JP7325024B2 - Delivery Box, Delivery System, and Delivery Method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to a delivery box, a delivery system, and a delivery method, and more particularly, a delivery box that can be used with an aircraft, a delivery system including the delivery box, and a delivery method using the aircraft. Regarding.

In recent years, technological development related to a service in which a flying object such as a drone holds a package and transports it to a home delivery box has been advanced (for example, Patent Document 1). An unmanned aerial vehicle (flying object) described in Patent Document 1 includes an imaging unit, a determination unit, and a flight control unit. The determination unit analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit, and determines that the presentation device presenting the authentication information is valid when predetermined authentication information is detected from the image at a predetermined timing. The flight control unit controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the presentation device determined to be valid by the determination unit.

However, Patent Literature 1 does not describe a specific configuration for putting packages into a home delivery box.

If the door of the delivery box is left open so that the flying object can put the package into the delivery box, there is a possibility that the delivered package will be stolen.

JP-A-2018-43698

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a home delivery box, a home delivery system, and a home delivery method that can improve security.

A delivery box according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a case including an upper surface, a case having an opening in the upper surface , a door that opens and closes the opening, a door drive unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the door drive unit. And prepare. The door drive unit drives the door to bring the opening into either a closed state or an open state. When it is detected that the flying object conveying the cargo has arrived at a predetermined position around the opening, the control unit causes the door driving unit to open the opening, and the flying object moves to the open state. When it is detected that the luggage has been thrown into the case through the opening, the door driving section is caused to close the opening. The delivery box further includes a sensor. The sensor detects whether or not the housing space inside the case is vacant. The sensor further detects whether the luggage has been put into the case. The control unit causes the door driving unit to maintain the opening in the closed state when a retraction notification signal indicating a request to retract the flying object to the upper surface is input.

A home delivery system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the home delivery box and the aircraft.

A home delivery method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of transporting a package to a home delivery box. The home delivery box includes a case including an upper surface and having an opening in the upper surface , a door for opening and closing the opening, a door driving section, and a sensor. The door drive unit drives the door to bring the opening into either a closed state or an open state. In the delivery method, when it is detected that the flying object that carries the parcel has arrived at a predetermined position around the opening, the door driving section causes the opening to open. and a process of causing the door driving section to close the opening when it is detected that the flying object has thrown the baggage into the case through the opening. The home delivery method further includes a process of detecting, by the sensor, whether or not the storage space inside the case is vacant, and whether or not the package has been put into the case. The delivery method further includes a process of causing the door driving unit to maintain the opening in the closed state when a retraction notification signal indicating a request to retract the flying object to the upper surface is input to the delivery box.

FIG. 1 is an image diagram of a home delivery system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the same home delivery system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a delivery box of the same delivery system. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a home delivery box of the same home delivery system. FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a home delivery box of the same home delivery system. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the management terminal of the home delivery system. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the management terminal of the home delivery system. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation example of a home delivery box of the same home delivery system. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example of a home delivery box of the same home delivery system. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the flying object of the home delivery system. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the flying object of the home delivery system. 12A to 12D are schematic diagrams showing the flow of operations in which an aircraft puts a package into a home delivery box in the same home delivery system.

A delivery box 2, an aircraft 5, and a delivery system 1 including the delivery box 2 and the aircraft 5 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is but one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments described below can be modified in various ways according to design and the like as long as the objects of the present disclosure can be achieved. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 12A to 12D described in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in the diagrams does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

(1) Overview As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a home delivery system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (nine in FIG. 1) home delivery boxes 2, an aircraft 5, and a management terminal 7. there is The aircraft 5 is a small aircraft that flies unmanned. The flying object 5 of this embodiment is a drone. The management terminal 7 is, for example, a computer system such as a personal computer or a server computer.

The delivery box 2, the aircraft 5, and the management terminal 7 can communicate with each other via an electric communication line (network 81).

The management terminal 7 is installed at the distribution center 70 . The management terminal 7 manages the operation of the aircraft 5 . The management terminal 7 transmits, for example, a command signal designating the operation contents of the flying object 5 to the flying object 5, and the flying object 5 operates accordingly. Thus, the flying object 5 is operated by remote control by the management terminal 7. FIG. In addition, the flying object 5 performs operations controlled by the flying object 5 itself in combination with remote-controlled operations.

The flying object 5 holds the parcel 91 at the delivery center 70 or other bases, and transports it to the home delivery box 2 designated by the management terminal 7 among the plurality of home delivery boxes 2 . After throwing the package 91 into the delivery box 2, the flying object 5 moves to the delivery center 70 or other bases. By using the home delivery system 1 in this manner, delivery can be performed without the delivery person going to the delivery box 2 . In this embodiment, the home delivery system 1 includes a plurality of flying objects 5 . One management terminal 7 may manage the operations of all the flying objects 5 among the plurality of flying objects 5 , or the operations of the plurality of flying objects 5 may be managed by a plurality of managing terminals 7 . In the following embodiments, an arbitrary one of the plurality of flying objects 5 will be focused on and explained unless otherwise specified.

The delivery box 2 includes a case 31 , a door 32 , a control section 21 and a door driving section 22 . Case 31 has an opening 310 . The door 32 is configured to open and close the opening 310 . The door drive unit 22 drives the door 32 to bring the opening 310 into either a closed state or an open state. The control section 21 controls the operation of the door driving section 22 . When the control unit 21 detects that the aircraft 5 carrying the load 91 has arrived (here, landed) at a predetermined position around the opening 310, the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the opening 310. Let When the controller 21 detects that the flying object 5 has thrown the cargo 91 into the case 31 through the opening 310, the controller 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to close the opening 310. As shown in FIG.

According to the home delivery box 2 and the home delivery system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve crime prevention compared to the case where the opening 310 is kept open even after the package 91 is thrown into the case 31 . Moreover, when it rains or snows, the possibility of rain or snow entering the case 31 through the opening 310 can be reduced.

In addition, the flying object 5 may land in the nearest delivery box 2 when urgent landing is required due to bad weather or the like. In this case, the delivery box 2 where the flying object 5 lands may be a delivery box 2 different from the delivery destination of the package 91 . When the flying object 5 lands in a home delivery box 2 different from the transport destination of the package 91, a retraction notification signal is input from the management terminal 7 to the home delivery box 2. - 特許庁When the retraction notification signal is input, the control unit 21 of the delivery box 2 causes the door driving unit 22 to keep the opening 310 closed. In this manner, the opening 310 can be maintained in the closed state when the flying object 5 does not load the package 91, so that the security of the home delivery box 2 can be further improved.

In addition, the delivery box 2 further includes a wireless power supply device 23 for supplying power to the aircraft 5 . The flying object 5 can receive power from the wireless power supply device 23 while landing in the delivery box 2 . As a result, the possibility that the power source of the aircraft 5 will run out during the flight of the aircraft 5 can be reduced. In addition, as a result, the capacity of the battery 56 mounted on the aircraft 5 can be reduced, and as a result, the weight of the battery 56 can be reduced.

(2) Delivery box The delivery box 2 is installed, for example, in a detached house, an apartment complex, a store such as a convenience store, a station, an office building, or the like. However, the installation location of the home delivery box 2 is not limited to these. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the home delivery box 2 is set in an apartment complex.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the shape of case 31 of delivery box 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The case 31 has an accommodation space SP1 inside. Case 31 has an upper surface 311 and a front surface 312 . The “upper surface” referred to here means the upper surface when the delivery box 2 is installed at the installation location. The “front surface” referred to here means one side along the vertical direction when the delivery box 2 is installed at the installation location, and is the side facing the user when the user takes out the package 91 from the delivery box 2. do.

The shape of the upper surface 311 is square. Top surface 311 has opening 310 . The opening 310 is formed in a square shape along the outer peripheral line 313 of the upper surface 311 . The opening 310 occupies most of the upper surface 311 excluding a portion near the outer peripheral line 313 of the upper surface 311 .

