Material handling equipment estimation device, material handling equipment estimation method, and computer program

Abstract

Provided are a material handling equipment estimation device, a material handling equipment estimation method, and a computer program that are capable of estimating the type and number of material handling equipment used for carrying in and out and / or storing items stored in a warehouse. [Solution] Company information about companies using warehouses is accepted as input, including at least information about the industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse floor space, types of goods stored, and warehouse usage period. A trained engine is generated using the types and numbers of material handling equipment for each company's information as training data. The generated trained engine is used to calculate the types and numbers of material handling equipment from the accepted input company information. The payment amount for the company using the warehouse is estimated based on the calculated types and numbers of material handling equipment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a material handling equipment estimation device, a material handling equipment estimation method, and a computer program for estimating the type and number of material handling equipment used for carrying in and out and / or storing items stored in a warehouse. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when storing items in a warehouse, it is necessary to prepare material handling equipment for carrying in and out and / or storing the items. Of course, the type and number of material handling equipment vary greatly depending on the type and number of items stored in the warehouse.

[0003] As business activities become more diverse, the types of items stored in even company-owned warehouses vary depending on the business. In the rental warehouse business, it is particularly difficult to determine the type and quantity of material handling equipment depending on how each company will use it, making it difficult to easily calculate an estimate before signing a contract. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a warehouse system introduction quotation system that can collect warehouse information and warehouse operation information from potential customers without conducting face-to-face sales activities. Patent Document 1 allows customers to input the type and quantity of material handling equipment they need, allowing for an accurate estimate of the actual expenses required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2025-080086 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the customer must first understand the type and quantity of material handling equipment required. However, even the customer finds it difficult to accurately determine the type and quantity of material handling equipment required to transport goods in and out of and / or store them in the warehouse they will use. Therefore, as long as the input data is inaccurate, there is a problem in that the estimated amount itself is ultimately inaccurate, no matter how much effort is put into correcting the estimate. On the other hand, if the type and quantity of material handling equipment required are known in advance, the arrangements and procurement of the material handling equipment can be made in advance, and the storage of goods in the warehouse can be carried out smoothly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a material handling equipment estimation device, a material handling equipment estimation method, and a computer program that are capable of estimating the type and number of material handling equipment used for loading and unloading and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the material handling equipment estimating device of the present invention is a material handling equipment estimating device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment to be used for loading and unloading and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, and is characterized by comprising: a company information input accepting means that accepts input of company information regarding the company using the warehouse, including information on at least the industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse usage area, type of items to be stored, and warehouse usage period; a learned engine generation means that generates a learned engine using the type and number of material handling equipment for each of the company information as learning data; a material handling equipment calculation means that uses the generated learned engine to calculate the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information that has been accepted; and an estimated amount calculation means that estimates the amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment.

[0008] In addition, it is preferable that the material handling equipment estimation device of the present invention is provided with a change input accepting means for accepting change input of the type and quantity of the material handling equipment, and a learning data update means for updating the learning data for each company information based on the changed type and quantity of the material handling equipment.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the material handling equipment estimation device of the present invention stores the average value of the period during which each piece of material handling equipment can be used without failure, and that the material handling equipment calculation means calculates the number of replacements for each piece of material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period and updates the number of each type of material handling equipment.

[0010] Next, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the material handling equipment estimating method of the present invention is a material handling equipment estimating method that can be executed by a material handling equipment estimating device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment used for loading and unloading and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, and is characterized in that the material handling equipment estimating device executes the following steps: accepting input of company information about the company using the warehouse, including at least information about the industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse usage area, type of items to be stored, and warehouse usage period; generating a trained engine using the type and number of material handling equipment for each of the company information as learning data; calculating the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information using the generated trained engine; and estimating the amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the material handling equipment estimating method of the present invention further includes a step in which the material handling equipment estimating device accepts input of changes to the type and quantity of the material handling equipment, and a step in which the learning data for each of the company information is updated based on the changed type and quantity of the material handling equipment.

