JP7530004B2 - Information Presentation System - Google Patents

Description

Regarding information presentation systems.

Conventionally, a bunning layout system has been used to determine the loading position of cases for packaging materials when the cases are loaded into a container. For example, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 7-49909A) determines the loading position of cases based on the case specifications, quantity, and loading conditions for the container, and outputs information regarding the placement of cases within the container.

Conventional bunkering layout systems do not output information showing the relationship between case size and the number of cases that can be loaded into a container. This makes it difficult to improve loading efficiency by using case sizes that increase the number of cases that can be loaded into a container.

The information presentation system of the first aspect presents information about packaged products, which are products packaged in packaging material. The information presentation system includes a calculation unit and a presentation unit. The calculation unit calculates a loadable number, which is the number of packaged products that can be loaded into one container, under conditions for which a first parameter is set. The first parameter includes at least one of the position of the packaged products loaded into the container and the orientation of the packaged products loaded into the container. The presentation unit presents first information indicating a relationship between the size of the packaged products loaded into the container, the first parameter, and the loadable number, based on the calculation result of the calculation unit. The calculation unit executes a first calculation step and second to Nth calculation steps (N is an integer of 3 or more). The first calculation step calculates the loadable number of packaged products of a first size. The second to Nth calculation steps calculate the loadable number of packaged products of second to Nth sizes different from the first size.

The information presentation system of the first aspect can increase the load capacity, which is the number of packaged products that can be loaded into a container, thereby improving loading efficiency, and by calculating the size of the packaged products, it is possible to reduce the transportation costs of the products.

The second aspect of the information presentation system is the first aspect of the information presentation system, in which the packaged product has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first to Nth sizes include the width, depth, and height of the packaged product's rectangular parallelepiped.

In the information presentation system of the second aspect, the packaged product has a shape that allows for high-speed processing to calculate the loadable quantity while changing the size.

The third perspective information presentation system is the second perspective information presentation system, and at least one of the second to Nth sizes is different from the first size in at least one of the width, depth, and height.

The third perspective information presentation system can determine the size of the packaged products that will maximize the number of items that can be loaded.

The information presentation system of the fourth aspect is the information presentation system of the third aspect, and at least one of the second to Nth sizes is longer and at least one of the width, depth, and height is shorter than the first size.

In the information presentation system of the fourth aspect, the number of items that can be loaded is calculated while changing the width and depth of the packaged items, making it possible to determine the size of the packaged items that will maximize the number of items that can be loaded.

The information presentation system of the fifth aspect is any one of the information presentation systems of the first to fourth aspects, and the calculation unit executes the second to Nth calculation steps under the condition that the second to Nth sizes are set so as to be within a predetermined range.

In the information presentation system of the fifth aspect, the size of the packed products can be determined to maximize the number of items that can be loaded by calculating the number of items that can be loaded while changing the size of the packed products within a specified range.

The information presentation system of the sixth aspect is any one of the information presentation systems of the first to fifth aspects, in which the product is composed of multiple components. When multiple packaged products, each of which is packaged in a different packaging material, are loaded into a container, the calculation unit executes the first to Nth calculation steps under the condition that the same number of each of the multiple packaged products are loaded into one container.

The sixth aspect of the information presentation system can improve loading efficiency even when the goods loaded into a container are made up of multiple parts.

The information presentation system of the seventh aspect is the information presentation system of the sixth aspect, in which the calculation unit executes the first to Nth calculation steps under conditions that set the order in which multiple packaged products are stacked when the multiple packaged products are stacked and loaded into a container.

The information presentation system of the seventh aspect can improve loading efficiency even when the products loaded into a container are made up of multiple parts and certain parts need to be stacked on top of other parts.

The information presentation system of the eighth aspect is any one of the information presentation systems of the first to seventh aspects, and the presentation unit presents the first information by illustrating the packaged products loaded into the container.

