DE102023109297B3 - Computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items, transport system, computer program and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items (16), wherein a transport service provider (14) is identified and/or authenticated from a plurality of transport service providers (14) registered in a data processing device (24) by means of an assigned mobile terminal (18) for a shipment request (38).

Description

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for transporting mail items. The invention further relates to a transport system, a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium.

The number of parcel deliveries is constantly increasing these days due to online trading. To improve user convenience, numerous transport service providers offer shipment tracking. With shipment tracking, items are provided with machine-readable labels and scanned at sorting stations.

The growing volume of parcels also represents an ever-increasing challenge for transport service providers. In order to further improve user comfort, it is possible to equip shipments with sensors. In addition, options are being researched and developed in which autonomous vehicles carry out the transport, for example on the so-called last mile.

The US 2022 / 0 044 345 A1 discloses an interface for various application programs of a number of transport service providers. US 2019 / 0 073 738 A1 discloses a method for identifying a transport service provider. The US 2012 / 0 225 671 A1 discloses a method for requesting a transport service. The US 2021 / 0 182 759 A1 discloses a method for assigning a transport service provider to a transport request.

Furthermore, the US 9 904 900 B2 and the US 2018 / 0 075 407 A1 State of the art.

The invention aims to simplify and improve the transport of consignment items.

To achieve this object, the invention provides a computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items according to claim 1. A transport system, a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium are the subject of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

• - Registrieren einer Vielzahl von Transportdienstleistern mit jeweils einem zugewiesenen, mobilen Endgerät in einer endgerätexternen Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung, wobei das Registrieren eines Transportdienstleisters das Empfangen und/oder Speichern von Dienstleisterinformationen betreffend den Transportdienstleister und/oder das Endgerät davon umfasst;
• - Empfangen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung, einer Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen, die jeweils eine Standortangabe und eine Zielortangabe eines entsprechenden Sendungsgegenstands umfassen;
• - durch das Endgerät wenigstens eines bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisters:
  • - Empfangen wenigstens einer Sendungsanfrage der Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen und/oder wenigstens eines Sendungsidentifikators zum Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren einer Sendungsanfrage der Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen,
  • - Auswählen und/oder Empfangen einer Auswahl einer Sendungsanfrage aus den empfangenen und/oder mittels der empfangenen Sendungsidentifikatoren identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Sendungsanfragen, und
  • - Erzeugen einer Anfragebestätigung zum Bestätigen der ausgewählten Sendungsanfrage;
• - Übertragen der Anfragebestätigung von dem Endgerät des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisters an die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung unter Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren eines des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisters und/oder des Endgeräts davon; und
• - Zuordnen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung, der mittels der Anfragebestätigung des identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Transportdienstleisters und/oder des Endgeräts davon bestätigten Sendungsanfrage zu den Dienstleisterinformationen betreffend den identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Transportdienstleister und/oder das Endgerät davon; wobei das Verfahren ferner umfasst:
• - Bereitstellen der Sendungsanfrage und/oder des Sendungsidentifikators an dem und/oder in einer Umgebung des Sendungsgegenstandstands mittels einer Funkverbindungsvorrichtung des Sendungsgegenstands;
• - Empfangen der bereitgestellten Sendungsanfrage und/oder des bereitgestellten Sendungsidentifikators durch das Endgerät eines registrierten Transportdienstleisters in der Umgebung.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items, the method comprising:

• - Registering a plurality of transport service providers, each with an assigned mobile terminal, in a data processing device external to the terminal, wherein the registration of a transport service provider comprises receiving and/or storing service provider information relating to the transport service provider and/or the terminal thereof;
• - Receiving, by the data processing device, a plurality of shipment requests, each comprising a location indication and a destination indication of a corresponding shipment item;
• - through the terminal device of at least one specific registered transport service provider:
  • - receiving at least one shipment request of the plurality of shipment requests and/or at least one shipment identifier for identifying and/or authenticating a shipment request of the plurality of shipment requests,
  • - Selecting and/or receiving a selection of a shipment request from the shipment requests received and/or identified and/or authenticated by means of the received shipment identifiers, and
  • - Generating a request confirmation to confirm the selected shipment request;
• - transmitting the request confirmation from the terminal of the at least one specific registered transport service provider to the data processing device while identifying and/or authenticating one of the at least one specific registered transport service provider and/or the terminal thereof; and
• - Assigning, by the data processing device, the shipment request confirmed by means of the request confirmation of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider and/or the terminal thereof to the service provider information concerning the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider and/or the terminal thereof; the method further comprising:
• - Providing the shipment request and/or the shipment identifier at and/or in an environment of the shipment item by means of a radio connection device of the shipment item;
• - Receiving the provided shipment request and/or the provided shipment identifier by the terminal device of a registered transport service provider in the area.

