Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and information processing program, which enable provision of assistance in sorting products for each order.SOLUTION: An information processing device disclosed herein comprises an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires information on multiple products included in multiple orders. The determination unit determines correspondence between the multiple products and areas storing the products. The output unit outputs correspondence information indicating the correspondence.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, shopping proxy services such as online supermarkets, which allow customers to order products via the Internet or the like and have them delivered to their homes or other locations at their preferred times, have become increasingly popular. In such shopping proxy services, a picker performs the task of picking up the products ordered by the customer from a store or warehouse, and a delivery person delivers the picked-up products to the customer's home or other location.

[0003] However, in conventional services, when picking multiple orders at the same time, picking work is often performed while referring to the product information included in each order, which is displayed or printed for each order. Under such circumstances, there is a risk of operational errors, such as mixing up products from different orders.

[0004] Therefore, there is a demand for a picking support system that can sort products for each order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6530851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that can assist in sorting products for each order. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the information processing device includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires information about multiple products included in multiple orders. The determination unit determines associations between the multiple products and areas in which the products are stored. The output unit outputs association information indicating the associations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a picking operation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a picking operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of map information according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a grid map according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of product information according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of travel time information according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of picking task information according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of cart setting information according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for information processing by the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for information processing related to a product list by the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for information processing regarding picking orders by the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for information processing regarding picking orders by the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basket setting image displayed on a display device of the picking terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a picking order image displayed on a display device of the picking terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a picking order image displayed on a display device of the picking terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for information processing by the picking terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (Configuration example) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a picking operation support system 100 according to an embodiment. The picking operation support system 100 includes a server 1, a picking terminal 2, and an order terminal 3. The server 1, the picking terminal 2, and the order terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other freely. For example, the network is configured from one or more networks selected from various networks such as the Internet, a mobile communication network, and a LAN (Local Area Network). The one or more networks may include a wireless network or a wired network. Note that the picking operation support system 100 may also refer to a system that includes at least two devices selected from the server 1, the picking terminal 2, and the order terminal 3.

[0011] The server 1 is a device that collects data and processes the collected data. The server 1 is connected to the picking terminal 2 and the ordering terminal 3 via a network so as to be able to communicate freely. The server 1 receives various data from the picking terminal 2 and the ordering terminal 3, and outputs various data to the picking terminal 2 and the ordering terminal 3. The server 1 is an example of an information processing device. An example configuration of the server 1 will be described later.

[0012] The server 1 provides a shopping agent service. The shopping agent service, for example, accepts product orders from customers via the order terminal 3 and assigns pickers to pick up the products according to the orders. Picking is also called picking. The picker picks the products included in multiple orders within a delivery time frame. The picker picks for at least one order. Multiple orders refer to multiple orders that require picking to be completed within a specified delivery time frame. Each of the multiple orders includes at least one product. The delivery time frame is, for example, a time frame that divides the delivery time into specified time intervals. The delivery time frame is, for example, a time frame in one-hour or two-hour increments. The delivery time frame is, for example, "11:00 to 1:00 PM," "1:00 to 3:00 PM," "3:00 to 5:00 PM," etc. During one delivery time frame, multiple pickers pick the products included in multiple orders. For example, if one order contains multiple items, the same picker will pick the multiple items. Note that different pickers may pick some of the multiple items contained in one order. The shopping agent service assigns multiple orders contained within one delivery time slot to multiple pickers. The pickers use shopping carts to pick items in the store and place the picked items in baskets loaded into the shopping cart. A shopping cart is also simply called a cart. The specified delivery time slot is an example of a specified time. The picker may also be interpreted as an operator, a person in charge, or a worker.

[0013] The number of baskets required to pick an order varies depending on the number of items and their volume. A picker may pick two or more orders simultaneously in one picking operation (one trip), sorting them by order. The total number of baskets for orders picked by the same picker simultaneously (in one trip) must not exceed the number of baskets that can be loaded onto a cart. A picker cannot split an order into multiple trips for picking. One order refers to a single order placed by a customer.

[0014] An order includes at least one item. An order includes one product list. A trip indicates that a picker travels around the store using one cart. One cart carries a predetermined number of baskets. The predetermined number is, for example, three. For example, a picker performs one picking trip within a store during a certain delivery time slot by using one cart to put items into three baskets. One picking trip includes picking items included in at least one order. A picker may perform two or more picking trips within a store during a certain delivery time slot. In the following example, a picker is described as picking items for up to three orders. The picker stores items in different zones for each order. A zone refers to a different area. A different area refers to a different area within the cart. A zone is, for example, a basket. If a basket is divided into multiple areas, a zone may refer to each area. For example, when using three baskets to pick items included in three orders, the baskets and orders correspond one-to-one. If there are orders 1, 2, and 3 in basket A, basket B, and basket C, the picker will store the items from order 1 in basket A, the items from order 2 in basket B, and the items from order 3 in basket C, for example.

[0015] The picking work will be explained. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a picking operation according to the embodiment. FIG. 2, for example, includes a list of multiple orders received from multiple customers, sorted by delivery time slot. The list includes the delivery time slot, order ID, delivery address, product list, etc. The delivery time slot indicates the time slot in which the customer desires delivery for each order. The order ID is unique identification information assigned to each order to identify each order. The order ID is identification information assigned to each order. The delivery address is information indicating the location where the customer desires delivery. The delivery address is, for example, the customer's address based on the customer's user information. The delivery address may also be the address registered by the customer when placing an order. In the following description, "registration" may be interpreted as "input." The product list indicates a list of products included in one order. One order can be interpreted as one order placed by a customer. One order includes a series of processes, from when a customer uses a shopping agent service to order products, to paying for the products, or completing the order. One order includes processes from the start of the order to the completion of order registration. The completion of order registration indicates that the customer has performed a payment operation for the product or completed the order. For example, in response to the customer performing an order registration completion operation via the ordering terminal 3, the server 1 acquires an order registration completion instruction from the ordering terminal 3.

[0016] In the example of FIG. 2, there are nine orders with order IDs "O0001" to "O0009" within the delivery time frame of "11:00 to 13:00." For example, server 1 assigns the nine orders with order IDs "O0001" to "O0009" within the delivery time frame of "11:00 to 13:00" to three pickers, pickers 01 to 03. In the example of FIG. 2, picking work for items with order IDs "O0001," "O0003," and "O0004" is assigned to picker 01. Picking work for items with order IDs "O0002," "O0006," and "O0007" is assigned to picker 02. Picking work for items with order IDs "O0005," "O0008," and "O0009" is assigned to picker 03. In the following explanation, it is assumed that picking work is performed in a single store.

[0017] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The picking terminal 2 is a device capable of communicating with other devices. The picking terminal 2 is, for example, a device used by a picker who performs picking work to pick up products in a store or the like in response to customer orders. For example, the picker performs picking work based on an allocation image displayed on a display device of the picking terminal 2. For example, the picking terminal 2 is a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The picker may be interpreted as an operator, a worker, a store clerk, a staff member, a user, or a person. The picker is an example of a user of the picking terminal 2. The picking operation support system 100 includes at least one picking terminal 2. The picking terminal 2 is an example of an information processing terminal. An example configuration of the picking terminal 2 will be described later.

[0018] The ordering terminal 3 is a device capable of communicating with other devices. The ordering terminal 3 is, for example, a device used by a customer who uses a shopping agent service. The customer, for example, operates the ordering terminal 3 to order a product. For example, the customer logs in to the shopping agent service provided by the server 1 and orders a product according to the order image displayed on the display device of the ordering terminal 3. The customer orders a product by inputting information such as the product, delivery location, delivery date and time. The ordering terminal 3 is a PC, smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like. The customer may be interpreted as a user or a person. The ordering terminal 3 is an example of an information processing terminal. An example configuration of the ordering terminal 3 will be described later. The customer is an example of a user of the ordering terminal 3. The picking operation support system 100 includes at least one ordering terminal 3.

