Package management system and package management method

Abstract

To provide a technique for grasping the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while suppressing an increase in cost.SOLUTION: A cargo management system 1 for grasping an empty bed quantity of a cargo area 100 in a cargo storage facility 110, the cargo management system 1 including a lane 2 on which stacks of cargo 5 are arranged in the cargo area 100, an imaging element 3 that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane 2 in real time, and an arithmetic element 4 that performs image analysis on the image data, wherein the arithmetic element 4 calculates the number of stacks of cargo 5 in the lane 2 based on the image data, and further calculates an empty bed quantity of the lane 2 based on the number of stacks of cargo 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a luggage management system and a luggage management method for managing luggage in a luggage storage facility. [Background technology]

[0002] At cargo storage facilities for short-term or medium- to long-term storage of cargo, such as cargo shipping points, collection points, relay points, warehouses, etc., various cargoes are continuously unloaded and loaded. As a result, the amount of cargo stored at the cargo storage facilities is constantly changing, making it difficult to grasp the amount in real time.

[0003] If the amount of luggage stored at a luggage storage facility cannot be grasped in real time, it is impossible to grasp in real time the amount of luggage that can be loaded from the luggage storage facility or the amount of luggage that can be unloaded to the luggage storage facility. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately plan the loading and unloading operations from the luggage storage facility, which may lead to delays in the loading and unloading operations. For this reason, various methods and devices have been proposed for determining the amount of luggage (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] According to the cargo management method introduced in Patent Document 1, the location and type of cargo placed in a warehouse are identified or identified by analyzing images captured by a camera, and the distance to the cargo is measured by a sensor. In addition, a depth map is created based on the measurement information from the sensor, and the inventory quantity of cargo is calculated based on the depth map.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the package management system introduced in Patent Document 2, image information about the inside of the warehouse is acquired by an imaging unit mounted on a transport vehicle or aircraft moving within the warehouse. Then, based on the image information and previously acquired information about the identification codes of the pallets and packages, the number of packages on each pallet on which the package is placed is calculated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-88305 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-42701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is believed that the amount of cargo in a warehouse can be grasped using the cargo management method introduced in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 and the cargo management system introduced in Patent Document 2. However, problems still remain with these technologies.

[0008] The luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1 requires cameras and sensors to grasp the amount of luggage in a warehouse. It is assumed that a large number of luggage will be stored in a warehouse, and in order to reliably detect the amount of luggage placed in the warehouse using the luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a large number of sensors and cameras corresponding to these luggage. Therefore, the luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot be said to be preferable in terms of cost.

[0009] According to the luggage management system introduced in Patent Document 2, image information about the inside of the warehouse is acquired by an imaging unit mounted on a transport vehicle or an aircraft that moves within the warehouse. Therefore, the luggage management system introduced in Patent Document 2 is thought to require a relatively small number of imaging units. However, the luggage management system introduced in Patent Document 2 requires a transport vehicle or an aircraft to mount an imaging unit, and therefore the luggage management system introduced in Patent Document 2 also has a problem in terms of cost, making it difficult to say that it is suitable.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its problem to be solved is to provide technology that can grasp the amount of luggage stored in a luggage storage facility in real time while suppressing cost increases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first aspect of the present invention, which solves the above problem, is a luggage management system, A luggage management system that grasps the amount of available space in a luggage storage facility, The system includes a lane in which piles of cargo are arranged in the baggage storage area, an imaging element that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane in real time, and a computing element that performs image analysis of the image data, The calculation element is a luggage management system that calculates the number of cargo piles in the lane based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the lane based on the number of cargo piles.

[0012] In addition, a second aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a luggage management system, A luggage management system that grasps the amount of available space in a luggage storage facility, An imaging element that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane in which the loads are arranged in the load storage area in real time, and a calculation element that performs image analysis of the image data, The calculation element is a luggage management system that calculates the number of cargo piles in the lane based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the lane based on the number of cargo piles.

[0013] Furthermore, the luggage management method of the present invention that solves the above problems includes: Using any of the above-described luggage management systems of the present invention, This is a baggage management method in which the amount of available floor space in the baggage storage area is determined based on the amount of available floor space in the lane calculated by the calculation element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the luggage management system and luggage management method of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the amount of luggage stored in luggage storage facilities in real time while suppressing rising costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the positional relationship between a baggage storage area, a lane, an imaging element, and a calculation element in a baggage management system and a baggage management method according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in a luggage management system and luggage management method according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in the luggage management system and luggage management method of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in a luggage management system and luggage management method according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The baggage management system of the present invention is a baggage management system that grasps the amount of available space in a baggage storage area of ​​a baggage storage facility.

