JP2023070215A - home delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a home delivery system capable of accurately moving a flying body to a home of a target collection and delivery destination when using the flying body to home-delivery a package.SOLUTION: An instrument ID of a smart meter 20 installed at a collection and delivery destination is registered in a flying body 10, and the flying body 10 is autonomously flown toward a home of the collection and delivery destination based on location information of the smart meter 20 at the collection and delivery destination linked to the registered instrument ID. The smart meter 20 installed at the collection and delivery destination determines whether or not the flying body 10 has reached over the collection and delivery destination, and transmits an arrival confirmation signal to a control device 2 in an operation room 1 when it is determined that the flying body 10 has arrived over the collection and delivery destination. The control device 2 activates a notification device 4 upon receipt of the arrival confirmation signal, and the flying body 10 stays above the home of the pickup and delivery destination until an autonomous flight is switched to a manually operated flight, and the flight is switched to a manually operated flight. After that, it is manually moved to a front door of the collection and delivery destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a home delivery system using a flying object (drone), and more particularly to a home delivery system capable of accurately moving the flying object to a delivery destination or a pickup requester's home.

Conventional parcel delivery often involves land transportation using maps and navigation apps, and it may be difficult to identify the delivery destination or the collection requestee's home, and delivery and collection take time due to road conditions. In some cases.
Therefore, a home delivery system (see Patent Document 1) that searches for a route from a collection and delivery center to a delivery destination address and uses that information to deliver a package from the collection and delivery center to the delivery address by drone (see Patent Document 1), or a combination of a drone and a package. A system has been proposed in which a delivery vehicle is used to move a package to a predetermined area, and a drone is used to deliver the package from the predetermined area to a home delivery destination based on address information (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-33581 Tokukai 2019-131332 publication

However, in conventional delivery by flying object, the flying object is moved based on the address information of the delivery destination specified by the client. If there is an error in the address information of the delivery destination, there is an inconvenience that the delivery cannot reach the delivery destination. In addition, there are cases where the main building (main building) of the delivery destination cannot be specified, and there is a limit to the accuracy of movement to the delivery destination by the flying object. Such an inconvenience may also occur when receiving a cargo collection request and collecting the cargo by an aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a home delivery system capable of accurately moving a flying object to a target collection and delivery destination when using the flying object to deliver parcels. is the main issue.

In order to achieve the above object, a home delivery system according to the present invention is a system for home delivery of packages by moving an aircraft to a customer's house where a smart meter is installed,
The flying object is capable of autonomous flight and is capable of manually operated flight via a control device in the control room,
The control device in the operation room includes meter ID registration means for registering the meter ID of the smart meter installed at the delivery destination in the flying object, and flight mode switching for switching the flying object between autonomous flight and manual operation flight. comprising means and
The flying object comprises autonomous flight means that autonomously flies toward the collection and delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter of the collection and delivery destination that is linked to the registered instrument ID,
The smart meter installed at the collection and delivery destination includes arrival determination means for determining whether or not the flying object has reached the sky above the collection and delivery destination where the smart meter is installed; Confirmation signal transmission means for transmitting an arrival confirmation signal to the control device when it is determined that it has arrived over the house,
The control device further comprises notification means for activating a notification device when the arrival confirmation signal is received,
The flying object further comprises a stopping means for stopping above the home of the pickup and delivery destination until the flight mode switching means switches to the manually operated flight.
It is characterized by

Therefore, based on the instrument ID registered in the delivery destination's house from the control device in the operation room by the instrument ID registration means, the flying object is based on the location information of the smart meter of the collection and delivery destination that is linked to the instrument ID. Autonomous flight toward home. The smart meter at the collection and delivery destination determines whether or not the flying object has reached the sky above the collection and delivery destination by means of the arrival determination means. Sends an arrival confirmation signal to the controller. The controller in the operation room receives this arrival confirmation signal and activates the notification device by the notification means. After that, until the operator recognizes that the flying object has reached the sky above the delivery destination by the notification device and switches the flight mode of the flying object to manual operation flight by the flight mode switching means, the flying object It continues to stop (hover) above the pickup and delivery destination by the stop means. After the flight mode of the aircraft is switched to manual operation flight, the aircraft is guided to the front door of the delivery destination by remote flight (manual operation flight) from the control room.

