Planning device, planning method, and program

Abstract

To provide a planning apparatus for creating a work plan for cargo handling equipment that minimizes cargo handling work time.SOLUTION: A planning apparatus comprises: data acquisition unit for acquiring a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, information on a position in the ship where the first cargo is stored, information on a position where the second cargo is stored, and information on cargo handling equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; and an optimization calculation unit for enumerating all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the cargo handling equipment, the moving direction of the cargo handling equipment in the working range, and the number of the cargo handling equipment, calculating cargo handling work time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of all the patterns, and selecting the pattern of the work procedure when the cargo handling work time is the shortest.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] At a port container terminal, containers are loaded and unloaded onto ships using cranes. Patent Document 1 describes a method for creating a cargo handling plan that improves the efficiency of container loading and unloading operations. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for creating a cargo handling plan that includes the steps of: setting a lane for unloading containers; linking a loading position on the ship with containers to be loaded that are scattered on each land lane; provisionally setting the movement patterns of multiple cranes and the cargo handling ranges of the cranes; calculating the required work time for each crane based on the provisional settings; changing the provisional settings according to the results of the calculation to equalize the distribution of the required work time for each crane; and comparing the equalized required work time for each movement pattern and cargo handling range of the multiple cranes to select the one with the shortest required work time. The method described in Patent Document 1 calculates the movement patterns and loading / unloading areas of multiple cranes that will minimize the time required for work, based on the assumptions that all of the multiple cranes installed at the terminal are operated, the work times of the multiple cranes are equalized, and each crane is responsible for both loading and unloading containers within its own loading / unloading area.

[0003] However, even if there are multiple cranes at a terminal, using all of them to perform loading and unloading work does not necessarily lead to the shortest time required for work. Also, equalizing the work time required for multiple cranes or having a single crane handle both loading and unloading in its loading and unloading range (setting the work range for a certain crane to be the same range for loading containers onto a ship and unloading containers from a ship) does not necessarily lead to the shortest time required for work. It is desirable to create a crane work plan with a wider scope of consideration than the method described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-267918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A method for creating a crane operation plan that minimizes loading and unloading operation time at a port container terminal is provided.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a planning device, a planning method, and a program that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The planning device disclosed herein includes a data acquisition unit that acquires information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, the location where the first cargo is stored on the ship, information on the location where the second cargo is stored, and information on loading and unloading equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo, and an optimization calculation unit that enumerates all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment within the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculates the loading and unloading time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selects the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading time.

[0008] The planning method of the present disclosure comprises: 1. A computer-implemented planning method, comprising: acquiring information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a vessel, a second cargo to be loaded onto the vessel, a location on the vessel where the first cargo is stored, information on a location where the second cargo is stored, and information on cargo handling equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; The computer, The method includes a step of enumerating all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment in the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculating the loading and unloading operation time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selecting the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading operation time.

[0009] In addition, the program disclosed herein causes a computer to execute the steps of acquiring information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, the location where the first cargo is stored on the ship, information on the location where the second cargo is stored, and information on loading and unloading equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo, enumerating all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment within the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculating the loading and unloading time required to complete the work of unloading the first cargo and loading the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selecting the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading time. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the above-mentioned planning device, planning method, and program, it is possible to create a work plan for loading and unloading equipment that minimizes the loading and unloading operation time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a planning device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a container stacking operation according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 11 is a first diagram for explaining an enumeration of work procedures (unloading) according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating an enumeration of work procedures (shipping) according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an example of the total number of patterns of work procedures according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a list of work procedures according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example of the total number of patterns of work procedures according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a first diagram showing an example of a calculation result of an operation time according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing an example of a calculation result of an operation time according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a plan creation process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a planning device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a method of creating a work plan for loading and unloading equipment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. (overview) Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a planning device according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a container unloading operation. The planning device 10 is configured by a computer, and calculates a work plan for loading and unloading equipment that optimizes the work of unloading and loading containers. FIG. 2 shows a ship 1 anchored at port A. The ship 1 unloads and loads containers at port A. Port A is equipped with loading and unloading equipment GC1 to GC4. The loading and unloading equipment GC1 to GC4 are, for example, gantry cranes. Workers operate some or all of the loading and unloading equipment GC1 to GC4 to unload and load containers between the ship 1 and land. In this loading and unloading work (unloading and loading), the loading and unloading equipment GC1 etc. move in the fore-aft direction (bay direction) of the ship 1.

