Picking System

Abstract

To provide a picking system capable of improving the efficiency of picking work.SOLUTION: A control system executes batch generation processing in which a set number of pieces of order information are aggregated and picking work corresponding to the aggregated order information is regarded as one piece of batch work. The control part performs the batch generation processing such that when an overlap risk batch work number Nc can be decreased to a total shippable number Nb or less as the total number of object mount bodies which can be shipped from an automatic warehouse, the order information is so aggregated that the overlap risk batch work number Nc is equal to or less than the total shippable number Nb, but when the overlap risk batch work number Nc cannot be decreased to the total shippable number Nb or less, the order information is so aggregated that the overlap risk batch work number Nc is minimized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking system including an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each with a plurality of items placed on it; a plurality of work areas in which picking work is carried out to remove items of the type and number specified by order information from the mounting bodies released from the automated warehouse, based on order information that specifies the type and number of items required for each shipping destination; a conveyance system that transports the mounting bodies between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas; and a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveyance system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a picking system used in a logistics center or the like, a carrier carrying items of a type specified in order information is transported from an automated warehouse to a work area. Then, in the work area, a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number specified in the order information. A plurality of picking operations that occur as tasks in the picking system are assigned to a plurality of work areas, respectively. An example of such a picking system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-199562. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-199562 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, there are various types of goods stored in automated warehouses using picking systems, and different types of goods have different needs (for example, shipping frequency and number of shipments). Inventory management in automated warehouses is usually carried out according to needs, but needs for goods can change depending on changes in the market environment. For example, if needs exceed what was originally expected, the supply of goods from the automated warehouse to the work area may be delayed, making it difficult to carry out picking work in the work area.

[0005] In view of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a picking system that can improve the efficiency of picking work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each of which has a plurality of articles mounted thereon; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number specified by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information specifying the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; a transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveyance system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and grouping the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating, for all of the types, an overlap risk index that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers on which the items of the target type are placed will be insufficient for the number of work areas in which the picking work of the items of the target type is performed, with each of the plurality of types being a target type, The type for which the overlap risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold is defined as an overlap risk type, and the number of overlap risk batch operations that are batch operations including the picking operation corresponding to the order information specifying the overlap risk type is defined as the number of overlap risk batch operations, In the batch production process, the control system: When the number of duplicate risk batch operations can be made equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of the target objects that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, consolidating the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch operations is equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, If the number of batch operations at risk of duplication cannot be reduced to the total number that can be shipped or less, the order information is consolidated so as to minimize the number of batch operations at risk of duplication.

[0007] According to this configuration, by aggregating order information specifying overlap risk types that may result in a shortage of the total number of items that can be shipped relative to the number of orders, it is easy to reduce the number of work areas where picking work is performed for items of the overlap risk types. This reduces the possibility of waiting for target items required for picking work in each work area due to an insufficient number of items relative to the number of work areas. Therefore, it is easy to reduce waiting times in each work area and improve work efficiency.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the techniques according to the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Plan view of the picking system [Figure 2] Picking system control block diagram [Figure 3] Illustration of picking work [Figure 4] Batch work illustration [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the number of orders for each type of item. [Figure 6] Explaining the calculation of the primary overlap risk index and secondary overlap risk index [Figure 7] Time chart showing work time in the work area [Figure 8] Time chart showing work time in the work area [Figure 9] Time chart showing work time in the work area [Figure 10] Illustration of the process for increasing the total number of items that can be shipped [Figure 11] Illustration of the calculation of the similarity index [Figure 12] Illustration of sorting order information based on similarity index [Figure 13] Diagram of consolidating multiple order information using batch generation processing [Figure 14] Time chart showing work time in a work area according to another embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a picking system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the picking system 100 includes an automated warehouse 1 that stores multiple mounting bodies 5, each with multiple items W placed on it, multiple work areas 2 in which picking work is performed to remove items W of the type and number specified by order information In from the mounting bodies 5 released from the automated warehouse 1 based on order information In that specifies the type and number of items W required for each shipping destination, a conveying system 7 that transports the mounting bodies 5 between the automated warehouse 1 and the multiple work areas 2, and a control system 3 that controls the automated warehouse 1 and the conveying system 7.

[0012] The goods W include industrial products, daily necessities, foodstuffs, etc. They may also include finished products and semi-finished products. The goods W are stored in the automated warehouse 1 while placed on the mounting body 5, and are transported to various locations by the transport system 7.

[0013] The mounting body 5 includes a container or a pallet. The container also includes a folding container or a cardboard box. In this embodiment, the mounting body 5 is configured using a storage container for storing items in the automated warehouse 1 (see FIG. 3). In this example, a single type of item W is mounted on the mounting body 5. However, multiple types of items W may be mounted on the mounting body 5.

[0014] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the automated warehouse 1 includes storage shelves that store the objects 5, and an in-shelf transport device that transports the objects 5 within the automated warehouse 1. Examples of the in-shelf transport device include a stacker crane, a lifter, a transport cart arranged on each shelf of the storage shelf, and a conveyor. The in-shelf transport device constitutes part of the transport system 7. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes multiple such automated warehouses 1. Note that if the automated warehouse 1 includes a conveyor as the in-shelf transport device, the automated warehouse 1 may be configured to store the objects 5 on the conveyor. In this case, the automated warehouse 1 may be configured without including a stacker crane or a transport cart.

