JP7655174B2 - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method.

A locker management system has been disclosed that determines which locker a user will use based on the user's locker usage request, and dispatches an autonomous vehicle equipped with the determined locker to the user (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-96201 A

The present disclosure aims to provide an information processing device and information processing method that can improve the operating rate of a storage device loaded on a vehicle that transports luggage stored in the storage device to a specified location.

One aspect of the present disclosure is
a control unit that executes an instruction for a first vehicle transporting the luggage stored in the loaded storage device to a specified location, when the luggage cannot be handed over to a first user as scheduled, to move the first vehicle to a first store where the luggage is to be stored;
The information processing device includes:

Another aspect of the present disclosure is
On the computer,
When a first user of a first vehicle transports luggage stored in a storage device loaded on the first vehicle to a specified location and the luggage is deposited at a first store because the first user is unable to receive the luggage as scheduled, the first vehicle receives a notification from a predetermined server indicating that the luggage is being stored at the first store.
This is a program for

Another aspect of the present disclosure is
The computer
determining a first store for storing the luggage when a first vehicle transporting the luggage stored in the loaded storage device to a specified location is unable to deliver the luggage to a first user as scheduled;
instructing the first vehicle to move to the first store;
The present invention relates to an information processing method.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the operating rate of storage devices loaded onto vehicles that transport luggage stored in the storage devices to a specified location.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a movable locker system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of the hardware configuration of the center server and the user terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the center server and the user terminal. FIG. 4 is an example of information held in the locker information database. FIG. 5 is an example of information held in the service information database. FIG. 6 is an example of information stored in the store information database. FIG. 7 shows an example of information stored in the temporary storage information database. FIG. 8 is an example of information held in the schedule information database. FIG. 9 shows an example of a locker use request screen on a user terminal. FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen of a user terminal notifying the store that a forgotten package has been temporarily stored at the store. FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart of a process performed when the center server receives a locker use request from a user terminal. FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart of a parcel removal management process by the center server. FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart of a parcel removal management process by the center server. FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart of a parcel removal management process by the center server. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the process performed by the user terminal when a notification that a package has been accepted at a store is received from the center server. FIG. 16 shows an example of a processing sequence in which a baggage is left behind and then deposited at a store. FIG. 17 shows an example of a sequence in which a user receives a package that is temporarily stored at a store at the store. FIG. 18 shows an example of a sequence in which a user receives a package that is temporarily stored in a store by delivery.

There is a system that provides a temporary luggage storage service in which a vehicle carrying lockers moves around, allowing users to deposit or retrieve luggage from the lockers at a location designated by the user. A locker that can be moved around by being loaded onto a vehicle is hereinafter referred to as a mobile locker. A temporary luggage storage service using a mobile locker is hereinafter referred to as a mobile locker service.

When using a mobile locker service, a user specifies, for example, the location and date and time at which to deposit the luggage, and the location and date and time at which to retrieve the luggage. However, for example, plans may change or the user may forget, making it impossible to retrieve the luggage from the mobile locker at the specified location and date and time.

There is also a system that provides a service in which a vehicle carrying a mobile locker transports luggage stored in the mobile locker to a location specified by the user. Hereinafter, the service of transporting luggage stored in a mobile locker to a specified location will be referred to as a delivery locker service. When using the delivery locker service, the user, for example, specifies the location and date and time to deposit the luggage, as well as the delivery destination and recipient of the luggage. With the delivery locker service, for example, there are cases in which the user is unable to meet the recipient at the delivery destination due to absence or other reasons, and the luggage remains deposited in the mobile locker, and the service cannot be completed.

The mobile locker service is a service that assumes that the user who deposits the luggage in the mobile locker and the user who retrieves the luggage from the mobile locker are the same person. On the other hand, the delivery locker service does not assume that the user who deposits the luggage in the mobile locker and the user who retrieves the luggage from the mobile locker are the same person, and both users may be the same or different. In addition, the mobile locker service requires the user to specify the location and date and time to retrieve the luggage from the mobile locker, but the delivery locker service allows the user to specify the delivery date and time, and if the delivery date and time is not specified, the delivery schedule is determined according to the convenience of the system. However, this is not limited to this, and in the mobile locker service, for example, when a user who deposits luggage requests another user to retrieve the luggage from the mobile locker, the user who deposits the luggage and the user who retrieves the luggage may be different users.

If a vehicle carrying a mobile locker is left with luggage that has not been scheduled for retrieval (mobile locker service) or luggage that has not been scheduled for redelivery (delivery locker service), the mobile locker will be occupied for a longer period by that luggage. This means that the service will not be able to be provided for other luggage.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, luggage that is not removed from a mobile locker as scheduled is removed from the vehicle and temporarily stored at a store of a business partnering with the service. More specifically, one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes a control unit. When a first vehicle transports luggage stored in a loaded storage device to a specified location, and is unable to hand over the luggage to a first user as scheduled, the control unit instructs the first vehicle to move to a first store where the luggage will be stored.

The information processing device is, for example, a computer such as a server. The control unit is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the computer. The first vehicle may be either a vehicle driven by a driver or an autonomous vehicle that can run without being driven by a driver. The storage device loaded on the first vehicle corresponds to a mobile locker.

The first store where the luggage is stored is determined from among the stores that are located within a specified range from the first location. The first location that serves as the basis for the range in which stores are searched is, for example, the current location of the first vehicle, the home of the first user, or a location specified as the initial delivery destination. In addition, the first store where the luggage is stored is selected from among multiple stores operated by a business partnered with the manager of the first vehicle, i.e., the business providing the service.

In the case of a mobile locker service, "the luggage cannot be delivered as scheduled" means, for example, that the luggage is not taken out of the storage device by the preset delivery date and time. In the case of a delivery locker service, for example, when the luggage is transported according to a pre-specified time period on a pre-specified day or a schedule created by the service, the luggage cannot be delivered and is not taken out of the storage device due to, for example, the absence of the first user. Note that the delivery of the luggage is not limited to the luggage being taken out of the storage device and handed over to the first user; for example, if each storage section of the mobile locker can be separated individually, the storage section with the luggage stored therein may be handed over to the first user.

The instruction to the first vehicle to travel to the first store may be transmitted to the first vehicle as a driving plan for the first vehicle, for example, if the first vehicle is an autonomous vehicle capable of traveling without being driven by a driver. For example, if the first vehicle is a vehicle that is driven by a driver, the instruction may be transmitted to a terminal used by the driver.

When the first vehicle arrives at the first store, for example, a staff member of the first store unloads the baggage from the first vehicle and temporarily stores it at the first store. This allows the first vehicle to store new baggage in the place of the baggage unloaded. Therefore, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the first vehicle can store and transport more baggage in the storage device, improving the operating rate of the storage device.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may notify the first store of information regarding the first vehicle and information regarding the luggage to be stored. The notification to the store is sent to a terminal provided in the store, for example. This allows the store staff to identify the luggage to be stored and the first vehicle that will transport the luggage.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the storage device loaded on the vehicle may be capable of being locked and unlocked by receiving authentication information. In this case, the control unit may further notify the first store of authentication information for the storage device storing the luggage. This allows staff at the first store to unlock the storage device, retrieve the luggage, and unload it from the first vehicle.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may notify the first store of the arrival of the first vehicle when the first vehicle arrives at the first store. The staff of the first store may be performing other tasks at the first store and may not notice the arrival of the first vehicle. In particular, when the first vehicle is an autonomous vehicle and no staff is in the first vehicle, the staff of the first store is likely to not notice the arrival of the first vehicle. By the information processing device notifying the first store of the arrival of the first vehicle, the staff of the first store can be made aware of the arrival of the first vehicle.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may further execute, when the package is deposited at the first store, notifying a terminal of the first user who receives the package that the package is being stored at the first store. The notification may be performed, for example, by email, SMS (Short Message Service), or push notification. This allows the first user to be informed that the package could not be delivered as scheduled and that the package is being stored at the first store.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may receive information from the first user's terminal regarding the method of receipt, indicating whether the package is to be picked up at the store or by being transported to a newly designated location. The first user can select the method of receipt of the package stored at the first store according to his or her own convenience, improving convenience.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may determine a second vehicle to transport the package from the first store to the newly designated location when the information regarding the receiving method received from the terminal of the first user indicates that the package is to be received by transporting the package to the newly designated location. The second vehicle may or may not be equipped with a storage device, similar to the first vehicle. The second vehicle may be the first vehicle or may be a vehicle different from the first vehicle. This allows the package to be delivered to the newly designated location by the first user.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a program to be executed by a computer. The computer is a terminal used by a user who receives a package that is stored in a storage device mounted on a first vehicle and transported by the first vehicle to a specified location. The terminal used by the user may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer).
etc. For a first vehicle transporting luggage stored in a storage device loaded on the first vehicle to a specified location, when a first user is unable to receive the luggage as scheduled and the luggage is deposited at a first store, a notification indicating that the luggage is being stored at the first store is received from a predetermined server. This allows the user to know that the luggage deposited in the storage device loaded on the first vehicle is being stored at the first store.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the program may cause a computer to accept a user operation to input information regarding a receiving method, indicating whether the package is to be picked up at the store or transported to a newly designated location, and to transmit the information regarding the receiving method to a specified server. This allows the user to select a receiving method for the package stored at the first store according to their own convenience.

Another aspect of the present disclosure can also be specified as an information processing method executed by the information processing device. The information processing method includes a computer determining a first store to store the luggage when a first vehicle transporting luggage stored in a loaded storage device to a first location is unable to deliver the luggage to a first user as scheduled, and instructing the first vehicle to move to the first store.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile locker system 100 according to the first embodiment. The mobile locker system 100 is a system that provides mobile coin lockers by loading coin lockers onto a vehicle and traveling. That is, the first embodiment describes a system that provides a mobile locker service. A user can deposit luggage in a locker at a designated location, have the luggage stored for a specified period of time, and retrieve the luggage from the locker at the designated location. The location where the luggage is deposited and the location where the luggage is retrieved may be different. A usage fee is charged to the user according to, for example, the length of time the luggage is deposited and the distance between the location where the luggage is deposited and the location where the luggage is retrieved.

The mobile locker system 100 includes a center server 1, lockers 4, a vehicle 3 that carries the lockers 4, a user terminal 2 of a user who uses the service, and a store terminal 6 of a store 5 of a business operator that is affiliated with the mobile locker system 100. Note that the mobile locker system 100 includes multiple lockers 4, vehicles 3, user terminals 2, and store terminals 6, but for the sake of convenience, only one of each is shown in FIG. 1.