[0013] The checkered area S of the ship 1 indicates the area for storing containers, and containers are stored in each cell. The horizontal direction of this area S on the paper (front to back of the ship 1) is called the bay, and the vertical direction on the paper (left to right of the ship 1) is called the row, and the position of each cell on the horizontal plane can be expressed by the bay number and row number when a certain cell is used as the reference cell. The bay number indicates the number of cells in the bay direction from the reference cell, and the row number indicates the number of cells in the row direction. The top to bottom direction of the ship 1 (front to back of the paper) is called the tier.

[0014] When unloading and loading containers, the cargo handling equipment GC1, etc. is moved to the location of the bay number where the cell of the loading destination or the cell where the container to be unloaded is stored is located. If there is a container to be unloaded at that bay number, the container to be unloaded is unloaded ashore first, and then, if there is a container to be loaded at that bay, the container is loaded from the shore onto the ship 1. When unloading containers, the containers stored in the upper cells on the front side (land side) of the ship 1 are unloaded ashore in the order of the containers stored in the lower cells (bottom side), and gradually move to the containers stored in the row on the back side (sea side). When the loading and unloading work for all containers to be unloaded at that bay number is completed, the containers are loaded in order from the vacant cells on the bottom (bottom side) of the back side (sea side) of the ship 1, and gradually into the vacant cells in the row on the front side (land side). It is assumed that the following information is determined in advance: which cell the container is to be unloaded from, how many containers are to be loaded onto which bay number and row number, where the containers to be loaded are stored in the terminal, and where the containers to be unloaded are to be placed. After that, this is repeated, and loading and unloading work is performed while moving the loading equipment GC1 etc. in the bay direction.

[0015] To summarize the rules for loading and unloading procedures, loading and unloading equipment GC1, etc. are moved in the direction of the bay, and loading and unloading work is carried out for each bay. For each bay, unloading is carried out first, and then loading is carried out after unloading. When unloading, the work objects are moved one by one from the row on the land side to the row on the sea side in each bay. When loading, the work objects are moved one by one from the row on the sea side to the row on the land side in each bay. When unloading containers in each row, the containers are unloaded starting from the upper cells, and when loading containers, the containers are loaded starting from the empty cells on the lower side.

[0016] In addition, there are two methods for loading and unloading operations: (A) first unloading all containers to be unloaded while moving around the bay, and then loading all containers to be shipped while moving around the bay, and (B) moving around the bay while unloading and loading containers to be unloaded in each bay.

[0017] The planning device 10 determines how many of the loading / unloading devices GC1-GC4 will be used for the loading / unloading work, and if multiple devices are used, what range of loading / unloading work in the bay direction each loading / unloading device will be responsible for, and in what direction each loading / unloading device will move (for example, from the bow to the stern of the ship 1, or vice versa), and identifies all patterns of combinations of these (called work procedures).The planning device 10 then calculates the time required to complete the loading / unloading work for all patterns, and selects the pattern that will provide the shortest work time.

[0018] Both operators engaged in cargo handling operations at ports and ship owners make profits by loading containers onto ships 1 and transporting them to their destinations. Therefore, it is beneficial for both parties to welcome as many ships as possible to port A, load and unload the necessary containers in a short time, and send the ships 1 off quickly. The planning device 10 calculates an efficient work plan to shorten the time required for cargo handling operations.

[0019] (composition) As shown in FIG. 1, the planning device 10 includes a data acquisition unit 11, an input reception unit 12, a control unit 13, an output unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The data acquisition unit 11 acquires information necessary for creating a work plan for the loading and unloading equipment, such as the structure of the ship 1 (e.g., hatch position, house position), information on the range of the unloading and loading targets (which bay number and which row number of the ship 1 are vacant cells, how many containers are to be loaded into the group of vacant cells defined by the bay number and row number, in which cell the container to be unloaded at port A is stored, etc.), where the container to be loaded is stored in port A, the location of the unloading destination, how many loading and unloading equipment GC1, etc. can be used for the unloading and loading of containers, and the available hours of the loading and unloading equipment GC1, etc., and stores the acquired information in the memory unit 15, and also has the function of formatting the acquired information so that it can be handled in the optimization calculation by the optimization calculation unit 131. The input receiving unit 12 receives instruction information for instructing the execution of processing, etc., which is input using an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input receiving unit 12 outputs the received instruction information, etc., to the control unit 13.

