Information processing method, information processing system, and computer program

Abstract

To provide an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program.SOLUTION: The information processing method processes information about items within a container that holds multiple logistics components where the items are loaded. The information processing method includes storing component identification data for logistics components in a storage unit, associating it with container identification data identifying the container and storing location identification data identifying the position within the container where the logistics component is stored, sequentially accepting withdrawal requests containing specifications for the item to be withdrawn, the date / time, and the location, extracting the container identification data and container location identification data of the container housing the logistics component carrying the item specified in the accepted withdrawal request, on the basis of the container's location and the date, time, and location specified in the withdrawal request, determining the movement route and timing for each logistics component carrying the item to be withdrawn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program relating to a transportation plan for logistics transportation equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] When a transport vehicle such as a truck collects cargo that has the same starting point and destination and travels from the starting point to the destination by itself, the method of leaving the loading platform empty when returning from the destination to the starting point results in very low transport efficiency. Therefore, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a method that solves both the labor issues of carriers and transport efficiency by allowing the transport vehicle to unload cargo at a stopover point or load other cargo at a stopover point while returning from the starting point via multiple stopover points over a short distance.

[0003] In logistics from product manufacturers or agricultural producers to consumers, the efficiency of logistics from the point where goods are shipped to the base for distribution to consumers can be improved by adopting the methods of Patent Documents 1 and 2. On the other hand, when manufacturers and other businesses that produce finished products procure parts, the transportation of parts from suppliers to the manufacturers must also be made more efficient to address the shortage of human resources among transportation companies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6362229 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6362240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Even when transporting parts from suppliers to manufacturers, transportation efficiency is low due to shuttle transport of each part from supplier to manufacturer. In order to deliver a specified number of parts by a deadline and to load transportation equipment as full as possible, manufacturers sometimes ask suppliers to transport parts in bulk and use warehouses called "gate warehouses" to accumulate the procured items. However, for manufacturers with a large number of parts or large manufacturing scale, it is not easy to prepare sufficient gate warehouses. It is hoped that a supply chain can be realized that eliminates the need for large gate warehouses while improving transportation efficiency in the logistics of parts and other supplies from suppliers.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program for realizing a virtual gate warehouse. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method for processing information on items stored in a container that contains a plurality of logistics components to which the items are to be loaded, the method storing component identification data of the logistics components in a memory unit in association with container identification data that identifies the container and storage location identification data that identifies the location at which the logistics components are loaded within the container, sequentially accepting withdrawal requests that include specifications for the items to be loaded, date, time, and location, extracting the container identification data and storage location identification data of the container that contains the target logistics components to be loaded with the items to be loaded that are specified in the accepted withdrawal request from the container identification data and storage location identification data associated with the component identification data in the memory unit, and determining, for each target logistics component, a movement route and movement time for moving the logistics components to be loaded with the items to be loaded based on the location of the container and the date, time, and location specified in the withdrawal request.

[0008] In the information processing method, information processing system, and computer program disclosed herein, from the time of delivery from the supplier, the transport equipment and the warehouses that the transport equipment can access store the location of each pallet in which container, for each pallet loaded with goods. In response to a delivery request from the manufacturer, it is sequentially determined whether the pallet should be placed at the supplier, the transport equipment, or one of multiple warehouses, and the storage location is updated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a virtual warehouse in front of a supply chain can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a logistics system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when stacking items onto a pallet in an information processing device. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of the contents of records stored in the pallet DB and the supplier DB. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for collecting a pallet from a supplier in an information processing device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for determining a destination of a palette in the information processing apparatus. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when loading a pallet in the information processing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a logistics DB that is updated when a pallet is loaded. [Figure 10] 1 shows an example of a storage section in a loading platform of a transport device. [Figure 11]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when loading and unloading a pallet in an information processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a logistics DB that is updated when a pallet is loaded or unloaded. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a decision-making process procedure related to the movement of pallets between warehouses by the control system. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a decision-making process procedure related to the movement of pallets between warehouses by the control system. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that can be confirmed from a terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. In the following embodiments, a logistics system that implements an information processing method of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] Traditionally, the logistics process for procuring goods from manufacturers involves a manufacturer placing an order with a supplier. The supplier then assigns a shipping company to transport the goods to the manufacturer's premises or a nearby warehouse (hereafter referred to as a "gateway warehouse") by their respective deadlines. If each supplier only transports the goods they need to the gateway warehouse, the utilization rate of the carrier's trucks is low. The carrier then requests that goods be transported to the warehouse in bulk, including those with future deadlines. In this case, the supplier must accelerate production to consolidate the shipments. Furthermore, the larger the manufacturer's factory and the more diverse the goods required, the larger the gateway warehouse must be. Conversely, prioritizing minimizing the size of the gateway warehouse without impacting the supplier's production pace requires suppliers to transport goods in small quantities. This method of transporting goods between the supplier and the gateway warehouse significantly reduces transportation efficiency, exacerbating labor shortages and working conditions for the carrier.

[0013] Therefore, the logistics system 100 disclosed herein minimizes the number of warehouses located on the premises of a manufacturing company, and gathers the items that will be needed most immediately in accordance with the production plan in the warehouse, while realizing a virtual warehouse that efficiently moves items that are located in physically dispersed logistics warehouses and items that are still located at suppliers.

[0014] A logistics system 100 for realizing this virtual gate-front warehouse will now be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the logistics system 100 of the present disclosure. The logistics system 100 includes a control system 200, an on-board device 10 mounted on each piece of transportation equipment 1, a terminal device 3 used by the supplier, and a terminal device 4 used in each warehouse. The logistics system 100 also includes a terminal device 5 used by the manufacturer.

