JP6623667B2 - Boxing support program, boxing support method and boxing support device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a boxing support program, a boxing support method, and a boxing support device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, techniques relating to automatic sorting equipment for articles have been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  On the other hand, in sorting facilities, the work of manually boxing articles is still being performed.

JP 2003-137203 A JP 2003-137215 A

  However, when the boxing operation is manually performed, the box may not be able to fit in the box depending on the shape and size of the article, even though it is assumed that the box is calculated from the volume of the article and the volume of the box.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a boxing assisting program, a boxing assisting method, and a boxing assisting device capable of assisting an operation of putting an article in a box.

In one aspect, the boxing support program specifies an order in which a plurality of types of articles are put in a box, and determines a position and a posture of arranging the articles inside the box in accordance with the order, and arranges the articles. The process of specifying the space existing inside the box after the above is repeated until the positions and postures of all the articles are determined or until the articles cannot be arranged inside the box, based on the result of the above-described repeated processing. and outputs the information, to execute processing to computer, the processing for specifying the order is to the same kind of a plurality of articles grouped together, is a program that identifies the order to take into said box.

  It is possible to support the work of putting articles in a box.

It is a figure showing roughly the composition of the boxing support system concerning one embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a retail store terminal and a distribution base system, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of equipment of a delivery base. It is a functional block diagram of a server. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process of a server. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific process of step S12 in FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a base DB, FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an order management table, and FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a brand DB. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are diagrams for explaining how to summarize when one brand is ordered in a plurality of cartons. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific process of step S14 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the specific process of step S32 of FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a remaining space management table, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a placement position management table. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a shelf DB, and FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a box DB. It is a flowchart which shows the specific process of step S56 of FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific process of step S78 in FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific process of step S88 in FIG. FIGS. 16A to 16D are diagrams (part 1) for explaining the process of step S102 in FIG. FIGS. 17A to 17C are diagrams (part 2) for explaining the process of step S102 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a process of a delivery base system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the boxing support system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a boxing support system 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the boxing support system 100 includes a server 10 as a boxing support device, a retail store terminal 70, a delivery base system 60, and the like. The server 10 and the retail store terminal 70 are connected to a network 80 such as the Internet, and the server 10 and the distribution base system 60 are connected via a dedicated line or the like. Note that the delivery base system 60 may also be connected to the network 80.

  In the present embodiment, in the boxing support system 100, the server 10 is installed at the delivery base when order information of products such as cigarettes and cigars is input to the server 10 from the retail store terminal 70. Information (boxing instruction data) indicating which product should be put in which box is transmitted to the delivery base system 60. Then, the delivery base system 60 displays the received information or the like, and provides the worker at the delivery base with information that supports the boxing operation of the product.

  The retail store terminal 70 is a terminal that can be used by an employee of a retail store that sells cigarettes and cigars, and transmits order information (purchase information) of cigarettes and cigars input from the employee to the server 10. . The retail store terminal 70 is a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, or the like, and has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the retail store terminal 70 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 190, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 192, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 194, and a storage unit (here, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)). )) 196, a network interface 197, a display unit 193, an input unit 195, and a portable storage medium drive 199 capable of reading information stored in the portable storage medium 191. Each component of the retail store terminal 70 is connected to a bus 198.

  The delivery base system 60 includes a PC and the like, and has the same hardware configuration as the retail store terminal 70 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the delivery base system 60 includes a CPU 190, a ROM 192, a RAM 194, a storage unit (here, an HDD) 196, a network interface 197, a display unit 193, an input unit 195, and a portable storage medium 191. A portable storage medium drive 199 capable of reading stored information is provided. Each component of the delivery base system 60 is connected to a bus 198.

  Here, the delivery base system 60 is a system provided at delivery bases scattered all over the country. At the delivery base, the inventory of cigarettes and cigars is managed in cartons, and based on orders from retailers, workers put cartons of different shapes and sizes into boxes and ship them to retailers. Each delivery site is provided with equipment as shown in FIG. Specifically, each delivery site is provided with a belt conveyor 62 that transports boxes and a shelf 64 that stores cigarettes and cigars by brand. A display unit 193 is provided near each position of each brand on the shelf 64, and an input unit 195 (touch panel) is provided in the display unit 193. The delivery base system 60 displays information indicating how many products (how many cartons) should be put in the box on the display unit 193 based on the box putting instruction data transmitted from the server 10. The worker at the delivery site performs the work according to the information displayed on the display unit 193, and inputs the work completion information by operating the input unit 195 after the work is completed.

