JP7535147B2 - Locker device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a locker device.

A locker management system that manages lockers for storing luggage has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-34238 A

Depending on where the lockers are installed, some lockers will be crowded while others will not. For this reason, there is a need to equalize the utilization rate of crowded lockers and uncrowded lockers and increase the utilization rate of all lockers.

Therefore, the present invention was made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a locker device that can increase the utilization rate of multiple lockers.

The present invention has a first aspect comprising a plurality of lockers capable of storing luggage and being locked, a calculation unit that calculates a utilization rate of the plurality of lockers, and a transmission unit that transmits a request to move luggage stored in a locker that is in use among the plurality of lockers to an external device that manages the movement of the luggage when the utilization rate calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a threshold value for determining whether or not to make a request to move the luggage.

The transmission unit may transmit, to the external device, location information indicating the location of the locker and information indicating that the locker is available to receive luggage, when the utilization rate of the locker calculated by the calculation unit is lower than the threshold value, which is less than a threshold value for determining whether to transmit information indicating that the locker is available to receive luggage.

The locker device may further include a permission receiving unit that receives permission to move luggage stored in one of the lockers from a user who deposits the luggage in the locker, and the transmission unit may transmit a request to move the luggage, for which the permission receiving unit has received permission to move, to the external device when the utilization rate calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a threshold for determining whether or not to make a request to move the luggage.

The permission receiving unit may receive a planned end time of use, which is the planned time at which the luggage is to be collected from the user who has left the luggage in the locker, and the transmission unit may be controlled so as not to transmit a request to move the luggage to the external device if the time from the current time to the planned end time of use is within a predetermined time.

The permission receiving unit may receive the movement permission from the user who deposits the luggage in the locker when the user starts using the locker.

The present invention has the effect of increasing the utilization rate of multiple lockers.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a locker management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a locker management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of locker information. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a movement permission request screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement state information. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow relating to the movement of luggage stored in a locker of the locker management device according to the present embodiment. FIG.

[Outline of Locker Management Device 1]
1 is a diagram showing an overview of a locker management device 1 according to this embodiment. The locker management device 1 is a server that manages a plurality of lockers 5 (e.g., lockers 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2). The locker management device 1 is connected to a user terminal 2 and an administrator terminal 3 via a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone line.

The user terminal 2 is, for example, a computer such as a smartphone carried by a user U who uses the locker 5. The administrator terminal 3 is, for example, a computer such as a personal computer or smartphone used by an administrator M who manages the locker 5.

Lockers 5 are provided in multiple locations on locker shelves 4 (e.g., locker shelves 4A, 4B) and are installed in various facilities such as stations and public facilities. Lockers 5 are equipped with locker doors and a communication unit that communicates with the locker management device 1. Lockers 5 lock and unlock the locker doors according to the control of the locker management device 1.

The locker management device 1 provides a locker service to improve the usability of the lockers 5. It is assumed that a user U who uses the locker service has registered to use the service in advance. The locker management device 1 stores user information in which information about the user U, such as the user U's name and contact information, is associated with a user ID as user identification information that identifies the user U. The locker management device 1 also stores the contact information of the user U who has left luggage in the locker 5 in association with the locker ID as locker identification information that identifies the locker 5 in which the luggage is stored.

The locker management device 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, to ask a user U to move luggage stored in a locker 5 on a locker shelf 4 that is expected to be highly used and crowded, and to ensure that a locker 5 on the locker shelf 4 is available.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, locker shelf 4A is a locker shelf that is expected to be highly utilized and crowded, while locker shelf 4B is a locker shelf that is less utilized and not crowded. The locker management device 1 notifies the contact information of user U who has left luggage B in locker 5A1 installed on locker shelf 4A of the location of locker 5B1 installed on locker shelf 4B as the location to which luggage B will be moved, as well as the scheduled time to move luggage B to locker 5B1, and makes a request to move luggage B ((1) in FIG. 1).

When the locker management device 1 receives permission to move luggage B from user U ((2) in FIG. 1), it transmits movement instruction information indicating an instruction to move luggage B to the manager terminal 3 ((3) in FIG. 1). The manager M checks the movement instruction information and moves luggage B from locker 5A1 to locker 5B1 ((4) in FIG. 1). After that, the manager terminal 3 transmits first movement completion information indicating that the movement of luggage B is complete to the locker management device 1 in response to the operation of the manager M ((5) in FIG. 1). When the locker management device 1 receives the first movement completion information and determines that luggage B has been moved to locker 5B1, it transmits second movement completion information to the user terminal 2 to notify user U that luggage B has been moved to locker 5B1 ((6) in FIG. 1).

By doing this, the locker management device 1 can equalize the utilization rate of crowded lockers 5 and the utilization rate of uncrowded lockers 5, thereby increasing the utilization rate of multiple lockers 5.
Next, the configuration of the locker management device 1 will be described.

[Configuration of locker management device 1]
2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the locker management device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the locker management device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for sending and receiving information to and from devices other than the locker management device 1, such as the user terminal 2 and the administrator terminal 3.

The memory unit 12 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 13. The memory unit 12 stores a locker management program that causes the locker management device 1 to function as a state control unit 131, a permission acceptance unit 132, a movement instruction unit 133, an identification unit 134, a notification unit 135, a position information acquisition unit 136, and a privilege granting unit 137.

