Patent Description:
Logistics systems used to deliver, using an unmanned vehicle (e.g., unmanned ground vehicle or unmanned aerial vehicle), an item to a person who picks up the item have been in practical use. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses that a user enters a pickup code into an input-output unit of an unmanned vehicle when picking up a package from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle performs user authentication. Patent Literature <NUM> relates to an autonomous vehicle. Patent Literature <NUM> relates to a transport system including an autonomous mobile unit and a management device.

In order to support the input operation for the input-output unit and the package pickup, the unmanned vehicle may output an operation guidance using a voice or an image. While the operation guidance is unchanged in any circumstance, a variety of users pick up packages. Thus, flexibility is required for the unmanned vehicle.

An aspect provides the logistics management system according to claim <NUM>.

Another aspect provides the logistics management method according to claim <NUM>.

A further aspect provides the program according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous Effects of Invention.

The present disclosure allows for outputting of an operation guidance corresponding to a user.

A logistics management system, a logistics management method, and a program according to an embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, the unmanned vehicle used by the logistics management system is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that travels on a road.

As shown in <FIG>, a logistics management system <NUM> includes a server <NUM>, a user device <NUM>, and an unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The logistics management system <NUM> is used to deliver an item to the delivery address of a user who picks up a package.

The server <NUM> is managed by a logistics manager and includes one or more information processing devices. The server <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a communication unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes an arithmetic logic unit and a memory (memory medium). The arithmetic logic unit loads, for example, an operating system and various programs (e.g., logistics management program) into the memory of the controller <NUM> from the memory <NUM> or a storage, and executes instructions retrieved from the memory of the controller <NUM>. The arithmetic logic unit may have the following configuration.

The arithmetic logic unit includes a CPU and a memory (e.g., RAM and ROM). The memory stores program codes or commands configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, or computer-readable medium, includes any type of medium that is accessible by general-purpose computers or dedicated computers. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the CPU, the arithmetic logic unit may include a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that executes hardware processing for at least part of the processes executed by the arithmetic logic unit.

The memory <NUM> is an auxiliary storage device (memory medium) and includes various types of information used to manage logistics. The communication unit <NUM> is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The communication unit <NUM> sends and receives data to and from the user device <NUM> and the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> via a network <NUM>. The server <NUM> may include an operation part or a display part for which a logistics manager or the like performs an input operation.

The user device <NUM> is an information processing device used by a user who uses the logistics management system <NUM>. The user device <NUM> is a multi-functional telephone terminal (e.g., smartphone), a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a wearable computer, or another information processing device.

The user device <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, an operation part <NUM>, and a display part <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes an arithmetic logic unit and a memory (memory medium). The arithmetic logic unit and memory have the same hardware configuration as the server <NUM>. The arithmetic logic unit loads, for example, an operating system and various programs (e.g., a program that executes delivery-related processes) into the memory of the controller <NUM> from the memory <NUM> or a storage, and executes instructions retrieved from the memory of the controller <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> has the same hardware configuration as the server <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store a program that executes delivery-related processes. The program may be an application program used only for receiving the offer of delivery services or may be a program that receives the offer of delivery services using a social networking service. Alternatively, the program may be an application program capable of receiving delivery-related notification emails. As another option, the memory <NUM> may store a web browser program that receives the offer of delivery services. The communication unit <NUM> is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The communication unit <NUM> sends and receives data to and from the server <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The operation part <NUM> is a touch panel integrated with the display part <NUM> (e.g., display). Alternatively, the operation part <NUM> is, for example, an operation button, a keyboard, a mouse, or a controller on a case or the like of the user device <NUM>. The display part <NUM> outputs various types of images according to an output instruction of the controller <NUM>.

The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> is a movable device without a person onboard. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> is managed by a logistics manager or another owner. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> includes a control device <NUM>, a drive unit <NUM>, a battery <NUM> (energy source), a user authentication unit <NUM>, a voice output unit <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls the drive unit <NUM>. The drive unit <NUM> includes, for example, a drive source that is driven by electric power supplied from the battery <NUM> or a power transmission mechanism that is operated by the power obtained from the drive source. The power transmission mechanism transmits the power of the drive source to wheels. In the present embodiment, the drive source is an electric motor. The drive source may be an engine that is driven by consuming fuel. In this case, instead of the battery <NUM>, a fuel supplying unit that supplies the drive unit <NUM> with fuel is disposed as the energy source. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may include the drive unit <NUM> of a hybrid type equipped with various types of drive sources.

The user authentication unit <NUM> is an input device that authenticates a user who picks up a package. The user authentication unit <NUM> is an input device that includes a button used to enter an authentication code such as a personal identification number (PIN), a touch panel, a scanner that recognizes a barcode or a two-dimensional code presented, or the like.