[0019] An example of the configuration of the server 1 will be described. The server 1 is a device including a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a communication interface 14. The components that make up the server 1 are connected to each other so that signals can be input and output. In FIG. 1, the interface is indicated as "I / F."

[0020] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the server 1. The processor 11 is an element that constitutes the computer of the server 1. For example, the processor 11 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but is not limited to this. The processor 11 may be composed of various circuits. The processor 11 loads a program that is pre-stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 into the main memory 12. The program is a program that causes the processor 11 of the server 1 to realize each part described below. The processor 11 performs various operations by executing the program loaded into the main memory 12. The processor 11 is an example of a processing circuit.

[0021] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the server 1. The main memory 12 is an element that constitutes the computer of the server 1. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or programs in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. For example, the main memory 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores programs.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the server 1. The auxiliary storage device 13 is an element that constitutes the computer of the server 1. The auxiliary storage device 13 is an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores the above-mentioned programs, data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores the above-mentioned programs.

[0023] The auxiliary storage device 13 includes a program storage area 130 and a data storage area 131. The program storage area 130 stores a travel time calculation program 1300, a route determination program 1301, and an optimization program 1302. The travel time calculation program 1300 is a program for calculating the travel time required to travel between two product picking locations. The travel time calculation program 1300 may calculate the distance between the two product picking locations. The route determination program 1301 is a program for determining a route for picking products based on the travel time between the two product picking locations. The optimization program 1302 may be, for example, a mathematical optimization program. The optimization program 1302 includes a mathematical programming solver. A mathematical programming solver refers to software equipped with an algorithm for solving mathematical programming problems. The optimization program 1302 may be implemented using a known mathematical optimization technique. The program storage area 130 may also include an allocation program. The allocation program is a program for determining an allocation pattern to be applied from among all patterns for allocating orders to pickers.

[0024] The data storage area 131 stores map information 1310, product information 1311, travel time information 1312, picking task information 1313, and basket setting information 1314. The map information 1310 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of map information 1310 according to the embodiment. The map information 1310 is information in which map information within a store is registered in the form of a grid map (occupancy grid map). A grid map is a well-known method of representing a metric map on a two-dimensional plane. The map information 1310 divides a plane into grids of equal width and stores the state of the real environment corresponding to each grid by linking it to coordinates. The map information 1310 includes an X coordinate, a Y coordinate, a state, and a location ID for each grid. The state is information indicating the state of the real environment. The state includes "wall," "passage," and "shelf." The location ID is information indicating the position of the "passage" grid. The location ID is unique identification information assigned to each "passage" grid to individually identify the position of the "passage" grid. The location ID indicates the picking location of the product. The map information 1310 can be set in advance by an administrator or the like. The map information 1310 can be updated as needed by an administrator or the like.

[0026] In the example of Figure 3, the grid with the X coordinate of "1" and the Y coordinate of "2" has a status of "passage" and a location ID of "L001." For grids that are not in the "passage" status, no location ID is registered.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a grid map according to the embodiment. The grid map in Figure 4 is map information in which the plan view of the store is divided into grids of equal width, and each grid is associated with the corresponding X and Y coordinates and the actual environment states "Wall," "passage," and "Shelf." A grid with a "Shelf" state is where product display shelves are located. A grid with a "passage" state indicates the aisles that can be traversed within the store. A grid with a "Wall" state indicates the walls within the store. Pickers move along grids with a "passage" state to pick products. Pickers can recognize the location of products based on the position information of grids with a "passage" state.

[0028] The product information 1311 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the product information 1311 according to the embodiment. The product information 1311 includes information such as product identification information, product name, and picking location. The product identification information is unique identification information assigned to each product to identify it individually. The product identification information includes a product ID. The product name indicates the product name assigned to each product. The picking location indicates the picking location of the product. The picking location may indicate the location of the product. The picking location is an example of information related to the location of a product. The picking location is information related to the display location of the product in a store or the like where the product is picked. The picking location is registered in correspondence with a location ID in map information. The picking location indicates, for example, a location in an aisle facing the shelf on which the product is displayed where the picker can easily find and pick up the product. The picking location may also be information indicating the shelf on which the product is displayed. The picking location may also be information indicating the area of ​​the shelf on which the product is displayed. The product information may be set in advance by an administrator or the like. The product information may also be updated as appropriate by an administrator or the like.

[0030] In the example of Fig. 5, "XX Milk" with product ID "P0001" indicates that the picking location is "L0011." In the example of Fig. 5, the picking location corresponds to the location ID.

[0031] Product information may include information indicating the product category, volume, weight, picking load, etc. Categories include, for example, fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, etc. The category may also be a category related to the product's display position or sales area within the store. Volume is information that indicates an estimate of the product's size. For example, the volume is calculated for each product as (the reciprocal of the number that can fit in a shopping basket) x 100. For example, if the volume of a shopping basket is 100, then 10 items with a volume of 10 can fit in the basket. Note that a shopping basket is a container loaded onto a cart used by a picker, and is not limited to a basket.

[0032] The picking load is information indicating the workload of a worker for picking one item. The picking load is, for example, information indicating the workload based on product information. The product information includes, for example, the display position of the item, the weight of the item, and the volume of the item. For example, the picking load of a reference product is set to "1." Reference products include, for example, products located near the middle of a display shelf. Reference products include products that are equal to or less than a predetermined weight. Reference products include products that are equal to or less than a predetermined volume. A value greater than 1 may be set for products with a higher picking load than the reference product, such as products that are displayed far away, products that are difficult to find, or products that are heavy and burdensome. The picking load may be set based on the distance from the location of the reference product to the display position of the product, the difference from a predetermined weight, the difference from a predetermined volume, etc. The picking load may be registered in advance by a manager or the like. The picking load may be updated as appropriate by a manager or the like. The picking load may also vary depending on the attributes of the picker. For example, the picking load may be weighted based on the picker's gender, age, build, years of experience, etc. The picking load may also be variable based on the picker's work ability, etc.

[0033] The travel time information 1312 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of travel time information 1312 according to the embodiment. The travel time information 1312 indicates travel time information for traveling between picking positions of two products, calculated based on the travel time calculation program 1300. The travel time information 1312 includes information about the two products and information about the travel time required to travel between the picking positions of the two products. The information about the two products is, for example, identification information of the two products. The information about the two products may also be location information of the two products. The unit of travel time is, for example, seconds. The travel time information may be saved or updated each time the travel time is calculated. The travel time information 1312 includes travel time information for all combinations of two products to be picked up from all products displayed in the store.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 6, the travel time information indicates the travel time required to move between the picking positions of product A and product B. For example, if product A is a product with product ID "P0001" and product B is a product with product ID "P0002," the travel time required to move between the picking positions of the two products is "4" seconds. The travel time may be calculated based on, for example, the walking speed of a normal person. In this example, the travel time indicates the travel time required for a picker to walk from the position where he or she picked product with product ID "P0001" to the position where he or she will pick product with product ID "P0002." The walking speed while pushing the cart may also be taken into account when determining the travel time.

[0036] The picking task information 1313 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the picking task information 1313 according to the embodiment. The picking task information 1313 includes information such as an order ID, a product ID, a person in charge ID, a picking order, and a basket number. The picking task information 1313 may be registered or updated each time an order registration completion instruction is received from the order terminal 3. The picking task information 1313 may also include information indicating the registration status of the product to be picked. The product registration status includes, for example, registration completed, not registered, next picking target, etc. The picking task information 1313 may be registered or updated each time a product registration completion notification is received from the picking terminal 2.