The storage unit 12 stores user information, which is information about a user U who is registered with the locker service. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user information. As shown in FIG. 3, the user information is information that associates a user ID, the name of user U, the address of user U, contact information indicating the contact information for user U, the names of related parties (other users) related to user U, and related party contact information indicating the contact information for the related parties. The contact information is, for example, an email address or a telephone number corresponding to the user terminal 2. The related party contact information is, for example, an email address or a telephone number corresponding to a terminal used by a related party related to user U, such as a family member.

The memory unit 12 also stores locker information, which is information related to the lockers 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of locker information. As shown in Figure 4, the locker information is information that associates a shelf ID, an installation location, a locker ID, a placement position, a size, an available time, a usage status, a scheduled usage time, a start time of usage, a scheduled end time of usage, a collection deadline, a reservation fee, a usage fee, a paid amount, an unlocking key, and user-related information.

The shelf ID is identification information that identifies the locker shelf 4 on which the locker 5 is installed. The installation location indicates the location where the locker 5 is installed, i.e., the location where the locker shelf 4 is installed. The locker ID is information that identifies each of multiple lockers 5. The placement position indicates the placement position of the locker 5 in the height direction on the locker shelf 4. The size indicates the internal height, width, and depth of the locker 5. The available hours indicate the time periods during which the locker 5 is available.

The usage status indicates the current usage status of the locker 5. In this embodiment, there are three usage statuses: "empty", "in use", and "reserved". "Empty" indicates that there are no restrictions on the use of the locker 5 and anyone can use it. "In use" indicates that the locker 5 is in use and cannot be used by other users. "Reserved" indicates that the locker 5 has been reserved and cannot be used by other users. When "reserved", the scheduled time of use is set. The scheduled time of use indicates the scheduled date and time when the use of the locker 5 will begin when the usage status of the locker 5 is "reserved". If the scheduled time of use arrives while the usage status is "reserved", the usage status is automatically changed to "empty".

The start time of use indicates the date and time when the usage status of the locker 5 changes from "empty" or "reserved" to "in use" and usage of the locker 5 begins. The planned end time of use indicates the planned end time of usage of the locker 5 when the usage status of the locker 5 is "in use". The receipt deadline indicates the date and time by which the user U must retrieve his/her luggage.

The reservation fee indicates the fee per unit time that a user must pay when reserving a locker 5. The usage fee indicates the fee per unit time that a user must pay when using a locker 5. The unit time set for the reservation fee may be different from the unit time set for the usage fee. The paid amount is the total amount already paid by the user. The unlocking key is information required to unlock a locker 5. The unlocking key is information that includes at least one of numbers, letters, and symbols, for example, a numeric string or a character string.

The user-related information is information corresponding to the user U who is using the locker 5 when the locker 5 is in use. The user-related information includes a user ID, contact information indicating the contact information for the user U, and related party contact information indicating the contact information for related parties (other users) related to the user U.

In this embodiment, the locker management device 1 stores locker information and centrally manages the locker information for the lockers 5 installed in each of the multiple locations, but this is not limited to the above. For example, locker information for multiple lockers 5 installed in the same installation location may be managed by a server installed on the locker shelf 4 corresponding to these lockers 5, or a server installed near the installation location. In this case, the locker management device 1 can access the server and refer to the locker information.

The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 executes the locker management program stored in the memory unit 12, thereby functioning as a state control unit 131, a permission acceptance unit 132, a movement instruction unit 133, an identification unit 134, a notification unit 135, a location information acquisition unit 136, and a privilege granting unit 137.

The locker management device 1 realizes basic functions by the state control unit 131. First, the basic functions of the locker management device 1 will be described.

[Locker 5 reservation]
First, a description will be given of the reservation function of the locker 5 of the locker management device 1. The state control unit 131 reserves a locker 5 in response to a request from the user terminal 2.

When the user terminal 2 receives an operation to start reserving a locker 5 on the operation screen of a specific application for implementing the locker service executed on the user terminal 2, the user terminal 2 transmits reservation request information including the user ID and requesting the reservation of a locker 5 to the locker management device 1.

When the status control unit 131 receives reservation request information from the user terminal 2, it identifies the user ID. The status control unit 131 causes the user terminal 2 to display a reservation screen, and accepts the selection of the installation location of the locker 5 from the user terminal 2. When the status control unit 131 accepts the selection of the installation location, it selects a locker 5 with a usage status of "empty" from among the lockers 5 installed on the locker shelf 4 installed within a predetermined range from the installation location.

The status control unit 131 may not only accept the selection of the installation location of the locker 5 from the user terminal 2, but also the size of the locker 5, the purpose or use of use, and the number of lockers. In this case, for example, the locker information stored in the memory unit 12 may associate information indicating the purpose or use of the locker 5 with the locker ID. The status control unit 131 may select lockers 5 that have a usage status of "empty" and that match the size, purpose or use of the locker 5 that was accepted, from among the lockers 5 installed on the locker shelf 4 installed within a specified range from the accepted installation location.

The status control unit 131 displays a locker list on the user terminal 2 that associates the selected "empty" locker 5 with the installation location of the locker 5, and accepts the user U's selection of the locker 5 to be reserved.

When the state control unit 131 accepts the selection of the locker 5 to be reserved, it accepts the payment of the reservation fee associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 via the user terminal 2. When the state control unit 131 accepts the payment of the reservation fee, it stores information indicating the paid amount in the memory unit 12 as the paid amount, and generates an unlocking key corresponding to the selected locker 5. The state control unit 131 stores the generated unlocking key in the memory unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5.

