JP2004035225A - Delivery management system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a delivery management system which can prevent erroneous delivery and fraud and has a simpler configuration.
A center device (1) for storing package data of delivery items and position data of a delivery destination, and a terminal device (2) for communicating with a GPS satellite (6) to measure its own position and transmitting the positioning data to the center device (1). And a reader 3 for reading the package data attached to the delivery item 4 and transmitting the read package data to the terminal device 2. The center device 1 checks the baggage data obtained from the reader 3 via the terminal device 2 with the stored baggage data and, if applicable, compares the positioning data obtained from the terminal device 2 with the stored position data. And a transmitting means for transmitting the obtained determination result to the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 includes a receiving unit that receives a determination result from the center device 1 and a monitor 8 that displays the determination result.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a delivery management system in a delivery business, and a center device and a terminal device most suitable for the system. In particular, the present invention relates to a delivery management system that can prevent erroneous transmission and fraud and has a simpler terminal device, and a center device and a terminal device most suitable for this system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a delivery management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-273097, which utilizes position information in order to prevent erroneous delivery and fraudulent acts in a delivery business for delivering a specific article to a designated place. This system includes a center device that stores delivery data provided in a delivery center, and a delivery vehicle that is provided in a delivery vehicle that delivers delivery items, receives delivery data transmitted from the center device, and communicates with a GPS satellite based on the position information. It consists of an in-vehicle device that communicates to measure the position of the car and guides the car to the delivery destination, and a handy terminal having a barcode reader function for inspecting the delivery product and approving the receipt at the delivery destination.
[0003]
At the delivery destination, a barcode sheet recording delivery data including delivery information of the delivery item and delivery destination position information in latitude and longitude is provided in advance by FAX or the like, and the delivery item has a similar barcode sheet. Is affixed. Then, when the self-position of the delivery vehicle matches the delivery destination, the in-vehicle device transmits the delivery data to the handy terminal. The operator reads the barcode attached to the delivery using the handy terminal, and determines whether the delivery information of the barcode read by the handy terminal matches the delivery information transmitted from the in-vehicle device, Check if the delivery destination of the delivery is correct (inspection). After the inspection, the worker receives the barcode sheet provided in advance at the destination in exchange for delivering the item to the destination, and reads the barcode with the handy terminal. Then, the reception approval is performed by determining whether the position information of the barcode read by the handy terminal matches the delivery destination position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional technique has a problem that a handy terminal operated by an operator needs to have a complicated mechanism.
In the above-mentioned conventional technology, at the time of inspection, the handy terminal compares and determines the barcode information read by the handy terminal with the delivery data transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device. Also, the delivery data and the reception approval result transmitted and received by the handy terminal have a relatively large amount of information. For these reasons, the conventional handy terminal has to be a complicated mechanism to have a function of collating data and a function of transmitting and receiving a large amount of information.
[0005]
Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a delivery management system that can prevent erroneous delivery and fraud and has a simpler configuration.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a center device and a terminal device optimal for the delivery management system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the terminal device performs coordinate positioning of the current location of the delivery item, and when performing the inspection, the center device compares the positioning data from the terminal device with the position data of the delivery item stored in the center device in advance. By doing so, the above objective is achieved.
[0008]
That is, the delivery management system of the present invention includes a center device capable of storing the package data of the delivery item and the location data of the delivery destination, the current coordinate position of the delivery item being able to be located, and the obtained positioning data being stored in the center. A terminal device capable of transmitting to the device and a reader capable of reading the package data attached to the delivery item at the delivery destination and transmitting the read package data to the terminal device. The center device checks the baggage data obtained from the reader via the terminal device with the stored baggage data and, if applicable, compares the positioning data obtained from the terminal device with the stored position data. And a transmitting means for transmitting the result obtained from the determining means to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a receiving unit that receives the determination result from the center device, and a notifying unit that notifies the determination result.
[0009]
The delivery management system of the present invention attaches package data such as a name of a delivery item and position data indicating a delivery destination by latitude and longitude to the delivery item and stores these data in a center device. Is stored. In addition, the positioning unit provided in the terminal device performs the coordinate positioning of the current position of the moving delivery item. When arriving at the delivery destination, the worker reads the package data attached to the delivery item with a reader, and transmits the package data and the positioning data by the positioning means to the center device via the terminal device. Is compared with the received luggage data and the stored luggage data. If the corresponding data exists, the center device further checks the positioning data of the delivery destination point with the stored position data, and transmits the result to the terminal device. On the other hand, when there is no corresponding data, the center device transmits a result indicating that there is no corresponding data to the terminal device. The worker is notified of the determination result via the notification means by the terminal device, and thereby can confirm whether the delivery destination of the delivery item is correct. In addition, by storing the determination result in the center device, the management side can confirm whether the worker has correctly delivered the delivery item to the delivery destination.