[0012] In addition, in the material handling equipment estimating method of the present invention, it is preferable that the material handling equipment estimating device stores an average value of the period during which each piece of material handling equipment can be used without failure, calculates the number of replacements for each piece of material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period, and updates the number of each type of material handling equipment.

[0013] Next, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the computer program of the present invention is a computer program that can be executed by a material handling equipment estimating device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment to be used for loading and unloading and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, and is characterized in that the material handling equipment estimating device functions as: a company information input accepting means that accepts input of company information regarding the company using the warehouse, including information on at least the industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse usage area, type of items to be stored, and warehouse usage period; a learned engine generation means that generates a learned engine using the type and number of material handling equipment for each of the company information as learning data; a material handling equipment calculation means that uses the generated learned engine to calculate the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information that has been accepted; and an estimated amount calculation means that estimates the amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the computer program of the present invention causes the material handling equipment estimation device to function as a change input accepting means for accepting input of changes to the type and number of the material handling equipment, and a learning data updating means for updating the learning data for each piece of company information based on the changed type and number of the material handling equipment.

[0015] In addition, in the computer program of the present invention, it is preferable that the material handling equipment estimation device stores an average value of the period during which each piece of material handling equipment can be used without failure, and that the material handling equipment calculation means functions as a means for calculating the number of replacements for each piece of material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period and updating the number of each type of material handling equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the above invention, it is possible to calculate the type and quantity of material handling equipment required for using the warehouse without the customer having to know the information on the material handling equipment. In addition, since the performance data of companies that have actually used the warehouse can be used as learning data, it is expected that the accuracy of the estimate will increase as the frequency of use increases. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a material handling equipment estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a data configuration of a designated product information storage unit of a material handling equipment estimating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a functional block diagram of a material handling equipment estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU of the material handling equipment estimation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an information processing system using a material handling equipment estimation device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following is a detailed description of a material handling equipment estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that not all of the combinations of the characteristic features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the embodiments.

[0020] In the following embodiments, an information processing system incorporating a computer program into a computer system will be described. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can also be implemented as a computer program executable by a computer. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented as a hardware material handling equipment estimation device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment used for transporting and / or storing items in a warehouse, as software, or as a combination of software and hardware. The computer program can be recorded on any computer-readable recording medium, such as a hard disk, DVD, CD, optical storage device, or magnetic storage device.

[0021] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the type and quantity of material handling equipment required for using the warehouse without the customer having to know the information on the material handling equipment. In addition, since the performance data of companies that have actually used the warehouse can be used as learning data, it is expected that the accuracy of the estimate will increase as the frequency of use increases.

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a material handling equipment estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to this embodiment is composed of at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, memory 12, storage device 13, I / O interface 14, video interface 15, portable disk drive 16, communication interface 17, and internal bus 18 connecting the above-mentioned hardware.

[0023] The CPU 11 is connected to the above-mentioned hardware components of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 via an internal bus 18, and controls the operation of the above-mentioned hardware components, and also executes various software functions in accordance with a computer program 100 stored in a storage device 13. The memory 12 is composed of a volatile memory such as an SRAM or SDRAM, into which load modules are expanded when the computer program 100 is executed, and stores temporary data and the like generated when the computer program 100 is executed.

[0024] The storage device 13 is composed of an internal fixed storage device (hard disk), ROM, etc. The computer program 100 stored in the storage device 13 is downloaded by the portable disk drive 16 from a portable recording medium 90, such as a DVD, CD-ROM, USB memory, or SD card, which stores information such as programs and data, and is then deployed from the storage device 13 to the memory 12 and executed. Of course, the computer program 100 may also be downloaded from an external computer connected via the communication interface 17.

