JP6719639B1 - Server, system, server control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server, a system, a server control method, a program, and an electronic device capable of efficiently delivering a package in a service of delivering a package to a recipient. A server that can be connected by wire or wirelessly to a storage device that stores parcels delivered to a recipient and other electronic devices includes a communication unit and a controller. The communication unit communicates with the accommodation device and other electronic devices. The controller controls the communication unit to transmit a request for reservation of the accommodation device to the accommodation device based on a request from the other electronic device received by the communication unit. In addition, the controller controls the communication unit to transmit a request for canceling the reservation of the accommodation device to the accommodation device after a predetermined time has elapsed. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a server, a system, a server control method, and a program.

In recent years, along with the growth of the e-commerce market, the number of courier services handled when delivering merchandise sold through mail-order sales, etc., has increased sharply. The number of nuclear family households and single-person households is increasing, especially in urban areas of Japan. For this reason, when the courier delivers the parcel, the recipient often becomes absent, and the redelivery may be forced.

In order to cope with such a situation, a parcel storage box may be installed at an entrance of an apartment house such as an apartment or a condominium. The home delivery storage box can store the home delivery even if the home delivery addressed to the recipient is delivered while the recipient is absent. Attempts have been proposed to efficiently use such a home delivery storage box.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a home delivery box that can accommodate products to be delivered to a delivery destination and has an electronic lock attached to its door. When the product is stored in the delivery box, a key (password) for unlocking the electronic lock is transmitted to the user terminal and the delivery box.

International Publication No. WO2018/207269

If a package can be efficiently delivered in a service for delivering a package to a recipient, it can be beneficial to both the carrier and the package recipient.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a server, a system, a server control method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of package delivery in a service for delivering packages to a recipient.

The server according to one embodiment is
A server that can be connected by wire or wirelessly to an accommodation device for accommodating parcels delivered to a recipient and other electronic devices,
A communication unit that communicates with the housing device and the other electronic device,
A controller that controls the communication unit to transmit a reservation request for the accommodation device to the accommodation device based on a request from the other electronic device received by the communication unit.
The controller controls the communication unit to transmit a request for canceling the reservation of the accommodation device to the accommodation device after a lapse of a predetermined time.

The server according to one embodiment is
A server that can connect to another server that communicates with a storage device that stores a package delivered to a recipient and to another electronic device by wire or wirelessly,
A communication unit that communicates with the other server and the other electronic device,
A controller that controls the communication unit to transmit a request for reservation of the accommodation device to the other server based on a request from the other electronic device received by the communication unit.
The controller sends a notification that the accommodation device is reserved based on the notification that the communication unit receives from the other server that the accommodation device is reserved, and the other electronic device. Control to send to an electronic device different from.

The system according to one embodiment is
A storage device for storing the parcel delivered to the recipient,
At least a server that communicates with the accommodation device,
A system including at least a terminal communicating with the server,
The server transmits a request for reservation of the accommodation device to the accommodation device based on a request from the terminal, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, transmits a request for cancellation of reservation of the accommodation device to the accommodation device. ..

A server control method according to an embodiment is
A method for controlling a server capable of connecting to a storage device for storing parcels delivered to a recipient and other electronic devices by wire or wirelessly,
A step of controlling a request for reservation of the accommodation device to be transmitted to the accommodation device based on a request from the other electronic device received by the server;
A step of controlling to transmit a request for canceling the reservation of the accommodation device after a predetermined time has passed,
including.

A server control method according to an embodiment is
A method for controlling a server, which is capable of connecting to another server that communicates with a storage device that stores a package delivered to a recipient, and to another electronic device by wire or wirelessly,
A step of controlling a reservation request for the accommodation device to be transmitted to the other server based on a request from the other electronic device;
Based on the notification received from the other server that the accommodation device has been reserved, a notification that the accommodation device has been reserved is transmitted to an electronic device different from the other electronic device. To control so that
including.

The program according to one embodiment is
To a computer that can be connected by wire or wirelessly to a storage device and other electronic devices that store the package delivered to the recipient,
A step of controlling a request for reservation of the accommodation device to be transmitted to the accommodation device based on a request from the other electronic device received by the server;
After a predetermined time has elapsed, a step of controlling a request to release the reservation of the accommodation device to be transmitted to the accommodation device,
To execute.

The program according to one embodiment is
To another server that communicates with the accommodation device that accommodates the package delivered to the recipient, and to another electronic device, to a computer that can be connected by wire or wirelessly,
A step of controlling a reservation request for the accommodation device to be transmitted to the other server based on a request from the other electronic device;
Based on the notification received from the other server that the accommodation device has been reserved, a notification that the accommodation device has been reserved is transmitted to an electronic device different from the other electronic device. To control so that
To execute.

According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide a server, a system, a server control method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of package delivery in a service of delivering packages to a recipient.

It is a block diagram of the home-delivery system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the management server which concerns on one Embodiment roughly. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the delivery box which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the provider server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the provider terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the recipient terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation|movement of the system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part of the supplier terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part of the supplier terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part of the recipient terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation|movement of the system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation|movement of the system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part of the supplier terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation|movement of the system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display part of the delivery box which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation|movement of the system which concerns on one Embodiment.

In the present disclosure, the “accommodating device” may be a device for accommodating a parcel such as a product delivered by a courier or the like. For example, the "accommodation device" may be the above-mentioned home delivery accommodation box. Specifically, the "accommodation device" may be, for example, a delivery box or a delivery locker. Further, in the present disclosure, the “accommodating device” may be a device or device driven by electric power. Here, the term “accommodating” may mean that articles such as delivered goods are stored in a certain place. In the present disclosure, the “user” of the accommodation device may be a person who uses the accommodation device according to the embodiment. Here, the "user" of the accommodation device is not only a person associated with the recipient, such as the recipient of the package delivered by courier and his/her family, but also, for example, a delivery company that delivers the package by courier. Personnel may be included.

Further, in the present disclosure, “courier service” may typically be a service for delivering lightweight parcels to a general household or the like. However, the “courier service” in the present disclosure is not limited to services for ordinary households. Further, the parcel delivered by the “courier service” in the present disclosure does not have to be lightweight, and is not limited to small parcel. Further, in the present disclosure, the “luggage” may be an article to be carried or transported, such as a product delivered by a delivery company such as a courier.

Hereinafter, a system including a management server according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the embodiment may include a management server 10 and a trader server 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 10 and the trader server 20 may be connected via a network N by wire or wirelessly. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the embodiment may include a home delivery box 100, a dealer terminal 200, and a recipient terminal 300. In FIG. 1, broken lines show how each element can be connected by wire or wirelessly.

In the present disclosure, the “server” may be a computer that provides a service. That is, the “server” may be a computer and/or software that functions to provide information and/or processing results in response to a request from a client, such as a server in a client-server model.

The management server 10 according to an embodiment is a server that manages and/or controls the home delivery box 100. The management server 10 according to an embodiment may be a server operated by a delivery company that delivers packages to a storage device such as the home delivery box 100 (for example, when the recipient is absent). On the other hand, the management server 10 according to the embodiment does not necessarily need to be operated by a delivery company. The management server 10 according to an embodiment may be, for example, a server operated by a company that provides a service that collectively manages delivery boxes of a plurality of delivery companies (including other companies in the same industry). The management server 10 may be, for example, a cloud server that provides cloud services.

The management server 10 manages and/or controls at least one home delivery box 100. In FIG. 1, the management server 10 is connected to a home delivery box 100A, a home delivery box 100B, and a home delivery box 100C. At least one management server 10 may be connected to any number of delivery boxes 100 by wire or wirelessly. In the present disclosure, a plurality of home delivery boxes such as home delivery box 100A and home delivery box 100B may be simply referred to as “home delivery box 100” unless otherwise distinguished.

The home delivery box 100 according to the embodiment may be a storage device that can be used as a home delivery box or a home delivery storage box such as a home delivery locker, for example. The home delivery box 100 according to an embodiment may be a device that stores a package such as a product delivered by a delivery company, such as a courier, until the recipient receives it. That is, for example, a delivery company such as a courier service can store the parcel in the parcel box 100 when the recipient of the parcel such as the delivered product is absent. Further, the recipient of the delivered goods or the like can take out the delivered goods from the home delivery box 100, for example, when he/she is away. As described above, each of the at least one home delivery box 100 is managed and/or controlled by the management server 10. In FIG. 1, the delivery box 100 is illustrated so as to be connectable to the management server 10. However, the delivery box 100 may be connectable to the management server 10 via the network N, for example.

The management server 10 may be wired or wirelessly connected to at least one vendor server 20 via the network N. In FIG. 1, the management server 10 is connected to a company server 20A, a company server 20B, and a company server 20C. The management server 10 is at least one, and may be connected to any number of vendor servers 20 by wire or wirelessly. In the present disclosure, when a plurality of vendor servers 20 such as the vendor server 20A and the vendor server 20B are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as "vendor server 20".

The vendor server 20 according to an embodiment may be a server typically used by the staff of a vendor who provides a delivery service such as a courier service. For example, the trader server 20A may be a server used by the staff of the company A, which is a trader who provides delivery services and the like. Further, the trader server 20B may be a server used by the staff of company B, which is a trader who provides delivery services and the like. Further, the trader server 20C may be a server used by the staff of company C, which is a trader who provides delivery services and the like.

The trader server 20 transmits, for example, various information regarding delivery of parcels in response to a request. Further, the trader server 20 may generate and provide a delivery plan for packages handled by the staff, for example, in response to a request from the delivery staff.

In FIG. 1, the company server 20A is connected to a company terminal 200Aa, a company terminal 200Ab, and a company terminal 200Ac. The trader server 20B is connected to the trader terminal 200Ba, the trader terminal 200Bb, and the trader terminal 200Bc. Further, the trader server 20C is connected to the trader terminal 200Ca, the trader terminal 200Cb, and the trader terminal 200Cc. Thus, each of the vendor server 20A, the vendor server 20B, and the vendor server 20C may be connected to at least one vendor terminal 200 by wire or wirelessly.

