JP5208262B1 - Route planning system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an activity involving movement of a plurality of moving objects in a certain activity space, to which extent the moving objects interfere with each other in which position in the activity space, and the movement may be delayed. Provide a new method that can be verified in a short time.
In an activity space S, which is a set of a number of cells adjacent to each other, information that is set for each movement of the moving body and that defines a cell through which the moving body passes in the movement of the moving body, and a unit Data storage unit 202 for storing activity data including information defining the frequency of occurrence of the movement per period, and activity data stored in data storage unit 202 are read out, and for each cell, either one per unit period The score calculation unit 203 for calculating the frequency of the presence of the moving body, and the display control for displaying on the display screen the frequency of any one of the mobile bodies for each cell calculated by the score calculation unit 203 The system comprising the unit 104 is configured.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for supporting design of a spatial layout and a moving path of a moving body in an activity involving movement of a plurality of moving bodies in a certain activity space.

  When building or refurbishing industrial product manufacturing factories or distribution warehouses, how to divide the blocks in the factory or warehouse and what role they have, and where to place those blocks It is also important to design the concept of layout, such as how to move objects and people between blocks. This is because the work efficiency, productivity, or quality of service depends on the positional relationship of each work block that constitutes a business and the route of movement of objects and people from block to block.

  In cases where the number of blocks is large, the number of objects and people moving between blocks is large, or the movement route between blocks is diverse, a wide variety of logistics will affect each other, and The difficulty of layout optimization is significantly increased.

  For example, in a manufacturing factory for electrical products and automobiles, a liquid crystal module, a power supply module, a control module, and the like are assembled on a plurality of sublines different from the final line with respect to the final assembly main line of the product. Modules assembled on the sub-line are transported to the main line as needed. In addition, there is a parts storage in the factory that stores a large amount of parts, from which parts are distributed to the main line and sub-line.

  Modules and parts can be delivered by workers (people), forklifts, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), robots and conveyors, etc. Depending on the relationship between the main line and each sub-line in the whole, a suitable transport method differs. When continuously transporting the same module at a short distance, it is better to set up a robot or conveyor and transport it. AGV or the like is preferably used when a medium lot module is transported to a remote position. It is more convenient for an operator to carry a variety of small lot modules and parts in response to sudden requests.

  In general, these various transport methods share a common transport path in the factory, that is, a region not occupied by the main line, subline, and parts storage area in the factory. In addition, each transport event is triggered according to individual production requirements. Due to physical restrictions and restrictions from the viewpoint of ensuring safety, there are restrictions such as overtaking on the transport path, so if the layout design of the block and module transport path is poor, multiple logistics interfere and stay, and logistics as expected You will not be able to demonstrate your ability. If the stagnation increases, a congestion phenomenon occurs, and an extreme decline in production capacity occurs. Even if each transport is a scheduled transport according to the timetable, it cannot be asserted that interference between the transports does not occur because each transport operation has fluctuations in time.

  If an independent conveyance path is secured for each conveyance, or conveyance is performed by a dedicated robot or a dedicated conveyance facility, problems of interference and stagnation can be avoided. However, it requires a large factory area and is very expensive, which is not realistic.

  In a distribution plan in a factory, it is necessary to consider a transport method and a bundle of transport routes on the premise of a layout of main lines and sub lines as work blocks. For this reason, conventionally, a physical distribution simulation technique is often used (see, for example, the following patent document). Specifically, after setting individual physical distribution activities, conditions to be caused by them are defined, and an activity is generated by giving an input such as a production plan. To verify the layout and route in factory logistics, define a 2D or 3D logistics route, and operate 2D or 3D transportation equipment (transport cart, forklift, AGV, etc.) in it. , To simulate the mutual mutual interference of each transport facility, the unloading, the congestion of the transport facility caused by loading, and other logistics accumulation status, and verify the logistics capacity of the whole factory.

  Logistics simulation can perform accurate verification, but has several problems. In order to execute the simulation, it is necessary to program the detailed logic of each individual logistics activity when it occurs or under what conditions. Moreover, it takes a long calculation time to complete the simulation. Just verifying a single planning pattern can take days to weeks, months depending on the scale.

  In factory planning, it takes too much time to verify various planning patterns by simulation. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to select an optimal plan pattern. In practice, the planner develops a plan without using a simulation and executes the simulation as a final confirmation for decision making. After all, the intuition and experience of the planners are decisive.

JP 2010-235224 A JP 2009-163511 A

  The present invention verifies in a relatively short time how much moving objects may interfere with each other in an activity space with respect to activities involving movement of a plurality of moving objects in a certain activity space. It is intended to provide a new method that can be used.

  The present invention supports the design of a moving path of a moving object in an activity involving the movement of a plurality of moving objects in an activity space that is a set of many adjacent cells. A data storage unit that stores activity data including information that defines the cell through which the mobile body passes in the movement of the mobile body, and information that defines the frequency of occurrence of the movement per unit period, The activity data stored in the data storage unit is read out, and for each cell, a score calculation unit that calculates the frequency of any moving body per unit period, and each cell calculated by the score calculation unit The path planning support system is provided that includes a display control unit that displays on a display screen the frequency at which any moving body is present per unit period.