The state control unit 131 also refers to the user information stored in the memory unit 12 and identifies the contact information and related party contact information associated with the identified user ID. The state control unit 131 stores the identified contact information and related party contact information in the memory unit 12 as the contact information and related party contact information associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5.

[Storing luggage in locker 5]
The state control unit 131 controls the locking or unlocking of the lockers 5. For example, the locker shelf 4 is provided with a control device including an operation unit that accepts an operation to use a plurality of lockers 5 provided on the locker shelf 4, a deposit unit that accepts a deposit of a usage fee, and an output unit that outputs a paper showing an unlocking key. In the following description, the locker shelf 4 and the control device are collectively referred to as a locker device. The operation unit includes, for example, a display and a touch panel, and accepts a storing operation for storing luggage in the locker 5 or a removal operation for removing luggage stored in the locker 5 from the user. When the operation unit accepts the storing operation, it accepts a selection operation of whether to store luggage in a locker 5 whose usage status is "empty" or to store luggage in a locker 5 whose usage status is "reserved".

The operation unit also includes a short-range wireless communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, and acquires a user ID from the user terminal 2 of the user U by performing short-range wireless communication with the user terminal 2 when the user starts using the locker 5. Upon acquiring the user ID, the operation unit notifies the locker management device 1 of the acquired user ID. Note that in this case, the user terminal 2 is assumed to be running a specified application for realizing the locker service. The user terminal 2 turns on a short-range wireless communication function when the specified app starts to be executed, and is capable of performing short-range wireless communication with the operation unit when the user starts using the locker 5.

When the operation unit receives a selection operation to store luggage in an "empty" locker 5, it receives a selection operation of a locker 5 to be used by the user from among the lockers 5 whose usage status is "empty". When the operation unit receives the selection operation of a locker 5, it notifies the locker management device 1 of the locker ID of the selected locker 5. When the deposit unit receives the selection operation of a locker 5, it receives the deposit of the usage fee in cash, electronic currency, etc.

When a specific application is being executed, the user terminal 2 can accept the selection of a locker 5 and the payment of the usage fee in a similar procedure to the processing of the operation unit described above. When the user terminal 2 starts using a locker 5, it notifies the locker management device 1 of the user ID. Then, when the user terminal 2 accepts the selection of a locker 5, it notifies the locker management device 1 of the locker ID of the selected locker 5.

After acquiring the locker ID of the selected locker 5, when the deposit unit accepts the deposit of the usage fee, the state control unit 131 stores information indicating the deposited amount as the paid amount in the memory unit 12, generates an unlocking key corresponding to the selected locker 5, and sends a door opening instruction to the selected locker 5 to open the locker door, causing the locker door to open. The state control unit 131 stores the generated unlocking key in the memory unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5.

When the state control unit 131 acquires a user ID from the operation unit or the user terminal 2, the state control unit 131 refers to the user information stored in the storage unit 12 and identifies the contact information and related party contact information associated with the user ID. Then, the state control unit 131 stores the identified contact information and related party contact information in the storage unit 12 as the contact information and related party contact information associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5. When the locker door is closed, the locker 5 locks the locker door.

The state control unit 131, for example, causes the output unit to output a piece of paper on which a QR code (registered trademark) indicating the unlocking key is printed, and notifies the user U of the unlocking key. When the state control unit 131 acquires a user ID from the operation unit or the user terminal 2, the state control unit 131 may accept a selection operation of whether to output the QR code indicating the unlocking key on paper or to notify the user terminal 2. Based on the result of the selection operation, the state control unit 131 outputs a piece of paper on which a QR code indicating the unlocking key is printed, or notifies the user terminal 2 of the QR code indicating the unlocking key. In addition, when a user ID is stored in association with a locker ID, the user terminal 2 can refer to the unlocking key associated with that user ID by transmitting the user ID to the locker management device 1 via a specified application.

When the operation unit accepts a selection operation to store luggage in a "reserved" locker 5, it acquires a user ID from the user terminal 2 of the user U by short-range wireless communication with the user terminal 2, and transmits the user ID and shelf ID to the locker management device 1. When the status control unit 131 acquires the shelf ID and user ID, it identifies a locker 5 that is associated with the shelf ID and user ID and whose usage status is "reserved". When the status control unit 131 identifies a locker 5 whose usage status is "reserved", it accepts input of an unlocking key corresponding to the locker 5 via the operation unit. When the input unlocking key corresponds to the identified locker 5, the status control unit 131 causes the deposit unit to accept a deposit of the usage fee (e.g., one day's fee) in cash, electronic currency, etc.

When the deposit unit accepts the deposit of the usage fee, the state control unit 131 stores information indicating the deposited amount as the paid amount in the memory unit 12, generates an unlocking key corresponding to the selected locker 5, and opens the locker door of the selected locker 5. The state control unit 131 stores the generated unlocking key in the memory unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5.

The user places their luggage in locker 5 with the door open and closes the locker door. When the locker door is closed, locker 5 locks the locker door. The state control unit 131, for example, causes the output unit to output a piece of paper on which a QR code indicating the unlocking key is printed, and notifies user U of the unlocking key. Note that when the state control unit 131 acquires a user ID from the operation unit or user terminal 2, it may accept a selection operation of whether to output the QR code indicating the unlocking key on paper, or to notify the user terminal 2. Based on the result of the selection operation, the state control unit 131 outputs a piece of paper on which a QR code indicating the unlocking key is printed, or notifies user terminal 2 of the QR code indicating the unlocking key.