[0015] In this embodiment, the transport system 7 includes a conveyor 70. The transport path of the conveyor 70 for the mounted object 5 is formed to connect multiple automated warehouses 1 and multiple work areas 2. The mounted object 5, which has been removed from one of the multiple automated warehouses 1, is transported to one of the multiple work areas 2 along the transport path of the conveyor 70. The mounted object 5, from which the required item W has been removed by a picking operation in the work area 2, is transported to one of the multiple automated warehouses 1 along the transport path of the conveyor 70 and stored there. The transport system 7 may include another type of transport device, such as an automated guided vehicle, instead of or in addition to the conveyor 70. As described above, the transport system 7 includes an intra-shelf transport device that transports the mounted object 5 within the automated warehouse 1.

[0016] In this embodiment, the conveying system 7 has a first conveying path 71 for conveying the object 5 between the automated warehouse 1 and multiple work areas 2, and in addition to the first conveying path 71, has a second conveying path 72 for conveying the object 5 between the multiple work areas 2.

[0017] The second transport path 72 is a path that does not connect to each automated warehouse 1. In this example, the second transport path 72 is a path that connects only multiple work areas 2. As will be described later, the second transport path 72 is a path used in direct transport processing that does not go through the automated warehouse 1.

[0018] 2, the control system 3 is configured to control the automated warehouse 1, the work area 2, and the transport system 7 based on the order information In. The control system 3 also controls the work instruction output devices (monitors, etc.) and picking robots, etc., arranged in the work area 2.

[0019] The order information In is information that specifies the type and number of items W required for each shipping destination. The order information In is information that is generated based on the needs of the customer and is stored in the server 4. The control system 3 obtains the order information In from the server 4.

[0020] The control system 3 is configured to perform inventory management of the items W in the automated warehouse 1. The control system 3 is configured to manage at least the type and number of the items W placed on each of the placement bodies 5 stored in the automated warehouse 1.

[0021] Based on the order information In, the control system 3 selects multiple or a single object 5 required for the picking operation in each work area 2, and transports the selected object 5 to each work area 2 using the transport system 7. The transport of the object 5 from the automated warehouse 1 to the work area 2 is performed using the first transport path 71 described above.

[0022] The control system 3 can be configured using multiple pieces of hardware and multiple pieces of software. The control system 3 includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, peripheral circuits such as a memory, etc. Each function is realized by the cooperation of these pieces of hardware and a program executed on a processor such as a computer.

[0023] Next, the picking work performed in work area 2 will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, picking work is performed based on order information In. In the picking work, multiple or single items W specified in the order information In are collected. For example, order information In is generated for each shipping destination. Therefore, the picking work can be said to be a task of collecting items W requested for each shipping destination.

[0025] Multiple or single mounting bodies 5 carrying items W of the type and number specified in the order information In are transported to a specific work area 2, and in the picking operation, these items W related to the order information In are removed and collected in a shipping container 6.

[0026] When all the items W placed on the mount 5 are removed by the picking operation, the mount 5 becomes empty. In this embodiment, the work area 2 is provided with an empty mount holder 20 that holds empty mounts 5 generated by the picking operation. This allows empty mounts 5 to be stored in the work area 2. When the mount 5 is configured using a folding container, stacking multiple mounts 5 in a folded state can improve space efficiency. As will be described later, in this example, the empty mounts 5 stored in the work area 2 are used in the mount division operation.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the order information In specifies three items W of type A (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “item A”), two items W of type B (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “item B”), and one item W of type C (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “item C”). In this example, each mounting body 5 is configured to mount a single type of item W, and a mounting body 5 for mounting at least three or more items A, a mounting body 5 for mounting at least two or more items B, and a mounting body 5 for mounting at least one or more items C are transported to the work area 2. Then, in the picking operation in the work area 2, three items A, two items B, and one item C are collected into a shipping container 6. The picking operation may be performed by a worker or may be performed unmanned by a picking robot or the like. Alternatively, the picking operation may be performed by both a worker and a picking robot.

[0028] 3, the mount 5 that transports the items C has the same number of items C (one item C in the illustrated example) as the number specified in the order information In placed on it. Therefore, when a picking operation is performed on this mount 5, the mount 5 becomes empty and is held by the empty mount holder 20.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the control system 3 (see Figure 2) is configured to perform a batch generation process that aggregates a set number of order information In and groups the picking work corresponding to the aggregated order information In into one batch work, a work allocation process that assigns each of the multiple batch works generated by the batch generation process to one of multiple work areas 2, and a transport process that transports the mounting body 5 required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the multiple work areas 2.

[0030] A batch job includes a set number of picking jobs related to order information In. That is, a batch job includes a set number of picking jobs. In this embodiment, this "set number" is the maximum number of picking jobs that can be included in one batch job. In this example, the set number is set to 4. That is, in this case, the number of picking jobs that can be included in one batch job is 1 to 4. However, the set number may be a number other than "4," for example, it may be "1." In this way, in this embodiment, the set number is a fixed value, but it may also be a value that changes depending on the situation.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 4, four batch operations are illustrated. Each of the four batch operations includes four picking operations. Each of the four batch operations is assigned to one of four operation areas 2 by the operation allocation process. However, as described above, the number of picking operations included in one batch operation does not have to exceed a set number, and in this example, it may be 1 to 3.

[0032] Here, the types of goods W stored in the automated warehouse 1 of the picking system 100 are various, and the needs vary depending on the type of goods W.

[0033] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, assume that there are types of items W ranging from A to Z. The right column of the table shows the number of order information In to be processed within a unit period (hereinafter referred to as "order number Na") for each type of item W. In other words, the order number Na indicates the number of order information In to be processed within a unit period for a specific type of item W. In the example shown, type A is included in each of 200 pieces of order information In. In other words, an item W of type A is requested in the picking work related to each of the 200 pieces of order information In. The order numbers Na for types X, Y, and Z are relatively small, with order numbers Na of "6," "5," and "16," respectively.