[0020] The control unit 13 controls the execution of a process for creating a work plan for the cargo handling devices GC1 to GC4. The control unit 13 includes an optimization calculation unit 131. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the optimal unloading / loading sequence for the purpose of maximizing the work efficiency (shortening the time required for loading / unloading work) of the loading / unloading equipment GC1, etc. In addition, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the unloading / loading sequence of containers that can properly maintain the balance of the center of gravity of the ship 1 while loading / unloading work is in progress.

[0021] The output unit 14 outputs various information, for example, a loading and unloading operation plan for the loading and unloading equipment GC1, etc., to a display device or an electronic file. The storage unit 15 stores the information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11, data being processed, and the like.

[0022] (List of work steps) Next, a list of work procedures according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. First, the optimization calculation unit 131 determines the number of pieces of cargo handling equipment GC1, etc., to be used in the cargo handling operation. Here, an example will be described in which two pieces of cargo handling equipment GC1 and GC2 are used out of the four pieces of equipment.

[0023] (When unloading and loading are done separately) First, a method for listing all patterns of work procedures for (A) a method in which all containers to be unloaded are unloaded while moving around the bay, and then all containers to be loaded are loaded while moving around the bay will be loaded.

[0024] (Frying) The optimization calculation unit 131 separates the work into lifting and loading, and calculates all patterns of combinations of work range and travel direction for each work. As shown in FIG. 3A, the bay numbers of the targets for lifting are assumed to be "1", "2", "3", "6", "7", "8", "9", and "12". The patterns in which these bays are handled by two loading devices GC1 to GC2 are, for example, nine different patterns: a pattern in which loading device GC1 is responsible for bay number "1", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "2", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", and "6", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", and "6" to "7", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", and "6" to "8", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", and "6" to "9", a pattern in which it is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", "6" to "8", and "12", and a pattern in which loading device GC2 is responsible for bay numbers "1" to "3", "6" to "8", and "12". A division of work scope such as cargo handling equipment GC1 being in charge of bay number "1", cargo handling equipment GC2 being in charge of bay number "2", etc. is clearly inefficient and will not be considered. Also, although a pattern in which cargo handling equipment GC1 is in charge of bay numbers "1" to "3", "6" to "8", and "12", and a pattern in which cargo handling equipment GC2 is in charge of bay numbers "1" to "3", "6" to "8", and "12" are performed by one machine, even if unloading work is performed by one machine, it is necessary to consider the work efficiency (loading and unloading work time) when loading work is performed by two cargo handling equipment GC1 to GC2, so such patterns will also be considered.

[0025] In addition, by dividing the working area in the bay direction, the loading / unloading equipment GC1 performs loading / unloading operations at the bow side of the ship 1, and the loading / unloading equipment GC2 performs loading / unloading operations at the stern side. This prevents the working area from being biased to one side, which would upset the center of gravity of the ship 1, and allows loading / unloading operations to proceed while maintaining the center of gravity of the ship 1.

[0026] The optimization calculation unit 131 combines the patterns of the travel directions of the loading and unloading devices GC1 to GC2 for each pattern of the work range to enumerate all patterns of the work procedure. FIG. 3A shows a pattern of the work range in which the loading and unloading device GC1 is in charge of bay numbers "1" to "3" and "6" to "7", and the loading and unloading device GC2 is in charge of bay numbers "8" to "9" and "12". In the case of this pattern of the work range, the travel directions of the loading and unloading device GC1 include the direction of bay numbers "1" to "7" and the direction of bay numbers "7" to "1", and the travel directions of the loading and unloading device GC2 include the direction of bay numbers "8" to "12" and the direction of bay numbers "12" to "8". By combining these, the travel patterns of the loading and unloading devices GC1 to GC2 become four patterns.

[0027] The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of 36 (9×4) work procedures for unloading operations, which are a combination of nine work range patterns and four travel patterns.

