JP2023087185A - Storage, storage system, and storage method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a storage, a storage system, and a storage method that improve a sense of ease of a user acquiring goods.SOLUTION: A storage 1 includes a door 10 that opens and closes a storage space for storing goods, a locking mechanism 16 that locks the door, an external information acquisition apparatus 11 that acquires information from an outside of the storage, and a processing apparatus 14 that shares unlocking information for unlocking the door with a delivery side server and controls the locking mechanism to unlock the door when the external information acquisition apparatus 11 acquires the same information as the unlocking information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to storage, storage systems, and storage methods for storing delivered items.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a storage box that is installed outdoors and stores articles delivered by a delivery person is known. As such a storage, there is a storage provided with a function for improving security. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a delivery box system that is provided with a video doorphone and has a communication function to communicate with a communication terminal such as a smart phone. In this system, an image of a delivery person captured by a camera installed outdoors is displayed on an indoor monitor screen or on a communication terminal screen. A user of the system can authenticate the deliverer by means of an identification card, employee ID card, or the like presented by the deliverer at the time of photographing.

Utility Model Registration No. 3200410

In the home delivery box system described above, the user cannot confirm the authenticity of the identity card or the like presented by the delivery person. In addition, the user cannot confirm whether the delivered item is the one requested for delivery until the item is confirmed. Therefore, if the delivery person makes a mistake in the delivery address, there is a risk that an item for which the user has not requested delivery will be stored in the delivery box of the user. In addition, there is a possibility that a malicious third party impersonates a delivery person and stores an item that the user does not want in the delivery box. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that enhances the sense of security of the user who receives the goods through the home delivery box.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a storage, a storage system, and a storage method that enhance the sense of security of a user who acquires an article.

A storage according to the present disclosure is a storage that stores articles therein, and includes a door that freely opens and closes a storage space for storing the article, a locking mechanism that locks the door, and the storage. An external information acquisition device that acquires information from the outside, and a processing device that shares unlocking information for unlocking the door with a delivery server, which is a server that delivers the goods. The processing device controls the locking mechanism to unlock the door when the external information acquisition device acquires the same information as the unlocking information.

A storage system according to the present disclosure includes a storage that stores an item therein and a delivery-side server that is a server that delivers the item, and the storage is a storage for storing the item. A door that can open and close a space, a locking mechanism that locks the door, an external information acquisition device that acquires information from outside the storage, and unlocking information for unlocking the door on the delivery side. a processing device shared with a server, wherein the processing device unlocks the door when the external information acquisition device receives information equal to the unlocking information. The delivery side server transmits the unlocking information to the delivery side terminal used by the delivery person of the article in a predetermined unlocking time period.

A storage method according to the present disclosure is a storage method executed by a storage that stores articles therein, and the storage includes a door that freely opens and closes a storage space for storing the article, and the door. a locking mechanism for locking; and a processing device for sharing unlocking information for unlocking the door with a delivery-side server, which is a server on the delivery side of the goods, and The method includes an external information acquiring step of acquiring information from outside, and an unlocking step of unlocking the door when the information acquired in the external information acquiring step is equal to the unlocking information.

A storage method according to the present disclosure is a storage method executed by a storage system having a storage that stores an item therein and a delivery server that is a server that delivers the item, wherein the storage is a door for freely opening and closing a storage space for storing the article, a locking mechanism for locking the door, and unlocking information for unlocking the door are shared with the delivery side server. an external information acquisition step in which the storage acquires information from outside the storage; and when the information acquired in the external information acquisition step is equal to the unlocking information, an unlocking step of unlocking the door of the storage; and a lock information transmission step.

According to the storage, the storage system, and the storage method according to the present disclosure, the processing device shares the unlocking information with the delivery side server, and the external information acquisition device receives information equal to the unlocking information. If so, unlock the locking mechanism. That is, in order to unlock the door, the external information acquisition device needs to acquire the same information as the unlocking information shared by the processing device and the server on the delivery side. The deliverer of the goods can obtain the unlocking information from the delivery-side server or the like through the delivery-side terminal used by the deliverer. Since there is no way to obtain it, unlocking the door by a third party is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the illegal storage of articles in the storage or the delivery of articles to wrong destinations. Therefore, it is possible to improve the sense of security of the user who receives the article.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a storage system according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration example of a storage container according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an external photographing device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating instruction information displayed by the display device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a processing device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to Embodiment 1; 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to settlement by the storage system according to Embodiment 1; 10 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to Embodiment 2; 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to payment by the storage system according to Embodiment 2; 14 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to Embodiment 3;

A storage, a storage system, and a storage method according to embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings below, the size relationship of each component may differ from the actual size.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a storage system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. A storage system 100 according to Embodiment 1 has a storage shed 1 and a delivery side server 3 . The storage box 1 is used by a deliverer to store items to be delivered to a user who uses the storage box 1 when the user is absent. The storage box 1 is installed near the entrance of the user's residence, and the user can acquire the delivery item by taking out the article stored in the storage box 1 by the delivery person from the storage box 1.例文帳に追加

The storage 1 according to Embodiment 1 performs wired or wireless communication with a user terminal 4, which is a terminal used by a user. The user terminal 4 is, for example, a communication terminal device such as a smartphone, a PC (Personal Computer), or a tablet terminal.

The delivery side server 3 is a server used on the delivery side of articles. If the sender, who sends the goods, and the deliverer, who delivers the goods, are different, the delivery-side server 3 is a server used by the sender and a server used by the deliverer. Either or both of The case where the sender and the deliverer are different refers to, for example, the case where the seller who sends out the article to the user requests delivery to a delivery company other than the seller.

