Logistics system and processing method

Abstract

To provide a logistics system and a processing method that can improve assortment operation efficiency.SOLUTION: A logistics system 1 has a generating part 153 that generates a layout about storing items to be assorted in a storage container, an output part 154 that outputs the layout, notification parts 155, 253 that send a notification to a terminal device 400 requesting removal of items that cannot be picked up when items impossible to be picked up exist in the storage container, and a pick-up control part 252 that performs control so that the pick-up part 241 picks up the item placed in the storage container and moves them to an assortment destination accordingly; the generating part 153 generates a layout in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up are stored together in a predetermined storage area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a logistics system and processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed to automatically perform the work of sorting items using a robot. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse system equipped with a robot arm that removes items from a container. In this automated warehouse system, when it is determined that the robot arm cannot grasp an item in an autonomous operation mode, the system switches to a manual operation mode in which the robot arm is manually operated by an operator via remote control. At that time, a request screen is displayed on a remote terminal to request the operator to perform remote operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-095250 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology of the above-mentioned document, when an article cannot be automatically grasped by a robot, the article is manually grasped by an operator, so that even if an article that cannot be automatically grasped by a robot is contained in a container, it is possible to avoid the sorting work being stalled for a long period of time. However, there is a high demand for the provision of a technology that further improves the work efficiency of the sorting work.

[0005] In response to this, the inventors have found that the efficiency of the sorting work is affected by what other items an item that cannot be picked up by a robot is in a container with, and more specifically, when items that can be picked up by a robot and items that cannot be picked up by a robot are mixed in a container, the efficiency of the sorting work is reduced.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a logistics system and processing method that can improve the efficiency of sorting work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned object is a logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, the logistics system having a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device, an output unit that outputs the layout, a notification unit that, if there is an item that cannot be picked up in the storage container, sends a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container, and a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move them to a sorting destination corresponding to the item, and the creation unit creates a layout in which only items to be delivered to the sorting device that are pre-registered as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit are stored together in a specified storage area. According to this logistics system, when there are items to be sorted that cannot be picked up in a storage container, human assistance can be encouraged, and processing stagnation can be prevented. In particular, this logistics system can prevent the mixing of graspable and ungraspable items, thereby making the sorting work more efficient.

[0008] In the above aspect, the notification unit may transmit a notification to the terminal device requesting a person to remove the item from the storage container together with information indicating a characteristic for identifying the item. With this configuration, the person assisting the sorting work can easily identify which item should be removed because they can know the characteristics that identify the items.

[0009] In the above aspect, the characteristic may be the name of the item. With this configuration, the person assisting the sorting task can easily identify which items should be removed.

[0010] In the above aspect, the feature may be an external appearance feature of the article. With this configuration, the person assisting the sorting task can easily identify which items should be removed.

[0011] In one aspect above, the characteristic may be the weight of the item. With this configuration, the person assisting the sorting task can easily identify which items should be removed.

[0012] In the above aspect, the storage device may further include a pickup determination unit that determines whether or not an item in the storage container can be picked up by the pickup unit. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether an item in a storage container can be picked up, so that it is possible to determine whether a notification requesting removal is necessary during sorting work on the storage container.

[0013] In the above aspect, the pickup determination unit may determine that the item cannot be picked up when it is detected that an area in which the item to be sorted is stored is the predetermined storage area. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine that items present in a specified storage area cannot be picked up all at once, thereby making the determination process more efficient.

[0014] In the above aspect, the pickup control unit may control the pickup unit to pick up and sort only items stored in an area other than the predetermined storage area. According to this configuration, there is no attempt to pick up an item that is present in a specified storage area, i.e., an item that cannot be picked up, so that the occurrence of unnecessary pick-up operations can be suppressed.

[0015] In one of the above aspects, the system further includes a removal determination unit that determines whether the items to be sorted that cannot be picked up have been removed from the storage container, and the notification unit may provide another notification if it is determined that the items to be sorted that cannot be picked up have not been removed from the storage container. According to this configuration, if an item that cannot be picked up is not removed by a human, a notification is sent again, so that human assistance can be more reliably encouraged and processing stagnation can be more reliably prevented.

