Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology for reducing a time for stopping transportation of a cargo when transshipping the cargo from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means and transporting the cargo.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the embodiments, an information processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The specification unit specifies a stop location of the transportation means. The selection unit selects a candidate of the transshipment means for performing transshipment work of transshipping the cargo being transported by the transport means to the alternative transport means at the stop place. The calculation unit calculates a transport stop time when each of the candidates of the transport means is adopted to transship the cargo of the transport means to the alternative transport means. The determination part determines the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from the candidates of the transshipment means on the basis of the transport stop time when each of the candidates of the transshipment means is adopted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A technology related to this disclosure is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to the work of transferring cargo loaded in one bucket to another bucket, and a technology for selecting another bucket to be the transfer destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 4-006603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a transportation means currently transporting cargo becomes unable to move for some reason, the cargo may be transferred to an alternative transportation means for further transportation. In such cases, there is a need for a technology that can reduce the time that cargo transportation is stopped for the purpose of transferring the cargo. Patent Document 1 does not disclose this problem or a means for solving it.

[0005] An example of an objective of this disclosure is to provide a technology that reduces the time that cargo transportation is stopped when cargo is transferred from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means for transportation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a means for identifying a stop location of the conveyance; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; An information processing device having the above configuration is provided.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, One or more computers Identify the location of the transportation stop, Select a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping location; Calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and the cargo of the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; There is provided an information processing method for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means, based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, Computer, Identification means for identifying the stopping point of the conveyance; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; A program is provided to function as a [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one example of this disclosure, a technology is realized that reduces the time that cargo transportation is stopped when cargo is transferred from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means for transportation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of stopping locations of transportation means and current positions of transshipment means. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of processing by the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] <<First embodiment>> Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of an information processing device 10. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 10.

[0013] 1, the information processing device 10 includes an identification unit 11, a selection unit 12, a calculation unit 13, and a determination unit 14. These functional units execute the processing of the flowchart in FIG.

[0014] In S10, the identification unit 11 identifies the stopping location of the transportation means. In S11, the selection unit 12 selects a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation in which cargo being transported by a transport means is transferred to an alternative transport means at a stop location of the transport means. In S12, the calculation unit 13 calculates the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means. In S13, the determination unit 14 determines a transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means, based on the transportation downtime when each candidate transshipment means is adopted.

[0015] In this way, the information processing device 10 has a function of determining which transshipment means to use for the transshipment work from among a plurality of transshipment means. By appropriately determining which transshipment means to use for the transshipment work from among a plurality of transshipment means, it is possible to reduce the time that the transportation of cargo is stopped.

[0016] The information processing device 10 also has the function of identifying a stop location of the transportation means, selecting candidate transshipment means for performing transshipment work at that stop location, and determining the transshipment means to be used for the transshipment work from the selected candidates. By appropriately selecting candidate transshipment means for performing transshipment work at the stop location of the transportation means, it is possible to use a transshipment means suitable for that location for the transshipment work. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time that cargo transportation is stopped.

[0017] The information processing device 10 also has a function of calculating the transportation downtime when transferring cargo from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means by adopting each candidate transshipment means, and determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work based on the transportation downtime. By calculating the transportation downtime for each candidate transshipment means and determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work based on the transportation downtime, it is possible to more accurately adopt a transshipment means with a short transportation downtime.

[0018] In this way, the information processing device 10 realizes a technique for reducing the time during which cargo transportation is stopped when cargo is transferred from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means for transportation.

[0019] <<Second embodiment>> <Summary> The information processing device 10 of the second embodiment is a specific implementation of the configuration of the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment, which will be described in detail below.

[0020] <Hardware configuration> First, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described. Each functional unit of the information processing device 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and software. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are various variations in the realization method and device. The software includes programs that are pre-loaded when the device is shipped, and programs downloaded from recording media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or servers on the Internet.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 10 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The information processing device 10 does not necessarily have to have the peripheral circuit 4A. Note that the information processing device 10 may be composed of multiple devices that are physically and / or logically separated. In this case, each of the multiple devices can have the above hardware configuration.

[0022] The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, memory 2A, peripheral circuit 4A, and input / output interface 3A to mutually transmit and receive data. The processor 1A is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 2A is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The input / output interface 3A includes interfaces for acquiring information from input devices, external devices, external servers, external sensors, cameras, etc., and interfaces for outputting information to output devices, external devices, external servers, etc. The input / output interface 3A also includes an interface for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, physical buttons, and touch panel. Examples of output devices include a display, projector, speaker, printer, and mailer. The processor 1A can issue commands to each module and perform calculations based on the results of those calculations.

[0023] <Functional configuration> Next, a detailed description will be given of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10. Fig. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10. As shown in the figure, the information processing device 10 has an identification unit 11, a selection unit 12, a calculation unit 13, and a determination unit 14. Each functional unit will be described in detail below.

[0024] The identification unit 11 identifies the stopping location of the transportation means.

[0025] A "vehicle" includes a means for carrying and moving cargo. The vehicle may include a means for moving on rails, a means for moving on roads, a means for moving on water, a means for moving underwater, or a means for moving through the air. Examples of a vehicle include, but are not limited to, a freight train, a truck, a ship, an aircraft, etc.

[0026] "Location of transportation stoppage" refers to a location where transportation is unable to move for some reason (location where transportation is stopped). Examples of causes of stoppage include, but are not limited to, trouble with the transportation (breakdown, malfunction, accident, etc.), trouble with the route the transportation is on (railroad crossing breakdown, road closure due to accident, etc.), and external factors such as weather (typhoon, heavy rain, snow accumulation, etc.).

[0027] The stopping location of the transportation means may be specified at a relatively fine level of granularity using latitude and longitude information, etc. Alternatively, the stopping location of the transportation means may be specified within a certain range, such as "between station A and station B," "block section C between station A and station B," "D town 1-chome," "near intersection E," etc.

[0028] The "identification of the stopping location" may be realized by acquiring information indicating the actual stopping location of the transportation means, or by estimating the stopping location. The identification unit 11 can identify the stopping location of the transportation means by various means. For example, the identification unit 11 can identify the stopping location of the transportation means by at least one of the following identification examples 1 and 2.

[0029] (Specific Example 1) In this example, the identification unit 11 identifies the location (stop location) where the transportation means is stopped after the transportation means stops moving.

[0030] For example, the identification unit 11 may acquire information indicating the current location (stopped location) of a stopped transportation vehicle from a management system that manages the current location of each transportation vehicle. The management system can manage the current location of each transportation vehicle in real time using a well-known location identification technology such as a global positioning system (GPS). In this example, the information processing device 10 is connected to the management system so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0031] Alternatively, the identification unit 11 may acquire information indicating the current location (stopped location) from the stopped transportation means. The transportation means can identify the current location using a well-known location identification technology such as GPS. In this example, the information processing device 10 is connected to each transportation means so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0032] "Acquisition" includes at least one of the following: a device going to retrieve data or information stored in another device or storage medium (active acquisition), and a device inputting data or information output from another device (passive acquisition). Examples of active acquisition include making a request to another device and receiving a response, and accessing and reading information from another device or storage medium. An example of passive acquisition is receiving information that is distributed (or transmitted, push notification, etc.). Furthermore, acquisition may involve selecting and acquiring data or information from received data or information, or selecting and receiving distributed data or information.