[0038] The order ID is unique identification information assigned to each order to identify it individually. The order ID is identification information assigned to each order. The product ID is a product ID for identifying each product included in each order. The server 1 acquires order information each time it receives an order registration completion instruction from the order terminal 3. The order information may include the order ID and the product IDs of the products included in the order. The order information is information linking the order ID and the product ID. The picker ID is unique identification information assigned to each picker to identify each picker. The picker ID is information indicating the picker responsible for picking the products included in each order. The picker ID may be saved or updated each time a picker is assigned to each order. The picking order is information indicating the picking order of the products, which is determined by processing by the determination unit 112, which will be described later. The picking order may be saved or updated each time the picking order is determined by processing by the determination unit 112. The basket number is unique identification information assigned to each basket to identify each basket loaded on the cart used by the picker. The basket number is not limited to a number, and may be identification information such as a basket ID. The basket number may be saved or updated every time a basket number to be assigned to each order is determined.

[0039] Figure 7 shows that the product with product ID "P0005" included in the order with order ID "O0001" is assigned to picker "W0001" and is fourth in the picking order. Figure 7 shows that the product with product ID "P0005" included in the order with order ID "O0001" is stored in the cart with cart number "1." Products included in the order with order ID "O0001" are assigned to the same picker "W0001" and stored in the same cart with cart number "1."

[0040] The car setting information 1314 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the cart setting information 1314 according to the embodiment. The basket setting information 1314 includes information such as a basket number and basket identification information. The basket number is identification information that is set in advance for a basket loaded on the cart. The basket identification information is information that is set to make each basket identifiable. The basket identification information is information that identifies one basket from multiple baskets. The basket identification information indicates information regarding a display method to be displayed on the picking terminal 2 to identify a basket. The basket identification information is an example of information that identifies an area. The basket identification information includes information such as color and symbol. For example, when baskets are identified by color, different colors are set for basket 1, basket 2, and basket 3. Examples of different colors include green, orange, and blue. The color may be the color of the basket, or may be a color displayed on a visible medium such as paper or a display attached to the basket. When baskets are identified by symbol, different symbols are set for basket 1, basket 2, and basket 3. Examples of different symbols include A, B, and C. The symbol may be a symbol displayed on a medium such as a visible piece of paper attached to the basket or a display. The basket identification information may be an icon or the like. When the baskets are identified by icons, different icons are set for basket 1, basket 2, and basket 3. The different icons may be, for example, different animals such as a rabbit, a bear, a pig, or different fruits such as an apple, an orange, a melon, or the like. The icon may be an icon displayed on a medium such as a visible piece of paper attached to the basket or a display. The basket setting information 1314 may be set in advance by an administrator or the like, or may be updated as appropriate by the administrator.

[0042] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The communication interface 14 includes various interfaces that connect the server 1 to other devices via a network in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol so that the server 1 can communicate with other devices.

[0043] The hardware configuration of the server 1 is not limited to the above configuration, and the server 1 allows the omission or modification of the above components and the addition of new components as appropriate.

[0044] Each unit implemented in the above-mentioned processor 11 will now be described. The processor 11 realizes an acquisition unit 110, an allocation processing unit 111, a determination unit 112, an output unit 113, a registration processing unit 114, a payment processing unit 115, and a delivery processing unit 116. Each unit realized by the processor 11 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit realized by the processor 11 can also be referred to as being realized by a control unit including the processor 11 and the main memory 12.

[0045] The acquisition unit 110 acquires an order registration completion instruction from the ordering terminal 3 via the communication interface 14. The order registration completion instruction may include information related to the order. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire the order registration completion instruction and the information related to the order separately. The information related to the order includes product information about the products included in the order. The product information includes information related to the location of the products.

[0046] The acquisition unit 110 may acquire a payment completion notification from the order terminal 3. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire information about the order in response to acquiring the payment completion notification. The acquisition unit 110 may update the picking task information and the order information based on the information about the order. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire a product receipt report from the order terminal 3 after the delivery process. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire information such as service evaluation from the order terminal 3. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire a registration completion notification for the product to be picked from the picking terminal 2. In the following description, "acquire" may be read as "receive."

[0047] The allocation processing unit 111 allocates multiple orders to multiple pickers. For example, the allocation processing unit 111 allocates multiple orders that require picking work to be completed within a specified delivery time frame to multiple pickers. The allocation processing unit 111 allocates multiple orders to one picker. The allocation processing unit 111 allocates multiple orders to multiple delivery people. The allocation can be achieved using known technology.

[0048] The determination unit 112 determines an area in which to store products included in multiple orders. The determination unit 112 determines the association between the products and the area in which to store the products. The determination unit 112 determines the area in which to store the products for each order. Information indicating the association between the products and the area in which to store the products is also referred to as association information.

[0049] The determination unit 112 determines a picking order for picking multiple items included in an order. The items included in an order are also referred to as picking target items. The determination unit 112 determines the picking order based on information about the locations of the items. The information about the locations of the items may be information indicating the locations of the items displayed in the store. The information about the locations of the items may be information indicating the locations of shelves on which the items are displayed in the store. The information about the locations of the items may be information indicating the locations of aisles facing the shelves on which the items are displayed in the store. The determination unit 112 may determine a picking order in which a route for picking multiple items is the shortest route. The picking route indicates a route for moving between multiple items that is calculated based on the order in which the items are picked. The shortest route may be a route for moving between multiple items with the shortest distance. The shortest route may be a route for moving between multiple items with the shortest time. The determination unit 112 determines the picking order based on, for example, a travel time calculation program 1300, a route determination program 1301, and an optimization program 1302.

[0050] The output unit 113 outputs information related to the picking work via the communication interface 14. The information related to the picking work includes information related to the order in which the products are to be picked. The information related to the picking work includes information related to the area in which the products are to be stored. The information related to the picking work may include an image showing the information related to the picking work. The output unit 113 outputs picking task information to the picking terminal 2 via the communication interface 14. The output unit 113 outputs map information to the picking terminal 2 via the communication interface 14. The output unit 113 may also output corresponding information to the picking terminal 2 via the communication interface 14. In the following description, "output" may be read as "send."

[0051] The registration processing unit 114 receives a work completion notification of the picking work from the picking terminal 2 via the communication interface 14. The work completion notification is a notification indicating that picking of the product has been completed. The registration processing unit 114 updates the work status of the picking work based on the work completion notification. The registration processing unit 114 may store the work status of the picking work in the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0052] The payment processing unit 115 performs payment processing for the product price to the store that received the order. The payment processing can be realized by known payment processing technology. The payment processing unit 115 may also perform payment processing for fees paid to the picking staff and delivery staff.

[0053] The delivery processing unit 116 outputs delivery task information to a delivery terminal (not shown) via the communication interface 14. The delivery terminal is a terminal used by a delivery person in charge of delivering the products included in the order. The delivery task information includes, for example, information about the order assigned to the delivery person.

[0054] An example of the configuration of the picking terminal 2 will be described. The picking terminal 2 is a device including a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication interface 24, an input device 25, a camera 26, a display device 27, and a speaker 28. The components constituting the picking terminal 2 are connected to each other so that signals can be input and output.

[0055] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the picking terminal 2. The processor 21 is an element that constitutes the computer of the server 1. The processor 21 has the same hardware configuration as the above-mentioned processor 11. The processor 21 performs various operations by executing programs that are pre-stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23. The processor 21 is an example of a processing circuit.

[0056] The main memory 22 corresponds to the main storage portion of the picking terminal 2. The main memory 22 has the same hardware configuration as the above-mentioned main memory 12. The main memory 22 stores programs.