[0025] The storage device 13 includes a material handling equipment information storage unit 131 and a learned engine storage unit 132. The material handling equipment information storage unit 131 stores information on at least the type, function, and price of material handling equipment used in the warehouse. Figure 2 is an example diagram of the data configuration of the material handling equipment information storage unit 131 of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] 2, the material handling equipment information storage unit 131 stores at least an "equipment ID" that identifies the material handling equipment (the product name or product code of the material handling equipment may be stored as the ID), a "function ID" that indicates the function of the material handling equipment (e.g., transport, storage, etc.), a "usage period" that indicates the period of use since purchase, a "warranty period" that indicates the expiration date of the manufacturer's warranty, an "inventory quantity" that indicates the number of items available in stock, a "use type" (purchase, rental, lease, etc.), and a "usage fee." Furthermore, "remarks" that indicate precautions to take when using each material handling equipment may be provided.

[0027] 1, the trained engine storage unit 132 stores a trained engine that has learned, as training data, company information about the company that uses the warehouse, including at least information about the industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse floor space, types of goods stored, and warehouse usage period, as well as actual data on the types and numbers of material handling equipment used for that company. Therefore, when input of company information is accepted, the types and numbers of material handling equipment considered necessary are output.

[0028] The communication interface 17 is connected to an internal bus 18, and by connecting to an external network 3 such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN, it is possible to send and receive data to and from an external computer or the like.

[0029] The I / O interface 14 is connected to an input device 21 such as a keyboard or a mouse, and receives data input. The video interface 15 is connected to a display device 22 such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display.

[0030] The functions of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to this embodiment includes a company information input reception unit 301 that receives input of company information related to a company using a warehouse, including at least information on the type of industry, capital, number of employees, annual sales, warehouse usage area, types of goods to be stored, and warehouse usage period.

[0031] The trained engine generation unit 302 generates a trained engine using the type and number of material handling equipment for each company's information as training data. Of course, since performance data is used as training data, a trained engine is generated each time the performance data increases. The generated trained engine is stored in the trained engine storage unit 132 of the storage device 13.

[0032] The material handling equipment calculation unit 303 uses the generated trained engine to calculate the types and numbers of material handling equipment from the input company information. The types and numbers of material handling equipment calculated here are calculated by the trained engine based on the highest probability. Therefore, there is usually a deviation from the types and numbers of material handling equipment actually required, or the minimum required types and numbers of material handling equipment.

[0033] Therefore, it is preferable to modify the types and numbers of material handling equipment according to the actual situation. Specifically, the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to this embodiment includes a change input accepting unit 304 that accepts input of changes to the types and numbers of material handling equipment, and a learning data updating unit 305 that updates the learning data for each company information based on the changed types and numbers of material handling equipment. This makes it possible to bring the types and numbers of material handling equipment calculated by the trained engine closer to the types and numbers of material handling equipment that should actually be used.

[0034] In this embodiment, "material handling equipment" is defined as follows. That is, it is classified into work material handling equipment and fixtures used for work such as loading and unloading within a warehouse, and storage material handling equipment and fixtures used for storing goods within a warehouse. Work material handling equipment and fixtures refer to, for example, carts, pallets, dock levelers, palletizers, depalletizers, forklifts, belt conveyors, picking carts, automated guided vehicles, sorters, robot arms, picking robots, etc. Storage material handling equipment and fixtures refer to, for example, automated warehouses, mobile racks, etc.

[0035] The amount calculation unit 306 estimates the amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment. The amount to be paid is estimated using information stored in the material handling equipment information storage unit 131 of the storage device 13.

[0036] In reality, material handling equipment has a limited lifespan, so replacement or other measures must be taken at appropriate times. Therefore, it is preferable to store the average period of time that each piece of material handling equipment can be used without failure in the material handling equipment information storage unit 131. In this case, the material handling equipment calculation unit 303 calculates the number of replacements for each piece of material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period and updates the number of each type of material handling equipment. This allows for a more accurate estimation of the costs required during the warehouse usage period.

[0037] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 11 of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The CPU 11 of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 accepts input of company information about a company using a warehouse, including at least information about the type of business, capital, number of employees, annual sales, floor space used for the warehouse, types of goods to be stored, and period of use of the warehouse (step S401).

