TRANSPORT SYSTEM, TRANSPORT METHOD, AND TRANSPORT PROGRAM

Abstract

To provide a conveyance system, conveyance method, and conveyance program capable of upgrading the efficiency of picking work.SOLUTION: A conveyance system in accordance with the present invention includes an arrival determination unit that determines an arrival order in which plural automatic conveyors arrive at a first arrival position at which the automatic conveyors each receive an object of conveyance, and a conveyance information notification unit that notifies a first worker, who is associated with the first arrival position of conveyance information concerning the object of conveyance to be received by a first automatic conveyor, which arrives at the first arrival position next, before the first automatic conveyor arrives at the first arrival position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a picking system has been proposed in which, upon receiving a picking order (transportation request), an automated transport device (transportation vehicle) patrols the storage locations of multiple items included in the picking order, picks them up in order, and transports them to the shipping location (dispatch location).

[0003] Also, conventionally, a system is known that supports the work of storing an item loaded on a transport vehicle in a storage position, or removing an item stored in a storage position and loading it onto the transport vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that can inform a worker of the storage position of an item to be stored loaded on the transport vehicle and the storage position of an item to be removed stored in the storage box by installing an LED in a storage box that stores items and illuminating the LED. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-302988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional system, for example, when picking work is performed in parallel at multiple locations by multiple transport vehicles, it is not known which of the multiple transport vehicles will arrive at the storage location next until the transport vehicles actually arrive at the storage location, so when picking a target item from the storage location, the worker cannot grasp the target item and start the picking work or preparation for it until the transport vehicle arrives at the storage location, and has no choice but to grasp the target item and start the picking work or preparation for it at the time the transport vehicle arrives at the storage location. This causes the start time of picking to be delayed, and the end time of the picking work to be delayed accordingly, resulting in a problem of reduced work efficiency.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a transportation system, a transportation method, and a transportation program that can improve the efficiency of picking work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The conveying system of the present invention is a conveying system in which an automatic conveying device receives a transport object stored at a storage location from a worker and transports it, and is equipped with an arrival determination unit that determines the arrival order of each of the multiple automatic conveying devices at a first arrival location where they receive the transport object, and a conveying information notification unit that notifies a first worker corresponding to the first arrival location of conveying information regarding the transport object received by a first automatic conveying device that arrives next at the first arrival location before the first automatic conveying device arrives at the first arrival location.

[0008] The transportation method of the present invention is a transportation method in which an automatic transport device receives a transport object stored at a storage location from a worker and transports it, and the method includes an arrival determination step in which one or more processors determine the arrival order of each of the multiple automatic transport devices at a first arrival location where the transport object is received, and a transportation information notification step in which a first automatic transport device that arrives next at the first arrival location notifies a first worker corresponding to the first arrival location of transport information regarding the transport object received by the first automatic transport device that arrives at the first arrival location next before the first automatic transport device arrives at the first arrival location.

[0009] The transportation program of the present invention is a transportation program in which an automatic transport device receives a transport object stored at a storage location from a worker and transports it, and is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the following: an arrival determination step for determining the arrival order of each of the multiple automatic transport devices at a first arrival location where the transport object is received; and a transportation information notification step for notifying a first worker corresponding to the first arrival location of transport information regarding the transport object received by a first automatic transport device that arrives next at the first arrival location before the first automatic transport device arrives at the first arrival location. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there are provided a transportation system, a transportation method, and a transportation program capable of improving the work efficiency of picking work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a warehouse to which the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a storage shelf arranged in a warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of product information used in the transportation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of order information used in the transport system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of set order information used in the transportation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display device installed in a warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a transfer process executed in the transfer system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Transportation System 10] As shown in FIG. 1, a transportation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an operations management server 1, an order management server 2, an automatic transportation device 3 (AGV, also called an unmanned transportation device), and a display device 4. The operations management server 1 and the order management server 2 can communicate with each other via a communication network N1 such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The operations management server 1 and the automatic transportation device 3 can communicate with each other via a communication network N2 such as a wireless LAN. The operations management server 1 and the display device 4 can communicate with each other via a communication network N3 such as a wireless LAN. The order management server 2 can communicate with a customer terminal 5 via a communication network N4 such as the Internet.

