JP2008303024A - System, method and program for controlling conveyance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, a method and a program for controlling conveyance capable of determining a path suitable for moving an object to be conveyed, and realizing the efficient use of the conveying path. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 21 of a route control system 20 specifies a candidate route by using a conveying system connection information storage unit 22. For each candidate path, the control unit 21 acquires the mean call time for each conveying origin port from a call time information storage unit 23. In addition, the control unit 21 acquires the presently waiting number for each conveying origin port from a waiting number information storage unit 24. The control unit 21 calculates the total call time. The control unit 21 calculates the total moving time by using a moving time information storage unit 25. The control unit 21 calculates the conveying time, and outputs the conveying path determined based on the conveying time to a conveyance control system 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport management system, a transport management method, and a transport management program for supporting transport when moving a transport target using a plurality of transport systems. For example, the transfer of a transfer unit loaded with carriers between semiconductor device manufacturing process apparatuses is supported.

  For example, in a semiconductor manufacturing process, a plurality of processes are sequentially performed on each semiconductor substrate (wafer) to form elements and wiring layers. For example, an oxidation / diffusion process, a CVD process, a lithography process, an etching process, an ion implantation process, an inspection process, a measurement process, and the like are performed in a predetermined order. In this case, a plurality of wafers to be processed are accommodated in a carrier and transferred to a processing apparatus.

  Further, a carrier shelf (stocker) for temporarily storing the carrier to be transported to the processing apparatus in the subsequent process and the carrier transported from the previous process is provided as a storage place. Further, each device and stocker are connected by a track, and the transport carriage (transport unit) is moved on the track. And a conveyance unit conveys a carrier from the delivery port of the conveyance origin stocker to the receipt port of the conveyance destination stocker by carrying each track | truck with loading each carrier. Usually, an empty transport unit waits for a transport command while patroling or waiting on an orbit with an empty load.

  Here, in response to the need for shortening the transport time, a transport device for reducing the traffic jam of the transport cart and improving the transport capability has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the technique described in this document, a loop-shaped outer peripheral transport track independent of the transport track is formed on the outer periphery of the transport track. Then, a stocker is provided between the outer periphery transport track and the transport track, and a delivery mechanism for transferring the carrier between the outer periphery transport track and the transport carriage on the transport track is provided on the stocker.

Further, conveyance control of a conveyance system for reducing the waiting time of an operator at the conveyance destination stocker has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 2). In the technique described in this document, a plurality of transfer lines for transferring lots, a through port connecting the transfer lines, and a stocker for transferring and storing lots transferred adjacent to the transfer line from the transfer line. Is used. Then, the timing at which the lot uses the through port is arranged in chronological order in the order of arrival time at the stocker from the predetermined transport priority order of the lot. Next, the required transport time of each through port, which has been grasped in advance, and the required transport time required for transport from the stocker to the through port or from the through port to the stocker are acquired. Then, the transfer is started from the stocker at a time when the required transfer time in each line is advanced from the transfer start time of the through port.
JP 2002-87514 A (first page) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-203614 (first page)

In such a transport system, there are cases where a plurality of routes for transporting from a starting device to a target device can be set. In particular, with the expansion of semiconductor factories, a plurality of routes may be set when a plurality of transfer systems are provided. Furthermore, this route is also complicated due to the complexity of the production line. Therefore, if you simply set the route,
There may be a bias in the route used, increasing the average transport time. In this case, for efficient transport, it is important to select a transport path having a short transport time.

  Furthermore, even if the transport unit is called to move the carrier, the transport unit may not be used immediately depending on the congestion of the transport path and the use status of the transport unit. Moreover, such a congestion situation etc. changes with the number of carriers and the kind of production object. Further, the order of transport may vary depending on the process status, and it is difficult to determine the transport procedure in advance.