In the present disclosure, when a plurality of vendor terminals such as the vendor terminal 200Aa and the vendor terminal 200Ab are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as "the vendor terminal 200A". Similarly, in the present disclosure, when a plurality of vendor terminals such as the vendor terminal 200Ba and the vendor terminal 200Bb are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as “vendor terminal 200B”. Similarly, in the present disclosure, when a plurality of supplier terminals such as the supplier terminal 200Ca and the supplier terminal 200Cb are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as “company terminal 200C”. In addition, in the present disclosure, when a plurality of supplier terminals such as the supplier terminal 200A and the supplier terminal 200B are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as “company terminal 200”.

Merchant terminal 200 may be a terminal typically used by the staff of a supplier who provides a delivery service such as a courier service. For example, the trader terminal 200A may be used by the staff of the company A, which is a trader who provides delivery services and the like. Further, the vendor terminal 200B may be used by the staff of the company B, which is a vendor that provides delivery services and the like. Further, the vendor terminal 200C may be used by the staff of the company C, which is a vendor that provides delivery services and the like.

The trader terminal 200 according to an embodiment is a terminal used by a staff member of a trader who provides a delivery service such as a courier to collect a package from a customer or deliver a package to a recipient. Good. For example, the trader terminal 200 may be a terminal to which the staff of a trader who provides a delivery service such as a courier inputs information regarding delivery when accepting a delivery request. For example, the vendor terminal 200 may be a code reader having a function of reading a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). Further, the vendor terminal 200 may be a terminal such as a car navigation system used in a delivery vehicle on which a staff member of a vendor who provides a delivery service such as a courier is on board. In addition, the vendor terminal 200 may be various types of terminals capable of transmitting and/or receiving information used for the business of the staff of the vendor who provides the delivery service and the like. In FIG. 1, the vendor terminal 200 is illustrated as connectable to the vendor server 20. However, the dealer terminal 200 may be connectable to the dealer server 20 via the network N, for example.

The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a recipient terminal 300A, a recipient terminal 300B, and a recipient terminal 300C, as an example. In the present disclosure, when a plurality of recipient terminals such as the recipient terminal 300A and the recipient terminal 300B are not particularly distinguished, they may be simply referred to as “recipient terminal 300”. In one embodiment, the recipient terminal 300 may be the terminal used by the recipient of the package to be delivered.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recipient terminal 300A may be used by the recipient who lives in the house where the delivery box 100A is installed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the recipient terminal 300C may be used by a recipient who lives in a house in which the home delivery box 100C is installed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the recipient terminal 300B may be used by a recipient who lives in a house where a home delivery box is not installed.

In FIG. 1, the recipient terminal 300 is connected to the management server 10 via the network N. However, the recipient terminal 300 may be connected to the management server 10 without going through the network N. Moreover, the recipient terminal 300 may be connected to at least one of the home delivery box 100, the agent server 20, and the agent terminal 200 by wire or wirelessly.

The recipient terminal 300 according to the embodiment may be a dedicated terminal adapted to the system 1, or may be, for example, a conventional smartphone, mobile phone, or tablet terminal. For example, when a conventional smartphone, mobile phone, tablet terminal or the like is used as the recipient terminal 300, the application used in the system 1 may be installed in the recipient terminal 300, for example. Further, the recipient terminal 300 may be realized on an internet browser. In this case, the recipient terminal 300 is not limited to a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or the like, and may be a notebook PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

The network N illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured by wire, wireless, or any combination of wire and wireless. Any network such as the Internet or an intranet may be used as the network N as long as it enables communication between the management server 10 and other electronic devices such as the trader server 20, the trader terminal 200, and the recipient terminal 300. Good as a network.

Next, the respective configurations of the management server 10, the delivery box 100, the agent server 20, the agent terminal 200, and the recipient terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the management server 10 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the management server 10 according to the embodiment includes a controller 12, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 16. The management server 10 according to the embodiment may not include some of the functional units illustrated in FIG. 2 or may include functional units other than those illustrated in FIG.

The controller 12 executes various functions for controlling and/or managing the management server 10. The controller 12 may include at least one processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for providing control and processing power to perform various functions. The controller 12 may be implemented collectively by one processor, several processors, or each individual processor. The processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. An integrated circuit is also called an IC (Integrated Circuit). The processor may be implemented as a plurality of communicatively connected integrated circuits and discrete circuits. The processor may be implemented based on various other known techniques. In one embodiment, the controller 12 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. The program executed by the controller 12, the result of the process executed by the controller 12, and the like may be stored in the storage unit 14. The operation of the controller 12 of the management server 10 according to the embodiment will be further described later.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may include a time measuring function, such as a timer function. The controller 12 may have a function of starting time measurement based on a predetermined trigger. Further, the controller 12 may have a function of measuring a predetermined time. Further, the controller 12 may have a function of notifying other functional units of the elapse of a predetermined time.

The storage unit 14 stores various information acquired from the controller 12, the communication unit 16, and the like. In one embodiment, the storage unit 14 may store information input by a user or the like. The storage unit 14 also stores a program executed by the controller 12. In addition, the storage unit 14 also stores various data such as a calculation result by the controller 12, for example. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 may include a work memory or the like when the controller 12 operates. The storage unit 14 can be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, but is not limited to these and may be any storage device. For example, the storage unit 14 may be a storage medium such as a memory card inserted in the management server 10 according to the embodiment. The storage unit 14 may be an internal memory of the CPU used as the controller 12.

The communication unit 16 can realize various functions including wireless communication. The communication unit 16 may realize communication by various communication systems such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 16 may include, for example, a modem whose communication method is standardized in ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). In addition, the communication unit 16 may realize wireless communication by various methods such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 16 may wirelessly communicate with a communication unit of an external device such as an external server or a cloud server via a network, for example, via an antenna. In one embodiment, the communication unit 16 may receive various kinds of information from an external database such as an external server or a cloud server. The information received by the communication unit 16 may be supplied to the controller 12 and/or the storage unit 14, for example. The information transmitted from the communication unit 16 may be supplied from the controller 12 and/or the storage unit 14, for example.

The various information transmitted and received by the communication unit 16 may be stored in the storage unit 14, for example. The communication unit 16 may include, for example, an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves, an appropriate RF unit, and the like. The communication unit 16 can be configured by a known technique for performing wireless communication. In addition, the communication unit 16 may be an interface for the management server 10 to perform wired communication with another electronic device.

In one embodiment, the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 shown in FIG. 2 may communicate with the communication unit 106 (FIG. 3) of the home delivery box 100 by wire or wirelessly. Further, the communication unit 16 may communicate with the communication unit 26 (FIG. 4) of the trader server 20 in a wired or wireless manner. Further, the communication unit 16 may communicate with the communication unit 206 (FIG. 5) of the vendor terminal 200 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication unit 16 may also communicate with the communication unit 306 (FIG. 6) of the recipient terminal 300 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication unit 16 may communicate with at least one of the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 and the communication unit 206 of the trader terminal 200 by wire or wirelessly. Thus, in one embodiment, the communication unit 16 includes the accommodation device such as the home delivery box 100 and other electronic devices such as the agent server 20, the agent terminal 200, and/or the recipient terminal 300. You may communicate with. Further, the communication unit 16 may wirelessly communicate with a communication unit of another electronic device such as an information processing device that functions as an external server.

The management server 10 according to an embodiment may have the same hardware configuration as a server in a general client server model. Further, as described above, the management server 10 according to the embodiment may be, for example, a cloud server that provides cloud services.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the home delivery box 100 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the delivery box 100 according to the embodiment includes a controller 102, a storage unit 104, and a communication unit 106. The delivery box 100 according to the embodiment may include the reading unit 108, the operation unit 110, and the display unit 112. Further, the home delivery box 100 according to the embodiment may include a housing section 120, a door 122, an electronic lock 124, an opening/closing detection section 130, and a weight detection section 132. The delivery box 100 according to the embodiment may not include some of the functional units illustrated in FIG. 3 or may include functional units other than those illustrated in FIG.

The controller 102 executes various functions for controlling and/or managing the home delivery box 100. The controller 102 may be configured, for example, like the controller 12 shown in FIG.

The storage unit 104 stores various information acquired from the controller 102, the communication unit 106, and the like. The storage unit 104 also stores programs executed by the controller 102. In addition, the storage unit 104 also stores various data such as a calculation result by the controller 102. The storage unit 104 may be configured, for example, like the storage unit 14 shown in FIG.

The communication unit 106 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 106 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 via the network N. The communication unit 106 may be configured, for example, like the communication unit 16 shown in FIG.

The reading unit 108 may be configured by, for example, a bar code reader and/or a camera or the like for reading information that identifies a recipient who receives the parcel housed in the delivery box 100. In this case, the camera may be composed of various imaging devices such as a CCD image sensor. In one embodiment, the recipient who receives the parcel housed in the home delivery box 100 is identified by a one-dimensional barcode or QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the display unit of the recipient terminal such as a smartphone. The image may be held over the reading unit 108. In this case, the delivery box 100 authenticates an identification image such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) so that the recipient of the delivery box 100 is authorized to receive the package accommodated in the delivery box 100. It may be authenticated whether the person is a person.

If the parcel recipient is authenticated as a legitimate person, the delivery box 100 may unlock the electronic lock 124 on the door 122. Further, the delivery box 100 may not release the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 when the recipient of the parcel is not authenticated as an authorized person. In this way, only authorized recipients can receive the parcels contained in the delivery box 100. In one embodiment, the identification image read by the reading unit 108 is not limited to a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), and may be any identification image. In addition, in one embodiment, the identification information read by the reading unit 108 is not limited to image information, and may be any information such as a pass code formed of characters or character strings. Further, the reading unit 108 is not limited to a functional unit such as a barcode reader and/or a camera, and may be, for example, an RFID reader or the like that reads identification information from an RF tag. The information read by the reading unit 108 may be supplied to the controller 102 and/or the storage unit 104, for example.

The reading unit 108 may also have a function of reading an identification code such as a one-dimensional bar code or a QR code (registered trademark) attached to a package to be delivered. In this case, the reading unit 108 is not limited to an identification code such as a one-dimensional bar code or QR code (registered trademark) attached to the parcel, but also a one-dimensional bar attached to a slip related to parcel delivery, for example. An identification code such as a code or a QR code (registered trademark) may be read.

