Picking management device and picking management system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving work efficiency in storing a picked article in a container.SOLUTION: The picking management device includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, an output unit, and a display unit. The acquiring unit acquires article identification information for identifying a plurality of predetermined picking target articles, article feature information including a physical quantity representing a feature of the plurality of articles, and vessel information including a size of a vessel that accommodates the plurality of articles (S11). The determination unit determines the arrangement of the plurality of articles that maximizes the accommodation ratio in the vessel based on the article identification information, the article feature information, and the vessel information (S13). Outputting arrangement information indicating the determined arrangement of the plurality of articles in the case (S15); The display unit displays an image based on the output arrangement information (S26).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a picking management device and a picking management system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the spread of online shopping and the like has led to an increasing demand for shipping a variety of products, creating a demand for more efficient picking of products stored in warehouses, etc. As a technology for improving the efficiency of picking work, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a system for improving the efficiency of picking and sorting. This system forms shifts that group together orders for the same product assortment pattern, and issues picking instructions indicating the total quantity of each product and assortment instructions corresponding to the assortment pattern to the work of each shift. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-328708 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As workers pick items, they place them in a designated container or other container one by one. Items vary in shape and weight, and depending on how they are placed, the picked items may not fit in the container, requiring the worker to change containers mid-picking.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that can improve the efficiency of storing picked items in containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A picking management device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, an output unit, and a display unit. The acquisition unit acquires item identification information that identifies multiple items to be picked in advance, item characteristic information including physical quantities that represent characteristics of the multiple items, and container information including the size of a container that will accommodate the multiple items. The determination unit determines an arrangement of the multiple items that maximizes the storage rate in the container based on the item identification information, the item characteristic information, and the container information. The output unit outputs arrangement information that indicates the arrangement of the multiple items in the determined container. The display unit displays an image based on the output arrangement information.

[0007] A picking management system according to the present disclosure also includes a server and a communication terminal communicatively connected to the server and including the display unit. The server includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires item identification information that identifies multiple items to be picked in advance, item characteristic information that indicates physical quantities that represent characteristics of the multiple items, and container information that includes the size of a container that will accommodate the multiple items. The determination unit determines an arrangement of the multiple items that maximizes the storage rate in the container based on the item identification information, item characteristic information, and container information. The output unit outputs arrangement information that indicates the arrangement of the multiple items in the determined container to the communication terminal. The communication terminal acquires the arrangement information and displays an image based on the arrangement information on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above configuration, the efficiency of the work of storing picked items in containers can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a picking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a warehouse where items are stored. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of picking data. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a picking list. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of items on a picking list. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a container. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is an image diagram of a simulation of placing an item B in a container. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is an image diagram of a simulation in which items C and A are placed in a container. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is an image diagram of a simulation of the arrangement of items C and A, which is different from FIG. 7B. [Figure 7D] FIG. 7D is an image diagram of a simulation of placing an item C in a container. [Figure 7E] FIG. 7E is an image diagram of a simulation in which items B, C, A, and D are placed in a container. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the work terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the picking instruction screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the storage instruction screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server and the operation terminal in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of a picking management device and a picking management system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a picking system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the picking system 100 includes a server 1 and an operation terminal 2. The picking system 100 is an example of a picking management device and a picking management system.

[0012] The server 1 and the work terminal 2 are connected to a communication network N and can communicate with each other via the communication network N. For convenience, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of one work terminal 2, but multiple work terminals 2 may be provided.

[0013] The work terminal 2 is, for example, a tablet terminal with a communication function. The work terminal 2 is carried by a worker who performs picking work. In this embodiment, the picking work includes the work of retrieving items stored in a warehouse or the like and storing the items in a predetermined container (an example of a vessel). The picking work is performed based on a picking instruction transmitted from the server 1 to the work terminal 2. The items to be picked include, for example, items that can be carried by the worker, such as food, household goods, electrical appliances, and machine parts.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a warehouse where items are stored. As shown in FIG. 2, in warehouse S, two work shelves T are arranged facing each other, with three aisles M in between. Each work shelf T is divided into five sections, and ten sections R are provided for each aisle M. An aisle number (M1 to M3) that identifies the aisle M is set in advance for each aisle M, and a section number (01 to 30) that identifies the section R is set in advance for each section R. Items to be picked are stored in each section R.