[0038] The CPU 11 generates a trained engine using the type and number of material handling equipment for each company information as training data (step S402). Of course, since the training data is actual data, a trained engine is generated each time the actual data increases. The generated trained engine is stored in the trained engine storage unit 132 of the storage device 13.

[0039] The CPU 11 uses the generated trained engine to calculate the types and numbers of material handling equipment from the input company information (step S403). The calculated types and numbers of material handling equipment are displayed on a display device 41, allowing the user to visually check the types and numbers of material handling equipment that are actually required or the extent to which they deviate from the minimum required types and numbers of material handling equipment.

[0040] The CPU 11 accepts input for changes to the type and number of material handling equipment (step S404). The CPU 11 updates the learning data for each company information item based on the type and number of material handling equipment for which the change input has been accepted (step S405). The CPU 11 returns the process to step S402 and regenerates the trained engine. This makes it possible to bring the type and number of material handling equipment calculated by the trained engine closer to the type and number of material handling equipment that should actually be used.

[0041] The CPU 11 estimates the payment amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment (step S406). The payment amount is estimated using information stored in the material handling equipment information storage unit 131 of the storage device 13.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the type and quantity of material handling equipment required for using the warehouse without the customer having to know the information on the material handling equipment. In addition, since the performance data of companies that have actually used the warehouse can be used as learning data, it is expected that the accuracy of the estimate will increase as the frequency of use increases.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, all information processing is performed by the material handling equipment estimating device 1 alone, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the material handling equipment estimating device 1 may be equipped with only a trained engine, and company information may be acquired from a terminal device connected to the material handling equipment estimating device 1 so as to be able to communicate with the material handling equipment estimating device 1 via a network. The material handling equipment estimating device 1 may calculate the type and number of material handling equipment and display the information on the terminal device.

[0044] 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system using a material handling equipment estimation device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system according to this embodiment is composed of a terminal device 3 used by a user, which communicates with the terminal device 3 depending on the task, and the material handling equipment estimation device 1 connected to the terminal device 3 via a network 2 such as the Internet so as to be able to perform data communication. The terminal device 3 is assumed to be a mobile phone such as a smartphone. There are no particular limitations on the terminal device as long as it can use either or both of packet communication using an email address and communication using a circuit-switched network using a telephone number as a communication means.

[0045] The configuration of the material handling equipment estimation device 1 shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that of the embodiment, except that it has the function of receiving company information from the terminal device 3 as input to the trained engine and transmitting the type and number of material handling equipment to the terminal device 3 as the calculation result.

[0046] 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal device 3 according to this embodiment is assumed to be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone. The terminal device 3 is configured with at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a memory 32, a storage device 33, an input unit 34, a communication interface 35, a display unit 36, and an internal bus 37 that connects the above-mentioned hardware.

[0047] The CPU 31 is connected to the above-mentioned hardware components of the terminal device 3 via an internal bus 37, and controls the operation of the above-mentioned hardware components, and executes various software functions in accordance with a computer program 110 stored in the storage device 33. The memory 32 is composed of a volatile memory such as an SRAM or SDRAM, into which a load module is expanded when the computer program 110 is executed, and which stores temporary data and the like generated when the computer program 110 is executed.

[0048] The storage device 33 is configured with an internal fixed storage device (hard disk), a ROM, a removable external memory, etc. The computer program 110 stored in the storage device 33 is a computer program downloaded from an external computer connected via the communication interface 35, and is deployed from the storage device 43 to the memory 42 and executed when executed.

[0049] The communication interface 35 is connected to an internal bus 37, and is connected to an external network 2 such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN, thereby enabling data communication with the support server 1 and the like.

[0050] For example, a sales representative in the warehousing industry can input company information about a potential customer company via the input unit 34, using a form displayed on the display unit 36, such as an LCD display. The input company information is sent to the material handling equipment estimation device 1, and the type and quantity of material handling equipment required are calculated by the learned engine of the material handling equipment estimation device 1, and then sent to the terminal device 3. Upon receiving the information, the terminal device 3 displays the calculated type and quantity of material handling equipment on the display unit 36. Of course, the display unit 36 ​​may be configured as a touch display and may also serve as the input unit 34.