[0014] The conveying system 10 is applied to, for example, a warehouse (logistics warehouse) that stores products (transportation targets). When the conveying system 10 receives a product order from a customer (customer terminal 5), it outputs a transport instruction to the automatic conveying device 3. When the automatic conveying device 3 receives the transport instruction, it moves to the storage location (storage shelf) of the product, receives the product from a worker, and transports the product to a shipping location. The customer terminal 5 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and for example, a customer can use the customer terminal 5 to access a website (order page) operated by the order management server 2 to place an order for a product.

[0015] The order management server 2 can receive orders for the products from each of a plurality of customer terminals 5, and aggregates the received order information and outputs it to the traffic management server 1. The traffic management server 1 manages the operation of each of a plurality of automatic transport devices 3, and outputs transport instructions (travel instructions) to each automatic transport device 3 based on the order information. The traffic management server 1 also notifies the worker of the transport information including the order information via the display device 4. The automatic transport device 3 autonomously travels along a preset travel route based on the transport instructions, receives the product included in the order information from the worker at the storage shelf, and transports it to the delivery location. The autonomous travel method of the automatic transport device 3 is not particularly limited, and a well-known method, for example, a method using a magnetic tape installed on the floor and a marker that specifies the travel operation (control information), can be adopted.

[0016] Furthermore, the automatic transport device 3 is equipped with, for example, multiple containers (storage units), and by storing customer-ordered products in each container, it is possible to transport multiple customers' products collectively in one picking run (running from a waiting location to a shipping location by circulating around each shelf). For example, when the automatic transport device 3 is equipped with four containers, the automatic transport device 3 can transport ordered products of four customers collectively. The traffic management server 1 outputs the transport instruction corresponding to the order information of one or multiple customers to each automatic transport device 3.

[0017] In this embodiment, as an example, an example in which the conveyance system 10 is applied to a warehouse shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the warehouse shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of partial areas a1 to a18 (storage areas) are set inside the entire area A0, and a plurality of storage shelves T1 to T18 (storage positions) for storing products (transportation targets) are arranged inside each of the plurality of partial areas a1 to a18. For example, three storage shelves T1 are arranged inside the partial area a1, and three storage shelves T2 are arranged inside the partial area a2. A plurality of products are stored on each shelf. FIG. 3 shows the storage state of products on one storage shelf T1. The storage shelf T1 has a total of 20 storage openings in columns 1 to 5 and rows A to D, and stores products in each storage opening. A tag Tg (electronic tag) is provided on each storage opening, and the tag Tg lights up or flashes to notify the worker of the product to be picked. The tag Tg is configured to be able to communicate with the display device 4, and turns on or off in response to an instruction from the display device 4.

[0018] A display device 4 is installed in each partial area, and the display device 4 displays order information and the like to a worker in charge of picking products in the partial area. Note that one worker may be assigned to each partial area, or one worker may be assigned to each of multiple partial areas.

[0019] Within the entire area A0, waiting locations P (see FIG. 2) for the automatic transport devices 3 are set. For example, within the entire area A0, waiting locations P1 for AGV1 to wait, P2 for AGV2 to wait, and P3 for AGV3 to wait are set. Each automatic transport device 3 waits at a predetermined waiting location P when it has not received a transport instruction from the traffic management server 1.

[0020] When each automated transport device 3 receives a transport instruction from the fleet management server 1, it moves from the waiting area P to the partial area of ​​the storage shelf where the ordered product is stored. For example, when the AGV1 receives a transport instruction from the fleet management server 1 that includes the product on storage shelf T1 in the order information, it moves to the partial area a1 of the storage shelf T1 and stops in front of the display device 4A installed in the partial area a1 (see FIG. 2). Then, when the AGV1 receives the ordered product from the worker in charge of picking work in the partial area a1, it moves to the shipping location according to a preset travel route.

[0021] In this embodiment, the conveying system 10 corresponds to the conveying system of the present invention, but the conveying system of the present invention may be composed of only the operations management server 1, or may include one or more components of the operations management server 1, the order management server 2, the automatic conveying device 3, and the display device 4.

[0022] [Order Management Server 2] 1, the order management server 2 is a server including a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The order management server 2 is not limited to a single computer, and may be a computer system in which multiple computers work in cooperation. Furthermore, various processes executed by the order management server 2 may be executed in a distributed manner by one or multiple processors.

[0023] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface for connecting the order management server 2 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and executing data communication with the fleet management server 1 via the communication network N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 24 is also a communication interface for connecting the order management server 2 to the communication network N4 by wire or wirelessly and executing data communication with one or more customer terminals 5 via the communication network N4 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0024] The operation display unit 23 is a user interface that includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, that displays various information, and an operation unit, such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, that accepts operations.