The upper surface 311 has a space SP2 where the flying object 5 lands. Specifically, the upper surface 311 has a space SP2 on the periphery of the opening 310 where the aircraft 5 lands. That is, the square frame-shaped space on the upper surface 311 excluding the opening 310 is the landing space SP2. A plurality of skids (legs) 64 (see FIG. 1) of the flying object 5 are in contact with the upper surface 311 in the space SP2 outside the opening 310, and the flying object 5 lands on the upper surface 311.

The delivery box 2 further includes a plurality of (four in FIG. 3) display units 29 . Each of the four display units 29 is provided on the top surface 311 . Each display 29 includes a light source. The shape of each display portion 29 seen from above is triangular. In each display portion 29 , one vertex of the triangle faces opening 310 . When the delivery box 2 is waiting for the aircraft 5 to land, the four display sections 29 blink under the control of the control section 21 . By recognizing the four display units 29, the flying object 5 recognizes that the area surrounded by the four display units 29 is the opening 310, and that the surrounding area is the landing space SP2. do.

The opening 310 is opened and closed by the door 32 . The door 32 is a shutter (shroud). The opening 310 is opened when the aircraft 5 throws the cargo 91 into the opening 310, and is closed otherwise. The open state is a state in which the door 32 does not cover the opening 310 (see FIG. 12B). The closed state is a state in which the door 32 covers the opening 310 (see FIG. 12A). The opening 310 is opened when the door 32 is wound by the door drive unit 22 and closed when the door 32 is unfolded by the door drive unit 22 .

The delivery box 2 further includes a front door 33. A front surface 312 of the case 31 has an opening 3120 . The front door 33 is attached to the case 31 via a hinge, for example, and can open and close the opening 3120 . In addition, the delivery box 2 further includes a locking device for locking the front door 33 . The aircraft 5 throws in the luggage 91 from the opening 310 of the upper surface 311 of the case 31 . On the other hand, the user of the home delivery box 2 opens the front door 33 and takes out the parcel 91 from the opening 3120 of the front surface 312 .

The delivery box 2 further includes a net 34 (net basket). The net 34 is formed in a box shape with an upper end and a front side opened, and is arranged along the inner wall of the case 31 . The net 34 is suspended inside the case 31 . A package 91 thrown into the home delivery box 2 through the opening 310 is received by the net 34 .

The control unit 21 (see FIG. 2) is configured by a computer system having one or more processors and memory. At least part of the functions of the control unit 21 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in memory, may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card. Control unit 21 controls the operations of components other than control unit 21 in delivery box 2 .

The door driving unit 22 includes, for example, a motor, and opens and closes the door 32 by the driving force of the motor. The operation of the door driving section 22 is controlled by the control section 21 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the delivery box 2 includes a wireless power feeder 23, a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) photoelectric sensors 24 (sensors), a receiver 25, a transmitter 26, and a memory 27. , and an arrival detection unit 28 .

The delivery box 2 is supplied with power from a power source such as a commercial power source, a distributed power source, or a storage battery, for example. The wireless power feeding device 23 feeds the aircraft 5 with power from the power supply. The wireless power supply device 23 wirelessly supplies power to the aircraft 5 by, for example, a method of transmitting radio waves or infrared rays, an electromagnetic induction method, or a magnetic resonance method. In this embodiment, the power feeding method of the wireless power feeding device 23 is a method of transmitting radio waves. The wireless power supply device 23 has a plurality of (two in FIG. 3) power transmission units 231 . Each of the two power transmission units 231 transmits power to the outside. More specifically, each of the two power transmission units 231 includes a radio wave radiation surface. The two power transmission units 231 are provided on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 . The wireless power supply device 23 supplies power to the aircraft 5 by transmitting radio waves such as microwaves from each of the two power transmission units 231 . In addition, when the wireless power supply device 23 is configured to supply power by an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method, the power transmission section 231 is a part in which a coil for performing wireless power supply is arranged. That is, the outlet for the magnetic field generated by the coil corresponds to power transmission section 231 .

The two power transmission units 231 are arranged along the periphery of the opening 310 . Two power transmission units 231 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction along the periphery of opening 310 . More specifically, an opening 310 is provided between the two power transmission units 231 . More specifically, the two power transmission units 231 are arranged near diagonal positions on the periphery of the opening 310 .

Each of the two photoelectric sensors 24 (see FIG. 5) has a light projecting section 241 and a light receiving section 242 . The light projecting part 241 and the light receiving part 242 are embedded in the inner wall of the case 31 so that the light projecting surface and the light receiving surface are exposed (directed) to the housing space SP1. More specifically, one of the light projecting portion 241 and the light receiving portion 242 is embedded in the right inner wall of the case 31 , and the other of the light projecting portion 241 and the light receiving portion 242 is embedded in the case 31 . Embedded in the left wall. In this embodiment, the light projecting part 241 is embedded in the left inner wall of the case 31 , and the light receiving part 242 is embedded in the right inner wall of the case 31 . The light projecting portion 241 and the light receiving portion 242 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction corresponds to the horizontal direction when the delivery box 2 is installed at the installation location. The light projecting section 241 emits light in the horizontal direction, and the light receiving section 242 receives this light. If an object exists between the light projecting unit 241 and the light receiving unit 242, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 241 does not reach the light receiving unit 242. The presence or absence of an object between the light section 241 and the light receiving section 242 can be detected. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual path R1 of light emitted from the light projecting section 241. As shown in FIG.

The two photoelectric sensors 24 are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction when the delivery box 2 is installed at the installation location.

Each of the two photoelectric sensors 24 detects whether or not the housing space SP1 inside the case 31 is empty. That is, if the package 91 is present in the accommodation space SP1 between the light projecting unit 241 and the light receiving unit 242, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 241 is blocked by the package 91, so that the light receiving unit 242 does not transmit the light. not receive light. Therefore, the fact that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 242 falls below the threshold value corresponds to the detection that the accommodation space SP1 is not empty. More specifically, the fact that the amount of light received by the light receiving section 242 falls below the threshold corresponds to the detection that at least the space below the light receiving section 242 is full. Further, the fact that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 242 is equal to or greater than the threshold value corresponds to the detection that at least the space above the light receiving unit 242 in the accommodation space SP1 is empty.

Assume that the following first condition is satisfied. The first condition is that, of the two photoelectric sensors 24 arranged at different positions in the vertical direction, the amount of light received by the light receiving part 242 of the photoelectric sensor 24 arranged on the upper side is equal to or greater than the threshold, and the photoelectric sensor 24 arranged on the lower side The condition is that the amount of light received by the light receiving section 242 of the photoelectric sensor 24 is below the threshold. If the first condition is satisfied, it is considered that at least the space from the position of the photoelectric sensor 24 on the upper side to the upper end of the case 31 is vacant. However, when the first condition is satisfied, it is considered that the luggage 91 exists at least from the bottom surface of the case 31 to the position of the photoelectric sensor 24 on the lower side. That is, in this case, the size of the empty space of the accommodation space SP1 is smaller than when the second condition is satisfied that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 242 is equal to or greater than the threshold value for both of the two photoelectric sensors 24 .

In addition, when the third condition that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 242 is below the threshold value in any of the two photoelectric sensors 24, the size of the empty space is even smaller than when the first condition is satisfied.

By using a plurality of photoelectric sensors 24 in this manner, the size (height) of the empty space of the accommodation space SP1 can be detected in multiple stages (here, three stages).

When the management terminal 7 inquires of the delivery box 2 whether or not the parcel 91 can be accepted, the control unit 21 of the delivery box 2 determines whether the storage space SP1 inside the case 31 is empty based on the outputs of the plurality of photoelectric sensors 24. Determine whether or not Here, the control unit 21 may determine that the package 91 can be accepted when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, or can accept the package 91 only when the second condition is satisfied. may be deemed acceptable. Alternatively, the control unit 21 acquires information about the size (height) of the package 91 from the management terminal 7, and determines the size (height) of the empty space of the accommodation space SP1 detected by the plurality of photoelectric sensors 24. If the package 91 is small, it may be determined that the package 91 is acceptable.

