JP2024055399A - Stocker System - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a deliverer from inputting a number required for a recipient to receive an item when the deliverer has the deliverer input a number required for the recipient to receive the item when delivering the item.
[Solution] The stocker system has the deliverer input a receiving number required for receiving the goods when the deliverer delivers the goods to a storage box, and includes a delivery processing unit and an output unit. When the deliverer requests delivery of the goods, the delivery processing unit has the deliverer input a specified number, stores the inputted specified number in a memory unit, and then has the deliverer input a receiving number to execute a delivery process that unlocks an empty storage box and stores the inputted receiving number in the memory unit. If the inputted receiving number matches the specified number stored in the memory unit during the delivery process, the output unit outputs confirmation information that allows the deliverer to confirm whether the input number is correct.
[Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

This specification discloses a stocker system.

Conventionally, there is known a stocker that has a delivery warehouse that can be unlocked based on an operator's operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which, when a deliverer (delivery person) delivers an item to a delivery warehouse, the system waits for the deliverer to input an authentication code, performs delivery authentication by comparing the input authentication code with an authentication code stored in a memory unit, and, once delivery authentication is complete, has the deliverer input an inquiry number, and unlocks the delivery warehouse corresponding to the inquiry number.

International Publication No. 2019/021791

The inquiry number entered by the deliverer is stored in a memory unit as the number required by the recipient to receive the item, and when the recipient receives the item, the recipient is asked to enter the inquiry number, and the number entered is checked against the number stored in the memory unit to unlock the delivery warehouse. In this case, if the deliverer enters an incorrect inquiry number and it is stored in the memory unit, it will not match the number entered by the recipient, and the recipient may not be able to receive the item.

The primary purpose of this disclosure is to prevent a deliverer from inputting a number required for a recipient to receive an item when the deliverer has the deliverer input the number required for the recipient to receive the item.

This disclosure takes the following steps to achieve the above-mentioned primary objective:

The stocker of the present disclosure includes:
A stocker system including a storage box that can be locked and unlocked based on an operation by an operator, and when a deliverer delivers an item to the storage box, the system has the deliverer input a receipt number, which is a number required for a recipient to receive the item stored in the storage box,
A storage unit for storing data;
a delivery processing unit that executes a delivery process when a delivery of an item is requested by a deliverer, by having the deliverer input a predetermined number, storing the input predetermined number in the storage unit, and then having the deliverer input a receiving number to unlock an empty storage box and store the input receiving number in the storage unit;
an output unit that outputs confirmation information for allowing a deliverer to confirm whether the input number is correct or not when the input receipt number matches the predetermined number stored in the storage unit in the delivery process;
The gist of the project is to provide the following:

In the stocker disclosed herein, during delivery processing, a specific number entered by the deliverer is stored in a memory unit, and if the subsequently entered receiving number matches the stored specific number, confirmation information is output to allow the deliverer to confirm whether the entered number is correct. This makes it possible to prevent the deliverer from inputting the wrong receiving number. In other words, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of the receiver being unable to receive the goods if the deliverer mistakenly inputs the same number as the receiving number that was previously entered.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a sales management system and a stocker system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a stocker. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of usage status information. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a delivery process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a number confirmation dialogue screen.

Next, the form for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sales management system 10 and a stocker system 11. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a stocker 40. As shown in Figure 1, the sales management system 10 is a system managed by a business having a store 20, etc., and is equipped with a sales management device 21. The sales management device 21 exchanges information with a mobile terminal 15 of a purchaser 14 via a network 13 such as the Internet, and provides sales information of a product 17 to the purchaser 14 (customer). This sales management device 21 is equipped with a control unit 22, a memory unit 23, and a communication unit 26. The control unit 22 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and controls the entire device. The memory unit 23 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 26 communicates with external devices such as a stocker management device 30. The business transmits a request to use the stocker 40, etc. from the sales management device 21 to the stocker management device 30. The business also has the delivery person 19 deliver the product 17 from the store 20 or the like to the stocker 40.

The stocker system 11 includes a stocker management device 30 and one or more stockers 40.

The stocker management device 30 exchanges information with the stockers 40 via the network 12. The stocker management device 30 includes a control unit 31 and a communication unit 36. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 32, a memory unit 33, etc., and is responsible for controlling the entire device. The memory unit 33 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 36 communicates with external devices such as the sales management device 21 and the stockers 40. The memory unit 33 stores stocker information 34 and usage status information 35 for each stocker 40. The stocker information 34 includes, for example, identification information (stocker ID) that identifies the stocker 40 in the stocker system 11 and information such as the location.