[0025] The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various information. Specifically, data such as product information D1 and order information D2 is stored in the storage unit 22. The product information D1 includes information about products stored in a warehouse. The order information D2 includes information about customer orders. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the product information D1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the order information D2.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the product information D1 includes information such as the corresponding "product ID", "product name", "partial area ID", "shelf ID", and "storage location" for each product. The product ID is identification information of the product, and the product name is the name of the product. In this embodiment, for example, "G001" indicating the product name "apple" (corresponding to "product G1" in FIG. 3) is registered as the product ID. The partial area ID is identification information of the partial area in which the shelf on which the product is stored is located. In this embodiment, for example, "a001" indicating partial area a1 is registered as the partial area ID. The shelf ID is identification information of the shelf on which the product is stored. In this embodiment, for example, "T001" indicating storage shelf T1 is registered as the shelf ID.

[0027] The storage location is information indicating the location of the storage port where the product is stored among the 20 storage ports (see FIG. 3) included in the shelf. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage location is registered as coordinate information using numbers and symbols set in the column and row directions. For example, "A1", indicating column A and row 1, is registered as the storage location of "apples" (corresponding to "product G1" in FIG. 3).

[0028] The product information D1 is stored in advance in the storage unit 22, for example, through a registration operation by a warehouse manager. The manager can update the product information D1 as appropriate. The product information D1 may be registered in the fleet management server 1. Information indicating the time required for picking work per unit number of products (picking work time) may be registered in the product information D1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the order information D2 includes information such as the corresponding "unit order ID," "customer ID," "ordered item," "item ID," "quantity," and "order date and time" for each order. The unit order ID is identification information for one order, and the customer ID is identification information for the customer who ordered the item. The ordered item is the name of the item ordered by the customer, and the quantity is the number of the ordered item. The order date and time is information on the date and time when the order was received from the customer. The order information D2 shown in FIG. 4 indicates, for example, that a customer "CUSTOM1" ordered "four bags of bananas" and "three ice creams" at date and time "T1," and a customer "CUSTOM2" ordered "four bags of cucumbers" and "two cup noodles" at date and time "T2."

[0030] The order information D2 is registered by the control unit 21 every time the order management server 2 accepts an order from the customer terminal 5.

[0031] In another embodiment, some or all of the product information D1 and the order information D2 may be stored in another server accessible from the order management server 2 via the communication network N4.

[0032] In addition, various control programs are stored in the control unit 21 in the storage unit 22. For example, the control programs are non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, and are read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or a DVD drive provided in the order management server 2 and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0033] The control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various arithmetic processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 21 controls the order management server 2 by executing, by the CPU, various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 22.

[0034] Specifically, the control unit 21 accepts product orders from the customer terminal 5. When the control unit 21 accepts an order from the customer terminal 5, it registers the order details in order information D2 (see FIG. 5). The control unit 21 also outputs the order information D2 to the fleet management server 1. For example, the control unit 21 outputs order information D2 that consolidates multiple orders accepted within a predetermined period of time to the fleet management server 1. In this way, the control unit 21 outputs the order information D2 to the fleet management server 1 at a predetermined cycle.

[0035] In another embodiment, when the control unit 21 receives an output request for the order information D2 from the fleet management server 1, the control unit 21 may output the order information D2 to the fleet management server 1. For example, the fleet management server 1 may output an output request for the order information D2 to the order management server 2 based on the operation status of the automatic conveyance device 3.

[0036] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 outputs the order information D2 to the fleet management server 1, the control unit 21 may delete the order information D2 from the storage unit 22.

[0037] [Traffic management server 1] 1, the fleet management server 1 is a server including a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation display unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The fleet management server 1 is not limited to a single computer, and may be a computer system in which multiple computers work together. Various processes executed by the fleet management server 1 may be distributed and executed by one or multiple processors.

[0038] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface for connecting the fleet management server 1 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and executing data communication with the order management server 2 via the communication network N1 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 14 is also a communication interface for connecting the fleet management server 1 to the communication network N2 by wire or wirelessly and executing data communication with one or more automatic conveyance devices 3 via the communication network N2 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 14 is also a communication interface for connecting the fleet management server 1 to the communication network N3 by wire or wirelessly and executing data communication with one or more display devices 4 via the communication network N3 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0039] The operation display unit 13 is a user interface that includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, that displays various information, and an operation unit, such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, that accepts operations.

