JP7741517B2 - Packaging style determination system, packaging style determination method, and packaging style determination program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging style determination system, a packaging style determination method, and a packaging style determination program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a loading method that includes a first step of comparing a predetermined number of items to be loaded onto a loading surface with the number of items to be loaded onto the loading surface to determine whether the number is less than the predetermined number; a second step of calculating the fractional items determined in step 1 to be less than the predetermined number and determining fractional items that form a specific shape that is smaller than the planar area formed by the predetermined number and that forms a planar area of at least half of the loading surface; and a third step of loading the number of items determined in step 2.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-183519

In the above-mentioned loading method, items are loaded onto a pallet based on the area of the loading surface on the pallet, the number of fractional items, and the length and width of the fractional items. Patent Document 1 claims that by repeating the same process from the start to the end of loading, items can be efficiently stacked in the space on the pallet.

However, during the process of determining the packaging style within the container, the preferred way in which cargo is stowed may change depending on the situation. As a result, the preferred strategy for stowage may differ depending on the situation. Therefore, there is a need to realize stowage that is appropriate for the situation during the cargo stowage process.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a packaging style determination system, a packaging style determination method, and a packaging style determination program that can realize loading that is appropriate for the situation during the loading process.

One aspect of the present invention is a packaging style determination system for determining the packaging style of luggage in a container, and includes a luggage information generation unit that generates luggage information about the luggage, a packaging style calculation unit that calculates the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the luggage information, an evaluation value acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage, and a packaging style determination unit that determines the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the evaluation value. In a first stage, the packaging style determination unit determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number, and in a second stage after the first stage, determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determination number different from the first determination number.

In this packaging style determination system, in the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number are determined, and in the second stage after the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number are determined. In this case, the number of packaging styles determined is changed based on the evaluation value in the first stage and the second stage after the first stage. This makes it possible to change the number of packaging styles determined depending on the loading situation. Therefore, loading that is appropriate for the situation can be achieved during the loading process.

In the third stage following the second stage, the packaging style determination unit determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined third determined number different from the second determined number, where the second determined number may be greater than both the first determined number and the third determined number. In this case, in the second stage following the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to the second determined number greater than the first determined number is determined, and in the third stage following the second stage, a number of packaging styles equal to the third determined number smaller than the second determined number is determined. In this case, since more packaging styles are determined in the second stage based on the evaluation value than in the first stage, a wider range of packaging styles can be searched than in the first stage. Furthermore, since fewer packaging styles are determined in the third stage based on the evaluation value than in the second stage, an increase in the amount of calculation required to determine the packaging style can be suppressed. In addition, since the number of packages to be loaded is reduced in the third stage following the first and second stages, the number of packaging styles calculated is reduced. Therefore, even if a number of packaging styles equal to the third determined number, which is smaller than the second determined number, is determined, an optimal packaging style can be determined. As a result, it is possible to search a wide range of packaging styles while minimizing the increase in calculation volume.

The evaluation value acquisition unit may acquire an evaluation value in a first evaluation stage based on a first group of evaluation functions consisting of at least one evaluation function, and in a second evaluation stage following the first evaluation stage, acquire an evaluation value based on the results of the first evaluation stage and a second group of evaluation functions consisting of evaluation functions different from the evaluation functions of the first group of evaluation functions, and the packaging style determination unit may determine the packaging style of the package based on the results of the second evaluation stage. In this case, for example, as a result of acquiring an evaluation value based on the first group of evaluation functions in the first evaluation stage, for a packaging style that satisfies specified requirements, an evaluation value may be acquired in the second evaluation stage based on the second group of evaluation functions. The packaging style of the package is then determined based on the results of the second evaluation stage. Therefore, a packaging style that satisfies specified requirements can be determined more reliably than when the packaging style of the package is determined by acquiring an evaluation value based on only one group of evaluation functions.

The packaging style determination system may further include an evaluation function selection unit that selects an evaluation function to be used to obtain an evaluation value from a plurality of preset evaluation functions, and the evaluation value acquisition unit may acquire an evaluation value based on the selected evaluation function. In this case, the amount of calculation can be reduced compared to when an evaluation value is obtained using all of a plurality of preset evaluation functions.

One aspect of the present invention provides a packaging style determination method for determining the packaging style of luggage within a container, and includes the steps of generating luggage information about the luggage, calculating the packaging style of the luggage within the container based on the luggage information, obtaining an evaluation value for the luggage's packaging style, and determining the packaging style of the luggage within the container based on the evaluation value. The determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number, and a second step, following the first step, of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number.

A packaging style determination program according to one aspect of the present invention is a packaging style determination program for determining the packaging style of luggage in a container, and causes a control unit to execute the following steps: generating luggage information about the luggage; calculating the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the luggage information; obtaining an evaluation value for the luggage packaging style; and determining the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the evaluation value. The determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number; and, after the first step, a second step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number.

These packaging style determination methods and programs can achieve the same effects as the packaging style determination system described above.

That is, the gist of the present invention lies in the following [1] to [6].
[1] A packaging style determination system for determining the packaging style of luggage within a container, comprising: a luggage information generation unit that generates luggage information regarding the luggage; a packaging style calculation unit that calculates the packaging style of the luggage within the container based on the luggage information; an evaluation value acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage; and a packaging style determination unit that determines the packaging style of the luggage within the container based on the evaluation value, wherein in a first stage, the packaging style determination unit determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number, and in a second stage after the first stage, determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determination number different from the first determination number.
[2] In a third stage after the second stage, the packaging style determination unit determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined third determined number different from the second determined number, and the second determined number is greater than the first determined number and the third determined number. [1] A packaging style determination system as described in [1].
[3] A packaging style determination system according to [1] or [2], wherein the evaluation value acquisition unit acquires an evaluation value in a first evaluation stage based on a first group of evaluation functions consisting of at least one evaluation function, and in a second evaluation stage after the first evaluation stage, acquires an evaluation value based on the result in the first evaluation stage and a second group of evaluation functions consisting of evaluation functions different from the evaluation functions in the first group of evaluation functions, and the packaging style determination unit determines the packaging style of the parcel based on the result in the second evaluation stage.
[4] A packaging style determination system according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising an evaluation function selection unit that selects an evaluation function to be used to obtain an evaluation value from a plurality of preset evaluation functions, and the evaluation value acquisition unit acquires the evaluation value based on the selected evaluation function.
[5] A method for determining the packaging style of luggage in a container, comprising the steps of generating luggage information about the luggage, calculating the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the luggage information, obtaining an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage, and determining the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the evaluation value, wherein the determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number, and a second step, after the first step, of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determination number different from the first determination number.
[6] A packaging style determination program for determining the packaging style of luggage in a container, which causes a control unit to execute the following steps: generating luggage information about the luggage; calculating the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the luggage information; obtaining an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage; and determining the packaging style of the luggage in the container based on the evaluation value, wherein the determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number; and, after the first step, a second step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determination number different from the first determination number.