As a result, while the time required for conveyance becomes long, the operation rate of some conveyance systems may fall.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its object is to determine a route suitable for moving an object to be transported and to perform transport management for efficient use of the transport route. A system, a transport management method, and a transport management program are provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 records node connection information storage means for recording connection relations between a plurality of nodes, and travel time information for the transport source node and transport destination node. A transport management system comprising travel time information storage means, standby time information storage means for recording standby time information at each node, and control means for determining a transport route, wherein the control means moves between nodes Means for obtaining a time, calculating a statistical value of the travel time and recording it in the travel time information storage means; and at each node, from the start of transport of the transport object waiting first, to the next transport object If the means for calculating the waiting time until the start of transporting, calculating the statistical value of the waiting time and recording it in the travel time information storage means, and the starting node and the destination node are obtained, the node connection Means for searching for a route candidate combining the transport source node and the transport destination node recorded in the information storage means, and obtaining the number of waiting for the transport object in the transport source node included in each route candidate for each of the route candidates The standby time is calculated by multiplying the statistical value of the movement time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means, and the travel time for the transport source node and the transport destination node included in each path candidate. The travel time statistics recorded in the information storage means are summed to calculate the predicted travel time, the required time is calculated using the standby predicted time and the predicted travel time, and the transport route is calculated using the required time. And a means for identifying the above.

The gist of the invention described in claim 2 is that, in the transport management system according to claim 1, an average value is used as the statistical value.
The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that, in the transport management system according to claim 1, a value obtained by adding a standard deviation to the average value is used as the statistical value.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided node connection information storage means for recording connection relations of a plurality of nodes, travel time information storage means for recording travel time information for the transport source node and transport destination node, and each node A method for managing the conveyance of a conveyance object using a conveyance management system comprising a standby time information storage unit for recording the standby time information and a control unit for determining a conveyance route, wherein the control unit includes: Obtaining the travel time between the nodes, calculating the statistical value of the travel time and recording it in the travel time information storage means, and at each node, from the start of transport of the transport object waiting first, Calculating the waiting time until the start of conveyance of the object to be conveyed, calculating the statistical value of the waiting time and recording it in the travel time information storage means, and obtaining the starting node and the destination node, A step of searching for a route candidate combining the transfer source node and the transfer destination node recorded in the node connection information storage means, and the waiting number of transfer objects in the transfer source node included in each route candidate for each of the route candidates To obtain a standby predicted time by multiplying the statistics of the movement time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means,
The estimated movement time is calculated by totaling the statistics of the movement times recorded in the movement time information storage means for the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each route candidate, and the standby prediction time and the predicted movement time are calculated. And calculating the required time using the required time, and using the required time to specify the transport path.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a node connection information storage unit that records connection relations of a plurality of nodes, a movement time information storage unit that records movement time information for the transfer source node and transfer destination node, and each node A program for managing the conveyance of the object to be conveyed using a conveyance management system comprising a waiting time information storage means for recording the waiting time information and a control means for determining a conveyance route, the control means comprising: The movement time between the nodes is acquired, the statistical value of the movement time is calculated and recorded in the movement time information storage means, and at each node, from the start of the transfer of the transfer object waiting first, When the waiting time until the start of conveyance of the object to be conveyed is calculated, the statistical value of the waiting time is calculated and recorded in the moving time information storage means, the departure node and the destination node are acquired. , A means for searching for a route candidate that combines a transport source node and a transport destination node recorded in the node connection information storage means, and for each route candidate, a transport object in the transport source node included in each route candidate. Obtains the number of standbys, calculates the standby predicted time by multiplying the statistical value of the movement time of each transfer source node recorded in the standby time information storage means, the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each path candidate The travel time statistics recorded in the travel time information storage means are totaled to calculate the predicted travel time, the required time is calculated using the standby predicted time and the predicted travel time, and the required time is used. Thus, the gist is to function as a means for specifying the transport path.

(Function)
According to the first, fourth, or fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit acquires the travel time between the nodes, calculates a statistical value of the travel time, and records it in the travel time information storage unit. Thereby, the movement prediction time can be calculated using the statistical value of the results. Further, in each node, a waiting time from the start of the transport of the transport object that has been waiting first to the start of the transport of the next transport object is calculated, and a statistical value of the standby time is calculated to store the travel time information. Record on means. Thereby, standby | standby estimated time is computable using the statistical value of a track record. Therefore, it is possible to select a route that does not statistically take a long time. Then, it is possible to eliminate the bias of the route to be used and to distribute the route to be used.