[0033] Alternatively, the identification unit 11 may receive input of information indicating a stopping location of a transportation means from a user. The user can input the information indicating a stopping location of a transportation means to the information processing device 10 via an input device such as a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, or a physical button.

[0034] (Specific Example 2) In this example, in response to the occurrence of an event that may cause the transportation means to stop moving, the identification unit 11 estimates a location where the transportation means will stop due to the event. The identification unit 11 may estimate a location where the transportation means will stop before the transportation means actually stops due to the event. Alternatively, the identification unit 11 may estimate a location where the transportation means will stop after the transportation means actually stops due to the event.

[0035] In one example, a history of past transportation stoppages is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The history records the details of the event that occurred and the location where the transportation stopped. The details of the event that occurred include, for example, meteorological information such as wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, typhoon size, typhoon strength, typhoon central pressure, typhoon path, typhoon maximum instantaneous wind speed, and snowfall.

[0036] The identification unit 11 then identifies past events included in the history whose similarity to the current event satisfies a predetermined condition, and estimates the stop location of the transportation means linked to the identified past event as the stop location of the current transportation means. Calculation of the similarity between data can be achieved using well-known techniques. An example of the predetermined condition for similarity is "highest similarity," but is not limited to this.

[0037] In another example, machine learning can be used to find associations and patterns between the content of the event that occurred in the history and the stopping locations of the transportation means, and based on the associations and patterns, the stopping locations of the transportation means can be estimated from the content of the event that occurred this time. That is, an estimation model is generated in advance by machine learning using the content of the event that occurred in the history and the stopping locations of the transportation means as training data. The estimation model takes the content of the event as input and the stopping locations of the transportation means as output. The identification unit 11 inputs the content of the event that occurred this time into this estimation model and obtains the stopping locations of the transportation means output from the estimation model.

[0038] The selection unit 12 selects a candidate transshipment means for performing a transshipment operation in which cargo being transported by a transport means is transferred to an alternative transport means at a stop of the transport means. The selection unit 12 can select a candidate transshipment means each time a transshipment operation of cargo from a transport means to an alternative transport means occurs.

[0039] An "alternative transportation means" includes a means for transporting cargo. The alternative transportation means may include a means for transporting on railroad tracks, a means for transporting on roads, a means for transporting on water, a means for transporting underwater, or a means for transporting through the air. Examples of alternative transportation means include, but are not limited to, freight trains, trucks, ships, and aircraft. The alternative transportation means may include a means of transport different from the transportation means. For example, the transportation means may be a freight train that travels on railroad tracks, and the alternative transportation means may be a truck that travels on roads. In this case, when the transportation means and the alternative transportation means include different means of transport, the alternative transportation means may be able to travel even if the transportation means cannot travel due to external factors such as roadway problems or weather.

[0040] The term "transshipment means" refers to a machine used in the transshipment work of transferring cargo loaded on a transportation means to an alternative transportation means. Examples of the transshipment means include, but are not limited to, a forklift, an electric lifter, a crane, etc.

[0041] In one example, a list of multiple transshipment means that can be used in transshipment work is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The selection unit 12 selects candidates for the transshipment means from this list. The selection unit 12 may select all of the transshipment means listed on the list as candidates, or may select only a portion of the transshipment means as candidates. A means for automatically selecting a portion of the transshipment means will be described in the following embodiment. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 may present the transshipment means listed on the list to the user, and select the transshipment means selected by the user from the list as a candidate.

[0042] The "list" registers a plurality of transfer means that can be used for the transfer work. The list may register transfer means managed by a business entity that manages the operation of the transportation means. The list may also register transfer means managed by a business entity that has a contract with the business entity that manages the operation of the transportation means and performs the transfer work of the cargo loaded on the transportation means.

[0043] In addition, the list may register transshipment means that are managed (owned, etc.) by a private individual or organization and are available for rental. A private individual or organization that manages a transshipment means can make a profit (rental fee, etc.) by renting out the transshipment means. A private individual or organization that manages a transshipment means may enter into a rental contract for the transshipment means directly with an entity that manages the operation of the transportation means or an entity that performs the transshipment work of the cargo loaded on the transportation means. Then, transshipment means managed by a private individual or organization that has already signed a contract may be registered in the list. In addition, another business may provide an intermediary service for the rental of transshipment means. In this case, a private individual or organization that manages a transshipment means registers the transshipment means that it manages in this intermediary service. Then, transshipment means registered in this intermediary service may be registered in the list.

[0044] The calculation unit 13 calculates the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means.

[0045] The "transportation stop time" is an estimate of the time during which the transportation of cargo is stopped, and more specifically, an estimate of the time required from the completion of the transshipment work by the transshipment means until transportation by the alternative transportation means begins. The calculation unit 13 can calculate any of the following as the transportation stop time. The sum of "transshipment work time" and "transshipment means travel time" The sum of "transshipment time" and "transportation time by alternative means" The sum of "transshipment work time" and "transshipment means travel time or alternative transport means travel time, whichever is longer"

[0046] "Transshipment operation time" is the time required for the transshipment operation when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted and cargo from one transportation means is transferred to an alternative transportation means. The performance of each transshipment means is different. Therefore, even when the same transshipment operation is performed, the time required for the transshipment operation will differ depending on the transshipment means.

[0047] In one example, for each transshipment means registered in the list, a calculation model for calculating the transshipment operation time from the amount of cargo to be transshipped (e.g., total weight) is prepared in advance and stored in the information processing device 10. The calculation model may be an arithmetic expression, a table showing the correspondence between the amount of cargo and the transshipment operation time, or other models. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the transshipment operation time based on the calculation model and the amount of cargo to be transshipped.

[0048] The amount of cargo to be transshipped can be identified by various means. For example, a user may input the amount of cargo to be transshipped to the information processing device 10. Then, the calculation unit 13 may acquire information indicating the amount of cargo to be transshipped input by the user. Alternatively, the amount of cargo transported by each transportation means (the amount of cargo loaded on each transportation means) may be registered in advance in a predetermined system. Then, the calculation unit 13 may acquire information indicating the amount of cargo loaded on the transportation means that has stopped moving from the system.

[0049] The calculation unit 13 can calculate the transshipment work time by other means. In other embodiments, other means for calculating the transshipment work time will be described.

[0050] The "transshipment means travel time" is the time required for each candidate transshipment means to travel to the stop location of the transportation means. The movement of the transshipment means may be by travel using a travel means provided by the transshipment means itself. Alternatively, the movement of the transshipment means may be by loading the transshipment means onto a transportation means such as a truck. As shown in Figure 4, the current locations of each candidate transshipment means may be different from each other. Point R in Figure 4 indicates the current location of each candidate transshipment means, and point S indicates the stop location of the transportation means. Since the current locations of each candidate transshipment means may be different from each other, the time required for each candidate transshipment means to travel to the stop location of the transportation means may also be different from each other.

[0051] The calculation unit 13 identifies the current position of each of the candidate transfer means, and calculates the transfer means travel time based on the current position of each of the candidate transfer means and the stopping location of the transportation means.