[0010]
As described above, the system of the present invention can prevent erroneous delivery of workers and fraud by workers by using position information. In addition, by separately providing a terminal device that performs coordinate positioning of a delivered item, a reader that reads data attached to the delivered item, and a center device that performs data collation determination, the terminal device has a data reading function and data. It is not necessary to have a collation determination function. Therefore, in the present invention, the terminal device can be a simple device without having a complicated mechanism like a conventional handy terminal.
[0011]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the package data of the delivery item and the location data of the delivery destination are converted into bar codes for use. The package data is information for specifying the delivery item, and includes, for example, the name of the delivery item and the name of the delivery destination. The position data is preferably displayed by latitude and longitude so that the delivery destination can be specified reliably.
[0012]
A center unit configured to store package data of a delivery item and location data of a delivery destination; a reception unit that receives package data attached to the delivery item and current positioning data of the delivery item from a terminal; Means for comparing the luggage data obtained from the means with the luggage data stored in the storage means and, if applicable, comparing the positioning data with the position data stored in the storage means to determine whether or not they match; And a transmitting means for transmitting the result obtained from the determining means to the terminal. For example, a commonly used personal computer may be used. The transmitting and receiving means provided in the center device may include, for example, means for connecting to a communication line such as the Internet, and may transmit and receive data via a communication line such as the Internet. The transmission of the determination result to the terminal device may be transmitted for each delivery item. However, it is preferable to transmit a plurality of delivery items collectively because the workability is good and the communication cost can be reduced. Such a center device may be provided, for example, in a distribution center.
[0013]
The terminal device is a positioning means for positioning the current coordinate position of the delivery to which the package data is attached, a receiving means for receiving the package data read by the reader, the positioning data obtained from the positioning means, and A transmitting means for transmitting the luggage data obtained from the receiving means to the central side, and comparing the luggage data obtained from the transmitting means with pre-stored luggage data, and, if applicable, positioning data and pre-stored luggage data. It is preferable to use a device that includes a receiving unit that receives a determination result from the central side that determines whether or not they match by comparing the position data, and a display unit that displays the determination result obtained from the determination unit.
[0014]
Examples of the positioning means include a GPS antenna that communicates with a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and receives a signal for calculating a self-position, and a calculating means that calculates self-coordinates from the signal.
[0015]
The transmission / reception means for the center device is preferably of a wireless type, and may be provided with an antenna or the like. The transmission of data to the center device may be performed one by one for each delivery item. For example, when a plurality of delivery items are delivered to the same delivery destination, data of a plurality of delivery items is stored and summarized. May be transmitted. Here, when the terminal device transmits data to the center device, there may be a case where the terminal device is not in the wireless transmission range. Therefore, when transmitting the data to the center device, it is preferable that the terminal device include a determination unit that determines whether the data is within the range of wireless transmission or outside the range. By transmitting data only within the service area and temporarily storing the data outside of the service area until the wireless service area is reached, the data can be transmitted collectively to reduce communication costs. Preferred.
[0016]
Reception from the reader can be performed by disposing the reader and the terminal device at a relatively short distance, and may be of a wired type or a wireless type. In the case of the wireless type, the receiving means may include, for example, a short-range wireless function, more specifically, an infrared wireless communication function such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association), or a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth. No. In the case of a wired system, it is preferable to use a cable conforming to the RS-232C standard (RS: Recommended Standard) or USB standard (USB: Universal Serial Bus) as the receiving means, and to directly connect the two.
[0017]
Further, the terminal device includes a notifying means so that a determination result from the center device can be easily recognized by an operator. Specifically, the judgment result is converted into symbols, characters, images, etc., and the terminal device is provided with a monitor and the like, and the symbols are displayed on the monitor. In other words, it can be communicated by voice. As these terminal devices, a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) having a widely used GSP function can be applied. Such a terminal device is preferably carried by a worker or provided in a delivery vehicle for transporting delivery items.
