JP7659781B2 - Information processing system, server, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, a server, an information processing method, and a program.

Information processing systems have been known in which delivery boxes are installed in individual homes and apartment complexes (communal housing), and when the recipient is absent, delivery is completed by storing the package in the delivery box, and a delivery completion notification is sent to the recipient's terminal. Patent Literature 1 discloses a delivery system that can store the package in a substitute storage space if delivery is not possible, to deal with the situation in which delivery is not possible and a redelivery is required if the package is already stored in the delivery box.

JP 2019-109558 A

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, if a package is already stored in a home's delivery box, it is stored in a proxy storage space. However, if the package already stored is a small item such as stationery or daily necessities, the next delivered package will be stored in the proxy storage space even if it is small enough to fit in the remaining space (so-called free space) in the delivery box, and users will often have to pick up packages from multiple locations. Furthermore, if this occurs at every residence, the proxy storage space located in the common areas of the apartment building will become full, and redelivery will ultimately be necessary. In addition, when deliveries are stored in a specified storage space, not just delivery boxes, the availability of space in the storage space cannot be grasped and is not taken into consideration in delivery.

On the other hand, even if the size of the packages in the delivery box and the packages to be delivered can be known in advance, there is actually variation in the shape of each package. Therefore, even if the packages are stored in the delivery box, dead space is created, making it difficult to store them efficiently. As a result, it cannot be said that excessive use of the proxy storage space can be sufficiently suppressed.

In recent years, autonomously controlled mobile objects, such as flying objects such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and running objects such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), have begun to be used in industry. In this context, experimental operation of a parcel delivery system has been started in which parcels, such as goods ordered on EC (Electronic Commerce) sites, are delivered by mobile objects. In such a parcel delivery system, although it is assumed that multiple mobile objects are the targets of delivery control, since it is an experimental operation, virtual delivery parcels (e.g., daily necessities, food, etc.) are set within the range that can be loaded onto one mobile object. However, in reality, users do not place orders while being conscious of the loading capacity of one mobile object, and it is normal to order the desired amount of the desired item at the desired time, so there is no predictability as to whether the items will fit into one mobile object.

On the other hand, high delivery efficiency reduces delivery costs (and therefore delivery fees), so loading many packages onto one mobile vehicle is desirable for both service providers and users. However, as mentioned above, considering the variation in package sizes, it is difficult to determine how much space is remaining on the mobile vehicle, so operation with high loading efficiency is desirable.

The present invention has been made in light of this background, and provides an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that uses storage container type identification information to standardize and manage stored items (e.g., deliveries, etc.), making it easier to grasp the overall volume of stored items and enabling efficient storage in a variety of storage spaces.

The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problem is an information processing system or the like that includes a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container by volume that stores the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space, and an information transmitting unit that transmits to an operator terminal at least one of the generated storage position information or storage position indication information generated based on the storage position information and for indicating the storage position.

According to the present invention, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., deliveries) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that make it easy to grasp the overall quantity of stored items and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the management server of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal and the worker terminal shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the management server of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the storage in FIG. 2 . 1 is an example illustrating generation of storage location information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a delivery information storage unit in FIG. 5. 2 is an example of a storage space according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described below. An information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
[Item 1]
a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
and an information transmitting unit configured to transmit at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal.
An information processing system comprising:
[Item 2]
The containment vessel type information is identifiable based on a containment vessel volume obtained by dividing a predetermined containment space volume as a reference containment space volume by a predetermined number.
2. The information processing system according to item 1,
[Item 3]
The storage position indication information includes text information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space.
3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.
[Item 4]
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space.
4. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3.
[Item 5]
The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.
5. The information processing system according to item 4.
[Item 6]
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from only one direction.
6. The information processing system according to claim 4 or 5.
[Item 7]
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.
6. The information processing system according to claim 4 or 5.
[Item 8]
a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
and an information transmitting unit configured to transmit at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal.
A server comprising:
[Item 9]
A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmission unit, at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information that is generated based on the storage position information and is for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal.
23. An information processing method comprising:
[Item 10]
A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmission unit, at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information that is generated based on the storage position information and is for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal.
A program characterized by:

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, an information system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the accompanying drawings, identical or similar elements are given identical or similar reference symbols and names, and duplicated descriptions of identical or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Furthermore, the features shown in this embodiment are applicable to other embodiments as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

<Configuration>
1, the information processing system in this embodiment includes a management server 1, one or more user terminals 2, and one or more user terminals 2. The management server 1, the user terminals 2, and the worker terminals 3 are connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example and is not limited thereto.

