1. A management device, characterized in that the management device comprises:

a first movement instruction transmitting unit configured to transmit a first movement instruction to an autonomous mobile unit including a lockable and unlockable cargo compartment, the first movement instruction containing, as a destination, a collection place designated by a customer requesting to transport a package;

a lock instruction transmitting unit configured to transmit a lock instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the lock request information transmitted by the client has been received; and

a second movement instruction transmitting unit configured to transmit a second movement instruction to the autonomous moving unit when the cargo hold is locked, the second movement instruction containing a reception place designated by any one of the customer and a recipient of a package as a destination to perform reception of the package.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein when the second movement instruction transmission unit is configured to transmit the second movement instruction containing the reception place specified by the customer as a destination to the autonomous mobile unit, the management device further includes a user interface unit configured to allow the customer to specify a recipient of the package, the collection place, and the reception place.

3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein when the second movement instruction transmission unit is configured to transmit the second movement instruction containing the reception place designated by the recipient as the destination to the autonomous mobile unit, the management device further includes a second user interface unit configured to allow the recipient to designate the reception place.

4. A management device, characterized in that the management device comprises:

a first movement instruction transmitting unit configured to transmit a first movement instruction to an autonomous mobile unit including a lockable and unlockable cargo compartment, the first movement instruction containing, as a destination, a collection place designated by a customer requesting to transport a package;

a second movement instruction transmitting unit configured to:

providing lock release information to a recipient of the package after the lock release information has been received from the autonomous mobile unit, an

Transmitting a second movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the cargo compartment is locked, the second movement instruction including a receiving location designated by any one of the customer and the recipient as a destination at which the receipt of the package is to occur.

5. A management device, characterized in that the management device comprises:

an update instruction unit configured to generate second lock release information and to transmit a lock release information update instruction to an autonomous mobile unit including lockable and unlockable cargo holds, the lock release information update instruction containing the second lock release information,

a user interface unit configured to allow a customer requesting transportation of a package to specify a recipient of the package and a collection location where collection of the package is to be performed,

a first movement instruction transmission unit configured to transmit a first movement instruction to the autonomous movement unit, the first movement instruction containing a collection place specified by the customer as a destination, and

a second movement instruction transmitting unit configured to:

providing the latest second lock release information generated by the update instruction unit to the receiver, an

Transmitting a second movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the cargo compartment is locked, the second movement instruction including a receiving location designated by any one of the customer and the recipient as a destination at which the receipt of the package is to occur.

6. A method for managing shipping packages, the method comprising:

sending a first movement instruction to an autonomous mobile unit comprising a lockable and unlockable cargo compartment, the first movement instruction containing as a destination a collection location specified by a customer requesting to ship a package;

transmitting a lock instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when lock request information transmitted by the client has been received; and

transmitting a second movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the cargo compartment is locked, the second movement instruction including a receiving location designated by any one of the customer and a recipient of the package as a destination at which receipt of the package is to occur.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein when transmitting to the autonomous mobile unit a movement instruction containing as a destination the receiving location specified by the customer, the method further comprises allowing the customer to specify a recipient of the package, the collection location, and the receiving location.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein when transmitting a movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit that contains the receiving location specified by the recipient as a destination, the method further comprises allowing the recipient to specify the receiving location.

Background

A method of transferring packages between individuals comprising: a method in which a sender (shipper) of a package moves the package and gives the package to a recipient, a method in which the sender of the package requests an on-premises distribution company to deliver the package, and a method in which the sender of the package uses a locker (e.g., a transfer box that does not require the exchange of a physical key; see, for example, japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2003-one 020832 (JP 2003-020832A)).