[Removing luggage from locker 5]
When the operation unit receives a request to remove luggage, it receives an operation to select a locker 5 from which the user will remove luggage, from among the lockers 5 whose usage status is "in use". In the following description, an example of removing luggage by operating the operation unit will be described, but this is not limiting, and luggage may also be removed by operating the user terminal 2. In the following description, the operation unit may be read as the user terminal 2. When a locker 5 is selected, the operation unit receives a selection operation of either temporarily removing luggage from the selected locker 5, or ending use of the selected locker 5.

When the operation unit receives a selection operation for temporarily removing luggage from the selected locker 5, it receives input of an unlocking key. When the unlocking key is input, the operation unit notifies the locker management device 1 of the locker ID of the selected locker 5 and the input unlocking key. The state control unit 131 acquires the locker ID and the unlocking key from the operation unit. When the acquired unlocking key matches the unlocking key associated with the acquired locker ID in the locker information, the state control unit 131 opens the locker door of the selected locker 5. In addition, the state control unit 131 generates a new unlocking key corresponding to the selected locker 5 and transmits an open door instruction to the selected locker 5 to open the locker door. The state control unit 131 stores the generated unlocking key in the storage unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker ID of the selected locker 5 and notifies the user of the unlocking key. The user can remove luggage from the locker 5 whose locker door is open, or store different luggage in the locker 5. Locker 5 locks the locker door when it is closed.

When the operation unit receives a selection operation to end the use of the selected locker 5, it receives input of an unlock key. When the unlock key is input, the operation unit notifies the locker management device 1 of the locker ID of the selected locker 5 and the input unlock key. The state control unit 131 obtains the locker ID and the unlock key from the operation unit. The state control unit 131 calculates the usage time based on the usage start time associated with the acquired locker ID in the locker information and the current time. If the calculated usage time exceeds the usage time corresponding to the paid amount, the state control unit 131 receives a deposit of the usage fee corresponding to the exceeded usage time via the deposit unit. When the state control unit 131 receives the deposit of the usage fee, it determines whether the acquired unlock key matches the unlock key associated with the acquired locker ID in the locker information. When the state control unit 131 determines that the unlock keys match, it opens the locker door of the selected locker 5. The user can remove his/her belongings from the locker 5 whose locker door is open and end the use of the locker 5.

The state control unit 131 may notify the contact indicated by the contact information associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 for which the calculated usage time exceeds the usage time corresponding to the paid amount of money, of information indicating that the usage time has exceeded, and may accept a payment of the usage fee corresponding to the exceeded usage time from the user terminal 2. When the state control unit 131 accepts the payment of the usage fee, it may add information indicating the paid amount to the paid amount, and may generate a new unlocking key. Then, the state control unit 131 may store the generated unlocking key in the storage unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker ID of the locker 5, and may notify the contact indicated by the contact information associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 of the generated unlocking key.

In addition, the state control unit 131 generates one unlocking key when storing luggage in the locker 5, and the operation unit accepts a selection operation of either temporarily removing the luggage or terminating use of the selected locker 5 when removing the luggage from the locker 5, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the state control unit 131 may generate a continued use unlocking key for unlocking the locker 5 while continuing to use it, and an end unlocking key for use when terminating use of the locker 5. Then, when accepting an operation to remove luggage, the operation unit may accept the continued use unlocking key or the end unlocking key. In this way, the user U can select between temporarily removing the luggage or terminating use of the selected locker 5 by using the two unlocking keys appropriately.

[Moving luggage stored in locker 5]
In this embodiment, the locker management device 1, for example, consults with a user U about moving luggage stored in a locker 5 of a locker shelf 4 that is expected to be highly utilized and crowded, and secures an empty locker 5 of the locker shelf 4. The function of the control unit 13 related to the movement of luggage stored in the locker 5 will be described below.

Based on information indicating the past usage of the locker 5, the permission acceptance unit 132 notifies the identified contact information of the user U of the location to which the luggage is to be moved and the scheduled time for the luggage to be moved, and accepts permission to move the luggage.

For example, the memory unit 12 stores the usage history of multiple lockers 5 for each locker shelf 4. The permission acceptance unit 132 calculates the average utilization rate of the installed lockers 5 for each of the multiple locker shelves 4 based on the usage history of the lockers 5. The permission acceptance unit 132 identifies a locker shelf 4 that has a high average utilization rate and is expected to be crowded as the source locker shelf. The permission acceptance unit 132 identifies a user U who has left luggage in a locker 5 on the source locker shelf, and identifies the locker 5 containing the user U's luggage as the source locker.

In this embodiment, the locker management device 1 calculates the average utilization rate, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a locker device equipped with a locker shelf 4 and a control device may calculate the average utilization rate and notify the locker management device 1 of the average utilization rate. In this case, the control device equipped in the locker management device 1 includes an identification unit, a calculation unit, and a transmission unit.

The identification unit identifies the locked lockers 5 from the unlocked lockers 5 among the multiple lockers 5 held by the locker shelf 4. The calculation unit calculates the locker utilization rate based on the identification result by the identification unit. For example, the calculation unit calculates the average utilization rate of the lockers 5 based on the identification result by the identification unit for a specified period. When the average utilization rate calculated by the calculation unit falls below a first threshold, the transmission unit transmits location information indicating the location of the locker shelf 4 having the lockers 5 and information indicating that the lockers 5 are available to receive luggage to the locker management device 1 that manages the movement of luggage. When the average utilization rate of the lockers 5 calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a second threshold higher than the first threshold, the transmission unit transmits a request to the locker management device 1 to move luggage stored in the lockers 5 that are in use among the multiple lockers 5. In this way, the locker device can increase the utilization rate of the multiple lockers.