  The server 10 receives order information of products such as cigarettes and cigars input at the retail store terminal 70, specifies a delivery base based on the order information, and creates boxing instruction data to be transmitted to the delivery base. I do. Further, the server 10 transmits the created boxing instruction data to the delivery base system 60 of the specified delivery base. FIG. 2B illustrates a hardware configuration of the server 10. As shown in FIG. 2B, the server 10 includes a CPU 90, a ROM 92, a RAM 94, a storage unit (HDD) 96, a network interface 97, a portable storage medium drive 99, and the like. These components of the server 10 are connected to a bus 98. The CPU 90 executes a program (including a boxing assistance program) stored in the ROM 92 or the HDD 96 or a program (including the boxing assistance program) read from the portable storage medium 91 by the portable storage medium drive 99. This causes the server 10 to function as the order receiving unit 12, the instruction creating unit 14, and the output unit 16 in FIG. FIG. 4 also shows various DBs (databases) and tables stored in the HDD 96 or the like.

  The order receiving unit 12 receives the order information of products such as cigarettes and cigars input at the retail store terminal 70, arranges the order information with reference to the base DB 20 and the brand DB 24, and stores the order information in the order management table 22.

  The instruction creating unit 14 creates boxing instruction data to be transmitted to the delivery base system 60 based on the order management table 22. Note that the instruction creating unit 14 refers to the shelf DB 30 and the box DB 32 and uses the order management table 22, the remaining space management table 26, and the arrangement position management table 28 when creating the box insertion instruction data.

  The output unit 16 transmits the boxing instruction data created by the instruction creating unit 14 to the delivery base system 60.

  The details of the various DBs and tables in FIG. 4 will be described later.

(About processing of server 10)
Next, the processing of the server 10 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the overall processing of the server 10. In FIG. 5, the order receiving and organizing process in step S12 and the boxing instruction creating process in step S14 are executed. Hereinafter, each process will be described.

(Order acceptance and arrangement processing (S12))
In the order receiving and organizing process (S12), a process according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed. In the process of FIG. 6, first, in step S20, the order reception unit 12 waits until the order information is received from the retail store terminal 70. It is assumed that the employee of the retail store inputs the number of brands to be purchased (the number of cartons) at the retail store terminal 70. When order information including the brand to be ordered and the number of cartons is transmitted from the retail store terminal 70, the order receiving unit 12 proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the order receiving unit 12 acquires a retail store ID and order information.

  Next, in step S24, the order receiving unit 12 specifies the address of the retail store based on the retail store ID. In this case, by preparing a retail store DB in which the retail store ID and the address of the retail store are associated in advance, the order receiving unit 12 can determine the address of the retail store from the information of the retail store DB and the retail store ID. Can be specified.

  Next, in step S26, the order receiving unit 12 specifies the base code based on the address of the retail store. In this case, the order receiving unit 12 refers to the base DB 20. Here, the base DB 20 has fields of “address group” and “base code” as shown in FIG. 7A. The "address group" field stores the names of prefectures included in the common range of the bases, and the "base code" field stores the identification information of the bases. The “address group” field may store a municipal name, an area name, and the like. According to the base DB 20 in FIG. 7A, for example, if the address of the retail store is “B prefecture”, “S01” is specified as the base code.

  Next, in step S28, the order receiving unit 12 updates the order management table 22. Here, the order management table 22 has a data structure as shown in FIG. Specifically, the order management table 22 stores “retail store ID”, “base code”, “order brand”, “total length (L)”, “total width (W)”, “total height (H)”, and “not yet stored”. It has fields of “allocated volume” and “allocated volume”.

  The “retail store ID” field stores the retail store ID acquired in step S22, and the “base code” field stores the base code specified in step S26. In the “order brand” field, brand information included in the order information acquired in step S22 is stored. When a plurality of brands are included in the order information, a plurality of brands (a, b,...) Are stored in the vertical direction (column direction) as shown in FIG.

  In the fields of “total length (L)”, “total width (W)”, and “total height (H)”, the size when each brand is put together is stored. Here, when storing the size, the order receiving unit 12 refers to the brand DB 24 in FIG. 7C. The brand DB 24 stores “length (L)”, “width (W)”, and “height (H)” of each brand 1 carton. Therefore, the order receiving unit 12 determines the “full length (L)”, “full width (W)”, “whole width (W)”, and “length” of the order management table 22 based on each size of the brand DB 24 and information on how many cartons were ordered for each brand. A value is stored in each field of “total height (H)”. In some cases, a plurality of brands in which one carton has a shape as shown in FIG. 8A may be ordered. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the order receiving unit 12 puts a plurality of cartons together by contacting the surface having the largest area, and outputs the size information at that time as “full length (L)” and “full width (W). )) And “overall height (H)”. By doing in this way, as compared with the case where small surfaces are brought into contact as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the “full length (L)”, “full width (W)”, and “full height (H)” Extremely large one of the sizes can be suppressed.