The locker 4 has multiple storage compartments in one housing. Each storage compartment in the locker 4 can be locked and unlocked. In the first embodiment, each storage compartment in the locker 4 employs an electronic lock. For example, the electronic lock employed in the locker 4 may be locked by operating an input device such as a numeric keypad equipped in each storage compartment, and unlocked by inputting a PIN into the input device. Alternatively, the electronic lock employed in the locker 4 may be equipped with a receiver for a predetermined wireless signal, and may transmit a locking or unlocking signal together with authentication information from the user terminal 2, for example, and lock or unlock when the authentication information held by the receiver matches the received authentication information. However, the lock employed in the locker 4 is not limited to an electronic lock, and may be locked or unlocked by a physical key. Hereinafter, the user's luggage is deposited in one of the storage compartments of the locker 4, but even when referring to one of the storage compartments of the locker 4, it may be simply written as "locker 4". The mobile locker 4 is an example of a "storage device".

In the mobile locker service, it is assumed that, in principle, the user who deposits luggage in locker 4 and the user who retrieves the luggage from locker 4 are the same person. However, it is also possible for the user who deposits luggage in locker 4 to hand over the authentication information or physical key for locker 4 to another user and request that the luggage be retrieved.

In the first embodiment, the vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle.
It is assumed that no driver or staff is on board within the vehicle 3. However, the vehicle 3 may have a staff on board to assist in depositing or retrieving luggage, or to retrieve luggage from the locker 4 and transport it from the vehicle 3 to the designated location. The transportation of the luggage retrieved from the locker 4 from the vehicle 3 to the designated location is not limited to personnel, and may be performed, for example, by a drone or a small transport robot. The vehicle 3 may be a vehicle driven by a driver. When the vehicle 3 is a vehicle driven by a driver, the staff who provides user support or transports luggage from the vehicle 3 to the designated location may be the same person as the driver. In the first embodiment, the vehicle 3 is assumed to be traveling in each assigned area. In addition, the vehicle 3 may be driven by an on-demand method in which the vehicle 3 is driven in response to the occurrence of a request for service use, or may be patrolling a predetermined route. In the first embodiment, the vehicle 3 is assumed to be driven by an on-demand method. The vehicle 3 is an example of a "first vehicle".

The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by a user who uses the services of the mobile locker system 100. The user terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), etc. A client application program for using the services of the mobile locker system 100 is installed in the user terminal 2.

Store 5 is, for example, a convenience store that is open 24 hours a day. Store 5 is not limited to a convenience store, and may be, for example, a store operated by the operator of mobile locker system 100, a 24-hour supermarket, etc. A partnership contract is concluded in advance between the operator of store 5 and the operator of mobile locker system 100. Store 5 is equipped with a store terminal 6. Store terminal 6 is, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, a PC, or a tablet terminal, etc.

The user terminal 2, the vehicle 3, and the store terminal 6 are connected to a network N1 and communicate with the center server 1 through the network N1. The network N1 is, for example, a public network such as the Internet. The vehicle 3 is, for example, equipped with a device having a communication function, and can connect to the network N1 and communicate with the center server 1 by using the device.

The center server 1 is a server that manages the mobile locker system 100. When a user uses the services of the mobile locker system 100, the user transmits a request to use a locker to the center server 1 through an application program on the user terminal 2. Together with the request to use a locker, information specified by the user regarding the location and date and time to deposit the luggage, and the location and date and time to retrieve the luggage, is also transmitted to the center server 1.

When the center server 1 receives a locker use request from the user terminal 2, it determines the vehicle 3 to be driven to the specified location at the specified date and time, and the storage section of the locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 in which to store the luggage. In the first embodiment, since an electronic lock is used for the locker 4, the center server 1 notifies the user terminal 2 of the authentication information of the locker 4. The user then meets the vehicle 3 at the specified location, gets into the vehicle 3, stores the luggage in the locker 4, and locks the locker 4 using the authentication information received from the center server 1. When retrieving the luggage, the user meets the vehicle 3 at a previously specified location, gets into the vehicle 3, unlocks the mobile locker 4 using the authentication information received from the center server 1, and retrieves the luggage from the locker 4.

Although the user specifies the place and date and time for picking up the luggage in advance, there are cases where the user forgets or an unforeseen event occurs, and the luggage cannot be picked up at the specified date and time. In the first embodiment, if the user does not pick up the luggage by the specified date and time, the center server 1 requests the store terminal 6 of the store 5 within a predetermined range from the current location to temporarily store the luggage, moves the vehicle 3 to the store 5, and has the luggage temporarily stored at the store 5. In addition, when the center server 1 completes depositing the luggage at the store 5, it notifies the user terminal 2 that the luggage is temporarily stored at the store 5. The user of the user terminal 2 selects a method of receiving the luggage from either going to the store 5 to receive it or having the luggage delivered to a newly specified location and receives the luggage by the selected method. In the first embodiment, "delivery" indicates that the luggage is transported to the specified location by the vehicle 3, the user meets the user at the specified location, and the user picks up the luggage from the storage unit in the vehicle 3. The store 5 that temporarily stores the luggage is an example of a "first store".

According to the first embodiment, if the luggage is not picked up by the date and time specified by the user, the luggage is removed from the vehicle 3 and temporarily stored in the store 5. This frees up the locker 4 that was storing the luggage, allowing the vehicle 3 to store new luggage, thereby improving the operating rate of the mobile locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3.

Figure 2 is an example of the hardware configuration of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2. The center server 1 is, for example, a computer dedicated to the server or a general-purpose computer. The center server 1 includes, as its hardware configuration, a CPU 101, a memory 102, an external storage device 103, and a communication unit 104. The memory 102 and the external storage device 103 are computer-readable recording media. The center server 1 is an example of an "information processing device."

The external storage device 103 stores various programs and data used by the CPU 101 when executing each program. The external storage device 103 is, for example, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM) or a hard disk drive. Programs stored in the external storage device 103 include, for example, an operating system (OS), a control program for the mobile locker system 100, and various other application programs.

The memory 102 is a storage device that provides the CPU 101 with a storage area for loading programs stored in the external storage device 103 and a working area, and is used as a buffer. The memory 102 may be, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like.
This includes semiconductor memory such as IEEE 802.11b/g/n (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) and IEEE 802.11b/g/n (IEEE 802.11b/g/n).

The CPU 101 executes various processes by loading the OS and various other application programs stored in the external storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executing them. The number of CPUs 101 is not limited to one, and multiple CPUs 101 may be provided. The CPU 101 is an example of a "control unit."

The communication unit 104 is, for example, a network interface card (NIC). The communication unit 104 is connected, for example, via a wire to an access network such as a local area network (LAN), and is connected to the network N1 through the access network. However, the communication unit 104 is not limited to a circuit that connects to a network via a wire, and may be, for example, a wireless communication circuit that conforms to a wireless communication method such as WiFi or a mobile communication method.

Next, the user terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or a PC. The user terminal 2 includes, as a hardware configuration, a CPU 201, a memory 202, an external storage device 203, a wireless communication unit 204, and a touch panel display 205. However, in FIG. 2, the hardware components that perform the processing according to the first embodiment are extracted and shown as the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2, and the hardware components included in the user terminal 2 are not limited to the elements shown in FIG. 2.

The CPU 201, memory 202, and external storage device 203 are similar to the CPU 101, memory 102, and external storage device 103, respectively. However, the storage device (storage) employed as the external storage device 203 is, for example, a flash memory. The external storage device 203 may also include a portable recording medium such as an SD card. In addition to an OS, etc., the external storage device 203 also holds a client application program for using the services of the mobile locker system 100.

The wireless communication unit 204 is a wireless communication circuit conforming to a mobile communication method such as 5G (5th Generation), 6G, 4G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless communication method such as WiMAX and WiFi. The wireless communication unit 204 connects to the network N1 by wireless communication and enables communication with the center server 1.

The touch panel display 205 outputs images according to instructions from the CPU 201 and outputs signals input by the user to the CPU 201.

Note that the hardware configurations of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2 shown in Fig. 2 are merely examples, and the hardware configurations of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 2. For example, the user terminal 2 includes, in addition to the hardware components shown in Fig. 2, a microphone, a speaker, a camera, and a position sensor such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) as part of its hardware configuration.

The store terminal 6 has, as its hardware configuration, for example, a CPU, a memory, an external storage device, a communication unit or wireless communication unit, and a touch panel display. These are similar to the CPU 101 or 201, the memory 102 or 202, the external storage device 103 or 203, the communication unit 103 or wireless communication unit 204, and the touch panel display 205, respectively.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2. The center server 1 has, as its functional configuration, a control unit 11, a schedule adjustment unit 16, a locker information database (DB) 12, a schedule information DB 13, a service information DB 14, a temporary storage information DB 15, a store information DB 17, and a user information DB 18. These functional components are achieved, for example, by the CPU 101 of the center server 1 executing the control program of the mobile locker system 100.

The control unit 11 manages the usage status of the lockers 4 and controls the driving of the vehicle 3. Specifically, the control unit 11 receives, for example, a locker use request, a deposit completion notification, and a retrieval completion notification from the user terminal 2. A locker use request is a request to use a mobile locker. A deposit completion notification is a notification that the deposit of luggage in the locker 4 has been completed. A retrieval completion notification is a notification that the luggage deposited in the locker 4 has been retrieved from the mobile locker 4 and handed over to the user.

When the control unit 11 receives a locker use request from the user terminal 2, it assigns a vehicle 3 and a mobile locker 4. Along with the locker use request, the user terminal 2 also transmits to the center server 1 the location and date and time for depositing the luggage, the location and date and time for picking up the luggage, and the user's identification information. Along with the locker use request, information indicating whether or not the user agrees to temporarily store the forgotten luggage at the store 5 is also received. Hereinafter, the location and date and time for depositing the luggage may be referred to as the deposit location and deposit date and time, respectively. Hereinafter, the location and date and time for picking up the luggage may be referred to as the pick-up location and pick-up date and time, respectively.

The control unit 11, for example, determines the vehicle 3 and locker 4 to be assigned to a locker use request by referring to the schedule information DB 13 described below. For example, the vehicle 3 to be assigned to a locker use request is a vehicle that travels near the deposit location on the deposit date and time, and that carries a locker 4 with a storage section that has no scheduled events from the deposit date and time to at least the retrieval date and time. In addition, the locker 4 to be assigned to a locker use request is any of the storage sections of the lockers 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 that has no scheduled events from the deposit date and time to at least the retrieval date and time. Note that the method of determining the vehicle 3 and locker 4 to be assigned may be any well-known method, and is not limited to a specific method.