In addition, when the opening 310 is opened and the package 91 is put into the case 31 through the opening 310, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 241 is blocked by the package 91, so that the light receiving unit 242 receives the light. does not receive Therefore, the fact that the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 242 changes from being greater than or equal to the threshold value to being less than the threshold value corresponds to detecting that the baggage 91 has been thrown into the case 31 . That is, the photoelectric sensor 24 detects whether or not the luggage 91 has been put into the case 31 . When the photoelectric sensor 24 detects that the package 91 has been put into the case 31, the control unit 21 (see FIG. 2) causes the door driving unit 22 to close the opening 310. As shown in FIG. The detection of whether or not the baggage 91 has been put into the case 31 may be performed by only one of the two photoelectric sensors 24 or may be performed by both of the photoelectric sensors 24 .

The receiver 25 (see FIG. 2) receives signals from the outside. The transmitter 26 (see FIG. 2) transmits a signal to the outside. The receiving unit 25 and the transmitting unit 26 are configured by a communication interface for connecting to the network 81 (see FIG. 1) and a communication interface for communicating with the aircraft 5 without going through the network 81 . The communication method between the receiving unit 25 and the transmitting unit 26 with the aircraft 5 is, for example, a specified low-power radio station (radio station that does not require a license) in the 920 MHz band, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). It is a wireless communication using radio waves as a medium that complies with communication standards such as

Individual identification information is assigned to each of the multiple delivery boxes 2 . The memory 27 records identification information of the delivery box 2 and the like. The memory 27 may be part of a computer system that constitutes the controller 21 .

The arrival detector 28 includes, for example, a load sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera. The arrival detection unit 28 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the predetermined position is the landing space SP2. Also, the arrival detection unit 28 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has left a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the arrival detector 28 detects whether or not the aircraft 5 has taken off from the landing space SP2.

More specifically, the arrival detector 28 of this embodiment includes a load sensor. The load sensor receives a load from the flying object 5 that has landed and outputs a detection signal indicating the magnitude of the load. The fact that the magnitude of the load detected by the load sensor exceeds the threshold corresponds to the detection that the aircraft 5 has arrived (landed) in the landing space SP2. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the load detected by the load sensor goes from exceeding the threshold to becoming equal to or less than the threshold, this corresponds to the detection that the flying object 5 has left (has taken off from) the landing space SP2. .

(3) Aircraft As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aircraft 5 includes a main body 61, a plurality of (four in FIG. 1) propellers 62, a baggage holding portion 63, and a plurality of (four in FIG. 1) propellers 62. 2) skids 64; In addition, the flying object 5 includes a control unit 51, a power unit 52, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 53, a camera 54, an arrival detection unit 55, a battery 56, a battery level detection unit 57, and a reception A unit 58 , a transmission unit 59 , a memory 60 , and a power reception unit 68 are provided.

The control unit 51 is configured by a computer system having one or more processors and memory. At least part of the functions of the control unit 51 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in memory, may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card. The control unit 51 controls the operations of the components of the aircraft 5 other than the control unit 51 .

The power unit 52 includes, for example, a plurality of motors respectively corresponding to the plurality of propellers 62, and rotates the plurality of propellers 62 individually by the driving force of the plurality of motors. The operation of the power section 52 is controlled by the control section 51 . That is, the control section 51 controls the power section 52 to control the rotation of each of the propellers 62 . Thereby, the control unit 51 can move the aircraft 5 in all directions.

The cargo holding portion 63 includes two arms 631 . The cargo holding portion 63 holds the cargo 91 by sandwiching the cargo 91 between the two arms 631 . In addition, according to the control of the control unit 51, the package holding unit 63 releases the package 91 and puts the package 91 into the case 31 of the home delivery box 2 (see FIG. 12C).

A plurality of skids 64 support the main body 61 when the aircraft 5 lands. When the aircraft 5 lands in the landing space SP2 (see FIG. 3) provided on the top surface 311 of the home delivery box 2, a plurality of skids 64 are placed on the top surface 311. FIG.

A GPS sensor 53 detects the current position of the flying object 5 . A camera 54 photographs the surroundings of the flying object 5 . When the flying object 5 flies from the delivery center 70 to the vicinity of the delivery box 2 , the positional information of the flying object 5 acquired mainly by the GPS sensor 53 is used to specify the position of the flying object 5 . When the flying object 5 reaches the vicinity of the delivery box 2 and lands in the landing space SP2, the image information acquired by the camera 54 is mainly used to identify the position of the flying object 5. The flying object 5 is further equipped with a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an electronic compass, etc. in order to control the flight motion.

The arrival detection unit 55 includes, for example, a load sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera. The arrival detection unit 55 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the predetermined position is the landing space SP2. Also, the arrival detection unit 55 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has left a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the arrival detector 55 detects whether or not the aircraft 5 has taken off.

More specifically, the arrival detector 55 of this embodiment includes a load sensor. A load sensor is attached to the skid 64 of the aircraft 5 . When the flying object 5 lands, the skid 64 rests on the top surface 311 of the home delivery box 2, thereby applying a load to the load sensor. The load sensor outputs a detection signal indicating the magnitude of the load applied to the load sensor. The fact that the magnitude of the load detected by the load sensor exceeds the threshold corresponds to the detection that the aircraft 5 has arrived (landed) in the landing space SP2. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the load detected by the load sensor goes from exceeding the threshold to becoming equal to or less than the threshold, this corresponds to the detection that the flying object 5 has left (has taken off from) the landing space SP2. .

Battery 56 is a secondary battery. As the battery 56, for example, a lithium ion battery or the like is used. The battery 56 supplies electric power for operating electric circuits and electronic parts such as the control unit 51, the power unit 52, the GPS sensor 53, etc. of the aircraft 5. FIG.

A remaining battery level detection unit 57 detects the remaining capacity of the battery 56 . The remaining battery level detection unit 57 detects the remaining capacity based on the voltage of the battery 56, for example.

The receiver 58 receives signals from the outside. The transmitter 59 transmits a signal to the outside. The receiving unit 58 and the transmitting unit 59 have a communication interface for connecting to the network 81 (see FIG. 1) and a communication interface for communicating with the receiving unit 25 and the transmitting unit 26 of the delivery box 2 without going through the network 81. , is composed of The communication method between the receiving unit 58 and the transmitting unit 59 with the delivery box 2 is, for example, a 920 MHz band specified low-power radio station (a radio station that does not require a license), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). It is a wireless communication using radio waves as a medium that complies with communication standards such as

The receiving unit 58 functions as a communication unit that receives notification of a save destination from a transmitting unit 75 (first notification unit) described later of the management terminal 7 . The evacuation destination notification is a notification specifying the delivery box 2 to which the flying object 5 is to be evacuated when the flying object 5 needs to be evacuated.

Individual identification information is assigned to each of the plurality of flying objects 5 . The memory 60 records identification information and the like of the aircraft 5 . The memory 60 may be part of a computer system that constitutes the controller 51 .

The power receiving unit 68 receives power from the wireless power supply device 23 of the delivery box 2 . The power receiving unit 68 receives power from the wireless power supply device 23 by, for example, a method of receiving radio waves or infrared rays, an electromagnetic induction method, or a magnetic resonance method. In the present embodiment, the power supply method from the wireless power supply device 23 to the power receiving unit 68 is a method of receiving radio waves. That is, the power receiving unit 68 has an antenna for receiving power from the wireless power feeding device 23 . When the power receiving unit 68 receives power by an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method, the power receiving unit 68 has a power receiving coil.

(4) Management Terminal The management terminal 7 includes a control section 71 , an input section 72 , an output section 73 , a reception section 74 , a transmission section 75 and a memory 76 .

The control unit 71 is configured by a computer system having one or more processors and memory. At least part of the functions of the control unit 71 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in memory, may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

The control unit 71 controls operations of components other than the control unit 71 in the management terminal 7 . Control portion 71 includes a determination portion 711 and a determination portion 712 .