[0016] In the above aspect, when the layout is created for storing an item that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit, the notification unit may transmit the notification to the terminal device. With this configuration, a person can be notified before delivery to the sorting device.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned object is a processing method by a logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, which creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device, outputs the layout, and if there is an item that cannot be picked up in the storage container, sends a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting a person to remove the item from the storage container, controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move them to a sorting destination corresponding to the item, and in creating the layout, creates a layout in which only items to be delivered to the sorting device that are pre-registered as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit are stored together in a specified storage area. According to this processing method, when there are items to be sorted that cannot be picked up in the storage container, human assistance can be encouraged, and processing stagnation can be prevented. In particular, this processing method can prevent the mixing of graspable and ungraspable items, thereby making the sorting work more efficient. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, a logistics system and a processing method that can improve the efficiency of sorting work can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a logistics system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control unit. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the transport robot. [Figure 6] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the delivery management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the sorting device. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of an operation flow of the logistics system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of a delivery management device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a sequence chart showing an example of an operation flow of a logistics system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means for solving the problems. Note that the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each drawing, similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0021] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, a logistics system 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the logistics system 1 according to the embodiment. The logistics system 1 includes a delivery management device 100, a sorting device 200, a transport robot 300, and a terminal device 400. The delivery management device 100, the sorting device 200, the transport robot 300, and the terminal device 400 are communicatively connected via a network 500. The network 500 may include a wireless network or a wired network.

[0022] The delivery management device 100 is a device that manages items to be sorted that are delivered to the sorting device 200, and in this embodiment, as described below, has a function of instructing how to store the delivered items in storage containers. The delivery management device 100 is provided, for example, in a logistics center, but the location of the device is not limited to this. For example, the delivery management device 100 may be a server that exists on the cloud. The delivery management device 100 has a control unit 150.

[0023] The sorting device 200 is a device that sorts items stored in storage containers. In this embodiment, the sorting device 200 is configured as a rack, and is capable of accommodating storage containers in which items are stored. In this disclosure, the storage container is, for example, a box, but the storage container is not limited to a box. The sorting device 200 is disposed, for example, inside a house. The sorting device 200 has a control unit 250, a sorting robot 240 that sorts items, and a camera 230.

[0024] The transport robot 300 is a robot that transports storage containers. The transport robot 300 transports a box (storage container) from a logistics center to the sorting device 200, and stores the box (storage container) in the sorting device 200. The transport robot 300 also takes out the box (storage container) stored in the sorting device 200, and transports it to the logistics center.

[0025] The terminal device 400 is a terminal device used by a person who manually sorts the items delivered to the sorting device 200. The person who manually sorts the items delivered to the sorting device 200 may be a user who uses the items delivered to the sorting device 200. The terminal device 400 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc., but is not limited to these. The terminal device 400 has an output device and outputs a notification, which will be described later. The output device may be a display or a speaker. In other words, the output device provided in the terminal device 400 may be any device that can output a notification to the above-mentioned person.

[0026] The delivery management device 100, the sorting device 200, the transport robot 300, and the terminal device 400 each include a processor and a memory, and have the functionality of a computer. Each of the delivery management device 100, the sorting device 200, the transport robot 300, and the terminal device 400 executes a predetermined process by executing a program stored in the memory.

[0027] Next, the sorting device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the sorting device 200. It should be noted that the right-handed XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in Fig. 2 and other figures is, of course, for the convenience of explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, the positive direction of the Z axis is vertically upward, and the XY plane is a horizontal plane, which is common between the drawings. The sorting device 200 includes a housing 210, multiple pairs of rails 220, a camera 230, and a sorting robot 240.

[0028] The housing 210 includes a top plate provided on the positive side of the Z axis, a bottom plate provided on the negative side of the Z axis, and side plates provided on the positive and negative sides of the Y axis. The housing 210 further includes a guide rail 211 for mounting the sorting robot 240. In addition, a camera 230 is attached to the top plate.

[0029] The multiple pairs of rails 220 extend in the depth direction (X-axis direction) and are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the height direction (Z-axis direction) inside the housing 210. Along the multiple pairs of rails 220, multiple boxes 10 are stored.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of box 10. With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, box 10 has a protruding portion 11 that protrudes in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Protruding portion 11 extends in the depth direction (X-axis direction) of box 10. One side of protruding portion 11 is supported by one of a pair of rails 220, and the other side of protruding portion 11 is supported by the other of the pair of rails 220. Note that the bottom surface of box 10 may be supported by the pair of rails 220. In such a case, box 10 may not have protruding portion 11.

[0031] In this manner, the sorting device 200 is configured to be able to store a plurality of boxes 10. The sorting device 200 illustrated in Fig. 2 has storage areas A1, A2, and A3. Storage area A1 is an area in which box 10a1 is stored, and storage area A2 is an area in which box 10a2 is stored. Storage area A3 is an area other than storage areas A1 and A2. Storage area A3 stores boxes 10b, 10c, 10d, and the like.

[0032] The storage area A1 and the storage area A2 are areas that the sorting robot 240 can approach. A source box is placed in one of the storage areas A1 and A2, and a destination box is placed in the other. In the following, a case where a source box is placed in the storage area A1 and a destination box is placed in the storage area A2 will be described. In such a case, a plurality of types of goods are mixed in the box 10a1, or a plurality of goods used by different users are mixed in the box 10a1. However, the box 10a1 may contain only one type of goods, or may contain only goods of one user. In this embodiment, the box 10a1 is a box that has been delivered from a logistics center and contains goods according to instructions from the delivery management device 100.