In the information presentation system of the eighth aspect, when loading packed products into a container, workers can refer to information regarding the loading method of the packed products, thereby making loading operations more efficient.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an article processing system 100 using an information presentation system 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a packaged product 50. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information presentation system 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information presentation system 10. 11 is a flowchart of a process for calculating a size of packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency. 13 is an example of a vanning image of packaged product A in its “current state.” 13 is an example of a vanning image of the "decisive plan" for packaged product A. 13 is an example of a vanning image of packaged product B in its “current state.” 13 is an example of a vanning image of the “decisive plan” for packaged product B. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in loading efficiency when the size of the packed product B is changed within a predetermined range. FIG. 13 is an example of a vanning image when a plurality of types of packaged products 58a, 58b are loaded under a first loading condition. 13 is an example of a vanning image when a plurality of types of packaged products 58a, 58b are loaded under a second loading condition. 13 is an example of a vanning image when multiple types of packaged products 58a, 58b are loaded in the modification D. 13 is an example of a vanning image when multiple types of packaged products 58a, 58b are loaded in the modification E.

First Embodiment
(1) Overall Configuration The information presentation system 10 according to this embodiment is used, for example, in an item processing system 100. As shown in Fig. 1 , the item processing system 100 includes the information presentation system 10, a container 20, a loading device 30, and an information terminal 40. The item processing system 100 is used by an operator to load items into the container 20 using the loading device 30 and the information terminal 40.

The container 20 is an internationally standardized transport container known as a marine container or intermodal container. The container 20 is a durable, sealed steel box. The container 20 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The goods loaded into the container 20 are packaged goods 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaged goods 50 are goods 54 packaged in a package 52. The goods 54 are, for example, precision equipment such as an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The package 52 is made of, for example, a cushioning material such as polystyrene foam and cardboard, and is a member for protecting the goods 54 from impact during transportation. The package 52 in which the goods 54 are packaged has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. In other words, the packaged goods 50 have an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The package 52 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, composed of a lower tray 52a, a body frame 52b, and an upper tray 52c. The lower tray 52a and the upper tray 52c are molded so that a part of the lower end and a part of the upper end of the goods 54 are fitted into them, respectively. The body frame 52b covers the periphery of the goods 54. The lower and upper ends of the body frame 52b are fitted into the lower tray 52a and upper tray 52c, respectively.

The loading device 30 is a device for loading the packaged goods 50 into the container 20. A worker operates the loading device 30 to load the packaged goods 50 into the container 20, to unload the packaged goods 50 from the container 20, and to change the position and orientation of the packaged goods 50 within the container 20. The loading device 30 is, for example, a robot arm and a forklift.

The information terminal 40 is, for example, a tablet-type mobile terminal. The information terminal 40 outputs, for example, information necessary or useful for loading the packed goods 50 into the container 20. The worker operates the loading device 30 while referring to the information output by the information terminal 40 to perform work such as loading the packed goods 50 into the container 20. The information terminal 40 is connected to the information presentation system 10 via a wired or wireless connection so as to be able to communicate with it.

(2) Configuration of the Information Presentation System 10 The information presentation system 10 is a computer system that executes a vanning simulation to calculate the size of the packed goods 50 that can improve loading efficiency, and presents information about the packed goods 50. The vanning simulation is a process of determining the arrangement of the packed goods 50 to be loaded into the container 20 under specified conditions. The arrangement of the packed goods 50 refers to, for example, the position and orientation of each packed product 50 inside the container 20. The more packed goods 50 that can be loaded inside one container 20, the higher the loading efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information presentation system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a storage 14, a communication I/F (Interface) 15, and a user I/F 16. These hardware components 11 to 16 are connected to each other via a data bus.

The CPU 11 performs calculation and control processing to realize the functions of the information presentation system 10. The CPU 11 uses the RAM 12 as a working area and performs various processes by executing programs stored in the ROM 13, the storage 14, etc. The storage 14 is a non-volatile memory. The communication I/F 15 is a device for establishing communication with external equipment such as the information terminal 40. The user I/F 16 is a device that enables the reception of input from a user of the information presentation system 10 and the output of information to the user. The user I/F 16 is, for example, a keyboard, a display, and a speaker. The user is, for example, a person who manages the task of loading packaged goods 50 into a container 20.