  Returning to FIG. 7B, a value obtained by integrating values of “total length (L)”, “total width (W)”, and “total height (H)” is stored in the “unallocated volume” field. In the “allocated volume” field, 0 is stored at the time of step S28.

  When the processing in step S28 in FIG. 6 ends as described above, the entire processing in FIG. 6 ends, and the process proceeds to step S14 in FIG.

(Boxing instruction creation processing (S14))
Next, the boxing instruction creating process (S14) by the instruction creating unit 14 will be described. In the boxing instruction creating process, a process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed.

  In step S30, the instruction creating unit 14 reads the latest record of the order management table 22 as a target record. As an example, it is assumed that the instruction creating unit 14 has read the record of the retail store ID = K01 in FIG. 7B as the target record.

  Next, in step S32, the instruction creating unit 14 executes a boxing instruction creating process for each retail store. As a result of the processing in step S32, when the boxing instruction data for each retail store is created, in the next step S34, the output unit 16 transmits the boxing instruction data to the corresponding delivery base system 60. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 9 and all the processing in FIG. 5 are completed.

(Retail store boxing instruction creation process (S32))
Hereinafter, the retailer-specific boxing instruction creation process (S32) will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 13 to 15.

  In the process of FIG. 10, first, in step S40, the instruction creating unit 14 initializes a table to be used. Specifically, the remaining space management table 26 shown in FIG. 11A and the arrangement position management table 28 shown in FIG. 11B are initialized (all fields are blank). Note that the upper and lower two tables in FIG. 11A show transition examples of the remaining space management table 26, and the upper and lower two tables in FIG. 11B show transition examples of the arrangement position management table 28. I have.

  Here, the remaining space management table 26 is a table for managing the space existing in the box when performing a simulation of arranging products in the box. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, the remaining space management table 26 stores “retail store ID”, “box ID”, “box code”, “remaining volume”, “remaining space number”, “ It has fields of “remaining space coordinates” and “remaining space volume”. The “retail store ID” field stores retail store identification information, the “box ID” field stores an identification number assigned to the box, and the “box code” field stores the type of box. Is stored. The box ID is provided so that each box can be identified even when the same type of box is assigned to the same retail store. The “remaining volume” field stores the sum of the volumes of all the spaces (remaining spaces) existing in the box while the simulation is being performed. The “remaining space number” stores an identification number assigned to a space (remaining space) in the box while the simulation is being performed. In addition, the remaining space means each of the ranges obtained by dividing the space in the box into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the field of “remaining space coordinates”, the coordinates of each remaining space (for example, the coordinates of two points facing each other across the center of the remaining space (cuboid space)) are stored. The “remaining space volume” field stores the volume of each remaining space.

  The arrangement position management table 28 is a table for managing the arrangement positions of the products when a simulation of arranging the products in the box is performed. As shown in FIG. 11B, the arrangement position management table 28 includes “retail store ID”, “box ID”, “box code”, “arrangement space number”, “arrangement space coordinates”, “brand name / number”. "Each field. The fields of “retail store ID”, “box ID” and “box code” are the same as those in FIG. The field of “arrangement space number” stores an identification number assigned to a space (a rectangular parallelepiped range) in which brands are arranged in the simulation. In the field of “arrangement space coordinates”, the coordinates of each arrangement space (for example, the coordinates of two points facing each other across the center of the arrangement space (cuboid space)) are stored. The "brand name / number" field stores the name and number (carton number) of brands arranged in the arrangement space.

  Next, in step S42, the instruction creating unit 14 refers to the target record and sets the number (the number of types) of ordered brands (order brands) to Nmax. For example, if the order management table 22 of FIG. 7B stores the information that three brands have been ordered, Nmax = 3.

  Next, in step S44, the instruction creating unit 14 calculates the total of the unallocated volumes. In this case, the unallocated volumes Ma, Mb,... Of the target record in the order management table 22 of FIG.

  Next, in step S46, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires the brand order of the delivery base. In this case, the instruction creating unit 14 refers to the shelf DB 30 in FIG. 12A and obtains the brand order corresponding to the base code of the target record. In the shelf DB 30, a base code and a brand order are associated with each other. The brand order is expressed, for example, as “a, b / c, d / e, f / g, h / i, j”. In this example, five workers are lined up from the front side in the transport direction of the box, the first worker is a brand a and a brand b, the second worker is a brand c and a brand d,. Is stored in the box of the brand i and the brand j. It should be noted that brands separated by “,” such as brands a and b, mean brands arranged vertically on the shelf. The order in which the brands are arranged means that the closer to the front in the transport direction of the box, the earlier the order of placing in the box.

