Picking system

Abstract

In this picking system, a control system executes batch generation processing that aggregates a set number of pieces of order information and sets picking tasks corresponding to the aggregated order information to be one batch task. In the batch generation processing, if it is possible to set a number of batch tasks with a risk of overlap (Nc) to be less than or equal to a total retrievable number (Nb) that is the total number of target mounting bodies retrievable from an automated warehouse, the control system aggregates the order information so as to set the number of batch tasks with a risk of overlap (Nc) to be less than or equal to the total retrievable number (Nb), and if it is not possible to set the number of batch tasks with a risk of overlap (Nc) to be less than or equal to the total retrievable number (Nb), the control system aggregates the order information so as to minimize the number of batch tasks with a risk of overlap (Nc).

Description

Picking System

[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.

[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 retrieve the type and number of items specified in the order information. A plurality of picking operations occurring 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.

[0003] JP 2015-199562 A

[0004] Meanwhile, various types of goods are stored in automated warehouses using picking systems, and different types of goods have different needs (for example, shipping frequency and number of shipments). While inventory management in automated warehouses is typically performed according to needs, needs for goods can change in response to changes in the market environment. For example, if needs exceed what was originally anticipated, the supply of goods from the automated warehouse to the work area may be delayed, preventing smooth picking operations 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.

[0006] A picking system according to the present disclosure includes an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each having a plurality of articles placed thereon; a plurality of work areas in which picking work is performed to extract, from the mounting bodies released from the automated warehouse, the type and number of articles specified by order information, based on order information specifying the type and number of articles required for each shipping destination; a transport 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 transport system, wherein the control system performs a batch generation process that aggregates a set number of order information and groups the picking work corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch work; a work assignment process that assigns each of the plurality of batch work generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of work areas; and a transport process that transports the mounting bodies required for the batch work assigned by the work assignment process to each of the plurality of work areas. and an index calculation process that defines each of the plurality of types as a target type, and calculates, for all of the types, a duplication risk index that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers, which are 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; the type for which the duplication risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold is defined as a duplication risk type, and the number of duplicate risk batch jobs, which are batch jobs including the picking work corresponding to the order information that specifies the duplicate risk type, is defined as the number of duplicate risk batch jobs; and in the batch generation process, the control system consolidates the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch jobs is equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of target receivers that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs can be equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, and if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs cannot be equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, consolidates the order information so as to minimize the number of duplicate risk batch jobs.

[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.

[0009] Plan view of the picking system Control block diagram of the picking system Explanatory diagram of picking work Explanatory diagram of batch work Diagram showing an example of the number of orders for each type of item Explanatory diagram of calculation of the primary duplication risk index and the secondary duplication risk index Time chart showing work time in the work area Time chart showing work time in the work area Time chart showing work time in the work area Explanatory diagram of the process of increasing the total number of items that can be shipped Explanatory diagram of calculation of the similarity index Explanatory diagram of sorting of order information based on the similarity index Explanatory diagram of aggregating multiple order information by batch generation process Time chart showing work time in the work area according to other embodiments

[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 a plurality of mounting bodies 5, each with a plurality of items W placed on it; a plurality of work areas 2 in which picking work is performed to extract 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 conveys the mounting bodies 5 between the automated warehouse 1 and the plurality of 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. The goods W may also include finished products and semi-finished products. The goods W are stored in the automated warehouse 1 while being placed on the mounting bodies 5, and are also transported to various locations by the conveying system 7.

[0013] The mounting bodies 5 include containers and pallets. Containers also include folding containers and cardboard boxes. In this embodiment, the mounting bodies 5 are configured using storage containers for storing items in the automated warehouse 1 (see FIG. 3). In this example, a single type of item W is mounted on one mounting body 5. However, multiple types of items W may be mounted on one mounting body 5.

[0014] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the automated warehouse 1 includes storage shelves that store the objects 5, and an intra-shelf transport device that transports the objects 5 within the automated warehouse 1. Examples of the intra-shelf transport device include a stacker crane, a lifter, a transport cart arranged on each shelf of the storage shelf, and a conveyor. The intra-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 intra-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 a plurality of 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 plurality of 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 a plurality of 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 device (monitor, etc.) and the picking robot, 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] The control system 3 selects multiple or a single object 5 required for the picking operation in each work area 2 based on the order information In, 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 memory, etc. Each function is realized by cooperation between this 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, the picking work is performed based on the order information In. In the picking work, multiple or single items W specified in the order information In are collected. For example, the order information In is generated for each shipping destination. Therefore, the picking work can be said to be the work of collecting the items W requested for each shipping destination.