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information defining the occurrence trigger of the movement for each movement of the moving object, and the score calculation unit is present in any moving object for each cell. When calculating the frequency, if the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell is changed according to the occurrence of movement of the moving object passing through the cell, the difference in the occurrence of movement of the moving object is determined by the frequency score. This makes it possible to make evaluations more realistic. Examples of the types of occurrences are schedule type (moving body movement occurs at a predetermined time), on-demand type (time when moving body movement occurs is not predetermined, production And the like generated by the request of the process).

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information defining the speed of movement for each movement of the moving object, and the score calculation unit determines the presence frequency of any moving object for each cell. If the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell is changed according to the moving speed of the moving body passing through the cell, the difference in moving speed of the moving body is reflected in the frequency score. And more realistic evaluation is possible.

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information for defining a cell in which the mobile body is stopped during the movement and a stop time in the cell for each movement of the mobile body, and calculating the score Frequency when the mobile station passing through the cell stops in the cell when calculating the presence frequency of any mobile body in each cell, depending on the stop time in the cell If the score value is changed, an event that an individual mobile body stops in any cell in the activity space (for example, for the purpose of unloading or loading) can be reflected in the frequency score. Evaluation based on reality is possible.

  When constructing this system in a client-server model, the server calculates the existence frequency of any mobile object for each cell calculated by the data storage unit, the score calculation unit, and the score calculation unit. A transmission unit that transmits data to be displayed on a display screen of the client computer via an electric communication line, and the client computer transmits any of the mobile units for each cell transmitted from the server. A receiving unit that receives data for displaying the presence frequency on the screen of the display and the display control unit are provided.

  The client computer may include the data storage unit, the score calculation unit, and the display control unit. In this case, the system can be constructed with the client as the main body or stand-alone.

  According to the present invention, with respect to an activity involving movement of a plurality of moving bodies in a certain activity space, it is possible to determine how much the moving bodies may interfere with each other at which location in the activity space. It becomes possible to verify with.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the route planning support system in one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which the client computer in the embodiment is provided. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of each of a client computer and a server in the embodiment. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which the server in the embodiment is provided. The figure which shows the example of the movement path | route of the activity space in the same embodiment, a cell, and a moving body. The figure which illustrates activity data in the embodiment. The figure which illustrates activity data in the embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure explaining the calculation method of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure which illustrates the score data in the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the score of the presence frequency of the moving body for every cell in the same embodiment. The functional block diagram of the client computer in the modification of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a route planning support system according to this embodiment includes a client computer 1 that is directly operated by a planner and other users, and a server 2 that collects map data created by the user. Are connected to each other via an electric communication line such as a public network represented by the Internet or a mobile phone network, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

  First, the activity space S and the moving body will be touched. FIG. 5 shows an example of a virtual space simulating the activity space S. The activity space S is a set of many cells adjacent to each other. Each square in FIG. 5 is a cell, and each cell is a part of the activity space S. In this embodiment, the activity space S is two-dimensional, and each cell is also a two-dimensional subspace. Each cell in the illustrated example has a square shape, but the shape of the cell is not limited to a square shape, and may be a hexagonal shape, for example. Each cell is specified by position coordinates (x, y) indicating the cell. The actual size of the cell is preferably set to about the size of the moving body moving in the activity space S or about half the size (for example, one side of the cell is 1 m).

  In the activity space S, a block B in which some activity or work is performed is provided. Block B is a set of cells in activity space S. When the activity space S is a factory, a block storage area for storing a main line, sub-line, parts, and members of the factory is provided as a block B. The parts and members stored in the parts storage are delivered to the main line and sub-line by the moving body. Various modules manufactured in the sub-line, that is, semi-finished products (intermediate products) are transported to the main line by the moving body. On the main line, the final product that combines various modules is assembled.

  As a moving body that conveys parts, members, and modules, a cart, a forklift, an AGV, and the like that are manually operated by the work vehicle itself are assumed. The AGV may be a train that pulls a plurality of trucks that can load parts, members, and modules.

  Generally, a part, a member, or a module in a parts storage area or a subline, an unloading place (unloading port), and a predetermined cell in the parts storage area or the subline are determined. Similarly, the parts and module loading locations (loading ports) in the sub-line and main line are also determined as predetermined cells in the sub-line or main line. The moving body moves between the blocks B using a transport space secured in the work space, that is, a cell not occupied by the block B such as a main line and a sub line as a moving path. Then, necessary parts, members, and modules are unloaded from the unloading port and loaded into the loading port.