  When the control unit obtains the departure node and the destination node, it searches for a route candidate that combines the transfer source node and the transfer destination node recorded in the node connection information storage unit. Then, for each path candidate, obtain the number of waiting for the transport object in the transport source node included in each path candidate, and multiply the statistics of the travel time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means Calculate the standby waiting time. Further, the estimated movement time is calculated by totaling the statistical values of the movement times recorded in the movement time information storage means for the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each route candidate. Then, the required time is calculated using the estimated standby time and the estimated movement time, and the transport path is specified using the required time. As a result, it is possible to specify an accurate transport path in consideration of the standby time, the travel time, and the number of standbys waiting for the order of transport, which vary depending on the situation.

According to invention of Claim 2, an average value is used as a statistical value. Thereby, a conveyance path | route can be specified in consideration of an average condition.
According to invention of Claim 3, the value which added the standard deviation to the average value is used as a statistical value. Thereby, the conveyance path | route with a large time dispersion | variation can be avoided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while determining the path | route suitable when moving a conveyance target object, the efficient utilization of a conveyance path | route can be aimed at.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a transfer route is determined using a transfer management system 10 that manages transfer of a carrier that is a transfer object between process devices and stockers in a semiconductor element manufacturing line. Will be described as a transport management system, a transport management method, and a transport management program. Here, the route management system 20 is used as a transport management system for determining a transport route. The route management system 20 transmits / receives data to / from the transport management system 10. The transport management system 10 manages the transport of carriers between process devices (heating devices, film forming devices, lithography devices, etching devices, etc.) and storage devices (stockers).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a case is assumed in which devices (EQ1 to EQ4) and stockers (ST1, ST2) are used. The apparatus EQ1 is provided with a port A, and the apparatus EQ2 is provided with a port B, which are connected to the transfer system C1. Further, the device EQ3 is provided with a port C, and the device EQ4 is provided with a port D, which are connected to the transfer system C2. In this embodiment, each port functions as a node.

  The transport system (C1, C2) is controlled by the transport management system 10. Each transport system (C1, C2) is provided with a transport unit that loads and moves carriers. And when moving a carrier, a conveyance unit is called to each port and it mounts in a conveyance unit. Then, the transport unit moves to the target port, and delivers the carrier to the apparatus side at this port.

  The stocker ST1 is provided with ports (S1, S3), and the stocker ST2 is provided with ports (S2, S4). Each port (S1, S2) is connected to the transport system C1, and each port (S3, S4) is connected to the transport system C2. Thereby, each conveyance system (C1, C2) can be utilized via each stocker (ST1, ST2).

  Here, when it is assumed that the carrier to be transported moves from the device EQ1 to the device EQ4, there are a transport route via the stocker ST1 and a transport route via the stocker ST2. When passing through the stocker ST1, the transfer management system 10 moves the transfer target carriers in the order of “port A → port S1 → port S3 → port D”. On the other hand, when passing through the stocker ST2, the transfer management system 10 moves the transfer target carriers in the order of “port A → port S2 → port S4 → port D”. In this case, the transport management system 10 uses the transport system (C1, C2) for movement between the devices (EQ1, EQ4) and the stockers (ST1, ST2).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to wait for the transfer to the transport unit at each port (A, S3, S4). In addition, movement between ports takes time. In the present embodiment, the time required for transport from the device EQ1 to the device EQ4 is calculated in consideration of the standby time and the travel time, and an accurate transport path is determined using the required time.

  In the present embodiment, the route management system 20 is used to determine the transport route. The route management system 20 is a computer system that collects data from the transport management system 10 and determines a transport route. The route management system 20 includes a control unit 21 serving as a control unit including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. Further, the route management system 20 includes a transport system connection information storage unit 22, a call time information storage unit 23, a waiting number information storage unit 24, and a travel time information storage unit 25.