The vehicle 3 and locker 4 in which the luggage is to be deposited may be specified by the user, for example, from the position information of the vehicle 3 on a map. In this case, the identification information of the vehicle 3 specified by the user is received from the user terminal 2 together with the locker use request. The control unit 11 also assigns, to the received locker use request, one of the storage sections of the locker 4 loaded in the specified vehicle 3 that is not scheduled for use from the deposit date and time to the removal date and time.

Then, the control unit 11 creates a schedule for the assigned vehicle 3 and locker 4 for the service of the received locker use request, and registers the created schedule in the schedule information DB 13 described below. In addition, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3 according to the schedule created for the assigned vehicle 3, so that the vehicle 3 arrives at the deposit location specified by the user at the deposit date and time specified by the user, and arrives at the pick-up location specified by the user at the pick-up date and time specified by the user. The created driving plan is transmitted to the vehicle 3. The driving plan includes, for example, the driving destination and arrival date and time, and route information to the destination.

The control unit 11 transmits to the user terminal 2 a response of acceptance to the locker use request, service identification information, information on the assigned locker 4, the deposit location, and the deposit date and time. The service identification information is identification information assigned to identify the service provided in response to the locker use request. In the first embodiment, the service identification information also identifies the luggage. The information on the locker 4 includes, for example, identification information on the vehicle 3 and identification information on the storage unit of the locker 4. In addition, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the locker 4 employs an electronic lock, so the information on the locker 4 also includes authentication information on the storage unit assigned to the user terminal 2. However, this is not limited to this, and since the storage unit assigned to the locker use request may be changed in relation to other locker use requests, the information on the locker 4 may be transmitted to the user terminal 2 separately from the response of acceptance to the locker use request. For example, when a predetermined time has passed since the deposit date and time, the information on the assigned locker 4 may be transmitted to the user terminal 2.

The control unit 11 receives, from the user terminal 2, the deposit completion notification or the removal completion notification, as well as, for example, service identification information and user identification information. Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a removal completion notification from the user terminal 2, it records the completion of the removal of the luggage in the service information DB 14 described below.

The control unit 11 detects that the luggage has been left unattended when the luggage pick-up date and time has passed and a pick-up completion notification has not been received from the user terminal 2. When the control unit 11 detects that the luggage has been left unattended, the control unit 11 refers to the store information DB 17 to determine the store 5 that will temporarily store the luggage. The store 5 that will temporarily store the luggage is, for example, a store that is located within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle 3 that is transporting the luggage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference position for searching the store 5 that will temporarily store the luggage may be, for example, the pick-up location and a location that the user has registered in advance. The locations that the user has registered in advance include, for example, the home and the workplace. The search range for the store 5 that will temporarily store the luggage may be, for example, a range of 100 m to 1 km from the reference position, or the same area as the reference position. In addition, when there are multiple stores 5 within a predetermined range from the reference position, for example, the store closest to the current position of the vehicle 3 or the location that the user has registered in advance is selected. For example, the vehicle 3 transmits location information to the center server 1 at a predetermined cycle, and the center server 1 knows the current location of the vehicle 3. The current location of the vehicle 3, the pick-up location, and a location registered in advance by the user, which are used as a reference for searching for the store 5 where the luggage is to be temporarily stored, are examples of the "first location."

When the control unit 11 determines the store 5 where the luggage will be temporarily stored, it transmits a temporary storage request to the store terminal 6 of the store 5 to request temporary storage of the luggage. Along with the temporary storage request, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target luggage, identification information of the user who has deposited the target luggage, identification information of the vehicle 3 transporting the target luggage, identification information of the locker in which the luggage is stored, authentication information of the locker, and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 3 are also transmitted.

The control unit 11 also creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3. The created driving plan for the vehicle 3 includes travel to the store 5 and unloading the luggage at the store 5. The driving plan for the vehicle 3 also includes the departure time for the store 5 and the estimated arrival time. The control unit 11 determines the departure time for the store 5 and the estimated arrival time, for example, by referring to the schedule information DB 13 described below. The control unit 11 transmits the created driving plan, the service identification information corresponding to the target luggage, and the identification information of the locker in which the luggage is stored to the vehicle 3.

When the target baggage is unloaded from the vehicle 3 at the store 5 and deposited inside the store 5, a staff member at the store 5 inputs a user operation to the store terminal 6 to notify the completion of the deposit of the target baggage. This causes the store terminal 6 to transmit a notification of the completion of the deposit to the center server 1. Along with the notification of the completion of the deposit, for example, the identification information of the store 5, the service identification information corresponding to the target baggage, and the identification information of the user who deposited the target baggage are also transmitted.

When the control unit 11 receives a notification that the parcel has been temporarily stored at the store, it sends a store storage notification to the user terminal 2 of the user who will receive the parcel, indicating that the parcel has been temporarily stored at the store. Along with the store storage notification, for example, service identification information corresponding to the parcel and information about the store 5 storing the parcel are also sent. The information about the store 5 includes, for example, the name of the store 5 and the address of the store 5.

The control unit 11 also transmits a request to select a receiving method to the user terminal 2 along with the store-holding notification. The request to select a receiving method is a message requesting the selection of a receiving method for the package temporarily stored at the store 5. In the first embodiment, the receiving methods for the package temporarily stored at the store 5 include receiving at the store and receiving by delivery.

The control unit 11 receives information indicating the selected receiving method from the user terminal 2 in response to the request to select the receiving method. If the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, the control unit 11 receives information indicating the selected receiving method, as well as the delivery destination location and the desired delivery date and time from the user terminal 2. The delivery destination location is an example of a "newly specified location."

The control unit 11 transmits a notification of completion of acceptance of the selected receiving method to the user terminal 2. If the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, a delivery acceptance completion notification is transmitted as the notification. If the selected receiving method is receiving at a store, a store receipt acceptance completion notification is transmitted as the notification.
Along with notification of completion of the selected receiving method, for example, identification information of the target service, identification information of the corresponding user, information about the store 5 where the package will be temporarily stored, and if the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, the delivery location and date and time are also sent to the user terminal 2.

The control unit 11 transmits a notification of the selected receiving method to the store terminal 6 of the store 5. Along with the notification of the selected receiving method, for example, the service identification information corresponding to the target parcel, the identification information of the user who deposited the target parcel in the vehicle 3, and information indicating the selected receiving method are also transmitted to the store terminal 6.

When the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, the control unit 11 determines the vehicle 3 that will deliver the target package by referring to the schedule information DB 13 described below. The method of determining the vehicle 3 that will deliver the target package may be the same as the method of assigning a vehicle 3 to a locker use request. In addition, the vehicle 3 that will deliver the target package may be the same vehicle as the vehicle 3 that received the target package from the user and transported it to the store 5, or a different vehicle.

If the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3 that will deliver the target package. The created driving plan includes, for example, travel to the store 5, loading the target package at the store 5, and travel to the delivery destination by the desired delivery date and time. The scheduled departure and arrival times to the store 5, and the scheduled departure time to the delivery destination are determined by referring to the schedule information DB 13. The control unit 11 transmits, for example, the created driving plan, service identification information corresponding to the target package, user identification information, identification information and location information of the store 5 where the target package is temporarily stored, etc. to the vehicle 3.

If delivery is selected, the target package is loaded onto a vehicle 3 transporting the package at the store 5, and the vehicle 3 transports the package. In the vehicle 3, the target package may or may not be stored in a locker 4. If the locker 4 is locked, authentication information for the locker 4 in the transporting vehicle 3 in which the target package is stored is notified to the user terminal 2. When the user removes the target package from the vehicle 3, the user inputs a user operation to the user terminal 2 indicating removal is complete. This causes the user terminal 2 to send a removal completion notification to the center server 1. Service identification information corresponding to the target package is also sent together with the removal completion notification.

If the selected method of receipt is receipt at a store, the user visits the store 5, and the parcel is handed over to the user at the store 5. When the parcel is handed over to the user at the store 5, for example, the user may present the service information corresponding to the parcel and the user's identification information stored in the user terminal 2, and the staff of the store 5 may confirm this information to confirm the identity of the user. For example, the store terminal 6 holds the service information corresponding to the parcel and the user's identification information received from the center server 1 along with the notification of the receipt method selected by the user. When the parcel has been handed over to the user, the staff of the store 5 inputs a user operation to the store terminal 6 to complete the handover. This causes the store terminal 6 to send a handover completion notification to the center server 1. The service identification information corresponding to the target parcel is also sent together with the handover completion notification.

When the control unit 11 receives a pick-up completion notification from the user terminal 2 or a delivery completion notification from the store terminal 6, it calculates the usage fee for the mobile locker service for the user of the user terminal 2. For example, if delivery is being performed because the package was left unpicked, the control unit 11 adds a specified fee to the usage fee for the mobile locker 4.

The schedule adjustment unit 16 adjusts the schedule of each storage unit of the specified vehicle 3 and locker 4 between the multiple services assigned to the vehicle 3 and each storage unit according to instructions from the control unit 11. Specifically, when the occupancy period of one storage unit by one service is extended due to forgetting to take out luggage, etc., and there is a possibility that it may conflict with the occupancy period of another service assigned to the storage unit, the schedule adjustment unit 16 adjusts the schedule. In adjusting the schedule, for example, the storage units assigned to other services are changed. Note that the method of adjusting the schedule is not limited to a specific method. The schedule adjustment unit 16 notifies the control unit 11 of the schedule change. In response to the changed schedule, the control unit 11, for example, changes the driving plan of the vehicle 3 assigned to the corresponding service, or notifies the user terminal 2 of the change of the locker 4 assigned to the corresponding service.

D 12, schedule information DB 13, service information DB 14, temporary storage information DB
15, the schedule adjustment unit 16, the store information DB 17, and the user information DB 18 are created, for example, in the storage area of the external storage device 103 of the center server 1. The locker information DB 12 holds information about the lockers 4. The schedule information DB 13 holds schedules for the lockers 4 and the vehicle 3. The service information DB 14 holds service information for the use of the mobile lockers. The service information is information about the mobile locker service provided for one locker use request. The temporary storage information DB 15 holds information about the temporary storage of forgotten luggage. The store information DB 17 holds information about stores that are affiliated with the temporary storage of luggage. The user information DB 18 holds information about users to be registered in the mobile locker system 100. The user information DB 18 holds, for example, user identification information, the user's account name, contact information such as an email address, and a registered address. The registered address is set arbitrarily by the user. The registered address may be, for example, a home or a workplace. The information held in the locker information DB 12, the schedule information DB 13, the service information DB 14, the temporary storage information DB 15, the schedule adjustment unit 16, and the store information DB 17 will be described in detail later.

