Packaging style determination system, packaging style determination method, and packaging style determination program

Abstract

To efficiently perform unloading at a delivery destination.SOLUTION: A packaging style determination system 1 determining a packaging style of a cargo 3 in a carriage 6 comprises: a cargo information generating part 12 which generates cargo information including delivery destination information on a delivery destination of the cargo 3; a packaging style calculation part 13 which calculates the packaging style of the cargo 3 in the carriage 6 based on the cargo information; an evaluation value acquisition part 14 which acquires an evaluation value Q of the packaging style of the cargo 3; and a packaging style determination part 16 which determines the packaging style of the cargo 3 in the carriage 6 based on the evaluation value Q. The evaluation value acquisition part 14 acquires the evaluation value Q based on the delivery destination information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging style determining system, a packaging style determining method, and a packaging style determining program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a loading method including a first step of comparing a predetermined number of items to be loaded onto a loading surface with the number of items to be loaded onto the loading surface to determine whether the number is less than the predetermined number; a second step of performing calculations on the fractional items determined in the first step to be less than the predetermined number and determining fractional items that form a specific shape that is smaller than the planar area formed by the predetermined number and forms a planar area of ​​more than half of the loading surface; and a third step of loading items in the number of items determined in the second step. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-183519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The loading method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 proposes a method for stacking items efficiently in the space on a pallet based on the number of items and their length and width, and a method for stacking items stably based on the height and stability of the items. However, in the above-mentioned loading method, the packing style of the items on the pallet is determined by taking into account the number of items and their length and width. For this reason, no consideration is given to the efficiency of unloading the items at the delivery destination. Therefore, a system is required for determining a packing style that allows for efficient unloading at the delivery destination of the items.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a packaging style determination system, a packaging style determination method, and a packaging style determination program that can determine a packaging style that allows efficient unloading of a package at its delivery destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A packaging style determination system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a packaging style determination system for determining the packaging style of a package within a container, and includes a package information generation unit that generates package information including delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the package, a packaging style calculation unit that calculates the packaging style of the package within the container based on the package information, an evaluation value acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation value of the packaging style of the package, and a packaging style determination unit that determines the packaging style of the package within the container based on the evaluation value, and the evaluation value acquisition unit acquires the evaluation value based on the delivery destination information.

[0007] In this packaging style determination system, an evaluation value is obtained based on delivery destination information related to the delivery destination of the package, and the packaging style of the package in the container is determined based on the evaluation value. This allows the packaging style determination system to determine the packaging style of the package in the container while taking into account information related to the delivery destination of the package. Therefore, the package can be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination.

[0008] The delivery destination information may include location information regarding the location where the parcel will be placed at the delivery destination. In this case, the packaging style determination system can determine the packaging style based on the location where the parcel will be placed at the delivery destination. This allows the packaging style to be determined so that parcels that are placed close to each other at the delivery destination are close to each other within the container. This allows efficient unloading at the delivery destination.

[0009] The delivery destination information may include type information regarding the type of parcel. In this case, the packaging style determination system can determine the packaging style based on the type of parcel. This allows the packaging style to be determined so that parcels of the same type are close to each other in the container. Parcels of the same type can be placed so as to be close to each other at the parcel delivery destination. Therefore, the parcels can be efficiently unloaded at the parcel delivery destination.

[0010] The delivery destination information may include area information regarding the area to which the package is to be delivered. In this case, the packaging style determination system can determine the packaging style based on the area to which the package is to be delivered. This allows the packaging style to be determined so that packages delivered to the same or adjacent areas are close to each other within the container. This allows the packages to be efficiently unloaded at their delivery destinations.

[0011] The delivery destination information may include time zone information regarding the time zone during which the parcel is to be delivered. In this case, the packaging style determination system can determine the packaging style based on the time zone during which the parcel is to be delivered. This allows the packaging style to be determined so that parcels to be delivered in the same or close time zones are close to each other within the container. This allows the parcels to be unloaded efficiently at their delivery destinations.

[0012] A packaging style determination method according to one aspect of the present invention is a packaging style determination method for determining the packaging style of a package within a container, and includes the steps of generating package information including delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the package, calculating the packaging style of the package within the container based on the package information, obtaining an evaluation value of the packaging style of the package, and determining the packaging style of the package within the container based on the evaluation value, wherein in the obtaining step, the evaluation value is obtained based on the delivery destination information.

