JP6613748B2 - Delivery system and delivery method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a delivery system and a delivery method for delivering a package with added package information to a receiving box.

  In recent years, with the expansion of the electronic commerce market by mail order dealers and the like, the number of packages handled by delivery companies has increased. Accordingly, redelivery due to the absence of the recipient of the package has increased. In order to reduce re-delivery, a receiving box that can receive a package when the recipient is absent may be installed in a house or the like.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery system (package) receiving system to which a tag in which delivery information is written is attached. In this system, when the delivery agent (delivery company) brings the delivery item close to the first delivery item information reader provided outside, the delivery item information is read from the tag, and it is determined that the delivery item information is correct. The receiving door is unlocked and ready to receive. In this state, when the delivery company closes the receiving door on the transfer body, the delivery information is read from the tag by the second delivery information reader provided inside, and this delivery When the information matches the delivery information by the first delivery information reader, the receiving door is locked in the closed state, and the delivery is stored in the storage by the transfer body. When the resident (recipient) inputs the removal information using the portable terminal, the delivery item stored in the storage by the transfer main body is transported to the delivery item outlet and is ready for removal.

JP 2005-225589 A

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the delivery company cannot know the vacant information in the storage in advance, the storage cannot be stored in the storage when the storage is full. In this case, the delivery company needs to take the package once and deliver it again. Therefore, even when delivering to the receiving box, the number of deliveries increases and the delivery cost increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a delivery system and a delivery method that can prevent re-delivery when a package is delivered to a receiving box.

  The delivery system according to the present invention includes a receiving box whose door is unlocked / locked by authentication based on package information, a delivery company terminal owned by the delivery company, and a server connected to the network, and the package information is added. A delivery system for delivering a package to a receiving box, wherein the delivery company terminal sends delivery information from the server to the server via the network with package information including information on the delivery destination receiving box. Delivery server side receiving means for receiving the server-provided information provided via the network, the server storing a database for storing empty information for each receiving box and package information for each package, and transmitted from the delivery company terminal Server-side receiving means for receiving the package information received via the network and the database using the package information received by the server-side receiving means. A processing unit that extracts vacancy information in a delivery destination receiving box, generates server provision information based on the extracted vacancy information, and a server that transmits the server provision information generated by the processing unit to a delivery company terminal via a network Side transmission means.

  According to the delivery system of the present invention, when the package information is transmitted from the delivery company terminal to the server, the server receives the package information and delivers it from the database using the package information (particularly, the information of the delivery destination receiving box). Free information of the previous receiving box is extracted, and server-provided information is generated based on the free information. According to the delivery system of the present invention, when the server provision information is transmitted from the server to the delivery company terminal, the delivery company terminal receives the server provision information. Since the delivery company can obtain the empty information of the delivery destination receiving box from the server-provided information, it can determine whether or not delivery to the receiving box is possible based on the obtained empty information and the like. Deliver when you can store your luggage. Thus, the delivery system according to the present invention can prevent re-delivery when the package is delivered to the receiving box. As a result, the number of deliveries can be reduced and delivery costs can be reduced.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, the delivery company terminal transmits a delivery reservation request including package information to the server by the delivery company side transmission means, receives the availability information for the delivery reservation request by the delivery company side reception means, and the server The server side receiving means receives the delivery reservation request, and the processing means determines whether or not the delivery reservation request can be delivered based on the empty information in the delivery destination receiving box, and generates the availability information for the delivery reservation request. If it is determined that the delivery reservation request can be delivered, the delivery reservation information is stored in the database in association with the package information, and the server side transmission means transmits the availability information for the delivery reservation request to the delivery company terminal. preferable.

  In this way, when a delivery reservation request (including package information) is transmitted from the delivery company terminal to the server, the server receives the delivery reservation request, and receives the delivery reservation request based on the empty information in the delivery destination receiving box. It is determined whether or not delivery is possible, and whether or not delivery reservation request information (server provision information) is generated. Then, when the availability information is transmitted from the server to the delivery company terminal, the delivery company terminal receives the availability information. The delivery company can determine whether or not delivery to the receiving box is possible at the date and time of the delivery reservation request based on the availability information. If possible, the delivery company can deliver on the date and time of the delivery reservation request. As described above, according to the delivery system of the present invention, delivery reservation for the receiving box can be made, and redelivery can be prevented.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, it is preferable that a tag on which package information is written is attached to the package, and the tag is a tag that can be read and written by wireless communication.

  If it does in this way, package information can be easily written in a tag by wireless communication. Further, the package information can be easily read from the tag by wireless communication.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, the receiving box is provided outside and external reading means for reading the package information of the tag attached to the package, and transmits the package information read by the external reading means to the server via the network. A box-side transmission means, and a box-side reception means for receiving a command transmitted from the server via a network. When the unlocking command is received by the box-side reception means, the door is unlocked, and the server The server side receiving means receives the package information read by the external reading means transmitted from the receiving box, and the processing means receives the package information associated with the delivery reservation information stored in the database and the server side receiving means. When the received package information is compared with the package information read by the external reader and it is determined that the verified package information matches. Generates unlocking command, it is preferable to transmit the unlocking command by the server-side transmission unit to the receiving box.