The delivery-side server 3 performs wired communication or wireless communication with the user-side terminal 4 . The repository 1 and the delivery side server 3 perform wired communication or wireless communication with each other. The repository 1 and the delivery side server 3 may communicate with each other through a user side terminal 4, which is a terminal used by a user. The delivery side server 3 performs wireless communication with the delivery side terminal 5 . The delivery side terminal 5 is a terminal device used by a delivery person in business, and includes an operating device such as keys or buttons and a screen for displaying information.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration example of the storage according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 are the directions when the storage 1 is installed. The storage shed 1 is formed with a storage space S for storing deliveries therein. An opening that communicates the outside of the storage 1 with the storage space S is formed in the front side of the storage 1, and a door 10 that covers the opening in an openable and closable manner is provided. The storage 1 includes an external information acquisition device 11, a sound acquisition device 12, an article information acquisition device 13, a processing device 14, a lighting device 15, a locking mechanism 16, a sound output device 17, and a display device 18. , and a transfer device 19 .

The external information acquisition device 11 is a device that acquires information from outside the storage 1 . The external information acquisition device 11 has an input device 20 and an external photographing device 21 . The input device 20 is, for example, a touch panel including a liquid crystal display, one or more buttons, or the like, and receives operations by a user, a delivery person, or the like. Specifically, the input device 20 receives an input such as a personal identification number for unlocking the door 10 from the user. The input device 20 also receives input of unlocking information, which will be described later, from the deliverer. The input device 20 outputs a signal based on the received operation to the processing device 14 .

The external photographing device 21 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera, or the like. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an external photographing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The external photographing device 21 in Embodiment 1 has a lens 210, an imaging section 211, an A/D conversion circuit 212 (Analog-to-Digital Converter), an acquired information output section 213, and a lens maintenance section 214. .

Light incident from the outside is condensed on the imaging unit 211 by the lens 210 . The imaging unit 211 is, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, and has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a matrix. The imaging unit 211 converts light into electrical signals using a plurality of light receiving elements.

The A/D conversion circuit 212 acquires an electrical signal from the imaging unit 211 and converts the acquired electrical signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. Acquired information output unit 213 outputs the electric signal converted into a digital format by A/D conversion circuit 212 to processing device 14 .

The lens retaining part 214 is for removing foreign matter adhering to the lens 210 or for preventing foreign matter from adhering to the lens 210 . The lens maintenance unit 214 is, for example, a wiper that removes dirt adhering to the lens 210 . Alternatively, the lens maintenance unit 214 is a shutter that covers the lens 210 when the external information acquisition device 11 is not used.

The lens maintenance unit 214 operates according to instructions from the processing device 14, which will be described later. When the lens maintenance unit 214 is a wiper, the processing device 14 may periodically operate the wiper, or may operate the wiper when adhesion of foreign matter to the lens 210 is detected by a sensor (not shown) or the like. may be operated. Alternatively, the processing device 14 may operate the wipers when the input device 20 receives an operation instructing the operation of the wipers.

When the lens maintenance unit 214 is a shutter, the processing device 14 causes the shutter to perform an opening operation when the input device 20 receives an operation instructing the opening operation of the shutter. Further, the processing device 14 causes the shutter to perform the closing operation when the input device 20 receives an operation instructing the closing operation. Note that the input device 20 may receive an operation of instructing only the opening operation of the shutter operation. In this case, the processing device 14 may cause the shutter to close when a predetermined photographing time has elapsed after causing the shutter to open based on the operation received by the input device 20 .

The sound acquisition device 12 is an acoustic device, such as a microphone, that collects sounds outside the storage 1 and converts the collected sounds into electric signals. The sound acquisition device 12 outputs the converted electrical signal to the processing device 14 .

The article information acquisition device 13 is installed inside the storage space S and acquires article information indicated by the articles in the storage space S. FIG. The product information is, for example, information indicated by a label attached to the product, or information written on the product or the outer packaging of the product. The article information acquisition device 13 in Embodiment 1 is an internal photographing device, such as a CCD camera or a CMOS camera, which is installed on the upper surface forming the storage space S and photographs the upper surface of the article in the storage space S. The article information acquisition device 13 in Embodiment 1 includes the same components as the lens 210, the imaging unit 211, the A/D conversion circuit 212, and the acquired information output unit 213 of the external information acquisition device 11 described above.

The processing device 14 communicates with the delivery server 3 . The processing device 14 in Embodiment 1 communicates with the user terminal 4 . The processing device 14 performs processing based on various information received from each of the delivery-side server 3 and the user-side terminal 4 . Based on signals from each of the external information acquisition device 11, the sound acquisition device 12, and the article information acquisition device 13, the processing device 14 controls the illumination device 15, the locking mechanism 16, the sound output device 17, the display device 18, and the transfer device 18. device 19;

The lighting device 15 is installed in the storage space S to illuminate the inside of the storage space S. The lighting device 15 in Embodiment 1 is installed on the upper surface forming the storage space S. As shown in FIG. When a sensor (not shown) detects that an article is stored in the storage space S and the door 10 is closed, the lighting device 15 lights up according to an instruction from the processing device 14 for a predetermined lighting time. The inside of the storage space S is illuminated during. The article information acquisition device 13 may detect that an article is stored in the storage space S and the door 10 is closed. When the door 10 is opened and the article is placed in the storage space S, the article information acquisition device 13 can detect that the article has been stored by the reflected light from the article from the outside. Further, after detecting light from the outside, the article information acquisition device 13 can detect that the door 10 is closed by not detecting light having a predetermined intensity or more.

Lighting by the illumination device 15 allows the article information acquisition device 13 to acquire article information in a state where the door 10 is closed.

The locking mechanism 16 is a mechanism for locking the door 10 . When the external information acquisition device 11 acquires unlocking information, which will be described later, the processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to unlock it. The locking mechanism 16 in Embodiment 1 locks the door 10 according to the locking instruction from the processing device 14 .