[0034] The picking system 100 performs inventory management in the automated warehouse 1. In this inventory management, the inventory quantity of items W of a type with high demand that tends to have a relatively large number of orders Na (i.e., the number of items W stored in the automated warehouse 1) is increased, and the inventory quantity of items W of a type with low demand that tends to have a relatively small number of orders Na is decreased. This makes it easy to improve the storage efficiency of items W in the automated warehouse 1.

[0035] Here, each of the multiple types is referred to as a target type, a mounting body 5 on which an item W of the target type is placed is referred to as a target mounting body 5, and the total number of target mounting bodies 5 that can be shipped out from the automated warehouse 1 is referred to as the total number that can be shipped Nb. The total number that can be shipped Nb is, for example, the total number of target mounting bodies 5 currently stored in the automated warehouse 1. Note that the "target type" refers to some or all of the types out of all the types handled by the picking system 100 that are subject to batch generation processing and the total number that can be shipped increase processing described below.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the control system 3 is configured to perform an index calculation process to calculate a primary duplication risk index N1 (equivalent to the "duplication risk index") for all types, which indicates the likelihood that the number of target mounting bodies 5, which are mounting bodies 5 on which items W of the target type are placed, will be insufficient compared to the number of work areas 2 where picking work for items W of the target type is performed.

[0037] In this embodiment, the number of order information In that specify the target type of item W among the multiple order information In to be processed within a unit period is defined as the number of target orders Na, and the primary duplication risk index N1 is defined as the value obtained by dividing the total number of items that can be shipped Nb by the number of target orders Na.

[0038] The control system 3 determines that a type whose primary overlap risk index N1 is less than a predetermined primary judgment threshold (corresponding to the "judgment threshold") is an overlap risk type. In this embodiment, the primary judgment threshold is set to "1.00". However, the primary judgment threshold can be set arbitrarily. The control system 3 calculates the primary overlap risk index N1 for all types, and recognizes types whose primary overlap risk index N1 is less than "1.00" as overlap risk types.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows an example in which types X, Y, and Z are each considered to be overlap risk types.

[0040] For type X, the total number of items that can be shipped Nb is "2," and when this is divided by the number of target orders Na of "6," the primary duplication risk index N1 becomes "0.33," which is less than the primary judgment threshold of "1.00." Therefore, the control system 3 extracts type X from all types as a duplication risk type.

[0041] For type Y, the total number Nb that can be shipped is "1," and when this is divided by the number of target orders Na of "5," the primary duplication risk index N1 becomes "0.20," which is less than the primary judgment threshold of "1.00." Therefore, the control system 3 extracts type Y from all types as a duplication risk type.

[0042] For type Z, the total number Nb that can be shipped is "1," and when this is divided by the number of target orders Na of "16," the primary duplication risk index N1 becomes "0.06," which is less than the primary judgment threshold of "1.00." Therefore, the control system 3 extracts type Z from all types as a duplication risk type.

[0043] Next, the control system 3 calculates the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc for each of the extracted duplicate risk types, using the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc as the number of duplicate risk batch jobs, which are batch jobs including picking jobs corresponding to the order information In that specifies the duplicate risk type. Here, the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc is the number of batch jobs required to handle all orders in which the target type of item W is specified. The number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc is the value obtained by dividing the number of target orders Na by a set number ("4" in this example). If the divided value contains decimal points, the divided value is rounded up to ensure the number of batch jobs required to handle all orders in which the target type of item W is specified.

[0044] To explain this using Figure 6 as an example, for type X, the target order count Na is "6," and when this is divided by the set number "4" and rounded up to the nearest whole number, the duplicate risk batch work count Nc becomes "2." In other words, the number of batch works required to handle all orders specifying item W of type X is "2."

[0045] For type Y, the target order number Na is "5," and when this is divided by the set number "4" and rounded up to the nearest whole number, the duplicate risk batch work number Nc becomes "2." In other words, the number of batch works required to handle all orders specifying item W of type Y is "2."

[0046] For type Z, the target order number Na is "16," and when this is divided by the set number "4," the duplicate risk batch work number Nc becomes "4." In other words, the number of batch works required to handle all orders specifying item W of type Z is "4."

[0047] Here, the control system 3 is configured to increase or decrease the number of batch operations with a risk of duplication Nc by changing the number of order information In to be aggregated (hereinafter referred to as the "number of aggregated orders") within a range that does not exceed a set number. As shown in the following equation (1), the number of batch operations with a risk of duplication Nc is calculated by dividing the number of target orders Na by the number of aggregated orders. Number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc = Number of target orders Na / Number of aggregated orders (1) *The number of orders aggregated is less than the set number. Therefore, the larger the order aggregation number, the smaller the duplicate risk batch job number Nc becomes, and the smaller the order aggregation number, the larger the duplicate risk batch job number Nc becomes. By controlling the increase or decrease in the duplicate risk batch job number Nc, the control system 3 can set an appropriate duplicate risk batch job number Nc for the total number of batch jobs that can be shipped Nb.

[0048] In the batch generation process, if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc can be made equal to or less than the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped from the automated warehouse 1, which is the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped, Nb, the control system 3 aggregates the order information In so that the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc is equal to or less than the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped Nb. In other words, the control system 3 sets the order aggregation number so that the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc is equal to or less than the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped Nb. This reduces the possibility of a waiting period (hereinafter simply referred to as "waiting period") in each work area 2 to wait for the target objects 5 needed for the picking operation due to an insufficient number of target objects 5 relative to the number of work areas 2. Note that "the case where the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc can be made equal to or less than the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped Nb" refers to a case where the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc can be made equal to or less than the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped Nb by increasing the order aggregation number within the set limit and reducing the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc.