[0040] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD or SSD that stores various types of information. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores order information D2 (see FIG. 5) acquired from the order management server 2. The storage unit 12 also stores data such as set order information D3. The set order information D3 includes information on set orders that combine unit orders. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of set order information D3.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the set order information D3 includes information such as a corresponding "set order ID" for each set order that combines unit orders, a "unit order ID" for each container of the automatic conveying device 3, and a "partial area ID" for each container of the automatic conveying device 3. The set order ID is identification information for a set order that combines unit orders. The control unit 11 combines the set orders based on a predetermined condition. For example, the set order ID "SET1" is identification information for a set order that combines unit order IDs "O1", "O3", "O5", and "O7". Furthermore, the unit order ID "O1" is associated with a container 1, the unit order ID "O3" is associated with a container 2, the unit order ID "O5" is associated with a container 3, and the unit order ID "O7" is associated with a container 4. The partial area ID is identification information for a partial area on which a shelf that stores a product corresponding to the unit order ID is located. When multiple products corresponding to one set order ID are stored in a plurality of partial areas, multiple partial area IDs are registered corresponding to one set order ID.

[0042] The set order information D3 is included in the transport instruction sent to the automatic transport device 3. For example, when the AGV1 receives a transport instruction including the set order information D3 of "SET1", the AGV1 moves to the partial area a1 of the partial area ID "a001" included in the set order information D3 and stops in front of the display device 4A installed in the partial area a1 (see FIG. 2). Then, the AGV1 receives each of the products with the unit order IDs "O1", "O3", "O5", and "O7" from the worker in the partial area a1.

[0043] When the control unit 11 acquires the order information D2 from the order management server 2, it generates set order information D3 by referring to the product information D1 (see FIG. 3).

[0044] In another embodiment, a part or all of the order information D2 and the set order information D3 may be stored in another server accessible from the fleet management server 1 via the communication network N1. In this case, the control unit 11 of the fleet management server 1 may acquire the information from the other server and execute various processes such as the transportation process (see FIG. 8) described below.

[0045] The storage unit 12 also stores control programs such as a transportation program for causing the control unit 11 to execute a transportation process (see FIG. 8) described below. For example, the transportation program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the fleet management server 1 and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0046] The control unit 11 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various arithmetic processing are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 11 controls the fleet management server 1 by executing, by the CPU, various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

[0047] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 11 includes various processing units such as a transportation request receiving unit 111, an order information generating unit 112, an arrival determining unit 113, an order information notifying unit 114, and a transportation instruction unit 115. The control unit 11 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the transportation program using the CPU. Also, some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. Also, the transportation program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units.

[0048] The transportation request receiving unit 111 receives a transportation request (picking order) for a product (transportation target). Specifically, the transportation request receiving unit 111 receives order information D2 corresponding to orders of multiple customers from the order management server 2. For example, the transportation request receiving unit 111 receives order information D2 (see FIG. 5) including customer orders of CUSTOM1 to CUSTOM4. Upon receiving a transportation request, the transportation request receiving unit 111 stores the order information D2 in the memory unit 12.

[0049] The order information generating unit 112 generates set order information D3 based on the order information D2. For example, when the transport request receiving unit 111 receives order information D2 (see FIG. 5) including four orders (unit orders) of a customer, CUSTOM1 to CUSTOM4, the order information generating unit 112 generates set order information D3 (see FIG. 6) by referring to the product information D1 (see FIG. 4). For example, the order information generating unit 112 aggregates, among the multiple products included in the order information D2, multiple products stored in the same partial area into one order (set order) to generate the set order information D3. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "banana" in CUSTOM1, "cucumber" in CUSTOM2, "tomato" in CUSTOM3, and "carrot" in CUSTOM4 are stored on the storage shelf T1 (see FIG. 2) in the same partial area a1. Therefore, the order information generation unit 112 aggregates these products into one set order and generates set order information D3 that is assigned to each of the containers 1 to 4 mounted on the automatic conveying device 3. The set order information D3 for "SET1" includes the order information D2 assigned to the containers 1 to 4 and information on the partial area ID "a001."

[0050] The arrival determination unit 113 determines the order of arrival of each of the multiple automatic transport devices 3 at a location (arrival position) where the devices receive products. Since the automatic transport devices 3 stop in front of the display devices 4 in each partial area to receive products from the workers, the installation position of the display devices 4 is the arrival position of the automatic transport devices 3. The arrival determination unit 113 is an example of the arrival determination unit of the present invention.

