Logistics Management Device and Method

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for physical distribution management, which prevent a drop in distribution efficiency of the entire distribution network.SOLUTION: A physical distribution management method executed by a physical distribution management device that manages physical distribution in a physical distribution network that delivers packages from a collection / delivery base to a destination collection / delivery base via one or more relay points, including processing procedures of: acquiring the present delivery status of each package; predicting the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time based on the acquired present delivery status of each package; identifying, based on prediction results, relay points that are bottlenecks in physical distribution due to delays in package sorting work; and optimizing sorting patterns of necessary relay points so that the sorting work is not delayed after the predetermined time at each identified relay point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics management apparatus and method, and is suitable for application to a logistics management system that manages the logistics of a distribution network that performs distribution from a distribution center in the sending source area to a distribution center in the destination area via one or more relay points.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of distribution network, at the time of receiving each package, based on the combination of the distribution center in the sending source area and the distribution center in the destination area, the relay points through which each package passes until it is delivered to the distribution center in the destination area are determined.

[0003] At each relay point, sorting is performed for each incoming and outgoing package delivered from a distribution center or another relay point. In this case, there may be a preset sorting pattern that determines how to sort the packages.

[0004] Also, when it is necessary to regularly transport a predetermined amount of packages, a transport schedule is established that determines the number of transport flights between distribution centers and relay points or between relay points, the arrival and departure times of transport vehicles at each distribution center and each relay point, the movement routes of transport flights, etc.

[0005] As a prior art for managing logistics in a distribution network, there is a technique of notifying a transport vehicle, for which waiting time is expected when using a cargo handling facility at a relay point, of the time when the cargo handling facility becomes available as the arrival time. For example, there is the technique described in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] If the amount of goods flowing into the relay point is larger than expected when setting a given sorting pattern and the number of sorting destinations is large and the time required for sorting work is long, due to insufficient sorting capacity at the relay point, delays in incoming and outgoing operations and stagnation of goods may occur, and the delivery efficiency of the entire distribution network may decrease.

[0008] On the other hand, it is not desirable to perform overly fine sorting at each relay point because it may reduce the loading rate. Since the sorted goods are loaded onto the same equipment (for example, a cage car or a pallet), the finer the sorting, the more equipment is required even if the number of goods is the same. Since there is an upper limit to the number of equipment that can be loaded onto a transport vehicle, if the sorting is made finer, the number of goods that can be loaded onto the transport vehicle will decrease.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and intends to propose a logistics management apparatus and method capable of preventing a decrease in the delivery efficiency of the entire distribution network.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve such problems, in the present invention, in a logistics management apparatus that manages logistics in a logistics network for delivering goods from a collection and distribution base to a collection and distribution base of a delivery destination via one or more relay points, a storage device that stores a program, and a processor that executes processing based on the program by executing the program stored in the storage device are provided. The processor predicts the delivery status of each of the goods after a predetermined time based on the program stored in the storage device, and identifies, based on the prediction result, the relay point at which the sorting operation of the goods is delayed and becomes a bottleneck in the logistics, a delivery status prediction process, and the delivery status prediction Processing specified by PerformedAt each of the relay points, execution is performed of sorting pattern optimization processing for optimizing the sorting pattern of the necessary relay points so that no delay in the sorting operation occurs after the predetermined time. The delivery situation prediction processing includes: an information acquisition step of acquiring, for each of the relay points, the arrival situation of each piece of luggage, the working situation of the sorting operation of the luggage, the association information associating each transport vehicle for delivering the luggage between the collection and distribution base and the relay points or between the relay points with the luggage, and the position information of the current position of each transport vehicle; a delivery situation prediction step of predicting the delivery situation of each piece of luggage after a predetermined time based on each piece of information acquired in the information acquisition step, the schedule information of each transport vehicle given in advance, the association information, and the information on the sorting pattern of the luggage predetermined for each destination for each of the relay points; and a bottleneck relay point identification step of identifying, as the relay point that becomes the bottleneck of the logistics, the relay point where the number of pieces of luggage waiting for sorting exceeds a preset first threshold value, or the relay point where the number of sorting destinations exceeds a preset second threshold value, based on the delivery situation of each piece of luggage after the predetermined time predicted in the delivery situation prediction step. The sorting pattern optimization processing includes: a sorting pattern change candidate identification step of identifying, as a sorting pattern change candidate, a combination of the source relay point that changes the sorting pattern so that no delay in the sorting operation occurs after the predetermined time and the destination relay point or the collection and distribution base at the relay point identified in the delivery situation prediction step; a sorting pattern combination information generation step of generating all the sorting pattern combinations that are consistent among the sorting pattern combinations that are the combinations of the sorting patterns in each of the sorting pattern change candidates identified in the sorting pattern change candidate identification step; and an evaluation value calculation step of calculating evaluation values for each of the sorting pattern combinations after a predetermined time and selecting, as the optimal sorting pattern combination, the sorting pattern combination with the best evaluation value.

[0011] Also, in the present invention, there is provided a logistics management method executed in a logistics management device that manages logistics in a logistics network for delivering a package from a distribution center to a destination distribution center via one or more relay points. The logistics management device is configured to A storage device that stores a program, and a processor that executes a process based on the program by executing the program stored in the storage device, wherein the processor acquire the current delivery status of each package, predict the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time based on the acquired current delivery status of each package, and identify, based on the prediction result, a relay point where the sorting operation of the package is delayed and becomes a bottleneck in the logistics process as a first step; The processor and at each identified relay point, optimize the sorting pattern of the necessary relay points so that no delay occurs in the sorting operation after the predetermined time as a second step. The first step includes an information acquisition step of acquiring the arrival status of each piece of luggage at each relay point, the working status of the sorting operation of the luggage, the association information associating each transport vehicle that delivers the luggage between the distribution center and the relay point or between the relay points with the luggage, and the position information of the current position of each transport vehicle; a delivery status prediction step of predicting the delivery status of each piece of luggage after a predetermined time based on each information acquired in the information acquisition step, the schedule information of each transport vehicle given in advance, the association information, and the information on the sorting pattern of the luggage predetermined for each destination for each relay point; and a bottleneck relay point identification step of identifying, as the relay point that becomes the bottleneck of the logistics, the relay point where the number of pieces of luggage waiting to be sorted exceeds a preset first threshold value, or the relay point where the number of sorting destinations exceeds a preset second threshold value, based on the delivery status of each piece of luggage after the predetermined time predicted in the delivery status prediction step. The second step includes a sorting pattern change candidate identification step of identifying, as a sorting pattern change candidate, a combination of the origin relay point that changes the sorting pattern so that no delay occurs in the sorting operation after the predetermined time and the destination relay point or the distribution center at the relay point identified in the delivery status prediction step; a sorting pattern combination information generation step of generating all the consistent sorting pattern combinations among the sorting pattern combinations that are the combinations of the sorting patterns in each sorting pattern change candidate identified in the sorting pattern change candidate identification step; and an evaluation value calculation step of calculating an evaluation value for each sorting pattern combination after the predetermined time and selecting the sorting pattern combination with the best evaluation value as the optimal sorting pattern combination. This is how it is done.

[0012] According to the logistics management device and method of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the stagnation of logistics caused by the delay of the sorting operation of packages at any relay point within the logistics network.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a logistics management device and method that can prevent a decrease in the delivery efficiency of the entire delivery network.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Note that the embodiments described below are examples for explaining the present invention, and are appropriately omitted and simplified for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise particularly limited, each component may be singular or plural.

[0017] The positions, sizes, shapes, ranges, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may not represent the actual positions, sizes, shapes, ranges, etc. in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the positions, sizes, shapes, ranges, etc. disclosed in the drawings.

[0018] As examples of various information, it may be described using expressions such as "table", "list", "queue", etc., but the various information may be represented by data structures other than these. For example, various information such as "XX table", "XX list", "XX queue" may be referred to as "XX information". When explaining identification information, expressions such as "identification information", "identifier", "name", "ID", "number" are used, but these are mutually replaceable.

[0019] When there are a plurality of components having the same or similar functions, they may be described with the same reference numeral and different subscripts. Also, when it is not necessary to distinguish these plurality of components, the subscripts may be omitted in the description.

[0020] In the embodiments, the processing performed by executing a program may be described. Here, the computer executes the program by a processor (for example, CPU, GPU), and performs the processing defined by the program while using storage resources (for example, memory) and interface devices (for example, communication ports), etc. Therefore, the subject of the processing performed by executing the program may be the processor.

[0021] Similarly, the entity performing the processing by executing the program may be a controller, device, system, computer, or node having a processor. The entity performing the processing by executing the program may be an arithmetic unit and may include a dedicated circuit for performing specific processing. Here, the dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), or the like.

[0022] The program may be installed in the computer from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server or a storage medium readable by the computer. When the program source is a program distribution server, the program distribution server includes a processor and a storage resource for storing the program to be distributed, and the processor of the program distribution server may distribute the program to be distributed to other computers. Also, in the embodiment, two or more programs may be realized as one program, or one program may be realized as two or more programs.

[0023] (1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration Example of Logistics Management System FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the logistics network 1. This logistics network 1 is configured to include the distribution bases 2 indicated by "A" to "I" in the figure and the relay points 3 indicated by "1" to "9" in the figure. The goods shipped from the distribution bases 2 named "A" to "D" are finally delivered to one of the distribution bases 2 named "E" to "I" via the relay points 3, and the goods shipped from the distribution bases 2 named "E" to "I" are finally delivered to one of the distribution bases 2 named "A" to "D" via the relay points 3.