Next, the user terminal 2 includes a control unit 21 as a functional configuration. The processing of the control unit 21 is achieved by the CPU 202 of the user terminal 2 executing the client application program of the mobile locker system 100 stored in the external storage device 203. The control unit 21 transmits, to the center server 1, for example, a locker use request, a deposit completion notification, a removal completion notification, and responses to various inquiries from the center server 1 in response to input from the user to the touch panel display 205. The control unit 21 also receives, from the center server 1, for example, a locker use request, a store deposit notification, a request to select a receiving method, and information associated with these. The control unit 21 also transitions screens in response to user operations, and outputs messages received from the center server 1 to the touch panel display 205. Note that the functional configuration of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2 is merely an example, and is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3.

Figure 4 is an example of information stored in the locker information DB 12. The locker information DB 12 stores information about the lockers 4. One record in the locker information DB 12 shown in Figure 4 shows information about one storage section of the locker 4. One record in the locker information DB 12 shown in Figure 4 includes fields for the locker ID, the vehicle ID, and authentication information.

The locker ID field stores the identification information of the storage section of the locker 4. For example, the identification information of the storage section of the locker 4 is a string of a certain number of alphanumeric characters, and is composed of an upper part that indicates the locker 4 and a lower part that indicates the storage section. Between multiple storage sections contained in the same locker 4, the value of the upper part of the identification information that indicates the locker 4 will be the same.

The vehicle ID field stores identification information of the vehicle 3 on which the locker 4 containing the storage unit is loaded. The authentication information field stores authentication information for the electronic lock provided in the storage unit. The authentication information for the storage unit may be fixed or variable. Note that the information stored in the locker information DB 12 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and the information stored in the locker information DB 12 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4.

Figure 5 is an example of information stored in the service information DB 14. The service information DB 14 stores service information. One record in the service information DB 14 shown in Figure 5 is service information for a service provided in response to one locker use request. One record in the service information DB 14 shown in Figure 5 includes fields for a service ID, a user ID, a locker ID, a deposit date and time, a deposit location, a removal date and time, a removal location, a temporary storage designation, and a removal completion notification.

The service ID field stores the identification information of the service. The service identification information is assigned by the control unit 11 when the provision of the service is established for the received locker use request. The user ID field stores the identification information of the user. The user identification information is assigned by the control unit 11 when registering the user in the mobile locker system 100. User registration in the mobile locker system 100 is performed through the execution of a client application program of the mobile locker system 100. The locker ID field stores the identification information of the storage section of the locker 4 assigned to the service.

The fields for deposit date and time, deposit location, withdrawal date and time, and withdrawal location store information indicating the deposit date and time, deposit location, withdrawal date and time, and withdrawal location, respectively. Information indicating the deposit location and withdrawal location is, for example, an address, latitude and longitude, and a landmark name. The deposit date and time and withdrawal date and time are, for example, indicated by year, month, day, hour, and minute.

The temporary storage designation field stores information indicating whether the user has agreed to the temporary storage of forgotten luggage at store 5 for the relevant service. The information indicating whether the user has agreed to the temporary storage of forgotten luggage at store 5 is, for example, a flag, a keyword, or a code. In the example shown in FIG. 5, "Yes" and "No" are used as information indicating whether the user has agreed to the temporary storage of forgotten luggage at store 5.

The retrieval completion notification field stores information indicating whether a retrieval completion notification indicating that the luggage has been retrieved from the locker 4 assigned to the corresponding service or a delivery completion notification indicating that the luggage has been handed over to the user has been received. The information indicating whether a retrieval completion notification or a delivery completion notification has been received is, for example, a flag, a code, or a keyword.

When the control unit 11 receives a locker use request from the user terminal 2 and the provision of the service is established, it adds a record to the service information DB 14. As the record is added, the control unit 11 assigns identification information to the established service and stores it in the service ID field. The locker ID field also stores the identification information of the storage section of the locker 4 assigned by the control unit 11. The user ID, deposit date and time, deposit location, retrieval date and time, and retrieval location fields also store the user identification information, deposit date and time, deposit location, retrieval date and time, and retrieval location received by the control unit 11 from the user terminal 2 together with the locker use request, respectively.

The control unit 11 stores in the temporary storage designation field a value corresponding to information received from the user terminal 2 along with a locker use request indicating whether or not the user agrees to temporarily store the forgotten luggage at the store 5.

The initial value of the retrieval completion notification field is information indicating that no retrieval completion notification or delivery completion notification has been received. When a retrieval completion notification or delivery completion notification is received from the user terminal 2, the retrieval completion notification field is updated by the control unit 11 to information indicating that a retrieval completion notification or delivery completion notification has been received. Note that the information stored in the service information DB 14 is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 5.

Figure 6 shows an example of information stored in store information DB 17. Store information DB 17 stores information about stores that are affiliated with the store to temporarily store luggage. In the example shown in Figure 6, one record in store information DB 17 includes fields for store ID, store name, location information, and contact information.

The store ID field stores the identification information of the store. The store name field stores the name of the store. For example, if the store is a convenience store, the store name is composed of the trademark name and the store name.

The location information field stores the location information of the store. The location information of the store is, for example, an address or latitude and longitude. The contact information field stores the contact information of the store terminal 6. The contact information of the store terminal 6 is, for example, an email address, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, or an individual identification number.

The information stored in store information DB 17 is set in advance. Note that the information stored in store information DB 17 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6.

Figure 7 is an example of information stored in temporary storage information DB 15. Temporary storage information DB 15 stores information about packages temporarily stored in store 5. In the example shown in Figure 7, one record in temporary storage information DB 15 includes fields for a service ID, a user ID, a storage store, a pickup method, a delivery destination, and a specified delivery date and time.

The service ID field stores the service identification information. The user ID field stores the user identification information. The storage store field stores the identification information of the store that is temporarily storing the package.

The receipt method field stores information indicating the receipt method selected by the user. In the first embodiment, receipt methods include picking up at a store and picking up by delivery. The information indicating the receipt method is, for example, a flag, a code, or a keyword. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the receipt method field uses the keyword "store" to indicate picking up at a store, and the keyword "delivery" to indicate picking up by delivery.

The delivery destination field stores information indicating the delivery destination specified by the user. The information indicating the delivery destination is, for example, an address or latitude and longitude. The specified delivery date and time field stores the specified delivery date and time specified by the user. The delivery date and time may be specified, for example, by a date and a time zone. The delivery destination and specified delivery date and time fields store values when the value in the receipt method field indicates receipt by delivery.

When the forgotten baggage is deposited at the store 5 and a deposit completion notice is received from the store terminal 6, the control unit 11 registers a new record in the temporary storage information DB 15. Along with the deposit completion notice, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target baggage, identification information of the user who deposited the target baggage, and identification information of the store 5 are also received. The control unit 11 stores the service identification information, user identification information, and store identification information received along with the deposit completion notice in the service ID, user ID, and storage store fields, respectively, of the newly created record.

When the control unit 11 receives information indicating the receiving method selected by the user from the user terminal 2, it stores the information indicating the selected receiving method in the receiving method field of the record that matches the service identification information received in the same manner. The service identification information is also received along with the information indicating the selected receiving method. If the selected receiving method is receiving by delivery, the delivery destination location and desired delivery date and time are also received from the user terminal 2 along with the information indicating the selected receiving method, and the control unit 11 updates the delivery destination and specified delivery date and time fields of the corresponding record. Note that the information stored in the temporary storage information DB 15 is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 7.

Figure 8 is an example of information stored in the schedule information DB 13. The schedule information DB 13 stores schedules for each locker 4 and vehicle 3. The example shown in Figure 8 shows a schedule for one vehicle 3 and each storage section of the lockers 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 during business hours on a certain day.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit with locker ID: 001 is assigned to the service with service ID: 001 and is reserved from 8:15 to 17:00. For the service with service ID: 001, the deposit date and time is set to 8:15 and the removal date and time is set to 17:00.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the schedule for vehicle 3 is set according to the reservations for each storage unit. Item #100, item #101, item #200, and item #201 are set as schedule items for vehicle 3 corresponding to the service with service ID:001 assigned to the storage unit with locker ID:001.

Item #100 and item #101 are schedule items corresponding to the deposit of luggage for the service with service ID:001. Item #100 is an item for a driving event of vehicle 3. In item #100, the deposit location of service ID:001 is set as the destination of the drive, and the deposit date and time of service ID:001 - α is set as the arrival date and time. Item #101 is an item for an event in which vehicle 3 stops. The event of vehicle 3 stopping in item #101 is an event for a user to deposit luggage in locker 4. The series of actions for a user to deposit luggage in locker 4 includes getting on to vehicle 3, storing luggage in the storage section, locking the storage section, and getting off vehicle 3. Vehicle 3 needs to stop for a sufficient time to perform these series of actions. Therefore, in item #101, the deposit date and time of service ID:001 - α is set as the start date and time of the stop, and the deposit date and time of service ID:001 + α is set as the end date and time of the stop.

The driving plan set for vehicle 3 corresponding to item #100 and item #101 indicates that the vehicle will travel to the deposit location at deposit date and time -α and stop at the deposit location from deposit date and time -α to deposit date and time +α.

Item #200 and item #201 are schedule items corresponding to the pick-up of luggage for the service of service ID:001. Item #200 is an item for a driving event of vehicle 3. In item #200, the pick-up location of service ID:001 is set as the destination of the driving, and the pick-up date and time of service ID:001-α is set as the arrival date and time. Item #201 is an item for an event in which vehicle 3 stops. The event of vehicle 3 stopping in item #201 is an event for the user to take out luggage from locker 4. A series of actions for the user to take out luggage from locker 4 includes getting into vehicle 3, unlocking the storage unit, taking out luggage from the storage unit, and getting off vehicle 3. Therefore, in item #201, the pick-up date and time of service ID:001-α is set as the start date and time of the stop, and the pick-up date and time of service ID:001+α is set as the end date and time of the stop.

The driving plan set for vehicle 3 corresponding to item #200 and item #201 indicates that the vehicle will travel to the pick-up location at pick-up date and time -α, and will stop at the pick-up location from pick-up date and time -α to pick-up date and time +α.