The voice output unit <NUM> outputs a voice for operation guidance or the like. Voice information is stored in the control device <NUM>. The voice output unit <NUM> executes voice processing using the voice information that has been output from the control device <NUM>. For example, the voice of the operation guidance explains to the user how to take a package out of a box mounted in the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> and enable the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to depart to the next destination. Further, the voice of the operation guidance is output at multiple points in time. Examples of the voice of the operation guidance include "Box <NUM> will open," "Boxes <NUM> and <NUM> will open," "Please be careful with dry ice contained in the box," "Please do not forget to take your receipt," "Please close the door after you pick up the package," and "I will begin moving.

The voice output unit <NUM> is implemented as a combination of hardware and software. The voice output unit <NUM> outputs a voice with a volume designated by the control device <NUM>. The voice output unit <NUM> outputs a voice at a speed designated by the control device <NUM>. The voice output unit <NUM> may execute a process for expressing a function that keeps a pitch of the voice unchanged even if the speed changes.

The display <NUM> shows various types of screens. The operation guidance shown on a screen is an image explaining to the user how to operate the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to pick up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Image information is stored in the control device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and a sensor unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> has a similar configuration to the controller <NUM> of the server <NUM> or the controller <NUM> of the user device <NUM>. The memory <NUM> has a similar configuration to the memory <NUM> of the server <NUM> or the memory <NUM> of the user device <NUM>. In addition to an autonomous traveling program, the memory <NUM> may store various types of information (e.g., map information) that is necessary for autonomous traveling.

The memory <NUM> also stores the voice information of the operation guidance. Multiple sets of voice information are stored in accordance with the language used by the user. For example, the memory <NUM> stores the voice information in Japanese and the voice information in English.

The communication unit <NUM> is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The communication unit <NUM> sends and receives data to and from the user device <NUM> and the server <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> includes a global positioning system (GPS) sensor that detects a current location. The sensor unit <NUM> may include at least one of an image sensor (camera), a sensor that detects wind direction and wind speed, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an infrared sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an altitude sensor, a displacement sensor, and a temperature sensor.

The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may be connected to a manager terminal used by a delivery manager via the network <NUM>. Using the manager terminal, the delivery manager may visually check an image captured by the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to monitor the state of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> obtains the remaining capacity of the battery <NUM> from a remaining capacity detection circuit 33A in the battery <NUM>. The remaining capacity detection circuit 33A of the battery <NUM> detects the remaining capacity of the battery <NUM> and outputs it to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> obtains remaining capacity information from the remaining capacity detection circuit 33A and send it to the server <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. The server <NUM> manages the state of charge of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>.

The data stored in the memory <NUM> of the server <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The memory <NUM> of the server <NUM> stores membership information <NUM>, delivery request information <NUM>, and guidance output information <NUM>. The server <NUM> includes a database management system that is software for managing the set of information. The configuration of the database is not particularly limited, and may be a relational type, a hierarchical type, a network type, or the like.

The membership information <NUM> includes information corresponding to a user who is a member. The user uses an online shopping mall or an electronic commerce (EC) site. Alternatively, the user directly or indirectly uses the logistics management system <NUM>. The membership information <NUM> is generated when, for example, the user completes an initial registration. The membership information <NUM> includes a user ID, address, age, group, and notification information. The user ID is identification information allocated to each user. The address indicates the location of a delivery point where the user picks up a package. The notification information indicates where a notification for a user is sent. For example, when the user receives a push notification via an application program implemented in the user device <NUM>, the notification information includes a registered ID, a device token, and the like associated with the user device <NUM>. Alternatively, when the user receives a notification via email, the notification information includes the user's email address.

The delivery request information <NUM> is related to a request for delivery of a package. The delivery request information <NUM> is generated, for example, for each package that is subject to delivery. The delivery request information <NUM> includes an order ID, ordering user ID, address, requested time period, notification status, and notification code. The order ID is information allocated to a package subject to delivery. The ordering user ID indicates a user who ordered the package to be delivered, and is associated with the user ID of the membership information <NUM>. The address indicates the address of a user who made an order. The address may be information indicating a location at which the user picks up a package. Thus, the address does not have to match the address of the membership information <NUM>. The requested time period is a time period in which the user wishes to pick up a package.

The notification status indicates the status of a notification related to delivery. The server <NUM> sends a notification to the user device <NUM> at least one of the following points in time: for example, when the server <NUM> accepts a delivery request; when the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> leaves a station (e.g., warehouse); before a predetermined time at which the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> reaches a delivery point; and when the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> reaches the delivery point. The notification status stores the type of the latest one of notifications sent from the server <NUM> to the user. The delivery request information <NUM> may include a delivery status. The delivery status indicates a delivery status of a package. For example, the delivery status is one of statuses such as "undelivered," "in transit," and "delivered.

The notification code is a code which the user enters into the user authentication unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> when picking up a package by operating the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>.

The guidance output information <NUM> is information in which a user's mode of operating the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> is associated with the user. The guidance output information <NUM> includes a group ID, assigned code, user ID, specific setting, member attribute information, and output mode.