[0015] The section R is an example of a work section. Note that the layout of the storage area for items (the arrangement and number of aisles M, work shelves T, and sections R) is an example and is not limited to the layout shown in FIG.

[0016] (Server 1) 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The storage unit 11 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 11 stores various data such as layout information, picking data, and container information under the control of the control unit 10. Details of the picking data will be described later.

[0018] The layout information indicates the layout of the warehouse S shown in FIG. 2, that is, the location of each section R, and includes "aisle number and section number."

[0019] The container information (an example of container information) indicates the size of the container that holds the picked item. Details of the container will be described later, but in this embodiment, the container has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container information includes the lengths of each of the three sides (depth, width, and height) of the container.

[0020] The communication unit 12 includes a communication interface such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network), etc. The communication unit 12 communicates with the work terminal 2 via the communication network N under the control of the control unit 10.

[0021] The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The control unit 10 generates a picking list and item placement information (an example of placement information) based on the picking data and container information stored in the memory unit 11 by the CPU executing a program (picking management application) pre-stored in the ROM, and transmits the picking list and item placement information (an example of placement information) to the work terminal 2. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 is an example of an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit.

[0022] Specifically, the control unit 10 acquires picking data including the picking work content of each worker from an external device and stores the data in the storage unit 11.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of picking data. As shown in Fig. 4, the picking data 111 associates data such as "job ID," "item ID," "item name," "quantity," "section information," "item weight," and "item size / volume" for each picking task. Note that, although not shown in the figure, in this example, the picking data is associated with identification information of the worker.

[0024] "Work ID" indicates information that identifies a picking work.

[0025] "Item ID" refers to identification information previously assigned to an item, such as the item's serial number. In this embodiment, a two-dimensional code image indicating the item ID is previously attached to each item. In this embodiment, the work ID and item ID are examples of item identification information.

[0026] "Item name" indicates the name of the item, such as the product name.

[0027] "Quantity" indicates the number of items to be picked.

[0028] The "compartment information" indicates the storage location of the item and includes the aisle number and compartment number corresponding to any of the compartments R shown in Figure 2. For example, for an item stored in compartment number "05" shown in Figure 2, the compartment information is set to "M1-05", which includes aisle number "M1" and compartment number "05".

[0029] "Item weight" and "item size / volume" are examples of item characteristic information and are examples of physical quantities. "Item weight" and "item size / volume" respectively indicate the weight, dimensions, and volume of an item identified by an item ID.

[0030] The control unit 10 determines the picking order based on the picking data 111 stored in the storage unit 11.

[0031] Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the first picking order to the heaviest item among items whose weight in the picking data 111 is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight (e.g., 2 kg).The control unit 10 then rearranges the aisle numbers and section numbers of the section information corresponding to items other than the first item in the picking order in the picking data 111 in ascending order, and determines the second and subsequent picking orders.

[0032] The control unit 10 generates a picking list by rearranging each record of the picking data 111 in the determined picking order. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the picking list 112. Specifically, the picking list 112 shown in Fig. 5 is obtained by rearranging the picking data 111 (Fig. 4) based on the item weight and section information.

[0033] In the picking data 111, the only item whose weight is equal to or greater than the predetermined weight (2 kg) is "item name: item B" with "job ID: K02." Therefore, the record with "job ID: K02" is positioned at the top of the picking list 112.

[0034] The second and subsequent records in the picking list 112 are arranged based on the section information in the picking data 111. In the picking data 111, when the records of job IDs other than "job ID: K02" are sorted in ascending order of the "aisle number and section number" in the section information, the order of the "job IDs" for the second and subsequent picking orders will be "K03" → "K01" → "K04."

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 10 determines the placement of each item in the container based on the picking list 112 and the container information. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines the placement of the items in the container based on the item size of each item (items A to D) included in the picking list 112 (FIG. 5) and the container information so as to maximize the container accommodation rate.

