JP7719483B2 - Luggage transport assistance system, display input device, luggage transport assistance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for assisting in the transportation of luggage.

In recent years, online shops have become popular, allowing consumers to purchase a wide variety of products. Furthermore, consumers can access online shops in other countries or regions via the Internet and purchase products while located in one country or region. In this type of cross-border shopping system, the problem of product transportation must be overcome.

In response to this, technology such as that described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This technology is a method for supporting the provision of e-commerce services overseas, and includes the steps of determining the country of the delivery address of an overseas user who accesses a first e-commerce site, and redirecting the web browser on the overseas user's user terminal from the first e-commerce site to a website that handles first product information on the first e-commerce site and is provided by a support server different from the server that provides the first e-commerce site. The redirection is performed when the overseas user clicks or taps on a portion of a banner located at the top of the webpage of the first e-commerce site.

Patent No. 6132379

However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, each first EC site must have a mechanism for determining the country in which the delivery address is located, as well as a website provided by a support server.

In consideration of these problems, the present invention aims to make it possible to deliver products to purchasers' homes, etc. using a system that is simpler than conventional methods.

A luggage transportation support system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a luggage transportation support system that supports a requester in transporting luggage via a carrier, and includes: a first reception means for receiving contact information specified by the requester and a first identifier issued by a first carrier that transports the luggage to a specified relay point and given to the luggage when it is transported to the relay point ; a destination acquisition means for acquiring the destination by requesting the contact information to specify the final destination of the luggage; a second reception means for receiving a second identifier issued by a second carrier that transports the luggage from the relay point to the destination and given to the luggage when it is transported to the destination; an identifier association means for associating the first identifier of the luggage with the second identifier; an arrival information acquisition means for acquiring arrival information regarding the arrival of the luggage at the destination from the tracking system of the second carrier based on the second identifier of the luggage; an arrival information registration means for associating the arrival information of the luggage with the first identifier of the luggage; and a response means for responding with the arrival information corresponding to the first identifier when the first identifier is indicated by the source of the inquiry .

This invention allows products to be delivered to the purchaser's home or other location using a system that is simpler than conventional methods.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a product transportation support system. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow from when a consumer purchases a product until when the consumer receives the product. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a consumer terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a dealer terminal device. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an agent system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an agent system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of member data. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of package data. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of luggage. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a slip. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request page. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the body of an email. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the body of an email. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of a transportation intermediation support program. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a transfer assistance process.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the product transport support system 5. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow from when a consumer 81 purchases a product until receiving it. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the consumer terminal device 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the seller terminal device 2. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the agent system 3. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the agent system 3.

The product delivery support system 5 shown in Figure 1 provides a product delivery support service. The product delivery support service supports the delivery of products purchased by a consumer 81 from a seller 82 from the seller 82 to the consumer's 81 home or other location via an agent 83. The product delivery support system 5 is composed of a consumer terminal device 1, a seller terminal device 2, an agent system 3, and a communication line 4.

The consumer terminal device 1, the seller terminal device 2, and the agent system 3 can communicate via a communication line 4. The communication line 4 may be the Internet, a public line, Wi-Fi, or the like.

Seller 82 is a business that sells products to consumers 81 in Japan, and may be a business that sells products in a physically existing store or a business that sells products through an online shop. Hereinafter, each consumer 81 will be referred to separately as "Consumer 81A," "Consumer 81B," "Consumer 81C," etc., and each seller 82 will be referred to separately as "Seller 82A," "Seller 82B," "Seller 82C," etc.

Agent 83 provides a service of accepting merchandise purchased by consumer 81 from seller 82 and delivering it to consumer 81. In other words, it acts as an intermediary for the delivery of merchandise. As part of its business, agent 83 also handles procedures related to the export of goods from Japan to overseas destinations. Therefore, even if the destination of merchandise purchased by consumer 81 from seller 82 is overseas, the export procedures can be completed smoothly. The merchandise that is the subject of intermediation is collected at a relay point operated by agent 83, and then transported from the relay point to the destination of each merchandise.

For example, as shown in Figure 2(A), consumer 81A purchases a product from a retailer 82A's store while in Japan and requests that retailer 82A deliver the product to their overseas home using the product delivery support service (#101). The product is delivered by a carrier from retailer 82A to a relay point operated by agent 83 (#102), and then by the carrier from the relay point to consumer 81A's home (#103).

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2(B), consumer 81B purchases a product from seller 82B's online shop while at home overseas and requests seller 82B to deliver the product to their home using the product delivery support service (#121). The product is delivered by a carrier from seller 82A's shipping base (e.g., a warehouse or store) to agent 83's relay base (#122), and then delivered by the carrier from the relay base to consumer 81A's home (#123).

The consumer terminal device 1 is a terminal device used by the consumer 81 when purchasing a product. Hereinafter, the consumer terminal devices 1 of consumers 81A, 81B, 81C, etc. may be referred to separately as "consumer terminal device 1A," "consumer terminal device 1B," "consumer terminal device 1C," etc.

