Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of making a facility perform a preliminary action prior to arrival of an AGV.SOLUTION: An information processing system that manages operations of plural automated guided vehicles operated among plural facilities according to a predesignated operation setting includes: an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle condition information, which represents a vehicle condition of each of the plural automated guided vehicles, from the plural automated guided vehicles; a prediction unit that predicts an arrival time required for arriving at a halt position corresponding to each of the facilities, based on vehicle condition information acquired by the acquisition unit; an identification unit that identifies the automated guided vehicle and a facility in which the arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is equal to or less than a time of a preliminary action to be performed in advance in order to establish a preparation condition for execution of a principal action of the facility; and an action instruction unit that, when the identification unit identifies the automated guided vehicle and the facility, instructs the facility to execute the preliminary action.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to improve the efficiency of AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) operation, a technique for efficiently dispatching AGVs by receiving multiple transport requests and issuing optimal movement instructions to the AGVs is already known.

[0003] As a technology for efficient operation management of such AGVs, a configuration has been disclosed that includes a management server that controls AGVs and an optimization server that allocates transport requests and AGV movement routes in order to dispatch AGVs taking into account multiple transport requests (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technology, there is a problem in that the preparatory operation of the equipment is performed after the AGV arrives at the specified location.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can cause equipment to perform preparatory operations before the arrival of an AGV. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an information processing system that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles that operate between a plurality of facilities according to preset operation settings, and is characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle status information indicating the vehicle status of each of the plurality of automated guided vehicles from the plurality of automated guided vehicles; a prediction unit that predicts the arrival time to arrive at the stopping position corresponding to each of the facilities from the vehicle status information acquired by the acquisition unit; an identification unit that identifies the automated guided vehicles and the facilities for which the arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the facilities for the execution of a main operation; and an operation instruction unit that, when the automated guided vehicles and the facilities are identified by the identification unit, instructs the facilities to perform the preparatory operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the equipment can perform preparatory operations before the arrival of the AGV. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration and an outline of an operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the traffic management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of factory equipment information in the equipment management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route managed by the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the operation management operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of an information processing system according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route managed by an information processing system according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the operation management operation of the information processing system according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0010] (Configuration and operation overview of information processing system) 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration and an outline of an operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment. The overall configuration and an outline of an operation of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0011] The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that manages the operation of multiple AGVs that automatically transport cargo and manages the operation of each piece of equipment involved in the AGVs' transport operations. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an operation management system 10, a user terminal 11, a vehicle control system 20, AGVs 21a and 21b, an equipment management system 30, and equipment 31a-31c. While FIG. 1 shows two AGVs, AGVs 21a and 21b, three or more AGVs may be used. When referring to any of these AGVs or when referring collectively, the term "AGV 21" is used. Furthermore, while FIG. 1 shows three pieces of equipment, 31a-31c, the number may be two or four or more. When referring to any of these pieces of equipment or when referring collectively, the term "equipment 31" is used.

[0012] The vehicle control system 20 is a system that receives instructions from the traffic management system 10 to control each AGV 21, collects information indicating the vehicle state of each AGV 21 (vehicle state information), and notifies the traffic management system 10. The vehicle state information includes, for example, position information indicating the position of the AGV 21 based on a positioning signal received by a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device or the like provided in the AGV 21, and speed information indicating the operating speed of the AGV obtained by a measuring device or the like provided in the AGV 21.

[0013] The AGV 21 is an automated guided vehicle that operates according to instructions from the vehicle control system 20 and automatically transports cargo by circulating between predetermined stopping positions. Note that, although the following description will be given taking as an example an operation in which the AGV 21 stops when it arrives at a stopping position, the present invention is not limited to this, and the AGV 21 does not have to stop at the stopping position, and may change its speed (for example, slow down) compared to that during normal operation.

[0014] The equipment management system 30 is a system that receives instructions from the traffic control system 10 to control each piece of equipment 31 in a factory, etc., and collects information (equipment status information) indicating the operating status of each piece of equipment 31 and notifies the traffic control system 10. The equipment management system 30 also stores and manages, for each piece of equipment 31, information (factory equipment information) that manages the installation location where the equipment 31 is installed, the preparatory operation time required to perform the preparatory operation of the equipment 31, etc. Here, the preparatory operation of the equipment 31 refers to an operation that is performed in advance to prepare the AGV 21 for the execution of its original operation (main operation) (e.g., loading, passing, moving, etc.).

[0015] The traffic management system 10 is a system that manages traffic according to traffic settings set by operation on a user terminal 11, instructs the vehicle control system 20 on the operation of the AGV 21, and instructs the equipment management system 30 on the operation of the equipment 31. The traffic management system 10 also notifies the user terminal 11 of the operation status of the AGV 21, etc.

[0016] In the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the operation management system 10, the vehicle control system 20, and the facility management system 30 are configured as separate systems, but this is not limited to this, and any two of these systems may be configured as one system, or all three systems may be configured as one system.

[0017] (Hardware configuration of traffic control systems, etc.) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a traffic management system according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the traffic management system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The hardware configurations of the vehicle control system 20 and the equipment management system 30 also conform to the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the traffic control system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 602, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 603, an auxiliary storage device 605, a media drive 607, a display 608, a network I / F 609, a keyboard 611, a mouse 612, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive 614.