  There are an infinite number of moving paths of the moving body, that is, transport paths of parts, members, and modules by the moving body. What is required at a minimum is that a route connecting the carry-out port and the carry-in port must be drawn, for example, as indicated by a thick arrow in FIG. The person in charge of the plan must plan a route pattern that increases productivity and workability from the innumerable transportation routes without causing physical distribution in the factory as the activity space S.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client computer 1 includes a processor 1a, a main memory 1b, an auxiliary storage device 1c, an operation, such as a general-purpose personal computer, a workstation, a portable information terminal or a mobile phone terminal (including a smartphone). Hardware resources such as an input device 1d, a microphone 1e, a speaker 1f, an audio codec 1g, a camera 1h, a display 1i, a video codec 1j, and a communication interface 1k are provided, and these are controlled by a controller (system controller, I / O controller, etc.) 11 It is controlled and cooperates.

  The auxiliary storage device 1c is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, an optical disk drive, or the like.

  The operation input device 1d is a pointing device such as a keyboard or a push button that can be operated with fingers, a mouse, a touch panel, or a track pad. The operation input device 1d may be a remote controller that communicates with the client computer 1 wirelessly.

  The audio codec 1g decodes the encoded audio data and outputs the audio from the speaker 1f, or encodes the audio collected via the microphone 1e. The video codec 1j generates image data to be displayed on the basis of the drawing instruction received from the processor 1a (including decoding the encoded still image or moving image data), and displays it on the screen of the display 1i. Or the video shot through the camera 1h is encoded. The video codec 1j may be a so-called GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Each of the audio codec 1g and the video codec 1j can be implemented as software instead of hardware.

  The communication interface 1g is a device for performing information communication via an electric communication line, and is typified by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a wireless transceiver, but in addition to these, an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, or the like. Can also be adopted.

  A program to be executed by the processor 1a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 1c. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 1c into the main memory 1b and decoded by the processor 1a. In this embodiment, a known OS (Operating System) program and various device driver programs attached thereto are preinstalled, and mediate use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, web browser programs and plug-in programs that function on the web browser (for example, Adobe (registered trademark) Flash player, JAVA (registered trademark) VM, etc.), video / audio playback programs, word processor programs, spreadsheet programs, etc. Application programs are also installed in advance.

  Then, a program (or script) necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention is installed, and the hardware resource is operated according to the program, so that the input reception unit 101, the transmission unit 102, and the like illustrated in FIG. It functions as the receiving unit 103 and the display control unit 104. Incidentally, this program may be provided from the server 2 via an electric communication line, received by the client computer 1, stored in the auxiliary storage device 1c, and executed. This program may be interpreted by a plug-in and run on a web browser.

  The function of each part is explained in detail. The input receiving unit 101 receives an operation through the operation input device 1d by the user's hand. The operation to be accepted includes an operation for inputting activity data which is a basis for analyzing the suitability of the moving path of the moving body, and an operation for instructing display of the analysis result.

  Here, the activity data will be described in detail. FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 illustrate activity data. The activity data includes at least information that defines a cell through which the moving body passes in the movement of the moving body and information that defines the frequency of occurrence of the movement per unit period, which is set for each movement of the moving body. Yes.

  An activity code is added as an identifier for identifying the movement of one moving body. Then, regarding the movement, a conveyance means code for identifying the type of the moving body (cart, forklift or AGV operated by the operator), information indicating the article carried by the moving body (a specific type and the article is a part) Information indicating the movement route (coordinates of a plurality of cells that are passed during the movement. The passing cells include the starting point and the ending point of the movement). The moving body moves along a line segment (straight line or curved line, in this embodiment, a straight line) that connects the cells indicated by the coordinates described as the activity data, and a cell (line line) that exists on the line segment. Will pass through the cells overlapping each other).

  Information on the time at which the mobile body stops in the cell is added to the coordinates of the cell described as the activity data. When the mobile body does not stop in the cell, 0 is described as the stop time value. Usually, the purpose of the moving body to stop is to load or unload at the place.

  Further, for each movement of the moving body, the total amount of articles carried by the movement within the unit period and the number of lots of articles carried by one movement are described. This information indicates the frequency of occurrence of movement within a unit period for a movement identified by the activity code. The unit period referred to here is assumed to be one day in this embodiment, but may be a half day (or am / pm), or may be several hours to one hour, or several tens of minutes to several minutes. There may be. In any case, a frequency obtained by dividing the total amount of articles to be transported by the number of lots of one movement is the occurrence frequency of the movement. As a specific example, if the total amount is two hundred and the number of lots is five, the movement occurs 40 times per unit period (one day).

  In addition, for each movement of the moving body, information that defines the occurrence trigger of the movement is described. As the type of occurrence opportunity, schedule type (movement of the moving body occurs at a predetermined time), on-demand type (time when the movement of the moving body occurs is not predetermined, May be defined), but other types may be defined. The schedule type means that the movement of the moving body occurs according to a predetermined timetable. On the other hand, in the on-demand type, the occurrence time of the movement of the moving object is not determined in advance, for example, when the module required in the subsequent process is likely to be insufficient, the relevant process is directed from the previous process to the subsequent process. It means a mode in which transportation of modules is required (so-called kanban method).