[0015] In the logistics system 100, the control system 200 sequentially stores and updates the location of items within a warehouse or transportation equipment 1 for each pallet (logistics component) P on which the items are stacked. The control system 200 stores data indicating the location of the pallet P in association with the pallet identification data of the pallet P and updates the data as the pallet P moves. The location is the location where the pallet P is placed or the item that contains the pallet P, and the data indicating the location is primarily indicated by container identification data. The container identification data includes supplier identification data, warehouse identification data for the warehouse, and transportation equipment identification data for the transportation equipment 1. The data indicating the location further includes storage position identification data indicating the location within the location or container where the pallet P is stored. For example, the location may be identified as the number of shelves and levels in the warehouse or the storage section that divides the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1, and storage position identification data is assigned to each location. The storage position identification data is predetermined according to the capacity of each storage location (transport equipment 1 or warehouse), making it possible to determine whether each storage location is vacant or not. The package identification data is associated with data indicating the supplier's address, the warehouse address, and the travel position of the transportation equipment 1, and the travel position is updated successively based on data from the vehicle-mounted device 10.

[0016] A record showing the correspondence between pallet identification data and data indicating the location of a pallet P may be stored for all pallets P, including empty pallets, or may be generated when goods are loaded onto a pallet P by a supplier.

[0017] The pallet identification data is associated with item identification data that identifies the items loaded on that pallet P. Every time an item is loaded onto a pallet P at the supplier, the control system 200 accepts input of the item identification data in association with the pallet identification data via the terminal device 3. This association is maintained until the items are unloaded from the pallet P.

[0018] When a pallet P loaded with goods is carried from the supplier to the transportation equipment 1, the data indicating the location associated with the pallet identification data is updated from the supplier's identification data to the transportation equipment identification data of the transportation equipment 1 and storage position identification data indicating the storage position of the pallet P within the transportation equipment 1. When the pallet P is transported by the transportation equipment 1 and unloaded at the warehouse, the data indicating the location associated with the pallet identification data is updated from the transportation equipment identification data and storage position identification data to warehouse identification data and storage position identification data indicating the storage position of the pallet P within the warehouse. In this way, the logistics system 100 continues to hold data on where each pallet P is stored, whether it is at the supplier, in transport, or stored in the warehouse.

[0019] The control system 200 then receives a delivery request (digital data of a delivery slip) from the manufacturer's terminal device 5, sequentially determines a transportation plan for transporting the required pallet P to the delivery destination (the manufacturer's arrival location) based on the item identification data, quantity, and date and time of the required item included in the request, and issues instructions to the transportation equipment 1, terminal device 3, and terminal device 5 based on the determined items. Here, in the present disclosure, the control system 200 determines the transportation plan based on a rule that recommends a milk run-style transportation in which the transportation equipment 1 transports pallets P not only to one supplier but also to different suppliers, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the control system 200 determines the transportation plan based on a rule that allows the transportation equipment 1 to transport pallets P not only to suppliers but also to warehouses A, B, C, and D, and to transport pallets P in and out of each warehouse A, B, C, and D, thereby enabling the sequential movement of pallets P between warehouses A, B, C, and D. The transportation plan includes where to move the pallet P, which transport device 1 to use to move the pallet P, and the route along which the transport device 1 should travel.

[0020] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the control system 200 sequentially extracts from the stored and updated data the pallet P on which the necessary items X, Y, and Z included in the request (withdrawal slip 000001) from the terminal device 5 are loaded, and by referencing its location, determines to which of warehouses A, B, C, or D the items should be transported until they are delivered to warehouse D, the closest to the manufacturer, by the specified date and time. When the information that items X, Y, and Z have each been loaded by the supplier is input into the terminal device 3, the control system 200 allocates the items to the request. Once the allocation is made, the status shown on the terminal device 5 changes from "In production at the supplier" to "Ready for shipment from the supplier."

[0021] The control system 200 determines the destination (warehouse A, B, C, or D) of the pallet P loaded with the allocated items X, Y, and Z, and also determines the transport equipment 1 that can trace the route to the destination and the storage position identification data of the pallet P within the transport equipment 1. The control system 200 instructs the driver via the onboard device 10 on the determined content, and the driver follows the instructions to collect the target pallet P and transport it to the destination while carrying it into the designated storage position. The control system 200 determines the warehouse identification data and storage position identification data indicating the storage position within the warehouse as the destination of the pallet P, and sends the instructions to the terminal device 4. A warehouse operator or an automatic carry-in / out device receives the instructions via the terminal device 4 and stores the pallet P in the designated storage position according to the instructions. The control system 200 instructs the terminal device 4 of each warehouse on which pallet P should be moved to another warehouse and which transport equipment 1 and storage position it should be stored in. When the pallet P has been transported and unloaded, and a transport device 1 with available space on the loading platform has been determined as the destination, an instruction is received by the onboard device 10. The driver of the transport device 1, the warehouse operator, or the automatic carry-in / out device carries the pallet P into the transport device 1 according to the instruction. In this way, the transport device 1 carries the pallet P in and out of each warehouse while transporting. When the pallet P loaded with the target items has been stored in the transport device 1 or in the warehouse, the status displayed on the terminal device 5 for the items X, Y, and Z related to the request will be data indicating that they are in transport.

[0022] When the control system 200 moves items X, Y, and Z to warehouse D, the closest to the manufacturer, by the specified date and time, the terminal device 5 displays their status in response to the withdrawal request as ready for storage. This makes it appear as if pallets P of items X, Y, and Z are being transported from the supplier to warehouse D, even though they are actually temporarily stored in warehouses A, B, and C. Only after they are moved to warehouse D can they appear to have arrived at the warehouse near the supplier. Warehouses A, B, and C may contain a mixture of pallets P intended for different manufacturers, as long as it is possible to identify which pallet P is stored in which location. Similarly, transportation equipment 1 transporting items from a supplier to warehouses A, B, and C may contain pallets P intended for different manufacturers, as long as it is possible to identify which pallet P is stored in which location. This enables milk run-style transportation of transport equipment 1 between suppliers and warehouses A, B, C, and D, and logistics that follows delivery requests to the manufacturer's front warehouse (warehouse D).