  In this way, when the package with the tag attached is carried by the delivery company, the receiving box reads the package information from the package tag by wireless communication outside the box, and transmits the read package information to the server. When the server receives the package information, the server compares the package information associated with the delivery reservation information stored in the database with the received package information. It judges that it is a package, generates an unlocking command, and transmits the unlocking command to the receiving box. In the receiving box, the door is automatically unlocked when the unlock command is received. Thus, according to the delivery system according to the present invention, the door of the receiving box is unlocked only when the package information at the time of delivery reservation matches the package information of the actually delivered package, You can pick up the delivery-reserved package in the receiving box. For this reason, the delivery agent who made the delivery reservation does not take the package home, and redelivery can be prevented.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, the receiving box includes an internal reading unit that is provided inside and reads the package information of a tag attached to the package, and the package information read by the internal reading unit by the box-side transmission unit is stored in the server. When the lock command is received by the box side receiving means, the door is locked, and the server receives the package information read by the internal reading means transmitted from the receiving box by the server side receiving means, and the processing means If the package information associated with the delivery reservation information stored in the database is checked against the package information read by the internal reading means received by the server-side receiving means, and the checked package information matches. When it is determined, it is preferable to generate a locking command and transmit the locking command to the receiving box by the server-side transmission means.

  In this way, when the delivery reservation package is stored in the receiving box, the receiving box reads the package information by wireless communication from the package tag inside the box, and transmits the read package information to the server. When the server receives the package information, the server compares the package information associated with the delivery reservation information stored in the database with the received package information. It is determined that the package has been stored normally, a lock command is generated, and the lock command is transmitted to the receiving box. The receiving box automatically locks the door when receiving a locking command. Thus, according to the delivery system of the present invention, the door of the receiving box is locked only when the package information at the time of delivery reservation matches the package information of the package actually stored in the receiving box. Therefore, it is possible to store the packages for which delivery has been reserved in the receiving box.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, the delivery system includes a recipient terminal that is received by the recipient and receives the storage information of the package transmitted from the server via the network, and the server stores the delivery reservation stored in the database by the processing means. Storage information indicating that the package is stored in the receiving box when it is determined that the package information associated with the information matches the package information read by the internal reading unit received by the server-side receiving unit. It is preferable that the storage information is transmitted to the recipient terminal by the server-side transmission means.

  In this way, when the delivery reservation package is stored in the receiving box, the server transmits the package storage information and the recipient terminal receives the storage information. The recipient knows that the package is stored in the receiving box based on the storage information, and takes out the package from the receiving box. As described above, according to the delivery system according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the package from being stored in the receiving box for a long time by transmitting the storage information to the receiver terminal of the receiver.

  In the delivery system according to the present invention, the server is preferably a cloud server. In this way, a delivery system can be easily configured using a cloud server.

  A delivery method according to the present invention is a delivery system including a receiving box whose door is unlocked / locked by authentication based on package information, a delivery company terminal owned by the delivery company, and a server connected to a network. A delivery method for delivering a package to which information is added to a receiving box, wherein the delivery information is transmitted from a delivery terminal to a server via a network from a delivery terminal to the server. The server-side receiving process for receiving the package information transmitted in the supplier-side transmitting process by the server via the network, and the server using the package information received in the server-side receiving process, the empty information and the package for each receiving box Extract the vacancy information of the delivery recipient's receiving box from the database storing each package information and based on the extracted vacancy information Processing step for generating server providing information, a server side sending step for sending server providing information generated in the processing step from the server to the delivery company terminal via the network, and server providing information sent in the server side sending step And a delivery side receiving process for receiving the product at the delivery company terminal via the network.

  According to the delivery method according to the present invention, as in the delivery system according to the present invention described above, the delivery company can obtain the vacancy information of the delivery destination receiving box using the server provided information transmitted from the server. Therefore, it is determined whether or not delivery to the receiving box is possible based on the obtained empty information and the like, and delivery can be performed when the package can be stored in the receiving box. As described above, according to the delivery method of the present invention, when delivering a package to a receiving box, re-delivery can be prevented and the number of deliveries can be reduced.

  In the delivery method according to the present invention, the delivery side transmission process sends a delivery reservation request including package information from the delivery company terminal to the server, and the server side reception process sends the delivery reservation request sent in the delivery company side transmission process. The processing step determines whether or not the delivery reservation request received in the server-side receiving step can be delivered based on the empty information in the delivery destination receiving box, and determines whether or not the delivery reservation request is accepted. The server-side transmission step transmits information indicating whether or not the delivery reservation request generated in the processing step is transmitted from the server to the delivery company terminal, and the delivery company-side reception step corresponds to the delivery reservation request transmitted in the server-side transmission step. Preferably, acceptability information is received at the delivery company terminal.

  In this way, like the delivery system according to the present invention described above, the delivery company can determine whether delivery to the receiving box is possible at the date and time of the delivery reservation request based on the availability information transmitted from the server. Therefore, if possible, delivery can be made at the date of delivery reservation request. As described above, according to the delivery method of the present invention, delivery reservation for the receiving box can be made, and re-delivery can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent re-delivery when delivering a package to a receiving box.

It is a lineblock diagram of the delivery system concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow from the order in the delivery system shown in FIG. 1 to delivery reservation. It is a figure shown in an example of the flow of delivery in the delivery system shown in FIG. It is a figure shown in an example of the flow of taking out in the delivery system shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the embodiment, the goods of a mail-order business operator who performs mail order (for example, Internet shopping) using a network is assumed to be a package (corresponding to a deliverable delivered to each house), and a delivery company entrusted by the mail-order business operator This is applied to a delivery system (delivery system) in which the (delivery company) delivers the package to the recipient's receipt box (delivery box). In this embodiment, it is assumed that an orderer (purchaser) of a product becomes a package recipient in mail order sales. However, the orderer of the product and the recipient of the product (package) may be different. In the embodiment, a receiving box is installed in the house where the recipient resides.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the delivery system 1 which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a delivery system according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, the flow of the luggage 2 is indicated by broken-line arrows. FIG. 1 shows only one communication device 41 in the house 40, one receiving box 50, and one recipient terminal 61 of the recipient 60, but there are many of these in the delivery system 1. In addition, a plurality of mail order terminals 21 of the mail order dealer 20 and a number of delivery terminal 31 of the delivery company 30 may exist in the delivery system 1.

