Patent Publication Number: US-2021182768-A1

Title: Work plan generation apparatus and work plan generation method

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-227446 filed on Dec. 17, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a work plan generation apparatus and a work plan generation method. 
     A computer system (work plan generation apparatus) includes a center computer. Specifically, the center computer includes an arithmetic processor and a storage. The arithmetic processor generates work sorting data. The work sorting data indicates that multiple works are performed by multiple working sections at multiple work places. The works are, for example, telephone work. The arithmetic processor corrects the previously generated work sorting data. Specifically, the arithmetic processor rewrites the expected start and/or end time of the work project in the work sorting data in a predetermined interval in accordance with the actual work progress status, the road congestion, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a work plan generation apparatus includes a worker information storage, a shipment time storage, a workload estimation information generator, a shipping preparation work time period setter, and a worker allocation plan generator. The worker information storage stores worker information about multiple workers. The shipment time storage stores one or more shipment times set for each of one or more work units. The workload estimation information generator generates workload estimation information indicating an estimated workload of a shipping preparation work for a product for each of the one or more work units. The shipping preparation work time period setter sets respective shipping preparation work time periods corresponding to the one or more shipment times stored in the shipment time storage for each of the one or more work units. The worker allocation plan generator assigns a worker who performs the shipping preparation work among the workers to each of the shipping preparation work time periods based on the worker information and the workload estimation information for each of the one or more work units to generate an allocation plan of the workers. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a work plan generation method includes first storing, second storing, generating, setting, and assigning. At the first storing, worker information about multiple workers is stored. At the second storing, one or more shipment times set for each of one or more work units are stored. At the generating, workload estimation information indicating an estimated workload of a shipping preparation work for a product is generated for each of the one or more work units. At the setting, respective shipping preparation work time periods corresponding to the one or more shipment times stored at the second storing are set for each of the one or more work units. At the assigning, a worker who performs the shipping preparation work among the workers is assigned to each of the shipping preparation work time periods based on the worker information and the workload estimation information for each of the one or more work units to generate an allocation plan of the workers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the inside of a distribution warehouse in which a work plan generation apparatus is installed according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the work plan generation apparatus according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a table illustrating order information according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a table illustrating worker information according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a table illustrating a shipment time according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a table illustrating an allocation plan according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a table illustrating an allocation plan according to the present embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a controller according to the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numeral and the description thereof is not repeated. 
     A distribution warehouse  1  according to the present embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the inside of the distribution warehouse  1  in which a work plan generation apparatus  100  is installed. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the distribution warehouse  1  includes a plurality of storages  11 , a plurality of workspaces  12 , and an office  10 . The distribution warehouse  1  is located in a first place. The first place is, for example, a distribution warehouse in “Osaka”. The work plan generation apparatus  100  is provided in the office  10 . 
     In the distribution warehouse  1 , multiple workers P perform shipping preparation works. The workers P include, for example, a worker P 1 , a worker P 2 , a worker P 3 , a worker P 4 , and a worker P 5 . The worker P 5  is not illustrated as the worker P 5  is not in the distribution warehouse  1 . In the drawings, the identification information on the worker P 1  is denoted by “P 1 ”, the identification information on the worker P 2  by “P 2 ”, the identification information on the worker P 3  by “P 3 ”, the identification information on the worker P 4  by “P 4 ”, and the identification information on the worker P 5  by “P 5 ”. 
     Multiple products S are stored in each of the storages  11 . The storages  11  include, for example, a first storage  11 A and a second storage  11 B. Each of a first product S 1 , a second product S 2 , and a third product S 3  is, for example, one part of a finished product. The products S include, for example, the first product S 1 , the second product S 2 , and the third product S 3 . Specifically, a large number of the first products S 1  and a large number of the second products S 2 , for example, are stored in the first storage  11 A. For example, a large number of the third products S 3  are stored in the second storage  11 B. 
     In each of the storages  11 , the workers P perform a shipping preparation work. Specifically, the shipping preparation work includes a collection work or a packing work. Specifically, a collection work for collecting a predetermined number of the first products S 1  or a predetermined number of the second products S 2  or a packing work for packing a predetermined number of the first products S 1  or a predetermined number of the second products S 2  is performed in the first storage  11 A. A collection work for collecting a predetermined number of the third products S 3  or a packing work for packing a predetermined number of the third products S 3  is performed in the second storage  11 B. 
     Multiple trucks  20  leave for the respective destinations from the workspaces  12 . The workspaces  12  include, for example, a first workspace  12 A and a second workspace  12 B. The trucks  20  include, for example, a first truck  20 A and a second truck  20 B. The destinations include, for example, a second place and a third place. The second place is, for example, an assembly factory in “Kyoto”. The third place is a place farther from the first place as compared with the second place and is, for example, an assembly factory in “Tokyo”. Specifically, the first truck  20 A leaves for the assembly factory in “Kyoto” from the first workspace  12 A. The second truck  20 B leaves for the assembly factory in “Tokyo” from the second workspace  12 B. 