The seller terminal device 2 is a terminal device used by the seller 82 when shipping a product to the consumer 81 via an agent 83. Hereinafter, the seller terminal devices 2 of sellers 82A, 82B, 82C, etc. may be referred to separately as "seller terminal device 2A," "seller terminal device 2B," "seller terminal device 2C," etc.

The agent system 3 is a system used by the agent 83 to transfer products from the seller 82 to the consumer 81.

A personal computer, smartphone, or tablet computer may be used as the consumer terminal device 1. Similarly, a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet computer may be used as the seller terminal device 2. A device or system with web server functionality may be used as the agent system 3. For example, a so-called server machine or cloud server may be used. The following explanation takes as an example a case where laptop-type personal computers are used as the consumer terminal device 1 and the seller terminal device 2, and a server machine is used as the agent system 3.

As shown in Figure 3, the consumer terminal device 1 is composed of a processor 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, auxiliary storage device 14, display 15, network controller 16, keyboard 17, and pointing device 18.

The ROM 13 or auxiliary storage device 14 contains installed programs such as an operating system, a web browser, and a mailer (email software). A hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the auxiliary storage device 14.

RAM 12 is the main memory of the consumer terminal device 1. Programs are loaded into RAM 12 from ROM 13 or auxiliary storage device 14 as appropriate.

The processor 11 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that executes programs loaded into the RAM 12.

The display 15 displays a screen for inputting commands or information, a screen showing the results of processing performed by the processor 11, and so on.

The network controller 16 communicates with the dealer terminal device 2 and agent system 3 using protocols such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). A NIC (Network Interface Card) or a Wi-Fi communication device may be used as the network controller 16.

The keyboard 17 and pointing device 18 are used to input commands or information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dealer terminal device 2 is composed of a processor 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, auxiliary storage device 24, display 25, network controller 26, keyboard 27, and pointing device 28.

The processor 21 through the pointing device 28 function essentially the same as the processor 11 through the pointing device 18 of the consumer terminal device 1, respectively. However, the display 25 displays a screen for inputting commands or information and a screen showing the results of processing by the processor 21. The network controller 26 communicates with the consumer terminal device 1, the agent system 3, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the agent system 3 is composed of a computer main body 31, a display 32, a keyboard 33, a pointing device 34, etc. The computer main body 31 is composed of a processor 31a, RAM 31b, ROM 31c, an auxiliary storage device 31d, a network controller 31e, an input/output interface 31f, etc.

In addition to the operating system, the transport intermediation support program 30 (see Figure 6) is installed in the ROM 31c or auxiliary storage device 31d. The transport intermediation support program 30 is loaded into the RAM 31b and executed by the processor 31a. The network controller 31e communicates with the consumer terminal device 1, the dealer terminal device 2, and the like.

The input/output interface 31f is an input/output board that complies with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and is connected to a display 32, keyboard 33, and pointing device 34.

The display 32 displays a screen for inputting commands or information, a screen showing the results of processing by the processor 31a, and the like. The keyboard 33 and pointing device 34 are used to input commands or information. Commands or information may also be input to the agent system 3 using a tablet computer or smartphone via a communication line.

The transportation intermediation support program 30 makes the process of transporting goods from a seller 82 to a consumer 81 easier than ever before. This mechanism is explained below.

By executing the transportation intermediation support program 30, the agent system 3 realizes functions such as the request page data transmission unit 301, package data generation unit 302, arrival reception processing unit 303, item notification unit 304, member registration unit 305, user authentication unit 306, destination addition unit 307, shipping fee settlement unit 308, shipping processing unit 309, receipt confirmation unit 310, status response unit 311, member data storage unit 351, and package data storage unit 352 shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of member data 6A. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of package data 6B. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of package 90. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a slip 91. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a request page 71.

The member data storage unit 351 (see Figure 6) of the agent system 3 stores member data 6A for each member of the product transportation support service, as shown in Figure 7.

Member data 6A includes the following information about the member: the member's email address, password, name, region, postal code, address, and telephone number. The "email address" is the email address the member uses to receive product delivery support services and is also used as the member's identifier.

When a consumer 81 becomes a member, member data 6A for the consumer 81 is generated and stored in the member data storage unit 351. The processing procedure for this will be described later.

As shown in Figure 8, the luggage data storage unit 352 stores luggage data 6B for each luggage. The method for storing luggage data 6B in the luggage data storage unit 352 and the information shown in luggage data 6B will be described later.

Consumer 81 purchases a product from seller 82 and requests seller 82 to deliver the product using a product delivery support service.

The method for purchasing a product may be any conventional method. For example, consumer 81 accesses the online shop of seller 82 and purchases the product using credit card payment or electronic money payment. In this case, consumer 81 may access the online shop from within Japan or overseas.

Alternatively, the consumer 81 visits the seller 82's physical store, such as a department store, supermarket, mass retailer, or retail store, and purchases the product using credit card payment, electronic money payment, or cash payment. Alternatively, the consumer 81 may contact the seller 82 by telephone, facsimile, or email to inform the seller 82 of the desired product and make the purchase by paying using credit card payment, electronic money payment, bank transfer, etc.