  The delivery system 1 is a system constructed via the network 3, and includes a server 10, a telecommunications carrier terminal 21 owned by the mail order business 20, a delivery carrier terminal 31 owned by the delivery agent 30, and a house 40. And a receiver terminal 61 owned by a receiver 60 living in the house 40.

  The network 3 is a communication network to which an unspecified number of users using a communication line can connect. The network 3 is, for example, the Internet. The network 3 may be a communication network to which a specific user used in mail order sales can be connected.

  The server 10 is a server that is connected to the network 3 and manages the delivery system 1 via the network 3. The server 10 is operated by a company related to the delivery system 1, for example, a server operated by the entire delivery industry, a server operated by the entire mail order industry, a server operated by a company that manages the receiving box, and the like. A server operated by a trader (provider). The server 10 is, for example, a cloud server that provides a cloud service.

  The server 10 includes a communication device 11 (corresponding to server-side receiving means and server-side transmitting means described in claims), a database 12, and a processing unit 13 (corresponding to processing means described in claims). It is equipped with.

  The communication device 11 is a communication device having a function of connecting to the network 3. The communication device 11 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device. The communication device 11 receives information transmitted from a terminal or the like connected to the network 3 via the network 3. The communication device 11 outputs the received information to the processing unit 13. Further, the communication device 11 transmits information to a terminal or the like connected to the network 3 via the network 3. The communication device 11 inputs information to be transmitted from the processing unit 13.

  The database 12 is constructed in a predetermined area of the storage device of the server 10. The database 12 stores information related to the receiving box 50 for each receiving box 50 and package information for each package 2. Information on the receiving box 50 is registered in the server 10 by the merchant who manages and installs the receiving box 50, the recipient 60, etc. every time the receiving box 50 is installed in the house 40 or the like. Part of the information regarding the receiving box 50 is rewritten as needed. The package information may be registered in the server 10 by the mail-order business operator 20 or the delivery company 30, or information input by the recipient 60 when the recipient 60 (orderer) orders the product is stored in the server. 10 may be registered.

  The information regarding the receiving box 50 includes, for example, a receiving box ID for identifying the receiving box 50, an address where the receiving box 50 is installed (corresponding to the address of the house 40 in which the recipient 60 resides), This is empty information (including not only current empty information but also delivery reservation information that is future empty information), an e-mail address of the recipient 60, and log data of the receiving box 50. The vacancy information is information according to the form of the receiving box 50. For example, when the receiving box 50 has a plurality of storage boxes 52, it is information on the presence / absence of luggage for each storage box 52, and the capacity In the case of a single storehouse 52 that is large and can store a plurality of packages, it is information such as the number of packages being stored and the proportion of packages in the storehouse 52, and the capacity is small. In the case of one storage 52 that can store the information, it is information on the presence or absence of luggage. Delivery reservation information is, for example, information on the date and time of delivery reservation, information on delivery company 30, and information on package 2 (product). The delivery reservation information is associated with the package information of the package 2 to be delivered. The log data is data in which information such as unlocking / locking of the door 53 of the receiving box 50, opening / closing of the door 53, storage in the storage 52, collation result of the package information, etc. in a chronological order is recorded in time series. It is.

  The package information is information necessary for authentication when storing and storing the package 2 in the receiving box 50. The package information includes, for example, the receiving box ID of the receiving box 50 of the delivery destination, the address where the receiving box 50 is installed, the name of the recipient 60, the package ID for identifying the package 2, the order number of the product, Information and delivery slip number. When the orderer of goods and the recipient are different, the address, name, etc. of the orderer (requester of the package 2) may be used as the package information. The package information includes at least the information of the receiving box 50, and may be information including all the information described above, or may be information including a part of the information described above (for example, receiving box ID + α). Alternatively, it may be information composed of one piece of information (for example, a receiving box ID).

  The processing unit 13 is a processing unit that performs various processes necessary for managing the delivery system 1. The processing unit 13 performs information registration processing, delivery reservation processing, verification processing, rewriting processing, recording processing, and the like. The information storage process is a process of registering information for each package 2 and information for each receiving box 50 in the database 12 using information sent from each supplier.

  In the delivery reservation process, every time a delivery reservation request for the parcel 2 is transmitted from the delivery company terminal 31, the empty information of the delivery destination receiving box 50 indicated in the delivery reservation request is extracted from the database 12, and this empty information is used. It is determined whether or not the storage box 52 of the receiving box 50 has a vacancy at the date and time indicated in the delivery reservation request, and information on whether or not the delivery reservation request is available (for example, there is a vacancy and reservation is possible or there is no vacancy and reservation is not possible) is generated. It is processing to do. This permission / prohibition information is transmitted to the delivery company terminal 31 and the recipient terminal 61 using the communication device 11. The availability information may indicate the date and time when the reservation can be made with reference to the empty information when the reservation is impossible.

  The collation process is performed every time the package information read from the tag 2b of the package 2 is transmitted from the receiving box 50 to unlock / lock the door 53 of the receiving box 50 accompanying the delivery of the package 2 of the delivery reservation. This is a process of extracting package information associated with delivery reservation information of the receiving box 50 from the database 12 and collating the package information transmitted from the receiving box 50 with the package information registered in the database 12. . In particular, in the verification process, the package information is transmitted when the door 53 is locked, and if the two package information matches in the above-described verification, an unlock command is generated. This unlocking command is transmitted to the receiving box 50 using the communication device 11. In the verification process, the package information is transmitted when the door 53 is unlocked, and if the two package information matches in the above-described verification, a lock command is generated. This locking command is transmitted to the receiving box 50 using the communication device 11. In this case, the door 53 is locked and the delivery-reserved package 2 is newly stored in the receiving box 50. Therefore, storage information (for example, storage) indicating that the package 2 is stored in the receiving box 50 is stored. Start date and time, order number, product information). This storage information is transmitted to the recipient terminal 61 of the recipient 60 of the corresponding receiving box 50 using the communication device 11.