[0023] The hardware configuration and processing procedures of the control system 200, terminal device 3, terminal device 4, and terminal device 5 that control the logistics system 100 configured as described above will be described in detail below.

[0024] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of terminal devices 3 to 5. Terminal devices 3 to 5 have the same hardware configuration, except that the accounts given to the operators who use them are different. Therefore, the following will explain in detail the configuration of terminal device 3, which can be used by a supplier's operator as a representative, and terminal devices 4 and 5 will be assigned corresponding reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0025] The terminal device 3 is a desktop, laptop, or tablet personal computer. The terminal device 3 may also be a smartphone. The terminal device 3 includes a processing unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, and an operation unit 34.

[0026] The processing unit 30 includes one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. The processing unit 30 executes processing using built-in memories such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The processing unit 30 can sequentially acquire time information using a built-in timer. The processing unit 30 reads the terminal program P3 stored in the storage unit 31 into a temporary storage medium and executes it, thereby causing a general-purpose computer to execute various processes described below.

[0027] The storage unit 31 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 31 stores a terminal program P3. The processing unit 30 accepts an operator's operation based on the terminal program P3 stored in the storage unit 31 and executes a process of displaying data. The terminal program P3 may be a terminal program P9 stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium 9 that the processing unit 30 reads and stores in the storage unit 31. The terminal program P3 may also be a program downloaded by the processing unit 30 from a server device or another download server via the communication unit 32 and stored in the storage unit 31.

[0028] The communication unit 32 is a communication module that realizes communication. The communication unit 32 is, for example, a network card. The communication unit 32 realizes communication via the network N. The processing unit 30 can send and receive information to and from the control system 200 via the Internet, including a public communication network or a carrier network, using the communication unit 32.

[0029] The display unit 33 is a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 33 displays a screen based on the data stored in the storage unit 31.

[0030] The operation unit 34 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a pointing device that can input and output data to and from the processing unit 30. The operation unit 34 may be a voice input unit. The operation unit 34 may be a touch panel of the display unit 33.

[0031] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system 200. The control system 200 includes an information processing device 2 and a storage device 21 in which a database 210 is constructed. For ease of explanation, the information processing device 2 will be described below as a single server computer, but instead of a single server computer, the information processing device 2 may be configured to distribute processing by function or by region across multiple server computers, or may be one of multiple server computers (instances) virtually generated on a large computer.

[0032] The information processing device 2 includes a processing unit 20, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, and an input / output unit 24. The information processing device 2 may perform calculations using a quantum computer.

[0033] The processing unit 20 includes one or more processors such as a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, etc. The processing unit 20 executes processing using built-in memories such as a ROM and a RAM. The processing unit 20 can sequentially acquire time information using a built-in timer. The processing unit 20 reads out an information processing program P2 stored in the storage unit 22 into a temporary storage area and executes it, thereby causing a general-purpose computer to execute various processes described below.

[0034] The storage unit 22 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or SSD. The storage unit 22 stores a program product including the information processing program P2. The storage unit 22 stores data referenced when the processing unit 20 executes processing. In addition to the information processing program P2, the program product includes a web server program, screen setting data, etc.

[0035] The information processing program P2 stored in the storage unit 22 may be an information processing program P8 stored in a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium 8 that has been read by the processing unit 20 and stored in the storage unit 22. The information processing program P2 may be downloaded by the processing unit 20 from a server device or another download server via the communication unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0036] The communication unit 23 is a communication device that realizes communication in a network N including a public communication network or a carrier network. The communication unit 23 is, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module. The processing unit 20 can transmit and receive data to and from the on-board device 10 of the transportation equipment 1 and the terminal devices 3 to 5 via the network N using the communication unit 23. The on-board device 10 of the transportation equipment 1 sequentially acquires position data based on GPS and transmits it to the information processing device 2, and the processing unit 20 receives this data via the communication unit 23.

[0037] The input / output unit 24 is a connection interface with the storage device 21. The input / output unit 24 may be a communication device such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or may be a connection interface for a serial bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), RS232C, or RS485. The input / output unit 24 may be used in conjunction with the communication unit 23 to input and output data through communication with the storage device 21 installed at a remote location.

[0038] The storage device 21 uses a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk to construct a logistics DB 210. The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 is able to read and write data from and to the logistics DB 210 using a database operation function included in the information processing program P2. The logistics DB 210 includes a customer DB 211, a payment slip DB 212, a pallet DB 213, a warehouse DB 214, a supplier DB 215, and a transportation equipment DB 216.

[0039] The processing procedure performed by the control system 200 and terminal devices 3 to 5 configured as described above will be explained step by step. In the logistics system 100, the control system 200 provides a web application related to warehouse management and transportation requests using the web server function of the information processing device 2. This web application accepts a delivery request from the manufacturer and accepts input of data on the loaded pallet P from the supplier when loading of goods onto the pallet P is completed. As a result, the control system 200 determines the distribution to the above-mentioned transportation equipment 1 and warehouse AD, and automatically realizes transportation.

[0040] [0: Preparation] Suppliers and manufacturers requesting transportation of transportation equipment 1 controlled by the control system 200 each register in advance as a customer with the control system 200. Specifically, the processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 accepts registration from businesses and suppliers by specifying their address and corporate number on a web application. The processing unit 20 issues a customer ID (customer account) for the specified address and corporate number, and stores the specified receiving location, corporate number, password, contact information, representative name, etc. in the customer DB 211 in association with the customer ID. It is preferable that customer IDs be issued for each type of customer (manufacturer, supplier, transportation company, etc.).