However, in either case, consumer 81 must provide his/her email address to seller 82. However, there is no need to provide address, name, telephone number, etc. Furthermore, seller 82 may require consumer 81 to cover not only the price of the product, but also at least one of the shipping costs from seller 82 to agent 83 and the shipping costs from agent 83 to consumer 81. These shipping costs, along with the price of the product, can be settled between the two parties using the method described above. Hereinafter, shipping costs will be taken to include fees for packaging the product, creating shipping slips, creating invoices, customs procedures, etc., as appropriate.

Once the product price has been settled between the consumer 81 and the seller 82, the request for product delivery by the agent 83 and the consumer's 81 email address have been communicated, and shipping fees have been paid if necessary, the staff of the seller 82 will carry out the following tasks.

The staff of the retailer 82 packs the product in a packaging material such as a cardboard box. They then fill out a slip 91 with required information and attach it to the outside of the packaging material, as shown in Figure 9. Hereinafter, the packaging material with the product packed in and the slip 91 attached will be referred to as "package 90."

By the way, the delivery slip 91 is distributed by the carrier that transports the package 90 from the seller 82 to the relay point of the agent 83, and typically has a unique code written on it in advance, as shown in Figure 10 (A). This code is generally called a "tracking code" or "delivery code." In addition, as will be described later, a different tracking code is assigned to the package 90 when it is transported from the relay point of the agent 83 to the home of the consumer 81, etc.

Therefore, hereinafter, the tracking code used during transport from seller 82 to agent 83's relay point will be referred to as the "first tracking code," and the tracking code used during transport from agent 83's relay point to consumer 81's home will be referred to as the "second tracking code." For ease of explanation, we will use as an example a case in which one specific transport company partners with agent 83 and is contracted to transport from seller 82 to agent 83's relay point, and the same transport company or another transport company partners with agent 83 and is contracted to transport from agent 83 to consumer 81.

The staff of the distributor 82 fills in the information other than the first tracking code on the slip 91. Specifically, they fill in the name and address of the relay point of the agent 83 as the destination information, and the name and address of the distributor 82 as the requester.

Then, the staff of the retailer 82 hands the package 90 over to the delivery company. Based on the information on the slip 91, the delivery company then delivers the package 90 to the relay point of the agent 83.

For a given seller 82, the contents to be written on slip 91 when transporting package 90 to the relay point of agent 83 are always the same, with a few exceptions. Specifically, the requester is always seller 82, and the destination is always the relay point of agent 83. Therefore, seller 82 may prepare a large number of slips in advance, as shown in Figure 10 (B), on which the address of seller 82 itself is pre-printed as the requester and the address of the relay point of agent 83 is pre-printed as the destination, and use such slips as slip 91.

The staff member of the seller 82 then launches the web browser on the seller terminal device 2 and enters a specific URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into the web browser. Alternatively, the staff member specifies a bookmark for that URL. The web browser then requests the web page based on that URL from the agent system 3.

In the agent system 3, the request page data transmission unit 301 transmits web page data 6C for displaying the web page corresponding to the URL to the seller terminal device 2 in response to a request from the seller terminal device 2.

When the seller terminal device 2 receives the web page data 6C, the web browser of the seller terminal device 2 displays a request page 71, such as that shown in Figure 11, on the display 25 based on the web page data 6C.

The staff member of the seller 82 enters the tracking code (first tracking code) from the shipping slip 91 for the package 90 into the text box 711 on the request page 71, and enters the email address provided by the consumer 81 into the text box 712. Hereinafter, this email will be referred to as the "consumer email address."

If the seller 82 handles the payment of the shipping fee for the delivery of package 90 from the agent 83 to the consumer 81, the staff member of the seller 82 also switches check box 713 on and enters the seller's 82's email address in text box 714. For example, this is entered if the shipping fee is settled between the consumer 81 and the seller 82 along with the price of the product in package 90, and if the shipping fee is to be borne by the seller 82. On the other hand, if the consumer 81 handles this procedure, the check box 713 is left unchecked and the text box 714 is left blank. Hereinafter, the email address entered in text box 714 will be referred to as the "shipping fee payer email address."

If the seller 82 wishes to check the status of delivery of the package 90 from the agent 83 to the consumer 81, the staff of the seller 82 further enters the seller's 82's email address in text box 716. Hereinafter, the email address entered in text box 716 will be referred to as the "confirmation email address."

Furthermore, each time the Add button 715 is pressed, a set of text boxes 711, 712, 714 and check box 713 is added to the request page 71. If there are multiple packages 90, the staff of the seller 82 can add text boxes 711, 712, 714 and check box 713 and enter the first tracking code and purchaser (consumer 81) email address for each package 90, and if the seller 82 will be handling the payment procedures, they can turn on check box 713 and enter the seller 82's email address in text box 714.

Then, the staff member of the seller 82 presses the send button 717. The web browser on the seller terminal device 2 then sends the transfer request data 6D to the agent system 3.

The forwarding request data 6D shows one or more sets of the input first tracking code, consumer email address, and shipping fee payer email address. Note that in a set of forwarding request data 6D where text box 714 is blank, the email address entered in text box 712 (i.e., the same email address as the consumer email address) is shown as the shipping fee payer email address. On the other hand, in a set of forwarding request data 6D where the text box 714 is not blank, the email address entered in text box 714 is shown as the shipping fee payer email address. Furthermore, if an email address is entered in text box 716, this email address is shown as a confirmation email address.