[0049] In the batch generation process, if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc cannot be reduced to less than or equal to the total number of deliverables Nb, the control system 3 aggregates the order information In to minimize the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc. In other words, the control system 3 minimizes the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc by setting the number of order aggregations to a preset number that is the maximum number of order information In that can be aggregated.

[0050] In this embodiment, the control system 3 further calculates a secondary overlap risk index N2 for the extracted overlap risk type, which indicates the likelihood of a shortage in the number of work areas 2 where picking work for items W of the overlap risk type is performed.

[0051] The secondary overlap risk index N2 is calculated by dividing the total number of items that can be shipped Nb by the number of overlap risk batch operations Nc. The control system 3 recognizes overlap risk types for which the secondary overlap risk index N2 is less than the secondary judgment threshold as types that require action. In this example, the secondary judgment threshold is set to "1.00." However, the secondary judgment threshold can be set arbitrarily.

[0052] 6 as an example, for type X, the total number of items that can be shipped Nb is "2," and when this is divided by the number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc, which is "2," the secondary duplicate risk index N2 becomes "1.00." Therefore, since the secondary duplicate risk index N2 of type X is not less than the secondary judgment threshold value of "1.00," the control system 3 does not recognize type X as a type requiring action.

[0053] For type Y, the total number Nb that can be shipped is "1," and when this is divided by the number Nc of duplicate risk batch operations, which is "2," the secondary duplicate risk index N2 becomes "0.50." Therefore, since the secondary duplicate risk index N2 of type Y is less than the secondary judgment threshold value of "1.00," the control system 3 recognizes type Y as a type requiring action.

[0054] For type Z, the total number Nb that can be shipped is "1," and when this is divided by the number Nc of duplicate risk batch operations, which is "4," the secondary duplicate risk index N2 becomes "0.25." Therefore, since the secondary duplicate risk index N2 of type Z is less than the secondary judgment threshold value of "1.00," the control system 3 recognizes type Z as a type requiring action.

[0055] The case where the secondary overlap risk index N2 is less than the secondary judgment threshold value of "1.00" can be rephrased as the case where the number of overlap risk batch operations Nc exceeds the total number of deliverables Nb.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc exceeds the total number of batch jobs that can be shipped Nb, the control system 3 sets the number of work areas 2 to which duplicate risk batch jobs are assigned to be equal to or less than the total number of batch jobs that can be shipped Nb in the work allocation process. In other words, when the secondary duplicate risk index N2 is less than the secondary judgment threshold value of "1.00," the control system 3 sets the number of work areas 2 to which duplicate risk batch jobs are assigned to be equal to or less than the total number of batch jobs that can be shipped Nb.

[0057] For example, focusing on type Y in Figure 6, the number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc is "2," which exceeds the total number of items that can be shipped Nb, which is "1." The secondary duplicate risk index N2 is "0.50," which is less than the secondary judgment threshold of "1.00." In other words, type Y is recognized as a type requiring action. Therefore, in such a case, the control system 3 allocates two duplicate risk batch operations, including picking operations for type Y, to one work area 2 in order to set the number of work areas 2 to which duplicate risk batch operations are assigned to equal to or less than the total number of items that can be shipped Nb.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the control system 3 executes a work assignment process so that the expected time from the start to the end of a plurality of overlapping risk batch operations performed in each work area 2 does not exceed a predetermined limit time T. Note that the "limit time T" is based on, for example, the time when the article W is shipped from the picking system 100, and the picking operation related to each order information In needs to be completed within the limit time T.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an example in which the control system 3 assigns two overlapping risk batch operations including a picking operation for type Y to the first work area 2 which is one of the plurality of work areas 2. The belt-like display in the figure indicates one overlapping risk batch operation. Each of the two belt-like displays is divided into four parts. This represents that one overlapping risk batch operation includes four picking operations. And among the four picking operations, the operation shown in black represents the picking operation for type Y which is the overlapping risk type.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the total time of the expected time T1 required for one of the two overlapping risk batch operations and the expected time T2 required for the other one does not exceed the limit time T (T1 + T2 < T). Therefore, the control system 3 can assign the two overlapping risk batch operations including the picking operation for type Y to the first work area 2.

[0061] If the expected time from the start to the end of a plurality of overlapping risk batch operations does not exceed the limit time T, the control system 3 may assign the plurality of overlapping risk batch operations to the plurality of work areas 2.

[0062] 8, in this embodiment, when the number of overlap risk batch tasks Nc exceeds the total number of items that can be shipped Nb, and when overlap risk batch tasks are assigned to multiple work areas 2 in the task allocation process, the control system 3 assigns the overlap risk batch tasks to each work area 2 so that at least the picking work for the item W of the overlap risk type is performed in different time periods. This makes it possible to prevent the picking work for the item W of the overlap risk type from overlapping even when overlap risk batch tasks for a specific overlap risk type are performed in multiple work areas 2. This makes it possible to avoid situations where tasks have to be waited for.

[0063] 8 shows an example in which the control system 3 allocates two overlap risk batch tasks, each of which includes a picking task for type Y, to a first work area 2 and a second work area 2. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the control system 3 allocates the overlap risk batch tasks to each work area 2 so that the overlap risk batch task performed in the first work area 2 and the overlap risk batch task performed in the second work area 2 are performed in different time periods. Because the total number Nb that can be shipped for type Y is "1" (see FIG. 6), the same target mounting body 5 on which an item W of type Y is placed is provided to the first work area 2 and the second work area 2 at different times.