For this reason, it is not necessary to register the address of the delivery destination. By registering the meter ID of the smart meter installed at the delivery destination, the aircraft can fly over the delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter. Even if the address information (for example, street address) of the delivery destination specified by the client is incorrect, the flying object can be accurately and reliably specified to fly to the delivery destination. becomes possible. In addition, electricity meters are often installed in the main building (main building) where people mainly live, and the aircraft can fly by specifying the main building where they actually live. It is possible to greatly reduce the situation where you have to worry about

The control device of the control room further comprises receiving place registration means for preliminarily registering the position information of the receiving place in the flying object, and the flying object is manually operated by the flight mode switching means after delivery of the goods to the delivery destination. It is preferable to further include autonomous return means for autonomously returning to the cargo receiving location based on the position information of the cargo receiving location when the flight is switched to the autonomous flight.

After the cargo delivery procedure or cargo collection procedure is completed, it is necessary to return the flying object to the receiving place. When the flying object is switched from manual operation flight to autonomous flight after moving to the sky above the house, the flying object autonomously returns to the receiving place based on the position information of the receiving place by the autonomous return means. At this time, the location information of the receiving location may be the address of the receiving location, but the meter ID of the smart meter installed at the receiving location is registered, and based on the location information of the smart meter linked to this meter ID Autonomous return of the flying object enables accurate and reliable return.

As described above, according to the present invention, the flying object is linked to the meter ID of the delivery destination or the delivery requesting house registered in itself. Based on the above, autonomously fly toward the delivery destination or collection and delivery destination, and use the smart meter installed at the delivery or collection and delivery destination to accurately fly over the delivery destination or collection and delivery destination where you are installed. When the flying object is moved and then switched to manual operation, the flying object can be moved to the front door of the delivery destination by manual operation. It is possible to accurately fly to the home of the pickup and delivery destination without depending on the address information of the pickup destination. In addition, since it is possible to move the flying object to the main building (main building) where the user lives, it is possible to greatly reduce the difficulty of identifying the home of the collection and delivery destination.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a home delivery system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an aircraft (drone) according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the storage box attached to the aircraft, (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the operation panel is stored, (b) is a diagram showing the state in which the operation panel is pulled out, (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the control panel is erected. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of control operation for moving the flying object to the delivery destination house of the home delivery system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart explaining the shipping procedure at the receiving place. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the delivery procedure at the delivery destination. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a control operation for moving a flying object to a collection requesting house of the home delivery system according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the collection procedure at the collection requester's house.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a home delivery system according to the present invention.
This home delivery system is a system for delivering and collecting parcels using an aircraft, and is capable of communicating with a control device 2 in an operation room 1 installed at a parcel receiving location. , a flying object 10 equipped with a manually operated flight mode that enables flight by manual operation (remote control) from the control room 1 and an autonomous flight mode that enables autonomous flight, and is installed at the delivery destination's house or the collection requester's house. and a smart meter 20 capable of communicating with the control device 2 and the aircraft 10 .

The control device 2 of the operation room 1 stores various information such as the meter ID of the smart meter 20 installed in each customer's house, the position information of the smart meter 20 linked to this meter ID, measurement data, customer information, etc. It has a stored SM database 3 . In addition, a manual operation flight mode (remote control) is provided in which a communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the aircraft 10 and the smart meter 20 is provided, and the flight mode of the aircraft 10 is manually operated (remotely operated) by the operation of the operator. flight mode) or an autonomous flight mode for autonomous flight. The control device 2 also includes a notification device 4 that notifies by emitting a buzzer sound.