This invention makes it possible to achieve loading that is suited to the situation during the loading process.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a work site to which a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an evaluation function selection unit shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an evaluation value acquisition unit shown in FIG. 2 . 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart showing a packaging style determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing the evaluation function selection process shown in FIG. 6 . 7 is a flowchart showing the evaluation value acquisition process shown in FIG. 6 . 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a decision number determination unit shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether to change a decision number. 1 is a schematic diagram showing information input and output to and from a packaging style determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process for determining a packaging style. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the process of determining the packaging style shown in FIG. 12.

Below, with reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a packaging style determination system, a packaging style determination method, and a packaging style determination program according to one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, we will explain how the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment is used.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state of a work site A to which a packaging style determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Figure 1, in work site A, as an example, a package 3 is transported to a worker 5 by a conveyor 4. The worker 5 then loads the package 3 into a transport box 6 (container). The transport box 6 with the package 3 loaded inside is then delivered to the destination by transportation equipment such as a truck. As an example, the destination of the package 3 is a retail store such as a supermarket.

As an example, the packages 3 are products sold at the retail stores mentioned above, or packaging boxes such as cardboard boxes containing the products. The packages 3 may be any items that can be transported in the transport box 6, and there are no particular restrictions on their shape, type, size, etc. The number of packages 3 placed in the transport box 6 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 30.

The packaging style determination system 1 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6. By performing the processing described below, the packaging style determination system 1 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 so that the luggage 3 can be efficiently loaded into the transport box 6. Here, "packaging style" refers to the arrangement of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6. The packaging style determination system 1 is communicatively connected to an output unit 7 that outputs the determined packaging style. As an example, the output unit 7 is a monitor that displays the packaging style of the luggage 3. However, the manner in which the output unit 7 outputs information is not particularly limited, and the output unit 7 may output the packaging style by voice, a printed instruction sheet, or the like. In this embodiment, the worker 5 confirms the packaging style determined by the packaging style determination system 1 via the output unit 7 and loads the luggage 3 into the transport box 6 in the determined packaging style.

Next, we will provide an overview of the operation of the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing information input and output to a packaging style determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11, the packaging style determination system 1 receives, for example, information regarding the ID (Identification) of the luggage 3 input by a user. The information regarding the ID of the luggage 3 includes, for example, information regarding the type of luggage 3. In other words, the packaging style determination system 1 obtains information regarding the number and type of luggage 3 to be loaded into the shipping box 6 by accepting input from the user, for example. The packaging style determination system 1 also determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping box 6 (in Figure 11, the final determined packaging style) and outputs the packaging style to the user.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the process for determining a packing style. Figure 12 shows an example of the process for determining the final packing style (see Figure 11) determined by the packing style determination system 1. As shown in Figure 12, the packing style determination system 1 sequentially calculates the packing style for each turn in the process of determining the packing style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6. A "turn" refers to the order in which the luggage 3 is loaded into the transport box 6. For example, when the first luggage 3 to be calculated among the unplaced luggage 3 is loaded into a transport box 6 that does not already have any luggage 3 placed in it, the turn for loading the luggage 3 is 1.

The packaging style determination system 1 calculates candidate packaging styles for each turn. "Candidate packaging styles" refer to candidate packaging styles determined for each turn. The packaging style determination system 1 determines the final packaging style for that turn by obtaining the evaluation values of the calculated candidate packaging styles. "Determined packaging style" refers to the packaging style determined based on the evaluation values from among the candidate packaging styles. In this embodiment, the packaging style determination system 1 determines multiple (or one) packaging styles with high evaluation values from among the candidate packaging styles as the final packaging style.

The packaging style determination system 1 generates multiple pieces of stowage information for the determined packaging style. "Stowage information" includes information about how one piece of luggage 3 will be stowed within the transport box 6 in the next turn. In this embodiment, the stowage information includes information about the type of the piece of luggage 3 to be stowed within the transport box 6, and its position and direction within the transport box 6.

Each ellipse shown in Figure 12 represents one piece of stowage information. In the example of Figure 12, the ellipse shown on the far left represents stowage information for a transport box 6 in which no cargo 3 is placed. In the turn (shown as "Turn 1" in Figure 12) in which the first cargo 3 is to be loaded into the transport box 6, the packing style determination system 1 calculates candidate packing styles for the first cargo 3 loaded into the transport box 6 based on the stowage information for the transport box 6 in which no cargo 3 is placed. In the example of Figure 12, the packing style determination system 1 calculates four candidate packing styles based on one piece of stowage information.

The packaging style determination system 1 then determines the candidate packaging style with the highest evaluation value from among the four candidate packaging styles as the final packaging style for that turn. In Figure 12, the oval indicating the stowage information for the packaging style determined as the final packaging style is grayed out. At this time, the packaging style determination system 1 determines a number of final packaging styles equal to the predetermined number of determinations. The number of determinations changes depending on the stage at which the final packaging styles are determined.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 calculates the packaging style when the second package 3 is loaded into the shipping container 6 as a candidate packaging style based on the stowage information related to the final packaging style determined in step 1. By repeating the above operations, the packaging style determination system 1 determines two final packaging styles in step 6.

As explained above, the packaging style determination system 1 calculates which packages 3 to place in the transport box 6, in what arrangement, and in what order. The packaging style determination system 1 then outputs the final determined packaging style to the worker 5.

Next, we will explain the configuration of the packaging style determination system 1 related to this embodiment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a packaging style determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the packaging style determination system 1 includes a package information generation unit 11, an evaluation function selection unit 12, a packaging style calculation unit 13, an evaluation value acquisition unit 14, a determination number determination unit 15, and a packaging style determination unit 16. These components may be integrated into a single computer or may be distributed across multiple computers. These components may also be integrated into a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

The package information generation unit 11 generates package information related to the package 3. "Package information" is information that serves as the basis for determining how the package 3 will be packed inside the shipping container 6. More specifically, the package information is information related to the type, number, dimensions, and weight of the package 3. The dimensions of the package 3 include the length, width, and height of the package 3. In this embodiment, the package information generation unit 11 pre-stores information related to the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3. The package information generation unit 11 generates package information, for example, by linking information related to the ID of the package 3 entered by the user with information related to the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3.

The evaluation function selection unit 12 selects a predetermined evaluation function from a plurality of preset evaluation functions. An evaluation function is a function used when obtaining an evaluation value. The evaluation function selection unit 12 selects the evaluation function used to obtain an evaluation value in the processing described below. Details of the evaluation function selection unit 12 will be described later.

The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the luggage information. The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 for each turn in which the luggage 3 being calculated is loaded. The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 for each type of luggage 3 being calculated, and its position and orientation within the transport box 6.