  The rewriting process is a process for rewriting the empty information in the receiving box 50 of the database 12. For example, when it is determined in the delivery reservation process that a reservation can be made for the delivery reservation request, in the rewriting process, delivery reservation information (delivery date, etc.) is newly added as a part of the empty information of the corresponding receiving box 50 in the database 12. Registration is made, and the delivery reservation information and the package information of the package 2 to be delivered are linked. Further, when the package 2 is newly stored in the receiving box 50 (for example, when an unlocking command and a locking command are issued in the verification process), in the rewriting process, the empty information of the corresponding receiving box 50 in the database 12 is rewritten. When the package 2 is taken out from the receiving box 50 (for example, when the server 10 receives the taking-out information), in the rewriting process, the empty information of the corresponding receiving box 50 in the database 12 is rewritten.

  The recording process is a process of recording in the log data of the corresponding receiving box 50 of the database 12 when any processing is performed on the receiving box 50 or when some information on the receiving box 50 is received.

  The mail order dealer 20 is a mail order dealer who uses the network 3. The mail orderer 20 includes a mail order terminal 21 that can be connected to the network 3. The mail orderer terminal 21 is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) that is permanently installed in the office of the mail order 20 or the like. The mail order terminal 21 includes a communication device 22. The communication device 22 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device. The communication device 22 receives information transmitted from a terminal connected to the network 3, the server 10, or the like. The communication device 22 transmits information to a terminal connected to the network 3, the server 10, and the like.

  When the mail order terminal 21 receives information transmitted from the terminal of the orderer of the product handled in the mail order (for example, the payee terminal 61 of the payee 60), the mail order terminal 21 places the order of the orderer based on the transmission information. Accept. Then, the mail order terminal 21 transmits information such as the order number of the received order to the orderer's terminal. When ordering this product, the orderer inputs the orderer's address and name, the address and name of the recipient 60, the desired delivery date of the product, and the like. When the orderer and the recipient 60 are the same, only the orderer information is input. When goods are received in the receiving box 50, it is designated by the orderer to receive in the receiving box 50. At this time, the receiving box ID may be input by the orderer. After receiving the order for the merchandise, the mail-order dealer 20 wraps the ordered merchandise with a packaging material to form the package 2 and entrusts the delivery of the parcel 2 to the delivery company 30.

  The delivery company 30 is a company that delivers packages (particularly, door-to-door delivery). In particular, the delivery company 30 delivers the package 2 entrusted by the mail order dealer 20. The delivery company 30 includes a delivery company terminal 31 that can be connected to the network 3. The delivery company terminal 31 is, for example, a personal computer permanently installed in a delivery center of the mail orderer 20 or a mobile terminal (cell phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, etc.) carried by a distributor of the mail order agent 20. The delivery company terminal 31 includes a communication device 32 (corresponding to delivery company side reception means and delivery company side transmission means described in claims). The communication device 32 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device (in particular, a wireless communication device such as 3G in the case of a portable terminal). The communication device 32 receives information transmitted from the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3. The communication device 32 transmits information to the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3.

  The delivery company terminal 31 transmits a delivery reservation request to the server 10 by an operation by the delivery company 30 before delivery of the parcel 2, and receives permission information for the delivery reservation request from the server 10. The delivery reservation request includes, for example, the scheduled delivery date and time (the delivery time may have a time range of several hours), the package information of the package 2 to be delivered (including at least information about the delivery destination receiving box 50). Etc. are shown. The scheduled delivery date / time is, for example, a convenient date / time for delivery by the delivery person if there is no desired delivery date / time of the orderer.

  The package 2 is prepared by the mail order dealer 20 and delivered to the delivery company 30. A delivery slip 2 a is attached to the package 2. The delivery slip 2a may be attached on the mail orderer 20 side or on the delivery agent 30 side. The delivery slip 2a includes an address (may be a receiving box ID) and name of the recipient 2 of the package 2, an address and name of the orderer (sender), product information, delivery slip number, and desired delivery date and time. , Barcodes etc. are shown. In particular, a tag 2b is attached to the delivery slip 2a.

  The tag 2b is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag. RFID reads and writes information written on a tag by wireless communication using radio waves or the like. Information can be written to the tag 2b and information can be read from the tag 2b as long as radio waves of an RFID writer or reader can reach. In the tag 2b, package information of the package 2 is written. The writing of the package information to the tag 2b may be performed on the mail orderer 20 side or on the delivery company 30 side.

  The house 40 is a building where the recipient 60 resides. The house 40 is, for example, an apartment house such as a detached house or a condominium. The house 40 includes a communication device 41 that can be connected to the network 3. The communication device 41 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device. The communication device 41 receives information transmitted from the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3. Further, the communication device 41 transmits information to the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3. Further, the communication device 41 has a function of performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50. This wireless communication is, for example, Wi-SUN. The communication device 41 is, for example, a router for WiFi (registered trademark) or a home gateway.

  When any information is transmitted from the receiving box 50 (wireless communication device 51) to the server 10 by wireless communication, the communication device 41 transfers the information to the server 10 via the network 3. In addition, when information is transmitted from the server 10 to the receiving box 50 via the network 3, the communication device 41 transfers the information to the receiving box 50 (wireless communication device 51) by wireless communication.

  The receiving box 50 is a facility that automatically receives the package 2 and stores the received package 2 until the recipient 60 takes it out. In particular, the receiving box 50 transmits / receives information to / from the server 2 via the communication device 41, and the door 53 is automatically unlocked / locked by authentication based on the package information of the package 2 under the management of the server 2. The receiving box 50 may be provided in a part of the building of the house 40 or may be provided outside the building of the house 40 and in the site of the house 40.