The hardware configuration of the information presentation system 10 is not limited to the above. For example, the information presentation system 10 may be a system in which multiple computers work together, and a system that uses cloud computing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information presentation system 10 has a calculation unit 61, a presentation unit 62, a product information master 63, an acquisition unit 64, and a generation unit 65. These functional components 61 to 65 represent functions realized by cooperation between the hardware components 11 to 16 shown in FIG. 3 and software components. The software components are, for example, programs stored in the ROM 13 and storage 14.

The product information master 63 is a database that stores product information related to the packaged product 50. The product information includes, for example, the quantity (inventory amount) and weight of the packaged product 50, the type of product 54 contained in the packaged product 50, and the type of packaging material 52 used for the packaged product 50.

The acquisition unit 64 acquires order information from the outside via the communication I/F 15. The order information includes, for example, the type, quantity (order amount), shipping destination, and shipping date of the product 54 that is the subject of the order.

The calculation unit 61 calculates the loadable number, which is the number of packaged products 50 that can be loaded into one container 20. The calculation unit 61 calculates the loadable number of packaged products 50 packed with a predetermined type of packaging material 52 according to the type of product 54. In this embodiment, only one type of product 54 is loaded into one container 20. In other words, multiple packaged products 50 of the same size are loaded into one container 20. The calculation unit 61 calculates the loadable number of packaged products 50 in which a predetermined type of product 54 is packed, based on the product information stored in the product information master 63 and the order information acquired by the acquisition unit 64.

The calculation unit 61 calculates the loadable number under the condition that the loading parameters (first parameters) related to the packed products 50 are set. The loading parameters include at least one of the position of the packed products 50 loaded in the container 20, the orientation of the packed products 50 loaded in the container 20, and the orientation of the products 54 in the packed products 50 loaded in the container 20. The loading parameters related to the position of the packed products 50 are, for example, information related to an area in the container 20 in which the packed products 50 can be loaded. The loading parameters related to the orientation of the packed products 50 are, for example, information related to the orientation of the packed products 50 in the state where they are loaded in the container 20. The loading parameters related to the orientation of the products 54 in the packed products 50 are, for example, information related to the orientation of the products 54 included in the packed products 50 in the state where they are loaded in the container 20. In the case where it is not preferable to change the orientation of the products 54 during transportation, such as in the case of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, the loading parameters related to the orientation of the products 54 in the packed products 50 are set.

Based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 61, the generation unit 65 generates loading information (first information) indicating the relationship between the size of the packaged goods 50 loaded in the container 20, the loading parameters related to the packaged goods 50, and the number of the packaged goods 50 that can be loaded. The loading information includes, for example, a vanning image illustrating a state in which a plurality of packaged goods 50 are loaded in the container 20. The vanning image includes, for example, two-dimensional image data indicating the positions and orientations of the plurality of packaged goods 50 loaded in the container 20 when the container 20 is viewed from above. The vanning image may be three-dimensional image data that stereoscopically indicates the plurality of packaged goods 50 loaded in the container 20.

The presentation unit 62 presents the loading information based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 61. Specifically, the presentation unit 62 transmits the loading information generated by the generation unit 65 to the information terminal 40 via the communication I/F 15. The information terminal 40 displays the loading information received from the presentation unit 62 of the information presentation system 10 on a screen or notifies the user by voice.

(3) Operation of the Information Presentation System 10 The process in which the information presentation system 10 executes a bunging simulation to determine the size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency and presents loading information will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 .

In step S11, the reference size of the packed product 50 to be the subject of the vanning simulation is obtained. Hereinafter, the reference size of the packed product 50 is referred to as the first size. The product information master 63 stores information about the packed product 50 in which the product 54 is packed in the packing material 52 for each type of product 54. The information about the packed product 50 includes the size of the packed product 50. The size of the packed product 50 includes the width, depth, and height of the packed product 50, which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In step S11, the calculation unit 61 reads the width, depth, and height of the packed product 50 to be loaded from the product information master 63, and obtains them as the first size of the packed product 50.

In step S12, a vanning simulation is performed for a packaged product 50 having a first size. Hereinafter, the vanning simulation for the first size is referred to as the first calculation step. In step S12, the calculation unit 61 performs the first calculation step to calculate the number of packaged products 50 of the first size that can be loaded. In the first calculation step, the number that can be loaded is calculated under conditions for which predetermined loading parameters are set.