[0019] The CPU 601 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the traffic control system 10. The ROM 602 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the traffic control system 10. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area for the CPU 601.

[0020] The auxiliary storage device 605 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various data, programs, etc. The media drive 607 is a device that controls reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 606 such as a flash memory under the control of the CPU 601.

[0021] The display 608 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., that displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

[0022] The network I / F 609 is an interface for communicating data with external devices such as the vehicle control system 20 and the equipment management system 30 using a network. The network I / F 609 is compatible with, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and is capable of wired or wireless communication in accordance with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) or the like.

[0023] The keyboard 611 is an input device for selecting letters, numbers, and various instructions, moving the cursor, etc. The mouse 612 is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, etc.

[0024] The DVD drive 614 is a device that controls reading and writing of data from and to a DVD 613 such as a DVD-ROM or a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable) as an example of a removable storage medium.

[0025] The above-mentioned CPU 601, ROM 602, RAM 603, auxiliary storage device 605, media drive 607, display 608, network I / F 609, keyboard 611, mouse 612 and DVD drive 614 are communicatively connected to each other via a bus 610 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0026] The hardware configuration of the traffic control system 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all of the components shown in FIG. 2, or other components may be included.

[0027] Furthermore, the traffic control system 10 is not limited to being configured by a single information processing device, but may be an information processing system configured by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0028] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of information processing systems) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of an information processing system according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of factory equipment information in an equipment management system according to an embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation management system 10 includes a communication unit 101, an equipment information acquisition unit 102, a vehicle state acquisition unit 103 (an example of an acquisition unit), an equipment state acquisition unit 104, a prediction unit 105, an identification unit 106, an operation instruction unit 107, a setting unit 108, and a memory unit 109.

[0030] The communication unit 101 is a functional unit that performs data communication with external devices such as the vehicle control system 20 and the facility management system 30 via the network N and the network I / F 609 of the traffic management system 10.

[0031] The equipment information acquisition unit 102 is a functional unit that acquires factory equipment information (equipment information) such as that shown in Figure 4, which is stored and managed in the equipment management system 30, from the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101.

[0032] 4, the factory equipment information is information that associates equipment identification information that uniquely identifies equipment 31, an equipment name that is the name of the equipment 31, an installation location where the equipment 31 is installed, a preparatory operation time that is the operation time of the preparatory operation of the equipment 31, and operation details of the equipment 31. For example, in FIG. 4, equipment identification information "B1", an equipment name "shutter", an installation location "Point B", a preparatory operation time "about 10 seconds", and operation details "(preparatory operation) open the shutter, (main operation) close the shutter" are associated with each other.

[0033] The standby operation time included in the factory equipment information may change depending on the state of the equipment 31. For example, if the equipment 31 is an elevator, the standby operation time changes depending on the current stopping position (stop floor). Therefore, the equipment management system 30 may change the standby operation time included in the factory equipment information by monitoring the state of the equipment 31. The factory equipment information may also include information indicating whether multiple AGVs 21 can be used simultaneously for each equipment 31, information on the number of available AGVs, etc.

[0034] The equipment information acquisition unit 102 stores the acquired factory equipment information in the storage unit 109.

[0035] The vehicle state acquisition unit 103 is a functional unit that acquires vehicle state information indicating the vehicle state of each AGV 21 from the vehicle control system 20 via the communication unit 101. The vehicle state acquisition unit 103 may acquire the vehicle state information of each AGV 21 at predetermined time intervals, for example.

[0036] The equipment status acquisition unit 104 is a functional unit that acquires equipment status information indicating the operating status of each piece of equipment 31 from the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101. The equipment status acquisition unit 104 may acquire the equipment status information of each piece of equipment 31 at predetermined time intervals, for example.

[0037] The prediction unit 105 is a functional unit that predicts the arrival time of each AGV 21 at its respective stop position (the installation location of the facility 31) based on the factory facility information acquired by the facility information acquisition unit 102 and the vehicle status information acquired by the vehicle status acquisition unit 103. Specifically, the prediction unit 105 first calculates the distance from the position of the AGV 21 to the installation location of the facility 31 based on the position information of the AGV 21 included in the vehicle status information and the installation location of the facility 31 included in the factory facility information. Then, the prediction unit 105 calculates the arrival time of the AGV 21 at the installation location of the facility 31 based on the speed information of the AGV 21 included in the vehicle status information and the calculated distance, thereby predicting the arrival time of the AGV 21 at the installation location of the facility 31. Note that, strictly speaking, the installation location of the facility 31 as the stop position of the AGV 21 indicates a stop position corresponding to the installation location, but here, the description will be given assuming that the installation location of the facility 31 is the stop position of the AGV 21.

[0038] The prediction unit 105 is not limited to predicting the arrival time of the AGV 21 at the installation point of the facility 31, but may predict an arrival time that can specify the timing of arrival at the installation point (for example, the time from the current time until arrival at the installation point). In other words, the above-mentioned arrival time is an example of the arrival time.

[0039] The identification unit 106 is a functional unit that identifies the AGV 21 and equipment 31 that satisfy the following formula (1) based on the arrival time of the AGV 21 predicted by the prediction unit 105 (predicted arrival time) and the preliminary operation time of the equipment 31 included in the factory equipment information acquired by the equipment information acquisition unit 102.

