JPWO2020075250A1 - Information processing equipment, stocker and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The information processing device of the present disclosure is used for a stocker having a delivery storage that can be locked and unlocked by an operator's operation, and it is determined that the articles stored in the delivery storage have exceeded a predetermined retention period. Occasionally, the management status of this item is switched from storage to shipping, and the shipping address information corresponding to this item is output.

Description

This specification discloses an information processing device, a stocker, and an information processing method.

Conventionally, as a stocker, for example, when a product ordered by a customer is delivered and received, the product is stored in a locked state and unlocked when the password notified from the server is input and verified. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The stocker is said to be able to ensure privacy for customers and improve convenience.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-58790

However, in the stocker of Patent Document 1, if the customer does not come to receive the product by the deadline, the management server issues a collection password, notifies the delivery company of the product collection request, and collects the long-term retained product. It was something to do. Since such a recovery process is time-consuming, it has been desired to take some measures.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve such a problem, and its main purpose is to provide an information processing device, a stocker, and an information processing method capable of further reducing the time and effort for the articles staying in the delivery room. And.

The information processing apparatus, stocker, and information processing method of the present disclosure have adopted the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

The information processing device of the present disclosure is
An information processing device used in a stocker that has a delivery room that can be locked and unlocked by the operation of the operator.
When it is determined that the article stored in the delivery room has exceeded the predetermined retention period, the information control unit that switches the management status of the article from storage to shipping and outputs the information of the shipping destination corresponding to the article.
It is equipped with.

When it is determined that the item stored in the stocker's delivery room has exceeded the predetermined retention period, this information processing device switches the management status of this item (also referred to as the retention item) from storage to shipping, and responds to this item. Output the shipping address. That is, this information processing device changes the setting to process the goods as shipments, and the long-term staying goods are shipped by the shipping company, so that there is no need to separately perform collection processing such as a collection request for goods. .. As described above, in this information processing device, it is possible to further reduce the time and effort for the articles staying in the delivery room.

The schematic explanatory view which shows an example of the article management system 10 and the stocker system 11. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information stored in the storage part 53. A flowchart showing an example of a storage management processing routine. A flowchart showing an example of a stagnant product status switching processing routine. Explanatory drawing of usage status information 57 in which a part of management status was switched to shipping. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen 70 displayed on the display operation unit 42.

Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of the article management system 10 and the stocker system 11 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of correspondence information 56 and usage status information 57 stored in the storage unit 53 of the control device 50. The goods management system 10 is a system for managing physical distribution, and includes a stocker system 11 and a delivery system 60.

The stocker system 11 includes a stocker management device 30 and one or more stockers 40. The stocker management device 30 is configured as a server that manages the usage status of the stocker 40 and exchanges information with the stocker 40 via the network 13. The stocker management device 30 includes a control unit 31 and a communication unit 38. The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU 32, a storage unit 33, and the like, and controls the entire device. The storage unit 33 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 38 communicates with an external device such as the stocker 40. The storage unit 33 stores stocker information 34, usage information database (DB) 35, and the like. The stocker information 34 includes, for example, information such as an identification number and a placement location of the stocker 40 included in the stocker system 11. In the usage information DB 35, information such as correspondence information 56 and usage status information 57 stored in each stocker 40 is aggregated and stored. The usage information DB 35 stores not only the current usage status of the stocker 40 but also usage records.