[0028] (Loading work) The optimization calculation unit 131 also lists all patterns of work procedures for the loading work. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the bay numbers of the targets for the loading work are "1", "2", "3", "6", "7", "8", "9", "10", "11", and "12". There are 11 patterns in total for the work range, including 10 patterns in which the loading equipment GC1 is in charge of bay numbers "1", "1" to "2", "1" to "3", "1" to "3" and "6", "1" to "3" and "6" to "7", "1" to "3" and "6" to "8", "1" to "3" and "6" to "9", "1" to "3" and "6" to "10", "1" to "3" and "6" to "11", and "1" to "3" and "6" to "12", and a pattern in which the loading equipment GC2 is in charge of bay numbers "1" to "3" and "6" to "12". The travel patterns of the loading and unloading equipment GC1~GC2 are four in total, similar to the lifting operation.

[0029] The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of 44 (11×4) work procedures, which are a combination of 11 work range patterns and 4 travel patterns, for the loading operation.

[0030] (Calculation of all patterns) Furthermore, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the cargo handling operation time for each of 1584 (36×44) work procedures that combine 36 unloading operations and 44 loading operations when two cargo handling devices such as GC1 are used.

[0031] The optimization calculation unit 131 similarly identifies all patterns of work procedures (combinations of work range patterns and travel patterns) for unloading and loading work for the cases where one, three, and four cargo handling devices such as GC1 are used, and further combines the work procedures for unloading and loading to calculate all patterns of work procedures for each number of cargo handling devices. Figure 4 shows the total number of patterns of work procedures for each number of cargo handling devices when the number of bays requiring unloading is 8 and the number of bays requiring loading is 10. When the number of bays requiring unloading and loading is 8 and 10, respectively, and there are four cargo handling devices (GC1 to GC4) installed at port A, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the cargo handling work time for each of 12272308 (4 + 1584 + 190080 + 1280640) work procedures as shown in Figure 4, and adopts the work procedure pattern that results in the shortest cargo handling work time from among them.

[0032] (Calculation method for loading and unloading operation time for each pattern) The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading / unloading operation time of each of the loading / unloading devices GC1 to GC4 for each of the listed work procedures. Specifically, the loading / unloading operation time Tx of the loading / unloading device X (X: GC1 to GC4) is calculated by the following formula (1). Tx=Tdx+Tlx+Tmx+Thx+Twx ···(1)

[0033] Tdx in formula (1) is the unloading operation time by cargo handling equipment X. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates (a1) the time required for unloading a container for each bay, (a2) the time required for opening the hatch for a container that requires the hatch to be opened for removal, and (a3) ​​the time required for moving a temporary unloading shift container (a container that requires temporary movement in order to unload the container), and calculates the unloading operation time for each bay by adding them up. Furthermore, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates Tdx by adding up the unloading operation times calculated for each bay. The time required for opening the hatch, the time required for replacing attachments required for a special container, the transport speed of the container, and the like are acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 and registered in the storage unit 15. The time required for unloading one container can be calculated from the storage position of the container to be unloaded, the location of the unloading destination, and the transport speed, and (a1) the time required for unloading a container can be calculated by multiplying this by the number of containers to be unloaded. The transport time of the temporary unloading shift container can also be calculated for (a3) ​​by using a similar concept.

[0034] Tlx in formula (1) is the loading operation time by cargo handling equipment X. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates, for each bay, (b1) the container loading time, (b2) the time to close the hatch, and (b3) the time required to return the temporary unloading shift container to its original position, and calculates the loading operation time for each bay by adding them up. Furthermore, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates Tlx by adding up the loading operation times calculated for each bay.

[0035] Tmx in equation (1) is the travel time of loading and unloading equipment X. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the travel distance for each loading / unloading equipment X from the work area covered by the loading / unloading equipment X, and calculates the travel time by dividing the travel distance by the travel speed of the loading / unloading equipment X. For example, in the case of the loading / unloading equipment GC1 in Fig. 3A, the travel distance is calculated by multiplying the length of one bay by 7, and this is divided by the average travel speed of the loading / unloading equipment GC1 to calculate Tmx.

[0036] Thx in formula (1) is the time it takes for cargo handling equipment X to cross the house. The optimization calculation unit 131 checks for each loading equipment X whether or not house 2 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) is present within the working range of the loading equipment X, and calculates the time required to cross the house. Since house 2 is a living area for crew members and is taller than the area in which containers are loaded, the arm of loading equipment X must be raised and lowered to cross house 2. In the case of FIG. 3A, house 2 is present within the working range of loading equipment GC1. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the time required to raise and lower the arm for loading equipment GC1, and sets this time as Thx. Since house 2 is not present within the working range of loading equipment GC2, the value of Thx for loading equipment GC2 is 0.