  Next, in step S46, the instruction creating unit 14 rearranges the order brands included in the target record of the order management table 22 according to the acquired brand order. For example, as for the base code = S02 of the target record in FIG. 7B, in the shelf DB 30 in FIG. 12A, since the brand b is arranged before the brand a, the order brand a of the target record is set. And the order of the order brand b are exchanged.

  Next, in step S48, the instruction creating unit 14 checks whether or not an order has been placed on brands arranged vertically on the shelf. Next, in step S50, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not there is an order for brands arranged vertically as a result of the check in step S48. If the determination in step S50 is denied, the process proceeds to step S54 without changing the order of the ordered brands. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the instruction creating unit 14 arranges the order brands arranged in the up and down direction with the larger unallocated volume first and the smaller unassigned volume later. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S54. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that only the order of the brands b and a has been changed from the arrangement order of FIG. 7B as a result of passing through step S46 and step S52.

  In step S54, the instruction creating unit 14 sets the parameter N indicating the order brand to be processed to 1. Next, in step S56, the instruction creating unit 14 executes a box assignment process. In this box assignment processing, the order brand to be processed (Nth) is determined to be assigned (positioned) to which position in the box and in which posture. The specific processing in step S56 will be described later.

  After the placement of the processing target (N-th) order brand is determined in step S56, the process proceeds to step S58, and the instruction creating unit 14 increments N by 1 (N = N + 1). Next, in step S60, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the total of the unallocated volumes has become 0, or whether the allocation of all orderable brands to be processed has been completed in the box (N> Nmax?). to decide. If the determination in step S60 is denied, the process returns to step S56. If the determination is affirmed, the process in FIG. 10 ends, and the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG.

(Box assignment processing (S56))
Here, the box assignment process (S56) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 13, first, in step S70, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires the unallocated volume of the Nth order brand from the order management table 22 of FIG. 7B. In the example of FIG. 7B, as a result of the rearrangement, the order brand b is the first, so Mb is acquired as the first unallocated volume. Next, in step S72, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires the remaining volume of the box. When step S72 is first executed, 0 is acquired as the remaining volume because the box has not yet been determined.

  Next, in step S73, the instruction creating unit 14 determines, for each box ID, whether the Nth order brand exceeds the allowable value of the box when assigned. Specifically, the instruction creating unit 14 calculates the allocated volume of the order management table 22 based on the brand name / number of the arrangement position management table 28 for each box ID. Then, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the value obtained by adding the unallocated volume of the N-th order brand to the calculated allocated volume exceeds the allowable value corresponding to the box code defined in the box DB 32. to decide. If it is determined that the value does not exceed the allowable value in any of the boxes, the determination in step S73 is denied, and the process proceeds to step S74. On the other hand, if it is determined that all the boxes exceed the allowable values, the determination in step S73 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step S78. When the remaining volume = 0 is obtained in step S72, the determination in step S73 is denied, and the process proceeds to step S78.

  In step S74, the instruction creating unit 14 compares the remaining volume acquired in step S72 with the unallocated volume acquired in step S70. Next, in step S76, it is determined whether the remaining volume is larger than the unallocated volume. If the determination in step S76 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S80, but if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S78.

  In step S78, the instruction creating unit 14 executes a new box preparation process.

(New box preparation processing (S78))
In the new box preparation process, a process according to the flowchart of FIG. 14 is performed. In the processing of FIG. 14, first, in step S120, the instruction creating unit 14 calculates a total sum of unallocated volumes of the target record. In this case, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires the unallocated volumes of the target record in FIG.

  Next, in step S122, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires an allowable product of boxes prepared at the delivery base. In this case, the allowable product (AC) of each box is acquired with reference to the box DB 32 shown in FIG. Here, in the box DB 32 of FIG. 12B, “box code”, “length (L)”, “width (W)”, “height (H)”, “volume (C)” of each box are stored. Is stored. Further, a value obtained by multiplying the volume (C) by a predetermined packing rate (for example, 60%) is stored as “allowable product (AC)”. It is assumed that the instruction creating unit 14 has obtained HAC01, HAC02, and HAC03 as the allowable product (AC) of each box. Here, it is assumed that there is a relationship of HAC01> HAC02> HAC03 between the acquired allowable products.