[0018]
The reader only needs to be able to read the bar-coded data of the delivery item. For example, a reader having a commonly used bar code reader function may be used. Further, the reader has a configuration capable of transmitting the read data to the terminal device. For example, wireless transmission may be performed using an infrared wireless communication function such as IrDA or a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth as described above, or wired transmission using a cable such as RS-232C standard or USB standard. May go.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the delivery management system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for transmitting and receiving data in the delivery management system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery management system of the present invention includes a center device 1 provided in a delivery center or the like and storing data of the delivery item 4 and a delivery vehicle or worker carrying the location data of the current location of the delivery item 4. It comprises a terminal device 2 for positioning, and a reader 3 for reading package data attached to a delivery item 4 at a delivery destination. Luggage data and position data are bar-coded. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, at the delivery destination, the luggage data read by the reader 3 is transmitted to the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 compares the located positioning data and the luggage data from the reader 3 with the center device 1. Send to The center device 1 performs the inspection by collating and determining the data transmitted from the terminal device 2 with the stored data of the delivered product, transmitting the determination result to the terminal device 2 and notifying the worker. . Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail.
[0020]
<Center equipment>
A storage unit for storing luggage data such as the name of a delivery item and location data of a delivery destination, and a determination unit for collating and determining data from the terminal device and data stored in the storage unit as described above. . Further, in this example, a connection unit with the Internet 5 is provided as a transmission / reception unit that receives data from the terminal device and transmits the determination result to the terminal device, and exchanges data via the Internet 5. In this example, a personal computer that is widely used was used as the center device.
[0021]
<Terminal equipment>
Positioning means for positioning the current location of the delivery item, and transmitting / receiving means for transmitting data of the reader and positioning data to the center device and receiving a determination result from the center device. In this example, as positioning means, a GPS antenna (not shown) for communicating with a plurality of GPS satellites 6 and receiving a signal for calculating a self-position, and calculating means (the same) for calculating self-coordinates from the signal are used. Equipped. In this example, an antenna 7 is provided as a transmission / reception unit with the center device, and a monitor 8 is provided as a notification unit for presenting a determination result from the center device to an operator. In this example, a general-purpose mobile phone with a GPS function is used as such a terminal device. Therefore, for example, when transmitting data to the center device, the data is transmitted to the center device 1 via the antenna 7 → the nearest base station 9 → the mobile phone network 10 → the Internet 5. In the case of reception, conversely, the signal is received via the antenna 7 via the center device 1 → the Internet 5 → the mobile telephone network 10 → the nearest base station 9. In this example, the reception of data from a reader described later is performed wirelessly by attaching a commonly used connection device 11 compatible with Bluetooth to the terminal device 2. By registering the unique information of the terminal device in the center device, the terminal device can be added. Therefore, even if the delivery destination area is large, the system of the present invention can be easily implemented by using a plurality of terminal devices. Can be applied.
[0022]
<Reader>
The reader 3 includes a reading unit 12 for bar-coded baggage data attached to a delivery item. In this example, a device having a barcode reader function that is widely used was used. Transmission of data to the terminal device is performed wirelessly as described above.
[0023]
With respect to the system of the present invention having the above configuration, an operation procedure in inspection will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work procedure of the delivery management system of the present invention. First, the center device stores the package data and position data of the delivery item (data registration process: step 30). Next, the reader reads the package data attached to the delivery item at the delivery destination (data reading process: step 31). The read luggage data is transmitted to the center device via the terminal device (data transmission processing: step 32), and the luggage data and the registered data are collated and determined (data collation determination processing: step 33). The judgment result is transmitted to the terminal device to notify the worker of the judgment result (result notification processing: step 34). The procedure from step 30 to step 34 is repeated for each delivery item. Hereinafter, each process will be described in more detail.
[0024]
<Data registration process>
This is a process of registering data of a delivery item and data of a delivery destination in a database (hereinafter, referred to as a DB) of the center device. FIG. 4 is a table diagram showing an example of a format of package data of a delivery item, and FIG. 5 is a table diagram showing an example of a format of customer data of a delivery destination. 4 and 5, the luggage code is a unique code assigned to the delivery item, and the delivery destination code is a unique code assigned to the delivery destination. By digitizing the delivery item and the delivery destination in this way, the search can be easily performed by using these as a key when performing the collation determination process. At the time of the collation determination, the delivery item can be specified by determining whether at least one of the package code and the delivery destination code matches. The luggage data and customer data include the location coordinates of the delivery destination (East longitude, north latitude in this example) in addition to the delivery destination address. By using not only the address but also the position coordinates on the earth, the delivery destination can be specified almost uniquely.