[0013] A packaging style determination program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a packaging style determination program for determining the packaging style of a package within a container, and causes a control unit to execute the following steps: generating package information including delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the package; calculating the packaging style of the package within the container based on the package information; obtaining an evaluation value for the packaging style of the package; and determining the packaging style of the package within the container based on the evaluation value. In the obtaining step, the evaluation value is obtained based on the delivery destination information.

[0014] According to these packaging style determination methods and programs, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned packaging style determination system. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine a packing style that allows efficient unloading of a package at its delivery destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a work area to which a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration of a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging style determination system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of how a piece of luggage is arranged in a trolley, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the packaging shape in the trolley is determined, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing an example of the determined packaging shape. [Figure 6] 13 is a table illustrating an example of an evaluation function. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a packaging style determined by a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a packaging style according to a comparative example. [Figure 9] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a stowage device. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state inside a store to which a package is to be delivered. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a packaging style determination system, a packaging style determination method, and a packaging style determination program according to one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First, an aspect in which a packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state of a work site A to which a packaging style determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in the work site A to which the packaging style determination system 1 is applied, as an example, a package 3 is transported to a worker 5 by a conveyor 4. The worker 5 loads the package 3 onto a dolly 6 (container). The dolly 6 loaded with the package 3 is delivered to a delivery destination by a transport device such as a truck. In this embodiment, the delivery destination of the package 3 is a retail store such as a supermarket. The package 3 is unloaded together with the dolly 6 at the delivery destination and placed at a predetermined position in the store. In this embodiment, the package 3 is placed on a shelf in the store according to the type of package 3, for example. In this embodiment, a plurality of shelves on which the package 3 is placed are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, and an example is illustrated in which an aisle for people to pass through is formed between the shelves.

[0020] The packing style determination system 1 determines the packing style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6. The packing style determination system 1 determines the packing style so that the luggage 3 can be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination by performing the process described below. In this embodiment, the "packing style" refers to the arrangement of the luggage 3 in the cart 6. The packing style determination system 1 is connected to an output unit 7 that outputs the determined packing style. As an example, the output unit 7 is a monitor that displays the packing style of the luggage 3. However, the manner in which the output unit 7 outputs information is not particularly limited, and the output unit 7 may output the packing style by voice, printout of instructions, or the like. In this embodiment, the worker 5 checks the packing style determined by the packing style determination system 1 via the output unit 7, and loads the luggage 3 onto the cart 6 so that the luggage 3 has the determined packing style.

[0021] As a method for efficiently transporting luggage, there are known loading methods that use, for example, a method for efficiently stacking luggage in the space on a cart based on the number of luggage and its length and width, and a method for stably stacking luggage based on the height and stability of the luggage. However, in the above-mentioned loading methods, the packaging style of the luggage on the cart is determined based on the number of luggage and its length and width. Therefore, no consideration is given to the efficiency of unloading the luggage at the delivery destination. Therefore, a system is required that determines the packaging style that allows efficient unloading at the delivery destination.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state inside a store to which the package 3 is delivered. FIG. 10 illustrates the state inside a retail store such as a supermarket. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of shelves C1 to C6 on which the package 3 is placed are arranged in the store. The back faces of the shelves C1 and C2 are in contact with each other. The back faces of the shelves C3 and C4 are in contact with each other. The back faces of the shelves C5 and C6 are in contact with each other. The shelves C1 and C2, the shelves C3 and C4, and the shelves C5 and C6 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other. By arranging the shelves C1 to C6 in this way, aisles P1 to P4 are formed facing each shelf. More specifically, the aisle P1 faces the shelf C1. The aisle P2 is formed between the shelves C2 and C3. The aisle P3 is formed between the shelves C4 and C5. The aisle P4 faces the shelf C6. A passage number is set to each of the passages P1 to P4 to identify each passage. In this embodiment, the passage numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are set to the passages P1 to P4 in that order, respectively. The passage numbers may be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, the passage numbers are set so that the passage numbers set to adjacent passages are close to each other. The passage numbers are used in the processing of the packaging style determination system 1, which will be described later.

[0023] In general, in a store, the shelves on which seasonings such as soy sauce and dressings are arranged are close to each other. In addition, the shelves on which the seasonings are arranged are physically separated from the shelves on which daily necessities such as toothbrushes and detergents are arranged. In this embodiment, seasonings such as soy sauce and dressings are arranged on shelf C1. Processed foods such as instant noodles are arranged on shelves C2 and C3. Snacks and other confectioneries are arranged on shelves C4 and C5. Daily necessities such as soap and toothbrushes are arranged on shelf C6. Also, even on the same shelf, it is common that the same type of luggage 3 is arranged close to each other, and different types of luggage 3 are arranged apart from each other. In this embodiment, the soy sauces S on shelf C1 are arranged close to each other (on the left side of the paper in the example of FIG. 10), and the dressings D are arranged close to each other (on the right side of the paper in the example of FIG. 10). Also, the soy sauces S and the dressings D are arranged apart from each other.