  Next, in step S124, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the total sum of unallocated volumes is larger than HAC02. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S126, and the instruction creating unit 14 sets a new record of the box code H01 in the remaining space management table 26. Specifically, like the upper table in FIG. 11A, the remaining space management table 26 stores the retail store ID, the box ID, and the box code. Further, the volume of the box H01 = HC01 is stored as the remaining space, the coordinate range indicating the entire box is stored as the remaining space coordinates of the remaining space number 1, and the same as the remaining volume as the remaining space volume of the remaining space number 1 is stored. Stores a value. Next, in step S128, the instruction creating unit 14 updates the arrangement position management table 28. Specifically, as shown in an upper table in FIG. 11B, a store ID, a box ID, and a box code are stored in the arrangement position management table 28. The other fields of the arrangement position management table 28 in FIG. 11B are left empty. After step S128, the process returns to step S72 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S124 is negative, the process shifts to step S130 to determine whether the total sum of unallocated volumes is larger than HAC03. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S132, where the instruction creating unit 14 sets a new record of the box code H02 in the remaining space management table 26. In step S128, the instruction creating unit 14 updates the arrangement position management table 28 with the box code H02. Thereafter, the process returns to step S72 in FIG. On the other hand, when the determination in step S130 is denied, the process proceeds to step S134, and the instruction creating unit 14 sets a new record of the box code H03 in the remaining space management table 26. In step S128, the instruction creating unit 14 updates the arrangement position management table 28 with the box code H03. Thereafter, the process returns to step S72 in FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 14, when determining the box, the box is determined so that the volume of the product is smaller than the allowable product of the box (for example, 60% of the volume). That is, in the present embodiment, it can be said that a box having a volume larger than the product of the total volume of the ordered brands and the predetermined value larger than 1 is determined as a box to be used for box storage.

  Returning to FIG. 13, when the process proceeds to step S72, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires the remaining volume from the remaining space management table 26 of FIG. Next, in step S74, the instruction creating unit 14 compares the remaining volume with the unallocated volume. If the remaining volume is larger (step S76: YES), the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires a remaining space volume. When there are a plurality of remaining space volumes in the remaining space management table 26 of FIG. 11A, the instruction creating unit 14 acquires all remaining space volumes existing in the remaining space management table 26.

  Next, in step S82, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not there is a remaining space volume larger than the unallocated volume. If the determination in step S82 is denied, the process proceeds to step S78 (new box preparation process). If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S84.

  In step S84, the instruction creating unit 14 sets the remaining space of the placement target check target candidates in the descending order of the remaining space volume, and sets the number thereof as Fmax. In the example on the upper side of FIG. 11A, Fmax is 1.

  Next, in step S86, the instruction creating unit 14 sets the parameter F indicating the order of the arrangement possibility check target candidates to 1, and proceeds to the arrangement possibility check process in step S88.

(Arrangeability check processing (S88))
In the arrangement possibility check processing (S88), processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed.

  In the process of FIG. 15, first, in step S150, the instruction creating unit 14 reads the size of the N-th ordered brand from the order management table 22 of FIG. 7B. Next, in step S152, the instruction creating unit 14 reads the remaining space coordinates of the F-th placement possibility check target. In this case, if F = 1, the instruction creating unit 14 reads the remaining space coordinates of the remaining space number 1 in the remaining space management table 26 of FIG.

  Next, in step S154, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the read size of the N-th order brand directly fits in the read remaining space coordinates. If the determination in step S154 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S156, and it is determined that the arrangement possibility check result is OK.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S154 is negative, that is, if the order brand does not fit in the remaining space coordinates in the same orientation, the process proceeds to step S158, where the instruction creating unit 14 determines the length (L) and the width. Replace (W). Then, in step S160, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the size of the ordered brand is included in the remaining space coordinates. If the determination in step S160 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S156. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S162.

  In step S162, the instruction creating unit 14 exchanges the length (L) and the height (H). Then, in step S164, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the size of the ordered brand is included in the remaining space coordinates. If the determination in step S164 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S156. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S166. When the process proceeds to step S166, since the N-th order brand cannot be included in the remaining space coordinates no matter how the orientation is changed, it is determined that the arrangement possibility check result is NG. Thereafter, the entire process of FIG. 15 ends, and the process proceeds to step S90 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S156 that the arrangement possibility check result is OK, in the next step S168, the instruction creating unit 14 arranges the Nth order brand at a location near the inner wall side of the box. Find the space coordinates of the case. Then, in the next step S170, the instruction creating unit 14 updates the arrangement position management table 28 using the arrangement space coordinates obtained in step S168. In this case, the instruction creating unit 14 stores the arrangement space coordinates in the “arrangement space coordinates” field and the “brand name / number” field as in the arrangement position management table 28 on the upper side of FIG. 11B. Stores the brand name and the number of the N-th ordered brand. As described above, when the processing up to step S170 ends, the processing in FIG. 15 ends, and the flow shifts to step S90 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 13, when the process proceeds to step S90, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether or not the check result of the arrangement possibility check processing in step S88 is OK. If the determination in step S90 is affirmed (OK), the process proceeds to step S100. If the determination is negative (NG), the process proceeds to step S92.