The method enables the registration of a plurality of transport service providers. The method preferably results in a transport service provider and/or a terminal device thereof from the plurality of registered transport service providers being identified and/or authenticated for a confirmed shipment request from a plurality of the shipment requests. The identified and/or authenticated transport service provider and/or the terminal device thereof can then carry out the transport of the corresponding shipment item. The data processing device can provide the service provider information or a part thereof of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider or the terminal device thereof to a user of the shipment item, e.g. a sender and/or an addressee. For example, geoposition data of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider and/or the terminal device thereof can be provided to the user so that the user can track the shipment item.

Identification and/or authentication can be carried out based on various criteria. For example, the cheapest transport service provider can be selected during identification and/or authentication. Furthermore, a transport service provider near the shipment item can be selected. This can reduce transport costs and/or keep the ecological footprint of the transport low.

Advantageously, the shipment request and/or the shipment identifier is provided in an environment of the shipment item and/or in an environment of a localization of the location information. This selects transport service providers and/or end devices thereof that are currently located near the shipment item, so that the large number of shipment requests is pre-filtered. This can increase convenience for users and transport service providers.

Shipment items can represent an additional component of a network in that they have a communication device that provides the shipment request and/or the shipment identifier, for example in an environment of the shipment item. The shipment items are thus included as an active component in the network of data processing devices and the plurality of transport service providers and/or their terminal devices.

• - Bestimmen, aus der Vielzahl der registrierten Transportdienstleister und durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung, wenigstens eines Transportdienstleisterkandidaten für eine durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung aus der Vielzahl der empfangenen Sendungsanfragen ausgesuchte Sendungsanfrage, vorzugsweise in Abhängigkeit der Dienstleisterinformationen betreffend die Vielzahl registrierter Transportdienstleister; und
• - Bereitstellen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung, der durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung ausgesuchten Sendungsanfrage und/oder des Sendungsidentifikators zum Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren davon an das Endgerät des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisterkandidaten.

It is preferred that the method further comprises:

• - Determining, from the plurality of registered transport service providers and by the data processing device, at least one transport service provider candidate for a shipment request selected by the data processing device from the plurality of received shipment requests, preferably depending on the service provider information relating to the plurality of registered transport service providers; and
• - Providing, by the data processing device, the shipment request selected by the data processing device and/or the shipment identifier for identifying and/or authenticating it to the terminal device of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider candidate.

The data processing facility can determine one or more transport service provider candidates from the large number of registered transport service providers based on various criteria. The pre-selection can take into account, for example, the time required for transport, the nature of the corresponding shipment item, greenhouse gas emissions from transport or the like. This enables optimal transport for users and transport service providers.

• - die Dienstleisterinformationen Informationen betreffend einen aktuellen oder geplanten Transportdienstleister- und/oder Endgerätstandort und/oder betreffend eine aktuelle oder geplante Transportdienstleister- und/oder Endgerätroute umfassen; und/oder
• - das Auswählen und/oder das Empfangen der Auswahl der Sendungsanfrage durch das Endgerät in Abhängigkeit des entsprechenden, aktuellen oder geplanten Transportdienstleister- und/oder Endgerätstandorts und/oder der entsprechenden, aktuellen oder geplanten Transportdienstleister- und/oder Endgerätroute erfolgt; und/oder
• - das Auswählen und/oder Empfangen der Auswahl der Sendungsanfrage durch das Endgerät in Abhängigkeit der Standortangaben und/oder der Zielortangaben und/oder sonstiger in den empfangenen und/oder mittels der empfangenen Sendungsidentifikatoren identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Sendungsanfragen enthaltenen Informationen erfolgt.