When allocating a vehicle 3 and a locker 4 to a locker use request, for example, the control unit 11 refers to the schedule adjustment unit 16 that holds information such as that shown in FIG. 8. The control unit 11 allocates to the locker use request a vehicle 3 that can be moved to the deposit location by the deposit date and time, can be moved to the removal location by the removal date and time, and has a storage section that is not scheduled between the deposit date and time and the removal date and time. Note that the method of determining the vehicle 3 and locker 4 to be allocated may be any well-known method, and is not limited to a specific method.

For example, when creating a driving plan to move to a store 5 where forgotten luggage is temporarily stored, the control unit 11 refers to the schedule of the vehicle 3 carrying the luggage, and determines the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time to the store 5 so that they fall within the most recent blank period, for example. If the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time to the store 5 do not fall within the most recent blank period, the control unit 11 determines the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time to the store 5 within the most recent blank period, for example, within a blank period after the most recent blank period.

During a blank period in the schedule of vehicle 3, for example, the control unit 11 drives vehicle 3 along a route that matches the schedule before and after that time. The control unit 11 refers to the schedule information DB 13 to assign lockers 4 and suggest pick-up locations and pick-up dates and times. The information stored in the schedule information DB 13 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7.

<Example of user device screen>
9 and 10 are example screens of the user terminal 2 by the client application of the mobile locker system 100. Fig. 9 is an example of a locker use request screen of the user terminal 2. The locker use request screen is a screen for making a request to use the mobile locker service. The locker use request screen is displayed, for example, when a locker use request is selected from the menu of the client application of the mobile locker system 100.

The locker use request screen shown in Figure 9 includes input fields for the deposit location, deposit date and time, retrieval location, and retrieval date and time, a check box indicating consent to temporary storage at the store in case of forgetting to retrieve, and a button to request locker use. The input fields for the deposit location and retrieval location each have radio buttons to select the designation method: search by keyword, selection from map, or selection from registered address. When "search by keyword" is selected, the search results for the entered keyword are displayed, and the deposit location or retrieval location can be selected from the search results. Search results for keyword may include, for example, place names, station names, building names, and addresses.

When "Select from map" is selected, the screen transitions to a map display screen, where the deposit location or withdrawal location can be set on the map. When "Select from registered address" is selected, a list of registered addresses is displayed, and the deposit location or withdrawal location can be selected from the list.

The deposit and withdrawal dates and times may be set, for example, in 5-minute, 10-minute, 15-minute, or 30-minute increments.

When the "Start request" button is selected, the control unit 21 accepts the user's operation to request to use a locker, and sends the locker use request to the center server 1. The deposit location, deposit date and time, pick-up location, pick-up date and time, and user identification information entered on the locker use request screen are also sent along with the locker use request. If the "Agree to temporary storage at store if forgotten to pick up" check button is checked, information indicating that the user agrees to temporarily store forgotten luggage at store 5 is sent along with the locker use request to the center server 1. If the "Agree to temporary storage at store if forgotten to pick up" check button is not checked, information indicating that the user does not agree to temporarily store forgotten luggage at store 5 is sent along with the locker use request to the center server 1. Note that the configuration of the locker use request screen is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 9.

Figure 10 is an example of a screen on the user terminal 2 notifying the user that a forgotten package has been temporarily stored at a store. The screen notifying the user that a forgotten package has been temporarily stored at a store is displayed when a notification that a package has been stored at a store and a request to select a collection method are received from the center server 1.

The screen shown in FIG. 10 notifying the store that the forgotten package is being temporarily stored contains a message notifying the store that the forgotten package is being temporarily stored, information about the store that is temporarily storing the package, a selection field for the delivery method, and a "Request delivery method setting" button.

The receiving method selection field includes radio buttons to select receiving by delivery or at the store as the receiving method. The radio button to select receiving by delivery is accompanied by input fields for the delivery destination and desired delivery date and time. The input fields for the delivery destination and desired delivery date and time are configured in the same way as the input fields for the pick-up location and pick-up date and time shown in FIG. 9.

When the "Request for receipt method setting" button is selected, the control unit 21 accepts the user's operation to select the receipt method, and transmits information regarding the selected receipt method to the center server 1. If the receipt method is receipt by delivery, the delivery destination and desired delivery date and time entered on the screen notifying the store that the forgotten package has been temporarily stored are also transmitted to the center server 1. Note that the configuration of the screen notifying the store that the forgotten package has been temporarily stored is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10.

<Processing flow>
Figures 11 to 14 are examples of flowcharts of processing executed by the center server 1. Figure 15 is an example of a flowchart of processing executed by the user terminal 2. The processing shown in Figures 11 to 14 is executed by the CPU 101 of the center server 1, but for convenience, the processing will be described mainly by functional components. The processing shown in Figure 15 is executed by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 2, but for convenience, the processing will be described mainly by functional components.

Figure 11 is an example of a flowchart of the process when the center server 1 receives a locker use request from the user terminal 2. The process shown in Figure 11 is executed repeatedly at a predetermined interval.

In OP101, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a locker use request has been received from the user terminal 2. If a locker use request has been received from the user terminal 2 (OP101: Y
ES), the process proceeds to OP102. If a locker use request has not been received from the user terminal 2 (OP101: NO), the process shown in Fig. 11 ends. Hereinafter, in Fig. 11, the user terminal 2 indicates the user terminal that is the sender of the locker use request received in OP101.

In OP102, the control unit 11 refers to the schedule information DB 13 and determines whether or not there is a locker 4 that can be assigned to the received locker use request. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a storage unit that has no schedule set from the deposit date and time to at least the removal date and time, that can arrive at the deposit location by the deposit date and time, and that is loaded on a vehicle 3 that can arrive at the removal location by the removal date and time. If there is a locker 4 that can be assigned to the received locker use request (OP102: YES), it is agreed to provide a service for the received locker use request, and the process proceeds to OP103. If there is no locker 4 that can be assigned to the received locker use request (OP102: NO), the control unit 11 transmits a response indicating that the locker use request is not possible, and the process shown in FIG. 11 ends.

In OP103, the control unit 11 determines the storage unit and vehicle 3 to be assigned to the locker use request from among the lockers 4 that can be assigned to the locker use request. The vehicle 3 to be assigned to the locker use request is selected from the vehicles 3 that can arrive at the deposit location by the deposit date and time and can arrive at the removal location by the removal date and time. The storage unit to be assigned to the locker use request is selected from the lockers 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 assigned to the locker use request that do not have a schedule set from the deposit date and time to at least the removal date and time. Hereinafter, in FIG. 11, vehicle 3 refers to the vehicle assigned to the locker use request.

In OP104, the control unit 11 registers the service information corresponding to the received locker use request in the service information DB 14. The control unit 11 also registers the service item corresponding to the locker use request in the schedule of the assigned vehicle 3 and locker 4.

In OP105, the control unit 11 transmits a response of acceptance to the locker use request to the user terminal 2. Together with the response of acceptance, authentication information of the storage unit of the assigned locker 4 is also transmitted. In OP106, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan corresponding to the registered schedule for the assigned vehicle 3, and transmits it to the vehicle 3. After that, the process shown in FIG. 11 ends.

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are an example of a flowchart of the parcel removal management process of the center server 1. The processes shown in Figures 12 to 14 are executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle. The processes in Figures 12 to 14 are executed, for example, for each record stored in the service information DB 14 in which the value of the removal completion notification field stores information indicating that a removal completion notification has not been received (see Figure 5). In Figures 12 to 14, user terminal 2 indicates the user terminal of the user corresponding to the service that is the target of the process.

In OP201, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a retrieval completion notification has been received from the user terminal 2 for the target service. If a retrieval completion notification has been received from the user terminal 2 (OP201: YES), the process proceeds to OP202. If a retrieval completion notification has not been received from the user terminal 2 (OP201: NO), the process proceeds to OP205.

In OP202, the control unit 11 updates, for example, the “take-out completion notification” field of the record of the target service in the service information DB 14 to information indicating that a take-out completion notification or a delivery completion notification has been received, and records that a take-out completion notification has been received from the user terminal 2. OP
In OP203, the control unit 11 calculates the fee for the target service. The fee is calculated based on, for example, the length of time from the deposit date and time to the take-out date and time or the specified date and time, and/or the distance between the deposit location and the take-out location. For example, the longer the length of time from the deposit date and time to the take-out date and time or the specified date and time, the higher the fee. For example, the longer the distance between the deposit location and the take-out location, the higher the fee. In addition, when a process for handling luggage that was forgotten to be taken out is being executed, a fee is added according to the type of luggage. In OP204, the control unit 11 transmits a response to the user terminal 2. For example, the service usage fee is also transmitted together with the response. Thereafter, the control unit 11 may execute a payment process. The payment process may be performed, for example, by using credit card information registered in advance, or a bill may be transmitted to the address specified by the user. Then, the process shown in FIG. 12 ends.

In OP205, the control unit 11 refers to the service information DB 14 and determines whether the current time is the retrieval date and time of the target service. If the current time is the retrieval date and time of the target service (OP205: YES), the process proceeds to OP301 in FIG. 13. If the current time is not the retrieval date and time of the target service (OP205: NO), the process proceeds to OP201.

The process shown in FIG. 13 is executed when the retrieval date and time arrives without a retrieval completion notification being received for the target service.

In OP301, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to take out the item for the target service. The determination in OP301 is made based on whether or not information indicating that there is consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to take out the item is stored in the "Temporary storage designation" field of the record in the service information DB 14 for the target service. If there is consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to take out the item for the target service (OP301: YES), the process proceeds to OP302. If there is no consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to take out the item for the target service (OP301: NO), the process proceeds to OP311.

In OP302, the control unit 11 refers to the store information DB 17 to select a store 5 that will temporarily store the forgotten luggage. In the first embodiment, the store 5 that will temporarily store the forgotten luggage is a store that is located within a predetermined range from the current location of the vehicle 3 that performs the target service. Note that the current location of the vehicle 3 that performs the target service in OP302 is near the pick-up location of the luggage. Hereinafter, the store 5 and the store terminal 6 refer to the store that temporarily stores the forgotten luggage and the store terminal of the store. The vehicle 3 refers to the vehicle that performs the target service.

In OP303, the control unit 11 transmits a temporary storage request to the store terminal 6 of the store 5. Along with the temporary storage request, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target service (baggage), identification information of the user who requested the target service, identification information of the vehicle 3, identification information of the locker 4 in which the baggage is stored, authentication information of the locker 4, and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 3 are also transmitted.

