JP7659782B2 - 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.

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. Patent Document 1 discloses the delivery of deliveries by flying objects.

JP 2021-160887 A

In this type of delivery system, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that multiple moving objects are the targets of delivery control, but in the demonstration experiment, virtual delivery packages (e.g., daily necessities, food, etc.) are set up within the range that can be loaded onto one moving object, and test delivery flights are made at times when the predetermined route can be flown.

However, in reality, users do not place orders while considering the loading capacity of a single mobile object, but rather usually order the desired amount of desired items at the desired timing, and therefore there is no predictability as to how much will fit into a single mobile object (in other words, how much storage space is remaining in the mobile object's mounting section, etc.). On the other hand, it is known that high delivery efficiency reduces delivery costs (and therefore delivery fees), so loading many packages onto a single mobile object is desirable for both service providers and users. These issues are not limited to mobile objects, but are similar to conventional delivery methods.

The present invention has been made in light of this background, and aims to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that uses storage container type identification information to standardize and manage deliveries (e.g., cargo such as luggage) to make it easier to grasp the overall volume of deliveries and enable 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, etc., that includes: a residual space calculation unit that calculates residual space information indicating the remaining space in a storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container by volume that stores the delivery-required inventory of a first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made, and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers; information on a second inventory item different from the first inventory item; and a mixed-loading target inventory extraction unit that extracts the second inventory item that stores a predetermined amount of delivery-required inventory in the storage container together with the delivery-required inventory of the first inventory item based on the residual space information.

According to the present invention, by standardizing and managing deliveries (e.g., cargo such as luggage) 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 deliveries and enables 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 . 13 is an example illustrating calculation of a remaining space 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. 1 is a flowchart of an information processing method 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 remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating a remaining space in a storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made and reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers;
and a consolidation target inventory extraction unit that extracts the second inventory item, which is to be stored in the storage container in a predetermined amount together with a delivery-required inventory item of the first inventory item, based on information on a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and the remaining space information.
An information processing system comprising:
[Item 2]
The information regarding the second inventory item is non-delivery inventory quantity information related to the second inventory item,
The consolidation target inventory extraction unit extracts a second inventory item whose non-delivery inventory quantity information is below a predetermined number.
2. The information processing system according to item 1,
[Item 3]
The information regarding the second inventory item is sales management information related to the second inventory item,
the consolidation target inventory extraction unit generates consumption forecast information based on the sales management information, and extracts second inventory items that are predicted to fall below a predetermined number within a predetermined period based on the consumption forecast information;
2. The information processing system according to item 1,
[Item 4]
The consumption forecast information may be related consumption forecast information regarding the second inventory item that is consumed in conjunction with consumption of the first inventory item.
4. The information processing system according to item 3.
[Item 5]
The information about the second inventory item is consumption schedule information about the second inventory item,
The consolidation target inventory extraction unit extracts second inventory items that are expected to be consumed in a predetermined quantity within a predetermined period based on the consumption schedule information.
2. The information processing system according to item 1,
[Item 6]
The consolidation target inventory extraction unit does not extract a second inventory item whose delivery-required inventory quantity information related to the second inventory item is below a predetermined number.
6. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 5.
[Item 7]
The consolidation target inventory extraction unit does not extract the second inventory item when the delivery information related to the first inventory item includes delivery type information indicating an urgent delivery, which has a shorter delivery completion period than a normal delivery.
7. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 6.
[Item 8]
a remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating a remaining space in a storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made and reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers;
and a consolidation target inventory extraction unit that extracts the second inventory item, which is to be stored in the storage container in a predetermined amount together with a delivery-required inventory item of the first inventory item, based on information on a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and the remaining space information.
A server comprising:
[Item 9]
a remaining space calculation unit calculating remaining space information indicating a remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container by volume that stores the first inventory item for which delivery has been requested, and reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers;
and extracting, by a consolidation target inventory extraction unit, information on a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and the remaining space information, the second inventory item to be stored in the storage container in a predetermined amount together with an inventory item to be delivered of the first inventory item,
23. An information processing method comprising:
[Item 10]
a remaining space calculation unit calculating remaining space information indicating a remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container by volume that stores the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made and reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers;
and causing a computer to execute a step of extracting, by a consolidation target inventory extraction unit, a second inventory item different from the first inventory item, the second inventory item being stored in the storage container in a predetermined amount together with an inventory item to be delivered of the first inventory item, based on information on the second inventory item and the remaining space information.
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 various information processing operations.