[0033] Meanwhile, in the storage area A3, boxes for storing predetermined types of items and boxes for storing items used by predetermined users are arranged. For example, disaster prevention items are stored in box 10b, kitchen items are stored in box 10c, and cleaning items are stored in box 10d. Box 10b may store items used by fathers, box 10c may store items used by mothers, and box 10d may store items used by children. When replenishing items in a box stored in the storage area A3, the box is taken out and stored in the storage area A2, and the sorting robot 240 replenishes the items.

[0034] Camera 230 is attached to a top plate or the like of housing 210. Camera 230 captures images of the items contained in boxes 10a1 and 10a2.

[0035] The sorting robot 240 is attached to a guide rail 211, and can move in the Y-axis direction as indicated by the double-sided arrow. The sorting robot 240 is a robot equipped with a pickup unit 241. The pickup unit 241 is an end effector (manipulator) that picks up an item. The sorting robot 240 picks up an item in a box 10a1 with the pickup unit 241, and places the item in a box 10a2. Note that the configuration of the pickup unit 241 is not limited as long as the pickup unit 241 can pick up an item. For example, the pickup unit 241 may pick up an item by gripping the item, or may pick up the item by adsorbing the item.

[0036] The sorting robot 240 can recognize the articles using the images captured by the camera 230. After the articles are transferred from the box 10a1 to the box 10a2, the box 10a2 is stored in the storage area A3 of the sorting device 200 by the transport robot 300. Note that the sorting robot 240 may move the box 10a1.

[0037] The sorting device 200 also includes a control unit 250, which controls the sorting robot 240 and issues notifications to the terminal device 400. The details of these processes performed by the control unit 250 will be described later.

[0038] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control unit 250 of the sorting device 200 and the control unit 150 of the delivery management device 100. The control unit 250 and the control unit 150 each include a processor 51, a memory 52, and a network interface 53. The processor 51, the memory 52, and the network interface 53 are connected to each other via a data bus or the like.

[0039] The network interface 53 is used to communicate with other devices over the network 500. The network interface 53 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC).

[0040] The memory 52 is configured, for example, by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 52 is used to store software (computer programs) including one or more instructions executed by the processor 51, data used for various processes, and the like.

[0041] The processor 51 reads out software (computer programs) from the memory 52 and executes them to perform the processes of the control unit 250 or the control unit 150, which will be described later.

[0042] The processor 51 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), etc. The processor 51 may include multiple processors. In this way, the control unit 250 and the control unit 150 are devices that function as computers.

[0043] The program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0044] Next, the configuration of the transport robot 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the transport robot 300. The transport robot 300 includes wheels 310, a main body 320, a top plate 330, and a support 340. The two pairs of wheels 310 are rotatably fixed to the underside of the main body 320, and are driven by a driving source (not shown) such as a motor.

[0045] 5, a top plate 330 is connected to the main body 320 via an extendable support column 340. The top plate 330 is connected to the upper end of the support column 340. The transport robot 300 places the box 10 on the top plate 330 and transports the box 10.

[0046] The support 340 has, for example, a telescopic extension mechanism, and is extended and retracted by a driving source (not shown) such as a motor. As indicated by the double-sided arrows, the height of the top plate 330 can be changed by changing the length of the support 340. This allows the transport robot 300 to take the box 10 in and out of storage areas at different heights. The transport robot 300 can transfer the box 10 from the sorting device 200 to the top plate 330 using a manipulator (not shown). The transport robot 300 can also transfer the box 10 from the top plate 330 to the sorting device 200 using the manipulator.

[0047] Next, the delivery management device 100 will be described. The delivery management device 100 includes a control unit 150, and performs a process of determining the layout of storage of the items to be delivered in the storage container and outputting the layout. Note that the hardware configuration of the control unit 150 has already been described with reference to FIG. 4, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 150 of the delivery management device 100 according to the embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 150 of the delivery management device 100 has an item database 151, a list acquisition unit 152, a creation unit 153, and an output unit 154.

[0049] The item database 151 is a database that stores information about each item that can be delivered to the sorting device 200. The item database 151 is configured, for example, with the memory 52 or other storage device. The item database 151 stores, for each item, information indicating whether the item can be picked up by the pickup unit 241 of the sorting robot 240. Specifically, the item database 151 stores identification information of the item and information indicating whether the item can be picked up by the sorting robot 240 in association with each other. The item database 151 may store other information as the information about the item. For example, the item database 151 may store information about the appearance of the item, such as a feature amount used for image recognition of the item, or may store size information of the item, name of the item, or weight information of the item. The item database 151 may also store information that identifies the sorting destination of each item (for example, information that identifies the category of the item, or information that identifies the user of the item).