In step S13, the size of the packed product 50 to be the subject of the vanning simulation is obtained based on the first size obtained in step S11. Only one size of the packed product 50 is obtained in each execution of step S13.

In step S14, a vanning simulation is performed on the packaged product 50 having the size obtained in step S13.

A series of processes consisting of steps S13 and S14 is repeated a predetermined number of times. Hereinafter, the sizes of the packed goods 50 acquired in step S13 are referred to as the second to Nth sizes (N is an integer equal to or greater than 3). In this case, in step S13, one of the second to Nth sizes is acquired in order. In step S14, a vanning simulation is performed for the packed goods 50 having one of the second to Nth sizes acquired in step S13. Hereinafter, the vanning simulations for the second to Nth sizes are referred to as the second to Nth calculation steps, respectively. The calculation unit 61 executes the second to Nth calculation steps to calculate the loadable number of packed goods 50 of the second to Nth sizes. In the second to Nth calculation steps, the loadable number is calculated under the conditions in which the loading parameters used in the first calculation step are set.

The second to Nth sizes are different from the first size. The second to Nth sizes are different from each other. In this embodiment, the height of the second to Nth sizes is the same as the height of the first size, and at least one of the width and depth of the second to Nth sizes is different from the width and depth of the first size. In this case, the calculation unit 61 generates the second to Nth sizes by changing at least one of the width and depth of the first size. At least one of the second to Nth sizes may be longer in one of the width and depth and shorter in the other compared to the first size. The calculation unit 61 does not generate the second to Nth sizes in which both the width and depth are longer than the first size.

Specific examples of the first to Nth sizes of the packaged product 50 will be given. The first size is the standard size of the packaged product 50. The second to Nth sizes are sizes obtained by increasing or decreasing the width and depth of the first size by a predetermined dimensional unit. The range of the width and depth of the second to Nth sizes is preset. Assume that the width of the first size is 793 mm and the depth is 340 mm. Assume that the second to Nth sizes are sizes obtained by increasing or decreasing the width of the first size by 2 mm units and increasing or decreasing the depth of the first size by 2 mm units within a range of 90% to 110% of the first size. In this case, for example, the width of the second to Nth sizes is set to 793 mm to 773 mm, and the depth of the second to Nth sizes is set to 340 mm to 306 mm. In this case, there are 11 types of widths for the first to Nth sizes and 18 types of depths for the first to Nth sizes, so the value of N is 198. In this way, the value of N is calculated based on the range in which the first size can be changed and the amount of increase or decrease when changing the first size.

In step S15, it is determined whether the Nth calculation step has been executed. In other words, in step S15, it is determined whether the second through Nth calculation steps for each of the second through Nth sizes have all been executed. If it is determined that the Nth calculation step has been executed, step S16 is executed. If it is determined that the Nth calculation step has not been executed, steps S13 and S14 are executed again.

In step S16, a size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency is determined based on the loadable numbers of the packed products 50 of the first to Nth sizes calculated in the first to Nth calculation steps. The calculation unit 61 selects a size from the first to Nth sizes that is slightly different from the first size as a reference and that increases the loadable number. The calculation unit 61 determines the selected size as the size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency.

In this case, in step S16, the calculation unit 61 may calculate a value representing the loading efficiency for each of the first to Nth sizes, and determine the size of the packed product 50 with the highest value as the size of the packed product 50 that can improve the loading efficiency. The value representing the loading efficiency is, for example, the ratio between the number of increased loads and the volumetric reduction rate. The number of increased loads is the increase in the number of loads when the number of loads in the first size is used as a reference. For example, if the number of loads in the first size is 50 and the number of loads in the second size is 55, the number of increased loads for the second size is 5. The volumetric reduction rate is the reduction rate of the volume of the packed product 50 when the volume of the packed product 50 in the first size is used as a reference. The volume of the packed product 50 is the product of the width, depth, and height of the packed product 50. For example, if the volume of the packed product 50 in the second size is 2% smaller than the volume of the packed product 50 in the first size, the volumetric reduction rate for the second size is 2. The greater the loading increase or the smaller the volumetric reduction rate, the greater the value representing loading efficiency.