The group ID is identification information of a group to which multiple users belong. The same address is associated with the users who belong to the group. The users register the group using the user device <NUM>. The user device <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, identification information of the users who belong to the group and a group registration request. When receiving the group registration request from the user device <NUM>, the server <NUM> issues a group ID. Further, the server <NUM> associates the user ID with the group ID and stores the user ID in the guidance output information <NUM>. The group ID is not registered for a user who does not belong to the group, such as a user with the user ID "U0090" in the guidance output information <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The assigned code is identification information assigned to a user belonging to a group. For example, seven users belonging to the group ID "<NUM>" are associated with assigned codes "<NUM>" to "<NUM>. " Each user belonging to the group enters, into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> as an authentication code, a notification code notified of the user or a code obtained by assigning an assigned code to the notification code.

The user ID is associated with the user ID of the membership information <NUM> and the delivery request information <NUM>. The user ID of at least one of the users belonging to a group only needs to be registered in the guidance output information <NUM>. The other users are identifiable from their assigned codes. Thus, their user IDs may be omitted.

The specific setting is information registered by a user. The specific setting indicates the output mode of an operation guidance of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. When the user requests that the operation guidance be output without a voice, "without voice" is registered in the specific setting. In the present embodiment, the output mode of the operation guidance can be set by setting the language, volume, and speed. The language refers to languages such as Japanese and English. The volume refers to a volume at which the voice of the operation guidance is output from the voice output unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The volume can be set to <NUM>, which is a standard volume. In addition, the volume can be set to a smaller volume (e.g., -<NUM>) than the standard volume and a larger volume (e.g., +<NUM>) than the standard volume. The speed refers to the speed of the voice of the operation guidance. The speed can be set to <NUM>, which is a standard speed. In addition, the speed can be set to a lower speed (e.g., -<NUM>) than the standard speed and a higher speed (e.g., +<NUM>) than the standard speed. When the user requests a volume smaller than the standard volume, the user uses the user device <NUM> to send, to the server <NUM>, information used to register a specific setting such as "volume (-<NUM>). " The server <NUM> registers, in the guidance output information <NUM>, the designated volume as the specific setting. When the user requests a speed lower than the standard speed, the user uses the user device <NUM> to send, to the server <NUM>, information used to register a specific setting such as "speed (-<NUM>). " The server <NUM> registers, in the guidance output information <NUM>, the designated speed as the specific setting.

The user attribute information indicates the gender, age, and the like of the user. The user attribute information may be information in which information such as gender and age of the membership information <NUM> is registered, or may be information that is newly registered when, for example, the user registers a group.

The output mode is information indicating the output mode of an operation guidance, and is associated with each user. The output mode is based on a specific setting or based on the attribute of a user included in the membership information <NUM>. The output mode is set by setting whether to output the voice of the operation guidance. When the voice of the operation guidance is output, the output mode is set by setting the language, volume, and speed.

The outputting of an operation guidance of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> using a voice will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The logistics management system <NUM> functions as a setting unit <NUM>, a code generator <NUM>, a code sender <NUM>, a code acquisition unit <NUM>, and an output controller <NUM>. In the present embodiment, these functions are enabled by the server <NUM> executing a program for determining the output mode of the operation guidance.

Based on the user setting information associated with each user, the setting unit <NUM> sets the output mode of an operation guidance that is output by the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, which carries a package. In the present embodiment, the user setting information corresponds to the specific setting or user attribute information.

The code generator <NUM> generates a notification code for a package subject to carrying and associates the generated notification code with a user who picks up or deposits the package. Specifically, the code generator <NUM> generates a notification code that is used by the user to pick up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The notification code may be a PIN, a two-dimensional code, or a three-dimensional code. For example, when a user having the user ID "U004" orders an item in an online shopping mall or the like, the code generator <NUM> associates the user ID "U0004" with the generated notification code and stores them in the delivery request information <NUM>. This notification code is associated with "without voice", which is the output mode of the guidance output information <NUM>, via the user ID "U004. " When the user belongs to a group, the notification code of the user is associated with the other users belonging to the group including the user having the user ID "U004" via the user ID "U004.

The outline of a procedure in which a user belonging to a group picks up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The description focuses on a case where the server <NUM> executes a process for authenticating a user.

First, the user uses the user device <NUM> to register a group in the server <NUM>. This user is referred to as a registered user. Based on an operation performed by the registered user, the user device <NUM> shows a screen for registering a group on the display part <NUM>. The registered user enters, into this screen, information necessary for registration of the group. The user device <NUM> sends information related to the group together with a group registration request (step S1). When receiving the group-related information and the group registration request, the server <NUM> generates a group ID and registers the group-related information in association with the group ID.

The registered user can add a user to the group when registering the group in the server <NUM> or at a point in time after registering the group. Users belonging to a group are, for example, users such associated with the same address (e.g., family members). Users belonging to a group can pick up a package delivered to the address associated with the group.