     In each of the workspaces  12 , the workers P perform a shipping preparation work. Specifically, the shipping preparation work includes a loading work. Specifically, in the first workspace  12 A, a loading work is performed to load a predetermined number of the first products S 1 , a predetermined number of the second products S 2 , or a predetermined number of the third products S 3  into the truck  20 A. In the second workspace  12 B, a loading work is performed to load a predetermined number of the first products S 1 , a predetermined number of the second products S 2 , or a predetermined number of the third products S 3  into the second truck  20 B. 
     The work plan generation apparatus  100  is described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the work plan generation apparatus  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the work plan generation apparatus  100  includes a controller  50  and a storage  60 . 
     The storage  60  includes a worker information storage  61 , a shipment time storage  62 , an assignment model storage  63 , and an order information storage  64 . Specifically, the storage  60  includes a storage device, a semiconductor memory, and a database for information processing. The storage device is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) and/or a solid state drive (SSD). The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The database is, for example, Oracle (registered trademark) Database, MySQL (registered trademark), SQLite, or Microsoft (registered trademark) SQL Server. 
     The worker information storage  61  stores worker information DP. The worker information DP relates to the workers P. The shipment time storage  62  stores one or more shipment times DT. 
     The controller  50  includes an acquirer S 1 . Specifically, the controller  50  includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). The controller  50  executes a control program stored in the storage  60 . 
     The acquirer  51  acquires a plurality of sets of order information DR via a network such as a local area network (LAN). Specifically, the acquirer  51  acquires a plurality of sets of the order information DR for 24 hours. The order information storage  64  stores the sets of the order information DR. 
     Next, the order information DR is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 .  FIG. 3  is a table illustrating the order information DR. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example, time and date, product information, and destination information are related to each other in the order information DR. The destination information indicates a destination. The product information indicates the type and the number of the products S. That is, the order information DR indicates that a predetermined type and a predetermined number of the products S are to be transported to the destination. Accordingly, a “work unit” for transporting a predetermined type and a predetermined number of the products S to the destination is set. The “work unit” may be set by using a working group, a working section, or a working area to which the worker P performing a shipping preparation work in the distribution warehouse  1  for shipping the product S is assigned. 
     Next, the details of the worker information DP are described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 .  FIG. 4  is a table illustrating the worker information DP. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for example, the worker P, attendance information DPA, and information DPB about the work performance ability are related to each other in the worker information DP. The attendance information DPA indicates whether each of the workers P is attending work. Specifically, when the worker P 1  is attending work, the attendance information DPA indicates “Y”. When the worker P 5  is not attending work, the attendance information DPA indicates “N”. 
     The information DPB about the work performance ability includes the information about the work performance ability of each of the workers P. Specifically, the information DPB about the work performance ability is the skill information indicating the working speed. The work performance ability is represented by using the index for the shipping preparation work of the product S performed by each of the workers P. Specifically, the work performance ability is indicated in five levels. Specifically, the work performance ability indicates one numerical value selected from “1” to “5”. For example, the work performance ability of the worker P 1  is “5”, which is a fast working speed. On the other hand, the work performance ability of the worker P 5  is “1”, which is a slow working speed. 
     Subsequently, the details of the shipment time DT are described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 .  FIG. 5  is a table illustrating the shipment time DT. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , it is indicated that a first departure time of the first truck  20 A is “12:00” and a second departure time is “16:00”. In other words, it is indicated that the shipment times DT for “Kyoto” are “12:00” and “16:00”. The shipment time DT is set for each work unit for transporting a predetermined type and a predetermined number of the products S to the destination. Therefore, the shipment time DT “12:00” or “16:00” is set for the work unit for transporting the product S to “Kyoto”. Further, it is indicated that a first departure time of the second truck  20 B is “12:00” and a second departure time is “14:00”. In other words, it is indicated that the shipment times DT for “Tokyo” are “12:00” and “14:00”. Therefore, the shipment time DT “12:00” or “14:00” is set for the work unit for transporting the product S to “Tokyo”. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the controller  50  includes a workload estimation information generator  52 , a shipping preparation work time period setter  53 , a worker allocation plan generator  54 , and an assignment model updater  55  in addition to the acquirer  51 . 
     The workload estimation information generator  52  generates workload estimation information. The workload estimation information indicates the estimated workload of a shipping preparation work for the product S for each of one or more work units. Specifically, the estimated workload is represented by using a numerical value. For example, when the workload estimation information generator  52  assigns the estimated workload to the work unit for transporting a predetermined number of the first products S 1  and a predetermined number of the second products S 2  to “Kyoto”, the workload estimation information generator  52  assigns the estimated workload “80”, which is a large number, as the number of the products S is large. When the estimated workload is assigned to the work unit for transporting a predetermined number of the third products S 3  to “Tokyo”, the estimated workload “40”, which is a small number, is assigned as the number of the products S is small. 
     The shipping preparation work time period setter  53  sets the shipping preparation work time period for each of one or more work units. The shipping preparation work time period corresponds to each of the one or more shipment times DT stored in the shipment time storage  62 . For example, the shipping preparation work time period setter  53  sets, as the shipping preparation work time period, the time period from 30 minutes before the shipment time until the shipment time. 