[0064] In the example shown in FIG. 8, a target object 5 carrying an item W of type Y is first provided to the first work area 2, and then provided to the second work area 2. When allocating overlap risk batch tasks to multiple work areas 2, the control system 3 sets a condition that the overlap risk batch task in the work area 2 to which the target object 5 is provided last among the multiple work areas 2 can be completed within the time limit T. In the example shown, the expected time T2 required for the overlap risk batch task in the second work area 2 falls within the time limit T. Therefore, the control system 3 is able to allocate two overlap risk batch tasks including picking tasks for type Y to the first work area 2 and the second work area 2.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the control system 3 assigns multiple overlap risk batch tasks to multiple work areas 2, it maximizes the difference between the periods in which picking tasks for overlap risk types are performed in each overlap risk batch task.

[0066] 8, the control system 3 causes the picking operation for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, in the duplicate risk batch work performed in the first work area 2 to be performed first among the four picking operations that make up the duplicate risk batch work. Then, the control system 3 causes the picking operation for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, in the duplicate risk batch work performed in the second work area 2 to be performed last among the four picking operations that make up the duplicate risk batch work. This configuration makes it easy to ensure time for transporting item W of the duplicate risk type (type Y), which is common to the duplicate risk batch work in the first work area 2 and the duplicate risk batch work in the second work area 2, from the first work area 2 to the second work area 2.

[0067] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc for type Z is "4," and the total number of items that can be shipped Nb is "1." Fig. 9 shows a time chart for when four duplicate risk batch operations are performed, including picking operations for type Z. In the figure, a portion of the band-shaped display divided into four is shown hatched, and this portion represents picking operations for type Z, which is a duplicate risk type.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, if all four overlap risk batch tasks are executed serially along the time axis, the expected time from start to finish of the four overlap risk batch tasks will exceed the time limit T. In the example shown, the maximum number of overlap risk batch tasks that can be completed within the time limit T is "3." In this case, for example, by assigning the remaining overlap risk batch task that does not fit within the time limit T to another work area 2, this remaining overlap risk batch task can also be completed within the time limit T. However, because the total number Nb that can be shipped for type Z is "1" (see Figure 6), overlap risk batch tasks that include picking tasks for type Z can only be performed physically in one work area 2.

[0069] 9, in this embodiment, the control system 3 executes a total number increase process for increasing the total number Nb of objects that can be shipped if the predicted time from the start to the end of multiple duplicate risk batch operations performed in each work area 2 exceeds a predetermined time limit T. This makes it possible to increase the number of target objects 5 required for the duplicate risk batch operations in the work area 2.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the control system 3 assigns three of the four overlap risk batch jobs for type Z to the first work area 2 and the remaining one to the second work area 2. However, the number of overlap risk batch jobs assigned to each work area 2 can be set arbitrarily. The control system 3 then provides a target object 5 carrying an item W of type Z to the first work area 2, and also provides another target object 5, which has been increased by the outgoing item increase process, to the second work area 2. This allows different overlap risk batch jobs to be performed simultaneously in different work areas 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the four overlap risk batch jobs that would exceed the time limit T if performed only in the first work area 2 can be distributed to the second work area 2, and as a result, the four overlap risk batch jobs for type Z can be completed within the time limit T.

[0071] The above-mentioned processing for increasing the total number of items that can be delivered will now be explained. Here, the explanation will continue by taking type Z as an example.

[0072] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the process of increasing the total number of items that can be shipped includes a load body division operation, which is an operation of dividing multiple items W of the target type that are placed on one target load body 5 and placing them on multiple load bodies 5.

[0073] In this embodiment, the work of dividing the object is performed in one of a plurality of work areas 2. The control system 3 designates one of the plurality of work areas 2 and issues instructions to the worker or picking robot working in the designated work area 2. For example, the control system 3 gives instructions to the worker using a work instruction output device (monitor, etc.) provided in the work area 2. For the picking robot, it sends an instruction signal to a control device that controls the picking robot. Hereinafter, the work area 2 in which the work of dividing the object is performed may be referred to as the target work area 2.

[0074] As described above, in the target work area 2, empty mounts 5 generated by the picking operation are held by the empty mount holder 20 (see FIG. 3). In the mount division operation, multiple items W of the target type placed on the target mount 5 are dispersed among the empty mounts 5 held by the empty mount holder 20.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the first work area 2 where picking work for items W of type Z is performed, there is a second work area 2 where picking work for items W of type Z should be performed. In the first work area 2 where a target mounting body 5 on which items W of type Z are to be placed is provided, a mounting body division work is performed, and some of the multiple items W placed on the target mounting body 5 are transferred to an empty mounting body 5 that was held in the first work area 2. As a result, the number of mounting bodies 5 on which items W of type Z are to be placed, whose total number Nb that can be shipped from warehouse was "1", increases to two.

[0076] In this embodiment, after the placement body division work is completed in the first work area 2, the control system 3 controls the conveying system 7 to transport at least one of the placement bodies 5 on which the target type of item W is placed, using the second conveying path 72, to a second work area 2 other than the first work area 2, where batch work is performed in which the target type of item W is included in the picking work. The control system 3 performs a direct conveying process to transport the placement bodies 5 between different work areas 2 without going through the automated warehouse 1, thereby conveying the placement bodies 5 generated by the placement body division work along the second conveying path 72.

[0077] In the example shown in FIG. 10, one of the two receivers 5 on which the item W of type Z is placed is transported from the first working area 2 to the second working area 2 via the second transport path 72.