  Importantly, in the route planning support system of this embodiment, whether it is a schedule type or an on-demand type, it does not care at all what time and how many minutes the mobile body actually moves. This is a big difference from a discrete simulation system that requires a large-scale calculation task. In the route planning support system of this embodiment, it is not considered what cell is located in which cell in the activity space S. What is calculated is the occurrence frequency within the unit period, in other words, the existence probability which is a statistical evaluation.

  Furthermore, the activity data includes attribute information relating to various moving objects identified by the transport means code. As attribute information for each type of moving body, the moving speed of the moving body of that type and the dimensions (width and length) of the moving body are described. The attribute information and the movement of one moving object identified by the activity code are linked by the transport means code. Therefore, for each movement identified by the activity code, the speed of the movement becomes clear from the attribute information. In addition, the size of the moving body clarifies the number and shape of cells occupied at a certain time point of the moving body. Needless to say, the trajectory of movement of the wide mobile body is wider (thicker) than the trajectory of movement of the narrow mobile body. In the case of a long moving body such as an AGV train, it is necessary to simultaneously occupy a plurality of continuous cells along the movement trajectory. In short, the information on the dimension of the moving body is part of the information that defines the cell through which the moving body passes.

  Although not shown in the figure, the activity data includes information that specifies the position coordinates of a cell that is not available as the moving path of the moving object (occupied by the block B such as the main line and subline), or the moving object. Also included is information that defines the position coordinates of a cell (not occupied by the block B such as the main line and sub line) that can be used as a movement path.

  The transmission unit 102 inputs part or all of the activity data input through the input reception unit 101 and stored in the required storage area of the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c to the server. Send through. The activity data transmitted from the client computer 1 is stored and accumulated in the server (the data storage unit 202). In addition, the transmission unit 102 may transmit a signal or the like input through the input reception unit 101 to instruct display of the analysis result to the server.

  The receiving unit 103 receives, from the server 2, information indicating the frequency of existence of any mobile body per unit period for each cell, or information for displaying the information on the screen of the display 1i. Receive via communication line. The existence frequency of the moving body for each cell will be described later.

  Based on the information received by the receiving unit 103, the display control unit 104 displays on the screen of the display 1i the frequency at which any mobile body exists per unit period for each cell. A mode of displaying the existence frequency of the moving body for each cell will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the server 2 includes hardware resources such as a processor 2a, a main memory 2b, an auxiliary storage device 2c, and a communication interface 2d, such as a general-purpose server computer, and these are controlled by the controller 2e. Work together.

  A program to be executed by the processor 2a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 2c. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 2c into the main memory 2b and decoded by the processor 2a. In this embodiment, a known OS program and various device driver programs attached thereto are installed in advance, and mediate use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, a web server program and other application programs, a program transmitted to the client computer 1 via an electric communication line, and the like are installed in advance.

  On that basis, a program necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention is installed, and hardware resources are operated according to the program, so that the reception unit 201, the data storage unit 202, the score calculation unit 203, and The function as the transmission unit 204 is exhibited. It should be noted that the functions of the respective parts shown in FIG. 3 are distributed to a plurality of server computers, and these server computers cooperate to form a server 2 (particularly so-called cloud).

  The function of each part is explained in detail. The receiving unit 201 receives activity data provided from the client computer 1 via a telecommunication line. Further, the receiving unit 201 may receive a signal or the like from the client computer 1 that instructs to display the analysis result. The information received from the client computer 1 is performed by a user who uses the client computer 1 and is based on an operation received by the client computer 1.

  The data storage unit 202 stores the activity data received by the reception unit 201 using a required storage area of the main memory 2b or the auxiliary storage device 2c. The data storage unit 202 can aggregate a plurality of activity data input by a plurality of users.

  The score calculation unit 203203 manages the analysis of the moving route plan of each moving object described in the activity data. That is, the score calculation unit 203 reads the activity data stored in the data storage unit 202, and calculates the frequency per unit period (in this embodiment, one day) in which any mobile object exists for each cell. calculate.

  The frequency of the moving body for each cell and the calculation method thereof will be described in detail. 8 to 13 show an example of a procedure for calculating the existence frequency of the moving body for each cell. First, the score calculation unit 203 pays attention to the movement of one moving object identified by a certain activity code among the activity data stored in the data storage unit 202, and refers to the information. This information includes the cell that is the transit point of the movement, the stop time in the cell, the trigger of the movement, the frequency of the movement (total transport amount per lot / number of lots), and the transport means code Describes the moving speed and dimensions of the moving body linked by.

  Assume that the moving path of the moving object identified by the activity code “1001” is as shown in FIG. This movement starts from the cell C1 and ends via the cells C2, C3, and C4 and the cell C5. In this movement, cell C2, cell C3, cell C4, and cell C5 respectively retain (the retention time values are all 5), but other cells C1 do not retain (the retention time value is 0). Since the moving body that is the main body of the movement is a forklift having a width and a length corresponding to three cells, the width of the trajectory of the movement is equal to three cells. Moreover, the said mobile body occupies the convenient nine cells of the square shape for width and length for three at a time. In FIG. 8, the cell through which the moving body passes by movement is shown by hatching. In addition, the cells occupied when the mobile body is stopped in the cells C2, C3, C4, and C5 are surrounded by thick frames.