The operation unit 110 detects, as an input, an operation by a user such as a parcel recipient or a staff member of a delivery company. The operation unit 110 may be configured by an input device such as a keyboard. The operation unit 110 is, for example, a key (physical key) such as a keyboard, a button (physical button), a switch (mechanical switch), and/or a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. It can be any input device used. In one embodiment, the operating unit 110 may be various known input devices. The operation signal (input signal) detected by the operation unit 110 may be supplied to the controller 102 and/or the storage unit 104, for example.

The operation unit 110 may be an input device such as a touch panel or a touch sensor. In this case, the operation unit 110 may employ a touch panel of various types such as a resistance film type, a capacitance type, or an optical type.

The display unit 112 may be an arbitrary display device such as a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (Organic Electro-Luminescence panel), or an inorganic EL display (Inorganic Electro-Luminescence panel). The display unit 112 may display various types of information such as characters, figures, or symbols. The display unit 112 may display an object, such as a pointer, which forms various GUIs, an icon image, or the like, in order to prompt the user who operates the delivery box 100 to perform an operation. Various data necessary for displaying on the display unit 112 may be supplied from the controller 102 or the storage unit 104, for example. In addition, the display unit 112 may appropriately include a backlight or the like.

Further, the delivery box 100 according to the embodiment may include a speaker or the like that, instead of or together with the display unit 112, conveys various information by voice to a user who operates the delivery box 100.

In one embodiment, the display unit 112 may be configured with the operation unit 110, for example, as a touch screen display. In this case, the touch screen display may include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display as the display unit 112. Further, in this case, the touch screen display may include, as the operation unit 110, for example, a touch sensor or a touch panel that detects the presence/absence of contact by the user and the position of the contact. In such a configuration, for example, a key such as a numeric keypad or an icon or the like is displayed as an object on the display unit 112, and the operation unit 110 can detect an operation in which an operator (user) touches the object. it can.

The accommodation unit 120 is a space that can accommodate the parcel delivered to the recipient in the home delivery box 100. In other words, the staff of the delivery company can store the parcel in the accommodating part 120 of the home delivery box 100 when the parcel is not present when the parcel is delivered to the address of the recipient. The accommodating part 120 may form the housing of the delivery box 100, for example. The delivery box 100 may be configured to include a plurality of accommodation units 120 when installed at the entrance of a housing complex such as an apartment or a condominium, for example.

The door 122 may be attached to a place where luggage stored in the storage unit 120 is taken in and out. The door 122 may be configured to be able to open and close at least a part of the housing section 120. Since the door 122 is configured to open in the delivery box 100, the package recipient can take out the package stored in the delivery box 100. Further, by configuring the door 122 to be closed, it is possible to prevent the parcel stored in the delivery box 100 from being taken out by a person other than the recipient, for example, until the recipient takes out the parcel. When the home delivery box 100 includes a plurality of accommodation units 120, the door 122 may be attached to each accommodation unit 120.

The door 122 may be configured to open and close automatically under the control of the controller 102, for example. Further, the door 122 may be configured to be opened and closed manually by a user, for example.

The electronic lock 124 can be locked/unlocked with the door 122 closed. Electronic lock 124 may electronically lock door 122, for example. In one embodiment, the electronic lock 124 may selectively lock and unlock the lock of at least one of the plurality of doors 122. In this case, locking and unlocking of the controller 102 and the electronic lock 124 may be controlled. When the delivery box 100 includes a plurality of accommodation units 120, the electronic lock 124 may be attached to each door 122 of each accommodation unit 120.

At least one of the accommodation unit 120, the door 122, and the electronic lock 124 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be configured in the same manner as a conventional delivery box or a home delivery storage box such as a delivery locker.

The open/close detection unit 130 may be a sensor that detects whether the door 122 is in the closed state or the open state. For example, the opening/closing detection unit 130 may be a sensor that detects whether or not a contact point between the door 122 and the housing unit 120 is in contact. In this case, if the contact points of the door 122 and the housing section 120 are in contact with each other, the opening/closing detection section 130 can detect that the door 122 is in the closed state. On the other hand, if the contact point between the door 122 and the housing unit 120 is not in contact, the open/close detection unit 130 can detect that the door 122 is in the open state. The open/close detection unit 130 may be a sensor that detects whether the electronic lock 124 is in the locked state or the released state. In this case, the opening/closing detection unit 130 may determine whether the electronic lock 124 is in the locked state or the released state, for example, based on the status signal of the electronic lock 124. A signal based on the result detected by the opening/closing detection unit 130 may be supplied to the controller 102 and/or the storage unit 104, for example.

The weight detection unit 132 may be a sensor that detects the weight of the luggage stored in the storage unit 120. The weight detection unit 132 may be a sensor that detects the weight of the luggage stored in the storage unit 120 with high accuracy. Further, the weight detection unit 132 may be a sensor that detects the weight of the luggage stored in the storage unit 120 with rough accuracy. In one embodiment, the weight detection unit 132 only needs to be able to detect the weight of the luggage with an accuracy that can determine whether or not the luggage is accommodated in the accommodation unit 120. If the weight detection unit 132 detects a certain amount of weight inside the storage unit 120, it can be determined that the luggage is stored inside the storage unit 120. On the other hand, if the weight detection unit 132 does not detect a certain amount of weight inside the accommodation unit 120 (for example, the weight is almost zero), it can be determined that no luggage is accommodated inside the accommodation unit 120. ..

The weight detection unit 132 determines whether or not the load is stored inside the storage unit 120 based on the detected weight of the load. In one embodiment, instead of the weight detection unit 132, an imaging device such as a camera may be used to determine whether or not luggage is stored inside the storage unit 120. The signal based on the result detected by the weight detection unit 132 may be supplied to, for example, the controller 102 and/or the storage unit 104.

Depending on the configuration of the delivery box 100, for example, only one of the open/close detection unit 130 and the weight detection unit 132 may be provided, or neither of them may be provided.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the trader server 20 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the vendor server 20 according to the embodiment includes a controller 22, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 26. The trader server 20 according to the embodiment may not include some of the functional units illustrated in FIG. 4 or may include functional units other than those illustrated in FIG. 4. As described above, the vendor server 20 may be a server typically used by the staff of a vendor who provides a delivery service such as a courier service.

The controller 22 performs various functions for controlling and/or managing the vendor server 20. The controller 22 may be configured, for example, like the controller 12 shown in FIG.

The storage unit 24 stores various information acquired from the controller 22 and the communication unit 26. The storage unit 24 also stores a program executed by the controller 22 and the like. In addition, the storage unit 24 also stores various data such as a calculation result by the controller 22. The storage unit 24 may be configured, for example, like the storage unit 14 shown in FIG.

The communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 via the network N. Further, the communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 206 (FIG. 5) of the vendor terminal 200 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 206 of the vendor terminal 200 via the network N. Furthermore, the communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 306 (FIG. 6) of the recipient terminal 300 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 26 may communicate with the communication unit 306 of the recipient terminal 300 via the network N. The communication unit 26 may be configured, for example, like the communication unit 16 shown in FIG.

As described above, the vendor server 20 according to the embodiment may have the same hardware configuration as a server in a general client server model. Further, the provider server 20 according to the embodiment may be, for example, a cloud server that provides cloud services.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment includes a controller 202, a storage unit 204, and a communication unit 206. Further, the vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment may include the reading unit 208, the operation unit 210, and the display unit 212. Further, the provider terminal 200 according to the embodiment may include the position acquisition unit 240. The vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment may not include a part of the functional units illustrated in FIG. 5, or may include functional units other than those illustrated in FIG. 5.

The controller 202 executes various functions for controlling and/or managing the vendor terminal 200. The controller 202 may be configured, for example, like the controller 12 shown in FIG.

The storage unit 204 stores various information acquired from the controller 202, the communication unit 206, and the like. The storage unit 204 also stores a program executed by the controller 202. In addition, the storage unit 204 also stores various data such as a calculation result by the controller 202. The memory|storage part 204 may be comprised like the memory|storage part 14 shown in FIG. 2, for example.

The communication unit 206 may communicate with the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 shown in FIG. 3 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 206 may communicate with the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 via the network N. Further, the communication unit 206 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 206 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 via the network N. The communication unit 206 may be configured, for example, like the communication unit 16 shown in FIG.

The reading unit 208 may be configured by, for example, a barcode reader and/or a camera or the like for reading information identifying a package delivered by a delivery company. In this case, the camera may be composed of various imaging devices such as a CCD image sensor. In one embodiment, the staff of the delivery company (for example, the driver of the delivery vehicle) is identified by a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a slip attached to the package to be delivered. The sign may be held over the reading unit 208. In this case, the trader terminal 200 can refer to the information associated with the identification mark by identifying the identification mark such as the one-dimensional barcode or the QR code (registered trademark). Further, the vendor terminal 200 can associate other information with the identification mark by identifying the identification mark such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). The other information associated with the identification mark is, for example, the name (name) of the client who requested the delivery of the package, the destination and recipient's name (name) of the package to be delivered, the desired date and time when the package is delivered. , And at least one of the contents of the delivered package and the like.

In one embodiment, the identification mark read by the reading unit 208 is not limited to a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), and may be any identification mark. In addition, in one embodiment, the identification information read by the reading unit 108 is not limited to image information, and may be any information such as a pass code formed of characters or character strings. Further, the reading unit 208 is not limited to a functional unit such as a barcode reader and/or a camera, and may be, for example, an RFID reader or the like that reads identification information from an RF tag. The information read by the reading unit 208 may be supplied to the controller 202 and/or the storage unit 204, for example.

As described above, in one embodiment, the vendor terminal 200 may be a terminal such as a car navigation system used in a delivery vehicle on which a staff member of a vendor who provides a delivery service such as a courier is on board. In this case, the vendor terminal 200, which is a terminal such as a car navigation system, does not have to include the reading unit 208. In addition, the staff in this case may further carry another vendor terminal 200. The other vendor terminal 200 carried by the staff may include the reading unit 208.

The operation unit 210 detects an operation performed by a user, such as a staff member of a delivery company, as an input. The operation unit 210 may be configured by an input device such as a keyboard. The operation unit 210 is, for example, a key (physical key) such as a keyboard, a button (physical button), a switch (mechanical switch), and/or a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. It can be any input device used. In one embodiment, the operation unit 210 can be various known input devices. The operation signal (input signal) detected by the operation unit 210 may be supplied to, for example, the controller 202 and/or the storage unit 204.