[0052] There are various means for identifying the current location of each candidate transfer means. For example, the transfer means may be able to identify its current location using a well-known location identification technology such as GPS. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire information indicating the current location of each candidate transfer means identified by the location identification technology. For example, the information processing device 10 may be communicably connected to each transfer means. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire information indicating the current location from each candidate transfer means. Alternatively, the usual storage location of each transfer means may be registered in advance in the above-mentioned list of transfer means. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire the usual storage location listed in the list as the current location of each candidate transfer means.

[0053] The calculation unit 13 performs a route search using the current location of each candidate transshipment means as a start point and the transportation means stop location as a finish point, and calculates the travel time from the start point to the finish point calculated based on the determined route as the transshipment means travel time. Route search from the start point to the finish point and calculation of the travel time required to travel that route can be achieved using widely known technologies. Note that, if the transportation means stop locations are specified within a certain range, such as "between Station A and Station B," the calculation unit 13 can determine a representative point from among those locations and perform the above processing using the representative point as the finish point. The representative point may be the center point of the transportation means stop locations specified within a certain range, the point closest to the current location of each candidate transshipment means, the point farthest from the current location of each candidate transshipment means, or some other point.

[0054] The "alternative transportation means travel time" is the time required for the alternative transportation means to travel to the transportation means' stopping location. The calculation unit 13 identifies the current location of the alternative transportation means. Then, the calculation unit 13 calculates the alternative transportation means travel time based on the current location of the alternative transportation means and the transportation means' stopping location.

[0055] There are various means for identifying the current location of the alternative transportation means. For example, the alternative transportation means may be able to identify its current location using a well-known location identification technology such as GPS. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire information indicating the current location of the alternative transportation means identified by the location identification technology. For example, the information processing device 10 may be communicably connected to the alternative transportation means. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire information indicating the current location from the alternative transportation means. Alternatively, the usual storage location of the alternative transportation means may be stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The calculation unit 13 may then acquire the usual storage location of the alternative transportation means as the current location of the alternative transportation means.

[0056] The calculation unit 13 performs a route search using the current location of the alternative transportation means as the start point and the transportation means' stop location as the finish point, and calculates the travel time from the start point to the finish point calculated based on the determined route as the alternative transportation means travel time. Route search from the start point to the finish point and calculation of the travel time required to travel that route can be achieved using widely known technology. Note that if the transportation means' stop locations are specified within a certain range, such as "between Station A and Station B," the calculation unit 13 can determine a representative point from within that range and perform the above processing using the representative point as the finish point. The representative point may be the center point of the transportation means' stop locations specified within a certain range, the point closest to the current location of the alternative transportation means, the point farthest from the current location of the alternative transportation means, or some other point.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 1, the determination unit 14 determines the transfer means to be adopted for the transfer work from among the candidate transfer means, based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted.

[0058] In one example, the determination unit 14 may determine the candidate transshipment means with the shortest transportation downtime as the transshipment means to be adopted. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine a predetermined number of candidate transshipment means with the shortest transportation downtime as the transshipment means to be adopted. The predetermined number here may be specified by a user and input to the information processing device 10. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may calculate the predetermined number from the amount of cargo to be transshipped based on a calculation model prepared in advance. The calculation model may be an arithmetic formula, a table showing the correspondence between the amount of cargo and the predetermined number, or other models. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the predetermined number based on the calculation model and the amount of cargo to be transshipped. The means for identifying the amount of cargo to be transshipped is as described above.

[0059] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine one or the above-mentioned predetermined number of transshipment means to be adopted from among candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than a threshold, based on a predetermined rule. The content of the predetermined rule is not limited. For example, the determination unit 14 may display a list of candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than a threshold to the user, and accept user input specifying a transshipment means to be adopted from the list. Then, the determination unit 14 may decide to adopt the transshipment means specified by the user.

[0060] Next, an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 10 will be described using the flowcharts of Figures 2, 5 to 7. Note that the purpose here is to explain the processing flow. Details of each process have been described above, so explanations here will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] 2, first, the information processing device 10 identifies a stopping location of the transportation means (S10). The information processing device 10 can execute the processes of S11 to S13 in response to the identification of the stopping location of the transportation means.

[0062] For example, when a management system that manages the status of each transportation means detects that a transportation means has stopped moving, the management system may input the current location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 may then identify the location where the transportation means has stopped based on the input from the management system. The management system may detect that a transportation means has stopped moving based on user input, or may detect that the current location of the transportation means has not changed for a predetermined period of time or more as the stop of movement, or may detect it by other means.

[0063] As another example, the user may input the stopping location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. Then, the information processing device 10 may identify the stopping location of the transportation means in response to the input from the user.

[0064] As another example, the information processing device 10 may acquire weather information from a weather server or the like that provides weather information (advisories, warnings, etc.). Then, the information processing device 10 may detect a pre-registered "event that may cause the suspension of the movement of the transportation means" from the acquired weather information. Then, when the information processing device 10 detects an "event that may cause the suspension of the movement of the transportation means," it may estimate a location where the transportation means will be stopped based on a history of past suspensions of the movement of the transportation means, etc.

[0065] After identifying the stopping place of the transportation means, the information processing device 10 selects a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping place of the transportation means (S11).

[0066] In one example, a list of a plurality of transshipment means that can be used in a transshipment operation is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 selects candidates for the transshipment means from this list.

[0067] Next, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means (S12).

[0068] For example, the information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment operation time. The information processing device 10 also calculates at least one of the transshipment means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time. Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation stop time based on the calculation results.

[0069] Then, the information processing device 10 determines the transfer means to be adopted for the transfer work from among the candidate transfer means based on the transportation downtime when each candidate transfer means is adopted (S13).

[0070] The information processing device 10 can output information indicating the determined transshipment means. The information processing device 10 can output the information to an output device such as a display, a projection device, a speaker, etc. The information processing device 10 can also transmit the information to a pre-registered destination.

[0071] An example of the processing of S12 will be described using Figure 5. The information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment operation time when each of the candidate transshipment means is used to transship cargo from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means (S20). The information processing device 10 also calculates the travel time required to move the transshipment means or the alternative transportation means to the transportation means stop location (S21). Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation stop time based on the transshipment operation time and the travel time (S22).

[0072] S20 and S21 may be performed in parallel as shown in FIG. 5, or one may be performed after the other, although this is not shown.

[0073] An example of the processing of S21 will be described using Fig. 6. The information processing device 10 identifies the current location of each candidate transfer means (S30). Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the travel time required for each candidate transfer means to travel to the stop location of the transportation means (transfer means travel time) based on the current location of each candidate transfer means and the stop location of the transportation means (S31).

[0074] Another example of the process of S21 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The information processing device 10 identifies the current location of the alternative transportation means (S30). Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the travel time required for the alternative transportation means to travel to the transportation means stopping location (alternative transportation means travel time) based on the current location of the alternative transportation means and the transportation means stopping location (S31).

[0075] Another example of the process of S21 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The information processing device 10 identifies the current location of each candidate transfer means (S40). Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the travel time (transfer means travel time) required for each candidate transfer means to move to the transportation means stop location based on the current location of each candidate transfer means and the transportation means stop location (S41).