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 who manages some of his/her products as inventory items in a delivery-required inventory management space such as a warehouse, 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 through 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 descriptions 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 inventory items and deliveries in a delivery-required inventory management space, and since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the above-mentioned user terminal 2, detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted.

The inventory items may be any object, including products such as food, daily necessities, and office supplies sold at stores and supermarkets, medicines (including those with prescriptions) sold at hospitals and pharmacies, and parts and materials that form part of a product. The delivery-required inventory management space may be any space that is an inventory management space that requires delivery when a user acquires an inventory item, such as a warehouse or a logistics center, and may manage inventory that requires delivery. The delivery-free inventory management space may be any space that is an inventory management space that does not require delivery when a user acquires an inventory item, such as a store's back yard, and may manage inventory that does not require delivery.

<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 includes, as functional units, an information transmission/reception unit 100, a screen information generation unit 110, a data management unit 120, and an inventory management unit 150. The inventory management unit 150 includes a storage container type setting unit 151, a remaining space calculation unit 152, and a mixed load inventory extraction unit 153. The storage 12 includes various databases, namely, a user information storage unit 121, an inventory information storage unit 122, and a delivery information storage unit 123.

The user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 may be, for example, basic information of the user (user's name, user name, email address, store address, telephone number, etc.), user identification information, external application account information, etc., but is not limited to these. For example, when sales management of a store (e.g., order management, purchase order management, shipping management, inventory management, billing management, sales management, etc.) is performed 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 sales management information (e.g., order information (including purchase order history information), purchase order information (including purchase order history information), shipping information (including shipping history information), inventory information (including inventory trend information), billing information (including billing history information), sales information (including sales history information), etc.), and each piece of information may be linked to each inventory identification information.

The inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 122 may include, for example, inventory identification information, user identification information, storage container type information, size information (depth, width, height), weight information, temperature control zone information, top/bottom loading availability information (top loading availability information or bottom loading availability information), information on the number of inventory items that need to be delivered, and information on the number of inventory items that do not need to be delivered, but is not limited to these.

The delivery information stored in the delivery information storage unit 123 may include, for example, delivery identification information, user identification information, inventory identification information, remaining space information, mixed delivery inventory information, delivery type information, scheduled delivery time information (scheduled delivery start time information, scheduled delivery end time information, scheduled delivery time zone information), and may also include, but is not limited to, storage container type information, weight information, and controlled temperature range information linked to the inventory identification information.

The information transmission/reception unit 100 transmits various information (including requests) to external devices (e.g., user terminal 2, 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 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 residual space calculation processing for calculating residual space information indicating the residual space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the delivery inventory of the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space that stores one or more storage containers, a mixed-loading target inventory extraction processing for extracting the second inventory item that stores a predetermined amount of delivery inventory items in the storage container together with the delivery inventory items of the first inventory item based on information on a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and the residual space information, and a delivery information update processing for updating (including adding) delivery mixed-loading target information included in the delivery 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) in consideration of 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 viewpoint 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. 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 it is preferable that the storage space is for inventory management. More specifically, it may be, for example, an installation used by the user, and may be a storage space for each inventory, or a storage space such as a shelf, locker, or cooler box that does not or does not involve electrical locking/unlocking control. It may also be a storage space for delivery, or a delivery item storage section of a mobile body for delivering luggage (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 dolly, a basket dolly, etc.), a delivery bag, or other movable object. 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 may also be a space with a volume in which the height length is virtually set 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 part of the length in the depth, width, and height directions is virtually set. However, this is not limited to these. Also, 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 specified number (especially an integer).