[0017] As described above, there are two aspects of the baggage management system of the present invention. One of the aspects, the first aspect, includes lanes as a component. The other aspect, the second aspect, differs from the first aspect in that it does not include lanes as a component, but is otherwise identical to the first aspect.

[0018] The baggage management system of the first aspect has a lane, an imaging element, and a computing element. A lane is an area, device, or structure where stacks of cargo are arranged in a baggage storage area of ​​a baggage storage facility. The imaging element continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane in real time. The computing element then performs image analysis on the image data acquired by the imaging element.

[0019] In the first aspect of the luggage management system, the calculation element calculates the number of luggage piles in the lane based on image data. A luggage pile literally means a pile of luggage, and is made up of one luggage or multiple luggage. When a luggage pile contains multiple luggage, the luggage pile refers to multiple luggage piled up in a vertical arrangement. The number of luggage piles calculated by the calculation element is the number of luggage piles.

[0020] The pile of cargo may consist of cargo only, or may include cargo as well as pallets for supporting the cargo. The base area of ​​a cargo pile may be the same as the base area of ​​one piece of luggage, the base area of ​​multiple pieces of luggage, or the base area of ​​one pallet, but it is preferable to standardize them to the same area within the same cargo management system, in order to accurately calculate the number of cargo piles and therefore the amount of available space in the lane in the calculation elements described below.

[0021] In a luggage storage area, luggage is arranged on a lane as a pile of luggage. When a pile of luggage consists of multiple luggage, the luggage is stacked one on top of the other, and the base area of ​​the pile can be said to be almost constant regardless of the number of luggage. Therefore, the calculation element can calculate the amount of cargo piles occupying the lane based on the number of cargo piles in the lane, and can also calculate the amount of available space in the lane, i.e., the amount of space in the lane that is not occupied by cargo piles. The amount of available space in the lane will be explained in detail later.

[0022] If the amount of available space in a lane can be determined, it is possible to determine the amount of available space in the entire baggage storage area that includes that lane. In other words, with the baggage management system of the present invention, it is possible to determine the amount of available space in the entire baggage storage area as long as there is image data of the entire lane, without installing sensors, transport vehicles, aircraft, etc. As a result, with the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while suppressing cost increases.

[0023] As described above, the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention differs from the baggage management system of the first aspect in that it does not include lanes as a component, but otherwise is identical to the baggage management system of the first aspect. Therefore, like the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention, the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention is also capable of keeping track of the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while preventing costs from rising.

[0024] Furthermore, the baggage management method of the present invention is a baggage management method that uses either the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention or the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention to grasp the amount of available space in a baggage storage area based on the amount of available space in a lane calculated by a calculation element. Therefore, like the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention and the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention, this baggage management method of the present invention also makes it possible to grasp the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while suppressing cost increases.

[0025] The luggage management system and luggage management method of the present invention will be described below for each of their components. In the following, unless otherwise specified, when simply referring to the luggage management system of the present invention, this refers collectively to the luggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention and the luggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, the numerical ranges "x to y" described in this specification include the lower limit x and the upper limit y. These upper and lower limit values, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the embodiments, can be arbitrarily combined to form a numerical range. Furthermore, the upper and lower limit values ​​can be arbitrarily selected from within the numerical range.

[0027] The baggage management system of the present invention is a baggage management system for grasping the amount of available space in a baggage storage area in a baggage storage facility. As mentioned above, the term "luggage storage facility" as used in this invention refers to a facility for storing luggage for short or medium to long term periods. Specific examples of such luggage storage facilities include, but are not limited to, luggage shipping bases, collection bases, transit points, and warehouses.

[0028] A luggage storage facility has one or more luggage storage areas. A luggage storage area is literally a place for storing luggage, and each luggage storage area has one or more lanes on which luggage can be placed.

[0029] A baggage management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a lane, an imaging element, and a computing element.

[0030] The lane only needs to have a structure that allows cargo to be lined up in a pile, and may be, for example, a simple floor or platform, or may be integrated with transport elements that transport the pile in a specified direction.

[0031] The mechanism by which the conveying elements convey the pile of cargo in a predetermined direction is not particularly limited. For example, various conveyors such as roller conveyors and belt conveyors may be used as the conveying elements, or an inclined floor may be used. In this specification, an inclined floor refers to a floor portion of a lane that is inclined in a predetermined direction. A pile of cargo placed on the inclined floor slides toward the front of the inclined floor due to its own weight, and is conveyed toward that front on the lane.