  The receiving box 50 includes a wireless communication device 51, a storage 52, a door 53, an external reader 54 (corresponding to the external reading means described in the claims), and an internal reader 55 (internal reading means described in the claims). Equivalent), an open / close detection sensor 56 is provided. In this embodiment, the communication device 41 and the wireless communication device 51 correspond to a box-side receiving unit and a box-side transmitting unit described in the claims.

  The wireless communication device 51 is a communication device that wirelessly communicates with the communication device 41. The wireless communication device 51 receives information from the server 10 via the communication device 41. Further, the wireless communication device 51 transmits information to the server 10 via the communication device 41.

  The storage box 52 has a box shape for storing the luggage 2. Only one storage 52 may be provided in the receiving box 50, or a plurality of storages 52 may be provided. In the case of one, it may be a large-capacity storage 52 that can store a plurality of packages, or a small-capacity storage 52 that can store one package.

  The door 53 is a door for taking in and out the luggage 2. Only one door 53 may be provided in the receiving box 50, or when there are a plurality of storage boxes 52, the doors 53 may be provided individually. The door 53 has a function of automatically unlocking / locking. The door 53 is unlocked when the receiving box 50 receives an unlocking command from the server 10, and is locked when the receiving box 50 receives a locking command from the server 10. The door 53 has, for example, a password input unit, and is unlocked when the password is input by the recipient 60, and is automatically locked when the door is closed after unlocking. Note that the unlocking by the recipient 60 may be other than biometric authentication, smart key, etc. in addition to the unlocking by the password.

  The external reader 54 is an RFID read-only machine provided outside the receiving box 50 (storage 52). The external reader 54 emits radio waves, and when the tag 2b of the package 2 enters within the range where the radio waves reach (that is, when the delivery person brings the package 2 close to the external reader 54), the package information is read from the tag 2b. The read package information is transmitted from the wireless communication device 51 to the server 10 via the communication device 41.

  The internal reader 55 is an RFID read-only machine provided inside the storage 52. The internal reader 55 emits radio waves, and reads the package information from the tag 2b when the tag 2b of the package 2 enters the range where the radio waves reach (that is, when the package 2 is stored in the storage 52). The read package information is transmitted from the wireless communication device 51 to the server 10 via the communication device 41.

  The opening / closing detection sensor 56 is a sensor that detects opening / closing of the door 53. The open / close detection sensor 56 is, for example, an AMR (Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) sensor. When the opening / closing detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 is opened, the door opening information is transmitted from the wireless communication device 51 to the server 10 via the communication device 41. When the opening / closing detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 is closed, the door closing information is transmitted from the wireless communication device 51 to the server 10 via the communication device 41.

  The receiving box 50 may be provided with various security functions. Security functions include, for example, a suspicious person detection function using a human sensor, a monitoring camera, etc., a function for detecting vibrations and shocks applied to the door 53 etc. by a shock sensor, etc., and an abnormality is detected by these detection functions This is a function that gives warnings and warnings. In addition, when an abnormality is detected, the reception box 50 may have a function of transmitting information indicating the abnormality to the server 10 or the recipient terminal 61.

  The recipient 60 is a recipient of the package 2 and an orderer of the package 2 (product). The recipient 60 has a recipient terminal 61 that can be connected to the network 3. The recipient terminal 61 is, for example, a personal computer in the house 40, a portable terminal carried by the recipient 60 (cell phone, smartphone, tablet). Terminal). The recipient terminal 61 includes a communication device 62. The communication device 62 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device (particularly, a wireless communication device such as 3G in the case of a mobile terminal). When the recipient terminal 61 is a personal computer or the like in the house 60, the communication device 41 may also serve as the communication device 62. The communication device 62 receives information transmitted from the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3. In addition, the communication device 62 transmits information to the server 10 or the like connected to the network 3.

  The recipient terminal 61 receives the storage information of the package 2 and the delivery reservation availability information from the server 10. In addition, the recipient terminal 61 transmits the take-out information and the like of the package 2 to the server 10. Transmission / reception of information between the recipient terminal 61 and the server 10 is performed by e-mail, for example. Further, the recipient terminal 61 may be used when the recipient 60 (orderer) transmits / receives information when ordering a product by mail order.

  The operation flow (delivery method) in the delivery system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow from ordering to delivery reservation in the delivery system 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery flow in the delivery system 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of extraction in the delivery system 1. In the description of the flow of the operation, an operation performed by a person necessary for describing the operation in the delivery system 1 is also described.

  First, the flow of operations from ordering to delivery reservation will be described with reference to FIG. The recipient 60 (orderer) connects to the network 3 using the recipient terminal 61 to access the mail order site of the mail order dealer 20 and orders an arbitrary product (S100). At this time, information such as an address, a name, a desired delivery date of a product, a receiving box ID, and a desired delivery date and time are input by the recipient 60.

  The mail order terminal 21 of the mail order 20 receives an order for this product (S102). The mail order seller 20 wraps the ordered product into the package 2 and entrusts the delivery of the package 2 to the delivery company 20 (S104). The delivery company 30 entrusts delivery of the package 2 (S106). A delivery slip 2a to which an RFID tag 2b is added is attached to the package 2. Package information (for example, a receipt box ID) is written in the tag 2b. The package information of the package 2 is registered in the database 12 of the server 10.

  The delivery company 30 (for example, a delivery person) connects to the network 3 using the delivery company terminal 31 before delivering the package 2 and requests the server 10 to make a delivery reservation (date and time of scheduled delivery, package information of the package 2, etc.). (S108: equivalent to the delivery side transmission process described in the claims). The server 10 receives this delivery reservation request (S110: equivalent to the server-side receiving step described in the claims).