[0057] The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the picking terminal 2. The auxiliary storage device 23 has the same hardware configuration as the above-described auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores the above-described programs. The auxiliary storage device 23 may store a picking task presentation program. The auxiliary storage device 23 may also store user information.

[0058] The auxiliary storage device 23 stores picking task information, map information, and product information.

[0059] The communication interface 24 includes various interfaces that connect the picking terminal 2 to other devices so that they can communicate with each other via a network in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0060] The input device 25 is a device that can input data or instructions to the picking terminal 2. For example, the input device 25 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The input device 25 includes a microphone that can input voice.

[0061] Camera 26 is a device capable of acquiring photographic data of a photographic range under the control of processor 21. Camera 26 is an example of an imaging unit.

[0062] The display device 27 is a device capable of displaying various images under the control of the processor 21. For example, the display device 27 is a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electroluminescence) display.

[0063] The speaker 28 is a device that can output sound under the control of the picking terminal 2.

[0064] The hardware configuration of the picking terminal 2 is not limited to the above-described configuration. The picking terminal 2 allows the above-described components to be omitted or changed, and new components to be added, as appropriate.

[0065] Each unit implemented in the above-mentioned processor 21 will now be described. The processor 21 realizes an acquisition unit 210, an image processing unit 211, a display processing unit 212, a registration processing unit 213, and an output unit 214. Each unit realized by the processor 21 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit realized by the processor 21 can also be referred to as being realized by a control unit including the processor 21 and the main memory 22.

[0066] The acquisition unit 210 acquires picking task information from the server 1 via the communication interface 24. The acquisition unit 210 acquires map information from the server 1 via the communication interface 24. The acquisition unit 210 acquires basket setting information from the server 1 via the communication interface 24. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire product information from the server 1 via the communication interface 24.

[0067] The image processing unit 211 generates a basket setting image based on the basket setting information. The basket setting image is an example of an image related to correspondence information that associates items included in an order with areas in which the items are stored. The correspondence information may be correspondence information that associates an order with an area in which the items included in the order are stored. The correspondence information is information that associates each item to be picked with the basket in which the item should be stored. The correspondence information is information that indicates in which basket each item should be stored. The correspondence information may be information that associates each of a plurality of orders with the basket in which the items included in the order should be stored. The correspondence information is information that indicates in which basket the items included in each order should be stored.

[0068] The image processing unit 211 generates an image indicating a picking order based on the picking task presentation program. The image indicating the picking order includes an image based on the correspondence information. The image indicating the picking order may include an image indicating a picking path. The image indicating the picking order may include a list image that displays information about multiple products in a list based on the picking order. The image indicating the picking order may include product information. The image processing unit 211 may generate an image indicating a picking path based on location information of the picking terminal 2. The image processing unit 211 may generate an image indicating a picking path based on a product registration operation by the user of the picking terminal 2. The image processing unit 211 may generate an image indicating a picking order every time location information of the picking terminal 2 is acquired. The image processing unit 211 may generate an image indicating a picking order every time a product registration operation by the user of the picking terminal 2 is acquired.

[0069] The display processing unit 212 displays the basket setting image on the display device 27. The display processing unit 212 displays an image indicating the picking order on the display device 27. The display processing unit 212 may display the image indicating the picking order on the display device 27 every time an image indicating the picking order is generated by the image processing unit 211. The display processing unit 212 may display the image indicating the picking order on the display device 27 based on a user operation.

[0070] The registration processing unit 213 obtains a registration completion notification based on the product registration operation for the product. The product registration operation is an operation for instructing the completion of product registration for the product to be picked. Completion of product registration indicates that picking of the product has been completed. The registration processing unit 213 updates the registration status of the product based on the registration completion operation. The registration processing unit 213 obtains a work completion notification indicating the completion of the picking work by the user. Completion of the picking work indicates that picking of all orders included in the order has been completed. Note that the completion of the picking work may also indicate that picking of all picking target products included in multiple orders handled by the picker has been completed. The registration processing unit 213 updates the work status of the picking work based on the work completion operation. The registration processing unit 213 may store the work status of the picking work in the auxiliary storage device 23.

[0071] The output unit 214 outputs a work completion notification to the server 1 via the communication interface 24. The output unit 214 may also output a registration completion notification to the server 1 via the communication interface 24, indicating the completion of product registration of the product to be picked.

[0072] (Example of operation) The processing procedure performed by the picking operation support system 100 will be described. In the following description, which focuses on the server 1, the server 1 may be read as the processor 11. In the following description, the units realized by the processor 11 are described as the units, but the notation of each unit may be read as the processor 11. In the following description, which focuses on the picking terminal 2, the picking terminal 2 may be read as the processor 21. In the following description, the units realized by the processor 21 are described as the units, but the notation of each unit may be read as the processor 21. The processing procedures described below are merely examples, and each process may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, steps may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate depending on the embodiment. In the following process, it is assumed that a user of an ordering terminal 3 registers an order in a shopping agent service provided by the server 1. The server 1 accepts order registrations from the user of the ordering terminal 3 at any time. In response to the completion of order registration by the user of the ordering terminal 3, the ordering terminal 3 outputs an order registration completion instruction to the server 1. In response to receiving the order registration completion instruction, the server 1 saves information related to the order in the auxiliary storage device 13. Note that the server 1 may also save information related to the order in the auxiliary storage device 13 in response to the completion of a payment operation by the user of the ordering terminal 3. In this case, the server 1 may obtain a payment completion notification and information related to the order from the ordering terminal 3.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for information processing by the server 1 according to the embodiment.

[0074] The following example will be explained assuming that picking work is being carried out in one store, where one picker is responsible for picking items included in up to three orders.

[0075] The acquisition unit 110 acquires information about the order from the ordering terminal 3 (ACT1). In ACT1, for example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires an order registration completion instruction from the ordering terminal 3. The acquisition unit 110 acquires the order registration completion instruction and information about the order. The acquisition unit 110 acquires information about the locations of multiple products included in the order. The acquisition unit 110 updates the picking task information 1313 based on the information about the order.

[0076] The processor 11 determines whether a predetermined operation timing has been reached (ACT2). The predetermined operation timing may be set by an administrator or the like. The predetermined operation timing may be, for example, a predetermined time interval. The predetermined operation timing may be, for example, a timing based on the start time of a predetermined delivery time slot. If the processor 11 determines that the predetermined operation timing has been reached (ACT2: YES), the process transitions from ACT2 to ACT3. If the processor 11 determines that the predetermined operation timing has not been reached (ACT2: NO), the process transitions from ACT2 to ACT1.

[0077] The allocation processing unit 111 allocates the multiple orders to multiple pickers and delivery personnel (ACT3).

[0078] The determination unit 112 determines a picking order for picking the multiple items included in the order (ACT4). In ACT4, for example, the determination unit 112 determines the picking order based on information about the order. The determination unit 112 may determine the picking order based on information about the positions of the multiple items included in the order.

[0079] The output unit 113 outputs information about picking work according to the picking order of multiple items included in the order to the picking terminal 2 (ACT5). The information about picking work may include picking task information. The information about picking work may include map information. The information about picking work may include basket setting information. The information about picking work may include correspondence information. The information about picking work may include route information according to the picking order. The information about picking work may include information that associates the picking order with product information of multiple items included in the order. In ACT5, for example, the output unit 113 outputs picking task information to the picking terminal 2. The output unit 113 outputs map information to the picking terminal 2. The output unit 113 outputs basket setting information to the picking terminal 2. The output unit 113 may output the picking task information, map information, and basket setting information to the picking terminals 2 of multiple pickers who are in charge of orders within a specified delivery time frame. The output unit 113 may output picking task information, map information, and basket setting information related to the assigned orders to each picker. The picking terminal 2 acquires information related to picking work according to the picking order. The picking terminal 2 acquires the picking task information, map information, and basket setting information. The picking terminal 2 generates a picking order image based on the acquired picking task information, map information, and basket setting information. The picking terminal 2 displays the generated picking order image on the display device 27. The output unit 113 may output the picking order image generated based on the picking task information, map information, and correspondence information to the picking terminal 2. In this case, the picking terminal 2 may display the picking order image acquired from the server 1 on the display device 27. The output unit 113 may output information related to picking work to the picking terminal 2 every time the picking task information is updated.