[0078] In this embodiment, in the placement body division work, the required number of articles W of the target type in another work area 2 (second work area 2) other than the target work area 2 (first work area 2) is transferred to the placement body 5.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 10, two items W of type Z are specified by the order information In in the second work area 2. That is, the required number of items W of type Z in the second work area 2 is "2." Therefore, in the placement body division work performed in the first work area 2, two items W are transferred from a target placement body 5 that is holding ten items W of type Y to an empty placement body 5. The placement body 5 holding the two items W of type Z is transported from the first work area 2 to the second work area 2 via the second transport path 72. This configuration makes it possible to simultaneously perform picking work for items W of type Z in both the first work area 2 and the second work area 2 (see FIG. 9).

[0080] As described above, in the batch generation process, the control system 3 executes a process of aggregating order information In that specifies a duplicate risk type (in this example, types X, Y, and Z). In this specification, the process of aggregating order information In related to such duplicate risk types is referred to as a first aggregation process. In this embodiment, the control system 3 is configured to execute a second aggregation process that aggregates order information In that specifies a type that is not subject to the first aggregation process (in this example, types other than types X, Y, and Z). That is, in the batch generation process, after the first aggregation process that aggregates order information In that specifies a duplicate risk type as the target of the picking operation, the control system 3 executes a second aggregation process that aggregates order information In that was not subject to the first aggregation process among the multiple order information In to be processed within a unit period, in order of proximity to the similarity index Ex (described below).

[0081] The second aggregation process will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11, the control system 3 is configured to calculate a similarity index Ex in the index calculation process, which indicates the degree to which each of the plurality of order information In is similar to one another.

[0083] In this embodiment, in addition to calculating the primary overlap risk index described above, the control system 3 assigns a type value Va to each type of object to be handled (here, types other than overlap risk types) to rank the types. Then, in the index calculation process, the control system 3 sets the type values ​​Va of all types to be handled so that the type value Va of the object type is greater than the total of the type values ​​Va of all types lower than the object type.

[0084] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, assume that there are types A to F of items W, each ranked 1 to 6. When focusing on type A, the type value Va of type A is "32," and the sum of the type values ​​Va of the lower types B to F is "31 (=16+8+4+2+1)," which is less than "32." Also, when focusing on type D, for example, the type value Va of type D is "4," and the sum of the type values ​​Va of the lower types E and F is "3 (=2+1)," which is less than "4." In other words, the control system 3 sets the type value Va of the type to be handled as a target type (a type of interest) such that the type value Va of the target type is greater than the sum of the type values ​​Va of all types lower than the target type.

[0085] In this embodiment, the type value Va is set to the Nth power (N is an integer equal to or greater than 0) of M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 2), where N is set to a value according to the ranking order. This makes it possible to easily set type values ​​Va such that the type value Va of each of multiple types is greater than the total type values ​​Va of all types lower than that type. In this example, M is set to "2." N is set to a larger value as the ranking of the type increases, and is set to "0 to 5" in this example. In other words, the type value Va of each type is expressed as 2 to the 0th power to 2 to the 5th power.

[0086] In this embodiment, the ranking is performed in order of shipping frequency, which is the frequency specified by the order information In. The higher the shipping frequency, the higher the ranking, and the lower the shipping frequency, the lower the ranking. In other words, the ranking is performed in order of increasing need, so the higher the need, the higher the ranking, and the lower the need, the lower the ranking.

[0087] In the index calculation process, the control system 3 calculates the sum of the type values ​​Va for all types included in each piece of order information In as the similarity index Ex for each piece of order information In. Because the type values ​​Va are decimal values, the sum of the type values ​​Va is also a decimal value.

[0088] In this embodiment, the control system 3 converts the similarity index Ex into a binary value in the index calculation process. That is, in this embodiment, the control system 3 converts the sum of the type values ​​Va, which are expressed in decimal, into a binary value. This simplifies the calculation process of the similarity index Ex, making it easier to reduce the calculation load on the control system 3.

[0089] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the order information In specifies four items W of type A, two items W of type C, and one item W of type D. In this case, the types of items W included in the order information In are "A," "C," and "D." Based on the table at the top of FIG. 11, the type value Va of type A is "32," the type value Va of type C is "8," and the type value Va of type D is "4," so the sum of these type values ​​Va is "44." The control system 3 converts this sum into a binary number to obtain a six-digit similarity index Ex of "101100." As such, in this example, since N is set to 0 to 5, the value converted into binary is a six-digit value.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the control system 3 performs stable sorting in batch generation processing, arranging the binary similarity indexes Ex for multiple pieces of order information In to be processed within a unit period in ascending order of the number of digits, and then in descending order of value.

[0091] 12 shows an example in which the number of order information In to be processed within a unit period is seven. The control system 3 executes the exponent calculation process to calculate a binary similarity exponent Ex for each of the seven order information In. The similarity exponent Ex for each order information In is then compared in order, starting from the first digit, with the largest value being moved to the top, and this process is continued up to the final sixth digit.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 12, when the first digits of the similarity indexes Ex related to the seven order information In are compared, the similarity index Ex related to the second order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 2 in the figure) has the largest value and is shifted to the top digit.

[0093] Next, when the second digits are compared, the similarity index Ex associated with the fourth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 4 in the figure) and the similarity index Ex associated with the fifth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 5 in the figure) have the largest values, and the order of these similarity indices Ex remains the same, but these similarity indices Ex are shifted to the top.