[0076] The information processing device 10 also identifies the current location of the alternative transportation means (S42). Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the travel time required for the alternative transportation means to travel to the transportation means stopping location (alternative transportation means travel time) based on the current location of the alternative transportation means and the transportation means stopping location (S43).

[0077] Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the travel time based on the travel time of each candidate transfer means (transfer means travel time) and the travel time of the alternative transportation means (alternative transportation means travel time) (S44). For each candidate transfer means, the information processing device 10 calculates the longer of the transfer means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time as the travel time.

[0078] The processing of S40 and S41 and the processing of S42 and S43 may be performed in parallel, or one may be performed after the other, although this is not shown.

[0079] <Action and effect> According to the information processing device 10 of the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0080] In addition, similar to the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment, the information processing device 10 determines the transfer means to be adopted for the transfer work from among the candidate transfer means based on the "transportation stop time" when each candidate transfer means is adopted.

[0081] The information processing device 10 then calculates the transshipment operation time when transferring cargo from a transportation means to an alternative transportation means using each of the candidate transshipment means, and can calculate the transportation downtime based on the transshipment operation time. Since each transshipment means has different capabilities, performance, etc., the time required for the transshipment operation may also differ. By calculating the transshipment operation time for each of the candidate transshipment means and calculating the transportation downtime based on the transshipment operation time, the information processing device 10 can accurately calculate the transportation downtime.

[0082] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can calculate the transfer means travel time required to move each transfer means candidate to the transportation means stop location, and calculate the transportation stop time based on the transfer means travel time. Since the current locations of each transfer means may differ from one another, the time required to move each transfer means to the transportation means stop location may differ from one another. By calculating the transfer means travel time required to move each transfer means candidate, and calculating the transportation stop time based on the transfer means travel time, the transportation stop time can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can calculate the alternative transportation means travel time required to move the alternative transportation means to the transportation means stop location, and calculate the transportation stop time based on the alternative transportation means travel time. Because the current locations of the transfer means and the alternative transportation means may differ from each other, the times required to move the transfer means and the alternative transportation means to the transportation means stop location may differ from each other. In addition, the alternative transportation means may take longer to travel. The information processing device 10 calculates the alternative transportation means travel time required to move the alternative transportation means, and calculates the transportation stop time based on the alternative transportation means travel time, allowing for accurate calculation of the transportation stop time.

[0084] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can calculate both the transfer means travel time required to move each transfer means candidate to the transportation means stop location and the alternative transportation means travel time required to move the alternative transportation means to the transportation means stop location.The information processing device 10 can then calculate the transportation stop time based on the longer of the transfer means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time.With this information processing device 10, the transportation stop time can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0085] <<Third embodiment>> The information processing device 10 of the third embodiment has a function of automatically selecting a candidate transshipment means suitable for each transshipment operation from among a plurality of transshipment means, as will be described in detail below.

[0086] An example of a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0087] The selection unit 12 selects candidate transshipment means for performing a transshipment operation in which cargo being transported by a transport means is transferred to an alternative transport means at a stop of the transport means. The selection unit 12 can select candidate transshipment means each time a transshipment operation of cargo from a transport means to an alternative transport means occurs. In one example, a list of multiple transshipment means that can be used for a transshipment operation is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The selection unit 12 selects candidate transshipment means from this list.

[0088] The selection unit 12 can select candidates for the transshipment means based on at least one of the following: - Straight-line distance from the current location of the transfer vehicle to the stopping point of the transport vehicle - Travel distance from the current location of the transfer vehicle to the stop location of the transport vehicle Travel time from the current location of the transfer vehicle to the stop of the transport vehicle Transfer capacity of transfer means - Operational status of transshipment means Cost of procuring means of transportation

[0089] The "straight-line distance from the current position of the transfer means to the stopping point of the transportation means" is the straight-line distance between the current position of the transfer means and the stopping point of the transportation means. The current position of the transfer means can be identified, for example, by the method described in the second embodiment.

[0090] In addition, when the stopping locations of the transportation means are specified with a certain range, such as "between Station A and Station B," the selection unit 12 can determine a representative point from among them and calculate the straight-line distance between the current position of the transfer means and the representative point. The representative point may be the center point of the stopping locations of the transportation means specified with a certain range, the point closest to the current position of each transfer means, the point farthest from the current position of each transfer means, or some other point.

[0091] In one example, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, transfer means whose straight-line distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, a predetermined number of transfer means in descending order of the straight-line distance.

[0092] The "travel distance from the current position of the transfer means to the stopping point of the transportation means" is the distance required to travel between the current position of the transfer means and the stopping point of the transportation means. For example, the travel distance is the distance along the route of a road or the like. The current position of the transfer means can be identified, for example, by the method described in the second embodiment.

[0093] The selection unit 12 performs a route search using the current location of each transfer means as a start point and the stop locations of the transportation means as a finish point, and calculates the travel distance of the determined route. Route search from the start point to the finish point and calculation of the travel distance of the route can be realized using widely known technology. If the stop locations of the transportation means are specified within a certain range, such as "between Station A and Station B," the selection unit 12 can determine a representative point from among them and perform the above processing using the representative point as the finish point. The representative point may be the center point of the stop locations of the transportation means specified within a certain range, the point closest to the current location of each transfer means, the point farthest from the current location of each transfer means, or some other point.

[0094] In one example, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, transfer means whose travel distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, a predetermined number of transfer means whose travel distance is shortest.

[0095] The "travel time from the current position of the transfer means to the stop location of the transportation means" is the time required to travel between the current position of the transfer means and the stop location of the transportation means. The selection unit 12 performs a route search using a process similar to that described above, for example, with the current position of each transfer means as the start point and the stop location of the transportation means as the finish point, and calculates the travel time required to travel along the determined route. The route search from the start point to the finish point and the calculation of the travel time along that route can be realized using widely known technology.

[0096] In one example, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, transfer means whose travel time is equal to or less than a threshold value. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 can select, as candidates for the transfer means, a predetermined number of transfer means whose travel time is shortest.

[0097] The "transshipment capacity of the transshipment means" indicates, for example, the type of cargo that the transshipment means can handle. The transshipment capacity of the transshipment means may also indicate the maximum load that the transshipment means can carry at one time. The transshipment capacity of each transshipment means is stored in advance in the information processing device 10.

[0098] First, the selection unit 12 identifies the type of cargo to be transshipped (the type of cargo loaded on the transportation means). For example, a user may input the type of cargo to be transshipped to the information processing device 10. Then, the selection unit 12 may acquire information indicating the type of cargo to be transshipped input by the user. Alternatively, the type of cargo transported by each transportation means may be registered in advance in a predetermined system. Then, the selection unit 12 may acquire information indicating the type of cargo loaded on the transportation means that has stopped moving from the system.

[0099] After identifying the type of cargo to be subjected to the transshipment work, the selection unit 12 can select transshipment means capable of handling the identified type of cargo as candidates for the transshipment means.

[0100] "Operation status of transfer means" indicates whether the transfer means is currently in use. A specific system manages whether each of multiple transfer means is in operation. The selection unit 12 can acquire information indicating the operation status of multiple transfer means from the system. Then, the selection unit 12 can select a transfer means that is not currently in use as a candidate transfer means.

