JP3845987B2 - Luggage delivery notification system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a package delivery notification system for notifying a package delivery status.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional package delivery system, if a packager has not delivered the package to the consignee after sending the package requested to the courier company or the like, the shipper needs to inquire the courier company about where the package is.
[0003]
That is, as a conventional package delivery system, for example, there is a configuration as shown in FIG. 7, but in the package delivery system 40 shown in FIG. 7, the delivery company owns the package requested by the shipper. A personal computer 41 issues a invoice 50 in which a bar code, which is a unique code, is set for each package, and is delivered to the consignee via distribution / collection centers 44 and 47 and relay points 45 and 46 managed by the delivery company. The
[0004]
At these delivery / collection centers 44 and 47 and the relay points 45 and 46, a reading system 60 such as a handy scanner for reading a barcode, which is a unique code set in the invoice 50 attached to each package, is installed. The barcode of the invoice 50 attached to the package is read by the reading system 60, and the read barcode information is transmitted to the host device 43 installed in the headquarters by the communication means.
[0005]
In the head office, the bar code information received from the delivery / collection centers 44 and 47 and the relay points 45 and 46 is managed by the host device 43 as delivery information for grasping the delivery status of each package.
[0006]
Then, when the shipper wants to know the state of transport of the package, he accesses the headquarters from the communication terminal 42 such as a telephone (or a dedicated terminal fixedly installed) and inquires with the contents of the copy of the invoice 50 attached to the package. The person in charge at the headquarters reads the delivery information of the corresponding package from the host device 43 and returns the status of conveyance of the package.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional package delivery system 40, when the shipper wants to know the transport status of the package, the shipper has to inquire to the delivery company's headquarters via a communication terminal or a fixed dedicated terminal. The method of inquiring about the product has been specified, so other communication means cannot be used, and it is not possible to know the status of baggage transportation using e-mail using a mobile phone or computer owned by the shipper. There was a problem.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily know the delivery status of a package according to the setting contents of a preset notification request without making an inquiry about the delivery status of the package. That is.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The package delivery notification system according to the present invention is capable of selecting and designating an arbitrary notification address from a plurality of notification addresses used when notifying the shipper of the package transport status and notifying the shipper of the package transport status. Selection designation means for selecting and designating timing, invoice issuing means for issuing information by adding a notification address selected and designated by the selection designation means and information indicating the notification timing to the invoice attached to the package, and at least the package transports A reading unit that is installed at each relay station and reads the notification address and notification timing from information attached to the invoice attached to the package, and whether or not the notification timing is written in the information read by the reading unit If the notification timing is reached, a notification for notifying the shipper of the state of transport of the package to the notification address It is characterized in that a stage.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIGS. 1-6 is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the package tracking system to which this invention is applied.
[0014]
First, the configuration will be described.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic hardware configuration of a package tracking system 1 according to the present embodiment and the flow of packages.
[0016]
The package tracking system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a personal computer 2 and a communication terminal 3 installed on the shipper side, a host device 4, and delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 for collecting / delivering packages requested by the shipper. And a reading system 10 installed at each of relay points 6 and 7 where the package is relayed. Note that the communication terminal 3 and the host device 4 are connected to a communication network (not shown) between the reading system 10 installed at the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7 and the host device 4, respectively. Connected by.
[0017]
Although not shown, the personal computer 2 includes a keyboard, a display device, a printing device, and the like, and invoice information including a notification method when the host device 4 is notified of the state of conveyance of the package at the time of package shipment is input from the keyboard. Then, invoice information including the notification method is generated and output to the communication terminal 3, and the invoice information is transmitted from the communication terminal 3 to the host device 4.
[0018]
The notification method designation information designates a notification method such as an address and a notification timing when the communication status is received by the communication terminal 3 when the host device 4 notifies the cargo terminal side of the cargo transportation status. As the notification address, as shown in the communication terminal 3, the address of the “homepage” opened on the personal computer 2 by the shipper, and the “designated E-mail” owned by the shipper on the personal computer 2 are shown. "Address, address of" dedicated terminal "such as mobile communication terminal owned by shipper, address (phone number) of" designated facsimile machine (FAX) "owned by shipper, or address (phone number) of" designated phone " , Etc. can be specified.