[0032] The shape of the lane is not particularly limited, and the piles of cargo may be arranged in a single row on the lane, or in multiple rows. However, when the piles of cargo are arranged in a single row on the lane, it is easier to distinguish between one lane and the adjacent lanes, which has the advantage of making it easier to grasp the number of piles of cargo on each lane.

[0033] In other words, it is preferable that the lane has a long shape that can support a row of cargo piles, and specifically, it is preferable that the width of the lane is slightly wider than the width of the cargo pile, and the length of the lane is long enough to accommodate multiple cargo piles. When a baggage storage area has multiple lanes, the lanes may be independent, connected, or continuous.

[0034] When the lane is long, it is preferable that one end of the lane in the longitudinal direction is an entrance for the cargo pile into the lane and the other end of the lane in the longitudinal direction is an exit for the cargo pile from the lane. In this case, it is more preferable that the lane has the above-mentioned conveying element.

[0035] By making one longitudinal end of the lane the entrance for cargo piles to the lane and the other end the exit for cargo piles from the lane, workers lining up cargo piles on the lane can easily visually recognize the cargo piles on the lane, and it becomes less likely that a wasted empty space with no cargo piles will be created between adjacent cargo piles on the same lane.

[0036] Here, if there is a wasted empty space with no cargo piles between adjacent cargo piles on the first lane, the cargo pile on the second lane adjacent to the first lane will easily be mistakenly recognized as being on the first lane in the image data through that empty space.

[0037] If there is no wasted empty space between adjacent piles of cargo on the same lane, the above-mentioned misidentification can be suppressed. In other words, by designating one end of the lane in the longitudinal direction as the entrance for piles of cargo into the lane and the other end as the exit from the lane as described above, it becomes difficult for workers to create the above-mentioned wasted empty space, and the problem of a pile of cargo in a second lane adjacent to a first lane being mistakenly identified as being on the first lane in the image data can be reduced. This has the advantage that the number of piles of cargo in a lane can be calculated with high accuracy, and further, the amount of available space in the lane can be calculated with high accuracy based on the number of piles of cargo.

[0038] Furthermore, if the transport elements transport the cargo piles from the entrance to the exit, the cargo piles on the lane are lined up closely together starting from the exit side, eliminating any wasted empty space between adjacent cargo piles on the same lane.

[0039] Therefore, in this case too, it is possible to reduce the problem of a cargo pile in a second lane adjacent to a first lane being mistakenly recognized as being on the first lane in the image data. This has the advantage that the number of cargo piles in a lane can be calculated with high accuracy, and further, the amount of available space in the lane can be calculated with high accuracy based on the number of cargo piles.

[0040] The imaging element only needs to acquire image data of the entire lane, and image data of the entire lane here means image data that can directly or indirectly identify all of the luggage lined up on the lane that is the subject of imaging. Image data of the entire lane can also be said to be image data acquired by an imaging element installed in a position that can accommodate all of the luggage lined up on the lane that is the subject of imaging. Hereinafter, the lane that is the subject of imaging may be referred to as the subject lane, as necessary.

[0041] For example, if an imaging element captures an image of a target lane from a first direction and acquires image data that includes the entire target lane from the first direction, the image data does not include data about the target lane from a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Even in such cases, this specification refers to image data of the entire target lane being acquired.

[0042] The imaging element may be capable of acquiring image data of the entire lane for only one lane, or may be capable of acquiring image data of the entire lane for multiple lanes. In other words, the baggage management system of the present invention may have one imaging element per lane, or one imaging element per multiple lanes (two or more lanes).

[0043] The position of the imaging element relative to the target lane is not particularly limited, but in order to obtain image data of the entire target lane, it is preferable that the imaging element be located above or to the side of the target lane at one end of the longitudinal direction of the target lane. Placing different imaging elements on both ends of the target lane in the longitudinal direction is also useful for acquiring image data of the entire target lane.

[0044] The imaging element captures image data of the entire target lane continuously or intermittently in real time, and such imaging element may capture image data as a moving image or as a still image.

[0045] The calculation element is not particularly limited in structure or configuration as long as it is capable of image processing of the image data acquired by the imaging element, calculates the number of cargo piles in the target lane based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the target lane based on the number of cargo piles.