[0025]
<Data reading process>
When inspection is performed at a delivery destination, a collection destination, or the like, this is a process of reading a bar-coded baggage code or a delivery destination code written on a slip attached to the delivery product with a reader.
[0026]
<Data transmission processing>
This is a process of transmitting luggage data from the reader to the terminal device, and the terminal device transmits the luggage data and the positioning data to the center device. In this example, the transmission of the package data from the reader to the terminal device is performed wirelessly via the connection device as described above. On the other hand, at the time of inspection, the terminal device can be positioned near the delivery item, so that the position coordinates of the terminal device can be used as the position coordinates of the delivery item. Therefore, the position coordinates of the terminal device are measured, and this positioning data is used as the positioning data of the delivery item.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the data reading process and the data transmission process. In FIG. 6, broken arrows indicate data transmission and reception. The same applies to the following drawings. The operator reads the data attached to the delivery using a reader (step 60), and transmits the read luggage data to the terminal device (step 61). The data transmission to the terminal device may be configured to be performed for each delivery item. However, when there are multiple delivery items at the same delivery destination, the package data of multiple delivery items is temporarily stored in the reader. They may be stored and collectively performed for each delivery destination.
[0028]
The terminal device receives the package data (step 62), creates positioning data (step 63), and creates collation information by combining the package data and the positioning data (step 64). The created collation information is transmitted to the center device (step 65), and the center device receives the collation information (step 66), and the data transmission process ends. The transmission to the center device may be configured to be performed for each delivery item. However, when the same delivery destination has a plurality of delivery items as described above, the verification information of a plurality of delivery items is transmitted to the terminal device. May be temporarily stored, and may be performed collectively. For example, it is possible to provide a timer or the like so that the stored collation information is transmitted to the center device at regular intervals. That is, the terminal device may transmit data to the center device at an arbitrary timing, or an operator may control the transmission timing.
[0029]
In this example, before transmitting the collation information to the center device, it is determined whether or not the terminal device is within the wireless transmission range by the determination means provided in the terminal device (step 67). In this example, the verification information is transmitted when the wireless communication area is within the wireless transmission area (step 65). When the wireless communication area is out of the wireless transmission area, the created verification information is temporarily stored (step 68). It is configured to transmit to the center device. As described above, the transmission retry operation can be reduced by causing the terminal device to determine whether the terminal is in the wireless transmission range or out of the range before the transmission and transmitting the data only in the range.
[0030]
<Data collation judgment processing>
This is a process in which collation information from the terminal device is collated with data registered in the DB, and whether data obtained from the terminal device matches the DB is determined. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the data collation determination process. The center apparatus searches the DB 70A for matching package data or customer data using the package code or the delivery destination code as a key in the received collation information (step 70). If there is baggage data or customer data that matches the DB 70A, the DB 70A is searched to acquire registered position data (step 71), and the position data of the received collation information is changed to the data registered in the BD 70A. It is checked whether they match (step 72). At this time, for example, when the delivery time or the like is specified, if the time at which the position data is measured, the time at which the position data is transmitted, and the like are compared, it can be confirmed whether the data has been delivered to the delivery destination at the specified time. Steps 71 and 72 may be performed collectively. In addition, it is preferable that a certain error range is determined in advance when the position data coincides, and that the position data is set so that it can be determined that the coincidence exists within the range.
[0031]
The obtained judgment result is stored in the DB 70B (step 73). FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a format of a determination result to be registered in the DB. For example, it is preferable to use a character such as “OK” or “NG” or a number or symbol such as “0” or “1” because the capacity of information transmitted to the terminal device can be reduced. . When the above numbers and symbols are used, for example, it is determined what meaning each means, such as 0 means that the data matches, 1 means that the data does not match. If the data do not match, a comment indicating specific deficiencies, for example, a position shift or a different delivery destination, may be transmitted together.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present invention, only the determination result that has been encoded is transmitted to the terminal device, so that the capacity of information transmitted from the center device to the terminal device can be made relatively small. Therefore, the terminal device that receives the data from the center device can receive the result of the encoding or the like, and can be applied sufficiently, and may have a relatively simple configuration as compared with the related art. Further, since the information capacity is relatively small, it is possible to reduce communication costs.