[0024] Specifically, the goods shipped from the distribution centers 2 named "A" to "C" are collected at the relay point 3 named "6" via the relay points 3 named "1" or "2" and the relay point 3 named "4" in sequence. The goods shipped from the distribution center 2 named "D" are collected at the relay point 3 named "6" via the relay points 3 named "3" and "5" in sequence. Then, these goods collected at the relay point 3 named "6" are delivered to the distribution centers 2 named "E", "F", "G", "H", or "I" via the relay points 3 named "7", "8", or "9".

[0025] Also, the goods shipped from the distribution centers 2 named "E" or "F" are collected at the relay point 3 named "6" via the relay point 3 named "7". The goods shipped from the distribution center 2 named "G" are collected at the relay point 3 named "6" via the relay point 3 named "8". The goods shipped from the distribution centers 2 named "H" or "I" are collected at the relay point 3 named "6" via the relay point 3 named "9". Then, these goods collected at the relay point 3 named "6" are delivered to the distribution centers 2 named "A", "B", or "C" via the relay point 3 named "4" and the relay points 3 named "1" or "2" in sequence, and are delivered to the distribution center 2 named "D" via the relay point 3 named "5" and the relay point 3 named "3" in sequence.

[0026] The delivery of goods between the distribution centers 2 and the relay points 3 and between the relay points 3 is carried out by transportation services composed of transport vehicles 13 (Figure 2) such as trucks. The number of transportation services between each distribution center 2 and each relay point 3, the arrival and departure times of the transportation services at each distribution center 2 and each relay point 3, and the moving routes of the transportation services are determined in advance as a transportation service schedule.

[0027] In the logistics network 1, for each relay point 3, a sorting pattern is set for each destination of the goods. For example, for the relay point 3 numbered "6", a sorting pattern for the goods with the relay point 3 numbered "7" as the destination, a sorting pattern for the goods with the relay point 3 numbered "8" as the destination, and a sorting pattern for the goods with the relay point 3 numbered "9" as the destination are respectively set. Therefore, it can be said that the sorting pattern is set for each combination of the origin and the destination of the shipment.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a configuration example of the logistics management system 10 according to the present embodiment. This logistics management system 10 is a system for managing the logistics in the logistics network 1, and includes resource devices 11 and base management devices 12 respectively installed at each relay point 3, a transportation management device 14 for managing each transport vehicle 13, and a logistics management device 15 for controlling the entire logistics management system 10.

[0029] The logistics management device 15 is respectively connected to the base management devices 12 installed at each relay point 3 and the transportation management device 14 installed at a center or the like via a network 16 such as the Internet or a dedicated line. Each base management device 12 is connected to the resource device 11 within the same relay point 3 via a wired or wireless network. The transportation management device 14 is connected to each transport vehicle 13 via a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone line.

[0030] The resource device 11 is a device used for the cargo handling work at the relay point 3, and is composed of, for example, material handling devices such as forklifts, gondola cars, pallets, conveyors, transport robots and / or picking systems, and logistics facilities such as a digital assorting system for assisting the sorting work and worker terminals.

[0031] The base management device 12 is a computer device that has the function of collecting and managing the operating status of the resource devices 11 at each relay base 3 at the installation location and various information of each piece of cargo. When loading or unloading cargo at the relay base 3 at the installation location, the base management device 12 reads from the label of the cargo to obtain the cargo information such as the identifiers (cargo IDs) of these cargos, the receiving location (the distribution base that received the cargo), and the destination (the distribution base of the delivery destination), and manages it by associating it with the loading time or unloading time. In addition, the base management device 12 also manages the transport vehicle 13 on which each shipped cargo is loaded in association with each cargo.

[0032] The transportation management device 14 holds the information of the transportation schedule diagram of each transport vehicle 13 given in advance (hereinafter referred to as this transportation schedule diagram information), and notifies the held transportation schedule diagram information to the logistics management device 15. In addition, the transportation management device 14 transmits operation instructions to each transport vehicle 13 based on the held transportation schedule diagram information, or periodically acquires the current positions from each transport vehicle 13 to perform dynamic management of these transport vehicles 13.

[0033] The logistics management device 15 is a computer device that has the function of collecting necessary information from each base management device 12 and transportation management device 14 via the network 16 and managing the logistics in the logistics network 1 based on the collected information. As shown in FIG. 3, the logistics management device 15 is composed of a general-purpose server device including a processing device 20, a storage device 21, a communication device 22, an input device 23, and a display device 24.

[0034] The processing device 20 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the logistics management device 15, and is composed of a processor 25 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and a memory 26 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as the working area of the processor 25. In addition, the storage device 21 is composed of a large-capacity and volatile large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive), for example, and stores various programs and various data that need to be stored for a long time.

[0035] The program stored in the storage device 21 is read from the storage device 21 into the memory 26 of the processing device 20 when the logistics management device 15 is started up or when necessary, and the processor 25 executes the program read into this memory 26, whereby various processes of the entire logistics management device 15 as described below are executed.

[0036] The communication device 22 is composed of, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), and performs protocol control when the logistics management device 15 communicates with the base management device 12 (FIG. 2) or the transportation and distribution management device 14 (FIG. 2) via the network 16 (FIG. 2).

[0037] The input device 23 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and is used for a user to input various commands and information into the logistics management device 15. The display device 24 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is used to display various GUI (Graphical User Interface) screens and necessary information. Note that a touch panel in which these are integrated may be applied as the input device 23 and the display device 24.

[0038] (1-2) Logistics management function according to the present embodiment Next, the logistics management function according to the present embodiment mounted on the logistics management device 15 will be described. This logistics management function predicts the sorting status of the packages at each relay base after a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes later) at that predetermined time cycle, and when there is a relay base 3 where it is predicted that a delay will occur in the sorting operation due to concentration of packages or the like after the predetermined time, it is a function to change the sorting pattern of other relay bases 3 so that such a delay in the sorting operation does not occur.

[0039] Here, in the logistics network 1 (Fig. 1) of the present embodiment, as described above, the sorting pattern of the packages at each relay point 3 is preset for each destination (preset for each combination of the origin and the destination), and at each relay point 3, the packages are sorted according to the set sorting pattern.

[0040] For example, in the logistics network 1 of Fig. 1, at the relay point 3 numbered "4" and the relay point 3 numbered "5", when shipping packages to the relay point 3 numbered "6", the sorting pattern is preset such that all the packages destined for the distribution bases 2 numbered "E" to "I" are loaded onto the same equipment (e.g., a cage car or a pallet).

[0041] As a result, in the distribution network illustrated in Fig. 1, packages are concentrated at the relay point numbered "6", so delays are likely to occur in the sorting operation at this relay point 3. As a result, the relay point 3 numbered "6" becomes a bottleneck, and delays are likely to occur in the distribution operations in the logistics network 1.

[0042] Therefore, in this logistics management system 10, when the logistics management device 15 sends packages from the relay point 3 numbered "4" to the relay point 3 numbered "6", for example, it changes the sorting pattern at the relay point 3 numbered "4" so that the packages destined for the distribution bases 2 numbered "E" or "F" are loaded onto the same equipment, the packages destined for the distribution base 2 numbered "G" are loaded onto one piece of equipment, and the packages destined for the distribution bases 2 numbered "H" or "I" are loaded onto the same equipment, or it changes the sorting pattern at the relay point 3 numbered "4" so that the packages destined for the distribution bases 2 numbered "E" to "G" are loaded onto the same equipment and the packages destined for the distribution bases 2 numbered "H" or "I" are loaded onto the same equipment. Thereby, the reloading operation of the packages at the relay point 3 numbered "6" can be omitted or reduced, and as a result, delays in the distribution operations throughout the logistics network 1 can be prevented.

[0043] As means for realizing the logistics management function of such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the logistics management apparatus 15 is provided with a delivery status prediction unit 30 and a sorting pattern optimization unit 31. In the storage device 21, a transportation schedule information table 32, a default sorting pattern information table 33, a delivery status information table 34, a delivery status prediction information table 35, a package retention information table 36, a sorting pattern change candidate information table 37, and a sorting pattern combination information table 38 are stored.

[0044] The delivery status prediction unit 30 is a functional unit having a function of predicting the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time. The processor 25 of the processing apparatus 20 described above with reference to FIG. 3 is embodied by executing a predetermined program (not shown) read from the storage device 21 into the memory 26. The delivery status prediction unit 30 includes a base operation status acquisition unit 40, a transport vehicle position information acquisition unit 41, a delivery status prediction information generation unit 42, and a bottleneck relay base identification unit 43.

[0045] The base operation status acquisition unit 40 is a functional unit having a function of acquiring, from the base management apparatus 12 (FIG. 2) of each relay base 3, the operation status of the current sorting operation at the relay base 3. The transport vehicle position information acquisition unit 41 is a functional unit having a function of acquiring the current position of each transport vehicle 13 from the transportation management apparatus 14 (FIG. 2). The base operation status acquisition unit 40 and the transport vehicle position information acquisition unit 41 acquire the operation status of the current sorting operation and the current position of each transport vehicle at a predetermined time cycle, and store the acquired information in the delivery status information table 34.