It is preferred that:

• - the service provider information includes information concerning a current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal location and/or concerning a current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal route; and/or
• - the selection and/or receipt of the selection of the shipment request by the terminal device is dependent on the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal device location and/or the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal device route; and/or
• - the selection and/or receipt of the selection of the shipment request by the terminal device is dependent on the location information and/or the destination information and/or other information contained in the shipment requests received and/or identified and/or authenticated by means of the received shipment identifiers.

Advantageously, the registered transport service providers provide information regarding a current or planned transport service provider and/or end device location and/or regarding a current or planned transport service provider and/or end device route.

The data processing device and/or the terminal devices of the transport service providers can evaluate the corresponding service provider information together with the location information and/or the destination information and/or other information contained in the shipment requests received and/or identified and/or authenticated using the received shipment identifiers. This allows a transport service provider and/or a terminal device to be selected nearby. This can speed up transport and/or keep the ecological footprint small.

It is preferred that the method further comprises sending, by the terminal of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider, a transport confirmation for confirming that the corresponding shipment item has been transported to a location of the destination location of the confirmed shipment request.

Advantageously, the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider sends a transport confirmation to the data processing device. The transport confirmation can be provided to the user so that the user can also be confirmed that the transport has taken place.

It is preferred that the service provider information comprises account information concerning the transport service provider and/or the terminal device thereof and that the assignment comprises initiating an electronic payment transaction using the account information concerning the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider and/or the terminal device thereof.

It is preferred that the electronic payment process takes place after receipt of the transport confirmation by the data processing device.

Advantageously, registered transport service providers provide account information so that the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider can be paid after the transport has taken place.

For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and/or a request to enter user feedback is issued and/or a default setting and/or a predetermined initial state is set.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a transport system with at least one mobile terminal, a data processing device and means adapted to carry out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments.

The invention also includes the transport system with the data processing device and at least one terminal. The transport system is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The data processing device and/or the terminal can have at least one microprocessor and/or at least one microcontroller and/or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Furthermore, the data processing device and/or the terminal can have program code that is set up to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the data processing device and/or the terminal. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the data processing device and/or the terminal. The data processing device and/or the terminal can, for example, have at least one circuit board and/or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

The invention also includes further developments of the transport system according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the transport system according to the invention are not described again here.

It is preferred that the at least one terminal is a motor vehicle for transporting shipment items, in particular an autonomous motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a computer program for a transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the data processing device and/or the at least one terminal of the transport system, cause them to carry out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored.

As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium, comprising program code which, when executed by a processor circuit of a computer or a computer network, causes it to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can, for example, be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and/or as an SSD - solid state drive) and/or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the processor circuit in its data memory. The storage medium can also, for example, be operated as a so-called app store server on the Internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with at least one microprocessor. The program code can be provided as binary code or assembler and/or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and/or as a program script (e.g. Python).

The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

• 1 eine Transportanordnung mit einer Ausführungsform eines Transportsystems;
• 2 eine Ausführungsform eines computer-implementierten Verfahrens zum Transportieren von Sendungsgegenständen; und
• 3 eine weitere Ausführungsform des Verfahrens.

Embodiments of the invention are described below.

• 1 a transport arrangement with an embodiment of a transport system;
• 2 an embodiment of a computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items; and
• 3 another embodiment of the method.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the components of the embodiments described each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and which also develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure should also include combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

In the figures, identical reference symbols designate functionally identical elements.

1 shows a transport arrangement 10.

The transport arrangement 10 comprises an embodiment of a transport system 12, a plurality of transport service providers 14 and a plurality of shipment items 16. A transport service provider 14 can be any delivery service provider that provides transport or delivery of a shipment item 16.

The transport system 12 has a plurality of mobile terminals 18. The terminal 18 can be, for example, a smartphone 20, a tablet or the like. Alternatively, the terminal 18 can be a motor vehicle 22 for transporting shipment items 16, which is, for example, autonomous and/or can be driven by a transport service provider 14.

Each transport service provider 14 in the transport arrangement 10 is assigned at least one of the plurality of terminal devices 18.