[0025] Multiple or a single loading body 5 carrying items W of the type and number specified in the order information In is 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 a 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 “items A”), two items W of type B (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “items 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 three or more items A, a mounting body 5 for mounting two or more items B, and a mounting body 5 for mounting 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. 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 execute a batch generation process that aggregates a set number of order information In and groups the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information In into one batch operation; a work allocation process that assigns each of the multiple batch operations generated by the batch generation process to one of multiple work areas 2; and a transport process that transports the mounting bodies 5 required for the batch operations 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 Figure 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 various 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 the "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 associated with each of the 200 pieces of order information In. The order numbers Na for types X, Y, and Z are relatively small, at "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 high-demand types that tend 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 low-demand types that tend 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 mount 5 on which an item W of the target type is placed is referred to as a target mount 5, and the total number of target mounts 5 that can be shipped 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 mounts 5 currently stored in the automated warehouse 1. Note that the "target type" refers to some or all of the types that are handled by the picking system 100 and that are subject to the batch generation process and the total number that can be shipped increase process described below.

[0036] 6, the control system 3 is configured to execute an index calculation process to calculate, for all types, a primary duplication risk index N1 (corresponding to the "duplication risk index") that indicates the likelihood that the number of target mounts 5, which are mounts 5 on which the target type of item W is placed, will be insufficient for the number of work areas 2 in which the picking work of the target type of item W is performed. In this embodiment, the smaller the value of the primary duplication risk index N1, the higher the possibility of the above.

[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 for which the 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 for which the 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 set as an overlap risk type.

[0040] For type X, the total number Nb that can be shipped 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 a 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 item W of the duplicate risk type 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 item W of the duplicate risk type is specified.

[0044] 6, for type X, the target order number 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 job number Nc becomes "2." In other words, the number of batch jobs required to handle all orders specifying item W of type X is "2."

[0045] For type Y, the target order number Na is "5," which is divided by the set number "4" and rounded up to the nearest whole number, resulting in the duplicate risk batch job number Nc of "2." In other words, the number of batch jobs 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 job number Nc becomes "4." In other words, the number of batch jobs 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 duplicate risk batch operations Nc by changing the number of order information In to be aggregated (hereinafter referred to as the "order aggregation number"), so long as it does not exceed a set number. As shown in equation (1) below, the number of duplicate risk batch operations 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 aggregated orders is a value less than or equal to the set number. Therefore, the larger the number of aggregated orders, the smaller the number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc, and vice versa. By controlling the increase or decrease in the number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc, the control system 3 can set an appropriate number of duplicate risk batch operations Nc for the total number of items 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 waiting for work (hereinafter simply referred to as "work waiting") in each work area 2 to wait for the target objects 5 needed for the picking work due to an insufficient number of target objects 5 relative to the number of work areas 2. Note that "when 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 control system 3 cannot reduce the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc to the total number of available shipments Nb or less, it aggregates the order information In so as to minimize the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc. That is, the control system 3 minimizes the number of duplicate risk batch jobs Nc by setting the order aggregation number 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, for the extracted duplication risk type, a secondary duplication risk index N2 that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers 5 on which the items W of the duplication risk type are placed will be insufficient relative to the number of work areas 2 in which the picking work of the items W of the duplication risk type is performed. In this embodiment, the smaller the value of the secondary duplication risk index N2, the higher the possibility of the above.

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

[0052] 6, for type X, the total number Nb that can be shipped is "2," and when this is divided by the number Nc of duplicate risk batch operations, 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 batches that can be shipped 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 in the work allocation process to be equal to or less than the total number of batch jobs that can be shipped Nb. 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 possible shipments Nb of "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 attention. 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 possible shipments Nb.

[0058] 7 , in this embodiment, the control system 3 executes a task allocation process so that the predicted time from start to finish of multiple overlap risk batch tasks performed in each task area 2 does not exceed a predetermined time limit T. Note that the "time limit T" is based on, for example, the time at which an item W is shipped from the picking system 100, and the picking task related to each order information In must be completed within the time limit T.