More specifically, a delivery person directly delivers a package to a user present at a designated address when delivering the package, whereas the user needs to perform user authentication for the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> when picking up the package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Further, in order to perform user authentication, the information related to the user who performs user authentication needs to be registered in advance. However, if multiple users each pick up a package that has been delivered to a predetermined address, it takes time for the registered user to register, in the server <NUM>, detailed information such as the addresses and names of all the users. To solve this problem, a configuration is employed in which the information related to multiple users associated with the same address can be easily registered by the registered user registering a user to a group. Here, multiple users may possibly perform user authentication using the same authentication code. However, in this case, an operation guidance or the like corresponding to each user cannot be provided. As a result, the delivery services to be provided are uniform. To solve this problem, a configuration is employed in which multiple users associated with the same address can be registered as group members and a specific setting designating the output mode of the operation guidance can be made. The authority of the registered user may be assigned to one user or a predetermined number of users in a group. Alternatively, all the users belonging to a group may be able to add a user to the group or set a specific setting.

Next, the user orders an item using the user device <NUM>. This user is referred to as an ordering user 100A. The registered user may be the same as or different from the ordering user 100A. The user device <NUM> used by the ordering user 100A sends order information to an order receiving server <NUM> (step S2). The order information includes a user ID, an address, a requested time period, which indicates a requested delivery time of an item, and the like. The order receiving server <NUM> receives order information and performs, for example, settlement of an item or the like. Further, the order receiving server <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, a delivery request together with the detailed information of the delivery request (step S3). The server <NUM> stores, in the memory <NUM>, the detailed information of the delivery request as the delivery request information <NUM>. While the order receiving server <NUM> is separate from the server <NUM> in this embodiment, the order receiving server <NUM> and the server <NUM> may be one system or device that includes these server functions.

The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> carries a package in accordance with a delivery plan generated by the server <NUM>. When arriving at a predetermined pickup location, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends an arrival notification to the server <NUM> (step S4). The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may send the arrival notification earlier by a predetermined time than a scheduled time at which the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> will arrive at the pickup location.

The server <NUM> generates a package delivery plan based on the requested time period and address. Further, the server <NUM> generates a notification code and sends the generated notification code to the user device <NUM> used by the ordering user 100A at a predetermined point in time (step S5). In this embodiment, the notification code is a four-digit PIN. The notification code may be sent not only to the user device <NUM> used by the ordering user 100A, but also to the user device <NUM> used by another user who belongs to the same group. Alternatively, the notification code may be sent to the user device <NUM> shared by users belonging to the group.

The ordering user 100A confirms the notification code using the user device <NUM>. The ordering user 100A picks up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> by entering the notification code into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Similarly, the other users 100B and 100C belonging to the same group <NUM> as the ordering user 100A each pick up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> by entering the notification code and the assigned code into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>.

When the ordering user 100A picks up a package, the ordering user 100A enters a PIN (notification code) into the user authentication unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> without adding an assigned code. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, the entered notification code as the authentication code. The server <NUM> specifies the ordering user 100A associated with the authentication code. Further, the server <NUM> refers to the guidance output information <NUM> to specify the output mode associated with the ordering user 100A. Furthermore, the server <NUM> sends the specified output mode to the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Using the received output mode, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> outputs a voice <NUM> of the operation guidance. This allows the ordering user 100A to hear the voice <NUM> using an output mode that is based on the specific setting designated by him or her or an output mode determined based on the attribute (e.g., age) of the ordering user 100A. In a case where the server <NUM> does not store the information of the specific setting or the user attribute in association with the ordering user 100A, the output mode of an initial setting may be applied.

A case where the user 100B, who is different from the ordering user 100A, picks up a package will now be described. The different user 100B gets to know the notification code by receiving a contact from the ordering user 100A. Alternatively, when the server <NUM> sends the notification code to the user device <NUM> of the different user 100B or the shared user device <NUM>, the different user 100B gets to know the notification code using that user device <NUM>. The user 100B recognizes the assigned code assigned to him or her. Alternatively, the user 100B uses the user device <NUM> to obtain the information of the assigned code. To pick up the package, the different user 100B enters the PIN (notification code) and the assigned code into the user authentication unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> (step S6). That is, when the notification code is "<NUM>" and the assigned code of the user 100B is "<NUM>," the user 100B enters "<NUM>" into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> as the authentication code.

The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, the entered notification code and assigned code as the authentication code. The server <NUM> specifies the ordering user 100A associated with the notification code included in the authentication code. Further, the server <NUM> refers to the guidance output information <NUM> to specify users associated with the ordering user 100A via the group ID. Then, the server <NUM> specifies the user 100B associated with the assigned code included in the authentication code from the specified users, and further specifies the output mode associated with the user 100B. The server <NUM> sends the specified output mode to the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Using the received output mode, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> outputs the voice <NUM> of the operation guidance. This allows the user 100B to hear the voice <NUM> using an output mode designated by him or her or an output mode determined based on the attribute (e.g., age) of the user 100B. In a case where the server <NUM> does not store the information of the specific setting or the user attribute in association with the user 100B, the output mode associated with the ordering user 100A may be employed. Process of Determining Output Mode of Operation Guidance.