[0036] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of items on the picking list 112. In Fig. 6A, the items on the picking list 112 with the item names "item A," "item B," "item C," and "item D" are indicated by Sa, Sb, Sc, and Sd, respectively.

[0037] The article A (Sa) and the article B (Sb) have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the article C (Sc) and the article D (Sd) have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0038] 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a container in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6B, the container P has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape with three sides (depth, width, and height) having lengths (cm) of dc, wc, and hc, respectively.

[0039] The control unit 10 simulates (calculates) the arrangement of items when the items picked in the order of the picking list 112 (FIG. 5) are stored in the container P. FIGS. 7A to 7E are conceptual diagrams of a simulation of arranging the items in the picking list 112 in the container P.

[0040] 7A shows an example of the placement of the first item B to be picked. First, in the picking list 112 shown in FIG. 5, four items B (Sb) to be picked first are placed in the container P (FIG. 6B). The heavier items are picked first and placed at the bottom of the container P.

[0041] Next, FIG. 7B shows an example of the arrangement of items C and A to be picked second and third, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7B, four items C (Sc) to be picked second are placed sideways in the space above four items B (Sb) in container P. Next, five items A (Sa) to be picked third are lined up facing the same direction in the space above items B (Sb) and C (Sc) in container P. In this case, a portion Sa_1 of item A (Sa) placed above item C (Sc) protrudes from the top of container P, so the arrangement of items C and A shown in FIG. 7B is excluded.

[0042] FIG. 7C shows an example of an arrangement of items C and A that is different from that shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 7C, four items C (Sc) are arranged upright in the space behind four items B (Sb) in container P. Next, five items A (Sa) are arranged in the space above items B (Sb) in container P. In the example of FIG. 7C, the orientations of the items A (Sa) are not aligned, resulting in wasted dead space Pw between the items A (Sa). In addition, the upper part of a portion Sa_2 of item A (Sa) protrudes from container P. Therefore, the arrangement of items C and A shown in FIG. 7C is excluded.

[0043] Moreover, Figure 7D shows an example of the arrangement of items C that is different from Figures 7B and 7C. As shown in Figure 7D, four items C (Sc) are arranged upright on top of four items B (Sb) in container P. In this case, the tops of the four items C (Sc) protrude from container P, so the arrangement of items C shown in Figure 7D is also excluded.

[0044] FIG. 7E shows an example of the arrangement of items C, A, and D that is different from those in FIGS. 7B to 7D. As shown in FIG. 7E, four items C (Sc) are placed horizontally, two on top of each other, in the space behind four items B (Sb) in container P. Next, five items A (Sa) are lined up with the same orientation in the space above the four items B (Sb) in container P. In this case, the five items A (Sa) are accommodated within container P without protruding from the top of container P.

[0045] Next, two items D (Sd) on the picking list 112 (FIG. 5) are placed on top of each other in the remaining space in the container P, i.e., in the space above some of the items B (Sb) and C (Sc) in the container P. In this case, the items D (Sd) do not protrude from the top of the container P, and no unnecessary dead space is created in the container P.

[0046] In this way, the control unit 10 simulates the arrangement of the items so that all of the items in the picking list 112 shown in Fig. 5 are accommodated in the container P without creating any unnecessary dead space. As a result, the arrangement shown in Fig. 7E, for example, is generated as item arrangement information as the arrangement of the items in the container P in the picking list shown in Fig. 5.

[0047] The arrangement of items on the picking list may be determined using a trained model that uses machine learning to learn the results of a user's simulation of storing items in a container for each combination of items. Alternatively, information on predetermined item arrangement patterns that maximize storage efficiency for each combination of items may be stored in the memory unit 11, and the arrangement of items may be determined from the arrangement pattern corresponding to the combination of items on the picking list 112. The combination of items may be a combination of item types and quantities, or a combination of feature quantities such as the shape, size, and weight of the items.

[0048] In response to a request from the work terminal 2, the control unit 10 transmits the picking list 112 and item placement information indicating the placement of the items on the picking list 112 in the container to the work terminal 2 via the communication unit 12.