When the sender does not recognize the recipient (when the package is an item sold on an on-line auction, etc.) or when the package is heavy, it is difficult to adopt a method in which the sender of the package moves the package and gives the package to the recipient. When a sender of a package requests an entry to a distribution company to deliver the package, it takes a considerable amount of time (e.g., one day) for the package to reach a recipient. When a sender of a package uses a locker to transfer the package, both the sender and receiver need to go to the locker.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a transportation system and a transportation method that enable an environment in which packages are easily transferred between individuals with ensured safety.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a transport system. The transportation system includes an autonomous mobile unit and a management device. The autonomous mobile unit includes a cargo compartment that can be locked and unlocked, a drive unit configured to move the autonomous mobile unit, a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication, and a control unit configured to communicate with another device via the wireless communication unit. The control unit is configured to control the drive unit so that the autonomous moving unit reaches a destination specified by a movement instruction when the control unit has received the movement instruction containing the specified destination from the management device. The control unit is configured to lock the cargo compartment when the control unit has received a locking instruction from the management device. The control unit is configured to unlock the cargo compartment when the control unit has received an unlocking instruction from the management device. The management device includes a user interface unit, a first movement instruction transmitting unit, a lock instruction transmitting unit, a second movement instruction transmitting unit, and an unlock instruction transmitting unit. The user interface unit is configured to allow a customer requesting the shipment of a package to specify a recipient of the package and a collection location where collection of the package is to be performed. The first movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit a movement instruction including a collection place specified by the client as a destination to the autonomous moving unit. The lock instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit the lock instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the lock request information transmitted by the client has been received. The second movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit a movement instruction containing a reception place designated by any one of the customer and the recipient as a destination to which reception of the package is performed, to the autonomous moving unit. The unlocking instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction to the autonomous mobile unit when the unlocking request information transmitted by the receiver has been received.

That is, in this transportation system (hereinafter, also referred to as a first transportation system), when a sender of a package (a customer who requests to transport the package) specifies a desired location as a collection location, an autonomous mobile unit arrives at the collection location. When a sender loads a package into a cargo compartment of an autonomous mobile unit that has arrived at a collection site and transmits lock request information using a mobile terminal or the like, the autonomous mobile unit moves to a reception site designated by any one of the sender and the receiver. During the movement, the cargo compartment of the autonomous mobile unit is locked, and when the receiver has made an unlocking request (when the unlocking request information transmitted by the receiver has been received), the first transportation system (the control unit of the autonomous mobile unit and the unlocking instruction transmitting unit of the management apparatus) releases the locking of the cargo compartment (unlocks the cargo compartment). Thus, with the first transportation system, an environment can be realized which has a form in which neither problems such as theft, replacement, and damage occur on the package during transportation nor the package is unloaded from the cargo hold by a person other than the receiver, the sender is allowed to carry the package at a desired place, and the receiver is allowed to receive the package at a receiving place designated by the sender or a receiving place designated by the receiver (i.e., an environment in which the package is easily transferred between individuals in a form ensuring security).

The second movement instruction transmitting unit of the management device of the first transportation system may be configured to transmit the movement instruction containing the reception place designated by the customer as the destination to the autonomous moving unit, or may be configured to transmit the movement instruction containing the reception place designated by the recipient as the destination to the autonomous moving unit. In the above configuration, for example, the user interface unit may be configured to allow a customer transporting a package to specify a recipient of the package, a collection location where collection of the package is to be performed, and a reception location of the package. In the above configuration, the management apparatus may additionally include a second user interface unit configured to allow the recipient to specify a reception place of the package.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a transport system. The transportation system includes an autonomous mobile unit and a management device. The autonomous mobile unit includes a cargo compartment lockable and unlockable, a drive unit configured to move the autonomous mobile unit, a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication, an information input unit configured to receive input of information, and a control unit configured to communicate with another device via the wireless communication unit. The control unit is configured to control the drive unit so that the autonomous moving unit reaches a destination specified by a movement instruction when the control unit has received the movement instruction containing the specified destination from the management device. The control unit is configured to lock the cargo compartment and send lock release information to the management device when the control unit determines that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed. The control unit is configured to unlock the cargo compartment when the lock release information has been input to the information input unit. The management apparatus includes a user interface unit, a first movement instruction transmitting unit, and a second movement instruction transmitting unit. The user interface unit is configured to allow a customer requesting the shipment of a package to specify a recipient of the package and a collection location where collection of the package is to be performed. The first movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit a movement instruction including a collection place specified by the client as a destination to the autonomous moving unit. The second movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to, after receiving the lock release information from the autonomous mobile unit, provide the lock release information to the recipient, and transmit a movement instruction containing a reception place designated by any one of the customer and the recipient as a destination to the autonomous mobile unit, at which reception of the package is performed.