[0080] The registration processing unit 114 acquires a work completion notification of the picking work from the picking terminal 2 (ACT6). In response to acquiring the work completion notification, the registration processing unit 114 may update the work status of the picking work.

[0081] The payment processing unit 115 performs payment processing for the product price with the store that has received the order (ACT 7). The payment processing unit 115 may perform payment processing using known technology.

[0082] The delivery processing unit 116 outputs delivery task information to the delivery terminal (ACT8). In ACT8, for example, information about the delivery task assigned by the assignment processing unit 111 is output to the delivery terminal. The user of the delivery terminal performs delivery work according to the delivery task information. The assignment processing unit 111 may assign multiple orders to multiple delivery staff, similar to assignment to pickers. The assignment processing unit 111 may assign multiple orders to multiple delivery staff using known technology.

[0083] After the delivery process, the acquisition unit 110 may acquire a product receipt report from the order terminal 3. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire information such as a service evaluation from the order terminal 3. After the delivery process, the payment processing unit 115 may perform payment processing for fees to the picking staff and delivery staff.

[0084] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for information processing related to a product list by the server 1 according to the embodiment. The following process is an example of specific information processing for determining the picking order in ACT4 shown in Figure 9. In this example, the picking order is determined for at least one item included in an order for which each picker is to perform picking work. The following process will be described assuming that the picking order is determined for multiple items included in multiple orders assigned to one picker.

[0085] The following process is performed for multiple orders assigned to each picker.

[0086] The determination unit 112 determines the allocation of areas to each allocated order (ACT11). In ACT11, for example, the determination unit 112 determines a basket number to be assigned to each order based on picking task information and basket setting information. The determination unit 112 assigns basket numbers based on, for example, the order ID. The determination unit 112 may assign basket numbers in ascending order of order ID numbers. For example, the determination unit 112 assigns basket numbers "1", "2", and "3" to order IDs "O0001", "O0002", and "O0003", respectively. The determination unit 112 saves the assigned basket numbers in the picking task information. The determination unit 112 saves the basket numbers assigned to each order in association with each order ID. The determination unit 112 may save the basket numbers assigned to each order in association with information about the products included in each order. The determination unit 112 may randomly assign cart numbers to order IDs.

[0087] The determination unit 112 creates a list showing the products included in all the assigned orders (ACT 12). In ACT 12, for example, the determination unit 112 creates one list including the picking target products included in all the orders.

[0088] The determination unit 112 calculates the distance between the positions of two products among the multiple products included in all allocated orders (ACT13). In ACT13, for example, the determination unit 112 calculates the distance between the positions of two products for all combinations of two products selected from the multiple products included in all orders. The determination unit 112 may calculate the distance between the positions of two products based on the travel time calculation program 1300. The distance between the positions of two products is also referred to as the distance between two points. The determination unit 112 saves the calculated distance between the two points in the auxiliary storage device 13. The determination unit 112 calculates the travel time between the two points based on the distance between the two points. The determination unit 112 saves the calculated travel time between the two points in travel time information 1312.

[0089] The determination unit 112 determines a route to be applied from among candidate routes for picking all of the items to be picked (ACT14). In ACT14, for example, the determination unit 112 may determine, from among the candidate routes, the route with the shortest travel distance as the route to be applied. The determination unit 112 may also determine, from among the candidate routes, the route with the shortest travel time as the route to be applied. The determination unit 112 stores the determined route in the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0090] The determination unit 112 updates the picking task information based on the determined route (ACT 15). The determination unit 112 stores the picking order based on the determined route in the picking task information 1313.

[0091] The determination unit 112 updates the product list (ACT 16). The determination unit 112 updates the order of the products included in the product list based on the picking order.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for information processing regarding picking orders by the server 1 according to the embodiment. The following process is an example of specific information processing for calculating the distance between two points in ACT13 shown in FIG. The determination unit 112 acquires map information of the store from the map information 1310 (ACT21). In ACT21, for example, the determination unit 112 acquires map information of the store where the picking operation is to be performed. In this example, the determination unit 112 acquires map information in a grid map format. Note that the map information is not limited to information in a grid map format. The map information may be information that indicates the location information of products within the store.

[0093] The determining unit 112 converts the map information into graph structure data (ACT 22).

[0094] The determination unit 112 performs the following process for all combinations of two products taken from a plurality of products included in all allocated orders. The following describes the process performed for the two taken products.

[0095] The determination unit 112 acquires information on the picking positions of the two products from the product information 1311 (ACT23).

[0096] The determination unit 112 calculates the travel distance based on the information on the picking positions of the two products (ACT24). In ACT24, for example, the determination unit 112 calculates the shortest route for picking the two products based on the information on the picking positions of the two products. The determination unit 112 calculates the travel distance between the picking positions of the two products based on the shortest route. The determination unit 112 may calculate the travel distance between the picking positions of the two products based on the position information of the two products. The travel distance between the picking positions of the two products is also referred to as the travel distance between the two products. The determination unit 112 may calculate the shortest route using a known technique such as a breadth-first search algorithm. In this case, the determination unit 112 sets nodes corresponding to the picking positions of the two products as the start point and end point, respectively, in the graph structure data of the map information, and calculates the travel distance of the shortest route using a breadth-first search algorithm.

[0097] The determination unit 112 calculates the travel time between the two products (ACT 25). In ACT 25, for example, the determination unit 112 calculates the travel time between the two products based on the calculated travel distance of the shortest route between the two products. The determination unit 112 may calculate the travel time by multiplying the calculated travel distance of the shortest route between the two products by a travel time coefficient ((travel time) = (travel distance) × (travel time coefficient)). The travel time coefficient is a coefficient for converting travel distance into travel time. The travel distance is, for example, the number of grids in the map information. The travel time is, for example, the number of seconds. The travel time coefficient can be set taking into consideration, for example, the scale of the map, the travel speed, etc. The determination unit 112 calculates the travel time of the shortest route between the two products.

[0098] The determination unit 112 stores the calculated travel time of the shortest route between the two products in the travel time information 1312 (ACT 26). The determination unit 112 can update the travel time information 1312 every time it calculates the travel time.

[0099] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for information processing related to picking orders by the server 1 according to the embodiment. The following process is an example of specific information processing for determining a route in ACT14 shown in FIG. In the following, an example will be described in which the processor 11 formulates an optimization problem, registers it in the optimization program 1302, and finds a solution to the formulated problem through processing based on the optimization program 1302.

[0100] The determination unit 112 acquires travel time information for all combinations of two products to be extracted from the multiple products included in all assigned orders (ACT 31). In ACT 31, for example, the determination unit 112 references the travel time information 1312 to acquire travel time information between two products for the multiple products included in all orders. A case will be described in which travel time information is acquired for product P0005, product P0011, and product P0054. The determination unit 112 acquires travel time information between product A and product B when product A is "product P0005" and product B and "product P0011". The determination unit 112 acquires travel time information between product A and product B when product A is "product P0005" and product B and "product P0054". Similarly, the determination unit 112 acquires travel time information between product A and other products when product A is "product P0011" and travel time information between product A and other products when product A is "product P0054".