The determination unit 711 determines whether or not the flying object 5 needs to be retracted. That is, in order to prevent the flight condition of the flying object 5 from becoming unstable in the event of bad weather, etc., the management terminal 7 sends an evacuation instruction signal to the flying object 5 to bring the flying object 5 closer to the aircraft. land in delivery box 2. The determination unit 711 acquires weather information, wind speed information, and the like, and determines whether or not the flying object 5 needs to be evacuated based on these.

The determining unit 712 determines the evacuation destination of the flying object 5 from among the multiple delivery boxes 2 when the determining unit 711 determines that the flying object 5 needs to be evacuated. Specifically, the determining unit 712 confirms whether or not there is a delivery box 2 from which another flying object 5 has not evacuated, among the plurality of delivery boxes 2, and among the delivery boxes 2, the moving distance from the flying object 5 is the largest. The short delivery box 2 is determined as the evacuation destination.

The input unit 72 is an input interface for a person to operate the management terminal 7 . Input unit 72 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

The output unit 73 is an output interface for outputting information processed by the management terminal 7 . The output unit 73 includes, for example, a display.

The receiver 74 receives signals from the outside. The transmitter 75 transmits a signal to the outside. The receiving section 74 and the transmitting section 75 are configured by a communication interface for connecting to the network 81 (see FIG. 1).

The transmission unit 75 functions as a first notification unit that notifies the flight object 5 of the evacuation destination of the flight object 5 determined by the determination unit 712 . Further, the transmission unit 75 functions as a second notification unit that transmits an evacuation notification signal to the target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes 2 .

The memory 76 records identification information for each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 and the plurality of flying objects 5 . In FIG. 1, three delivery boxes 2 are installed in each of a plurality of (three in FIG. 1) facilities F1 to F3. Each of the facilities F1 to F3 is, for example, an apartment complex. The memory 76 further records position information (for example, address information and coordinates) of facilities F1 to F3 where each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 is installed. The memory 76 records the location information of each of the plurality of facilities F1 to F3 and the identification information of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 installed in each of the facilities F1 to F3 in association with each other. The memory 76 may be part of a computer system that configures the control unit 71 .

(5) Operation Example (5.1) Basic Operation The management terminal 7 causes the flying object 5 to transport the cargo 91 to the destination facilities F1 to F3 of the plurality of facilities F1 to F3. Here, it is assumed that the transport destination of the package 91 is the facility F1. In this case, the package 91 may be transported to any one of the three delivery boxes 2 installed in the facility F1.

An operation example of the home delivery system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 and 12A to 12D. In the following description, when it is said that the management terminal 7 and the flying object 5 communicate, the receiving unit 74 and the transmitting unit 75 of the managing terminal 7 and the receiving unit 58 and the transmitting unit 59 of the flying object 5 are means to communicate. Further, in the following description, when it is said that the management terminal 7 and the delivery box 2 communicate, the reception unit 74 and the transmission unit 75 of the management terminal 7 and the reception unit 25 and the transmission unit 26 of the delivery box 2 are means to communicate. In the following description, when it is said that the flying object 5 and the delivery box 2 communicate, the receiving unit 58 and the transmitting unit 59 of the flying object 5 and the receiving unit 25 and the transmitting unit 26 of the delivery box 2 are means to communicate.

In the following description, the point at which the flying object 5 receives the package 91 and departs for the delivery box 2 and the destination to which the flying object 5 moves after delivering the package 91 to the delivery box 2 are both distribution centers. 70.

First, the management terminal 7 installed in the distribution center 70 receives information indicating the transport destination of the package 91 by operating the input unit 72 (step A1: YES). Here, it is assumed that the information that the transport destination of the package 91 is the facility F1 is input. The management terminal 7 communicates with the home delivery box 2 to inquire whether or not the parcel 91 can be accepted (step A2). When there is an inquiry from the management terminal 7 to the delivery box 2 (step B1: YES), the control unit 21 of the delivery box 2 determines whether the storage space SP1 inside the case 31 is empty based on the outputs of the plurality of photoelectric sensors 24. It is determined whether or not there is (step B2). If the accommodation space SP1 is not vacant (step B2: NO), the home delivery box 2 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies that the parcel 91 cannot be accepted (step B3). If the storage space SP1 is vacant (step B2: YES), the home delivery box 2 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies that the parcel 91 can be accepted (step B4). Also, in this case, the delivery box 2 notifies the management terminal 7 of its own identification information. The management terminal 7 receives the notification that the package 91 can be accepted, or until the inquiry to all of the multiple delivery boxes 2 installed in the facility F1 is completed, the package is sequentially delivered to the multiple delivery boxes 2 installed in the facility F1. Inquires about acceptance of 91.

When the management terminal 7 receives the notification that the parcel 91 cannot be accepted in any of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 installed in the facility F1 (step A3: NO), the management terminal 7 An e-mail is sent to the mobile terminal of the owner or user of (for example, a resident of the facility F1 (a housing complex)) (step A4). This e-mail is for requesting that the parcel 91 accommodated in the home delivery box 2 be taken out. The e-mail address of the destination of the e-mail and the text of the e-mail are recorded in advance in the memory 76 of the management terminal 7 . An example of the text of the mail is the text "The box is full and the parcel cannot be sent. Please take out the parcel as soon as possible." After that, the management terminal 7 waits for a notification that the package 91 can be accepted.

On the other hand, when the management terminal 7 receives the notification that the parcel 91 can be received in one of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 installed in the facility F1 (step A3: YES), the management terminal 7 determines the reception destination of the parcel 91. The delivery box 2 is notified of the shipment (step A5). When the delivery box 2 receives the shipping notification (step B5: YES), the four display units 29 blink (step B6). The staff member of the delivery center 70 turns on the power of the flying object 5 (step C1: YES), causes the baggage holding section 63 of the flying object 5 to hold the baggage 91, and obtains information (eg, coordinates) of the destination of the baggage 91. is input to the flying object 5 (step C2: YES). The operation of inputting the information of the transport destination of the cargo 91 into the aircraft 5 is performed by, for example, a staff member inputting the information into the management terminal 7 and the information being transmitted from the management terminal 7 to the aircraft 5 .

After that, the staff makes the aircraft 5 fly. That is, the flying object 5 starts carrying the baggage 91 (step C3).

The flying object 5 flies while confirming its own position with the GPS sensor 53 . After departing from the delivery center 70, the flying object 5 continuously communicates with the management terminal 7. - 特許庁The aircraft 5 continues to determine whether or not an evacuation instruction signal has been input from the management terminal 7 during flight (step C4). The operation of the home delivery system 1 when the evacuation instruction signal is input will be described later. Here, it is assumed that the flying object 5 has arrived near a plurality of home delivery boxes 2 of the target (destination) facility F1 (step C5: YES).

The flying object 5 photographs its surroundings with a camera 54 . By analyzing the image captured by camera 54, control unit 51 identifies the delivery box 2 to which parcel 91 is to be received from among the plurality of delivery boxes 2 installed in facility F1. For example, individual letters or symbols are attached to the delivery box 2 , and the control unit 51 reads the letters or symbols from the image captured by the camera 54 to identify the delivery box to which the parcel 91 is received. Identify 2.

Further, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the four display units 29 are captured by the camera 54 by analyzing the images captured by the camera 54 . When the four display units 29 are captured by the camera 54, the control unit 51 derives the determination result that the area surrounded by the four display units 29 is the opening 310, and the surrounding area is the landing area. A determination result that it is the space SP2 is derived. The flying object 5 attempts to land on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 of the home delivery box 2 so that a plurality of skids 64 are arranged in the space SP2 and placed on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 of the delivery box 2 (step C6).

At least one of the arrival detection unit 55 of the flying object 5 and the arrival detecting unit 28 of the delivery box 2 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at the space SP2. That is, at least one of the arrival detector 55 and the arrival detector 28 detects whether or not the aircraft 5 has landed on the upper surface 311 . Here, it is assumed that only the arrival detector 55 of the flying object 5 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has landed on the upper surface 311 (step C7).