[0049] (Work terminal 2) 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the work terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the work terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, an operation unit 21, a notification unit 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a scan unit 25.

[0050] The notification unit 22 includes a display unit 22a and a speaker 22b. The display unit 22a includes a display, and displays various images related to the picking management application under the control of the control unit 20. The speaker 22b outputs sound under the control of the control unit 20.

[0051] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface such as a wireless LAN, etc. The communication unit 23 communicates with the server 1 via the communication network N under the control of the control unit 20.

[0052] The storage unit 24 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory. Under the control of the control unit 20, the storage unit 24 stores image data related to the picking management application, and various data such as a picking list and item placement information output from the server 1.

[0053] The scanning unit 25 includes a scanner (not shown) and reads a two-dimensional code image indicating an item ID that has been previously attached to an item. The scanner may be built into the work terminal 2 or may be externally attached to the work terminal 2. The scanning unit 25 outputs to the control unit 20 the item ID indicated by the two-dimensional code image that has been read by the worker with the scanner.

[0054] The control unit 20 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM). The control unit 20 controls each unit connected to the control unit 20 by the CPU executing a program (picking management application) pre-stored in the ROM. Specifically, the control unit 20 communicates with the server 1, acquires a picking list 112 and item placement information as work instruction information, and displays a picking management screen on the display unit 22a based on the picking list 112 and the item placement information. The control unit 20 also determines whether the items on the picking list 112 have been picked based on the item IDs output from the scanning unit 25 and the picking list 112, and issues a notification based on the determination result from the notification unit 22.

[0055] In this embodiment, the work terminal 2 is an example of a communication terminal, and the control unit 20 is an example of a determination unit and a display unit.

[0056] 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a picking management screen. The picking management screen includes a picking instruction screen 220a that shows the worker the items to be picked, and a storage instruction screen 220b that shows the worker the storage positions of the picked items in the container P. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the picking instruction screen 220a. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the storage instruction screen 220b.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the picking instruction screen 220a includes work information 221, location information 222, and operation buttons 223.

[0058] The work information 221 indicates the work content for each picking work. In this example, the work information 221 indicates the "work ID," "section information," "item name," and "picking quantity" of the first record in the picking list 112 shown in FIG.

[0059] The location information 222 is a layout diagram of the warehouse S (FIG. 2) and indicates the location corresponding to the section information "M2-18" in the work information 221. In this example, the section 222m with section information "M2-18" is shown distinguishable from the other sections in the layout diagram of the entire warehouse S. That is, the picking instruction screen 220a shows the items to be picked, the number to be picked, and the storage location of the items to be picked for each picking task to the worker.

[0060] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the storage instruction screen 220b. Specifically, Fig. 10 shows the transition of the storage instruction screen 220b (220b_1 to 220b_4) when the items are picked in the order of the records in the picking list 112 (Fig. 5).

[0061] 10, the storage instruction screen 220b includes stored item information F1 and storage location information F2. The stored item information F1 (F11 to F14) includes the job ID, item name, and quantity corresponding to the picked item. That is, each time the worker reads a two-dimensional code image of an item picked via the scanning unit 25, the "job ID," "item name," and "quantity" in the picking list 112 (FIG. 5) corresponding to the item ID indicated by the two-dimensional code image are displayed on the display unit 22a.

[0062] The storage position information F2 includes arrangement images (Va to Vd). The arrangement images (Va to Vd) indicate the positions where the picked items are to be stored in the container P. In Fig. 10, the arrangement image indicated by the dashed frame indicates the position where the picked item should be stored at the time the two-dimensional code image of the item is read by the scanner.

[0063] Specifically, when items A to D are picked in the order of the picking list 112 shown in FIG. 5, as shown on the storage instruction screens 220b_1 to 220b_4, the storage position information F2 transitions in the order of storage position information F21 → storage position information F22 → storage position information F23 → storage position information F24. The storage position information F21 indicates the storage position of item B and is represented by an arrangement image Vb of item B shown in a dashed frame. The storage position information F22 is represented by the arrangement image Vb and an arrangement image Vc of item C shown in a dashed frame and indicates the storage position of item C. The storage position information F23 is represented by the arrangement images Vb, Vc and an arrangement image Va of item A shown in a dashed frame and indicates the storage position of item A. Furthermore, the storage position information F24 is represented by the arrangement images Vb, Vc, Va and an arrangement image Vd of item d shown in a dashed frame and indicates the storage position of item d.