[0051] Specifically, the arrival determination unit 113 calculates the estimated arrival time of each of the multiple automatic transport devices 3 at the arrival position, and determines the arrival order based on the estimated arrival time of each of the multiple automatic transport devices 3. For example, in the case of partial area a1 storing the product of set order information D3 of "SET1", the arrival determination unit 113 acquires the current positions of three AGVs 1 to 3, calculates the travel time required from each current position to the installation position of the display device 4A in partial area a1, and calculates the estimated arrival time of each of the AGVs 1 to 3.

[0052] Then, the arrival determination unit 113 determines the arrival order in the order of earliest calculated estimated arrival times. For example, if the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1 earliest, the arrival determination unit 113 determines that the arrival order of the AGV1 is first.

[0053] The order information notification unit 114 notifies a worker corresponding to the arrival position of transport information related to the product to be received by the next automatic transport device 3 arriving at the arrival position before the automatic transport device 3 arrives at the arrival position. Specifically, the order information notification unit 114 notifies the worker of transport information including at least one of identification information of the product to be received by the automatic transport device 3 from the worker and location information indicating the storage location of the product. In addition, the order information notification unit 114 causes the display device 4 installed corresponding to the arrival position to display the transport information. The order information notification unit 114 is an example of the transport information notification unit of the present invention.

[0054] For example, when the arrival order of AGV1 is determined to be first for the set order information D3 of "SET1," the order information notification unit 114 transmits transport information including the set order information D3 and information on the storage location of the product to the display device 4A before the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1. The order information notification unit 114 also transmits to the display device 4A the identification information of the automatic transport device 3 scheduled to arrive at the partial area a1 (here, "AGV1") and information on the remaining time until the arrival of AGV1.

[0055] When the display device 4 receives the information transmitted from the order information notification unit 114, it displays a picking work information page p1 on the display screen. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the display device 4A displays information on the names and quantities of products to be stored in containers 1 to 4 of the AGV 1 on the picking work information page p1. The worker picks up the products from the storage shelf T1 while checking the picking work information page p1.

[0056] Here, the order information notification unit 114 lights up or flashes the tag Tg (one example of a display unit of the present invention) installed at each storage opening of the storage shelf T1 that stores multiple products, which is installed at the storage opening where the AGV 1 stores the product that the worker receives.

[0057] For example, the display device 4A displays a picking button K1 ("Pick" button) in association with each product on the picking work information page p1. For example, first, the display device 4A lights up the picking button K1 of the product "banana" numbered "1" (see FIG. 7). The display device 4A also lights up the tag Tg provided at the storage opening in the storage shelf T1 where the product "banana" is stored (see FIG. 3). This allows the worker to grasp the storage location of the "banana" and pick the "banana" from the storage shelf T1. The worker temporarily places the picked "banana" in a temporary storage area (not shown) or the like installed near the display device 4A, and presses the picking button K1 of "banana" on the picking work information page p1. Then, the display device 4A turns off the picking button K1 of "banana" and lights up the picking button K1 of the next product "cucumber" numbered "2". The display device 4A also turns off the tag Tg provided at the storage opening of the storage shelf T1 storing the product "banana" and turns on the tag Tg provided at the storage opening storing the next product "cucumber". In this way, before the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1, the worker picks all the products "banana", "cucumber", "tomato", and "carrot" from the storage shelf T1 and temporarily stores them in the temporary storage area. After that, when the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1, the worker stores each product temporarily stored in the temporary storage area in each of the containers 1 to 4. Finally, when the worker presses the completion button K2 on the picking work information page p1, the AGV1 moves from the partial area a1 toward the warehousing location.

[0058] According to this configuration, for example, the worker can confirm the product to be handed over to the AGV 1 in advance during the time it takes for the AGV 1 to arrive at the partial area a1 ("2 minutes" in FIG. 7). In addition, the worker can pick up the confirmed product from the shelf, so that the product can be stored in the AGV 1 immediately after the AGV 1 arrives.

[0059] Here, the arrival determination unit 113 may calculate an estimated arrival time when the automated transport device 3 arrives at the arrival position, and the order information notification unit 114 may notify the worker of the transport information based on the estimated arrival time. For example, the order information notification unit 114 notifies the worker of the transport information based on the estimated arrival time and the work time for the worker to pick up the product from the shelf. For example, if the remaining time until the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1 is 5 minutes and the total work time for the four products to be stored in the AGV1 is 2 minutes, the order information notification unit 114 notifies the worker of the transport information when the remaining time becomes 3 minutes. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to prevent the product picked by the worker before the arrival of the AGV1 from being left in the temporary storage area for a long time.

