completion signal is transmitted to the center apparatus 1 through the wireless communication unit 41 to notify the center apparatus 1 that the unlocking has been normally performed (step S16).

  When the center device 1 receives the unlocking completion notification from the case terminal 4, the center device 1 refers to the delivery information DB 123 stored in the storage unit 12, acquires the sender's notification destination (e-mail address), and delivers to that notification destination. Completion is notified (step S17), and the process is terminated as delivery completion (step S18).

  The center device 1 notifies the delivery company of the data in the delivery information DB 123 and the monitoring record DB 124 stored in the storage unit 12 when delivery is completed. Also, when an unauthorized opening or unauthorized unlocking of a delivery container is detected during delivery, the delivery company is notified. In addition, notifications are made as necessary, such as when requested by a delivery company.

  In the delivery system 100 of the present embodiment, a personal identification number for locking and unlocking the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 is determined for each individual package delivery, and the personal identification number is generated and managed by the center device 1. And since the personal identification number and the delivery information necessary for unlocking are not notified to the shipper and receiver of the package as they are, it is possible to prevent unauthorized unlocking such as leakage of information to the third party and impersonation of the receiver. . Furthermore, in order to unlock the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3, it is essential to access the URL for delivery notification. However, only the recipient specified by the package shipper can deliver from the center device 1 as delivery guidance. Since the notification URL is notified, even if information (customer ID and password) managed by the customer is known to the third party, the third party cannot be unlocked.

  In this way, since there is no need for the shipper, recipient, and delivery person to manage direct information related to locking / unlocking control such as a personal identification number, information such as the personal identification number is not leaked, and a third party or Unauthorized unlocking by a delivery person who delivers the package can be prevented.

  Instead of using the URL for delivery notification, the management code generated by the management information processing unit 114 is transmitted to the recipient, and the management code is returned when requesting the unlocking. You may comprise. Even in this case, the management code is transmitted to the contact information registered in the customer information DB 121 of the center device 1, but in order to identify the terminal that receives the management code, the short message service is used or the physical address of the terminal It is also preferable to reply.

A keyhole may be provided in the electric lock 31 of the delivery container 3 so that it can be unlocked with a key in an emergency. Since this operation is detected by the lock monitoring unit 424 and the opening / closing monitoring unit 425 of the case terminal 4, it is reliably transmitted to the center device 1. In this case, the key is owned by the delivery person, but it is preferable to keep the usage history by sealing it.
It is also effective to set an expiration date when generating a password.

  Further, in the communication between the case terminal 4 of the delivery container 3 and the center device 1, the locking / unlocking information may be encrypted and communicated. With this configuration, the communication contents between the delivery container 3 and the center apparatus 1 are analyzed, and there is a risk that the contents may be unlocked by giving an unauthorized unlocking instruction to the delivery container 3 from other than the center apparatus 1. Can be reduced.

  In this case, encrypted communication using a public key cryptosystem can be used as an example between the case terminal 4 and the center apparatus 1. The storage unit 43 of the case terminal 4 stores a secret key specified for each case terminal. On the other hand, the center device 1 registers the public key corresponding to the secret key of each case terminal in the case terminal information DB 122 of the storage unit 12 in association with each case terminal. When communication such as a locking instruction and an unlocking instruction is performed from the center apparatus 1 to the case terminal 4, information to be communicated is encrypted using a public key registered in the case terminal information DB 122 of the center apparatus 1 and encrypted. Information is transmitted to the case terminal 4. In the case terminal 4, the received information is decrypted using the secret key, and then locked or unlocked.

  Further, as another embodiment of the management information processing unit 114 of the center device 1, encryption generated based on the delivery information may be used as the management code.

  FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram of the management information processing unit 114 when an encryption code is used as a management code. In this case, the management information processing unit 114 includes a data conversion unit 1141, a key generation unit 1142, an encryption code generation unit 1143, a temporary storage unit 1144, an encryption code concatenation unit 1145, and the like in order to generate an encryption code.

When the encryption code is generated as the management code, the encryption code is generated as follows.
First, the data conversion unit 1141 converts the delivery information according to a certain conversion rule, and generates a bit string corresponding to the delivery information. This conversion rule is, for example, for conversion into a bit string uniquely determined for each character such as “a” and “1” included in the delivery information. The generated bit string is stored in the temporary storage unit 1144.