The stocker 40 is used by the user 14 like a mailbox when shipping the article 17 to a desired destination, and is also used when the article 17 delivered from the delivery collection point 69 is delivered to the user 14. It is a device. The stocker 40 can also be used as a coin locker in which the user 14 temporarily stores the article 17. The stocker 40 can be used by a large number of users 14, and is installed in various places such as stores 21 such as convenience stores, offices, and various public facilities so that goods 17 can be received when going out such as commuting to work or school. ing. The stocker 40 includes a plurality of lockable (for example, 11) delivery boxes 41. Each of the delivery storage 41 has an internal space capable of accommodating the article 17, the front door 44, the lock mechanism 45 for locking and unlocking the door 44, and the presence / absence of the article in the delivery storage 41. It includes an article sensor 46 for detecting and an opening / closing sensor 47 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 44. The article sensor 46 may be a non-contact type sensor using light or a contact type sensor using an element. A control device 50 as an information processing device is housed in one of the delivery boxes 41, and a display operation unit 42, a reading device 43, and a printing unit 49 are arranged on the door 44 thereof. The display operation unit 42 is a touch panel arranged on the front surface of the stocker 40, and displays various information to the delivery collector 19 and the user 14 of the article 17 and inputs various operations from the delivery collector 19 and the user 14. I do. The reading device 43 is a code reader that reads an unlocking code (for example, a password) or an ID used by the user 14 or the delivery collector 19 to unlock the delivery room 41.

The control device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a communication unit 58. The control unit 51 is composed of a CPU 52, a storage unit 53, and the like, and controls the entire device. The storage unit 53 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 58 communicates with an external device such as the stocker management device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 53 stores correspondence information 56, usage status information 57, and the like. The correspondence information 56 and the usage status information 57 are the same as those included in the usage information DB 35. The stocker management device 30 and the stocker 40 synchronize these information with the latest one by communicating with each other. Correspondence information 56 is information in which a trader name, a trader ID (identification information), a residence period, and a shipping destination at the time of stay are associated with each other. The residence period is set for each trader as a period for which the article 17 needs to be collected in a state where the article 17 is left unreceived. This residence period is set to, for example, one day for a delivery company that handles fresh food, one week for a delivery company that handles non-perishable food, and three days for temporary storage as a coin locker. There is. The shipping address at the time of retention is information on the destination of the article 17 (also referred to as a retained item) whose retention period has expired. For example, in the case of a delivery item, it may be the address of the delivery collection point 69 of the delivery company, or it may be temporarily stored. Then, it may be the address of a lost property storage place (for example, a police station). The usage status information 57 handles the delivery storage name (delivery storage ID), the management status, the storage ID associated with the stored goods 17, the information on the date and time when the storage management was started, and the goods 17. Information such as the ID of the trader and the information of the shipping address at the time of staying is included. The delivery warehousing ID is information that can identify the delivery warehousing, and examples thereof include a delivery warehousing number. The management status is information indicating the current status of the article 17, and includes, for example, "storage" during temporary storage or waiting for receipt, "shipping" waiting for collection, "unused" in the delivery room 41, and the like. This management status may include more detailed information such as waiting for receipt, waiting for collection, temporary storage, and the like. The storage ID is identification information given by the stocker 40 so that the article 17 can be distinguished from other articles 17 when the article 17 is stored in the delivery storage 41 and the storage management in the stocker 40 is started. The management start date and time is used to calculate the residence period. The handling company ID is information that identifies the company in charge of moving the article 17, and is the same as that included in the corresponding information 56. The shipping address at the time of stay is determined according to the trader in charge of moving the article 17, and is the same as that included in the correspondence information 56. The usage status information 57 is updated to the latest information at predetermined intervals.

The delivery system 60 is a system used for management when delivering and collecting articles 17. Although one trader is shown in FIG. 1, there may be a plurality of traders such as trader 1 and trader 2. The delivery management PC 61 is a computer arranged in the delivery collection area 69, and manages information in the distribution state of the article 17. The delivery management PC 61 includes a control unit 62, a storage unit 63, and a communication unit 68. The control unit 62 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire device. The storage unit 63 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 68 communicates with other delivery management PCs 61, stocker management devices 30, and the like via networks 12 and 13 such as the Internet. The trader transmits a request for using the stocker 40 to the stocker management device 30 from the delivery management PC 61. Further, the trader causes the delivery collector 19 to deliver the article 17 from the delivery collection area 69 to the stocker 40, and collects the article 17 from the stocker 40 to the delivery collection area 69.