The inventory management unit 150 updates the inventory information in the inventory information storage unit 122 in response to inventory arrival processing, such as reading (e.g., reading two-dimensional barcodes, RFID tags, NFC, etc.) identification codes attached to incoming inventory items (particularly inventory items that need to be delivered and are arriving at a warehouse, etc.) using a reader (e.g., a reader operated by a worker, a stationary reader, or a reader equipped on a work robot (particularly an autonomously controlled work robot)) and inputting inventory information about incoming inventory items by a worker, etc., and registers information, such as adding delivery identification information, in the delivery information storage unit 123 in response to a delivery request process (i.e., a delivery request process) by a user regarding inventory items that need to be delivered.

The storage container type setting unit 151 sets storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the inventory item for which a delivery request has been made (hereinafter also referred to as the "first inventory item"). More specifically, for example, by referring to the inventory information in the inventory information storage unit 122 and based on the size information (depth, width, height) corresponding to each inventory item, the storage container type information suitable for storing the first inventory item may be set by virtually storing the first inventory item in a container of each storage container type using a known boxing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume, and the storage container type information included in the inventory information may be updated. Alternatively, in consideration of storing the same type of inventory item in a storage container as part of inventory management, each inventory item may actually be stored in a container of each storage container type, and the correspondence between the range of inventory numbers and the storage container type may be stored in advance. In addition, the appropriate storage container type is preferably the smallest size storage container type capable of storing the first inventory item from the perspective of subsequent storage efficiency in the storage space, but it is not limited to the smallest, and may be a storage container type that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than the smallest size that can be stored, taking into consideration size errors due to individual differences in the inventory items and cushioning materials (such as foam cushioning materials or air-filled vinyl cushioning materials).

The remaining space calculation unit 152 calculates the remaining space (so-called free space) in the storage space to be used to store the first inventory item based on the storage container type information (i.e., including the storage container type information as inventory information linked to the delivery information) indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the inventory item to be delivered, which is acquired according to the delivery information, and the reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space that stores one or more storage containers. The method of calculating the remaining space is to calculate the remaining space using a known packing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume. Here, the calculation result of the remaining space is a volume value that is easy to convert the remaining space to the storage container type, particularly when 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, and it may be easy to obtain the remaining converted storage container type information by converting the remaining space to the storage container type. In particular, when the storage space includes a plurality of storage vessel volume types 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 storage vessel volume types that are identifiable for each storage vessel volume divided by a predetermined number, the calculation of the remaining space in the storage space becomes easier. In addition, when the storage space is divided by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage vessel types, the delivery information storage unit 123 stores divided area identification information that is identifiable for each area divided by partitions or the like in the target storage space and corresponding storage vessel type information that corresponds to the divided area identification information, linked to the storage space identification information, and the remaining space calculation unit 152 may use the storable divided area identification information as the remaining space information.

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

First, in the storage space linked to the delivery identification information "0001", the user information "U0001" is linked. When an inventory item (inventory information "N0001") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") that is one-third of the reference storage space volume is stored here, the inventory item is stored in an unused storage space, so the remaining information is updated to "2/3" by subtracting 1/3 from 1, and the remaining storage container type information is updated to indicate two "S033"s and/or one "S066 (storage container type indicating a container that is two-thirds of the reference storage space volume)."

Similarly, when an inventory item (inventory information "N0010") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") with a capacity of one-third of the reference storage space volume is to be further stored, since the inventory item (N0001) is to be further stored in the storage space that already contains the storage item, the residual information is updated to "1/3" by subtracting 1/3 from 2/3, and the residual equivalent storage container type information is updated to indicate one "S033".