[0040] Current time + preliminary operation time ≥ predicted arrival time (1)

[0041] Note that, here, a case will be described in which the AGV 21 is controlled to arrive at the facility 31 before the time when the preparatory operation of the facility 31 ends as shown in the above formula (1), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identifying unit 106 may identify the AGV 21 and the facility 31 such that the AGV 21 will arrive before a time when about several seconds (leeway time) have elapsed since the preparatory operation of the facility 31 ends, that is, such that (current time + preparatory operation time + leeway time) ≥ predicted arrival time. The current time is the time at which the identifying unit 106 performs the identifying operation.

[0042] Furthermore, when the prediction unit 105 predicts the arrival time from the current time to the installation point, the determination by the above-mentioned identification unit 106 as to whether or not the formula (1) is satisfied corresponds to a determination as to whether or not the arrival time is equal to or shorter than the preparatory operation time.

[0043] The operation instructing unit 107 is a functional unit that instructs the equipment management system 30 to operate each piece of equipment 31 via the communication unit 101. Specifically, the operation instructing unit 107 transmits an instruction to execute a preparatory operation for the equipment 31 identified by the identifying unit 106 to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101. This allows the preparatory operation of the equipment 31 to be executed at least before the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31, thereby improving the productivity of the AGV 21. For example, if the equipment 31 is a loading robot arm, the equipment 31 can execute a preparatory operation in advance, such as grasping and lifting an object to be loaded onto the AGV 21, and waiting before the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31. Furthermore, if the equipment 31 is an elevator, the equipment 31 can execute a preparatory operation in advance, such as moving to the floor where the AGV 21 is scheduled to arrive, opening the door, and waiting before the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31. Then, when the operation instruction unit 107 confirms from the vehicle status information acquired by the vehicle status acquisition unit 103 that the AGV 21 has arrived at the installation location of the equipment 31 identified by the identification unit 106 and confirms from the equipment status information acquired by the equipment status acquisition unit 104 about the equipment 31 that the preparatory operation by the equipment 31 has been completed, the operation instruction unit 107 transmits an instruction to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101 to execute the main operation for the equipment 31. For example, if the equipment 31 is a loading robot arm, when the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31, the equipment 31 executes the main operation of loading the lifted cargo onto the AGV 21.

[0044] In addition, when the operation instruction unit 107 instructs a preliminary operation or a main operation, if error information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the target equipment 31 is received from the equipment management system 30, the operation management system 10 may instruct the vehicle control system 20 to stop the AGV 21.

[0045] The setting unit 108 is a functional unit that performs various settings for the information processing system 1 based on an operation on the user terminal 11. For example, the setting unit 108 performs operation settings for the AGV 21 in the information processing system 1 based on an operation on the user terminal 11. Then, the setting unit 108 stores the set operation settings in the storage unit 109 as operation setting information. The operation setting information includes, for example, information such as the stop positions where the AGV 21 stops (the installation positions of the equipment 31) and the order in which the AGV 21 stops at the stop positions.

[0046] The storage unit 109 is a functional unit that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 109 stores operation setting information set by the setting unit 108 and factory equipment information acquired by the equipment information acquisition unit 102. The storage unit 109 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 605 of the operation control system 10 shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] The above-mentioned communication unit 101, facility information acquisition unit 102, vehicle state acquisition unit 103, facility state acquisition unit 104, prediction unit 105, identification unit 106, operation instruction unit 107, and setting unit 108 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 of traffic control system 10 shown in Fig. 2. Note that at least some of the communication unit 101, facility information acquisition unit 102, vehicle state acquisition unit 103, facility state acquisition unit 104, prediction unit 105, identification unit 106, operation instruction unit 107, and setting unit 108 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0048] Note that the functional units of the traffic management system 10 shown in FIG. 3 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the traffic management system 10 shown in FIG. 3 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the traffic management system 10 shown in FIG. 3 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units. Furthermore, the functional units of the traffic management system 10 do not need to be configured as distinct software modules as shown in FIG. 3; it is sufficient that the functions of the functional units as a whole are realized by executing a program in the traffic management system 10.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle control system 20 includes a communication unit 201, an acquisition unit 202, a transmission unit 203, and a vehicle operation control unit 204.

[0050] The communication unit 201 is a functional unit that performs data communication with external devices such as the traffic control system 10 via the network N and the network I / F 609 of the vehicle control system 20. The communication unit 201 also performs communication with each AGV 21 via the network I / F 609 of the vehicle control system 20.

[0051] The acquisition unit 202 is a functional unit that acquires vehicle state information of each AGV 21 from the AGV 21 via the communication unit 201 .

[0052] The transmitting unit 203 is a functional unit that transmits the vehicle state information of each AGV 21 acquired by the acquiring unit 202 to the operation management system 10 via the communication unit 201.

[0053] The vehicle operation control unit 204 is a functional unit that controls the operation of each AGV 21 via the communication unit 201 .

[0054] The above-described communication unit 201, acquisition unit 202, transmission unit 203, and vehicle operation control unit 204 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 of vehicle control system 20 shown in Fig. 2. Note that at least some of the communication unit 201, acquisition unit 202, transmission unit 203, and vehicle operation control unit 204 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

[0055] Note that the functional units of the vehicle control system 20 shown in Fig. 3 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the vehicle control system 20 shown in Fig. 3 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the vehicle control system 20 shown in Fig. 3 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units. Furthermore, the functional units of the vehicle control system 20 do not need to be configured as distinct software modules as shown in Fig. 3; it is sufficient that the functions of the functional units as a whole are realized by executing a program in the vehicle control system 20.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the equipment management system 30 includes a communication unit 301, an equipment status acquisition unit 302, a transmission unit 303, an operation instruction acquisition unit 304, an equipment operation control unit 305, and a storage unit 306.