[0064] 10, the position where the item should be stored at the time the worker reads the two-dimensional code image of the item is represented by a dashed line, and the storage positions of items indicated by two-dimensional code images read before that are represented by only a solid line. In other words, the storage position information F2 only needs to represent the position where the item should be stored at the time the item is picked and the storage positions of items picked before that in a manner that allows identification.

[0065] (operation) Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the server 1 and the work terminal 2 in this embodiment. In Fig. 11, the server 1 and the work terminal 2 are in a state where a picking management application is activated by a worker or the like.

[0066] First, the server 1 acquires picking data from an external device (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 10 stores, in the storage unit 11, picking data 111 (FIG. 4) input by an administrator or the like via an external device (not shown) electrically connected to the server 1.

[0067] The server 1 generates a picking list 112 based on the picking data 111 (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 10 places "job ID: K02" corresponding to item B, which is the heaviest among items of a predetermined weight or more, in the picking order for the first picking in the picking data 111 (FIG. 4) stored in the memory unit 11. Next, the control unit 10 arranges the records other than "job ID: K02" in the picking data 111 in ascending order of block information, and places job IDs "K03," "K01," and "K04" in the second, third, and fourth picking orders.

[0068] Next, the server 1 determines the arrangement of the items in the container in the picking list 112 (step S13). Specifically, the control unit 10 simulates the arrangement of each item in the container P so as to maximize the storage efficiency of each item in the generated picking list 112 in the predetermined container P, and determines the arrangement of the items, for example, as shown in Fig. 7E.

[0069] The server 1 waits until it receives worker information identifying the worker from the work terminal 2 (step S14: NO). When the server 1 receives the worker information from the work terminal 2 (step S14: YES), it transmits the generated picking list 112 and item placement information to the work terminal 2 (step S15). Specifically, the control unit 10 transmits the generated picking list 112 and item placement information indicating the placement of the items in the determined container P to the work terminal 2 via the communication unit 12.

[0070] Before picking, the picking worker inputs the worker's identification information via the operation unit 21 of the work terminal 2. The work terminal 2 waits until it receives the worker information (step S21: NO). Then, when the work information is received (step S21: YES), the work terminal 2 transmits the worker information to the server 1 (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 20 transmits the worker information to the server 1 via the communication unit 23.

[0071] The work terminal 2 waits until it receives work instruction information (step S23: NO). Then, when the work terminal 2 receives the work instruction information (step S23: YES), it displays a picking instruction screen based on the work instruction information (step S24). Specifically, the control unit 20 receives a picking list and item placement information as work instruction information via the communication unit 23. For example, when the picking list 112 shown in FIG. 5 is received, the control unit 20 displays a picking instruction screen 220a shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 22a as a picking instruction screen based on the picking list 112.

[0072] According to the section information and picking target shown on the picking instruction screen 220a, the worker picks the item stored in the section 222m indicated by the location information 222. After picking the item shown on the picking instruction screen 220a, the worker reads the two-dimensional code image of the item with a scanner (not shown) of the work terminal 2.

[0073] The work terminal 2 determines whether the target item has been picked (step S25). Specifically, the control unit 20 acquires the read two-dimensional code image from the scanning unit 25, and determines, based on the picking list 112, whether the item ID indicated by the two-dimensional code image is an item ID corresponding to the work ID displayed on the picking instruction screen 220a.

[0074] When the work terminal 2 determines that the target item has been picked (step S25: YES), it displays a storage instruction screen based on the item placement information (step S26). Specifically, when the item B corresponding to the first job ID "K02" in the picking list 112 has been picked, the control unit 20 displays the storage instruction screen 220b_1 shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 22a.

[0075] The worker stores the four picked items B in the container P in accordance with the arrangement image Vb of the storage position information F21 on the storage instruction screen 220b_1.