  Next, the key generation unit 1142 generates a key (common key) used for encryption of the bit string using a random number. The generated key has a length of 64 bits, of which 8 bits are used as parity bits. The generated key is also stored in the temporary storage unit 1144.

  When the key is generated, the encryption code generation unit 1143 receives the key and the bit string from the temporary storage unit 1144. Then, the received bit string is divided into 64 bits, and sequentially encrypted using the received key for each divided partial bit string. Each partial bit string is sequentially stored in the temporary storage unit 1144 after being encrypted. The encryption code generation unit 1143 performs an exclusive OR operation (XOR operation) on the previously encrypted partial bit string and the next encrypted partial bit string, and the bit string obtained as a result of the operation is calculated. Encrypt. However, for the partial bit string to be encrypted first, an XOR operation is performed with predetermined 64-bit mask data.

When encryption of each partial bit string is completed in the encryption code generation unit 1143, the encryption code concatenation unit 1145 receives each encrypted partial bit string from the temporary storage unit 1144, concatenates it into one bit string, and generates an encryption code. . The common key used for generating the encryption code is stored in the delivery information DB 123 in association with the corresponding delivery information.
In this case, instead of registering the management code 76, the common key used for encryption is registered in the delivery information DB 123.

  Note that encryption schemes that can be used in the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various common key schemes such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), CAMELLIA (registered trademark), Fast Data Encryption Algorithm (FEAL), RSA, Public key cryptosystems such as E-SIGN, elliptical cryptography, and DSA can also be used.

  When the management code is an encryption code, the management information processing unit 114 performs the following processing. First, the delivery information received at the time of the lock request is encrypted with a common key to generate an encryption code. Convert the generated encryption code into text data. A text-encrypted code is added to the URL for the unlocking request (delivery management site described later) to create a delivery notification URL (for example, the URL is http://XX.com/access?*** *****, where ********* corresponds to the encryption code). When the recipient accesses the URL for delivery notification, the embedded encryption code is extracted and binarized. Further, the binary encrypted code is sequentially decrypted with the common key stored in the delivery information DB 123 to obtain delivery information. In this way, the delivery information is specified in response to the access to the delivery notification URL by the recipient.

The encryption code may encrypt all of the delivery information (including the password) registered in the delivery DB 123, but may encrypt a part of the delivery information. The partial information is information that can specify which delivery is made with reference to the delivery DB 123. For example, an encryption code that encrypts only the slip number that is a part of the delivery information is generated, and at the time of unlocking request, the recipient's customer ID and other information can be obtained by referring to the delivery DB 123 from the decrypted slip number. That's fine. Further, for example, even when a combination of the customer ID of the recipient and the case terminal ID is used, the delivery information can be specified similarly.
By using the encryption code obtained by encrypting the delivery information as the management code, it is not necessary to create and manage a code for newly specifying the delivery information as described above.

  The embodiments described above are for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a delivery system according to the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the delivery container in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the case terminal of the delivery container in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the center apparatus of the delivery system in one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is an example figure of the customer information database managed with the center apparatus of the delivery system in one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is managed with the center apparatus of the delivery system in one embodiment of this invention. It is an example figure of a delivery information database. It is a timing chart at the time of delivery container locking of the delivery system in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart at the time of delivery container unlocking of the delivery system in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the management information processing part which concerns on another embodiment of the center apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Delivery system 1 Center apparatus 2 Sending terminal 5 Receiving terminal 11 Control part 111 Communication control part 112 Verification part 113 Security code generation part 114 Management information processing part 1141 Data conversion part 1142 Key generation part 1143 Encryption code generation part 1144 Temporary storage part 1145 Encryption code connecting part 115 Locking / unlocking instruction part 12 Storage part 121 Customer information DB
122 Case terminal information DB
123 Delivery information DB
124 Monitoring record DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Delivery container 31 Electric lock 32 Case main body 4 Case terminal 41 Wireless communication part 411 GPS receiving part 412 Transmission / reception part 413 Antenna 42 Control part 421 Communication control part 422 Position detection part 423 Lock control part 424 Lock monitoring part 425 Opening / closing monitoring part 43 Memory | storage Part 431 Case terminal ID
432 Security code 433 Monitoring record 6 Communication network 7 Mobile phone base station 8 GPS satellite