The sound output device 17 is a device such as a speaker that converts an electrical signal into sound according to an instruction from the processing device 14 and outputs the sound obtained by the conversion. When voice information is acquired from the user terminal 4 or a door phone (not shown), the processing device 14 controls the sound output device 17 to output voice corresponding to the acquired voice information to the outside of the storage 1. do. When the sound acquisition device 12 acquires the voice of the delivery person, the processing device 14 transmits voice information corresponding to the acquired voice to the user terminal 4 or a door phone (not shown).

The display device 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays images on the screen. The processing device 14 controls the display device 18 to display the image captured by the external information acquisition device 11 and the instruction information indicating instructions to the delivery person of the article. Note that, as described above, when the external information acquisition device 11 is a touch panel including a liquid crystal display, the display device 18 may be integrated with the external information acquisition device 11 .

The transcription device 19 is a device that transcribes delivery completion information indicating completion of delivery of an article onto a document such as a receipt. The delivery completion information corresponds to the user's signature, receipt stamp, or the like. The delivery completion information may be received by the processing device 14 from the user terminal 4, or may be obtained by using a scanner (not shown) or the like. The transfer device 19 may include a seal stamp of the user and transfer the receipt stamp to the receipt by pushing the seal forward.

Instead of transferring the delivery completion information by the transfer device 19 , or together with the transfer of the delivery completion information by the transfer device 19 , the processing device 14 may transmit the delivery completion information to the delivery side server 3 . The repository 1 may not include the transfer device 19 when the processing device 14 transmits the delivery completion information.

Here, a conventional storage box allows a deliverer to store an article therein regardless of whether or not the article is requested by a user. Therefore, when the delivery person makes a mistake in the delivery address, there are cases where items for which the user has not requested delivery are stored in the storage. Therefore, there is a risk that the user will obtain the article illegally, or that the user will be billed for money that the user is unaware of. In addition, there is a possibility that a malicious third party impersonates a delivery person and stores articles that the user does not want in the storage. For this reason, in the past, there was a possibility that both or one of the user and the delivery company would be disadvantaged.

The storage box 1 according to Embodiment 1 stores items for which delivery is requested by the user, and does not store items for which the delivery is not requested by the user. The storage shed 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be further described below.

The processing device 14 in Embodiment 1 shares unlocking information described below with the delivery server 3 . The unlocking information is information used for authentication for unlocking the door 10 . The processing device 14 shares the unlocking information with the delivery side server 3 as follows. The processing device 14 receives the unlocking information from the delivery server 3 and stores the received unlocking information. The processing device 14 may receive unlocking information from the delivery server 3 via the user terminal 4 . That is, the processing device 14 may receive, from the user terminal 4 , the unlocking information that the user terminal 4 received from the delivery server 3 . The processing device 14 and the delivery-side server 3 may each receive the unlocking information from the user-side terminal 4 . The transmission of the unlocking information to the processing device 14 is performed before the unlocking time slot, which will be described later. In Embodiment 1, the unlocking information is transmitted to the processing device 14 before the earliest time in the unlocking time period.

The unlocking information is transmitted from the delivery-side server 3 to the delivery-side terminal 5 during the delivery time slot, if the delivery time slot for the article is predetermined. If the delivery time zone is not set, or if the current time is not included in the delivery time zone, the unlocking information is used when final delivery stage information, which will be described later, is registered in the delivery side server 3. , it is transmitted from the delivery side server 3 to the delivery side terminal 5 .

In the delivery server 3 according to Embodiment 1, stage information indicating the stage of delivery of the article is registered. The delivery-side server 3 changes the stage information each time the delivery stage of the article changes. The above-mentioned delivery final stage information is stage information indicating the final stage of delivery, and is information indicating the stage in which the article is being transported from the delivery source closest to the user's home to the user's home. Here, the delivery source nearest to the user's home means other stores and stores that the user's home passes through when the delivery company delivers the goods to the user via multiple stores or collection points. Refers to a store without a delivery office or a delivery office. Each of the delivery time period and the time period in which the final delivery stage information is registered is an example of an unlocking time period during which the unlocking information is transmitted from the delivery side server 3 to the delivery side terminal 5. be.

In the first embodiment, the unlocking information is not currently within the delivery time zone, the stage information is the final stage of delivery, and the delivery side terminal 5 requests the unlocking information from the delivery side. When it is transmitted to the server 3 , it is transmitted from the delivery side server 3 to the delivery side terminal 5 . Further, in Embodiment 1, the unlocking information does not specify a delivery time zone, the stage information is the final delivery stage information, and the delivery terminal 5 transmits the request information to the delivery server 3. , it is transmitted from the delivery side server 3 to the delivery side terminal 5 .

Even if the final delivery stage information is not registered in the delivery side server 3, when the delivery side server 3 receives the request information from the delivery side terminal 5, the unlocking information is delivered from the delivery side server 3. It may be transmitted to the side terminal 5 . In addition, when the user-side terminal 4 stores the unlocking information, the delivery-side terminal 5 transmits the request information to the user-side terminal 4, whereby the unlocking information is transferred from the user-side terminal 4 to the delivery side. It may be sent to the terminal 5. In this case, the delivery-side terminal 5 can communicate with the user-side terminal 4 directly or via the delivery-side server 3 .

The deliverer causes the delivery side terminal 5 to display the unlocking information received by the delivery side terminal 5 on the screen. Then, the delivery person causes the external photographing device 21 to photograph the displayed unlocking information, or inputs the unlocking information to the input device 20 .

The display device 18 displays instruction information for instructing the delivery person to input information for unlocking the storage 1 based on the instruction from the processing device 14 . Inputting the unlocking information includes causing the external photographing device 21 to photograph the unlocking information.