The operation unit 210 may be an input device such as a touch panel or a touch sensor. In this case, the operation unit 210 may employ a touch panel of various types such as a resistance film type, a capacitance type, or an optical type.

The display unit 212 may be any display device such as a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (Organic Electro-Luminescence panel), or an inorganic EL display (Inorganic Electro-Luminescence panel). The display unit 212 may display various kinds of information such as characters, figures, or symbols. The display unit 212 may display an object, such as a pointer, that forms various GUIs, an icon image, or the like, in order to prompt the user who operates the vendor terminal 200 to perform the operation. Various data necessary for displaying on the display unit 212 may be supplied from the controller 202 or the storage unit 204, for example. In addition, the display unit 212 may appropriately include a backlight or the like.

Further, the dealer terminal 200 according to the embodiment may include a speaker or the like that transmits various kinds of information to the user who operates the dealer terminal 200 by voice, instead of or together with the display unit 212.

In one embodiment, the display unit 212 may be configured as the touch screen display together with the operation unit 210. In this case, the touch screen display may include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display as the display unit 212. Further, in this case, the touch screen display may include, as the operation unit 210, for example, a touch sensor or a touch panel that detects the presence or absence of the contact by the user and the position of the contact. In such a configuration, for example, a key such as a ten-key pad, an icon, or the like is displayed as an object on the display unit 212, and the operation of the operator touching the object can be detected by the operation unit 210. In one embodiment, the display unit 212 includes first information (information indicating the at-home probability of the package recipient) described below and second information (information indicating the availability of a storage device such as the delivery box 100) described below. ) May be displayed.

The position acquisition unit 240 acquires information about the position of the vendor terminal 200. In one embodiment, the position acquisition unit 240 may acquire information regarding the position of the delivery vehicle in which the vendor terminal 200 is installed. The information on the position of the vendor terminal 200 detected by the position acquisition unit 240 may be supplied to, for example, the controller 202 and/or the storage unit 204.

The position acquisition unit 240 may acquire position information based on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology or the like. The GNSS technology may include any satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), GLONASS, Galileo, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite (QZSS). The position acquisition unit 240 may be, for example, a position information income device such as a GPS module. The position acquisition unit 240 is not limited to the GPS module or the like, and may be configured by any device capable of acquiring information regarding the position.

The position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 240 may include, for example, at least one of latitude information, longitude information, and altitude information. The position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 240 is supplied to the controller 202 and/or the storage unit 204. Based on the position information supplied from the position acquisition unit 240, the controller 202 can grasp the current position of the vendor terminal 200 and the like.

Further, the vendor terminal 200 does not have to have a mechanism such as a GPS system that acquires its own position. In this case, the trader terminal 200 obtains the position of the trader terminal 200 from the communication unit 206 or the like from a position acquisition unit such as a GPS system included in another electronic device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone that cooperates with the trader terminal 200. You may get it. Further, the dealer terminal 200 may acquire the position of the dealer terminal 200 from a position acquisition unit such as a GPS system included in a delivery vehicle that is staffed by a staff member of a dealer who provides a delivery service such as home delivery.

As described above, the server (management server 10) according to the embodiment includes the accommodation device (delivery box 100) for accommodating the parcel delivered to the recipient and the other electronic device (the trader server 20, the trader terminal 200, or the receipt). It may be connectable to the human terminal 300) by wire or wirelessly. Further, the communication unit 206 of the trader terminal 200 may directly or indirectly communicate with (the communication unit 106 of) the accommodation device such as the home delivery box 100.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the recipient terminal 300 according to the embodiment. As described above, the recipient terminal 300 may be a terminal used by the recipient of the package to be delivered. In FIG. 6, the recipient terminal 300 may be, for example, a conventional smartphone in which an application used in the system 1 is installed. On the other hand, the recipient terminal 300 may be a dedicated terminal that is assumed to be used in the system 1, for example.

As in the example shown in FIG. 6, the recipient terminal 300 may have the same configuration as the trader terminal 200 shown in FIG. The recipient terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 6 may include a controller 302, a storage unit 304, a communication unit 306, a reading unit 308, an operation unit 310, a display unit 312, and a position acquisition unit 340. These functional units may correspond to the functional units shown in FIG. 5, that is, the controller 202, the storage unit 204, the communication unit 206, the reading unit 208, the operation unit 210, the display unit 212, and the position acquisition unit 240. Good.

The communication unit 306 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 306 may communicate with the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 via the network N. The communication unit 306 may communicate with the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the communication unit 306 may communicate with the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 via the network N.

Next, the operation of the system 1 including the management server 10 according to the embodiment will be further described. The system 1 including the management server 10 according to an embodiment can be used in various situations when a delivery company or the like provides a service related to delivery.

The manner in which each element included in the system 1 according to one embodiment is used is roughly as follows. First, a staff member such as a courier can use the carrier terminal 200 to reserve the courier box 100 installed in the recipient's residence or the like before delivering the package to the recipient. When the delivery box 100 is reserved, the parcel receiver can use the recipient terminal 300 to know that the parcel box 100 has been reserved for the parcel to be delivered. In the home delivery box 100 thus reserved, the reservation is canceled after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, staff such as courier companies are motivated to deliver the package before the reservation is canceled. In addition, since the delivery box 100 remains reserved for a long period of time, it is possible to reduce the frequency of the situation in which other packages cannot be accommodated.

When notified that the delivery box 100 has been booked, does the recipient of the package want to have the package stored in the delivery box 100, or to receive the package by hand? , Can be selected. When the recipient selects the accommodation of the package, the staff such as the courier can store the package in the reserved delivery box 100 when the package is delivered. On the other hand, when the recipient selects the delivery of the parcel, the staff such as the courier can understand that the recipient desires the delivery of the parcel from the delivery terminal 200 and the delivery box 100. Therefore, a staff member such as a courier can hand the delivered package to the recipient.

It is also assumed that the staff such as a courier may not be able to hand over the parcel to the recipient when the parcel is delivered, although the parcel is selected by the recipient.
Even in such a case, the staff such as the delivery company can store the parcel in the reserved delivery box 100. Hereinafter, each element used in the above-described manner in the system 1 according to the embodiment will be further described.

In the following description, the operation mainly performed by the management server 10 may be performed under the control of the controller 12 of the management server 10. That is, the operation “performed by the management server 10” may be an operation “performed by the controller 12”. The storage/recording performed by the management server 10 may mean that the storage unit 14 of the management server 10 stores/records. Furthermore, the management server 10 “transmitting/receiving” may mean that the communication unit 16 of the management server 10 transmits/receives.

Similarly, the operation mainly performed by the home delivery box 100 may be performed by the control of the controller 102 of the home delivery box 100. That is, the operation “performed by the delivery box 100” may be an operation “performed under the control of the controller 102”. Further, the phrase “store/record” by the delivery box 100 may mean that the storage unit 104 of the delivery box 100 stores/records. Further, the phrase “transmitted/received” by the home delivery box 100 may mean that the communication unit 106 of the home delivery box 100 transmits/receives.

Similarly, the operations mainly performed by the trader server 20 may be performed under the control of the controller 22 of the trader server 20. That is, the operation “performed by the trader server 20” may be the operation “performed under the control of the controller 22”. Further, the phrase “store/record” by the vendor server 20 may mean that the storage unit 24 of the vendor server 20 stores/records. Furthermore, the term “transmitted/received” by the trader server 20 may mean that the communication unit 26 of the trader server 20 transmits/receives.

Similarly, the operation mainly performed by the dealer terminal 200 may be performed by the control of the controller 202 of the dealer terminal 200. That is, the operation “performed by the vendor terminal 200” may be an operation “performed under the control of the controller 202”. In addition, “store/record” by the vendor terminal 200 may mean that the storage unit 204 of the vendor terminal 200 stores/records. Further, the term “transmitted/received” by the dealer terminal 200 may mean that the communication unit 206 of the dealer terminal 200 transmits/receives.

Similarly, the operation with the recipient terminal 300 as a main component may be performed under the control of the controller 302 of the recipient terminal 300. That is, the operation “performed by the recipient terminal 300” may be an operation “performed under the control of the controller 302”. Further, “to be stored/recorded” by the recipient terminal 300 may be that the storage unit 304 of the recipient terminal 300 stores/records. Furthermore, the term “transmitted/received” by the recipient terminal 300 may mean that the communication unit 306 of the recipient terminal 300 transmits/receives.

(Reservation application for home delivery box 100 on vendor terminal 200)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in which the recipient terminal 300 is notified of the completion of the reservation based on the application for the reservation of the delivery box 100 using the vendor terminal 200 in the system 1. Is. FIG. 7 shows a sequence of operations of each element included in the system 1 in order from the top in chronological order. As shown in FIG. 7, each element included in the system 1 may be the recipient terminal 300, the delivery box 100, the management server 10, the agent server 20, and the agent terminal 200.

The operation illustrated in FIG. 7 may be started when a staff member such as a courier who uses the courier terminal 200 tries to reserve the courier box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the package to be delivered. That is, a staff member such as a courier will deliver the parcel to the recipient at a stage prior to delivering the parcel to the recipient, for example, while planning a delivery plan. Can be booked remotely using the vendor terminal 200. In this way, by making a reservation for the delivery box 100 using the delivery terminal 200, it is possible to avoid the situation where parcels delivered by the staff of another delivery agent are stored in the reserved delivery box.

Further, when the operation shown in FIG. 7 starts, the trader terminal 200 may display a screen such as that shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 212. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 212 of the vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the trader terminal 200 may display various kinds of information related to delivery of parcels on the display unit 212. For example, as shown near the upper portion of the display unit 212 in FIG. 8, the trader terminal 200 may display the current date and time, the delivery charge district and the delivery charge driver name of the staff using the trader terminal 200, and the like.

As shown in the display unit 212 of FIG. 8, the dealer terminal 200 may display a list of delivered packages. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the dealer terminal 200 displays a list of information on seven deliveries on the display unit 212. The trader terminal 200 displays various information such as the invoice number, the presence or absence of designation of delivery time or the designated time, the status of the delivery box, and the delivery area for each delivery package on the display unit 212 in the delivery package list. Good.