[0046] The delivery status prediction information generation unit 42 is a functional unit that predicts the operation status of the sorting operation at each relay base 3 after a predetermined time based on the various types of information stored in the delivery status information table 34 and the transportation schedule information of each transport vehicle 13 registered in advance in the transportation schedule information table 32 described later. The delivery status prediction information generation unit 42 stores the prediction result of such prediction in the delivery status prediction information table 35.

[0047] The bottleneck relay point identification unit 43 is a functional unit having a function of identifying a relay point 3 that is a bottleneck in the distribution operation in the logistics network 1 (FIG. 1) (hereinafter referred to as a bottleneck relay point) based on the prediction result of the operation status of the sorting operation at each relay point 3 after a predetermined time stored in the distribution status prediction information table 35.

[0048] On the other hand, the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 is a functional unit having a function of optimizing the sorting pattern of other relay points 3 so that a bottleneck relay point 3 does not occur after a predetermined time based on the distribution status after a predetermined time registered in the distribution status prediction information table 35, and is realized by the processor 25 of the processing device 20 described above with respect to FIG. 3 executing a program (not shown) read from the storage device 21 to the memory 26. This sorting pattern optimization unit 31 includes a sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44, a sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, and an evaluation value calculation unit 46.

[0049] The sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 is a functional unit having a function of identifying, for each bottleneck relay point 3 identified by the bottleneck relay point identification unit of the distribution status prediction unit 30, a section before the bottleneck relay point 3 where the delivery volume of the goods heading for the bottleneck relay point 3 is large as a sorting pattern change candidate.

[0050] Here, the "section" refers to a route portion connecting the relay point 3 (shipping source) for which the sorting pattern should be changed and the relay point 3 (shipping destination) to which the goods delivered from the relay point 3 to the distribution base 2 of the destination via the bottleneck relay point 3 are delivered. The sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 identifies all combinations of the above-mentioned shipping source and shipping destination as sorting pattern change candidates, and stores the identified sorting pattern change candidates in the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37.

[0051] In addition, the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 generates all combinations of each sort pattern (hereinafter referred to as sorting pattern combinations) that can be set for each shipping source of each sorting pattern change candidate stored in the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37, and stores, in the sorting pattern combination information table 38, the sorting pattern combinations with consistency among the generated sorting pattern combinations. It is a functional unit having such a function.

[0052] For example, assume that the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 specifies two sorting pattern change candidates, namely, "shipping source - shipping destination combination 1" and "shipping source - shipping destination combination 2", as such sorting pattern change candidates. Also, for the sorting pattern change candidate "shipping source - shipping destination combination 1", "sorting pattern 1" and "sorting pattern 2" can be set as the sorting patterns of the shipping source, and for the sorting pattern change candidate "shipping source - shipping destination combination 2", "sorting pattern 3" and "sorting pattern 4" can be set as the sorting patterns of the shipping source.

[0053] In this case, the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 generates four sorting pattern combinations, namely, {sorting pattern 1, sorting pattern 3}, {sorting pattern 1, sorting pattern 4}, {sorting pattern 2, sorting pattern 3}, and {sorting pattern 2, sorting pattern 4}, and stores, in the sorting pattern combination information table 38, the information of the sorting pattern combinations with consistency among the generated four sorting pattern combinations.

[0054] Here, the "sorting pattern with consistency" refers to a sorting pattern in which the goods stacked on the same equipment at the shipping source in the sorting pattern change candidate are not sorted at the subsequent relay point 3.

[0055] For example, in the example of FIG. 1, at relay point 3 named "4", the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "E" are loaded onto the same equipment, the goods destined for each distribution center 2 named "F" or "G" are loaded onto the same equipment, and the goods destined for each distribution center 2 named "H" or "I" are loaded onto the same equipment. On the other hand, at relay point 3 named "6", the goods destined for each distribution center 2 named "E", "F", or "G" are loaded onto the same equipment, and the goods destined for each distribution center 2 named "H" or "I" are reloaded onto the same equipment.

[0056] In such a case, the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "E" that are sorted from the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "F" or "G" at relay point 3 named "4" are loaded onto the same equipment as the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "F" or "G" at relay point 3 named "6". A sorting pattern combination in which the goods sorted at the previous relay point are reloaded onto the same equipment is considered inconsistent. A consistent sorting pattern combination can be generated using any algorithm.

[0057] Furthermore, the evaluation value calculation unit 46 is a functional unit that calculates the evaluation value for each case when each sorting pattern combination registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 is applied, and selects the optimal sorting pattern combination after a predetermined time from among these sorting pattern combinations based on the calculated evaluation value. Details of the "evaluation value" and the "number of goods in detention" will be described later.

[0058] The evaluation value calculation unit 46 displays the optimal sorting pattern combination after the calculated predetermined time on the display device 24 (FIG. 3), or notifies the base management device 12 (FIG. 2) of the relay point 3 where the sorting pattern should be changed of the changed sorting pattern. As a result, according to this notification, the sorting pattern after a predetermined time by the operator or the sorting machine at that relay point 3 is switched to the changed sorting pattern.

[0059] On the one hand, the transportation schedule information table 32 is a table storing the transportation schedule information of each transportation schedule that has been notified in advance from the transportation and distribution management device 14 (Fig. 2) to the logistics management device 15. In the transportation schedule information table 32, there are identifiers for each transportation schedule, identifiers of the transport vehicle 13 used as that transportation schedule (transport vehicle ID), the delivery route of that transportation schedule (the bases of departure and arrival and via), and information such as the arrival and departure times of that transportation schedule at each collection and distribution base and each relay base on that delivery route.

[0060] Also, the default sorting pattern information table 33 is a table storing the sorting patterns of the goods set for each destination for each relay base 3, which is created in advance and stored in the storage device 21 of the logistics management device 15. The "destination" is a relay base 3 or a collection and distribution base 2 that can be the delivery destination of the goods shipped from the relay base 3 of the shipping origin, and corresponds to a relay base 3 or a collection and distribution base 2 that is an adjacent node when each relay base 3 and each collection and distribution base 2 in the logistics network 1 are regarded as nodes. For example, in the case of the distribution network in Fig. 1, when the relay base 3 numbered "6" is the shipping origin, the relay bases 3 numbered "4", "5", "7", "8", or "9" can be the destinations.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 5, this default sorting pattern information table 33 is configured with a shipping origin column 33A, a destination column 33B, and a sorting pattern column 33C. In the default sorting pattern information table 33, one row corresponds to the sorting pattern set for the combination of the shipping origin and the destination.

[0062] In the shipping origin column 33A, the relay base ID of the relay base 3 that is the shipping origin of the goods is stored, and in the destination column 33B, the collection and distribution base ID or the relay base ID of the collection and distribution base 2 or the relay base 3 that is the destination of the goods is stored. Also, in the sorting pattern column 33C, the sorting pattern preset for the combination of such a shipping origin and a destination is stored.

[0063] Therefore, in the case of the example in FIG. 5, when shipping a package from relay point 3 named "1" to distribution center 2 named "A", the default sorting pattern is "[A]". It is shown that when shipping a package from relay point 3 named "1" to relay point 3 named "4", the default sorting pattern is "[E,F,G,H,I]".

[0064] Note that in FIG. 5, the notation "[○,△,□]" represents a sorting pattern in which all packages destined for distribution centers 2 named "○", "△", or "□" are loaded onto the same equipment. Therefore, "[A]" is a sorting pattern in which packages destined for distribution center 2 named "A" are loaded onto the same equipment, and "[E,F,G,H,I]" represents a sorting pattern in which all packages destined for distribution centers 2 named "E", "F", "G", "H", or "I" are loaded onto the same equipment. The same applies hereinafter.

[0065] The delivery status information table 34 is a table used to hold the working status of the sorting operation at each relay point 3 obtained by the site operation status acquisition unit 40 (FIG. 4) from the site management device 12 (FIG. 2) of each relay point 3, and the current positions of each transport vehicle 13 obtained by the transport vehicle position information acquisition unit 41 from the transportation management device 14 (FIG. 2) (accurately, the current positions of each package loaded on these transport vehicles 13). As shown in FIG. 6, this delivery status information table 34 is configured to include a package ID column 34A, a status column 34B, a current position column 34C, a receiving location column 34D, a receiving time column 34E, a destination column 34F, and a delivery route column 34G. In the delivery status information table 34, one row corresponds to one package to be delivered existing in the logistics network 1 at that time.

[0066] In the package ID column 34A, the package ID assigned to the corresponding package is stored, and in the status column 34B, the current status of the package is stored. Such package statuses include "awaiting sorting" which is the state of waiting for sorting at the distribution center 2 or relay point 3, "awaiting shipment" which is the state of waiting for shipment after sorting and at the distribution center 2 or relay point 3, and "in transit" which is the state of being in transit to the relay point 3 or distribution center 2 of the destination by the transport vehicle 13.

[0067] Also, in the current location column 34C, the current location of the corresponding package is stored. When the status of the package is "in transit", the current location is the current location of the transport vehicle 13 on which the package is loaded and is stored in the current location column 34C as the current location of the package. In this case, when the current location of the transport vehicle 13 is from the distribution center 2 or relay point 3 named "○" to the relay point 3 or distribution center 2 named "△", it is expressed in the form of "section ○-△".

[0068] Furthermore, in the receiving location column 34D, the distribution center ID of the distribution center 2 where the package was received is stored, and in the receiving time column 34E, the time when the package was received at the distribution center 2 is stored. Additionally, in the destination column 34F, the distribution center ID of the distribution center 2 that is the destination of the package is stored, and in the delivery route column 34G, the delivery route of the package determined by the logistics management device 15 is stored. The delivery route may be calculated by the logistics management device 15 referring to a pre-given master, or may be calculated using known delivery route optimization techniques.