The transport system 12 also has a data processing device 24 external to the terminal device. The terminal devices 18 have a wireless communication device 26 for wireless communication with the data processing device 24, e.g. via the Internet or via mobile radio. The data processing device 24 can be a backend or server 26, for example.

The items to be shipped 16 may be a letter, a parcel or any other item to be shipped.

2 shows an embodiment of a computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items 16.

• - Registrieren der Vielzahl von Transportdienstleistern 14 mit jeweils dem zugewiesenen, mobilen Endgerät 18 in der endgerätexternen Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24, wobei das Registrieren eines Transportdienstleisters 14 das Empfangen und/oder Speichern von Dienstleisterinformationen 28 betreffend den Transportdienstleister 14 und/oder das Endgerät 18 davon umfasst.

In a step S11, the method comprises:

• - Registering the plurality of transport service providers 14, each with the assigned mobile terminal 18, in the terminal-external data processing device 24, wherein the registration of a transport service provider 14 comprises receiving and/or storing service provider information 28 relating to the transport service provider 14 and/or the terminal 18 thereof.

In step S11, the transport service providers 14 are registered in the data processing device 24.

The data processing facility 24 receives service provider information 28 concerning the transport service provider 14 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof. The service provider information 28 can include, for example, name, address, email address or other identifiers relating to the transport service provider 14.

Alternatively or additionally, the service provider information 28 can include information relating to the terminal device 18 of the transport service provider 14. For example, the service provider information 28 can include device information of the terminal device 18. For example, a device identifier of the smartphone 20 or a license plate/vehicle model of the motor vehicle 22 can be registered in the data processing device 24.

The service provider information 28 may include current or planned information. For example, the service provider information 28 may include a current or planned transportation provider and/or terminal location 30 and/or a current or planned transportation provider and/or terminal route 32. The service provider information 28 may include geolocation data 34 of the transportation service providers 14 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof.

The service provider information 28 can also include information regarding a transport capacity and/or a transport time. For example, the transport service provider 14 can specify a volume, a maximum weight and/or maximum dimensions of one or more shipment items 14 that the transport service provider 14 is able to transport or deliver. In addition, the transport service provider 14 can specify at what times it is available.

The service provider information 28 can be registered and/or updated once, continuously and/or at intervals in the data processing device 24. The service provider information 28 can also include account information 36 concerning the transport service provider 14 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof.

• - Empfangen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24, einer Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen 38, die jeweils eine Standortangabe 40 und eine Zielortangabe 42 eines entsprechenden Sendungsgegenstands 16 umfassen.

In step S12, the method comprises:

• - Receiving, by the data processing device 24, a plurality of shipment requests 38, each comprising a location specification 40 and a destination specification 42 of a corresponding shipment item 16.

The shipment request 38 can also contain other information 44. For example, the shipment request 38 can include other information 44 regarding a sender, an addressee and/or a nature of the shipment item 16.

The shipment request 38 can, for example, be sent from the shipment item 16 to the data processing device 24.

The following steps S13, S14 and S15 of the method are carried out by the terminal 18 of at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46.

• - Empfangen wenigstens einer Sendungsanfrage 38 der Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen 38 und/oder wenigstens eines Sendungsidentifikators 48 zum Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren einer Sendungsanfrage 38 der Vielzahl von Sendungsanfragen 38.

Step S13 includes:

• - Receiving at least one shipment request 38 of the plurality of shipment requests 38 and/or at least one shipment identifier 48 for identifying and/or authenticating a shipment request 38 of the plurality of shipment requests 38.

The at least one shipment request 38 and/or the at least one shipment identifier 48 can be transmitted from the data processing device 24 to the terminal 18. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one shipment request 38 and/or the at least one shipment identifier 48 can be transmitted, for example, from the corresponding shipment item 16 and/or from at least one user of the transport system 12, e.g. from the sender of the corresponding shipment item 16, to the terminal 18 of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46.

The at least one shipment identifier 48 is designed to identify and/or authenticate a shipment request 38. If the shipment identifier 48 is transmitted, for example, by the corresponding shipment item 16, the terminal 18 of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46 can use the shipment identifier 48 to retrieve the location information 40 and the destination information 42 of the corresponding shipment item 16 or the other information 44 of the shipment request 38 from the data processing device 24.