In order to perform the display as shown in FIG. 8, the management server 10 may acquire information such as availability and/or reservation status of the home delivery box 100 in each area. The management server 10 may manage the delivery box 100 in each area by periodically or irregularly acquiring information such as availability and/or reservation status of the delivery box 100 in each area. The trader terminal 200 may appropriately request (request) the trader server 20 or the management server 10 for information such as availability and/or reservation status of the home delivery box 100 in a predetermined area. In this way, the dealer terminal 200 can acquire the latest information such as the availability and/or reservation status of the home delivery box 100 in the predetermined area. The trader terminal 200 may directly acquire various types of information from the management server 10 or the management server 10 via the trader server 20.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the two packages displayed on the lower side of the display unit 212 may indicate that the delivery has already been completed. That is, the parcels other than the two parcels displayed on the lower side of the display unit 212 may represent the parcels to be delivered.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the packages displayed third and fifth from the top of the delivery package list are displayed as “full” in the item of the delivery box 100. This may indicate that the delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the parcel has no space. Therefore, when delivering such a package, the staff of the delivery company cannot store the package in the delivery box 100 if the recipient cannot deliver the package due to his absence. In such a case, the staff of the courier is forced to redeliver the delivered package.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the first, second, and fourth parcels displayed from the top of the delivery parcel list are displayed as “empty” in the item of the home delivery box 100. This may indicate that there is a vacancy in the home delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the parcel. Therefore, when delivering such a package, the staff of the courier can store the package in the delivery box 100 even if the recipient cannot deliver the package due to his absence. If the parcel can be stored in the parcel delivery box 100, the staff of the parcel delivery company does not need to redeliver the parcel delivered.

However, the availability and/or reservation status of the delivery box 100 may change from moment to moment. The trader terminal 200 may update the display on the display unit 212 as appropriate by inquiring the management server 10 or the trader server 20 for the latest information such as availability and/or reservation status of the home delivery box 100 in a predetermined area. Even if the item of the delivery box 100 on the display unit 212 is "empty" at the time when the staff of the delivery company confirms, the item of the delivery box 100 is "full" by the time the staff arrives at the place of the delivery box 100. May have changed to. In such a case, if the recipient is unable to hand over the package due to absence, the staff of the courier is still forced to redeliver the package.

Therefore, in the system 1 according to the embodiment, the staff of the courier may reserve the courier box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the package to be delivered by the courier terminal 200. As described above, the display unit 212 of the vendor terminal 200 may be configured as the touch screen display together with the operation unit 210. In this case, the agent terminal 200 may detect an operation in which the staff of the delivery agent touches the item of the package displayed on the display unit 212 as an input to the operation unit 210. For example, it is assumed that a touch on the column in which the item α shown in FIG. 8 is displayed or the “empty” icon in the column is detected by the operation unit 210. In this case, the trader terminal 200 transmits to the trader server 20 a reservation request for the home delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the parcel (invoice number 4550-0086-0672).

In this way, based on the predetermined operation by the staff of the delivery company, the delivery terminal 200 may determine that the reservation application for the specific delivery box 100 has been made (step S1 shown in FIG. 7). When it is determined that the reservation application for the specific home delivery box 100 has been made, the dealer terminal 200 transmits a reservation request based on the reservation application to the dealer server 20 (step S2). Upon receiving the reservation request for the specific home delivery box 100, the agent server 20 transmits the reservation request to the management server 10 (step S3). In this way, the controller 22 of the trader server 20 controls the communication unit 26 to transmit a reservation request for the delivery box 100 to the management server 10 based on the request from the trader terminal 200 received by the communication unit 26. You can do it. When possible, the trader terminal 200 may directly send the reservation request for the home delivery box 100 to the management server 10 without going through the trader server 20.

When the management server 10 receives the reservation request for the specific delivery box 100, the management server 10 transmits the reservation request to the specific delivery box 100 (step S4). In this way, the controller 12 of the management server 10 transmits a request for reservation of the delivery box 100 to the delivery box 100 based on the request from the delivery server 20 or the delivery terminal 200 received by the communication unit 16. You may control.

Upon receiving the reservation request, the specific home delivery box 100 reserves the accommodation unit 120 for accommodating parcels to be delivered (step S5). In step S5, the delivery box 100 may lock the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 so that the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 for which the reservation has been requested is not opened. For this reason, the controller 12 of the management server 10 controls to transmit the information requesting the lock (electronic lock 124) of the accommodation opening (door 122) of the delivery box 100 as the information requesting the reservation of the delivery box 100. You may.

When the delivery box 100 is reserved and locked, the delivery box 100 transmits a notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved to the management server 10 (step S6). When receiving the notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, the management server 10 starts a timer that counts a predetermined time for making a reservation for the delivery box 100 (step S7).

In step S7, the predetermined time for holding the reservation of the home delivery box 100 means that the reservation of the home delivery box 100 is held before the predetermined time elapses, but when the predetermined time passes, the home delivery box 100 It may be the time when the reservation is canceled. Cancellation of the reservation for delivery box 100 will be described later. The predetermined time in step S7 may be appropriately determined based on, for example, the time required for safely delivering the parcel to the home delivery box 100 reserved by the staff of the home delivery company. The predetermined time may be, for example, a time determined by a management company of the delivery box 100 or a delivery company. The predetermined time may be a fixed time such as 30 minutes, or may be a variable time depending on the distance from the present location to the delivery box 100 for delivering the package.

When the timer for counting the predetermined time for holding the reservation of the home delivery box 100 is started, the management server 10 transmits a notification that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved to the agent server 20 (step S8). Upon receiving the notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, the trader server 20 transmits a notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved to the trader terminal 200 (step S9). If possible, the management server 10 may directly send the notification that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved to the vendor terminal 200, not via the vendor server 20.

Upon receiving the notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, the dealer terminal 200 displays on the display unit 212 that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, based on the reservation application for the delivery box 100 in step S1 ( Step S10).

In step S10, the trader terminal 200 may display a screen such as that shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 212. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 212 of the vendor terminal 200 according to the embodiment. For example, in step S10, the trader terminal 200 displays the “empty” icon in the column in which the item α shown in FIG. 8 is displayed and the “reserve” icon in the column in which the item β shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. The icon may be changed to the icon and displayed on the display unit 212. By looking at the display on the display 212 of the trader terminal 200, the staff of the courier can confirm that the courier box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the package to be delivered has been reserved.

Receiving the notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved in step S8, the trader server 20 may send a notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved to the recipient terminal 300 (step S11). In step S11, the trader server 20 identifies the recipient terminal 300 of the recipient of the package for which the home delivery box 100 is reserved, and notifies the recipient terminal 300 that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved. You may send it. As described above, the controller 22 of the trader server 20 indicates that the delivery box 100 has been reserved based on the notification that the communication unit 26 has received from the management server 10 that the delivery box 100 has been reserved. The notification may be controlled to be sent to the recipient terminal 300.

When receiving the notification that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, the recipient terminal 300 may display on the display unit 312 that the delivery box 100 has been reserved (step S12).

In step S12, the recipient terminal 300 may display a screen as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 312, for example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 312 of the recipient terminal 300 according to the embodiment. In step S12, the recipient terminal 300 may display on the display unit 312 that the home delivery box 100 (installed in a residence or the like) of the recipient has been reserved, as shown in FIG. 10, for example. By seeing such a display, the recipient of the parcel can know that the parcel addressed to the parcel is about to be delivered by the delivery company or the like.

Further, in step S12, the recipient terminal 300, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the invoice number of the package to be delivered, the presence or absence of the designation of the delivery time or the designated time, the contents of the package, and the name of the carrier delivering the package. Various information such as the above may be displayed on the display unit 312. By looking at such a display, the recipient of the parcel can grasp the outline of the parcel delivered to itself. Further, by such a display, the recipient of the parcel can check whether the parcel delivering the parcel is a legitimate one.

The recipient terminal 300 may display, on the display unit 312, information regarding a predetermined time counted by the timer started in step S7 when displaying that the delivery box 100 has been reserved. For example, in step S7, it is assumed that the management server 10 starts counting the time of 30 minutes as the predetermined time for holding the reservation of the delivery box 100. In this case, the recipient terminal 300 may display, on the display unit 312, a display such as “Luggage arrives in about 30 minutes at maximum”.

In step S12, the recipient terminal 300 may display the fact that the delivery box 100 has been reserved on the display unit 312 only when a dedicated application that is supposed to be used in the system 1 is activated, for example. .. On the other hand, in step S12, the recipient terminal 300 displays, on the display unit 312, a notification (notification) that the delivery box 100 has been reserved, regardless of the application running on the recipient terminal 300, for example. You may. Further, in step S12, the recipient terminal 300 displays some notification on the display unit 312, and when a touch on the notification is detected by the operation unit 310, a screen as shown in FIG. 10, for example, is displayed on the display unit 312. You may.

Further, in step S12, the recipient terminal 300 may display, on the display unit 312, a screen for inquiring the recipient about how to receive the package to be delivered. In step S12, the recipient terminal 300 displays the “handing” button P1 and the “delivery box” button P2 on the display unit 312 as a method of receiving the package to be delivered, as shown in FIG. 10, for example. Good. When the touch of the "handing" button P1 is detected on the operation unit 310, the recipient terminal 300 notifies the staff of the courier that the recipient wishes to hand the parcel. On the other hand, when the touch on the button P2 of the “delivery box” is detected in the operation unit 310, the recipient terminal 300 informs the recipient that the luggage is to be accommodated in the delivery box 100. Communicate to the staff of the contractor. As described above, the controller 22 of the trader server 20 may control the notification that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved and the inquiry about the method of receiving the package to be transmitted to the recipient terminal 300. The selection of such a method of receiving the package will be described later.