[0051] This allows the system to instantly check the type and quantity of material handling equipment with a certain degree of accuracy, even without detailed information on warehouse usage, and can be used in business negotiations in near real time.In addition, since the system can learn by feeding back the type and quantity of material handling equipment actually required, the accuracy of estimates can be expected to improve as the number of projects increases. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Material handling equipment estimation device 2 Network 3 Terminal Devices 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 I / O Interfaces 15 Video Interface 16 Portable Disk Drive 17 Communication Interface 18 Internal Bus 90 Portable recording media 100 Computer Programs

Claims

1. A material handling equipment estimation device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment used for carrying in and out and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, a company information input receiving means for receiving input of company information relating to the company using the warehouse, including at least information on the type of business, capital, number of employees, annual sales, floor space used for the warehouse, types of goods stored, and period of use of the warehouse; a trained engine generation means for generating a trained engine using the types and numbers of material handling devices for each of the company information as training data; a material handling equipment calculation means for calculating the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information using the generated trained engine; an estimated amount calculation means for estimating the amount to be paid by a company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment; A material handling equipment estimation device comprising:

2. a change input receiving means for receiving a change input for the type and number of the material handling equipment; a learning data updating means for updating the learning data for each of the company information items based on the changed types and numbers of the material handling devices; The material handling equipment estimation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. An average value of the period during which each of the material handling devices can be used without failure is stored; The material handling equipment estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material handling equipment calculation means calculates the number of replacements for each material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period and updates the number of each type of material handling equipment.

4. A material handling equipment estimation method that can be executed by a material handling equipment estimation device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment used for carrying in and out and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, The material handling equipment estimation device includes: a step of accepting input of company information relating to the company using the warehouse, including at least information on the type of business, capital, number of employees, annual sales, floor space used for the warehouse, types of goods to be stored, and period of use of the warehouse; generating a trained engine using the types and numbers of material handling equipment for each company information as training data; A process of calculating the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information using the generated trained engine; A process of estimating the payment amount of the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment. A material handling equipment estimation method characterized by executing the above.

5. The material handling equipment estimation device includes: a step of receiving input for changing the type and number of the material handling equipment; updating the learning data for each of the company information based on the changed type and number of the material handling equipment; The material handling equipment estimation method according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The material handling equipment estimation device includes: An average value of the period during which each of the material handling devices can be used without failure is stored; 6. The material handling equipment estimation method according to claim 4, wherein the number of replacements for each material handling equipment is calculated according to the warehouse usage period, and the number of each type of material handling equipment is updated.

7. A computer program that can be executed by a material handling equipment estimation device that estimates the type and number of material handling equipment used for carrying in and out and / or storing items to be stored in a warehouse, The material handling equipment estimation device, a company information input receiving means for receiving input of company information relating to the company using the warehouse, including at least information on the type of business, capital, number of employees, annual sales, floor area used for the warehouse, types of goods to be stored, and period of use of the warehouse; a trained engine generation means for generating a trained engine using the type and number of material handling devices for each of the company information as training data; A material handling equipment calculation means for calculating the type and number of material handling equipment from the input company information using the generated trained engine; and An estimated amount calculation means for estimating the amount to be paid by the company using the warehouse based on the calculated type and number of material handling equipment. A computer program characterized by causing the computer to function as follows.

8. The material handling equipment estimation device, A change input receiving means for receiving a change input of the type and number of the material handling equipment; and A learning data updating means for updating the learning data for each of the company information based on the changed type and number of the material handling equipment.

8. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the computer program functions as follows:

9. The material handling equipment estimation device includes: An average value of the period during which each of the material handling devices can be used without failure is stored, The computer program according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the material handling equipment calculation means functions as a means for calculating the number of replacements for each material handling equipment according to the warehouse usage period and updating the number of each type of material handling equipment.

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