[0024] Considering efficient unloading in the delivery destination store as described above, it is preferable to pack the luggage 3 placed on the shelf facing the same aisle close to each other in the cart 6. That is, in the example of the shelf C1 facing the same aisle P1, it is preferable to pack the luggage 3 belonging to seasonings (soy sauce S and dressing D) close to each other in the cart 6. Also, for luggage 3 placed on the same shelf, it is preferable to pack the luggage 3 belonging to the same type close to each other in the cart 6. That is, in the example of the shelf C1, it is preferable to pack the soy sauce S close to each other in the cart 6 and the dressing D close to each other in the cart 6. The packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment has a unique configuration to solve at least this problem. Hereinafter, the details of each part of the packaging style determination system 1 will be described.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the packaging style determination system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the packaging style determination system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the packaging style determination system 1 has an acquisition unit 11, a package information generation unit 12, a packaging style calculation unit 13, an evaluation value acquisition unit 14, a packaging style acquisition unit 15, and a packaging style determination unit 16.

[0027] The acquisition unit 11 acquires an item list including delivery information regarding the delivery of the parcel 3. In this embodiment, the "delivery information" is information regarding the type and number of parcels 3 to be delivered to the store to which the parcel 3 is to be delivered. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the delivery information as an item list. As an example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the delivery information by accepting an operation of an input device by a user.

[0028] The luggage information generating unit 12 generates luggage information including delivery destination information. The "luggage information" is information that is the basis for determining the packing state of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6. More specifically, the luggage information includes information regarding the type, number, dimensions, and weight of the luggage 3. The dimensions of the luggage 3 include the length, width, and height of the luggage 3.

[0029] "Delivery destination information" is information about the delivery destination of the luggage 3. In this embodiment, the delivery destination information includes location information and type information. The location information is information about the location where the luggage 3 is placed in the store to which the luggage 3 is delivered. More specifically, the location information includes information about, for example, the shelf or area where the luggage 3 is placed in the store. In this embodiment, the location information includes an aisle number for identifying an aisle facing the shelf on which each luggage 3 is placed. The type information is information about the type of luggage 3. More specifically, the type information includes information about the type of luggage 3 that is placed close to each other in the store. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the luggage 3 of soy sauce S and dressing D are placed on the shelf C1 facing the same aisle P1, so both luggage 3 are placed in the same position. Also, the soy sauce S and dressing D are placed on the shelf C1 so as to be spaced apart from each other, so both luggage 3 are different types.

[0030] In this embodiment, the package information generating unit 12 pre-stores information on the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3, as well as delivery destination information for each store according to the type of package 3. The package information generating unit 12 generates package information by linking the delivery information included in the acquired item list, the information on the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3, and the delivery destination information.

[0031] The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 based on the luggage information. The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3. The packaging style calculation unit 13 may calculate the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 by using various known methods. The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 for each type of luggage 3 and its position in the trolley 6.

[0032] The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value of the packing style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 also acquires an evaluation value based on delivery destination information. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for each packing style of the luggage 3 calculated by the packing style calculation unit 13. More specifically, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value of the packing style based on a predetermined evaluation index. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 may previously store an evaluation index, an evaluation function, and a weighting coefficient, which will be described later, used to acquire the evaluation value. The evaluation index, evaluation function, and weighting coefficient may be input by a user via an input device.

[0033] The packaging style acquisition unit 15 acquires the packaging style with the highest evaluation value. In this embodiment, the packaging style acquisition unit 15 acquires two packaging styles with the top two evaluation values. The number of packaging styles acquired by the packaging style acquisition unit 15 is not limited to two, and three or more packaging styles with high evaluation values ​​may be acquired. The number of packaging styles acquired by the packaging style acquisition unit 15 may be one. In other words, the packaging style acquisition unit 15 may acquire the packaging style with the highest evaluation value acquired by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14.