The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for each packaging style of the luggage 3 calculated by the packaging style calculation unit 13. In other words, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for the packaging style for each turn in which the luggage 3 is stowed. For example, in the example of Figure 13, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for each candidate packaging style of stowage information A1a to A1d for turn 1. The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for the packaging style based on a group of evaluation functions consisting of predetermined evaluation functions selected by the evaluation function selection unit 12. Details of the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 will be described later.

The determined number determination unit 15 determines whether to change the determined number of packaging styles. The determined number is the number of packaging styles determined by the packaging style determination unit 16, which will be described later. Details of the determined number determination unit 15 will be described later.

The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the evaluation values. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style for each turn in which the luggage 3 is stowed. In other words, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 for each type of luggage 3 and its position and direction within the transport box 6. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the predetermined number of determined packaging styles based on the evaluation values acquired by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the candidate packaging styles of stowage information A1a and A1d as determined packaging styles based on the evaluation values acquired for each of the candidate packaging styles of stowage information A1a to A1d. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 based on the results of the second evaluation stage, which will be described later.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the evaluation function selection unit 12 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the evaluation function selection unit 12 has an evaluation function acquisition unit 21, an evaluation value calculation unit 22, a list generation unit 23, a first loop judgment unit 24, a component analysis unit 25, a second loop judgment unit 26, and an evaluation function determination unit 27.

The evaluation function acquisition unit 21 acquires a preset evaluation function. This evaluation function is, for example, input in advance by the user. In this embodiment, the evaluation function acquisition unit 21 acquires evaluation functions XA to XN, which are described below.

Evaluation function XA is an evaluation function related to the height of the center of gravity. For example, evaluation function XA includes the distance from the bottom of the shipping box 6 to the center of gravity of the luggage 3 inside the shipping box 6 as an evaluation index. The lower the height of the center of gravity of the luggage 3, the lower the position of the center of gravity of the luggage 3, and the more stable the packaging.

The evaluation function XB is an evaluation index related to the height at which the luggage 3 is stacked. For example, the evaluation function XB includes as an evaluation index the ratio of the area of the matching surface of the luggage 3 to be stacked in the shipping box 6 to the area of the bottom surface of the shipping box 6. A matching surface refers to the top surface of the luggage 3 that is matching with the top surface of the luggage 3 already placed in the shipping box 6. The higher this ratio, the more stably another luggage 3 can be stacked on top of the luggage 3 to be stacked and the luggage 3 whose top surface is matching with the top surface of the luggage 3, resulting in a more stable packaging style. Note that "matching" here does not necessarily mean that the top surfaces of the luggage 3 to be stacked and the top surfaces of the luggage 3 already placed are exactly matching. The height of the matching surface of the luggage 3 to be stacked may differ from the height of the top surface of the luggage 3 already placed within a specified range.

The evaluation function XC is an evaluation function related to the position of the luggage 3. For example, the evaluation function XC includes the distance from the wall of the shipping box 6 to the luggage 3 in the depth direction of the shipping box 6 as an evaluation index. The shorter this distance, the closer the luggage 3 can be packed to a position closer to the corner of the shipping box 6, and the better the packing style.

Evaluation function XD is an evaluation function related to the position of the luggage 3. For example, evaluation function XD includes the distance from the wall of the shipping box 6 to the luggage 3 in the width direction of the shipping box 6 as an evaluation index. The smaller this distance, the closer the luggage 3 can be packed to a position closer to the corner of the shipping box 6, which can be said to be a packaging style with better packability.

The evaluation function XE is an evaluation function related to the position of the center of gravity. For example, the evaluation function XE includes as an evaluation index the distance from the center of the shipping box 6 in a planar view to the center of gravity of the luggage 3 placed inside the shipping box 6. The smaller this distance, the closer the center of gravity of the luggage 3 placed inside the shipping box 6 is located to the center of the shipping box 6, and the more stable the packaging is.

The evaluation function XF is an evaluation function related to the packing density of the cargo 3. For example, the evaluation function XF includes as an evaluation index the ratio of the volume of the cargo 3 within the shipping box 6 to the volume of the virtual area (so-called bounding box) surrounding the cargo 3 within the shipping box 6. The larger this ratio, the more the cargo 3 can be packed tightly within the shipping box 6, and the better the packing quality.

The evaluation function XG is an evaluation function related to the surfaces that are in contact with other luggage 3. For example, the evaluation function XG includes the number of bottom surfaces and side surfaces of each piece of luggage 3 that are in contact with other luggage 3 as evaluation indices. The greater the number of bottom surfaces and side surfaces, the more each piece of luggage 3 is supported by the other luggage 3, and the more stable the packaging is.

The evaluation function XH is an evaluation function related to the volume of the parcel 3 being calculated. For example, the evaluation function XH includes as an evaluation index the ratio of the volume of the parcel 3 being calculated to the volume of the parcel 3 with the largest volume among the unplaced parcels 3. The larger this ratio, the larger the volume of the unplaced parcels 3 will be loaded into the shipping container 6, allowing the parcels 3 to be loaded with as few gaps as possible. Therefore, it can be said that this is a packaging style with excellent packability.

Evaluation function XI is an evaluation function related to the surfaces that are in contact with other luggage 3. For example, evaluation function XI includes the number of bottom surfaces of each piece of luggage 3 that are in contact with other luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The greater the number of bottom surfaces, the more each piece of luggage 3 is supported by the other luggage 3 at its bottom, resulting in a more stable package.

The evaluation function XJ is an evaluation function related to the surfaces that are in contact with other luggage 3. For example, the evaluation function XJ includes the number of sides of each piece of luggage 3 that are in contact with other luggage 3 as an evaluation index. The greater the number of sides, the more each piece of luggage 3 is supported on its sides by other luggage 3, resulting in a more stable packaging.

The evaluation function XK is an evaluation function related to the height of the center of gravity. For example, the evaluation function XK includes the height of the center of gravity of the luggage 3 inside the shipping box 6 as an evaluation index. The lower this height is, the lower the position of the center of gravity of the luggage 3, and the more stable the packaging is.

The evaluation function XL is an evaluation function related to the horizontal position of the center of gravity. For example, the evaluation function XL includes the distance from the center of the shipping box 6 in a planar view to the center of gravity of the luggage 3 inside the shipping box 6 (in this embodiment, the Manhattan distance) as an evaluation index. The smaller this distance, the closer the center of gravity of the luggage 3 is located to the center of the shipping box 6, and the more stable the packaging is.

The evaluation function XM is an evaluation function related to the horizontal position of the center of gravity. The evaluation function XM includes, for example, the distance from the center of the shipping box 6 in a planar view to the center of gravity of the luggage 3 inside the shipping box 6 (in this embodiment, the Euclidean distance) as an evaluation index. The smaller this distance, the closer the center of gravity of the luggage 3 is located to the center of the shipping box 6, and the more stable the packaging is.