4 is a diagram illustrating instruction information displayed by the display device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The instruction information shown in FIG. 4 instructs input of unlocking information to the storage 1 using the external photographing device 21 . As shown in FIG. 4, the display device 18 displays the unlocking information captured by the external image capturing device 21 on the screen. Although the unlocking information shown in FIG. 4 is a bar code, the unlocking information may be a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark), or may be information including characters or numerical values. . As shown in FIG. 4, the delivery side terminal 5 photographed by the external photographing device 21 and displaying the unlocking information is displayed on the screen of the display device 18 .

The instruction information shown in FIG. 4 includes text information “Please display the code so that it fits within the frame” and the frame mark 180 . In addition, in FIG. 4, the inside of the frame mark 180 is hatched for easy understanding. The delivery person adjusts the position of the unlocking information displayed on the delivery side terminal 5 with respect to the external photographing device 21 while referring to the instruction information, so that the external information acquisition device 11 can be analyzed by the processing device 14. Unlocking information can be obtained from

Instead of displaying the instruction information by the display device 18, or together with the display of the instruction information by the display device 18, the sound acquisition device 12 causes the external information acquisition device 11 to acquire the unlocking information according to the instruction of the processing device 14. Instruction information for instructing the deliverer may be output by voice.

The processing device 14 collates the stored unlocking information with the information acquired by the external information acquisition device 11 . The unlocking information stored by the processing device 14 is, as described above, the unlocking information received by the processing device 14 from the delivery side server 3 or the user side terminal 4 before the unlocking time period. When the stored unlocking information matches the information acquired by the external information acquiring device 11, the processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to unlock. As a result, the deliverer can open the door 10 and store in the storage space S the article requested by the user.

The processing device 14 causes the lighting device 15 to turn on when the article is stored in the storage space S and the door 10 is closed. The article information acquisition device 13 acquires article information indicated by a label attached to the upper surface of the article, or an article written on the article or the exterior of the article, by reflecting the light emitted from the illumination device 15 on the upper surface of the article. Information can be obtained.

If the article information acquisition device 13 cannot acquire the article information due to the position of the article in the storage space S or the position where the article information is indicated on the article, the processing device 14 The display device 18 may display instruction information instructing to adjust the position of the article in the space S.

Here, the processing device 14 receives delivery information regarding the delivery of the article from the delivery server 3 prior to delivery of the article. The processing device 14 collates the article information indicated on the article in the storage space S with the delivery information. The processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to lock the door 10 when the article information and the delivery information match. When the article information and the delivery information do not match, the processing device 14 does not lock the locking mechanism 16, and controls the display device 18 to display instruction information instructing to take the article home. Alternatively, when the article information and the delivery information do not match, the processing device 14 may control the display device 18 instead of controlling the display device 18, or may simultaneously control the display device 18 and output the instruction information instructing that the article should be brought home. The sound output device 17 may be controlled to output.

The processing device 14 may erase the stored unlocking information when the article is placed in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. As a result, even if the same unlocking information is erroneously or fraudulently input into the storage 1 after the delivery of the article, the door 10 will not be unlocked. It creates a sense of security for both parties.

The hardware configuration of the processing device 14 according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The processing device 14 in Embodiment 1 can be composed of a processor 141 , a memory 142 and a communication interface circuit 143 which are connected by a bus 140 . The processor 141 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The memory 142 is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). A communication function by the processing device 14 can be realized by the communication interface circuit 143 . The function of the processing device 14 to store various information such as unlocking information can be implemented by the memory 142 . The function of the processing device 14 to process the information acquired by the external information acquisition device 11 and the article information acquisition device 13, etc., and the function of collating the two pieces of information are performed by the processor 141 using various programs stored in the memory 142. can be realized by reading and executing

All or part of the processing device 14 may be configured by dedicated hardware such as CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Hereinafter, a storage method by the storage system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to the first embodiment. Prior to the processing shown in FIG. 6, the user has requested the delivery company to deliver the article. In step S1, the delivery-side server 3 registers stage information indicating the delivery stage of the article.

In step S2, the delivery-side server 3 determines whether payment for the goods has been made. Processing when payment has not been made (step S2: NO) will be described later with reference to FIG. If payment has been made (step S2: YES), the delivery-side server 3 determines whether or not the current time is within the delivery time zone in step S3. If the current time is within the delivery time zone (step S3: YES), the delivery server 3 shifts the process to step S6. If the current time is not within the delivery time period (step S3: NO), the delivery server 3 determines whether request information requesting unlocking information has been received from the delivery terminal 5 in step S4.

If the request information has not been received (step S4: NO), the delivery server 3 shifts the process to step S3. When the request information is received (step S4: YES), the delivery server 3 determines in step S5 whether the stage information indicating the delivery stage of the article is final delivery stage information. If the stage information is not final delivery stage information (step S5: NO), the delivery server 3 shifts the process to step S3. If the stage information is final delivery stage information (step S5: YES), the delivery server 3 shifts the process to step S6.

In step S<b>6 , the delivery server 3 transmits unlocking information to the delivery terminal 5 . In step S7, the external photographing device 21 of the storage 1 photographs the deliverer of the article. In step S<b>8 , the display device 18 displays instruction information for instructing the deliverer to input unlocking information into the storage 1 . Note that the sound output device 17 may output the instruction information by voice in step S8.

In step S9, the processing device 14 of the storage 1 determines that the external information acquisition device 11 of the storage 1 receives the unlocking information from when the instruction information is displayed or output by voice until a predetermined information waiting time elapses. Determine whether or not it has been acquired. The information waiting time is, for example, 30 [seconds] to 3 [minutes]. If the external information acquisition device 11 does not acquire the unlocking information before the information waiting time elapses (step S9: NO), the storage 1 ends the storage process. The case where the external information acquisition device 11 does not acquire the unlocking information before the information waiting time elapses means that the input device 20 of the storage 1 is operated to the storage 1 before the information waiting time elapses. It also includes the case where an operation indicating the end of is received.