The remaining space can be calculated in this manner, and can be more easily executed if, as shown in the example, any of the depth, width, or height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number. Note that, as mentioned above, a more advanced calculation of the remaining space is possible using a known packing calculation algorithm, and in this case, the storage positions of the stored inventory items may also be reorganized.

In addition, in the case where the storage space is divided into divided areas by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage container types, rather than being stored in a common area within the storage space corresponding to the delivery as in the above example, the residual space information may be divided area identification information to which no stored items are associated, and the residual equivalent storage container type information may be corresponding storage container type information to which no stored items are associated. Note that the position of the partition may be movable, and the corresponding storage container type information may be changeable (e.g., changing from two "S033"s to "S066", or vice versa), and instead of or in addition to one corresponding storage container type information to which each divided area identification information corresponds (e.g., "S066"), multiple corresponding storage container type information (two "S033") may be associated.

Next, an example of information (particularly remaining space information) stored in the delivery information storage unit 123 is shown using FIG. 7. First, in the delivery identification information "0001," the linked first inventory information is "N0001," the user information is "U0001," and one storage container type information "S025" indicating a container type that is one-quarter of the reference storage space volume is stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "3/4" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S075" indicating a container type that is three-quarters of the reference storage space volume).

Next, in the delivery identification information "0002," the linked first inventory information is "N0002," the user information is "U0011," and one storage container type information "S050" is stored, which indicates a container type that is half the standard storage space volume. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "1/2" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S050," which indicates a container type that is half the standard storage space volume).

Next, in the delivery identification information "0003," the linked first inventory information is "N0003," the user information is "U0005," and one storage container type information "S100" is stored, 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 delivery identification information "0004," the linked first inventory information is "N0004," the user information is "U0003," and it is shown that one of the above-mentioned "S025" and one "S050" are stored as storage container type information, so the remaining space information is calculated as "1/4" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S025," which indicates a container type that is one-quarter of the standard storage space volume).

Finally, for the delivery identification information "0005" and "0006", the linked first inventory information is "N0005" and "N0006", the user information is "U0009", and it is shown that one "S100" and one "S050" are stored as the storage container type information, and therefore the remaining space information is calculated as "0" and "1/2". In this case, it can be said that the effective remaining space for the current delivery to the user with user information "U0009" is "1/2" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S050", which indicates a container type that is half the standard storage space volume).

In this way, the remaining space calculation unit 152 can calculate the remaining space in the storage space to be used to store the first inventory item, based on the storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made, which is obtained according to the delivery information, and the reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space that stores one or more storage containers. In particular, by setting, as the storage container type information, identification information that can be identified for each storage container volume obtained by dividing a predetermined number by a predetermined storage space volume as the reference storage space volume, it becomes possible to efficiently store delivery items in the storage space like a puzzle, and the remaining space volume can be clarified as the remaining converted storage container type information. Using this, it becomes possible to extract inventory items to be mixed in the remaining space. This will be described in detail below.

The mixed-loading target inventory extraction unit 153 extracts the second inventory item, which is to be stored in the same storage container together with the first inventory item in a predetermined amount of the required delivery inventory item, based on information on the second inventory item different from the first inventory item and residual space information (particularly, residual conversion storage container type information) corresponding to the residual space of the target storage space. Note that multiple storage container types corresponding to the residual space may be selected, and for example, the residual space calculation unit 152 may calculate combination information of storage container types corresponding to the residual space and extract multiple mixed-loading target inventory information of the storage container type corresponding to the combination information (for example, a combination in which two mixed-loading objects of storage container type 1/4 can be stored in a residual space of 1/2, a combination in which one mixed-loading object of storage container type 1/4 and two mixed-loading objects of storage container type 1/8 can be stored, a combination in which four mixed-loading objects of storage container type 1/8 can be stored, etc.). The mixed loading target inventory information may be presented, for example, as mixed loading target inventory information (particularly, list information) via an application on the user terminal 2, or as mixed loading target inventory information (particularly, list information) via an application on the worker terminal 3. When the worker selects mixed loading target inventory information, the selected mixed loading target inventory information may be sent from the data management unit 120 to the user terminal 2, and a permission confirmation process for the mixed loading target inventory information may be executed on the user's application, and if the data management unit 120 receives information indicating permission, the information may be confirmed as the delivery mixed loading target inventory information.