The smart meter 20 is known per se, and has a meter ID numbered for each meter. It is possible to check value information, communication device information, etc., and to check and set setting value information. In addition, the smart meter 20 can transmit and receive various signals to and from the control device 2 and an aircraft 10 (to be described later) via the communication unit. Status acquisition, etc. are possible.

The flying object 10 is represented by a drone, which is an unmanned small flying object. For example, as shown in FIG. ) 14 , the control unit 12 is equipped with sensors such as gyro, acceleration, GPS, and a battery, and a 360-degree camera (omnidirectional sensor) 15 is provided in the lower part of the aircraft 11 . The aircraft is also equipped with an obstacle detection sensor (not shown) so that the aircraft does not approach an obstacle within a predetermined distance (for example, within 1 m) during flight.

A storage BOX 16 for storing luggage is detachably attached to the lower part of the fuselage 11, and the aircraft 10 flies integrally with this storage BOX 16. As shown in FIG.
At the top of the storage box 16, as shown in FIG. 3, it can be put in and taken out manually or automatically, and when pulled out and raised up, the camera 17a, the touch panel monitor 17b, the card settlement device 17c, etc. can be operated. A control panel 17 for outputting is provided. Under the operation panel, a luggage storage space 19 that can be opened and closed by an opening and closing door 18 is provided.
The operation panel 17 includes a control unit for controlling the camera 17a, the touch panel type monitor 17b, and the card payment device 17c, determining whether or not there is a package in the storage space 19, weighing the package, and determining whether the opening/closing door 18 is opened or closed. Also, it is possible to transmit and receive various types of information to and from the outside via a communication unit (not shown).

Using the control device 1, the flying object 10, and the smart meter 20 as described above, the process shown in FIG. 4, for example, is performed in order to move and deliver the package to the delivery destination's house.

First, at the receiving place, packages that have been brought in and requested to be delivered to the customer or packages that have been requested to be delivered to the customer and collected at another place are stored in a storage box after a predetermined procedure (step 50). After that, the control device 2 of the operation room 1 notifies the home of the delivery destination of the opening/closing code number of the storage BOX, the QR code (registered trademark), etc. by SMS (step 52).
Also, the meter ID of the smart meter 20 installed at the delivery destination is registered in the control unit 12 of the flying object 10, and an instruction to start delivery by autonomous flight is issued (step 54).

Upon receiving this delivery start instruction, the flying object 10 starts autonomous flight toward the delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter (SM) 20 linked to the registered meter ID of the delivery destination. (step 56).

After that, when the flying object 10 enters a distance where wireless communication with the smart meter 20 of the delivery destination is possible, it starts transmitting and receiving signals with the smart meter 20 of the delivery destination (steps 58 and 60). When the smart meter 20 at the delivery destination starts transmitting/receiving signals to/from the flying object 10, the time required for transmitting/receiving signals between the smart meter 20 and the flying object 10, e.g. Calculate the distance between the smart meter 20 and the flying object 10 according to the time until it returns from the 10 (step 62), and based on the distance, determine whether the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination (step 62) step 64).
When it is determined that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination, it transmits an arrival signal to the operation room 1 (control device 2) that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination. (step 66). At this time, the flying object 10 continues to hover over the delivery destination after reaching the delivery destination until the flight mode switches to the manual operation flight mode (step 68).

The control device 2 in the operation room 1 receives the arrival signal from the smart meter 20, activates the notification device 4 (sounds a buzzer), and makes the operator aware that the aircraft 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination. (Step 70). In addition, the control device 2 of the operation room 1 automatically notifies the delivery destination by SNS that the package will arrive soon (step 72).