[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the control system 3 assigns two duplicate risk batch operations, each including a picking operation for type Y, to a first operation area 2, which is one of the multiple operation areas 2. The band-like display in the figure represents one duplicate risk batch operation. Each of the two band-like displays is divided into four sections. This indicates that one duplicate risk batch operation includes four picking operations (in other words, picking operations related to four pieces of order information In). The operations shown in black represent picking operations for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type. FIG. 7 assumes that the length of the period during which picking operations for a duplicate risk type (here, type Y) are performed is one-fourth the length of the period during which one duplicate risk batch operation is performed. Therefore, one of the four sections included in the band-like display is shown as the period during which picking operations for the duplicate risk type are performed. This also applies to FIGS. 8, 9, and 14, which will be referred to later.

[0060] 7 , the sum of the estimated time T1 required for one of the two overlap risk batch operations and the estimated time T2 required for the other operation does not exceed the time limit T (T1 + T2 < T). Therefore, the control system 3 is able to assign the two overlap risk batch operations, which include picking operations for type Y, to the first operation area 2.

[0061] The control system 3 may allocate multiple overlap risk batch jobs to multiple work areas 2 as long as the expected time from the start to the end of the multiple overlap risk batch jobs does not exceed the time limit T.

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

[0064] 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 duplicate risk batch tasks to multiple work areas 2, the control system 3 sets a condition that the duplicate 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 duplicate 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 duplicate 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 ensures that, in a duplicate risk batch work performed in the first work area 2, the picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed first among the multiple picking works that make up the duplicate risk batch work (four picking works if there are picking works for four types of item W). The control system 3 also ensures that, in a duplicate risk batch work performed in the second work area 2, the picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed last among the multiple picking works that make up the duplicate risk batch work (four picking works if there are picking works for four types of item W). This configuration makes it easier to ensure time for transporting items W of the duplicate risk type (type Y), which are 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 parts 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 performed serially along the time axis, the expected time from start to finish of the four overlap risk batch tasks exceeds 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 three. 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 one (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 provides another target object 5, increased by the total number 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. 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 object division work 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 a worker or a picking robot working in the designated work area 2. For example, the control system 3 gives instructions to a 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 object division work 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] 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 is to be performed. In the first work area 2 where a target mount 5 on which items W of type Z are to be placed is provided, a mount division work is performed, and some of the multiple items W placed on the target mount 5 are transferred to an empty mount 5 that was held in the first work area 2. As a result, the number of mounts 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 object division work is completed in the first work area 2, the control system 3 controls the conveyance system 7 to convey at least one of the placement objects 5 on which the target type of item W is placed, using the second conveyance path 72, to a second work area 2 other than the first work area 2, where a batch work is performed in which the target type of item W is included in the picking work. The control system 3 executes a direct conveyance process for conveying the placement object 5 between different work areas 2 without going through the automated warehouse 1, thereby conveying the placement object 5 generated by the placement object division work along the second conveyance path 72. Note that the item W placed on the placement object 5 (target placement object 5) generated by the placement object division work is the item W that was placed on the target placement object 5 that was delivered from the automated warehouse 1, and the target placement object 5 generated by the placement object division work can also be used in the work area 2 in the same way as the target placement object 5 that was delivered from the automated warehouse 1. Therefore, increasing the total number of target objects 5 available in the work area 2 through the object division work is equivalent to increasing the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped out Nb, which is the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped out from the automated warehouse 1. In other words, the total number of target objects 5 that can be used in the work area 2 can be considered to be the total number of target objects 5 that can be shipped out Nb.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 10, one of the two mounting bodies 5 carrying item W of type Z is being 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 loading body division work, the required number of items W of the target type in another working area 2 (second working area 2) other than the target working area 2 (first working area 2) is transferred to a loading body 5 to be transported to the other working area 2 (second working area 2).

[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 carrying 10 items W of type Y to an empty placement body 5. The placement body 5 carrying 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, among the multiple order information In to be processed within a unit period, the order information In that was not subject to the first aggregation process, in order of proximity to a 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 indicating the degree to which each of a plurality of pieces of order information In is similar to one another in the index calculation process.