[0060] The transport instruction unit 115 outputs a transport instruction to the automatic transport device 3, including position information of the arrival position of the automatic transport device 3 and information of the product to be received from the worker at the arrival position. Specifically, the transport instruction unit 115 outputs the transport instruction to the automatic transport device 3 that is determined to be first in the arrival order by the arrival determination unit 113. For example, when the arrival order of the AGV1 is determined to be first for the set order information D3 of "SET1", the transport instruction unit 115 outputs a transport instruction to the AGV1, including position information (stopping place) of the partial area a1, which is the destination, information of the products "banana", "cucumber", "tomato", and "carrot", and information of the travel route. The transport instruction unit 115 is an example of a transport instruction unit of the present invention.

[0061] Each automatic transport device 3 starts picking travel when it acquires the transport instruction. Specifically, the automatic transport device 3 moves to the installation location of the display device 4 in the partial area where the shelves storing the ordered products are arranged. The worker in charge of the picking work in the partial area places the products that have been picked in advance and temporarily placed in the temporary storage area in the container for the customer who ordered the products in the automatic transport device 3 that has arrived. When the automatic transport device 3 finishes picking work in one partial area, it moves to the partial area of ​​the shelves storing the next ordered products and performs picking work. The automatic transport device 3 repeats this until picking work is completed for all ordered products. When picking work is completed for all ordered products, the automatic transport device 3 moves to the delivery location. When the automatic transport device 3 arrives at the delivery location, the worker waiting at the delivery location attaches a shipping label to the container mounted on the automatic transport device 3, loads the products on a shipping truck, and delivers the products to the customer.

[0062] As described above, when the fleet management server 1 acquires a plurality of transport requests from the order management server 2, it notifies the worker of the transport information and outputs a transport instruction to the automatic transport device 3.

[0063] [Transportation processing] Hereinafter, the transportation process executed in the transportation system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Specifically, in this embodiment, the transportation process is executed by the control unit 11 of the traffic management server 1. In addition, the control unit 11 can execute multiple transportation processes in parallel in response to multiple transportation requests output from the order management server 2.

[0064] The present invention can be understood as an invention of a conveying method that executes one or more steps included in the conveying process. One or more steps included in the conveying process described here may be omitted as appropriate. The steps in the conveying process may be performed in a different order as long as the same action and effect is achieved. Furthermore, although an example is described here in which the control unit 11 executes each step in the conveying process, another embodiment can also be a conveying method in which one or more processors execute each step in the conveying process in a distributed manner.

[0065] Here, the transportation process will be explained using an example in which order information D2 (see FIG. 5) including four orders (unit orders) from a customer, CUSTOM1 to CUSTOM4, is received from the order management server 2, as in the example described above.

[0066] First, in step S1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a delivery request has been received from the order management server 2. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not order information D2 (see FIG. 5) has been received from the order management server 2. When the control unit 11 receives the order information D2, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0067] In step S2, the control unit 11 generates set order information D3 based on the order information D2. For example, when the control unit 11 receives order information D2 (see FIG. 5) including four orders (unit orders) of a customer, CUSTOM1 to CUSTOM4, the control unit 11 generates set order information D3 (see FIG. 6) by referring to the product information D1 (see FIG. 4). For example, the control unit 11 aggregates, among the multiple products included in the order information D2, multiple products stored in the same partial area into one order (set order) to generate set order information D3 (see FIG. 6). The set order information D3 for "SET1" includes the order information D2 assigned to containers 1 to 4 and information on the partial area ID "a001".

[0068] Next, in step S3, the control unit 11 calculates the estimated arrival time at which each of the multiple automatic transport devices 3 arrives at the location (arrival position) where the products are received. Specifically, the control unit 11 calculates the estimated arrival time at the arrival position for each of the multiple automatic transport devices 3. For example, taking partial area a1 storing the products of set order information D3 of "SET1" as an example, the control unit 11 acquires the current positions of the three AGVs 1 to 3, calculates the travel time required from each current position to the installation position of the display device 4A in partial area a1, and calculates the estimated arrival time for each of the AGVs 1 to 3.