When the operator recognizes that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination by the operation of the notification device 4, the operator switches the flight mode of the flying object 10 from the autonomous flight mode to the manually operated flight (remotely operated flight) mode (step 74), manually operate while viewing the image sent from the 360-degree camera 15 mounted on the flying object 10 (step 76), and move the flying object 10 to the front door of the delivery destination (step 78).

Therefore, since the flying object 10 is moved above the delivery destination by using the position information of the smart meter 20, it is possible to accurately move the flying object to the sky above the delivery destination, and then move the flying object over the delivery destination. It is possible to deliver the package only by manually performing the operation of lowering it to the front door. In addition, the building where the smart meter is installed is often the main building (main building) where people actually live. Although it may be difficult to specify, when the flying object is moved to the sky based on the position information of the smart meter 20 and then manually descended, the building immediately below the flying object 10 is assumed to be the main building. It is possible to move the flying object by pressing Therefore, it is possible to deliver the package accurately and quickly to the delivery destination.

Although specific delivery procedures for packages at the receiving location and specific delivery procedures for packages at the delivery destination have been omitted, processing may be performed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example.
The procedure for shipping packages at the receiving place is described below. As shown in FIG. is pulled out and raised, the opening/closing door 18 of the storage BOX 16 is opened, the package is stored in the storage space 19, and the delivery destination information is input using the touch panel type monitor 17b and the camera 17a (step 100). Then, the weight of the package, the delivery amount, etc. are calculated and displayed on the touch panel type monitor 17b of the operation panel 17, and a selection instruction is given as to whether the payment should be prepaid or cash on delivery (step 102).

After that, when the delivery requester selects on the monitor whether the delivery fee should be prepaid or cash on delivery (step 104), the aircraft side (operation panel 17) determines whether the selected payment method is prepayment or cash on delivery ( Step 106), if it is determined that cash on delivery has been selected, the controller 2 is notified that preparation for shipping has been completed. As a result, the controller 2 notifies the sender and client of the opening/closing code number of the storage BOX 16 and the QR code by SMS (step 108). If SMS is not available, contact by phone.

If it is determined that prepayment has been selected, a message instructing payment is displayed on the monitor together with the delivery charge (step 110), and payment is made by the delivery requester's self-checkout (payment by cash, credit card, electronic money, etc.). is awaited (steps 112, 114). After the payment of the delivery requester is completed, the control device 2 is notified that the preparation for shipping has been completed. Automatically send the code (step 108).

After that, the control device 2 registers the instrument ID of the delivery destination in the aircraft 10 and issues an instruction to start delivery by autonomous flight (step 116).
Upon receiving this delivery start instruction, the flying object 10 starts autonomous flight toward the delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter linked to the registered meter ID of the delivery destination (step 118). ).

6, after the aircraft 10 lands at the front door of the delivery destination with the storage BOX 16, the receiver touches the operation panel 17 of the storage BOX 16. After that, the person confirms the person by inputting the code number sent in advance from the control device 2 or holding the QR code over the person (step 120). After that, the operation panel 17 determines whether or not the payment method selected by the delivery client is cash on delivery (step 122). The stored luggage is taken out and received (step 126).

On the other hand, if the payment is cash on delivery, the amount is displayed on the monitor of the operation panel 17 and the payment is instructed (step 128). ) is completed (steps 130, 132). Then, after the recipient's payment is completed, the storage BOX 16 is unlocked so that the luggage stored in the storage BOX 16 can be taken out (step 124). As a result, the recipient opens the opening/closing door 18, takes out the package from the storage BOX 16, and receives it (step 126).

The operation panel 17 determines whether or not the storage BOX 16 is empty (step 134). Preparations for returning are made (step 136).
An operator in the operation room 1 manually raises the flying object 10 to the sky above the delivery destination, and then switches the flight mode of the flying object 10 to the autonomous flight mode. After determining that the flight mode has been switched to the autonomous flight mode (step 138), the flying object autonomously returns to the receiving place based on the position information of the receiving place (step 140). Also in this autonomous return, the location information of the smart meter installed at the receiving place may be used as the location information of the receiving place. That is, the instrument ID of the smart meter installed at the receiving place is registered in the flying object 10, and the location information linked to this instrument ID is used to move the flying object 10 to the receiving place in the same manner as at the time of delivery. You can move it.