As shown in FIG. 3, the usage status information 35 associates a stocker ID, identification information (delivery warehouse ID) for identifying the delivery warehouse 41, the usage status of the delivery warehouse 41, and an unlocking code for unlocking the delivery warehouse 41. In this embodiment, the unlocking code is the order number assigned by the sales management device 21 when the purchaser 14 places an order for the product 17. Of course, any information that can identify the purchaser 14 and the product 17 ordered by the purchaser 14, such as a customer number managed by the sales management device 21, may be used.

The stocker 40 is a device used when delivering the product 17 delivered from the store 20 to the purchaser 14. The stocker 40 is installed in various places such as offices, convenience stores, and various public facilities so that many purchasers 14 can use it and can receive the product 17 when they go out, such as when commuting to work. This stocker 40 has multiple (e.g., 17) delivery warehouses 41 that can be locked. Each delivery warehouse 41 has an internal space that can store items such as the product 17, and as shown in FIG. 2, has a front door 42, a locking mechanism 43 that locks and unlocks the door 42, an item sensor 44 that detects the presence or absence of an item in the delivery warehouse 41, and an opening/closing sensor 45 that detects the opening and closing of the door 42. The item sensor 44 may be a non-contact sensor using light, or a contact sensor using an element. One of the delivery warehouses 41 houses a control device 50, and the door 42 is provided with an operation display unit 46 and a reading unit 47. The operation display unit 46 is a touch panel arranged on the front of the stocker 40, and displays various information to the deliverer 19 and the purchaser 14 of the product 17, and inputs various operations from the deliverer 19 and the purchaser 14. The reading unit 47 is a code reader that reads a coded deliverer ID (delivery number) that identifies the deliverer 19 and a coded order number that is assigned when the product 17 is purchased. The control device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a communication unit 56. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52, a storage unit 53, and the like, and controls the entire device. The storage unit 53 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 56 communicates with external devices such as the stocker management device 30. The storage unit 53 stores usage status information 55 of each delivery warehouse 41 of the stocker 40, and the like. The usage status information 55 is the same as that included in the usage status information 35 managed by the stocker management device 30 for the corresponding stocker 40. The stocker management device 30 and stocker 40 communicate with each other to synchronize their information to the latest version.

The operation of the stocker system 11 thus configured will be described. When the sales management device 21 receives an order for the product 17 from the purchaser 14, it transmits a usage request including the desired receiving destination of the product 17 to the stocker management device 30. When the stocker management device 30 receives the usage request, it determines the delivery destination stocker 40 based on the desired receiving destination of the product 17 and the usage status of each stocker 40, and transmits various information necessary for delivery to the deliverer 19 to request delivery. This information includes delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination stocker 40, authentication information (delivery number) necessary for the identity authentication of the deliverer 19, and purchaser information (order number) necessary for the purchaser 14 to receive the product 17 from the stocker 40. The deliverer 19 delivers the product 17 to the delivery destination stocker 40, and inputs necessary information such as the deliverer number and order number at the delivery destination stocker 40 by inputting operations on the operation display unit 46 or reading operations on the reading unit 47. The control unit 51 of the stocker 40 authenticates the deliverer 19 using the deliverer number input by the deliverer 19, and unlocks the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41. The deliverer 19 opens the door 42 of the unlocked delivery warehouse 41, delivers the product 17, and closes the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41 to deliver the product 17 to the delivery warehouse 41. When the delivery of the product 17 is completed, the control unit 51 of the stocker 40 locks the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41. The control unit 51 of the stocker 40 stores the order number input by the deliverer 19 in the usage status information 55. In addition, the stocker management device 30 transmits recipient information indicating the stocker 40 of the recipient (delivery destination) to the mobile terminal 15 of the purchaser 14. The purchaser 14 goes to the stocker 40 of the recipient, inputs the order number by inputting into the operation display unit 46 or reading into the reading unit 47, and is authenticated as the purchaser 14. When the control unit 51 of the stocker 40 authenticates the purchaser 14, it unlocks the door 42 of the corresponding delivery warehouse 41. This allows the purchaser 14 to open the door 42 of the unlocked delivery warehouse 41 and remove the product 17.

Next, the details of the process (delivery process) when the deliverer 19 delivers the product 17 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the delivery process executed by the CPU 52 of the control unit 51. When the delivery process is executed, the CPU 52 first displays a deliverer number input screen on the operation display unit 46 and accepts input of the deliverer number (S100). The deliverer number may be input by the deliverer 19 operating the operation display unit 46 to directly input the number, or the read unit 47 may read the deliverer code (delivery number) carried by the deliverer 19.