<Management Server 1>
2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the management server 1. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and the management server 1 may have other configurations.

As shown in the figure, the management server 1 is connected to one or more user terminals 2 and one or more worker terminals 3 and constitutes part of the system. The management server 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

The management server 1 includes at least a control unit 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a transmission/reception unit 13, an input/output unit 14, etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 15.

The control unit 10 is a computing device that controls the operation of the entire management server 1, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and/or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 12 and deployed in the memory 11 to perform each information processing.

Memory 11 includes a main memory consisting of a volatile storage device such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory consisting of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Memory 11 is used as a work area for processor 10, and also stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) that is executed when management server 1 is started, various setting information, etc.

Storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database that stores data used for each process may be constructed in storage 12.

The transmitter/receiver 13 connects the management server 1 to the network and the blockchain network. The transmitter/receiver 13 may be equipped with a short-range communication interface for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

The input/output unit 14 includes information input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and output devices such as a display.

Bus 15 is commonly connected to each of the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

<User Terminal 2, Worker Terminal 3>
The user terminal 2 shown in Fig. 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, PDA, etc., owned by a user, and the user terminal 2 also includes a control unit 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a transmission/reception unit 23, an input/output unit 24, etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 25. Since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the above-mentioned management server 1, detailed explanations of each element will be omitted. In addition, the worker terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, PDA, etc., owned by a worker who manages deliveries at a collection point, etc., and since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the above-mentioned user terminal 2, detailed explanations of each element will be omitted.

<Management server functions>
Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions implemented in the control unit 10 of the management server 1, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating information stored in the storage 12. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 of the management server 1 has an information transmission/reception unit 100, a data management unit 120, and a storage management unit 150 as functional units. The storage management unit 150 includes a storage position information generation unit 151, an additional storage object extraction unit 152, and a storage position instruction information generation unit 153. The storage 12 includes various databases, such as a user information storage unit 121, a storage space information storage unit 122, and an additional storage object information storage unit 123.

The user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 may be, for example, basic information about the user (user's name, username, email address, address, telephone number, etc.), user identification information, external application account information, etc., but is not limited to these. For example, when electronic commerce is conducted on this information processing system or on an external system that transmits or receives related information and cooperates with this information processing system, the user information may include payment information (credit card information, etc.), purchase history information, desired product information (so-called favorite registration product information, wish list product information, regular purchase product information (described later), etc.).

The storage space information stored in the storage space information storage unit 122 may include, for example, storage space identification information, user identification information, stored object information, storage status information, load capacity information, manageable temperature range information, additional stored object information, etc., and the stored object information may include, but is not limited to, storage container type information, weight information, managed temperature range information, storage location information, etc.

The information transmission/reception unit 100 (hereinafter, each function may be referred to as the "information transmission unit" and the "information reception unit") transmits various information (including requests) to external devices (e.g., the user terminal 2, the worker terminal 3, etc.) that are directly or indirectly connected to the management server 1 at least via a network, and receives various information (including requests) from the external devices.

The screen information generating unit 110 generates screen information to be displayed via the user interface of the user terminal 2 or the worker terminal 3. The screen information may be user interface screen information generated by arranging various images and text based on a predetermined layout rule using, for example, image and text data stored in the storage 12 as material. The screen information generating unit 110 may be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 by an application (including a web browser) stored in each user terminal 2, etc. That is, information required to generate a user interface screen, such as image data, may be transmitted from the management server 1, and a user interface screen may be generated based on the required information based on a predetermined layout rule by an application on the user terminal 2, etc., and displayed on the user terminal 2. The processing related to the screen information generating unit 110 may also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The data management unit 120 performs data management such as transmitting various information received by the information transmission/reception unit 100 to various functional units and acquiring various information from various functional units. The predetermined processing in the data management unit 120 includes, but is not limited to, various processing such as a storage position determination process for determining the storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and storage status information indicating the storage status of the storage space, an information transmission unit process for transmitting the generated storage position information to an operator terminal, and a storage space information update process for updating the stored object information included in the storage space information and the storage status information.