In the agent system 3, when the package data generation unit 302 receives the forwarding request data 6D, it generates package data 6B for the package 90 related to the forwarding request data 6D and stores it in the package data storage unit 352 (see Figure 7). Note that if the forwarding request data 6D indicates the first tracking code and consumer email address for each of multiple packages 90, package data 6B is generated and stored for each package 90.

The following information is shown in package data 6B for package 90. The "package code" is a newly issued unique code used to identify package 90. The "first tracking code," "consumer email address," and "shipping payer email address" are the first tracking code, consumer email address, and shipping payer email address for that package 90 shown in forwarding request data 6D.

The "confirmation email address" is the confirmation email address indicated in the forwarding request data 6D. However, if a confirmation email address is not indicated in the forwarding request data 6D, "none" is indicated as the confirmation email address in the package data 6B.

At the time that package data 6B is generated, the "Arrival Date and Time," "Transfer Fee," "Second Tracking Code," "Departure Date and Time," "Arrival Date and Time," "Name," "Area Name," "Postal Code," "Address," "Telephone Number," and "Size" are all null, and the "Fee Payment Flag" and "Ready Flag" are all "0."

After that, when the package 90 arrives at the relay point of the agent 83, the staff of the agent 83 operates the keyboard 33 or pointing device 34 to display the package acceptance screen on the display 32, and inputs the tracking code (first tracking code) written on the slip 91 of the package 90 and the size (length x width x height) of the package 90 into the agent system 3. It is also possible to input information by operating the touch panel of a tablet computer or smartphone, or to display the screen on the display of the tablet computer or smartphone.

When the first tracking code and size are entered on the luggage reception screen, the arrival reception processing unit 303 and the luggage notification unit 304 perform the following processing.

The arrival reception processing unit 303 searches the package data storage unit 352 (see Figure 8) for package data 6B that indicates the input first tracking code, and updates the "entry date and time" of that package data 6B to the current time. Furthermore, it writes the input size into that package data 6B.

Figure 12 shows an example of an email body 72. Figure 13 shows an example of an email body 73.

When the parcel data 6B is updated by the arrival reception processing unit 303, the deposited item notification unit 304 (see Figure 6) generates deposited item notification email data 6E and sends the deposited item notification email data 6E as an email to the consumer email address indicated in the parcel data 6B.

The item deposit notification email data 6E shows an email body 72. As shown in FIG. 12, the email body 72 includes a message informing the agent 83 that the package 90 is in their possession, a message informing the recipient of the procedure for receiving the package 90, as well as the tracking code (first tracking code) for the package 90, a first URL, and a second URL.

When the mailer of the consumer terminal device 1 receives the deposit notification email data 6E, it displays the email body 72 on the display 15 based on the deposit notification email data 6E. If the consumer 81 is not yet a member of the product delivery support service, they select the first URL; if they are already a member, they select the second URL.

When the first URL is selected, the web browser on the consumer terminal device 1 requests a web page from the agent system 3 based on the first URL. Then, in the agent system 3, the member registration unit 305 performs the member registration process as follows:

In response to a request from the consumer terminal device 1, the member registration unit 305 transmits web page data 6F to the consumer terminal device 1 for displaying the web page corresponding to the first URL.

When the web page data 6F is received by the consumer terminal device 1, the web browser of the consumer terminal device 1 displays the registration page as a web page on the display 15 based on the web page data 6F.

Consumer 81 enters their name, email address, and telephone number, as well as their home area, postal code, and address, as well as a string of characters to be used as a password on the registration page.

The web browser on the consumer terminal device 1 then sends registration request data 6G indicating the entered email address, character string (password), name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number to the agent system 3.

When the member registration unit 305 receives the registration request data 6G, it generates new member data 6A and stores it in the member data storage unit 351 (see Figure 7). This completes member registration. The member data 6A includes the email address, password, name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number indicated in the received registration request data 6G. This email address is used as the primary key in the member data 6A.

It may also be possible to register member data 6A by entering at least an email address and password on the registration page. The remaining information can then be added to member data 6A later.

On the other hand, when the second URL is selected, the web browser on the consumer terminal device 1 requests a web page from the agent system 3 based on the second URL. Then, in the agent system 3, the user authentication unit 306 performs user authentication processing as follows:

In response to a request from the consumer terminal device 1, the user authentication unit 306 transmits web page data 6H to the consumer terminal device 1 for displaying the web page corresponding to the second URL.

When the web page data 6H is received by the consumer terminal device 1, the web browser of the consumer terminal device 1 displays a user authentication page on the display 25 based on the web page data 6H. The consumer 81 enters their email address and password into the user authentication page.

The web browser on the consumer terminal device 1 then sends authentication request data 6J indicating the entered email address and password to the agent system 3.

When the user authentication unit 306 receives the authentication request data 6J, it searches the member data storage unit 351 (see Figure 7) for member data 6A indicating the email address indicated in the authentication request data 6J. If the password indicated in the member data 6A matches the password indicated in the authentication request data 6J, it determines that the consumer 81 is a legitimate user; if they do not match, it determines that the consumer is not a legitimate user. If the search fails, it also determines that the consumer is not a legitimate user. If the consumer 81 is determined to be a legitimate user, they log in to the product delivery support service website.