[0041] [1: Withdrawal reception] First, a manufacturer places an order for an item with a supplier, and the supplier manufactures the item accordingly. In response to the order, the control system 200 receives an instruction in the form of a delivery request to transport the item supplied by the supplier from the warehouse to the manufacturer.

[0042] In response to an order, the manufacturer inputs a delivery request using a web application provided by the control system 200. An operator of the manufacturer logs in to this web application using their account and can input a delivery request from a delivery menu displayed for the manufacturer's account. Specifically, the processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 accepts the delivery request from the web application using the display unit 53 and operation unit 54 of the terminal device 5. Based on the accepted delivery request, the processing unit 20 stores a delivery record in the delivery slip DB 212 of the logistics DB 210. The delivery record includes at least a delivery slip ID, a supplier ID that identifies the supplier of the order recipient, a request date, item identification data, a quantity, and a delivery date. The processing unit 20 may also obtain an order ID for the supplier ID from the manufacturer and include it in the delivery record.

[0043] [2: Collection from supplier] Secondly, the process from when the goods are loaded onto the pallet P at the supplier to when the correspondence between the goods identification data and the pallet identification data is stored in the physical distribution DB 210 of the control system 200 from the terminal device 3 will be described.

[0044] At the supplier, goods are manufactured based on order data identified by an order ID. In a production management system (outside the logistics system 100) used by the supplier, for example, it is possible to identify for each manufacturing process which order ID the work in that process is being performed. This makes it possible to identify the manufacturing stage within the supplier in association with the order ID. If this production management system can be linked with the control system 200, the control system 200 may store the manufacturing process in association with the order ID via the terminal device 3, and may be able to acquire the status, such as the manufacturing stage at each point in time, by specifying the order ID from the production management system.

[0045] When the supplier completes production of the target goods, the supplier loads the goods onto the pallet P. At this time, the supplier's operator can use the terminal device 3 to input, via the operation unit 34 in a web application provided by the control system 200, the pallet identification data of the pallet P to be loaded, the item identification data of the goods loaded onto the pallet P, and the quantity of the goods. A mixture of different goods may be loaded onto the pallet P, and the operator may input the item identification data and quantity of multiple goods. The input may be performed automatically by the terminal device 3 using a wireless tag or a two-dimensional code. The terminal device 3 may also accept the input operation of the order ID of the loaded goods. The supplier's operator may further input data indicating the storage location (storage location) of the pallet P on which the goods have been loaded within the supplier's premises.

[0046] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when stacking items on a pallet P in the information processing device 2. When the above-mentioned pallet identification data and item identification data are inputted into the terminal device 3, the information processing device 2 performs the following processing.

[0047] The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 acquires the pallet identification data, one or more item identification data, and the quantity of each item input on the web application at the terminal device 3 (step S101).

[0048] The processing unit 20 identifies the supplier ID corresponding to the terminal device 3 (step S102). In step S102, the processing unit 20 may identify the supplier ID from the account data of the terminal device 3, or may receive input from a web application. In step S102, the processing unit 20 may obtain data indicating the storage location of the pallet P.

[0049] The processing unit 20 creates a record including one or more item identification data, the quantity of each item, the supplier ID, and the registration date and time in association with the acquired pallet identification data (step S103). The supplier ID is included in the record as container identification data indicating the location where the pallet P is stored, i.e., the supplier's shipping waiting location (warehouse) where the pallet P was loaded. If the storage location has also been entered, storage location identification data indicating this storage location may also be included in the record. If the supplier has not provided identification data for the location of the pallet P, this data may be omitted. In the record created in step S103, the supplier ID is thereafter replaced with warehouse identification data for the warehouse and transportation equipment identification data for the transportation equipment 1.

[0050] The processing unit 20 stores the created record in the pallet DB 213 of the storage device 21 (step S104). The record stored in step S104 may be deleted when the goods are unloaded from the pallet P at the arrival point, as will be described later, or may be left as a record with a clear indication that it is history.

[0051] The processing unit 20 stores the pallet identification data of the pallet P stored (stored) in a shipping preparation state by the supplier ID in the supplier DB 215 in association with the supplier ID, corresponding to the record created in step S103 (step S105). As described above, the supplier ID is data indicating the location of the item, and corresponds to the container identification data in the claims. The storage location data may be omitted, but if the supplier has assigned storage location identification data (an address within the supplier), this data is associated and included in the record.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows example contents of records stored in the pallet DB 213 and the supplier DB 215. As shown in FIG. 5, the pallet DB 213 stores item identification data for items stacked on a pallet P in association with pallet identification data for identifying each pallet P. The example in FIG. 5 shows that pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" has 10 boxes of "item X" and 10 boxes of "item Y" stacked. This pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" is associated with the supplier ID "S00010" of the supplier who performed the stacking (performed the input operation for the stacking) and the date "20231010" on which the input operation for the stacking was performed, as data indicating the current location of the pallet P. When the storage location (address) at the supplier is known, along with the supplier ID "S00010" indicating the storage location, the storage location identification data may be included in the record instead of "-".

[0053] Similarly, the example in Figure 5 shows that pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" has five boxes of "item X" and 20 boxes of "item Z" loaded on it. Similar to pallet identification data "000001," pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" is associated with supplier ID "S00010" and date "20231010" that indicate the current location of pallet P.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 5, the supplier DB 215 stores pallet identification data of pallets at a supplier in association with a supplier ID that can identify the storage location (position) of an item. The supplier DB 215 stores address or latitude and longitude information in association with the supplier ID of each supplier, making it possible to identify the address and latitude and longitude at which a pallet P is located. In the example of Fig. 5, for example, supplier ID "S00010" stores multiple pallets P with pallet identification data "000001," "000002," "000003," ..., and supplier ID "S00020" stores multiple pallets P with pallet identification data "000101," "000102," "000103," ....