The process of determining the output mode of the operation guidance will now be described. In the present embodiment, the process is executed by the server <NUM>.

First, the server <NUM> sets the output mode of the operation guidance in association with each user. In this case, the user pre-registered a group in the server <NUM>. The user enters information used to designate the output mode of the operation guidance for, among users that belong to the group pre-registered in the server <NUM>, that user or other users associated with the same address as the user. In accordance with the user's operation, the user device <NUM> associates, with each user, a specific setting that designates the output mode of the operation guidance and sends the associated specific setting to the server <NUM>. At this time, the user device <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, the group ID or user ID of one user belonging to the group together with the specific setting. When a user registers a group, the user may register the other users belonging to the group and also register specific settings of the other users.

The setting unit <NUM> receives, from the user device <NUM>, the information indicating the specific setting that designates the output mode of the operation guidance and the user associated with the specific setting. The setting unit <NUM> registers the specific setting in the user information associated with the specific setting and sets the output mode. The specific setting from the user device <NUM> is associated with a user belonging to the registered group. That is, the user can set the output mode of the operation guidance to a mode requested by the user. Alternatively, the user can set an output mode suitable for a different user belonging to the same group in accordance with the different user. For example, the output mode associated with a child or an elderly person can be set to a low speed.

For a user having no specific setting, the server <NUM> determines the output mode based on the user attribute (e.g., gender or age) of the membership information <NUM> at a predetermined point in time. The predetermined point in time is, for example, when a user who has no specific setting performs user authentication, or when the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> departs from a station which is a departure point.

<FIG> illustrates the steps of a process for sending a notification code. The code generator <NUM> of the server <NUM> generates a notification code (step S10). When multiple packages are delivered to the same user, the code generator <NUM> may generate one notification code or may generate the same number of notification codes as the packages. For example, the code generator <NUM> generates "<NUM>" as the notification code.

The code sender <NUM> waits for the sending of the notification code (step S11). The point in time when the notification code is sent may be within a period from when the ordering user orders an item to when the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> arrives at the pickup location. For example, the code generator <NUM> may generate the notification code when receiving the arrival notification at the pickup location from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>.

When determining that the point in time of sending the notification code has been reached, the code sender <NUM> sends the notification code to the user device <NUM> of the ordering user (step S12). In this step, the server <NUM> obtains, from the membership information <NUM>, the notification information of the membership information <NUM> corresponding to the ordering user and sends the notification code to the notification information.

<FIG> illustrates the steps of a user authentication process. After the code sender <NUM> of the server <NUM> sends the notification code, the code acquisition unit <NUM> waits for the entry of the authentication code to the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> (step S20).

When arriving at the pickup location, the ordering user or another user belonging to the same group as the ordering user enters the authentication code into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. For example, the ordering user enters the notification code "<NUM>" into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Another user belonging to the same group as the ordering user enters, into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, an authentication code obtained by adding an assigned code to the notification code. The authentication code to be entered is, for example, "<NUM>. " The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends, to the server <NUM>, the authentication code entered by the user. The server <NUM> obtains the authentication code from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> (step S21).

The code acquisition unit <NUM> determines whether the difference in the number of digits obtained by subtracting the number of digits of the notification code from the number of digits of the authentication code is greater than or equal to <NUM> and is less than or equal to the number of digits of the assigned code (step S22). For example, in a case where the notification code has four digits and the assigned code has one digit, the entry is correct if the authentication code has four or five digits. When the authentication code entered by the user into the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> has three or less digits or has six or more digits, the code acquisition unit <NUM> determines that the condition that the difference in the number of digits is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than or equal to the number of digits of the assigned code is not satisfied (step S22: NO), the process returns to the step S20. That is, the code acquisition unit <NUM> determines that the authentication code is incorrect and waits for the re-entry of the authentication code. When the user enters an incorrect authentication code a predetermined number of times, a new notification code may be set and the set notification code may be sent to the user device <NUM>.

When determining that the difference in the number of digits is greater than or equal to <NUM> and is less than or equal to the number of digits of the assigned code (step S22: YES), the code acquisition unit <NUM> executes the authentication process using the notification code (step S23). Specifically, when obtaining a four-digit authentication code, the code acquisition unit <NUM> performs user authentication using that authentication code. When obtaining a five-digit authentication code, the code acquisition unit <NUM> performs user authentication using the four digits counted from the first digit of that authentication code.

When determining whether the authentication is successful and it is determined that the authentication is successful (step S24: YES), the code acquisition unit <NUM> executes an output control process (step S25). When determining whether the authentication is successful and it is determined that the authentication is not successful (step S24: NO), the code acquisition unit <NUM> returns to step S20 and waits for the entry of the authentication code.