[0034] The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6 based on the evaluation value. In this embodiment, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style having the maximum evaluation value among the packaging styles acquired by the packaging style acquisition unit 15 as the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the packaging style determination system 1 can be physically configured as a computer system including one or more control units 21 as a processor, one or more ROMs (Read Only Memory) 22, one or more RAMs (Random Access Memory) 23 as a main storage device, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24 as an auxiliary storage device, and a communication unit 25 such as a communication interface for communicating with the output unit 7. For example, the control unit 21 reads a program (packaging style determination program P) stored in advance in the HDD 24 into the RAM 23 and executes it, whereby each piece of hardware operates under the control of the control unit 21, and data is read and written in the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the HDD 24. In this way, each function of the packaging style determination system 1 shown in Fig. 2 is realized. In addition to the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 3, the packaging style determination system 1 may also include input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0036] Next, the operation of the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment (including the packaging style determination method according to this embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging style determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which one piece of luggage is arranged in a dolly. FIG. 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which a packaging style in a dolly is determined. FIG. 5(c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a determined packaging style. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S01. In step S01, the acquisition unit 11 acquires an item list including information about the luggage. As an example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the item list by accepting an operation by a user. The user may input the item list via an input device of the packaging style determination system 1.

[0038] Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S02. In step S02, the package information generation unit 12 generates package information by linking the delivery information included in the acquired item list, the information on the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3, and the delivery destination information. Note that if the packaging style determination system 1 recognizes in advance the processing contents executed in the above steps S01 to S02, the packaging style determination system 1 may omit steps S01 to S02.

[0039] Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S03. In step S03, the packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6 based on the luggage information. As described above, the packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6 for each type of luggage 3 and each position in the cart 6.

[0040] Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S04. In step S04, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value of each packaging style based on the evaluation index. In this embodiment, the evaluation index includes an evaluation index acquired based on the delivery destination information. In other words, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value of the packaging style based on the delivery destination information.

[0041] Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S05. In step S05, the packaging style acquisition unit 15 acquires two packaging styles having the top two evaluation values.

[0042] Through the above-mentioned steps S03 to S05, the packing style determination system 1 first acquires two packing styles having the top two evaluation values ​​for one piece of luggage 3 (step S05). Next, the packing style determination system 1 calculates the packing style in the cart 6 for each type and position of the piece of luggage 3 to be calculated while the piece of luggage 3 is placed in the cart 6 (step S03), and acquires an evaluation value for each packing style (step S04). Furthermore, the packing style determination system 1 acquires two packing styles having the top two evaluation values ​​by comparing each evaluation value (step S05). Therefore, by repeating such steps S03 to S05, the packing style determination system 1 can acquire two packing styles having the top evaluation values ​​for the cart 6 on which loading has been completed.

[0043] In this embodiment, after acquiring the packaging style in step S05, if it is possible to load further luggage 3 onto the dolly 6, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S03 again. Also, if it is not possible to load further luggage 3 onto the dolly 6, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S06. Here, as an example, a case where it is not possible to load further luggage 3 onto the dolly 6 is a case where there is no luggage 3 remaining to be loaded onto the dolly 6. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 may determine whether or not there is any luggage 3 remaining to be loaded onto the dolly 6 by referring to the luggage information.

[0044] In step S06, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a packaging style. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style having the maximum evaluation value among the packaging styles acquired by the packaging style acquisition unit 15 as the packaging style of the baggage 3 in the cart 6. After the above-mentioned processing, the packaging style determination system 1 ends the processing.

[0045] The manner in which the packing style in the trolley 6 is determined through the above-mentioned process will be described below. FIG. 5(a) illustrates one of the packing styles acquired by the packing style acquisition unit 15 for one piece of luggage 3a. FIG. 5(b) illustrates the manner in which the packing style calculation unit 13 calculates the packing style for a piece of luggage 3b that is the subject of calculation and is different from the piece of luggage 3a. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the packing style calculation unit 13 calculates the packing style in the trolley 6 for each type and position of the piece of luggage 3b that is the subject of calculation, in a state in which the piece of luggage 3a is placed in the trolley 6. In addition, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for each packing style based on a predetermined evaluation index.

[0046] FIG. 5(c) illustrates a packing style having the highest evaluation value acquired by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the packing style acquisition unit 15 acquires two packing styles having the top two evaluation values ​​(step S05). Next, the packing style calculation unit 13 calculates the packing style in the cart 6 for each type and position of other luggage in a state in which the luggage 3a, 3b are placed in the cart 6. By repeating the above process, the packing style acquisition unit 15 acquires two packing styles having the top two evaluation values ​​in the cart 6 where loading is completed. In addition, the packing style determination unit 16 determines the packing style having the maximum evaluation value among the two packing styles acquired by the packing style acquisition unit 15 as the packing style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6 (step S06).