[0055] Each time goods are loaded onto a pallet P at the supplier and the pallet identification data of the loaded pallet P and the goods identification data of the goods are input into the terminal device 3, a record such as that shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the pallet DB 213 and the supplier DB 215. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the record in the pallet DB 213 includes a blank column for the delivery ID. The delivery ID is an item that indicates to which delivery request from the manufacturer the goods in that record correspond. When the goods are loaded onto a pallet P at the supplier, an order ID may be associated, but the delivery slip ID received by the control system 200 from the manufacturer is not yet known.

[0056] When the control system 200 detects through input at the terminal device 3 that goods have been loaded onto a pallet P at a supplier, it identifies which manufacturer's delivery request the pallet P corresponds to, and determines a plan (collection time and collection route) for collection to the warehouse AD. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for collecting a pallet from a supplier in the information processing device 2.

[0057] The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 extracts unallocated records from the pallet DB 213 (step S201). The processing unit 20 extracts unallocated dispensing records from the dispensing slip DB 212 (step S202).

[0058] The processing unit 20 associates the target dispensing slip ID with the record of the pallet P on which the item to be dispensed of the extracted dispensing record has been loaded by the supplier of the order recipient from among the records extracted from the pallet DB 213, updates the record in the pallet DB 213 (step S203), and ends the processing. In step S203, the processing unit 20 associates the order ID if it is included in common. If the order ID is not included, the processing unit 20 assigns the pallet identification data of the pallet P on which the requested item has been loaded, starting from the dispensing record with the earliest delivery date.

[0059] Of the records stored in the pallet DB 213, the records to which the dispensing ID has been associated by updating are subsequently set to a shipping preparation state.

[0060] The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 repeatedly executes the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 until there are no more pallets P loaded with goods that have not been allocated, i.e., until no unprocessed records are extracted in step S201.

[0061] [3: Move to the warehouse] For pallets P that are ready to be shipped, the control system 200 schedules collection to the supplier in order of the earliest delivery date in the corresponding dispensing record. The control system 200 determines the destination of the pallet P, and based on the determined destination, determines the movement route of the pallet P by including the transport equipment 1 that can take the transport route to that destination in the movement route of the pallet P. At this time, the transportation time and transportation route of the transport equipment 1 are also determined.

[0062] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for determining the destination of a pallet P in the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 of the control system 200 sequentially or periodically executes the following processing to determine the movement route and movement time for each pallet P, and the transportation route and transportation time for the transportation equipment 1.

[0063] The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 extracts the pallet identification data of the pallet P that needs to be collected from the supplier from the pallet identification data of the pallet P loaded with goods that is stored in the pallet DB 213 (step S301). For each pallet P of the extracted pallet identification data, the processing unit 20 identifies the supplier's location as the storage location of the pallet P at this time (step S302).

[0064] Next, the processing unit 20 identifies warehouse identification data of a warehouse that has vacant space or a warehouse that will have vacant space, and storage position identification data of a storage position that is vacant or will have vacant space within that warehouse, from the warehouse DB 214 (step S303). As will be described later, the warehouse DB 214 stores pallet identification data of a pallet P stored at that storage position in association with the warehouse identification data and the storage position identification data within that warehouse, and the pallet identification data is updated as it goes along. In step S303, the processing unit 20 extracts from the warehouse DB 214 storage position identification data for which no pallet identification data is stored, and the warehouse identification data of a record that includes that storage position identification data.

[0065] Based on the number of pallets P corresponding to the pallet identification data extracted in step S301 and the positions of those pallets P, the processing unit 20 assigns, to each pallet P, storage location identification data that identifies the location where the pallet should be stored, as determined in step S303 (step S304). The warehouse identification data and storage location identification data corresponding to the location where the pallet should be stored should be temporarily reserved so that they cannot be assigned to another location. Steps S302 and S304 determine the starting point and destination point for each pallet P.

[0066] The processing unit 20 acquires the position data of each transportation equipment 1 from the in-vehicle device 10 (step S305). The processing unit 20 associates the acquired position data with the transportation equipment identification data of the transportation equipment 1, and stores and updates the data in the transportation equipment DB 216 (step S306).

[0067] The processing unit 20 extracts from the transportation equipment DB 216 transportation equipment 1 that is close to the position identified in step S302 and has a vacant space for the number of pallets P to which storage locations have been assigned (step S307). The transportation equipment DB 216 not only stores the position data of each transportation equipment 1, but also associates storage position identification data that identifies the storage position of the loading platform, as will be described later, and further stores pallet identification data of the pallet P stored in that storage position in association with each storage position identification data. A storage position indicated by storage position identification data for which no pallet identification data is stored is a location in the transportation equipment 1 where there is vacant space.

[0068] In step S307, the processing unit 20 may extract two or three transport devices 1 instead of extracting the transport devices 1 that can accommodate all the pallets P extracted in step S301.

[0069] The processing unit 20 assigns an available or scheduled to become available storage section of the transport equipment 1 extracted in step S307 to each pallet P to which a storage location has already been assigned (step S308). This makes it possible to determine the movement route of the pallet P from the departure point to the destination point (which storage location of which transport equipment 1 the pallet P will travel via).

[0070] The processing unit 20 determines the travel time (departure time) of the pallet P based on the current position of the assigned transportation equipment 1 and the positions of the suppliers that the transportation equipment 1 will visit (step S309). The processing unit 20 determines the transportation route and transportation time (scheduled time for each stopover) for each transportation equipment 1 (step S310). Here, the processing unit 20 determines the transportation route in a milk run format, prioritizing stopping at multiple suppliers and eliminating vacant storage spaces by the time the transportation equipment 1 reaches the destination, rather than a route that travels in a straight line from the supplier to a warehouse. The optimal transportation route for the milk run of the transportation equipment 1 in step S310 may be determined using a separate optimal method.