[0046] An example of such a computing element is a computer that includes a computing and control device such as a CPU, and a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk.

[0047] As mentioned above, packages are lined up on lanes as piles of packages, and the base area of ​​a pile of packages can be said to be approximately constant regardless of the number of packages. Therefore, the calculation element can calculate the sum of the base areas of the piles of packages lined up in the target lane from the number of piles of packages in the target lane, and based on this, can calculate the occupancy of the piles of packages in the target lane. The occupancy of the pile of packages can be expressed in any unit, and examples include the sum of the base areas of the piles of packages lined up in the target lane, the number of piles of packages lined up in the target lane, and the percentage of the sum of the base areas of the piles of packages lined up in the target lane when the area of ​​the target lane is 100%.

[0048] Furthermore, based on the cargo pile occupancy in the target lane, the available floor space of the target lane can be calculated. The available floor space of the target lane can also be expressed in any unit, and examples of the available floor space include the available area of ​​the target lane, the number of cargo piles that can be further arranged in the target lane, and the percentage of the available area of ​​the target lane when the area of ​​the target lane is 100%, etc.

[0049] The calculation element can also determine the quantity and type of luggage contained in each pile based on image data. Specifically, by attaching a tag or marker that can be read from image data, such as a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or AR marker, to each piece of luggage in advance, and reading the tag or marker from the image data, it is possible to determine the type and quantity of each piece of luggage. By knowing the quantity and type of cargo contained in each pile, the calculation element can calculate the amount of cargo already stored in the target lane.

[0050] Furthermore, by determining the amount of available space in the target lane, the calculation element can calculate the amount of cargo that can be further arranged in the target lane, and thus can estimate or calculate the amount of cargo that can be further arranged in the target lane.

[0051] In addition, if the available floor space of the target lane can be determined, it is possible to determine the available floor space of the entire baggage storage area that includes the target lane. The available floor space of the entire baggage storage area may also be expressed in any unit. By knowing the amount of available space in the entire luggage storage area, it is possible to calculate the amount of cargo that can be further arranged in the entire luggage storage area, and ultimately to estimate or calculate the amount of luggage that can be further arranged in the entire luggage storage area.

[0052] As described above, in the baggage management system of the present invention, the imaging element acquires image data of the entire lane continuously or intermittently in real time. Therefore, according to the luggage management system of the present invention, it is possible to calculate in real time the amount of luggage already lined up in the target lane, the amount of luggage that can be further lined up in the target lane, the amount of luggage that can be further lined up in the target lane, etc.

[0053] According to the luggage management system of the present invention, it is also possible to calculate in real time the amount of luggage already arranged in the entire luggage storage area, the amount of luggage that can be arranged in the entire luggage storage area, and the amount of luggage that can be arranged in the entire luggage storage area.

[0054] Furthermore, by using the luggage management system of the present invention and grasping these quantities in real time, it becomes possible to properly manage the inflow and outflow of luggage at a luggage storage facility having a luggage storage area, specifically, the number of cargo piles in the luggage storage area that can be shipped, the number and types of luggage in the luggage storage area that can be shipped, the number of cargo piles that can be accepted into the luggage storage area, and the number and types of luggage that can be accepted into the luggage storage area. This makes it possible to accurately plan the loading and unloading operations from and to the luggage storage facility, thereby making it possible to reduce delays in the loading and unloading operations.

[0055] When capturing an image of a lane using a general imaging element such as a camera, the image of the target lane and the piles of cargo lined up on the target lane are often displayed distorted in the image data.

[0056] One of the reasons for this is that the luggage storage area of ​​a luggage storage facility has a limited area, making it difficult to install an imaging element directly beside the lane in the luggage storage area. In addition, using a camera with a wide angle of view makes it easier to obtain image data that shows the target lane and the piles of cargo lined up on the target lane in a realistic shape. However, because cameras with a wide angle of view are expensive, when considering the cost, such cameras are difficult to use as imaging elements for a baggage management system.

[0057] In the baggage management system of the present invention, it is preferable to image process the image data so that the images of the target lane and the cargo piles lined up on the target lane in the image data approximate to realistic shapes. In other words, it is preferable that the calculation unit in the baggage management system of the present invention image processes the image data so that the images of the target lane and the cargo piles lined up on the target lane approximate to realistic shapes before calculating the number of cargo piles and the available floor space of the target lane.

[0058] The luggage management system and luggage management method of the present invention will be described below with specific examples.

