Picking system

Abstract

In a picking system, a control system assigns category values (Va) to categories of treatment objects in an index calculation process, arranges the categories in order, and sets the category values (Va) of the respective categories of the treatment objects so that the category values (Va) of the respective categories are larger than the sum of the category values (Va) of all the categories of which the order arrangement is lower than that of the category, and sets the category values (Va) of all the categories of which the order arrangement is lower than that of the respective categories of which the order arrangement is lower than that of the respective categories of which the order arrangement is lower than that of the respective categories of the treatment objects. A sum of category values (Va) of all categories included in each piece of order information (In) is calculated as a similarity index (Ex) for each piece of order information (In). In the batch generation process, a control system gathers a plurality of pieces of order information (In) to be processed in a unit period in an order in which a similarity index (Ex) approaches.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking system comprising: an automated warehouse storing a plurality of containers each containing a plurality of items; a plurality of work areas for performing picking operations based on order information specifying the type and quantity of the items required for each shipping destination, wherein the order information specifies the type and quantity of the items required for each shipping destination, and wherein the items are retrieved from the containers dispensed from the automated warehouse; a conveying system for conveying the containers between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas; and a control system for controlling the automated warehouse and the conveying system. Background Technology

[0002] In picking systems used in logistics centers, containers carrying items of the type specified in the order information are transported from an automated warehouse to a work area. Then, in the work area, picking operations are performed to retrieve the items of the type and quantity specified in the order information. Multiple picking operations occurring as tasks in the picking system are assigned to various work areas. An example of such a picking system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-199562.

[0003] Prior art literature Patent documents Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-199562. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem that the invention aims to solve However, the types of items stored in automated warehouses within picking systems are diverse, and correspondingly, the shipping frequency and picking methods vary. Therefore, by improving the allocation of picking operations related to each order information to specific work areas based on the type of item, the efficiency of the picking operation can be improved as a whole.

[0005] Given the above situation, it is desirable to implement a picking system that can improve the efficiency of picking operations.

[0006] Solution for solving the problem The picking system disclosed herein is a picking system that has the following features: An automated warehouse stores multiple containers, each containing multiple items. Multiple work areas perform picking operations that retrieve the aforementioned items of the aforementioned type and quantity specified by the order information from the aforementioned carriers that have been dispatched from the aforementioned automated warehouse, based on order information specifying the type and quantity of the aforementioned items required for each shipping destination. A conveying system that transports the aforementioned carriers between the aforementioned automated warehouse and the aforementioned work areas; and The control system controls the aforementioned automated warehouse and the aforementioned conveying system. The aforementioned control system is configured to perform the following processes: Batch generation processing aggregates a set number of the aforementioned order information and sets the aforementioned picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information as one batch operation. The job assignment process assigns each of the multiple batch jobs generated by the aforementioned batch generation process to any one of the multiple aforementioned job areas; The conveying process, which allocates the aforementioned carriers required for the aforementioned batch operations to each conveyor in the plurality of aforementioned work areas through the aforementioned work allocation process; and The exponential calculation process calculates similarity indices that represent the degree of similarity among the aforementioned order information. In the aforementioned exponential calculation and processing, the aforementioned control system Assign category values ​​to the aforementioned categories of objects to be disposed of and arrange the aforementioned categories in order. Set the aforementioned category value for each of the aforementioned categories of the objects to be disposed of, such that the aforementioned category value of each of the aforementioned categories is greater than the sum of the aforementioned category values ​​of all the aforementioned categories that are lower in the aforementioned order. The sum of the values ​​of all the aforementioned categories included in each of the aforementioned order information is used as the aforementioned similar index for each of the aforementioned order information. In the aforementioned batch generation process, the aforementioned control system will aggregate multiple order information that should be processed within a unit period in an order that is close to the aforementioned similar index.