The evaluation function XN is an evaluation index related to the number of other pieces of luggage 3 that support the bottom surface of the luggage 3. For example, the evaluation function XN includes as an evaluation index the number of other pieces of luggage 3 that support a predetermined range or more of the bottom surface of the luggage 3 loaded in the transport box 6. The predetermined range may be, for example, 25% of the bottom surface of the luggage 3 loaded in the transport box 6. The greater the number of such other pieces of luggage 3, the greater the number of other pieces of luggage 3 that support a predetermined range or more of the bottom surface of the loaded luggage 3, and the more stable the packaging.

The evaluation value is calculated, for example, as the sum of the above-mentioned evaluation functions XA to XN. That is, as an example, the evaluation value is the sum of the products of each of the above-mentioned evaluation indicators and each weighting coefficient corresponding to each of the evaluation functions XA to XN. The weighting coefficients may be set in advance by the user, for example.

The weighting coefficient may be set, for example, according to the user's wishes. For example, if the user wishes the package to have excellent packing density for the luggage 3, the user may increase the weighting coefficient of the evaluation function XF relating to the packing density of the luggage 3, out of the input evaluation functions XA to XN, compared to the weighting coefficients of the other evaluation functions.

The evaluation value calculation unit 22 calculates the evaluation value of each packaging style for each turn based on the evaluation function acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21.

The list generation unit 23 calculates the value of each evaluation function (evaluation functions XA to XN) for each turn and generates a list in which each turn and the value of each evaluation function are linked to each other.

The first loop determination unit 24 determines whether the turn is less than the total number of packages 3 to be placed in the transport box 6. The specific processing performed by the first loop determination unit 24 will be described later.

The component analysis unit 25 references the list and analyzes the elements of the list for each evaluation function. The component analysis unit 25 performs component analysis such as principal component analysis and independent component analysis. For example, the component analysis unit 25 identifies correlated evaluation functions from among the evaluation functions acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21. Known analysis methods can be used for component analysis of evaluation functions, and the processing content is not particularly limited. The component analysis unit 25 may sample some of the elements of the list and analyze the sampled elements. In this case, it is possible to reduce the amount of calculation.

The second loop judgment unit 26 judges whether the number of evaluation functions for which component analysis has been performed is less than the number of evaluation functions acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21. The specific processing performed by the second loop judgment unit 26 will be described later.

The evaluation function determination unit 27 determines the evaluation function to be used by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 to acquire the evaluation value based on the analysis results of the component analysis unit 25. For example, the evaluation function determination unit 27 determines at least one of the evaluation functions that are correlated with each other as the evaluation function to be used to acquire the evaluation value. For example, the evaluation function determination unit 27 determines a number of evaluation functions smaller than the value of δ preset by the user as the evaluation functions to be used to acquire the evaluation value. The value of δ is set to, for example, a value equal to (or larger than) the number of evaluation functions considered necessary and sufficient as evaluation functions for the first evaluation function group or the second evaluation function group. As an example, the user selects a value for δ that is considered to sufficiently retain the information of all of the evaluation functions acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21 even when they are reduced and approximated to a number of evaluation functions equal to the value of δ. The value of δ can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 has a first evaluation unit 41, a first result acquisition unit 42, and a second evaluation unit 43.

In the first evaluation stage, which is the stage for obtaining an evaluation value for packaging style, the first evaluation unit 41 obtains an evaluation value based on a first group of evaluation functions consisting of at least one evaluation function. The first evaluation unit 41 obtains an evaluation value for packaging style based on the evaluation function selected as an evaluation function of the first group of evaluation functions by the evaluation function selection unit 12.

The first result acquisition unit 42 acquires the results of the first evaluation stage. More specifically, it acquires the evaluation value of each packaging style acquired based on the first group of evaluation functions. The first result acquisition unit 42 also outputs the acquired evaluation value of each packaging style to the second evaluation unit 43.

In the second evaluation stage, which follows the first evaluation stage, the second evaluation unit 43 obtains an evaluation value based on the results of the first evaluation stage and the second group of evaluation functions. The second evaluation stage is a stage in which an evaluation value for the packaging style is obtained after the first evaluation stage. The second group of evaluation functions consists of evaluation functions that are different from the evaluation functions of the first group of evaluation functions.

The second evaluation unit 43 obtains an evaluation value based on the second group of evaluation functions for packaging styles that have evaluation values that satisfy predetermined requirements in the first evaluation stage. The predetermined requirements mean, for example, that all of the evaluation functions in the first group of evaluation functions must be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined requirements can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the packaging style determination system 1 can be physically configured as a computer system including one or more control units 31 (processors), one or more ROMs (Read Only Memory) 32, one or more RAMs (Random Access Memory) 33 (main storage), one or more HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) 34 (auxiliary storage), and a communication unit 35 such as a communication interface for communicating with the output unit 7. For example, the control unit 31 reads a program (packaging style determination program P) pre-stored in the HDD 34 into the RAM 33 and executes it, causing each piece of hardware to operate under the control of the control unit 31, reading and writing data from and to the ROM 32, RAM 33, and HDD 34. This realizes each function of the packaging style determination system 1 shown in FIG. 5. In addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5, the packaging style determination system 1 may also include input devices such as a mouse and keyboard, and output devices such as a display and speakers.

Next, the operation of the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment (including the packaging style determination method according to this embodiment) will be explained using Figures 6 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the packaging style determination system 1 first executes step S1. In step S1, the package information generation unit 11 generates package information (generation step). As described above, the package information is generated by linking information related to the ID of the package 3 input by the user with information related to the dimensions and weight according to the type of package 3. The user may, for example, input information related to the ID of the package 3 via an input device of the packaging style determination system 1.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S2. In step S2, the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes an evaluation function selection process. In the evaluation function selection process, the evaluation function selection unit 12 selects an evaluation function to be used to obtain an evaluation value from a plurality of preset evaluation functions. The user may, for example, input and set multiple evaluation functions in advance via an input device of the packaging style determination system 1. Here, an example is described in which the user inputs evaluation functions XA to XN in advance. More specifically, the user inputs evaluation functions XA to XH as candidates for the first evaluation function group, and inputs evaluation functions XF, XG, XI to XN as candidates for the second evaluation function group. The evaluation function selection unit 12 selects an evaluation function from the candidates for the first evaluation function group, and also selects an evaluation function from the candidates for the second evaluation function group. The specific operation of the evaluation function selection unit 12 in the evaluation function selection process will be described later.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S3. In step S3, the packaging style determination system 1 assigns n=1 to the counter variable n. The counter variable n corresponds to the number of stages at which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S4. In step S4, the packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the luggage information (calculation step). The packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 for each turn in which the luggage 3 is loaded. The packaging style calculation unit 13 can use a known calculation method as the method for calculating the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S5. In step S5, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 executes an evaluation value acquisition process. In the evaluation value acquisition process, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage 3 for each turn based on the evaluation function selected in step S2 (acquisition step). The specific operation of the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 in the evaluation value acquisition process will be described later.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S6. In step S6, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the nth determined number based on the evaluation values acquired in step S5 (determination step). As an example, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the nth determined number in descending order of the packaging style with the highest evaluation value. Note that the values of each determined number may be input in advance by the user, for example.