In OP304, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a response indicating acceptance has been received from the store terminal 6. If a response indicating acceptance has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP304: YES), the process proceeds to OP305. If a response indicating rejection has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP304: NO), the process proceeds to OP302, and a new store is selected to temporarily store the forgotten package.

In OP305, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3 and transmits it to the vehicle 3. The driving plan for the vehicle 3 created in OP305 includes, for example, traveling to the store 5 and unloading the target baggage at the store 5. The driving plan for the vehicle 3 also includes a scheduled departure time and a scheduled arrival time for the store 5.

In OP306, the control unit 11 monitors the position information of the vehicle 3, and determines whether or not the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5. For example, when the position information of the vehicle 3 indicates a position within a predetermined range from the position information of the store 5, the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5. The predetermined range is, for example, a range of 3 m to 20 m. When it is detected that the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5 (OP306: YES), the process proceeds to OP307. When it is not detected that the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5 (OP306: NO), the control unit 11 goes into a standby state until the vehicle 3 arrives at the store 5.

In OP307, the control unit 11 notifies the store terminal 6 of the arrival of the vehicle 3. In OP308, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a notification of completion of storage has been received from the store terminal 6. If a notification of completion of storage has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP308: YES), the process proceeds to OP309. The control unit 11 remains in a standby state until a notification of completion of storage is received from the store terminal 6 (OP308: NO).

In OP309, the control unit 11 sends a store-holding notification to the user terminal 2 to notify the user that the forgotten package is being temporarily stored at the store 5. A request to select a pickup method is also sent together with the store-holding notification. In addition, for example, service identification information for the target service and information about the store 5 that is storing the target package are also sent together with the store-holding notification. The information about the store 5 includes, for example, the name of the store 5 and the address of the store 5. In addition, in OP309, the control unit 11 adds a record to the temporary storage information DB 15 for the package that was temporarily stored at the store 5.

In OP310, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a response to the store-holding notification and the request to select a receiving method has been received from the user terminal 2. If a response has been received from the user terminal 2 (OP310: YES), the process proceeds to OP401 in FIG. 14. The control unit 11 remains in a standby state until a response is received from the user terminal 2 (OP310: NO). Along with the store-holding notification and the response to the request to select a receiving method, information indicating the receiving method selected by the user is also received.

The processing from OP311 to OP313 is performed in the case where there is no consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to pick up the luggage for the target service. In the case where there is no consent for temporary storage at the store in the event of forgetting to pick up the luggage, in the first embodiment, the luggage remains deposited in the vehicle 3 until a request to pick up the luggage is received from the user terminal 2.

In OP311, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a retrieval request has been received from the user terminal 2. If a retrieval request has been received from the user terminal 2 (OP311: YES), the process proceeds to OP312. The control unit 11 remains in a standby state until a retrieval request is received from the user terminal 2 (OP312: NO). Together with the retrieval request, a newly specified retrieval location and retrieval date and time are also received.

In OP312, the control unit 11 updates the record in the service information DB 14 for the target service. Specifically, the retrieval location and retrieval date and time in the record in the service information DB 14 for the target service are updated to the newly specified retrieval location and retrieval date and time.

In OP313, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3 and transmits it to the vehicle 3. The driving plan for the vehicle 3 created in OP313 includes, for example, moving to a pick-up location by the pick-up date and time, and placing the baggage at the pick-up location and handing it over. After that, the process proceeds to OP201 in Fig. 12 .

Next, the process shown in FIG. 14 is a process when information indicating the receiving method selected by the user for a package temporarily stored at the store 5 is received from the user terminal 2. In OP401, the control unit 11 determines whether the information indicating the receiving method selected by the user received from the user terminal 2 indicates in-store receiving. If the information indicating the receiving method selected by the user indicates in-store receiving (OP401: YES), the process proceeds to OP402. If the information indicating the receiving method selected by the user indicates receiving by delivery (OP401: NO), the process proceeds to OP409.

The processing from OP402 to OP408 is performed when store pickup is selected as the method of receiving a parcel temporarily stored at the store 5. In OP402, the control unit 11 transmits a notification of the receiving method selected by the user to the store terminal 6. In OP402, the control unit 11 updates the receiving method field of the corresponding record in the temporary storage information DB 15 with information indicating store pickup. Along with the notification transmitted in OP402, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target parcel, identification information of the user who has deposited the target parcel in the vehicle 3, and information indicating pick-up at the store as information indicating the selected receiving method are also transmitted to the store terminal 6.

In OP403, the control unit 11 transmits to the user terminal 2 a store pickup acceptance notification indicating that the store has accepted the pickup. Along with the store pickup acceptance notification, for example, service identification information of the target service, identification information of the target user, and information about the store 5 are also transmitted. The information about the store 5 includes, for example, the name and address of the store 5.

In OP404, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a delivery completion notification has been received from the store terminal 6. If a delivery completion notification has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP404: YES), the process proceeds to OP405. The control unit 11 remains in a standby state until a delivery completion notification has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP404: NO). Together with the delivery completion notification, the control unit 11 also receives the service identification information of the target service.

In OP405, the control unit 11 transmits a response to the delivery completion notification to the store terminal 6. In OP406, the control unit 11 updates, for example, the "Pickup completion notification" field of the record of the target service in the service information DB 14 to information indicating that a pick-up completion notification or a delivery completion notification has been received, and records that a delivery completion notification has been received from the user terminal 2. In OP407, the control unit 11 calculates a fee for the target service. In OP407, since the package is picked up at the store, in the first embodiment, no additional fee is incurred for temporary storage of the package at the store 5.

In OP408, the control unit 11 transmits a delivery confirmation notification to the user terminal 2 to notify that delivery of the package has been completed. For example, the service usage fee may also be transmitted together with the delivery confirmation notification. Thereafter, the control unit 11 may execute a payment process. Then, the process shown in FIG. 14 ends.

The processing from OP411 to OP418 is performed when receipt by delivery is selected as the method of receipt of a package temporarily stored at store 5. From user terminal 2, information indicating receipt by delivery as the receipt method selected by the user is received, along with the delivery destination and the desired date and time of delivery.

In OP411, the control unit 11 assigns the vehicle 3 that will carry out the transportation to the locker 4. In OP412, the control unit 11 transmits a notification of the receiving method selected by the user to the store terminal 6. Along with the notification transmitted in OP412, for example, the following are also transmitted to the store terminal 6: service identification information corresponding to the target parcel, identification information of the user who deposited the target parcel in the vehicle 3, information indicating receipt by delivery as information indicating the selected receiving method, identification information of the vehicle 3 that will carry out the transportation, identification information of the storage unit that will store the target parcel, and authentication information of the storage unit. Note that in OP412, the control unit 11 updates the fields of the receiving method, delivery destination, and delivery specified date and time of the corresponding record in the temporary storage information DB 15 with information indicating receipt by delivery, the received delivery destination, and the received delivery date and time, respectively.

In OP413, the control unit 11 transmits to the user terminal 2 a delivery acceptance notification indicating that the receipt of the delivered package has been accepted. Along with the delivery acceptance notification, for example, service identification information of the target service, identification information of the target user, the delivery destination and the specified delivery date and time, identification information of the transporting vehicle 3, identification information of the storage unit in which the package is stored, and authentication information of the storage unit are also transmitted.

In OP414, the control unit 11 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3 and transmits it to the vehicle 3. The driving plan for the vehicle 3 created in OP414 includes, for example, traveling to the store 5, loading the target package at the store 5, traveling to the delivery destination by the delivery date and time, leaving the package at the delivery destination, and handing it over.

In OP415, the control unit 11 monitors the position information of the vehicle 3, and determines whether or not the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5. When it is detected that the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5 (OP415: YES), the process proceeds to OP416. When it is not detected that the vehicle 3 has arrived at the store 5 (OP415: NO), the control unit 11 goes into a standby state until the vehicle 3 arrives at the store 5.

In OP416, the control unit 11 notifies the store terminal 6 of the arrival of the vehicle 3. In OP417, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a loading completion notification indicating that loading of the target luggage onto the vehicle 3 has been completed has been received from the store terminal 6. When a loading completion notification has been received from the store terminal 6 (OP417: YES), the processing proceeds to OP418. The control unit 11 remains in a standby state until a loading completion notification is received from the store terminal 6 (OP417: NO). Together with the loading completion, for example, service identification information of the target service is also received.

In OP418, the control unit 11 performs the same processing as that in OP201 to OP204 in FIG. 12. However, when the same processing as that in OP201 to OP204 in FIG. 12 is performed as the processing in OP414, the delivery destination and the designated delivery date and time are used instead of the pick-up location and pick-up date and time. That is, in OP414, for example, when a pick-up completion notification is received from the user terminal 2 (OP201: YES), the completion of pick-up of the parcel is recorded in the service information DB 14 (OP202), the fee is calculated (OP203), and a response is transmitted to the user terminal 2 (OP204). For example, when a pick-up completion notification is not received from the user terminal 2 even after the designated delivery date and time has passed (OP201: NO), the processing proceeds to the processing in FIG. 13. Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 14 ends.

Figure 15 is a flowchart of the process performed by the user terminal 2 when a notification that the luggage has been left at the store is received from the center server 1. The process shown in Figure 15 is started, for example, when the user operation to complete the retrieval has not been input even after the retrieval date and time has passed, and information indicating consent to the temporary storage of the forgotten luggage at the store 5 is stored. For example, the user terminal 2 holds the information input on the locker use request screen in the storage area of the memory 202. In other words, the process shown in Figure 15 is not executed if the luggage has been retrieved from the locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 by the retrieval date and time, and if the user has not consented to the temporary storage of the forgotten luggage at the store 5.

In OP501, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a notice that the package has been stored at the store has been received from the center server 1. If a notice that the package has been stored at the store has been received from the center server 1 (OP501: YES), the process proceeds to OP502. The control unit 21 remains in a standby state until a notice that the package has been stored at the store is received from the center server 1 (OP501: NO). Together with the notice that the package has been stored at the store, a request to select a receiving method is also received.

In OP502, the control unit 21 causes the touch panel display 205 to display a screen notifying the user that the forgotten package has been temporarily stored at the store. In OP503, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the user has selected the "Request to set receipt method" button via the touch panel display 205. The selection of the "Request to set receipt method" button corresponds to a user operation for requesting to set a receipt method. On the screen notifying the user that the forgotten package has been temporarily stored at the store, if the selected receipt method is to receive the package by delivery, the delivery destination and the desired delivery date and time are entered (FIG. 10).