  The server 10 extracts the empty information of the corresponding receiving box 50 from the database 12 using the receiving box ID of the delivery destination indicated in the delivery reservation request, and uses the empty information to deliver the date and time indicated in the delivery reservation request. It is determined whether or not delivery is possible, and the availability information for the delivery reservation request is generated (S112: corresponding to the processing step described in the claims). Then, the server 10 transmits permission / inhibition information for the delivery reservation request to the delivery company terminal 31 and the recipient terminal 61 (S114: corresponding to the server-side transmission step described in the claims). If it is determined that the delivery reservation request can be delivered, the server 10 rewrites the empty information of the corresponding receiving box 50 in the database 12 (specifically, the delivery reservation information (date and time of delivery schedule etc.) is registered) The package information of the package 2 to be delivered is linked to this delivery reservation information (S116).

  The delivery company terminal 31 receives information indicating whether or not the delivery reservation request is accepted (S118: corresponding to the delivery side reception process described in the claims). When delivery reservation is not possible based on the availability information, the delivery company 30 transmits, for example, a delivery reservation request indicating another date and time from the delivery company terminal 31 to the server 10.

  The recipient terminal 61 receives the permission information for the delivery reservation request (S120). If it is impossible to make a delivery reservation based on the availability information, the recipient 60 notices that the storage box 52 of the receiving box 50 is currently full and needs to take out the package, and promptly removes the package from the receiving box 50. Take out. In addition, when the delivery reservation is possible with the availability information, the recipient 60 knows in advance that, for example, the package 2 is delivered on the date and time of the delivery reservation, so that it is necessary to take out the package 2 thereafter. . As a result, when the delivery reservation package 2 is stored in the receiving box 50, the package 2 is quickly taken out.

  Next, the flow of the operation at the time of delivery of the luggage 2 will be described with reference to FIG. When it is time to make a delivery reservation, the delivery company 30 (delivery person) asks the delivery destination receiving box 50 (S200). When the delivery company 30 brings the package 2 close to the receiving box 50, the external reader 54 of the receiving box 50 reads the package information of the package 2 from the RFID tag 2b (S202). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the package information to the communication device 41 (S204). The communication device 41 receives the package information and transfers it to the server 10 (S204).

  The server 10 receives the package information from the receiving box 50 (S206). Then, the server 10 extracts the package information associated with the delivery reservation information in the receiving box 50 from the database 12, and uses the package information registered in the database 12 and the package information transmitted from the receiving box 50. The verification result is recorded in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S208). If the two pieces of package information match, the server 10 generates an unlock command and transmits the unlock command to the receiving box 50 (S210). If the two pieces of package information do not match, the unlock command is not transmitted to the receiving box 50, so the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is not unlocked.

  The communication device 41 receives the unlock command and transfers it to the wireless communication device 51 (S212). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 receives the unlock command (S212). In response to this unlocking command, the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is unlocked (S214). The delivery company 30 opens the door 53 (S216). At this time, the open / close detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 has been opened (S218). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the door opening information to the communication device 41 (S220). The communication device 41 receives the door opening information and transfers it to the server 10 (S220). The server 10 receives the door opening information from the receiving box 50, and records that the door 53 is opened in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S222).

  When the door 53 is opened, the delivery company 30 stores the package 2 in the storage 52 of the receiving box 50 (S224). Then, the delivery company 30 closes the door 53 (S226). At this time, the open / close detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 is closed (S228). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the door closing information to the communication device 41 (S230). The communication device 41 receives the door closing information and transfers it to the server 10 (S230). The server 10 receives the door closing information from the receiving box 50, and records that the door 53 is closed in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S232).

  When the package 2 is stored in the storage 52, the internal reader 55 of the receiving box 50 reads the package information of the package 2 from the RFID tag 2b (S234). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the package information to the communication device 41 (S236). The communication device 41 receives the package information and transfers it to the server 10 (S236).

  The server 10 receives the package information from the receiving box 50 (S238). Then, the server 10 extracts the package information associated with the delivery reservation information in the receiving box 50 from the database 12, and uses the package information registered in the database 12 and the package information transmitted from the receiving box 50. The verification result is recorded in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S240). If the two pieces of package information match, the server 10 generates a locking command and transmits the locking command to the receiving box 50 (S242). If the package information does not match, the locking command is not transmitted to the receiving box 50, so the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is not locked.

  The communication device 41 receives the locking command and transfers it to the wireless communication device 51 (S244). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 receives the locking command (S244). In response to this locking command, the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is locked (S246). This completes the delivery of the delivery company 30 (S248).

  The server 10 determines that the delivery reservation package 2 has been normally stored in the receiving box 50 when the delivery reservation package 2 matches both the unlocking and locking package information, and the delivery reservation package 2. The storage information indicating that 2 is stored is generated, the empty information in the corresponding receiving box 50 in the database 12 is rewritten, and the delivery reservation information is deleted (S250). Then, the server 10 transmits the storage information to the recipient terminal 61 (S252).

  The recipient terminal 61 receives the storage information (S254). The recipient 60 knows that it is necessary to take out the package 2 from the receiving box 50 by looking at the storage information. As a result, when the delivery reservation package 2 is stored in the receiving box 50, the package 2 is quickly taken out.

  Finally, referring to FIG. 4, the flow of operations when taking out the luggage 2 will be described. After viewing the storage information, the recipient 60 goes to the receiving box 50. Then, the recipient 60 inputs the personal identification number from the personal identification number input unit (S300). When the password is entered, the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is unlocked (S302).

  The recipient 60 opens the door 53 (S304). At this time, the open / close detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 is opened (S306). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the door opening information to the communication device 41 (S308). The communication device 41 receives the door opening information and transfers it to the server 10 (S308). The server 10 receives the door opening information from the receiving box 50 and records that the door 53 is opened in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S310).