The permission receiving unit 132 identifies, as the destination locker shelf, a locker shelf 4 within a specified range from the installation position of the source locker shelf among the locker shelves 4 whose average utilization rate is lower than a specified threshold. The permission receiving unit 132 identifies, as the destination locker, a locker whose utilization status is "empty" on the destination locker shelf and whose size is equal to or larger than the size of the source locker. The permission receiving unit 132 identifies the installation location associated with the locker ID of the destination locker as the destination location. In addition, the permission receiving unit 132 calculates the scheduled time to move the luggage based on the waiting status of luggage that has already been permitted to be moved.

The permission accepting unit 132 requests the movement of the luggage by displaying on the user terminal 2 a movement permission request screen that includes the specified destination location and the planned time for moving the luggage of the user U in the contact information of the specified user U and accepts permission to move the luggage. The permission accepting unit 132 may calculate the distance and travel time from the source locker 5 to the specified destination and display these distances and travel time on the movement permission request screen. The permission accepting unit 132 may also display the route from the location of the source locker 5 to the destination on the movement permission request screen.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a movement permission request screen. As shown in Figure 5, the movement permission request screen displays information indicating the location of the locker 5 in which the luggage is currently stored, information indicating the location to which the luggage will be moved, and the planned time for user U to move the luggage. It can also be seen that the movement permission request screen displays a permission button B1 that permits the movement of the luggage, and a refusal button B2 that denies the movement of the luggage. It can also be seen that the movement permission request screen displays a detailed location confirmation button B3 for displaying the detailed location of the luggage's destination on the user terminal 2.

When the permission button B1 is pressed, the user terminal 2 transmits permission information indicating that the movement of the luggage is permitted, and when the refusal button B2 is pressed, the user terminal 2 transmits refusal information indicating that the movement of the luggage is refused. The permission acceptance unit 132 accepts permission to move the luggage by acquiring the permission information, and accepts refusal to move the luggage by acquiring the refusal information.

When the permission receiving unit 132 receives permission to move the luggage, the status control unit 131 changes the usage status of the destination locker, locker 5, to "reserved" and stores the user-related information associated with the source locker in the storage unit 12 as the user-related information associated with the locker 5. The status control unit 131 also generates an unlocking key for the destination locker, locker 5, and stores it in the storage unit 12 as the unlocking key associated with the locker 5.

The status control unit 131 also stores the usage start time, scheduled end time, receipt deadline, and paid amount associated with the locker ID of the source locker in the memory unit 12 as the usage start time, scheduled end time, receipt deadline, and paid amount associated with the locker ID of the destination locker. This also links the amount already paid to the destination locker. Note that if the usage fee for the destination locker is cheaper than the usage fee for the source locker, the difference in usage fees may be refunded, for example, when usage of the destination locker ends.

The status control unit 131 also manages the movement status of the luggage stored in the source locker. For example, the memory unit 12 stores movement status information that associates the user ID of a user U who has permitted the movement of the luggage from the source locker with the status of the luggage. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of movement status information. As shown in Figure 6, the movement status information is information that associates a user ID, the locker ID of the source locker, the locker ID of the destination locker, the scheduled time of movement, and the movement status of the luggage.

There are four movement statuses: "In storage", "Before moving", "In movement", and "Movement completed". "In storage" indicates that the luggage is stored in the pre-movement locker. "Before moving" indicates that the luggage is stored in the pre-movement locker and that it is a certain amount of time before the scheduled movement time. "In movement" indicates that the luggage is in the process of being moved. "Movement completed" indicates that the luggage has been moved to the destination locker.

When the permission receiving unit 132 receives permission to move luggage, the status control unit 131 associates the user ID of the user U who gave permission to move the luggage, the locker ID of the source locker, the locker ID of the destination locker, the scheduled time of movement, and the movement status "in storage" with each other and stores them in the memory unit 12 as movement status information. The status control unit 131 changes the movement status from "in storage" to "before movement" a predetermined time before the scheduled movement time.

Note that the permission reception unit 132 has set the destination of the luggage to locker 5, but this is not limited, and the luggage may be moved to a luggage storage facility. In this case, in addition to the locker information, the storage unit 12 may store storage facility information indicating the location of the luggage storage facility. The permission reception unit 132 may specify a storage facility within a predetermined range from the installation position of the source locker shelf or a store that stores luggage as the destination. For example, the configuration of the storage facility information is different from that shown in FIG. 3 in that the locker information has a locker ID while the storage facility information has a tag ID that identifies the tag attached to the luggage, and that the locker information has a placement position and size while the storage facility information does not have a placement position and size, but the other configurations are similar.

The permission receiving unit 132 may further notify the user U of a privilege related to the use of the locker 5 accompanying the movement of the user U's luggage. The privilege may be, for example, a discount on the usage fee of the locker 5, points as monetary value given to the user, or a coupon. When the privilege is a discount on the usage fee, the permission receiving unit 132 may calculate the discount amount based on the positional relationship between the installation location indicating the location of the source locker where the user U's luggage is stored and the destination location, and notify the user of the calculated discount amount. The permission receiving unit 132 may also calculate the discount amount based on, for example, the distance between the installation location of the source locker and the destination location. In this way, the possibility that the user U will permit the movement of the luggage in order to obtain a profit from the movement of the luggage can be increased. The permission receiving unit 132 may set the usage fee of the destination locker to be the usage fee obtained by subtracting the usage fee of the locker before the movement from the calculated discount amount.