  The score calculation unit 203 counts the frequency at which the moving body is present due to the movement of the moving body excluding the stop. At this time, a frequency score value is given to each cell through which the mobile body passes. The frequency score value given to each cell differs depending on the moving speed of the mobile body, the dimensions of the mobile body, the occurrence of movement of the mobile body, and the frequency of occurrence of the mobile body per unit period. The faster the moving speed of the moving body, the smaller the given frequency score value. Further, the longer the dimension of the moving body, the larger the frequency score value to be given. For example, if the moving speed is the same, the time required for a three-length moving body to pass through a cell is three times the time required for a one-length moving body to pass. Furthermore, when the occurrence of the moving body is an on-demand type, a larger score value is given (or weighting is made heavier) than the schedule type. This is because the on-demand type movement is more likely to cause a traffic jam in the factory as the activity space S than the schedule type movement. The value finally given to each cell is a value obtained by multiplying the basic value corresponding to the moving speed of the moving body and the occurrence of movement by the frequency of occurrence of the movement. FIG. 9 illustrates a frequency score value (score value 40 for each cell) given to a cell due to the passage of the moving object.

  In addition, the score calculation unit 203 counts the frequency of the moving object due to the stationary moving object in the movement of the moving object identified by the same activity code. At this time, a frequency score value is given to each passing cell occupied when the mobile object stops. The frequency score value given to each cell differs depending on the stop time of the mobile body, the trigger for the movement of the mobile body, and the frequency of occurrence of the mobile body per unit period. The shorter the stationary time of the moving body, the smaller the frequency score value to be given. Further, when the occurrence of the moving body is an on-demand type, a larger score value is given compared to the schedule type. The value finally given to each cell is a value obtained by multiplying the basic value according to the stationary time of the moving body and the occurrence of movement by the occurrence frequency of the movement. FIG. 10 shows that the frequency score value given to the cell due to the stationary mobile body (score value 120 for each cell. In the figure, the value 160 is added to the frequency score 40 due to the passage of the mobile body. Note).

  In addition, when the score calculation unit 203 adds a frequency score value to each cell, the score value, an activity code that identifies the movement of the moving body that caused the addition of the score value, and the score value Is written in a required storage area of the main memory 2b or the auxiliary storage device 2c in association with the position coordinates for identifying the target cell. FIG. 14 illustrates score data.

  Subsequently, the score calculation unit 203 pays attention to the movement of the moving object identified by another activity code that has not yet been examined, and performs similar processing with reference to the information.

  Next, it is assumed that the moving path of the moving object identified by the focused activity code “1002” is as shown in FIG. This movement starts from the cell C6, passes through the cells C7 and C8, and ends at the cell C9. In this movement, the cell C6, the cell C7, the cell C8, and the cell C9 are stopped (retention time values are 2, 5, 5, 5 in order). The moving body that is the subject of movement is an AGV whose width is one cell and whose length is five cells, and the width of the movement locus is one cell. However, the mobile body occupies five cells of a continuous length along the movement path at a time. In FIG. 11, cells through which the moving body passes due to movement are shown by hatching. In addition, the cells that are occupied when the mobile body is stopped in the cell C6, the cell C7, the cell C8, and the cell C9 are each surrounded by a thick frame.

  As already described, the score calculation unit 203 counts the frequency at which the moving object is present due to the movement of the moving object excluding the stop. FIG. 12 shows a frequency score value given due to the passage of the moving body (score value 50 for each cell. For cells to which the score value shown in FIG. 10 is given, the value is added to that value. Is noted).

  In addition, as already described, the score calculation unit 203 counts the frequency of existence of the moving object due to the stopping of the moving object in the movement of the moving object identified by the same activity code. FIG. 13 shows a frequency score value (score value 40 for a cell in a thick frame surrounding the cell C6. Score value 100 for a cell in another thick frame. Scores shown in FIG. Note that a cell to which a value is assigned is a value added to that value).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the score calculation unit 203 includes a frequency score value to be added to each cell, an activity code that identifies the movement of the mobile object that caused the addition of the score value, The required memory area of the main memory 2b or the auxiliary storage device 2c is associated with the score data including information indicating whether the score value is due to the passage of the moving body or due to the stationary object, and the position coordinates for identifying the target cell. Write to.

  Accordingly, the score calculation unit 203 repeats the above-described process for the movement of the moving body identified by all activity codes included in the activity data stored in the data storage unit 202. The score data thus obtained is information indicating the frequency per unit period in which any moving body exists for each cell.

  The transmission unit 204 includes information indicating the frequency of any mobile object per unit period for each cell, or information (HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or image for displaying the information on the screen of the display 1i). Data, scripts, etc.) are received via the telecommunication line towards the client computer 1. In particular, when a signal or the like for instructing the display of the analysis result is provided from the client computer 1, a part or all of the score data or a part or all of the score data is displayed on the screen of the display 1i. Generate information for reply.