Next, the operation of the stocker system 11, particularly the process of storing the article 17 in the delivery storage 41 and taking out the article 17 from the delivery storage 41 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a storage management processing routine executed by the control device 50 of the stocker 40. This routine is stored in the storage unit 53 and is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals after the stocker 40 is activated. When this routine is started, the CPU 52 of the control device 50 first determines whether or not there is an input to the display operation unit 42 (S100), and if there is no input, ends this routine as it is. On the other hand, when there is an input to the display operation unit 42 in S100, the CPU 52 determines whether the input content is acceptance or reception of the article 17 (S110). The CPU 52 can make this determination based on, for example, the input content of the screen displayed on the display operation unit 42.

When the input content is a request for accepting the storage of the article 17, the CPU 52 determines whether or not there is a vacancy in the delivery vault 41 based on the usage status information 57 (S120), and when there is no vacancy in the delivery vault 41, Exit this routine. At this time, a message indicating that the delivery room 41 is full is displayed and output to the display operation unit 42. On the other hand, when there is a vacancy in the delivery room 41, the CPU 52 displays and outputs the reception screen to the display operation unit 42, and acquires information on the storage of the article 17 based on the input information (S130). For example, when the operator is a general user 14 and the article 17 is shipped, the CPU 52 acquires information on a request for shipping the article 17 to a desired shipping destination. This request information includes the address of the shipping address, the type of the article 17, the name and address of the requester, and the like. Further, when the operator is a general user 14 and the article 17 is temporarily stored, the CPU 52 acquires the information of the request for temporary storage. Further, when the operator is the delivery collector 19, request information including the ID of the trader, the ID of the delivered item, the password for receiving, and the like may be acquired. Next, the CPU 52 unlocks one usable delivery room 41 (S130), determines whether or not the door 44 is closed based on the signal of the open / close sensor 47 (S200), and closes the door 44. If not, just wait. On the other hand, when the door 44 is closed, the CPU 52 updates the usage status information 57, transmits and outputs the updated usage status information 57 to the stocker management device 30 (S210), and ends this routine. When the door 44 is closed, the CPU 52 confirms whether or not there is an article 17 based on the signal of the article sensor 46, and if the article 17 cannot be detected, an error screen to that effect is displayed on the display operation unit 42. Display and output to. Further, in updating the usage status information 57, the CPU 52 newly assigns a management ID corresponding to the received delivery storage 41 and the article 17, sets the current management status as "storage", and associates it with the corresponding delivery storage ID. It is stored in the usage status information 57. When the CPU 52 accepts the temporary storage, the printing unit 49 prints out information (for example, a password, a two-dimensional code, etc.) used at the time of unlocking.

On the other hand, when the input content is a request to receive the article 17 in S110, the CPU 52 determines whether the received content is the receipt of the delivered item, the receipt of the temporary storage, and the receipt of the pickup (S150). When it is determined that the pickup has been received, the CPU 52 determines whether or not there is an article 17 whose storage has been switched to shipping (S160). Here, the management status switching process will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the stagnant product status switching processing routine. This routine is stored in the storage unit 53, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals in parallel with the storage management processing routine after the stocker 40 is started. When this routine is started, the CPU 52 of the control device 50 reads the usage status information 57 (S300), sets the delivery storage 41 to be determined (S310), and provides information on the storage of the goods in the set delivery storage 41. (S320). The determination target may be set in the order of the numbers of the delivery room 41, which is the usage state of the usage status information 57, for example. Next, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the article 17 exceeds the residence period specified by the trader who handles the article 17 (S330). When the retention period has been exceeded, the management status is switched from storage to shipping (S340). After S340, or when the corresponding article 17 does not exceed the retention period, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the above determination has been made for all the delivery boxes 41 (S350), and all the delivery boxes 41 are set. When the determination is not made, the processing after S310 is executed. That is, the next delivery room 41 is set in S310, and when the corresponding article 17 exceeds the retention period, the management status is switched from storage to shipping. On the other hand, when all the delivery boxes 41 are determined in S350, the CPU 52 updates the usage status information 57 including the result of switching to the above shipping, and transmits and outputs the updated usage status information 57 to the stocker management device 30. (S360), this routine is terminated. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of usage status information 57 in which the management status of the “delivery store 2” has been switched to shipping. In the usage status information 57, information to that effect is included in the management status when the management status is switched to shipping. In this way, the stocker 40 automatically switches the status of the retained product from the storage state to the shipping state.