[0069] Next, in step S4, the control unit 11 determines the arrival order of each of the multiple automated guided vehicles 3 when they arrive at the arrival position. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines the arrival order in the order of earliest calculated estimated arrival times. For example, if AGV1 arrives at partial area a1 the earliest, the control unit 11 determines the arrival order of AGV1 as first. After step S4, the control unit 11 executes the processes of steps S51 and S52 in parallel. Step S4 is an example of an arrival determination step of the present invention.

[0070] In step S51, the control unit 11 notifies the worker corresponding to the arrival position of transport information regarding the product to be received by the automatic transport device 3 that will arrive next at the arrival position before the automatic transport device 3 arrives at the arrival position. For example, when the control unit 11 determines that the arrival order of the AGV1 is first for the set order information D3 of "SET1", it transmits transport information including the set order information D3 and information on the storage position of the product to the display device 4A before the AGV1 arrives at the partial area a1. In addition, the control unit 11 transmits identification information of the automatic transport device 3 that is scheduled to arrive at the partial area a1 (here, "AGV1") and information on the remaining time until the AGV1 arrives to the display device 4A. Step S51 is an example of a transport information notification step.

[0071] When the display device 4 receives the information transmitted from the fleet management server 1, it displays the picking work information page p1 (see FIG. 7) on the display screen. The worker picks up the product from the storage shelf T1 while checking the picking work information page p1.

[0072] Furthermore, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the tag Tg installed at the storage port where the AGV 1 stores the product received from the worker, among the tags Tg installed at each storage port of the storage shelf T1. For example, the display device 4A displays a picking button K1 ("Pick" button) in association with each product on the picking work information page p1. For example, the display device 4A lights up the picking button K1 of the product "banana" numbered "1". The display device 4A also lights up the tag Tg installed at the storage port in the storage shelf T1 where the product "banana" is stored (see FIG. 3). This allows the worker to grasp the storage location of the "banana" and pick the "banana" from the storage shelf T1. The worker temporarily places the picked "banana" in a temporary storage area (not shown) or the like installed near the display device 4A, and presses the picking button K1 of "banana" on the picking work information page p1. The display device 4A then turns off the picking button K1 for "banana" and turns on the picking button K1 for the next product numbered "2", "cucumber". The display device 4A also turns off the tag Tg attached to the storage opening in the storage shelf T1 that stores the product "banana" and turns on the tag Tg attached to the storage opening that stores the next product, "cucumber". In this way, the worker temporarily places all of the products "banana", "cucumber", "tomato", and "carrot" in the temporary storage area before the AGV 1 arrives at the partial area a1.

[0073] In step S52, the control unit 11 outputs a transport instruction to the automatic transport device 3, including position information of the arrival position of the automatic transport device 3 and information of the product to be received from the worker at the arrival position. Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs the transport instruction to the automatic transport device 3 that has been determined to have the first arrival order. For example, when the control unit 11 determines that the arrival order of the AGV1 is first for the set order information D3 of "SET1", it outputs a transport instruction to the AGV1, including position information (stopping place) of the partial area a1, which is the destination, information on the products "banana", "cucumber", "tomato", and "carrot", and information on the travel route.

[0074] When the AGV1 receives the transport instruction, it starts its picking run. When the AGV1 arrives in front of the display device 4A of the partial area a1, the worker places each of the products temporarily placed in the temporary storage area into the respective containers 1 to 4. When the worker presses the completion button K2 on the picking work information page p1 (see FIG. 7), the AGV1 moves from the partial area a1 toward the delivery location.

[0075] After steps S51 and S52, the process returns to step S1, and the control unit 11 receives the next transport request from the order management server 2.

[0076] Each automatic transport device 3 starts picking work in parallel upon receiving the transport instruction. The control unit 11 repeatedly executes the above-mentioned process every time it receives the transport request from the order management server 2.

[0077] As described above, the conveying system 10 according to the present embodiment is a conveying system in which the automatic conveying device 3 receives the conveying object (goods) stored in a storage position from a worker and conveys the goods. The conveying system 10 determines the arrival order of the multiple automatic conveying devices 3 at a first arrival position where the objects are received, and notifies a first worker corresponding to the first arrival position of conveying information related to the objects received by a first automatic conveying device 3 that arrives next at the first arrival position before the first automatic conveying device 3 arrives at the first arrival position.

[0078] As a result, for example, when an operator picks up a product from a storage location, the operator can grasp the contents of the product and start the picking work or preparation for the same before the automatic conveying device 3 arrives at the storage location. Then, the operator can store the product in the automatic conveying device 3 as soon as the automatic conveying device 3 arrives at the storage location. This makes it possible to improve the work efficiency of the picking work.