  When the door 53 is opened, the recipient 60 takes out the package 2 from the storage 52 of the receiving box 50 (S312). Then, the recipient 60 closes the door 53 (S314). At this time, the open / close detection sensor 56 detects that the door 53 is closed (S316). The wireless communication device 51 of the receiving box 50 transmits the door closing information to the communication device 41 (S318). The communication device 41 receives the door closing information and transfers it to the server 10 (S318). The server 10 receives the door closing information from the receiving box 50, and records that the door 53 is closed in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S320). When the door 53 is closed, the receiving box 50 automatically locks the door 53 (S322).

  When the package 2 is extracted, the recipient 60 transmits to the server 10 extraction information (for example, package ID, order number, delivery slip number) indicating that the package 2 has been extracted from the recipient terminal 61 (S324). The server 10 receives the take-out information from the recipient terminal 61, and records that the package 2 has been taken out in the log data of the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S326). Further, since the package 2 is taken out from the receiving box 50, the server 10 rewrites the empty information in the receiving box 50 of the database 12 (S328).

  The take-out information may be sent by the recipient 60 (the recipient terminal 61) as described above, or may be sent from the receiving box 50. When transmitting from the receiving box 50, for example, it is determined that the package 2 has been taken out when the package information read by the internal reader 55 can no longer be read, and the package 2 take-out information of the package information is transmitted to the server 10.

  According to the delivery system 1 according to the embodiment, the server 10 is connected to the delivery company terminal 31 and the like on the network 3, and the server 10 has empty information in the receiving box 50 and package information written in the tag 2 b of the package 2. As a result, the server 10 can make a delivery reservation for the delivery box 50 for the delivery reservation request from the delivery company terminal 31. Thereby, according to the delivery system 1, when delivering the package 2 to the receiving box 50, redelivery can be prevented in advance. As a result, the number of deliveries for the same package 2 can be reduced, and the delivery cost required for the same package 2 can be suppressed. In particular, the delivery system 1 can easily configure a delivery system by using the server 10 as a cloud server.

  Further, according to the delivery system 1 according to the embodiment, by providing the RFID tag 2b to the package 2, the package information can be easily written to the tag 2b by wireless communication and the package information can be easily read from the tag 2b. be able to.

  Further, according to the delivery system 1 according to the embodiment, the receiving box 50 is provided with the external reader 54, and is associated with the package information read by the external reader 54 in the server 10 and the delivery reservation information registered in the database 12. Since the door 53 of the receiving box 50 is unlocked only when the baggage information when the delivery is reserved and the baggage information of the actually delivered baggage 2 are matched, Only the reserved package 2 can be received in the receiving box 50. Therefore, according to this delivery system 1, the delivery agent 30 who has made a delivery reservation does not take back the package 2, and redelivery can be prevented.

  Further, according to the delivery system 1 according to the embodiment, the internal box 55 is provided in the receiving box 50, and the server 10 is linked to the package information read by the internal reader 55 and the delivery reservation information registered in the database 12. By collating the received package information, the door of the receiving box 50 only when the package information when the delivery is reserved and the package information of the package 2 actually stored in the storage 52 of the receiving box 50 match. Since 53 is locked, only the package 2 for which delivery has been reserved can be stored in the receiving box 50.

  Further, according to the delivery system 1 according to the embodiment, when a delivery reservation package is stored in the receiving box 50, the storage information is transmitted to the recipient terminal 61 of the recipient 60, whereby the package 2 is stored in the receiving box 50. Can be stored for a long time.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a case where a product ordered by a recipient (orderer) is delivered to a receiving box as a package in mail order sales, but an arbitrary client requests a delivery company to deliver the package, and this package May be applied to deliver to a recipient's receiving box. In this case, for example, the delivery company writes package information such as a receiving box ID on the tag, and pastes the delivery slip with the tag on the package.

  In the above embodiment, the mail-order dealer and the delivery trader are separate traders. However, the present invention may be applied when the mail-order dealer also serves as the delivery trader. In the above embodiment, a mail-order business using a network is used. However, the present invention may be applied to a mail-order business using another means such as a television, a radio, and a catalog. Further, in the above embodiment, the recipient side is a house, but it is not limited to a house. For example, it may be a building, a factory, a store, or the like where a company or the like enters, and a receiving box may be installed in these.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication is performed between the receiving box and the communication device in the house, and the communication device in the house is connected to the network (Internet). A device may be provided so that the communication device of the receiving box is directly connected to the network.

  In the above embodiment, the RFID tag in which the package information is written is attached to the package. However, a tag other than the tag may be used. For example, the package information may be added to the barcode of the delivery slip. Alternatively, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, or the like dedicated to package information may be attached to the package. In this case, a bar code reader or the like is provided in the receiving box to read the package information.

  In the above embodiment, the server provides the delivery company with the availability information (server provision information) for the delivery reservation request in response to the delivery reservation request from the delivery company. However, from the delivery company (delivery company terminal) to the server. In response to the inquiry, server-provided information consisting of vacant information of the delivery destination receiving box may be transmitted to the delivery company terminal. For example, this server-provided information includes information that the storage of the receiving box is currently empty and the package can be received / currently full and cannot be received. The delivery company can receive the package by looking at the server-provided information. In the case of delivery, we ask for delivery. Even in such a configuration, the delivery company can obtain the empty state of the receiving box in real time, so that redelivery can be prevented in advance and the number of deliveries can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the internal reader is provided in the storage to check whether the package is stored in the storage box of the receiving box. However, is the package stored in the storage box? In order to confirm whether or not, an object detection sensor based on ultrasonic waves, distance images, or the like may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Delivery system 2 Luggage 2b Tag 3 Network 10 Server 11 Communication apparatus (Server side receiving means, Server side transmitting means)
12 Database 13 Processing unit (processing means)
30 delivery company 31 delivery company terminal 32 communication device (delivery company side reception means, delivery company side transmission means)
40 housing 41 communication device (box side receiving means, box side transmitting means)
50 receiving box 51 wireless communication device (box side receiving means, box side transmitting means)
52 Storage 53 Door 54 External Reader (External Reading Unit)
55 Internal reader (internal reading means)
60 Recipient 61 Recipient terminal