By the way, when there is an article 17 whose storage has been switched to shipping in S160 of the storage management processing routine, the CPU 52 causes the printing unit 49 to print out the information of the shipping destination at the time of stay as a shipping label (S170), and a message. Is displayed and output to the display operation unit 42 (S180). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the notification screen 70 displayed on the display operation unit 42. A message display field 71 and an input key 72 are arranged on the notification screen 70. The input key 72 includes, for example, an end key for ending the process, a stop key for stopping the process, a confirmation key for inputting confirmation of the content, and the like. In the message display field 71, a message indicating that there is a stagnant item whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping, a delivery storage ID containing the stagnant item, and a printed shipping label are used for shipping processing. Message is displayed and output. Based on this message, the delivery collector 19 recognizes that there is a stagnant item in the specific delivery room 41, and that the item is collected and shipped.

After S180, when there is no article 17 switched to shipping in S160, or after it is determined in S150 that the delivery or temporary storage has been received, the CPU 52 performs an unlocking process accompanied by authentication. , The door 44 is opened (S190). The CPU 52 authenticates by inputting, for example, the ID and password of the collecting company when collecting the shipped goods, and causes the user 14 to input the receiving ID and password in the receiving processing of the shipped goods and temporary storage. , Authenticate and unlock. If the entered ID or password cannot be authenticated, the CPU 52 displays an error screen to that effect. After opening the door 44, the CPU 52 waits until the door 44 is closed in S200, updates the usage status information 57 in S210, and updates the updated usage status information 57 in the stocker management device 30 in the same manner as described above. Sends and outputs to, and ends this routine. In updating the usage status information 57, the CPU 52 changes the management status of the delivery room 41 that has been received to unused and deletes the management ID. The delivery collector 19 collects this stagnant item together with the originally shipped item and sends it to a predetermined destination of the stagnant item.

Here, the correspondence between the constituent elements of the present embodiment and the constituent elements of the present invention will be clarified. The stocker 40 of the present embodiment corresponds to the stocker of the present disclosure, the control device 50 corresponds to the information processing device, the delivery storage 41 corresponds to the delivery storage, and the delivery storage ID corresponds to the identification information of the delivery storage 41. The CPU 52 corresponds to the information control unit, the display operation unit 42 corresponds to the display unit, and the printing unit 49 corresponds to the printing unit. Further, the user 14 and the delivery collector 19 correspond to the operator. Further, the information processing method of the present disclosure will be disclosed by explaining the operation of the stocker 40.

When it is determined that the article 17 stored in the delivery storage 41 exceeds the predetermined retention period, the control device 50 of the stocker 40 of the embodiment described above stores the management status of the article 17 (also referred to as a retention product). Switch from to shipping, and display and print out the shipping address information corresponding to this item. That is, the control device 50 changes the setting so that the article 17 is processed as a shipment, and the long-term staying article is shipped by the shipping company. Therefore, it is necessary to separately perform a collection process such as a collection request for the article. No. In this way, the control device 50 can further reduce the time and effort required for the article 17 staying in the delivery storage 41.

Further, the stocker 40 is also used for accommodating the article 17 for shipping, and a collector who collects the article 17 for shipping is defined, and the control device 50 outputs a shipping label used by the collector. In this control device 50, since the collector is predetermined, the stagnant articles 17 are delivered to the delivery storage 41 by the same processing of collection and shipping as usual without using another processing method of collecting the articles 17. Can be sent from. Further, in the control device 50, when there is an article 17 whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping when the collector performs the pickup process, the delivery storage ID (identification information) in which the article 17 whose management status has been switched is accommodated. ) Is displayed and output separately from the shipping address information. Since the identification information of the delivery storage 41 is also displayed and output in the control device 50, the collector can more reliably grasp the stagnant articles 17 and is less likely to make a mistake in handling them.