[0079] The conveying system of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, one arrival position (the installation position of the display device 4) is provided in each partial area, but in another embodiment, the arrival position may be provided in a plurality of places in one partial area. That is, a plurality of display devices 4 may be installed in one partial area. In this case, the arrival determination unit 113 determines the arrival order of each of the plurality of automatic conveying devices 3 for each of the arrival positions. In addition, the order information notification unit 114 notifies the worker corresponding to each arrival position of the conveying information regarding the product to be received by the automatic conveying device 3 that will next arrive at the arrival position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1: Traffic management server 2: Order management server 3: Automatic transport device 4:Display device 5: Customer terminal 10: Transport system 11: Control section 12: Storage section 13: Operation display section 14: Communications Department 21: Control section 22: Storage section 23: Operation display section 24: Communications Department 111: Transportation request reception department 112: Order information generation unit 113: Arrival determination unit 114: Order information notification section 115: Transport instruction section

Claims

1. A transport system in which an automatic transport device receives a transport object stored in a storage position from a worker and transports the object, an arrival determination unit that determines an arrival order in which each of the plurality of automated transport devices arrives at a first arrival position where the automated transport device receives the transport object; a transport information notification unit that notifies a first operator corresponding to the first arrival position of transport information related to the transport target received by a first automatic transport device that will next arrive at the first arrival position before the first automatic transport device arrives at the first arrival position; Equipped with the arrival determination unit calculates an estimated arrival time at which the first automated guided vehicle will arrive at the first arrival position; The transport information notification unit determines a time to notify the first worker of the transport information based on the estimated arrival time and the working time required for the first worker to pick up the transport object from the storage location, and notifies the first worker of the transport information at the determined time.

2. the arrival determination unit calculates an estimated arrival time for each of the plurality of automated guided vehicles at the first arrival position, and determines the arrival order based on the estimated arrival time for each of the plurality of automated guided vehicles. The transport system according to claim 1 .

3. The transport information notification unit notifies the first worker of the transport information, the transport information including at least one of identification information of the transport object received by the first automatic transport device from the first worker and location information indicating a storage location of the transport object. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the delivery information notification unit causes a first display device installed corresponding to the first arrival position to display the delivery information; The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The transport information notification unit lights up or blinks a display unit installed on a shelf that stores the transport target that the first automatic transport device receives from the first operator, among display units installed on each shelf of a storage shelf that stores the multiple transport targets. The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A plurality of arrival locations are provided, including the first arrival location; the arrival determination unit determines an arrival order of each of the plurality of automated guided vehicles for each of the arrival positions; the transport information notification unit notifies, for each arrival position, the worker corresponding to the arrival position of the transport information related to the transport target that will be received by the automatic transport device that will next arrive at the arrival position; The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a transport instruction unit that outputs a transport instruction to the first automatic transport device, the transport instruction including position information of the first arrival position and transport object information indicating the transport object received from the first worker at the first arrival position; The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for transporting an object stored in a storage position by an automatic transport device, the method comprising the steps of: One or more processors an arrival determination step of determining an arrival order in which each of the plurality of automated transport devices arrives at a first arrival position where the transport object is received; a transport information notifying step of notifying a first operator corresponding to the first arrival position of transport information related to the transport object received by a first automatic transport device that will next arrive at the first arrival position before the first automatic transport device arrives at the first arrival position; Run In the arrival determination step, an estimated arrival time at which the first automated guided vehicle will arrive at the first arrival position is calculated, In the transport information notification step, a time for notifying the first worker of the transport information is determined based on the estimated arrival time and the working time required for the first worker to pick up the transport object from the storage location, and the transport information is notified to the first worker at the determined time.

9. A transport program in which an automatic transport device receives a transport object stored in a storage position from an operator and transports the object, an arrival determination step of determining an arrival order in which each of the plurality of automated transport devices arrives at a first arrival position where the transport object is received; a transport information notifying step of notifying a first operator corresponding to the first arrival position of transport information related to the transport object received by a first automatic transport device that will next arrive at the first arrival position before the first automatic transport device arrives at the first arrival position; on one or more processors, In the arrival determination step, an estimated arrival time at which the first automated guided vehicle will arrive at the first arrival position is calculated, A transportation program in which, in the transportation information notification step, a time for notifying the first worker of the transportation information is determined based on the estimated arrival time and the working time required for the first worker to pick up the transportation item from the storage location, and the transportation information is notified to the first worker at the determined time.

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