In step S6, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number in the first to third stages. In the first stage, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the first determined number (first step). In the second stage after the first stage, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the second determined number (second step). In the third stage after the second stage, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the third determined number. The second determined number is greater than the first determined number and the third determined number. The values of the first to third determined numbers are not particularly limited. As an example, the first determined number is 2, the second determined number is 3, and the third determined number is 2. The example shown in Figure 12 illustrates a case where stowage ends at move 6. Moves 1 and 2 in the early stage are considered the first stage, moves 3 and 4 in the middle stage are considered the second stage, and moves 5 and 6 in the final stage are considered the third stage.

As shown in Figure 12, the packaging style calculation unit 13 generates stowage information A1a-A1d in turn 1. The packaging style calculation unit 13 also calculates four candidate packaging styles based on the stowage information A1a-A1d (step S4).

Next, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires the calculated evaluation value for each candidate packaging style (step S5). Then, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of final packaging styles from the candidate packaging styles equal to the final number based on the evaluation values (step S6). In the example of Figure 12, the final number (first final number) in the first stage corresponding to turn numbers 1 and 2 is 2. Therefore, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1a and A1d as the final packaging styles from among the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1a to A1d.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing part of the process for determining the packaging style shown in Figure 12. Figure 13 illustrates how four candidate packaging styles (referred to as "candidate packaging style 1" to "candidate packaging style 4" in Figure 13) are calculated for one determined packaging style (referred to as "determined packaging style 1" in Figure 13) determined in turn 1.

In the examples of Figures 12 and 13, determined packing style 1 is a packing style determined based on stowage information A1a. In determined packing style 1, of the multiple stowage candidate packages 3, package 3a is selected, and package 3a is placed in a corner of the bottom surface 6a of the transport box 6 (the lower left corner of the bottom surface 6a in the example of Figure 13). Therefore, stowage information A1a includes information that package 3a is to be stowed in the lower left corner of the bottom surface 6a of the transport box 6. In short, determined packing style 1 is a packing style in which package 3a is stowed in the transport box 6 based on stowage information A1a.

As shown in Figure 12, in step 2, the packaging style calculation unit 13 generates stowage information A2a to A2d for the determined packaging style based on stowage information A1a (i.e., determined packaging style 1). Also, in step 2, the packaging style calculation unit 13 generates stowage information B2a to B2d for the determined packaging style based on stowage information A1d.

As shown in FIG. 13, in step 2, the packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates a candidate packaging style based on stowage information A1a and A2a (referred to as "candidate packaging style 1" in FIG. 13) and a candidate packaging style based on stowage information A1a and A2b (referred to as "candidate packaging style 2" in FIG. 13). Also, in step 2, the packaging style calculation unit 13 calculates a candidate packaging style based on stowage information A1a and A2c (referred to as "candidate packaging style 3" in FIG. 13) and a candidate packaging style based on stowage information A1a and A2d (referred to as "candidate packaging style 4" in FIG. 13).

Stowage information A2a for candidate packing style 1 includes information indicating that cargo 3b will be stowed adjacent to the right side of cargo 3a. Stowage information A2b for candidate packing style 2 includes information indicating that cargo 3b will be stowed adjacent to the rear side of cargo 3a. Stowage information A2c for candidate packing style 3 includes information indicating that cargo 3c will be stowed adjacent to the right side of cargo 3a. Stowage information A2d for candidate packing style 4 includes information indicating that cargo 3c will be stowed adjacent to the rear side of cargo 3a. Note that the packing style calculation unit 13 also calculates four candidate packing styles based on stowage information B2a to B2d for the determined packing style based on stowage information A1d.

The packaging style determination unit 16 then determines the same number of final packaging styles (i.e., two) as the first final number from the calculated total of eight candidate packaging styles. In the example of Figure 13, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1a and A2b, and the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1d and B2a as final packaging styles based on the evaluation values.

By repeating the above-described process, in the final step 6, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1a, A2b, A3d, B4b, B5d, and A6b, and the candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1d, B2a, B3c, C4a, C5c, and B6d as the final packaging styles.

The packaging style determination system 1 may output to the worker 5 the packaging style with the highest rating out of the two determined packaging styles determined in turn 6 as the final determined packaging style. The packaging style determination system 1 may also output to the worker 5 both determined packaging styles as the final determined packaging styles.

Next, the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S7. In step S7, the determined number determination unit 15 determines whether to change the determined number. The specific operation for determining whether to change the determined number will be described later.

If the determined number determination unit 15 determines in step S7 to change the determined number (step S7: YES), the packaging style determination system 1 assigns n = n + 1 to the counter variable n (step S8) and then executes step S4 again. If the determined number determination unit 15 determines in step S7 not to change the determined number (step S7: NO), the packaging style determination system 1 determines whether n = 3 (step S9).

As described above, counter variable n corresponds to the number of stages at which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style. In this embodiment, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the predetermined number of determinations in stages 1 to 3, so in step S9 the packaging style determination system 1 determines whether n = 3. However, the value used to determine whether it is equal to counter variable n (here, 3) can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of stages at which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style. As an example, this value is set in advance by the user via an input device.

If the packaging style determination system 1 determines in step S9 that n is not 3 (step S9: NO), the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S4 again. If the packaging style determination system 1 determines in step S9 that n is 3 (step S9: YES), the packaging style calculation unit 13 determines whether any packages 3 remain to be placed in the shipping box 6 (step S10).

If the packaging style calculation unit 13 determines in step S10 that there are any unplaced packages 3 remaining (step S10: YES), the packaging style determination system 1 executes step S4 again. If the packaging style calculation unit 13 determines in step S10 that there are no unplaced packages 3 remaining (step S10: NO), the packaging style determination system 1 terminates processing.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the evaluation function selection process shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the evaluation function selection process is a process for selecting an evaluation function to be used in the evaluation value acquisition process in step S5 from predetermined evaluation functions set in advance by the user.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the evaluation function selection process, the evaluation function selection unit 12 first executes step S11. In step S11, the evaluation function selection unit 12 assigns N=1 to the counter variable N. The counter variable N corresponds to the turn in which the luggage 3 is to be loaded.