If the external information acquisition device 11 acquires the unlocking information before the information waiting time elapses (step S9: YES), the storage 1 shifts the process to step S10. In step S<b>10 , the processing device 14 collates the stored unlocking information with the unlocking information acquired by the external information acquiring device 11 . In step S<b>11 , the processing device 14 determines whether or not the stored unlocking information matches the unlocking information acquired by the external information acquisition device 11 . When the stored unlocking information and the acquired unlocking information do not match (step S11: NO), the storage 1 shifts the process to step S9.

If the stored unlocking information matches the acquired unlocking information (step S11: YES), the locking mechanism 16 unlocks the door 10 in step S12. In step S13, the processing device 14 determines whether or not the article is stored in the storage space S within a predetermined storage waiting time after the door 10 is unlocked. The processing device 14 determines whether an article is stored in the storage space S using, for example, the detection result of the article information acquisition device 13 or a sensor (not shown).

If the article is not stored in the storage space S by the time the storage waiting time elapses (step S13: NO), the storage 1 ends the storage process. If the article is stored in the storage space S before the storage waiting time elapses (step S13: YES), in step S14, the processing device 14 acquires the article information acquired by the article information acquisition device 13, the delivery information, and the to match. The processing device 14 receives the delivery information from the delivery side server 3 before the unlocking time period. In step S14, when the article information acquisition device 13 cannot acquire the article information, the processing device 14 displays on the display device 18 instruction information instructing to change the position or orientation of the article in the storage space S. You may let Alternatively, the processing device 14 may cause the sound output device 17 to audibly output instruction information instructing to change the position or orientation of the article.

In step S15, the processing device 14 determines whether or not the article information and the delivery information match. If the article information and the delivery information match (step S15: YES), the locking mechanism 16 locks the door 10 in step S16. In step S<b>17 , the processing device 14 transmits delivery completion information to the delivery server 3 . In step S17, the transfer device 19 may transfer the delivery completion information to the receipt. After the process of step S17, the storage 1 ends the storage process.

If the article information and the delivery information do not match (step S15: NO), in step S18, the processing device 14 causes the display device 18 to display instruction information instructing to take out the article. The processing device 14 may cause the sound output device 17 to output the instruction information instructing to take out the article. In step S<b>19 , the processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to lock the door 10 after the article is taken out from the storage space S. A locking mechanism 16 locks the door 10 . After the process of step S19, the storage 1 ends the storage process.

Next, a description will be given of the processing when the delivery-side server 3 determines in step S2 that payment for the goods has not been made. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to payment by the storage system according to the first embodiment.

When the delivery-side server 3 determines in step S2 of FIG. 6 that payment has not been made (step S2: NO), in step S21 the delivery-side server 3 instructs the deliverer to deliver directly to the user. The instructed delivery instruction information is transmitted to the delivery side terminal 5 . The delivery side terminal 5 displays the received delivery instruction information, and the deliverer visits the user according to the displayed delivery instruction information. When the user is absent, the deliverer inputs absence information indicating that the user is absent to the delivery side terminal 5, and the delivery side terminal 5 transmits the absence information to the delivery side server 3.

In step S22, the delivery server 3 determines whether or not absence information has been received. If the delivery-side server 3 does not receive the absence information (step S22: NO), it ends the process. When delivery-side server 3 receives absence information (step S22: YES), delivery-side server 3 transmits inquiry information to user-side terminal 4 in step S23. The inquiry information is information asking the user how to receive the goods and how to settle the account. There are a method of receiving goods through the storage 1 and a method of receiving goods directly. When the receiving method via the repository 1 is selected, the settlement method using a financial institution, a convenience store, or the like is selected. When the direct receiving method is selected, the payment method by cash on delivery is selected.

In step S24, the delivery server 3 receives reply information indicating a reply to the inquiry information. In step S25, the delivery-side server 3 refers to the reply information and determines whether or not the receiving method via the repository 1 has been selected. If the receiving method via the repository 1 is not selected (step S25: NO), the delivery server 3 moves the process to step S21. When the receiving method via the repository 1 is selected (step S25: YES), the delivery server 3 shifts the process to step S2 shown in FIG. Thereafter, when payment is made (step S2: YES), the storage system 100 executes the processing from step S3 onwards.

Effects of the storage shed 1 and the storage system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below. A storage shed 1 according to Embodiment 1 stores articles therein, and includes a door 10 , a locking mechanism 16 , an external information acquisition device 11 and a processing device 14 . The door 10 covers a storage space S for storing articles so that it can be opened and closed. A locking mechanism 16 locks the door 10 . The external information acquisition device 11 acquires information from outside the storage 1 . The processing device 14 shares unlocking information for unlocking the door 10 with the delivery side server 3 . The processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to unlock the door 10 when the external information acquisition device 11 acquires the same information as the unlocking information. Accordingly, in order to unlock the door 10, the external information acquisition device 11 needs to acquire information that is the same as the unlocking information stored in the processing device 14. FIG. Therefore, a person other than the delivery person who can communicate with the delivery side server 3 has no way of acquiring the unlocking information and cannot unlock the door 10 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the illegal storage of articles in the repository 1 or the delivery of articles to wrong destinations. Therefore, since the articles not requested by the user are not stored in the storage 1, the user can save the trouble of storing the articles not requested by the user in the storage 1. You can get the goods with care.

The storage 1 according to Embodiment 1 further includes an article information acquisition device 13 . The article information acquisition device 13 acquires article information indicated by articles arranged in the storage space S. FIG. The processing device 14 receives delivery information regarding the delivery of articles from the delivery server 3 . When the article information acquired by the article information acquisition device 13 is the same as the delivery information received from the delivery server 3, the processing device 14 locks the door 10 with the article arranged in the storage space S. Control mechanism 16 . As a result, the storage 1 can further suppress storage of articles that the user has not requested. Therefore, the user can acquire the article with peace of mind. Also, the delivery person can deliver the article to the delivery destination accurately.