[0007] According to this configuration, the individual category value of multiple categories is set to be greater than the sum of the category values ​​of all categories at the next lower level. Therefore, for example, the similarity index of order information including items of the highest-level category becomes a larger value than the similarity index of order information combining all categories excluding the highest-level category. Furthermore, for example, the similarity index of order information excluding the highest-level category but including items of the second-highest level category becomes a larger value than the similarity index of order information combining all categories excluding both the highest-level and second-highest level categories. Therefore, by aggregating multiple order information with similarity indices to generate batch operations, the possibility of aggregating picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information including items of the same category into the same batch operation can be increased. Moreover, if picking operations for items of the same category can be aggregated into the same batch operation, picking operations for that category of items can be performed simultaneously in one work area. This improves the efficiency of picking operations in the work area. Additionally, the efficiency of transporting the carrier in the transport process can also be improved.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will become clearer from the following illustrative and non-limiting description of embodiments, which are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a top view of the picking system.

[0010] Figure 2 This is the control block diagram of the picking system.

[0011] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of the picking operation.

[0012] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram for batch assignments.

[0013] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of operations similar to exponentiation.

[0014] Figure 6 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating the rearrangement of order information based on a similar index.

[0015] Figure 7 This is an illustration of how batch generation processes aggregate information from multiple orders. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, the implementation of the picking system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the picking system 100 includes: an automated warehouse 1 that stores multiple containers 5 each containing multiple items W; multiple work areas 2 that perform picking operations based on order information In specifying the type and quantity of items W required for each shipping destination, retrieving items W of the type and quantity specified by the order information In from the containers 5 that have been dispatched from the automated warehouse 1; a conveying system T that transports the containers 5 between the automated warehouse 1 and the multiple work areas 2; and a control system 3 that controls the automated warehouse 1 and the conveying system T.

[0018] The items W include industrial products, daily necessities, food, etc. Additionally, items W may include finished or semi-finished products. Items W are stored in the automated warehouse 1, mounted on the container 5, and are transported to various locations via the conveyor system T.

[0019] The carrier 5 includes a container or pallet. Additionally, the container includes a collapsible container or a corrugated cardboard box. In this embodiment, the carrier 5 is constructed using a storage container for storage in the automated warehouse 1 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0020] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the automated warehouse 1 includes storage racks for storing the containers 5 and an in-rack conveying device for transporting the containers 5 within the automated warehouse 1. Examples of in-rack conveying devices include stacker cranes, elevators, conveyor trolleys arranged on each layer of the storage racks, and conveyors. The in-rack conveying device forms part of the conveying system T. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes multiple such automated warehouses 1. Furthermore, if the automated warehouse 1 includes a conveyor as an in-rack conveying device, it may also be configured such that the containers 5 are stored on the conveyor. In this case, the automated warehouse 1 may also be configured without a stacker crane or conveyor trolley.

[0021] In this embodiment, the conveying system T includes a conveyor Ta. Multiple automated warehouses 1 and multiple work areas 2 are connected via the conveying path of the carriers 5 on the conveyor Ta. Carriers 5 exiting from any of the multiple automated warehouses 1 are conveyed to any of the multiple work areas 2 via the conveyor Ta's conveying path. Carriers 5 from which the required items W are retrieved through picking operations in the work areas 2 are conveyed to any of the multiple automated warehouses 1 via the conveyor Ta's conveying path and stored there. The conveying system T may also replace the conveyor Ta or include other types of conveying devices such as automated guided vehicles in addition to the conveyor Ta. Furthermore, as described above, the conveying system T includes an in-rack conveying device for conveying carriers 5 within the automated warehouses 1.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the control system 3 is configured to control the automated warehouse 1, the work area 2, and the conveyor system T based on order information In. Additionally, the control system 3 also controls work instruction output devices (monitors, etc.) or picking robots located in the work area 2.

[0023] Order information In specifies the type and quantity of items W required for each shipping destination. Order information In is generated based on customer demand and is stored on server 4. Control system 3 retrieves order information In from server 4.

[0024] The control system 3 is configured to manage the inventory of items W in the automated warehouse 1. The control system 3 is configured to manage at least the type and quantity of items W placed in each container 5 stored in the automated warehouse 1.

[0025] The control system 3 selects multiple or single carriers 5 required for picking operations in each work area 2 based on order information In, and uses the conveying system T to transport the selected carriers 5 to each work area 2.