• - Auswählen und/oder Empfangen einer Auswahl einer Sendungsanfrage 38 aus den empfangenen und/oder mittels der empfangenen Sendungsidentifikatoren 48 identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Sendungsanfragen 38.

Step S14 includes:

• - Selecting and/or receiving a selection of a shipment request 38 from the shipment requests 38 received and/or identified and/or authenticated by means of the received shipment identifiers 48.

The selection and/or receipt of the selection of the shipment request 38 by the terminal 18 of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46 can, for example, depend on the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal location 30 and/or the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal route 32.

Alternatively or additionally, the selection and/or receipt of the selection of the shipment request 38 by the terminal device 18 can take place depending on the location information 40 and/or the destination information 42 and/or the other information 44 contained in the shipment requests 38 received and/or identified and/or authenticated by means of the received shipment identifiers 48.

For example, the terminal 18 can determine that a received and/or a shipment request 38 identified and/or authenticated by means of a received shipment identifier 48 is in favor of the at least one specific registered transport service provider 46 and/or the terminal 18 thereof. The terminal 18 can then select this shipment request 38 and/or provide the selection.

A shipment request 38 can be in favor of at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof based on different criteria. When making the selection, for example, a financial gain from transporting the corresponding shipment item 16, a time expenditure for the transport, the nature of the corresponding shipment item 16 and/or the like can be taken into account as criteria.

For example, the terminal 18 can determine that the current transport service provider and/or terminal location 30 is near a location of the location information 40 of a received and/or a shipment request 38 identified and/or authenticated by means of a received shipment identifier 48. The terminal 18 can then select this shipment request 38 and/or provide the selection.

• - Erzeugen einer Anfragebestätigung 50 zum Bestätigen der ausgewählten Sendungsanfrage 38.

Step S15 includes:

• - Generating a request confirmation 50 to confirm the selected shipment request 38.

• - Übertragen der Anfragebestätigung 50 von dem Endgerät 18 des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisters 46 an die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24 unter Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren eines des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisters 46 und/oder des Endgeräts 18 davon.

In a step S16, the method comprises:

• - Transmitting the request confirmation 50 from the terminal 18 of the at least one specific registered transport service provider 46 to the data processing device 24 while identifying and/or authenticating one of the at least one specific registered transport service provider 46 and/or the terminal 18 thereof.

When the request confirmation 50 is transmitted from the terminal 18 of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider 46, a specific, registered transport service provider 46 is identified and/or authenticated. If, for example, the data processing device 24 receives a plurality of request confirmations 50 from a plurality of specific, registered transport service providers 46, the data processing device 24 can make a subsequent selection and identify and/or authenticate one of the specific, registered transport service providers 46. The subsequent selection can be made depending on the service provider information 28 relating to the plurality of specific, registered transport service providers 46.

For example, the data processing device 24 can determine that a confirmed shipment request 38 is in favor of one of the plurality of specific registered transport service providers 46 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof. The data processing device 24 can then identify and/or authenticate this one specific registered transport service provider 46.

A shipment request 38 can be in favor of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof based on different criteria. During the subsequent selection, for example, the time required for the transport, the nature of the corresponding shipment item 16, greenhouse gas emissions from the transport or the like can be taken into account as criteria.

For example, the data processing device 24 can determine that the current transport service provider and/or terminal location 30 of one of the specific registered transport service providers 46 is closest to a location of the location information 40 of the confirmed shipment request 38. The data processing device 24 can then identify and/or authenticate this one specific registered transport service provider 46.

Alternatively or additionally, the subsequent selection can be carried out according to a different principle. For example, the subsequent selection can alternatively or additionally be carried out according to a first-come, first-served principle. Another possibility is that the subsequent selection can alternatively or additionally be carried out on the basis of a customer rating of the specific, registered transport service provider.

• - Zuordnen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24, der mittels der Anfragebestätigung 50 des identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Transportdienstleisters 52 und/oder des Endgeräts 18 davon bestätigten Sendungsanfrage 38 zu den Dienstleisterinformationen 28 betreffend den identifizierten und/oder authentifizierten Transportdienstleister 52 und/oder das Endgerät 18 davon.