The external information acquisition device 11 in Embodiment 1 includes an external photographing device 21 that photographs the exterior of the storage 1 . The external photographing device 21 acquires information from outside the storage 1 by photographing. As a result, the deliverer can have the external information acquisition device 11 acquire information quickly and easily. Therefore, the operability of the storage shed 1 is improved.

The external photographing device 21 in Embodiment 1 has a wiper that removes dirt adhering to the lens 210 of the external photographing device 21, or a shutter that covers the lens 210 except when photographing. As a result, the external photographing device 21 can acquire information with high accuracy.

The processing device 14 in Embodiment 1 transmits delivery completion information indicating completion of delivery to the delivery side server 3 when the article is placed in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. This allows the delivery source to easily know that the delivery has been completed.

The storage 1 according to Embodiment 1 further includes a transfer device 19 . A transfer device 19 transfers delivery completion information indicating completion of delivery to a receipt in response to an instruction from the processing device 14 when the article is placed in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. . This allows the deliverer to obtain the delivery completion information corresponding to the receipt stamp or signature even when the user is not at home. Therefore, the convenience of the storage shed 1 is improved.

The processing device 14 according to Embodiment 1 erases the stored unlocking information when an article is placed in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. As a result, even if a third party other than the delivery person of the article inputs illegally obtained unlocking information to the external information acquisition device 11 after the article is delivered, the door 10 can be kept locked. , storage of articles not requested by the user is suppressed. In addition, erroneous storage of other articles whose destination is a person other than the user is suppressed.

A storage system 100 according to Embodiment 1 has a storage shed 1 and a delivery side server 3 . The storage 1 includes a door 10 , a locking mechanism 16 , an external information acquisition device 11 and a processing device 14 . The door 10 covers a storage space S for storing articles so that it can be opened and closed. A locking mechanism 16 locks the door 10 . The external information acquisition device 11 acquires information from outside the storage 1 . The processing device 14 shares unlocking information for unlocking the door 10 with the delivery side server 3 . The processing device 14 controls the locking mechanism 16 to unlock the door 10 when the external information acquiring device 11 receives information that is the same as the unlocking information. The delivery-side server 3 transmits unlocking information to the delivery-side terminal 5 used by the delivery person during the unlocking time period. As a result, the delivery person can deliver the article to the correct destination during the unlocking time period.

When the delivery-side server 3 in Embodiment 1 receives request information requesting unlocking information from the delivery-side terminal 5 when the current time is not included in the unlocking time zone, the delivery-side server 3 transmits the unlocking information. It is transmitted to the terminal 5 on the delivery side. As a result, even if the deliverer arrives at the delivery destination during a time other than the unlocking time period, the delivery of the article is possible. Therefore, usability for the deliverer is improved.

The delivery-side server 3 according to Embodiment 1 transmits unlocking information to the delivery-side terminal 5 when payment is made for the item. As a result, the delivery source can prevent the user from illegally acquiring the goods.

Embodiment 2.
The storage system 100 according to Embodiment 2 facilitates settlement procedures and delivery when the user is absent. The storage shed 1 and the storage system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below. In addition, in Embodiment 2, the same code|symbol shall be attached|subjected to the component similar to the component in Embodiment 1. FIG. Further, in the second embodiment, descriptions of the same configurations as those in the first embodiment and the same functions as the functions in the first embodiment will be omitted unless there are special circumstances.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to the second embodiment. Prior to the processing shown in FIG. 8, the user has requested the delivery company to deliver the article. Prior to the processing shown in FIG. 8, the user selects a receiving method via the repository 1, and the delivery-side server 3 receives information indicating the selected receiving method from the user-side terminal 4. there is In the following description, the information indicating the receiving method may also be referred to as receiving information.

The processing of step S31 is the same as the processing of step S1. Note that the delivery server 3 may register the receipt information received from the user terminal 4 in step S31. In step S32, the delivery server 3 determines whether or not the user's settlement information has been acquired. Payment information is information that enables payment, such as information indicated on a credit card or information indicating a bank account. The information indicated on the credit card is information for the user to make payment to the seller or the like who delivered the goods via the credit company. The information indicating the bank account is the information for the seller who delivered the goods to withdraw the amount of money necessary for exchanging the goods from the user's bank account. Here, the delivery server 3 acquires payment information by receiving the payment information from the user terminal 4 . Then, the delivery server 3 stores the acquired payment information.

If the payment information has already been acquired (step S32: YES), the storage system 100 moves the process to step S33. The processing of steps S33 to S45 is the same as the processing of steps S3 to S15. When it is determined in step S45 that the article information and the delivery information match (step S45: YES), in step S46, the processing device 14 determines whether payment completion information has been received. The payment completion information is information indicating that payment has been made for the goods. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that payment completion information is transmitted from delivery server 3 to storage 1 . The payment completion information may be transmitted from the delivery server 3 to the repository 1 via the above credit company, bank, or the like. In addition, the settlement completion information may be directly transmitted to the repository 1 from the above credit company, bank, or the like. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the payment completion information is transmitted to the storage 1 before the earliest time of the unlocking time period.

When the processing device 14 receives the payment completion information (step S46: YES), the storage 1 shifts the processing to step S47. The processing of steps S47 and S48 is the same as the processing of steps S16 and S17. When the processing device 14 does not receive the payment completion information (step S46: NO), the storage 1 shifts the process to step S49. The processing of steps S49 to S50 is the same as the processing of steps S18 to S19.

In addition, the process of step S45 and the process of step S46 may be performed in reverse order, and may be performed in parallel.