  Hereinafter, a screen display example of the analysis result in the client computer 1 will be described. The planner and other users who use the client computer 1 input the activity data indicating the movement route of the planned moving body, that is, the distribution route pattern in the factory, and send it to the server 2. Analyzing the suitability of The server 2 analyzes this by the function of the score calculation unit 203 and transmits to the client computer 1 information for displaying score data or score data on the screen of the display 1i as an analysis result. Upon receiving this, the client computer 1 displays the analysis result on the screen by the function of the display control unit 104 and provides it to the user.

  15, 16, and 17 are examples in which the score value of the frequency at which any mobile object is present is visualized in the form of a map for each cell in the factory that is the activity space S. The density of the color (or dot pattern) attached to the cell represents the level of the frequency score value per unit period, and the darker the cell, the higher the frequency score value, that is, interference between mobile objects is likely to occur. It can be said that the place is prone to traffic jams. Reducing or eliminating cells with extremely high frequency scores is the way to the optimal logistics route pattern. In addition to coloring each cell (or drawing a dot pattern), the frequency score value itself may be drawn and displayed in each cell.

  FIG. 15 is a score map of the presence frequency of the moving object by passing the moving object excluding the stop of the moving object. On the other hand, FIG. 16 is a score map of the existence frequency of the moving object by the stopping of the moving object excluding the passage of the moving object. The cell with the high frequency score value shown in FIG. 15 does not necessarily match the cell with the high frequency score value shown in FIG. It can be seen that the latter cells are concentrated in the vicinity of the carry-out port and the carry-in port. FIG. 17 is a score map of the existence frequency of the moving object, which is a summation of the passing and stopping of the moving object, which is a summation of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

  Thus, in the route planning support system of the present embodiment, the frequency score under the conditions specified by the user can be displayed on the screen of the display 1i as a map. Examples of conditions include a score map based only on the passage of the moving object, a score map based only on the stopping of the moving object, and a score map that combines the passing and stopping of the moving object, as well as limiting the opportunity for the movement of the moving object. Score maps (score maps based only on scheduled movements, score maps based solely on on-demand movements, score maps combining all opportunities), and score maps that limit the types of articles to be transported (scores based only on movement of parts) Maps, score maps based only on module movement, score maps combining all articles), score maps that limit the types of mobile objects (score maps only based on movement of AGV, score maps including other mobile objects), etc. Can be mentioned.

  The user can input via the input receiving unit 101 that the display of the analysis result including the designation of the above-described frequency score calculation conditions is instructed. Receiving this input, the client computer 1 transmits a command including designation of calculation conditions to the server 2. The server 2 that has received the command provides the client computer 1 with score data including a frequency score value based only on the movement of the moving object that matches the specified calculation condition, or information for displaying the score data on the screen of the display 1i. Send back. The client computer 1 receives the information returned from the server 2 and displays the analysis results as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 that match the calculation conditions designated by the user on the screen.

  Alternatively, all of the score data calculated by the server 2 (and, if necessary, part or all of the activity data stored in the server 2) is downloaded from the server 2 to the client computer 1, and the client computer 1 It may be stored in a required storage area of the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c. In other words, when the client computer 1 accepts an input for instructing display of the analysis result including designation of the frequency score calculation condition by the user's hand, the score data stored in the client computer 1 ( If necessary, the screen data (HTML, image data, script) for displaying the analysis results shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 that match the calculation conditions designated by the user with reference to the activity data) Can be generated and displayed on the display 1i.

  In addition, the user inputs an input (click with a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel) that designates one of the cells displayed on the analysis result screen shown in FIGS. Etc.). Receiving this input, the client computer 1 transmits a command including cell designation to the server 2, and part or all of the activity data and / or score data associated with the coordinates of the cell is transmitted to the server 2. Or part of the activity data and / or score data associated with the coordinates of the cell stored in the client computer 1 itself, and the contents are read by the function of the display control unit 104 It is displayed on the screen of the display 1i.

  FIG. 17 shows a screen display example (dialog D) of activity data and / or score data related to a specified cell. As a result, for example, the user can select which activity (activity is a behavior of a certain route that occurs under a certain purpose and a certain cause by a certain mobile object with respect to a cell with a high frequency score that is likely to be congested. Can pass through the cell and stop at the cell. In order to alleviate or avoid congestion in the cell, the movement path of the activity that passes through the cell or stops in the cell, and the frequency of occurrence of the activity (in this embodiment, the article transported by the movement) It is possible to make a plan correction such as changing the total amount or the number of lots of articles conveyed by one movement.