[0026] The control system 3 can be constructed using multiple hardware components or multiple software components. The control system 3 may include, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, peripheral circuits such as memory, etc. Furthermore, various functions are achieved through the cooperation of this hardware and the program executing on the processor such as the computer.

[0027] Next, the picking operation carried out in work area 2 will be explained.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, picking operations are performed based on order information In. In a picking operation, multiple or single items W specified by order information In are gathered. For example, order information In is generated for each shipping destination. Therefore, a picking operation can be described as an operation that gathers the items W required for each shipping destination.

[0029] Multiple or single containers 5 carrying items W of the type and quantity specified by order information In are transported to a specific work area 2. During the picking operation, these items W involved in order information In are retrieved and collected into a shipping container 6.

[0030] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, based on order information In, three items W (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "item A") of type A are specified, two items W (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "item B") of type B are specified, and one item W (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "item C") of type C is specified. In this example, each carrier 5 is configured to carry a single type of item W. Carriers 5 carrying three or more items A, carrying two or more items B, and carrying one or more items C are transported to work area 2. Furthermore, in the picking operation in work area 2, three items A, two items B, and one item C are collected into the shipping container 6. In addition, the picking operation can be performed by an operator, or unmanned by a picking robot, or by both an operator and a picking robot.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, control system 3 (refer to...) Figure 2 The system is configured to perform the following processes: batch generation process, which aggregates a set number of order information In and sets the picking operation corresponding to the aggregated order information In as a batch operation; job allocation process, which allocates each of the multiple batch operations generated by the batch generation process to any one of the multiple work areas 2; and conveying process, which conveys the carriers 5 required by the batch operations allocated by the job allocation process to each of the multiple work areas 2.

[0032] exist Figure 4The example illustrates four batch jobs. Each of the four batch jobs is assigned to any one of the four job areas 2 through job assignment processing. A batch job includes picking operations related to a set quantity of order information In. That is, a batch job includes a set quantity of picking operations. The "set quantity" is not determined uniformly. Figure 4 As shown, a batch operation can include 2 picking operations, 3 picking operations, or 4 picking operations. That is, in Figure 4 In the example shown, the "set quantity" is 2 to 4. Furthermore, the "set quantity" can be determined flexibly or it can be a constant that remains unchanged.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the control system 3 is configured to perform exponential calculation processing, which calculates the similarity index Ex representing the degree of similarity between multiple order information.

[0034] In the exponential calculation process, the control system 3 assigns a category value Va to the category of the item W to be disposed of and arranges the categories in order. Moreover, in the exponential calculation process, the control system 3 sets the category value Va of each category of the disposed item so that the category value Va of each category is greater than the sum of the category values ​​Va of all categories that are arranged in order of lower order.

[0035] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, consider the case where item W has types A to F, and their order is 1 to 6. Focusing on type A, the type value Va of type A is "32", and the total type value Va of types B to F, which are lower-level types, is "31" (=16+8+4+2+1), which is less than "32". Similarly, for example, focusing on type D, the type value Va of type D is "4", and the total type value Va of types E and F, which are lower-level types, is "3" (=2+1), which is less than "4". That is, the control system 3 sets each type as the object type (the type being considered), and sets the type value Va of the object type to be greater than the total type value Va of all types lower-level than that object type.

[0036] In this embodiment, the category value Va is set to the power of M (M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) and N is set to a value corresponding to the order of arrangement. This allows for easy setting of the category value Va for each of multiple categories to be greater than the sum of the category values ​​Va of all categories at a lower level. In this example, M is set to "2". N is set to "0 to 5" in this example, becoming a larger value corresponding to the increasing order of the categories. Specifically, N is set to the value of subtracting the number representing the order of each category of items W (e.g., "1" in the case of the highest level) from the number of categories of the items W to be disposed of ("6" in this example). Therefore, the category value Va for each category is represented by 2 to the power of 0 to 2 to the power of 5.

[0037] In this embodiment, the items are arranged in order of shipment frequency, as specified by the order information In. Items with higher shipment frequency become higher-level items, and those with lower shipment frequency become lower-level items. In other words, they are arranged in order of demand, with higher-demand items becoming higher-level items and lower-demand items becoming lower-level items.