[0069] Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, for example, the package with the package ID "package 1" was received at the distribution center 2 named "A" with the distribution center 2 named "E" as the destination at "13:40", and is currently in the "awaiting shipment" state at the distribution center 2, and is shown to be scheduled for delivery to the distribution center 2 named "E" via the delivery route "A→1→4→6→7→E".

[0070] The delivery status prediction information table 35 is a table used to hold information regarding the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time predicted by the delivery status prediction information generation unit 42 (Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 7, it is configured with a package ID column 35A, a predicted status column 35B, a predicted location column 35C, a next base point column 35D, a receiving location column 35E, a receiving time column 35F, a destination column 35G, and a delivery route column 35H. In the delivery status prediction information table 35, one row corresponds to one package.

[0071] And in the package ID column 35A, the receiving location column 35E, the receiving time column 35F, the destination column 35G, and the delivery route column 35H, information similar to that respectively stored in the package ID column 34A, the receiving location column 34D, the receiving time column 34E, the destination column 34F, and the delivery route column 34G of the delivery status information table 34 (Fig. 6) for the corresponding package is respectively stored.

[0072] Also, in the predicted status column 35B, the status after the predetermined time predicted for the corresponding package is stored, and in the predicted location column 35C, the location after the predetermined time predicted for that package is stored. Furthermore, in the next base point column 35D, the identifier (collection and distribution base ID or relay base point ID) of the collection and distribution base 2 or the relay base point 3, which is the next shipping destination after the predetermined time predicted for that package, is stored.

[0073] Therefore, in the case of the example in Fig. 7, the package with the package ID of "Package 1" has a receiving location of the collection and distribution base "A", a receiving time of "13:40", a destination of the collection and distribution base 2 "E", a delivery route of "A→1→4→6→7→E", a status of "awaiting shipment" after the predicted predetermined time, a location of "section 1-4", and the next shipping destination is the relay base point 3 with the relay base point ID of "4".

[0074] The package retention information table 36 is a table used to hold the estimated results of the retention status of packages at each destination after a predetermined time at the shipping source (bottleneck relay point 3) of each sorting pattern change candidate identified by the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44. As shown in FIG. 8, this package retention information table 36 is configured to include a shipping source column 36A, a destination column 36B, and a number of packages waiting for sorting column 36C.

[0075] Then, in the shipping source column 36A, the relay point ID of the shipping source (bottleneck relay point 3) of the pattern change candidate where package retention is estimated to occur after a predetermined time is stored. In the destination column 36B, the relay point ID or distribution center ID of each relay point 3 or the relay point 3 of each distribution center 2 that can be the destination of the packages shipped from that shipping source is stored. Also, in the number of packages waiting for sorting column 36C, the estimated number of packages that should be shipped from the shipping source (bottleneck relay point 3) to the corresponding destination in that pattern change candidate and are in the "waiting for sorting" state at the shipping source after a predetermined time is stored.

[0076] Therefore, in the case of the example in FIG. 8, taking the relay point (bottleneck relay point) 3 with the ID "6" as the shipping source and each relay point 3 with the IDs "4", "5", "7", "8", or "9" as the destinations, the number of packages in the "waiting for sorting" state after a predetermined time is shown to be "10", "20", "100", "150", or "100" respectively.

[0077] The sorting pattern change candidate information table 37 is a table used to hold the information of the sorting pattern change candidates identified by the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44. As shown in FIG. 9, it is configured to include a shipping source column 37A, a destination column 37B, and a default sorting pattern column 37C. In the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37, one row corresponds to one combination of a shipping source and a destination identified as a sorting pattern change candidate by the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44.

[0078] Then, in the shipper column 37A, the relay point ID of relay point 3 of the shipper among the combinations of the shipper and the consignee specified as the sorting pattern change candidates is stored, and in the consignee column 37B, the relay point ID of relay point 3 of the consignee among such combinations is stored. Here, the consignee corresponds to relay point 3 that makes a prior change to the sorting pattern in order to prevent a delay in the sorting operation at bottleneck relay point 3. Also, in the default sorting pattern column 37C, the sorting pattern currently set for the shipper for the combination of the shipper and the consignee is stored.

[0079] Therefore, in the case of the example in FIG. 9, in the case of a sorting pattern change candidate with relay point 3 of "4" as the shipper and relay point 3 of "6" as the consignee, it is shown that for the goods with "E", "F", "G", "H", and "I" as the delivery destinations, they are loaded onto the same equipment in the current (default) sorting pattern.

[0080] The sorting pattern combination information table 38 is a table used to hold the consistent sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45. As shown in FIG. 10, this sorting pattern combination information table is configured to include an ID column 38A, a shipper column 38B, a shipper type column 38C, a consignee column 38D, and a sorting pattern column 38E. And in the ID column 38A, the identifiers (sorting pattern combination IDs) respectively assigned to each sorting pattern combination are stored.

[0081] Also, the shipper column 38B, the shipper type column 38C, the consignee column 38D, and the sorting pattern column 38E corresponding to one sorting pattern combination are divided into row L1 respectively associated with each corresponding sorting pattern change candidate and row L2 respectively associated with each relay point 38 affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the corresponding bottleneck relay point 3.

[0082] In the case of line L1 associated with the sorting pattern change candidate, in the shipper column 38B, the relay point ID of relay point 3 of the shipper in that sorting pattern change candidate is stored, and in the consignee column 38D, the distribution center ID or relay point ID of distribution center 2 or relay point 3 of the consignee in that sorting pattern change candidate is stored. Also, in the shipper type column 38C, information indicating that the corresponding shipper is a candidate for changing the sorting pattern (in FIG. 10, "change candidate point") is stored. Further, in the sorting pattern column 38E, the sorting pattern of the corresponding shipper in the corresponding sorting pattern combination is stored.

[0083] Also, in the case of line L2 respectively associated with each relay point 3 affected by the delay of the sorting operation at the corresponding bottleneck relay point 3, in the shipper column 38B, the relay point ID of that bottleneck relay point 3 is stored, and in the consignee column 38D, the relay point ID of the relay point 3 affected by the delay of the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3 is stored. Also, in the shipper type column 38C, information indicating that the shipper is the bottleneck relay point 3 (in FIG. 10, "bottleneck relay point") is stored. Further, in the sorting pattern column 38E, the sorting pattern of the corresponding shipper in the corresponding sorting pattern combination is stored.

[0084] Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, it is shown that the sorting pattern combination with the sorting pattern combination ID of "1" is a combination of sorting patterns when the sorting patterns of the shippers of the sorting pattern candidates where the shipper is relay point 3 with "4", the consignee is relay point 3 with "6", the shipper is relay point 3 with "3", the consignee is relay point 3 with "5", and the shipper is relay point 3 with "5", the consignee is relay point 3 with "6" are all the sorting pattern of "[E,F,G,H,I]".

[0085] Also, in the case of the example in FIG. 10, the sorting pattern combination with the sorting pattern combination ID of "2" is the sorting pattern of the shipping source of the sorting pattern candidates where the shipping source is the relay point 3 of "4" and the destination is the relay point 3 of "6", the sorting pattern of the shipping source of the sorting pattern candidates where the shipping source is the relay point 3 of "3" and the destination is the relay point 3 of "5", and the sorting pattern of the shipping source of the sorting pattern candidates where the shipping source is the relay point 3 of "5" and the destination is the relay point 3 of "6", all of which are shown to be a combination of sorting patterns when they are all in the sorting pattern of "[E,F, H,I],[G]".

[0086] Note that the sorting pattern of "[E,F, H,I],[G]" means that all the goods destined for each distribution base 2 of "E", "F", "H", or "I" are loaded onto the same equipment, and the goods destined for the distribution base 2 of "G" are loaded onto a different equipment.

[0087] In this case, if only the sorting pattern of the relay point 3 of "3" is changed to "[E,F, H,I],[G]" and the sorting pattern of the relay point 3 of "5" is set to the default "[E,F,G,H,I]", then at the relay point 3 of "5", the goods sorted at the relay point 3 of "3" will be re-mixed on the same equipment, resulting in an inconsistent combination of sorting patterns. Therefore, when only the sorting pattern of the relay point 3 of "3" is changed to "[E,F, H,I],[G]", it is necessary to also change the sorting pattern at the relay point 3 of "5" to "[E,F, H,I],[G]". By doing so, the sorting operation of the goods from the relay point 3 of "3" at the relay point 3 of "5" can be omitted, and it becomes possible to handle it only by unloading and loading by equipment unit.

[0088] Also, referring to each row of relay point 3 with the shipper being "6", for both sorting pattern combination IDs "1" and "2" in the sorting pattern combination, the sorting pattern of the goods shipped to relay point 3 named "7" is "[E,F]", the sorting pattern of the goods shipped to relay point 3 named "8" is "[G]", and the sorting pattern of the goods shipped to relay point 3 named "9" is "[H,I]". However, in the sorting pattern combination with the sorting pattern combination ID "2", the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "G" have been pre-sorted at relay point 3 named "4" and relay point 3 named "3". Therefore, in this case, the workload of the sorting operation at relay point 3 named "6" is reduced by the amount of the sorting operation for the goods destined for distribution center 2 named "G".