Further, the stocker 40 is used for one or more of the delivery storage 41 for shipping the article 17, the delivery storage 41 for delivery of the article 17, and the coin locker for temporarily storing the article, and the control device 50 is used. The information of the shipping address associated with the delivery storage 41 of the present mode is output. In this control device 50, the retained product 17 can be shipped to an appropriate shipping destination. For example, the control device 50 outputs the information of the sender of the article 41 when the retained item 17 is in the delivery storage 41 for delivery, and when the retained item is in the delivery storage 41 as a coin locker, the lost property storage location ( For example, the police station) information is output. The control device 50 may output the information of the shipping requester when the stagnant product 17 is in the delivery storage 41 for shipping. Further, the stocker 40 is provided with a printing unit 49 capable of printing on a printing medium, and the control device 50 prints and outputs the information of the shipping address of the article 17 whose management status is switched from storage to shipping as a shipping label to the printing unit. Let me. In this control device 50, the output shipping label can be used as it is, and the labor of shipping can be further saved.

It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information on the shipping address of the article 17 whose management status has been switched is printed by the printing unit 49 as a shipping label used by the collector, but the information on the shipping address is output. Therefore, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and for example, the delivery label information may be transmitted and output to a mobile terminal provided with a printing unit carried by the delivery collector 19. In this case, the delivery collector 19 can print it on the mobile terminal and use it as a shipping label. Further, the control device 50 may print out the shipping destination information as an aspect other than the shipping label, for example, a receipt or a collection list. Alternatively, this printing process may be omitted. In the control device 50, the shipping address information and the like may be displayed and output, may be printed out, or may be output as audio. Since it can be used as it is, it is more preferable to print the shipping address information as a shipping label.

In the above-described embodiment, the delivery storage ID is displayed and output separately from the shipping destination information, but it may be printed out together with the shipping destination information. Alternatively, the control device 50 may omit the output of the delivery warehousing ID.

In the above-described embodiment, the stocker 40 is used as a delivery storage 41 for shipping goods, a delivery storage 41 for delivery of goods, and a coin locker for temporarily storing goods, but any one or more of them may be used. It may be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the stocker 40 includes the control device 50 having the function of the information processing device of the present disclosure. However, the stocker 40 may have any function of the control device 50 for managing the stored information. The management device 30 may have the function of the control device 50, the delivery management PC 61 of the delivery system 60 may have the function of the control device 50, or a management PC may be installed in the store 21 and the management PC controls the control. It may have the function of the device 50. Even in this case, it is not necessary to collect the articles staying in the delivery storage, so that the labor can be further reduced. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the function of the information processing device of the present disclosure has been described as the control device 50, but it may be an information processing method or a program that realizes the information processing method.

Here, the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured as follows. In the information processing device of the present disclosure, the stocker is also used for accommodating articles for shipping, and a collector who collects the articles for shipping is defined, and the information control unit is used by the collector. The shipping label may be output. In this information processing device, since the collector is predetermined, the stagnant goods are sent out from the delivery room by the same processing of collection and shipping as usual without using another processing method of collecting the goods. Can be done. In this information processing device, the information control unit accommodates an article whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping when the collector performs a pickup process. The identification information of the delivery room may be output together with the information of the shipping destination or separately from the information of the shipping destination. Since the information processing device also outputs the identification information of the delivery warehousing, the collector can more reliably grasp the stagnant goods and is unlikely to make a mistake in handling them. Here, the "delivery storage identification information" is information that can identify the delivery storage, and examples thereof include a delivery storage number and the like.