[0057] The communication unit 301 is a functional unit that performs data communication with external devices such as the traffic control system 10 via the network N and the network I / F 609 of the facility management system 30. The communication unit 301 also performs communication with each facility 31 via the network I / F 609 of the facility management system 30.

[0058] The equipment status acquisition unit 302 is a functional unit that acquires equipment status information of each piece of equipment 31 from the piece of equipment 31 via the communication unit 301 .

[0059] The transmitting unit 303 is a functional unit that transmits the equipment status information of each piece of equipment 31 acquired by the equipment status acquiring unit 302. The transmitting unit 303 also transmits the factory equipment information stored in the memory unit 306 to the operation control system 10 via the communication unit 301.

[0060] The operation instruction acquisition unit 304 is a functional unit that acquires operation instructions for each facility 31 from the traffic management system 10 via the communication unit 101.

[0061] The facility operation control unit 305 is a functional unit that controls the operation of each facility 31 in accordance with the operation instruction acquired by the operation instruction acquisition unit 304 .

[0062] The storage unit 306 is a functional unit that stores factory equipment information, etc. The storage unit 306 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 605 of the equipment management system 30 shown in FIG.

[0063] The above-mentioned communication unit 301, equipment status acquisition unit 302, transmission unit 303, operation instruction acquisition unit 304, and equipment operation control unit 305 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 of equipment management system 30 shown in Fig. 2. Note that at least some of the communication unit 301, equipment status acquisition unit 302, transmission unit 303, operation instruction acquisition unit 304, and equipment operation control unit 305 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

[0064] Note that the functional units of the equipment management system 30 shown in FIG. 3 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the equipment management system 30 shown in FIG. 3 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the equipment management system 30 shown in FIG. 3 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units. Furthermore, the functional units of the equipment management system 30 do not need to be configured as distinct software modules as shown in FIG. 3; it is sufficient that the functions of the functional units as a whole are realized by executing a program in the equipment management system 30.

[0065] (Example of route) 5 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route managed by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 5, an example of a travel route managed by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0066] The example shown in FIG. 5(a) shows the operation of an AGV 21 traveling around a route within a factory to transport cargo from point A to point D. On the first floor of the factory, the manufacturing process rooms are separated by equipment 31b, which is a shutter, and the AGV 21 moves between floors to transport cargo. In the example shown in FIG. 5(a), equipment 31a at point A is a robot arm that loads cargo onto the AGV 21, equipment 31b at point B is a shutter that separates the rooms on the first floor of the factory, equipment 31c at point C is an elevator that moves between the first and second floors of the factory, and equipment 31d at point D is a robot arm that unloads the cargo transported by the AGV 21.

[0067] In this route, as shown in FIG. 5(b), at point A, equipment 31a, which is a robot arm, loads a load onto AGV 21, and the AGV 21 moves to point B. At point B, equipment 31b, which is a shutter, opens, and the AGV 21 with the load passes through. After the AGV 21 passes, equipment 31b closes, and the AGV 21 moves to point C. At point C, equipment 31c, which is an elevator, moves to the first floor and opens its door, and the AGV 21 with the load enters equipment 31c. Equipment 31c closes its door, moves to the second floor, and opens its door upon arrival, and the AGV 21 moves to point D. At point D, equipment 31d, which is a robot arm, unloads the load from AGV 21. After the load is unloaded, the AGV 21 moves to the first floor by equipment 31c at point C, passes equipment 31b at point B, and returns to point A. The above operations are repeated.

[0068] In such a travel route, it takes several minutes for each facility 31 to move between the installation locations, so in order to improve productivity, it is necessary for the facilities 31 at points A to D to perform preparatory operations as shown in Fig. 4 in advance. Therefore, as described above, the traffic control system 10 monitors the vehicle status information of each AGV 21 and predicts the arrival time at each stop position (installation location of the facility 31). Then, before the AGV 21 arrives at the stop position, the traffic control system 10 instructs the facility 31 at the stop position (installation location) to perform preparatory operations in advance, thereby realizing efficient operation of the AGV 21.

[0069] (Flow of operation management of information processing system) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operation management of the information processing system according to the embodiment. The flow of operation management of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. It is assumed that the equipment information acquisition unit 102 of the operation management system 10 has previously acquired the factory equipment information shown in Fig. 4, which is stored and managed in the equipment management system 30, from the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101, and stored the information in the storage unit 109.