[0019]
The personal computer 2 prints and issues the invoice information generated at the time of shipment of the package as a invoice 30 from the printing device. The invoice 30 is generated by a two-dimensional code for identifying the shipper and the package contents for each package. A unique code is also printed. In the invoice information generated in the personal computer 2, in addition to the notification method designation information, the consignor address name, consignor telephone number, consignee telephone number, and package contents are set.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the invoice information includes "consigner address name" data 30a, "consigner telephone number" data 30b, "consignee address name" data 30c, "consignee telephone number" data 30d, and "package contents". "Data 30e", "Notification method designation 1" data 30f, "Notification method designation 2" data 30g, "Notification timing designation 1" data 30h, "Notification timing designation 2" data 30i, and "Serial No." data 30j Composed. As in the data structure of the invoice shown in FIG. 2, at least two notification methods and notification timings can be specified.
[0021]
Further, the personal computer 2 uses the communication terminal 3 to send the package transport status information transmitted by the notification method and notification timing specified from the host device 4 to the specified homepage address, the specified E-mail address, the dedicated terminal address, the specified facsimile address. Or, when it is received at the designated telephone address, it notifies the user of the receipt of the conveyance status information, and according to the user's response operation, displays the conveyance status on the display device or prints it from the printing device, Notify the user of the transport status.
[0022]
The communication terminal 3 transmits the invoice information input from the personal computer 2 to the host device 4, and the response information on the state of transport of the package transmitted from the host device 4 according to the specified notification method and notification timing. It is received by the notification method address (homepage address, designated E-mail address, dedicated terminal address, designated facsimile address, or designated telephone address), and is output to the personal computer 2.
[0023]
The host device 4 receives the invoice information from the shipper's communication terminal 3, recognizes the notification method and notification timing set in the invoice information, and is installed at the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7, respectively. Each time the delivery status of the package transmitted from the reading system 10 is received, the delivery / collection center 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7 of the transmission source are recognized, and the delivery is performed to respond to the shipper of the status of the package. The response information of the situation is generated, and the response information of the conveyance situation is transmitted to the communication terminal 3 by the notification method and the notification timing previously specified from the communication terminal 3 of the shipper. Further, when the host device 4 is notified that the delivery of the package from the deliverer to the consignee has been completed, the host device 4 has previously specified from the consignor's communication terminal 3 that the delivery of the package to the consignee has been completed. It transmits to the communication terminal 3 by a notification method.
[0024]
Next, the internal configuration of the reading system 10 installed in each of the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.
[0025]
In FIG. 2, the reading system 10 includes a CPU 11, an input device 12, a RAM 13, a display device 14, a printing device 15, a storage device 16, a storage medium 17, an invoice reading device 18, and a communication unit 19. Each part except for is connected to the bus 20.
[0026]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 develops an invoice reading program stored in the storage device 16 in a program area (not shown) in the RAM 13 and executes an invoice reading process. The name of the consignee, the contents of the package, etc. are recognized from the invoice information inputted after being read, and the delivery destination instruction information for instructing the delivery destination of the package is displayed on the display device 14. Notification is made to the driver of the delivery vehicle standing by at the installed delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7.
[0027]
Further, the CPU 11 generates delivery information using the read sending information in order to notify the host device 4 that the package has arrived at the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 and 7. The delivery information is transmitted to the host device 4 by the communication unit 19. Further, the CPU 11 stores the invoice information read by the invoice reading device 18 in the storage device 16 as an invoice file, and the host device 4 causes the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 or the relay points 6 and 7 It can be used for delivery management.
[0028]
The input device 12 includes a cursor key, a numeric input key, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressed signal of the pressed key to the CPU 11.
[0029]
A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 forms a memory area for temporarily storing invoice information read from the invoice 30 by the invoice reader 18 in the invoice reading process executed by the CPU 11.