[0050] The list acquisition unit 152 acquires a list of items to be sorted and delivered to the sorting device 200. In other words, the list acquisition unit 152 acquires a list of items to be stored in a storage container delivered to the sorting device 200. The list acquisition unit 152 may acquire the list by any method. For example, the list acquisition unit 152 may acquire the list by receiving a list transmitted from another device, or may acquire the list by reading a list stored in advance in a storage device such as the memory 52 of the delivery management device 100. In addition, the delivery management device 100 may acquire a list input by a person to the delivery management device 100 via an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0051] The creation unit 153 creates a layout for storing items to be sorted in a storage container delivered to the sorting device 200. The layout for storing items is at least information indicating in which storage area the items should be stored. The layout for storing items may include information indicating in which storage area the items should be stored and how. The creation unit 153 creates a layout in which only items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241 among the items to be delivered to the sorting device 200 are stored together in a predetermined first storage area. More specifically, the creation unit 153 creates a layout in which items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up among the items to be delivered to the sorting device 200 are stored together in a predetermined first storage area, and items that are registered in advance as items that can be picked up are stored together in a predetermined second storage area. In this embodiment, the creation unit 153 refers to the item database 151 for each item listed in the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 152, and checks whether or not the item is registered in the item database 151 as an item that can be picked up. Then, the creation unit 153 creates a layout in which only those items registered in the item database 151 as items that cannot be picked up among the items on the list are stored together in a predetermined first storage area. In contrast to this, the creation unit 153 creates a layout in which only those items registered in the item database 151 as items that can be picked up among the items on the list are stored together in a second storage area different from the first storage area. Note that the layout created by the creation unit 153 only needs to include information that specifies the storage destination for each item, and the data format of the layout is not limited.

[0052] The above-mentioned predetermined first storage area may be a storage area in a box dedicated to non-pickup items, which is a box 10 that is allowed to store only items that cannot be picked up by the sorting robot 240. In this case, the sorting robot 240 creates a layout in which items registered as items that cannot be picked up among the items listed on the list are stored in the box dedicated to non-pickup items. Similarly, the above-mentioned predetermined second storage area may be a storage area in a box dedicated to pick-up items, which is a box 10 that is allowed to store only items that can be picked up by the sorting robot 240. In this case, the sorting robot 240 creates a layout in which items registered as items that can be picked up among the items listed on the list are stored in the box dedicated to pick-up items.

[0053] Also, the above-mentioned predetermined first storage area may be a partial storage area divided by a partition in one box 10, as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the above-mentioned predetermined first storage area may be the section 12b in the box 10 having the section 12a for pick-up items and the section 12b for non-pick-up items. In this case, the sorting robot 240 creates a layout in which items registered as items that cannot be picked up among the items listed in the list are stored in the section 12b. Similarly, the above-mentioned predetermined second storage area may be a partial storage area divided by a partition in one box 10. That is, the above-mentioned predetermined second storage area may be the section 12a in the box 10 having the section 12a for pick-up items and the section 12b for non-pick-up items. In this case, the sorting robot 240 creates a layout in which items registered as items that can be picked up among the items listed in the list are stored in the section 12a. According to this layout, in the box 10 shown in Figure 7, the partial storage area, section 12a, will store only those items on the list that can be picked up, and the partial storage area, section 12b, will store only those items on the list that cannot be picked up.

[0054] The output unit 154 outputs the layout created by the creation unit 153 to teach a worker or the like who performs the task of storing the items listed on the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 152 in the box 10 how to store each item. The output unit 154 may display the layout output on a display or may transmit it to another device (for example, a terminal device carried by the worker who performs the task of storing the items). A worker at the logistics center stores each item listed on the list in the box 10 according to the layout output by the output unit 154. In this embodiment, the items are stored in the box by a worker, but the items may also be stored in the box by a device. In this case, the output unit 154 may output the layout to this device.

[0055] The box 10 in which the items are stored according to the output layout is delivered from the logistics center to the sorting device 200 by the transport robot 300. As a result, the items in the box 10 are sorted by the sorting device 200. Note that delivery from the logistics center to the sorting device 200 may be performed using a transport robot other than the transport robot 300. In other words, delivery from the logistics center to the sorting device 200 may be performed by relaying using multiple types of transport robots. Also, delivery from the logistics center to the sorting device 200 does not necessarily have to be performed by a transport robot, and may be performed by a person.

[0056] Next, a description will be given of the processing of the control unit 250 of the sorting device 200. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 250 of the sorting device 200. As shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 250 of the sorting device 200 has a pickup determination unit 251, a pickup control unit 252, a notification unit 253, and a removal determination unit 254.