Claims (11)

A door that is unlocked / locked with authentication based on package information, a recipient's inbox that can receive the package in the absence of the recipient, a carrier terminal owned by the carrier, a server connected to the network, A delivery system for delivering a package to which the package information is added to the receiving box,
The delivery company terminal is a delivery company side transmission means for transmitting the package information including the information of the delivery box of the delivery destination to the server via the network, and server providing information transmitted from the server through the network. A delivery agent side receiving means for receiving via,
The server includes a database that stores empty information for each receiving box and the package information for each package, and server-side receiving means that receives the package information transmitted from the delivery company terminal via the network. Processing means for extracting the vacancy information of the delivery box of the delivery destination from the database using the package information received by the server-side receiving means, and generating the server provision information including the extracted vacancy information; A server-side transmission unit configured to transmit the server-provided information generated by the processing unit to the delivery company terminal via the network. The delivery company terminal transmits a delivery reservation request including the parcel information to the server by the delivery company side transmission means, and receives the propriety information for the delivery reservation request by the delivery company side reception means,
The server receives the delivery reservation request by the server side receiving means, determines whether the delivery reservation request can be delivered based on the vacancy information of the receiving box of the delivery destination by the processing means, The availability information for the delivery reservation request is generated, and when it is determined that the delivery reservation request can be delivered, the delivery reservation information is stored in the database in association with the package information, and the server-side transmission means stores the delivery reservation information. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the availability information for the delivery reservation request is transmitted to the delivery company terminal. A tag on which the package information is written is attached to the package,
The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the tag is a readable / writable tag by wireless communication. The receiving box is provided outside and reads the package information of the tag attached to the package and transmits the package information read by the external reader to the server via the network. A box-side transmitting means; and a box-side receiving means for receiving a command transmitted from the server via the network. When the unlocking command is received by the box-side receiving means, the door is unlocked. And
The server receives the package information read by the external reading means transmitted from the receiving box by the server-side receiving means, and associates with the delivery reservation information stored in the database by the processing means. The package information is collated with the package information read by the external reading means received by the server-side receiving means, and when it is determined that the collated luggage information matches, an unlock command is issued. 4. The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the delivery system generates and sends the unlocking instruction to the receiving box by the server side transmission means. The receiving box includes an internal reading unit that is provided inside and reads the package information of the tag attached to the package. The package information read by the internal reading unit by the box-side transmission unit is stored in the server. Send and lock the door when receiving the lock command by the box side receiving means,
The server receives the package information read by the internal reading means transmitted from the receiving box by the server-side receiving means, and associates it with the delivery reservation information stored in the database by the processing means. The received parcel information is collated with the parcel information read by the internal reading means received by the server-side receiving means, and a lock command is generated when it is determined that the collated parcel information matches. 5. The delivery system according to claim 4, wherein the locking instruction is transmitted to the receiving box by the server side transmission means. A recipient terminal that is owned by the recipient and receives the storage information of the package transmitted from the server via the network;
In the server, the package information associated with the delivery reservation information stored in the database by the processing unit and the package information read by the internal reading unit received by the server-side receiving unit are identical. When it is determined that the package has been received, storage information indicating that the package is stored in the receiving box is generated, and the storage information is transmitted to the recipient terminal by the server-side transmission unit. The delivery system according to claim 5.   The delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server is a cloud server. A door that is unlocked / locked by authentication based on package information, a recipient's inbox that can receive the package in the absence of the recipient, a carrier terminal owned by the carrier, a server connected to the network, A delivery method for delivering a package to which the package information is added to the receiving box,
A delivery side transmission process for transmitting the package information including information on the receiving box of the delivery destination from the delivery company terminal to the server via the network;
A server-side receiving step of receiving the package information transmitted in the delivery company-side transmitting step by the server via the network;
In the server, using the package information received in the server-side reception step, the vacancy information of the delivery destination from the database in which the empty information for each of the receiving boxes and the package information for each of the packages are stored. A process for extracting free information and generating server-provided information including the extracted free information;
A server-side transmission step of transmitting the server provision information generated in the processing step from the server to the delivery company terminal via the network;
A delivery agent side reception step of receiving the server provision information transmitted in the server side transmission step at the delivery agent terminal via the network;
A delivery method characterized by including. The delivery company side transmission step transmits a delivery reservation request including the package information from the delivery company terminal to the server,
The server side receiving step receives the delivery reservation request transmitted in the delivery company side transmitting step by the server,
The processing step determines whether delivery of the delivery reservation request received in the server-side reception step is possible based on the vacancy information of the delivery box of the delivery destination, and determines whether the delivery reservation request is acceptable. Generate
The server side transmission step transmits the availability information for the delivery reservation request generated in the processing step from the server to the delivery company terminal,
9. The delivery method according to claim 8, wherein the delivery company side reception step receives the availability information for the delivery reservation request transmitted in the server side transmission step at the delivery company terminal. The vacant information is information corresponding to the form of the receiving box, and when the receiving box has a plurality of storages, it is information on the presence / absence of luggage for each storage, and the receiving box In the case of having one storage room that can store a plurality of packages, it is information on the number of stored packages or the proportion of packages in the storage, and the receiving box has one storage box. The delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the delivery system is information on presence / absence of a baggage when the baggage has a single storage. The server sends the acceptability information for the delivery reservation request to the recipient terminal;
  The delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the recipient terminal receives permission / inhibition information for the delivery reservation request.

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