The shape of the storage container is, for example, a three-dimensional container with a geometric shape, and is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped (including a cube) when considering storage in the storage space and stacking. The material of the storage container may be any material, such as paper, plastic, metal, etc., and in particular, cardboard made of paper or cardboard made of plastic is preferable from the standpoint of ease of production and weight. Here, in the present invention, storage container type information is set so that the type of storage container can be identified for stored items such as deliveries. There are multiple types of storage containers indicated by the storage container type information. The containment vessel type may be, for example, a plurality of containment vessel volume types set to be identifiable from one another based on a volume obtained by dividing a predetermined containment space volume as a reference containment space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) (for example, a plurality of containment vessel volume types set to be identifiable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing the reference containment space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) and multiplying the result by a number equal to or smaller than the predetermined number (e.g., 1/3, 2/3, 1, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, etc.), or a plurality of containment vessel volume types set to be identifiable for each containment vessel volume divided by a predetermined number (for example, which may be an integer, and in particular may be the nth power of 2 (n is an integer and may include 0)), but is not limited thereto). More specifically, the volume of the storage vessel may be, for example, when the reference storage space volume is divided by 4 (i.e., 1/4), the volume of the storage vessel may be obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by 4, or the volume of the storage vessel may be obtained by dividing two of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by 2.

The reference storage space volume does not have to be the same as the specified storage space volume, but may be substantially the same (approximately the same) volume, and may be a volume subtracted by the amount of excess space (e.g., a few millimeters or centimeters) required in particular in consideration of the work of storing the container in the storage space, or, if a partition is provided inside the storage container, may be a volume subtracted by the partition (e.g., a few millimeters or centimeters) (or the storage space may be substantially the same volume as the reference storage space volume, but larger by the amount of the partition).

The storage space for storing the user's stored items and/or the storage space that is the target of the reference storage space volume may be any space having a predetermined volume, but is preferably a storage space for receiving stored items. More specifically, it may be, for example, an installation used by the user, such as a storage space for the user, a delivery box with a smart lock installed in an individual home or a delivery box installed in a common area for a condominium (the position of the space may be determined in advance by linking it to information related to the user, or it may be a position where the package is stored by the delivery person by linking it to information related to the user), a shelf, locker, private mailbox, cooler box, etc. that does not involve electrical locking and unlocking control. In addition, the storage space for delivery may be the reference, or it may be a delivery item storage section of a mobile body for delivering packages (such as a mobile body such as a UAV or UGV, especially an autonomously controlled mobile body), a loading platform used by a delivery person for delivery (for example, a truck loading platform, a rear box of a motorcycle, a box cart, a basket cart, etc.), a mobile body such as a delivery bag, etc. Furthermore, the space having a predetermined volume may be a space with fixed lengths in the depth, width, and height directions as described above, but it may also be a space with a volume in which the height length is set virtually for an area with fixed lengths in the depth and width directions, such as a pallet, that is, a space with a volume in which a portion of the length in the depth, width, and height directions is set virtually. However, this is not limited to these. Furthermore, the storage space to be stored and the reference storage space may be the same, or the storage space to be stored may be the size of the reference storage space multiplied by a predetermined number (especially an integer).

The storage management unit 150 performs information registration such as adding stored object identification information in the stored object information storage unit 123 and storage space identification information in the storage space information storage unit 124 and associating with user identification information, in response to a stored object acceptance process such as reading an identification code (e.g., reading a two-dimensional barcode, RFID tag, NFC, etc.) attached to a stored object such as a delivery item using a reader (e.g., a reader operated by a worker, a stationary reader, or a reader provided on a work robot (particularly an autonomously controlled work robot)) and inputting stored object information related to the stored object by a worker, etc.