[0070] <Step S11> The vehicle state acquisition unit 103 of the operation management system 10 acquires vehicle state information indicating the vehicle state of each AGV 21 from the vehicle control system 20 via the communication unit 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0071] <Step S12> The prediction unit 105 of the traffic management system 10 first calculates the distance from the position of the AGV 21 to the installation point of the equipment 31, based on the position information of the AGV 21 included in the vehicle status information acquired by the equipment information acquisition unit 102 and the installation point of the equipment 31 included in the factory equipment information stored in the storage unit 109. Then, the prediction unit 105 predicts the arrival time of the AGV 21 at the installation point of the equipment 31 by calculating the arrival time of the AGV 21 at the installation point of the equipment 31 from the speed information of the AGV 21 included in the vehicle status information and the calculated distance. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0072] <Step S13> The identification unit 106 of the traffic management system 10 identifies the AGV 21 and the equipment 31 that satisfy the above-mentioned formula (1) based on the arrival time of the AGV 21 (predicted arrival time) predicted by the prediction unit 105 and the preliminary operation time of the equipment 31 included in the factory equipment information stored in the storage unit 109. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0073] <Step S14> The operation instruction unit 107 of the operation control system 10 transmits an instruction to execute a preparatory operation for the facility 31 identified by the identification unit 106 to the facility control system 30 via the communication unit 101. This allows the preparatory operation of the facility 31 to be executed at least before the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the facility 31, thereby improving the productivity of the AGV 21.

[0074] Then, when the operation instruction unit 107 confirms from the vehicle status information acquired by the vehicle status acquisition unit 103 that the vehicle has arrived at the installation location of the equipment 31 identified by the identification unit 106, and confirms from the equipment status information acquired by the equipment status acquisition unit 104 for the equipment 31 that the preparatory operation by the equipment 31 has been completed, it sends an instruction to execute this operation for the equipment 31 to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101.

[0075] The above steps S11 to S14 are repeatedly executed.

[0076] As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the vehicle status acquisition unit 103 acquires vehicle status information indicating the vehicle status of each of the AGVs 21 from each of the multiple AGVs 21. The prediction unit 105 predicts the arrival time of each of the AGVs 21 at the stop position corresponding to each facility 31 based on the vehicle status information acquired by the vehicle status acquisition unit 103. The identification unit 106 identifies the AGVs 21 and the facility 31 for which the predicted arrival time is less than or equal to the time required for preparatory operations to be performed in advance to prepare the facility 31 for the actual operation. When the identification unit 106 identifies the AGVs 21 and the facility 31, the operation instruction unit 107 instructs the facility 31 to perform preparatory operations. This improves the productivity of the AGVs 21 by having the facility 31 perform preparatory operations before the arrival of the AGVs 21. Furthermore, in optimal timing, the AGVs 21 can arrive at the installation location of the facility 31 in time with the completion of the preparatory operations of the facility 31.

[0077] (Variation) The information processing system according to this modification will be described, focusing on the differences from the information processing system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. In this modification, the operation when multiple AGVs 21 arrive at close times at an installation location of the same facility 31 will be described. Note that the overall configuration of the information processing system according to this modification, as well as the hardware configurations of the traffic management system (traffic management system 10a described below), vehicle control system 20, and facility management system 30, are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment.

[0078] <Configuration and operation of functional blocks of information processing system> 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of an information processing system according to a modified example. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of an information processing system 1a according to this modified example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] 7, the information processing system 1a includes an operation control system 10a, a user terminal 11, a vehicle control system 20, each AGV 21, an equipment management system 30, and each piece of equipment 31. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation control system 10a includes a communication unit 101, an equipment information acquisition unit 102, a vehicle state acquisition unit 103, an equipment state acquisition unit 104, a prediction unit 105, an identification unit 106, a determination unit 110, an operation instruction unit 107, a setting unit 108, and a storage unit 109.

[0080] The identifying unit 106 refers to the factory equipment information stored in the memory unit 109 and determines whether or not multiple AGVs 21 can be used simultaneously for the equipment 31 identified by the above formula (1). For example, if the equipment 31 is a single loading robot arm, the identifying unit 106 determines that multiple AGVs 21 cannot be used simultaneously for the equipment 31. Furthermore, if the equipment 31 is an elevator, the identifying unit 106 determines that multiple AGVs 21 can be used simultaneously for the equipment 31 (can move simultaneously).

[0081] The judgment unit 110 is a functional unit that, when multiple AGVs 21 are identified for equipment 31 that has been determined by the identification unit 106 to be usable simultaneously, determines whether the difference in the estimated arrival times predicted by the prediction unit 105 for the multiple AGVs 21 is within a predetermined threshold.

[0082] The setting unit 108 sets operation settings for the AGV 21 in the information processing system 1, as well as predetermined threshold values ​​to be used in the judgment by the judgment unit 110, based on operations on the user terminal 11. Then, the setting unit 108 stores the set predetermined threshold values ​​in the memory unit 109.

[0083] The storage unit 109 stores, for example, the operation setting information and predetermined thresholds set by the setting unit 108, the factory equipment information acquired by the equipment information acquisition unit 102, and the like.

[0084] The operations of the communication unit 101, the facility information acquisition unit 102, the vehicle state acquisition unit 103, the facility state acquisition unit 104, the prediction unit 105, and the operation instruction unit 107 are as described in the above embodiment.

[0085] The above-mentioned communication unit 101, facility information acquisition unit 102, vehicle state acquisition unit 103, facility state acquisition unit 104, prediction unit 105, identification unit 106, determination unit 110, operation instruction unit 107, and setting unit 108 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 of traffic control system 10a shown in Fig. 2. Note that at least some of the communication unit 101, facility information acquisition unit 102, vehicle state acquisition unit 103, facility state acquisition unit 104, prediction unit 105, identification unit 106, determination unit 110, operation instruction unit 107, and setting unit 108 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

[0086] Note that the functional units of the traffic management system 10a shown in FIG. 7 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the traffic management system 10a shown in FIG. 7 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the traffic management system 10a shown in FIG. 7 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units. Furthermore, the functional units of the traffic management system 10a do not need to be configured as distinct software modules as shown in FIG. 7; it is sufficient that the functions of the functional units as a whole are realized by executing a program in the traffic management system 10a.

