WO2020075250A1

WO2020075250A1 - Information processing device, stocker, and information processing method

Info

Publication number: WO2020075250A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/037808
Authority: WO
Inventors: 淳一西田
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｆｕｊｉ
Priority date: 2018-10-10
Filing date: 2018-10-10
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: JPWO2020075250A1; JP7271565B2

Abstract

This information processing device is used by a stocker having a delivery locker that can be locked and that is unlocked by an operator operation. When it has been determined that an article stored in the delivery locker has exceeded a prescribed idle time, the management status of the article is switched from storage to ship, and the shipping address information corresponding to the article is output.

Description

Information processing apparatus, stocker, and information processing method

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

Conventionally, as a stocker, for example, it has been proposed that a product ordered by a customer is delivered and stored, and is stored in a locked state, and unlocked when a password notified from a server is input and collated. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). With this stocker, it is possible to ensure privacy and improve convenience for customers.

JP-A-2003-58790

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

The present disclosure has been made to solve such a problem, and a main object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device, a stocker, and an information processing method that can further reduce the trouble of articles accumulated in a delivery box. And

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

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

In this information processing device, when it is determined that the item stored in the stocker's delivery box has exceeded the predetermined staying period, the management status of this item (also referred to as staying item) is switched from storage to shipping, and the product is handled. Output the shipping destination. That is, this information processing device does not need to separately perform a collection process such as a collection request for a product, because the setting is changed so that the product is processed as a shipment and the long-term stay product is processed by the shipping company. . As described above, in this information processing apparatus, it is possible to further reduce the trouble of the articles accumulated in the delivery box.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an article management system 10 and a stocker system 11. FIG. Explanatory drawing showing an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 53. The flowchart showing an example of a storage management processing routine. The flowchart showing an example of a retention product status switching processing routine. Explanatory drawing of the utilization status information 57 in which some management statuses were switched to shipping. Explanatory drawing showing an example of the alerting | reporting screen 70 displayed on the display operation part 42.

Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of configurations of an article management system 10 and a stocker system 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence information 56 and the usage status information 57 stored in the storage unit 53 of the control device 50. The article 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 the like, 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 includes 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, a usage information database (DB) 35, and the like. The stocker information 34 includes, for example, information such as the identification number of the stocker 40 of the stocker system 11 and the location of the stocker 40. Information such as the correspondence information 56 and the usage status information 57 stored in each stocker 40 is stored in the usage information DB 35 in an aggregated manner. The usage information DB 35 stores a usage record in addition to the current usage status of the stocker 40.

The stocker 40 is used by the user 14 like a mail post when shipping the article 17 to a desired destination, and is also used when delivering the article 17 delivered from the delivery collection place 69 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 a store 21 such as a convenience store, an office, and various public facilities so that the 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 boxes 41 has an internal space capable of accommodating the article 17, and includes a front door 44, a lock mechanism 45 for locking and unlocking the door 44, and a presence / absence of articles in the delivery box 41. An article sensor 46 for detecting and an opening / closing sensor 47 for detecting opening / closing of the door 44 are provided. The article sensor 46 may be a non-contact sensor that uses light or a contact sensor that uses an element. A control device 50 as an information processing device is accommodated 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 a door 44 of the storage device 41. 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 unlock code (for example, a password) or an ID used by the user 14, the delivery collector 19, or the like to unlock the delivery box 41.

The control device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a communication unit 58. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52, a storage unit 53, and the like, and controls the entire device. The storage unit 53 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 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 communicate with each other to synchronize these pieces of information with the latest information. The correspondence information 56 is information in which a trader name, a trader ID (identification information), a staying period, and a shipping destination at the time of staying are associated with each other. The residence period is set for each trader as a period in which the article 17 needs to be collected in a state where the article 17 is left unreceived. This retention period is set to, for example, one day for a delivery company handling fresh food, one week for a delivery company handling non-perishables, and three days for temporary storage as a coin locker. There is. The shipping destination at the time of stay is information on the destination of the article 17 (also referred to as stay product) that has passed the stay period. For example, in the case of delivered products, it may be the address of the delivery collection place 69 of the delivering company or may be temporarily stored. Then, it may be the address of a lost-item storage location (for example, a police station). The usage status information 57 deals with the delivery storage name (delivery storage ID), the management status, the storage ID associated with the stored article 17, the date and time when the storage management is started, and the article 17. It includes information such as the ID of the trader and the information about the shipping destination at the time of stay. The delivery box ID is information that can identify the delivery box, and examples thereof include a delivery box 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, “shipment” for collection, and “unused” in the delivery box 41. This management status may include more detailed information such as waiting for receipt, waiting for collection, and temporary storage. The storage ID is identification information given by the stocker 40 so that the stock 17 can be distinguished from the other stocks 17 when the stock 17 is stored in the delivery box 41 and storage management in the stocker 40 is started. The management start date and time is used to calculate the retention period. The ID of the handling trader is information that identifies the trader who is in charge of moving the article 17, and is the same as that included in the correspondence information 56. The shipping destination 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 every predetermined period.