<FIG> illustrates the steps of the output control process. The output control process determines the output mode of an operation guidance and causes the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to output the operation guidance using the determined output mode.

The output controller <NUM> of the server <NUM> determines whether the number of digits of the authentication code is equal to the number of digits of the notification code (step S30). When determining that the number of digits of the authentication code is equal to the number of digits of the notification code (step S30: YES), the output controller <NUM> obtains setting information of the ordering user (step S35). Specifically, the output controller <NUM> obtains, as the setting information, the output mode stored in the membership information <NUM> of the ordering user from the guidance output information <NUM>.

Then, the output controller <NUM> uses the obtained output mode to cause the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to output the operation guidance (step S36). Specifically, the output controller <NUM> designates the obtained output mode and sends, to the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, an output request for the operation guidance. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> receives the output request and the output mode of the operation guidance from the server <NUM>. Then, the voice output unit <NUM> reads the voice information of the operation guidance from the memory <NUM> and outputs the voice information using the received output mode. Alternatively, the voice output unit <NUM> reads voice information corresponding to the received output mode from the memory <NUM>, and outputs the read voice information.

When determining that the number of digits of the authentication code is not equal to the number of digits of the notification code (step S30: NO), the output controller <NUM> refers to the guidance output information <NUM> to search for the setting information that matches the last one digit of the authentication code (step S31) and determine whether the corresponding setting information is present (step S32). Specifically, the output controller <NUM> specifies the guidance output information <NUM> of a user belonging to the same group as the ordering user. Then, the output controller <NUM> searches the specified guidance output information <NUM> for the guidance output information <NUM> including the last one digit of the authentication code as the assigned code. For example, when the last one digit of the authentication code is "<NUM>," the output controller <NUM> searches for the guidance output information <NUM> having the assigned code "<NUM>. " When the assigned codes "<NUM>" to "<NUM>" are respectively allocated to six users belonging to the same group as the ordering user, the output controller <NUM> detects the guidance output information <NUM> including the assigned code "<NUM>.

When determining that the setting information that matches the last one digit of the authentication code is present (step S32: YES), the output controller <NUM> obtains the corresponding setting information (step S33). For example, the output controller <NUM> obtains the guidance output information <NUM> including the assigned code "<NUM>. " Based on the output mode included in the guidance output information <NUM>, the output controller <NUM> causes the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to output the operation guidance.

When no output mode is stored in the guidance output information <NUM> including the assigned code "<NUM>," the output controller <NUM> determines that the setting information that corresponds to the last one digit is not present (step S32: NO). Then, the output controller <NUM> determines whether the setting can be extracted from the membership information <NUM> (step S34). Specifically, the output controller <NUM> searches for the membership information <NUM> associated with the user specified based on the assigned code. When detecting the corresponding membership information <NUM>, the output controller <NUM> determines whether the membership information <NUM> includes user attribute information (e.g., age or language).

When the membership information <NUM> includes the user attribute information (e.g., age or language), the output controller <NUM> determines that the setting can be extracted from the user information (step S34: YES). Then, the output controller <NUM> sets the output mode of the user to a standard output mode that has been set in accordance with the membership information <NUM> (step S36). For example, the output mode of a user with a relatively old age is set by setting the speed of the operation guidance to be lower than a standard speed and setting the volume of the operation guidance to be greater than a standard volume. The output mode of a user with a relatively young age (e.g., ten years old) is set by setting the speed of the operation guidance to be lower than the standard speed. When the user's language is English, the output mode outputs an operation guidance that speaks in English. When specifying the output mode based on the membership information <NUM>, the output controller <NUM> stores the output mode in the guidance output information <NUM>. When the user registers a specific setting, the output mode determined based on the membership information <NUM> is updated with the output mode based on the specific setting.

When the membership information <NUM> includes no user attribute information (e.g., age or language), the output controller <NUM> determines that the setting cannot be extracted from the user information (step S34: NO). In this case, the output controller <NUM> obtains the setting information of the ordering user (step S35) and uses the obtained setting to cause the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to output the operation guidance (step S36). In this step, the operation guidance is output based on the setting information of the ordering user. Instead, the operation guidance may be output in the state of an initial setting. In the initial setting, the language is set to the official language of an area where the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> carries a package, and the volume and speed are set to standard levels.

The advantages of the embodiment will now be described.

Each of the above embodiments may be modified as follows. Each of the above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined as long as the combined modifications remain technically consistent with each other.

In the above embodiment, a notification code is set for a package scheduled to be delivered. The ordering user enters an authentication code (notification code) into the user authentication unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Further, a different user belonging to the same group as the ordering user enters an authentication code including the notification code and an assigned code into the user authentication unit. Instead, the different user belonging to the same group as the ordering user does not have to enter the assigned code. For example, the ordering user may be notified of the notification code "<NUM>," and user A, who corresponds to the different user belonging to the same group as the ordering user, may be notified of the notification code "<NUM>. " User B, who is another user, may be notified of the notification code "<NUM>. " In this case, the fourth digit is information used to identify each user.