[0083] In this embodiment, in addition to calculating the primary overlap risk index described above, the control system 3 also ranks the types of objects to be handled (here, types other than overlap risk types) by assigning a type value Va to each type. Then, in the index calculation process, the control system 3 sets the type values ​​Va of all types of objects to be handled so that the type value Va of the object type is greater than the sum 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-ranking types B to F is "31 (=16+8+4+2+1)," which is less than "32." 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-ranking 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 each type as a target type (a type of interest) and the type value Va of the type to be handled so 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 a value corresponding to the ranking. This makes it easy to set type values ​​Va such that the type value Va of each of multiple types is greater than the sum of the type values ​​Va of all types lower than that type. In this example, M is set to "2." N is set to a value that increases as the ranking of a type increases, and is set to "0 to 5" in this example. Specifically, N is set to a value obtained by subtracting a number representing the ranking of each type of item W (e.g., "1" for the top item) from the number of types of items W to be handled ("6" in this example). Therefore, the type value Va of each type is expressed as 2 to the power of 0 to 2 to the power of 5.

[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 uses a binary value for the similarity index Ex in the exponent calculation process. That is, in this embodiment, the control system 3 executes a process of converting 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, and makes 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 ranges from 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 indices 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 exponential calculation process to calculate a binary similarity index Ex for each of the seven order information In. The similarity index Ex for each order information In (a six-digit binary similarity index Ex in this example) is then compared in order, starting from the first digit, with the largest value being moved to the top, and this process is continued until the final sixth digit.

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

[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 these similarity indexes Ex are shifted to the top while the order of these similarity indexes Ex remains the same.

[0094] In the example shown, when this process is performed up to the sixth digit, the similarity index Ex associated with the fifth order information In will ultimately be the highest, and the similarity index Ex associated with 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. For example, the multiple pieces of order information In are aggregated in sets of a set number of aggregations (two pieces in the example shown in FIG. 13 ) in order of decreasing (or increasing) 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 a single batch task by the batch generation process.

[0096] In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates order information In that are adjacent in rank in terms of similarity index Ex in the batch generation process, and treats the picking tasks related to each order information In as one batch task. Then, the control system 3 executes a task allocation process to assign the batch task to one of the multiple task areas 2.

[0097] 13, multiple pieces of order information In are aggregated into groups of two in descending order of similarity index Ex to form one batch operation. Specifically, the fifth piece of order information In and the sixth piece of order information In (indicated by a circle 6 in the figure) are adjacent to each other in terms of similarity index Ex, and the picking operations associated with each of these pieces of order information In are treated as one batch operation and assigned to the third operation 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 the 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, when multiple overlap-risk batch tasks are assigned to multiple work areas 2, the control system 3 assigns the overlap-risk batch tasks to each work area 2 so that each overlap-risk batch task is performed in a different time period (see FIG. 8 ). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , the control system 3 may perform some of the overlap-risk batch tasks in the same time period. In this case, the control system 3 performs picking tasks for items W of a common overlap-risk type among the multiple overlap-risk batch tasks 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 overlaps with the period in which overlap-risk batch tasks are performed in the second work area 2. However, in the first work area 2, picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed first among the multiple picking works that make up the duplicate risk batch work (four picking works if there is picking work for four types of item W), and in the second work area 2, picking work for type Y, which is a duplicate risk type, is performed last among the multiple picking works that make up the duplicate risk batch work (four picking works if there is picking work for four types of item W). As a result, the two picking works are performed in different periods.

[0102] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 3 executes a process for increasing the total number of available shipments 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, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example, and instead of executing a process for increasing the total number of available shipments, the control system 3 may extend the time limit T 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, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example, and 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 the control system 3 calculates 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 by the empty mount holder 20 in the target work area 2 where the mount dividing work is performed is used. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and the empty mount 5 used in the mount dividing work may be transported to the target work area 2 from a location separate 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 of items that can be shipped Nb is increased by dividing the items. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The total number of items that can be shipped Nb may be increased by replenishing the automated warehouse 1 with 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).

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

[0107] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a type with a higher shipping frequency is ranked higher and a type with a lower shipping frequency is ranked lower. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example, and the ranking may be the opposite of the above, in which a type with a higher shipping frequency is ranked lower and a type with a lower shipping frequency is ranked higher.