In the above, the processing for delivering a package to a delivery destination has been described, but the same method may be used when moving an aircraft to a collection requester's house for collection.
An example of this is shown in FIG. An example of operation to move through an air route will be described.

After receiving a package collection request at the receiving place, the control device 2 of the operation room 1 communicates the opening/closing code number of the storage BOX and the QR code by SMS to the home requesting the collection (step 150).
Further, it registers the instrument ID of the pickup requested house in the control unit 12 of the flying object 10, and issues an instruction to start pickup by autonomous flight (step 152).

Upon receiving this delivery start instruction, the flying object 10 starts autonomous flight toward the delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter (SM) 20 linked to the registered meter ID of the collection requesting house. (step 154).

After that, when the flying object 10 enters a distance where wireless communication with the smart meter 20 of the collection requesting house is possible, it starts transmitting and receiving signals with the smart meter 20 of the collection requesting house (steps 156 and 160). When the smart meter 20 at the pickup request house starts transmitting and receiving signals with the flying object 10, the time required for transmitting and receiving signals between the smart meter 20 and the flying object 10, for example, the signal emitted from the smart meter 20 reaches the flying object. The distance between the smart meter 20 and the flying object 10 is calculated according to the time until it returns from the 10 (step 162), and based on the distance, it is determined whether or not the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the pickup request house (step 162). step 164).
Then, when it is determined that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the collection request house, it transmits an arrival signal to the operation room 1 (control device 2) that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the delivery destination house. (step 166). At this time, the flying object 10 continues to stay (hover) over the collection requester's house until the flight mode is switched to the manual operation flight mode after reaching the collection requester's house (step 168).

The control device 2 in the operation room 1 receives the arrival signal from the smart meter 20, operates the notification device 4 (sounds a buzzer), and makes the operator aware that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the collection request house. (Step 170). In addition, the control device 2 of the operation room 1 automatically informs the collection requesting house via SNS that the aircraft will soon arrive (step 172).

When the operator recognizes that the flying object 10 has reached the sky above the collection request house by the operation of the notification device 4, the operator switches the flight mode of the flying object 10 from the autonomous flight mode to the manually operated flight mode (remotely operated flight mode) ( Step 174), manually operate while viewing the image sent from the 360-degree camera 15 mounted on the flying object 10 (step 176), and move the flying object 10 to the front door of the pickup request house (step 178).

Therefore, since the flying object 10 is moved above the collection requesting house using the position information of the smart meter 20, it is possible to accurately move the flying object to the sky above the collection requesting house, and then move to the collection requesting house. It is possible to collect cargo only by manually performing the operation of lowering it to the front door. In addition, the building where the smart meter is installed is often the main building (main building) where people actually live. Although it may be difficult to specify, when the flying object is moved to the sky based on the position information of the smart meter 20 and then manually descended, the building immediately below the flying object 10 is assumed to be the main building. It is possible to move the flying object by pressing As a result, it is possible to accurately and quickly deliver the package to the collection requester's house.

It should be noted that although the specific procedure for receiving the package at the collection requesting house has been omitted, the process may be performed as shown in FIG. 8, for example.
In the outline below, the procedure for receiving a package at the collection requester's house is as follows. After the aircraft 10 lands at the entrance of the collection requester's house together with the storage BOX 16, the collection requester pulls out the operation panel 17 of the storage BOX 16. Then, the person confirms the identity by inputting the code number sent in advance from the control device 2 or by scanning the QR code (step 200). In response to this, the operation panel (drone side) unlocks the opening/closing door 18 of the storage BOX 16 (step 202).