The delivery system 60 is a system used for management when delivering and collecting the goods 17. Although FIG. 1 shows one trader, 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 on the distribution state of the articles 17. The delivery management PC 61 includes a control unit 62, a storage unit 63, and a communication unit 68. The control unit 62 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire apparatus. 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, 13 such as the Internet. The trader sends a request to use the stocker 40 to the stocker management device 30 from this delivery management PC 61. Further, the trader causes the delivery collector 19 to deliver the article 17 from the delivery collection place 69 to the stocker 40, and collects the article 17 from the stocker 40 to the delivery collection place 69.

Next, the operation of the stocker system 11, in particular, the process of storing the article 17 in the delivery box 41 and taking out the article 17 from the delivery box 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 on the display operation unit 42 (S100), and when there is no input, this routine ends 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 the input content of the screen displayed on the display operation unit 42, for example.

When the input content is a request to receive the storage of the article 17, the CPU 52 determines based on the usage status information 57 whether there is a vacancy in the delivery box 41 (S120). This routine ends. At this time, a message indicating that there is no space in the delivery box 41 is displayed and output to the display operation unit 42. On the other hand, when there is a space in the delivery box 41, the CPU 52 causes the display operation unit 42 to display and output the reception screen, and acquires the information regarding the storage of the article 17 based on the input information (S130). For example, when the operator is a general user 14 and ships the article 17, the CPU 52 acquires information on a request to ship the article 17 to a desired shipping destination. This request information includes the address of the shipping destination, 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 temporarily stores the article 17, the CPU 52 acquires information on a request for temporary storage. Further, when the operator is the delivery collector 19, the request information including the ID of the trader, the ID of the delivery item, the password for receipt, etc. may be acquired. Next, the CPU 52 unlocks one usable storage box 41 (S130), determines whether or not the door 44 is closed based on the signal from the open / close sensor 47 (S200), and the door 44 is closed. If not, just wait. On the other hand, when the door 44 is closed, the CPU 52 updates the usage status information 57, transmits 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 the article 17 is present based on the signal from the article sensor 46, and if the article 17 cannot be detected, an error screen to that effect is displayed on the operation unit 42. Output to. Further, in updating the usage status information 57, the CPU 52 newly gives a management ID corresponding to the received delivery box 41 and the received article 17, sets the current management status to “storage”, and associates it with the corresponding delivery box ID. The usage status information 57 is stored. Further, when the temporary storage is accepted, the CPU 52 prints out information (for example, a password, a two-dimensional code, etc.) used for unlocking by the printing unit 49.

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 receipt of a delivery item, receipt of a temporary storage, and receipt of a collection item (S150). When it is determined that the collection of goods has been received, the CPU 52 determines whether or not there is the article 17 that has been switched from storage to shipping (S160). The management status switching process will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a retained 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 activated. When this routine is started, the CPU 52 of the control device 50 reads the usage status information 57 (S300), sets the delivery box 41 to be determined (S310), and stores the information regarding the storage of the articles in the delivery box 41 that has been set. Is acquired (S320). The determination target may be set, for example, in the order of numbers of the delivery box 41, which is the usage status of the usage status information 57. Next, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the article 17 has exceeded the residence period set by the trader who handles the article 17 (S330). When the retention period is exceeded, the management status is switched from storage to shipping (S340). After S340, or when the corresponding articles 17 have not exceeded the staying period, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the above determination is performed for all the delivery boxes 41 (S350), and all the delivery boxes 41 are removed. When the determination is not made, the processing from S310 is executed. That is, the next delivery box 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 it is determined in S350 that all the delivery boxes 41 have been determined, the CPU 52 updates the usage status information 57 including the result of switching to the shipping, and transmits and outputs the updated usage status information 57 to the stocker management device 30. (S360), this routine ends. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the usage status information 57 in which the management status of the “delivery box 2” is switched to shipping. In the usage status information 57, when the management status is switched to shipping, the information indicating that is included in the management status. In this way, the stocker 40 automatically switches the status of the retained product from the storage state to the shipping state by automatic processing.