[0089] (1-3) Various processes executed in relation to the logistics management function (1-3-1) Logistics management process Next, the processing contents of various processes executed in the logistics management system 10 of this embodiment in relation to the logistics management function of this embodiment will be described.

[0090] Figure 11 shows the flow of a series of processes (hereinafter referred to as logistics management processes) executed in the logistics management system 10 in relation to the logistics management function of the above-described embodiment. The logistics management system 10 sequentially predicts the logistics after a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes later) by executing the logistics management process shown in Figure 11 at regular intervals (for example, every 5 minutes). When it is predicted that a bottleneck relay point 3 will occur after a predetermined time, the sorting pattern of the necessary relay points 3 among the previous relay points 3 is changed so that no delay in the sorting operation occurs at that bottleneck relay point 3.

[0091] Actually, in the logistics management system 10, this logistics management process is periodically started. First, the base operation status acquisition unit 40 (FIG. 4) of the delivery status prediction unit 30 (FIG. 4) obtains, from the base management device 12 (FIG. 2) of each relay base 3, the incoming and outgoing status of each package at the installation destination relay base 3, the operation status of the sorting operation, and the association information associating the packages and the transport vehicle 13, and stores the obtained information in the delivery status information table 34 (FIG. 6) (S1).

[0092] Also, the transport vehicle position information acquisition unit 41 (FIG. 4) of the delivery status prediction unit 30 obtains the traveling positions of the respective transport vehicles 13 from the transport management device 14 (FIG. 2), and based on the obtained traveling positions of the respective transport vehicles 13 and the above-described association information, for the packages being delivered by the transport vehicle 13 at that time, stores the current position of the transport vehicle 13 carrying that package in the current position column 34C of the delivery status information table 34 (S2).

[0093] Subsequently, the delivery status prediction information generation unit 42 (FIG. 4) of the delivery status prediction unit 30 predicts the status and position of each package after a predetermined time and the delivery status such as the next base when the package is in transit, based on each information stored in the delivery status information table 34 and the schedule information of each transport vehicle 13 stored in the transport schedule information table 32 (FIG. 4), and stores the prediction result in the delivery status prediction information table 35 (FIG. 7) (S3).

[0094] Next, the bottleneck relay base identification unit 43 (FIG. 4) of the delivery status prediction unit 30 determines whether or not there is a relay base (bottleneck relay base) 3 in which a delay has occurred in the sorting operation after a predetermined time, based on the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time stored in the delivery status prediction information table 35 (S4).

[0095] In the case of this embodiment, the bottleneck relay base identification unit 43 identifies the relay base 3 as the bottleneck relay base 3 when there is a relay base 3 in which the number of packages in the "awaiting sorting" state after a predetermined time exceeds a preset first threshold.

[0096] However, the relay point 3 where the number of sorting destinations after a predetermined time exceeds a preset second threshold value may be specified as the bottleneck relay point 3. Also, a statistical model may be constructed in advance using past history data, and the bottleneck relay point 3 may be specified by determining whether each relay point 3 is the bottleneck relay point 3 using the statistical model.

[0097] And, when the bottleneck relay point specifying unit 43 fails to specify the bottleneck relay point 3 in step S4 (that is, when it is predicted that there is no bottleneck relay point 3 after a predetermined time), this logistics management process ends.

[0098] On the other hand, when the bottleneck relay point specifying unit 43 can specify at least one bottleneck relay point 3 in step S4 (that is, when it is predicted that at least one bottleneck relay point 3 exists after a predetermined time), the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 (FIG. 4) of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 (FIG. 4) selects one of the bottleneck relay points 3 for which the subsequent steps S6 and later are not processed (S5).

[0099] Subsequently, in order to prevent a delay in the sorting operation after a predetermined time at the selected bottleneck relay point (hereinafter referred to as the selected bottleneck relay point) 3, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44, the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 (FIG. 4), and the evaluation value calculation unit 46 (FIG. 4) of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 perform a sorting pattern optimization process for calculating the optimal sorting pattern at the relay point 3 for one or a plurality of necessary relay points 3 among the relay points 3 before the selected bottleneck relay point 3 (S6).

[0100] Next, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 determines whether the sorting pattern optimization process of step S6 has been completed for all the bottleneck relay points 3 specified in step S4 (S7).

[0101] And if a negative result is obtained in the determination of this step S7, the process returns to step S5, and then, while sequentially switching the bottleneck relay point 3 selected in step S5 to other bottleneck relay points 3 for which step S6 has not been processed, the processes of steps S5 to S7 are repeated.

[0102] And eventually, when the processing of step S6 for all bottleneck relay points 3 is completed, an affirmative result is obtained in step S7 And , the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 updates the predetermined sorting pattern information table 33 (FIG. 5) stored in the storage device 21 of the logistics management device 15 according to the processing results of steps S4 to S7 (S8).

[0103] However, before updating the predetermined sorting pattern information table 33, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 may inquire the user whether it is okay to update the predetermined sorting pattern information table 33. Also, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 may transmit the content of the updated predetermined sorting pattern information table 33 to the base management device 12 of the corresponding relay point 3, and further, the base management device 12 may determine whether to accept the information of such updated predetermined sorting pattern information table 33, and in some cases, may reject the acceptance.

[0104] Subsequently, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 displays on the display device 24 (FIG. 3) a sorting pattern change content display screen 50, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 14, according to the content of the updated predetermined sorting pattern information table 33, and notifies the base management device 12 of the relay point 3 where the sorting pattern has been updated of the updated sorting pattern (S9), and then, this logistics management process ends.

[0105] (1-3-2) Sorting Pattern Optimization Process FIG. 12 shows the specific processing content of the sorting pattern optimization process executed by the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44, the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, and the evaluation value calculation unit 46 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 in step S6 of the above-described logistics management process.

[0106] When the process proceeds to step S6 of the logistics management process, the sorting pattern optimization process shown in FIG. 12 is started. First, the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 executes a sorting pattern change candidate search process for searching for candidates for combinations of the relay points 3 of the shipping source and the destination for which the sorting pattern should be changed (that is, sorting pattern change candidates) (S10).

[0107] Subsequently, the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 refers to the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37 described above with respect to FIG. 9 and generates a sorting pattern combination information table 38 described above with respect to FIG. 10 (S11).

[0108] Next, the evaluation value calculation unit 46 selects one sorting pattern combination among the sorting pattern combinations registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 generated in step S11 for which the processes after step S13 are unprocessed (S12), and calculates the evaluation value V when the selected sorting pattern combination is used for the logistics network 1 (FIG. 1) using the following formula

Equation

[0109] In formula (1), “α” is an arbitrary parameter, and “number of goods in retention” represents the number of goods predicted to be in the “awaiting sorting” state at the relay point 3 after a predetermined time. The “number of goods in retention” is an index that can be used to evaluate the working efficiency at the relay point 3, but other indices may be used to evaluate the working efficiency of the relay point 3 (S13).

[0110] Furthermore, when the sorting pattern is changed, the shipping time of the packages changes, and as a result, there may be a waiting time for the transport vehicle 13 due to waiting in line at the cargo handling facility. Therefore, when calculating the evaluation value V, the waiting time of the transport vehicle 13 may also be considered.

[0111] After that, the evaluation value calculation unit 46 determines whether the evaluation value V calculated in step S13 at that time is the best (S14). Specifically, the evaluation value calculation unit 46 determines whether the value of the evaluation value V calculated at that time is the smallest among the evaluation values V calculated in step S13 since the start of the current sorting pattern optimization process.

[0112] If the evaluation value calculation unit 46 obtains a negative result in this determination, it proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if it obtains a positive result, it updates the optimal solution of the evaluation value V to the evaluation value V calculated at that time (S15).

[0113] After that, the evaluation value calculation unit 46 determines whether the processes from step S13 to step S15 have been completed for all the sorting pattern combination information registered in the sorting pattern combination information table generated in step S11 (S16).

[0114] If the evaluation value calculation unit 46 obtains a negative result in this determination, it returns to step S12. After that, it sequentially switches the sorting pattern combination selected in step S12 to the sorting pattern combinations registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 and that have not been processed after step S13, and repeats the processes from step S12 to step S16. Through this repeated process, the minimum evaluation value V among the evaluation values V of each sorting pattern combination registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 is extracted as the optimization.

[0115] Then, when the evaluation value calculation unit 46 finally obtains an affirmative result in step S16 by finishing the processes of steps S13 to S15 for all the sorting pattern combinations registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38, a series of processes end, and accordingly, this sorting pattern optimization process also ends.

[0116] (1-3-3) Sorting Pattern Change Candidate Search Process On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows the specific processing content of the sorting pattern change candidate search process executed by the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 31 in step S10 of the sorting pattern optimization process described above with respect to FIG. 12.

[0117] The sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 starts the sorting pattern change candidate search process shown in FIG. 13 in step S10 of the sorting pattern optimization process, and first generates the baggage retention information table 36 described above with respect to FIG. 8 (S20).

[0118] Subsequently, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 specifies the destinations affected by the delay of the sorting work at the bottleneck relay point 3 (S21). In the case of this embodiment, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 specifies the destinations where the number of pieces of baggage in the "awaiting sorting" state exceeds a preset threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the sorting wait threshold value) as the destinations affected by the delay of the sorting work at the bottleneck relay point 3. Here, in FIG. 1, let it be assumed that "6" is the bottleneck relay point 3, and the relay points 3 numbered "7" to "9" are respectively specified as the destinations affected by the delay of the sorting work at the bottleneck relay point 3.