[0101] The determination unit 112 registers the decision variable in the optimization program 1302 (ACT32). In ACT32, for example, the determination unit 112 adjusts the decision variable "x ij "," "u j Define the decision variable "x ij " is a binary variable that is 1 when any product i (i = 1, 2, ..., m) and product j (j = 1, 2, ..., n) moves from the picking position of product i to the picking position of product j, and is 0 when they do not move. The decision variable "u j " is a variable that indicates the order in which product i is picked.

[0102] The determination unit 112 registers a constant in the optimization program 1302 (ACT 33). In ACT 33, for example, the determination unit 112 registers a constant "c ij Set the travel time information to ". ij " is a constant that represents the cost of transportation between two products. The transportation cost indicates the distance or time required to travel.

[0103] The determination unit 112 registers the objective function and the constraint conditions in the optimization program 1302 (ACT 34). The objective function is expressed by, for example, Equation 1.

[0104]

number

[0105]

number

[0106]

number

[0107]

number

[0108] The determination unit 112 determines the picking order of the multiple products included in the order (ACT 35). In ACT 35, for example, the determination unit 112 solves an optimization problem formulated as a mixed integer programming problem such as Equation 1, Equation 2, Equation 3, and Equation 4 using the optimization program 1302. The determination unit 112 determines the picking order "u" for each product included in the order. j The determination unit 112 determines a picking order that provides the shortest route for picking multiple products included in an order.

[0109] The determination unit 112 stores the order of picking the products included in the order in the picking task information 1313 (ACT 36).

[0110] According to this example, the server 1 can determine the picking order of the products to be picked based on the positional information between the two products. The server 1 can determine the picking order that will result in the shortest picking route. This allows the server 1 to provide the picking terminal 2 with a picking order for picking multiple products via the shortest route. The picker can perform the picking work based on the picking order, thereby improving the efficiency of the picking work.

[0111] Although the above-described process for determining the picking order has been described as a method for formulating a mixed integer programming problem and finding a solution using a mathematical optimization program, the formulation method and the solution finding method are not limited to this. For example, a method for conducting a brute force search of all candidates for assignment of picking workers, a method for formulating the problem as an Ising problem and finding a solution using an Ising machine, or a method using a heuristic algorithm may also be used.

[0112] An example of an image displayed on the picking terminal 2 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a basket setting image displayed on the display device 27 of the picking terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

[0113] FIG. 13 shows a basket setting image Ima. The basket setting image Ima includes information for identifying multiple baskets to be loaded in the cart. The information for identifying the baskets may include at least one of text information and images. In the example of FIG. 13, the information for identifying the baskets is assumed to be the symbols "A," "B," and "C." The basket setting image Ima may be displayed on the display device 27 of the picking terminal 2 based on the picker declaring that he or she will start picking work. The declaration to start picking work is, for example, an operation such as touching a start button to start picking work. The basket setting image Ima may include a "next" button or the like for transitioning to an image for progressing the picking work.

[0114] The user of the picking terminal 2 sets the baskets in the cart according to the basket setting image Ima. In this example, the user sets "basket A" in the top row of the cart, "basket B" in the middle row of the cart, and "basket C" in the bottom row of the cart. The user stores the products in the baskets corresponding to the baskets assigned to each product.

[0115] FIG. 14 shows a picking order image Imb. The picking order image Imb includes a map display area Ara and a product information display area Arb. The map display area Ara is an area that displays a map of the store. The map display area Ara includes information indicating the positions of products included in the order on the map of the store. The information indicating the product positions may be information indicating the position where the products are to be picked. The information indicating the product positions includes, for example, objects indicating the product positions. The objects indicating the product positions are also referred to as product position objects. The map display area Ara includes product position objects Oba, Obd, and Obf. The map display area Ara includes information indicating a route for picking the products. The information indicating the route is information indicating which aisle on the map of the store to take. The information indicating the route includes, for example, a route object. The route object may include a completed route object that indicates the route from the start of picking to products that have already been picked, and an incomplete route object that indicates the route for picking products that have not yet been picked. The map display area Ara includes a completed path object Obe and incomplete path objects Obb and Obg. The completed path object and the incomplete path object may be displayed in a manner that allows each to be distinguished. For example, the completed path object and the incomplete path object may be displayed in a visually distinguishable manner. Examples of visually distinguishable manners include different colors, sizes, brightness or luminance, patterns, or blinking displays. The incomplete path object Obb indicates the picking position of the previously picked product and the movement route to the picking position of the next product to be picked.

[0116] The map display area Ara may include information indicating the next product to be picked. The information indicating the next product to be picked is, for example, a product position object Obc. The product position object Obc may be displayed in a manner that allows it to be visually distinguished from other product position objects. In the example of FIG. 14, the product position object Obc is an arrow object. The arrow object indicates which direction in the aisle the product is located on the display shelf. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to know which shelf the product is displayed on when viewed from the aisle. The product position object may include detailed information about the product's display position, such as the direction of the product's display position from the aisle as the starting point, and the shelf level on the display shelf. The detailed information about the product's display position includes information that makes it easier for the picker to find the product. The detailed information about the product's display position may be text information.

[0117] The map display area Ara displays a route on a map according to the order in which products are to be picked, allowing the user of the picking terminal 2 to visually understand which aisles to take when picking products based on the store map.

[0118] The server 1 may acquire location information of the picking terminal 2. The location information of the picking terminal 2 may include location information and orientation information acquired by a sensor or the like. In this case, the map display area Ara may include information indicating the current location and orientation of the picking terminal 2. The map display area Ara may display an image of a map rotated based on the location information of the picking terminal 2. The server 1 may recalculate the picking order based on the location information of the picking terminal 2 if the user of the picking terminal 2 deviates from the route corresponding to the picking order or picks items in an order different from the picking order. The server 1 may display a new route corresponding to the calculated picking order. In this example, the server 1 can dynamically present a picking route according to the actions of the user of the picking terminal 2. The user can also easily visually determine which basket to place the next item to be picked. In this way, the server 1 can assist the user of the picking terminal 2 in sorting items along the route for each order according to the actions of the user of the picking terminal 2.

[0119] The product information display area Arb includes product information for the next product to be picked. The product information display area Arb includes an area Ta indicating the picking order, an area Tb indicating product information, an area Tc displaying product images, a basket information area Taa, and a register button Ba. Area Ta includes text information indicating the picking order. Area Tb may include product names, product IDs, and prices. Area Tc may include product images or photos. The basket information area Taa includes information for identifying the basket in which to store the products. In this example, the basket information area Taa includes information indicating that the second product to be picked, "XX Milk," is to be stored in "Basket B." The basket information area Taa may include an order ID. The basket information area Taa may include correspondence information between each order and the basket in which to store the products included in each order. The register button Ba is a button operated by the user of the picking terminal 2. The register button Ba is a software key. The register button Ba is an operator for instructing the completion of product registration. When the user of the picking terminal 2 has completed picking of the product to be picked, the user selects the registration button Ba by touch input or the like. Based on the operation of the registration button Ba, the picking terminal 2 outputs information indicating the completion of product registration to the server 1. Based on the user's touch input of the registration button Ba, the picking terminal 2 may display product information of the next product to be picked in the product information display area Arb.