In step S17, loading information is generated based on the size of the packaged product 50 determined in step S16.

In step S18, the loading information generated in step S17 is presented to the worker via the information terminal 40.

Next, we will explain an example of a process in which the information presentation system 10 performs a bunging simulation to determine the size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency.

In this embodiment, the inside dimensions of the container 20 are a width of 11,950 mm and a depth of 2,320 mm. The inside dimensions of the container 20 represent the size of the area in which the packed goods 50 can be loaded (the bottom surface inside the container 20). There are two types of packed goods 50 that are the subject of the vanning simulation: packed goods A and packed goods B. Packed goods A and packed goods B pack different types of goods 54 and have different sizes. The following table shows the results of the vanning simulation of packed goods A.

The following table shows the results of the vanning simulation for packaged product B.

The "Current Status" column in the table represents data on packaged products 50 of a first standard size. The "Decided Proposal" column in the table represents data on packaged products 50 of a size determined by the information presentation system 10 by selecting from sizes 1 to N as the size of packaged products 50 that can improve loading efficiency.

The information presentation system 10 generates vanning images shown in Figs. 6 to 9 as loading information and presents them to the worker via the information terminal 40. Figs. 6 to 9 show the arrangement of packaged products 50 loaded in the container 20 when the container 20 is viewed from above. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, when loading packaged product A, the "current" loading capacity is 64, and the "decided" loading capacity is 72. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when loading packaged product B, the "current" loading capacity is 98, and the "decided" loading capacity is 104.

Therefore, in the case of packaged product A, by adopting packaged product 50 of the "decided" size in the table, the loadable number can be increased by 13%. In the case of packaged product B, by adopting packaged product 50 of the "decided" size in the table, the loadable number can be increased by 6%.

Next, a specific example of a vanning simulation will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The graph in FIG. 10 shows the change in loading efficiency when the size (width and depth) of packed product B is changed within a predetermined range. The horizontal axis of the graph shows the depth of packed product B, which decreases from the left to the right. The vertical axis of the graph shows the width of packed product B, which decreases from the bottom to the top. The graph includes multiple regions D1 to D4. Regions D1 to D4 are divided according to the increase from the reference loading efficiency, which is the loading efficiency of packed product B having a first size. The first size corresponds to the bottom left point of the graph and is in region D1.

The area D1 is an area where the increase from the standard loading efficiency is 0 or more and less than 0.2. The area D2 is an area where the increase from the standard loading efficiency is 0.5 or more. The areas D3 and D4 are parts of the area D2, and are areas where the increase from the standard loading efficiency is 1.5 or more. The area D1 is an area close to the first size. Even if the size of the packaged product B is changed within the area D1, the standard loading efficiency hardly changes. However, when the size of the packaged product B is shifted from the area D1 to the area D2 by gradually reducing at least one of the width and depth within the area D1, the loading efficiency increases. In particular, the areas D3 and D4 included in the area D2 are areas where the loading efficiency is particularly high compared to the area D1, despite being adjacent to the area D1. The reason why the loading efficiency is particularly high in the areas D3 and D4 is that, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, by changing the size of the packaged product B, it is possible to change the orientation of some of the packaged products B, and as a result, it is possible to realize an efficient arrangement of the packaged products B. In this way, the vanning simulation takes into account the orientation and arrangement of the packed product B, making it possible to calculate the size of the packed product B that can achieve high loading efficiency, even if the size is close to the first size, such as the size in areas D3 and D4.

(4) Features (4-1)
The information presentation system 10 calculates and presents the size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency by increasing the loadable number, which is the number of packed products 50 that can be loaded into one container 20. Therefore, by loading the packed products 50 of the presented size into the container 20, the number of containers 20 used can be reduced, and the transportation costs of the products 54 can be reduced.