[0119] Note that in this embodiment, a luggage retention information table 36 is created, and based on the number of pieces of luggage in the "sorting wait" state for each shipping destination after a predetermined time, the shipping destinations affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3 are identified. However, other methods may be used to identify the shipping destinations affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3. For example, a statistical model may be constructed in advance using past history data, and this statistical model may be used to identify the shipping destinations affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3.

[0120] Next, the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 extracts, as a target route, a delivery route including the bottleneck relay point 3 and the shipping destinations affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3 identified in step S21 (S22). Therefore, for example, in the example of FIG. 1, if "6" is the bottleneck relay point and the relay point "8" is each a shipping destination affected by the delay in the sorting operation at the bottleneck relay point 3, then four delivery routes, "A→1→4→6→8→G", "B→2→4→6→8→G", "C→2→4→6→8→G", and "D→3→5→6→8→G", are extracted as the target routes.

[0121] Subsequently, the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 selects one target route (delivery route extracted in step S22) from among the target routes whose steps S24 and subsequent steps are unprocessed (S23), and selects one relay point 3 before the bottleneck relay point 3 in the selected target route whose steps S25 and subsequent steps are unprocessed (S24).

[0122] Next, the sorting pattern change candidate identification unit 44 calculates the shipping volume of the luggage passing through the bottleneck relay point 3 among the luggage to be shipped within a predetermined time frame (for example, within 1 hour) at the relay point 3 selected in step S24 (S25).

[0123] Also, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 determines whether or not the shipment quantity calculated in step S25 is equal to or greater than a preset third threshold value (S26). When the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 obtains a negative result in the determination of step S26, it proceeds to step S28.

[0124] On the other hand, when the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 obtains an affirmative result in the determination of step S26, it sets the relay point 3 selected in step S24 as the shipment source, and sets the next relay point 3 of the shipment source in the target route selected in step S23 as the shipment destination. Then, the combination of the shipment source and the shipment destination is determined as a candidate (sorting pattern change candidate) for changing the sorting pattern from the shipment source to the shipment destination set for the shipment source. Then, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 registers the combination of the shipment source and the shipment destination thus determined in the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37 (FIG. 9) (S27).

[0125] After that, the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 determines whether or not the processes of steps S25 to S27 have been completed for all relay points 3 before the bottleneck relay point 3 selected in step S5 of the logistics management process (FIG. 11) in the target route selected in step S23 (S28). When the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 obtains a negative result in this determination, it returns to step S24, and then repeats the processes of steps S24 to S28 until it obtains an affirmative result in step S28.

[0126] When the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 finally obtains an affirmative result in step S28 by completing the processes of steps S25 to S27 for all relay points 3 before the bottleneck relay point 3, it determines whether or not the processes of steps S24 to S28 have been completed for all delivery routes extracted in step S22 (S29).

[0127] When the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 obtains a negative result in this determination, it returns to step S23, and thereafter repeats the processing from step S23 to step S29 until it obtains an affirmative result in step S29.

[0128] Then, when the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 finally obtains an affirmative result in step S29 by finishing the execution of the processing from step S24 to step S28 for all the delivery routes extracted in step S22, it ends this sorting pattern change candidate search process and returns to the sorting pattern optimization process.

[0129] (1-4) Sorting pattern change content display screen FIG. 14 shows an example of the screen configuration of a sorting pattern change content display screen 50 displayed on a display device 24 (FIG. 3) of the logistics management apparatus 15 by a bottleneck relay point specifying unit 43 of a sorting pattern optimization unit 31 in step S9 of the logistics management process described above with respect to FIG. 11. As shown in this FIG. 14, the sorting pattern change content display screen 50 includes a relay point network display area 51 and a sorting pattern change detail display area 52.

[0130] In the relay point network display area 51, a schematic diagram of the network between three relay points of a logistics network 1 managed by the logistics management system 10 of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a relay point network schematic diagram) 53 is displayed.

[0131] In this relay point network schematic diagram 53, each relay point 3 in such a logistics network 1 is represented as a circle, and the relay point ID of the corresponding relay point 3 is displayed inside the circle. Further, in this relay point network schematic diagram 53, a line connects between the circles corresponding to two relay points 3 that can be the shipment source of the package and the destination of the package.

[0132] Then, in the relay point network display area 51, among the circles corresponding to each relay point 3 in the relay point network schematic diagram 53, near the circles corresponding to each relay point 3 whose sorting pattern has been changed by the logistics management process in FIG. 11, a display (in FIG. 14, "There is a change") indicating that the sorting pattern of the relay point 3 has been changed is displayed as a balloon 54.

[0133] In addition, in the sorting pattern change details display area 52, corresponding to each relay point 3 whose sorting pattern has been changed, the identification information of the relay point 3 (relay point ID in FIG. 14), the sorting pattern before the change at the relay point 3, and the sorting pattern after the change at the relay point 3 are displayed.

[0134] (1-5) Effects of the present embodiment As described above, in the logistics management system 10 of the present embodiment, the logistics management device 15 acquires the current delivery status of each piece of luggage, predicts the delivery status of each piece of luggage after a predetermined time based on the acquired current delivery status of each piece of luggage, and based on the prediction result, identifies all relay points 3 where the sorting operation of the luggage is delayed and becomes a bottleneck in the logistics, and at each identified relay point 3, optimizes the sorting pattern of the necessary relay points 3 so that the delay in the sorting operation does not occur after a predetermined time.

[0135] Therefore, according to the logistics management system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the stagnation of logistics caused by the delay in the sorting operation of luggage at any relay point 3 in the logistics network 1, and thus improve the work efficiency at each relay point 3 while preventing the reduction of the delivery efficiency of the entire logistics network 1.

[0136] (2) Second embodiment FIG. 15, which shows corresponding parts with the same reference numerals as FIG. 4, shows the logical configuration of a logistics management apparatus 60 according to a second embodiment, which is applied to the logistics management system 10 described above with respect to FIG. 2 instead of the logistics management apparatus 15 of the first embodiment. Since the physical configuration of the logistics management apparatus 60 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the logistics management apparatus 15 of the first embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0137] The logistics management apparatus 60 of the present embodiment is different from the logistics management apparatus 15 of the first embodiment in that when the evaluation value calculation unit 62 selects the optimal sorting pattern combination from the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, the loading rate of the goods on the transport vehicle 13 is considered, and other than that, it is configured in the same manner as the logistics management apparatus 15 of the first embodiment.

[0138] Therefore, as a means, in the case of the logistics management apparatus 60 of the present embodiment, in addition to the sorting pattern change candidate specifying unit 44 and the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 and the goods-delivery assignment information generation unit 64 are provided in the sorting pattern optimization unit 61, and the evaluation value calculation unit 62 of the present embodiment is provided. In the storage device 21, in addition to the transport schedule information table 32, the default sorting pattern information table 33, the delivery status information table 34, the delivery status prediction information table 35, the goods retention information table 36, the sorting pattern change candidate information table 37, and the sorting pattern combination information table 38, an equipment completion prediction information table 65 and a goods-delivery assignment information table 66 are stored.

[0139] The equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 is a functional unit having a function of predicting the shipping origin, the shipping destination, and the final destination (the distribution base 2 of the recipient) of the goods loaded on each equipment that is completed when the goods are sorted according to each sorting pattern combination generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45. The equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 stores the prediction results for each equipment in the equipment completion prediction information table 65 as equipment completion prediction information.

[0140] Also, the parcel-delivery assignment information generation unit 64 is a functional unit having a function of generating parcel-delivery assignment information in which equipment and the transport vehicle 13 for delivering the equipment are associated with each other for each piece of equipment based on the transport schedule diagram information table 32 and the equipment completion prediction information table 65. Note that, as a method for associating equipment and the transport vehicle 13 for delivering the equipment, any algorithm can be used. The parcel-delivery assignment information generation unit 64 stores the generated parcel-delivery assignment information for each piece of equipment in the parcel-delivery assignment information table 66.

[0141] Then, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 of the present embodiment selects an optimal sorting pattern combination from among the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 while considering the loading rate of the transport vehicle 13 as described later based on the parcel-delivery assignment information stored in the parcel-delivery assignment information table 66.

[0142] On the other hand, the equipment completion prediction information table 65 is a table used to hold the equipment completion prediction information for each piece of equipment generated by the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63, and as shown in FIG. 16, includes an equipment ID column 65A, a shipping origin column 65B, a shipping destination column 65C, and a final destination column 65D. In the equipment completion prediction information table 65, one row corresponds to the equipment completion prediction information of one piece of equipment.

[0143] The equipment ID column 65A stores the identifier (equipment ID) of the corresponding piece of equipment. The shipping origin column 65B and the shipping destination column 65C store the relay point ID or the distribution center ID of the base (relay point 3 or distribution center 2) of the shipping origin or the shipping destination of the equipment, respectively, and the final destination column 65D stores the distribution center ID of the final destination of the parcels loaded on the equipment.

[0144] Therefore, in the example of FIG. 16, for example, the equipment with the equipment ID of "1" has a shipping origin of relay point 3 with the ID of "1", a shipping destination of distribution center 2 with the ID of "A", and the final destination of the parcels loaded on the equipment is distribution center 2 with the ID of "A".