[0037] Twx in equation (1) is the waiting time between loading and unloading equipment. The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the waiting time required for avoiding interference between arms and securing a safe distance for the loading equipment X in charge of the adjacent work range, which may occur during the travel of the loading equipment X. For example, in FIG. 3A, when the loading equipment GC1 and the loading equipment GC2 start work at the same time, the loading equipment GC1 performs lifting work from bay number 1 to bay number 7, and the loading equipment GC2 performs lifting work from bay number 12 to bay number 8, the distance between the loading equipment GC1 and the loading equipment GC2 at each time can be calculated from the lifting work time at each bay and the travel time between each bay. For example, when the distance between the loading equipment GC1 and the loading equipment GC2 becomes equal to or less than a threshold value, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading work time by assuming that while one loading equipment (GC1 or GC2) is working, the other loading equipment (GC2 or GC1) does not perform loading work and waits. Twx is the total waiting time in such a case.

[0038] (In case of unloading and loading work per bay) Next, (B) a method for listing all patterns of work procedures for moving between bays while unloading and loading containers to be unloaded at each bay will be described.

[0039] The optimization calculation unit 131 lists combination patterns of the work range and the travel direction when the unloading work and the loading work are performed in each bay. Fig. 5 shows examples of bays where unloading work is required and bays where loading work is required (these are the same as the examples in Figs. 3A and 3B, respectively). The work range patterns are, for example, 10 patterns in which the loading equipment GC1 is in charge of bay numbers "1", "1" to "2", "1" to "3", "1" to "3" and "6", "1" to "3" and "6" to "7", "1" to "3" and "6" to "8", "1" to "3" and "6" to "9", "1" to "3" and "6" to "10", "1" to "3" and "6" to "11", "1" to "3" and "6" to "12", and a pattern in which the loading equipment GC2 is in charge of bay numbers "1" to "3" and "6" to "12", for a total of 11 patterns. Of the 11 patterns, two involve work performed by only one of the loading / unloading equipment GC1 or GC2, but these two patterns are included here as 11 patterns. This does not affect the final result of the optimization calculation (the process of calculating a plan that minimizes the loading / unloading work time). There are four travel patterns for the loading / unloading equipment GC1-GC2, as in the case of Figures 3A and 3B. The optimization calculation unit 131 lists 44 (11 x 4) patterns, combining 11 work range patterns and 4 travel patterns, as work procedure patterns when two cranes are used.

[0040] The optimization calculation unit 131 similarly identifies all patterns that combine the work range patterns and the travel patterns for the cases where one, three, and four cargo handling devices GC1, etc. are used. FIG. 6 shows the total number of patterns of work procedures for each number of cargo handling devices when the number of bays that require unloading work is 8 and the number of bays that require loading work is 10. When the number of bays that require unloading work and loading work are 8 and 10, respectively, and the number of cargo handling devices GC1, etc. installed at port A is four (GC1 to GC4), the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the cargo handling work time for each of 5150 (4+44+528+4576) work procedures as shown in FIG. 6, and adopts the work procedure pattern that results in the shortest cargo handling work time. The cargo handling work time for each work procedure can be calculated by the formula (1) as described above.

[0041] The optimization calculation unit 131 may calculate the loading / unloading operation time by the method (A) or (B) and select from among them the operation procedure which results in the shortest loading / unloading operation time, or may calculate the operation time by both the methods (A) and (B) and select from among them the operation procedure which results in the shortest loading / unloading operation time.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows an example of the calculation result of the loading and unloading operation time when two loading and unloading devices GC1-GC2 are used. FIGS. 7(a)-7(c) show three patterns with short loading and unloading operation times out of, for example, 44 different work procedure patterns. In the case of pattern 1 shown in FIG. 7(a), the operation time of loading and unloading device GC2 is longer than that of loading and unloading device GC1, and this time is T1. The operation time of pattern 1 is T1. In the case of pattern 2 in FIG. 7(b), the operation time T2 of loading and unloading device GC1 is longer than that of loading and unloading device GC2, and the operation time of pattern 2 is T2. The operation time of pattern 3 in FIG. 7(c) is T3. Since the operation time T3 is the shortest among these three patterns, pattern 3 is selected as the work procedure with the best work efficiency.