Then, when the person requesting the collection opens the opening/closing door 18 and stores the cargo in the storage space 19 (step 204), the operation panel (aircraft side) confirms that the cargo has been stored, and then inputs the delivery destination information to the monitor. A request is made, such as by display (step 206).

When the pickup requester inputs the delivery address information (step 208), the operation panel (aircraft side) transmits the delivery address information to the control device 2 in the operation room 1, and prepays the delivery charge to the pickup requester. A request for selection is made by displaying on the monitor whether to pay on delivery or cash on delivery (step 210).

In response to this, the control device 2 of the operation room 1 receives the delivery destination information and the payment information, and from the delivery destination information, the meter ID of the smart meter 20 installed at the delivery destination and various information linked thereto. is extracted from the SM database 3. In addition, when the pickup requester selects whether the payment of the delivery charge is prepayment or cash on delivery (step 214), the operation panel side (drone side) determines whether the selected payment method is prepayment (step 214). 216), in the case of prepayment, the amount is displayed on the monitor of the operation panel 17 (step 218), and the person who requested the collection uses the operation panel 17 to pay by cash, credit card, or electronic money by self-checkout. Wait for completion (steps 220, 222). Then, after the payment of the pickup requester is completed, the payment information is sent to the operation room 1 (control device 2), the open/close door 18 is locked in a closed state, and preparations are made to fly the aircraft 10 to the delivery destination ( step 224).

After that, as in step 52, the control device 2 in the operation room 1 automatically transmits the opening/closing code number of the storage BOX and the QR code by SMS to the delivery destination (step 226).
Also, the device ID of the delivery destination is registered in the controller 12 of the flying object 10, and an instruction to start delivery by autonomous flight is issued (step 228).

Upon receiving this delivery start instruction, the flying object 10 starts autonomous flight toward the delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter (SM) 20 linked to the registered meter ID of the delivery destination. (step 230), and thereafter the operations after step 58 shown in FIG. 4 are performed.

Therefore, the flying object can be accurately moved to the sky above the collection requester's house where the smart meter 20 is installed, and then the cargo can be collected only by manually lowering it to the entrance of the collection requester's house. In addition, it becomes possible to move the flying object accurately and quickly to the main building (main building) where the cargo collection requester lives.

In the above examples, a buzzer is used as the notification means, but instead of the buzzer or together with the buzzer, notification means using light emission, vibration, or the like may be used.

1 Operation Room 2 Control Device 4 Information Device 10 Aircraft 20 Smart Meter

Claims (3)

A home delivery system for moving a flying object to a customer's house where a smart meter is installed to home-delivery a package,
The flying object is capable of autonomous flight and is capable of manually operated flight via a control device in the control room,
The control device in the operation room includes meter ID registration means for registering the meter ID of the smart meter installed at the delivery destination in the flying object, and flight mode switching for switching the flying object between autonomous flight and manual operation flight. comprising means and
The flying object comprises autonomous flight means that autonomously flies toward the collection and delivery destination based on the location information of the smart meter of the collection and delivery destination that is linked to the registered instrument ID,
The smart meter installed at the collection and delivery destination includes arrival determination means for determining whether or not the flying object has reached the sky above the collection and delivery destination where the smart meter is installed; Confirmation signal transmission means for transmitting an arrival confirmation signal to the control device when it is determined that it has arrived over the house,
The control device further comprises notification means for activating a notification device when the arrival confirmation signal is received,
The flying object further comprises a stopping means for stopping above the home of the pickup and delivery destination until the flight mode switching means switches to the manually operated flight.
A home delivery system characterized by: When the flight mode switching means switches from manually operated flight to autonomous flight after delivery of the package to the delivery destination, the flying object flies toward the cargo receiving location based on the position information of the cargo receiving location. 2. The home delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising autonomous return means for autonomous return. 3. The home delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said arrival confirmation means by said smart meter utilizes a signal transmission/reception time between said smart meter and said aircraft.

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