[0030]
The display device 14 is configured by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like, and displays display data input from the CPU 11. The printing device 15 prints and outputs print data input from the CPU 11 on a predetermined recording sheet.
[0031]
The storage device 16 has a storage medium 17 in which programs and data are stored in advance, and the storage medium 17 is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 17 is fixedly attached to the storage device 16 or is detachably mounted. The storage device 16 has the above-mentioned invoice processing program and invoice information read by the invoice reading processing program. Memorize etc.
[0032]
Further, the program, data, etc. stored in the storage medium 17 may be configured to be received and stored from other devices connected via the communication line, for example, the host device 4. A storage device provided with the storage medium 17 may be provided on the other device side connected via the network, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 17 may be used via a communication line.
[0033]
The invoice reading device 18 is, for example, a barcode reader (BCR) that reads a two-dimensional code, reads a notification method, a notification time, a notification location, and the like from a unique code printed on the invoice 30 and sends these information to the CPU 11. Output.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0035]
First, the invoice input process by the personal computer 2 when the shipper issues a invoice attached to the package when the package is shipped will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0036]
Based on the data structure of the invoice shown in FIG. 3, the personal computer 2 displays on the display device an input screen that prompts input of each input item of the invoice. In this input screen, the “Consignor Address Name”, “Consignor Phone Number”, “Consignee Address Name”, “Consignee Phone Number”, and “Package Contents” are entered in order by the input operation from the keyboard by the shipper. When each item content is input (steps S1 to S5), the input item content is set on the invoice data structure.
[0037]
Next, the personal computer 2 displays a list of the designated homepage address, designated E-mail address, dedicated terminal address, designated facsimile address, designated telephone address, etc. in order to prompt the host device 4 to select a notification method to be designated. The selected screen is displayed on the display device, and the notification method is selected and designated by the shipper (step S6). When the notification method is selected and specified, the notification timing is prompted to be specified. For example, the notification timing may be “notify every time a package arrives at a delivery / collection center”, “notify every time a package arrives at a relay point”, “ Display a notification timing selection screen on the display device that allows selection of “Notify each time a package arrives at the delivery / collection center and relay point” or “Notify when package arrives at consignee” on the display device. Select and specify (step S7). In addition, when selecting and specifying the notification timing, two types of notification timing can be selected and specified.
[0038]
This designated notification method and notification timing are set on the invoice data structure, each designation information, each input item inputted by each processing in steps S1 to S5, and a serial for identifying each invoice No. Are automatically set (step S8), and each of the input items and the selection designation item are converted into a two-dimensional code. Is generated (step S9), and the invoice is printed and issued by the invoice paper set in the printing device 15 based on the generated print data (step S10).
[0039]
Then, invoice information based on the printed invoice is transferred to the communication terminal 3, and the invoice information is transmitted from the communication terminal 3 to the host device 4 via the communication line (step S11), and the invoice input process is terminated.
[0040]
At this time, the host device 4 stores the invoice information received from the communication terminal 3 and is used in the invoice receiving process described later.
[0041]
The invoice issued by the personal computer 2 is attached to the package and delivered to the package delivery company, and then from the delivery / collection center 5 via the relay points 6 and 7 and the delivery / collection center 8 by the package delivery company. Delivered to consignee 9.
[0042]
Next, the invoice sending process executed by the reading system 10 at each delivery / collection center 5, 8 or relay point 6, 7 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0043]
The parcel delivery company delivers parcels requested to be delivered by the shipper in the order of delivery / collection center 5 → relay point 6 → relay point 7 → delivery / collection center 8 → consignee in order of reading. The system 10 causes the invoice reading device 18 to read a two-dimensional unique code indicating invoice information printed on the invoice 30 attached to the package.