[0043] FIG. 8(a) shows the calculation result of the case where the loading and unloading work time is the shortest among the work procedures where one loading and unloading equipment GC1 is used (Pattern 4). FIG. 8(b) shows the calculation result of the loading and unloading work time for each loading equipment among the work procedures where three loading and unloading equipment GC1 to GC3 are used (Pattern 5). FIG. 8(c) shows the calculation result of the loading and unloading work time for each loading equipment among the work procedures where four loading and unloading equipment GC1 to GC4 are used (Pattern 6). Among the patterns 4 to 6 shown in FIG. 8, pattern 5, which uses three equipment, has the shortest loading and unloading work time. The reason why the loading and unloading work time is shorter in pattern 5 than in pattern 6 is thought to be that the number of loading and unloading equipment is larger, and the waiting time due to interference is increased. The optimization calculation unit 131 selects the pattern of the work procedure where the loading and unloading work time is the shortest (for example, pattern 5) from the results of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This allows calculations to be made on how many pieces of cargo handling equipment should be used for unloading and loading work, how to allocate the work area of ​​each piece of cargo handling equipment, and what the running pattern of each piece of cargo handling equipment should be to minimize the time required for cargo handling work.Once these are determined, the optimal container unloading and loading sequence can be calculated according to the rules for the cargo handling work procedures described above.

[0044] (operation) Next, we will explain the flow of creating a plan to improve the efficiency of unloading and loading operations using cargo handling equipment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a plan creation process according to the embodiment. First, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires input data necessary for creating a work plan for the cargo handling equipment GC1, etc. (Step S1). The data acquisition unit 11 writes the acquired various data into the storage unit 15 and stores it.

[0045] Next, the user performs an operation to instruct the planning device 10 to create a work plan for the cargo handling equipment GC1 and the like. The input reception unit 12 receives this instruction operation and instructs the control unit 13 to execute a work plan creation process. Then, the control unit 13 executes the following process using the optimization calculation unit 131. First, the optimization calculation unit 131 sets 1 to a variable K indicating the number of cargo handling equipment (step S2).

[0046] Next, the optimization calculation unit 131 lists patterns of work procedures (step S3). For example, in the port A, (A) if it is decided that unloading and loading are to be performed separately, four work procedure patterns (when m=1 in FIG. 4) are listed, (B) if it is decided that unloading and loading are to be performed for each bay, two work procedure patterns (when m=1 in FIG. 6) are listed, and if there are no particular constraints such as (A) or (B), six (4+2) work patterns are listed.

[0047] Next, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of the listed work procedures (step S4). The optimization calculation unit 131 calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of the work procedures listed in step S3 using formula (1). Next, the optimization calculation unit 131 selects the work procedure that will result in the shortest loading and unloading operation time (step S5). The optimization calculation unit 131 records in the memory unit 15 the shortest loading and unloading operation time when unloading and loading are performed using only one loading equipment GC1 and the work procedure pattern at that time.

[0048] Next, the optimization calculation unit 131 adds 1 to K (step S6). Next, the optimization calculation unit 131 judges whether K exceeds the maximum value of the loading / unloading equipment (for example, 4) (step S7). If K is equal to or less than the maximum value of the loading / unloading equipment (step S7; No), the optimization calculation unit 131 repeats the processing of steps S3 to S6. That is, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates a pattern of a work procedure that minimizes the loading / unloading operation time when two loading / unloading equipment GC1-GC2 are used, and records the result in the storage unit 15. Similarly, the optimization calculation unit 131 calculates a pattern of a work procedure that minimizes the loading / unloading operation time when three loading / unloading equipment GC1-GC3 are used and when four loading / unloading equipment GC1-GC4 are used, and records the result.

[0049] If K exceeds the maximum value of the loading / unloading equipment (step S7; Yes), the optimization calculation unit 131 selects the work procedure that minimizes the loading / unloading work time from among the work procedure patterns that minimize the loading / unloading work time for each number of units selected in step S5 (step S8). Next, the output unit 14 outputs the created work plan (step S9). For example, the output unit 14 displays the work range and travel direction for each loading / unloading equipment as exemplified in FIG. 3A etc.