The storage position information generating unit 151 generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. More specifically, the storage position information generating unit 151 may determine a storage position indicating a position in the storage space at which the stored object is to be stored. The method of determining the storage position is to determine the storage position by a known boxing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume. Here, particularly in the case where the storage container is specified for each specified volume with respect to the reference storage space volume according to a specified rule as described above, the remaining space information before (or after) storing the stored object can also be calculated, and the remaining space information also becomes a volume value that is easily converted to the storage container type, making it easier to obtain the remaining converted storage container type information in which the remaining space is converted to the storage container type. This makes it easy to identify a storage position in the storage space based on the remaining space information. In particular, when the storage space includes a plurality of types of storage vessel volumes that are identifiable for each storage vessel volume obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by a predetermined number and multiplying it by a number smaller than the predetermined number, as described above, or when the storage space includes a plurality of types of storage vessel volumes that are identifiable for each storage vessel volume divided by a predetermined number, it becomes easier to identify the storage location within the storage space. In addition, when the storage space is divided by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage vessel types, the storage space information storage unit 122 stores divided area identification information that is identifiable for each area divided by partitions or the like within the storage space to be targeted, and corresponding storage vessel type information that corresponds to the divided area identification information, linked to the storage space identification information, and the storage position information generation unit 151 may determine the divided area identification information to be stored as the storage position information.

Here, an example of determining the storage position and an example of calculating the remaining space when the storage vessel type is specified for each predetermined volume with respect to the reference storage space volume will be explained in a simplified manner using FIG. 6. The storage vessel is exemplified for a plurality of types of storage vessel volume (e.g., 1/3, 2/3, 1) that are set identifiably for each storage vessel volume obtained by dividing the height with respect to the reference storage space volume by 3 and multiplying the result by a number equal to or less than 3.

First, the storage space identification information "0001" is linked to the user information "U0001". When a stored object (stored object information "N0001") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") that is one-third of the reference storage space volume is stored here, the stored object is stored in an empty storage space, so the storage position is determined to be "on the bottom surface of the storage space (i.e., the first level)" (at this time, placement method information may be added to the stored object information to select whether to place it vertically or horizontally). Then, the storage state information of the storage space information is updated to indicate "stored in 1/3 of the storage space", the remaining space information is updated to "2/3" by subtracting 1/3 from 1, and the remaining equivalent storage container type information is updated to indicate two "S033s" and/or one "S066 (storage container type indicating a container that is two-thirds of the reference storage space volume)".

Similarly, if a stored object (stored object information "N0010") stored in a container (containment vessel type "S033") that is one-third of the reference storage space volume is to be further stored, the stored object (N0001) is stored in a storage space that already has a stored object (N0001) stored on the bottom surface of the storage space, so the storage position is determined to be "above the stored object (N0001) (i.e., the second level)." The storage status information of the storage space information is then updated to indicate "stored in 2/3 of the storage space," the remaining space information is updated to "1/3" by subtracting 1/3 from 2/3, and the remaining equivalent storage vessel type information is updated to indicate one "S033."

In this way, the storage position is determined and the remaining space is calculated, and this can be done more easily when the depth, width, or height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number, as in the example shown. Note that, as described above, a more advanced method of determining the storage position and calculating the remaining space is possible using a known packing calculation algorithm, and in this case, not only can the storage position of the stored item be determined, but the storage positions of items that have already been stored can also be redetermined.

In addition, instead of storing in a common area in the storage space as in the above example, when the storage space is divided into divided areas by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage vessel types, the storage position may be determined using the divided area identification information as storage position information when storing the stored object. Then, the stored object identification information of the stored object stored in the divided area identification information may be linked and managed, the residual space information may be divided area identification information with no stored object association, and the residual equivalent storage vessel type information may be corresponding storage vessel type information corresponding to the divided area identification information with no stored object association. Note that the position of the partition may be movable, and the corresponding storage vessel type information may be changeable (for example, changing from two "S033"s to "S066", or vice versa), and instead of or in addition to one corresponding storage vessel type information (for example, "S066") corresponding to each divided area identification information, multiple corresponding storage vessel type information (two "S033") may be associated with each divided area identification information.