(Cancellation of delivery box 100 reservation)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of canceling the reservation in the system 1 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the delivery box 100 was reserved using the vendor terminal 200. The operation of the management server 10 shown in FIG. 11 may follow the operation of the management server 10 shown in step S7 of FIG. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the management server 10 started counting the timer in step S7 of FIG. 7, the operation of step S21 shown in FIG. 11 may start. That is, the management server 10 may determine that the predetermined time (the time during which the reservation for the delivery box 100 is held) has elapsed in step S21 of FIG. 11 after starting the counting of the timer in step S7 of FIG. ..

When the time (predetermined time) in which the reservation of the delivery box 100 is held has elapsed, the management server 10 transmits a request for canceling the reservation to the delivery box 100 (step S22). In this way, the controller 12 of the management server 10 may control the home delivery box 100 to send a request for canceling the reservation of the home delivery box 100 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Upon receiving the request for canceling the reservation, the delivery box 100 cancels the reservation of the accommodation unit 120 that has already been reserved (step S23). In step S23, the delivery box 100 may unlock the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 so that the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 for which the reservation cancellation is requested can be opened. Therefore, the controller 12 of the management server 10 requests the unlocking of the accommodation opening (door 122) of the delivery box 100 (the unlocking of the electronic lock 124) as the information requesting the cancellation of the reservation of the delivery box 100. May be controlled to be transmitted.

When the reservation of the home delivery box 100 is released, the home delivery box 100 transmits a notification that the reservation of the home delivery box 100 has been released to the management server 10 (step S24). Upon receiving the notification that the reservation for the home delivery box 100 has been canceled, the management server 10 transmits a notification that the reservation has been canceled to the trader server 20 (step S25). Upon receiving the notification that the reservation for the home delivery box 100 has been canceled, the trader server 20 transmits a notification that the reservation has been canceled to the trader terminal 200 (step S26). If possible, the management server 10 may directly send the notification that the reservation of the home delivery box 100 has been canceled to the vendor terminal 200 without going through the vendor server 20.

Upon receiving the notification that the reservation for the home delivery box 100 has been canceled, the vendor terminal 200 displays that the reservation has been canceled on the display unit 212 (step S27). For example, in step S27, the trader terminal 200 displays the icon of “reservation” in the field in which the item β is displayed in FIG. 9 and “empty” in the field in which the item α is displayed in FIG. The icon may be changed to the icon and displayed on the display unit 212. Further, for example, in step S27, the dealer terminal 200 changes the icon of “reservation” in the field in which the item β shown in FIG. 9 is displayed to an icon that clearly indicates that the reservation has been canceled. Then, it may be displayed on the display unit 212. By looking at the display on the display unit 212 of the trader terminal 200, the staff of the courier can confirm that the reservation of the reserved courier box 100 has been cancelled. In this case, for example, the parcel delivery box 100 whose reservation has been canceled can accommodate the parcel delivered by the staff of another parcel delivery company. Therefore, staff such as courier companies are motivated to deliver the package before the reservation is canceled. In addition, since the delivery box 100 remains reserved for a long period of time, it is possible to reduce the frequency of the situation in which other packages cannot be accommodated.

(Selection of package receiving method at the recipient terminal 300)
As described in step S12 of FIG. 7, the recipient terminal 300 transmits the selection by the recipient of the method of receiving the package to be delivered to the staff of the courier. The selection by the recipient of such a package receiving method will be further described below.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in which the method of receiving the package selected by the package recipient using the recipient terminal 300 in the system 1 is transmitted to the home delivery box 100 and the trader terminal 200. .. The operation of the recipient terminal 300 shown in FIG. 12 may follow the operation of the recipient terminal 300 shown in step S12 of FIG.

As described above, when the recipient terminal 300 performs the operation shown in step S12 of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 10, as a method of receiving the package to be delivered, the “handing over” button P1 and the “delivery box” are displayed. The button P2 may be displayed on the display unit 312. In such a state, when the touch on the “Personal delivery” button P1 or the “Personal delivery box” button P2 is detected on the operation unit 310, the recipient terminal 300 causes the recipient to confirm the “Personal delivery” or the “Personal delivery box”. The selection is detected (step S31 shown in FIG. 12). When the selection of "handing over" or "delivery box" is detected, the recipient terminal 300 transmits a notification of the selection to the management server 10 (step S32). In step S32, the notification of the selection may be a notification indicating whether "handing" or "delivery box" has been selected as the method of receiving the package to be delivered.

As described above, the controller 12 of the management server 10 transmits a request for reservation of the home delivery box 100 (step S4), and then notifies the recipient terminal 300 of the notification regarding the method of receiving the parcel by the communication unit 16. You may control to receive. Further, the controller 12 transmits a request for reservation of the home delivery box 100 (step S4), receives a notification that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved (step S6), and then receives a notification regarding a method of receiving the package. You may control so that it may perform (step S32).

Upon receiving the selection notification, the management server 10 transmits the selection notification to the home delivery box 100 (step S33). In this way, the controller 12 of the management server 10 may control the notification of the method of receiving the package to be sent to the delivery box 100 based on the notification of the method of receiving the package received from the recipient terminal 300. .. Upon receiving the notification of the selection, the delivery box 100 stores the content of the selection (step S34). That is, when the selection of "handing over" receives the notification, the home delivery box 100 stores that the recipient wants "handing over" of the package. Further, when the selection of the “delivery box” receives the notification, the delivery box 100 stores that the recipient desires that the parcel be stored in the delivery box 100.

Further, upon receiving the selection notification, the management server 10 transmits the selection notification to the trader server 20 (step S35). Upon receiving the selection notification, the trader server 20 transmits the selection notification to the trader terminal 200 (step S36). If possible, the management server 10 may directly send the notification of the selection to the vendor terminal 200 without going through the vendor server 20. As described above, the controller 12 of the management server 10 transmits the notification regarding the method of receiving the package to the agent server 20 or the agent terminal 200 based on the notification regarding the method of receiving the package received from the recipient terminal 300. You may control. Upon receiving the selection notification, the trader terminal 200 may display information based on the selection on the display unit 212 (step S37).

For example, in step S37, the trader terminal 200 displays the “reservation” icon in the column displaying the item β shown in FIG. 9 and the “handing” icon in the column displaying the item γ shown in FIG. The icon may be changed to the icon and displayed on the display unit 212. By looking at the display on the display unit 212 of the trader terminal 200, the staff of the delivery company can know that the recipient of the package whose delivery box 100 is reserved desires to receive the package by hand. .. Further, if the staff of the courier delivers the parcel to the recipient within the time when the reservation of the parcel delivery box 100 is held, the recipient of the parcel may be presumed to be at home. Therefore, staff such as a courier may plan for efficient delivery of parcels.

(Cancellation of reservation for delivery box 100 upon completion of package delivery)
FIG. 14 is an example of an operation in the system 1 in which, after the delivery box 100 is reserved using the vendor terminal 200, the reservation is canceled based on the fact that the parcel is handed to the recipient and the delivery is completed. It is a figure explaining. When the parcel delivery box 100 is reserved using the vendor terminal 200 and the parcel is handed directly to the recipient, the parcel delivery is completed. When the package is handed directly to the recipient and the delivery is completed, the reservation of the delivery box 100 reserved for the package is no longer necessary. Therefore, in the system 1, when the parcel delivery box 100 is reserved for the parcel to be delivered and then the parcel is handed to the recipient, the reservation of the parcel delivery box 100 reserved for the parcel is released. Hereinafter, the operation shown in FIG. 14 will be described assuming that the recipient terminal 300 detects the selection of “handing over” by the recipient in step S31 of FIG.

The operation illustrated in FIG. 14 is typically started when a staff member such as a courier delivering a package arrives at the location of the delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the package. Good. For example, the operation illustrated in FIG. 14 is started even after the reservation application for the home delivery box 100 is performed using the vendor terminal 200 in step S1 of FIG. 7 (the home delivery box 100 is not reserved at this point). Good. In addition, the operation illustrated in FIG. 14 is started even after the fact that the delivery box 100 is reserved is displayed on the dealer terminal 200 in step S10 of FIG. 7 (the delivery box 100 is already reserved at this point). Good. Further, for example, the operation illustrated in FIG. 14 may be started after the selection of the receiving method (for example, “handing”) is displayed on the vendor terminal 200 in step S37 of FIG.

It is assumed that, when the operation shown in FIG. 14 starts, the staff such as a courier who delivers the parcel arrives at the place of the parcel delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the parcel. When a staff member such as a courier who delivers the parcel arrives at the place of the parcel delivery box 100, the parcel delivery box 100 acquires the delivery information of the parcel (step S41). In step S41, the reading unit 108 of the delivery box 100 may read an identification code such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) attached to the delivered parcel or the parcel of the parcel. The delivery box 100 may acquire the delivery information of the parcel by reading the identification code as described above by the reading unit 108. In this case, a staff member such as a delivery company may hold (close) the identification code attached to the parcel or the slip of the parcel to the reading unit 108 of the parcel delivery box 100.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the delivery box 100 may include a reading unit 108 such as a barcode reader at a position below the display unit 112. In FIG. 15, a part of the functional unit of the delivery box 100, that is, the reading unit 108, the operation unit 110, and the display unit 112 are shown in an enlarged manner. A staff member such as a courier passes an identification code such as a bar code attached to the delivered package over (close to) the reading unit 108 shown in FIG. 15, whereby the delivery box 100 acquires the delivery information of the package. May be performed (step S41).

The delivery box 100 stores in step S34 that the "handing" receiving method is selected by the recipient in step S31 of FIG. Therefore, when the delivery information of the parcel is acquired in step S41, the home delivery box 100 can determine that the "handing" receiving method is selected for the parcel. In this case, the delivery box 100 may display on the display unit 112 that the "handing" receiving method is selected for the parcel (step S42).

In step S42, the delivery box 100 displays, on the display unit, a message to the staff such as a delivery company, such as "Customer wants to hand (at delivery of parcel)", as shown in FIG. 112 may be displayed. By looking at such a display, the staff member such as a courier who has delivered the package can know that the recipient of the package wants to hand the package.

In step S37 shown in FIG. 12, the agent terminal 200 used by the staff such as a courier has already displayed on the display unit 212 that the recipient of the package wants to hand it. However, the staff such as the courier may miss such a display on the dealer terminal 200. Further, it is possible that the staff such as the courier will forget about the display on the terminal 200 of the dealer. Further, the receiving method desired by the package recipient may be changed once selected by the recipient. Even in such a case, the staff such as the courier can know the receiving method desired by the parcel receiver when the parcel arrives at the parcel box 100 installed in the residence of the parcel receiver. it can.