[0101] The "procurement cost of transshipment means" is the cost required to use each transshipment means. There are various methods for calculating procurement costs, but an example will be explained below.

[0102] The procurement cost per unit time for each transshipment means is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. As described in the second embodiment, each transshipment means is managed by a different entity, and rental fees or usage fees may be paid to the managing entity depending on the use of the transshipment means. Furthermore, when a transshipment means is procured through an intermediary service, an intermediary fee may be paid to the intermediary service. Furthermore, energy is required for the operation and movement of each transshipment means, and fuel efficiency may differ from one another. For example, taking such differences between transshipment means into consideration, the procurement cost per unit time for each transshipment means is determined and stored in the information processing device 10. The selection unit 12 can calculate the product of the transportation downtime of each transshipment means and the procurement cost per unit time as the procurement cost of each transshipment means. Calculation of the transportation downtime of each transshipment means can be realized using the method described in the second embodiment.

[0103] In one example, the selection unit 12 can select transshipment means whose procurement costs are equal to or less than a threshold as candidates for transshipment means. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 can select a predetermined number of transshipment means whose procurement costs are lowest as candidates for transshipment means.

[0104] The selection unit 12 can select candidate transshipment means by combining the above processes. For example, the selection unit 12 may select as candidates transshipment means that are capable of handling the type of cargo to be transshipped and that satisfy the above-mentioned conditions in at least one of the straight-line distance, the travel distance, the travel time, and the procurement cost. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 may select as candidates transshipment means that are not currently being used and that satisfy the above-mentioned conditions in at least one of the straight-line distance, the travel distance, the travel time, and the procurement cost. Alternatively, the selection unit 12 may first extract transshipment means that are capable of handling the type of cargo to be transshipped and that are not currently being used. Then, the selection unit 12 may select as candidates transshipment means that satisfy the above-mentioned conditions in at least one of the straight-line distance, the travel distance, the travel time, and the procurement cost from the extracted transshipment means.

[0105] Other configurations of the information processing device 10 of the third embodiment can be similar to the configurations of the information processing device 10 of the first and second embodiments.

[0106] According to the information processing device 10 of the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the information processing device 10 of the first and second embodiments.

[0107] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of the third embodiment can select a candidate to be adopted for a transshipment operation from among a plurality of transshipment means based on at least one of the above-mentioned straight-line distance, travel distance, travel time, transshipment capacity, operating status, and procurement cost. The information processing device 10 that selects candidates based on such distinctive decision-making criteria can select candidates suitable for each transshipment operation with high accuracy.

[0108] <<Fourth embodiment>> The information processing device 10 of the fourth embodiment has a function of calculating the transshipment operation time described in the second embodiment with high accuracy. The information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment operation time based on at least one of the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means and the performance of the transshipment means. This will be described in detail below.

[0109] An example of a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0110] The calculation unit 13 calculates the transshipment operation time based on the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means and the performance of the transshipment means. The definition of the transshipment operation time is as explained in the second embodiment.

[0111] The "characteristics of the cargo of the transport means" include the number of pieces of cargo, the shape of each piece of cargo, the weight of each piece of cargo, the total weight of the cargo, and the like.

[0112] A user may input characteristics of the luggage on the transportation means into the information processing device 10. Then, the calculation unit 13 may acquire information indicating the characteristics of the luggage input by the user. Alternatively, characteristics of luggage carried by each transportation means may be registered in advance in a predetermined system. Then, the calculation unit 13 may acquire information indicating the characteristics of luggage on the transportation means that has stopped moving from the system.

[0113] The "performance of the transfer means" refers to the types of cargo that can be handled, the maximum load that the transfer means can carry at one time, etc.

[0114] In one example, an estimation model is generated in advance by machine learning based on training data in which the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means and the performance of the transshipment means are used as explanatory variables, and the transshipment work time is used as a target variable. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the transshipment work time using the estimation model. The training data can be generated based on the results of past transshipment work. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the transshipment work time for each transshipment means by inputting the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means that has stopped moving and the performance of each transshipment means into the estimation model generated in advance.

[0115] Other configurations of the information processing device 10 of the fourth embodiment can be similar to the configurations of the information processing device 10 of the first to third embodiments.

[0116] According to the information processing device 10 of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the information processing device 10 of the first to third embodiments.

[0117] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of the fourth embodiment can calculate the transshipment operation time based on the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means and the performance of the transshipment means. Such information processing device 10 can accurately calculate the transshipment operation time. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can accurately calculate the transportation stop time based on the accurately calculated transshipment operation time.

[0118] <<Fifth embodiment>> The information processing device 10 of the fifth embodiment determines the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time. If there is no candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time, the information processing device 10 does not determine the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work and performs a predetermined process. This will be described in detail below.

[0119] An example of a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0120] The determination unit 14 compares the transportation stop time of each candidate transshipment means with the reference time, and then determines the transshipment means to be used for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose transportation stop time is shorter than the reference time.

[0121] In one example, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt a transshipment means having the shortest transportation downtime among candidate transshipment means having transportation downtimes shorter than a reference time. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt a predetermined number of transshipment means having the shortest transportation downtime among candidate transshipment means having transportation downtimes shorter than a reference time. The predetermined number may be specified by a user and input to the information processing device 10. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may calculate the predetermined number from the amount of cargo to be transshipped based on a calculation model prepared in advance. The calculation model may be an arithmetic formula, a table showing the correspondence between the amount of cargo and the predetermined number, or other methods. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the predetermined number based on the calculation model and the amount of cargo to be transshipped. The means for identifying the amount of cargo to be transshipped is as described above.

[0122] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine one or the above-mentioned predetermined number of transshipment means to be adopted from among candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time based on a predetermined rule. The content of the predetermined rule is not limited. For example, the determination unit 14 may display a list of candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time to the user, and accept user input specifying a transshipment means to be adopted from the list. Then, the determination unit 14 may decide to adopt the transshipment means specified by the user.

[0123] If there is no candidate transshipment means whose transportation stop time is shorter than the reference time, the determination unit 14 can perform a predetermined process without determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work.

[0124] As a predetermined process, the determination unit 14 can notify the user that no transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work has been determined because there is no candidate transshipment means whose transportation stoppage time is shorter than the reference time. The determination unit 14 can output information indicating this to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. In addition, the determination unit 14 can transmit information indicating this to a pre-registered destination.

[0125] The "reference time" may be a predetermined fixed value, or may be a variable value that is determined each time a transshipment operation occurs in response to a stoppage of the transportation means.

[0126] The reference time can be, for example, the estimated time until the suspension of the transportation means' movement is lifted, or that estimated time plus α. If the "estimated time required from the completion of the transshipment work by the transshipment means until transportation begins (transportation stop time)" is equal to or greater than this reference time, it is more efficient to not perform the transshipment work and wait for the transportation means' movement to resume. On the other hand, if the "estimated time required from the completion of the transshipment work by the transshipment means until transportation begins (transportation stop time)" is shorter than this reference time, it is more efficient to perform the transshipment work and begin transportation by an alternative transportation means. By setting the reference time as described above, it is possible to achieve processing with excellent transportation efficiency.