After the member registration unit 305 has completed member registration, the consumer 81 selects the second URL to access the user authentication page. Alternatively, the user authentication unit 306 may automatically access the user authentication page after member registration by sending web page data 6H to the consumer terminal device 1. The consumer 81 then logs in to the product delivery support service website by performing the above-mentioned operations.

When a consumer 81 logs in to the product delivery support service website, the user authentication unit 306 provides the email address of the logged-in consumer 81 to the destination address addition unit 307.

The destination adding unit 307 then searches the package data storage unit 352 (see Figure 8) for package data 6B that indicates the given email address as the consumer's email address, and searches the member data storage unit 351 (see Figure 7) for member data 6A that indicates the given email address. Then, the destination adding unit 307 writes the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number indicated in the member data 6A into the package data 6B. In other words, the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number of the logged-in member data 6A are written. It is also possible to allow the consumer 81 to input the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number after logging in. Then, the input information may be written into both the member data 6A and the package data 6B.

The destination addition unit 307 may present the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number to the consumer 81 via the web browser of the consumer terminal device 1. If the consumer 81 approves, the address may be written into the parcel data 6B. Furthermore, if the consumer 81 modifies the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number, the modified name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number may be written in place of the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number shown in the member data 6A.

Once the destination adding unit 307 has written the name and other information into the package data 6B, the shipping fee settlement unit 308 performs the following process to settle the shipping fee for transporting the package 90 from the agent 83 to the consumer 81.

The shipping fee settlement unit 308 calculates the shipping fee for the package 90 using a predetermined formula based on the size, region name, etc. indicated in the package data 6B, and writes this as the forwarding fee in the package data 6B.

The shipping fee settlement unit 308 generates shipping fee billing email data 6K and sends it to the shipping fee payer email address indicated in the package data 6B. As mentioned above, the shipping fee payment procedure is carried out by either the consumer 81 or the seller 82, and the shipping fee payer email address is the email address of either the consumer 81 or the seller 82.

The shipping fee billing email data 6K includes an email body 73. As shown in FIG. 13, the email body 73 includes a message requesting payment of the shipping fee for transporting the package 90 from the agent 83 to the consumer 81, the shipping fee (forwarding fee), and the URL of the website for payment. The URL includes the package code shown in the package data 6B at the end. The payment website may be a well-known website, such as a credit card payment website or an electronic money payment website.

When the mailer of the consumer terminal device 1 receives the shipping fee billing email data 6K, it displays the email body 73 on the display 15 based on the shipping fee billing email data 6K. When the consumer 81 selects a URL in the email body 73, the web browser of the consumer terminal device 1 accesses a payment website based on that URL. Then, when the consumer 81 completes the payment procedure for the shipping fee, payment completion data 6L indicating the package code contained in the URL is sent from the web browser of the consumer terminal device 1 or the payment website to the agent system 3.

Similarly, when the mailer of the seller terminal device 2 receives the shipping fee invoice email data 6K, it displays the email body 73 on the display 25 based on the shipping fee invoice email data 6K. When a staff member of the seller 82 selects a URL in the email body 73, the web browser of the seller terminal device 2 accesses the payment website based on that URL. Then, when the staff member of the seller 82 completes the payment procedure for the shipping fee, payment completion data 6L is sent to the agent system 3 from the web browser of the seller terminal device 2 or the payment website.

When the shipping fee settlement unit 308 receives the payment completion data 6L, it searches the package data storage unit 352 (see Figure 8) for package data 6B that indicates the package code indicated in the received payment completion data 6L, and updates the fee payment flag for that package data 6B to "1".

When the fee payment flag for package data 6B is updated to "1," the shipping processing unit 309 performs the following process to transfer package 90 corresponding to that package data 6B.

The shipping processing unit 309 displays a message on the display 32 or tablet computer indicating that the shipping fee has been paid, along with the parcel code, name, area name, postal code, address, telephone number, etc. indicated in the parcel data 6B.

The staff of the agent 83 checks the displayed details and prepares to transport the package 90 with that package code to the address. Specifically, they locate the package 90 in the warehouse based on the package code. They write the displayed name, address, etc. as the recipient on a new slip printed with a unique second tracking code, and write the name and address of the agent 83, etc. as the sender, and attach it to the package 90. If the destination is overseas, they may also check the contents (products) of the package 90 as necessary, create an invoice, and perform other export procedures. These procedures may be performed immediately after the package 90 arrives at the relay point.

If the agent system 3 has a printer and this printer is installed at the relay point of the agent 83, the shipping processing unit 309 may control the printer to display the parcel code on the display 32 or the like, and to print the recipient's name and address, as well as the agent 83's company name and address, on the delivery slip. The printer may also be controlled to have the carrier issue a second tracking code and to print this second tracking code as well. The printer may also be controlled to print an invoice.