Claims (8)

A center device capable of communicating with the outside via a network and transmitting an unlocking instruction signal to the delivery container;
A delivery container that can accommodate a package to be delivered, has an electric lock, and controls the unlocking of the electric lock upon receiving the unlocking instruction signal;
A delivery system operated by a recipient who receives the package and configured to receive a receipt signal,
The center device is
A delivery information table for storing at least container identification information for identifying the delivery container, recipient identification information for identifying the recipient, and a transmission destination of a delivery notification signal for each delivery;
When a delivery signal designating at least the individual delivery is input, the delivery information table is referred to and a delivery notification including management information generated uniquely corresponding to the delivery is sent to the destination corresponding to the delivery Management information processing means for transmitting a signal;
When a reception signal including the management information and the recipient identification information is received from the receiving terminal, the recipient identification information corresponding to the received management information and the received recipient identification information are obtained by referring to the delivery information table. An unlocking processing means for transmitting an unlocking instruction signal to the delivery container corresponding to the management information when at least matching,
A delivery system characterized by having. And a shipping terminal for transmitting the shipping signal including the container identification information and the recipient identification information,
The center device is
A receiving means for inputting a shipping signal transmitted from the shipping terminal;
The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the container identification information and the recipient identification information included in the input shipping signal are stored in a delivery information table. The center device is
In addition, when the shipping signal is input, the delivery information table is referred to, and the lock processing means transmits a locking instruction signal to a delivery container corresponding to the delivery designated by the shipping signal,
The delivery container is
The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein when the locking instruction signal is received, the electric lock is controlled to be locked. The center device is
A password generating means for generating a password for each individual delivery;
Storing the personal identification code in association with each individual delivery in the delivery information table;
Transmitting the locking instruction signal including the code corresponding to the delivery to the delivery container by the locking processing means;
Transmitting the unlocking instruction signal including the code corresponding to the delivery in the unlocking processing means to the delivery container;
The delivery container is
Storage means for storing the personal identification code;
When receiving the locking instruction signal, the lock control means for storing the password code included in the locking instruction signal in the storage means and controlling the locking of the electric lock;
Receiving the unlocking instruction signal, the unlocking control means for controlling the unlocking of the electric lock when the password code included in the unlocking instruction signal matches the stored password code. Item 4. The delivery system according to item 3. The management information processing means generates the management information by encrypting information related to the individual delivery stored in the delivery information table,
The delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unlocking processing unit decrypts the management information included in the reception signal to identify each delivery. The management information processing means creates an address on the network to which the management information is added and transmits the address to the transmission destination.
The delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unlock processing means extracts management information added to the address when the address is accessed from the receiving terminal. A delivery system center device that communicates via a network with a delivery container used for delivery of a package and a receiving terminal operated by the package recipient, and remotely instructs the lock and unlock control of the electric lock provided in the delivery container. ,
A delivery information table for storing at least container identification information for identifying the delivery container, recipient identification information for identifying the recipient, and a transmission destination of a delivery notification signal for each delivery;
When a delivery signal designating at least the individual delivery is input, the delivery information table is referred to and a delivery notification including management information generated uniquely corresponding to the delivery is sent to the destination corresponding to the delivery Management information processing means for transmitting a signal;
When a reception signal including the management information and the recipient identification information is received from the receiving terminal, the recipient identification information corresponding to the received management information and the received recipient identification information are obtained by referring to the delivery information table. An unlocking processing means for transmitting an unlocking instruction signal to the delivery container corresponding to the management information when at least matching,
A center device for a delivery system, comprising: A delivery container used in the delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An open / close monitoring unit for detecting the opening of the delivery container;
A lock monitoring unit for detecting locking and unlocking of the electric lock;
A position detection unit that acquires its own position information,
When the opening / closing monitoring unit detects opening or the lock monitoring unit detects unlocking, the position information acquired by the position detection unit is wirelessly transmitted to the center device via a network. And shipping container.

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