  The control unit 21 performs processing (to be described later (movement time information recording stage, standby time information recording stage, path candidate search stage, standby prediction time calculation stage, movement prediction time calculation stage, transport path specifying stage, etc.). Process). The control unit 21 functions as a transport route instruction unit 211, a standby number monitoring unit 212, a port monitoring unit 213, and a movement time monitoring unit 214.

As will be described later, the transport path instruction unit 211 determines a transport path and instructs the transport management system 10 on the determined transport path.
The standby number monitoring unit 212 manages the number of carriers waiting for loading on the transport unit at each port (standby number). Specifically, the waiting number monitoring unit 212 acquires information (carrier information) related to a carrier waiting for movement from the transfer management system 10. This carrier information includes identification information (carrier identifier) of each carrier and information on the current location (device / stocker identifier) of this carrier. Further, the standby number monitoring unit 212 acquires transport path information from the transport system connection information storage unit 22. Then, the standby number monitoring means 212 identifies the port to be loaded on the next conveyance unit using the acquired current location information and conveyance path information of the carrier, and the number of carriers on standby for each port (standby number). Is calculated. Then, the standby number monitoring unit 212 records this standby number in the standby number information storage unit 24.

  As will be described later, the port monitoring unit 213 acquires standby status information at each port based on carrier management information acquired from the transport management system 10. This standby status information includes information related to the carrier identifier of the carrier to be transported next to the device / stocker identifier. In the present embodiment, the port monitoring unit 213 calculates a required time (calling time) from the start of the transport of the carrier that has been waiting first to the start of transport after the next transport order has arrived. calculate. Then, the port monitoring unit 213 records the acquired call time in the call time information storage unit 23.

  As will be described later, the movement time monitoring unit 214 acquires movement status information of each carrier based on the carrier management information acquired from the conveyance management system 10. This movement status information includes information on the carrier / destination apparatus / stocker identifier of the carrier identifier of the carrier whose conveyance has been started. In the present embodiment, the movement time monitoring unit 214 manages the time required for movement between the ports (movement time). Then, the travel time monitoring unit 214 records the calculated travel time in the travel time information storage unit 25.

  The transport system connection information storage unit 22 functions as node connection information storage means, and as shown in FIG. 2, a transport system connection record 220 and a transport route record 221 for specifying a transport system (transport machine) used for transporting carriers. Is recorded. The transport system connection record 220 is recorded when the connection relation of the transport system is registered. The transport route record 221 is registered when a route is calculated using the transport system connection record 220.

The transport system connection record 220 is configured to include data related to the device / stocker identifier and the connected transport machine identifier with respect to the port identifier.
In the port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port to which the apparatus / stocker and the transport system are connected is recorded. Through this port, the carrier is transferred between the apparatus or the stocker and the transport unit.

In the device / stocker identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying the device or stocker provided with this port is recorded.
In the connected carrier identifier data area, data for specifying a carrier system connected to this port is recorded.

The transport route record 221 includes data related to route candidates for the transport source port identifier and the transport destination port identifier.
In the transport source port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transport source node) that is a departure point of transport is recorded.

In the transfer destination port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transfer destination node) serving as a transfer destination is recorded.
In the route candidate data area, data relating to route candidates from the transfer source port to the transfer destination port is recorded. If a plurality of routes can be set for the transfer destination port from the transfer source port, a plurality of route candidates are recorded.

  Here, a method of creating this route candidate will be described. This route candidate is created in advance by the control unit 21 using the transport system connection record 220. Specifically, the control unit 21 sequentially identifies the transfer source port and transfer destination port to be created from the transfer system connection information storage unit 22, and acquires the transfer system connection record 220 in which these port identifiers are recorded. To do.

  Here, when the same connected transport machine identifier is associated with the transport source port and the transport destination port, the combination of the transport source port and the transport destination port associated with the connected transport machine identifier is specified as the transport path. For example, in FIG. 9, when transporting from the device EQ1 to the device EQ2, “(A, B)” in which the transport source port (here “A”) and the transport destination port (here “B”) are combined. Is identified as a route candidate.