That is, in this transportation system (hereinafter, also referred to as a second transportation system), when a sender of a package (a customer who requests to transport the package) specifies a desired location as a collection location, an autonomous mobile unit arrives at the collection location. When a sender loads a package into a cargo compartment of an autonomous mobile unit that has arrived at a collection location and a control unit of the autonomous mobile unit determines that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed, the autonomous mobile unit moves to a reception location designated by any one of the sender and the receiver. During the movement, the cargo hold of the autonomous mobile unit is locked, and when lock release information provided to the receiver has been input to the information input unit, the second transportation system (the control unit of the autonomous mobile unit) releases the locking of the cargo hold. Thus, with the second transportation system, an environment in which packages are transferred between individuals in a form that ensures safety can also be realized.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a transport system. The transportation system includes an autonomous mobile unit and a management device. The autonomous mobile unit includes a cargo compartment lockable and unlockable, a drive unit configured to move the autonomous mobile unit, a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication, an information input unit configured to receive input of information, and a control unit configured to communicate with another device via the wireless communication unit. The control unit includes a storage unit for storing lock release information. The control unit is configured to control the drive unit so that the autonomous moving unit reaches a destination specified by a movement instruction when the control unit has received the movement instruction containing the specified destination from the management device. The control unit is configured to lock the cargo compartment when the control unit determines that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed. The control unit is configured to unlock the cargo compartment when the same information as the lock release information in the storage unit has been input to the information input unit. The control unit is configured to, when the control unit has received a predetermined lock release information update instruction from the management apparatus, update first lock release information among the lock release information included in the storage unit with second lock release information that is included in the predetermined lock release information update instruction and that is included in the lock release information. The management device includes an update instruction unit, a user interface unit, a first movement instruction transmitting unit, and a second movement instruction transmitting unit. The update instruction unit is configured to generate second lock release information and transmit a lock release information update instruction containing the second lock release information to the autonomous mobile unit. The user interface unit is configured to allow a customer requesting the shipment of a package to specify a recipient of the package and a collection location where collection of the package is to be performed. The first movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to transmit a movement instruction including a collection place specified by the client as a destination to the autonomous moving unit. The second movement instruction transmitting unit is configured to provide the latest second lock release information generated by the update instruction unit to the receiver, and transmit a movement instruction containing a reception place specified by any one of the customer and the receiver as a destination to which reception of the package is to be performed, to the autonomous moving unit.

That is, the transport system (hereinafter, also referred to as a third transport system) is modified from the second transport system so that the lock release information is generated by the management apparatus. Thus, with the third transportation system, an environment in which packages are transferred between individuals in a form that ensures safety can also be realized. The update instruction unit of the management device of the third transportation system may, for example, be configured to generate new lock release information and transmit a lock release update instruction containing the generated lock release information to the autonomous mobile unit each time the lock release information is provided to the recipient.

The second movement instruction transmitting unit of the management device of each of the second transportation system and the third transportation system may be further configured to transmit a movement instruction containing a reception place designated by the customer as a destination to the autonomous moving unit, or may be configured to transmit a movement instruction containing a reception place designated by the recipient as a destination to the autonomous moving unit. The information input unit of the autonomous mobile unit of each of the second transportation system and the third transportation system may be configured to allow the receiver to directly input the lock release information (such as a unit including a plurality of switches for inputting the lock release information), or may be configured to allow the receiver to input the lock release information by operating a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone, such as a unit that performs wireless data communication by infrared rays or radio waves, the control unit determines whether the process of loading the package into the cargo compartment has been completed, and is not particularly limited, for example, the control unit may be configured to, when the door of the cargo compartment has been opened and then closed, it is determined that the loading of the package has been completed, the control unit may be configured to, when predetermined information has been input to the information input unit, it is determined that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of transportation. The method of transportation is used to enable an autonomous mobile unit (including a cargo compartment that can be electrically locked and unlocked) to transport packages. The method of shipping includes allowing, by one or more computers, a customer requesting the shipment of a package by an autonomous mobile unit to specify a recipient of the package and a collection location where collection of the package is to occur; moving, by one or more computers, the autonomous mobile unit to a collection location designated by the customer; locking, by the one or more computers, the cargo compartment when it is determined that loading of the package into the cargo compartment of the autonomous mobile unit that is moving to the collection location has been completed; moving, by one or more computers, the autonomous mobile unit whose cargo bay has been locked to a receiving location designated by any one of the customer and the recipient at which receipt of the package is to occur; and unlocking, by the one or more computers, the cargo compartment of the autonomous mobile unit moved to the receiving location when the unlocking instruction has been entered by the recipient.

Thus, with this transportation method, an environment in which packages are transferred between individuals in a form that ensures safety can also be realized.

In the above transportation method, the autonomous mobile unit may move to a reception site designated by a customer or may move to a reception site designated by a receiver. In the transportation method, it may be determined that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed when the door of the cargo compartment is once opened and then closed, or it may be determined that loading of the package into the cargo compartment has been completed when the customer has input the locking instruction.