[0038] In the exponential calculation process, control system 3 uses the sum of the category values ​​Va of all categories included in each order information In as a similar exponent Ex for each order information In. The category values ​​Va are decimal values, so the sum of the category values ​​Va becomes a decimal value.

[0039] In this embodiment, the control system 3 sets the similar exponent Ex to a binary value during the exponent calculation process. That is, in this embodiment, the control system 3 performs a process that converts the sum of the category values ​​Va, represented in decimal, into a binary value. As a result, the similar exponent Ex can be simplified in the calculation process, and the computational processing load of the control system 3 can be easily reduced.

[0040] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, based on the order information In, four items W of type A, two items W of type C, and one item W of type D are specified. In this case, the types of items W included in the order information In are "A", "C", and "D". If based on Figure 5 In the table above, the species value Va for species A is "32", the species value Va for species C is "8", and the species value Va for species D is "4", thus the sum of these species values ​​Va is "44". Control system 3 converts this sum to binary to obtain a 6-bit exponent Ex, which becomes "101100". Thus, in this example, N is set to 0 to 5, resulting in a 6-bit binary value.

[0041] like Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the control system 3 performs a stable sorting of the binary similar exponents Ex of multiple order information In that should be processed within a unit period, starting from the lower digit and arranged in order of the largest value, during the batch generation process.

[0042] The aforementioned "unit period" is arbitrarily determined accordingly, for example, set to 1 hour. Alternatively, the "unit period" can also be set to half a day or a day.

[0043] exist Figure 6 The example shown illustrates a scenario where the number of order information In to be processed within a unit period is 7. The control system 3 performs exponential arithmetic processing, calculating the binary exponent Ex for each of the 7 order information In. Furthermore, the binary exponent Ex (in this example, 6 bits) of each order information In is compared sequentially starting from the first bit, and the larger exponent Ex is moved to the next higher level, proceeding up to the final 6th bit.

[0044] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, when comparing the first position of each similarity index Ex involved in the 7 order information In, the similarity index Ex involved in the second order information In (in the figure, the order information In shown by circle 2) becomes the largest value and is shifted to the top level.

[0045] Next, in the case of comparing the second position, the similarity index Ex involved in the fourth order information In (in the figure, the order information In shown by circle 4) and the similarity index Ex involved in the fifth order information In (in the figure, the order information In shown by circle 5) become the largest values. The sequence of these similarity indices Ex remains as is, and these similarity indices Ex are shifted to the top level.

[0046] In the example shown, if this processing is carried out up to the 6th position, the similarity index Ex involved in the 5th order information In becomes the top level, and the similarity index Ex involved in the 3rd order information In (in the figure, the order information In shown by circle 3) becomes the bottom level.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, in batch generation processing, control system 3 aggregates multiple order information In (order information In 1 to 7 in this example) that should be processed within a unit period in an order with a similar index Ex close to each other. For example, the set aggregation number (in the example) of aggregating multiple order information In in order of similar index Ex with a large (or small) number is used to aggregate the multiple order information In. Figure 7(Two of each example are shown). In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates multiple order information Ins with similar sequences obtained through stable sorting. The picking operations involved in each of the aggregated order information Ins are set as one batch operation through batch generation processing.

[0048] In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates adjacent order information In, similar to the index Ex, during batch generation processing, and sets the picking operation involved in each order information In as one batch operation. Then, the control system 3 assigns the batch operation to any one of the multiple work areas 2 by performing job allocation processing.

[0049] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, multiple order information In are grouped into two batches in order of similar index Ex, forming one batch job. Specifically, order information In No. 5 and order information In No. 6 (in the figure, order information In shown by circle 6) are adjacent to each other in order of similar index Ex, and the picking operations involved in each of these order information In are set up as one batch job and assigned to work area 2 No. 1.

[0050] In addition, the 7th order information In (in the figure, the order information In shown by circle 7) and the 2nd order information In are adjacent to each other in a similar order of exponents Ex. The picking operations involved in each of these order information In are set as 1 batch operation and are assigned to the 2nd operation area 2.