(4-2)
The information presentation system 10 may determine the size of the packed products 50 having the highest value representing the loading efficiency (the ratio between the number of increased loads and the volumetric reduction rate) as the size of the packed products 50 that can improve the loading efficiency. This allows the information presentation system 10 to determine the size of the packed products 50 that increases the number of loads possible while suppressing the volumetric reduction from the first size serving as a reference. The smaller the volumetric reduction from the first size serving as a reference, the easier it is to change the design of the packing material 52 associated with the size change, and the more likely it is to suppress a decrease in the durability, etc., of the packing material 52.

(4-3)
When the container 20 and the packed goods 50 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the information presentation system 10 can quickly execute processing of a vanning simulation that calculates the loadable number while changing the size (width, depth, and height) of the packed goods 50. For example, the information presentation system 10 can quickly determine the size of the packed goods 50 that can maximize the loadable number by calculating the loadable number while changing the width and depth of the packed goods 50.

(4-4)
The information presentation system 10 obtains second to Nth sizes by gradually changing the size of the packed products 50 from the first size, and executes a vanning simulation for each of the second to Nth sizes. The information presentation system 10 executes a vanning simulation in consideration of the orientation and arrangement of the packed products 50 loaded in the container 20, thereby making it possible to determine a size of the packed products 50 that can improve loading efficiency.

(4-5)
The information presentation system 10 generates a vanning image as loading information and presents it to a worker via an information terminal 40. By referring to the vanning image displayed on the information terminal 40, the worker can efficiently perform the work of loading the packaged goods 50 into the container 20 using the loading device 30.

Second Embodiment
The basic configuration and operation of the information presentation system 10 of this embodiment are the same as those of the information presentation system 10 of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences between the information presentation system 10 of this embodiment and the information presentation system 10 of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the product 54 is composed of multiple members. Each of the multiple members is packed in a different packing material 52 to become multiple packaged products. Hereinafter, the product 54 is assumed to be composed of two members, a first member 56a and a second member 56b. The product 54 is an air conditioning device, the first member 56a is an outdoor unit, and the second member 56b is an indoor unit. The first member 56a is packed in a packing material 52 suitable for the first member 56a to become a first packaged product 58a. The second member 56b is packed in a packing material 52 suitable for the second member 56b to become a second packaged product 58b. The first packaged product 58a and the second packaged product 58b are objects to be loaded into the container 20. In this way, in this embodiment, the packaged products loaded into the container 20 are composed of multiple types of packaged products.

The calculation unit 61 executes the first to Nth calculation steps under the condition that the same number of each of the multiple types of packaged products is loaded into one container 20. Therefore, the number of first packaged products 58a and the number of second packaged products 58b loaded into one container 20 are the same. The calculation unit 61 executes a vanning simulation to calculate the loadable number of each packaged product while changing the size (width, depth, and height) of each of the multiple types of packaged products.

The calculation unit 61 calculates the loadable number of the first packed product 58a and the second packed product 58b under the loading conditions for loading the first packed product 58a and the second packed product 58b. Next, two examples of the loading conditions will be described with reference to Figs. 11-12. Figs. 11-12 are three-dimensional diagrams showing the first packed product 58a and the second packed product 58b loaded in the container 20. In Figs. 11-12, the second packed product 58b is shown as a hatched area.

(1) First Loading Condition In this condition, the multiple types of packaged products are loaded in different areas within the area (the bottom surface of the container 20) where the packaged products can be loaded inside the container 20. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the bottom surface of the container 20 includes a first area R1 where only the first packaged product 58a is loaded, and a second area R2 where only the second packaged product 58b is loaded.

(2) Second Loading Condition In this condition, when the weights of the multiple types of packaged products are different, the multiple types of packaged products are loaded without stacking a packaged product on top of a packaged product that is lighter in weight. Specifically, when a first packaged product 58a includes an outdoor unit and a second packaged product 58b includes an indoor unit, the first packaged product 58a is heavier than the second packaged product 58b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the first packaged product 58a and the second packaged product 58b are loaded into the container 20 with the second packaged product 58b stacked on top of the first packaged product 58a.

The presentation unit 62 generates a vanning image that takes into account the loading conditions as shown in Figures 11 and 12 based on the calculation results of the calculation unit 61, and presents loading information including the vanning image.