With the transportation system and the transportation method according to aspects of the present invention, an environment in which packages are easily transferred between individuals in a form that ensures safety can be achieved.

Drawings

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transport system according to a first embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an autonomous mobile unit of a transport system according to a first embodiment;

fig. 3 is a view showing a request management DB provided in a management apparatus of a transportation system according to the first embodiment;

fig. 4 is a sequence diagram for illustrating the operation of the transport system according to the first embodiment in the case where the reception site is designated by the sender;

fig. 5 is a sequence diagram for illustrating the operation of the transport system according to the first embodiment in the case where the reception site is not designated by the sender;

fig. 6 is a sequence diagram for illustrating the operation of the transport system according to the first embodiment in the case where the reception site is not designated by the sender;

fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an autonomous mobile unit of a transport system according to a second embodiment; and

fig. 8 is a sequence diagram for illustrating the operation of the transport system according to the second embodiment in the case where the reception site is designated by the sender.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First embodiment

Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a transport system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the transportation system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of autonomous mobile units 10 and a management apparatus 30.

First, the configuration and function of each autonomous mobile unit 10 will be described. Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration of each autonomous mobile unit 10. As shown in the drawing, each autonomous mobile unit 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11, an obstacle detection unit 12, a position information acquisition unit 13, an information output unit 14, a control unit 15, a drive unit 16, wheels 18, and a cargo compartment 20.

The driving unit 16 is a unit for moving the autonomous mobile unit 10. The drive unit 16 includes, for example, a motor for turning the wheels 18, an inverter driving the motor, a steering mechanism for controlling (changing) the traveling direction of the autonomous moving unit 10, a secondary battery, and the like.

The wireless communication unit 11 is a unit for performing communication (information exchange) with the management device 30 by wireless communication compliant with standards such as Wi-Fi, 4G, and LTE via the access point 40 or the base station 40. The obstacle detection unit 12 is a unit for detecting an obstacle around the autonomous moving unit 10. Examples of the obstacle detection unit 12 include a stereo camera, a RADAR, a laser imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR), and a unit including a combination of any two or more of them.

The position information acquisition unit 13 is a unit that acquires (holds) the current position of the autonomous mobile unit 10. A unit that corrects the position identified by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver based on, for example, the surrounding situation detected by the obstacle detection unit 12 and outputs the position or a unit that calculates the current position by integrating the amounts of movement of the autonomous moving unit 10 in the X and Y directions may be used as the position information acquisition unit 13.

The information output unit 14 is a unit (in the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display) that outputs information to be provided to the user. The cargo compartment 20 is a storage device for packages. The control unit 15 is capable of locking or unlocking the goods compartment 20.

The control unit 15 includes a CPU (not shown), a RAM (not shown), a nonvolatile memory 15a, and the like. The control unit 15 is a unit that controls the information output unit 14, the drive unit 16, and the cargo compartment 20.

Map information, standby area information, travel route information (not shown), a program (not shown) executed by the CPU, and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 15a of the control unit 15. The map information is information (e.g., three-dimensional map information) for determining a route to a destination, which is consulted by the control unit 15 (the control unit 15 whose CPU executes a program by loading the program from the nonvolatile memory 15a to the RAM). The standby area information is information that specifies the position (coordinate range) of one or more standby areas (details will be described later). The travel route information is information that specifies a travel route of the autonomous mobile unit 10 during normal times (when the autonomous mobile unit 10 is not being used to process a transportation request to transport a package).

Hereinafter, details of the control performed by the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 will be described in detail.

The control unit 15 is configured (programmed) to periodically transmit the current position to the management device 30. When no transportation request is assigned to the autonomous mobile unit 10, the control unit 15 controls the drive unit 16 so that the autonomous mobile unit 10 travels along the route specified by the travel route information in a state where the cargo compartment 20 is locked.

The instructions provided by the management apparatus 30 to the control unit 15 include a move instruction, a lock instruction, an unlock instruction, an information output stop instruction, and a return instruction.

The move instruction includes information specifying a destination. When the control unit 15 has received the movement instruction, the control unit 15 controls the drive unit 16 so that the autonomous mobile unit 10 reaches the destination specified by the movement instruction. At this time, the control unit 15 determines a route to the destination by using the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection unit 12 and the map information, and moves the autonomous moving unit 10 to the destination.

When the autonomous mobile unit 10 has completed moving to the destination, the control unit 15 transmits a predetermined movement completion notification to the management device 30.