[0057] The pickup determination unit 251 determines whether the items in the box 10 can be picked up by the pickup unit 241. For example, the pickup determination unit 251 performs image recognition processing on the image of the items in the box 10 captured by the camera 230 to determine whether the items to be sorted can be picked up by the pickup unit 241. In this case, the pickup determination unit 251 may determine whether the items to be sorted can be picked up by the pickup unit 241 based on the shape or size of the items identified by the image recognition processing. The pickup determination unit 251 may also determine whether the items to be sorted can be picked up by the pickup unit 241 based on whether the items identified by the image recognition processing are registered in advance as items that can be picked up by the pickup unit 241. In this case, the pickup determination unit 251 may refer to the item database 151 of the delivery management device 100. The pickup determination unit 251 may also determine whether the items to be sorted can be picked up by the pickup unit 241 by actually attempting to be picked up by the pickup unit 241.

[0058] In addition, the pickup determination unit 251 may determine that the items to be sorted cannot be picked up when it is detected that the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the above-mentioned predetermined first storage area. According to such a configuration, it is possible to collectively determine that the items present in the first storage area cannot be picked up, and therefore it is possible to make the determination process more efficient. Similarly, the pickup determination unit 251 may determine that the items to be sorted can be picked up when it is detected that the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the above-mentioned predetermined second storage area. Note that the pickup determination unit 251 detects whether the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the first storage area or the second storage area by performing image recognition processing on the image of the storage area of ​​the box 10 captured by the camera 230, for example. In this case, it is assumed that the first storage area and the second storage area have different characteristics as external characteristics. For example, the first storage area and the second storage area may have different colors, and different codes (for example, two-dimensional codes) may be attached to the surfaces of the first storage area and the second storage area. Note that these are merely examples, and the pickup determination unit 251 does not necessarily have to detect whether the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the first storage area or the second storage area based on the image processing results of the camera 230, but may perform this detection using the sensing results of any other sensor.

[0059] The pickup control unit 252 controls the pickup unit 241 to pick up the items placed in the box 10 according to the above-mentioned layout and move them to a sorting destination according to the items. In this embodiment, before the pickup control unit 252 controls the pickup unit 241, the transport robot 300 places the box 10 containing the items according to the above-mentioned layout in the storage area A1 of the sorting device 200, and the box 10 to be sorted is placed in the storage area A2. In this case, for example, the transport robot 300 places the box 10 to be sorted in the storage area A2 according to information identifying the sorting destination of the item identified by image recognition processing of the image of the item in the box 10 placed in the storage area A1 photographed by the camera 230. The transport robot 300 may acquire information identifying the sorting destination of the identified item by referring to the item database 151 of the delivery management device 100.

[0060] The pickup control unit 252 may control the pickup unit 241 to pick up and sort only the items stored in the area other than the above-mentioned predetermined first storage area. In other words, the pickup control unit 252 may control the pickup unit 241 to pick up and sort only the items stored in the above-mentioned predetermined second storage area. With this configuration, it is not necessary to try to pick up an item that exists in the predetermined first storage area, that is, an item that cannot be picked up, so that the occurrence of a wasteful pickup operation can be suppressed. Similarly to the pickup determination unit 251, the pickup control unit 252 detects whether the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the first storage area or the second storage area by performing image recognition processing on the image of the storage area of ​​the box 10 captured by the camera 230, for example. In addition, like the pickup determination unit 251, the pickup control unit 252 does not necessarily have to detect whether the area in which the items to be sorted are stored is the first storage area or the second storage area based on the image processing results of the camera 230, and may perform this detection using the sensing results of any other sensor.

[0061] When an item that cannot be picked up is present in the box 10 in which the items to be sorted are stored, the notification unit 253 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the box 10. That is, when the pickup determination unit 251 determines that an item that cannot be picked up is present in the box 10, the notification unit 253 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 requesting the person to remove the item. The notification unit 253 may transmit a notification to the terminal device 400 of the user who uses the item that cannot be picked up. In this case, the notification unit 253 may acquire information that identifies the user of the item identified by the image recognition process on the image of the item captured by the camera 230 by referring to the item database 151 of the delivery management device 100. Also, when the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 152 includes such information, the information may be acquired by referring to the list.

[0062] The notification unit 253 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400, requesting a person to remove an item from the box 10, together with information indicating the characteristics for identifying the item. By performing such processing, the person who removes the item, i.e., the person who assists the sorting work, can know the characteristics of the item for identifying the item, and can easily identify which item should be removed. Here, the information indicating the characteristics for identifying the item may be information indicating the name of the item, information indicating the external characteristics of the item, or information indicating the weight of the item. By being notified of such information, the person who removes the item can easily identify which item should be removed. The information indicating the external characteristics of the item may be an image of the item photographed by the camera 230, information indicating the size of the item, or information indicating the color of the item. The notification unit 253 may acquire information about the item identified by the image recognition processing of the image of the item photographed by the camera 230, i.e., information indicating the name of the item, information indicating the size of the item, and information indicating the weight of the item, by referring to the item database 151 of the delivery management device 100.