If a user operation to request setting of a receiving method is input (OP503: YES), the process proceeds to OP504. The control unit 21 remains in a standby state until a user operation to request setting of a receiving method is input (OP503: NO).

In OP504, the control unit 21 sends to the center server 1, together with a response to the receipt notification, information indicating the receipt method selected by the user. If the selected receipt method is receipt by delivery, information on the delivery destination and the desired delivery date and time is also sent to the center server 1. After that, the processing shown in FIG. 15 ends.

Note that the processes of the center server 1 or the user terminal 2 shown in Figures 11 to 15 are all examples, and the processes of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2 are not limited to these. The processes of the center server 1 and the user terminal 2 can be changed as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

<Example of processing sequence>
16, 17, and 18 are diagrams showing an example of a processing sequence in the mobile locker system 100. Fig. 16 shows an example of a processing sequence from when luggage is left behind to when the luggage is deposited at the store 5. In the examples shown in Figs. 16 to 18, it is assumed that the user of the user terminal 2 has agreed to the temporary storage of the forgotten luggage at the store. It is also assumed that the forgotten luggage is stored in a locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3A.

In S11, the center server 1 detects that the luggage was left behind when the pickup date and time arrived because the center server 1 has not received a pickup completion notification from the user terminal 2 (OP201: YES in FIG. 12, OP205: YES). In S12, the center server 1 selects store 5 as the store to temporarily store the luggage (OP302 in FIG. 13) because there is an agreement for the service to temporarily store the luggage at the store when it is forgotten to be picked up (OP301: YES in FIG. 13).

In S13, the center server 1 transmits a temporary storage request to the store terminal 6 of the store 5 (OP303 in FIG. 13). Along with the temporary storage request, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target service, identification information of the user who requested the target service, identification information of the vehicle 3A, identification information of the locker 4 in which the luggage is stored, authentication information of the locker 4, and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 3A at the store 5 are also transmitted.

The store terminal 6 receives the temporary storage request and notifies the staff of the store 5, for example, by displaying on a touch panel display that a request for temporary storage of luggage has been made. When the staff of the store 5 confirms the information of the temporary storage request, they input an acceptance response to the store terminal 6 by user operation, which causes the store terminal 6 to transmit the acceptance response to the center server 1. The center server 1 receives the acceptance response from the store terminal 6 (OP304: YES in FIG. 13 ).

In S15, the center server 1 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3A that includes traveling to the store 5 and depositing the target baggage. In S16, the center server 1 transmits the created driving plan to the vehicle 3A (OP305 in FIG. 13).

In S21, vehicle 3A starts traveling to store 5 at the scheduled departure date and time included in the travel plan, and arrives at store 5 at the scheduled arrival date and time. In S22, center server 1 detects that vehicle 3A has arrived at store 5 from the position information of vehicle 3A (OP306: YES in FIG. 13). In S23, center server 1 notifies store terminal 6 of the arrival of vehicle 3A (OP307 in FIG. 13). When store terminal 6 receives the notification of vehicle 3A's arrival, it notifies staff at store 5 by, for example, notifying the arrival of vehicle 3A on a touch panel display or outputting an alarm sound from a speaker.

In S24, the staff of the store 5 removes the target luggage from the vehicle 3A and carries it into the store 5. The storage unit in which the target luggage is stored can be identified from the information received together with the temporary storage request. The staff of the store 5 also uses the authentication information of the storage unit in which the target luggage is stored to unlock the storage unit and remove the luggage. The authentication information of the storage unit in which the target luggage is stored is received from the center server 1 together with the temporary storage request. In S25, the staff of the store 5 inputs a user operation to the store terminal 6 to indicate that the luggage has been stored, and the store terminal 6 transmits a storage completion notification to the center server 1. The center server 1 receives the luggage storage completion notification from the store terminal 6 (OP308: YES in FIG. 13).

Figure 17 shows an example of a sequence in which a user picks up a package that has been temporarily stored at store 5 at the store. The sequence shown in Figure 17 is a sequence that occurs following S24 in Figure 16.

In S31, the center server 1 transmits a store-holding notification and a request to select a receiving method to the user terminal 2 (OP309 in FIG. 13). The store-holding notification includes, for example, service identification information corresponding to the target parcel, the name of the store 5, and the address of the store 5. When the user terminal 2 receives the store-holding notification and the request to select a receiving method (OP501 in FIG. 15: YES), the user terminal 2 displays a screen notifying the temporary storage of the forgotten parcel at the store on the touch panel display 205 (OP502 in FIG. 15). In the example shown in FIG. 17, the user selects receiving at the store, and inputs a selection operation for receiving at the store along with a user operation for requesting to set the receiving method (OP503 in FIG. 15: YES). The user can determine the receiving method by referring to the name and address of the store 5 received together with the store-holding notification.

In S32, the user terminal 2 sends to the center server 1, together with a response to the receipt notification, information indicating the receipt method selected by the user, indicating receipt at the store (OP504 in FIG. 15). The center server 1 receives from the user terminal 2 the response to the receipt notification and information indicating receipt at the store (OP310 in FIG. 13: YES, OP401 in FIG. 14: YES).

In S33, the center server 1 transmits a notification to the store terminal 6 indicating that the user has selected pick-up at the store (OP402 in FIG. 14). Along with the notification, for example, the service identification information corresponding to the target parcel, the identification information of the user who has deposited the target parcel in the vehicle 3, and information indicating pick-up at the store as information indicating the selected pick-up method are also transmitted to the store terminal 6.

In S34, the center server 1 transmits a store pickup acceptance notification to the user terminal 2 (OP403 in FIG. 14). The store pickup acceptance notification includes, for example, service identification information of the target service, identification information of the target user, the name of the store 5, and the address of the store 5.

In S41, the user of the user terminal 2 moves to the store 5. The user moves to the store 5 by referencing the name of the store 5 and the address of the store 5 received from the center server 1 together with the store receipt acceptance notification. In S42, the identity of the user of the user terminal 2 is verified by a staff member of the store 5, and then the parcel is handed over to the user. The identity of the user of the user terminal 2 is verified, for example, by the user of the user terminal 2 presenting the service identification information corresponding to the target parcel and the identification information of the user of the user terminal 2 to the staff member of the store 5, and the staff member of the store 5 verifying that the service identification information and the identification information of the user of the user terminal 2 match those held in the store terminal 6. However, the user's identity verification is not limited to this.

In S43, for example, a staff member of store 5 inputs a delivery completion to the store terminal 6, and the store terminal 6 transmits a delivery completion notification to the center server 1. The center server 1 receives the delivery completion notification from the store terminal 6 (OP404 in FIG. 14: YES). In S44, the center server 1 transmits a response to the delivery completion notification to the store terminal 6 (OP405 in FIG. 14).

In S45, the center server 1 transmits a delivery confirmation notification to the vehicle 3 (OP408 in FIG. 14). For example, the service usage fee is also transmitted together with the delivery confirmation notification.

Figure 18 shows an example of a sequence in which a user receives a package that is temporarily stored at store 5 by delivery. The sequence shown in Figure 18 is a sequence that occurs following S24 in Figure 16.

In S51, the center server 1 transmits a store-held package notification and a request to select a receiving method to the user terminal 2 (OP309 in FIG. 13). When the user terminal 2 receives the store-held package notification and the request to select a receiving method (OP501 in FIG. 15: YES), it displays a screen notifying the user that the forgotten package has been temporarily stored at the store on the touch panel display 205 (OP502 in FIG. 15). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the user selects receiving by delivery, and inputs a user operation to request setting of the receiving method, along with an operation to select receiving by delivery (OP503 in FIG. 15: YES).

In S52, the user terminal 2 transmits to the center server 1, together with a response to the receipt notification, information indicating receipt by delivery as information indicating the receipt method selected by the user (OP504 in FIG. 15). The center server 1 receives from the user terminal 2 the response to the receipt notification and information indicating receipt by delivery (OP310 in FIG. 13: YES, OP401 in FIG. 14: NO).

In S53, the center server 1 determines vehicle 3B as the vehicle that will deliver the package temporarily stored at the store 5, and the storage section of the locker 4 in which to store the package (OP411 in FIG. 14). In S54, the center server 1 transmits a notification to the store terminal 6 indicating that the user has selected receipt by delivery (OP412 in FIG. 14). Along with the notification, for example, the store terminal 6 also transmits service identification information corresponding to the target package, identification information of the user who has deposited the target package in vehicle 3, and information indicating delivery as information indicating the selected receipt method.

In S55, the center server 1 transmits a delivery acceptance notification to the user terminal 2 (OP413 in FIG. 14). Along with the delivery acceptance notification, for example, service identification information of the target service, identification information of the target user, the delivery destination and specified delivery date and time, identification information of the transporting vehicle 3, identification information of the storage unit in which the package is stored, and authentication information of the storage unit are also transmitted.

In S56, the center server 1 creates a driving plan for the vehicle 3B, which includes traveling to the store 5, loading the target package, traveling to the delivery destination, and handing over the target package. In S57, the center server 1 transmits the created driving plan to the vehicle 3B (OP414 in FIG. 14).

In S61, vehicle 3B starts traveling to store 5 at the scheduled departure date and time included in the travel plan, and arrives at store 5 at the scheduled arrival date and time. In S62, the center server 1 detects that vehicle 3B has arrived at store 5 from the position information of vehicle 3B (OP415 in FIG. 14: YES). In S63, the center server 1 notifies the store terminal 6 of the arrival of vehicle 3B (OP416 in FIG. 14). When the store terminal 6 receives the notification of the arrival of vehicle 3B, it notifies the staff of store 5, for example, by notifying the arrival of vehicle 3B on a touch panel display or by outputting an alarm sound from a speaker.

In S64, the staff of store 5 loads the target luggage into vehicle 3B. The storage section of locker 4 of vehicle 4B in which the target luggage will be stored can be specified from the information received by the store terminal 6 in S54. The staff of store 5 also locks the storage section using the authentication information of the storage section in which the target luggage will be stored. The authentication information of the storage section in which the target luggage will be stored is received from the center server 1 in S54. In S65, the staff of store 5 inputs a user operation to the store terminal 6 indicating that the luggage has been loaded, and the store terminal 6 transmits a loading completion notification to the center server 1. The center server 1 receives the loading completion notification from the store terminal 6 (OP417 in FIG. 14: YES).