When the control unit 15 has received a locking instruction from the management device 30, the control unit 15 locks the goods compartment 20. When the control unit 15 has received the unlocking instruction from the management device 30, the control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20. When the control unit 15 has received the information output instruction from the management apparatus 30, the control unit 15 causes the information output unit 14 to output (display) information about the details specified by the information output instruction. When the control unit 15 has received the information output stop instruction from the management apparatus 30, the control unit 15 causes the information output unit 14 to stop outputting information.

When a return instruction has been sent from the management device 30 to the control unit 15, the control unit 15 resumes control for causing the autonomous mobile unit 10 to travel along the route specified by the travel route information.

Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the management apparatus 30 will be described together with a method of using a transportation system.

The management apparatus 30 (fig. 1) is a web server that can be accessed by a computer having a web browser function. The management apparatus 30 includes a user Database (DB)31, a request management DB32, and a mobile unit management DB 33.

The transportation system according to the present embodiment is configured as a system that requires user registration to use the system. The user DB 31 is a database that stores authentication information (user name and password), name, address, email address, and the like of each user who has completed user registration.

The mobile unit management DB 33 is a database that stores, for each autonomous mobile unit 10, assignment information and current location for the last specific time period. The assignment information indicates whether the transport request is assigned to the autonomous mobile unit 10.

The request management DB32 is a database for managing the progress and the like of the accepted transportation request. Although described later in detail, the request management DB32 has a configuration as shown in fig. 3.

A user who wants to transfer a package to a recipient using the transportation system (hereinafter, referred to as a sender) logs in to the management apparatus 30 using the user's own authentication information and causes a transportation request page to be displayed on the sender's terminal (mobile terminal or non-mobile terminal). The shipping request page is a web page for the shipping request. The shipping request page allows for specifying a collection location and a receiving location on a map and entering a recipient name and a recipient email address. The sender sets at least the collection location, the recipient name, and the recipient email address, and then operates the send button on the shipping request page. When there are one or more autonomous mobile units 10 to which no transportation request is assigned (when the assignment information for the one or more autonomous mobile units 10 in the mobile unit management DB 33 indicates that no transportation request is assigned), the management device 30 provides a transportation request page to the sender terminal. When there is no autonomous mobile unit 10 to which no transport request is assigned, the management device 30 provides a predetermined web page to the sender terminal to notify the sender that the management device 30 is currently unable to accept the transport request.

When the send button on the shipping request page is operated, a shipping request containing a plurality of information set by the sender is sent from the sender terminal to the management device 30, as shown in fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the transport system in the case where the sender has also specified the receiving location. After the operation of the transportation system in the case where the sender has also designated the reception site is described, the operation of the transportation system in the case where the sender has not designated the reception site will be described.

When management device 30 receives the transport request, management device 30 determines the autonomous mobile unit 10 to which the current transport request is assigned by consulting mobile unit management DB 33. More specifically, the management apparatus 30 consults the mobile unit management DB 33 and finds the autonomous mobile unit 10 whose current position is closest to the collection place specified by the sender from among the autonomous mobile units 10 to which no transportation work is assigned. The management device 30 determines the found autonomous mobile unit 10 as the autonomous mobile unit 10 to which the current transportation request is assigned.

When the management device 30 finishes determining the autonomous mobile unit 10 to which the transportation request is assigned, the management device 30 changes the assignment information in the mobile unit management DB 33 for the determined autonomous mobile unit 10 to information indicating that the transportation request is assigned to the autonomous mobile unit 10.

The management apparatus 30 adds a record associated with the transportation request accepted this time to the request management DB 32. More specifically, the management apparatus 30 adds a record having a plurality of pieces of information below to the request management DB32 (fig. 3).

Request ID: a value increased by 1 from the maximum value of the request ID in the request management DB32 before addition of the record

Mobile unit ID: the ID (identification information) of the autonomous mobile unit 10 to which the current transportation request is assigned

Sender ID: managing ID of sender in device 30

Collection location, recipient name, recipient email address, and receiving location: value set by sender

Date and time of receiving the request: current date and time

Date and time of delivery completion, date and time of arrival at the receiving location, and date and time of arrival at the collection location: air conditioner

The management device 30 sends a movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit 10 to which the current transportation request is assigned (hereinafter, simply referred to as the autonomous mobile unit 10). The move instruction specifies a collection location as a destination. The communication protocol used to send movement instructions to autonomous mobile unit 10 may be any protocol. For example, the response to the notification from the autonomous mobile unit 10 about the current location may include a movement instruction.