In this embodiment, the information presentation system 10 can improve loading efficiency in the same way as in the first embodiment, even when the product 54 loaded into the container 20 is composed of multiple components. Furthermore, by executing the first to Nth calculation steps under the second loading condition described above, the information presentation system 10 can improve loading efficiency even when a specific component of the multiple components that make up the product needs to be loaded on top of another component.

Regarding the second loading condition, the order in which multiple types of packaged products are stacked may be set based on factors other than the weight of the packaged products. For example, the order in which multiple types of packaged products are stacked may be set based on the dimensions of the packaged products and the material of the products inside the packaged products.

<Modification>
(1) Modification A
In the first embodiment, the height of the second to Nth sizes is the same as the height of the first size, and at least one of the width and depth of the second to Nth sizes is different from the width and depth of the first size. In this case, the calculation unit 61 generates the second to Nth sizes by changing at least one of the width and depth of the first size. However, it is sufficient that at least one of the second to Nth sizes is different from the first size in at least one of the width, depth, and height.

For example, the depth of the second to Nth sizes may be the same as the depth of the first size, and at least one of the width and height of the second to Nth sizes may be different from the width and height of the first size. In this case, the calculation unit 61 generates the second to Nth sizes by changing at least one of the width and height of the first size.

The width of the second to Nth sizes may be the same as the width of the first size, and at least one of the depth and height of the second to Nth sizes may be different from the depth and height of the first size. In this case, the calculation unit 61 generates the second to Nth sizes by changing at least one of the depth and height of the first size.

In addition, at least one of the second to Nth sizes may be longer than the first size in at least one of the width, depth, and height, and at least one of the heights may be shorter than the first size.

(2) Modification B
The calculation unit 61 may execute the second to Nth calculation steps under the condition that the second to Nth sizes are set to be within a predetermined range. Specifically, the calculation unit 61 may generate the second to Nth sizes in step S13 of FIG. 5 such that the width and depth of the second to Nth sizes are within a changeable range. The changeable range may be any range set in advance by the user. The changeable range may also be set automatically. For example, the changeable range may be set to be 90% to 110% of the width and depth of the first size.

The information presentation system 10 can efficiently determine the size of the packed goods 50 that maximizes the number that can be loaded by performing a packing simulation that calculates the number of packing goods that can be loaded while changing the size of the packed goods 50 within a changeable range.

(3) Modification C
5, the calculation unit 61 may execute the first to Nth calculation steps under a condition related to a rotation constraint of the packed products 50. The condition related to the rotation constraint is a condition related to the orientation of the packed products 50 in a state where the packed products 50 are loaded in the container 20. For example, in the case where the product 54 is an outdoor unit, the condition related to the rotation constraint is a condition that prohibits the packed products 50 in which the outdoor unit is packed from being positioned on their side or upside down with respect to a specified orientation.

The information presentation system 10 determines the size of the packaged product 50 under conditions related to rotation constraints, thereby preventing defects in the packaged product 50 caused by the packaged product 50 being loaded into the container 20 in an inappropriate state.

(4) Modification D
In the second embodiment, the second loading condition may further include a condition regarding the amount of overflow of a packaged product stacked on top of a different type of packaged product. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining this modification, showing the arrangement of a first packaged product 58a and a second packaged product 58b loaded in the container 20 when the container 20 is viewed from the side. In Fig. 13, the second packaged product 58b is shown as a hatched area.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the second packaged product 58b is stacked on top of the first packaged product 58a, some of the second packaged products 58b may be stacked on top of the first packaged product 58a while protruding from the edge of the first packaged product 58a. In this case, the condition regarding the protruding amount is that the protruding amount of the second packaged product 58b from the edge of the first packaged product 58a (dimension L1 in FIG. 13) is less than a predetermined value. The longer the protruding amount, the more likely the second packaged product 58b will fall off the first packaged product 58a during transport of the container 20.

The information presentation system 10 determines the size of the packaged product 50 under conditions related to the amount of overhang, thereby preventing the packaged product from falling inside the container 20 while the container 20 is being transported.

(5) Modification E
In the second embodiment, the second loading condition may further include a condition regarding the arrangement of the bottom packed product. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining this modification, showing the arrangement of the first packed products 58a loaded in the container 20 when the container 20 is viewed from above.

As shown in FIG. 14, a case will be described where a vanning image is generated in which the first packed product 58a loaded in the container 20 has two different orientations as a result of the vanning simulation. FIG. 14 shows a third region R3 in which the width direction of the first packed product 58a is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 20, and a fourth region R4 in which the depth direction of the first packed product 58a is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 20. From the entrance 20a at one end of the longitudinal direction of the container 20, the worker first loads the first packed product 58a in the third region R3, and then loads the first packed product 58a in the fourth region R4. In this case, the calculation unit 61 may execute the first to Nth calculation steps under the condition that the dimension L2 shown in FIG. 14 is minimized. The smaller the dimension L2, the easier it is to stack the second packed product 58b on top of the first packed product 58a. It is preferable that dimension L2 be less than or equal to twice the depth of the first packaged product 58a.

The information presentation system 10 can improve the efficiency of loading the second packaged product 58b by determining the size of the packaged product 50 under conditions related to the arrangement of the packaged product to be loaded at the bottom.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

10: Information presentation system 20: Container 50: Packed product 52: Packaging material 54: Product 61: Calculation unit 62: Presentation unit 56a: First member (plural members)
56b: second member (plural members)
58a: First packaged product (multiple packaged products)
58b: Second packaged product (multiple packaged products)

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-49909

Claims (8)

An information presentation system that presents information about a packaged product (50), which is a product (54) packaged in a packaging material (52), comprising:
a calculation unit (61) for calculating a loadable number, which is the number of the packaged products that can be loaded into one container (20), under a condition in which a first parameter is set;
a presentation unit (62) that presents first information indicating a relationship between the size of the packed products to be loaded into the container, the first parameter, and the loadable number based on a calculation result by the calculation unit;
Equipped with
The calculation unit is
A first calculation step of calculating the loadable number of the packaged products of a first size;
a second to Nth calculation step of calculating the loadable number of the packaged products having second to Nth sizes (N is an integer equal to or greater than 3) different from the first size;
Run
The calculation unit determines a size of the packed products having the highest ratio between a loading increase number and a volume reduction rate from among the first to Nth sizes,
The first parameter includes at least one of a position of the packaged goods loaded into the container and an orientation of the packaged goods loaded into the container;
The first information indicates a relationship between the size of the packed product determined by the calculation unit, the first parameter, and the loadable number calculated by the calculation unit,
the increased number of loads is an increase in the number of loads when the number of loads in the case of the first size is used as a reference,
The volume reduction rate is a reduction rate of the volume of the packaged product based on the volume of the packaged product in the first size.
An information presentation system (10). The packaged product has a rectangular parallelepiped shape,
The first to Nth sizes include a width, a depth, and a height of the rectangular parallelepiped,
the calculation unit changes at least one of the width, the depth, and the height of the first size to generate the second to Nth sizes;
The information presentation system according to claim 1 . At least one of the second to Nth sizes is different from the first size in at least one of the width, the depth, and the height.
The information presentation system according to claim 2 . At least one of the second to Nth sizes is longer than the first size in at least one of the width, the depth, and the height, and is shorter than the first size in at least one of the width, the depth, and the height.
The information presentation system according to claim 3 . The calculation unit executes the second to Nth calculation steps under a condition that the second to Nth sizes are set so as to fall within a predetermined range.
The information presentation system according to claim 1 . The product is composed of a plurality of members (56a, 56b),
the calculation unit executes the first to N-th calculation steps under a condition that the same number of each of the plurality of packaged products is loaded into one container when a plurality of packaged products (58a, 58b) in which each of the plurality of components of the product is packed with a different packaging material is loaded into the container;
The information presentation system according to claim 1 . the calculation unit executes the first to N-th calculation steps under a condition that sets an order in which the plurality of packaged products are stacked when the plurality of packaged products are stacked and loaded into the container;
The information presentation system according to claim 6 . The presentation unit presents the first information by illustrating the packaged products loaded in the container.
The information presentation system according to claim 1 .

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