[0071] The processing unit 20 notifies the terminal device 3 of each supplier of the transport equipment identification data of the transport equipment 1 that is the destination for the pallet P, the storage position identification data indicating the storage position within the transport equipment 1, and the travel time for each pallet identification data (step S311). The terminal device 3 is notified of which transport equipment 1 will come to collect the pallet P, and at what time and on what day. The supplier's operator does not need to request the transportation of the goods from a transport company; the transport equipment 1 will automatically come to collect goods under the control of the control system 200, so the operator can plan the work of carrying the pallet P into the transport equipment 1 according to the schedule of the collection.

[0072] The processing unit 20 notifies the onboard device 10 of each transport equipment 1 of the pallet identification data of the pallet P to be loaded on that transport equipment 1, the data identifying the supplier storing that pallet P, and the location data (address, latitude and longitude information) (step S312), and ends the processing. In step S312, the processing unit 20 indicates the planned time to stop at each supplier within a predetermined range.

[0073] In response to instructions and notifications given to the terminal device 3 and the vehicle-mounted device 10, the transport equipment 1 goes to each supplier to collect the loaded pallets P, and transports them to a warehouse with available space.

[0074] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when loading a pallet P in the information processing device 2. The processing unit 20 executes the following processing each time a notification of the storage of a pallet P is received.

[0075] The processing unit 20 receives a notification of the placement of the pallet P in the transportation equipment 1 from the supplier's terminal device 3 or from the vehicle-mounted device 10 that has come to pick up the pallet P from the supplier (step S401). In step S401, the processing unit 20 receives input of pallet identification data of the pallet P to be placed and placement identification data indicating the placement position of the pallet P in the transportation equipment 1 from the web application screen displayed on the terminal device 3. Alternatively, the processing unit 20 may receive from the vehicle-mounted device 10 the pallet identification data read from the two-dimensional code or tag on the pallet P, along with the placement position identification data.

[0076] Based on the notification received in step S401, the processing unit 20 changes the container identification data indicating the storage location associated with the pallet identification data in the pallet DB 213 to the transport equipment identification data of the transport equipment 1, and updates the storage location identification data to storage location identification data indicating the storage location within the transport equipment 1 (step S402).

[0077] The processing unit 20 deletes the pallet identification data of the pallet P stored in the transportation equipment 1 from the stored pallet identification data associated with the supplier ID in the supplier DB 215 (step S403).

[0078] The processing unit 20 updates the pallet identification data of the currently stored pallet P, which corresponds to the transport equipment identification data of the transport equipment 1 in which the pallet P is stored and the storage location identification data indicating the storage location where the pallet P is stored, from blank to the pallet identification data of the stored pallet P in the transport equipment DB 216 (step S404), and ends the processing procedure at the time of loading.

[0079] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the logistics DB 210 that are updated when goods are loaded onto a pallet P. Fig. 9 shows the updated contents from the pallet DB 213 and the supplier DB 215 when goods are loaded onto a pallet P at the supplier shown in Fig. 5, and the contents of the in-vehicle equipment DB 216.

[0080] For example, a pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" and a pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" are allocated to correspond to a take-out request with a take-out ID of "000001." When these pallets P are stored in the storage location "01" of the transport equipment 1 with the transport equipment identification data "V01001," as shown in FIG. 9, the data indicating the storage location of the pallet P with the pallet identification data "000001" in the pallet DB 213 is updated from the supplier ID "S00010" to the storage location "01" of the transport equipment 1 with the transport equipment identification data "V01001." Note that the storage location "01" within the transport equipment 1 may identify a storage section partitioned by pallet P (see FIG. 10), or may identify a general location within the loading platform. FIG. 10 shows an example of a storage section of the loading platform of the transport equipment 1. As shown in Fig. 10, the loading platform of the transport equipment 1 may be divided into a plurality of storage sections by a frame 11 including support columns 111, a cross-receiving frame 113, and a load receiving plate 112. In the example shown in Fig. 10, each storage section is provided with a tag 114, to which a two-dimensional code or a wireless tag indicating storage section identification data is attached.

[0081] 9, we will continue to explain the example contents of the logistics DB 210. Even when pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" is stored at storage position "03" of transport equipment 1 with transport equipment identification data "V01001," the data indicating the storage position of pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" is updated from supplier ID "S00010" to storage position "03" of transport equipment 1 with transport equipment identification data "V01001."

[0082] When pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" is stored at storage position "01" of transportation equipment 1 with transportation equipment identification data "V01001," the currently stored pallet identification data "000001" is also stored in transportation equipment DB 216 in association with storage position "01" of transportation equipment 1 with transportation equipment identification data "V01001." Similarly, currently stored pallet identification data "000002" is stored in association with storage position "03" of transportation equipment 1 with transportation equipment identification data "V01001." In this way, even if the storage location of pallet P becomes the loading platform of transportation equipment 1, the data is updated so that the location of pallet P can be identified.

[0083] Next, a description will be given of the processing when a pallet P is transported from the transport equipment 1 to a warehouse or a destination point (manufacturer) in response to an instruction from the control system 200. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure when unloading a pallet P in the information processing device 2. The processing unit 20 executes the following processing each time it receives a notification that the pallet P has been stored in the warehouse or destination point.

[0084] The processing unit 20 receives a notification of the storage of a pallet P in the warehouse at the warehouse terminal device 4 (step S501). In step S501, the processing unit 20 receives input of pallet identification data of the pallet P to be stored and storage identification data indicating the storage position of the pallet P in the warehouse from the screen of a web application displayed on the warehouse terminal device 4.

[0085] Based on the notification received in step S501, the processing unit 20 changes the container identification data indicating the storage location associated with the pallet identification data in the pallet DB 213 to the warehouse identification data of the warehouse, and updates the storage location identification data to storage location identification data indicating the storage location within the warehouse (step S502).