[0051] In this way, the multiple batch jobs generated through batch generation are assigned to any one of the multiple job areas 2 through job assignment processing.

[0052] According to the picking system 100 described above, by aggregating multiple order information Ins with similar indices Ex to generate batch jobs, the possibility of aggregating picking jobs corresponding to a set quantity of order information In including the same type of items W into the same batch job can be increased. Furthermore, if picking jobs of the same type of items W can be aggregated into the same batch job, picking jobs of that type of items W can be performed simultaneously in one work area 2. This improves the efficiency of picking operations in work area 2. Additionally, the efficiency of conveying the carrier 5 in the conveying process can also be improved.

[0053] [Other Implementation Methods] Next, other implementation methods will be described.

[0054] (1) In the above embodiments, an example of each carrier 5 being configured to carry a single type of article W has been described. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an example, and some or all of the multiple carriers 5 may be configured to carry multiple types of articles W.

[0055] (2) In the above embodiments, the order of the types of items W was described as an example of ordering according to the shipping frequency specified by the order information In. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an example, and the order can also be based on the special characteristics (shape or packaging form) of the items W.

[0056] (3) In the above embodiments, the following example was described: in the order arrangement, the type with higher shipment frequency becomes the superior, and the type with lower shipment frequency becomes the inferior. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an example. It is also possible that, in the order arrangement, the opposite of the above, the type with higher shipment frequency becomes the inferior, and the type with lower shipment frequency becomes the superior.

[0057] (4) In the above embodiments, an example in which M constituting the class value Va is set to "2" has been described. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an example, and M can be arbitrarily determined, for example, it can be "3", "4", "5" etc.

[0058] (5) In the above embodiments, an example was described in which N becomes a larger value corresponding to the higher order of the species. However, this disclosure is not limited to such an example, and N may also become a smaller value corresponding to the higher order of the species, contrary to the above. In addition, N may also increase or decrease by 2 or 3 respectively corresponding to the higher or lower order.

[0059] (6) Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as they do not create contradictions. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various changes can be made appropriately without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0060] [Summary of this implementation method] The following is a summary of this implementation method.

[0061] A picking system that includes the following: An automated warehouse stores multiple containers, each containing multiple items. Multiple work areas perform picking operations that retrieve the aforementioned items of the aforementioned type and quantity specified by the order information from the aforementioned carriers that have been dispatched from the aforementioned automated warehouse, based on order information specifying the type and quantity of the aforementioned items required for each shipping destination. A conveying system that transports the aforementioned carriers between the aforementioned automated warehouse and the aforementioned work areas; and The control system controls the aforementioned automated warehouse and the aforementioned conveying system. The aforementioned control system is configured to perform the following processes: Batch generation processing aggregates a set number of the aforementioned order information and sets the aforementioned picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information as one batch operation. The job assignment process assigns each of the multiple batch jobs generated by the aforementioned batch generation process to any one of the multiple aforementioned job areas; The conveying process, which allocates the aforementioned carriers required for the aforementioned batch operations to each conveyor in the plurality of aforementioned work areas through the aforementioned work allocation process; and The exponential calculation process calculates similarity indices that represent the degree of similarity among the aforementioned order information. In the aforementioned exponential calculation and processing, the aforementioned control system Assign category values ​​to the aforementioned categories of objects to be disposed of and arrange the aforementioned categories in order. Set the aforementioned category value for each of the aforementioned categories of the objects to be disposed of, such that the aforementioned category value of each of the aforementioned categories is greater than the sum of the aforementioned category values ​​of all the aforementioned categories that are lower in the aforementioned order. The sum of the values ​​of all the aforementioned categories included in each of the aforementioned order information is used as the aforementioned similar index for each of the aforementioned order information. In the aforementioned batch generation process, the aforementioned control system will aggregate multiple order information that should be processed within a unit period in an order that is close to the aforementioned similar index.