In the above embodiment, the user sets the output mode of an operation guidance using the user device <NUM>. Instead, the user may set the output mode of an operation guidance using the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> only for the first time. For example, when the user performs user authentication and picks up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may determine that the guidance output information <NUM> corresponding to the user has no specific setting. In this case, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> shows, on the display <NUM>, an input screen used to designate the output mode of the operation guidance. On the input screen, the user designates the language, a requested volume, a requested speed, and the like. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> regards the set of information as specific settings and sends them to the server <NUM> together with the user ID or group ID and the assigned code. When receiving the specific settings and the like from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the server <NUM> registers them in the server <NUM>. When the user who designated the specific settings picks up a package from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> after the registration of the specific settings, the server <NUM> reads the user's specific settings from the guidance output information <NUM> after user authentication. Then, the server <NUM> refers to the specific settings to cause the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to output the operation guidance.

In the above embodiment, the language, volume, and speed can be designated as the output mode of the operation guidance. Instead, at least one of them may be designated. Alternatively, the type of operation guidance may be designated as the output mode of the operation guidance. For example, a detailed operation guidance that explains how to operate in detail and a simple operation guidance that gives a brief explanation of only a procedure may be selected.

As an alternative, instead of or in addition to at least one of them, the output mode of a screen displayed on the display <NUM> may be designated. For example, the size of a character displayed on the screen, the difficulty of the sentences displayed on the screen, whether a screen explaining the detailed operation is displayed, and the like may be designated. When a child picks up a package, the difficulty of the sentences displayed on the screen can be lowered. For example, fewer difficult characters (e.g., Chinese characters) are used, or no difficult words are displayed on the screen.

In the above embodiment, the code generator <NUM> generates a PIN as a notification code. Instead, as described above, the code generator <NUM> may generate another authentication code such as a code in which numbers and characters are combined, a code that includes only characters, a two-dimensional code, or a three-dimensional code. In the above embodiment, a user enters a notification code into the user authentication unit <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Instead, the notification code may be sent to the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> from the user device <NUM> used by the user. In the above embodiment, the assigned code is a one-digit number. Instead, the assigned code may be a number with two or more digits, or may be a combination of numbers and characters.

In the above embodiment, the code sender <NUM> sends a notification code to the ordering user. Instead, the code sender <NUM> may send notification codes to all the users of the group to which the ordering user belongs. In this case, each assigned code may be assigned to the notification code, and an authentication code including the notification code and the assigned code may be sent to the corresponding user.

In the above embodiment, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends the entered authentication code to the server <NUM>, and the server <NUM> performs user authentication based on the authentication code. Instead, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may perform user authentication based on the authentication code. In this case, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> stores, in the memory <NUM>, the delivery request information <NUM> of an ordering user, the guidance output information <NUM> of an ordering user who does not belong to a group, or the guidance output information <NUM> of a group to which an ordering user belongs. The ordering user may enter not only the notification code but also the notification code and his or her assigned code.

In the above embodiment, the output controller <NUM> outputs an operation guidance using a voice. Instead of or in addition to this, the output controller <NUM> may show a screen including the operation guidance on the display <NUM>.

In the above embodiment, the output controller <NUM> determines the output mode of an operation guidance based on the user setting information after performing user authentication. In addition, the output mode of an operation guidance may be changed before the entry of the authentication code (e.g., PIN). Specifically, when the sensor unit <NUM> detects the approach of a person, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> determines that the operation guidance should be output at this moment. The unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> outputs, for example, the operation guidance "Please enter a PIN. " To output the operation guidance, the server <NUM> or the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may refer to the guidance output information <NUM> associated with the ordering user to output the operation guidance with, for example, a volume included in the output mode of the guidance output information <NUM>. Alternatively, the output mode associated with the ordering user may be replaced with the output mode associated with a preset representative user of the users belonging to the group. Here, multiple users may pick up packages at one pickup location. In this case, the output modes of the operation guidance associated with each of the users may be different or may be the same. When each user uses a different output mode, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> outputs an operation guidance that is output prior to user authentication without changing the operation guidance from the initial state. In this case, for example, a standard volume, a standard speed, and the like are used. By contrast, when the same output mode is used for the operation guidance associated with the users, an operation guidance prior to user authentication is output using that output mode. For example, when three users are scheduled to pick up packages at point A and all the output modes associated with these users are "without voice," the voice of an operation guidance prompting them to enter a PIN or the like does not have to be output. For example, when two users are scheduled to pick up packages at point A and the output modes associated with these users are "the language is English," the voice of the operation guidance may be output in English.

In the above embodiment, the output controller <NUM> may adjust the output mode such as the volume of the voice of an operation guidance according to ambient noise in the surroundings of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The voice output unit <NUM> uses a microphone incorporated in the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to collect the ambient noise around the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> and obtain parameters related to the ambient noise. The voice output unit <NUM> corrects the volume of the operation guidance so as to increase when the volume of the ambient noise is relatively large (e.g., when construction is underway around the pickup location). The voice output unit <NUM> corrects the volume of the operation guidance so as to decrease when the volume of the ambient noise is relatively small.