[0044]
That is, the CPU 11 in the reading system 10 installed at each delivery base starts processing by the invoice transmission processing program stored in the storage device 16, and first, the invoice reading device 18 uses the two-dimensional unique code on the invoice. , "Consignor Address Name", "Consignor Phone Number", "Consignee Address Name", "Consignee Phone Number", "Package Contents", "Notification Method", and "Notification Timing" are read and "Serial When “No.” is read (step S21), the read “shipper address name”, “consignor phone number”, “consignee address name”, “consignee phone number”, “contents of package”, “notification” The method designations 1 and 2, “notification timing designations 1 and 2”, and “serial number” are stored in the storage device 16 as invoice files.
[0045]
Then, it is determined whether or not the current delivery base is the final delivery base as a transit point, that is, whether or not it is a delivery end point for delivering the package to the consignee (step S22). The invoice information stored in the storage device 16 in step S21 is read, the invoice information is transmitted to the host device 4 via the communication line by the communication unit 19, and the invoice transmission process is terminated.
[0046]
If the current delivery base is the delivery end point, the invoice information stored in the storage device 16 in the process of step S21 is read, and the delivery unit information including the notice of the end of delivery is sent via the communication line by the communication unit 19. The invoice information is transmitted to the host device 4 (step S23), and the invoice sending process is terminated.
[0047]
That is, in the case of the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, when a package arrives at the delivery / collection center 10 which is the end point of delivery in the above delivery sequence, and the package is delivered from the delivery / collection center 10 to the consignee 9, When the invoice is read by the handy terminal type reading system 10 mounted on the delivery truck, the invoice information including the delivery completion notice is transmitted to the host device 4.
[0048]
Next, invoice information reception processing executed in the host device 4 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0049]
The host device 4 waits for receipt of invoice information transmitted from each reading system 10 installed at each delivery / collection center 5 or 8 or relay point 6 or 7, and receives invoice information transmitted from each delivery base. When an incoming call is detected, reception processing for the invoice information is started. After detecting the arrival of the invoice information, the host device 4 receives the invoice information transmitted from each reading / receiving center 10 installed at each delivery / collection center 5, 8 or relay point 6, 7 (step S31). Match the “notification timing designations 1 and 2” set in the invoice information received and stored from the shipper's communication terminal 3 with the “notification timing designations 1 and 2” set in the received invoice information. Based on the “notification timing designations 1 and 2”, the notification timing of the package is determined (step S32). In other words, the notification timing designations 1 and 2 of the package are “notify whenever a package arrives at the delivery / collection center”, “notify whenever a package arrives at the relay point”, “package at the delivery / collection center, and relay point” It is determined whether the notification is made every time a message arrives or the notification is made when a package arrives at the consignee.
[0050]
Next, it is confirmed whether or not a delivery end notification is included in the received invoice information (step S33). If a delivery end notification is not included, the process proceeds to step S35, and the current reception timing is set in step S31. It is confirmed whether or not the notification timing determined in the process is applicable. If it does not correspond to the notification timing, the invoice receiving process is terminated, and if it corresponds to the notification timing, “notification method designations 1 and 2” set in the invoice information previously received from the communication terminal 3 of the shipper and stored. And the notification method indicated by the “notification method specification 1 and 2” set in the received invoice information, and according to the “notification method specification 1 and 2” The conveyance status is transmitted to the communication terminal 3 via the communication line (step S36), and the invoice receiving process is terminated.
[0051]
For example, when “homepage address” is designated as the notification method, the host device 4 converts the transport status of the package into a document format that can be uploaded to the homepage, and transmits it to the shipper's homepage address. When “-mail address” is designated, the transport status of the package is converted into a text format or the like and transmitted to the designated E-mail address of the shipper.
[0052]
For example, when “dedicated terminal address” is designated as the notification method, the host device 4 converts the transport status of the package into a data format that can be received by the dedicated terminal, and transmits the data to the dedicated terminal of the shipper. , "Designated facsimile address" or "designated telephone address" is specified, the package transport status is converted into a data format that can be received by a facsimile machine or telephone and sent to the designated facsimile machine or designated telephone of the shipper. Send.