[0063] After the notification is transmitted, the removal determination unit 254 determines whether or not the sorting target item that cannot be picked up has been removed from the box 10 by the pickup unit 241. In the present embodiment, the removal determination unit 254 determines whether or not the sorting target item that cannot be picked up has been removed from the box 10 based on the result of an image recognition process on an image captured by the camera 230 inside the box 10. The removal determination unit 254 may perform the determination by other methods. For example, if the sorting device 200 is equipped with a weighing scale that measures the weight of the box 10, it may determine whether or not the pick-up target item has been removed from the box 10 based on whether or not the weight of the box 10 has decreased after the notification is transmitted. The notification unit 253 notifies again when the removal determination unit 254 determines that the sorting target item that cannot be picked up has not been removed from the box 10. Specifically, the notification unit 253 notifies again when it is determined that the sorting target item that cannot be picked up has not yet been removed from the box 10 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the notification.

[0064] The terminal device 400 that has received the notification from the notification unit 253 outputs the received notification. For example, the terminal device 400 outputs the notification to a display of the terminal device 400. Note that the terminal device 400 may output the notification accompanied by a predetermined notification sound. Furthermore, the terminal device 400 may output the notification by voice.

[0065] Next, an example of the flow of operations of the logistics system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the logistics system 1 according to the present embodiment. Below, the flow of operations of the logistics system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

[0066] First, the processes from step S100 to step S103 are carried out at the logistics center.

[0067] In step S100, the list acquisition unit 152 of the delivery management device 100 acquires a list of items to be sorted and delivered to the sorting device 200. Next, in step S101, the creation unit 153 of the delivery management device 100 creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into boxes 10 to be delivered to the sorting device 200. Specifically, the creation unit 153 creates a layout in which items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up are stored together in a predetermined first storage area, and items that are registered in advance as items that can be picked up are stored together in a predetermined second storage area. Next, in step S102, the output unit 154 of the delivery management device 100 outputs the layout created in step S101. Next, in step S103, a worker at the logistics center stores each of the listed items in a box 10 according to the layout output by the output unit 154.

[0068] Next, in step S110, the boxes 10 in which the articles are stored according to the layout are delivered from the logistics center to the sorting device 200 by the transport robot 300. Then, the transport robot 300 places the boxes 10 from the logistics center in the storage area A1 of the sorting device 200, and places the boxes 10 to be sorted in the storage area A2.

[0069] Next, in sorting device 200, the processes from step S120 to step S125 are performed.

[0070] In step S120, the pickup determination unit 251 of the sorting device 200 determines whether or not the items to be sorted that are placed in the delivered box 10 can be picked up by the pickup unit 241. If it is determined that there is an item in the box 10 that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241 (Yes in step S121), the process proceeds to step S122, and if not (No in step S121), the process proceeds to step S125.

[0071] In step S122, the notification unit 253 of the sorting device 200 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 requesting a person to remove the unpickable item from the box 10. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification was sent, in step S123, the removal determination unit 254 of the sorting device 200 determines whether or not an unpickable item has been removed from the box 10. If it is determined that an unpickable item has been removed from the box 10 (Yes in step S124), the process proceeds to step S125. On the other hand, if it is determined that an unpickable item has not been removed from the box 10 (No in step S124), the process returns to step S122, and the notification unit 253 again sends the above-mentioned notification.

[0072] In step S125, the pickup control unit 252 of the sorting device 200 controls the pickup unit 241 to pick up the articles placed in the boxes 10 delivered from the logistics center and move them to the boxes 10 to which they are to be sorted. In the above sequence chart, the process of step S125 is performed after the unpickable item is removed from box 10 by a person, but the process of step S125 may be performed at another timing. For example, the process of step S125 may be performed in parallel with the processes of steps S122 to S124.