[0062] According to this configuration, the individual category value of multiple categories is set to be greater than the sum of the category values ​​of all categories at the next lower level. Therefore, for example, the similarity index of order information including items of the highest-level category becomes a larger value than the similarity index of order information combining all categories excluding the highest-level category. Furthermore, for example, the similarity index of order information excluding the highest-level category but including items of the second-highest level category becomes a larger value than the similarity index of order information combining all categories excluding both the highest-level and second-highest level categories. Therefore, by aggregating multiple order information with similarity indices to generate batch operations, the possibility of aggregating picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information including items of the same category into the same batch operation can be increased. Moreover, if picking operations for items of the same category can be aggregated into the same batch operation, picking operations for that category of items can be performed simultaneously in one work area. This improves the efficiency of picking operations in the work area. Additionally, the efficiency of transporting the carrier in the transport process can also be improved.

[0063] Appropriately, the aforementioned order should be arranged according to the shipping frequency as specified by the aforementioned order information.

[0064] According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the likelihood of grouping picking operations corresponding to a set quantity of items of similar shipping frequency into the same batch operation. Therefore, for example, picking operations for frequently shipped items can be performed in the same work area, improving the efficiency of carrier transport and the efficiency of operations within the work area. Furthermore, for example, when picking operations for infrequently shipped items are performed in the same work area, even if the number of carriers holding that type of item is small due to its low shipping frequency, the possibility of waiting in other work areas due to insufficient carriers can be reduced.

[0065] Appropriately, the aforementioned category value is set to the power of M (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 0). The aforementioned N is set to a value corresponding to the order of the aforementioned sequence.

[0066] Based on this structure, it is possible to easily set the individual category value of multiple categories to be a category value that is greater than the sum of the category values ​​of all categories at a lower level than that category.

[0067] Appropriately, the aforementioned exponents are binary values. In the aforementioned batch generation process, the aforementioned control system A stable sorting is performed on the aforementioned similar indices concerning multiple order information items that should be processed within the aforementioned unit period, arranged sequentially from the lowest digit to the largest value. The aforementioned order information that has a similar sequence obtained through the aforementioned stable sorting is aggregated.

[0068] Based on this configuration, the computational processing of batch generation can be simplified by aggregating information from multiple orders with similar indices. Therefore, the computational load on the control system is easily reduced.

[0069] Industrial availability The technology disclosed herein can be used in picking systems.

[0070] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100: Picking System 1: Automated Warehouse 2: Work Area 3: Control System 5: Carrier T: Conveying system W: Item In: Order Information Va: Category value Ex: Similarity index.

Claims

1. A picking system, which is a picking system having the following: An automated warehouse stores multiple containers, each containing multiple items. Multiple work areas perform picking operations that retrieve the items of the specified type and quantity from the carriers dispatched from the automated warehouse based on order information specifying the type and quantity of the items required for each shipping destination. A conveying system that transports the carrier between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas; and The control system controls the automated warehouse and the conveying system. The control system is configured to perform the following processes: Batch generation processing aggregates a set number of order information and sets the picking operation corresponding to the aggregated order information as one batch operation; The job assignment process assigns each of the multiple batch jobs generated by the batch generation process to any one of the multiple job areas; Conveying processing, which allocates the carriers required for the batch operation to each conveyor of the plurality of said work areas through the job allocation processing; and The exponential calculation process calculates a similarity index that indicates the degree of similarity among the multiple order information entries. The control system in the exponential calculation process Assign a category value to the category of the object to be disposed of and arrange the categories in order. Set the category value for each of the categories of the objects to be disposed of, such that the category value of each category is greater than the sum of the category values ​​of all categories that are lower in order than that category. The sum of the category values ​​for all categories included in each of the order information is used as the similarity index for each of the order information. In the batch generation process, the control system aggregates multiple order information that should be processed within a unit period in an order that is close in similar index.

2. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein, The order is arranged according to the shipping frequency as specified by the order information.

3. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein, The category value is set to the power of M (M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) (N is an integer greater than or equal to 0). The N is set to a value corresponding to the order of the sequence arrangement.

4. The picking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The similarity index is a binary value. The control system in the batch generation process The similar indices relating to the multiple order information items that should be processed within the said unit period are stably sorted in order of the largest value, starting from the lowest digit. Multiple order information items with similar sequences obtained through the stable sorting are aggregated.

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