After step S42, a staff member such as a courier can go to the gateway of the residence of the recipient to hand the delivered package to the recipient who wishes to hand the package. As shown in FIG. 14, the timing when the operation of step S42 is completed is referred to as time point T1. In FIG. 14, the time point T1 is indicated by a broken line. In FIG. 14, after time T1, a staff member such as a courier may go to the entrance of the recipient's residence and hand the parcel to the recipient.

When the staff such as a delivery company hands the parcel to the parcel recipient, the trader terminal 200 may acquire information indicating that the parcel has been delivered (step S51 shown in FIG. 14). In step S51, the trader terminal 200 may acquire information such as the invoice number described on the delivered package (or the package slip). Further, in step S51, the trader terminal 200 may read the bar code or the like displayed on the slip peeled off from the parcel when the staff such as a courier delivers the parcel to the recipient by the reading unit 208. .. The trader terminal 200 may acquire the delivery information of the package handed to the recipient as the information indicating that the delivery of the package has been completed.

When the information indicating that the delivery of the parcel is completed is acquired, the trader terminal 200 transmits a notification that the delivery is completed to the trader server 20 (step S52). Upon receiving the notification that the delivery is completed, the trader server 20 transmits the notification that the delivery is completed to the management server 10 (step S53). Upon receiving the notification that the delivery is completed, the management server 10 transmits to the home delivery box 100 a request for canceling the reservation of the home delivery box 100 reserved for the delivered parcels (step S54). In this way, the controller 12 of the management server 10 releases the reservation of the delivery box 100 based on the notification from the vendor terminal 200 indicating that the parcel has been delivered to the recipient before the predetermined time has elapsed. May be controlled to be transmitted to the delivery box 100. The operations from step S55 to step S58 shown in FIG. 14 may be performed in the same manner as the operations from step S23 to step S26 shown in FIG.

Upon receiving the notification that the reservation of the home delivery box 100 has been canceled in step S58, the dealer terminal 200 displays on the display unit 212 that the parcel delivery is completed (step S59). For example, in step S59, the trader terminal 200 may indicate that delivery of the parcel has been completed, as in the two items below the display unit 212 shown in FIG. In step S59, the dealer terminal 200 may also display on the display unit 212 that the parcel delivery has been completed and that the reservation for the home delivery box 100 has been canceled. By looking at the display on the display unit 212 of the trader terminal 200, the staff of the courier can confirm that the delivery of the package has been completed.

As described above, in step S41 of FIG. 14, the staff such as the courier arrives at the delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the package, and the delivery box 100 can obtain the delivery information of the package. it can. Then, in step S42, home delivery box 100 displays that the recipient has selected the "handing" receiving method for the parcel. By looking at this display, the staff such as a courier can go to the entrance of the recipient's residence to hand over the delivered package.

However, there may be a situation in which the recipient has to go out due to urgent need. In such a case, even if the recipient has selected the "handing" method for the delivered package, it is possible that the recipient cannot eventually hand it to the recipient. In such a case, in the system 1, if the parcel is delivered within the time when the reservation for the parcel delivery box 100 is held, the staff such as the courier will not be able to hand the parcel to the recipient, but the parcel will be delivered. Can be accommodated in the home delivery box 100. The operation in such a case will be described below.

(Store parcels that cannot be handed in the delivery box 100)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation in the system 1 in which the parcel is not handed over but is accommodated in the reserved home delivery box 100 even though the hand-delivery receiving method for the parcel is selected. Is. The operation shown in FIG. 16 may be started from the time point T1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 16 as well, as in FIG. 14, the time point T1 is indicated by a broken line. That is, when the operation shown in FIG. 16 is started, the delivery box 100 acquires the delivery information of the parcel (step S41 in FIG. 14) and displays that the “handing” delivery method is selected. Good (step S42).

When the operation shown in FIG. 16 starts, after time T1, a staff member such as a courier may go to the entrance of the recipient's residence and try to hand the parcel to the recipient. However, after the time T1 shown in FIG. 16, it is assumed that the staff such as a courier cannot reach the recipient of the residence of the parcel, but the delivered parcel cannot be handed to the recipient. Therefore, it is assumed that the staff such as a delivery company returns to the place of the delivery box 100 in order to store the luggage that could not be handed in the delivery box 100.

When a staff member such as a courier returns with the parcel that could not be handed to the recipient, the parcel box 100 acquires the delivery information of the parcel again (step S61). In step S61, the delivery box 100 may acquire again the same information as the package delivery information already acquired in step S41 of FIG. Therefore, in step S61, the delivery box 100 may acquire the delivery information of the parcel again in the same manner as the operation in step S41 of FIG. For example, a staff member such as a courier delivers an identification code such as a bar code attached to a parcel that could not be handed over to the reading unit 108 shown in FIG. 15, so that the parcel delivery box 100 delivers the parcel. You may reacquire the information.

When the delivery information of the parcel is reacquired, the delivery box 100 authenticates the acquired delivery information of the parcel (step S62). In step S62, the home delivery box 100 may identify the parcel based on the acquired delivery information of the parcel and check whether the home delivery box 100 is reserved for the parcel. Further, in step S62, the delivery box 100 determines whether or not the retention time of the reservation (step S21 in FIG. 11) has elapsed when the delivery box 100 is reserved for the package. You can That is, the authentication of the delivery information in step S62 means that the delivery box 100 determines whether the delivery box 100 is reserved for the package and/or whether the reservation is still valid. Good as

In FIG. 16, the home delivery box 100 has described the example of authenticating the delivery information in step S62 by receiving the delivery information of the parcel in advance. For example, the delivery box 100 may acquire the delivery information of the parcel in advance in step S4 of FIG. 7, step S33 of FIG. 12, step S41 of FIG. Moreover, in step S62, the delivery box 100 may authenticate the delivery information by transmitting the delivery information of the package to the management server 10. In this case, the delivery box 100 may receive the result of the authentication by the management server 10.

When the delivery information is authenticated, the delivery box 100 may unlock the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 reserved for the package in the delivery box 100 (step S63). That is, when the delivery box 100 is reserved for the parcel in step S62 and the reservation is valid (the holding time has not elapsed), the delivery box 100 opens the door 122 of the accommodation section 120 in step S63. The electronic lock 124 may be unlocked. On the other hand, when the parcel delivery box 100 is not reserved for the parcel in step S62, the parcel delivery box 100 does not unlock the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 in step S63. Further, even when the reservation holding time of the delivery box 100 made for the parcel in step S62 has elapsed, the delivery box 100 unlocks the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the accommodation section 120 in step S63. do not do.

When the electronic lock 124 is unlocked in step S63, a staff member such as a delivery company can store the parcel that could not be handed to the recipient in the storage unit 120 of the delivery box 100. When the parcel is stored in the home delivery box 100, the home delivery box 100 detects the close of the door 122 of the storage unit 120 in which the parcel is stored and/or the parcel stored in the storage unit 120 (step S64). .. In step S64, the opening/closing detection unit 130 of the delivery box 100 may detect that the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 is in the closed state. In step S64, the weight detection unit 132 of the home delivery box 100 may detect that the parcel is accommodated in the accommodation unit 120 by detecting the weight of the parcel accommodated in the accommodation unit 120.

When the door 122 is closed and/or the parcel is detected, the delivery box 100 locks the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the accommodation unit 120 in which the parcel is accommodated (step S65). When the delivery box 100 is locked, the delivery box 100 transmits a notification that the parcel is stored to the management server 10 (step S66).

Upon receiving the notification that the package has been stored, the management server 10 transmits a notification that the package has been stored to the recipient terminal 300 (step S67). Upon receiving the notification that the parcel is stored, the recipient terminal 300 may display on the display unit 312 that the delivered parcel is stored in the home delivery box 100 (step S68). By looking at the display on the display unit 312 of the recipient terminal 300, the recipient of the parcel whose delivery has been selected can know that the parcel has been stored in the delivery box 100 without being handed. Therefore, the recipient of the package can receive the package housed in the delivery box 100 at a convenient time.

As described above, the controller 12 of the management server 10 transmits a notification (handing selection) regarding the method of receiving the parcel to the home delivery box 100, and then sends a notification that the parcel is accommodated in the home delivery box 100. You may receive from 100. Further, when the controller 12 receives the notification that the parcel is accommodated in the home delivery box 100, the controller 12 controls to transmit the notification that the parcel is accommodated in the home delivery box 100 to the recipient terminal 300. You may.

In step S67, the recipient terminal 300 also receives from the management server 10 the information for displaying the identification code for unlocking the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the housing unit 120 in which the parcel is stored in the delivery box 100. You may. In this case, the recipient terminal 300 can also display the identification code for unlocking the home delivery box 100 on the display unit 312 together with the fact that the parcel is stored in the home delivery box 100 in step S68. Therefore, the recipient of the parcel can unlock the electronic lock 124 of the door 122 of the accommodating unit 120 in which the parcel is accommodated by holding (approaching) the identification code to the reading unit 108 shown in FIG. ..

Further, upon receiving the notification that the parcel has been stored, the management server 10 may also send the notification that the parcel has been stored to the trader server 20 (step S71). Upon receiving the notification that the parcel is stored, the trader server 20 may transmit the notification that the parcel is stored to the trader terminal 200 (step S72). If possible, the management server 10 may directly send the notification that the parcel has been stored to the trader terminal 200 without passing through the trader server 20. Upon receiving the notification that the parcel is stored, the dealer terminal 200 may display on the display unit 212 that the delivered parcel is stored in the home delivery box 100 (step S73). By looking at the display on the display unit 212 of the trader terminal 200, the staff such as the courier can confirm that the parcel that could not be handed is stored in the courier box 100.

As described above, according to the system 1, the staff such as the courier can reserve the courier box 100 for accommodating the parcel to be delivered. Therefore, a staff member such as a courier can store the delivered parcel in the reserved parcel delivery box 100 even if the recipient is absent when the parcel is delivered. Therefore, according to the system 1, the situation in which the staff such as the courier has to redistribute the parcel is avoided. On the other hand, in the system 1, the time for which the reservation of the delivery box 100 is held is limited, and the reservation is canceled after a lapse of a predetermined time. Therefore, staff such as courier companies are motivated to deliver the package before the reservation is canceled. In addition, since the delivery box 100 remains reserved for a long period of time, it is possible to reduce the frequency of the situation in which other packages cannot be accommodated.