[0059] Example 1 Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the positional relationship between a baggage storage area, a lane, an imaging element, and a calculation element in the baggage management system and baggage management method of Example 1. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in the baggage management system and baggage management method of Example 1. Hereinafter, the directions given in the first embodiment refer to the directions shown in the drawings.

[0060] The baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment is configured to grasp the amount of available space in a baggage storage area 100 in a baggage storage facility 110. The baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment includes a lane 2, an imaging element 3, and a calculation element 4.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, a luggage storage facility 110 is provided with a luggage storage area 100, and a plurality of lanes 2 are arranged on the left and right sides of the floor of the luggage storage area 100.

[0062] Each lane 2 has an elongated shape extending from the front to the back in the figure. The front end of each lane 2 is an entrance 21 for cargo piles 5 to the lane 2, and the back end of each lane 2 is an exit 22 for cargo piles 5 from the lane 2.

[0063] 2, each lane 2 is lined with load piles 5. Each load pile 5 contains at least one piece of luggage 50, and may further contain a pallet 51 as required.

[0064] Basically, the workers pack and line up the cargo piles 5 from the back to the front of each lane 2. Then, the workers unload the cargo piles 5 lined up in each lane 2 in order from the back.

[0065] The baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment includes two imaging elements 3, and each imaging element 3 captures image data of the entire lane 2 for a plurality of different lanes 2. In other words, the two imaging elements 3 in the baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment each target a plurality of different lanes 2. Each imaging element 3 is a camera that captures still images intermittently.

[0066] 1, the first imaging element 31, which is one of the two imaging elements 3, captures an image of the lane 2 on the left side of the baggage storage area 100 from above and from the entrance 21 side, and the second imaging element 32, which is the other of the two imaging elements 3, captures an image of the lane 2 on the right side of the baggage storage area 100 from above and from the entrance 21 side. The first imaging element 31 and the second imaging element 32 are connected to the same calculation element 4.

[0067] The calculation element 4 is a computer equipped with AI, and is wirelessly connected to the first imaging element 31 and the second imaging element 32. The first imaging element 31 and the second imaging element 32 are each independently controlled by the calculation element 4 to capture images of the lane 2 and the cargo pile 5 on the lane 2 and acquire image data.

[0068] Each imaging element 3 intermittently acquires image data of the entire target lane 2 in real time. In the baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment, the image data is acquired every 30 seconds. The image data acquired by the first imaging element 31 and the second imaging element 32 is transmitted to the calculation element 4 and stored.

[0069] The calculation element 4 corrects distortion in each image data and provides the corrected data for image analysis. As shown in Figure 2, the image data acquired by the first imaging element 31 is corrected for distortion, and the image of the target lane 25 and the cargo piles 5 lined up on the target lane 25 in the image data is made closer to a realistic shape.

[0070] The calculation element 4 calculates the number of cargo piles 5 in each lane 2 based on the image data. Specifically, the calculation element 4 sets areas 28 corresponding to each lane 2 on the image data, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 2. Then, the calculation element 4 recognizes the front side of the uppermost baggage 50 included in the cargo pile 5, as shown by the black circle in Figure 2, and counts it as one cargo pile 5. Then, it is determined to which of the above-mentioned regions 28 the cargo pile 5 belongs, and the number of cargo piles 5 for each lane 2 is calculated.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, there is wasted empty space with no cargo piles 5 between adjacent cargo piles 5 in the front-rear direction on the target lane 25. However, by recognizing the cargo piles 5 as described above, the possibility of misidentifying cargo piles 5 in another lane 2 adjacent to the target lane 25 (adjacent lane 26 in Figure 2) as being on the target lane 25 is reduced. As a result, the baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment can accurately calculate the number of cargo piles 5 for each lane 2.

[0072] The calculation element 4 calculates the amount of available floor space for each lane 2 based on the number of cargo piles 5 described above. Then, the calculation element 4 grasps the amount of available floor space for the entire baggage storage area 100 based on the amount of available floor space for each lane 2. This allows the entry and exit of baggage 50 in the baggage storage facility 110 to be managed.

[0073] As described above, the baggage management system 1 and baggage management method of the first embodiment make it possible to grasp the amount of available space in the entire baggage storage area 100, as long as there is image data of the entire lane 2, without installing sensors, transport vehicles, aircraft, etc. As a result, the baggage management system 1 of the first embodiment makes it possible to grasp the amount of baggage 50 stored in the baggage storage facility 110 in real time, while suppressing rising costs.

[0074] Example 2 FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in the luggage management system and luggage management method according to the second embodiment.