In S71, vehicle 3B starts traveling to the delivery destination at the scheduled departure date and time included in the driving plan, and arrives at the delivery destination on the delivery date and time. At the delivery destination, the user of user terminal 2 is waiting and meets up with vehicle 3B. In S72, the user of user terminal 2 removes the package from a storage section of locker 4 of vehicle 3B. The storage section of locker 4 of vehicle 4B in which the target package is stored can be identified from the information received by user terminal 2 together with the delivery acceptance notification in S55. In addition, the user of user terminal 2 unlocks the storage section using authentication information for the storage section that stores the target package. The authentication information for the storage section that stores the target package is received from center server 1 in S55.

In S73, the user of the user terminal 2 inputs a user operation to the user terminal 2 to indicate completion of retrieval, and the user terminal 2 transmits a retrieval completion notification to the center server 1. The center server 1 receives the retrieval completion notification from the user terminal 2 (OP418 in FIG. 14, OP201 in FIG. 12: YES). In S74, the center server 1 transmits a response to the user terminal 2 (OP418 in FIG. 14, OP204 in FIG. 12). For example, the service usage fee is also transmitted together with the response. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the forgotten luggage is delivered from the store 5 to the location specified by the user, so an additional fee is added to the service usage fee in addition to the usage fee for the locker 4.

<Effects of the First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, if luggage deposited in a mobile locker is not retrieved by the intended retrieval date and time, the luggage is unloaded from the vehicle 3 and temporarily stored, for example, in a store 5 near the vehicle 3. As a result, luggage not yet to be retrieved is unloaded from the vehicle 3, and the storage space of the locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 becomes free, allowing the vehicle 3 to store new luggage. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the operating rate of the mobile locker 4 loaded on the vehicle 3 can be improved.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the user can select the method of receiving the package temporarily stored at the store 5 from picking it up at the store or having it delivered. This allows the user to pick up the package that was left behind at their convenience.

<Other embodiments>
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure can be modified and implemented as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In the first embodiment, the temporary storage of luggage loaded onto a vehicle at a store was applied to a mobile locker service, but it can also be applied to a delivery locker service. That is, in a delivery locker service, it is also possible to temporarily store luggage that has not been delivered to a user designated as a recipient at a store. For example, by modifying the following points in the technology described in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize the temporary storage at a store of luggage that has not been delivered to a user designated as a recipient in a delivery locker service.

In the delivery locker service, the user who requests delivery of a package (requesting user) and the user who receives the package at the delivery destination (receiving user) may be different. The user who requests delivery of a package is hereinafter referred to as the requesting user. The user who receives the package at the delivery destination is hereinafter referred to as the receiving user. Therefore, when making a delivery request, the requesting user specifies the deposit location and deposit date and time, the delivery destination, and the receiving user. Note that in the delivery locker service, specifying the delivery date and time is optional. Note that the requesting user is a user who is registered with the delivery locker service, but the receiving user does not have to be a user who is registered with the delivery locker service.

In the mobile locker service, when a package is forgotten to be taken out, a process for temporarily storing the package in a store is started. Alternatively, in the delivery locker service, when a package delivery failure occurs due to the absence of the recipient user, for example, a process for temporarily storing the package in a store is started. In the mobile locker service, after a package is forgotten to be taken out, various notifications from the center server 1 to the user are sent to the user terminal 2 of the user who deposited the package. Alternatively, in the delivery locker service, after a package delivery failure occurs, various notifications from the center server 1 to the user are sent to the user terminal of the recipient user. The contact information (e.g., email address, etc.) of the recipient user's user terminal may be acquired by, for example, being specified by the requesting user together with the delivery request. Alternatively, if the recipient user is a user registered in the delivery locker service, the delivery locker system holds information on the contact information of the recipient user's user terminal in advance.

In addition, in the delivery locker service, information about the requesting user is added to the information sent from the center server 1 to the requesting user's user terminal and the store terminal 6 along with various notifications. The information about the requesting user is, for example, the requesting user's name and address, or the requesting user's identification information. This allows the store staff to verify the identity of the receiving user and the receiving user to identify the package when the receiving user picks up a package that has been temporarily stored at a store at the store, or when the receiving user picks up the package via delivery.

By making the above changes, the technology described in the first embodiment can also be applied to a delivery locker service.

The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradictions arise.

In addition, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Or, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD disk, Blu-ray disk, etc.), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.

Reference Signs List 1: Center server 2: User terminal 3: Vehicle 4: Locker 5: Store 6: Store terminal 11, 21: Control unit 12: Locker information database 13: Schedule information database 14: Service information database 15: Temporary storage information database 16: Schedule adjustment unit 17: Store information database 18: User information database 100: Mobile locker system 101, 201: CPU
102, 202: Memory 103, 203: External storage device 104: Communication unit 204: Wireless communication unit 205: Touch panel display

Claims (12)

a control unit that executes an instruction for a first vehicle transporting the luggage stored in the loaded storage device to a specified location, when the luggage cannot be handed over to a first user as scheduled, to move the first vehicle to a first store where the luggage is to be stored;
Equipped with
When the first vehicle cannot deliver the package to the first user as scheduled, the control unit instructs the first vehicle to move to the first store.
receiving, from the terminal of the first user, at least a pick-up location and pick-up date and time for picking up the package, and information indicating consent to temporary storage of the package at the store;
receiving a current position of the first vehicle from the first vehicle at a predetermined period;
determining whether or not a removal completion notification indicating that the luggage has been removed from the first vehicle at the removal location has been received from the terminal of the first user;
If the notification of completion of removal of the package has not been received from the terminal of the first user, it is determined whether the current time has reached the removal date and time of the package;
When the current time reaches the pick-up date and time of the luggage, it is determined that the first vehicle has not handed over the luggage to the first user as scheduled, and in response to information indicating consent to temporary storage of the luggage at a store, the first store is determined from among stores that exist within a predetermined range from the current location of the first vehicle, the pick-up location of the luggage, or a location previously registered by the first user;
The control unit is
When the luggage is deposited from the first vehicle to the first store, the method further executes notifying a terminal of the first user who receives the luggage that the luggage is being stored at the first store;
When the baggage is deposited from the first vehicle to the first store, the control unit notifies the terminal of the first user that the baggage is being stored at the first store.
receiving a current position of the first vehicle from the first vehicle at the predetermined period;
determining whether the first vehicle has arrived at the first store based on a current position of the first vehicle and a position of the first store;
When the first vehicle arrives at the first store, a notification is sent from the first store indicating that the baggage has been unloaded from the first vehicle and deposited in the first store.
Determine whether or not a receipt completion notice has been received;
when a notification of the completion of the storage of the luggage is received from the first store, it is determined that the luggage has been stored from the first vehicle to the first store, and a store storage notification indicating that the luggage is being stored at the first store is transmitted to the terminal of the first user;
The control unit is
receiving, from the terminal of the first user, a response to the store deposit notification of the package, together with information regarding a receiving method indicating whether the package will be received at the store or by being transported to a newly designated location;
Information processing device. The control unit is
notifying the first store of information regarding the first vehicle and information regarding the package;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The storage device can be locked or unlocked upon receipt of authentication information;
The control unit is
further notifying the first store of the authentication information of the storage device;
The information processing device according to claim 2 . The control unit is
When the first vehicle arrives at the first store, notifying the first store of the arrival of the first vehicle.
4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3 . The control unit is
When the information regarding the receiving method received from the terminal of the first user indicates receiving the package by transporting it to the newly specified location, determining a second vehicle to transport the package from the first store to the newly specified location;
instructing the second vehicle to move to the first store, load the luggage at the first store, and move to the newly designated location;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The control unit is
adding a predetermined amount to the fee to be charged to the first user when the information regarding the receiving method received from the terminal of the first user indicates receiving the item by transporting it to the newly specified location;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The location registered in advance by the first user is the home of the first user.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The control unit is
Selecting the first store from among a plurality of stores operated by a business operator affiliated with the manager of the first vehicle;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The computer
determining a first store for storing the luggage when a first vehicle transporting the luggage stored in the loaded storage device to a specified location is unable to deliver the luggage to a first user as scheduled;
instructing the first vehicle to move to the first store;
Including,
In the case where the first vehicle is unable to deliver the luggage to the first user as scheduled, the determination of the first store includes:
receiving, from the terminal of the first user, at least a pick-up location and pick-up date and time for picking up the package, and information indicating consent to temporary storage of the package at the store;
receiving a current position of the first vehicle from the first vehicle at a predetermined period;
determining whether or not a removal completion notification indicating that the luggage has been removed from the first vehicle at the removal location has been received from the terminal of the first user;
If the notification of completion of removal of the package has not been received from the terminal of the first user, it is determined whether the current time has reached the removal date and time of the package;
When the current time reaches the pick-up date and time of the luggage, it is determined that the first vehicle has not handed over the luggage to the first user as scheduled, and in response to information indicating consent to temporary storage of the luggage at a store, the first store is determined from among stores that exist within a predetermined range from the current location of the first vehicle, the pick-up location of the luggage, or a location previously registered by the first user;
The computer,
When the package is deposited at the first store, the method further executes notifying a terminal of the first user who receives the package that the package is being stored at the first store;
When the luggage is deposited at the first store, the computer notifies the terminal of the first user that the luggage is being stored at the first store.
receiving a current position of the first vehicle from the first vehicle at the predetermined period;
determining whether the first vehicle has arrived at the first store based on a current position of the first vehicle and a position of the first store;
When the first vehicle arrives at the first store, determining whether or not a deposit completion notice indicating that the baggage has been unloaded from the first vehicle and deposited in the first store has been received from the first store;
when receiving a notification of the completion of deposit of the luggage from the first store, determining that the luggage has been deposited at the first store, and transmitting a store deposit notification indicating that the luggage is being stored at the first store to the terminal of the first user;
The computer,
receiving, from the terminal of the first user, a response to the store deposit notification of the package, together with information regarding a receiving method indicating whether the package will be received at the store or by being transported to a newly designated location;
Information processing methods. The computer,
notifying the first store of information regarding the first vehicle and information regarding the package;
The information processing method according to claim 9 . The storage device can be locked or unlocked upon receipt of authentication information;
The computer,
further notifying the first store of the authentication information of the storage device;
The information processing method according to claim 10 . The computer,
When the first vehicle arrives at the first store, notifying the first store of the arrival of the first vehicle.
12. The information processing method according to claim 10 or 11 .

Images