  On the other hand, when the same connected transport machine identifier is not associated with the transport source port and the transport destination port, the transport path instruction unit 211 sequentially identifies the stockers connected to these transport systems, and this stocker. Consider connecting to other transport systems. Then, all routes from the departure port to the destination port are extracted via the transport system and stocker. Then, a combination of a transport source port and a transport destination port associated with the connected transport machine identifier in each route is specified as a route candidate. For example, in FIG. 9, when transporting from the device EQ1 to the device EQ4, two of “(A, S1) (S3, D)” and “(A, S2) (S4, D)” are specified as route candidates. Is done.

  The call time information storage unit 23 functions as a standby time information storage unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the call time information storage unit 23 stores data for calculating a required time from when a transport unit that transports a carrier is called until the transport unit arrives. To be recorded. In the present embodiment, a paging time record 230 and an average paging time record 232 are recorded in the paging time information storage unit 23.

  The call time record 230 includes data related to the call time for the port identifier. The call time record 230 is sequentially registered when the port monitoring unit 213 calculates the standby time.

In the port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port to which the apparatus / stocker and the transport system are connected is recorded.
In the call time data area, data relating to the actual required time required to call the transport unit at this port is recorded.

  On the other hand, the average call time record 232 includes data regarding the average time for the port identifier. This average call time record 232 is updated and registered when the port monitoring means 213 calculates the standby time.

In the port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port to which the apparatus / stocker and the transport system are connected is recorded.
In the average time data area, data relating to the average value (statistical value) of the time required to call the transport unit at this port is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the standby number information storage unit 24 records a standby number record 240 for specifying the number of carriers waiting for the conveyance order. The standby number record 240 is updated and recorded when the standby number monitoring unit 212 acquires the standby number. This waiting number record 240 includes data relating to the waiting number with respect to the port identifier.

In the port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port to which the apparatus / stocker and the transport system are connected is recorded.
In the waiting number data area, data relating to the number of carriers waiting for the order of transport from this port is recorded.

  The travel time information storage unit 25 functions as travel time information storage means, and records data for calculating the time required for travel between ports as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the travel time information storage unit 25 records a travel time record 250 and an average travel time record 252.

  This travel time record 250 includes data relating to travel time for the transport source port identifier and transport destination port identifier. The travel time record 250 is sequentially registered when the travel time monitoring unit 214 calculates the travel time.

In the transport source port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transport source node) that is a departure point of transport is recorded.
In the transfer destination port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transfer destination node) serving as a transfer destination is recorded.
In the movement time data area, data relating to the actual required time required to move the carrier from the transfer source port to the transfer destination port is recorded.

  On the other hand, the average travel time record 252 includes data relating to the average time with respect to the port identifier. The average travel time record 252 is updated and registered when the travel time monitoring unit 214 calculates the standby time.

In the transport source port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transport source node) that is a departure point of transport is recorded.
In the transfer destination port identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a port (transfer destination node) serving as a transfer destination is recorded.
In the average time data area, data relating to the average value (statistical value) of the time required for the carrier movement from the transfer source port to the transfer destination port is recorded.

  Processing performed using the system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, description will be made in the order of route setting processing (FIG. 6), standby time registration processing (FIG. 7), and travel time registration processing (FIG. 8).

(Route setting process)
First, the route setting process will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed when a route setting request is received from the transport management system 10.

  First, the transport management system 10 executes a transport route determination request process (step S1-1). Specifically, when the carrier needs to be transported, the transport management system 10 transmits a transport route determination request to the route management system 20. This transport route determination request includes data relating to the identifiers of the transport source and transport destination devices and stockers.

  The control unit 21 of the route management system 20 that has received the transport route determination request executes route candidate identification processing (step S2-1). Specifically, the transport route instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 specifies a route candidate using the transport route record 221 recorded in the transport system connection information storage unit 22.