Once preparations are complete, the staff of the agent 83 hands the package 90 over to the carrier for delivery to its final destination. The staff then displays the shipping screen on the display 32 or tablet computer and enters the package code and second tracking code for the package 90. Note that the package 90 may be handed over after the package code and other information have been entered.

The shipping processing unit 309 then performs the following process: It writes the current date and time as the shipping date and time into the package data 6B indicating the input package code. It also writes the input second tracking code into that package data 6B. It then generates shipping notification email data 6M and sends it as an email to the consumer email address indicated in that package data 6B.

The shipping notification email data 6M shows the email body. The email body includes a message stating that the package 90 has been shipped, as well as the name, address, and second tracking code shown in the package data 6B.

When the mailer of the consumer terminal device 1 receives the shipping notification email data 6M, it displays the email body on the display 15.

By the way, shipping companies post information about the status of package delivery via their websites over the Internet.

The receipt confirmation unit 310 of the agent system 3 confirms whether the package 90 that departed from the agent's 83 relay point has been received at the consumer's 81 home or other location as follows:

The receipt confirmation unit 310 periodically (e.g., every 10 minutes) searches the package data storage unit 352 for package data 6B that indicates the departure date and time but not the arrival date and time. It then sends the second tracking code indicated in the package data 6B to the carrier's website to inquire about the current status.

Then, when the receipt confirmation unit 310 receives a response from the carrier's website indicating the date and time that delivery was completed, it writes that date and time into the package data 6B as the arrival date and time.

The staff of the seller 82 can check the status of the package 90 as follows: They send an email indicating the first tracking code of the package 90 they wish to check the status of and the email address of the seller 82 to the specified email address of the agent 83 using the mailer on the seller terminal device 2.

The status response unit 311 then searches the package data storage unit 352 for package data 6B that indicates the first tracking code indicated in the email and that indicates the email address indicated in the email as a confirmation email address. Then, it sends (replies to) an email to the confirmation email address that indicates the package code, second tracking code, entry date and time, departure date and time, and arrival date and time indicated in the package data 6B.

The mailer on the seller terminal device 2 displays the email received from the agent system 3 on the display 25. The staff member at the seller 82 then reads the email and checks the status of the package 90.

Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow by the transport intermediation support program 30. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the transfer support processing flow.

Next, we will explain the overall processing flow in the agent system 3 with reference to a flowchart.

According to the transportation intermediation support program 30, processing is carried out in the agent system 3 according to the procedure shown in Figure 14.

When the agent system 3 receives a request for the request page 71 from the seller terminal device 2 (Yes in #131 in Figure 14), the agent system 3 sends web page data 6C to the seller terminal device 2 (#132).

Alternatively, when forwarding request data 6D is received from the seller terminal device 2 (Yes in #133), processing is performed to accept package 90 from seller 82 and assist in forwarding it to the consumer 81's home or other location (#134). This processing is performed using the procedure shown in Figure 15. Here, the flow of this processing will be explained using the example of a case where consumer 81B purchases a product from seller 82B's online shop and has package 90 containing the product delivered to the consumer 81B's home, as shown in Figure 2 (B).

When the agent system 3 receives the forwarding request data 6D for this package 90 from the seller terminal device 2B, it generates package data 6B and stores it in the package data storage unit 352 (see FIG. 8) (#151 in FIG. 15). This package data 6B includes the first tracking code, consumer email address, and shipping fee payer email address indicated in the forwarding request data 6D.

If a confirmation email address is indicated in this forwarding request data 6D, this confirmation email address will also be indicated in this package data 6B.

When this package 90 arrives at the relay point of the agent 83 from the seller 82B and the first tracking code and size of this package 90 are entered into the agent system 3 by a staff member of the agent 83 (#152), the agent system 3 writes the current date and time as the time of receipt into the package data 6B, and also writes the size (#153). Furthermore, the agent system 3 sends the deposit notification email data 6E to the consumer email address indicated in this package data 6B, i.e., the email address of consumer 81B (#154).

The deposit notification email data 6E is received by consumer terminal device 1 of consumer 81B, i.e., consumer terminal device 1B.

When the consumer terminal device 1B requests the web page corresponding to the first URL, i.e., the registration page (web page for member registration) (Yes in #155), the agent system 3 sends web page data 6F to the consumer terminal device 1B (#156). Then, when it receives registration request data 6G from the consumer terminal device 1B (#157), it generates new member data 6A and stores it in the member data storage unit 351 (see Figure 7) (#158). This completes member registration for consumer 81B.

When the consumer terminal device 1B requests the web page corresponding to the second URL, i.e., the user authentication page, or when the consumer 81B completes membership registration, the agent system 3 sends web page data 6H to the consumer terminal device 1B (#159). When the agent system 3 receives authentication request data 6J from the consumer terminal device 1B (#160), it performs authentication processing (#161). That is, it determines whether the consumer 81B is a legitimate user. If it determines that the consumer is a legitimate user (Yes in #162), it logs the consumer into the product delivery support service website (#163).

When consumer 81B logs in, agent system 3 writes the name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number shown in consumer 81B's member data 6A into this package data 6B (#164). This sets the destination of this package 90 in package data 6B. Note that new name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number specified by consumer 81B may also be written.