When there is a different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> around the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the output controller <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may output an operation guidance using a voice having a pitch (frequency) different from that of the different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. For example, dedicated short-range communication or near-field communication using Bluetooth® or the like can be executed between these unmanned ground vehicles <NUM> to detect whether the different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> is present. When the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> determines that the different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> is present around the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> sends and receives, to and from the different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the frequency band of the voice to be used, the type of the audio file to be used, whether a voice produced by a man or woman is used, and the like via wireless communication. Then, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> makes adjustment so as not to output the operation guidance using the same voice as that of the different unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively, the server <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may refer to the delivery plan of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> to determine whether packages are scheduled to deliver to the same pickup location in the same time period. In this case, the server <NUM> of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may designate the frequency or the like of the voice to be output so that the unmanned ground vehicles <NUM>, when delivering packages to the same pickup locations in the same time period, does not output the operation guidance using the same voice. Even when the type of a voice is changed in this manner, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> can change the volume and speed according to the user who picks up a package based on the user setting information.

The server <NUM> may store a history of picking up packages in association with a user and determine the output mode of the operation guidance based on the pickup history. In this case, the server <NUM> receives the information indicating the pickup history from the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> after the user picks up a package. Examples of the pickup history include a state where the user forgot to pick up a package, a state where the user forgot to close the door of the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, and a state where the user picked up a package without any problem. When the user forgets to pick up a package or forgets to close the door, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may be unable to depart toward the next pickup location and thus fail to deliver packages as planned. Thus, in a case where the user did an action that provokes a warning (e.g., forgot to pick up a package or forgot to close the door) in the past, the server <NUM> or the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may correct the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user. An example of the correction may include increasing the volume of the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user and outputting a voice even if the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user is "without voice. " In a case other than the above cases, where the user did an action that provokes a warning in the past, the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user may be corrected in accordance with the amount of time that has been used to pick up a package after the user approached unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. Specifically, when the amount of time to pick up a package is longer than a reference time, the server <NUM> or the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> corrects the output mode to increase the volume of the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user, output a voice even if the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user is "without voice," or the like. When the amount of time to pick up a package is less than or equal to the reference time, the server <NUM> or the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> does not correct the output mode of the operation guidance associated with the user.

The unmanned vehicle may be an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle is an aerial vehicle without a person onboard. In the same manner as the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a control device, a drive unit, a battery, and a user authentication unit. The drive unit includes a drive source that is driven by the electric power supplied from the battery, a rotary wing that is operated by the power obtained from the drive source, and the like. In addition to a program for autonomous flying, the memory of the controller stores various types of information (e.g., map information and carrying plan information). In the same manner as the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes the user authentication unit <NUM>, the voice output unit <NUM>, and the display <NUM>.

In each of the above embodiments, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> delivers a package. Instead of or in addition to this, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may collect a package. When the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> collects a package, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> performs user authentication. When collecting a package, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> needs to be operated. Thus, the user's specific setting and the like are used to output an operation guidance.

The logistics management system <NUM> may include a manager device in addition to the server <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, and the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The manager device is used by a manager who manages the logistics management system or by a manager who manages the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM>. The manager device may be a smartphone (multi-functional telephone terminal), a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a wearable computer, or another information processing device capable of displaying images, and thus has a similar configuration to the user device <NUM>.

In each of the above embodiments, the logistics management system <NUM> functions as the setting unit, the code generator, the code sender, the code acquisition unit, and the output controller. Instead, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> may execute at least one of these functions. In a case where the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> executes some of the processes and the server <NUM> executes the remaining processes, the unmanned ground vehicle <NUM> and the server <NUM> send and receive the results of the processes to and from each other if the results need to be shared.

Claim 1:
A logistics management system (<NUM>), comprising:
a setting unit (<NUM>) configured to set, based on user setting information associated with users, an output mode of an operation guidance that is output by an unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) that carries a package, wherein:
the operation guidance comprises a voice that explains to a user how to take a package out of a box mounted in the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) and enable the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) to depart to a next destination, and the setting unit is configured to set the output mode of the operation guidance by setting at least one of a speed, a volume, and language of the voice; and/or
the operation guidance comprises an image explaining to the user how to operate the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) to pick up a package from the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>);
a code generator (<NUM>) configured to generate a notification code for a package subject to carrying and associates the generated notification code with a user who picks up or deposits the package;
a code sender (<NUM>) configured to send the generated notification code to a user device (<NUM>) used by the user;
a code acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain an authentication code which includes the notification code and which the user has entered into the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>); and
an output controller (<NUM>) configured to specify, based on the notification code included in the obtained authentication code, the output mode of the operation guidance corresponding to the user who has entered the authentication code and cause the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) to output the operation guidance using the specified output mode.