Next, the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S12. In step S12, the evaluation function acquisition unit 21 acquires an evaluation function preset by the user. In step S12, the evaluation function acquisition unit 21 acquires evaluation functions XA to XN. More specifically, the evaluation function acquisition unit 21 acquires evaluation functions XA to XH as candidates for the evaluation function of the first evaluation function group, and acquires evaluation functions XF, XG, XI to XN as candidates for the evaluation function of the second evaluation function group. Also, in step S12, the evaluation value calculation unit 22 calculates the evaluation value of each packing style for each turn based on the evaluation function acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21.

Next, the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S13. In step S13, the list generation unit 23 calculates the value of each evaluation function for each turn and generates a list in which each turn and the value of each evaluation function are linked to each other.

Next, the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S14. In step S14, the first loop judgment unit 24 determines whether the counter variable N is less than the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping container 6. In other words, in step S14, it determines whether the calculation of the evaluation value for each package style in step S12 and the generation of the list in step S13 have been completed for all turns.

If the first loop judgment unit 24 determines in step S14 that the counter variable N is smaller than the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping box 6 (step S14: YES), the evaluation function selection unit 12 assigns N = N + 1 to the counter variable N (step S15) and then executes step S12 again. If the first loop judgment unit 24 determines in step S14 that the counter variable N is greater than or equal to the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping box 6 (step S14: NO), the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S16.

In step S16, the evaluation function selection unit 12 assigns M = 1 to the counter variable M. The counter variable M corresponds to the number of preset evaluation functions.

Next, the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S17. In step S17, the component analysis unit 25 references the list generated in step S13 and analyzes the elements of the list for each evaluation function.

The evaluation function selection unit 12 then executes step S18. In step S18, the second loop determination unit 26 determines whether the counter variable M is smaller than the preset number of evaluation functions. In other words, in step S18, it determines whether the component analysis in step S17 has been completed for all evaluation functions. As a result of executing step S17, evaluation functions that are correlated with each other are identified from among the evaluation functions acquired by the evaluation function acquisition unit 21.

If the second loop judgment unit 26 determines in step S18 that the counter variable M is smaller than the number of preset evaluation functions (step S18: YES), the evaluation function selection unit 12 assigns M = M + 1 to the counter variable M (step S19) and then executes step S17 again. If the second loop judgment unit 26 determines in step S18 that the counter variable M is equal to or greater than the number of preset evaluation functions (step S18: NO), the evaluation function selection unit 12 executes step S20.

In step S20, the evaluation function determination unit 27 determines the evaluation functions to be used by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 to acquire evaluation values based on the results of the component analysis in step S17. More specifically, the evaluation function determination unit 27 determines a first set of evaluation functions to be used to acquire evaluation values in the first evaluation stage and a second set of evaluation functions to be used to acquire evaluation values in the second evaluation stage in the evaluation value acquisition process described below.

As a result of executing step S20, the evaluation function determination unit 27 determines evaluation functions excluding at least one of the correlated evaluation functions identified in step S17. For example, as described above, evaluation function XL includes, as an evaluation index, the Manhattan distance from the center of gravity of the luggage 3 to the center of the shipping box 6 in a planar view, and evaluation function XM includes, as an evaluation index, the Euclidean distance from the center of gravity of the luggage 3 to the center of the shipping box 6 in a planar view. Therefore, evaluation function XL and evaluation function XM are considered to be correlated with each other. The evaluation function determination unit 27 can select either evaluation function XL or evaluation function XM as the evaluation function used by the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 to acquire an evaluation value. After the above processing, the evaluation function selection unit 12 terminates the evaluation function selection process.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the evaluation value acquisition process shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the evaluation value acquisition process is a process for acquiring an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping container 6 using the evaluation function selected in steps S11 to S20.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the evaluation value acquisition process, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 first executes step S21. In step S21, the first evaluation unit 41 acquires the evaluation function selected by the evaluation function selection process.

The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 then executes step S22. In step S22, the first evaluation unit 41 acquires evaluation values for the first evaluation stage. In the first evaluation stage, the first evaluation unit 41 acquires evaluation values for each packaging style based on the first evaluation function group determined in step S20.

The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 then executes step S23. In step S23, the first result acquisition unit 42 acquires the results of the first evaluation stage. In step S23, the first result acquisition unit 42 acquires packaging styles that satisfy the specified requirements as results of the first evaluation stage.

The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 then executes step S24. In step S24, the second evaluation unit 43 acquires evaluation values for the second evaluation stage. In the second evaluation stage following the first evaluation stage, the second evaluation unit 43 acquires evaluation values for each packaging style based on the second evaluation function group determined in step S20. After the above processing, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 terminates the evaluation function acquisition process.

As described above, the evaluation function selection unit 12 acquires evaluation functions XA to XH as candidates for the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group, and acquires evaluation functions XF, XG, XI to XN as candidates for the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group. The first evaluation function group selected from the candidate evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group is used to acquire an evaluation value in the first evaluation stage. Furthermore, the second evaluation function group selected from the candidate evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group is used to acquire an evaluation value in the second evaluation stage.

In the example of Figure 12, in turn 1, the packaging style calculation unit 13 generates all stowage information for each type of luggage 3 and its position and direction within the shipping container 6, and calculates candidate packaging styles based on each stowage information. Furthermore, in the first evaluation stage, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value for each candidate packaging style based on a first group of evaluation functions, and identifies candidate packaging styles based on stowage information A1a-A1d that meet specified requirements based on the evaluation values. In other words, each ellipse shown in Figure 12 represents the stowage information for candidate packaging styles that were determined to meet specified requirements in the first evaluation stage.

Next, in the second evaluation stage, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires evaluation values for candidate packing styles based on the stowage information A1a-A1d using the second group of evaluation functions. The packaging style determination unit 16 then determines a final packing style from among the candidate packing styles based on the results of the second evaluation stage. In other words, each grayscale ellipse shown in Figure 12 represents the stowage information for the final packing style determined based on the evaluation values in the second evaluation stage.

In the example of Figure 12, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 identified candidate packing styles based on four stowage information for one determined packing style based on the results of the first evaluation stage. Therefore, in the second evaluation stage, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquired evaluation values for candidate packing styles based on four stowage information for one determined packing style. However, the number of stowage information identified based on the results of the first evaluation stage can vary depending on the above-mentioned specified requirements, and is not particularly limited. The number of stowage information identified may be the same for each turn, or may be different.

In this embodiment, the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group used to obtain evaluation values in each of the first to third stages are the same. In the example of Figure 12, for example, the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group for moves 1 and 2 in the first stage are the same as the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group for moves 3 and 4 in the second stage. Furthermore, the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group used to obtain evaluation values in each of the first to third stages are the same. In the example of Figure 12, for example, the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group for moves 1 and 2 in the first stage are the same as the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group for moves 3 and 4 in the second stage.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group include evaluation functions that are different from the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group. In the example of FIG. 12, for example, the evaluation functions of the second evaluation function group for turn 1 include evaluation functions that are different from the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group for turn 1.