[0120] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a picking order image displayed on the display device 27 of the picking terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

[0121] FIG. 15 shows a picking order image Imc. The picking order image Imc shows a list of items to be picked. The list of items to be picked is a list in which product information for the items is arranged according to the picking order. The example of FIG. 15 shows a list in which product information for the items to be picked is arranged in ascending order from picking order 1. The picking order image Imc includes an area Td indicating the picking order, an area Tf indicating product information, an area Te displaying images of the items, an area Tg and an area Th indicating the registration status of the items, a basket information area Ti, and a registration button Bb. Area Td includes text information indicating the picking order, similar to area Ta in FIG. 14. Area Te may include an image or photo of the item, similar to area Tc in FIG. 14. Area Tf may include product names, product IDs, and prices, similar to area Tb in FIG. 14. Area Tg and area Th indicating the registration status of the item may include text information indicating the registration status of the item. The product registration status may include, for example, "Registered," "Not registered," "Next picking target," etc. "Registered" indicates that the product has been picked and registered. "Registered" indicates that the user has picked the product and stored it in a cart or the like. "Registered" indicates that the user has operated the registration button. "Product registration" may indicate that the product has been picked. "Not registered" indicates that the product has not been picked. "Next picking target" indicates that the product has been assigned the next picking order after the product most recently registered based on the picking order. Text information indicating the registration status may include, for example, "Completed," "NEXT," etc. The basket information area Ti includes information for identifying the basket in which the product will be stored, similar to the basket information area Taa in FIG. 14 . The picking terminal 2 may display the basket information area Ti in different display modes based on the basket identification information. The display modes may include, for example, character color, size, font, enclosed character, character decoration such as brightness or luminance, background color, background brightness or luminance, background pattern, frame color, or blinking display. For example, when the basket identification information indicates "basket A," the picking terminal 2 may display the basket information area Ti in green.When the basket identification information indicates "basket B", the picking terminal 2 may display the basket information area Ti in orange. When the basket identification information indicates "basket C", the picking terminal 2 may display the basket information area Ti in blue. The registration button Bb is the same button as the registration button Ba.

[0122] The picking order image Imc includes an area containing information about each product. The picking terminal 2 may display the area containing information about each product in different display modes based on the basket identification information. For example, the picking terminal 2 may display the area containing product information about products to be stored in "basket A" in green. The picking terminal 2 may display the area containing product information about products to be stored in "basket B" in orange. The picking terminal 2 may display the area containing product information about products to be stored in "basket C" in blue.

[0123] The picking order image Imc may display information about registered products, information about unregistered products, and information about the next product to be picked in a distinguishable manner. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to easily visually check the registration status of products from the list of products to be picked. This allows the user to easily visually check the next product to be picked. Furthermore, the user can easily visually check which basket the next product to be picked should be placed in. In this way, the server 1 can support the sorting of products for each order.

[0124] The picking order image Imc may be updated based on the user's operation to register a product. The picking order image Imc may be displayed as a pop-up display based on the user's operation when the picking order image Imb is displayed, or the picking order image Imc may be displayed in place of the picking order image Imb based on the user's operation.

[0125] Information processing related to the display of the picking order in the picking terminal 2 will be described. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure performed by the picking terminal 2 according to the embodiment. In this example, an information processing procedure performed by the picking terminal 2 based on the acquisition of picking task information from the server 1 will be described.

[0126] In the following process, a picking order image is generated based on the picking operation of the picking target products by the user of the picking terminal 2. In this example, the picking terminal 2 updates the registration status of the picking target products based on the registration operation of the picking target products by the user.

[0127] The acquisition unit 210 acquires information about picking work according to the picking order of multiple products included in multiple orders from the server 1 (ACT41). In ACT41, for example, the acquisition unit 210 acquires picking task information, map information, and cart setting information from the server 1. The acquisition unit 210 may also acquire product information about multiple products included in the orders from the server 1.

[0128] The display processing unit 212 displays an image indicating the type of basket on the display device 27 (ACT42). The image indicating the type of basket is an image including information that can identify multiple baskets to be loaded in the cart. For example, it is a basket setting image. For example, the image processing unit 211 generates the basket setting image based on the basket setting information. The display processing unit 212 displays the basket setting image generated by the image processing unit 211 on the display device 27.

[0129] The image processing unit 211 acquires information about product x with the smallest picking order based on the picking task information (ACT43). Product x indicates the product to be picked next. In ACT43, for example, the image processing unit 211 extracts information about product x, which is the product with the smallest picking order from among the products for which picking has not yet been completed, based on the picking task information. The information about product x includes information indicating the position of the product. The information about product x includes product information about product x.

[0130] The image processing unit 211 generates a picking order image (ACT44). In ACT44, for example, the image processing unit 211 generates a picking order image including route information from the position of product y to the position of product x. Product y indicates the product that was previously picked. The previously picked product indicates the product that was most recently picked. The most recently picked product indicates the product whose picking order is one step smaller than the next picking order. The picking order image includes a store map image. The route information may include product position objects indicating the positions of product x and product y, and a route object indicating the route from the position of product y to the position of product x. The image processing unit 211 may generate product position objects so that the product positions are displayed in different display modes for each order containing a product. The image processing unit 211 may generate product position objects so that the product positions are displayed in different display modes for each basket that stores the products. For example, if product x is included in order 1 and product y is included in order 2, the product position object indicating product x and the product position object indicating product y may be generated to be displayed in different colors. For example, when product x is stored in "basket A" and product y is stored in "basket B," objects may be generated to display the product position object indicating product x and the product position object indicating product y in different colors. Note that when the picking order of product x is "1," the route information indicates the route from the store entrance to the location of product x. The image processing unit 211 may generate a product information image indicating the product information of product x based on the picking task information and the product information of product x. The product information image may include, for example, an image indicating the picking order of the product, an image of the product, the product name, the product ID, the price, and the registration status of the product. The product information image includes information identifying the basket in which product x is stored. The image processing unit 211 may change the display mode of the product information image based on the information identifying the basket.

[0131] The display processing unit 212 displays an image related to the picking work according to the picking order on the display device 27 (ACT45). The image related to the picking work includes an image showing information about the product x and an image showing information about the picking order. The image related to the picking work includes information for identifying the basket in which the product x is stored. In ACT45, for example, the display processing unit 212 displays the picking order image generated by the image processing unit 211 on the display device 27. The display processing unit 212 may also display the product information image generated by the image processing unit 211 on the display device 27.

[0132] The registration processing unit 213 acquires a registration completion notification of the product to be picked by the user (ACT46). In ACT46, for example, the registration processing unit 213 acquires the registration completion notification based on the product registration operation by the user. The registration processing unit 213 updates the registration status of the product whose registration has been completed.

[0133] The registration processing unit 213 determines whether or not registration has been completed for all of the products to be picked (ACT47). In ACT47, for example, the registration processing unit 213 may refer to the product registration status based on the picking task information and determine whether or not registration has been completed for all of the products. If the registration processing unit 213 determines that registration has been completed for all of the products, the process transitions from ACT47 to ACT48. If the registration processing unit 213 determines that registration has been completed for all of the products, the processor 21 repeats the processes from ACT43 to ACT47.

[0134] The output unit 214 outputs a work completion notification to the server 1 (ACT 48).

[0135] The image processing unit 211 may generate a picking order image including position information of all products to be picked and information on routes to pick all products to be picked, based on information on the picking work according to the picking order acquired from the server 1. The display processing unit 212 may display the product information image generated by the image processing unit 211 on the display device 27. The image processing unit 211 may update the picking order image based on a product registration completion operation by the user.

[0136] According to this example, the picking terminal 2 can display an image that allows the picker to easily identify the basket in which to store the items to be picked. Therefore, the picker can easily store the picked items in the appropriate basket while looking at the image. This allows the picker to appropriately sort multiple items included in multiple orders. In this way, the picking terminal 2 can support the sorting of items for each order.