Next, using Figures 7 and 8, an example of information (particularly remaining space information) and storage spaces (for example, groups of storage spaces such as shelves assigned to each individual) stored in the storage space information storage unit 122 is shown. First, in the storage space identification information "0001", the linked user information is "U0001", the stored object information is "N0001", and one "S025", which indicates a container type that is 1/4 of the standard storage space volume, is stored as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored object, so the remaining space information is calculated as "3/4".

Next, in the storage space identification information "0002," the linked user information is "U0011," the stored object information is "N0002," and one storage container type information corresponding to the stored object is "S050," which indicates a container type that is half the standard storage space volume, and therefore the remaining space information is calculated as "1/2."

Next, in the storage space identification information "0003," the linked user information is "U0005," the stored object information is "N0003," and one "S100" is stored as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored object, which indicates a container type that is approximately the same as the reference storage space volume. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "0" (i.e., no free space).

Next, in the storage space identification information "0004," the linked user information is "U0003," the stored object information is "N0004," and "N0005," and it is shown that one of the above-mentioned "S025" (for example, the top and bottom loading possibility information indicates that top loading is strictly prohibited) and one "S050" are stored as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored object, and therefore the remaining space information is calculated as "1/4."

Finally, for the storage space identification information "0005" and "0006", the linked user information is "U0009" (i.e., two storage spaces are being used), the stored object information is "N0006" and "N0007", and it is shown that one "S100" and one "S050" are stored as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored objects, and therefore the remaining space information is calculated as "0" and "1/2". In this case, the actual remaining space of the storage space for the user with user information "U0009" can be said to be 1/2.

In this way, the storage position information generating unit 151 can generate storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on the storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and the storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. In particular, since the storage container type information specifies the storage container type for each predetermined volume with respect to the reference storage space volume according to a predetermined rule as described above, it becomes possible to efficiently store the stored object in the storage space like a puzzle, and it becomes easy to determine the storage position. In addition, it becomes possible to extract additional stored objects to be added to the remaining space by using the remaining space calculated by the storage position information generating unit 151, and to determine the storage position of the selected additional stored object. The extraction of additional stored objects will be described in detail below.

The additional storage object extraction unit 152 extracts additional storage object information indicating additional storage objects that can be stored in the remaining space of the target storage space. More specifically, the additional storage object extraction unit 152 extracts additional storage object information indicating additional storage objects that can be stored, for example, based on the remaining space information (particularly, the remaining converted storage vessel type information) corresponding to the remaining space of the target storage space. That is, in comparison with the storage vessel type corresponding to the remaining space, additional storage object information corresponding to the storage vessel type having a volume equal to or less than the volume indicated by the storage vessel type is extracted. Multiple storage vessel types corresponding to the remaining space may be selected, and for example, the storage position information generation unit 151 may calculate combination information of the storage vessel type corresponding to the remaining space and extract additional storage object information of the storage vessel type corresponding to the combination information (for example, a combination in which two additional storage objects of a storage vessel type 1/4 can be stored for a remaining space of 1/2, a combination in which one additional storage object of a storage vessel type 1/4 and two additional storage objects of a storage vessel type 1/8 can be stored, a combination in which four additional storage objects of a storage vessel type 1/8 can be stored, etc.). The additional storage object information may be presented, for example, via an application on the user terminal 2 (particularly, list information), or may be presented via an application on the worker terminal 3. When the worker selects the additional storage object information, the selected additional storage object information may be transmitted from the data management unit 120 to the user terminal 2, and a permission confirmation process for the additional storage object information may be executed on the user's application, and when the data management unit 120 receives information indicating permission, the information may be confirmed as the delivery additional storage object information. Furthermore, for example, when two or more additional storage objects are made selectable using combination information, if a storage container type that cannot be stored is determined according to the storage container type of the selected product (for example, a volume larger than 1/8 of the storage container type cannot be selected because three additional storage objects of a storage container type of 1/8 are selected for a remaining space of 1/2, or a volume larger than 1/6 of the storage container type is not selectable because an additional storage object of a storage container type of 1/3 is selected), a process of making the additional storage object information corresponding to the storage container type that cannot be stored unselectable (for example, graying out the additional storage object to restrict the selection operation, or not displaying the additional storage object in the list information) may be executed. The additional storage items can be a variety of items, some examples of which are given below.