Further, according to the system 1, the fact that the home delivery box 100 has been reserved for the parcel is displayed on the recipient terminal 300, so that the recipient of the parcel to be delivered can confirm that the parcel will be delivered soon. I can figure it out. Furthermore, according to the system 1, the recipient of the package to be delivered can select whether to receive the package by hand or have the package housed in the home delivery box 100. Further, according to the system 1, even if the recipient chooses to receive the package by hand, but the package cannot be delivered by hand, the package can be stored in the reserved home delivery box 100. it can. Therefore, according to the system 1, the situation in which the staff such as the courier has to redistribute the parcel is avoided.

Therefore, according to the system 1 according to the embodiment, in the service of delivering a package to a recipient, the package delivery can be made efficient. Further, the system 1 according to the embodiment can be beneficial to both the carrier and the package recipient.

(When "Delivery Box" is selected as the method of receiving packages)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the recipient terminal 300 detects the selection of “handing” by the recipient in step S31 of FIG. 12 has been described. That is, in the above description, the case where the package receiver selects "handing" as the method of receiving the package to be delivered has been described. Hereinafter, the case where the recipient terminal 300 detects the selection of the “delivery box” by the recipient in step S31 of FIG. 12 will be described. That is, the recipient of the parcel selects to store the parcel in the delivery box 100 as a method of receiving the parcel to be delivered, and selects the "delivery box" displayed on the display unit 312 of the recipient terminal 300 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the touch operation is performed on the button P2.

When the selection of the "delivery box" is detected in step S31 of FIG. 12, the delivery box 100 may store the selection of the "delivery box" in accordance with the operations of steps S32 to S34 of FIG. On the other hand, at this point, the delivery box 100 has already been reserved for the package to be delivered (step S5 of FIG. 7), and thus the operations of steps S33 and S34 of FIG. 12 may be omitted. That is, the delivery box 100 does not have to store the selection of “delivery box”. Further, in this case, the trader terminal 200 may display on the display unit 213 that the “delivery box” is selected according to the operation from step S35 to step S37 in FIG.

After the selection of the “delivery box” is detected in step S31 of FIG. 12, the operation shown in FIG. 14 is started, and the staff such as the delivery company delivers the delivery box 100 installed in the residence of the recipient of the parcel. Suppose you have arrived at the place. In this case, when the delivery box 100 acquires the delivery information of the parcel in step S41 shown in FIG. 14, the delivery box 100 may store the delivered parcel in the reserved delivery box 100. Therefore, after step S41 shown in FIG. 14, the delivery box 100 can store the delivered parcels in the delivery box 100 according to the operations after step S62 shown in FIG.

Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and the embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations or modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations or modifications are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each functional unit can be rearranged so as to be logically consistent. A plurality of functional units and the like may be combined or divided into one. The embodiments according to the present disclosure described above are not limited to being faithfully carried out in the respective embodiments described, and may be implemented by appropriately combining the features or omitting a part thereof. ..

In the embodiment described above, the timer that measures the holding time of the delivery box 100 starts counting at the time of step S7 in FIG. 7. However, the start time of the reservation holding time may be another time such as the time when the management server 10 receives the reservation request for the specific home delivery box 100 in step S3 of FIG. 7. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the start of the holding time of the reservation and the elapse of the holding time are described as being determined by the management server 10. However, each home delivery box 100 may determine the start of the holding time of the reservation and the elapse of the holding time. Further, the controller 102 of the home delivery box 100 may have a function of measuring time, or both the management server 10 and the home delivery box 100 may not have the function of measuring time.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, in step S21 illustrated in FIG. 11, it is determined that the retention time of the reservation in the reserved home delivery box 100 has elapsed. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the timer for measuring the holding time of the delivery box 100 is started, and when the holding time of the reservation has elapsed, the reservation of the delivery box 100 is immediately canceled. In this case, if parcels are not accommodated in the delivery box 100 before the retention time of the reservation has passed, the reservation of the delivery box 100 is canceled. However, for example, if the parcel arrives near the reserved home delivery box 100 before the retention time of the reservation passes, it is assumed that the reservation of the home delivery box 100 is not canceled even if the retention time passes. Good.

For example, if the operation of step S41 shown in FIG. 14 is completed before the retention time of the reservation elapses, the reservation of the delivery box 100 may not be canceled even after the retention time elapses. That is, in this case, if the luggage identification code is read by the reading unit 108 of the delivery box 100 before the retention time of the reservation has elapsed, the reservation of the delivery box 100 is not canceled even if the retention time has elapsed. Further, for example, if the operation of step S61 shown in FIG. 16 is completed before the retention time of the reservation elapses, the reservation of the delivery box 100 may not be canceled even after the retention time elapses. .. That is, in this case, if the identification code of the parcel that could not be handed is read by the reading unit 108 of the delivery box 100 before the retention time of the reservation has elapsed, even if the retention time has elapsed, the reservation of the delivery box 100 has been reserved. Is not released.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the system 1 has been described as including two servers, the management server 10 and the trader server 20. As such, the system 1 may include a first server and a second server. In this case, the first server communicates with the second server. The first server may be a server (management server) of a company that manages the accommodation device, which communicates with the accommodation device such as a home delivery box. The second server may be a server used by a delivery company (a delivery server) that communicates with a terminal (a delivery terminal) used by the staff of a delivery agent such as a delivery agent. Here, the first server (management server) may be a server other than the server used by the delivery company (company server).

On the other hand, if these servers can be integrated into one, the system 1 may be realized as including one server. In this case, the system may include a home delivery box 100 that stores parcels delivered to the recipient, at least a server that communicates with the home delivery box 100, and at least a vendor terminal 200 that communicates with the server. Then, the server transmits a reservation request for the delivery box 100 to the delivery box 100 based on the request from the delivery terminal 200, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, sends a request for canceling the reservation for the delivery box 100. 200 may be sent. Further, the server makes a request for canceling the reservation of the delivery box 100 based on the notification from the vendor terminal 200 indicating that the parcel has been delivered to the recipient before a predetermined time has elapsed. You may control so that it may transmit to the said delivery box 100.

In the communication between the management server 10 and the trader server 20, when the information stored in the trader server 20 is information that should not be transmitted to the management server 10, the trader server 20 transmits information other than the information that should not be transmitted. You may. For example, when the agent server 20 is a server operated by a delivery agent and the management server 10 is a server operated by a person other than the delivery agent, the agent server 20 is the recipient of the package stored in the agent server 20. Should not be transmitted to the management server 10. In that case, the trader server 20 does not send the personal information of the package recipient to the management server 10, and the personal information of the package recipient cannot be specified (for example, an invoice number or a barcode attached to the delivered package. (Identification code of) is transmitted to the management server 10.

The above-described embodiment is not limited to the implementation as the management server 10 included in the system 1. For example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as the trader server 20 included in the system 1. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be implemented as a system including a server such as the management server 10 and/or the vendor server 20 included in the system 1. Further, the above-described embodiment is not limited to the implementation as a server (device) such as the management server 10 and/or the trader server 20 included in the system 1. For example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a method for controlling a server (device) such as the management server 10 and/or the vendor server 20 included in the system 1. Furthermore, for example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a program executed by a server (device) such as the management server 10 and/or the trader server 20 included in the system 1.

Further, the installation of the home delivery box 100 according to the embodiment is not limited to an entrance of an apartment house such as an apartment. For example, the delivery box 100 according to an embodiment may be installed in a public space such as a railway station or a store such as a convenience store.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Delivery management system 10 Management server 12 Controller 14 Storage part 16 Communication part 20 Merchant server 22 Controller 24 Storage part 26 Communication part 100 Delivery box 102 Controller 104 Storage part 106 Communication part 108 Reading part 110 Operation part 112 Display part 120 Accommodating part 122 Door 124 Electronic lock 130 Opening/closing detecting unit 132 Weight detecting unit 200 Merchant terminal 202 Controller 300 Recipient terminal 204, 304 Storage unit 206, 306 Communication unit 208, 308 Reading unit 210, 310 Operation unit 212, 312 Display unit 240, 340 Position Acquisition department

Claims (3)

Server,
A terminal used by the carrier,
A terminal used by the package recipient,
A delivery box having a yield capacity portion for storing said package,
A and delivery Tsu system der including,
The terminal used by the shipper, the case where the delivery box to reserve the yield capacity portion on the terminal used by the shipper is selected by the shipper, to reserve the yield capacity portion Request to the server,
The delivery box, upon receiving the request from the server to reserve the yield capacity unit, and transmits a notification that the yield capacity part is reserved to the server,
The server, when receiving the notification, transmits the information indicating that the yield capacity portion is reserved terminal used by the recipient of the cargo,
When the terminal used by the package recipient receives the information indicating that the accommodation unit has been reserved from the server, the terminal receives the information indicating that the accommodation unit has been reserved and the package receiving method. A selectable display on the terminal used by the package recipient ,
The delivery system, wherein the delivery box releases the reservation of the accommodation unit when the delivery of the package is completed by hand based on the selection of the method of receiving the package . The delivery box, the package is yield capacity Sarezu in the housing portion, and without receiving a request to cancel the reservation of the accommodating portion from the server, the yield capacity portion has a predetermined time elapses after the reserved In the case, the delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation of the accommodation unit is canceled. When the accommodation unit is reserved, the terminal used by the recipient displays information indicating that the accommodation unit is reserved on the terminal used by the recipient of the package, and If the delivery box is used to receive the package and the recipient selects to use the delivery box to receive the package, the delivery box is used to receive the package. Send a delivery box usage notification to the server indicating that
When the server receives the delivery box use notification, the server sends delivery box use information indicating that the delivery box is used to receive the package to the terminal used by the delivery company,
The terminal used by the shipper, when receiving the delivery box usage information from the server, to change the display on the terminal used by the shipper based on the delivery box usage information, according to claim 1 or The delivery system according to claim 2 .

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