Furthermore, the agent system 3 determines the shipping fee to this destination based on the destination and the size of the package 90, and writes this as the forwarding fee in the package data 6B (#165). It then generates shipping fee billing email data 6K and sends it to the shipping fee payer email address shown in the package data 6B (#166). The shipping fee payer email address is the email address of either the consumer 81B or the seller 82B.

When the agent system 3 receives notification that the consumer 81B or seller 82B has paid the shipping fee (#167), it updates the shipping fee payment flag in the package data 6B to "1" (#168). It then notifies the agent 83's staff member by displaying a message on the display 32 or tablet computer indicating that the shipping fee has been paid, along with the package code, name, area name, postal code, address, and telephone number indicated in the package data 6B (#169).

The staff member at the agent 83 checks the displayed information, prepares the package 90 for delivery to the consumer 81B's home or other location, and hands the package 90 over to the carrier. Then, the staff member enters the package code and second tracking code for the package 90.

When the agent system 3 receives these inputs (#170), it sends shipping notification email data 6M to the email address (consumer email address) of consumer 81B (#171), and writes the current date and time as the shipping date and time into this package data 6B, as well as the entered second tracking code (#172).

This completes the process of accepting this package 90 from seller 82B and assisting in forwarding it to consumer 81B's home or other location.

Returning to Figure 14, the agent system 3 periodically searches for package data 6B that indicates the date and time of departure but not the date and time of arrival. If such package data 6B is found (Yes in #135), it inquires about the current status by sending the second tracking code indicated in that package data 6B to the carrier's website. When it receives a response from the carrier's website indicating the date and time that delivery was completed, it writes that date and time into the package data 6B as the date and time of arrival (#136).

Alternatively, when the agent system 3 receives an inquiry about the status of the package 90 from the seller terminal device 2 (Yes in #137), it responds to the seller terminal device 2 with the second tracking code, the date and time of entry, the date and time of departure, and the date and time of arrival indicated in the package data 6B for that package 90 (#138).

While the agent system 3 continues to provide product transportation support services (Yes in #139), it executes the processes of steps #132, #134, #136, and #138 as appropriate.

According to this embodiment, there is no need for each seller 82 to prepare its own system for determining the country where the delivery address is located or a website provided by the support server. Therefore, products purchased by a consumer 81 from a seller 82 can be delivered using a system that is simpler than conventional systems.

In addition, even if communication is difficult due to different native languages, consumer 81 can communicate with the staff of retailer 82 to have the product delivered by simply providing their email address. There is no need to provide the name, address, or phone number of the delivery recipient. For retailer 82's staff, the burden of delivery is also reduced compared to conventional methods, as they only need to pack the product and deliver it to agent 83 as parcel 90, and provide consumer 81's email address along with the first tracking code for parcel 90 to agent 83. Since it becomes easier for consumer 81 to shop, sales for retailer 82 increase.

In this embodiment, the consumer 81 uses the product delivery support service to purchase a product for themselves and have it delivered to them as parcel 90, but it can also be used to have the product delivered to another person, such as a friend or family member. For example, when the consumer 81 purchases a product from the seller 82, the consumer 81 simply provides the seller 82 with the other person's email address. This allows the other person to later specify their home address or other address as the destination. Alternatively, the consumer 81 provides their own email address, but when the agent system 3 inquires about the destination of the parcel 90, the consumer can specify the other person's home address or other address.

Consumer 81 can also use the product delivery support service to have another party deliver items other than those purchased from retailer 82. In this case, consumer 81 can prepare package 90 by packing the items in packaging material and attaching shipping slip 91, instead of having the retailer's 82 staff deliver them. Then, consumer 81 can have a shipping company deliver package 90 to a relay point in agent system 3, and can provide agent 83 with the first tracking code along with their own or another party's email address via request page 71.

For example, an auction seller may send a successful bid on an item to a relay point operated by the agent 83 and register the successful bidder's email address as the consumer's email address. Alternatively, an accommodation facility operator may send a guest's lost property to a relay point operated by the agent 83 and register the guest's email address as the consumer's email address. The product transport support system 5 can be used in any form of transaction, including B2B, B2C, C2C, and C2B.

In this embodiment, the staff of the seller 82 entered the first tracking code, consumer email address, and shipping payer email address for each of the multiple packages 90 into the request page 71 (see Figure 11). However, a CSV file containing this information can also be created using spreadsheet software or a text editor and imported into the seller terminal device 2. In this case, the seller terminal device 2 sends this CSV file to the agent system 3. Upon receiving this CSV file, the agent system 3 generates package data 6B for each package 90 based on this CSV file.

In this embodiment, the email body 72, 73 (see Figures 12 and 13) is written in Japanese, but it may also be written in other languages, such as English, German, or Chinese. Alternatively, it may be written in multiple languages.

In this embodiment, a general-purpose web browser and mailer are used on the consumer terminal device 1 and the dealer terminal device 2, but dedicated applications may also be used.

In this embodiment, the agent 83 sends various information to the consumer 81 and the seller 82 via email, but it may also send information via SNS (Social Networking Service) messenger or SMS (Short Message Service) short messages. In this case, the SNS account name or mobile phone number can be used instead of the email address.