[0094] In the example shown, when this process is performed up to the sixth digit, the similarity index Ex relating to the fifth order information In will ultimately be the highest, and the similarity index Ex relating to the third order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 3 in the figure) will be the lowest.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 13, in the batch generation process, the control system 3 aggregates multiple pieces of order information In (in this example, the first to seventh pieces of order information In) to be processed within a unit period in order of decreasing similarity index Ex. In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates multiple pieces of order information In that are similar in order obtained by stable sorting. The picking tasks associated with each of the aggregated multiple pieces of order information In are treated as one batch task by the batch generation process.

[0096] In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates order information In having adjacent rankings of similarity index Ex in the batch generation process, and treats the picking work related to each order information In as one batch work. Then, the control system 3 executes a work allocation process to allocate the batch work to one of the multiple work areas 2.

[0097] In the example shown in Figure 13, the fifth order information In and the sixth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 6 in the figure) are adjacent to each other in terms of the ranking of similarity index Ex, and the picking work related to each of these order information In is considered to be one batch work and assigned to the third work area 2.

[0098] In addition, the seventh order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 7 in the figure) and the second order information In are adjacent to each other in terms of the ranking of similarity index Ex, and the picking work related to each of these order information In is considered to be one batch work and assigned to the fourth work area 2.

[0099] In this way, the plurality of batch jobs generated by the batch generation process are assigned to one of the plurality of work areas 2 by the job assignment process.

[0100] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0101] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control system 3 allocates multiple overlap risk batch tasks to multiple work areas 2 so that each overlap risk batch task is performed in a different time period (see FIG. 8). However, without being limited to this example, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the control system 3 may cause some of each overlap risk batch task to be performed in the same time period. In this case, the control system 3 causes picking tasks for items W of a common overlap risk type among the multiple overlap risk batch tasks to be performed in different time periods. This makes it possible to secure time for transporting items W of a overlap risk type between multiple work areas 2. In the illustrated example, the period in which overlap risk batch tasks are performed in the first work area 2 and the period in which overlap risk batch tasks are performed in the second work area 2 overlap. However, in the first work area 2, picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed first among the four picking work that make up the duplicate risk batch work, and in the second work area 2, picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed last among the four picking work that make up the duplicate risk batch work. As a result, the two picking work operations are performed in different periods.

[0102] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 3 executes a total number of deliverable items increase process to increase the total number of deliverable items Nb when the predicted time from the start to the end of multiple overlap risk batch tasks performed in each work area 2 exceeds a predetermined time limit T. However, without being limited to this example, the control system 3 may extend the time limit T instead of executing the total number of deliverable items increase process so that multiple overlap risk batch tasks are completed within the time limit T.

[0103] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 3 calculates the primary overlap risk index N1 and then the secondary overlap risk index N2 in the index calculation process. However, without being limited to this example, the control system 3 may execute at least one of the calculation of the primary overlap risk index N1 and the calculation of the secondary overlap risk index N2 in the index calculation process. For example, when calculating the secondary overlap risk index N2, this secondary overlap risk index N2 corresponds to the "overlap risk index."

[0104] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an empty mount 5 held in the empty mount holder 20 in the target work area 2 where the work is performed is used in the mount division work. However, without being limited to this example, the empty mount 5 used in the mount division work may be transported to the target work area 2 from a location different from the target work area 2 (for example, an empty space in the automated warehouse 1).

[0105] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the total number Nb of items that can be shipped out is increased by dividing the items into multiple items. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the total number Nb of items that can be shipped out may be increased by replenishing the target items 5, on which the target type of items W is placed, from a location separate from the automated warehouse 1 (for example, an auxiliary warehouse) to the automated warehouse 1.

[0106] (6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the types of goods W were ranked in order of shipping frequency, which is the frequency specified by the order information In. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the ranking may be based on the specific characteristics (shape or packaging style) of the goods W.

[0107] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the more frequently a type is shipped, the higher the ranking, and the less frequently a type is shipped, the lower the ranking. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the ranking may be reversed, such that the more frequently a type is shipped, the lower the ranking, and the less frequently a type is shipped, the higher the ranking.

[0108] (8) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0109] [Summary of this embodiment] The summary of this embodiment will be described below.

[0110] an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each of which has a plurality of articles mounted thereon; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number specified by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information specifying the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; a transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveyance system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and grouping the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating, for all of the types, an overlap risk index that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers on which the items of the target type are placed will be insufficient for the number of work areas in which the picking work of the items of the target type is performed, with each of the plurality of types being a target type, The type for which the overlap risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold is defined as an overlap risk type, and the number of overlap risk batch operations that are batch operations including the picking operation corresponding to the order information specifying the overlap risk type is defined as the number of overlap risk batch operations, In the batch production process, the control system: When the number of duplicate risk batch operations can be made equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of the target objects that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, consolidating the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch operations is equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, If the number of batch operations at risk of duplication cannot be reduced to the total number that can be shipped or less, the order information is consolidated so as to minimize the number of batch operations at risk of duplication.

[0111] According to this configuration, by aggregating order information specifying overlap risk types that may result in a shortage of the total number of items that can be shipped relative to the number of orders, it is easy to reduce the number of work areas where picking work is performed for items of the overlap risk types. This reduces the possibility of waiting for target items required for picking work in each work area due to an insufficient number of items relative to the number of work areas. Therefore, it is easy to reduce waiting times in each work area and improve work efficiency.

[0112] The number of order information items that specify the target type of product among the plurality of order information items to be processed within a unit period is defined as the number of target orders, The duplication risk index is preferably set to a value obtained by dividing the total number of items that can be shipped by the number of target orders.

[0113] According to this configuration, a duplication risk index, which indicates the likelihood that the number of target objects on which the target type of items is placed will be insufficient compared to the number of work areas where picking work for the target type of items is performed, can be calculated using simple calculation processing.