When the arrival detection unit 55 detects landing (step C7: YES), the flying object 5 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies the completion of landing (step C8). In other words, the transmitting unit 59 of the flying object 5 transmits to the management terminal 7 a detection result indicating that it has arrived (in this case, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310 of the delivery box 2. do. As a result, information on whether or not the aircraft 5 has landed in each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 is collected in the management terminal 7 .

When the management terminal 7 is notified of the completion of landing from the flying object 5 (step A6: YES), it transmits an arrival notification signal to the receiving section 25 of the delivery box 2 (step A7). The arrival notification signal is a signal indicating that the flying object 5 has arrived (here, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310 of the delivery box 2 .

When the reception unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal (step B7: YES), the control unit 21 of the home delivery box 2 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the door 32, thereby opening the opening 310 (step B8). ). That is, when the flying object 5 lands in the delivery box 2, the opening 310 changes from the closed state shown in FIG. 12A to the open state shown in FIG. 12B. After the door drive unit 22 opens the opening 310, the delivery box 2 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies that the opening 310 has been opened (step B9).

When the management terminal 7 receives the notification from the delivery box 2 (step A8: YES), it communicates with the flying object 5 and instructs it to throw the package 91 into the case 31 of the delivery box 2 (step A9).

When receiving the instruction from the management terminal 7 (step C9: YES), the flying object 5 releases the holding of the baggage 91 by the baggage holding section 63 and passes the baggage 91 to the case 31 through the opening 310 of the home delivery box 2. Throw in (step C10, see FIG. 12C).

A plurality of photoelectric sensors 24 of delivery box 2 detect that package 91 has been put into case 31 (step B10: YES). Then, the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to close the door 32, thereby closing the opening 310 (step B11, see FIG. 12D).

When the flying object 5 is still landed in the case 31 of the delivery box 2 and the remaining capacity of the battery 56 detected by the remaining battery level detection unit 57 of the flying object 5 is equal to or less than the threshold (step C11: YES), flight The body 5 communicates with the management terminal 7 and requests charging to the management terminal 7 (step C12).

When the management terminal 7 receives the charging request from the flying object 5 (step A10: YES), it communicates with the delivery box 2 and requests charging to the delivery box 2 (step A11).

When the home delivery box 2 receives the charging request from the management terminal 7 (step B12: YES), the wireless power supply device 23 wirelessly supplies power to the battery 56 via the power receiving unit 68 of the aircraft 5 (step B13). .

The opening 310 of the delivery box 2 is kept closed while power is being supplied to the aircraft 5 . That is, when a signal indicating a request for charging the flying object 5 is input, the control unit 21 of the home delivery box 2 causes the door driving unit 22 to close the opening 310 and the wireless power feeding device 23 to fly. Power the body 5 .

When the remaining capacity of the battery 56 detected by the remaining battery level detection unit 57 of the flying object 5 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold (for example, when the battery 56 reaches a fully charged state) (step C13: YES), the flying object 5 connects to the management terminal. 7 to notify the completion of charging (step C14).

When receiving the charging completion notification (step A12: YES), the management terminal 7 notifies the delivery box 2 of the charging completion (step A13).

When the home delivery box 2 receives the charging completion notification from the management terminal 7 (step B14: YES), the wireless power supply device 23 ends power supply to the aircraft 5 (step B15).

After notifying the charging completion (step A13), the management terminal 7 communicates with the flying object 5 and instructs the flying object 5 to Issue a takeoff instruction (step A15). Further, when the remaining capacity of the battery 56 is equal to or greater than the threshold and charging is not required (step C11: NO), the flying object 5 notifies the management terminal 7 that charging is not requested. After receiving this notification (step A10: NO), the management terminal 7 communicates with the flying object 5 to 5 is instructed to take off (step A15).

When the aircraft 5 receives the takeoff instruction from the management terminal 7 (step C15: YES), it starts a takeoff operation (step C16). When the arrival detector 55 detects that the flying object 5 has taken off (step C17: YES), the flying object 5 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies the management terminal 7 of takeoff (step C18). When the flying object 5 arrives at the delivery center 70 (step C19: YES), the flying object 5 finishes its operation.

When the management terminal 7 receives the takeoff notification from the flying object 5 (step A16: YES), it notifies the delivery box 2 of the takeoff (step A17).

When the delivery box 2 receives the takeoff notification from the management terminal 7 (step B16: YES), it ends the operation. Also, even if there is no charging request from the management terminal 7 (step B12: NO), the home delivery box 2 ends the operation when it receives a takeoff notification from the management terminal 7 (step B16: YES).

As described above, the work of transporting the package 91 to the home delivery box 2 by the flying body 5 and the work of returning the flying body 5 to the distribution center 70 after the transportation are finished.

(5.2) Retreat Operation The GPS sensor 53 of the flying object 5 detects the positional information of the flying object 5 . The management terminal 7 acquires the position information of the aircraft 5 while it is transporting the cargo 91 or during the transportation of the cargo 91 and returning to the delivery center 70 from the aircraft 5 . The management terminal 7 instructs the flying object 5 to evacuate if the weather is expected to deteriorate at the current position of the flying object 5 . The management terminal 7 may automatically determine whether to instruct evacuation or not, or may be determined by a person based on information obtained by the management terminal 7 or the like. Here, it is assumed that the person determines that the evacuation instruction is to be issued, and performs an evacuation input for executing the evacuation instruction to the input unit 72 of the management terminal 7 (step A18: YES). In FIG. 6, it is described that the presence/absence of the retraction input is determined when the information indicating the transport destination of the load 91 is not input (step A1: No). However, the management terminal 7 always executes steps A1 and A18, and constantly monitors whether or not there is an evacuation input. In other words, the staff of the distribution center 70 can make an evacuation input at any time.

When the evacuation input is performed, the management terminal 7 searches for the delivery box 2 closest to the current position of the aircraft 5 . When the management terminal 7 confirms that no other aircraft 5 has evacuated to this home delivery box 2, it determines this home delivery box 2 as the evacuation destination. The management terminal 7 instructs the flying object 5 to evacuate to the home delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination (step A19), and furthermore, transmits an e-mail to the portable terminal of the owner of the home delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination (step A19). A20). This e-mail is an e-mail notifying that the flying object 5 will be evacuated to the delivery box 2 . The e-mail address of the destination of the e-mail and the text of the e-mail are recorded in advance in the memory 76 of the management terminal 7 . An example of the text of the e-mail is a text that reads, "This is not the transport of your luggage. This is an emergency evacuation due to weather or the like." Further, the management terminal 7 requests the evacuation destination home delivery box 2 (step A21). That is, the management terminal 7 transmits an evacuation notification signal indicating an evacuation request for the aircraft 5 to the delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination.

When receiving the evacuation instruction (step C4: YES), the flying object 5 moves to the evacuation destination delivery box 2 designated by the management terminal 7 according to the evacuation instruction. That is, the flying object 5 sets the evacuation destination delivery box 2 as the new destination of the flying object 5 (step C20). When the flying object 5 reaches the vicinity of the evacuation destination (step C5), it lands in the landing space SP2 of the delivery box 2 in the same manner as when landing on the delivery box 2 to which the package 91 is transferred. Since the flying object 5 communicates with the management terminal 7 and notifies the completion of landing (step C8), the management terminal 7 collects information as to whether the flying object 5 has evacuated to each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2. be done.