[0087] The configurations and operations of the functional blocks of the vehicle control system 20 and the equipment management system 30 are the same as those described in the above embodiments.

[0088] <Example of operation route> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route managed by an information processing system according to a modified example. With reference to Fig. 8, an example of a travel route managed by the information processing system 1a according to this modified example will be described.

[0089] 8 shows a state in which two AGVs 21a and 21b are heading toward an elevator at point C from facility 31f, which is a robotic arm at point D, and facility 31g, which is a robotic arm at point E. If the predicted arrival times of these AGVs 21a and 21b at the installation location of facility 31e, which is an elevator, are close to each other, it is more effective for improving productivity to wait for the arrival of both AGVs 21 and then use the elevator simultaneously, rather than using the elevator one by one. Therefore, as described above, when multiple AGVs 21 are identified for facility 31e that has been determined to be usable simultaneously, the traffic control system 10a determines whether the difference in the predicted arrival times predicted by the prediction unit 105 for the multiple AGVs 21 is within a predetermined threshold.

[0090] <Operational flow of information processing system> Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operation management operations of an information processing system according to a modified example. The flow of operation management operations of the information processing system 1a according to this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. It is assumed that the equipment information acquisition unit 102 of the operation management system 10a has previously acquired the factory equipment information shown in Fig. 4, which is stored and managed in the equipment management system 30, from the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101, and stored the information in the memory unit 109.

[0091] <<Steps S21 to S23>> The processes in steps S21 to S23 are the same as those in steps S11 to S13 shown in Fig. 6. After the process in step S23 is completed, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0092] <<Step S24>> The identification unit 106 of the operation management system 10a refers to the factory equipment information stored in the storage unit 109, and determines whether or not multiple AGVs 21 can be used simultaneously for the equipment 31 identified by the above formula (1). If they can be used simultaneously (step S24: can be used simultaneously), the process proceeds to step S25, and if they cannot be used simultaneously (step S24: cannot be used simultaneously), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0093] <<Step S25>> The identifying unit 106 identifies other AGVs 21 that use the facility 31 identified in step S23, based on the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 109. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0094] <<Step S26>> The determination unit 110 of the traffic management system 10a determines whether the difference between the predicted arrival time of the AGV 21 (first AGV) identified in step S23 at the installation location of the facility 31 and the predicted arrival time of the other AGV 21 (second AGV) identified in step S25 at the installation location of the facility 31 is within a predetermined threshold. If the difference is within the predetermined threshold (step S26: Yes), the facility 31 is considered to be used simultaneously and the process proceeds to step S27. If the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold (step S26: No), the process proceeds to step S28.

[0095] The parameter for determining whether or not to allow simultaneous use of the equipment 31 is not limited to the difference described above, and other parameters may be taken into consideration to determine whether or not to allow simultaneous use of the equipment 31.

[0096] <<Step S27>> The operation instructing unit 107 of the operation control system 10a transmits an instruction to execute a preparatory operation for the facility 31 identified by the identifying unit 106 to the facility control system 30 via the communication unit 101. This allows the preparatory operation of the facility 31 to be executed before at least one of the two identified AGVs 21 arrives at the installation location of the facility 31, thereby improving the productivity of the AGVs 21. Furthermore, the operation instructing unit 107 transmits an instruction to the facility control system 30 via the communication unit 101 for the facility 31 to execute a main operation when both of the identified two AGVs 21 arrive at the installation location of the facility 31 (i.e., an instruction for the two AGVs 21 to use the facility 31 simultaneously). This allows the identified two AGVs 21 to use the facility 31 simultaneously, thereby further improving the productivity of the AGVs 21.

[0097] Note that even if one of the two AGVs 21 arrives at the installation point of the facility 31, the facility 31 cannot execute the main operation until the other AGV 21 arrives at the installation point. Therefore, the operation instruction unit 107 may control the facility management system 30 to perform a preliminary operation so as to arrive in time for at least the other AGV 21 to arrive at the installation point.

[0098] <<Step S28>> The operation instructing unit 107 of the traffic management system 10a transmits an instruction to execute a preparatory operation for the equipment 31 identified by the identifying unit 106 to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101. This allows the preparatory operation of at least one of the two identified AGVs 21 to be executed before the equipment 31 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31, thereby improving the productivity of the AGVs 21. Furthermore, the operation instructing unit 107 transmits an instruction to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101 for the equipment 31 to execute a main operation when one of the two identified AGVs 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the other of the two identified AGVs 21 will not be able to complete the preparatory operation for the equipment 31 in time for the predicted arrival time at the installation location of the equipment 31. Therefore, the operation instructing unit 107 may instruct the equipment management system 30 to stop or slow down the other AGV 21.