[0086] The processing unit 20 deletes the pallet identification data of the pallet P stored in the warehouse from the currently stored pallet identification data associated with the transport equipment identification data and the storage position identification data in the transport equipment DB 216 (step S503).

[0087] The processing unit 20 updates the pallet identification data of the stored pallet P, which corresponds to the warehouse identification data of the warehouse where the pallet P is stored and the storage location identification data indicating the storage location where the pallet P is stored, from blank to the pallet identification data of the stored pallet P in the warehouse DB 214 (step S504), and completes the processing procedure for unloading from the transportation equipment 1.

[0088] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the logistics DB 210 that are updated when the goods shown in Fig. 9 are loaded onto the pallet P. Fig. 12 shows the updated contents from the pallet DB 213 and the transport equipment DB 216, and the contents of the warehouse DB 214, when the goods shown in Fig. 9 are loaded onto the pallet P.

[0089] For example, when pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" is stored at storage location "001003" in the warehouse with warehouse identification data "H00100," as shown in FIG. 12, the data indicating the location where pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" is stored in pallet DB 213 is updated from storage location "01" in transport equipment 1 with transport equipment identification data "V01001" to storage location "001003" in the warehouse with warehouse identification data "H00100."

[0090] When pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" is stored at storage location "001004" in the warehouse with warehouse identification data "H00100," the data indicating the location where pallet P with pallet identification data "000002" is stored is updated from storage location "03" in transport equipment 1 with transport equipment identification data "V01001" to storage location "001004" in the warehouse with warehouse identification data "H00100."

[0091] When pallet P with pallet identification data "000001" is stored at storage location "001003" in the warehouse with warehouse identification data "H00100," the currently stored pallet identification data "000001" is also stored in warehouse DB 214 in association with warehouse identification data "H00100" and storage location "001003." Similarly, the currently stored pallet identification data "000002" is stored in association with warehouse identification data "H00100" and storage location "001004." In this way, even if pallet P's storage location becomes a warehouse, the data is updated so that the location of pallet P can be identified.

[0092] [4: Move to the gate warehouse (warehouse D)] For a loaded pallet P stored in one of warehouses AC by a supplier, the control system 200 sequentially re-determines a transportation plan for moving each item to warehouse D, a virtual gate warehouse, by the delivery deadline of the withdrawal request, similar to the processing procedure shown in Figure 7.

[0093] 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing an example of a decision-making process procedure for the movement of pallets P between warehouses by the control system 200. The information processing device 2 of the control system 200 sequentially or periodically executes the following process to determine the movement route and movement time for each pallet P, and the transportation route and transportation time for the transportation equipment 1.

[0094] The processing unit 20 of the information processing device 2 extracts the pallet identification data of the pallet P that needs to be moved preferentially to the warehouse D used as a virtual gate warehouse from the pallet identification data of the pallet P loaded with goods stored in the pallet DB 213 (step S601). For each pallet P of the extracted pallet identification data, the processing unit 20 identifies the storage position of the pallet P at this time (step S602). In step S602, the processing unit 20 identifies the warehouse AD or the transport equipment 1.

[0095] The processing unit 20 identifies storage location identification data of an available storage location or a storage location that is scheduled to become available in the target warehouse D (gate warehouse) from the warehouse DB 214 (step S603). The availability in warehouse D is updated by the manufacturer retrieving it and inputting it into the Web application using the terminal device 4 in the warehouse D.

[0096] Based on the number of pallets P corresponding to the pallet identification data extracted in step S601 and the positions of those pallets P, the processing unit 20 assigns storage position identification data, which specifies the position where the pallets P should be stored and which was specified in step S603, to each pallet P that should be moved preferentially (step S604).

[0097] The processing unit 20 determines the pallet identification data of the pallet P that has been assigned a storage location in step S604, which should be moved to the storage location in the warehouse or transport equipment 1 where it is currently stored, i.e., the storage location that is scheduled to become vacant, in accordance with the delivery date based on the payment slip DB 212 (step S605). By allowing pallets P to be moved between warehouses and preferably moved to a storage location that is sure to become vacant for the purpose of name consolidation or the like, it becomes possible to transport the pallet P via the optimal route after the fact.

[0098] The processing unit 20 acquires the position data of each transportation equipment 1 from the vehicle-mounted device 10 (step S606). The processing unit 20 associates the acquired position data with the transportation equipment identification data of the transportation equipment 1, and stores and updates the data in the transportation equipment DB 216 (step S607).

[0099] The processing unit 20 extracts from the transportation equipment DB 216 transportation equipment 1 that are close to the position identified in step S602 and have vacant spaces equal to the number of pallets P to which storage locations have been allocated (step S608). The processing unit 20 allocates vacant storage sections or storage sections that will become vacant in the transportation equipment 1 extracted in step S608 to each pallet P to which storage locations have been allocated (step S609).

[0100] The processing unit 20 determines the travel time (departure time) of the pallet P based on the current position of the assigned transportation equipment 1 and the positions of warehouses where the transportation equipment 1 will stop (step S610). The processing unit 20 determines the transportation route and transportation time (scheduled time for each stopover) for each transportation equipment 1 (step S611). In step S611 as well, various methods, including known methods, can be used to optimize the transportation route.

[0101] The processing unit 20 notifies the terminal device 4 of each warehouse of the transport equipment identification data of the destination transport equipment 1 and the storage location identification data indicating the storage location within the transport equipment 1, along with the travel time, for each pallet identification data to be moved (step S612).

[0102] The processing unit 20 notifies the onboard device 10 of each transport equipment 1 of the pallet identification data of the pallet P to be loaded on that transport equipment 1, the data identifying the supplier storing that pallet P, and the location data (address, latitude and longitude information) (step S613), and ends the process. In step S613, the processing unit 20 indicates the planned time to stop at each warehouse within a predetermined range.