[0073] The first embodiment has been described above. In the logistics system 1 according to the present embodiment, a layout is created and output in which only items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241 are stored together in a predetermined storage area. In addition, when there are items that cannot be picked up in the box 10, the notification unit 253 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 requesting a person to remove the items. Then, the pickup control unit 252 controls the pickup unit 241 to pick up the items placed in the box 10 according to the created layout and perform a sorting operation. According to such a logistics system 1, it is possible to encourage support from the user, and therefore it is possible to suppress a stagnation of processing due to the sorting device 200 being unable to perform a sorting operation for items that cannot be picked up. In addition, according to the above-mentioned layout, it is possible to prevent items that can be picked up and items that cannot be picked up from being stored in the box 10 in a disorderly mixture, and therefore it is possible to make the sorting operation more efficient. In particular, since the items that a person needs to take out are concentrated in a specified storage area, a person who takes out the items from the boxes 10 instead of the sorting device 200 and performs the sorting work can work more efficiently and the workload of this person can be reduced compared to when the items are scattered.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the sorting device 200 has a pickup determination unit 251 that determines whether an item in the box 10 can be picked up by the pickup unit 241. Therefore, since the pickup determination unit 251 of the sorting device 200 determines whether an item in the box 10 can be picked up, it is possible to determine whether a notification requesting removal is necessary during the sorting work on the box 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the sorting device 200 has a removal determination unit 254 that determines whether an item has been removed from the box 10, and the notification unit 253 notifies again when it is determined that an item that cannot be picked up has not been removed. With this configuration, if an item that cannot be picked up has not been removed by a person, a notification is issued again, so that it is possible to more reliably encourage human assistance and more reliably suppress stagnation of processing.

[0075] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, the sorting device 200 performs the notification, but in the second embodiment, the delivery management device 100 performs the notification, which is different from the first embodiment. Below, the configuration and processing different from the first embodiment will be described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0076] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 150 of the delivery management device 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 150 of the delivery management device 100 according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that it further includes a notification unit 155.

[0077] When the creation unit 153 creates a layout for storing items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241, the notification unit 155 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 used by the person requesting the person to remove such items stored in the box 10 according to this layout. Note that, like the notification unit 253, the notification unit 155 may transmit this notification to the terminal device 400 together with information indicating features for identifying the item to be removed. The notification unit 155 may also transmit this notification together with information indicating the timing at which the item should be removed. The information indicating the timing at which the item should be removed may be information indicating the timing at which the box 10 arrives at the sorting device 200. The notification unit 155 may also transmit this notification together with information identifying the box 10.

[0078] Next, an example of the flow of operations of the logistics system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the logistics system 1 according to the present embodiment. Differences from the sequence chart shown in Fig. 9 will be described below. The sequence chart shown in Fig. 11 differs from the sequence chart shown in Fig. 9 in that step S104 is added after step S103.

[0079] In this embodiment, after step S103, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, when a layout for storing items that cannot be picked up is created, the notification unit 155 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 requesting a person to remove the items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241. Note that the timing for performing the process of step S104 may be any time after step S101, and does not necessarily have to be after step S103.

[0080] The second embodiment has been described above. In this embodiment, when a layout for storing an item that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit 241 is created, the notification unit 155 transmits a notification to the terminal device 400 requesting removal of the item. Therefore, a person can be notified before the box 10 is delivered to the sorting device 200. Therefore, the person who performs the removal work can know in advance that such work will occur, improving convenience. In addition, since the notification can be made at an earlier timing than when the sorting device 200 notifies, stagnation of the sorting work can be further suppressed. In this embodiment, the notification by the notification unit 253 of the sorting device 200 may be omitted. In addition, when the removal determination unit 254 determines that the item that cannot be picked up has not been removed from the box 10, the notification unit 155 may notify again.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the sorting device 200 has a configuration as a rack, and the sorting robot 240 sorts the items in the box 10 arranged in the storage area A1 into the box arranged in the storage area A2, but the sorting device 200 does not necessarily have to have a configuration as a rack. In other words, the sorting robot 240 only needs to be a robot that picks up the items in the storage container with the pickup unit 241 and moves the items to the sorting destination according to the items, and does not necessarily have to be provided on a rack.

[0082] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) A logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; an output unit for outputting the layout; a notification unit that, when an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, transmits a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; having The creation unit creates a layout in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area. Logistics system. (Appendix 2) The notification unit transmits a notification to the terminal device, requesting a person to remove the item from the storage container, together with information indicating a feature for identifying the item. A logistics system as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The characteristic is the name of the item. A logistics system as described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The feature is an external appearance feature of the article. A logistics system as described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 5) The characteristic is the weight of the item. A logistics system as described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 6) The apparatus further includes a pickup determination unit that determines whether an item in the storage container can be picked up by the pickup unit. A logistics system according to any one of appendix 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The pickup determination unit determines that the item cannot be picked up when it is detected that the area in which the item to be sorted is stored is the predetermined storage area. A logistics system as described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 8) The pickup control unit controls the pickup unit to pick up and sort only the items stored in an area other than the predetermined storage area. A logistics system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) The apparatus further includes a removal determination unit that determines whether the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has been removed from the storage container, The notification unit notifies again when it is determined that the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has not been taken out of the storage container. A logistics system according to any one of appendix 1 to 8. (Appendix 10) The notification unit transmits the notification to the terminal device when the layout for storing an item that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit is created. A logistics system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) A processing method in a logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, comprising: creating a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; Outputting the layout; If there is an item in the storage container that cannot be picked up, a notification is sent to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; controlling the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; In creating the layout, a layout is created in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area. Processing methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. Logistics System 10 boxes 11 Protrusion 12 Plots 51 Processors 52 Memory 53 Network Interface 100 Delivery management device 150 Control section 151 Item Database 152 List Acquisition Unit 153 Creation Department 154 Output section 155 Notification Department 200 Sorting Equipment 210 Cabinet 211 Guide rail 220 Rail 230 Camera 240 Sorting Robot 241 Pickup Section 250 Control section 251 Pickup Judgment Department 252 Pickup control section 253 Notification Department 254 Removal Judgment Unit 300 Transport Robot 310 wheels 320 Main body 330 Tabletop 340 Post 400 Terminal Equipment 500 Network