[0075] The luggage management system and luggage management method of the second embodiment are generally the same as those of the first embodiment, except for the method of counting cargo piles using calculation elements. Therefore, the luggage management system and luggage management method of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, the calculation element 4 in the luggage management system 1 of the second embodiment recognizes the top surface of the uppermost luggage 50 included in the luggage pile 5 and counts it as one luggage pile 5. In the second embodiment, if a pallet is present at the top of the luggage pile 5 instead of a luggage 50, the calculation element 4 recognizes the top surface of the pallet 51 instead of the top surface of the luggage 50 and counts it as one luggage pile 5. It then determines which of the above-mentioned areas 28 the luggage pile 5 belongs to and calculates the number of luggage piles 5 for each lane 2.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3, there is a wasted empty space with no cargo piles 5 between adjacent cargo piles 5 in the front-rear direction on the target lane 25. However, by recognizing the cargo piles 5 as described above, the possibility of misidentifying cargo piles 5 in another lane 2 adjacent to the target lane 25 (adjacent lane 26 in Figure 3) as being on the target lane 25 is reduced. As a result, the cargo management system 1 of Example 2 can also accurately calculate the number of cargo piles 5 for each lane 2.

[0078] As a result, the luggage management system 1 of the second embodiment also makes it possible to grasp the amount of luggage 50 stored in the luggage storage facility 110 in real time while suppressing a rise in costs.

[0079] Example 3 FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining image data in the luggage management system and luggage management method according to the third embodiment.

[0080] The baggage management system of the third embodiment is generally the same as the baggage management system of the second embodiment, except that the lanes have transport elements. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment and the luggage management system and luggage management method of the third embodiment.

[0081] In the baggage management system 1 of the third embodiment, each lane 2 has a sloping floor that slopes from the upper front side to the lower back side. Therefore, the pile of cargo 5 placed on each lane 2 slides due to its own weight in the direction of the slope of the lane 2, and is transported toward the back side of the lane 2, i.e., the exit 22 side.

[0082] Therefore, according to the baggage management system 1 of the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, there is no wasted empty space without cargo piles 5 between adjacent cargo piles 5 in the front-rear direction on each lane 2. Therefore, according to the baggage management system 1 of the third embodiment, the possibility of mistaking a cargo pile 5 on an adjacent lane 26 adjacent to the target lane 25 for one on the target lane 25 is further reduced. As a result, according to the baggage management system 1 of the third embodiment, it is possible to calculate the number of cargo piles 5 for each lane 2 with even higher accuracy.

[0083] As a result, the luggage management system 1 of the third embodiment also makes it possible to grasp the amount of luggage 50 stored in the luggage storage facility 110 in real time while suppressing a rise in costs.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, etc., and it is possible to implement the present invention by appropriately extracting and combining elements described in the embodiments, etc., and to make various modifications within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the citation relationships of the claims at the time of filing but also the technical idea of ​​appropriately combining the matters described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Baggage management system 2: Lane 3: Imaging element 4: Calculation element 5:Mountain 21:Entrance 22:Exit 100: Luggage storage area 110: Luggage storage facility

Claims

1. A luggage management system that grasps the amount of available space in a luggage storage facility, The system includes a lane in which piles of cargo are arranged in the baggage storage area, an imaging element that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane in real time, and a computing element that performs image analysis of the image data, The calculation element calculates the number of cargo piles in the lane based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the lane based on the number of cargo piles.

2. The lane is an entrance of the load to the lane at one end of the longitudinal direction; an exit for the stack of cargo from the lane at the other end of the longitudinal direction; 2. The cargo management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a conveying element that conveys the cargo stack from the entrance toward the exit.

3. The baggage management system according to claim 2 , wherein the imaging element is disposed above the lane and on the entrance side or to the side of the lane and on the entrance side.

4. A luggage management system that grasps the amount of available space in a luggage storage facility, An imaging element that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane in which the loads are arranged in the load storage area in real time, and a calculation element that performs image analysis of the image data, The calculation element calculates the number of cargo piles in the lane based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the lane based on the number of cargo piles.

5. Using the luggage management system according to claim 1 or 2, A baggage management method for determining the amount of available floor space in the baggage storage area having a plurality of lanes based on the amount of available floor space in the lanes calculated by the calculation element.

6. 6. The luggage management method according to claim 5, further comprising managing the entry and exit of luggage into and from said luggage storage facility based on the amount of available space in said luggage storage area.

Images