The second inventory may be stored in a storage container of the corresponding storage container type in a predetermined amount based on the target residual space information (particularly, residual converted storage container type information). That is, for example, if the residual space of the storage space after storing the first inventory is 1/4 (residual converted storage container type information S025), the amount that can be stored is stored in the storage container type S025 that corresponds to the residual space 1/4 (residual converted storage container type information S025). At this time, the load-bearing capacity information linked to the storage space may be further referenced, and the storage capacity of the second inventory may be set within a range where the sum of the weight of the second inventory and the weight of the first inventory falls within the load-bearing capacity information.

The information on the second inventory item is information on the number of inventory items not requiring delivery related to the second inventory item, and the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 may extract second inventory items whose number of inventory items not requiring delivery has fallen below a predetermined number (particularly, second inventory items that are within a predetermined range for the quantity conditions for sending a delivery request, and further, second inventory items for which a delivery request has been sent). This makes it easier to extract second inventory items with a higher delivery priority.

The information on the second inventory item is sales management information related to the second inventory item, and the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 may generate consumption forecast information (information indicating a prediction of how much will be consumed and by when) using a known method based on the sales management information (particularly, (for example, various history information such as order history information, ordering history information, shipping history information, billing history information, and sales history information, as well as inventory trend information) and extract the second inventory item that is predicted to fall below a predetermined number within a predetermined period based on the consumption forecast information. The consumption forecast information may also be related consumption forecast information related to the second inventory item that is consumed in conjunction with the consumption of the first inventory item (for example, it is predicted that chicken consumption will increase in conjunction with egg consumption).

The information on the second stock item may be consumption schedule information related to the second stock item, and the mixed-inventory extraction unit 153 may extract the second stock item that is expected to be consumed in a predetermined amount within a predetermined period based on the consumption schedule information. The consumption schedule information may be, for example, a drug sold at an in-hospital pharmacy, and may be appointment time information (e.g., appointment date information) for a patient who is prescribed a large amount of a specific drug. Alternatively, the consumption schedule information may be, for example, a product that is discounted in a supermarket sale, and may be sale start time information (e.g., start date information). Or, the consumption schedule information may be, for example, a part consumed during the manufacture of a product, and may be start time information for the manufacturing process related to the part (e.g., start date information for the manufacturing process related to the part). Such information may be information managed on this information processing system or on an external system that transmits or receives related information to this information processing system and cooperates with it, as long as it can be referenced by the mixed-inventory extraction unit 153.

In addition, the information regarding the second inventory item may be information regarding the number of inventory items to be delivered related to the second inventory item, and the mixed inventory extraction unit 153 may restrict extraction of second inventory items whose number of inventory items to be delivered is below a predetermined number (particularly, second inventory items that are within a predetermined range for the quantity conditions for sending an order request, and further, second inventory items for which an order request has been sent).

In addition, for example, if the delivery information related to the first inventory item includes delivery type information indicating rush delivery (delivery that takes less time to complete than normal delivery) rather than normal delivery, extraction by the mixed-loading inventory extraction unit 153 may not be performed (i.e., if the delivery type information indicates normal delivery, extraction by the mixed-loading inventory extraction unit 153 may be performed).

Furthermore, the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 may extract at least one of the consolidation target inventory items in the above examples, but may also have pre-set extraction conditions for the second inventory items that can be consolidated in the system, or may be able to display and select the second inventory items that meet the extraction conditions that the user desires to consolidate, or may set the extraction conditions that the user desires to consolidate as user information in advance and automatically extract based on the settings, or may select the consolidation target inventory items by sorting or rearranging when viewing the consolidation target inventory list information.