[0047] Next, the evaluation index and evaluation function for acquiring the evaluation value of the packaging style will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of the evaluation function. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value Q of the packaging style based on the evaluation functions XA to XJ and weighting coefficients LA to LJ shown in FIG. 6. The evaluation functions XA to XJ are functions for normalizing predetermined evaluation indexes described below so that they have a predetermined value range. In this embodiment, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 uses evaluation functions XH to XJ based on an evaluation index related to workability in addition to evaluation functions XA to XG based on evaluation indexes related to filling property and stability. The weighting coefficients LA to LJ are predetermined coefficients for weighting the evaluation functions XA to XJ. In this embodiment, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires the evaluation value Q by the following formula (1). Q=(LA×XA)+(LB×XB)+(LC×XC)+(LD×XD)+(LE×XE)+(LF×XF)+(LG×XG)+(LH×XH)+(LI×XI)+(LJ×XJ) …(1)

[0049] The evaluation function XA uses the number SA of pieces of luggage 3 supporting the bottom surface of each piece of luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The greater the number SA of pieces of luggage 3 supporting the bottom surface of each piece of luggage 3, the more pieces of luggage 3 are stacked across the top of multiple pieces of luggage 3. In other words, the shape of the luggage can be so-called brick-laid. This means that the luggage can be stacked in a more stable shape. Therefore, the greater the number SA of pieces of luggage 3, the greater the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XA.

[0050] The evaluation function XB uses the number of sides SB of each piece of luggage 3 that are in contact with other pieces of luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The more the number of sides SB of each piece of luggage 3 that are in contact with other pieces of luggage 3, the more each piece of luggage 3 is supported by the other pieces of luggage 3. This means that the package can be said to have a more stable shape. Therefore, the more the number of sides SB, the larger the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XB.

[0051] The evaluation function XC uses the ratio SC of the area of ​​the side and bottom of each piece of luggage 3 that is in contact with other pieces of luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The larger the ratio SC of the area of ​​the side and bottom of each piece of luggage 3 that is in contact with other pieces of luggage 3, the larger the area of ​​the side and bottom of each piece of luggage 3 that is supported by the other pieces of luggage 3 will be. Therefore, it can be said that the package has a more stable shape. Therefore, the larger the area ratio SC, the larger the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XC will be.

[0052] The evaluation function XD uses the arrangement height SD of the bottom surface of each piece of luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The lower the arrangement height SD of the bottom surface of each piece of luggage 3, the lower the position of each piece of luggage 3 arranged in the packing state. This means that the resulting packing state is more stable. Therefore, the lower the arrangement height SD, the larger the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XD.

[0053] The evaluation function XE uses the center of gravity position SE of the entire luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The lower the height of the center of gravity position SE of the entire luggage 3, the lower the risk of the cart 6 tipping over, etc., of the luggage being packed. This means that the luggage can be packed in a more stable manner. Therefore, the lower the height of the center of gravity position SE, the larger the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XE.

[0054] The evaluation function XF uses the volume ratio SF of the volume of the luggage 3b to be calculated to the volume of the luggage 3 having the largest volume among the luggage 3 not yet placed as an evaluation index. The larger the volume ratio SF, the larger the volume of the luggage 3 not yet placed is loaded onto the cart 6, and the luggage 3 can be loaded with as few gaps as possible. Therefore, it can be said that a packing style with better packability can be obtained. In other words, by loading the luggage 3 having the larger volume onto the cart 6 first, the freedom of the type and position of the luggage 3 that can be loaded on top of that luggage 3 increases. This makes it less likely that dead space will occur within the cart 6. Therefore, the larger the volume ratio SF, the larger the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XF.

[0055] The evaluation function XG uses the distance SG of the calculation target luggage 3b relative to the coordinate origin as an evaluation index. The coordinate origin may be, for example, a point located at the far right of the bottom surface of the dolly 6 (the upper right of the bottom surface of the dolly 6 shown in FIG. 5). The coordinate origin may be a point located at the far left of the bottom surface of the dolly 6. The smaller the distance SG of the calculation target luggage 3b relative to the coordinate origin, the closer the luggage 3 is to the set coordinate origin, and the luggage 3 can be loaded with as few gaps as possible. This means that the package can be packed with better packing properties. Therefore, the greater the distance SG, the greater the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XG.