As has been described above, when the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 has received the movement instruction, the control unit 15 controls the drive unit 16 so that the autonomous mobile unit 10 reaches the destination specified by the movement instruction. When the autonomous mobile unit 10 has completed moving to the destination, the control unit 15 transmits a movement completion notification to the management device 30.

When the movement completion notification has been transmitted from the autonomous mobile unit 10 instructed to move to the collection place, the management device 30 transmits a movement completion mail to the sender that the autonomous mobile unit 10 has completed moving to the collection place. Although not shown in fig. 4, the management device 30 performs a process of setting the current date and time as the date and time of arrival at the collection place to a record in which the mobile unit ID of the autonomous mobile unit 10 that is the source of the movement completion notification is set in the request management DB32, and the management device 30 also performs a process of causing the information output unit 14 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 to display a message notifying that the cargo compartment 20 is allowed to be unlocked by unlocking the request page by sending an information output instruction.

When the sender receives the movement completion mail, the sender goes to a place where the autonomous mobile unit 10 stops while carrying the package and the portable sender terminal, and causes the sender terminal to display an unlocking request page by using the sender terminal access management device 30. The unlock request page contains an unlock request item and a load complete notification item. When the unlock request item is operated, an unlock request is transmitted to the management device 30. When the loading completion notification item is operated, a loading completion notification is sent to the management apparatus 30.

The sender first operates the unlock request item on the unlock request page. When management device 30 receives an unlocking request transmitted by operating the unlocking request item, management device 30 transmits an unlocking instruction to autonomous mobile unit 10. As already described above, when the control unit 15 receives the unlocking instruction, the control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20. Accordingly, the sender opens the door of the cargo compartment 20, loads the package into the cargo compartment 20, and then operates the loading completion notification item.

When the management device 30 receives the loading completion notification transmitted by operating the loading completion notification item, the management device 30 causes the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 to lock the cargo compartment 20 by transmitting a lock instruction. Although not shown in fig. 4, when the management apparatus 30 receives the loading completion notification, the management apparatus 30 causes the information output unit 14 to stop outputting information (display message) by sending an information output stop instruction.

Subsequently, the management device 30 transmits a movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit 10. The move instruction is an instruction to move to a receiving place designated by the sender.

When the movement instruction is transmitted, the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 causes the autonomous mobile unit 10 to move to the reception site, and then transmits a movement completion notification to the management device 30.

When the movement completion notification has been transmitted from the autonomous mobile unit 10 instructed to move to the reception place, the management apparatus 30 transmits the reception request mail to the receiver. The reception request mail contains a message requesting reception of the package, a message notifying permission to unlock the cargo compartment 20 through the second unlock request page provided by the management apparatus 30, and the like. Before the management apparatus 30 transmits the reception request mail, the management apparatus 30 determines whether there is a registered user whose name and email address stored in the user DB 31 are consistent with the name and email address of the receiver specified by the sender. That is, the management apparatus 30 determines whether the recipient is a registered user. When the recipient is not a registered user, the management apparatus 30 issues temporary authentication information that allows access only to the second unlock request page provided by the management apparatus 30, and transmits a reception request mail containing the issued temporary authentication information.

When the movement completion notification has been transmitted from the autonomous mobile unit 10 instructed to move to the reception place to the management device 30, the management device 30 performs a process of setting the current date and time as the date and time of arrival at the reception place to a record in which the mobile unit ID of the autonomous mobile unit 10 that is the source of the movement completion notification is set in the request management DB32, the management device 30 and also performs a process of causing the information output unit 14 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 to display a message notifying that the cargo compartment 20 is allowed to be unlocked through the second unlocking request page by transmitting an information output instruction.

When the receiver receives the reception request mail, the receiver goes to a place where the autonomous mobile unit 10 stops while carrying the portable receiver terminal, and causes the receiver terminal to display the second unlocking request page by accessing the management device 30 using the receiver's own authentication information or the temporary authentication information described above. The second unlock request page contains an unlock request item and an unload completion notification item. When the unlock request item is operated, an unlock request is transmitted to the management device 30. When the operation uninstall completion notification item, an uninstall completion notification is sent to the management device 30.

The receiver first operates the unlock request item on the second unlock request page. When the management device 30 receives the unlocking request, the management device 30 transmits an unlocking instruction to the autonomous mobile unit 10, and thus the control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20. The receiver opens the door of the cargo compartment 20, unloads the package, and then operates the unloading completion notification item.