[0050] (effect) As described above, according to this embodiment, by using a heuristic optimization method, it is possible to calculate a loading and unloading equipment operation plan (a plan that determines how many loading and unloading equipment units will be used for unloading and loading operations, how to allocate the operation range of each loading and unloading equipment unit, and the travel pattern of each loading and unloading equipment unit) that can minimize the loading and unloading operation time. Also, it is possible to calculate a loading and unloading equipment operation plan that does not impair the center of gravity balance of the ship 1 during loading and unloading operations.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the planning device according to the embodiment. The computer 900 includes a CPU 901 , a main memory device 902 , an auxiliary memory device 903 , an input / output interface 904 , and a communication interface 905 . The planning device 10 described above is implemented in a computer 900. Each of the above-mentioned functions is stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The CPU 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 903, loads it in the main storage device 902, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The CPU 901 also reserves a storage area in the main storage device 902 in accordance with the program. The CPU 901 also reserves a storage area in the auxiliary storage device 903 for storing data being processed in accordance with the program.

[0052] In addition, a program for realizing all or part of the functions of the planning device 10 may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing by each functional unit. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, if a WWW system is used, the term "computer system" also includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment). In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In addition, when the program is distributed to the computer 900 through a communication line, the computer 900 that receives the program may expand the program in the main storage device 902 and execute the above processing. In addition, the above program may be for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions, and may further be capable of realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0053] As described above, several embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.

[0054] <Additional Notes> The planning device, the planning method, and the program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0055] (1) The planning device 10 of the first aspect includes a data acquisition unit that acquires information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, information on the location where the first cargo is stored on the ship, information on the location where the second cargo is stored, and information on loading and unloading equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo, and an optimization calculation unit that enumerates all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculates the loading and unloading work time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selects the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading work time. The system thoroughly identifies all possible work procedure patterns that can be implemented without imposing various constraints (excluding obviously inefficient work procedures), calculates the loading and unloading work time for each of them, and then selects the work procedure that will take the shortest amount of time for loading and unloading work. This ensures that plans with high work efficiency (plans that minimize loading and unloading work times) are calculated without overlooking anything.

[0056] (2) A planning device 10 according to a second aspect is a planning device according to (1), which lists all patterns of first work procedures that combine the allocation of the work area indicating the area responsible for the unloading of the first cargo, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment in the work area, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, lists all patterns of second work procedures that combine the allocation of the work area indicating the area responsible for the loading of the second cargo, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment in the work area, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, lists all patterns of third work procedures that combine all patterns of the first work procedures and all patterns of the second work procedures, calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of all patterns of the third work procedures, and selects the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading operation time. This makes it possible to calculate the shortest loading and unloading time when different work areas are set for unloading and loading.

[0057] (3) The planning device 10 of the third aspect is a planning device of (1) to (2), which enumerates all patterns of a fourth work procedure that combines the allocation of the work range indicating the range responsible for both the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the work range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculates the loading and unloading operation time for each of all patterns of the fourth work procedure, and selects the pattern of the work procedure that results in the shortest loading and unloading operation time. This makes it possible to calculate the shortest loading and unloading time when the same work scope is set for unloading and loading (both unloading and loading are carried out within the work scope of the person in charge).

[0058] (4) A planning device 10 according to a fourth aspect is a planning device according to (1) to (3), and the optimization calculation unit calculates the loading / unloading operation time by assuming that, when two pieces of loading / unloading equipment responsible for adjacent work areas are located in a position where interference occurs, while one piece of loading / unloading equipment is performing the operation of unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo, the other piece of loading / unloading equipment is stopped from unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo. This makes it possible to calculate the loading / unloading operation time with high accuracy, taking into account waiting times to avoid arm interference, when using multiple gantry cranes.

[0059] (5) A planning device 10 according to a fifth aspect is a planning device according to (1) to (4), wherein the optimization calculation unit calculates the loading / unloading operation time including the time required to avoid an obstacle when an obstacle is present on the ship. This makes it possible to calculate the cargo handling operation time with high accuracy, taking into account the time it takes for the gantry crane arm to be raised and lowered at the house position of the ship 1.