Next, a conveyance time calculation process is executed for each route candidate. First, a candidate for calculation that is a target of the transport time calculation process is specified from among the route candidates.
And the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the acquisition process of average call time for every conveyance origin port (step S2-2). Specifically, the transport route instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 specifies all the transport source ports included in the calculation target candidates. For example, when the route candidate “(A, S1) (S3, D)” is a candidate for calculation, “A” and “S3” are the transport source ports. On the other hand, when the route candidate “(A, S2) (S4, D)” is a candidate for calculation, “A” and “S4” are the transport source ports. Then, the transfer route instruction unit 211 extracts the average call time record 232 from the call time information storage unit 23 for each transfer source port, and acquires the average time at each transfer source port.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 executes a process for acquiring the current standby number for each transport source port (step S2-3). Specifically, the transport route instructing unit 211 of the control unit 21 extracts the standby number record 240 from the standby number information storage unit 24 for every transport source port included in the calculation target candidate. Get the number of waiting.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 executes a total call time calculation process (step S2-4). Specifically, the transport path instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 multiplies the average call time and the current waiting number for each transport source port included in the calculation target candidate, and all the transport source ports included in the calculation target candidate. Sum the multiplication results for.

  Next, the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the calculation process of total movement time (step S2-5). Specifically, the transport path instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 extracts an average travel time record 252 for the transport source port and the transport destination port included in the calculation target candidate from the travel time information storage unit 25. For example, when the route candidate “(A, S1) (S3, D)” is a candidate for calculation, the average travel time of (A, S1) and (S3, D) is extracted. On the other hand, when the route candidate “(A, S2) (S4, D)” is a candidate for calculation, the average travel time of (A, S2) (S4, D) is extracted. Then, the transport route instruction unit 211 sums up the average travel times of the extracted average travel time records 252.

  And the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the calculation process of conveyance time (step S2-6). Specifically, the transport route instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 calculates the transport time by adding the total call time and the total movement time. The above processing is repeated for route candidates.

And the control part 21 of the route management system 20 compares the conveyance time of each path | route candidate, and performs the determination process of a conveyance path | route (step S2-7). Specifically, the conveyance path instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 compares the calculated conveyance times and identifies the candidate route having the shortest required time as the conveyance path.

Next, the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the output process of a conveyance path | route (step S2-8). Specifically, the transport route instruction unit 211 of the control unit 21 provides route information including the specified transport route to the transport management system 10.
And the conveyance management system 10 performs a conveyance process (step S1-2). Specifically, the transport management system 10 controls each transport system using the transport path information.

(Standby time registration process)
Next, the standby time registration process at each port will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 determines whether or not the next transport order has been reached (step S3-1). Specifically, the port monitoring unit 213 of the control unit 21 detects a carrier waiting for the order of conveyance at each port. Then, when the next carrier is placed in the transport unit of the transport system and the next transport order is reached (“YES” in step S3-1), the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 calls the call Time measurement is started (step S3-2). Specifically, the port monitoring unit 213 of the control unit 21 starts measuring the ringing time using a time measuring unit. This measurement is continued until the port monitoring unit 213 detects the loading of the carrier on the transport unit (step S3-3).

  When the loading of the carrier on the transport unit is detected (in the case of “YES” in step S3-3), the port monitoring unit 213 of the control unit 21 ends the measurement of the calling time (step S3-4).

  And the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the recording process of call time (step S3-5). Specifically, the port monitoring unit 213 of the control unit 21 generates a paging time record 230 that associates the paging time with the port identifier of the port on which the carrier is waiting, and stores it in the paging time information storage unit 23. Record.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 executes an average call time calculation process (step S3-6). Specifically, the port monitoring unit 213 of the control unit 21 extracts the call time record 230 stored in association with the port identifier of the port on which the carrier is waiting from the call time information storage unit 23. Then, the port monitoring unit 213 calculates an average value using the call time recorded in the call time result record 230. Next, the port monitoring unit 213 updates and records the average time of the average call time record 232.