[0076] The work terminal 2 performs the processes from step S24 onwards until picking of all the items on the picking list is completed (step S27: NO).

[0077] Specifically, after storing item B in container P, the worker returns to the picking instruction screen 220a shown in FIG. 9 and presses the operation button 223. By pressing the operation button 223, the control unit 20 displays the picking instruction screen 220a instructing the worker to perform the work of the second work ID "K03" on the picking list 112, and performs the processing of step S25. Then, when the target item (item C) is picked, the control unit 20 displays the storage instruction screen 220b_2 shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 22a.

[0078] The worker repeats the above-described series of operations and tasks until all items on the picking list 112 are stored in the container P. The control unit 20 repeatedly switches the picking instruction screen 220a (FIG. 9), determines whether the target item has been picked, and switches the storage instruction screen 220b (FIG. 10) according to the operations and tasks performed by the worker. When the control unit 20 acquires the item IDs of all items on the picking list from the scanning unit 25, it determines that picking of all items has been completed.

[0079] When picking of all items in the picking list 112 is completed (step S27: YES), the work terminal 2 notifies the completion of the work (step S28). Specifically, the control unit 20, for example, displays an image indicating that the picking work of all items has been completed on the display unit 22a, or outputs a sound indicating that the picking work of all items has been completed from the speaker 22b.

[0080] In step S25, if the work terminal 2 determines that the target item has not been picked (step S25: NO), it notifies the user of a work error (step S29). Specifically, the control unit 20 determines that the target item has not been picked if the item ID indicated in the two-dimensional code image acquired from the scanning unit 25 is not an item ID corresponding to the work ID displayed on the picking instruction screen 220a. The control unit 20 then displays an image indicating a work error on the display unit 22a and outputs a sound indicating a work error from the speaker 22b.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the server 1 generates a picking list 112 indicating the order of picking work based on the picking data 111, and determines the placement of each item in the container P on the picking list 112.

[0082] The work terminal 2 acquires the picking list 112 from the server 1 and displays a picking instruction screen 220a (FIG. 9) based on the picking list 112. The picking instruction screen 220a displays the items to be picked in the order of picking, the quantity, and the storage location. This allows the worker to quickly pick the instructed items without hesitation.

[0083] Furthermore, the work terminal 2 acquires from the server 1 item placement information indicating the placement of each item in the picking list 112 in the container P, and displays a storage instruction screen 220b (FIG. 10) based on the item placement information. Each time a target item is picked, the storage instruction screen 220b displays a placement image indicating the placement of the picked item in the container P. The placement indicated by the item placement information is a placement determined to maximize the storage rate when the items in the picking list are stored in the container P. If the picked items are stored in the container P according to the storage instruction screen 220b, the work of replacing the container P is reduced. Therefore, the efficiency of the storage work is improved compared to when the storage instruction screen 220b is not displayed.

[0084] The above describes embodiments of a picking management device and a picking management system with reference to the drawings. However, the picking management device and the picking management system are not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are primarily schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the number of components shown may differ from the actual number due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the components shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited. Various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present configuration.

[0085] [Variations] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the second and subsequent picking orders are determined by sorting the section information in the picking list in ascending order, but the algorithm for determining the second and subsequent picking orders is not limited to this. For example, the second picking order may be determined for an item stored in a section closer to the storage location of the item to be picked first, and the third picking order may be determined for an item stored in a section closer to the storage location of the item to be picked second. In other words, the nth (n: integer greater than or equal to 1) item in the picking order may be determined to be n+1th.

[0086] (2) The item characteristic information may include, for example, the shape of the item, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, a flat plate, a bag, etc., and an evaluation value that indicates the properties of the item, such as the fragility of the item. By configuring in this manner, for example, the server 1 can determine the placement of the items so that a heavier item is not placed on top of a more fragile item, thereby preventing damage to the items when they are placed in the container P.