The permission receiving unit 132 may also receive permission to move luggage that the user U deposits in the locker 5 when the user U starts using the locker 5. In this case, the permission receiving unit 132 receives permission to move the luggage by displaying a movement permission request screen on an operation unit provided on the locker shelf 4 before receiving a deposit from the user U. In this way, the locker management device 1 can reliably receive a choice of whether or not to allow the movement of luggage at the time when the user starts using the locker 5.

The state control unit 131 may also function as a reception unit and receive the destination of user U after user U deposits his/her luggage in the locker 5. For example, the state control unit 131 receives user U's destination via the operation unit when user U starts using the locker 5. Then, the permission reception unit 132 selects the location of the destination of user U's luggage based on user U's destination and notifies the user of the selected destination location. The permission reception unit 132 selects the location of the destination of the luggage based on the location on the route from the location of the locker 5 where the luggage is stored to the user U's destination.

Specifically, the permission receiving unit 132 selects, as the destination of the luggage, a locker 5 on a locker shelf 4 with an average utilization rate lower than a predetermined threshold, from among the lockers 5 within a predetermined range from any one of multiple positions on the route from the position of the locker 5 where the luggage is stored to the user U's destination. By doing this, the distance until the user U arrives at the position of the destination of the luggage does not increase, so the locker management device 1 can prevent an increase in the load on the user U until he or she retrieves the luggage. The permission receiving unit 1 may also notify the user terminal 2 of the route from the position of the locker 5 to the user U's destination.

The state control unit 131 may also accept a planned end time of use, which is the planned time to collect the luggage from the user U, when the user U starts using the locker 5. In this case, the state control unit 131 stores the accepted planned end time of use in the storage unit 12 as the planned end time of use associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 used by the user U. When selecting a destination for the user U's luggage, the permission acceptance unit 132 selects a destination that is available at the planned end time of use associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 where the luggage is deposited. For example, the permission acceptance unit 132 selects a locker 5 or a storage facility whose available time includes the planned end time of use as the destination of the luggage. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the destination of the luggage is unavailable when the user U tries to retrieve the luggage, and the luggage cannot be retrieved.

In addition, when selecting a destination for user U's luggage, the permission acceptance unit 132 may select whether or not to move the luggage based on the length of time from the current time to the scheduled end of use time associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 in which the luggage is stored, i.e., the length of use time. For example, the permission acceptance unit 132 may not move the luggage if the length of use time is within a predetermined time. In this way, if the locker 5 storing the luggage is expected to become available soon, the luggage will not be moved, reducing the burden on manager M.

The permission acceptance unit 132 may also determine, based on the locker information, that one user U is using multiple lockers. In this case, when one user U is using multiple lockers 5, the permission acceptance unit 132 may determine one destination as the destination for luggage stored in each of the multiple lockers 5. The permission acceptance unit 132 may notify the contact information of the user U of the location of the one determined destination and the scheduled time for moving the luggage, and may accept permission to move the luggage.

For example, when at least two of the multiple lockers 5 used by the user U are installed on different locker shelves 4, the permission receiving unit 132 identifies a locker shelf 4 that is available to the user U and has the same number of lockers 5 as the lockers 5 used by the user U. Here, the permission receiving unit 132 identifies a locker shelf 4 that has a relatively large number of lockers 5 with a usage status of "empty". Then, the permission receiving unit 132 notifies the user U's contact information associated with the locker ID of the locker 5 used by the user U of information that accepts the selection of whether or not to consolidate the luggage storage locations into one, and accepts the selection of whether or not to consolidate the luggage storage locations into one, thereby accepting permission to move the luggage.

In this way, the locker management device 1 can consolidate and move user U's luggage to one destination. As a result, for example, if user U's luggage is scattered across multiple destinations, user U's luggage can be consolidated to one destination, improving user U's convenience.

The permission acceptance unit 132 may specify destinations within a predetermined distance for luggage stored in each of the multiple lockers 5. In this way, the luggage will be located close to each other after being moved, reducing the burden on the user U when retrieving the luggage.

The user information stored in the memory unit 12 may also be associated with a group ID, registration of which is accepted via a specific application, as group identification information for identifying a group to which the user U belongs. In this case, when multiple users U belonging to one group are using multiple lockers 5, the permission acceptance unit 132 identifies the destination of the luggage stored in each of the multiple lockers 5. The permission acceptance unit 132 identifies the destination of the luggage to one destination or destinations within a specific distance. The permission acceptance unit 132 notifies the contact information of the multiple users U of the location of the identified destination and the scheduled time to move the luggage, and accepts permission to move the luggage.

In addition, other information may be registered in the user information stored in the memory unit 12 via a specified application. For example, the user information may include information about user U's luggage (number of luggage, size, contents of luggage), information indicating whether luggage of multiple users U belonging to a group is permitted to be moved to one destination, and information indicating whether the luggage is permitted to be moved to multiple locations nearby. The permission receiving unit 132 may then identify the destination of the luggage based on this information included in the user information and receive permission to move the luggage.