Next, the processing when the delivery server 3 determines that the settlement information has not been acquired in step S32 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to payment by the storage system according to the second embodiment.

If it is determined in step S32 of FIG. 8 that the delivery-side server 3 has not acquired payment information (step S32: NO), the delivery-side server 3 sends payment instruction information to the user terminal 4 in step S61. Send. The payment instruction information is information that instructs the user to perform necessary processing for payment. For example, the payment instruction information is information that instructs the user to make payment at a financial institution, convenience store, or the like.

The user confirms the payment instruction information received by the user terminal 4 and makes payment at a financial institution, convenience store, or the like. When the payment has been made, payment information indicating that the payment has been made is transmitted to the delivery side server 3 from the terminal device at the financial institution, convenience store, or the like. The payment information may be transmitted from the terminal device to the delivery side server 3 via the server of the above credit company, bank, or the like. In step S62, the delivery-side server 3 determines whether or not payment information indicating payment for the item has been received. When the delivery side server 3 receives the payment information (step S62: YES), the storage system 100 moves the process to step S33. If the delivery side server 3 does not receive the payment information (step S62: NO), the storage system 100 moves the process to step S32.

Effects of the storage shed 1 and the storage system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described below. The delivery-side server 3 according to the second embodiment transmits unlocking information to the delivery-side terminal when payment information for payment of goods has been acquired. This enables the delivery company to prevent unauthorized acquisition of articles by users.

The delivery-side server 3 according to the second embodiment transmits delivery information regarding delivery of articles to the repository 1 . The delivery-side server 3 transmits payment completion information to the storage 1 when payment is made using the payment information. The storage shed 1 further includes an article information acquisition device 13 . The article information acquisition device 13 acquires article information indicated on articles arranged in the storage space S. FIG. The processing device 14 receives delivery information regarding the delivery of articles from the delivery server 3 . When the product information read by the product information acquisition device 13 is the same as the delivery information, and the processing device 14 receives payment completion information indicating that payment has been made for the product from the delivery server 3 controls the locking mechanism 16 so that the door 10 is locked when the article is placed in the storage space S. As a result, the storage 1 locks the door 10 in a state in which the article requested by the user and for which payment has been made is stored in the storage space S. Therefore, delivery of unnecessary items to the user is suppressed. In addition, unauthorized acquisition of articles by users is suppressed. Therefore, the safety of goods exchange between both the user and the delivery company is improved.

Embodiment 3.
The storage system 100 according to Embodiment 2 facilitates settlement procedures and delivery in the absence of the user by enabling code settlement. The storage shed 1 and the storage system 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described in detail below. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements as those in the first and second embodiments. Further, in Embodiment 3, there are no special circumstances regarding the same configuration as the configuration in Embodiments 1 and 2, and the same function as the function in Embodiments 1 and 2. The explanation is omitted as much as possible.

The processing device 14 of the storage 1 according to Embodiment 3 stores a predetermined code used for code settlement. The code is a QR code (registered trademark), bar code, or the like, and is associated with, for example, information indicated by a credit card, electronic money, or the like.

The processing device 14 receives the code from the server of the financial institution for code settlement before the unlocking time period. In the following description, the financial institution server for code settlement may be referred to as a settlement server. The payment server may be the delivery server 3 . In this case, for example, information on electronic money corresponding to money paid in advance to the delivery source of the article may be recorded in the delivery server 3 . If the payment server is not the delivery server 3 , the processing device 14 may acquire the code from the payment server via the user terminal 4 . That is, the user terminal 4 may receive the code from the payment server and transmit the received code to the processing device 14 . Alternatively, the processing device 14 may communicate directly with the payment server and receive the code directly from the payment server. The processing device 14 stores the code received from the payment server.

When the processing device 14 in Embodiment 3 acquires the code used for payment of the goods from the payment server, the goods are stored in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. The display device 18 is controlled to display the code in . The display device 18 displays the code on the screen according to the instruction from the processing device 14 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating storage processing by the storage system according to the third embodiment. Prior to the processing shown in FIG. 10, the user has requested the delivery company to deliver the article. Prior to the process shown in FIG. 10, the user selects a receiving method via the repository 1, and the delivery-side server 3 receives information indicating the selected receiving method from the user-side terminal 4. there is Further, prior to the process shown in FIG. 10, the user selects code settlement as the settlement method, and delivery-side server 3 receives information indicating the selected settlement method from user-side terminal 4 . Information indicating a payment method may be referred to as payment method information below.

The processing of step S71 is the same as the processing of step S1 or step S31. Note that the delivery-side server 3 may register the payment method information received from the user-side terminal 4 in step S71. The processing of steps S72 to S84 is the same as the processing of steps S3 to S15. When the product information and the delivery information match in step S84 (step S84: YES), in step S85, the processing device 14 determines whether or not the code for code payment of the product has been received from the payment server. . When the processing device 14 receives the code from the settlement server (step S85: YES), the storage 1 shifts the processing to step S86. The processing of step S86 is the same as the processing of step S16. After the processing of step S86, the storage 1 shifts the processing to step S87.

In step S87, the processing device 14 controls the display device 18 to display the code for code settlement of the goods for a predetermined code display time. The code display time is, for example, 30 [seconds] to 3 [minutes]. The display device 18 displays the code on the screen for the code display time according to the instruction from the processing device 14 . The deliverer causes the delivery side terminal 5 to read the code displayed by the display device 18 .

After the process of step S87, the storage 1 shifts the process to step S88. The processing of step S88 is the same as the processing of step S17. If the article information and the delivery information do not match in step S84 (step S84: NO), the storage 1 moves the process to step S89. When it is determined in step S85 that the processing device 14 has not received the code (step S85: NO), the storage 1 shifts the process to step S89. The processing from step S89 to step S90 is the same as the processing from step S18 to step S19.