[0137] (Variation) The multiple orders may be orders for multiple stores. In this case, the allocation processing unit 111 may allocate the multiple orders within a predetermined delivery time frame for each store to multiple pickers.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the user of the picking terminal 2 completes the registration of the product to be picked by pressing a registration button, but the registration completion operation may also be performed by scanning the product code of the product using a camera or scanner of the picking terminal 2.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the method of registering map information within a store is occupancy grid map data, but other types of data such as graph structure data may also be used. In the above-described embodiment, the server 1 outputs correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the products and the storage areas for multiple products included in multiple orders to the picking terminal 2 based on the picking order, and the picking terminal 2 displays an image based on the correspondence information between the products and the storage areas for the products based on the picking order. However, this is not limited to this. The server 1 may also output correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the products and the storage areas for the products to the picking terminal 2 based on a product list including the multiple products included in multiple orders. In this case, the server 1 does not need to perform a process for determining the picking order. The server 1 may create the product list based on the product information, etc. The picking terminal 2 may display an image based on the correspondence information between the products and the storage areas for the products based on the product list. According to this example, the server 1 can output correspondence information to the picking terminal 2 based on the product list. When performing picking work based on the product list, the user of the picking terminal 2 can appropriately sort the multiple products included in multiple orders based on the image based on the correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the products and the storage areas for the products. In the above embodiment, the output unit 113 of the server 1 has been described as outputting information related to the picking work to the picking terminal 2, but this is not limited to this. The output unit 113 of the server 1 may output information for printing an image based on the information related to the picking work to a printer or the like. The printer or the like may print an image based on the information related to the picking work based on the acquired information.

[0140] (effect) The server 1 according to the embodiment can acquire information about multiple products included in multiple orders, determine the correspondence between the multiple products and the areas in which the products are stored, and output correspondence information indicating the correspondence. For example, the server 1 outputs correspondence information between products and areas for storing multiple products for each order to the picking terminal 2. The picking terminal 2 can display an image based on the correspondence information. The user of the picking terminal 2 can perform picking work based on the correspondence information. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to appropriately sort the multiple products included in the multiple orders. In this way, the server 1 can assist in sorting products for each order.

[0141] The server 1 according to the embodiment can output information specifying an area in which multiple items are stored in a cart. For example, the server 1 outputs information associating multiple items with baskets in the cart to the picking terminal 2. The picking terminal 2 can display an image based on the information associating multiple items with baskets in the cart. The user of the picking terminal 2 can easily recognize which item to store in which basket based on the association information. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to appropriately sort multiple items included in multiple orders. In this way, the server 1 can assist in sorting items for each order.

[0142] The server 1 according to the embodiment can acquire information about the locations of products, determine a picking order for picking multiple products based on the information about the locations, and output information about the picking work according to the picking order. For example, the server 1 outputs the picking order determined based on the locations of multiple products to the picking terminal 2. The picking terminal 2 can display an image based on the correspondence information between products and areas for storing multiple products for each order based on the picking order. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to easily recognize which products to store in which basket based on the picking order. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to appropriately sort multiple products included in multiple orders based on the picking order. In this way, the server 1 can assist in sorting products for each order.

[0143] The server 1 according to the embodiment can use information identifying an area in which multiple items are stored in a cart to determine a picking order that will result in the shortest route for picking the multiple items. For example, the server 1 outputs information on the shortest route for picking work to the picking terminal 2. The picking terminal 2 can display an image based on the correspondence information between items and areas for storing multiple items for each order based on the shortest route. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to easily recognize which items to store in which cart according to the shortest route. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to appropriately sort multiple items included in multiple orders according to the shortest route. In this way, the server 1 can assist in sorting items for each order.

[0144] The picking terminal 2 according to the embodiment can display an image related to correspondence information indicating the correspondence between multiple products and the areas in which the products are stored. For example, the user of the picking terminal 2 can perform picking work based on the correspondence information. This allows the user of the picking terminal 2 to appropriately sort multiple products included in multiple orders. In this way, the picking terminal 2 can assist in sorting products for each order.

[0145] (Other embodiments)

[0146] The information processing device may be realized by a single device such as the server 1, or may be realized by multiple devices with distributed functions. In the latter case, the information processing device also includes the meaning of an information processing system made up of multiple devices.

[0147] The above-described embodiments may be applied not only to an apparatus but also to a method executed by the apparatus. The above-described embodiments may be applied to a program that can cause a computer of the apparatus to execute each function. The above-described embodiments may be applied to a recording medium that stores a program. The above-described embodiments may be applied not only to a system but also to a method executed by multiple elements included in the system.

[0148] The processing circuitry includes one or more circuits that perform multiple processes with multiple functions, such as, but not limited to, a processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0149] Each of the one or more circuits constituting the processing circuit performs one or more of the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of a single circuit, the single circuit performs all of the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, each of the multiple circuits performs a part of the multiple processes. The part of the multiple processes may be one of the multiple processes, or two or more of the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, the multiple circuits may be included in a single device or may be distributed across multiple devices.

[0150] The program may be transferred in a state where it is stored in a device, or in a state where it is not stored in a device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it is a medium that can store the program and is computer-readable, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

[0151] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present invention in every respect. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, when implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0152] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and in the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0153] (Addendum) The above embodiment may be expressed as follows: (1) an acquisition unit that acquires information about multiple products included in multiple orders; a determination unit that determines associations between the plurality of products and areas in which the products are stored; an output unit that outputs correspondence information indicating the correspondence; An information processing device comprising: (2) The correspondence information includes information for identifying an area in the cart where the plurality of products are to be stored. The information processing device described in (1). (3) The information about the product includes information about the location of the product; The determination unit determines a picking order for picking the plurality of products based on the information related to the positions, the output unit outputs the correspondence information according to the picking order. An information processing device according to (1) or (2). (4) The determination unit determines a picking order in which a route for picking the plurality of products is the shortest route. (3) An information processing device according to the present invention. (5) To the computer: The ability to retrieve information on multiple items included in multiple orders, a function of determining a correspondence between the plurality of products and an area in which the products are stored; a function of outputting correspondence information indicating the correspondence; A program that can be executed. (6) An information processing terminal including a display processing unit that displays an image relating to correspondence information indicating correspondence between a plurality of products and areas in which the products are stored. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1...server, 2...picking terminal, 3...order terminal, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...auxiliary storage device, 14...communication interface, 21...processor, 22...main memory, 23...auxiliary storage device, 24...communication interface, 25...input device, 26...camera, 27...display device, 28...speaker, 100...picking operation support system, 110...acquisition unit, 111...allocation processing unit, 112...determination unit, 113...output unit, 114...registration processing unit, 115...payment processing unit, 116...delivery processing unit, 130...program storage area, 131...data storage area, 210...acquisition unit, 211...image processing unit, 212... Display processing unit, 213...registration processing unit, 214...output unit, 1300...travel time calculation program, 1301...route determination program, 1302...optimization program, 1310...map information, 1311...product information, 1312...travel time information, 1313...picking task information, 1314...basket setting information, Ara...map display area, Arb...product information display area, Ba, Bb...registration button, Ima...basket setting image, Imb, Imc...picking order image, Oba, Obc, Obd...product position object, Obb...incomplete route object, Obe...completed route object, Ta~Th...area, Taa, Ti...basket information area.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a plurality of products included in a plurality of orders; A determination unit that determines associations between the plurality of products and areas in which the products are stored; an output unit that outputs correspondence information indicating the association; An information processing device comprising:

2. the correspondence information includes information for identifying an area in which the plurality of products are to be stored in the cart; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The information about the product includes information about a location of the product; The determination unit determines a picking order for picking the plurality of products based on the information related to the location, The output unit outputs the correspondence information according to the picking order. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The determination unit determines a picking order in which a route for picking the multiple products is the shortest route. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. On the computer, The ability to retrieve information on multiple items in multiple orders, determining a correspondence between the plurality of products and an area in which the products are stored; a function of outputting correspondence information indicating the correspondence; A program that can execute the following.

Images