[0145] The baggage-flight allocation information table 66 is a table used to hold the baggage-flight allocation information for each piece of equipment generated by the baggage-flight allocation information generation unit 64. As shown in FIG. 17, it is configured to include an equipment ID column 66A, a shipping origin column 66B, a shipping destination column 66C, a final destination column 66D, and a transport vehicle ID column 66E. In the baggage-flight allocation information table 66, one row corresponds to one piece of equipment.

[0146] Then, in the equipment ID column 66A, the shipping origin column 66B, the shipping destination column 66C, and the final destination column 66D, the same information as the equipment ID column 65A, the shipping origin column 65B, the shipping destination column 65C, and the final destination column 65D in the corresponding row in the equipment completion prediction information table 65 is stored. Also, in the transport vehicle ID column 66E, the transport vehicle ID of the transport vehicle 13 that delivers the equipment in the section from the shipping origin to the shipping destination (the transport vehicle 13 assigned to the equipment in that section) is stored.

[0147] Therefore, in the case of the example in FIG. 17, for example, the equipment with the equipment ID of "1" has a relay point 3 with the shipping origin of "1", a distribution base 2 with the shipping destination of "A", and is delivered by the transport vehicle 13 with the ID of "1" from the shipping origin to the shipping destination, and it is shown that the final destination of the baggage loaded on the equipment is the distribution base 2 with the ID of "A".

[0148] FIG. 18 shows the processing content of the sorting pattern optimization process of the present embodiment executed by the sorting pattern optimization unit 61 of the logistics management device 60 of the present embodiment, instead of the sorting pattern optimization process of the first embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 12.

[0149] In FIG. 18, since the processing content of each of the processes in step S30 and step S31 is the same as that in step S10 and step S11 in FIG. 12, the description here is omitted. After that, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 selects one of the sorting pattern combination information tables 38 registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 generated in step S31, and the sorting pattern combinations that have not been processed after step S33 (S32).

[0150] Subsequently, the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 and the package - flight allocation information generation unit 64 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 61 cooperate to execute a package - flight allocation process for creating a package - flight allocation information table 66 (FIG. 17) when each package is allocated to the transport vehicle 13 according to the sorting pattern combination selected in step S32 (S33).

[0151] Specifically, according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 19, the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 creates an equipment completion prediction information table 65 (FIG. 16) when sorting is performed according to the sorting pattern combination selected in step S32 (S40). Thereafter, the package - flight allocation information generation unit 64 creates a package - flight allocation information table 66 based on this equipment completion prediction information table 65 and the transportation flight schedule information table 32 (S41).

[0152] Subsequently, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 calculates the evaluation value V when the sorting pattern combination selected in step S32 is applied, using the following formula

Equation

[0153] In equation (2), α and β are arbitrary parameters, and β is set to be larger than α. Also, in equation (2), the "predicted loading rate for each section" is the loading rate between each relay point 3 or each collection and distribution base 2 of the transport vehicle 13 after a predetermined time, calculated based on the package - flight allocation information stored in the package - flight allocation information table 66.

[0154] Thereafter, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines whether the evaluation value V calculated at that time in step S34 is the best (S35). Specifically, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines whether the value of the evaluation value V calculated at that time is the minimum among the evaluation values V calculated in step S34 since the start of this sorting pattern optimization process.

[0155] Then, when the evaluation value calculation unit 62 obtains a negative result in this determination, it proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, when it obtains an affirmative result, it updates the optimal solution of the evaluation value V to the evaluation value V calculated at that time (S36).

[0156] Subsequently, the evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines whether or not the processing from step S33 to step S36 has been completed for all the sorting pattern combination information registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 generated in step S31 (S37).

[0157] When the evaluation value calculation unit 62 obtains a negative result in this determination, it returns to step S32. After that, the sorting pattern combination selected in step S32 is sequentially switched to the sorting pattern combinations registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 and not yet processed after step S33, and the processing from step S32 to step S37 is repeated. By this repetitive processing, the minimum evaluation value V among the evaluation values V of each sorting pattern combination registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38 is extracted as the optimization.

[0158] When the evaluation value calculation unit 62 finally obtains an affirmative result in step S37 by completing the processing from step S33 to step S36 for all the sorting pattern combinations registered in the sorting pattern combination information table 38, the series of processing ends, and accordingly, this sorting pattern optimization processing also ends.

[0159] As described above, in this embodiment, when the evaluation value calculation unit 62 of the logistics management device 60 selects an optimal sorting pattern combination from the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, the loading rate of the transport vehicle 13 is taken into consideration. Therefore, according to the logistics management system of this embodiment, it is possible to select a sorting pattern combination with high delivery efficiency and prevent logistics stagnation caused by delays in the sorting operation of goods at any relay point 3 in the logistics network 1. As a result, while further improving the delivery efficiency in the logistics network 1, it is possible to improve the work efficiency at each relay point 3.

[0160] (3) Third Embodiment FIG. 20, which shows the same reference numerals for corresponding parts as in FIG. 15, shows the logical configuration of the logistics management device 70 according to the third embodiment, which is applied to the logistics management system 10 described above with respect to FIG. 2 in place of the logistics management device 15 of the first embodiment. Since the physical configuration of the logistics management device 70 of this embodiment is the same as the physical configuration of the logistics management device 15 of the first embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 3, the description here is omitted.

[0161] When the sorting pattern optimization unit 71 of the logistics management device 70 of this embodiment selects an optimal sorting pattern combination from the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, in addition to the loading rate of the transport vehicle 13, it is different from the logistics management device 60 of the second embodiment in that it also considers the use of direct deliveries when they can be set and selects an optimal sorting pattern combination. Otherwise, it is configured in the same way as the logistics management device 60 of the second embodiment.

[0162] As a means for this, the sorting pattern optimization unit 71 of the logistics management device 70 of this embodiment is provided with a direct delivery setting unit 73 that updates the transport schedule information table 32 to set necessary direct deliveries.

[0163] And the evaluation value calculation unit 72 of the sorting pattern optimization unit 71 is a functional unit having a function of selecting an optimal sorting pattern combination from the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 while considering the loading rate of the transport vehicle 13 and the use of direct delivery services as described below, based on the package-delivery assignment information stored in the package-delivery assignment information table 66.

[0164] Figure 21 shows the processing procedure of the package-delivery assignment process of the present embodiment executed in step S33 of the sorting pattern optimization process described above with respect to FIG. 18, instead of the package-delivery assignment process described above with respect to FIG. 19. This package-delivery assignment process is started when the process proceeds to step S33 of the sorting pattern optimization process in FIG. 18. First, the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 creates an equipment completion prediction information table 65 (FIG. 16) when sorting is performed according to each sorting pattern combination generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45 (S50).

[0165] Subsequently, the direct delivery service setting unit 73 selects one piece of equipment whose steps S52 and later are unprocessed from among the pieces of equipment registered in the equipment completion prediction information table 65 created by the equipment completion prediction information generation unit 63 in step S50 (S51), and determines whether or not the final destinations (delivery destinations) of all the packages to be loaded on the selected equipment are the same (S52). This determination is made based on whether or not there is one final destination (delivery distribution base 2) stored in the final destination column 65D (FIG. 16) of the row corresponding to the selected equipment in the equipment completion prediction information table 65.

[0166] And when the direct delivery service setting unit 73 obtains a negative result in this determination, it proceeds to step S55. On the other hand, when it obtains a positive result, it refers to the transportation schedule information table 32 and determines whether or not there is a direct delivery service from the shipping distribution base 2 or the relay point 3 to the delivery destination of the packages loaded on the selected equipment (S53).

[0167] If the direct delivery setting unit 73 obtains an affirmative result in this determination, it proceeds to step S55. If it obtains a negative result, it updates the transportation schedule information table 32 to set a direct delivery to the destination of the cargo loaded on the selected equipment from the shipping consolidation base 2 or the relay point 3 of the shipper (S54).

[0168] At this time, the direct delivery setting unit 73 may inquire of the transportation management device 14 (Fig. 2) whether a direct delivery from the shipping consolidation base 2 or the relay point 3 of the shipper to the shipping consolidation base 2 of the destination of the cargo is feasible. Further, the direct delivery setting unit 73 may determine whether to set a direct delivery in response to the response from the transportation management device 14.

[0169] Subsequently, the direct delivery setting unit 73 determines whether the processes of steps S52 to S54 have been completed for all the equipment registered in the equipment completion prediction information table 65 (S55). If the direct delivery setting unit 73 obtains a negative result in this determination, it returns to step S52, and thereafter repeats the processes of steps S52 to S55 until it obtains an affirmative result in step S55.

[0170] Eventually, when an affirmative result is obtained in step S55 by completing the processes of steps S52 to S54 for all the equipment registered in the equipment completion prediction information table 65, the cargo - schedule allocation information generation unit 64 creates a cargo - schedule allocation information table 66 based on this equipment completion prediction information table 65 and the transportation schedule information table 32. Thus, this cargo - schedule allocation process ends.

[0171] As described above, according to the logistics management system of this embodiment, when selecting the optimal sorting pattern combination from the sorting pattern combinations generated by the sorting pattern combination information generation unit 45, in addition to the loading rate of the transport vehicle 13, if a direct delivery can be set, the use thereof is also considered to select the optimal sorting pattern combination. Therefore, according to the logistics management system of this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the distribution efficiency in the logistics network 1 while improving the work efficiency at each relay point 3.