[0033]
On the other hand, if there is no matching baggage data or customer data in DB 70A, the center device determines that an error has occurred, and stores the determination result in DB 70B. Therefore, the DB 70B stores, for each code, three types of data: data matches (for example, OK), data does not match (for example, NG), and no data exists (for example, ERROR).
[0034]
<Result notification processing>
This is a process of transmitting the determination result obtained by the center device to the terminal device and notifying the worker of the determination result. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the result notification process. The judgment result stored in the DB 70B provided in the center device is acquired (step 90) and transmitted to the terminal device (step 91). The data transmission to the terminal device may be configured to be performed for each delivery item. However, as described above, when there are multiple delivery items at the same delivery destination, the determination result of multiple delivery items is temporarily stored. It may be saved and set to be performed collectively.
[0035]
The terminal device receives the determination result (step 92), and notifies the worker of the determination result by displaying the result on a monitor or the like (step 93). Since the collation information has been transmitted from the terminal device to the center device, the terminal device is within the wireless transmission range, so that the determination result can be received from the center device. The notification of the determination result allows the operator to confirm whether the correct delivery item has been delivered to the correct destination. In addition, by recording the determination result or the like in the center device, the management side can easily confirm whether or not the worker is performing appropriate delivery.
[0036]
In this example, the inspection at the delivery destination has been described, but the inspection at the time of collection at the distribution center can also be applied. Further, in this example, a case has been described in which data transmission from the reader to the terminal device is performed wirelessly, but data transmission may be performed by connecting both with a cable or the like.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the delivery management system of the present invention, at the time of inspection work, the terminal side only performs data transmission and reception, and the data attached to the delivery item and the data registered at the delivery center and the like at the center side. By performing the collation, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the device on the terminal side can have a relatively simple configuration. In addition, since data collation is performed on the central side and only data reading and transmission are performed on the terminal side, the amount of data transmitted and received between the terminal side and the central side can be reduced, and communication costs can be reduced. Is possible. Further, the system of the present invention can prevent erroneous transmission and fraud by using the position data of the delivery destination.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a delivery management system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for transmitting and receiving data in the delivery management system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work procedure of the delivery management system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of a format of package data of a delivery item registered in a database.
FIG. 5 is a table diagram showing an example of a format of customer data of a delivery item registered in a database.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data reading process and a data transmission process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data matching process.
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a format of a determination result registered in a database.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a result notification process.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Center apparatus 2 Terminal equipment 3 Reader 4 Delivery goods 5 Internet 6 GPS satellite 7 Antenna 8 Monitor 9 Base station 10 Mobile telephone network 11 Connection equipment 12 Reading part

Claims (4)

A center device capable of storing package data of a delivery item and location data of a delivery destination;
A terminal device capable of positioning the current coordinate position of the delivery item, and transmitting the obtained positioning data to the center device,
A reader that can read the package data attached to the delivery item and transmit the read package data to the terminal device;
The center device,
The luggage data obtained from the reader via the terminal device is compared with the stored luggage data, and if applicable, the positioning data obtained from the terminal device and the stored position data are compared and matched. Determining means for determining whether
Transmitting means for transmitting the result obtained from the determining means to the terminal device,
The terminal device,
Receiving means for receiving a determination result from the center device;
A delivery means for notifying a result of the determination. 2. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein transmission and reception between the center device and the terminal device are performed wirelessly, and the terminal device includes a determination unit that determines whether the terminal device is outside a wireless transmission range. Storage means for storing package data of a delivery item and location data of a delivery destination;
Receiving means for receiving, from the terminal side, the package data attached to the delivery item and the current positioning data of the delivery item,
The luggage data obtained from the receiving means is compared with the luggage data stored in the storage means, and if applicable, the positioning data is compared with the position data stored in the storage means to determine whether they match. Means,
Transmitting means for transmitting the result obtained from the determining means to the terminal side. Positioning means for positioning the current coordinate position of the delivery to which the package data is attached;
Receiving means for receiving baggage data read by the reader;
Transmission means for transmitting positioning data obtained from the positioning means and baggage data obtained from the receiving means to the center side,
Checking the baggage data obtained from the transmitting means with the previously stored baggage data, and, if applicable, comparing the positioning data with the previously stored position data to determine whether they match each other. Receiving means for receiving the result;
Notification means for notifying a result of the determination obtained from the determination means.

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