The user information stored in the memory unit 12 may also include information indicating whether the user U is the representative of the group, and information indicating whether permission to move luggage is given by each of the multiple users U belonging to the group or by the representative. Then, based on this information included in the user information, the permission receiving unit 132 may receive permission to move luggage from the representative of the group or from each of the multiple users U belonging to the group.

In this way, the locker management device 1 can move the luggage of multiple users U belonging to one group at once, thereby increasing the possibility of receiving permission to move luggage from multiple users U. In addition, since the locker management device 1 can move the luggage of multiple users U belonging to one group at once, it is possible to significantly increase the amount of free space in the source locker at once.

When the permission receiving unit 132 receives permission to move the luggage, the movement instruction unit 133 transmits movement instruction information to the manager terminal 3 used by the manager M of the locker 5, who is the worker who will be performing the work of moving the luggage, which includes locker position information indicating the position of the locker 5 (source locker) in which the luggage to be moved is stored, information indicating the location of the destination of the luggage, and an unlock key for the locker 5, and instructs the movement of the luggage. Note that if the destination of the luggage is a locker 5 (destination locker), the movement instruction information also includes the unlock key for the locker 5. Here, the locker position information is information that includes the locker ID of the locker 5 in which the luggage to be moved is stored, and the installation location associated with the locker ID.

The manager M checks the transfer instruction information displayed on the manager terminal 3, unlocks the source locker with the unlock key included in the transfer instruction information, and removes the luggage. The manager M operates the manager terminal 3 to indicate that the luggage has been removed and notifies the locker management device 1 of transfer start information including the locker ID of the source locker. When the state control unit 131 acquires the transfer start information, it refers to the transfer state information stored in the memory unit 12 and changes the transfer state associated with the locker ID of the source locker included in the transfer start information from "before transfer" to "in transfer". Then, the manager M moves to the location of the transfer destination of the luggage based on the transfer instruction information and deposits the luggage at the transfer destination. If the transfer destination of the luggage is the transfer destination locker, the manager M moves the luggage to the transfer destination locker, and then acquires from the locker management device 1 the unlock key of the transfer destination locker that is generated by the locker management device 1 when the transfer destination locker is locked. The manager M operates the manager terminal 3 to transmit to the locker management device 1 the first transfer completion information indicating that the transfer of the luggage has been completed.

The first movement completion information includes the locker ID of the locker from which the luggage was moved and information regarding the destination of the luggage. If the destination of the luggage is locker 5, the information regarding the destination of the luggage includes the installation location and locker ID of locker 5, and the unlocking key. If the destination of the luggage is a storage facility, the information regarding the destination of the luggage includes the installation location of the storage facility.

The identification unit 134 identifies that the luggage has been moved to the destination after the permission acceptance unit 132 accepts permission to move the luggage. Specifically, when the identification unit 134 acquires first movement completion information, it identifies that the luggage stored in the source locker included in the first movement completion information has been moved. When the status control unit 131 acquires the first movement completion information, it refers to the movement status information stored in the memory unit 12, and changes the movement status associated with the locker ID of the source locker included in the first movement completion information from "moving" to "moving completed."

When the identification unit 134 identifies that the luggage has been moved to the destination, the notification unit 135 notifies the user U that the luggage has been moved to the destination. Specifically, the notification unit 135 identifies the locker ID of the destination locker included in the first movement completion information acquired by the identification unit 134. Then, the notification unit 135 refers to the locker information stored in the storage unit 12, and identifies the contact information included in the user-related information associated with the identified locker ID, thereby identifying the contact information of the user U to whom the luggage has been moved. The notification unit 135 notifies the identified contact information of the user U of the second movement completion information indicating that the luggage has been moved to the destination. The second movement completion information is assumed to include information indicating the location of the destination of the luggage. The second movement completion information may also include information indicating that the fee information paid in advance is linked to the destination locker and is carried over. In this way, the user U can be notified that the fee information paid in advance is linked to the destination locker and is carried over.

When the destination of the luggage is a locker 5 (destination locker), the notification unit 135 notifies the identified contact point of the user U of the unlock key of the destination locker 5 by including the unlock key of the locker 5 included in the first movement completion information in the second movement completion information. The state control unit 131 may generate a new unlock key for the destination locker in response to the identification unit 134 identifying that the luggage has been moved to the destination, and store it in the storage unit 12 as the unlock key of the destination locker. The notification unit 135 may notify the newly generated unlock key of the destination locker 5 by including the newly generated unlock key in the second movement completion information. In this way, the user U can unlock the destination locker 5 based on the second movement completion information.

Furthermore, when the user U's location is within a predetermined range from the location of the destination of the luggage, the notification unit 135 may notify the user of the location of the destination of the luggage separately from the second movement completion information. In this case, for example, the location information acquisition unit 136 acquires location information indicating the location of the user terminal 2, and identifies the location indicated by the location information as the location of the user U. When the location indicated by the location information is within a predetermined range from the location of the destination of the luggage, the notification unit 135 notifies the contact information of the user U of the location of the destination of the luggage. In this way, the locker management device 1 can notify the user U of the location of the destination of the luggage in response to the user U approaching the destination of the luggage.

The notification unit 135 may also notify the user U of the movement status of the luggage. For example, the notification unit 135 may refer to the movement status information stored in the storage unit 12, and in response to a change in the movement status, identify the user ID associated with the movement status. The notification unit 135 may then refer to the user information stored in the storage unit 12, and notify the contact indicated by the contact information associated with the identified user ID of information indicating that the movement status has changed. In this case, the notification unit 135 may notify the user U of the movement status only when the movement status has changed to "movement completed." In this way, the user U can be made aware of the movement status.