[0060] (6) A planning device 10 according to a sixth aspect is a planning device according to (1) to (5), wherein the work range is a range obtained by dividing the area for storing cargo of the ship in the fore-aft direction of the ship into a number equal to the number of loading and unloading equipment. This makes it possible to create an operation plan that enables unloading and loading while maintaining the ship's center of gravity balance.

[0061] (7) A planning method according to a seventh aspect includes the steps of: acquiring information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, a location on the ship where the first cargo is stored, information on a location where the second cargo is stored, and information on loading and unloading equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; listing all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment within the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculating the loading and unloading time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selecting the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading time.

[0062] (6) A program relating to a sixth aspect causes a computer 900 to execute the steps of acquiring information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, information on the location where the first cargo is stored on the ship, information on the location where the second cargo is stored, and information on loading and unloading equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo, enumerating all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the direction of movement of the loading and unloading equipment within the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculating the loading and unloading time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selecting the pattern of work procedures that results in the shortest loading and unloading time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...ship 10. Planning device 11 Data acquisition section 12 Input reception section 13. Control section 131 Optimization Calculation Section 14 Output section 15...Storage section 900...Computer 901···CPU 902...Main memory 903...Auxiliary storage device 904 Input / Output Interface 905 Communication Interface

Claims

1. a data acquisition unit that acquires information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a ship, a second cargo to be loaded onto the ship, information on a location on the ship where the first cargo is stored, information on a location where the second cargo is stored, and information on cargo handling equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; an optimization calculation unit that lists all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculates a loading and unloading operation time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selects the pattern of the work procedures that minimizes the loading and unloading operation time; A planning device comprising:

2. The optimization calculation unit is Listing all patterns of a first work procedure that combines the allocation of the work range indicating the range in which the work of unloading the first cargo is performed, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the work range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment; Listing all patterns of second work procedures that combine the allocation of the work range indicating the range responsible for the work of loading the second cargo, the movement direction of the loading equipment in the work range, and the number of the loading equipment; A list of all patterns of a third work procedure is obtained by combining all patterns of the first work procedure and all patterns of the second work procedure; calculating the loading / unloading operation time for each of all patterns of the third work procedure, and selecting the pattern of the work procedure that results in the shortest loading / unloading operation time; The planning device of claim 1 .

3. The optimization calculation unit is Listing all patterns of a fourth work procedure that combines the allocation of the work range indicating the range responsible for both the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo, the movement direction of the cargo handling equipment in the work range, and the number of the cargo handling equipment; calculating the loading / unloading operation time for each of all patterns of the fourth work procedure, and selecting the pattern of the work procedure that results in the shortest loading / unloading operation time; A planning device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 3. The planning device according to claim 1, wherein, when two loading and unloading devices responsible for adjacent work areas are located in a position where interference occurs, the optimization calculation unit calculates the loading and unloading operation time by assuming that while one loading and unloading device is performing the operation of unloading the first cargo or loading the second cargo, the other loading and unloading device is stopped from unloading the first cargo or loading the second cargo.

5. the optimization calculation unit calculates the cargo handling operation time including a time required for the cargo handling equipment to avoid the obstacle when an obstacle is present on the ship; A planning device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The working range is a range obtained by dividing the cargo storage area of ​​the ship in the longitudinal direction of the ship into a number of areas equal to the number of the cargo handling equipment. A planning device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A computer implemented planning method comprising: The computer acquires information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a vessel, a second cargo to be loaded onto the vessel, a location on the vessel where the first cargo is stored, information on a location where the second cargo is stored, and information on cargo handling equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; the computer enumerates all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculates the loading and unloading operation time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selects the pattern of the work procedures that minimizes the loading and unloading operation time; A planning method having the following features:

8. On the computer, acquiring information on a first cargo to be unloaded from a vessel, a second cargo to be loaded onto the vessel, a location on the vessel where the first cargo is stored, information on a location where the second cargo is stored, and information on cargo handling equipment used for unloading the first cargo and / or loading the second cargo; a step of enumerating all patterns of work procedures that combine the working range of the loading and unloading equipment, the movement direction of the loading and unloading equipment in the working range, and the number of the loading and unloading equipment, calculating a loading and unloading operation time required to complete the unloading of the first cargo and the loading of the second cargo for each of the patterns, and selecting the pattern of the work procedures that minimizes the loading and unloading operation time; A program that executes the following.

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