[0053]
If it is confirmed in the process of step S33 that the received invoice information includes a delivery end notification, the notification method specified by “notification method designations 1 and 2” set in the invoice information is used. The end of delivery of the package is sent to the communication terminal 3 via the communication line in the same manner by the designated notification method to the shipper of the package (step S34), and the invoice receiving process is completed.
[0054]
As described above, according to the package tracking system 1 of the present embodiment, the shipper can specify the notification method and notification timing of the package delivery status by the personal computer 2, and the invoice 30 attached to the package is The invoice information including the notification method and the notification timing is encoded and printed, and the invoice information is transmitted to the host device 4 by the communication terminal 3 in advance, and the delivery / collection centers 5 and 8 and the relay points 6 serving as the delivery bases. When the invoice information printed on the invoice 30 attached to the package is read and transmitted to the host device 4 by each reading system 10 installed in the host 7, the host device 4 receives from the communication terminal 3 of the shipper and each delivery base. Based on the notification method and the notification timing set in the invoice information, the notification that the delivery status of the package and the delivery completion notification are specified Since it is transmitted to the communication terminal 3 specified by the shipper at the law and the notification timing, the shipper can receive a notification of the transport status at any place by a plurality of notification methods and the notification timing, and receive the transport status information of the package A degree of freedom can be secured.
[0055]
As a result, even when delivering rushed packages or when the location of the shipper moves during package delivery, the shipper can reliably grasp the status of the package and improve the reliability of the package delivery system. Can be made.
[0056]
In the package tracking system according to the present embodiment, a communication device is further mounted on the delivery truck, and communication is performed between the communication device and the host device 4, for example, from the communication device of the delivery truck to the host device 4. You may make it transmit a conveyance condition and invoice information for every fixed time.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the information indicating the notification address and the notification timing is added to the invoice attached to the package, so that the shipper is notified of the conveyance status by reading this information at the relay station where the package is transported. Whether or not to do so, if it is notified, it is possible to decide where to send the notification. As the notification address added to the invoice, an arbitrary notification address can be selected in advance from a plurality of notification addresses, and a notification timing can also be selected, whereby a desired notification address and notification can be selected at a timing according to the request of the shipper. It is possible to notify the shipper of the transport status at the timing, and the shipper can ensure the degree of freedom and the certainty of reception regarding the reception of the transport status information of the package.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a package tracking system 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied in association with a package flow.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the reading system 10 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of invoice information printed by a two-dimensional code on an invoice 30 issued from the personal computer 2 of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing invoice input processing executed in the personal computer 2 of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an invoice sending process executed in the reading system 10 of FIG. 2;
6 is a flowchart showing an invoice receiving process executed in the host device 4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a conventional package delivery system and a package flow in association with each other.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Baggage tracking system 2 Personal computer 3 Communication terminal 4 Host apparatus 5, 8 Delivery / pickup center 6, 7 Relay point 10 Reading system 11 CPU
12 Input device 13 RAM
14 Display device 15 Printing device 16 Storage device 17 Storage medium 18 Invoice reading device 19 Communication unit 20 Bus 30 Invoice

Claims (3)

Selection specification that allows you to select and specify any notification address from the multiple notification addresses that are used when notifying the shipper of the package transportation status, and also allows you to select and specify the notification timing for notifying the shipper of the package transport status Means ,
Invoice issuing means for adding and issuing information indicating the notification address and notification timing selected and specified by the selection specifying means to the invoice attached to the package;
Reading means that is installed at least at each relay station where the package is transported and reads the notification address and the notification timing from the information added to the invoice attached to the package;
It is determined whether or not it is a notification timing written in the information read by the reading unit, and if it is a notification timing, a notification unit that notifies the shipper of the state of conveyance of the package with respect to the notification address;
A package delivery notification system characterized by comprising: 2. The package delivery notification system according to claim 1, wherein the selection specifying means can select and specify a location indicating a package relay point as the notification timing. The selection / designating means is capable of selecting / designating a terminal address of a communication terminal to notify a shipper as the notification address,
3. The package delivery notification system according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the transport status of the package to the terminal address of the communication terminal read by the reading unit.

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