[0127] The reference time can be determined by the user and input to the information processing device 10. The user can estimate the expected time until the suspension of the transportation means' movement is lifted based on the cause of the suspension of the transportation means' movement and past cases, etc. Then, the user can determine the reference time based on the estimation result and input it to the information processing device 10.

[0128] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may estimate the reference time. In one example, a history of past suspensions of transportation means movement is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The history records the details of the event that occurred and the time required for the suspension of transportation means movement to be lifted. Examples of the details of the event that occurred include meteorological information such as wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, typhoon size, typhoon strength, typhoon central pressure, typhoon path, typhoon maximum instantaneous wind speed, and snowfall.

[0129] The determination unit 14 then identifies a past event from the history whose similarity to the current event satisfies a predetermined condition, and calculates the time associated with the identified past event as the time required for the current suspension of the transportation means to be lifted. The calculation of the similarity between data can be achieved using well-known techniques. An example of the predetermined condition for similarity is "highest similarity," but is not limited to this.

[0130] In another example, machine learning can be used to find correlations and patterns between the details of the events that occurred in the history and the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted, and based on the correlations and patterns, the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted can be estimated from the details of the current event. That is, an estimation model is generated by machine learning using the details of the events that occurred in the history and the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted as training data. The estimation model takes the details of the events as input and outputs the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted. The determination unit 14 inputs the details of the current event into this estimation model and obtains the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted output from the estimation model.

[0131] Next, an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 10 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 8. Note that the purpose here is to explain the processing flow. Since the details of each process have been described above, the description here will be omitted as appropriate.

[0132] First, the information processing device 10 identifies a stopping location of the transportation means (S50). The information processing device 10 can execute the processes of S51 to S55 in response to the identification of the stopping location of the transportation means.

[0133] For example, when a management system that manages the status of each transportation means detects that a transportation means has stopped moving, the management system may input the current location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 may then identify the location where the transportation means has stopped based on the input from the management system. The management system may detect that a transportation means has stopped moving based on user input, or may detect that the current location of the transportation means has not changed for a predetermined period of time or more as the stop of movement, or may detect it by other means.

[0134] As another example, the user may input the stopping location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. Then, the information processing device 10 may identify the stopping location of the transportation means in response to the input from the user.

[0135] As another example, the information processing device 10 may acquire weather information from a weather server or the like that provides weather information (advisories, warnings, etc.). Then, the information processing device 10 may detect a pre-registered "event that may cause the suspension of the movement of the transportation means" from the acquired weather information. Then, when the information processing device 10 detects an "event that may cause the suspension of the movement of the transportation means," it may estimate a location where the transportation means will be stopped based on a history of past suspensions of the movement of the transportation means, etc.

[0136] After identifying the stopping place of the transportation means, the information processing device 10 selects a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping place of the transportation means (S51).

[0137] In one example, a list of a plurality of transshipment means that can be used in a transshipment operation is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 selects candidates for the transshipment means from this list.

[0138] Next, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means (S52).

[0139] The information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment operation time. The information processing device 10 also calculates at least one of the transshipment means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time. Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation stop time based on the calculation results.

[0140] Next, the information processing device 10 determines whether there is a candidate transshipment means whose transportation stop time is shorter than the reference time (S53).

[0141] If there are candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time (Yes in S53), the information processing device 10 determines the transshipment means to be used for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time, based on the transportation downtime when each candidate transshipment means is used (S54). Thereafter, the information processing device 10 can output information indicating the determined transshipment means. The information processing device 10 can output the information to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can transmit the information to a pre-registered destination.

[0142] On the other hand, if there is no candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time (No in S53), the information processing device 10 does not decide on a transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work, and performs a predetermined process (S55). As the predetermined process, the information processing device 10 can notify the user that a transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work has not been decided because there is no candidate transshipment means whose transportation downtime is shorter than the reference time. The information processing device 10 can output information indicating this to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can transmit information indicating this to a pre-registered destination.

[0143] Other configurations of the information processing device 10 of the fifth embodiment can be similar to the configurations of the information processing device 10 of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0144] According to the information processing device 10 of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the information processing devices 10 of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0145] In addition, the information processing device 10 of the fifth embodiment can determine the transfer means to perform the transfer work based on the size of the ``estimated time required from the completion of the transfer work by the transfer means until transportation begins,'' or can perform the above-mentioned specified processing without determining the transfer means to perform the transfer work.

[0146] If the "estimated time required from the completion of transfer work by the transfer means until transportation begins" is large, it may be more efficient to not perform transfer work and wait for the transportation means to resume movement. On the other hand, if the "estimated time required from the completion of transfer work by the transfer means until transportation begins" is not very large, it may be more efficient to perform transfer work and begin transportation by an alternative transportation means.

[0147] Therefore, the information processing device 10 determines the level of the magnitude of the "estimated time required from the completion of the transshipment work by the transshipment means until the start of transportation" by comparing the "estimated time required from the completion of the transshipment work by the transshipment means until the start of transportation" with a reference time. Then, based on the result of the determination, the information processing device 10 can determine the transshipment means that will perform the transshipment work, or can perform the above-mentioned predetermined processing without determining the transshipment means that will perform the transshipment work. Such an information processing device 10 makes it possible to perform processing with excellent transportation efficiency.

[0148] <<Sixth embodiment>> The information processing device 10 of the sixth embodiment determines the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose cost required for the transshipment work (transshipment cost) is less than a reference value. If there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is less than the reference value, the information processing device 10 does not determine the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work and performs a predetermined process. This will be described in detail below.

[0149] An example of a functional block diagram of the information processing device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0150] The calculation unit 13 calculates the transshipment cost when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted, based on the transportation stoppage time of each of the candidate transshipment means.

[0151] The "transshipment cost" is an estimate of the cost when transshipment work is performed by a transshipment means. For example, the calculation unit 13 can calculate the procurement cost described in the third embodiment as the transshipment cost. Alternatively, the calculation unit 13 can calculate the sum of the procurement cost described in the third embodiment and the delay cost (late fee, etc.) incurred due to the delay in transportation corresponding to the transportation stoppage time as the transshipment cost. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the delay cost based on a calculation model that calculates the delay cost from the transportation stoppage time. The calculation model may be an arithmetic formula, a table showing the correspondence between the transportation stoppage time and the delay cost, or other models.

[0152] The determination unit 14 compares the transshipment cost of each candidate transshipment means with the reference value, and then determines the transshipment means to be used for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is smaller than the reference value.

[0153] In one example, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt the transshipment means with the lowest transshipment cost among the candidate transshipment means whose transshipment costs are less than the reference value. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt a predetermined number of transshipment means with the lowest transshipment costs among the candidate transshipment means whose transshipment costs are less than the reference value.

[0154] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt a transshipment means having the shortest transportation downtime among candidate transshipment means having a transshipment cost less than a reference value. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine to adopt a predetermined number of transshipment means having the shortest transportation downtime among candidate transshipment means having a transshipment cost less than a reference value.