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

After S180, or when there is no article 17 switched to shipping in S160, or after it is determined in S150 that the delivery or temporary storage is received, the CPU 52 performs the unlocking process accompanied by the authentication. , The door 44 is opened (S190). The CPU 52 allows the user to input the ID and password for receiving the goods when collecting the goods to be shipped, for example, by inputting the ID and password of the trader who collects the goods and authenticating. Authenticate, unlock. If the input 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 usage status information 57 in the stocker management device 30 in the same manner as described above. The output is sent to and the routine is finished. In updating the usage status information 57, the CPU 52 changes the management status of the delivery box 41 that has been received to unused and deletes the management ID. The delivery collector 19 collects this accumulated product together with the originally shipped product and sends it to a predetermined destination of the accumulated product.

Here, the correspondence between the constituent elements of this 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 container 41 corresponds to the delivery container, the delivery container ID corresponds to the identification information of the delivery container 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. 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 the control device 50 of the stocker 40 of the embodiment described above determines that the article 17 stored in the delivery storage 41 has exceeded the predetermined staying period, it stores the management status of this article 17 (also referred to as staying article). Is switched to shipping, and information on the shipping destination corresponding to this article is displayed and printed out. That is, the control device 50 changes the setting so that the article 17 is processed as a shipment, and the long-term stay product is shipped by the shipping company. Therefore, it is necessary to separately perform collection processing such as a collection request for the article. Absent. As described above, in the control device 50, it is possible to further reduce the trouble of the articles 17 accumulated in the delivery storage 41.

Further, the stocker 40 is also used for accommodating the articles 17 for shipping, and a collector who collects the articles 17 for shipping is defined, and the control device 50 outputs the shipping label used by the collector. In this control device 50, since the collector has been determined in advance, the collected articles 17 are collected and shipped in the same manner as usual without using another processing method of collecting the articles 17, and the accumulated articles 17 are delivered to the delivery box 41. Can be sent from. Further, when there is an article 17 whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping when the collection agent performs the collection processing, the control device 50 stores the delivery box ID (identification information) in which the article 17 whose management status has been switched is stored. ) Is displayed and output separately from the shipping destination information. In this control device 50, the identification information of the delivery box 41 is also displayed and output, so that the collector can grasp the accumulated articles 17 more reliably, and the handling of the articles 17 is difficult.

Further, the stocker 40 is used for one or more of a delivery box 41 for shipping the article 17, a delivery box 41 for delivering the article 17, and a coin locker for temporarily storing the article, and the control device 50 is used. The information of the shipping destination associated with the delivery box 41 of the specified form is output. With this control device 50, the accumulated 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 stayed item 17 is in the delivery storage 41 for delivery, and the lost item storage location (when the stayed item is in the delivery store 41 as a coin locker ( (Eg police station) information is output. Note that the control device 50 may output the information of the sender when the stayed product 17 is in the delivery storage 41 for shipping. Further, the stocker 40 includes a printing unit 49 capable of printing on a printing medium, and the control device 50 prints out the shipping destination information of the article 17 whose management status is switched from storage to shipping as a shipping label to the printing unit. Let In this control device 50, the output shipping label can be used as it is, and the labor of shipping can be further saved.

Needless to say, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printing unit 49 prints the information of the shipping destination of the article 17 whose management status has been switched as the shipping label used by the collector, but the information of the shipping destination is output. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the information may be transmitted and output as the information of the shipping label to a portable terminal that is carried by the delivery collector 19 and that has a printing unit. 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 information of the shipping destination in a form other than the shipping label, for example, as a receipt or a collection list. Alternatively, this printing process may be omitted. Note that the control device 50 may display and output the information such as the delivery destination, print out, or output by voice. Since it can be used as it is, it is more preferable to print the shipping destination 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 may be printed out together with the shipping destination information. Alternatively, the control device 50 may omit the output of the delivery box ID.