<Example 1 of additional storage>
The additional storage item information may include advertising item information linked to the user's own user identification information or the other user identification information, which indicates advertising items provided to the user (also referred to as the "own user" when distinguishing from the "other user") or the other user. That is, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 extracts advertising item information indicating advertising items that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage item information based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the advertising item information and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The advertising item information may include, for example, advertising item identification information, advertising item size information (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, vertical loading availability information, advertising type (samples, paper advertisements (flyers, leaflets, etc.), etc.), advertising item category information (food, beverages, alcoholic beverages, sweets, household goods, cosmetics, etc.), converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or may be converted from the advertising item size information and stored when extracting the additional storage item information), advertiser information, etc.

Here, the other user is a user corresponding to the other user identification information associated with the user's own user identification information. The other user identification information may be, for example, the identification information of a cohabiting user set as a family member or partner, or the identification information of a proxy user set by the user as a proxy receiving user. In this example, for this association, for example, a process of registering the other user's identification information may be executed on the user's own application, and/or a process of selecting whether or not to permit association with the user's identification information may be executed on the other user's application.

In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 may, for example, randomly extract advertising item information to be used as additional storage items from advertising item information including converted storage container type information that can be stored in the remaining space, or the user or operator may select and set the advertising item category information and advertiser information to be extracted on the application. In addition, if purchase history information linked to the user's own information or other user information is referable, the purchase history information may be referenced to at least one of product category information, manufacturer information, and seller information of previously purchased products, and one or more pieces of advertising item information including the corresponding advertising item category information and advertiser information may be extracted as additional storage items.

In addition, when the additional storage item extraction unit 152 is able to refer to the purchase request information linked to the user information of the user or another user instead of the purchase history information, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 may refer to at least one of the product category information, manufacturer information, and seller information of the purchase request information.

In this way, by extracting advertising item information while taking into consideration the remaining space remaining in the user's storage space, it is possible to select appropriate advertising items. In addition, by referring to the purchase history information of the user or other users, it is possible to obtain more accurate advertising effectiveness.

<Example 2 of additional storage>
The additional storage information may include regular purchase product information linked to the user's own identification information or the other user's identification information, which indicates regular purchase products that the user's own user or the other user's own user has registered in advance in association with each identification information. That is, the additional storage information extraction unit 152 extracts regular purchase product information indicating regular purchase products that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage information based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the regular purchase product information linked to the user's own identification information or the other user's identification information and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The regular purchase product information may include, for example, product identification information, product size (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether or not it can be loaded up and down, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or may be converted from the product size and stored when extracting the additional storage information), scheduled delivery date information for regular delivery (for example, what day of each month regular delivery, etc.).

In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152, for example, references scheduled regular delivery date information, and extracts as additional storage item information regular purchase products whose scheduled regular delivery date is within a specified period of the date on which the extraction request is executed (for example, arriving at the nearest storage space within one week of the date on which the extraction request is executed). The user or worker selects one or more regular purchase products to be additionally stored from the list of regular purchase item information presented on the application, taking into consideration the remaining space.

In this way, by extracting regular purchase product information while taking into account the remaining space remaining in the storage area, it is possible to store regular purchase products appropriately.

<Example 3 of additional storage>
The additional storage information may include information on items to be provided that is linked to the other user identification information and indicates items that the other user wishes to provide to the designated user or the desired user. That is, the additional storage information extraction unit 152 extracts, as additional storage information, information on items to be provided that can be stored in the remaining space based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the item to be provided that is linked to the other user identification information and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The information on items to be provided may include, for example, provided item identification information, provided item size, weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether or not the item can be loaded up and down, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or may be converted from the provided item size and stored when the additional storage information is extracted), provided item registration date information, and the like, and may be registered as additional storage information by the other user. The item to be provided may be, for example, a gift (present) for a specified recipient, or may be a donation item or a share item for which no recipient is specified.