[0172] (4) Other embodiments In the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the logistics management device is configured by one computer device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the logistics management device may be configured by a plurality of computer devices constituting a distributed computing system, and the functions of such a logistics management device may be distributed and mounted on these plurality of computer devices.

[0173] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the logistics network 1 as shown in FIG. 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be widely applied to various other forms of distribution networks.

[0174] Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where various information such as transportation schedule information, predetermined sorting pattern information, and delivery status information is in a table structure has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other structures can be widely applied as the structure of the information.

Industrial Applicability

[0175] The present invention can be applied to a logistics management device that manages logistics in a logistics network for delivering goods from a collection and distribution base to a collection and distribution base of a delivery destination via one or more relay points.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0176] 1... Logistics network, 2... Consolidation and distribution center, 3... Relay point, 10... Logistics management system, 11... Resource equipment, 12... Base management device, 13... Transport vehicle, 14... Transportation and distribution management device, 15, 60, 70... Logistics management device, 20... Processing device, 24... Display device, 30... Delivery status prediction unit, 31, 61, 71... Sorting pattern optimization unit, 32... Transportation schedule information table, 33... Predetermined sorting pattern information table, 34... Delivery status information table, 35... Delivery status prediction information table, 36... Luggage detention information table, 37... Sorting pattern change candidate information table, 38... Sorting pattern combination information table, 40... Base operation status acquisition unit, 41... Transport vehicle position information acquisition unit, 42... Delivery status prediction information generation unit, 43... Bottleneck relay point identification unit, 44... Sorting pattern change candidate identification unit, 45... Sorting pattern combination information generation unit, 46, 62, 72... Evaluation value calculation unit, 50... Sorting pattern change content display screen, 63... Equipment completion prediction information generation unit, 64... Luggage - flight assignment information generation unit, 65... Equipment completion prediction information table, 66... Luggage - flight assignment information table, 73... Direct delivery flight setting unit.

Claims

1. In a logistics management device for managing logistics in a logistics network that delivers goods from a distribution base to a destination distribution base via one or more relay points, a storage device that stores a program; a processor that executes a process based on the program by executing the program stored in the storage device and comprising: Based on the program stored in the storage device, the processor predicts the delivery status of each piece of goods after a predetermined time, and identifies, based on the prediction result, the relay point where the sorting operation of the goods is delayed and becomes a bottleneck in the logistics, in a delivery status prediction process; In each of the relay points identified by the delivery status prediction process, a sorting pattern optimization process that optimizes the necessary sorting pattern of the relay points so that a delay in the sorting operation does not occur after the predetermined time is executed, The delivery status prediction process includes an information acquisition step of acquiring the arrival status of each piece of goods at each relay point, the working status of the sorting operation of the goods, the association information associating each transport vehicle that delivers the goods between the distribution base and the relay point or between each relay point with the goods, and the position information of the current position of each transport vehicle; a delivery status prediction step of predicting the delivery status of each piece of goods after a predetermined time based on each piece of information acquired in the information acquisition step, the schedule information of each transport vehicle given in advance, the association information, and the information on the sorting pattern of the goods predetermined for each destination for each relay point; and a bottleneck relay point identification step of identifying, as the relay point that becomes a bottleneck in the logistics, the relay point where the number of goods in the sorting waiting state exceeds a preset first threshold value, or the relay point where the number of sorting destinations exceeds a preset second threshold value, based on the delivery status of each piece of goods after the predetermined time predicted in the delivery status prediction step; The sorting pattern optimization process includes a sorting pattern change candidate identification step of identifying, as a sorting pattern change candidate, a combination candidate of the relay point of the shipping origin and the relay point of the shipping destination or the distribution base that changes the sorting pattern so that a delay in the sorting operation does not occur after the predetermined time at the relay point identified in the delivery status prediction step; A sorting pattern combination information generation step of generating all the sorting pattern combinations that are consistent among the sorting pattern combinations that are combinations of the sorting patterns in each of the sorting pattern change candidates identified in the sorting pattern change candidate identification step; An evaluation value calculation step of calculating evaluation values for each sorting pattern combination after a predetermined time, and selecting the sorting pattern combination with the best evaluation value as the optimal sorting pattern combination. A logistics management device characterized by the above.

2. In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor selects the sorting pattern combination with the smallest total number of packages staying at each relay point as the optimal sorting pattern combination. The logistics management device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The evaluation value calculation step of the sorting pattern optimization process A machine completion prediction information generation step of predicting, for each machine completed when sorting the packages according to each sorting pattern combination generated in the sorting pattern combination information generation step, the shipment source, shipment destination, and delivery destination of the packages loaded on the machine; A package - train assignment information generation step of associating the machines and the transport vehicles for each machine based on the prediction result of the machine completion prediction information generation step and the schedule information of each transport vehicle. It is provided with In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor selects the optimal sorting pattern combination in consideration of the loading rate of the packages on the transport vehicle in addition to the total number of packages staying at each relay point based on the relationship between the machines and the transport vehicles associated in the package - train assignment information generation step. The logistics management device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The sorting pattern optimization step further has a direct delivery flight setting step of updating the schedule information to set a direct delivery flight when no direct delivery flight is set from the shipment source of the machine completed when sorting the packages according to each sorting pattern combination predicted in the machine completion prediction information generation step to the delivery destination of the packages loaded on the machine; In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor Based on the relationship between the equipment and the transport vehicle associated in the package - delivery pattern information generation step, in addition to the total number of packages staying at each relay point and the loading rate of the packages on the transport vehicle, select the optimal sorting pattern combination considering the use of direct delivery The logistics management device according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor Displays the selected optimal sorting pattern combination The logistics management device according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. A logistics management method executed in a logistics management device for managing logistics in a logistics network for delivering packages from a collection and distribution base to a collection and distribution base of a delivery destination via one or more relay points, The logistics management device A storage device for storing a program, A processor that executes processing based on the program by executing the program stored in the storage device And has A first step in which the processor acquires the current delivery status of each package, predicts the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time based on the acquired current delivery status of each package, and identifies the relay point where the sorting operation of the package is delayed and becomes a bottleneck in the logistics based on the prediction result; A second step in which the processor optimizes the sorting pattern of the necessary relay points so that no delay in the sorting operation occurs after the predetermined time at each of the identified relay points And comprises The first step is An information acquisition step of acquiring the incoming status of each package at each relay point, the working status of the sorting operation of the package, the association information associating each transport vehicle for delivering the package between the collection and distribution base and the relay point or between each relay point and the package, and the position information of the current position of each transport vehicle; A delivery status prediction step of predicting the delivery status of each package after a predetermined time based on each information acquired in the information acquisition step, the schedule information of each transport vehicle given in advance, the association information, and the information of the sorting pattern of the package predetermined for each delivery destination for each relay point Based on the delivery status of each piece of luggage after the predetermined time predicted in the delivery status prediction step, the relay point where the number of pieces of luggage exceeding a preset first threshold is in the waiting-for-sorting state, or the relay point where the number of sorting destinations exceeds a preset second threshold is identified as the relay point that becomes the bottleneck of the logistics, and a bottleneck relay point identification step is included. The second step is At the relay point specified in the delivery status prediction step, a candidate for the combination of the relay point of the shipping origin and the relay point of the shipping destination or the collection and distribution center that changes the sorting pattern so that no sorting work delay occurs after the predetermined time is specified as a candidate for changing the sorting pattern. Among the sorting pattern combinations that are the combinations of the sorting patterns in each candidate for changing the sorting pattern specified in the sorting pattern change candidate specification step, a sorting pattern combination information generation step for generating all the sorting pattern combinations that are consistent is included. An evaluation value calculation step of calculating the evaluation value for each sorting pattern combination after the predetermined time and selecting the sorting pattern combination with the best evaluation value as the optimal sorting pattern combination is included. A logistics management method characterized by the above.

7. In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor selects the sorting pattern combination with the least total number of pieces of luggage staying at each relay point as the optimal sorting pattern combination. The logistics management method according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The evaluation value calculation step of the second step is An equipment completion prediction information generation step of predicting the shipping origin, shipping destination, and delivery destination of the luggage loaded on each equipment for each equipment that is completed when the luggage is sorted according to each generated sorting pattern combination. A luggage - train assignment information generation step of associating the equipment and the transport vehicle for each equipment based on the prediction result of the equipment completion prediction information generation step and the train information of each transport vehicle. is provided with In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor Based on the relationship between the equipment and the transport vehicle associated in the luggage - train assignment information generation step, in addition to the total number of pieces of luggage staying at each relay point, the processor selects the optimal sorting pattern combination considering the loading rate of the luggage on the transport vehicle. The logistics management method according to claim 7, characterized in that...

9. The second step is as follows: When there is no direct delivery service set from the shipping source of the equipment that will be completed when the packages are sorted according to each of the sorting pattern combinations predicted in the equipment completion prediction information generation step to the delivery destinations of the packages loaded on the equipment, a direct delivery service setting step is further provided to update the schedule information to set the direct delivery service. In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor: Based on the relationship between the equipment and the transport vehicle associated in the package-delivery service assignment information generation step, in addition to the total number of packages staying at each relay point and the loading rate of the packages on the transport vehicle, selects the optimal sorting pattern combination considering the use of direct delivery services. The logistics management method according to claim 8, characterized in that...

10. In the evaluation value calculation step, the processor: Displays the selected optimal sorting pattern combination. The logistics management method according to claim 6, characterized in that...

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