When the management device 30 receives the unloading completion notification transmitted by operating the unloading completion notification item, the management device 30 causes the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 to lock the cargo compartment 20 by transmitting a lock instruction. The management device 30 also performs a process of setting the current date and time as the date and time of delivery completion into a record in which the mobile unit ID of the autonomous mobile unit 10 that is the source of the uninstallation completion notification is set in the request management DB32, and the management device 30 performs a process of causing the information output unit 14 to stop outputting information (display message) by transmitting an information output stop instruction. When the management apparatus 30 has issued the temporary authentication information, the management apparatus 30 also performs a process of invalidating the temporary authentication information.

After that, the management device 30 returns the autonomous mobile unit 10 to the normal state (the state in which the autonomous mobile unit 10 travels along the route specified by the travel route information) by sending a return instruction.

Hereinafter, the operation of the transportation system in the case where the sender does not specify the reception site will be described. In this case, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, when the management apparatus 30 transmits a movement instruction for moving to the collection place to the autonomous mobile unit 10, the management apparatus 30 transmits a reception place designation request mail to the receiver. The reception place designation request mail requests the receiver to designate a reception place through a reception place designation page provided by the management apparatus 30. When the management apparatus 30 transmits the reception place designation request mail, and when the management apparatus 30 transmits the reception request mail, when the recipient is not a registered user, the management apparatus 30 incorporates the temporary authentication information into the mail to be transmitted.

As shown in fig. 5, when the receiver has designated the receiving place by accessing the receiving place designation page before the management apparatus 30 receives the load completion notification, the operation of exchanging the unit after the load completion notification is also the same as in the case where the sender has designated the receiving place (fig. 4).

On the other hand, when the recipient has not designated the receiving place by visiting the receiving place designation page before the management device 30 receives the loading completion notification, the management device 30 does not transmit the movement instruction for moving to the receiving place to the autonomous mobile unit 10, and transmits the movement instruction to the autonomous mobile unit 10 to move to the standby area, as shown in fig. 6. At this time, the movement instruction to be transmitted is a movement instruction to the standby area closest to the current position of the autonomous mobile unit 10. Then, when the recipient has designated the reception place, the management device 30 transmits a movement instruction for moving to the reception place to the autonomous mobile unit 10.

As described above, with the transportation system according to the present embodiment, when the sender of a package designates a desired place as a collection place, the autonomous mobile unit 10 arrives at the collection place. When a sender loads a package into the cargo compartment 20 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 that has arrived at the collection site and sends a lock request using a mobile terminal or the like, the autonomous mobile unit 10 moves to a reception site designated by the sender or the receiver. During the movement, the cargo compartment 20 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 is locked, and the transportation system has a configuration such that the locking of the cargo compartment 20 is released when the receiver has requested to unlock the cargo compartment 20 (when the management device 30 has received an unlocking request transmitted by the receiver). Thus, with the transportation system according to the present embodiment, an environment in the form that neither problems such as theft, replacement, and damage occur on the package nor the package is unloaded from the cargo hold 20 by a person other than the receiver during transportation can be realized, the sender is allowed to carry the package at a desired place, and the receiver is allowed to receive the package at a receiving place designated by the sender or a receiving place designated by the receiver.

Second embodiment

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the transport system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with a view to differences from the above-described transport system according to the first embodiment. For convenience of description, in the following description, the management device 30, each autonomous mobile unit 10, and the control unit 15 of the autonomous mobile unit 10 in the transportation system according to the nth (N ═ 1 or 2) embodiment are referred to as an nth management device 30, each nth autonomous mobile unit 10, and nth control unit 15, respectively.

The transportation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a system in which the second autonomous mobile unit configured as shown in fig. 7 is employed in place of the above-described first autonomous mobile unit 10 (fig. 2), and the first management device 30 is modified into a second management device 30 that performs slightly different operations from the above-described operations.

As is apparent from fig. 7, the second autonomous mobile unit 10 is a device (autonomous mobile vehicle) that adds the information input unit 17 to the first autonomous mobile unit 10 in terms of its hardware. The information input unit 17 according to the present embodiment is a unit including a button switch for inputting a numerical value, a button switch for inputting a cancel instruction, a button switch corresponding to an input key, and a liquid crystal display that displays input information. However, the information input unit 17 may be any unit that allows information to be input.

The instructions provided by the second management apparatus 30 to the second control unit 15 include a move instruction, a lock instruction, an information output stop instruction, and a return instruction. The operations of the second control unit 15 in response to the move instruction, the information output stop instruction, and the return instruction are the same as the operations of the first control unit 15 in response to the move instruction, the information output stop instruction, and the return instruction, respectively.