As described above, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping container 6 based on the results of the second evaluation stage. In this embodiment, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the predetermined number of determinations in the second evaluation stage, in descending order of the packaging style with the highest evaluation value.

In the example of Figure 13, the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires evaluation values for candidate packaging styles 1 to 4 in the second evaluation stage. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the candidate packaging style with the highest evaluation value from among candidate packaging styles 1 to 4 as the determined packaging style.

Next, using Figures 9 and 10, we will explain the functional configuration of the decision number determination unit 15 and the operation of the decision number determination unit 15 for determining whether to change the decision number in step S7 (see Figure 6).

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the decision number determination unit 15 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the decision number determination unit 15 has an evaluation value calculation unit 51, a loop determination unit 52, and a move number acquisition unit 53.

The evaluation value calculation unit 51 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping container 6 for each turn, and obtains an evaluation value for each packaging style for each turn based on the evaluation function selected by the evaluation function selection unit 12. Furthermore, the evaluation value calculation unit 51 determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number for each turn based on the obtained evaluation values.

The loop determination unit 52 determines whether the turn is less than the total number of packages 3 to be placed in the transport box 6. The specific processing performed by the loop determination unit 52 will be described later.

The process number acquisition unit 53 acquires the process number with the highest evaluation value based on the evaluation value of each packaging style calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit 51.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether to change the decision number. As shown in Figure 10, the decision number determination unit 15 first executes step S31. In step S31, the decision number determination unit 15 assigns K = 1 to the counter variable K. The counter variable K corresponds to the turn to load the luggage 3.

Then, the determination number determination unit 15 executes step S32. In step S32, the evaluation value calculation unit 51 calculates the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping container 6 for each turn, and obtains an evaluation value for each packaging style for each turn based on the evaluation function selected by the evaluation function selection unit 12. Next, the evaluation value calculation unit 51 determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number for each turn based on the obtained evaluation values. This predetermined number is the nth determination number, which is equal to the number of packaging styles determined in step S6. In other words, in step S32, the evaluation value calculation unit 51 determines a number of packaging styles equal to the nth determination number in step S6, and obtains an evaluation value for each packaging style for each turn.

Next, the determination number determination unit 15 executes step S33. In step S33, the loop determination unit 52 determines whether the counter variable K is less than the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping box 6. In other words, in step S33, it determines whether the calculation of the evaluation values for each package style in step S32 has been completed for all turns.

If the loop determination unit 52 determines in step S33 that the counter variable K is less than the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping box 6 (step S33: YES), the determined number determination unit 15 assigns K = K + 1 to the counter variable K (step S34) and then executes step S32 again. If the loop determination unit 52 determines in step S33 that the counter variable K is greater than or equal to the total number of packages 3 placed in the shipping box 6 (step S33: NO), the determined number determination unit 15 executes step S35.

In step S35, the turn number acquisition unit 53 acquires the turn number with the highest evaluation value based on the evaluation value of each packaging style calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit 51. After the above processing, the decision number determination unit 15 ends the process of determining whether to change the decision number.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the determination number determination unit 15 performs the above-mentioned operation in step S7. However, the determination number determination unit 15 may perform the operation shown in FIG. 10 at any timing in FIG. 6. For example, the determination number determination unit 15 may perform steps S31 to S35 in advance before step S1.

Furthermore, the decision number determination unit 15 may execute a process of determining a move for which the decision number will be changed before step S1. When determining a move for which the decision number will be changed, the decision number determination unit 15 may obtain evaluation values for all combinations of moves for which the decision number will be changed, or may obtain evaluation values by sampling some of the combinations of moves. Whether evaluation values are obtained for all combinations of moves or by sampling some of the combinations of moves may be selected appropriately depending on, for example, the number of all combinations of moves (the scale of the problem).

In the example of Figure 12, in turn 3, the determined number is changed from 2 (first determined number) to 3 (second determined number). In other words, in steps S31 to S35, a number of determined packaging styles equal to the first determined number are determined, and an evaluation value for each determined packaging style is obtained for each turn, resulting in the determined packaging style's evaluation value being maximized in turn 2. Since a number of determined packaging styles equal to the first determined number are determined, and an evaluation value for each determined packaging style is obtained, resulting in the determined packaging style's evaluation value being maximized in turn 2, the determined number determination unit 15 determines that the determined number will be changed in turn 3, which is the turn following turn 2.

Next, we will explain the effects of the packaging style determination system 1, packaging style determination method, and packaging style determination program P related to this embodiment.

In the packaging style determination system 1 according to this embodiment, in the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number are determined, and in the second stage following the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number are determined. In this case, the number of packaging styles determined is changed based on the evaluation value in the first stage and the second stage following the first stage. This makes it possible to change the number of packaging styles determined depending on the loading situation. Therefore, loading that is appropriate for the situation can be achieved during the loading process of luggage 3.

In the third stage following the second stage, the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined third determined number different from the second determined number, where the second determined number is greater than the first determined number and the third determined number. In this case, in the second stage following the first stage, a number of packaging styles equal to the second determined number greater than the first determined number is determined, and in the third stage following the second stage, a number of packaging styles equal to the third determined number smaller than the second determined number is determined. In this case, since more packaging styles are determined in the second stage based on the evaluation value than in the first stage, a wider search for more packaging styles than in the first stage is possible. Furthermore, since fewer packaging styles are determined in the third stage based on the evaluation value than in the second stage, an increase in the amount of calculation required to determine the packaging style can be suppressed. In addition, in the third stage following the first and second stages, the number of packages 3 to be stowed is reduced, and therefore the number of packaging styles calculated is reduced. Therefore, even if a number of packaging styles equal to the third determined number, which is smaller than the second determined number, is determined, an optimal packaging style can be determined. As a result, it is possible to search a wide range of packaging styles while minimizing the increase in calculation volume.

The evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value in a first evaluation stage based on a first group of evaluation functions consisting of at least one evaluation function, and in a second evaluation stage following the first evaluation stage, acquires an evaluation value based on the results of the first evaluation stage and a second group of evaluation functions consisting of evaluation functions different from the evaluation functions of the first group of evaluation functions. The packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style of the luggage 3 based on the results of the second evaluation stage. In this case, for example, as a result of acquiring an evaluation value based on the first group of evaluation functions in the first evaluation stage, for a packaging style that satisfies specified requirements, an evaluation value is acquired in the second evaluation stage based on the second group of evaluation functions. The packaging style of the luggage 3 is then determined based on the results of the second evaluation stage. Therefore, a packaging style that satisfies specified requirements can be determined more reliably than when determining the packaging style of a luggage by acquiring an evaluation value based on only one group of evaluation functions.