[0114] Preferably, when the number of duplicate risk batch jobs exceeds the total number that can be shipped, the control system sets the number of work areas to which the duplicate risk batch jobs are assigned in the work allocation process to be equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped.

[0115] This configuration allows multiple duplicate risk batch jobs for specific duplicate risk items to be assigned to one work area, and the multiple duplicate risk batch jobs can be processed serially in one work area. This prevents the aforementioned situation of waiting for work. This reduces the amount of waiting for work in each work area, making it easier to improve work efficiency.

[0116] When the number of duplicate risk batch jobs exceeds the total number that can be shipped, and when the duplicate risk batch jobs are assigned to multiple work areas in the work allocation process, the control system preferably assigns the duplicate risk batch jobs to each of the work areas so that the picking work for at least the items of the duplicate risk type is performed in different periods.

[0117] According to this configuration, even when duplicate risk batch work for a specific duplicate risk type of item is performed in multiple work areas, it is possible to prevent the picking work for the duplicate risk type of item from overlapping. This makes it possible to avoid the above-mentioned situation where work waits occur. Therefore, it is easy to keep work wait times in each work area to a minimum and improve work efficiency.

[0118] Preferably, the control system executes a total number of deliverables increase process to increase the total number of deliverables when the predicted time from the start to the end of multiple overlap risk batch operations performed in each of the work areas exceeds a predetermined time limit.

[0119] According to this configuration, if the time from the start to the end of multiple duplicate risk batch operations exceeds a predetermined time limit, the number of items of duplicate risk types that can be released from the automated warehouse is increased, thereby preventing significant delays in each of the multiple duplicate risk batch operations as a whole system.

[0120] The control system, in the index calculation process, calculating a similarity index indicating the degree to which each of the plurality of pieces of order information is similar to one another; In addition to calculating the overlap risk index, a type value is assigned to the type to be handled to rank the types; set the type values ​​of all of the types to be handled so that the type value of the target type is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all of the types lower than the target type; calculating a sum of the type values ​​for all the types included in each of the order information as the similarity index for each of the order information; In the batch generation process, after a first aggregation process of aggregating the order information that specifies the duplication risk type as the target of the picking work, the control system preferably aggregates, among the multiple order information to be processed within a unit period, the order information that was not targeted by the first aggregation process in order of proximity to the similarity index.

[0121] This configuration reduces the likelihood of the aforementioned waiting times by aggregating order information that specifies a duplicate risk type, while aggregating order information that does not specify a duplicate risk type and has a similar similarity index increases the likelihood that multiple picking operations for the same type of item can be consolidated into the same batch. Furthermore, if multiple picking operations for the same type of item can be consolidated into the same batch, these multiple picking operations can be performed together in a single work area. This improves the efficiency of transporting objects during the transport process and also improves the efficiency of work in the work area. [Industrial Applicability]

[0122] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a picking system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 100: Picking system 1: Automated warehouse 2:Work area 3: Control system 5: Mounting body 7:Transportation system W:Goods In: Order Information Na: Number of orders Nb: Total number of items that can be shipped Nc: Number of batch operations with duplicate risk T: Time limit Va: Type value Ex: Similarity index

Claims

1. an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each of which has a plurality of articles mounted thereon; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number specified by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information specifying the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; a transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveyance system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and grouping the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating, for all of the types, an overlap risk index that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers on which the items of the target type are placed will be insufficient for the number of work areas in which the picking work of the items of the target type is performed, with each of the plurality of types being a target type, The type for which the overlap risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold is defined as an overlap risk type, and the number of overlap risk batch operations that are batch operations including the picking operation corresponding to the order information that specifies the overlap risk type is defined as the number of overlap risk batch operations, In the batch production process, the control system: When the number of duplicate risk batch operations can be made equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of the target objects that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, consolidating the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch operations is equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, When the number of batch operations with a risk of duplication cannot be reduced to or below the total number that can be shipped, the picking system consolidates the order information so as to minimize the number of batch operations with a risk of duplication.

2. The number of order information items that specify the target type of product among the plurality of order information items to be processed within a unit period is defined as the number of target orders, The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein the duplication risk index is a value obtained by dividing the total number of items that can be shipped by the number of target orders.

3. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of duplicate risk batch operations exceeds the total number of operations that can be shipped, the control system, in the operation allocation process, sets the number of operation areas to which the duplicate risk batch operations are assigned to equal to or less than the total number of operations that can be shipped.

4. 2. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein when the number of duplicate risk batch operations exceeds the total number that can be shipped and when the duplicate risk batch operations are assigned to multiple work areas in the work allocation process, the control system assigns the duplicate risk batch operations to each of the work areas so that the picking operations for at least the items of the duplicate risk type are performed in different periods.

5. 4. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein the control system executes a total number of items that can be shipped increase process to increase the total number of items that can be shipped if a predicted time from the start to the end of multiple duplicate risk batch operations performed in each of the work areas exceeds a predetermined time limit.

6. The control system, in the index calculation process, calculating a similarity index indicating the degree to which each of the plurality of pieces of order information is similar to one another; In addition to calculating the overlap risk index, a type value is assigned to the type to be handled to rank the types; set the type values ​​of all of the types to be handled so that the type value of the target type is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all of the types lower than the target type; calculating a sum of the type values ​​for all the types included in each of the order information as the similarity index for each of the order information; 4. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein in the batch generation process, after a first aggregation process of aggregating the order information for which the duplication risk type is specified as a target for the picking work, the control system aggregates, among the plurality of order information to be processed within a unit period, the order information that was not subject to the first aggregation process in order of proximity to the similarity index.

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