In the above-described embodiment, the stocker 40 is used as the delivery box 41 for shipping the article, the delivery box 41 for delivering the article, and the coin locker for temporarily storing the article. It may be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the control device 50 having the function of the information processing device of the present disclosure is included in the stocker 40, but the control device 50 that manages the storage information may have any function. 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 the management PC is installed in the store 21 and is controlled by the management PC. The function of the device 50 may be provided. Even in this case, since it is not necessary to collect the articles accumulated in the delivery box, it is possible to further reduce the trouble. 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 may be an information processing method or a program that realizes the information processing method.

Here, the information processing device of the present disclosure may be configured as follows. In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, the stocker is also used for housing articles for shipping, and a collector who collects the articles for shipping is defined, and the information control unit is used by the collector. A shipping label may be output. In this information processing device, since the collector is predetermined, the accumulated goods are sent out from the delivery warehouse by the same process of collecting and shipping as usual without using other processing method of collecting the goods. You can In this information processing device, the information control unit stores the article whose management status has been switched when there is an article whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping when the collection agent performs a collection process. The delivery storage identification information may be output together with the shipping destination information or separately from the shipping destination information. In this information processing device, since the identification information of the delivery box is also output, the collector can grasp the accumulated articles more surely, and the handling of the articles is difficult to make a mistake. Here, the “delivery storage identification information” is information that can identify the delivery storage, and examples thereof include a delivery storage number.

In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, the stocker is used for at least one of a delivery box for delivering articles, a delivery box for delivering articles, and a coin locker for temporarily storing articles, and the information control The section may output the information of the shipping destination associated with the delivery storage in the used form. With this information processing device, the accumulated articles can be shipped to an appropriate shipping destination. For example, the information control unit may output the information of the sender when the stagnant article is in the delivery storage box for shipping, or the sender of the article when the stagnant article is in the delivery box for delivery. Information may be output, or if the accumulated article is in a delivery box as a coin locker, information on a lost item storage location (for example, a police station) may be output.

In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, the stocker includes a printing unit that can print on a print medium, and the information control unit includes information about a shipping destination of an item whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping. As an alternative, the printing section may print out. 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 box that can be locked and is unlocked by an operator's operation, and the information processing device described in any of the above. Similar to the above-described information processing device, this stocker can further reduce the trouble of the articles accumulated in the delivery box.

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

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

The information processing device, stocker, and information processing method of the present disclosure can be used in the technical field of a product distribution system that delivers products.

10 article management system, 11 stocker system, 12, 13 network, 14 user, 17 article, 19 delivery collector, 21 store, 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 box, 42 display operation unit, 43 reading device, 44 door, 45 lock mechanism, 46 article sensor, 47 opening / closing 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 Column, 72 input key.

Claims

An information processing device used in a stocker having a delivery box that can be locked and unlocked by an operator's operation,
When it is determined that the item stored in the delivery box has exceeded the predetermined staying period, the information control unit that switches the management status of the item from storage to shipping and outputs the information of the shipping destination corresponding to the item,
Information processing device provided with.
The stocker is also used to store items for shipping, and a collector who collects the items for shipping is defined.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information control unit outputs a shipping label used by the collector.
When there is an item whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping when the collector has carried out a collection process, the information control unit provides the identification information of the delivery box in which the item whose management status has been switched is stored. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is output together with the information of the shipping destination or separately from the information of the shipping destination.
The stocker is used for one or more delivery boxes for delivering goods, delivering articles for delivery, and temporarily storing coin lockers,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information control unit outputs the information of the shipping destination associated with the delivery storage in the used form.
The stocker includes a printing unit capable of printing on a printing medium,
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information control unit causes the printing unit to print out information on a shipping destination of the article whose management status has been switched from storage to shipping as a shipping label. .
A delivery box that can be locked and unlocked by the operator's operation,
An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Stocker with.
An information processing method used for a stocker that has a delivery box that can be locked and unlocked by an operator's operation,
Switching the management status of the article from storage to shipping when it is determined that the article stored in the delivery box has exceeded a predetermined staying period, and outputting information of a shipping destination corresponding to the article,
Information processing method including.