(Travel time registration process)
Next, the travel time registration process in the transport system will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 21 of the route management system 20 determines whether the carrier is loaded on the transport unit (step S4-1). Specifically, the movement time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 detects the movement of each carrier. When the carrier is loaded on the transport unit and the movement is started (in the case of “YES” in step S4-1), the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 starts measuring the movement time (step S4-2). ). Specifically, the moving time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 starts measuring the moving time using the time measuring unit. This measurement is continued until the movement time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 detects the arrival of this carrier at the transport destination port (step S4-3).

  When the arrival of the carrier at the transport destination port is detected (in the case of “YES” in step S4-3), the travel time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 of the route management system 20 ends the travel time measurement ( Step S4-4).

  And the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the recording process of movement time (step S4-5). Specifically, the movement time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 generates a movement time result record 250 in which the movement time is associated with the port identifier of the transfer source port and transfer destination port for this movement, and the transfer time information Record in the storage unit 25.

  Next, the control part 21 of the route management system 20 performs the calculation process of average moving time (step S4-6). Specifically, the movement time monitoring unit 214 of the control unit 21 stores the movement time record 250 stored in the movement time information storage unit 25 in association with the port identifiers of the transfer source port and transfer destination port for this transfer. To extract. Then, the travel time monitoring unit 214 calculates an average value using the travel time recorded in the travel time result record 250. Next, the travel time monitoring unit 214 updates and records the average time of the average travel time record 252.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the above embodiment, the transport system connection information storage unit 22 records a transport system connection record 220 for specifying a transport system (transport machine) used for transporting carriers. The transport system connection record 220 is configured to include data related to the device / stocker identifier and the connected transport machine identifier with respect to the port identifier. Thereby, the route candidate for conveyance can be specified.

  In the above embodiment, the route management system 20 includes the transport system connection information storage unit 22, the calling time information storage unit 23, the waiting number information storage unit 24, and the travel time information storage unit 25. In the call time information storage unit 23, an average call time record 232 is recorded. The average call time record 232 includes data regarding the average time for the port identifier. The standby number information storage unit 24 records a standby number record 240 for specifying the number of carriers waiting for the transfer order by the transfer system. This waiting number record 240 includes data relating to the waiting number with respect to the port identifier. In the travel time information storage unit 25, an average travel time record 252 is recorded. The average travel time record 252 includes data regarding the average time for the port identifier. By using the average call time record 232, the waiting number record 240, and the average movement time record 252, the required time of each route candidate can be calculated. And the conveyance path | route for performing efficient conveyance can be specified using this required time.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment into the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the average call time record 232 is recorded in the call time information storage unit 23. The time used for calculating the transport time is not limited to the average value, and a statistical value representative of the time required for the call can be used. For example, a value obtained by adding a standard deviation to the average value (deviation value) can be used. Thereby, it is possible to avoid selection of a route candidate having a large variation in required time.

  It is also possible to record the actual date in the call time result record 230, extract the call time result record 230 of the latest predetermined period, and calculate the average call time. As a result, a more probable call time can be predicted according to the latest situation.

In the above embodiment, the average travel time record 252 is recorded in the travel time information storage unit 25. The time used for calculating the transport time is not limited to the average value, and a statistical value representative of the time required for movement can be used. For example, a value obtained by adding a standard deviation to the average value (deviation value) can be used. Thereby, it is possible to avoid selection of a route candidate having a large variation in required time.

  It is also possible to record the actual date in the actual travel time record 250, extract the actual travel time record 250 for the most recent predetermined period, and calculate the average travel time. Thereby, more probable travel time can be predicted according to the latest situation.

  In the above embodiment, the standby number information storage unit 24 records the standby number record 240 for specifying the number of carriers waiting for the transfer order by the transfer system. Alternatively, an average value for a predetermined period can be used as the waiting number.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the conveyance system connection information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the calling time information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the waiting | standby number information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the movement time information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the connection relation of a conveyance system. Explanatory drawing of the element which comprises conveyance time.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Conveyance management system, 20 ... Route management system, 21 ... Control part, 211 ... Conveyance route instruction means, 212 ... Standby number monitoring means, 213 ... Port monitoring means, 214 ... Movement time monitoring means, 22 ... Conveyance system connection information Storage unit, 23 ... Calling time information storage unit, 24 ... Standby number information storage unit, 25 ... Movement time information storage unit, 10 ... Transport management system, EQ1 to EQ4 ... Device, ST1, ST2 ... Stocker, A, B, C , D, S1 to S4... Port, C1, C2.