Effects of the storage 1 according to the third embodiment will be described below. The storage 1 according to Embodiment 3 further includes a display device 18 . The display device 18 displays a code used for code settlement on the screen in a state where articles are placed in the storage space S and the door 10 is locked. As a result, users and deliverers can easily and quickly perform settlement procedures.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the content of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and includes a conceivable equivalent range.

1 storage, 3 delivery side server, 4 user terminal, 5 delivery side terminal, 10 door, 11 external information acquisition device, 12 sound acquisition device, 13 article information acquisition device, 14 processing device, 15 lighting device, 16 locking mechanism , 17 sound output device, 18 display device, 19 transfer device, 20 input device, 21 external photographing device, 100 storage system, 140 bus, 141 processor, 142 memory, 143 communication interface circuit, 180 frame mark, 210 lens, 211 imaging Section 212 A/D conversion circuit 213 Obtained information output section 214 Lens holding section S Storage space.

Claims (17)

A storage for storing articles inside,
a door that covers a storage space for storing the article so that it can be opened and closed;
a locking mechanism for locking the door;
an external information acquisition device that acquires information from outside the storage;
a processing device that shares unlocking information for unlocking the door with a delivery-side server that is a server that delivers the goods;
with
The processing device is
A cabinet for controlling the locking mechanism to unlock the door when the external information acquisition device acquires information equal to the unlocking information. 2. The storage according to claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying a predetermined code used for code settlement on a screen when the article is placed in the storage space and the door is locked. warehouse. further comprising an item information acquisition device for acquiring item information indicated on the item placed in the storage space;
The processing device is
When the delivery information regarding the delivery of the article is received from the delivery-side server, and the article information acquired by the article information acquisition device is equal to the delivery information, the article is arranged in the storage space. 3. Storage as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is controlled to lock the door. further comprising an item information acquisition device for acquiring item information indicated on the item placed in the storage space;
The processing device is
When the delivery information regarding the delivery of the item is received from the delivery server, the item information acquired by the item information acquisition device is equal to the delivery information, and the payment for the item has been made. 2. The storage according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is controlled to lock said door in a state in which said article is arranged in said storage space when said settlement completion information is received from said delivery server. The external information acquisition device is
Including an external photographing device for photographing the exterior of the storage,
The storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the external photographing device acquires the information from outside the storage by photographing. The external imaging device is
6. The container according to claim 5, further comprising a wiper for removing dirt adhering to the lens of said external photographing device, or a shutter that covers said lens except when photographing. The processing device is
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the article is placed in the storage space and the door is locked, delivery completion information indicating completion of delivery is transmitted to the delivery side server. Storage box described in item 1. a transfer device for transferring delivery completion information indicating completion of delivery to a receipt in response to an instruction from the processing device when the article is placed in the storage space and the door is locked; The storage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: The processing device is
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the article is placed in the storage space and the door is locked, the stored unlocking information is erased. Storage. a storage for storing articles inside;
a delivery-side server that is a server that delivers the goods;
has
The storage is
a door that covers a storage space for storing the article so that it can be opened and closed;
a locking mechanism for locking the door;
an external information acquisition device that acquires information from outside the storage;
a processing device for sharing unlocking information for unlocking the door with the delivery-side server;
with
The processing device is
When the external information acquisition device receives information equal to the unlocking information, the locking mechanism is controlled to unlock the door,
The delivery side server
A storage system that transmits the unlocking information to a delivery-side terminal used by a delivery person of the article during a predetermined unlocking time period. The delivery side server
When the current time is not included in the unlocking time zone, and when request information requesting the unlocking information is received from the delivery terminal, the unlocking information is transmitted to the delivery terminal. 11. The storage system of Claim 10. The delivery side server
12. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the unlocking information is transmitted to the delivery side terminal when payment is made for the item. The delivery side server
Sending delivery information related to delivery of the goods to the storage,
The storage is
further comprising an item information acquisition device for acquiring item information indicated on the item placed in the storage space;
The processing device is
When the item information acquired by the item information acquisition device is equal to the delivery information received from the delivery server, the locking mechanism locks the door while the item is placed in the storage space. The storage system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which controls the The delivery side server
12. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the unlocking information is transmitted to the delivery side terminal when payment information for payment of the goods has been acquired. The delivery side server
Sending delivery information related to delivery of the goods to the storage,
perform the payment using the payment information;
When the payment has been made, sending payment completion information indicating that the payment has been made to the storage,
The storage is
further comprising an item information acquisition device for acquiring item information indicated on the item placed in the storage space;
The processing device is
When the product information acquired by the product information acquisition device is the same as the delivery information received from the delivery server, and when the payment completion information is received from the delivery server, the product 15. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is controlled to lock the door in a state in which the is placed in the storage space. A storage method executed by a storage that stores articles inside,
The storage is
a door that covers a storage space for storing the article so that it can be opened and closed;
a locking mechanism for locking the door;
a processing device that shares unlocking information for unlocking the door with a delivery-side server that is a server that delivers the goods;
with
an external information acquisition step of acquiring information from outside the storage;
an unlocking step of unlocking the door when the information obtained in the external information obtaining step is equal to the unlocking information;
including storage methods. a storage for storing articles inside;
a delivery-side server that is a server that delivers the goods;
A storage method executed by a storage system comprising
The storage is
a door that covers a storage space for storing the article so that it can be opened and closed;
a locking mechanism for locking the door;
a processing device for sharing unlocking information for unlocking the door with the delivery-side server;
with
an external information acquisition step in which the storage acquires information from outside the storage;
an unlocking step of unlocking the door by the storage when the information obtained in the external information obtaining step is equal to the unlocking information;
an unlocking information transmission step in which the delivery side server transmits the unlocking information to the delivery side terminal used by the delivery person of the article in a predetermined unlocking time period;
including storage methods.

Images