In a step S17, the method comprises:

• - Assignment, by the data processing device 24, of the request confirmation 50 of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof to the service provider information 28 concerning the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof.

The method results in a transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof from the plurality of registered transport service providers 14 being identified and/or authenticated for a confirmed shipment request 38 from the plurality of shipment requests 38. The identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof can then carry out the transport of the corresponding shipment item 16. The data processing device 24 can provide the service provider information 28 or a part thereof of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 or the terminal device 18 thereof to a user of the shipment item 16, e.g. the sender and/or the addressee. For example, the geoposition data 34 of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 14 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof can be provided to the user so that the user can track the shipment item 16.

The terminal 18 of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 can confirm that the corresponding shipment item 16 has been transported to a location of the destination 42 of the confirmed shipment request 38 by means of a transport confirmation 54 sent to the data processing device 24.

After receiving the transport confirmation 54, the assignment may then include initiating an electronic payment transaction using the account information 36 relating to the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider 52 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof.

3 shows a further embodiment of the method. The embodiment comprises steps S11 to S17, which are not shown again for the sake of clarity.

• - Bestimmen, aus der Vielzahl der registrierten Transportdienstleister 14 und durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24, wenigstens eines Transportdienstleisterkandidaten 56 für eine durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24 aus der Vielzahl der empfangenen Sendungsanfragen 38 ausgesuchte Sendungsanfrage 38, vorzugsweise in Abhängigkeit der Dienstleisterinformationen 28 betreffend die Vielzahl registrierter Transportdienstleister 14.

In a step S21, the method comprises:

• - Determining, from the plurality of registered transport service providers 14 and by the data processing device 24, at least one transport service provider candidate 56 for a shipment request 38 selected by the data processing device 24 from the plurality of received shipment requests 38, preferably depending on the service provider information 28 concerning the plurality of registered transport service providers 14.

• - Bereitstellen, durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24, der durch die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung 24 ausgesuchten Sendungsanfrage 38 und/oder des Sendungsidentifikators 48 zum Identifizieren und/oder Authentifizieren davon an das Endgerät 18 des wenigstens einen bestimmten, registrierten Transportdienstleisterkandidaten 56.

In a further step S22, the method comprises:

• - Providing, by the data processing device 24, the shipment request 38 selected by the data processing device 24 and/or the shipment identifier 48 for identifying and/or authenticating it to the terminal 18 of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider candidate 56.

The data processing device 24 can carry out a pre-selection of registered transport service providers 14 for a selected shipment request 38 and make the selected shipment request 38 available to at least one specific, registered transport service provider candidate 56. The pre-selection can be made depending on the service provider information 28 regarding the plurality of registered transport service providers 14.

For example, the data processing device 24 may determine that a received shipment request 38 is in favor of the particular registered transport service provider candidate 56 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof. The data processing device 24 may then provide this shipment request 38 to the terminal device 18 of the at least one particular registered transport service provider candidate 56.

A shipment request 38 can be in favor of the specific, registered transport service provider candidate 56 and/or the terminal device 18 thereof based on different criteria. During the pre-selection, for example, the time required for the transport, the nature of the corresponding shipment item 16, greenhouse gas emissions from the transport or the like can be taken into account as criteria.

For example, the data processing device 24 may determine that the current transport service provider and/or terminal location 30 of a particular registered transport service provider candidate 56 is near a localization of the location information 40 of a received shipment request 38. The data processing device 24 may then provide the received shipment request 38 and/or the shipment identifier 48 for identifying and/or authenticating it only to that particular registered transport service provider candidate 56.

Alternatively or additionally, the shipment request 38 and/or the shipment identifier 48 can be stored in a step S23 in an environment a localization of the location information 40 and/or the destination information 42 of the and/or by means of the shipment identifier 48 identifiable and/or authenticatable shipment request 38.