  In step S92, the instruction creating unit 14 increments the parameter F indicating the order of the remaining space of the placement target check target candidates by one (F = F + 1). Next, in step S94, it is determined whether or not F is greater than Fmax. If the determination here is negative, the process returns to step S88, and it is checked in the same manner as described above whether or not the N-th ordered brand is in the remaining space of the next placeable check candidate. Then, when all the results of the check are NG even though the remaining spaces of all the arrangement possibility check target candidates are checked, the determination in step S94 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step S96. . The processing in step S96 will be described later.

  Here, a case where the determination in step S90 is affirmed will be described. If the check result of the placement possibility check processing is OK and the determination in step S90 is affirmative, the instruction creating unit 14 proceeds to step S100. In step S100, the instruction creating unit 14 sets the value of the unallocated volume of the Nth order brand in the order management table 22 of FIG. 7B as the value of the allocated volume, and sets the value of the unallocated volume to 0.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S102, the instruction creating unit 14 executes a post-placement remaining space management process. FIG. 16A shows a state where the order brand (3 cartons) is arranged in the box. The instruction creation unit 14 divides the box into two cuboid-shaped remaining spaces 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 16B, or two cuboids as shown in FIG. It is assumed that either the remaining space 1 ′ or the space 2 ′ is divided. It should be noted that dividing the remaining space in both the length (L) direction and the width (W) direction as shown in FIG. 16 (d) makes the remaining space smaller and makes it difficult to arrange the order brands thereafter. Shall not be adopted.

  The instruction creating unit 14 compares the remaining spaces 1 and 2 when partitioned as shown in FIG. 16B and the remaining spaces 1 ′ and 2 ′ when partitioned as shown in FIG. Adopt the one where a large remaining space is formed. In the present embodiment, the remaining space 2 is the largest remaining space, and it is assumed that the remaining spaces 1 and 2 in FIG. In this case, the instruction creating unit 14 updates the remaining space management table 26 in FIG. 11A with the information on the adopted remaining spaces 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A from the state of FIG. 16A, when an order brand is newly placed in the remaining space 2, the instruction creating unit 14 returns to FIG. It is determined whether to use the remaining spaces 2 and 3 as shown, or to use the remaining spaces 2'3 'as shown in FIG. In this case, assuming that the remaining space 3 is the largest of the remaining spaces 2, 3, 2 ′, and 3 ′, the instruction creating unit 14 adopts the remaining spaces 2 and 3 of FIG. The remaining space management table 26 of a) is updated.

  After the update of the remaining space management table 26 is performed as described above, the process proceeds to step S104 in FIG. 13, and the instruction creating unit 14 calculates the total unallocated volume of the target record. In this case, the instruction creating unit 14 calculates the total of the unallocated volumes in the order management table 22 (FIG. 7B), and proceeds to step S58 in FIG.

  By the way, the placement possibility check processing was performed on the Nth order brand while changing the direction, but the order brand did not enter any of the remaining spaces of the placement target candidate (S94: affirmative). Shifts to step S96.

  In step S96, the instruction creating unit 14 determines whether the remaining space can be changed. Note that the case where the remaining space can be changed means that, for example, FIG. 16B is selected in step S102, but FIG. 16C shows a case where the arrangement possibility check process has not been performed yet.

  If the determination in step S96 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S98, in which the instruction creating unit 14 changes the remaining space to, for example, the spaces 1 'and 2' in FIG. The remaining space management table 26 is updated. Thereafter, the processing determination of steps S84 to S94 is performed using the updated remaining space management table 26, and if the determination of step S90 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S100, and if the determination of step S94 is affirmative. , To step S96. If the determination in step S96 is negative (if it is determined that the remaining space cannot be changed), the process proceeds to step S78. When the process proceeds to step S78, since the remaining order brands do not enter the current box, a box suitable for the size of the remaining order brands is selected in the new box preparation process (S78), and the process returns to step S72. In this case, the tables 26 and 28 are updated as shown in the lower part of FIG. 11A and the lower part of FIG. 11B.

  As described above, by executing the placement possibility check process (S88) in FIG. 13, the Nth order brand can be placed at an appropriate position in the box.

  When the process of FIG. 13 is completed and the process of FIG. 10 (S32) is completed, the arrangement position management table 28 includes information (box and position) indicating which position of the box to place the brand ordered from the retail store. Insertion instruction data). Therefore, in step S34 of FIG. 9, the output unit 16 transmits the information stored in the arrangement position management table 28 to the corresponding delivery base system 60.