[0099] <<Step S29>> The operation instructing unit 107 of the traffic management system 10 transmits an instruction to execute a preparatory operation for the equipment 31 identified by the identifying unit 106 to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101. This allows the preparatory operation of the equipment 31 to be executed at least before the AGV 21 arrives at the installation location of the equipment 31, thereby improving the productivity of the AGV 21. Then, when the operation instructing unit 107 confirms, from the vehicle status information acquired by the vehicle status acquiring unit 103, that the AGV 21 has arrived at the installation location of the equipment 31 identified by the identifying unit 106 and, from the equipment status information acquired by the equipment status acquiring unit 104 for the equipment 31, that the preparatory operation by the equipment 31 has been completed, the operation instructing unit 107 transmits an instruction to execute a main operation for the equipment 31 to the equipment management system 30 via the communication unit 101.

[0100] The above steps S21 to S29 are repeatedly executed.

[0101] As described above, in the information processing system 1a according to this modification, the identification unit 106 refers to the factory equipment information to determine whether the identified equipment 31 can be used simultaneously. If the identified equipment 31 can be used simultaneously, the identification unit 106 identifies another AGV 21 (second AGV) that uses the identified equipment 31 (first AGV) based on the operation settings. The determination unit 110 determines whether the difference between the arrival time of the AGV 21 (first AGV) predicted by the prediction unit 105 and the arrival time of the AGV 21 (second AGV) predicted by the prediction unit 105 is within a predetermined threshold. If the determination unit 110 determines that the difference is within the predetermined threshold, the operation instruction unit 107 instructs the identified equipment 31 to perform a preparatory operation and instructs the equipment 31 to perform a main operation when both AGVs 21 arrive at the installation location of the equipment 31. This further improves the productivity of the AGVs 21.

[0102] Each function of the above-described embodiments and modifications can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices designed to execute each of the above-described functions, such as an ASIC, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an SoC (System on a Chip), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and conventional circuit modules.

[0103] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, when at least one of the functional units of the traffic management systems 10, 10a, the vehicle control system 20, and the equipment management system 30 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided in advance in a ROM or the like. In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the traffic management systems 10, 10a, the vehicle control system 20, and the equipment management system 30 may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the traffic management systems 10, 10a, the vehicle control system 20, and the equipment management system 30 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the traffic management systems 10, 10a, the vehicle control system 20, and the equipment management system 30 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and variations, the programs executed by the operation management systems 10, 10a, vehicle control system 20, and facility management system 30 are modularly structured to include at least one of the functional units described above, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU reads and executes the programs from the storage devices described above, thereby loading and generating the functional units described above onto the main storage device.

[0104] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An information processing system that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles that operate between a plurality of facilities according to preset operation settings, an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction unit that predicts an arrival time until the vehicle arrives at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an identification unit that identifies the automated guided vehicle and the equipment such that the arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for execution of a main operation; an operation instruction unit that, when the automatic guided vehicle and the facility are identified by the identification unit, instructs the facility to perform the preparatory operation; It is an information processing system equipped with the above. <2> The prediction unit calculating a distance from the position of the automated guided vehicle to the installation point of the equipment from the position information of the automated guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit and the installation point of the equipment; predicting the arrival time by calculating the arrival time until the automatic guided vehicle arrives at the stop position from the speed information of the automatic guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information and the calculated distance; <1> The information processing system is described in <3> a storage unit that stores equipment information in which at least an installation location of the equipment and a time of the preparatory operation of the equipment are associated with each other; the prediction unit calculates a distance from the position of the automated guided vehicle to an installation point of the equipment, based on position information of the automated guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit and an installation point of the equipment included in the equipment information; the specifying unit specifies the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is equal to or shorter than the time for the preparatory operation included in the equipment information. <2> The information processing system is described in <4> the prediction unit predicts an arrival time until arrival at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities from the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit, the specifying unit specifies the automated guided vehicle and the equipment such that the arrival time of the equipment predicted by the predicting unit is equal to or less than the sum of the current time and a preparatory operation time of the equipment. <1> ~ <3> 1 is an information processing system according to any one of the preceding claims. <5> the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment to perform the main operation when the automated guided vehicle identified by the identification unit arrives at a stop position corresponding to the equipment identified by the identification unit and the equipment completes the preparatory operation. <1> ~ <4> 1 is an information processing system according to any one of the preceding claims. <6> The facility information includes information on whether the facility can be used simultaneously; The identification unit referring to the facility information to determine whether the identified facilities can be used simultaneously; If the identified facilities can be used simultaneously, a second automated guided vehicle that is another automated guided vehicle that uses the facilities other than the first automated guided vehicle that is the identified automated guided vehicle is identified based on the operation settings; a determination unit that determines whether a difference between the arrival time of the first automated guided vehicle predicted by the prediction unit and the arrival time of the second automated guided vehicle predicted by the prediction unit is within a predetermined threshold, When the determination unit determines that the difference is within the predetermined threshold, the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment identified by the identification unit to perform the preparatory operation, and when both the first and second automatic guided vehicles arrive at stop positions corresponding to the equipment, instructs the equipment to perform the main operation. <3> The information processing system is described in <7> When the determination unit determines that the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold, the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment identified by the identification unit to perform the preparatory operation, and when one of the first and second automatic guided vehicles arrives at a stop position corresponding to the equipment, instructs the equipment to perform the main operation. <6> The information processing system is described in <8> An information processing method of an information processing device that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles that operate between a plurality of facilities according to preset operation settings, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction step of predicting an arrival time required to arrive at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the acquired vehicle state information; a step of identifying the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose predicted arrival time is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for the execution of a main operation; an operation instruction step of instructing the equipment to perform the preparatory operation when the automatic guided vehicle and the equipment are identified; The information processing method has the following features. <9> A computer that manages the operation of multiple automated guided vehicles that operate between multiple facilities using preset operation settings. an acquisition step of acquiring vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction step of predicting an arrival time required to arrive at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the acquired vehicle state information; a step of identifying the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose predicted arrival time is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for the execution of a main operation; an operation instruction step of instructing the equipment to perform the preparatory operation when the automatic guided vehicle and the equipment are identified; This is a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1, 1a Information Processing System 10, 10a Operation control system 11 User terminal 20 Vehicle Control System 21, 21a, 21b AGV 30 Facility Management System 31, 31a~31g equipment 101 Communications Department 102 Equipment information acquisition department 103 Vehicle status acquisition unit 104 Equipment status acquisition unit 105 Prediction Department 106 Specific part 107 Operation instruction section 108 Setting section 109 Storage section 110 Judgment section 201 Communications Department 202 Acquisition Department 203 Transmitter 204 Vehicle operation control unit 301 Communications Department 302 Equipment Status Acquisition Unit 303 Transmission Unit 304 Operation instruction acquisition unit 305 Equipment operation control section 306 Storage section 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 605 Auxiliary storage 606 Recording Media 607 Media Drive 608 Display 609 Network I / F 610 Bus 611 keyboard 612 Mouse 613 DVD 614 DVD drive N Network [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0106] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-045455