In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, the stocker is used in one or more of a delivery storage for shipping goods, a delivery storage for delivery of goods, and a coin locker for temporarily storing goods, and the information control is performed. The unit may output the information of the shipping address associated with the delivery room of the mode being used. With this information processing device, the stagnant goods can be shipped to an appropriate destination. For example, the information control unit may output the information of the shipping requester when the stagnant article is in the delivery room for shipping, or may output the information of the shipping requester when the stagnant article is in the delivery room for delivery. Information may be output, or if the stagnant goods are in the delivery room as a coin locker, information on the lost property storage location (for example, a police station) may be output.

In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, the stocker is provided with a printing unit capable of printing on a printing medium, and the information control unit sends information on the shipping destination of the article whose management status is switched from storage to shipping as a shipping label. It may be made to print out to the printing unit. In this information processing device, the output shipping label can be used as it is, and the labor of shipping can be further saved.

The stocker of the present disclosure includes a delivery storage that can be locked and unlocked by an operator's operation, and an information processing device according to any one of the above. Similar to the information processing device described above, this stocker can further reduce the time and effort required for the articles staying in the delivery room.

The information processing method of the present disclosure is an information processing method used for a stocker having a delivery storage that can be locked and unlocked by an operator's operation, and the articles stored in the delivery storage have a predetermined residence period. When it is determined that the amount has been exceeded, the management status of the item is switched from storage to shipping, and the step of outputting the information of the shipping destination corresponding to the item is included.

In this information processing method, as with the information processing apparatus described above, it is possible to further reduce the time and effort required for the articles staying in the delivery room. In this information processing method, various aspects of the above-mentioned information processing apparatus may be adopted, or a configuration for realizing each function of the above-mentioned information processing apparatus may be added.

The information processing apparatus, stocker, and information processing method of the present disclosure can be used in the technical field of a product distribution system for delivering products.

10 Goods management system, 11 stocker system, 12, 13 network, 14 users, 17 goods, 19 delivery collectors, 21 stores, 30 stocker management device, 31 control unit, 32 CPU, 33 storage unit, 34 stocker information, 35 Usage information DB, 38 communication unit, 40 stocker, 41 delivery room, 42 display operation unit, 43 reader, 44 door, 45 lock mechanism, 46 article sensor, 47 open / close sensor, 50 control device, 51 control unit, 52 CPU, 53 Storage unit, 56 Correspondence information, 57 Usage status information, 58 Communication unit, 60 Delivery system, 61 Delivery management PC, 62 Control unit, 63 Storage unit, 68 Communication unit, 69 Delivery collection area, 70 Notification screen, 71 Message display Field, 72 input keys.

Claims (7)

An information processing device used in a stocker that has a delivery room that can be locked and unlocked by the operation of the operator.
When it is determined that the article stored in the delivery room has exceeded the predetermined retention period, the information control unit that switches the management status of the article from storage to shipping and outputs the information of the shipping destination corresponding to the article.
Information processing device equipped with. The stocker is also used to store goods for shipping, and a collector who collects goods for shipping is specified.
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information control unit outputs a shipping label used by the collector. When the collector performs the pickup process, the information control unit obtains identification information of the delivery room in which the article whose management status has been switched is housed when there is an article whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping. The information processing device according to claim 2, which outputs the information of the shipping address together with the information of the shipping address or separately from the information of the shipping address. The stocker is used for one or more of the delivery storage for shipping goods, the delivery storage for delivery of goods, and the coin locker for temporarily storing goods.
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information control unit outputs information on the shipping address associated with the delivery room of the mode being used. The stocker is provided with a printing unit capable of printing on a printing medium.
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information control unit prints out information on the shipping destination of the article whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping to the printing unit as a shipping label. .. A delivery room that can be locked and unlocked by the operator's operation,
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Stocker with. An information processing method used for stockers that have a delivery room that can be locked and unlocked by the operation of the operator.
When it is determined that the goods stored in the delivery room have exceeded the predetermined retention period, the management status of the goods is switched from storage to shipping, and the information of the shipping destination corresponding to the goods is output.
Information processing methods including.

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