[0155] The predetermined number here may be specified by the user and input to the information processing device 10. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may calculate the predetermined number from the amount of cargo to be transshipped based on a calculation model prepared in advance. The calculation model may be an arithmetic formula, a table showing the correspondence between the amount of cargo and the predetermined number, or other similar model. The calculation unit 13 can calculate the predetermined number based on the calculation model and the amount of cargo to be transshipped. The means for identifying the amount of cargo to be transshipped is as described above.

[0156] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may determine one or a predetermined number of transshipment means to be adopted from among candidate transshipment means whose transshipment costs are less than a reference value based on a predetermined rule. The content of the predetermined rule is not limited. For example, the determination unit 14 may display a list of candidate transshipment means whose transshipment costs are less than a reference value to the user, and accept user input specifying a transshipment means to be adopted from the list. Then, the determination unit 14 may decide to adopt the transshipment means specified by the user.

[0157] If there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is smaller than the reference value, the determination unit 14 can perform a predetermined process without determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work.

[0158] As a predetermined process, the determination unit 14 can notify the user that no transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work has been determined because there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is smaller than the reference value. The determination unit 14 can output information indicating this to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. In addition, the determination unit 14 can transmit information indicating this to a pre-registered destination.

[0159] The "reference value" may be a predetermined fixed value, or may be a variable value that is determined each time a transshipment operation occurs in response to a stoppage of the movement of the transportation means.

[0160] The reference value may be, for example, a delay cost (such as a late fee) for the expected delay time until the suspension of the transportation means is lifted, or may be another value. The determination unit 14 can calculate the delay cost (reference value) using the above-mentioned method for calculating the delay cost.

[0161] If the "estimated cost of performing transshipment work using a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" is equal to or greater than this reference value, it is more cost-effective to not perform transshipment work and wait for the transportation means to resume movement. On the other hand, if the "estimated cost of performing transshipment work using a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" is less than this reference value, it is more cost-effective to perform transshipment work and start transportation using an alternative transportation means. By setting the reference time as described above, it is possible to perform processing with excellent cost efficiency.

[0162] The reference value can be determined by the user and input to the information processing device 10. The user can estimate the expected time until the suspension of the transportation means' movement is lifted based on the cause of the suspension of the transportation means' movement and past cases, etc. Then, the user can determine a reference value (e.g., delay cost) based on the estimation result and input it to the information processing device 10.

[0163] Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may estimate the reference value. In one example, a history of past suspensions of transportation means movement is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The history records the details of the event that occurred and the time required for the suspension of transportation means movement to be lifted. Examples of the details of the event that occurred include meteorological information such as wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, typhoon size, typhoon strength, typhoon central pressure, typhoon path, typhoon maximum instantaneous wind speed, and snowfall amount.

[0164] The determination unit 14 then identifies a past event from the history whose similarity to the current event satisfies a predetermined condition, and calculates the time associated with the identified past event as the time required for the current suspension of the transportation means to be lifted. The calculation of the similarity between data can be achieved using widely known techniques. An example of the predetermined condition for similarity is "highest similarity," but this is not limiting. The determination unit 14 can then calculate the delay cost (reference value) based on the calculated time using the delay cost calculation method described above.

[0165] In another example, machine learning can be used to find correlations and patterns between the details of the event that occurred in the history and the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted, and based on the correlations and patterns, the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted can be estimated from the details of the current event. That is, an estimation model is generated by machine learning using the details of the event that occurred in the history and the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted as training data. The estimation model takes the details of the event as input and outputs the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted. The determination unit 14 inputs the details of the current event into this estimation model and obtains the time required for the suspension of the transportation means to be lifted output from the estimation model. The determination unit 14 can then calculate the delay cost (reference value) using the above-mentioned delay cost calculation method based on the calculated time.

[0166] Next, an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 10 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 9. Note that the purpose here is to explain the processing flow. Since the details of each process have been described above, the explanation here will be omitted as appropriate.

[0167] First, the information processing device 10 identifies a stopping location of the transportation means (S60). The information processing device 10 can execute the processes of S61 to S66 in response to the identification of the stopping location of the transportation means.

[0168] For example, when a management system that manages the status of each transportation means detects that a transportation means has stopped moving, the management system may input the current location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 may then identify the location where the transportation means has stopped based on the input from the management system. The management system may detect that a transportation means has stopped moving based on user input, or may detect that the current location of the transportation means has not changed for a predetermined period of time or more as the stop of movement, or may detect it by other means.

[0169] As another example, the user may input the stopping location of the transportation means into the information processing device 10. Then, the information processing device 10 may identify the stopping location of the transportation means in response to the input from the user.

[0170] As another example, the information processing device 10 may acquire weather information (advisories, warnings, etc.) from a weather server or the like that provides weather information. Then, the information processing device 10 may detect a pre-registered "event that may cause the transportation means to stop moving" from the acquired weather information. Then, when the information processing device 10 detects an "event that may cause the transportation means to stop moving," it may estimate a location where the transportation means will stop based on a history of transportation means to stop moving in the past.

[0171] After identifying the stopping place of the transportation means, the information processing device 10 selects a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping place of the transportation means (S61).

[0172] In one example, a list of a plurality of transshipment means that can be used in a transshipment operation is stored in advance in the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 selects candidates for the transshipment means from this list.

[0173] Next, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means (S62).

[0174] The information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment operation time. The information processing device 10 also calculates at least one of the transshipment means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time. Then, the information processing device 10 calculates the transportation stop time based on the calculation results.

[0175] Next, the information processing device 10 calculates the transshipment cost when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted based on the transportation downtime (S63).

[0176] For example, the information processing device 10 can calculate the procurement cost described in the third embodiment as the transshipment cost. In addition, the information processing device 10 can calculate the sum of the procurement cost described in the third embodiment and the delay cost caused by the delay in transportation due to the transportation stoppage time as the transshipment cost.

[0177] Next, the information processing device 10 determines whether there is a candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is smaller than the reference value (S64).

[0178] If there are candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is less than the reference value (Yes in S64), the information processing device 10 determines the transshipment means to be used for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is less than the reference value, based on the transportation downtime or transshipment cost when each candidate transshipment means is used (S65). Thereafter, the information processing device 10 can output information indicating the determined transshipment means. The information processing device 10 can output the information to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can transmit the information to a pre-registered destination.

[0179] On the other hand, if there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is less than the reference value (No in S64), the information processing device 10 does not decide on a transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work, and performs a predetermined process (S66). As the predetermined process, the information processing device 10 can notify the user that a transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work has not been decided because there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is less than the reference value. The information processing device 10 can output information indicating this to an output device such as a display, a projection device, or a speaker. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can transmit information indicating this to a pre-registered destination.

[0180] Other configurations of the information processing device 10 of the sixth embodiment can be similar to the configurations of the information processing device 10 of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0181] According to the information processing device 10 of the sixth embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the information processing devices 10 of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0182] In addition, the information processing device 10 of the sixth embodiment can determine the transfer means to perform the transfer work based on the size of the ``estimated cost (transfer cost) when performing transfer work by a transfer means,'' or can perform the above-mentioned specified processing without determining the transfer means to perform the transfer work.

[0183] If the "estimated cost of performing transshipment work using a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" is high, it may be more cost-effective to not perform transshipment work and wait for the transportation means to resume movement.On the other hand, if the "estimated cost of performing transshipment work using a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" is not too high, it may be more cost-effective to perform transshipment work and start transportation using an alternative transportation means.