[0087] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the work terminal 2 may determine whether or not an item has been placed in the container P in accordance with the item placement information and report the determination result. In this case, the work terminal 2 is equipped with a camera (photographing unit), and the worker places each picked item in the container P and then photographs the interior of the container P with the camera. The work terminal 2 determines whether or not the placement of the picked items in the container P is appropriate based on the photographed image and the item placement information. Whether or not the placement of the items is appropriate may be determined, for example, by obtaining from the server 1 a comparison image showing the state in which the items have been placed in the container P in accordance with the item placement information, and comparing the image photographed by the work terminal 2 with the comparison image.

[0088] The work terminal 2 may display the result of the judgment on the placement of the items on the display unit 22a. Note that the work terminal 2 may display an error image indicating an incorrect placement on the display unit 22a only when it is judged that the placement of the items is inappropriate. If the items are not placed according to the item placement information, the container will not be able to accommodate all the items, and the container replacement work will increase. Therefore, by configuring in this way, the container replacement work can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved.

[0089] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the server 1 may select a container for storing each item on the picking list from multiple types of containers of different sizes based on the picking list. By using a container that is more suitable for storing the items on the picking list, the efficiency of the work of storing the items can be improved.

[0090] (5) The work terminal 2 may have the same functions as the server 1, and the picking list and item placement information may be generated on the work terminal 2. In this case, the server 1 is not required, and the worker or manager may simply input the picking data into the work terminal 2. This allows for improved work efficiency in storing items with a simpler configuration than in the embodiment. In this modification, the work terminal 2 is an example of a picking management device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present disclosure can be used for picking systems in factories, warehouses, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1: Server 2: Work terminal 10, 20: Control section 11, 24: Storage section 12, 23: Communications Department 21:Operation section 22: Information Department 22a: Display section 22b: Speaker 25: Scanning section 100: Picking system 111: Picking data 112: Picking list 220a: Picking instruction screen 220b, 220b_1, 220b_2: Storage instruction screen 221: Work information 222: Location information P: Container F1, F11~F14: Storage information F2, F21~F24: Location information R: Section Va~Vd: Placement image

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires item identification information that identifies a plurality of predetermined items to be picked, item characteristic information that includes physical quantities that represent characteristics of the plurality of items, and container information that includes the size of a container that contains the plurality of items; a determination unit that determines an arrangement of the plurality of items that maximizes the storage rate in the container based on the item identification information, the item characteristic information, and the container information; an output unit that outputs arrangement information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of articles in the determined container; a display unit that displays an image based on the output layout information; A picking management device comprising:

2. The plurality of items are picked from respective work areas; the acquisition unit acquires section information indicating the work section corresponding to each of the items; the determination unit determines a picking order for the plurality of items based on the arrangement of the plurality of items in the container and the compartment information; The output unit outputs picking information indicating the determined picking order, The picking management device according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays an image based on the output picking information.

3. The picking management device according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit further determines an arrangement of the plurality of items based on the picking order.

4. a determination unit that determines for each picking whether each item has been picked according to the picking order; A picking management device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein when the judgment unit determines that each item has been picked in accordance with the picking order, the display unit displays an image on the display unit showing the arrangement of the picked items in the container as an image based on the arrangement information for each picking.

5. the physical quantity includes a weight of each of the items; The picking management device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines that the item whose weight is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is placed at the bottom of the container and that the item is given priority in the picking order.

6. the determination unit acquires an image including the item placed in the container for each of the picked items, and determines whether the item is appropriately placed in the container based on the acquired image and the placement information; The picking management device according to claim 4 , wherein the display unit displays an image based on a determination result of the determination unit.

7. a server; and a communication terminal connected to the server and equipped with a display unit, The server an acquisition unit that acquires item identification information that identifies a plurality of predetermined items to be picked, item characteristic information that indicates physical quantities that represent characteristics of the plurality of items, and container information that includes the size of a container that contains the plurality of items; a determination unit that determines an arrangement of the plurality of items that maximizes the storage rate in the container based on the item identification information, the item characteristic information, and the container information; an output unit that outputs arrangement information indicating the determined arrangement of the plurality of articles in the container to the communication terminal; The communication terminal A picking management system that acquires the placement information and displays an image based on the placement information on the display unit.

Images