Baggage management system and baggage management method

Abstract

To provide a technique for grasping the amount of luggage stored in a luggage storage facility in real time while suppressing a rise in costs. [Solution] A luggage management system 1 that grasps the amount of available space in a luggage storage area 100 in a luggage storage facility 110, The system includes a lane 2 in which cargo piles 5 are arranged in the baggage storage area 100, an imaging element 3 that continuously or intermittently acquires image data of the entire lane 2 in real time, and a calculation element 4 that performs image analysis of the image data, The calculation element 4 calculates the number of cargo piles 5 in the lane 2 based on the image data, and further calculates the amount of available space in the lane 2 based on the number of cargo piles 5, in this cargo management system 1.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] At luggage storage facilities for storing luggage for short or medium to long term, such as luggage shipping bases, collection bases, relay points, warehouses, etc., various luggage are continuously unloaded and loaded. Therefore, the amount of luggage stored at the luggage storage facilities is constantly changing, and it is difficult to grasp the amount in real time.

[0003] If the amount of luggage stored in a luggage storage facility cannot be known in real time, the amount of luggage that can be shipped out from the luggage storage facility and the amount of luggage that can be further unloaded into the luggage storage facility cannot be known in real time. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately plan the work of unloading luggage from the luggage storage facility and the work of unloading luggage into the luggage storage facility, which may lead to delays in the unloading and loading work. For this reason, various methods and devices for grasping the amount of luggage have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

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

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

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

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

[0008] According to the luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1, cameras and sensors are required to grasp the amount of luggage in a warehouse. It is assumed that a large number of luggage are stored in a warehouse, and in order to reliably detect the amount of luggage placed in the warehouse using the luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a large number of sensors and cameras corresponding to these luggage. Therefore, the luggage management method introduced in Patent Document 1 has a problem in terms of cost, which makes it difficult to say that it is suitable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] If the amount of available floor space in a lane can be ascertained, it is possible to ascertain the amount of available floor space in the entire baggage storage area that includes that lane. In other words, with the baggage management system of the present invention, it is possible to ascertain the amount of available floor space in the entire baggage storage area as long as there is image data of the entire lane, without the need to install sensors, transport vehicles, aircraft, etc. As a result, with the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ascertain the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while preventing costs from rising.

[0023] As described above, the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention differs from the baggage management system of the first aspect in that it does not include a lane as a component, but otherwise is the same as the baggage management system of the first aspect. Therefore, like the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention, the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention is also capable of grasping the amount of baggage stored in a baggage storage facility in real time while suppressing cost increases.

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

[0025] The luggage management system and luggage management method of the present invention will be described below with respect to each of its components. In the following, unless otherwise specified, when the term "baggage management system of the present invention" is used, it will collectively refer to the baggage management system of the first aspect of the present invention and the baggage management system of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0026] In addition, unless otherwise specified below, the numerical range "x to y" described in this specification includes the lower limit x and the upper limit y in the range. The numerical range can be formed by arbitrarily combining these upper and lower limit values, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the embodiments. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​arbitrarily selected from within the numerical range can be the upper and lower limit numerical values.

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

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

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

[0030] The lane needs to have a structure that allows the luggage to be arranged in a pile; for example, it may be a simple floor or platform, or it may be integrated with transport elements that transport the pile of luggage in a specified direction.

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

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

[0033] In other words, it is preferable that the lane has an elongated shape capable of supporting stacks of cargo lined up in a row; specifically, it is preferable that the width of the lane is slightly wider than the width of the stack of cargo, and the length of the lane is long enough to accommodate multiple stacks of cargo. In addition, when a baggage storage area has multiple lanes, each lane may be independent, connected, or continuous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0041] For example, if an imaging element captures an image of a target lane from a first direction and captures image data that includes the entire target lane from the first direction, the image data does not include data for the target lane from a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Even in such a case, it is said in this specification that image data of the entire target lane has been captured.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0077] As shown in Fig. 3, there is a wasted empty space with no cargo piles 5 between adjacent cargo piles 5 in the front-rear direction on the target lane 25. However, by recognizing the cargo piles 5 as described above, the possibility of misidentifying cargo piles 5 in other lanes 2 adjacent to the target lane 25 (adjacent lanes 26 in Fig. 3) as being on the target lane 25 is reduced. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the number of cargo piles 5 for each lane 2 using the baggage management system 1 of the second embodiment as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to implement the present invention by appropriately extracting and combining elements described in the embodiments, and to make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the citation relationships of each claim at the time of the initial application, but also a technical idea that appropriately combines the matters described in each claim. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

Images