When the input of the deliverer number is completed (S102), the CPU 52 performs identity authentication of the deliverer 19 (S104). If the identity authentication of the deliverer 19 is unsuccessful, the CPU 52 ends the delivery process. On the other hand, if the identity authentication of the deliverer 19 is successful, the CPU 52 stores the input deliverer number in the memory unit 53 (S106) and displays an order number input screen on the operation display unit 46 to accept the input of the order number (S108). The order number may be input by the deliverer 19 operating the operation display unit 46 to directly input the order number, or the reading unit 47 may read a code including the order number written on the slip for the product 17.

When the input of the order number is completed (S110), the CPU 52 compares the input order number with the stored delivery person number (S112) and determines whether the two numbers match (S114). If the CPU 52 determines that the two numbers do not match, it unlocks an empty delivery warehouse 41 in the stocker 40 (S122). The delivery person 19 opens the door 42 of the unlocked delivery warehouse 41, delivers the product 17 to the delivery warehouse 41, and closes the door 42. The CPU 52 waits until the product sensor 44 detects the product (product 17) in the delivery warehouse 41 and the open/close sensor 45 detects that the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41 is closed (S124), and then locks the delivery warehouse 41 (S126). Then, the CPU 52 changes the usage status of the delivery warehouse ID of the delivery warehouse 41 to which the product 17 has been delivered from "empty" to "delivered," updates the usage status information 55 by adding the order number entered in S108 to the unlocking code, and transmits the updated usage status information 55 to the stocker management device 30 (S128), thereby completing the delivery process. The stocker management device 30 updates the usage status information 35 stored in the memory unit 33 based on the usage status information 55 received from the stocker 40.

On the other hand, if the CPU 52 determines in S114 that the two numbers match, it displays a number confirmation dialogue screen on the operation display unit 46 to allow the deliverer 19 to confirm that the order number is correct (S116). An example of the number confirmation dialogue screen is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in the figure, the number confirmation dialogue screen displays a message indicating that the same number as the deliverer number has been entered in the order number input field, an "OK" button that is operated when the entered order number is correct, and a "Retry" button that is operated when the entered order number is incorrect. If the CPU 52 determines that the "OK" button has been operated (S118), it proceeds to S122 and unlocks an empty delivery warehouse 41. On the other hand, if the CPU 52 determines that the "Retry" button has been operated (S120), it returns to S108 and displays an order number input screen on the operation display unit 46 to accept the input of the order number again.

The CPU 52 stores the order number input by the deliverer 19 when the deliverer 19 delivers the product 17 to the delivery warehouse 41 in the memory unit 53 (usage status information 55), and when the purchaser 14 receives the product 17 from the delivery warehouse 41, it determines whether the order number input by the purchaser 14 matches the order number stored in the memory unit 53, thereby authenticating the purchaser 14. Since the purchaser 14 is notified of the order number in advance from the sales management device 21, if the deliveryer 19 inputs an incorrect order number and stores it in the memory unit 53, the purchaser 14 will not be able to unlock the delivery warehouse 41 even if he or she inputs a correct order number, as it will not match the order number stored in the memory unit 53. Here, a possible input error by the deliverer 19 is that the deliverer 19 inputs the same number (delivery number) as the number previously input on the order number input screen. It is also possible to have the reader 47 read the same code as the code (delivery number) previously read by the reader 47. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU 52 has the deliverer 19 input the deliverer number to authenticate the identity of the deliverer 19, and then has the deliverer 19 input the order number. If the input order number matches the previously input deliverer number, a number confirmation dialogue screen is displayed to confirm that the order number has been entered correctly. This effectively prevents the deliverer 19 from inputting an incorrect order number.

The reason why an error is not generated if the order number and the delivery person number match is that the order number is assigned by the sales management device 21 and there is a possibility that it may coincidentally match the delivery person number assigned by the stocker management device 30.

Here, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the present disclosure described in the claims will be explained. That is, the delivery warehouse 41 of the present embodiment corresponds to the storage box of the present disclosure, the stocker 40 corresponds to the stocker, the product 17 corresponds to the item, the deliverer 19 corresponds to the deliverer, the purchaser 14 corresponds to the recipient, the stocker system 11 corresponds to the stocker system, the memory unit 53 corresponds to the memory unit, the CPU 52 of the control unit 51 that executes the delivery process corresponds to the delivery processing unit, and the CPU 52 of the control unit 51 that executes the processes of S112 to S120 of the delivery process and the operation display unit 46 correspond to the output unit.