(About processing of delivery base system 60)
Next, the processing of the delivery base system 60 will be described. In the delivery base system 60, a function as a control unit is realized by the CPU 190 executing the program. The control unit executes processing according to the flowchart in FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 18, first, in step S200, the control unit waits until receiving the retail store ID and the boxing instruction data. That is, when the process of step S34 in FIG. 9 is executed in the server 10, the control unit proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the control unit acquires a destination address and a store name based on the retail store ID. In this case, the control unit refers to a DB similar to the retail store DB used in step S24 of FIG. 6 and acquires the destination address and the store name of the retail store.

  Next, in step S204, the control unit executes a boxing process based on the received boxing instruction data. In this boxing process, the control unit, based on the box code in the arrangement position management table 28, feeds the boxes to the belt conveyor 62 installed at the delivery base as shown in FIG. Then, the control unit displays the number (carton number) of each brand to be boxed on the display unit 193 installed at the delivery base at an appropriate timing. Thereby, the worker can put an appropriate number of products (the number of cartons) into boxes by referring to the display unit 193. In this case, by performing the display according to the boxing instruction data, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the product does not enter the box.

  As can be seen from the above description, in the present embodiment, the instruction creating unit 14 determines the position and orientation of each brand according to the specifying unit that specifies the order of placing each brand in the box, A function as a processing unit that repeats the process of specifying the remaining space after the placement of the item and a determining unit that determines a box in which to place the product is realized.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, in the server 10, the instruction creating unit 14 specifies the order of putting a plurality of products in a box (S46), and positions the products in the space according to the order. And the process of determining the posture (S88: FIG. 15) and the process of calculating the space existing inside the box (S102) until the positions and postures of all the products are determined or the products are placed inside the box. It repeats until it cannot be arranged (S56-S60). The output unit 16 outputs information (28) based on the estimation result of the estimation process (S34). In this way, by outputting the result of estimating the products that can be put in the box in consideration of the order of putting the boxes, it is possible to appropriately support the work of the worker who performs the boxing work. For example, by performing an operation based on the result estimated by the worker at the delivery base, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a situation such that a product does not enter a box.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the arrangement position and the arrangement posture at which the same brand is arranged collectively are determined. This allows the worker at the delivery site to collect the same brand of merchandise in the same box, thereby improving the work efficiency of the worker.

  In the present embodiment, the instruction creating unit 14 determines a box based on the volumes of the plurality of ordered brands (S78). Thereby, the box can be determined so that a plurality of ordered brands can be efficiently delivered. In this case, since the box is determined so that the total volume of the plurality of ordered brands is included in the allowable volume of the box (for example, 60% of the volume), it is possible to suppress damage to products and boxes due to over-packing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the number of ordered brands to be boxed is displayed on the display unit 193 provided at the delivery base, so that the operator can easily work by performing work in accordance with the display on the display unit 193. A boxing operation can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where only the number (carton number) of brands to be boxed is displayed on the display unit 193 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may display on the display unit 193 which position in the box should put each brand based on the arrangement space coordinates of the arrangement position management table 28. In this case, the control unit may display the arrangement position graphically based on the arrangement space coordinates. This makes it possible to arrange (box) each brand at an appropriate position regardless of the skill of the worker.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the product to be boxed is a cigarette or a cigar is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the product to be boxed may be another product. For example, when storing different types of products in a box that handles many types of products, the boxing support system of the above embodiment may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the processing for generating the boxing instruction data is executed every time an order is placed (S20: YES) is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a process of generating boxing instruction data may be executed at predetermined time intervals based on a newly received order. In this case, when there are a plurality of orders from the same retailer terminal 70, a plurality of orders from the same retailer may be put together to execute a process of generating boxing instruction data.

  Note that the above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In this case, a program describing the processing contents of the function that the processing device should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer. The program describing the processing content can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (excluding a carrier wave).