The notification unit 135 may also acquire request information from the user terminal 2, which includes a user ID and requests reference to the movement status of the luggage. Then, upon acquiring the request information, the notification unit 135 may refer to the movement status information stored in the storage unit 12 and notify the user terminal 2, which is the sender of the request information, of the movement status included in the request information.

In addition, the notification unit 135 may be configured to allow the user U to view the locker ID of the locker 5 in which the luggage of other users U in the group to which the user U belongs is stored, if the user U belongs to a group. For example, the control unit 13 acquires a viewing request from the user terminal 2, which includes a user ID and requests viewing of the luggage storage status. The control unit 13 refers to the user information, identifies the group ID associated with the user ID included in the viewing request, and identifies other user IDs associated with the group ID. The control unit 13 then refers to the locker information, identifies the locker ID in which the luggage of the identified other user ID is stored, and notifies the user terminal 2 that sent the viewing request of information that associates the identified locker ID with the identified other user ID. In this way, the user U can confirm the storage location of the luggage of other users U who belong to the group and communicate it to the other users U.

The reward granting unit 137 grants a reward to a user who finishes using the locker 5 by the scheduled end time. Specifically, the reward granting unit 137 identifies the time when the user U removes his/her luggage from the locker 5, and grants a reward to the user U if that time is before the scheduled end time. In this way, the user U will try to finish using the locker 5 by the scheduled end time, which will extend the usage time of the locker 5 and prevent the locker from becoming less available.

[Processing flow in the locker management device 1]
Next, a description will be given of the process flow in the locker management device 1. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow relating to the movement of luggage stored in the locker 5 of the locker management device 1 according to this embodiment. It is assumed that the user U has left luggage in the locker 5 at the start of this sequence diagram.

First, the permission acceptance unit 132 identifies a user U corresponding to the luggage to be moved (S1).
Next, the permission acceptance unit 132 specifies the destination of the package to be moved and the scheduled time of movement of the package (S2).

Next, the permission acceptance unit 132 makes a request to move the luggage by displaying on the user terminal 2 a movement permission request screen that includes the identified destination location and the planned time to move the luggage in the user U's contact information and accepts permission to move the luggage (S3).

The user terminal 2 receives a selection operation from the user U as to whether or not to give permission to move the luggage. Here, it is assumed that the user U gives permission to move the luggage. The user terminal 2 transmits information indicating permission to move the luggage to the locker management device 1 (S4). The permission receiving unit 132 receives permission to move the luggage by acquiring permission information indicating permission to move the luggage.

Then, the movement instruction unit 133 transmits to the manager terminal 3 used by the manager M of the locker 5 movement instruction information instructing the movement of the luggage, which includes locker position information indicating the position of the locker 5 (source locker) in which the luggage to be moved is stored, information indicating the destination position of the luggage, and the unlock key for the locker 5 (S5).

The manager M checks the moving instruction information displayed on the manager terminal 3 and moves the luggage from the source locker to the destination locker. When the manager terminal 3 receives input of moving completion information indicating that the luggage has been moved from the manager M (S6), it transmits the first moving completion information to the locker management device 1 (S7).

When the identification unit 134 acquires the first movement completion information from the manager terminal 3, it identifies that the luggage stored in the source locker has been moved to the destination (S7).
When the notification unit 135 determines that the luggage has been moved to the destination, it notifies the user U of the user terminal 2 that the luggage has been moved to the destination by sending second movement completion information indicating that the luggage has been moved to the destination to the user terminal 2 (S8).

[Effects of this embodiment]
As described above, the locker management device 1 according to this embodiment notifies the user U's contact information of the destination location of the luggage and the scheduled time to move the luggage, and accepts permission to move the luggage. After accepting permission to move the luggage, the locker management device 1 determines that the luggage has been moved to the destination and notifies the user U that the luggage has been moved to the destination. In this way, the locker management device 1 can move the luggage B of the user U stored in the locker 5 to another location, and equalize the utilization rate of crowded lockers 5 and that of uncrowded lockers 5. This allows the locker management device 1 to increase the utilization rate of multiple lockers 5.

Although the present invention has been described above using an embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. In particular, the specific embodiment of the distribution and integration of the device is not limited to the one illustrated above, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various additions, etc., or functional load.

1...Locker management device, 11...Communication unit, 12...Memory unit, 13...Control unit, 131...Status control unit, 132...Permission acceptance unit, 133...Movement instruction unit, 134...Identification unit, 135...Notification unit, 136...Location information acquisition unit, 137...Benefit granting unit, 2...User terminal, 3...Administrator terminal, 4...Locker shelf, 5...Locker

Claims (2)

A plurality of lockers capable of storing luggage and being locked;
A calculation unit for calculating a utilization rate of the plurality of lockers;
a transmission unit that transmits a request to move luggage stored in a locker that is in use among the plurality of lockers to an external device that manages the movement of the luggage when the utilization rate calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a threshold for determining whether or not to make a request to move the luggage;
A locker device having the following features: When the utilization rate of the locker calculated by the calculation unit is lower than the threshold value, that is, less than a threshold value for determining whether or not to transmit information indicating that the locker is available to receive the luggage, the transmission unit transmits location information indicating the location of the locker and information indicating that the locker is available to receive the luggage to the external device.
The rocker device of claim 1 .

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