[0056] The evaluation function XH uses the difference SH between the aisle numbers of adjacent pieces of luggage 3 as an evaluation index. As shown in FIG. 10, the aisle numbers set for physically close aisles are set to be close to each other. Conversely, the aisle numbers set for physically separated aisles are set to be far from each other. Therefore, the smaller the difference SH between the aisle numbers of adjacent pieces of luggage 3, the more pieces of luggage 3 that are placed in close positions at the delivery destination of the pieces of luggage 3 are packed in such a way that they are placed close to each other in the trolley 6. This means that the package can be packed in a way that is more workable. Therefore, the smaller the difference SH between the aisle numbers, the greater the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XH.

[0057] The evaluation function XI uses the type SI of adjacent luggage 3 as an evaluation index. As shown in FIG. 10, luggage 3 of the same type may be placed close to each other at the delivery destination of the luggage 3. If the types SI of adjacent luggage 3 are the same, the luggage 3 placed in close positions at the delivery destination of the luggage 3 will be packed so as to be adjacent to each other in the cart 6. This can be said to result in a packing style that is more excellent in workability. Therefore, if the types SI of adjacent luggage 3 are the same, the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XI will be large.

[0058] The evaluation function XJ uses the difference SJ between the reverse of the display order and the calculated arrangement order as an evaluation index. More specifically, the difference SJ is the difference between the reverse of the order in which the packages 3 are displayed at the delivery destination and the order of unloading realized by the calculated packing style. The smaller the difference SJ, the less unnecessary rearrangements are required, resulting in a packing style that allows for efficient unloading. Thus, it can be said that a packing style with better workability has been achieved. Therefore, the smaller the difference SJ between the reverse of the display order and the calculated arrangement order, the greater the evaluation value Q based on the evaluation function XJ.

[0059] The above-mentioned evaluation functions XA to XJ can use appropriate and suitable functions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As an example, the evaluation function XH may use the following formula (2). In this case, the evaluation function XH has a value range shown by the following formula (3). XH=1 / (1+SH)^2 …(2) 0 <XH≦1 …(3)

[0060] The above-mentioned formulas (2) and (3) can be used not only for the evaluation function XH but also for the evaluation function XJ. As an example, the evaluation function XI may be 1 when the types of adjacent luggage 3 are the same, and may be 0 when the types of adjacent luggage 3 are not the same. That is, the evaluation function XI may use the following formula (4) when the types of adjacent luggage 3 are the same, and may use the following formula (5) when the types of adjacent luggage 3 are not the same. XI=1 …(4) XI=0 …(5)

[0061] It is possible to use predetermined constants for the weighting coefficients LA to LJ. For example, when the packing style places special importance on the packing property among the evaluation indices related to the packing property, stability, and workability, it is possible to set the weighting coefficients LF and LG large and the weighting coefficients LA to LE and LH to LJ relatively small. This allows the evaluation value Q to reflect the evaluation index related to the packing property to a greater extent.

[0062] Next, the effects of the packaging style determination system 1, the packaging style determination method, and the packaging style determination program P according to this embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example using FIGS.

[0063] In the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment, an evaluation value Q is obtained based on delivery destination information related to the delivery destination of the luggage 3, and the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6 is determined based on the evaluation value Q. In this way, the packaging style determination system 1 can determine the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6, taking into consideration information related to the delivery destination of the luggage 3. Therefore, the luggage 3 can be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination.

[0064] The delivery destination information includes position information on the position where the package 3 will be placed at the delivery destination. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 can determine the packaging style based on the position where the package 3 will be placed at the delivery destination. This makes it possible to determine the packaging style so that packages 3 that are placed close to each other at the delivery destination are close to each other in the dolly 6. This allows the packages 3 to be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination.

[0065] The delivery destination information includes type information regarding the type of luggage 3. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 can determine the packaging style based on the type of luggage 3. This makes it possible to determine the packaging style so that luggage 3 of the same type are close to each other in the dolly 6. The luggage 3 of the same type can be placed so as to be close to each other at the delivery destination of the luggage 3. Therefore, unloading can be performed efficiently at the delivery destination of the luggage 3.

[0066] The packing style determination method of this embodiment is a packing style determination method for determining the packing style of luggage 3 in a trolley 6, and includes the steps of generating luggage information including delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the luggage 3, calculating the packing style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 based on the luggage information, obtaining an evaluation value Q of the packing style of the luggage 3, and determining the packing style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 based on the evaluation value Q, where in the obtaining step, the evaluation value Q is obtained based on the delivery destination information.

[0067] The packing style determination program P of this embodiment is a packing style determination program P for determining the packing style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6, and causes the control unit 21 to execute the following steps: generating luggage information including delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the luggage 3; calculating the packing style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 based on the luggage information; acquiring an evaluation value Q of the packing style of the luggage 3; and determining the packing style of the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 based on the evaluation value Q. In the acquiring step, the evaluation value Q is acquired based on the delivery destination information.