[0103] Based on instructions and notifications to these terminal devices 4 and on-board devices 10, the transport equipment 1 goes to each warehouse to collect the loaded pallets P and transports them to warehouse D used as a gate warehouse or another warehouse AC.

[0104] By the above-described processing, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 12, each time a pallet P loaded with goods is moved, the pallet P, i.e., the storage position of the goods, can be updated and traced. By sequentially executing the processing procedures shown in Figures 13 and 14 (for example, multiple times a day) to move pallets P in order of priority to those with the nearest delivery date, it becomes possible to move the required goods to warehouse D in pallet P units while also moving from supplier to warehouse AC and between warehouses AC. The transport equipment 1 determines the transport route so that the pallets P move while making a milk-run round between the supplier and warehouse AC, rather than performing a piston transport between the warehouse and supplier, thereby improving transport efficiency.

[0105] [5: Confirmation from the manufacturer] The data stored in the logistics DB 210 and updated sequentially can be checked sequentially only for data permitted for the manufacturer's account. FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen that can be checked from the terminal device 5. FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen that is displayed when the terminal device 5 inputs a payment slip ID using a web application provided by the information processing device 2. When the payment slip ID is input on the terminal device 5, the progress of the items to be paid out until they are paid out (delivered) is displayed, as shown in FIG. 15. In the example shown in FIG. 15, for items X and Y with payment slip ID "000001," the supplier's control number "0123" is assigned to this payment slip, and the items are loaded onto the same pallet P on October 10, 2023, and stored in the "gate warehouse" on October 13, 2023. Note that if an item is stored in warehouse AC at the time this screen is displayed, the information processing device 2 treats it as already being stored in the virtual "gate warehouse." The item being transported from the supplier to one of Warehouses A and C is marked as "In transit." At 15:30 on October 13, 2023, it will be moved to Warehouse D, a warehouse in front of the gate, and will be available for pickup within the business premises.

[0106] As disclosed herein, since warehouses A and B can be moved at any time, it is possible to change which warehouse A and B is treated as a front warehouse depending on the location of the manufacturer. It is also possible to make it appear that a section of warehouse A is being used as a front warehouse for another manufacturer.

[0107] In this way, in the control system 200 of the present disclosure, although a pallet P stored in a warehouse AC other than warehouse D is not physically present in warehouse D, which is a gate-front warehouse located in a nearby location, it can be treated as being present in a virtual gate-front warehouse if it is stored in warehouse D on the required date (the day it is to be removed immediately).

[0108] If the system is linked to a production management system used by the supplier, by selecting the processing process details button 532 in Figure 15, it may be possible to view in detail the processing stage at which the item being ordered at the supplier is.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, the logistics material is a pallet P, but it may also be a small container known as a folded container, or a box. In addition, the goods to be ordered include not only materials procured by manufacturers, but also materials such as bolts and screws.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 100 Logistics System 200 Control System 2. Information processing equipment 20 Processing section P2 Information processing program (computer program) 3, 4, 5 Terminal equipment 53 Display section

Claims

1. An information processing method for processing information of items in a container that contains a plurality of logistics components on which items are stacked, comprising: storing, in a storage unit, component identification data of the distribution component in association with container identification data that identifies the container and storage location identification data that identifies a location where the distribution component is stored within the container; Accepting pick-up requests including the items to be picked up, the date and time, and the location, extracting, from the container identification data and storage location identification data associated with the component identification data in the storage unit, the container identification data and storage location identification data of a container in which the logistics component to be dispensed designated in the accepted dispense request is loaded; Based on the location of the container and the date, time, and location specified in the take-out request, a moving route and a moving time for moving the logistics components loaded with the items to be taken out are determined for each logistics component. Information processing methods.

2. The container is a transport device that transports the logistics component, a warehouse that stores the logistics component, and / or a supplier of the item that loads the item onto the logistics component. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. Each time the logistics component is transported from one container and stored in another container, the correspondence between the component identification data, the container identification data, and the storage location identification data in the storage unit is updated.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When receiving information specifying the take-out request, the system specifies component identification data of a physical distribution component on which the item to be taken out specified in the take-out request is loaded; A screen showing the progress of the item to be dispensed is output based on the container identification data and the storage location identification data associated with the specified item identification data. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

5. an information processing device that processes information about the items in a container that contains a plurality of logistics components on which the items are stacked; a plurality of terminal devices corresponding to a plurality of containers that store the distribution materials; Including, The information processing device includes: Each time the distribution material is stored in the container, the terminal device receives storage position identification data indicating the storage position of the distribution material in the container, container identification data for identifying the container, and material identification data of the distribution material stored in the container; storing the member identification data in a storage unit in association with the container identification data and the storage position identification data; Accepting pick-up requests including the items to be picked up, the date and time, and the location, extracting, from the container identification data and storage location identification data associated with the component identification data in the storage unit, the container identification data and storage location identification data of a container in which the logistics component to be dispensed designated in the accepted dispense request is loaded; Based on the location of the container and the date, time, and location specified in the take-out request, a moving route and a moving time for moving the logistics components loaded with the items to be taken out are determined for each logistics component. Information processing system.

6. A computer program that causes a computer to process information about an item in a container that contains a plurality of logistics components to which the item is to be loaded, storing, in a storage unit, component identification data of the distribution component in association with container identification data that identifies the container and storage location identification data that identifies a location where the distribution component is stored within the container; Accepting pick-up requests including the items to be picked up, the date and time, and the location, extracting, from the container identification data and storage location identification data associated with the component identification data in the storage unit, the container identification data and storage location identification data of a container in which the logistics component to be dispensed designated in the accepted dispense request is loaded; Based on the location of the container and the date, time, and location specified in the take-out request, a moving route and a moving time for moving the logistics components loaded with the items to be taken out are determined for each logistics component. A computer program that executes a process.

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