Claims

1. An information processing system that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles that operate between a plurality of facilities according to preset operation settings, an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction unit that predicts an arrival time until the vehicle arrives at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an identification unit that identifies the automated guided vehicle and the equipment such that the arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for execution of a main operation; an operation instruction unit that, when the automatic guided vehicle and the facility are identified by the identification unit, instructs the facility to perform the preparatory operation; An information processing system comprising:

2. The prediction unit calculating a distance from the position of the automated guided vehicle to the installation point of the equipment from the position information of the automated guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit and the installation point of the equipment; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the arrival time is predicted by calculating an arrival time required for the automated guided vehicle to arrive at the stop position from speed information of the automated guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information and the calculated distance.

3. a storage unit that stores equipment information in which at least an installation location of the equipment and a time of the preparatory operation of the equipment are associated with each other; the prediction unit calculates a distance from the position of the automated guided vehicle to an installation point of the equipment, based on position information of the automated guided vehicle included in the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit and an installation point of the equipment included in the equipment information; The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the identification unit identifies the automated guided vehicles and the equipment for which the arrival times predicted by the prediction unit are less than or equal to the time for the preparatory operation included in the equipment information.

4. the prediction unit predicts an arrival time until arrival at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities from the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit, The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification unit identifies the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose arrival time predicted by the prediction unit is less than or equal to the sum of the current time and the preparatory operation time of the equipment.

5. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment to perform the main operation when the automated guided vehicle identified by the identification unit arrives at a stop position corresponding to the equipment identified by the identification unit and the equipment completes the preparatory operation.

6. The facility information includes information on whether the facility can be used simultaneously; The identification unit referring to the facility information to determine whether the identified facilities can be used simultaneously; If the identified facilities can be used simultaneously, a second automated guided vehicle, which is another automated guided vehicle that uses the facilities other than the first automated guided vehicle, which is the identified automated guided vehicle, is identified based on the operation setting; a determination unit that determines whether a difference between the arrival time of the first automated guided vehicle predicted by the prediction unit and the arrival time of the second automated guided vehicle predicted by the prediction unit is within a predetermined threshold, The information processing system of claim 3, wherein when the determination unit determines that the difference is within the predetermined threshold, the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment identified by the identification unit to perform the preliminary operation, and when both the first automated guided vehicle and the second automated guided vehicle arrive at stop positions corresponding to the equipment, instructs the equipment to perform the main operation.

7. The information processing system of claim 6, wherein when the determination unit determines that the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold, the operation instruction unit instructs the equipment identified by the identification unit to perform the preliminary operation, and instructs the equipment to perform the main operation when one of the first and second automated guided vehicles arrives at a stop position corresponding to the equipment.

8. An information processing method of an information processing device that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles that operate between a plurality of facilities according to preset operation settings, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction step of predicting an arrival time required to arrive at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the acquired vehicle state information; a step of identifying the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose predicted arrival time is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for the execution of a main operation; an operation instruction step of instructing the equipment to perform the preparatory operation when the automatic guided vehicle and the equipment are identified; An information processing method comprising:

9. A computer that manages the operation of multiple automated guided vehicles that operate between multiple facilities using preset operation settings. an acquisition step of acquiring vehicle status information indicating vehicle statuses of the plurality of automatic guided vehicles from the plurality of automatic guided vehicles; a prediction step of predicting an arrival time required to arrive at a stop position corresponding to each of the facilities based on the acquired vehicle state information; a step of identifying the automated guided vehicle and the equipment whose predicted arrival time is less than or equal to the time required for a preparatory operation to be performed in advance to prepare the equipment for the execution of a main operation; an operation instruction step of instructing the equipment to perform the preparatory operation when the automatic guided vehicle and the equipment are identified; A program to execute.

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