[0068] According to these packaging style determination methods and packaging style determination programs P, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned packaging style determination system 1.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a packing style determined by the packing style determination system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a packing style according to a comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7, the packing style determination system 1 can pack the luggage 3 in the trolley 6 in a packing style that is excellent in workability in addition to packing property and stability. In the example shown in FIG. 7, each luggage 3 is arranged so that the gap in the trolley 6 is small. Therefore, the packing style in the trolley 6 is excellent in packing property. Furthermore, among the luggage 3, large and heavy luggage 3 are arranged below the trolley 6, and small and light luggage 3 are arranged above the trolley 6. Therefore, the packing style in the trolley 6 is excellent in stability.

[0070] In FIG. 7, each piece of luggage 3 is assigned a code corresponding to the aisle between shelves on which the luggage 3 is placed in the store to which the luggage 3 is delivered. That is, the code A is assigned to the luggage 3 placed on the shelf facing one aisle in the store. Also, the code B is assigned to the luggage 3 placed on the shelf facing another aisle different from the first aisle in the store. As shown in FIG. 7, the luggage 3 placed on the shelf facing the first aisle (the luggage 3 assigned the code A) are placed close to each other in the area RA below the cart 6. Also, the luggage 3 placed on the shelf facing the other aisle (the luggage 3 assigned the code B) are placed close to each other in the area RB above the cart 6. Therefore, when unloading the luggage 3 at the delivery destination, unnecessary reordering is reduced, and unloading can be performed efficiently. Therefore, the packaging in the cart 6 is excellent in workability.

[0071] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a packing state in which luggage 3 are loaded from the bottom to the top of the dolly 6 in ascending order of volume. As shown in Fig. 8, luggage 3 marked with the code A and luggage 3 marked with the code B are mixed together in the dolly 6. Therefore, when unloading the luggage 3, it is necessary to shift the luggage or to unload the luggage while moving back and forth between the aisles. Therefore, the packing state according to the comparative example is poor in workability.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the worker 5 loads the luggage 3 onto the dolly 6. However, as shown in Figs. 9(a) to (c), the luggage 3 may be loaded onto the dolly 6 by a loading device 2. In the example shown in Fig. 9(a), the loading device 2 has a vehicle-type loading robot 50. The loading robot 50 includes a vehicle body 51 and a transport unit 52. The transport unit 52 is provided on an upper portion of the vehicle body 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The transport unit 52 includes a receiving unit 53 at the rear end side that receives the luggage 3 that has been removed from the warehouse, and a loading unit 54 at the front end side that loads the luggage 3 onto the dolly 6.

[0074] 9(b), the stowage device 2 has a robot hand-type stowage robot 60. The stowage robot 60 includes a main body 61 placed on the ground, a plurality of articulated arms 63, and a stowage unit 62 that grips and stows luggage 3. The stowage robot 60 grips luggage 3 delivered by a conveyor 64, and rotates the stowage unit 62 to load the luggage onto a trolley 6.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 9(c), the stowage device 2 has a vertically movable stowage robot 70. The stowage robot 70 includes a stowage unit 71 that moves up and down while holding luggage 3, and a lifting unit 72 that lifts and lowers the stowage unit 71. A conveyor 73 that transports the unloaded luggage 3 is provided on one side of the stowage unit 71 (here, the front side of the paper in FIG. 9(c)), and a dolly 6 is disposed on the other side of the stowage unit 71 (here, the back side of the paper in FIG. 9(c)). The stowage unit 71 receives the luggage 3 transported by the conveyor 73, rises to a desired stacking height, and stacks the luggage 3 on the dolly 6.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the "packaging style" refers to the arrangement of the luggage 3 in the cart 6, and the delivery destination information includes position information on the position where the luggage 3 is arranged at the delivery destination. However, the "packaging style" may also refer to the arrangement of the cart 6 in the transport equipment that transports the cart 6 loaded with the luggage 3. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 determines a packaging style that provides excellent workability as the packaging style of the cart 6 in the transport equipment when unloading the cart 6 from the transport equipment.

[0077] In this case, the delivery destination information may include regional information. The regional information is information about the region to which the luggage 3 loaded on the cart 6 is delivered. More specifically, the regional information includes information about the address to which the luggage 3 loaded on the cart 6 is delivered. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 can determine the packaging style based on the region to which the cart 6 is delivered. This makes it possible to determine the packaging style so that the carts 6 delivered to the same or adjacent regions are close to each other within the transportation equipment. Therefore, the luggage can be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination of the cart 6.