<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. 8. Fig. 8 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 inventory management unit 150) of the management server 1 updates inventory information in the inventory information storage unit 122 in response to inventory acceptance processing, such as reading the identification code attached to incoming inventory items with a reader, and inventory arrival processing, such as inputting inventory information about incoming inventory items by an operator, or generates new delivery identification information and registers delivery information in response to information registration, such as adding delivery identification information in the delivery information storage unit 123, in response to a delivery request processing (i.e., a delivery request processing) by a user regarding inventory items to be delivered (S101).

Next, the remaining space calculation unit 152 calculates the remaining space in the storage space to store the first inventory item based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container by volume that stores the first inventory item for which a delivery request has been made, and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers, and updates the corresponding delivery information (S102). In particular, the remaining space information may be remaining converted storage container type information that converts the remaining space into a storage container type.

If it is determined in step S102 that there is insufficient remaining space (for example, there is no remaining space to accommodate a storage container of the smallest storage container type (particularly, the smallest converted storage container type for the target item that can be extracted as a mixed-loading target inventory item in step S104)) (NO in step S103), this flow ends. Thereafter, if the first inventory item has already been stored in a storage container corresponding to this system, it is stored in the storage space as is, and if it has not yet been stored, it is stored in a storage container of a storage container type calculated by the data management unit 120 based on the volume information of the first inventory item, etc., and then stored in the storage space, and delivered to the user.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that there is sufficient remaining space (e.g., there is at least enough remaining space to accommodate a storage container of the smallest storage container type), the mixed-loading target inventory extraction unit 153 extracts mixed-loading target inventory information indicating mixed-loading target inventory items that can be stored in the remaining space of the target storage space (S104). More specifically, for example, the mixed-loading target inventory display area of the mixed-loading target inventory information is displayed in a list on the user's or worker's application, and the mixed-loading target inventory information is determined in response to a mixed-loading target inventory selection operation via the mixed-loading target inventory display area of the mixed-loading target inventory list information, and the determined mixed-loading target inventory information is sent to the management server 1, and the data management unit 120 (particularly the inventory management unit 150) updates (including adds) the delivery mixed-loading target inventory information included in the delivery information. Alternatively, instead of presenting the information as a list of consolidation target inventory items, a predetermined number of consolidation target items extracted by the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 may be presented as options on a user's or worker's application to allow the user or worker to select the consolidation target inventory items, or a predetermined number of consolidation target inventory items extracted by the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 may be presented as a consolidation confirmation notification on a user's or worker's application to allow the user or worker to select whether or not to consolidate the inventory items to determine the consolidation target inventory items, or the system may determine the consolidation target inventory items to be consolidate in the user's delivery from the storable consolidation target inventory items extracted by the consolidation target inventory extraction unit 153 without user or worker operation, and in response to the determination, the determined consolidation target inventory information is sent to the management server 1, as described above, and the data management unit 120 (particularly the inventory management unit 150) updates (including adds) the delivery consolidation target inventory information included in the delivery information. In addition, even if the mixed loading target inventory information is selected on the worker's application, a mixed loading confirmation notice may be presented to the user to select whether or not to mix, and the delivery mixed loading target inventory may be determined. In addition, when the delivery mixed loading target inventory is determined on the user's application or on this system, the delivery mixed loading target inventory information may be displayed on the worker's terminal 3 so that the worker can check it during storage work. Furthermore, based on the delivery mixed loading target inventory information, storage work equipment (storage work robot, storage work arm, storage work movable platform, etc.) for storing delivery items may be autonomously controlled to remove the delivery mixed loading target inventory from the delivery item management space (e.g., a shelf, etc.) and store it in the storage space.