In this embodiment, the shipping fee for transportation from the relay point of the agent 83 is determined based on the size and destination of the package 90, but it may also be determined based on weight. In this case, not only the size but also the weight of the package 90 can be entered by the staff of the agent 83 and written to package data 6B.

In this embodiment, the consumer 81 is prompted to specify the destination (final destination) of the package 90 after the package 90 arrives at the relay point of the agent 83, but the destination may also be specified before arrival.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a package is sent from Japan to overseas or domestically, but the product transport support system 5 can also be used when sending a package from overseas to Japan or overseas.

In addition, the overall or individual configurations, processing content, processing order, data structure, etc. of the product transport support system 5, consumer terminal device 1, seller terminal device 2, and agent system 3 may be modified as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

3. Agent system (baggage transport support system)
302 Parcel data generation unit (first reception means)
304 Deposit notification department (request means)
305 Membership registration unit (second reception means)
306 User authentication unit (second reception means)
308 Shipping fee settlement section (billing means)
309 Delivery processing unit (support processing means)
351 Member data storage unit (storage means)
6A Member data 6B Baggage data

Claims (8)

A luggage transport support system that supports a requester in transporting luggage by a transport company,
a first receiving means for receiving a contact point designated by the requester and a first identifier issued by a first carrier that transports the package to a predetermined relay point and given to the package when transporting the package to the relay point ;
a destination acquisition means for acquiring the destination by requesting the contact point to specify the final destination of the package;
a second receiving means for receiving a second identifier issued by a second carrier that transports the package from the relay point to the destination and given to the package when transporting the package to the destination;
an identifier associating means for associating the first identifier and the second identifier of the package;
arrival information acquisition means for acquiring arrival information regarding the arrival of the package at the destination from a tracking system of the second carrier based on the second identifier of the package;
arrival information registration means for associating the arrival information of the package with the first identifier of the package;
a replying means for replying, when the first identifier is indicated by an inquiry source, the arrival information corresponding to the first identifier;
A luggage transport support system comprising: a storage means for storing member information including the member's name and address in association with the contact information;
and
When the user of the contact information is the member , the destination acquisition means authenticates the user based on the contact information and then acquires the member information of the user as the destination .
The luggage transport support system according to claim 1 . billing means for billing for a shipping fee for transferring the package from the relay point to the destination;
a notification means for notifying a staff member in charge of shipping the package from the relay point of delivery of a message indicating that the shipping fee has been settled;
and
the first receiving means receives the billing address for the shipping fee together with the contact information and the first identifier;
The billing means bills the billing destination for the shipping fee,
The notification means notifies the message when the shipping fee has been settled.
3. The luggage transport support system according to claim 1 or 2 . a size registration means for associating the size of the package with the first identifier of the package;
and
The billing means bills the shipping fee calculated based on the size of the package.
The luggage transport support system according to claim 3 . A display input device used together with the luggage transport assistance system according to claim 4,
a first display input means for displaying a luggage reception screen and receiving input of the size and the first identifier when the luggage arrives at the relay point, in order to associate the size of the luggage with the first identifier in the luggage transportation support system;
a second display input means for displaying a shipping screen and receiving an input of the second identifier when the package is shipped from the relay point , in order to associate the second identifier of the package with the first identifier in the package transportation support system;
A display input device comprising: a message display means for displaying the message regarding the package;
and
The second display input means displays the message and then displays the delivery screen.
The display input device according to claim 5 . A luggage transport assistance method for assisting a requester in transporting luggage by a transport company , comprising:
On the computer ,
executes a process for receiving a contact point designated by the requester and a first identifier that is issued by a first carrier that transports the package to a predetermined relay point and that is given to the package when it is transported to the relay point ;
executes a process to obtain a final destination of the package by requesting the contact point to specify the final destination of the package;
executes a process of accepting a second identifier issued by a second carrier that transports the package from the relay point to the destination and that is given to the package when it is transported to the destination;
executes a process of associating the first identifier with the second identifier of the package;
executing a process of obtaining arrival information regarding the arrival of the package at the destination from a tracking system of the second carrier based on the second identifier of the package;
executes a process of associating the arrival information of the package with the first identifier of the package;
When the first identifier is indicated by the inquiry source, a process of responding with the arrival information corresponding to the first identifier is executed.
A luggage transport assistance method characterized by: A computer program used in a computer that assists a requester in transporting a package by a carrier , comprising:
The computer,
executes a process for receiving a contact point designated by the requester and a first identifier that is issued by a first carrier that transports the package to a predetermined relay point and that is given to the package when it is transported to the relay point ;
executes a process to obtain a final destination of the package by requesting the contact point to specify the final destination of the package;
executes a process of accepting a second identifier issued by a second carrier that transports the package from the relay point to the destination and that is given to the package when it is transported to the destination;
executes a process of associating the first identifier and the second identifier of the package;
executing a process of obtaining arrival information regarding the arrival of the package at the destination from a tracking system of the second carrier based on the second identifier of the package;
executes a process of associating the arrival information of the package with the first identifier of the package;
When the first identifier is indicated by the inquiry source, a process of responding with the arrival information corresponding to the first identifier is executed.
A computer program characterized by: