JP7118348B2 - LOGISTICS DATA DETERMINATION METHOD, LOGISTICS SYSTEM, LOGISTICS DATA DETERMINATION DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

In order to improve the distribution efficiency of goods, the present invention provides a method for distributing distribution materials, a system for distributing distribution materials, and a method for distributing distribution materials for improving the circulation of distribution materials on which goods such as pallets, small containers (folding containers), or cardboard boxes are stacked. The present invention relates to an information processing device and a computer program.

In order to improve the distribution efficiency of goods, using transport equipment or containers that transport goods in units of pallets, and base equipment that carries in and out goods in units of pallets for transport equipment or containers, each pallet at each point at each time A method of determining the location by a central device has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The methods proposed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 improve efficiency by controlling the movement of goods on the backbone (trunk line) of physical distribution so as to be optimized as a whole. In order to further improve the efficiency of physical distribution, it is necessary to reform the transportation of goods in the route from the shipper to the trunk line, from the trunk line to the consignee, and from the consignee to the retail store.

Regarding the distribution of goods, especially agricultural products, the relevant ministries and agencies have already worked out measures to reduce time and improve transport efficiency by promoting the transport of goods on a pallet basis, and some of these measures are currently being implemented. (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). Until now, the difficulty of transporting goods on pallets is that the goods to be transported should be handed over from shippers to transporters, wholesalers, and retailers, but pallets are handled by shippers, transporters, and wholesalers. , and because pallets cannot be distributed with the goods as they are the property of each retailer. Therefore, transshipment from the shipper's pallet to the carrier's pallet when the goods are transferred from the shipper to the carrier, and from the carrier's pallet to the distributor's pallet when the goods are transferred from the carrier to the wholesaler. Without transshipment, expensive pallets will be lost. The transshipment of goods from pallet to pallet is often a manual task for the carrier and is an undue burden.

Therefore, in the integrated palletization of agricultural products disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pallet rental company rents a pallet attached with an RFID that stores identification information to a producer who is a shipper, and sells it to retailers or actual demand. A circulating system has been proposed to collect from the human. In this case, the pallets need not be transshipped in multiple stages from the shipper to the consignee wholesaler or retailer, but may be circulated with the palletized goods. The pallets on which the goods have been unloaded by the consignee are either delivered to the pallet rental company by the consignee or collected by the pallet rental company.

Similar to Patent Literatures 1 and 2, various proposals have been made to realize a physical Internet that transports goods in units of pallets.

Patent No. 6362229 Patent No. 6362240

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Toward improvement and efficiency of agricultural product distribution”, Liaison Conference of Ministries and Agencies Related to Agricultural Product Distribution Measures, [online], 3, 2017, [searched on February 8, 2019], Internet < URL: http://www.maff.go.jp/j/shokusan/ryutu/attach/pdf/buturyu-9.pdf> 6th Meeting of the Liaison Conference of Ministries and Agencies Related to Agricultural Products Logistics Measures, “Document 2: Measures for Realizing Integrated Palletization of Agricultural Products”, Liaison Meeting of Ministries and Agencies Related to Agricultural Products Logistics Measures, [online], March 2018, [2019] February 18 search], Internet <URL: http://www.maff.go.jp/j/shokusan/ryutu/180320_6/attach/pdf/index-19.pdf>

In the pallet circulation system by the pallet rental company proposed in Non-Patent Document 2, the pallet itself is collected separately by the pallet rental company, which means that the collection cost is borne by the shipper or the entire distribution route. This cost can be reduced if the shipper picks up the empty pallet from the pallet rental company or the consignee delivers the empty pallet to the pallet rental company. , empty pallet transport is a burden and their enforcement is difficult. The pallets will be concentrated in urban areas along with the goods, and only the pallets will need to be transported from the urban areas back to the goods shipper's base. In order to operate the circulation system without delay, it is also necessary to raise the awareness of consignees such as reliable return and storage of pallets, and prohibition of loss and diversion. Considering that collection is not efficient, the pallet rental company needs to have ample inventory of pallets, and requires a space dedicated to pallets for storing only pallets. Therefore, additional renter-borne costs add up to overall distribution costs. The pallet rental business has been proposed for some time, but the reason why pallet transportation is not widespread is considered to be the cost burden.

In addition, physical distribution data processing is necessary for the operation of the physical Internet. It is not easy to derive optimal solutions for pallet distribution and transportation routes in a method of centrally managing the entire distribution network from the point of departure to the point of receipt.

The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and realizes physical distribution in units of pallets, and facilitates management of physical distribution members such as pallets, small containers, cardboard boxes, etc., on which goods are stowed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a physical distribution component distribution method, a physical distribution component distribution system, an information processing device, and a computer program.

In addition, the present invention provides a physical distribution data determination method, a physical distribution system, a physical distribution data determination device, and a computer program for optimizing transportation routes of physical distribution components and movement routes of transportation equipment for transporting physical distribution components. With the goal.

The physical distribution component distribution method of the present disclosure accepts a transport request for an item in units of a plurality of physical distribution components in which the items are accommodated or loaded and used for physical distribution, and each time the transport request is received, the usage schedule included in the transport request is calculated. Determine the number of physical distribution materials to be delivered to the transportation requester or the number of physical distribution materials to be collected from the transportation requester according to the number of the physical distribution materials, and deliver the physical distribution materials to the transportation requester based on the determination, or and physical distribution member identification information for identifying the collected physical distribution members.

According to the physical distribution component distribution method, the physical distribution component distribution system, the information processing device, and the computer program of the present disclosure, the physical distribution components at each base such as the transportation requester are transported together with the articles to be transported, while adjusting the number.

In the physical distribution data determination method, system, data processing device, and computer program of the present disclosure, addresses are assigned to local networks in each region in a hierarchical fashion, and transport across regions is performed using addresses between regions, similar to packet transport in communication. , intra-regional transport is optimized with addresses used in local networks within the region. This makes it possible to appropriately optimize the transport route and the movement route of the pallet according to traffic information and the like.

In a method for determining physical distribution data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transportation request is received, it is determined whether or not the origin and destination of the goods specified in the transportation request exist within the same region, If it exists, the route is determined using the temporary address, and if it is determined that it does not exist in the same area, the unique address allocated to the area including the departure point and the unique address of the higher hierarchy are used to determine the transportation route.

In a physical distribution data determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the temporary address is assigned to the pallet and the transportation equipment in the partial route, and the unique address is used for transportation between the regions. to decide.

According to the physical distribution system of the present disclosure, physical distribution can be realized in units of pallets, and management of pallets and physical distribution members such as small containers or corrugated boxes in which goods are stowed can be facilitated.

According to the present disclosure, it becomes efficient to optimize the moving route of the transportation equipment that carries the physical distribution materials. Furthermore, logistics Maas (Mobility as a Service), which executes everything from transport requests to reservations and payment processing, will be possible for logistics that straddles different transportation companies and different countries.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a physical distribution material distribution system of the present disclosure; FIG. It is a schematic diagram of a palette. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of transportation equipment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of transportation equipment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a physical distribution component distribution system; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a physical distribution component distribution system; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the information memorize|stored in physical distribution DB. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the information memorize|stored in physical distribution DB. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the information memorize|stored in physical distribution DB. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the information memorize|stored in physical distribution DB. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of processing in the central server; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a function of a reception unit of a central server; Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a central server; Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a central server; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a function of an updating unit of a central server; An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. An example of updating the contents of a physical distribution DB is shown. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a transportation device according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of contents of pallet accommodation positions stored in a storage unit; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure of control processing of the handling system; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a terminal device. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of a transportation request reception processing procedure according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of obtaining an item arrangement; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contents of item arrangement information; It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure which outputs the arrangement|positioning information of articles|goods with a terminal device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of an AR image of a palette by a terminal device; 1 is a schematic diagram of a physical distribution system according to a second embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a local distribution system centered on a base center; FIG. Fig. 2 shows an LP network of the logistics system of the present disclosure; It is a model perspective view which shows an example of a pallet. It is a model perspective view which shows an example of a pallet. It is a model perspective view which shows an example of a pallet. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of a pallet; Fig. 3 is a top view of the base of the pallet; Fig. 3 is a side view of the base of the pallet; Fig. 3 is a front view of the base of the pallet; Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the base of the pallet; It is a top view of a top plate pallet. It is a side view of a top plate pallet. It is a bottom view of a top plate pallet. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a transportation device and a medium-sized container; FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a transportation device and a medium-sized container; FIG. 3 is another schematic perspective view of a transportation device or medium-sized container; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data center; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a routing center; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure when receiving a transport request for goods in a physical distribution system; 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure when receiving a transport request for goods in a physical distribution system; 1 is a schematic diagram of a transport route determination method based on an LP network; FIG. It is an example of the content of the data of a transportation route and a moving route stored in route DB. It is an example of the content of the data memorize|stored in transportation equipment information. 4 shows an example of contents of a reservation reception screen. 4 shows an example of contents of a reservation reception screen. It is a flow chart which shows an example of reservation and payment processing.

Hereinafter, the physical distribution component distribution method of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings showing the embodiments. In the following example, a physical distribution system to which the physical distribution material distribution method and the physical distribution material distribution system are applied will be described as an example.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a logistics material distribution system 200 of the present disclosure. A physical distribution component distribution system 200 is a physical distribution system that includes transportation equipment 1 that transports goods such as agricultural products, a base (base) center 2 that is a transfer center (TC), and a collection and delivery center 3 that is a distribution center (DC). 100 applied. The physical distribution system 100 is operated based on the processing of the central server 4 . The central server 4 can be communicatively connected with the transportation equipment 1 , the base center 2 and the collection and delivery center 3 . The central server 4 can be connected for communication with terminal devices 5 used by producers, manufacturers, and operators of the collection and delivery center 3 .

The transport equipment 1 is a vehicle such as a transport truck, train, transport machine, ship, or the like. The transportation equipment 1 may be a transport robot that travels by automatic operation.

The base center 2 is a transit-type center provided on a so-called trunk line in physical distribution, and is installed at a location that serves as a base for the transportation equipment 1, such as a port, airport, freight station, and interchange (IC) in a road network. The base centers 2 are provided, for example, at predetermined distances.

The collection and distribution center 3 collects goods to be transported from producers' or manufacturers' bases and transports them to the base center 2, or conversely, receives goods from the base center 2, stores them, and distributes them to end users. It corresponds to a wholesaler or a distribution center that serves as a base for transporting goods to a destination. A plurality of collection and delivery centers 3 may be provided with respect to the base center 2 . The collection and delivery center 3 may be managed by a consignee who is a retailer. When the collection and delivery center 3 collects items for transport to the base center 2 , the items may be stowed on pallets P at the collection and delivery center 3 .

In the present disclosure, instead of trunk transportation between different base centers 2, transportation equipment mainly from the producer or manufacturer to the collection and distribution center 3, from the collection and distribution center 3 to the base center 2, and from the base center 2 to the collection and distribution center 3 after trunk transportation 1 and the distribution of pallets P used for transportation will be described. For trunk transportation, it is preferable to carry out transportation using the pallet P proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

In the physical distribution system 100 centering on the base center 2, the objects to be transported are stacked on physical distribution members and transported. Physical distribution members are specifically pallets P and small containers C. In the following description, the pallet P will be focused on, but the small container C should also be handled in the same way. The physical distribution member may be a flexible container, a so-called flexible container, an iron container, or a corrugated cardboard box. In addition, bags, plates, and boxes used for placing and storing articles in physical distribution are included in physical distribution members.

Efforts have been made for transportation using pallets. Transportation by pallet unit can reduce transshipment work. Conventional pallet shipping, however, has used pallets owned by the producer or manufacturer, or pallets supplied by pallet rental companies. In such conventional pallet transportation, it is difficult for the wholesaler who received the shipment using the owned pallet to collect it, and a collection system dedicated to the pallet is required, which causes the burden of the pallet fee. do. If the distance from the shipper to the consignee of goods using pallets is long, the same distance must be traveled for collection, or the pallet rental company must have many bases. Like goods, pallets gather in cities but are not consumed. Therefore, it is necessary to distribute only pallets that are returned from cities to shippers, which increases the cost burden. Due to these circumstances, the current situation is that transportation using pallets has not yet spread sufficiently. Therefore, in the physical distribution material distribution system of the present disclosure, the pallet is shared with the transportation equipment 1 . For this reason, the central server 4 controls the appropriate placement of the pallet P as well as the process of determining the allocation of the transportation equipment 1 and the transportation route.

Appropriate arrangement of pallets P is specifically realized as follows. Each pallet P is assigned with pallet identification information. In FIG. 1 and the following description, pallet identification information is simply represented by a combination of alphabets and numbers, eg, "a-1". The central server 4 has a database in which the state of each pallet P is stored in association with the pallet identification information, and is updated sequentially. The state is, for example, two states, an empty state and a state in which an article is placed, and whether it exists in the base center 2, in the transportation equipment 1, in the base of the producer or the manufacturer, or in the collection and delivery center 3. It is a combination with location information.

In the central server 4, the producer or manufacturer and the number of pallets P that can exist in each of the collection and delivery centers 3 are stored in association with information for identifying each of them. In the example of FIG. 1, there are eight pallets P at the base of the manufacturer M, and the number of pallets "8" is stored in association with the shipper identification information for identifying the manufacturer M. FIG. The collection and delivery center 3 has 200 pallets P, and the number of pallets "200" is stored in association with the center identification information. The pallets P are distributed to producers, manufacturers, operators of the transportation equipment 1, and collection and delivery centers 3 (franchisees) who use the share of the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 by the management company (franchiser) who manages the central server 4. , are distributed by specifying the number of pallets.

When the central server 4 receives a vehicle dispatch request from the terminal device 5 from the producer, the manufacturer, or the collection and delivery center 3, the central server 4 determines which transportation equipment 1 should be routed to the requesting producer or manufacturer. determine the route. The central server 4 determines the transportation route in this way, and instructs the same number of pallets P to be transported to the requester according to the number of pallets P on which the goods to be shipped are loaded. When the central server 4 transports goods from the base center 2 to the collection and delivery center 3, the central server 4 similarly collects the pallets P on which the goods are placed from the collection and delivery center 3. decide to return to The pallet P to be collected may be empty or may be loaded with articles to be transported.

A specific description with reference to the example of FIG. 1 is as follows. The central server 4 receives a transportation request from the manufacturer M for a shipping schedule using two pallets P. direct to. The central server 4 recognizes that the goods scheduled to be shipped by the manufacturer M will be transported via the base center 2, and the transport equipment 1 departs from the base center 2 to the collection and delivery center 3. On the other hand, a transportation route that passes through the bases of the manufacturer M located between the base center 2 and the collection and delivery center 3 is determined. The central server 4 instructs the target transport equipment 1 to carry in two pallets P to be shipped from the base of the manufacturer M, and to load the same number of empty pallets P on the carrier. When an article addressed to the base of the manufacturer M exists in the base center 2, the central server 4 stacks the article on a pallet P, or stacks two pallets P including the pallet P on which the article is stowed. is instructed to the target transportation device 1 to load the . At the time of departure from the base center 2, the transportation equipment 1 receives two empty pallets P with pallet identification information "a-1" and "a-2" addressed to the manufacturer M and the collection and delivery center 3. A pallet P containing three pallets P with identification information "b-1", "b-2" and "b-3" is loaded.

When the transportation equipment 1 reaches the base of the manufacturer M, instead of loading the pallet P with the pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" on which the goods to be shipped from the manufacturer M are loaded, the pallet Two empty pallets P with identification information "a-1" and "a-2" are placed at the manufacturer M's base. The transport equipment 1 notifies the central server 4 of the pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" of the pallet P loaded at the manufacturer M's base. The goods stacked on the pallet P with the pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" are transported to the base center 2. The transportation equipment 1 receives two pallets P with pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" shipped from the manufacturer M at the time of departure from the base of the manufacturer M, and the collection and delivery center 3. A pallet P containing three pallets P, ie, pallet identification information "b-1", "b-2" and "b-3" on which goods to be processed are loaded.

The transportation equipment 1 delivers three pallets P loaded with goods with pallet identification information "b-1", "b-2" and "b-3" via the base center 2 to the collection and delivery center 3. Instead, three pallets P with pallet identification information "e-1", "e-2" and "e-3" are collected. The central server 4 notifies collection of the three pallets P at the time of transportation to the collection and delivery center 3 . The transportation equipment 1 notifies the central server 4 of the pallet identification information "e-1", "e-2" and "e-3" of the pallets P loaded at the collection and delivery center 3. The pallets P with the pallet identification information "e-1", "e-2" and "e-3" are transported to the base center 2. At the time of departure from the collection and delivery center 3, the transportation equipment 1 has two pallets P with pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" shipped from the manufacturer M and the pallet identification information collected from the collection and delivery center 3. The pallets P including the three pallets P "e-1", "e-2" and "e-3" are loaded and returned to the base center 2 as it is.

At the base center 2, the transportation equipment 1 unloads all loaded pallets P, receives an instruction for a new transportation route, and loads and transports the instructed pallets P. The two pallets P with the pallet identification information "c-1" and "c-2" carried out from the base center 2 are transported by other transportation equipment 1 toward another base center 2 by trunk transportation. The transported two pallets P of pallets P are transported from another base center 2 . It is desirable that the number of pallets P in the base center 2 is also a specified number of distributed items, but it is necessary to ensure that the number of pallets P in all of the plurality of base centers 2 corresponds to the distribution volume of goods. Routes may be coordinated with pallet distribution schemes.

In this way, the circulation of the pallets P is integrally managed by the central server 4 that controls the transport route of the transport equipment 1 for transporting the goods and the goods to be transported by the transport equipment 1. As shown in FIG. The same number of pallets P always exist at the base of the person M and the collection and delivery center 3, respectively. At the base of the manufacturer M, the collection and delivery center 3, the pallets P may be used for storing the goods, may be used for moving the goods, or may be used for the next shipment schedule as long as the number of pallets matches. may be used for pallets, may be mixed with other owned pallets, and may be used freely during the membership period. That is, the articles to be placed on the pallet P may be used for other purposes as long as they are transported by the transportation equipment 1 controlled by the central server 4 and the instructions for collection by the transportation equipment 1 are complied with.

As described above, the method of distributing pallets P in the physical distribution system 100 shown in FIG. In this case, the folding container C is also attached with the container identification information, accommodates the articles, and is loaded on the pallet P for use. For the folding container C, the central server 4 also sequentially stores the combination of the state of whether the container C is empty or containing articles and the information of which pallet P the container is loaded on.

The basic system for circulating physical distribution materials shown in FIG. 1 can also be applied to packing materials, such as corrugated boxes, used by end users to receive goods. For example, in the last one mile transportation from the collection and delivery center 3 as a delivery center to the end user who finally receives the package, the used folding container C or cardboard box is collected from the end user at the delivery destination for the folding container or cardboard box. and return. Cardboard boxes may be dismantled without identification numbers. When the cardboard boxes are collected from the end users, the collection rate can be improved by motivating the end users by, for example, giving them points. If the package is delivered to the end user in a small collapsible container C, the small container C is also distributed to the end user, and if the package is delivered to the end user in the small container C, the used empty small container. C can be recovered and applied similarly.

A specific configuration and processing of a physical distribution material distribution system that enables physical distribution in which physical distribution materials including such pallets P are managed together with control of the transportation equipment 1 will be described below.

First, the pallet P will be explained. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the pallet P. As shown in FIG. The pallet P is a physical distribution member having a size of 100 cm to 120 cm square like pallets widely used in physical distribution sites, and is more preferably made of resin. The pallet P may be made of various materials such as wood, stainless steel, cardboard, etc., and may be provided with lift holes suitable for transportation by a forklift. The pallet P is preferably made of a material that complies with import/export regulations. A tag PT storing pallet identification information is attached to the peripheral surface of the pallet P. The tag PT is a wireless tag using RFID or the like. Although the tags PT may be provided only on one side, they are attached on the four sides so as not to restrict the orientation of the pallet P, which is symmetrical in four directions. The peripheral surface of the pallet P in Embodiment 1 is provided with visually different marks T such as patterns, pictures, character strings, or codes for distinguishing each of the four sides. In the example of FIG. 2, the marks T have diamond, hard, clover, and club patterns, and each has a different color. Of course, the pattern of the mark T is not limited to this. The mark T may be integrated with the tag PT. For example, the tags PT attached to the four sides may have different colors, or the four tags PT may have different shapes. This is for recognizing the orientation from the captured image of the pallet P having the same four sides and recognizing the arrangement of the articles stacked on the pallet P.

Pallet identification information of the pallet P, which is given in advance, is stored in the tag PT so that it can be read by a wireless reader. Although the pallet identification information of the pallet P in the tag PT cannot be rewritten, the tag PT can be written with information on one or more articles to be loaded on the pallet P by a writer. The information of goods includes the type and item of goods, weight, date of collection, delivery number of goods, point identification information of base center 2 that passed through most recently, base center 2 of destination, consignee information, sender information, etc. is. A predetermined medium on which a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code corresponding to the pallet identification information of the pallet P assigned in advance instead of the tag PT is printed may be used. A one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code may be printed on the tag PT. Information on articles is stored on the central server 4 side in association with pallet identification information.

The transportation equipment 1 is a carrier truck in the first embodiment. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the transportation equipment 1. FIG. FIG. 3A shows an example of a loading platform having a laterally opening door, and FIG. 3B shows an example of a loading platform having a rear door. In both the examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the transport equipment 1 has a pallet frame 11 inside the carrier for transporting articles in pallet P units. Specifically, the pallet frame 11 is a stand that divides the height from the floor surface to the ceiling into two halves. The loading platform has an inner dimension that allows two pallets P to be juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction. The accommodation position of the pallet P can be specified by the top and bottom and the left and right partitioned by the pallet frame 11.例文帳に追加

As shown in FIG. 3B, the pallet frame 11 may be entirely pulled out from the rear door of the loading platform together with the loading platform floor board itself or the loading platform floor board. In this case, if the plate material on the floor of the loading platform is considered to be a huge pallet, the plate material is also a material distribution member. It is also possible to manage In the case of FIG. 3B, a plurality of rollers are provided on the floor of the loading platform so that the pallet P can be easily moved, and a stopper is erected in a foldable manner to prevent the pallet from moving freely. Good.

When the transport equipment 1 is a vehicle such as a train, a transport plane, or a ship, a large container having a structure similar to that of the loading platform shown in FIG. 3A or FIG.

The central server 4 controls the transportation of each pallet P in the physical distribution system 100 configured as described above. The terminal device 5 is used to control the distribution of the pallet P.

4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the physical distribution component distribution system 200. FIG. FIG. 4 shows the configurations of the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the central server 4 . A vehicle-mounted device 10 is mounted on the transportation device 1 near the driver's seat. The in-vehicle device 10 may be a mobile terminal device carried by the driver. The in-vehicle device 10 includes a processing unit 101 , a storage unit 102 , a display unit 103 , an audio output unit 104 , a GPS reception unit 105 , a communication unit 106 and an input/output unit 107 .

The processing unit 101 is a processor using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processing unit 101 executes processing using built-in memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The processing unit 101 can sequentially acquire time information using a built-in timer.

The storage unit 102 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 102 stores information created by the processing unit 101 and information referred to by the processing unit 101 . The storage unit 102 stores the pallet identification information of the pallets P loaded on the carrier of the transportation equipment 1 on which the vehicle-mounted device 10 is mounted. Information specifying the position of the pallet P on the platform may be stored in association with the pallet identification information of the loaded pallet. Information on the recipient of the pallet P and the transportation route may be acquired from the central server 4 and stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the pallet identification information.

The display unit 103 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display. The display unit 103 is a notification unit that notifies the driver of the transportation equipment 1 of the route, destination, and the like.

Audio output unit 104 includes a speaker. The voice output unit 104 is a notification unit that notifies the driver of the transportation equipment 1 of the route, destination, etc. by generating voice or beep sound through a speaker.

The GPS receiving unit 105 is a device that receives GPS signals and derives the position of the transportation equipment 1 on which the vehicle-mounted device 10 is mounted. The processing unit 101 can appropriately specify the position of the transportation equipment 1 by using the GPS receiving unit 105 .

The communication unit 106 is a device that performs wireless communication. The communication unit 106 is a wireless communication module that realizes transmission and reception of information with the central server 4 via a public communication network or according to a predetermined mobile communication standard. The communication unit 106 uses a network card, wireless communication device, or carrier communication module. The processing unit 101 receives the contents of the notification from the central server 4 to the driver, the pallet identification information of the pallet P to be carried into the loading platform, and the pallet identification information of the pallet P to be carried out from the loading platform through the communication unit 106, and stores the information. 102.

The input/output unit 107 is an interface that realizes connection with a group of sensors or actuators provided on the loading platform. The processing unit 101 acquires information from the sensor via the input/output unit 107 and outputs a control signal to the actuator depending on the situation.

The reader 71 is a device capable of reading and acquiring pallet identification information from the tag PT attached to the pallet P. FIG. The reader 71 is provided inside the loading platform, for example, on the pallet frame 11 . A reader 71 may be provided for each storage position in the pallet frame 11 so that it can be identified where each pallet P is stored in the loading platform. If the transport equipment 1 has an electric lift, which is an actuator provided at the loading/unloading port of the pallet P, for example, at the rear opening of the loading platform, it may be provided on the lift. The processing unit 101 can acquire the pallet identification information read by the reader 71 and the information of the article stored in the tag PT.

The load sensor 72 is a device that measures the weight of the pallet P when it is loaded or unloaded. The load sensor 72 is provided, for example, at each pallet accommodation position of the pallet frame 11 . The load sensor 72 may be provided on the loading/unloading port of the pallet P in the transportation equipment 1, for example, on the electric lifting platform together with the reader 71 described above. The processing unit 101 can identify the weight of the pallet P based on the signal corresponding to the measured weight output from the load sensor 72 .

The actuator 73 is, for example, an electric lifting platform as described above. The electric lift can be lifted up and down to the same height as the upper and lower stages of the pallet frame 11 and the ground. For example, the electric lifting platform has a size in which two pallets P are arranged in the vehicle width direction of the transportation equipment 1, and may be divided in half in the vehicle width direction. The actuator 73 may be a motor and rollers for sliding the pallet P on the pallet frame 11, a folding pivot, and a lift table for flipping up and down.

The central server 4 is a server computer and includes a processing section 40 , a storage section 41 and a communication section 42 . The central server 4 may be configured not only with a single server computer (hardware), but also with a configuration in which processing is distributed among a plurality of server computers. instance).

The processing unit 40 uses a CPU or GPU and includes a built-in volatile memory, clock, and the like. The processing unit 40 controls each constituent unit based on a control program 40P stored in the storage unit 41 .

The storage unit 41 uses a hard disk or SSD. The storage unit 41 stores a control program 40P. A web server program 42P is stored in the storage unit 41, and the processing unit 40 exerts a web server function, and by this web server function, it is possible to receive a request for sharing the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 from the terminal device 5. can.

A physical distribution DB (Data Base) 400 may be constructed in the storage unit 41 . The physical distribution DB 410 may be an external storage device. The processing unit 40 can read and write to the physical distribution DB 410 by using the database operation module. For example, the physical distribution DB 410 stores user information 411, first pallet information 412, second pallet information 413, and transport equipment information 414, as will be described later.

The communication unit 42 realizes communication in the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2. The processing unit 40 can transmit and receive information to and from the terminal device 5 via the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2 by means of the communication unit 42 . Further, the processing unit 40 can transmit and receive information to and from the vehicle-mounted device 10 mounted on the transportation equipment 1 via the carrier network N2 by the communication unit 42 .

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the terminal device 5. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 5 includes a processing section 50 , a storage section 51 , a communication section 52 , a display section 53 and an operation section 54 .

The processing unit 50 uses a CPU or GPU. The processing unit 50 controls components using a volatile memory, a clock, and the like. The processing unit 50 may be configured as one SoC in which a processor, memory, storage unit 51, and communication unit 52 are integrated. Based on the application program 5P stored in the storage unit 51, the processing unit 50 executes communication connection to the Web server of the central server 4, and requests transportation using the transportation equipment 1 provided by the central server 4. Execute processing via a web page.

The storage unit 51 uses a flash memory to store programs and data referred to by the processing unit 50, including the application program 5P for the transport client.

The communication unit 52 is a communication module that realizes communication connection to the network N. FIG. The communication unit 52 may be a network card, a wireless communication device, or a module for next generation communication in the carrier network N2.

The display unit 53 uses a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display. The operation unit 54 is an interface that receives user operations, and uses physical buttons, a touch panel device with a built-in display, a speaker, a microphone, and the like. The operation unit 54 may accept operations on the screen displayed on the display unit 53 by using physical buttons or a touch panel, or recognize the operation content from the input voice with the microphone and interact with the voice output from the speaker. You may accept the operation in the form.

In the physical distribution component distribution system 200 configured as described above, the central server 4 includes, as described above, the producer or manufacturer M who uses the share of the loading platform of the transport equipment 1 by the management company managing the central server 4, and The number of pallets P specified in the contract with the management company is stored in association with the information identifying the collection and delivery center 3. - 特許庁The number of pallets P in the base center 2 is also associated with each other.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the content of information stored in the physical distribution DB 410. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the physical distribution DB 410 contains, as user information 411, identification information given to producers or manufacturers M, operators such as collection and delivery center 3, attributes such as addresses, and central server 4 request account information for logging in to the web page that receives the As shown in FIG. 6, the user information is also stored in association with the number of pallets P to be distributed. In the physical distribution DB 410, as the first pallet information 412, the pallet identification information of the pallet P that should exist at each site is sequentially stored in association with the identification information given to the operator such as the producer or the manufacturer M. It is

The physical distribution DB 410 stores, as the second pallet information 413, device identification information for identifying the transportation device 1 on which the pallet P is loaded and information on the articles loaded on the pallet P in association with the pallet identification information. It is The article information may be container identification information of small containers C or other distribution items loaded on a pallet P. The item information may include a shipping number, information identifying the shipper and consignee, and information on the weight of the pallet P including the item.

In the physical distribution DB 410, transportation equipment information 414 includes location information (latitude and longitude) of the transportation equipment 1, departure point, destination, and waypoint along with time in association with equipment identification information for identifying the transportation equipment 1. information and pallet identification information of the pallet P being loaded.

The central server 4 updates the information stored in the physical distribution DB 410 using the information obtained from the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the information obtained from the base center 2 and the collection and delivery center 3. Controls transportation, loading and unloading in 3. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of processing in the central server 4. As shown in FIG. The processing unit 40 of the central server 4 functions as a reception unit 401 , a route determination unit 402 , an instruction unit 403 and an update unit 404 .

The reception unit 401 receives a transportation request for the transportation equipment 1 in units of pallets P and responds to the request. The timing of receiving transportation requests is sequential. The receiving unit 401 does not receive a request for transportation of the entire transport device 1, but receives a share of the carrier of the transport device 1 (a large container in the case of a transport plane, a train, a ship, etc.). The reception unit 401 may present a plurality of candidates for the storage position of the pallet P on the transportation equipment 1 and the loading platform that have vacancies, and receive designation of one of them.

Based on the transportation request received by the reception unit 401 and the information stored in the physical distribution DB 410, the route determination unit 402 determines which transportation equipment 1 should be used to move each pallet P. Determine the route of how it should be transported. The process of the route determining unit 402 is performed several times in one day, before the transportation equipment 1 departs from the base center 2, and so on. The route determination unit 402 initially temporarily associates the pallet identification information of each pallet P with the storage unit identification information of the carrier of the transportation equipment 1 scheduled to be operated or the container C to be loaded, and determines the transportation route of the transportation equipment 1, The accommodation position of the pallet P is determined by optimizing from provisional determination under predetermined conditions.

The route optimization process of the route determination unit 402 may be executed by another independent server computer. The server computer may use a quantum computer.

The instruction unit 403 instructs the transportation equipment 1 on which the pallet P determined by the route determination unit 402 is to be loaded and the transportation route of the transportation equipment 1 . The instruction unit 403 may include a function for instructing sorting of the pallets P at the base center 2, loading and unloading at the collection and delivery center 3, and the like.

The updating unit 404 updates information stored in the physical distribution DB 410 . The update unit 404 acquires information from the vehicle-mounted device 10 of the transportation equipment 1, information on the pallet P unloaded from the transportation equipment for trunk transportation at the base center 2, and the like, and updates the first pallet information 412, the second The palette information 413 and the like are updated.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the functions of the reception unit 401 of the central server 4. As shown in FIG.

The processing unit 40 of the central server 4 is used based on the terminal device 5 used based on the account of the producer or manufacturer who uses the sharing of the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1, or the account of the operator of the collection and delivery center 3. A transportation request is accepted via the terminal device 5 (step S101).

The transportation request includes the number of pallets P scheduled to be used, information on articles to be loaded on the pallets P scheduled to be shipped, scheduled shipping preparation completion time, and consignee information.

The processing unit 40, as the reception unit 401, notifies the route determination unit 402 of the information included in the transportation request (step S102). The notified transportation request is attached with identification information for the transportation request and stored in the storage unit 41 as a history sequentially in association with information indicating the unprocessed or processed status. History may be recorded using blockchain.

The processing unit 40 acquires the transportation equipment 1 that transports the pallet P to be shipped, which has been determined by the route determining unit 402, and the pallet identification information of the pallet P substituted for the pallet P to be shipped (step S103). The schedule information includes the scheduled pick-up time of the transportation equipment 1 to the transportation requester, and the like.

In response to the transport request, the processing unit 40 notifies the terminal device 5 of the scheduled collection time of the transportation equipment 1 for the pallet P scheduled to be shipped and that the pallet P will be delivered or that the pallet P will be collected (step S104). ). At this time, it is desirable to also send a message alerting the pallet P to be stowed.

9A and 9B are flow charts showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the central server 4. FIG. The processing unit 40 of the central server 4 executes the following processes periodically, such as multiple times in one day, and at the timing when the receiving unit 401 receives a transportation request. The processing unit 40 preferably executes the following processing for each area around the base center 2 . In the following example, processing is performed with the base center 2 as a reference (starting point), but processing may be performed for each collection and delivery center 3 .

The processing unit 40, as the route determination unit 402, refers to the position information and operation information of each transportation device 1 from the transportation device information 414 of the physical distribution DB 410 (step S201).

The processing unit 40 is located in the base center 2, and the pallet identification information of the pallet P whose receiving destination is a base around the base center 2, mainly the collection and delivery center 3, and whose delivery destination transportation equipment 1 is undetermined, is used for distribution. It extracts from DB410 (step S202). The processing unit 40 sorts the pallet identification information extracted in step S202 based on the destination and the desired date and time of arrival at the destination (step S203).

Based on the transportation equipment information 414, the processing unit 40 extracts the transportation equipment 1 existing at the base center 2 or the transportation equipment 1 arriving at the base center 2 within a predetermined time (step S204).

The processing unit 40 refers to the unprocessed transport request (step S205), and acquires the number of pallets P scheduled to be shipped, the estimated shipping preparation completion time of the pallet P, and the destination (consignee) included in the transport request. (step S206).

The processing unit 40 determines whether or not the destination sorted in step S203 includes the base of the transportation request source referred to in step S205 (step S207). If it is determined that there is a base (S207: YES), the processing unit 40 acquires the number of pallets P whose destination is the base (producer, manufacturer or collection and delivery center 3) of the transportation requester in step S206. It is determined whether or not the number is the same as the number of pallets P scheduled to be shipped (step S208).

If it is determined in step S207 that there is no base (S207: YES), the process proceeds to step S210.

If it is determined in step S208 that the numbers are the same (S208: YES), the processing unit 40 carries out the pallets P at the destination and carries in the pallets P at the destination. Therefore, in this case, the processing unit 40 directly advances the processing to step S210.

If it is determined in step S208 that the numbers are not the same (S208: NO), the processing unit 40, according to the difference in the number of pallets P, specifies the departure point, destination, desired arrival date and time, etc. for the empty pallet P. Information is created (step S209).

In step S209, if the number of pallets P whose destination is the base of the transportation request source is greater than the number of pallets P scheduled to be shipped, empty pallets P are collected at the base of the transportation request source. Therefore, the processing unit 40 adds the information of the pallets P to be collected whose departure point is the base, whose destination is the base center 2, and whose pallet identification information is unnumbered, to the information sorted in step S203. The reason why it is not numbered is that the transport requester may decide which empty pallet P is to be collected. If the collection and delivery center 3 is the source of the transportation request, has an automatic loading/unloading device, and is under the control of the central server 4, the processing unit 40 functions as the route determination unit 402, and is supposed to exist in the collection and delivery center 3. From the pallet identification information of the pallet P, the pallet identification information to be collected may be determined.

In step S209, if the number of pallets P (including zero) destined for the base of the transportation requester is less than the number of pallets P to be shipped, an empty pallet P is transported from the base center 2 to the base of the transportation requester. deliver. Therefore, the processing unit 40 selects the pallet identification information of the empty pallet P existing in the base center 2 from the first pallet information 412 by the number of differences, and uses the selected pallet identification information as the starting point of the base center 2. The site of the request source is added as the destination to the information sorted in step S203.

The processing unit 40 stores the pallet identification information of the pallet P to be departed from the base center 2, sorted by the destination and the desired arrival date and time in step S203, in the accommodation position on the carrier of the transportation equipment 1 extracted in step S204, and the pallet identification information of the pallet P to be departed from the base center 2 in step S206. The information on the pallet P obtained in step S209 and the information on the pallet P created in step S209 are linked to determine the transportation route including the route of each pallet P and the destination and intermediate points of each transportation device 1 (step S210). Regarding the pallet identification information of the pallet P whose departure point is the base of the transportation request source in step S206, the pallet identification information is unnumbered because the pallet P to be stowed is undetermined, and is linked with the information identifying the transportation request. Good. Further, when the destination of the pallet P whose departure point is the base of the transportation request source is an area other than the vicinity of the base center 2 via trunk transportation, the processing unit 40 determines the route determined in step S210. Determination processing is performed with the base center 2 as the destination (route point).

Based on the route of each pallet P determined in step S210, the processing unit 40, as the route determination unit 402, determines the base center 2, the pallet P to be carried in on the transport route, and the pallet P to be carried out for each of the transportation equipment 1 extracted in step S204. The pallet identification information of the pallet P to be transported and the transportation route are determined for each transportation device 1 (step S211). Regarding undetermined pallets P, only the number of pallets to be carried in or to be carried out, or not the pallet identification information for the number of pallets but the information for identifying the transportation request as described above, the identification information for the transportation request source, etc. may

The processing unit 40, as the instruction unit 403, receives the pallet identification information determined in step S211 as information on the pallet P to be carried into the loading platform at the base center 2, the pallet P to be carried in on the transportation route, and the pallet P to be carried out. The selected transportation route is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 10 of the transportation device 1 (step S212). The in-vehicle device 10 may receive and store in the storage unit 102 the transport route, the pallet identification information of the pallet P to be carried out at any point on the transport route, the number of pallets P to be carried in, and the like.

When the base center 2 is provided with a sorter and an automatic delivery device for the pallets P, the processing unit 40 serves as the instruction unit 403 to determine the pallet identification information and storage position to be delivered to the determined transport equipment 1. , to the automatic carry-in device (see Patent Document 1).

The processing unit 40 updates the storage as having processed the transportation request referred to in step S205 (step S213), and completes one process.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the function of the updating unit 404 of the central server 4. As shown in FIG. As the update unit 404, the processing unit 40 sequentially executes the following processes.

Note that the vehicle-mounted device 10 periodically notifies the central server 4 of the location information specified by the GPS receiver 105 . The in-vehicle device 10 arrives at the collection destination producer or manufacturer or the collection and distribution center 3 included in the route of the operation information, and after the loading/unloading port (wing door in FIG. 3A) of the loading platform is opened and closed again, the reader The pallet identification information stored in the tag PT read in 71 is acquired. If the pallet identification information acquired before opening/closing of the loading/unloading port cannot be acquired after opening/closing the loading/unloading port, the processing unit 101 of the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the pallet identification information is the pallet identification information of the unloaded pallet P, and stores the storage unit 102. memorize to The processing unit 101 stores the pallet identification information that could not be obtained before the opening/closing of the loading/unloading port but could be obtained after the opening/closing as the pallet identification information of the pallet P carried in. FIG. The processing unit 101 notifies the central server 4 of the unloaded pallet P and the loaded pallet identification information. The weight of each pallet P may be measured using the load sensor 72 and transmitted to the central server 4 together with the pallet identification information of the pallet P carried in.

As the updating unit 404, the processing unit 40 receives notification of the location information of the transportation equipment 1 from the vehicle-mounted device 10 (step S301), and updates the location information of the transportation equipment information 414 (step S302). The processing unit 40, as the update unit 404, receives notification of the pallet identification information carried in or out (step S303), and updates the pallet identification information loaded for each transportation device 1 in the transportation device information 414 ( Step S304), the transportation equipment identification information on which the pallet P is loaded in the second pallet information 413 is updated (step S305). The processing unit 40, as the update unit 404, updates the pallet identification information that should exist for each base in the first pallet information 412 (step S306), and completes one update process.

The first pallet information 412, the second pallet information 413, and the transportation equipment information in the physical distribution DB 410 are appropriately updated by the processing unit 40 of the central server 4 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 show examples of updating the contents of the physical distribution DB 410 in the example shown in FIG. 11A, 11B, and 11C are examples of information contents at the time when the transportation equipment 1 departs from the base center 2. FIG. The processing unit 40, as the route determination unit 402, assigns two empty pallets P with the pallet identification information "a-1" and "a-2" to the transportation equipment 1 with the equipment identification information "1234-5678" and the collection and delivery center It is determined and instructed to carry in three pallets P with pallet identification information "b-1", "b-2", and "b-3" for 3. In the vehicle-mounted device 10 , the reader 71 reads the carry-in of the pallet identification information, the load sensor 72 measures the weight, and the central server 4 is notified of the weight. The processing unit 40, as the updating unit 404, updates the first pallet information 412 (FIG. 11A) with the identification information of the pallet P carried out. The processing unit 40, as the updating unit 404, updates the second pallet information 413 (FIG. 11B) and the transportation equipment information 414 (FIG. 11C) with the equipment identification information of the transportation equipment 1 actually loaded. The updated contents are indicated by the underlined parts in the figure. If the pallet identification information notified from the vehicle-mounted device 10 is different from the instruction, the processing unit 40 may respond by issuing a warning or the like. A warning may be issued from the in-vehicle device 10 also when the results measured by the load sensor 72 are different between when the vehicle is carried in and when it is carried out.

12A, 12B, and 12C are examples of information contents at the time when the transportation equipment 1 departs from the manufacturer M's base (XYZ). The processing unit 40, as the route determination unit 402, sends two empty pallets P with the pallet identification information "a-1" and "a-2" to the transportation equipment 1 with the equipment identification information "1234-5678" at the base XYZ. I am instructing you to move it out. In the vicinity of base XYZ, the vehicle-mounted device 10 may notify the transportation route stored in the storage unit 102 and the information of the pallet P to be carried in or out using the display unit 103 and the voice output unit 104 . Since the pallet identification information "a-1" and "a-2" cannot be obtained by the reader 71, the vehicle-mounted device 10 notifies the central server 4 of the pallet identification information of the pallet P carried out. 4 updates the first pallet information 412 using this as the pallet identification information of the pallet existing at the site (XYZ) of the manufacturer M as shown in FIG. Instead, the vehicle-mounted device 10 was able to acquire the pallet identification information "c-1", "c-2", and "c-3" corresponding to the number of pallets to be shipped included in the transportation request by the reader 71. This is notified to the central server 4 as the pallet P that has been carried in, and the updating unit 404 of the central server 4 updates the second pallet information 413 and the transportation equipment information 414 as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C.

13A, 13B, and 13C are examples of information contents at the time when the transportation equipment 1 leaves the collection and delivery center 3. FIG. The processing unit 40, as the route determination unit 402, determines three pallets P with the pallet identification information "b-1", "b-2", and "b-3" for the transportation equipment 1 with the equipment identification information "1234-5678". is to be carried out at collection and delivery center 3 (AB). Around the collection and delivery center 3 (AB), the vehicle-mounted device 10 may notify the transportation route stored in the storage unit 102 and the information of the pallet P to be carried in or out using the display unit 103 and the voice output unit 104. . Since the reader 71 cannot acquire the pallet identification information "b-1", "b-2", and "b-3" at the position of the collection and delivery center 3, the in-vehicle device 10 cannot identify the pallet P carried out. This is notified to the central server 4 as information, and the updating unit 404 of the central server 4 updates the first pallet information 412 as the pallet identification information of the pallet existing in the collection and delivery center 3 (AB) as shown in FIG. 13A. . Instead, the vehicle-mounted device 10 carries in the pallet identification information "e-1", "e-2", and "e-3" corresponding to the number of pallets to be collected by the reader 71. This is notified to the central server 4 as the received pallet P, and the updating unit 404 of the central server 4 updates the second pallet information 413 and the transportation equipment information 414 as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 1, the pallet P is shared and used by the base center 2, the producer or manufacturer, and the collection and delivery center 3, along with the sharing of the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1, so that the pallet P can be used appropriately. can be distributed and recycled. As shown in Embodiment 1, the optimum number of pallets P at each site can be known by collecting and distributing the pallets P at each site while maintaining the number of pallets P at each site. The central server 4 can also propose the optimum number of pallets P to the producer or manufacturer, and minimize the number of pallets P distributed to the producer or manufacturer to support cost reduction.

Of the processing procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the transportation route and pallet route determination processing in step S210 may be determined by repeating optimization from provisional determination (Patent Document 1, etc.). . The determination process may be performed using a learned model that is trained to determine transportation routes and pallet routes. The decision process may be performed by simulation. Using the base center 2 as the starting point, the base center 2 as the end point, the base of the producer or manufacturer, and the collection and delivery center 3 as nodes, the transportation route itself is applied to a neural network, and the number of pallets P and the transportation equipment 1 are calculated. It is preferable to learn so that the total distance traveled or the total transportation time is reduced depending on which of the routes between the nodes is selected under the condition of the number of . Note that this learning model may be learned by reinforcement learning in which the reward is increased as the overall transportation time is shortened, or may be re-learned sequentially (Patent Document 1, etc.). In this case, a quantum computer or the like may be used for calculation.

In Embodiment 1, the pallets P whose placement is optimized need not be limited to pallets P distributed by a management company (franchiser) who manages the central server 4 . Producers, manufacturers, operators of transportation equipment 1, distribution centers 3 (franchisees), and pallets P provided by other pallet rental or pallet leasing companies who use the share of the loading platform of transportation equipment 1 should be optimized. In this case, it is assumed that each pallet P is provided with unique pallet identification information that can be distinguished from others. By assigning the identification information for each trader, it is possible for the rental trader and the lease trader to know in which transportation equipment 1 the pallets owned and rented by each trader are accommodated and in which center they are used. It is possible to provide information from the central server 4 on the basis of the database of FIGS. 6A and 6B whether the

In the first embodiment, the pallet P is circulated through one of the transportation equipment 1, each base center 2, and the collection and delivery center 3. However, in order to circulate a huge amount of pallets in an optimum route, a pallet center is newly provided in parallel with the base center 2, and the pallets P can be accumulated at the pallet center. Good. The central server 4 derives the optimum distribution by adding the pallets P present in the pallet center in addition to the transportation equipment 1, each base center 2, and the collection and delivery center 3.

(Embodiment 2)
In Embodiment 2, the accommodation position of the pallet P in the transportation equipment 1 is appropriately optimized. For this reason, in Embodiment 2, a handling system is mounted on the carrier of the transportation equipment 1 . FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the transportation equipment 1 according to the second embodiment. In the transportation device 1 according to Embodiment 2, the actuator 73 includes a roller 731 that rotates by driving a motor to move the pallet P on the loading platform like a slide puzzle, and a folding pivot 732 that suppresses transmission of the rotation of the roller 731. is. The pallet P is slidable in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle length direction by means of rollers 731 oriented in different directions and freely rotating rollers 733 . The rollers 731 provided in different directions are controlled to selectively protrude/retract from the top surface or the floor surface of the pallet frame 11 by processing from the processing unit 101 of the vehicle-mounted device 10 . The actuator 73 of the second embodiment may include a lifting platform that moves between the top and bottom of the pallet frame 11 .

The configuration of the physical distribution system 100 and the physical distribution component distribution system 200 applied to the physical distribution system 100 in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment except for the handling system and control processing of the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1. . Therefore, common configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the storage unit 102 of the vehicle-mounted device 10 stores the transportation route of the transportation equipment 1 acquired from the central server 4, the pallet identification information of the pallet P that is being transported or will be transported by the transportation equipment 1, and the pallet P information such as the destination of the The processing unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 10 carries in the pallet P to be carried out next based on the information of the pickup point of the pallet P and the destination of the pallet P stored in the storage unit 102 so that the pallet P to be carried out next is near the loading/unloading exit. The storage position of the pallet P on the loading platform is determined so that the pallet P to be loaded can be smoothly carried in.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of contents of accommodation positions of pallets P stored in the storage unit 102. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, storage position information of each pallet P in the pallet frame 11 is stored in association with the pallet identification information of the pallet P for each transportation device 1 . The storage position information in the pallet frame 11 is, as shown in FIG. Information indicating the number from the front of 1 may be used, or the pallet frame 11 may be divided by address and represented by a number or a symbol indicating the address, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the control processing procedure of the handling system. The processing unit 101 selects the pallet P to be carried out to the next point to which the transportation equipment 1 is headed, based on the pallet identification information of the pallet P accommodated in the loading platform and the destination information associated with the pallet identification information. Pallet identification information is extracted (step S701). The processing unit 101 reads accommodation position information corresponding to each pallet identification information (step S702), and determines the accommodation position of the pallet P indicated by the pallet identification information extracted in step S701 (step S703). Step S703 is closer to the loading/unloading exit. In the case of the wing door type shown in FIG. 3A, it is either the left half, and in the case of the cargo bed shown in FIG. 3B, it is the rear portion.

The processing unit 101 determines a path for sliding the pallet P extracted to the determined storage position and the other pallet P (step S704), and sends a control signal to the actuator 73 according to the determined path. Output (step S705), and when the slide movement ends, the process ends. The slide movement may be performed while the transportation device 1 is stopped or while it is running.

The storage position information of each pallet P shown in FIG. 15 is updated sequentially by the process of step S703 in FIG. The updated accommodation position information may be transmitted to the central server 4 and shared in the physical distribution DB 410 .

In this way, a handling system for each pallet P is mounted on the loading platform, and the on-vehicle device 10 changes the arrangement according to the movement route of the pallet P. It becomes unnecessary to manually search for the pallet P to be carried out and to move other pallets P to carry out only the pallet P.例文帳に追加

The loading platform handling system in Embodiment 2 is not essential in sharing the pallet P of the present disclosure. When the automatic loading/unloading device is not used at the base center 2, the storage position of the pallet P on the platform may not be specified as in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
In Embodiment 3, it is possible to propose how to stow the articles on the pallet P. For this reason, the space on the pallet P is assigned an address as a storage space for articles, and the space on the pallet P is shared. Spaces on the pallet P are identified by marks T that distinguish four sides as shown in FIG. In Embodiment 3, on the tag PT of the pallet P, a one-dimensional code indicating pallet identification information is printed. As will be described later, the central server 4 of the second embodiment assists in creating a packing list for the items stacked on the pallet P by using the fact that the method of stacking the items on the pallet is identified. Furthermore, the central server 4 of Embodiment 3 considers cross-border transportation, including trunk transportation by transportation equipment 1 such as transportation planes, trains, and ships, between the base centers 2, packing lists for each pallet P, It also has a function of translating customs clearance documents related to the pallet P of the same shipper and consignee according to the consignee's language.

In Embodiment 3, the operator of the transportation equipment 1 or the operator of the loading/unloading work of the pallet P at the collection and delivery center 3 possesses the terminal device 6 . At the base center 2, it is preferable that loading and unloading be carried out automatically as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, but if it is done manually, the operator at the base center 2 also holds the terminal device 6. good too. The terminal device 6 in Embodiment 2 is a portable communication terminal, such as a tablet terminal. If the terminal device 6 is a device having a display unit and a processing unit that can display an AR (Augmented Reality) image on the image of the actual pallet P and the goods stacked on the pallet P in front of the eyes, the mode is not limited to this, and may be an eyeglass type.

The configuration of the physical distribution system 100 and the physical distribution component distribution system 200 applied to the physical distribution system 100 in the third embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment except for the terminal device 6 and details of processing. Therefore, common configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 6. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 6 includes a processing unit 60 , a storage unit 61 , a communication unit 62 , a display unit 63 , an operation unit 64 and an imaging unit 65 as in the terminal device 5 . The configuration of the processing unit 60, the storage unit 61, the communication unit 62, the display unit 63, and the operation unit 64 is the same as that of the terminal device 5 except for the application program 6P stored in the storage unit 61, and the processing contents based on the application program 6P. Therefore, the corresponding reference numerals are attached and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The application program 6P stored in the storage unit 61 is a computer program for an operator related to loading/unloading, loading, unloading, etc. of physical distribution materials such as the pallet P. It is a program that functions as a specific device for outputting information on an article that is present.

The imaging unit 65 is a camera device. The processing unit 60 can acquire a video signal or a still image signal obtained from the camera device.

The application program 5P stored in the storage unit 51 of the terminal device 5 in Embodiment 2 is a program corresponding to the application program 6P, and is a specific device for inputting information on articles to be stacked on the pallet P. It is a program that functions as

Processing for transmitting a transport request to the central server 4 from the terminal device 5 in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a transportation request reception processing procedure according to the third embodiment. An operator at the producer or manufacturer who is scheduled to ship the goods uses the terminal device 5 to inquire of the central server 4 about a proposal for how to stow the goods to be shipped, before stacking the goods to be shipped on the pallet P.

The processing unit 50 of the terminal device 5 accepts an operation of inputting information on an article to be shipped based on the application program 5P (step S501). The information of the goods to be shipped includes the description of the goods (description), the quantity of the goods (Quantity), and the size (Measurement) of the goods. If the articles are sorted and packed in smaller physical distribution members such as cardboard boxes or small containers C, it is desirable to input the size and number of these physical distribution members.

Based on the application program 5P, the processing unit 50 transmits the input information on the article to the central server 4 (step S502).

The processing unit 40 of the central server 4 acquires information on articles based on the stowage proposal module included in the control program 40P (step S401), and derives the required number of pallets and arrangement on the pallets (step S402). In the derivation process in step S402, the pallet P loaded with articles is set to a size range that can be accommodated in the pallet frame 11, and heavy articles are stacked at the bottom. is executed based on the calculation of The processing unit 40 indicates the derived arrangement of the articles, and transmits the information of the screen for accepting the transportation request as it is to the terminal device 5 (step S403).

The processing unit 50 of the terminal device 5 receives the screen information transmitted from the central server 4 (step S503), and based on the received information, causes the display unit 53 to display a screen for accepting a proposal for stowage and a transportation request. (Step S504).

The processing unit 50 accepts input of information necessary for transportation, such as the number of pallets P and the designation of the consignee, together with the information of the goods input in step S501 on the screen for accepting the transportation request (step S505). A request is sent to the central server 4 (step S506).

When the central server 4 receives the transportation request (step S404), it executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is transmitted to the terminal device 5 together with information identifying the transportation request (step S405).

The producer or manufacturer using the terminal device 5 checks and refers to the screen including the proposal of the stowage method, and executes the stowage of the goods on the pallet P. The processing unit 50 of the terminal device 5 acquires the arrangement of the articles on the pallet P (step S507), and acquires the pallet identification information of the stacked pallet P (step S508).

Before and after the processing of steps S507 and S508, the terminal device 5 receives the response to the transportation request of step S506 (step S509), and associates the information identifying the transportation request contained in the response with the information of steps S507 and S508. The information on the arrangement of the articles acquired in step S508 and the pallet identification information of the pallet P are transmitted to the central server 4 (step S510).

The processing unit 40 of the central server 4 receives the information on the placement of the articles on the pallet P identified by the pallet identification information in association with the information identifying the transportation request (step S406), and stores it in the physical distribution DB 410 (step S407). ), and terminates the process of accepting the transportation request.

The processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 may be executed using the terminal device 5 by an operator of the collection and delivery center 3 that collects goods from a plurality of producers. In this case, articles destined for the same consignee from different producers may be stowed so as to share the same pallet P, and each article may be accommodated or stored in any space on the pallet P. Whether or not it is loaded is transmitted to the central server 4 .

The processing for acquiring the arrangement of articles in step S507 may be realized by the operator inputting information as to which article exists in which space on the pallet P, or may be implemented by the terminal device 5. It may be realized by image processing for an image obtained by a camera device. It may be realized by reading a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code attached to the packing of each article. The arrangement of articles is recognized by associating addresses on the pallet P identified by identifiable marks T. FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of obtaining an item arrangement. As shown in FIG. 19, an image of the palette P is displayed on the display unit 63 of the terminal device 6 . On the image, the operator designates which item is stowed and where from the list of items. The processing unit 60 can specify the orientation of the pallet P from the design of the mark T in the image of the pallet P, and specify the address information of the place where the specified goods are stowed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the item arrangement information. In association with the pallet identification information of the pallet P, the information of the articles stacked on the pallet P is stored together with the address of the article on the pallet. What kind of articles are arranged may be stored in association with the address. The arrangement information shown in FIG. 20 may be stored in the tag PT as article information. As shown in FIG. 20, in association with the pallet identification information of the pallet P, the address information of the space on the pallet P and the information of the articles occupying the space identified by each address information are stored.

The weight of the entire pallet P is measured by the load sensor 7 after the fact and stored in association with the information on the arrangement of the articles on the pallet P. After shipment, the weight of the entire pallet P measured by the load sensor 72 of the transportation equipment 1 may be notified to the central server 4 and stored in association with the pallet identification information.

The transportation equipment 1 loads a plurality of pallets P in a hierarchical manner based on the arrangement information of the articles on the pallet P and the accommodation position information of the pallet P on the pallet frame 11, and each of the plurality of pallets P accommodates a plurality of articles. Or it is stored in the physical distribution DB 410 with a parent-child relationship of loading. Based on these pieces of information, the pallet P is identified by the pallet identification information, and the central server 4 determines the movement route and transportation information of the pallet P according to which transportation equipment 1 is transporting it, which center it has arrived at, and so on. The transport route of the device 1 is sequentially re-determined and optimized.

The information shown in FIG. 20 also facilitates tracking what items are placed and stowed on the pallet P until the items are unloaded from the pallet P. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure for outputting the arrangement information of the articles in the terminal device 6. As shown in FIG. When the operator holding the terminal device 6 captures an image of the palette P using the imaging unit 65 and activates the application program 6P, the following processes are executed.

The processing unit 60 acquires an image output from the imaging unit 65 based on the application program 6P (step S801). The processing unit 60 recognizes whether or not the palette P appears in the image by reading the shape pattern of the palette P or the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on the tag PT (step S802).

When the processing unit 60 recognizes that the palette P is captured, the processing unit 60 determines which direction the palette P is facing toward the terminal device 6 based on the recognition pattern of the marks T stored in advance. It is specified by identifying T (step S803). Using the orientation of the pallet P, the area in the image of the pallet P, and the address information indicating the accommodation position of the article on the pallet P, the processing unit 60 outputs an image showing the information of the article from the imaging unit 65. The image is superimposed on the displayed image (step S804), output to the display unit 63 (step S805), and the process ends.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example of the AR image of the palette P by the terminal device 6. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the operator can visually confirm the packing list of the pallet P based on the information indicating the location of the articles associated with the pallet identification information of the pallet P. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, the packing list can be visually confirmed until the goods are unloaded from the pallet P, but it is necessary to output customs clearance documents and the like according to the consignee's language. Therefore, in response to a request from the terminal device 6 or the terminal device 5, the central server 4 supports the output of the customs document using the information associated with the pallet identification information of the pallet P stored in the physical distribution DB 410. .

In order to create customs documents in the language of the consignee, the central server 4 stores data for creating customs documents for each country in the storage unit 41 . Data for each country's customs documentation includes data in English for global standards. Using this information, the central server 4 can traceably store the information of the goods entered by the shipper in the physical distribution DB 410, and can automatically convert and output the customs clearance documents for each country. .

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a physical distribution system 120 according to the fourth embodiment. In the following, the contents described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used for the sharing of the transportation equipment 1 in pallet P units.

A physical distribution system 120 includes transportation equipment 1 that transports goods, such as agricultural products, and a plurality of base centers 2 that are transfer centers at which the transportation equipment 1 stops. The physical distribution system 120 further includes a collection and delivery center 3, which is a distribution center for collecting and delivering goods (for example, agricultural products F in FIG. 23). The collection and delivery center 3 may also serve as the base center 2 . The physical distribution system 100 includes a routing center 8 that manages physical distribution data and a data center 9 that manages data in the physical distribution system 100, which will be described later.

In the physical distribution system 120 of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the systems shown in the first to third embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The routing center 8 and the data center 9 can be connected for communication with terminal devices 6 used by producers, manufacturers, and operators of the collection and delivery center 3 . Network N includes the Internet, a carrier network, and base stations BS provided at base center 2 and collection and delivery center 3 . The base center 2 and the collection/delivery center 3 can be connected to a routing center 8 and a data center 9 via a network N for communication.

The transport equipment 1 is a vehicle such as a carrier truck, train, transport machine, or ship. The transportation equipment 1 may be a transport robot that travels by automatic operation. Each of the transportation devices 1 acquires position information using data from the GPS satellites S using a communication device mounted on it or a portable terminal device possessed by the driver, and sequentially transmits the position information to the data center 9 via the network N. Send with identification information.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base center 2 is preferably installed at a location serving as a hub for the transport equipment 1, such as a port, airport, cargo station, or interchange (IC) in a road network. One or more should be installed in each region corresponding to the scale of the administrative division, and one should be installed at the port, airport, or cargo station where international flights arrive and depart.

In the physical distribution system 120 of the present disclosure, articles, which are objects to be transported, are loaded on physical distribution members and transported. Physical distribution members are specifically pallets P and small containers C. In the following description, the pallet P will be focused on, but the small container C should also be handled in the same way. The physical distribution member may be a flexible container, a so-called flexible container, an iron container, or a corrugated cardboard box. In addition, bags, plates, and boxes used for placing and storing articles in physical distribution are included in physical distribution members.

The routing center 8 determines the transport route of the transport equipment 1, the loading and unloading of the pallet P from the transport equipment 1, and the travel path indicating the transport equipment 1 on which the pallet P is to be loaded. The routing center 8 optimizes and appropriately updates the determined transport route and movement route based on the position information sequentially obtained from the transport equipment 1 and the pallet identification information of the pallets P loaded on the transport equipment 1. , and instructs the destination to the transport device 1 .

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a local physical distribution system 201 centering on the base center 2. As shown in FIG. The physical distribution system 100 is configured by connecting local physical distribution systems 201 as shown in FIG. 24 across regions.

In the base center 2 in the local physical distribution system 201 shown in FIG. 24, there are a group of devices for receiving the warehousing of the transportation equipment 1, carrying out and carrying in goods from the transportation equipment 1 in units of pallets P, and a base controller 20 for controlling the group of devices. is provided. Base controller 20 is communicatively connected to routing center 8 and data center 9 . A plurality of collection and delivery centers 3 are installed in an area around the base center 2 .

The routing center 8 manages LP addresses, which will be described later, in the local physical distribution system 201 and determines transport routes and movement routes within the local physical distribution system 201 . The routing center 8 is preferably configured by coordinating a plurality of computers (instances) distributed in each region.

The data center 9 stores physical distribution data in a database (hereinafter referred to as DB) and responds to write requests, read requests, and the like. The data center 9 may be distributed in a plurality like the routing center 8 . A data center 9 may be provided for each base center 2 . A pallet center 22 is arranged in parallel with the base center 2. - 特許庁

In the physical distribution system 120 of the present disclosure, the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 is shared in units of pallets P, and the pallets P are allowed to be transported from the departure point to the destination via different transportation equipment 1 . The transportation equipment 1 does not need to collect and transport pallets P having the same origin and destination. The transport equipment 1 passes through one or more base centers 2 (local distribution system 201), unloads some of the pallets P at the via base centers 2, and newly moves to the next transit point or destination of the transport equipment 1. is loaded with a pallet P whose destination is .

In such transportation while transshipment, the movement status of the transportation equipment 1, the traffic information of the transportation network, the ocean weather information, etc., the pallet P being transported to the transportation equipment 1, the destination of each pallet P, etc. Based on this, the movement route of the pallet P and the transportation route of the transportation equipment 1 are sequentially re-determined. Based on the determined movement route and transportation route, the base center 2 executes transshipment as appropriate, and the transportation equipment 1 is instructed to the next destination (route point). In order to derive the optimum solution of the movement route and the transportation route, the optimum solution in the local distribution system 201 is derived, and the regional optimum solution of the local distribution system 201 is connected across the different local distribution systems 201, so that the transport equipment 1 and the optimum solution of the movement route of the pallet P are derived.

Therefore, in the physical distribution system 120 of the present disclosure, fixed identification information is assigned to each fixed facility such as the pallet P, the transport equipment 1, the base center 2, etc., and an address for physical distribution that is hierarchized. A protocol address (hereinafter referred to as an LP address) is allocated, and the route is controlled on the LP network using the LP address as the origin and destination addresses. The LP address is a 4-byte or 6-byte sequence like the IP address, and is hierarchically used as a fixed private address and global address like the IP address. The LP address may be allocated so as to correspond to the derivation range of the transportation route and movement route for each region described above.

The LP address includes the transportation company that owns the transportation equipment 1 and/or the pallet P, each base center 2, the collection and delivery center 3, the routing center 8 that derives the optimal solution for the transportation route and the movement route, the data center 9, the pallet A global address is assigned to the pallet center 22 where P is accumulated. Then, within the local network of each global address, a private LP address is allocated. For example, a private address for each base center 2 is assigned to a group of devices controlled by a base controller 20 installed in the base center 2 and which can serve as transit points for the pallet P or the transportation equipment 1 .

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the LP network 300 of the logistics system 120 of the present disclosure. The physical distribution system 120 is controlled by the LP network 300 hierarchized for each local physical distribution system 201 centered on the base center 2 . As shown in FIG. 25, for example, administrative divisions such as Osaka and Hyogo, regional blocks such as Kansai and Kinki that combine them, international bureaus that are established in each country that combines them, and then Asia and Europe. and so on.

The physical distribution in the physical distribution system 120 based on the LP network 300 is optimized within the local network 301 corresponding to the local physical distribution system 201. is optimized under the local network 301 of In the case of international transportation across countries, the local network 301 in Ozu is used, and in the case of transportation across Ozu, the local networks 301 in Ozu cooperate and optimize.

The moving transport equipment 1 and pallet P are also assigned LP addresses. Basically, the transportation equipment 1 and the pallet P are assigned an LP address under the global address assigned to the transportation company that is the owner of the transportation equipment 1 and the pallet P, and there is always a hierarchical relationship (parent-child relationship) may be stored and used in sets. A private address within the local network 301 under the umbrella of a global address assigned to the transportation company that is the owner is initially assigned to the transport equipment 1 and the pallet P that are moving. An LP address may be allocated for each local network 301 as it traverses the network 301 .

Based on such LP network 300, a physical distribution system 120 dedicated to transportation in the most efficient route within the area without being bound by the final destination will be described in detail below.

A pallet P used in the physical distribution system 100 will be described. The pallet P is a physical distribution member having a size of approximately 100 cm to 120 cm square, similar to the pallets widely used in physical distribution sites. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the pallet P. FIG. The pallet P is configured to be separable into a rectangular plate-shaped base P2 and a top plate pallet P1 of the same size placed on the base P2.

FIG. 26A is a lift-type pallet P. FIG. In FIG. 26A, the base P2 and the top pallet P1 are disassembled and shown. A top plate pallet P1 is placed on a base P2 provided with a lift hole suitable for a fork or the like. 26B is a roller-type pallet P. FIG. A roller P3 is arranged side by side inside the base portion P2 in a direction along one side. The roller P3 can be exposed from the top plate of the base P2 by means of a switch mechanism provided on the side of the base P2. By inclining the base P2 with the rollers P3, the top plate pallet P1 placed on the base P2 can be moved so as to slide. For example, the roller P3 is exposed by a switch mechanism, and by pressing a pedal-like switch, the base P2 is tilted so that the top pallet P1 can be moved so as to slide. The pallet P may be a combination of the lift type shown in FIG. 26A and the roller type shown in FIG. 26B. For example, the rollers P3 are divided in the length direction, and lift holes are provided in the base P2 like the lift type in FIG. There is.

FIG. 26C is a carrier-type pallet P. FIG. The transport vehicle type pallet P is provided with a traveling vehicle P4 under the base P2, and can travel by means of a built-in control unit. The travel control unit receives a travel instruction based on position information from the outside through wireless communication, and causes the traveling vehicle P4 to travel according to the travel instruction. The transport vehicle type pallet P has rollers P3 that can be exposed on the top plate of the base P2. The transport vehicle type pallet P has a support mechanism P5 between the lower portion of the base P2 and the traveling vehicle P4 that can change the inclination of the base P2. The support mechanism P5 has spring struts at four corners, and the top plate of the base P2 is tilted by changing the height of each spring strut based on a built-in control unit, switch, button, or other mechanism to expose the roller P3. It is possible to move the top plate pallet P1 so as to slide.

27 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the pallet P. FIG. The pallet P is configured to be separable into a base P2 and a top plate pallet P1 placed on the base P2. In the example of FIG. 27, the base P2 has side walls along two opposite sides of a rectangular or square bottom plate P6 ranging from 100 cm to 120 cm, and an inner wall substantially parallel to the side walls. The end faces of the side walls and the inner wall have spherical support portions P7 at nine positions corresponding to the four corners of the bottom plate P6, the midpoints of the four sides, and the central portion of the base P2. A support portion P7 supports the top pallet P1. The base P2 has a middle plate P8 at half the height of the side and inner walls so that a fork of a forklift can be inserted between the bottom plate P6 and the middle plate P8. The forklift can both lift the pallet P together with the base P2 by inserting a fork between the bottom plate P6 and the middle plate P8 and lift only the top plate P1.

28A is a top view of the base P2 of the pallet P shown in FIG. 27, FIG. 28B is a side view, FIG. 28C is a front view, and FIG. 28D is a bottom view.

29A is a top view of the top pallet P1 of the pallet P shown in FIG. 27, FIG. 29B is a side view, and FIG. 29C is a bottom view. The top pallet P1 may be a simple rectangular or square plate, but as shown in FIGS. A shape having a spherical concave portion P9 corresponding to the spherical supporting portion P7 may be employed.

26A to 26C, 27, 28, and 29, the top pallet P1 is lifted from the base P2 by a mechanism such as an inclination of the base P2 or a lift hole. can be separated.

Both the top pallet P1 and the base P2 of the pallet P are preferably made of resin, and may be made of various materials such as wood, stainless steel, and cardboard. There may be.

In any of the types shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, 27, 28, and 29, the top pallet P1 has a tag T that stores pallet identification information that uniquely identifies the top pallet P1. is installed. The tag T may be a wireless tag using RFID or the like, or may incorporate a wireless communication module such as SIGFOX (registered trademark). When the tag T uses RFID, the pallet identification information stored in the tag T is read by a reader, and is associated with the position information acquired by the GPS module mounted on the transportation equipment 1, and sent from the transportation equipment 1. They should be sent sequentially. If the tag T incorporates a wireless communication module such as SIGFOX, it is preferable to identify the position information without using GPS or GPS, and transmit the stored pallet identification information and position information in association with each other.

The tag T not only stores unique pallet identification information, but also stores a unique or variable LP address. Further, the tag T can be written with information on one or more articles to be loaded on the pallet P. FIG. The information of goods includes the type and item of goods, weight, date of collection, delivery number of goods, point identification information of base center 2 that passed through most recently, base center 2 of destination, consignee information, sender information, etc. is.

Using the pallets P shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, 27, 28 and 29, the manufacturer, transportation equipment 1, collection and delivery center 3, and base center 2 load and unload goods on a pallet P basis. Actually, only the top pallet P1 is moved, and the base P2 of the pallet P is used in the manufacturer, the transport equipment 1, the collection and delivery center 3, and the base center 2. 26A to 26C, 27, 28 and 29 are not limited to separable pallets P, and non-separable pallets P may also be used. In the following description, it is assumed that only the top pallet P1 is loaded and unloaded on the platform of the transportation equipment 1 together with the articles stowed thereon.

Transport equipment 1 is assumed to be a carrier truck in the following description. 30A, 30B, and 30C are schematic perspective views of the transportation equipment 1 and the medium-sized container. FIG. 30A is a schematic perspective view of the transportation equipment 1 having the pallet frame 11 on the loading platform. As shown in FIG. 30A, the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 is provided with a pallet frame 11 for transporting articles in units of top pallets P1. Specifically, the pallet frame 11 is a stand that divides the height from the floor surface to the ceiling into two halves. The table may be provided with rollers in the same manner as the base P2 of the roller type pallet P (FIG. 26B) in order to facilitate carrying out and carrying in of the top pallet P1. The loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 has an inner dimension that allows two top pallets P1 to be juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction. The accommodation position of the top plate pallet P1 with luggage can be specified by the top and bottom and the left and right divided by the pallet frame 11. - 特許庁The top/bottom pallet P1 can be identified in which position in the transportation equipment 1 is accommodated by the top/bottom, left/right, front/rear positions, the position in the pallet frame 11, or the serial number. The identified storage unit is assigned storage unit identification information and used in the vehicle-mounted device 10 of the transportation device 1 .

FIG. 30B is a schematic perspective view of the transportation equipment 1 with the medium-sized container 12 loaded on the loading platform. The medium-sized container 12 has a size that can accommodate about two to eight top plate pallets P1. A plurality of medium-sized containers 12 have different capacities, and as shown in FIG. 30B, medium-sized containers 12 of different sizes may be loaded on the loading platform. The medium-sized container 12 is made of resin, for example. It is preferable that the medium-sized container 12 has a folding mechanism. The medium-sized container 12 may have a refrigeration and freezing mechanism.

FIG. 30C is a schematic perspective view of the transportation equipment 1 having the compartmented pallet frame 11 on the loading platform. As shown in FIG. 30C, the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 is provided with a pallet frame 11 for transporting articles in units of top pallets P1. The pallet frame 11 in FIG. 30C is divided into a plurality of storage units 13 each storing a top pallet P1. A shutter-shaped door 131 is provided in the housing portion 13 . As shown in FIGS. 28A to 29D, the housing portion 13 has a support portion 132 similar to the base portion P2 corresponding to the top pallet P1. The support part 132 makes it easy to pull out the top plate pallet P1 with a fork. The accommodating portion 13 is provided with cushioning materials 133 on five inner surfaces other than the bottom surface. The cushioning material holds the cargo stacked on the top pallet P1. The container 13 may have a display 134 as shown in FIG. 30C. Based on the information received from the routing center 8 or the data center 9 via the on-vehicle device 10, the display unit 134 displays the pallet identification information stored in the storage unit 13, a text indicating that the pallet should be carried out or carried in, etc. should be displayed.

When the transportation equipment 1 is a vehicle such as a train, a transport plane, or a ship, a large container that stores the pallet P is preferably used, and the large container has a pallet frame so that the storage section can be identified. A side-opening box corresponding to the loading platform of FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C may be used as it is as a large container.

The transportation equipment 1 includes a reader for reading pallet identification information and LP addresses from the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the tag T of the top pallet P1. The vehicle-mounted device 10 has a GPS receiver, sequentially acquires the position information of the transportation device 1 , and transmits it to the routing center 8 or the data center 9 . If the tag T of the top pallet P1 is SIGFOX, the position information may be sent from the tag T of the top pallet P1. When the top pallet P1 is carried into the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1, the vehicle-mounted device 10 reads the pallet identification information of the top pallet P1 with a reader. The pallet identification information and/or the LP address of the top pallet P1 being accommodated and the container identification information for identifying the accommodation position in the pallet frame 11 are associated with the pre-stored device identification information of the transportation device 1. Send to routing center 8 or data center 9 . The in-vehicle device 10 reads the pallet identification information from the tag of the top pallet P1 unloaded from the loading platform of the transportation equipment 1 with a reader, and stores in advance the pallet identification information and/or the LP address of the unloaded top pallet P1. It is transmitted to the routing center 8 or the data center 9 in association with the equipment identification information of the transportation equipment 1 that is stored. The in-vehicle device 10 notifies the routing center 8 or the data center 9 that the top pallet P1 to be unloaded is unloaded by associating the storage unit identification information of the storage unit in which the top pallet P1 was stored. You may

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data center 9. As shown in FIG. The data center 9 includes a physical distribution DB 910 and a data device 902 that reads from and writes to the physical distribution DB 910 . The data device 902 stores data obtained from the base controller 20 of the base center 2, the in-vehicle device 10 mounted on the transportation equipment 1, and the like.

The data device 902 includes a processing section 90 , a storage section 91 and a communication section 92 . The processing unit 90 is a processor using a CPU or GPU. The processing unit 90 executes processing using internal memories such as ROM and RAM. The processing unit 90 can sequentially acquire time information using a built-in timer.

A communication unit 92 realizes communication in the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2. The processing unit 90 can transmit and receive information to and from the terminal device 5 via the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2 using the communication unit 92 . Further, the processing unit 90 can transmit and receive information to and from the vehicle-mounted device 10 mounted on the transportation equipment 1 via the carrier network N2 by the communication unit 92 . The processing unit 90 can communicate with the routing center 8, the base controller 20 of the base center 2, and the collection and delivery device 30 of the collection and delivery center 3 via the public communication network N1, the carrier network N2, or a dedicated line by the communication unit 92. be.

The processing unit 90 is connected to the physical distribution DB 910 and can perform read/write processing on the physical distribution DB 910 . The physical distribution DB 910 stores first pallet information 911 , second pallet information 912 , transportation equipment information 913 , and user information 914 . The first pallet information 911 is associated with each base center 2, pallet center 22, collection and delivery center 3, unique identification information given to each production base, and the LP address, and the table top pallet P1 that should exist in each place. pallet identification information and LP addresses are sequentially stored.

The second pallet information 912 of the physical distribution DB 910 includes, in association with the pallet identification information, an LP address, transportation equipment identification information for identifying the transportation equipment 1 on which the top pallet P1 is stacked, and information on which the top pallet P1 is loaded. The information of the article which has been carried is memorize|stored. The article information may be container identification information of small containers C or other physical distribution members loaded on the top pallet P1. The information on the goods may include a transport number, information identifying the shipper and consignee, and information on the weight of the top pallet P1 including the goods.

In the physical distribution DB 910, as transport equipment information 913, the LP address allocated in association with the equipment identification information for identifying the transport equipment 1, the location information (latitude, longitude and height) of the transport equipment 1, the LP address of the departure place, , the LP address of the destination and the LP address of the waypoint along with the time, and the LP address of the top pallet P1 being loaded are stored.

The physical distribution DB 910 stores, as user information 914, contact information such as the type, name, address, e-mail, or telephone number of a business operator or shipper in association with account information (identification information) in the physical distribution system 120. It is

The data center 9 may be composed of a blockchain, and the data device 902 may be a node of the blockchain.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the routing center 8. As shown in FIG. Routing center 8 includes network DB 810 , route DB 820 and routing device 830 .

Network DB 810 stores global LP addresses of routing center 8, LP network 300 of FIG.

The route DB 820 stores both determination data and performance data on which control is based on the transport route determined for the transport equipment 1 and the movement route of each pallet P.

The routing device 830 is a server computer and includes a processing section 80 , a storage section 81 and a communication section 82 . The routing device 830 may be configured not only with a single server computer (hardware), but also with a configuration in which processing is distributed among a plurality of server computers. ). The routing device 830 may execute calculations with a quantum computer for route optimization, which will be described later, except for updating information in the physical distribution DB 910 of the data center 9 .

The processing unit 80 is a processor using a CPU or GPU. The processing unit 80 executes processing using internal memories such as ROM and RAM. The processing unit 80 can sequentially acquire time information using a built-in timer.

The storage unit 81 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 81 stores a computer program 80P. The processing unit 80 executes a process of deriving the optimum route by calculation based on the computer program 80P stored in the storage unit 81. FIG.

A web server program is stored in the storage unit 81, and the processing unit 80 exerts a web server function. By this web server function, the terminal device 5 sends a request for transportation of the transportation equipment 1, that is, a request for sharing of the cargo bed. may be accepted.

The communication unit 82 implements communication in the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2. The processing unit 80 can transmit and receive information to and from the terminal device 5 via the public communication network N1 or the carrier network N2 by means of the communication unit 82 . Further, the processing unit 80 can transmit and receive information to and from the vehicle-mounted device 10 mounted on the transportation equipment 1 via the carrier network N2 by the communication unit 82 . The processing unit 80 can communicate with the data center 9, the base controller 20 of the base center 2, and the collection and delivery device 30 of the collection and delivery center 3 via the public communication network N1, the carrier network N2, or a dedicated line. be.

The routing device 830 receives from the physical distribution DB 910 the positional information obtained from the transportation equipment 1 by the movement of the transportation equipment 1 and the shipment of the goods, the data of the loaded top pallet P1, the information of the goods obtained from the base center 2 and the collection and delivery center 3. A request is made to the data device 902 to sequentially update the physical distribution DB 910 based on the location information. The routing device 830 determines the transportation route of the transportation device 1 and the movement route of the pallet P based on the data stored in the physical distribution DB 910, and based on this, the transportation in the transportation device 1, the base center 2, and the collection and delivery center 3, Control loading and unloading.

When the transportation equipment 1 with the equipment identification information instructed by the routing device 830 is received, the base controller 20, based on the instruction information received in advance, selects the top plate pallet P1 ( An instruction to unload the pallet P) is given to the unloading device. The instruction information includes the pallet identification information and/or LP address of the top pallet P1 to be carried out, and the storage unit indicating the position in the pallet frame 11 in which the top pallet P1 is stored, in association with the device identification information. It contains identification information. Based on the instruction information received in advance, the base controller 20 sends the top pallet P1, which is to be transported as it is, to the empty storage unit of the transportation equipment 1 that has been unloaded and is to be transported as it is. An instruction to carry in the top pallet P1 (pallet P) to be carried in is given to the carry-in device. The instruction information includes the pallet identification information and/or LP address of the top pallet P1 to be carried in, and the pallet frame 11 (which should be empty) that should accommodate the top pallet P1, in association with the equipment identification information. and container identification information indicating the position of the container in the .

In the collection and delivery center 3 , the collection and delivery device 30 creates information on the stacked articles in association with the pallet identification information and/or the LP address of the top pallet P 1 and transmits the information to the data center 9 . The collection and delivery device 30 receives from the routing center 8 an instruction including the pallet identification information and/or the LP address of the top pallet P1 in association with the equipment identification information of the transportation equipment 1 to which it is delivered and the identification information of the accommodation section to be accommodated. It receives the information and carries it into the transportation equipment 1 as instructed. If it is the destination, the collection and delivery device 30 transmits the pallet identification information and/or the LP address of the top pallet P1 that has arrived to the data center 9 as having arrived.

In the fourth embodiment, the processing unit 50 of the terminal device 5 used by the producer or manufacturer who is the transportation requester and the operator of the collection and delivery center 3 operates the routing device based on the application program 5P stored in the storage unit 51. 830 makes a communication connection to the web server. The processing unit 50 executes processing via the web page related to the transportation request provided by the routing device 830 .

33 and 34 are flow charts showing an example of a processing procedure when the distribution system 120 receives a transport request for goods. Thereafter, the terminal device 5 is started in a state of communication connection with the routing center 8 based on the account information in the distribution system 120 given to the user.

The consignor inquires about the LP address using the terminal device 5 (step S601).

The routing device 830 receives the LP address inquiry (step S831), and based on the location of the terminal device 6 that sent the inquiry, or the account information of the shipper who is the user of the terminal device 6 sent with the inquiry, The LP address is responded (step S832).

The terminal device 5 receives the LP address (step S602) and displays it on the display unit 53 (step S603). The processing unit 50 uses the display unit 53 and the operation unit 54 to receive the quantity, type, departure place, destination, and desired arrival date and time of the goods to be transported (step S604), and input the departure place, destination, and desired arrival date and time. is associated with the LP address and transmitted to the routing device 830 (step S605).

The routing device 830 receives the set departure point, destination and desired arrival time (step S833), and the processing unit 80 identifies the collection and delivery center 5 corresponding to the departure point (step S834). The processing unit 80 determines whether the destination is within the same local network 301 as the departure point (step S835). If it is determined that it is within the same local network 301 (S835: YES), the processing unit 80 determines the LP address within the same local network of the empty pallet P that exists or is scheduled to arrive at the specified collection and delivery center 3. is extracted (step S836), and the LP address of the transportation equipment 1 that can reach the collection and delivery center 3 is extracted (step S837).

Based on the extracted LP address of the top pallet P1, the LP address of the transportation equipment 1, and the positional information, the processing unit 80 determines the moving route within the local network 301 of the top pallet P1 on which the cargo is to be stowed, the local network 301 or Candidates for the transport route of the transport equipment 1 scheduled to exist in the local network 301 are derived (step S838). In the process of step S838, the optimum route is tried by calculation, and the route is optimized according to conditions such as the shortest route or the small number of pallets P used. The processing unit 80 advances the process to the next step S839.

If it is determined in step S835 that the destination is not the same local network 301 as the departure point (S835: NO), the processing unit 80 identifies the destination local network 301 (global address) (step S840). The processing unit 80 identifies the route of the local network to the local network 301 of the destination (step S841), and derives a partial route for each local network 301 that straddles the movement route and transportation route candidates for the top pallet P1. (step S842). In step S842, the processing unit 80 extracts and uses the LP address of the transportation equipment 1 that can arrive at the departure point in the partial route (departure point and destination) from the transportation equipment information that is sequentially updated for each local network 301. FIG. The processing unit 80 advances the process to step S839. At this time, the partial route may be stored in the route DB as a candidate that is also used for other requests.

The processing unit 80 transmits the derived moving route and transportation route candidates to the terminal device 6 (step S839).

The terminal device 5 receives the candidates for the movement route and the transportation route (step S606), and displays the route list showing the main waypoints on the display unit 53 (step S607). In the terminal device 5, a route desired by the shipper is selected from the route list (step S608) and transmitted to the routing device 830 (step S609).

The routing device 830 receives the selected route (step S843), the processing unit 80 stores it in the route DB as the determined route (step S844), and ends the process.

The processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 33 and 34 will be described with a specific example. FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of a transport route determination method based on the LP network 300. As shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that a transportation request is made to transport an article with one collection and delivery center 3 of "Japan" and "Shiga" as the departure point and one of the collection and delivery center 3 of "Thailand" and "Chiangmai" as the destination. Hereinafter, the LP address will be described as a number sequence similar to IPv4, but it is not limited to this.

Routing device 830 identifies within local network 301 the LP address of collection and delivery center 3 in “Shiga”. For example, the LP address of the pickup and delivery center 3 at the departure point can be identified as the address 192.168.01.121 as a private address within the local network 301 of "Shiga".

The destination is outside the local network 301, and the LP address of the local network 301 of the destination "Chiang Mai" is specified as a global address, for example, 215.0.120.10. Since the route to this global address cannot be derived in the local network 301 of "Shiga", an inquiry is made from the global address 204.0.046.0 of "Shiga" to the global address 150.0.100.0 of the upper "Kinki". Since the global address 215.0.120.10 cannot be accessed directly even under the local network 301 of "Kinki", the local network 301 of the global address 20.0.10.0 of "Japan" is further inquired by the routing device 830. Since it is not possible to directly access the global address 215.0.120.10 even under the umbrella of the local network 301 of "Japan", the routing device 830 makes an inquiry to the local network 301 of the higher global address 10.0.10.0 of "Asia". The access route to the global address 215.0.120.10 of "Chiang Mai" is inquired from the local network 301 in Asia, and the access route from the local network 301 of "Thailand" is the local network 301 of the "northern" affiliated with the local network of "Thailand". It is answered as going through The LP address 192.168.01.130 within the “Chiang Mai” local network 301 of the destination collection and delivery center 3 is also identified by the routing device 830 corresponding to the “Chiang Mai” local network 301 . Therefore, the route is Collection and Delivery Center 3 (192.168.01.121) → Shiga 204.0.046.0 → Kinki 150.0.100.0 → Japan 20.0.10.0 → Asia 10.0.10.0 → Thailand 50.0.10.0 → North 205.0.120.0 → Chiang Mai 215.0.120.10 → Collection and delivery center 3 (192.168.01.130). The route between the global networks is determined between the corresponding base centers 20. For example, in the case of "Kinki" → "Japan", the route of the transport equipment 1 is determined by the base center 2 in Shiga → Osaka → the base center 2 in Osaka Port. ” → “Asia” → “Thailand”, Osaka port base center 2 → (transit port, e.g., Guangzhou port, China) base center 2 → Thai Bangkok port base center 2, “Thailand” → “Northern”, Bangkok Base center 2 of the port→base center 2 of Chiang Mai province, and “northern”→“Chiang Mai” route is determined within the base center 2 of Chiang Mai province. Routing devices 830 in the above sense may be distributed per local network 301 .

In the example of FIG. 35, the moving pallet P1 has the LP address 192.168.01.105 belonging to the global address 204.0.046.01 assigned to the carrier of the owner of the pallet P1 or the operator of the routing center 8. is allocated, and this LP address "204.0.046.01:192.168.01.105" is used to the destination.

The movement route and transport route determined in this way are transmitted to the base controller 20 corresponding to each local network 301, and the starting point of the partial route (the entire route in the case of intra-regional transport) within the local network 301 is determined. and transportation to the destination is controlled. The routing device 330 appropriately updates the transportation route of the transportation equipment 1 and the movement route of the pallet P within the local network 301 according to traffic information and the like. FIG. 36 shows an example of the contents of data on transportation routes and movement routes stored in the route DB 820. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, the sequentially updated transportation route is stored in association with the device identification information and LP address (movable) of the transportation device 1 and the updated date and time (version). This data may also be additionally recorded as history on the blockchain. An instruction is sent from the routing device 830 to each transport device 1 and base controller 20 referring to the latest version.

The LP address and the current position (latitude, longitude, height) of the transportation equipment 1 are sequentially transmitted from the transportation equipment 1 traveling based on the transportation route that is appropriately updated, and the transportation equipment information 913 of the data center 9 sequentially Recorded. FIG. 37 shows an example of the contents of data stored in the transport equipment information 913. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 37, the sequentially updated current position is stored in association with the device identification information and LP address of the transport device 1 and the updated date (version). This data may also be sequentially recorded as a history on the blockchain. In the example of FIG. 37, since the transportation device 1 is movable, the LP address of the transportation device 1 is LP address 192.168.01.168 belonging to the global address 204.0.046.02 assigned to the transportation business operator who is the owner of the transportation device 1. is allocated and used until the destination.

Within the same local network 301, transportation from the collection and distribution center 3 or base center 2 at the point of departure to the collection and distribution center 3 or base center 2 at the destination is controlled. However, when straddling different local networks 301 , the target pallet P is carried in and out by the base controller 20 . As a result, the control right is transferred to the local network 301 to which the pallet P is transferred. Similarly, in the local network 301 to which control is transferred, the routing device 830 controls transportation from the departure point to the destination in the partial route within the local network 301 in a state that can be changed as appropriate.

38 and 39 show examples of contents of the reservation reception screen 530. FIG. The reservation reception screen 530 is displayed on the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 . The reservation reception screen 530 shown in FIG. 38 includes a screen for inputting the type, quantity (number) and size of the goods related to the transportation request, the place of departure, the destination, and the desired date and time of arrival. When the "search" button included in the reservation reception screen 530 of FIG. 38 is selected, the transportation request is sent to the routing device 830 of the routing center 8, and the routing device 830 extracts route candidates. The reservation acceptance screen 530 shown in FIG. 39 shows the route search result. In the search result of FIG. 39, a plurality of route candidates extracted based on the information received on the reservation reception screen 530 of FIG. 38 are displayed. Reservation acceptance screen 530 includes a selection interface associated with each candidate. As shown in FIG. 39, the route is from the collection and delivery center 3 in ``Shiga'' named ``A'' as the departure point to the collection and delivery center 3 in ``Chiangmai'' as the destination. The case of being transported across 1 is also shown as being selectable as one transportation means. For each route candidate, the charges for transportation on that route are described so that they can be compared. When a route is selected, even if the goods are transported across, for example, different countries, across Ozu, and across transport equipment 1 by different transport companies, the routing center 8 is processed as one transportation request for one payment. or processed by dedicated equipment for payment.

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing an example of reservation and payment processing. Depending on the terms of the transaction, the reservation will be settled based on the actual transportation route. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 40 is assumed to be executed by the data device 902 . A separate device capable of reading out the planned route and the transportation record stored in the route DB 810 from the routing center 8 may execute the following processing related to the payment service.

The processing unit 90 of the data device 902 accepts a transportation route settlement request via the terminal device 5 (step S901), and searches the distribution DB 910 for a request whose shipper is the user of the terminal device 5 that made the request (step S902). ). The processing unit 90 displays a list of movement routes and transportation routes obtained as a result of the search (step S903).

The processing unit 90 refers to the route DB 820 of the routing center 8 and reads out the pre-settlement movement route and transportation route requested by the shipper (step S904).

The processing unit 90 tentatively determines, as a payee, one or a plurality of transportation companies that transport the shipper's pallets P read in step S904 (step S905). In step S905, when the pallet P is transported across different transportation equipments 1, the processing unit 90 tentatively determines the transportation companies (plurality) of the different transportation equipments 1 as payees.

The processing unit 90 searches for a settlement method for each payee based on the relationship between the shipper who made the request and the payee tentatively determined in step S905 (step S906). In step S906, the processing unit 90 preferably determines whether or not the shipper has an open account, and if so, which frame to use is the most appropriate for the relationship with the payee. The processing unit 90 determines that if there is no open account for the shipper or there is no suitable quota, credit processing will be performed. The grounds for the decision are, for example, enabling cooperation with financial institutions and/or credit information management companies, and furthermore, enabling reference to virtual currency wallet information, etc., and referring to these information 90, or the particular device for payment may determine. In step S906, the processing unit 90 may calculate the transportation distance of the pallet P, the fare, and the like for each transportation device 1, and search based on the calculated amount of money.

The processing unit 90 displays the settlement methods searched in step S906 for each payee (step S907), and receives selection for each payee from the displayed settlement methods (step S908). Step S908 may be skipped and appropriately determined depending on the payee automatically by the processing unit 90 or by the particular device for payment.

The processing unit 90 receives confirmation of the determined settlement method (step S909), and determines the transportation route by the transportation equipment 1 of the transportation company of the confirmed payment destination and the movement route of the pallet P (step S910). The processing unit 90 notifies the shipper via the terminal device 5 that the reservation has been completed by the determined route and settlement method (step S911), and ends the process.

The data of the departure point (collection and distribution center), transit point, and destination of the pallet P reserved and determined in this way, and the actual movement route of the pallet P (transport route of the loaded transportation device 1 and each transportation device) are stored. Stored in data center 9 . Thus, it is possible to indicate which pallet P of which pallet identification information should be loaded and by what route the pallet P should be loaded onto one or a plurality of transportation devices 1 . Then, the position information sequentially transmitted from the transportation device 1 or the pallet P and the pallet identification information of the pallet P actually unloaded at the base center 2 at the transit point where the transportation device 1 stops are sequentially transmitted to the data center 9, remembered. As a result, the actual transportation route and movement route are stored as performance data for the planned transportation route of the transportation equipment 1 and the movement route of the pallet P, and it becomes possible to trace the movement route of each article. It is also possible to accurately settle according to the transaction conditions and settlement conditions stored in the data center.

As described above, with the physical distribution system 120, it is possible to collectively make a reservation from a transportation request for physical distribution across different transportation companies and different countries by means of physical distribution control using LP addresses. Even in the transportation of the pallet P across the transportation equipment 1 of different transportation companies, a comprehensive MAS of physical distribution that executes appropriate settlement for each of the different transportation companies with a single settlement procedure for the paying shipper. It becomes possible.

The disclosed embodiments should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Reference Signs List 100, 120 Logistics system 1 Transport equipment 10 Vehicle-mounted device 101 Processing unit 4 Central server (information processing device)
40 processing unit 401 reception unit 402 route determination unit 403 instruction unit 404 update unit 410 physical distribution DB
412 first pallet information 413 second pallet information 414 transportation equipment information 5, 6 terminal device 50, 60 processing unit 53, 63 display unit 8 routing center 830 routing device 80 processing unit 300 LP network 820 route DB
9 data center 902 data device 90 processing unit P pallet (distribution material)
P1 Top plate pallet C Small container (distribution material)

Claims (6)

the computer A transportation route between a plurality of points including a plurality of collection and delivery points for collecting and delivering goods, and a plurality of transportation bases through which transportation equipment for transporting the goods and each containing a pallet containing the goods passes through. , and a logistics data determination method for determining transportation equipment for transporting the pallet,
The computer
Hierarchically assigning a unique address composed of a numerical sequence to each of the areas including the plurality of points,
determining a transportation route between the regions using the unique address;
Determining partial routes within the region using temporary addresses allocated for use only within the region
Logistics data determination method. The computer is
Receive a transport request,
Determine whether the origin and destination of the goods specified in the transport request are within the same region;
if they are in the same region, determine a route using the temporary address;
If it is determined that they do not exist within the same area, determine the transportation route using the unique address assigned to the area including the departure point and the unique address of the higher hierarchy.
The physical distribution data determination method according to claim 1. The computer is The temporary address is assigned to the pallet and the transportation equipment for the partial route, and the route is determined using the unique address for transportation between the regions.
The physical distribution data determination method according to claim 1 or 2. a plurality of pallets for distribution;
a transportation device that transports goods using the plurality of pallets;
A transportation route between a plurality of points including a plurality of collection and delivery points for collecting and delivering goods, and a plurality of transportation bases through which transport equipment for transporting the goods and each containing a pallet containing the goods passes through. , and a logistics data determination device that determines the transport equipment that transports the pallet,
A unique address composed of a numerical sequence is assigned in a hierarchical manner to each of the areas including the plurality of points,
The physical distribution data determination device
determining a transportation route between the regions using the unique address;
A physical distribution system that determines a partial route within the area by using a temporary address that is allocated for use only within the area. A transportation route between a plurality of points including a plurality of collection and delivery points for collecting and delivering goods, and a plurality of transportation bases through which transport equipment for transporting the goods and each containing a pallet containing the goods passes through. , and a logistics data determination device that determines a transportation device for transporting the pallet,
means for hierarchically allocating a unique address composed of a numerical sequence to each of the areas including the plurality of points;
means for determining a transportation route between the regions using the unique address;
and means for determining a partial route within the area by using a temporary address allocated for use only within the area. Between a plurality of points including a plurality of collection and delivery points for collecting and delivering goods in a computer, and a plurality of transportation bases through which transportation equipment for transporting the goods and each containing a pallet containing the goods passes through A computer program that executes processing for determining the transportation route of and the transportation equipment that transports the pallet,
to the computer;
Hierarchically assigning a unique address composed of a numerical sequence to each of the areas including the plurality of points;
determining a transportation route between the regions using the unique address;
A computer program for executing a process of determining a partial route within the area using a temporary address allocated for use only within the area.

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