[0184] Therefore, the information processing device 10 determines the level of the "estimated cost when transshipment work is performed by a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" by comparing the "estimated cost when transshipment work is performed by a transshipment means (transshipment cost)" with a reference value. Then, based on the result of the determination, the information processing device 10 can determine the transshipment means to perform the transshipment work, or can perform the above-mentioned predetermined processing without determining the transshipment means to perform the transshipment work. Such an information processing device 10 makes it possible to perform processing with excellent cost efficiency.

[0185] <<Usage scenarios>> The information processing devices 10 of the first to sixth embodiments described above can be used in various situations, but an example will be described below. Note that the usage scenarios of the information processing devices 10 of the first to sixth embodiments are not limited to the following example.

[0186] In recent years, as truck logistics capacity has decreased due to constraints on truck drivers' working hours, policies have been implemented to increase the use of alternative means of transportation, such as rail transport. However, in the case of rail transport, routes are more limited than in truck transport, and it is difficult to secure detours. Therefore, when the route becomes impassable due to an accident or bad weather, the movement of the transport means may be halted for a certain period of time. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, it becomes necessary to transfer cargo to an alternative transport means.

[0187] For example, the information processing device 10 can be used in such a situation. That is, in railroad logistics, a freight train is the "transportation means." Then, for example, a truck is the "alternative transportation means." Then, a forklift or an electric lifter is the "transshipment means." When the movement of the freight train is stopped, the information processing device 10 can appropriately determine the forklift or electric lifter to be used in the transshipment work of transferring cargo from the freight train to a truck.

[0188] <<Modifications>> Below, a description will be given of modified examples that can be applied to the information processing device 10 of the first to sixth embodiments. Even in this modified example, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the information processing device 10 of the first to sixth embodiments.

[0189] In this example, the list of transfer means described above includes information indicating the owner of each transfer means, such as "an entity that manages the operation of the transportation means," "an entity that contracts with the entity that manages the operation of the transportation means and performs the transfer work of the cargo loaded on the transportation means," or "an individual or organization."

[0190] Then, based on the information indicating the owner, the selection unit 12 can select a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at a stopping point of the transport means.

[0191] For example, the selection unit 12 may assign priorities to the owners. For example, the priorities may be assigned as follows: first priority "business entity that manages the operation of the transportation means," second priority "business entity that has a contract with the business entity that manages the operation of the transportation means and performs the transshipment work of the cargo loaded on the transportation means," and third priority "general person or organization." Then, the selection unit 12 may preferentially select transshipment means managed by owners with higher priorities as candidates.

[0192] Although this disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of this disclosure within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0193] In addition, in the flowcharts used in the above description, multiple steps (processes) are described in order. However, the order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0194] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A means of identifying the location of the conveyance stop; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; An information processing device having the above. 2. The calculation means calculating a transshipment operation time when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted to transship the cargo of the transportation means to the alternative transportation means; 1, an information processing device that calculates the transportation stoppage time based on the transshipment work time. 3. The calculation means 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, which calculates the transshipment operation time based on the characteristics of the cargo on the transportation means and the performance of the transshipment means. 4. The calculation means calculating a transfer means travel time required for each of the transfer means candidates to move to the stop location; 4. The information processing device according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the transportation stoppage time is calculated based on the transfer means movement time. 5. The calculation means calculating a transfer means travel time required for each of the transfer means candidates to move to the stop location; Calculating an alternative transportation means travel time required to move the alternative transportation means to the stopping location; 5. The information processing device according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein the transportation stoppage time is calculated based on the longer of the transfer means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time. 6. The selection means the straight-line distance from the current position of the transfer means to the stopping location; the travel distance from the current position of the transshipment means to the stopping location; the travel time from the current position of the transshipment means to the stopping location; the transfer capacity of said transfer means; The operating status of the transfer means, and the procurement costs of said transfer means; 6. The information processing device according to any one of 1 to 5, wherein the candidate for the transfer means is selected from among the plurality of transfer means based on at least one of the above. 7. The determining means 7. An information processing device according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein if there is no candidate transshipment means for which the transportation stop time is shorter than the reference time, the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work is not determined and a predetermined process is performed. 8. The calculation means Calculating a transshipment cost when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted based on the transportation stoppage time; The determining means 8. An information processing device according to any one of 1 to 7, wherein if there is no candidate transshipment means whose transshipment cost is below a reference value, the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work is not determined and a predetermined process is performed. 9. One or more computers: Identify the location of the transportation stop, Select a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping location; Calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and the cargo of the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; An information processing method for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means, based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted. 10. Computer Identification means for identifying the stopping point of the conveyance; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; A program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0195] 10. Information processing equipment 11 Specific section 12 Selection section 13 Calculation section 14 Decision Section 1A processor 2A Memory 3A input / output I / F 4A peripheral circuit 5A Bus

Claims

1. a means for identifying a stop location of the conveyance; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; An information processing device having the above.

2. The calculation means calculating a transshipment operation time when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted to transship the cargo of the transportation means to the alternative transportation means; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transportation stoppage time is calculated based on the transshipment work time.

3. The calculation means 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the transshipment operation time is calculated based on the characteristics of the cargo on the transport means and the performance of the transshipment means.

4. The calculation means calculating a transfer means travel time required for each of the transfer means candidates to move to the stop location; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transportation stoppage time is calculated based on the transfer means movement time.

5. The calculation means calculating a transfer means travel time required for each of the transfer means candidates to move to the stop location; Calculating an alternative transportation means travel time required to move the alternative transportation means to the stopping location; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transportation stoppage time is calculated based on the longer of the transfer means travel time and the alternative transportation means travel time.

6. The selection means the straight-line distance from the current position of the transfer means to the stopping location; the travel distance from the current position of the transfer means to the stopping location; the travel time from the current position of the transshipment means to the stopping location; the transfer capacity of said transfer means; The operating status of the transfer means, and the procurement costs of said transfer means; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the candidate for the transfer means is selected from the plurality of transfer means based on at least one of the following:

7. The determining means 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein if there is no candidate transshipment means for which the transportation stop time is shorter than the reference time, the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work is not determined, and a predetermined process is performed.

8. The calculation means Calculating a transshipment cost when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted based on the transportation stoppage time; The determining means 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein if there is no candidate transshipment means for which the transshipment cost is equal to or less than a reference value, the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work is not determined, and a predetermined process is performed.

9. One or more computers Identify the location of the transportation stop, Select a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation to transfer the cargo being transported by the transportation means to an alternative transportation means at the stopping location; Calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and the cargo of the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; An information processing method for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means, based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted.

10. Computer, Identification means for identifying the stopping point of the conveyance; a selection means for selecting a candidate transfer means for performing a transfer operation of transferring the cargo being transported by the transport means to an alternative transport means at the stopping location; a calculation means for calculating a transportation downtime when each of the candidate transfer means is adopted and cargo from the transportation means is transferred to the alternative transportation means; a determining means for determining the transshipment means to be adopted for the transshipment work from among the candidate transshipment means based on the transportation downtime when each of the candidate transshipment means is adopted; A program that functions as a

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