Furthermore, the product list display of the consolidation target stock items may be appropriately set by the user using a consolidation target stock item display information setting unit, such as a display target specification unit (e.g., check box or pull-down format) that selects which conditions the consolidation target stock items should be displayed for, or a display order specification unit that selects which conditions the consolidation target stock items should be displayed for. Here, "displaying with priority" means, for example, that the display order is set early, and more specifically, in the case of vertical scrolling, it may be displayed at the top of the display area, or when advancing the stock item information displayed in order by swiping, it may be displayed at the beginning. In addition, the consolidation target stock item selection operation may be a selection operation in the consolidation target stock item display area, etc. of the consolidation target stock item list information, or the consolidation target stock item selection operation may be possible in the consolidation target stock item detailed information screen that is displayed after selecting the consolidation target stock item display area, etc., but is not limited to these.

Then, if the first inventory item has already been stored in a storage container corresponding to this system, it is stored as is in the storage space, and if it has not yet been stored, it is stored in a storage container of a storage container type calculated by the data management unit 120 based on the volume information of the first inventory item, and then stored in the storage space. Furthermore, the selected inventory item to be mixed (i.e., the extracted and selected second inventory item) is stored in the remaining space of the storage space, and the item is delivered to the user.

As described above, by standardizing and managing deliveries (e.g., cargo such as luggage) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that makes it easier to grasp the overall volume of deliveries 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 (4)

a storage unit that stores reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers, and storage container type information indicating two or more different types for each volume of a storage container that stores a first inventory item to be delivered, the first inventory item being requested to be delivered by a user;
a remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the volume of a remaining space in a storage space that contains a storage container that stores the first inventory item to be delivered, the delivery of which has been requested, by subtracting a volume indicating the storage container type information of the first inventory item to be delivered from a volume indicated by the reference storage space volume information;
a consolidation target inventory extraction unit that extracts a second inventory item that is different from the first inventory item and meets an extraction condition preset by the user , and sets a residual space storage container type indicating a storage container type corresponding to a volume of the residual space as a storage container type of a storage container that stores the second inventory item .
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers, and storage container type information indicating two or more different types for each volume of a storage container that stores a first inventory item to be delivered, the first inventory item being requested to be delivered by a user;
a remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the volume of a remaining space in a storage space that contains a storage container that stores the first inventory item to be delivered, the delivery of which has been requested, by subtracting a volume indicating the storage container type information of the first inventory item to be delivered from a volume indicated by the reference storage space volume information;
a consolidation target inventory extraction unit that extracts a second inventory item that is different from the first inventory item and meets an extraction condition preset by the user , and sets a residual space storage container type indicating a storage container type corresponding to a volume of the residual space as a storage container type of a storage container that stores the second inventory item .
A server comprising: storing, by a storage unit, reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers, and storage container type information indicating two or more different types for each volume of a storage container for storing a first inventory item to be delivered of a first inventory item for which delivery has been requested by a user;
a remaining space calculation unit calculating remaining space information indicating the volume of the remaining space in the storage space storing the storage container storing the first inventory item to be delivered, the delivery of which has been requested, by subtracting the volume indicating the storage container type information of the first inventory item to be delivered from the volume indicated by the reference storage space volume information;
extracting, by a consolidation target inventory extraction unit, a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and corresponding to an extraction condition preset by the user , and setting a residual space storage vessel type indicating a storage vessel type corresponding to a volume of the residual space as a storage vessel type of a storage vessel that stores the second inventory item .
23. An information processing method comprising: storing, by a storage unit, reference storage space volume information indicating a volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers, and storage container type information indicating two or more different types for each volume of a storage container for storing a first inventory item to be delivered of a first inventory item for which delivery has been requested by a user;
a remaining space calculation unit calculating remaining space information indicating the volume of the remaining space in the storage space storing the storage container storing the first inventory item to be delivered, the delivery of which has been requested, by subtracting the volume indicating the storage container type information of the first inventory item to be delivered from the volume indicated by the reference storage space volume information;
extracting, by a consolidation target inventory extraction unit, a second inventory item different from the first inventory item and corresponding to an extraction condition preset by the user , and setting a residual space storage vessel type indicating a storage vessel type corresponding to a volume of the residual space as a storage vessel type of a storage vessel that stores the second inventory item .
A program characterized by:

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