Here, if the home delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination is not the delivery destination of the package 91, the management terminal 7 does not instruct the flying object 5 to put in (step C9: NO). wait without In other words, when the management terminal 7 has instructed the flying object 5 to evacuate (step C21: YES), the flying object 5 does not carry out the task of throwing in the luggage 91 (see step C10). Also, in this case, since the control terminal 7 has not sent the delivery to the home delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination (see steps A5 and B5), the home delivery box 2 keeps the opening 310 closed. More specifically, when the control unit 21 of the delivery box 2 receives the evacuation notification signal indicating the evacuation request of the aircraft 5, the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to keep the opening 310 closed. That is, when the evacuation notification signal is input, the control unit 21 determines that the flying object 5 has arrived (in this case, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310 of the delivery box 2. Even if it is detected, the door driving section 22 is caused to keep the opening section 310 in the closed state. Landing of the flying object 5 is detected by, for example, the arrival detection unit 55 of the flying object 5 , and the detection result is sent to the delivery box 2 .

When the management terminal 7 cancels the evacuation instruction and instructs the flying object 5 to take off (step A15, step C15: YES), the flying object 5 takes off and heads for the destination of the cargo 91 .

Note that the flying object 5 can receive power from the delivery box 2 at any point in time between landing at the delivery box 2 at the evacuation destination and taking off. That is, when the control unit 21 of the home delivery box 2 receives a landing notification indicating that the aircraft 5 has landed from the management terminal 7 (step B17: YES) and also receives a charging request (step B12: YES), the wireless power feeding device 23 to the power receiving unit 68 of the aircraft 5 (step B13). At this time as well, the opening 310 of the delivery box 2 is kept closed.

(Modification 1)
A home delivery system 1 according to Modification 1 will be described below. Configurations similar to those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the embodiment described above, the arrival detector 55 of the flying object 5 detects landing of the flying object 5 . In contrast, in Modification 1, the arrival detection unit 28 of the delivery box 2 detects the landing of the aircraft 5 .

When the arrival detection unit 28 detects that the flying object 5 has arrived (in this case, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310 of the delivery box 2, the control unit 21 of the delivery box 2 closes the door. The drive unit 22 is caused to open the opening 310 . Furthermore, the transmission unit 26 of the delivery box 2 transmits the detection result of the arrival detection unit 28 to the management terminal 7 .

Similar to the embodiment, according to Modification 1, it is possible to detect the landing of the aircraft 5 and open the opening 310 accordingly. In addition, in the present modified example 1 as well, since the detection result of the arrival detection unit 28 is transmitted to the management terminal 7, the information as to whether or not the flying object 5 has landed in each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 is sent to the management terminal 7. can be aggregated.

(Modification 2)
A home delivery system 1 according to Modification 2 will be described below. Configurations similar to those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the home delivery system 1 of Modification 2, when the arrival detection unit 55 of the flight object 5 detects that the flight object 5 has landed in the delivery box 2, the flight object 5 detects the detection result of the arrival detection unit 55 as The mail is transmitted to the home delivery box 2 without going through the management terminal 7. - 特許庁That is, when the arrival detection unit 55 detects that the flying object 5 has arrived (here, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2), the transmitting unit 59 of the flying object 5 arrives at the receiving unit 25 of the delivery box 2. Send a notification signal. The arrival notification signal is a signal indicating that the flying object 5 has arrived (here, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310 of the delivery box 2 . Furthermore, when the receiving unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal, the transmitting unit 26 of the delivery box 2 transmits a signal indicating that the aircraft 5 has arrived (in this case, landed) at a predetermined position (space SP2). Send to The signal transmitted from the transmission unit 26 of the delivery box 2 to the management terminal 7 may be the same signal as the arrival notification signal, or may be a different signal.

A signal indicating that the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position may be transmitted from the flying object 5 to the management terminal 7 .

Similar to the embodiment, according to Modification 2, it is possible to detect the landing of the aircraft 5 and open the opening 310 accordingly. Further, in the present modified example 2 as well, since the detection result of the arrival detection unit 28 is transmitted to the management terminal 7, the information as to whether or not the flying object 5 has landed in each of the plurality of delivery boxes 2 is transmitted to the management terminal 7. can be aggregated.

(Other modifications)
Other modifications of the embodiment are listed below. The following modified examples may be implemented in combination as appropriate. Further, the following modifications may be realized by appropriately combining with modification 1 or 2.

The management terminal 7 or the aircraft 5 may be an external component of the home delivery system 1 .

In the home delivery system 1 , at least one of the arrival detection unit 55 of the flying object 5 and the arrival detection unit 28 of the delivery box 2 should detect the landing of the flying object 5 . Therefore, one of the arrival detectors 55 and 28 may be omitted.

Further, the flying object 5 or the delivery box 2 may determine that the flying object 5 has arrived when both the arrival detection unit 55 and the arrival detection unit 28 detect the landing of the flying object 5 . As a result, erroneous detection can be suppressed.

The number of power transmission units 231 of the wireless power supply device 23 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. Also, three or more power transmission units 231 may be arranged at equal intervals along the periphery of the opening 310 .

The light projecting part 241 and the light receiving part 242 of the photoelectric sensor 24 may be attached to the inner wall of the case 31 . Also, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity switch, or the like may be used instead of the photoelectric sensor 24 .

Door 32 may be a hinged door or a sliding door. Further, the door 32 may also serve as a door that is opened by the user of the home delivery box 2 to take out the package 91 .

The upper surface 311 of the delivery box 2 may be an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

The arrival detection unit 28 or 55 of the embodiment detects whether or not the aircraft 5 has arrived at a predetermined position, and the predetermined position is the landing space SP2. Here, the predetermined position may be in the air above the opening 310, for example. When the predetermined position is in the air, the flying object 5 may land in the landing space SP2 and then throw the baggage 91 into the case 31, or may place the baggage 91 into the case 31 while remaining in the air. You can put in. Also, the predetermined position may be, for example, a point in the air near the delivery box 2 where the flying object 5 passes.

A plurality of delivery boxes 2 installed in one facility may share a part of the configuration. For example, multiple delivery boxes 2 may share the receiving section 25 and the transmitting section 26 .

It is not essential that the display section 29 emit light, and the display section 29 may be, for example, a printed symbol or the like. The display unit 29 may be directly printed on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 , or a sticker on which a symbol for the display unit 29 is printed may be attached to the upper surface 311 .

The determination of whether or not the flying object 5 needs charging may be performed by the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2 instead of the flying object 5 . That is, information on the remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detection unit 57 of the flying object 5 is transmitted to the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2, and the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2 responds to the request for charging. You may judge no.

The determination unit 711 and the determination unit 712 of the management terminal 7 may be distributed over a plurality of housings. Also, the flying object 5 may include at least one of the determination unit 711 and the determination unit 712 .

When the wireless power supply device 23 of the delivery box 2 supplies power to the flying object 5 , the management terminal 7 may give points according to the amount of power supplied to the person who pays the electricity charges of the delivery box 2 . Points can be exchanged for money, goods or services.

A function similar to that of the home delivery system 1 may be embodied by a home delivery method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium recording the program, or the like.

A home delivery method according to one aspect is a method of transporting a package 91 to a home delivery box 2 . The delivery box 2 includes a case 31 having an opening 310 , a door 32 that opens and closes the opening 310 , and a door driver 22 . The door drive unit 22 drives the door 32 to bring the opening 310 into either a closed state or an open state. In the home delivery method, when it is detected that the aircraft 5 carrying the parcel 91 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310, the door drive unit 22 opens the opening 310. and a process of causing the door drive unit 22 to close the opening 310 when it is detected that the flying object 5 has thrown the cargo 91 into the case 31 through the opening 310 .

A home delivery method according to another aspect is the home delivery method described above, in which a plurality of home delivery boxes 2 are provided. The home delivery method includes determination processing for determining whether or not evacuation of the flying object 5 is necessary, and selection of the evacuation destination of the flying object 5 from a plurality of delivery boxes 2 when it is determined in the judgment processing that evacuation of the flying object 5 is required. It further includes a determination process for making a decision and a process for causing the door drive unit 22 of the target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes 2 to maintain the opening 310 in the closed state.

A home delivery system 1 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The functions of the home delivery system 1 of the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided. A processor in a computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuit such as IC or LSI referred to here is called differently depending on the degree of integration, and includes integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). In addition, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partitions inside the LSI may also be adopted as the processor. can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip, or may be distributed over a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. A computer system, as used herein, includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Accordingly, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits or large scale integrated circuits.