The route planning support system according to the present embodiment can calculate and present a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) for a moving route of a moving object planned by a planner, that is, a distribution route pattern in a factory. . Examples of KPI are listed below.
-Total moving distance of the moving object: The product of the length (number of cells) of the moving path for each moving object described in the activity data and the frequency of occurrence of the moving is calculated for all the target (by the user When the calculation condition of the frequency score value is designated, it is obtained by adding up movements that match the condition.
Map histogram by density: A histogram in which the frequency score value is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the number of cells having the frequency score value (excluding cells that cannot be used as the moving path of the moving object) is plotted on the vertical axis. It is also possible to calculate the average value, median value, total value, variance, standard deviation, etc. of the frequency score values of all cells that can be used as the moving path of the moving object.
Activity mutual interference Pareto chart: analysis in which the frequency score values are arranged in the order of the largest number of cells having the frequency score value (excluding cells that cannot be used as the moving path of the moving object), and its Pareto chart.
-Passage utilization rate: Passage area loss rate. Percentage of cells that can be used as a moving path for a mobile unit and that the mobile unit does not pass through at all.
・ Factory utilization rate: Factory area loss rate. The percentage of cells that are not used as the block B of the main line, sub-line, etc. and the mobile body does not pass at all among all the cells that are elements of the factory that is the activity space S.
• Passage operation rate: Time passage operation rate. For each cell that can be used as a moving path of the moving object, the time (operating time) in which any moving object exists is counted, and the operating time for all the cells is totaled. Then, the sum is divided by (operation time × total number of all cells that can be used as the moving path of the moving body).
Degree of influence of stagnation: For each cell that can be used as a moving path of a moving object, a score value in a score map (FIG. 15) of the presence frequency due to the passage of the moving object and a score map of the presence frequency due to the stop of the moving object ( ), Addition, logical product operation, or exponential function operation is performed with the score value. Or the transition function between each cell is calculated | required from activity, the physical distribution prediction using a discrete system simulation or a transfer function is performed in an intercell network, and a stagnation influence degree is evaluated.
・ Stopping degree: dispersion of stopping density. Positional variance value, temporal variance value, location variance value for cells with a long residence time, or temporal variance value for cells with a long residence time.

  The KPI can be calculated with reference to activity data and score data. The calculation of the KPI may be implemented as a function on the server 2 side (score calculation unit 203 thereof) or may be implemented as a function of the client computer 1 (display control unit 104 thereof). In the former case, the KPI information calculated on the server 2 side is transmitted from the server 2 to the client computer 1, and the client computer 1 (the display control unit 104) that has received the information displays the KPI on the screen of the display 1i. In the latter case, the KPI is calculated by referring to the activity data and score data held by the client computer 1 itself and displayed on the screen of the display 1i. In FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, as an example of KPI, the total movement distance of movement of all the moving bodies is displayed and output.

  The person in charge of planning determines whether the current distribution route pattern is appropriate based on the frequency score and KPI of each cell in the factory as the activity space S. If the current distribution route pattern is not preferable, change the route of movement of any moving body, change the arrangement of block B such as the main line, sub line, etc. or its carry-out port and carry-in port And plan new patterns. This new pattern planning is performed by re-inputting activity data via the input receiving unit 101.

  The client computer 1 transmits the re-entered activity data to the server 2, and the server 2 receives this, recalculates the frequency score value, and updates the score data. As a result, on the screen of the display 1i of the client computer 1, a score of the presence frequency of the moving body for each cell based on the newly planned route pattern is displayed. The planner looks at this and determines whether the new route pattern is better.

  The above-mentioned planning, confirmation and evaluation of analysis results, and re-planning loop make it possible to bring the route pattern closer to the optimal one in the form of trial and error (or PDCA cycle). .

  The present embodiment supports the design of a moving path of a moving body in an activity involving the movement of a plurality of moving bodies in an activity space S that is a set of many adjacent cells. A data storage unit for storing activity data including information specifying a cell through which the moving body passes and information specifying an occurrence frequency of the movement per unit period, set for each movement of the moving body 202, a score calculation unit 203 that reads out activity data stored in the data storage unit 202, calculates the frequency of any mobile object per unit period for each cell, and the score calculation unit 203 A path comprising a display control unit 104 that displays on the display screen the frequency at which any moving body per unit period exists for each cell calculated in It was constructed the field planning support system.

  According to the present embodiment, compared with a conventional discrete simulation system, it is evaluated and confirmed at a place in the activity space S where interference or congestion between mobile bodies is likely to occur with a much smaller calculation amount. This makes it easy to optimize the route pattern of the moving body in real time by trial and error.

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit 202 also includes information that defines the occurrence trigger of the movement for each movement of the moving object, and the score calculation unit 203 selects any moving object for each cell. When calculating the existence frequency, the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell is changed according to the occurrence of movement of the moving object that passes through the cell. It can be reflected in the frequency score, and more realistic evaluation is possible.

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit 202 also includes information that defines the speed of movement for each movement of the moving object, and the score calculation unit 203 can determine which of the moving objects for each cell. When calculating the existence frequency, the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell is changed according to the moving speed of the moving object passing through the cell, so the difference in moving speed for each moving object is used as the frequency score. It can be reflected, and more realistic evaluation is possible.