Alternatively or additionally, in a step S24, the shipment object 16 can provide the shipment request 38 and/or the shipment identifier 48 on and/or in an environment of the shipment object 16. The shipment object 16 can have a radio connection device 58 for this purpose. The radio connection device 58 can be, for example, an RFID label or another radio connection device 58 for providing the shipment request 38 and/or the shipment identifier 48 in the environment of the shipment object 16, e.g. via NFC (Near-Field Communication) or Bluetooth. The radio connection device 58 can notify terminal devices 18 located in the environment, e.g. when a registered transport service provider 14 approaches the shipment object 16. Alternatively or additionally, the radio connection device 58 can send the transmission request 38 and/or the transmission identifier 48 to the data processing device 24.

The terminal 18 of the registered transport service provider 14 in the environment can then receive the shipment requests 38 and/or shipment identifiers 48 provided in the environment.

The invention also includes the transport system 12 with the terminal 18 and the data processing device 24.

• Bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung beschreiben ein intelligentes Transportsystem zum Transportieren von Sendungsgegenständen, das Kosten verringert und einen ökologischen Fußabdruck gering hält.

An idea of preferred embodiments of the invention can be described as follows:

• Preferred embodiments of the invention describe an intelligent transport system for transporting shipment items that reduces costs and keeps an ecological footprint low.

This can be achieved by integrating the location of shipment items and a current or planned route of transport service providers and/or their end devices.

The transport system preferably has three elements: a backend (or a data processing facility), the shipment items and the transport service providers/vehicles.

The backend is used to manage users.

Items of shipment are network components with a communication device via NFC, Bluetooth and/or the like.

Users/vehicles may be transport service providers and/or a terminal thereof that provide their location and/or route planning.

Motor vehicles can also be autonomous vehicles.

1. 1. Pakettransportbedarf werden in das Backend übertragen, wobei Informationen betreffend den Standort und den Zielort geteilt werden.
2. 2. Benutzer/Kraftfahrzeuge registrieren sich, um Mitglied des smarten Transportnetzwerks zu werden. Ihre aktuellen und/oder geplanten Routen können dabei ebenfalls geteilt werden.
3. 3. Pakete oder Sendungsgegenstände suchen mit Unterstützung des Backends nach einem optimalen Benutzer/Kraftfahrzeug, das den Transport durchführen kann. Bei der Optimierung können Kriterien wie die potentielle Transportdauer, der ökologische Fußabdruck (CO₂-Emission), Kosten und/oder dergleichen berücksichtigt werden. Wenn sich ein Benutzer/Kraftfahrzeug dem Sendungsgegenstand nähert, benachrichtigt der Sendungsgegenstand den Benutzer/das Kraftfahrzeug über den Transportbedarf.
4. 4. Der Benutzer und/oder das Kraftfahrzeug überprüft und filtert die Benachrichtigungen, entscheidet, ob und/oder welcher Sendungsgegenstand transportiert werden soll und bestätigt die Anfrage an das Backend. Bei autonomen Kraftfahrzeugen kann die Entscheidung über einen Transport von diesen selbst und/oder durch einen Administrator getroffen werden.
5. 5. Das Backend bestätigt den erfolgten Transport.
6. 6. Das Backend führt die Verwaltung, Buchhaltung, Logging, etc. aus. Datensammlungsprodukte in Kraftfahrzeugen können durch bevorzugte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung erweitert werden. Alternativ oder zusätzlich können autonome Kraftfahrzeuge für die Routenplanung genutzt werden.

The transport system preferably works as follows:

1. 1. Package transport requirements are transferred to the backend, sharing information regarding location and destination.
2. 2. Users/vehicles register to become members of the smart transport network. Their current and/or planned routes can also be shared.
3. 3. Packages or shipment items search for an optimal user/vehicle that can carry out the transport with the support of the backend. The optimization can take into account criteria such as the potential transport duration, the ecological footprint (CO ₂ emissions), costs and/or the like. When a user/vehicle approaches the shipment item, the shipment item notifies the user/vehicle of the transport requirement.
4. 4. The user and/or the motor vehicle checks and filters the notifications, decides whether and/or which item should be transported and confirms the request to the backend. In the case of autonomous motor vehicles, the decision about transport can be made by the vehicles themselves and/or by an administrator.
5. 5. The backend confirms that the transport has taken place.
6. 6. The backend performs administration, accounting, logging, etc. Data collection products in motor vehicles can be expanded by preferred embodiments of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, autonomous motor vehicles can be used for route planning.