[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 the Present Embodiment The summary of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0110] a plurality of work areas in which picking work is performed to extract items of a type and number specified by order information from the items delivered from the automated warehouse, based on order information specifying the type and number of items required for each shipping destination; a transport system that transports the items between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas; and a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the transport system, wherein the control system performs a batch generation process that aggregates a set number of order information and groups the picking work corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch work; a work assignment process that assigns each of the plurality of batch work generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of work areas; and a transport process that transports the items required for the batch work assigned by the work assignment process to each of the plurality of work areas. and an index calculation process that defines each of the plurality of types as a target type, and calculates, for all of the types, a duplication risk index that indicates the likelihood that the number of target receivers, which are 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; the type for which the duplication risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold is defined as a duplication risk type, and the number of duplicate risk batch jobs, which are batch jobs including the picking work corresponding to the order information that specifies the duplicate risk type, is defined as the number of duplicate risk batch jobs; and in the batch generation process, the control system consolidates the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch jobs is equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of target receivers that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs can be equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, and if the number of duplicate risk batch jobs cannot be equal to or less than the total number that can be shipped, consolidates the order information so as to minimize the number of duplicate risk batch jobs.

[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] It is preferable that the number of order information specifying the item of the target type among the plurality of order information to be processed within a unit period is defined as the number of target orders, and the duplication risk index is defined as a value obtained by dividing the total number available for delivery 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] According to this configuration, multiple duplicate risk batch jobs (multiple duplicate risk batch jobs equal to or less than the number of duplicate risk batch jobs) for items of a specific duplicate risk type can 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 waiting time for work in each work area and makes 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] Preferably, in the index calculation process, the control system: calculates a similarity index indicating the degree to which each of the plurality of order information is similar to each other; in addition to calculating the duplication risk index, assigns type values ​​to the types to be handled to rank the types; sets 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 types lower than the target type; and calculates the sum of the type values ​​for all of the types included in each of the order information as the similarity index for each of the order information; and in the batch generation process, after a first aggregation process that aggregates the order information that specifies the duplication risk type as the target of the picking operation, aggregates the order information that was not targeted in the first aggregation process among the plurality of order information to be processed within a unit period in order of decreasing 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.

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

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

Claims

1. A picking system comprising: an automated warehouse storing a plurality of mounting bodies, each mounting body having a plurality of articles placed thereon; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to extract, from the mounting bodies released from the automated warehouse, the type and number of articles specified by order information based on the order information specifying the type and number of articles required for each shipping destination; a transport system transporting the mounting bodies between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas; and a control system for controlling the automated warehouse and the transport system, wherein the control system performs a batch generation process that consolidates a set number of the order information and treats the picking operations corresponding to the consolidated order information as one batch operation; a work assignment process that assigns each of the plurality of batch operations generated by the batch generation process to one of the plurality of work areas; and a transport process that transports the mounting bodies required for the batch operation assigned by the work assignment process to each of the plurality of work areas. a duplicate risk index indicating the likelihood that the number of target objects, which are objects on which the items of the target type are placed, will be insufficient for the number of work areas in which the picking operation of the items of the target type is performed, for all of the objects, wherein the types for which the duplicate risk index is less than a predetermined judgment threshold are defined as duplicate risk types, and the number of duplicate risk batch operations, which are batch operations including the picking operation corresponding to the order information specifying the duplicate risk type, is defined as the number of duplicate risk batch operations, and in the batch generation process, the control system consolidates the order information so that the number of duplicate risk batch operations is less than or equal to the total number that can be shipped, if the number of duplicate risk batch operations can be less than or equal to the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of the target objects that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, and consolidates the order information so as to minimize the number of duplicate risk batch operations, if the number of duplicate risk batch operations can be less than or equal to the total number that can be shipped, which is the total number of the target objects that can be shipped from the automated warehouse, and 2. A picking system as described in claim 1, wherein the number of order information specifying the item of the target type among the multiple order information to be processed within a unit period is defined as the number of target orders, and the duplication risk index is a value obtained by dividing the total number available for shipment by the number of target orders.

3. A picking system as described in claim 1, wherein, when the number of duplicate risk batch tasks exceeds the total number that can be shipped, the control system, in the task allocation process, sets the number of task areas to which the duplicate risk batch tasks are assigned to less than or equal to the total number that can be shipped.

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

5. A picking system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, 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 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.

6. The picking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the index calculation process, the control system: calculates a similarity index indicating the degree to which each of the multiple order information is similar to each other; in addition to calculating the duplication risk index, assigns type values ​​to the types to be handled to rank the types; sets the type values ​​of all of the types to be handled such that the type value of the target type is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all the types lower than the target type; and calculates the 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; and in the batch generation process, after a first consolidation process that consolidates the order information that specifies the duplication risk type as a target for the picking operation, consolidates the order information that was not subject to the first consolidation process among the multiple order information to be processed within a unit period in order of proximity to the similarity index.

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