  The activity data stored in the data storage unit 202 also includes information for defining a cell in which the mobile body stops during the movement and a stop time in the cell for each movement of the mobile body. When the calculation unit 203 calculates the existence frequency of any mobile body for each cell, if a mobile body passing through the cell stops in the cell, the calculation unit 203 adds the cell according to the stop time in the cell. Since the score value of the frequency to be changed is changed, an event in which each mobile object stops in any cell in the activity space S can be reflected in the frequency score, and a more realistic evaluation is possible.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. In the above embodiment, the path planning support system according to the present invention is constructed using the client-server model. However, the path planning support system according to the present invention is based on the client computer 1 or by stand-alone of the client computer. It is also possible to construct

  In this case, the client computer 1 operates the hardware resources according to the program, and functions as the input receiving unit 101, the data storage unit 112, the score calculation unit 113, and the display control unit 104 shown in FIG.

  The functions of the input receiving unit 101 and the display control unit 104 are the same as those of the client computer 1 in the above embodiment. The data storage unit 112 is the same as that of the server 2 in the above embodiment. However, the activity data stored in the data storage unit 112 may come from the server 2 or other external computer connected to the client computer 1 via an electric communication line. The function of the score calculation unit 113 is also the same as that of the server 2 in the above embodiment. The score calculation unit 113 calculates score data and / or KPI by referring to activity data stored in the data storage unit 112, frequency score calculation conditions received via the input reception unit 101, etc. Write to the required storage area of the memory 1b or auxiliary storage device 1c. The display control unit 104 generates information for displaying part or all of the score data and KPI on the screen of the display 1i, and displays and outputs the information on the display 1i.

  The activity space S and the cell in the above embodiment are each a two-dimensional plane, but it is naturally possible to expand the activity space S to three dimensions. If the activity space S is a three-dimensional space, each cell as an element thereof is also a three-dimensional subspace (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube). The position coordinates (x, y, z) pointing to the cell and the size of the moving body are also expanded to three dimensions.

  The object of analysis according to the present invention is not limited to factories and distribution warehouses. For example, the present invention is applied to the movement and delivery of patients, medical records or pharmaceuticals in large hospitals, or to the movement of people and goods in convenience stores, department stores, outlet malls, supermarkets, large mass retailers, banks, etc. It is also possible to conduct analysis.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part, the specific processing procedure, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for designing a moving path of a moving body in an activity involving movement of a plurality of moving bodies in a certain activity space. Typically, it can be used for designing the movement route of various moving objects and the transportation route of goods in a factory or a distribution warehouse.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client computer 103 ... Reception part 104 ... Display control part 112 ... Data storage part 113 ... Score calculation part 2 ... Server 202 ... Data storage part 203 ... Score calculation part 204 ... Transmission part

Claims (9)

Supporting the design of a moving path of a moving object in an activity involving the movement of a plurality of moving objects in an activity space that is a set of many adjacent cells,
Data for storing activity data including information specifying the cell through which the moving body passes in the movement of the moving body, and information defining the frequency of occurrence of the movement per unit period, set for each movement of the moving body A storage unit;
Read the activity data stored in the data storage unit, for each cell, a score calculation unit for calculating the frequency of any mobile body per unit period;
A path planning support system, comprising: a display control unit that displays on a display screen a frequency at which any moving body per unit period exists for each cell calculated by the score calculation unit. The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information that defines the occurrence trigger of the movement for each movement of the moving object,
When calculating the existence frequency of any mobile body for each cell, the score calculation unit changes the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell according to the occurrence of movement of the mobile body passing through the cell. The route planning system according to claim 1. The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information defining the speed of movement for each movement of the moving object,
The score calculation unit, when calculating the presence frequency of any mobile body for each cell, changes the score value of the frequency to be added for the cell according to the moving speed of the mobile body passing through the cell. Item 3. A route planning system according to item 1 or 2. The activity data stored in the data storage unit also includes information defining a cell in which the mobile body stops during the movement and a stop time in the cell for each movement of the mobile body,
When calculating the existence frequency of any mobile body for each cell, the score calculation unit, when a mobile body that passes through the cell stops in the cell, according to the stop time in the cell, The route planning system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the score value of the frequency of addition is changed. Constructed using a client computer and a server to which the client computer is communicably connectable via a telecommunication line,
The server uses the data storage unit, the score calculation unit, and the data for causing the presence frequency of any mobile body calculated by the score calculation unit to be displayed on the display screen of the client computer. A transmission unit for transmitting via a communication line,
The client computer includes a receiving unit that receives data for displaying on the display screen the frequency of presence of any mobile body for each cell, which is transmitted from the server, and the display control unit. 5. The route planning system according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4. A program used for configuring the route planning system according to claim 5, wherein a server functions as the data storage unit, the score calculation unit, and the transmission unit. 6. A program used for configuring the route planning system according to claim 5, which causes a client computer to function as the receiving unit and the display control unit. Built using client computers,
5. The route planning system according to claim 1, wherein a client computer includes the data storage unit, the score calculation unit, and the display control unit. The program used for comprising the route planning system of Claim 8, and making a client computer function as the said data storage part, the said score calculation part, and the said display control part.

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