It goes without saying that the present disclosure is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the embodiment described above, if the order number input by the delivery person 19 matches the delivery person number input earlier, the CPU 52 of the control unit 51 displays a number confirmation dialogue screen on the operation display unit 46 to check whether the order number is correct. However, in addition to or instead of displaying the number confirmation dialogue screen, the CPU 52 may also prompt the delivery person 19 to check whether the order number is correct by audio output.

In the embodiment described above, the CPU 52 of the control unit 51 stores in the memory unit 53 the deliverer number input by the deliverer 19 prior to input of the order number, and when the order number is input, it compares the input order number with the deliverer number stored in the memory unit 53. However, since there is a risk that the CPU 52 will input the same number as the subsequently input order number if it is a number input by the deliverer 19 prior to input of the order number, the number is not limited to the deliverer number and may be any other number.

In the above-described embodiment, the usage status information is stored in the memory unit 33 of the stocker management device 30 and the memory unit 53 of the stocker 40, but the usage status information may be stored only in the memory unit 33 of the stocker management device 30, and the stocker management device 30 may authenticate the purchaser 14.

In the above-described embodiment, the stocker system 11 includes the stocker management device 30 and the stocker 40, but this is not limited thereto, and the stocker 40 may have the functions of the stocker management device 30. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the sales management device 21 and the stocker management device 30 are separate servers, but the stocker management device 30 may have the functions of the sales management device 21.

As explained above, in the stocker system disclosed herein, during delivery processing, the specified number entered by the deliverer is stored in the memory unit, and if the subsequently entered receipt number matches the stored specified number, confirmation information is output to allow the deliverer to confirm whether the entered number is correct. This makes it possible to prevent the deliverer from inputting the wrong receipt number. In other words, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of the receiver being unable to receive the goods if the deliverer mistakenly inputs the same number as the receipt number that was previously input.

In such a stocker system disclosed herein, the predetermined number is an authentication number for authenticating the deliverer, and the delivery processing unit may have the deliverer input the authentication number, authenticate the deliverer, and then input the receipt number. In this way, it is possible to confirm that the authentication number is a correct number, and it is possible to appropriately determine whether the receipt number is correct by comparing it with the receipt number.

In addition, in the stocker system disclosed herein, the delivery processing unit may unlock the vacant storage box after the deliverer confirms normality based on the confirmation information output by the output unit. In this way, the storage box can be unlocked after confirming that the receiving number has been entered correctly.

The present invention can be used in the technical field of product distribution systems that deliver products to stockers.

10 Sales management system, 11 Stocker system, 12, 13 Network, 14 Purchaser, 15 Mobile terminal, 17 Product, 19 Deliverer, 20 Store, 21 Sales management device, 22 Control unit, 23 Memory unit, 26 Communication unit, 30 Stocker management device, 31 Control unit, 32 CPU, 33 Memory unit, 34 Stocker information, 35 Usage status information, 36 Communication unit, 40 Stocker, 41 Delivery warehouse, 42 Door, 43 Locking mechanism, 44 Item sensor, 45 Opening/closing sensor, 46 Operation display unit, 47 Reading unit, 50 Control device, 51 Control unit, 52 CPU, 53 Memory unit, 55 Usage status information, 56 Communication unit.

Claims (3)

A stocker system including a storage box that can be locked and unlocked based on an operation by an operator, and when a deliverer delivers an item to the storage box, the system has the deliverer input a receipt number, which is a number required for a recipient to receive the item stored in the storage box,
A storage unit for storing data;
a delivery processing unit that executes a delivery process when a delivery of an item is requested by a deliverer, by having the deliverer input a predetermined number, storing the input predetermined number in the storage unit, and then having the deliverer input a receiving number to unlock an empty storage box and store the input receiving number in the storage unit;
an output unit that outputs confirmation information for allowing a deliverer to confirm whether the input number is correct or not when the input receipt number matches the predetermined number stored in the storage unit in the delivery process;
A stocker system comprising: 2. The stocker system according to claim 1,
The predetermined number is an authentication number for authenticating the deliverer,
The delivery processing unit causes the delivery person to input the authentication number, and after authenticating the delivery person, causes the delivery person to input the receipt number.
Stocker system. 3. The stocker system according to claim 1,
The delivery processing unit unlocks the vacant storage box after the deliverer confirms that the information output by the output unit is normal.
Stocker system.

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