In addition, it is not an essential configuration of the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2 that a plurality of functions of the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2 of the delivery system 1 are integrated in one housing. The two components may be distributed over a plurality of housings. Furthermore, at least part of the functions of the management terminal 7 or the delivery box 2, for example, part of the functions of the control unit 71 of the management terminal 7 may be realized by the cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

(summary)
The following aspects are disclosed from the embodiments and the like described above.

The delivery box 2 according to the first aspect includes a case 31 having an opening 310, a door 32 that opens and closes the opening 310, a door drive unit 22, a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the door drive unit 22, Prepare. The door drive unit 22 drives the door 32 to bring the opening 310 into either a closed state or an open state. When the control unit 21 detects that the aircraft 5 carrying the cargo 91 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310, the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the opening 310. When it is detected that the flying object 5 throws the cargo 91 into the case 31 through the opening 310, the door driving section 22 closes the opening 310. As shown in FIG.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve crime prevention compared to the case where the opening 310 is kept open even after the luggage 91 is thrown into the case 31 .

In addition, the delivery box 2 according to the second aspect further includes the wireless power feeding device 23 in the first aspect. The wireless power supply device 23 supplies power to the aircraft 5 . When a signal indicating a request to charge the flying object 5 is input, the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to close the opening 310 and feed the flying object 5 from the wireless power supply device 23 .

According to the above configuration, since the aircraft 5 can be charged, the possibility that the power supply of the aircraft 5 will run out during flight of the aircraft 5 can be reduced. In addition, since the opening 310 is closed when the flying object 5 is charged, it is possible to improve crime prevention compared to when the opening 310 is open.

Moreover, in the delivery box 2 according to the third aspect, the case 31 includes the upper surface 311 in which the opening 310 is formed in the second aspect. The upper surface 311 of the case 31 has a space SP2 where the flying object 5 lands. The wireless power supply device 23 has a power transmission section 231 that transmits power to the outside. The power transmission section 231 is provided on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 .

According to the above configuration, both the opening 310 and the power transmission section 231 are provided on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 , so that the aircraft 5 lands on the upper surface 311 of the case 31 so that the cargo 91 can be transferred to the case. 31 and charging the aircraft 5 can both be performed.

In addition, in the delivery box 2 according to the fourth aspect, the wireless power supply device 23 has a plurality of power transmission units 231 in the third aspect. The upper surface 311 of the case 31 has a space SP2 around the opening 310 where the aircraft 5 lands. A plurality of power transmission units 231 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction along the periphery of opening 310 .

According to the above configuration, it is easy to charge the flying object 5 regardless of the orientation of the flying object 5 .

Further, in the home delivery box 2 according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the evacuation notification signal indicating the evacuation request of the aircraft 5 is input, the control unit 21 drives the door. Causes portion 22 to keep opening 310 closed.

According to the above configuration, when the aircraft 5 arrives at the predetermined position (space SP2) for the purpose of evacuation and the baggage 91 is not thrown in, the opening 310 can be maintained in the closed state. Further improvement can be achieved.

In addition, the delivery box 2 according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, further includes a sensor (photoelectric sensor 24). The sensor detects whether the housing space SP1 inside the case 31 is empty.

According to the above configuration, when the sensor (photoelectric sensor 24) outputs a detection result that there is no space in the accommodation space SP1, it is possible to take measures such as taking out the package 91. FIG.

Further, in the home delivery box 2 according to the seventh aspect, the sensor (photoelectric sensor 24 ) further detects whether or not the package 91 has been thrown into the case 31 in the sixth aspect.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to use both the sensor for detecting the loading of the baggage 91 and the sensor for detecting whether or not the storage space SP1 is vacant.

In addition, the delivery box 2 according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, further includes a receiving section 25 for receiving a signal from the outside. When the reception unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal indicating that the aircraft 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2), the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the opening 310 .

According to the above configuration, the delivery box 2 does not need to be equipped with the arrival detection unit 28 for detecting whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2). can be reduced.

In addition, the delivery box 2 according to the ninth aspect further includes an arrival detector 28 in any one of the first to seventh aspects. The arrival detection unit 28 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2). When the arrival detector 28 detects that the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position, the controller 21 causes the door driver 22 to open the opening 310 .

According to the above configuration, the delivery box 2 does not need to acquire information on whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2) by communicating with the outside. can be reduced.

In addition, the delivery box 2 according to the tenth aspect further includes a transmitter 26 in the ninth aspect. The transmission unit 26 transmits the detection result of the arrival detection unit 28 to the management terminal 7 .

According to the above configuration, the status of the aircraft 5 can be managed at the management terminal 7 .

Configurations other than the first aspect are not essential to the home delivery box 2, and can be omitted as appropriate.

Further, the home delivery system 1 according to the eleventh aspect includes the home delivery box 2 and the aircraft 5 in any one of the first to tenth aspects.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve crime prevention compared to the case where the opening 310 is kept open even after the luggage 91 is thrown into the case 31 .

In addition, the home delivery system 1 according to the twelfth aspect further includes a management terminal 7 in the eleventh aspect. The delivery box 2 further includes a receiver 25 that receives signals from the outside. When the reception unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal indicating that the aircraft 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2), the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the opening 310 . The aircraft 5 includes an arrival detector 55 and a transmitter 59 . The arrival detection unit 55 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position. The transmission unit 59 transmits the detection result of the arrival detection unit 55 to the management terminal 7 . When the management terminal 7 receives the detection result indicating that the flying object 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2) from the transmission section 59, it transmits an arrival notification signal to the reception section 25. FIG.

According to the above configuration, the management terminal 7 receives the detection result indicating that the flying object 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2), so the management terminal 7 can manage the status of the flying object 5 .

In addition, in the home delivery system 1 according to the thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the delivery box 2 further includes a receiving section 25 that receives a signal from the outside. When the reception unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal indicating that the aircraft 5 has arrived at the predetermined position (space SP2), the control unit 21 causes the door driving unit 22 to open the opening 310 . The aircraft 5 includes an arrival detector 55 and a transmitter 59 . The arrival detection unit 55 detects whether or not the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2). The transmitter 59 transmits an arrival notification signal to the receiver 25 when the arrival detector 55 detects that the flying object 5 has arrived at a predetermined position.

According to the above configuration, since the arrival detection signal is transmitted from the flying object 5 to the delivery box 2 without going through the management terminal 7, the time required until the arrival detection signal is received by the delivery box 2 can be shortened. .

In addition, in the home delivery system 1 according to the fourteenth aspect, the delivery box 2 further includes a transmitter 26 in the thirteenth aspect. When the receiving unit 25 receives the arrival notification signal, the transmitting unit 26 transmits to the management terminal 7 a signal indicating that the aircraft 5 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2).

According to the above configuration, the status of the aircraft 5 can be managed at the management terminal 7 .

Further, the delivery system 1 according to the fifteenth aspect includes a plurality of delivery boxes 2 in any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects. The home delivery system 1 includes a determination unit 711, a determination unit 712, a first notification unit (transmission unit 75), and a second notification unit (transmission unit 75). The determination unit 711 determines whether or not the flying object 5 needs to be retracted. The determining unit 712 determines the evacuation destination of the flying object 5 from among the multiple delivery boxes 2 when the determining unit 711 determines that the flying object 5 needs to be evacuated. The first notification unit notifies the aircraft 5 of the evacuation destination determined by the determination unit 712 . The second notification unit transmits an evacuation notification signal to the target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes 2 . The aircraft 5 includes a communication section (receiving section 58). The communication unit receives notification of a save destination from the first notification unit. When the evacuation notification signal is input to the target delivery box, control unit 21 causes door driving unit 22 to keep opening 310 closed.