The packaging style determination system 1 further includes an evaluation function selection unit 12 that selects an evaluation function to be used to obtain an evaluation value from a plurality of preset evaluation functions, and the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 acquires an evaluation value based on the selected evaluation function. In this case, the amount of calculation can be reduced compared to when an evaluation value is obtained using all of a plurality of preset evaluation functions.

The packaging style determination method according to this embodiment is a method for determining the packaging style of luggage 3 in a transport box 6, and includes the steps of generating luggage information about the luggage 3, calculating the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the luggage information, obtaining an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage 3, and determining the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the evaluation value. The determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number, and a second step, following the first step, of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number.

The packaging style determination program P according to this embodiment is a packaging style determination program P for determining the packaging style of luggage 3 in a transport box 6, and causes the control unit 31 to execute the following steps: generating luggage information about the luggage 3; calculating the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the luggage information; obtaining an evaluation value for the packaging style of the luggage 3; and determining the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 based on the evaluation value. The determining steps include a first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number, and, after the first step, a second step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number.

These packaging style determination methods and packaging style determination programs P can achieve the same effects as the packaging style determination system 1 described above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number of determined styles in the first to third stages. That is, in the above embodiment, the determined number was changed twice. However, the number of stages in which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines packaging styles can be changed as appropriate. That is, in the above embodiment, the determined number was changed twice, but it may also be changed once, or three or more times.

In the above-described embodiment, the packaging style determination unit 16 determined the packaging style when the first package 3 is loaded into a shipping box 6 that does not have any packages 3 placed in it in the first stage (i.e., when the turn number is 1). Furthermore, the packaging style determination unit 16 determined the packaging style when the last package 3 is loaded into a shipping box 6 in the third stage (i.e., when the turn number is equal to the total number of packages 3 to be placed in the shipping box 6). However, the turn numbers corresponding to the first to third stages can be changed as appropriate. That is, the packaging style determination unit 16 may determine a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number in a stage prior to the first stage, or may determine a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined number in a stage after the third stage.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the weighting coefficients of the evaluation functions were set according to the user's wishes. However, the weighting coefficients may also be set according to the stage at which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style. For example, the user may increase the weighting coefficient of the evaluation function XM related to the position of the center of gravity of the luggage 3 in a planar view, among the second evaluation function group used in the second evaluation stage at which the loading of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 is completed (the third stage in this embodiment). In this case, at the stage at which the loading of the luggage 3 in the transport box 6 is completed (the packing stage, so to speak), the position of the center of gravity of the luggage 3 in a planar view can be adjusted so that it is closer to the center.

The packaging style determination system 1 may repeatedly execute the above-described process while changing over time the turn corresponding to the stage at which the packaging style determination unit 16 determines the packaging style, and the evaluation functions that make up the group of evaluation functions. At the destination of the package 3, the type, number, and destination of the package 3 loaded into the shipping container 6 may change over time due to changes in the demand and supply of package 3, etc. Therefore, by updating the process executed by the packaging style determination system 1 over time, the packaging style of the package 3 in the shipping container 6 can be calculated.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the package 3 is transported to the worker 5 by the conveyor 4 in an order corresponding to the packaging style determined by the packaging style determination system 1. However, the packaging style determination system 1 may also rearrange the order in which the package 3 is transported to the worker 5 within a predetermined range (so-called scope).

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the evaluation function selection unit 12 selects evaluation functions that exclude at least one of the evaluation functions that are correlated with each other as a result of component analysis by the component analysis unit 25. As described above, the evaluation value is calculated, for example, as the sum of the values of each evaluation function in the first evaluation function group or the second evaluation function group. Also, for example, even if the value of an evaluation function that is not correlated with other evaluation functions is changed, the value of the other evaluation functions does not change. Therefore, if there are multiple packaging styles with similar evaluation values, the evaluation value of the packaging style can be increased by changing the packaging style of the luggage 3 in the shipping container 6 so that the value of the evaluation function that is not correlated with the other evaluation functions is increased.

Therefore, when selecting evaluation functions to be used to obtain evaluation values, the evaluation function selection unit 12 may select evaluation functions that are positively correlated with each other as evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group. The evaluation function selection unit 12 may also preferentially select evaluation functions that are negatively correlated with each other as evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group. Furthermore, the evaluation function selection unit 12 may always select evaluation functions that are not correlated with each other as evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group or the second evaluation function group.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the evaluation value acquisition unit 14 uses evaluation functions XA to XN to acquire evaluation values. However, various evaluation functions can be used to acquire evaluation values.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the first determination number was 2, the second determination number was 3, and the third determination number was 2. However, the values of each determination number can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1...packaging style determination system, 3...baggage, 6...transport box (container), 11...baggage information generation unit, 12...evaluation function selection unit, 14...evaluation value acquisition unit, 16...packaging style determination unit, 31...control unit, P...packaging style determination program.

Claims (6)

A packing style determination system for determining the packing style of luggage in a container,
a package information generating unit that generates package information related to the package;
a packaging style calculation unit that calculates the packaging style of the package in the container based on the package information;
an evaluation value acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage;
a packing style determination unit that determines a packing style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value,
The packaging style determination unit
In a first step, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determined number are determined;
In a second step after the first step, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number is determined.
Packaging determination system. The packaging style determination unit determines a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined third determined number different from the second determined number in a third stage after the second stage,
the second determination number is greater than the first determination number and the third determination number;
The packaging style determination system according to claim 1. The evaluation value acquisition unit
In a first evaluation stage, the evaluation value is obtained based on a first group of evaluation functions including at least one evaluation function;
In a second evaluation stage after the first evaluation stage, the evaluation value is obtained based on a result of the first evaluation stage and a second evaluation function group consisting of evaluation functions different from the evaluation functions of the first evaluation function group;
The packaging style determination unit determines the packaging style of the package based on the result of the second evaluation stage.
3. The packaging style determination system according to claim 1 or 2. an evaluation function selection unit that selects the evaluation function to be used to obtain the evaluation value from a plurality of preset evaluation functions;
the evaluation value acquisition unit acquires the evaluation value based on the selected evaluation function.
3. The packaging style determination system according to claim 1 or 2. A method for determining a packing style of a package in a container, comprising:
generating package information relating to the package;
calculating a packing state of the package in the container based on the package information;
obtaining an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage;
and determining a packing style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value,
The determining step includes:
A first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number;
A second step of determining, after the first step, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number,
Packaging determination method. A packing style determination program for determining the packing style of luggage in a container,
generating package information relating to the package;
calculating a packing state of the package in the container based on the package information;
obtaining an evaluation value of the packaging style of the luggage;
determining a packing style of the package in the container based on the evaluation value;
The determining step includes:
A first step of determining a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined first determination number;
A second step of determining, after the first step, a number of packaging styles equal to a predetermined second determined number different from the first determined number,
Packaging decision program.