Claims (5)

Node connection information storage means for recording a connection relation of a plurality of nodes;
Travel time information storage means for recording travel time information for the transport source node and transport destination node;
Standby time information storage means for recording standby time information in each node;
A transport management system comprising a control means for determining a transport path,
The control means is
Means for obtaining a movement time between nodes, calculating a statistical value of the movement time, and recording it in the movement time information storage means;
In each node, the waiting time from the start of the transport of the transport object that is waiting first to the start of the transport of the next transport object is calculated, and a statistical value of this standby time is calculated to calculate the travel time information storage means Means for recording,
Means for retrieving a route candidate combining a transport source node and a transport destination node recorded in the node connection information storage means when acquiring a departure node and a destination node;
For each route candidate, obtain the number of standbys of the transport object in the transport source node included in each route candidate, and multiply the statistics of the travel time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means Calculate the waiting time,
Calculate the movement predicted time by summing the statistics of the movement time recorded in the movement time information storage means for the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each route candidate,
A transport management system comprising: means for calculating a required time using the estimated standby time and the predicted movement time, and specifying a transport path using the required time.   The transport management system according to claim 1, wherein an average value is used as the statistical value.   The transport management system according to claim 1, wherein a value obtained by adding a standard deviation to an average value is used as the statistical value. Node connection information storage means for recording a connection relation of a plurality of nodes;
Travel time information storage means for recording travel time information for the transport source node and transport destination node;
Standby time information storage means for recording standby time information in each node;
A method for managing the conveyance of a conveyance object using a conveyance management system including a control means for determining a conveyance path,
The control means is
Obtaining a travel time between nodes, calculating a statistical value of this travel time and recording it in the travel time information storage means;
In each node, the waiting time from the start of the transport of the transport object that is waiting first to the start of the transport of the next transport object is calculated, and a statistical value of this standby time is calculated to calculate the travel time information storage means And recording stage,
When obtaining the departure node and the destination node, searching for route candidates combining the transportation source node and the transportation destination node recorded in the node connection information storage unit;
For each route candidate, obtain the number of standbys of the transport object in the transport source node included in each route candidate, and multiply the statistics of the travel time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means Calculate the waiting time,
Calculate the movement predicted time by summing the statistics of the movement time recorded in the movement time information storage means for the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each route candidate,
A transfer management method comprising: calculating a required time using the estimated standby time and the estimated movement time, and specifying a transfer path using the required time. Node connection information storage means for recording a connection relation of a plurality of nodes;
Travel time information storage means for recording travel time information for the transport source node and transport destination node;
Standby time information storage means for recording standby time information in each node;
A program for managing the conveyance of a conveyance object using a conveyance management system including a control unit that determines a conveyance path,
The control means;
Means for obtaining a movement time between nodes, calculating a statistical value of the movement time, and recording it in the movement time information storage means;
In each node, the waiting time from the start of the transport of the transport object that is waiting first to the start of the transport of the next transport object is calculated, and a statistical value of this standby time is calculated to calculate the travel time information storage means Means for recording,
Means for retrieving a route candidate combining a transport source node and a transport destination node recorded in the node connection information storage means when acquiring a departure node and a destination node;
For each route candidate, obtain the number of standbys of the transport object in the transport source node included in each route candidate, and multiply the statistics of the travel time of each transport source node recorded in the standby time information storage means Calculate the waiting time,
Calculate the movement predicted time by summing the statistics of the movement time recorded in the movement time information storage means for the transfer source node and transfer destination node included in each route candidate,
A transport management program characterized in that a required time is calculated using the standby predicted time and the predicted travel time and functions as means for specifying a transport path using the required time.

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