[0078] In this case, the delivery destination information may include time zone information. The time zone information is information related to the time zone in which the cargo 3 loaded on the cart 6 is delivered. More specifically, the time zone information includes information related to the time zone in which the cargo 3 loaded on the cart 6 is delivered to the delivery destination. In this case, the packaging style determination system 1 can determine the packaging style based on the time zone in which the cart 6 is delivered. This makes it possible to determine the packaging style so that the carts 6 delivered in the same or close time zones are close to each other within the transportation equipment. Therefore, the cargo can be efficiently unloaded at the delivery destination of the cart 6.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires the evaluation value Q based on the formula (1). The evaluation functions XH and XJ are exemplified by the formula (2). However, the formula for the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 to acquire the evaluation value Q can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention. The evaluation function XH may be the following formula (6), or the formulas (7) and (8). That is, when SH>0, the evaluation function XH may be the formula (7), and when SH=0, the evaluation function XH may be the formula (8). Note that m in the formula (7) is an arbitrary constant greater than 1. In this case, the evaluation function XH has a value range indicated by the above formula (3). In this case, the values ​​of the evaluation functions XH and XG tend to differ for each evaluation index value. As a result, the evaluation value Q of a packing style with a large difference SH in the passage number or a large difference SJ in the arrangement order is smaller than the evaluation value Q acquired using the formula (2). As a result, it becomes easier to generate a packing style in which the luggage 3 arranged on shelves facing the same aisle are packed together in the cart 6, or a packing style in which the luggage 3 are arranged in the reverse order of display. Therefore, the packing style determination system 1 can determine a packing style that is more easy to work with as the packing style of the luggage 3 in the cart 6. XH=1 / (1+SH)^3 …(6) XH = (1 / SH)^m, (where SH>0)…(7) XH=1, (but SH=0)…(8)

[0080] The configuration of the dolly 6 is not limited to the above. As an example, the dolly 6 may have an intermediate shelf that divides the storage space for the luggage 3. The number of intermediate shelves may be one or more.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an evaluation index related to the filling property and an evaluation index related to the stability are used as evaluation indexes for acquiring the evaluation value Q. However, various evaluation indexes can be used as evaluation indexes for acquiring the evaluation value Q without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...packing style determination system, 3...luggage, 6...cart (container), 12...luggage information generation unit, 13...packing style calculation unit, 14...evaluation value acquisition unit, 16...packing style determination unit, 21...control unit, P...packing style determination program, Q...evaluation value.

Claims

1. A packing style determination system for determining a packing style of luggage in a container, comprising: a package information generating unit that generates package information including delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination of the package; a packaging style calculation unit that calculates a packaging style of the package in the container based on the package information; An evaluation value acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation value of the package shape of the luggage; a packaging style determination unit that determines a packaging style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value, The evaluation value acquisition unit acquires the evaluation value based on the delivery destination information, A packaging style determination system, wherein the evaluation value acquisition unit acquires the evaluation value using an evaluation function based on evaluation indexes relating to filling property and stability, and an evaluation function based on an evaluation index relating to workability.

2. 2. The packaging style determining system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination information includes location information regarding a location at the delivery destination where the package is to be placed.

3. 3. The packaging style determination system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination information includes type information relating to the type of the package.

4. 4. The packaging style determination system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination information includes area information relating to an area to which the package is to be delivered.

5. 5. The packaging style determination system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination information includes time zone information regarding a time zone during which the package is to be delivered.

6. A method for determining a packing style of a package in a container, comprising the steps of: generating package information including delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination of the package; calculating a packing state of the package in the container based on the package information; obtaining an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage; determining a packing style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value; In the step of acquiring, the evaluation value is acquired based on the delivery destination information; A packaging style determination method, wherein in the obtaining step, the evaluation value is obtained using an evaluation function based on evaluation indexes relating to filling property and stability, and an evaluation function based on an evaluation index relating to workability.

7. A packing style determination program for determining a packing style of a package in a container, comprising: generating package information including delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination of the package; calculating a packing state of the package in the container based on the package information; obtaining an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage; determining a packing style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value; In the step of acquiring, the evaluation value is acquired based on the delivery destination information; A packaging style determination program, wherein in the obtaining step, the evaluation value is obtained using an evaluation function based on evaluation indexes relating to filling property and stability, and an evaluation function based on an evaluation index relating to workability.

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