However, the second control unit 15 differs from the first control unit 15 in the following points.

A storage area for the unlocking key is reserved in the nonvolatile memory 15a of the second control unit 15. When an unlocking instruction is sent to the second control unit 15, the second control unit 15 does not unlock the cargo compartment 20. When the same information as the unlocking key stored in the nonvolatile memory 15a has been input to the information input unit 17, the second control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20. The second control unit 15 accepts a lock instruction containing a specified unlock key and a lock instruction not containing a specified unlock key. When the second control unit 15 receives a locking instruction containing a specified unlocking key, the second control unit 15 locks the cargo compartment 20. The second control unit 15 updates (overwrites) the unlocking key on the nonvolatile memory 15a with the unlocking key specified by the lock instruction. Therefore, when the newly specified unlocking key has been input to the information input unit 17, the second control unit 15 shifts to a state in which the second control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20. When the second control unit 15 receives a locking instruction that does not contain the specified unlocking key, the second control unit 15 locks only the cargo compartment 20. That is, the second control unit 15 maintains the state in which the second control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20 using the same unlocking key as before.

The second management apparatus 30 is basically an apparatus that operates similarly to the first management apparatus 30. The valid unlocking key for each autonomous mobile unit 10 at that point in time (the unlocking key with which the second control unit 15 unlocks the cargo compartment 20 when the unlocking key is input to the information input unit 17) is also stored in the mobile unit management DB 33 in the second management apparatus 30.

As schematically shown in fig. 8, when the autonomous mobile unit 10 has completed moving to the collection place, the second management device 30 transmits a movement completion mail containing the valid unlocking key at that point in time to the sender. The second management apparatus 30 also incorporates the valid unlocking key at that point in time into the reception request mail sent to the receiver. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram of the transport system according to the second embodiment in the case where the reception site has been designated by the sender. When the reception place has not been designated by the sender, the second management apparatus 30 and the first management apparatus 30 (see fig. 5 and 6) transmit a reception place designation request mail to the receiver.

As shown in fig. 8, when the uninstallation completion notification has been transmitted from the receiver terminal to the second management device 30, the second management device 30 generates a new unlocking key different from the value of the unlocking key before that, and transmits a lock instruction containing the generated specified unlocking key to the autonomous mobile unit 10.

As is apparent from the above description, the transport system according to the present embodiment is modified from the above-described transport system according to the first embodiment such that the cargo tanks 20 are allowed to be unlocked by inputting the unlocking key to the information input unit 17 (the locking of the cargo tanks 20 is allowed to be released). Therefore, with the transportation system according to the present embodiment, the following environment can be also achieved: the environment is in a form that neither problems such as theft, replacement, and damage occur on the package during transport nor the package is unloaded from the cargo compartment 20 by a person other than the recipient, the sender is allowed to ship the package at a desired location, and the recipient is allowed to receive the package at a receiving location designated by the sender or a receiving location designated by the recipient.

Alternative embodiments

Each of the transportation systems according to the above embodiments may be modified into various forms. For example, each transport system according to the embodiment may be modified to a system in which each autonomous mobile unit 10 is a device capable of autonomous flight (so-called drone). The transportation system according to the second embodiment may be modified to a system in which each autonomous mobile unit 10 includes an information input unit 17 capable of performing IR communication, short-range wireless communication, near-field wireless communication, acoustic communication, reading of an identification code such as a barcode and a QR code (registered trademark of Denso Wave corporation), and the like, and transmits information, which enables transmission of a decoding key by IR communication using a mobile terminal, a short-range wireless communication function, a near-field wireless communication function, an acoustic communication function, an identification code display function, and the like, from the management apparatus 30 to a sender terminal or a receiver terminal.

The control unit 15 of each autonomous mobile unit 10 may be modified to be a control unit configured to lock the cargo compartment 20 by determining that loading of a package has been completed when the door of the cargo compartment 20 was once opened and then closed. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit a loading or unloading completion notification from the sender or receiver terminal. The management device 30 of the transportation system according to the second embodiment may be modified into a device configured to separately provide a lock instruction and an instruction to update an unlock key. The transportation system according to the second embodiment may be modified into a system in which each autonomous mobile unit 10 generates an unlocking key when locking after loading a package and provides the unlocking key to the management device 30, and then the unlocking key is provided from the management device 30 to a recipient.

Of course, the specific hardware configuration of each autonomous mobile unit 10 may be different from the above-described hardware configuration, and the specific operational details of the control unit 15 and the management device 30 may be different from the above-described operational details.