In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 presents, in the form of a list or the like, on the user terminal or worker terminal, the desired item information (associated with the user identification information and/or open information not associated with specific identification information) indicating the converted storage container type information that can be stored in the remaining space. The user or worker selects one or more pieces of desired item information to be additionally stored from the desired item information list presented on the application, taking into consideration the remaining space.

In this way, by taking into account the remaining space remaining in the storage space and extracting information about items requested by other users, it is possible to appropriately store items requested by other users.

<Example 4 of additional storage>
The additional storage item information may include delivery item information indicating a delivery item linked to the user's own identification information or the other user identification information. That is, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 extracts delivery item information indicating a delivery item that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage item information based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the delivery item information linked to the user's own identification information or the other user identification information and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The delivery item information may include, for example, delivery item identification information, delivery item size (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether or not it can be loaded up and down, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or may be converted from the product size and stored when extracting the additional storage item information), delivery item scheduled delivery date information (for example, what day of each month the delivery will be made, etc.).

In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152, for example, references delivery scheduled date information, and extracts, as additional storage item information, deliveries whose delivery scheduled date is within a predetermined period of the date on which the extraction request is executed (for example, delivery that will arrive at the nearest storage space within one week of the date on which the extraction request is executed). The user or worker selects one or more deliveries to be additionally stored from the list of delivery item information presented on the application, taking into consideration the remaining space.

In this way, by extracting delivery information while taking into account the remaining space in the storage area, it is possible to store deliveries appropriately.

The additional storage object extraction unit 152 may extract at least one of the additional storage objects in the above examples, for example. For example, the types of objects that can be added and stored in the system may be preset, or the user may be able to display and select the objects that the user wishes to add and store. Alternatively, the user may set information about objects to be added and stored as user information in advance, and the objects may be automatically extracted based on the settings. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 12, when viewing the list information of additional storage objects, the objects to be viewed may be selected by sorting or rearranging.

Based on the storage position information generated by the storage position information generation unit 151, the storage position indication information generation unit 153 generates storage position indication information that visually indicates to a worker having the worker terminal 3 the storage position within the storage space of the stored object. The storage position indication information generation unit 153 may be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 by an application (including a web browser) stored in the worker terminal 3 or the like. In other words, the storage position information generated by the storage position information generation unit 151 may be transmitted to the worker terminal 3 via the information transmission/reception unit 100, and the storage position indication information may be similarly generated by the control unit 20 (storage position indication information generation unit 153) of the worker terminal 3.

Here, we will explain the storage position instruction information generated by the storage position instruction information generation unit 153. The storage position instruction information may be text information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space, such as "Please store on the first level," or image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space.

As a more specific example, the above-mentioned example of storage space identification information "0001" will be used for explanation. First, when storing a stored object (storage object information "N0001") in an unused storage space, image information indicating that the stored object is stored in the first row of the storage space and text information stating "Please store it in the first row" are generated and displayed in the storage position indication area 910 as storage position indication information (see FIG. 9).

Next, when a stored object (N0010) is to be stored in the storage space with a stored object (N0001) stored on the bottom surface, image information indicating that the stored object is stored in the second tier of the storage space and text information stating "Please store it in the second tier" are generated and displayed in the storage position indication area 910 as storage position indication information (see FIG. 10). At this time, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the image information may display a visually different color, pattern, etc. between the stored object (N0001) already stored and the stored object (N0010) that is the target of the storage position indication.

In addition, when the storage space is not stored in a common area within the storage space as in the above example, but rather the storage space is divided into divided areas by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage vessel types, image information indicating that the item is stored in the divided area to be stored and text information stating "Please store in (divided area identification information)" may be generated and displayed in the storage position indication area 910 as storage position indication information.

When using a storage container type in which any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number as in the above example, the image information as the storage position indication information may be image information such as a diagram showing a storage space that can be seen from only one direction as exemplified in Figures 9 and 10, but is not limited to this and may also be image information showing a storage space that can be seen from two or more directions (for example, image information showing a storage space viewed from three directions, the front, side, and top of the storage space, or image information in which the storage space and stored objects are represented by a three-dimensional model).