Overall, the examples show how intelligent transport of consignment items, especially parcels, can be provided.

List of reference symbols:

10

Transport arrangement

12

Transport system

14

Transport service providers

16

Item of shipment

18

End device

20

smartphones

22

Motor vehicle

24

Data processing facility

26

Communication device

28

Service provider information

30

Transport service provider and/or terminal location

32

Transport service provider and/or terminal route

34

Geolocation data

36

Account information

38

Shipment request

40

Location information

42

Destination information

44

other information

46

certain registered transport service providers

48

Shipment identifier

50

Request confirmation

52

identified and/or authenticated transport service provider

54

Transport confirmation

56

Transport service provider candidate

58

Radio connection device

Claims (7)

Computer-implemented method for transporting shipment items (16), the method comprising: - registering a plurality of transport service providers (14), each with an assigned mobile terminal (18), in a terminal-external data processing device (24), wherein the registration of a transport service provider (14) comprises receiving and/or storing service provider information (28) relating to the transport service provider (14) and/or the terminal (18) thereof; - receiving, by the data processing device (24), a plurality of shipment requests (38), each comprising a location indication (40) and a destination indication (42) of a corresponding shipment item (16); - by the terminal (18) of at least one specific, registered transport service provider (46): - receiving at least one shipment request (38) of the plurality of shipment requests (38) and/or at least one shipment identifier (48) for identifying and/or authenticating a shipment request (38) of the plurality of shipment requests (38), - selecting and/or receiving a selection of a shipment request (38) from the shipment requests (38) received and/or identified and/or authenticated by means of the received shipment identifiers (48), and - generating a request confirmation (50) for confirming the selected shipment request (38); - transmitting the request confirmation (50) from the terminal (18) of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider (46) to the data processing device (24) while identifying and/or authenticating one of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider (46) and/or the terminal (18) thereof; and - assigning, by the data processing device (24), the shipment request (38) confirmed by means of the request confirmation (50) of the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider (52) and/or the terminal (18) thereof to the service provider information (28) relating to the identified and/or authenticated transport service provider (52) and/or the terminal (18) thereof, the method being characterized by : - providing the shipment request (38) and/or shipment identifier (48) on the shipment item (16) and/or in an environment of the shipment item (16) by means of a radio connection device (58) of the shipment item (16); and - receiving the provided shipment request (38) and/or the provided shipment identifier (48) by the terminal (18) of a registered transport service provider (14) in the environment. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: - determining, from the plurality of registered transport service providers (14) and by the data processing device (24), at least one transport service provider candidate (56) for a shipment request (38) selected by the data processing device (24) from the plurality of received shipment requests (38), preferably depending on the service provider information (28) relating to the plurality of registered transport service providers (14); and - providing, by the data processing device (24), the data processing device device (24) selected shipment request (38) and/or the shipment identifier (48) for identifying and/or authenticating thereof to the terminal (18) of the at least one specific, registered transport service provider candidate (56). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the service provider information (28) comprises information relating to a current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal location (30) and/or relating to a current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal route (32); and/or - the service provider information (28) comprises information relating to a transport capacity and/or a transport time; and/or - the selection and/or the receipt of the selection of the shipment request (38) by the terminal (18) takes place depending on the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal location (30) and/or the corresponding, current or planned transport service provider and/or terminal route (32); and/or - the selection and/or receipt of the selection of the shipment request (38) by the terminal (18) is carried out depending on the location information (40) and/or the destination information (42) and/or other information (44) contained in the received and/or identified and/or authenticated shipment requests (38) by means of the received shipment identifiers (48). Transport system (12) with at least one mobile terminal (18), a data processing device (24) and means adapted to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Transport system (12) to Claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one terminal is a motor vehicle for transporting consignment items, in particular an autonomous motor vehicle. Computer program for a transport system (12) according to Claim 4 or 5 , comprising commands which, when the program is executed by the data processing device (24) and/or the at least one terminal (18) of the transport system (12), cause the latter to carry out the method according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 to execute. Computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is Claim 6 is stored.

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