According to the above configuration, when the aircraft 5 arrives at the predetermined position (space SP2) for the purpose of evacuation and the baggage 91 is not thrown in, the opening 310 can be maintained in the closed state. Further improvement can be achieved. Also, the evacuation destination can be determined from a plurality of home delivery boxes 2. - 特許庁

Configurations other than the eleventh mode are not essential components of the home delivery system 1, and can be omitted as appropriate.

Also, the flying object 5 according to the sixteenth aspect is used in the home delivery system 1 according to the fifteenth aspect.

According to the above configuration, the flying object 5 can be retracted.

Also, the flying object 5 according to the seventeenth aspect is used together with the delivery box 2 according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. The delivery box 2 includes a wireless power supply device 23 . The wireless power supply device 23 supplies power to the aircraft 5 . The aircraft 5 includes a power receiving section 68 . The power receiving unit 68 receives power from the wireless power supply device 23 .

According to the above configuration, since the aircraft 5 can be charged, the possibility that the power supply of the aircraft 5 will run out during flight of the aircraft 5 can be reduced.

A home delivery method according to the eighteenth aspect is a method of transporting the package 91 to the home delivery box 2 . The delivery box 2 includes a case 31 having an opening 310 , a door 32 that opens and closes the opening 310 , and a door driver 22 . The door drive unit 22 drives the door 32 to bring the opening 310 into either a closed state or an open state. In the home delivery method, when it is detected that the aircraft 5 carrying the parcel 91 has arrived at a predetermined position (space SP2) around the opening 310, the door drive unit 22 opens the opening 310. and a process of causing the door drive unit 22 to close the opening 310 when it is detected that the flying object 5 has thrown the cargo 91 into the case 31 through the opening 310 .

According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve crime prevention compared to the case where the opening 310 is kept open even after the luggage 91 is thrown into the case 31 .

Further, the home delivery method according to the nineteenth aspect is the same as the eighteenth aspect, with a plurality of home delivery boxes 2 provided. The home delivery method includes determination processing for determining whether or not evacuation of the flying object 5 is necessary, and selection of the evacuation destination of the flying object 5 from a plurality of delivery boxes 2 when it is determined in the judgment processing that evacuation of the flying object 5 is required. It further includes a determination process for making a decision and a process for causing the door drive unit 22 of the target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes 2 to maintain the opening 310 in the closed state.

According to the above configuration, when the aircraft 5 arrives at the predetermined position (space SP2) for the purpose of evacuation and the baggage 91 is not thrown in, the opening 310 can be maintained in the closed state. Further improvement can be achieved. Also, the evacuation destination can be determined from a plurality of home delivery boxes 2. - 特許庁

Various configurations (including modified examples) of the home delivery system 1 according to the embodiment can be embodied in the home delivery method without being limited to the above aspects.

1 Delivery system 2 Delivery box 21 Control unit 22 Door drive unit 23 Wireless power supply device 231 Power transmission unit 24 Photoelectric sensor (sensor)
25 Receiver 26 Transmitter 28 Arrival detector 31 Case 310 Opening 311 Upper surface 32 Door 5 Aircraft 55 Arrival detector 58 Receiver (communication unit)
59 transmission unit 68 power reception unit 7 management terminal 711 determination unit 712 determination unit 75 transmission unit (first notification unit, second notification unit)
91 Baggage SP1 Storage space SP2 Space (predetermined position)

Claims (14)

a case including a top surface and having an opening in the top surface ;
a door that opens and closes the opening;
a door drive unit that drives the door to set the opening to either a closed state or an open state;
a control unit that controls the operation of the door drive unit,
When it is detected that the flying object conveying the cargo has arrived at a predetermined position around the opening, the control unit causes the door driving unit to open the opening, and the flying object moves to the open state. when it is detected that the luggage has been thrown into the case through the opening, causing the door driving section to close the opening;
Further comprising a sensor for detecting whether or not the housing space inside the case is vacant,
The sensor further detects whether or not the luggage has been put into the case ,
The control unit causes the door driving unit to maintain the opening in the closed state when a retraction notification signal indicating a request to retract the flying object to the upper surface is input.
delivery box. further comprising a wireless power supply device that supplies power to the flying object;
When a signal indicating a request for charging the flying object is input, the control unit causes the door driving unit to cause the opening to be in the closed state, and causes the wireless power supply device to feed power to the flying object. ,
The home delivery box according to claim 1. the upper surface of the case has a space for the aircraft to land;
The wireless power supply device has a power transmission unit that transmits power to the outside,
The power transmission unit is provided on the upper surface of the case,
The home delivery box according to claim 2. The wireless power supply device has a plurality of the power transmission units,
the upper surface of the case has the space around the opening for the aircraft to land on,
The plurality of power transmission units are arranged at different positions in a circumferential direction along the peripheral edge of the opening.
The home delivery box according to claim 3. further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a signal from the outside,
When the reception unit receives an arrival notification signal indicating that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position, the control unit causes the door drive unit to open the opening.
The home delivery box according to any one of claims 1 to 4. further comprising an arrival detection unit that detects whether the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position;
When the arrival detection unit detects that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position, the control unit causes the door drive unit to open the opening.
The home delivery box according to any one of claims 1 to 4. further comprising a transmission unit that transmits a detection result of the arrival detection unit to a management terminal;
The home delivery box according to claim 6. a delivery box according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
and
home delivery system. further equipped with a management terminal,
The delivery box further includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from the outside,
When the reception unit receives an arrival notification signal indicating that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position, the control unit causes the door drive unit to open the opening,
The aircraft is
an arrival detection unit that detects whether or not the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position;
a transmission unit that transmits a detection result of the arrival detection unit to the management terminal;
When the management terminal receives the detection result indicating that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position from the transmission unit, the management terminal transmits the arrival notification signal to the reception unit.
The home delivery system according to claim 8. The delivery box further includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from the outside,
When the reception unit receives an arrival notification signal indicating that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position, the control unit causes the door drive unit to open the opening,
The aircraft is
an arrival detection unit that detects whether or not the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position;
a transmission unit that transmits the arrival notification signal to the reception unit when the arrival detection unit detects that the flying object has arrived at the predetermined position;
The home delivery system according to claim 8. The delivery box further comprises a transmission unit that transmits a signal indicating that the aircraft has arrived at the predetermined position to the management terminal when the reception unit receives the arrival notification signal.
The home delivery system according to claim 10. comprising a plurality of delivery boxes;
a determination unit that determines whether the flying object needs to be evacuated;
a decision unit that decides the evacuation destination of the flying object from among the plurality of home delivery boxes when the deciding unit determines that the flying object needs to be evacuated;
a first notification unit that notifies the aircraft of the evacuation destination determined by the determination unit;
a second notification unit that transmits the evacuation notification signal to a target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes;
The flying object comprises a communication unit that receives notification of the evacuation destination from the first notification unit,
When the evacuation notification signal is input to the target delivery box, the control unit causes the door driving unit to maintain the opening in the closed state.
The home delivery system according to any one of claims 8-11. a case including a top surface and having an opening in the top surface;
a door that opens and closes the opening;
a door drive unit that drives the door to set the opening to either a closed state or an open state;
A delivery method for transporting a package to a delivery box comprising a sensor,
a process of causing the door driving unit to open the opening when it is detected that the flying object carrying the cargo has arrived at a predetermined position around the opening;
a process of causing the door driving unit to close the opening when it is detected that the flying object has thrown the baggage into the case through the opening;
a process of detecting, by the sensor, whether or not the storage space inside the case is vacant, and whether or not the baggage has been put into the case;
a process of causing the door driving unit to maintain the opening in the closed state when a retraction notification signal indicating a request to retract the flying object to the upper surface is input to the delivery box;
Courier method. A plurality of delivery boxes are provided,
a determination process for determining whether the flying object needs to be evacuated;
a determination process for determining the evacuation destination of the flying object from among the plurality of delivery boxes when it is determined in the determination process that the flying object needs to be evacuated;
inputting the evacuation notification signal to a target delivery box corresponding to the evacuation destination among the plurality of delivery boxes;
The home delivery method according to claim 13.

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