<Processing flow>
The flow of processing of the information processing method executed by the information processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the information processing system of Fig. 1.

Here, the user or worker provided by this information processing system accesses the management server 1 using an application (including a web browser) or the like, and when using the service for the first time, they may log in by performing a user registration process, or if they have already obtained an account, they may be able to use the service by logging in after undergoing a specified authentication, such as entering an ID and password. Note that instead of an account, a unique application ID associated with an application downloaded to the user terminal 2 or worker terminal 3 may be used as user identification information (ID) to make the service available. After this login authentication, use of the service begins via an application (including a web browser) or the like.

First, in this example, the data management unit 120 (particularly the storage management unit 150) of the management server 1 generates new stored object identification information and new storage space identification information in response to a stored object acceptance process, such as reading an identification code attached to a stored object by a reader, or an additional stored object extraction process, and links the generated stored object information and storage space information to the user and executes registration (S101). Here, if the storage space is already linked to the user, only the stored object information (which may include additional stored object information) may be registered.

Next, the storage position information generating unit 151 generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container by volume that stores the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space, and updates the corresponding storage space information (S102). At this time, the storage management unit 150 (for example, the storage position information generating unit 151) may also calculate remaining space information in conjunction with the generation of the storage position information and update the storage space information.

Next, the information transmission/reception unit 100 transmits to the worker terminal at least one of the generated storage location information or storage location instruction information generated based on the storage location information and for indicating a storage location in the storage space (S103). That is, if the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 is a functional unit of the user terminal 2, the storage location information is transmitted to the work terminal in this step S103, and if the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 is a functional unit of the management server 1, the next step S104 may be executed before this step S103 to generate storage location instruction information, and the storage location instruction information may be transmitted to the work terminal in this step S103.

Next, the storage position indication information generating unit 153 generates storage position indication information that visually indicates to the worker having the worker terminal 3 the storage position of the stored object within the storage space based on the storage position information generated by the storage position information generating unit 151 (S104).

After that, if the contents have already been stored in a containment vessel corresponding to this system, the worker will enter the storage space at the storage position based on the storage position instruction information, and if the contents have not yet been stored, the worker may store the contents in the containment vessel based on the containment vessel type information indicated in the storage position instruction information, and then store the contents in the storage space.

The worker may then make a selection in the storage completion area 930 to set the status to "storage complete", and may update the storage space information in response to this selection. In addition, the worker may be able to check detailed information about the stored object (such as stored object information) based on a selection in the stored object information confirmation area 920 as necessary, or may make a selection in the stored object list request area 940 to return to a stored object list screen that lists the objects in order of registration, for example.

As described above, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., deliveries) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that makes it easy to grasp the overall volume of stored items and enables efficient storage in a variety of storage spaces.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents.

1 Management server 2 User terminal

Claims (8)

a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
an information transmission unit that is generated based on the storage position information and transmits at least one of storage position instruction information for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal,
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.
An information processing system comprising: a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
an information transmission unit that is generated based on the storage position information and transmits at least one of storage position instruction information for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal,
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.
An information processing system comprising: a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
an information transmission unit that is generated based on the storage position information and transmits at least one of storage position instruction information for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal,
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.
A server comprising: a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space;
an information transmission unit that is generated based on the storage position information and transmits at least one of storage position instruction information for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal,
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.
A server comprising: A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmitting unit, at least one piece of storage position indication information for indicating the storage position, the storage position indication information being generated based on the storage position information, to an operator terminal;
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.
23. An information processing method comprising: A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmitting unit, at least one piece of storage position indication information for indicating the storage position, the storage position indication information being generated based on the storage position information, to an operator terminal;
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.
23. An information processing method comprising: A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmitting unit, at least one piece of storage position indication information for indicating the storage position, the storage position indication information being generated based on the storage position information, to an operator terminal;
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.
A program characterized by: A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit;
and transmitting, by an information transmitting unit, at least one piece of storage position indication information for indicating the storage position, the storage position indication information being generated based on the storage position information, to an operator terminal;
The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space,
The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.
A program characterized by:

Images