  When the program is distributed, it is sold in the form of a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a storage device of a server computer, and the program may be transferred from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. Further, the computer may execute the processing according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server computer.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, regarding the description of the above embodiment, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed.
(Supplementary Note 1) Identify the order of putting multiple types of articles in the box,
According to the order, a process of determining the position and attitude of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of identifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and attitude of all the articles Is repeated until it is determined or the article cannot be placed inside the box,
Outputting information based on the result of the repeated processing,
A boxing support program for causing a computer to execute processing.
(Supplementary Note 2) In the repetitive processing, when a plurality of articles of the same type are arranged, the position and the posture are determined by grouping the plurality of articles of the same type. Boxing support program.
(Supplementary note 3) The boxing support program according to Supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the computer further executes the process of determining the box based on the volumes of the plurality of types of articles.
(Supplementary note 4) The box according to Supplementary note 3, wherein the determining process determines a box having a volume larger than a product of the sum of the volumes of the plurality of types of articles and a predetermined value greater than 1. Putting support program.
(Supplementary note 5) The boxing process according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein the output process outputs information on a number of pieces that can be put in the box for each of the plurality of types of articles. Support program.
(Supplementary note 6) The boxing support program according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 5, wherein the output process outputs information on the position and orientation determined in the repeated process.
(Supplementary Note 7) Identify the order of putting multiple types of articles in the box,
According to the order, a process of determining the position and attitude of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of identifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and attitude of all the articles Is repeated until it is determined or the article cannot be placed inside the box,
Outputting information based on the result of the repeated processing,
A boxing support method, wherein the processing is executed by a computer.
(Supplementary Note 8) In the repetitive processing, when a plurality of articles of the same type are arranged, the plurality of articles of the same type are collectively determined to determine a position and an orientation. How to support boxing.
(Supplementary note 9) The boxing support method according to supplementary note 7 or 8, wherein the computer further executes a process of determining the box based on volumes of the plurality of types of articles.
(Supplementary note 10) The box according to Supplementary note 9, wherein the determining process determines a box having a volume larger than a product of the sum of the volumes of the plurality of types of articles and a predetermined value greater than 1. Put support method.
(Supplementary note 11) The boxing according to any one of supplementary notes 7 to 10, wherein the output process outputs information on a number of pieces that can be put in the box for each of the plurality of types of articles. How to help.
(Supplementary Note 12) The boxing support method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 11, wherein the output process outputs information on the position and orientation determined in the repeated process.
(Supplementary Note 13) A specifying unit that specifies an order of putting a plurality of types of articles in a box;
According to the order, a process of determining the position and attitude of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of identifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and attitude of all the articles A processing unit that repeats until is determined or until the article can no longer be placed inside the box,
An output unit that outputs information based on a processing result of the processing unit;
A boxing support device comprising:
(Supplementary Note 14) The processing unit according to Supplementary Note 13, wherein when a plurality of articles of the same type are arranged, the processing unit determines the position and the posture by grouping the plurality of articles of the same type. Boxing support device.
(Supplementary Note 15) The box insertion support device according to Supplementary Note 13 or 14, further comprising a determination unit (14) that determines the box based on volumes of the plurality of types of articles.
(Supplementary note 16) The box according to Supplementary note 15, wherein the determination unit determines a box having a volume larger than a product of a total of the volumes of the plurality of types of articles and a predetermined value greater than 1. Support device.
(Supplementary Note 17) The boxing support according to any one of supplementary notes 13 to 16, wherein the output unit outputs information on a number of pieces that can be put in the box for each of the plurality of types of articles. apparatus.
(Supplementary note 18) The boxing assisting device according to any one of Supplementary notes 13 to 17, wherein the output unit outputs the information on the position and the posture determined by the processing unit.

10. Server (boxing support device)
14 Instruction creation unit (specification unit, processing unit, determination unit)
16 Output section

Claims (9)

Identify the order of putting multiple types of goods in the box,
According to the order, a process of determining the position and orientation of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of specifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and orientation of all the articles Is repeated until it is determined or the article cannot be placed inside the box,
Outputting information based on the result of the repeated processing,
Let the computer execute the process ,
In the process of identifying the order is to the same kind of a plurality of articles together, the box insertion support program characterized that you identify order to put the box.   2. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein when the plurality of articles of the same type have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the articles are brought together by contacting a surface having the largest area among the articles.   In the process of specifying the order, the order of placing the plurality of types of articles in a box is specified based on the arrangement of shelves that store the plurality of types of articles and the size of the volume of the articles. The boxing support program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer further causes the computer to execute a process of determining the box based on volumes of the plurality of types of articles. 5. 5. The storage method according to claim 4 , wherein the determining process determines a box having a volume larger than a product of a sum of volumes of the plurality of types of articles and a predetermined value greater than 1. 5. . The boxing support according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the output process outputs information on a number of pieces that can be put in the box for each of the plurality of types of articles. program. Process, a box insertion support program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for outputting information on the position and orientation determined in the repeated processes, it is characterized in that said output. Identify the order of putting multiple types of goods in the box,
According to the order, a process of determining the position and orientation of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of specifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and orientation of all the articles Is repeated until it is determined or the article cannot be placed inside the box,
Outputting information based on the result of the repeated processing,
The computer performs the processing ,
In the processing for specifying the order, a plurality of articles of the same type are grouped together and the order for placing the articles in the box is specified . A specifying unit for specifying an order for putting a plurality of types of articles in a box;
According to the order, a process of determining the position and orientation of arranging the articles inside the box, and a process of specifying the space existing inside the box after arranging the articles, the position and orientation of all the articles A processing unit that repeats until is determined or until the article can no longer be placed inside the box,
An output unit that outputs information based on a processing result of the processing unit;
Equipped with a,
The specific portion is the same type of a plurality of articles together, specific to that box insertion assisting device sequentially sent to the box.

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