Claims

1. A logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; an output unit for outputting the layout; a notification unit that, when an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, transmits a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; having the creation unit creates a layout in which, among the items to be delivered to the sorting device, only those items that are preregistered as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit are stored together in a predetermined first storage area, and only those items that are preregistered as items that can be picked up by the pickup unit are stored together in a predetermined second storage area; Each of the first storage area and the second storage area is a partial storage area partitioned by a partition within the same storage container. Logistics system.

2. The notification unit transmits a notification to the terminal device, requesting a person to remove the item from the storage container, together with information indicating a feature for identifying the item. The logistics system according to claim 1 .

3. The characteristic is the name of the item. The logistics system according to claim 2.

4. The feature is an external appearance feature of the article. The logistics system according to claim 2.

5. A logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup section, a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; an output unit for outputting the layout; a notification unit that, when an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, transmits a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container together with information indicating characteristics for identifying the item; a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; having the creation unit creates a layout in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area; The characteristic is the weight of the item. Logistics system.

6. A logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup section, a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; an output unit for outputting the layout; a pickup determination unit that determines whether an item in the storage container can be picked up by the pickup unit; a notification unit that, when an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, transmits a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; having The creation unit creates a layout in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area. Logistics system.

7. The pickup determination unit determines that the item cannot be picked up when it is detected that the area in which the item to be sorted is stored is the predetermined storage area. The logistics system according to claim 6.

8. The pickup control unit controls the pickup unit to pick up and sort only the items stored in an area other than the first storage area. The logistics system according to claim 1 .

9. A logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup section, a creation unit that creates a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; an output unit for outputting the layout; a notification unit that, when an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, transmits a notification to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; a removal determination unit that determines whether the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has been removed from the storage container; a pickup control unit that controls the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; having the creation unit creates a layout in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area; The notification unit notifies again when it is determined that the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has not been taken out of the storage container. Logistics system.

10. The notification unit transmits the notification to the terminal device when the layout for storing an item that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit is created. A logistics system according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, or 9.

11. A processing method in a logistics system including a sorting device having a pickup unit, comprising: creating a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; Outputting the layout; If there is an item in the storage container that cannot be picked up, a notification is sent to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; controlling the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; In creating the layout, a layout is created in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined first storage area, and only those items that are registered in advance as items that can be picked up by the pickup unit are stored together in a predetermined second storage area; Each of the first storage area and the second storage area is a partial storage area partitioned by a partition within the same storage container. Processing methods.

12. A processing method in a logistics system equipped with a sorting device having a pickup unit, comprising: creating a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; Outputting the layout; If an item that cannot be picked up is present in the storage container, a notification requesting a person to remove the item from the storage container is sent to a terminal device used by the person together with information indicating characteristics for identifying the item; controlling the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; In creating the layout, a layout is created in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area; The characteristic is the weight of the item. Processing methods.

13. A processing method in a logistics system equipped with a sorting device having a pickup unit, comprising: creating a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; Outputting the layout; determining whether an item in the storage container can be picked up by the pickup unit; If there is an item in the storage container that cannot be picked up, a notification is sent to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; controlling the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; In creating the layout, a layout is created in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area. Processing methods.

14. A processing method in a logistics system equipped with a sorting device having a pickup unit, comprising: creating a layout for storing items to be sorted into storage containers delivered to the sorting device; Outputting the layout; If there is an item in the storage container that cannot be picked up, a notification is sent to a terminal device used by the person requesting the person to remove the item from the storage container; determining whether the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has been removed from the storage container; If it is determined that the item to be sorted that cannot be picked up has not been removed from the storage container, notify again; controlling the pickup unit to pick up the items placed in the storage container according to the layout and move the items to a sorting destination corresponding to the items; In creating the layout, a layout is created in which only those items that are registered in advance as items that cannot be picked up by the pickup unit among the items to be delivered to the sorting device are stored together in a predetermined storage area. Processing methods.

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