     The worker allocation plan generator  54  generates an allocation plan DA based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information. Specifically, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns at least one of the workers P to each of one or more work units to generate the allocation plan DA for the workers P. The worker P performs a shipping preparation work in each of the shipping preparation work time periods set for the work unit. 
     The allocation plan DA is described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a table illustrating the allocation plan DA. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for example, the worker P, the time, and the work unit are related to each other in the allocation plan DA. For example, the time is indicated in an interval of 30 minutes from 9:00 to 17:00. As for the work unit, the shipping preparation work for a loading work at the first workspace  12 A is denoted by “first”. The shipping preparation work for a loading work at the second workspace  12 B is denoted by “second”. 
     For example, the worker P 1  with a working speed of “5” performs a loading work from 11:00 to 12:00 at the first workspace  12 A, in which the estimated workload is large. The worker P 3  with a working speed of “3” performs a loading work from 11:30 to 12:00 at the first workspace  12 A. The worker P 2  with a working speed of “3” performs a loading work from 11:30 to 12:00 at the second workspace  12 B, in which the estimated workload is small. The worker P 4  with a working speed of “3” performs a loading work from 11:30 to 12:00 at the second workspace  12 B. 
     As described above, the worker allocation plan generator  54  generates the allocation plan DA based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information. Accordingly, the workers P perform a shipping preparation work in each of the shipping preparation work time periods. The shipping preparation work time period corresponds to each of the one or more shipment times DT. Therefore, the shipping preparation work may be completed by the shipment time DT. The worker information DP includes the attendance information DPA. Thus, the worker allocation plan generator  54  may generate the worker information DP to generate the more appropriate allocation plan DA. The worker information DP includes the information DPB about the work performance ability. Thus, the worker allocation plan generator  54  may use the worker information DP to generate the more appropriate allocation plan DA. 
     Specifically, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the shipping preparation workload to each of the shipping preparation work time periods. The shipping preparation workload indicates the workload of a predetermined shipping preparation work that is included in the estimated workload and that needs to be completed by the shipment time. For example, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the worker P who performs a shipping preparation work to each of the shipping preparation work time periods such that the shipping preparation work of the assigned shipping preparation workload is completed. Therefore, the workers P may be assigned in accordance with a shipping preparation workload. As a result, it is possible to further ensure that the shipping preparation work is completed by the shipment time DT. 
     More specifically, the workload estimation information generator  52  predicts the shipping preparation workload that is expected to be added during the period from a first time to a second time. The first time is set based on a first shipment time. The second time is set based on a second shipment time. The second shipment time is a shipment time subsequent to the first shipment time. 
     Specifically, the first time is a time previous to the first shipment time by a first predetermined time. Particularly, the first predetermined time is one hour. The second time is a time previous to the second shipment time by a second predetermined time. Particularly, the second predetermined time is 30 minutes. The second predetermined time is a time with which shipping preparation work may be performed by the second time. 
     For example, the workload estimation information generator  52  predicts the shipping preparation workload based on the order information DR one year earlier or the previous day. The workload estimation information generator  52  assumes that the order information DR that is identical to the order information DR acquired during the period between the first time and the second time on the previous day is also acquired on the current day. For example, the workload estimation information generator  52  assumes that the order information DR identical to the order information DR for transporting the product S to “Kyoto”, which is acquired during the period from 11:00 to 15:30 on the previous day, is acquired. As a result, the workload estimation information generator  52  calculates the shipping preparation workload based on the order information DR. 
     The worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the shipping preparation workload to the shipping preparation work time period corresponding to the second shipment time. For example, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the shipping preparation workload based on the order information DR for transporting the product S to “Kyoto”, acquired by 11:00 on the current day, to the shipping preparation work time period corresponding to the first shipment time. Further, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the shipping preparation workload that is expected to be acquired during the period from 11:00 to 15:30 on the current day to the shipping preparation work time period corresponding to the second shipment time. 
     As described above, the workload estimation information generator  52  predicts the shipping preparation workload that is expected to be added during the period from the first time to the second time. The worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the shipping preparation workload to the shipping preparation work time period corresponding to the second shipment time. Thus, the shipping preparation work may be performed for the order information DR acquired by the second time on the current day. As a result, it is possible to respond on the current day. The first time is a time previous to the first shipment time by the first predetermined time, and the second time is a time previous to the second shipment time by the second predetermined time. Therefore, the shipping preparation work may be performed in the second predetermined time based on the order information DR acquired by the second time on the current day. As a result, it is possible to respond on the current day with more certainty. 
     The worker allocation plan generator  54  acquires actual performance data. The actual performance data includes, for example, the information indicating whether the shipping preparation work of the estimated workload has been completed after the performance of the actual shipping preparation work. When the shipping preparation work has not been completed, the worker allocation plan generator  54  regenerates an allocation plan DB based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information. For example, when the actual performance data, indicating that the shipping preparation work for transporting the third product S 3  to “Tokyo” has not been completed, is acquired, the worker allocation plan generator  54  changes the allocation plan DA into the allocation plan DB in real time. 
     The allocation plan DB is described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 7  is a table illustrating the allocation plan DB. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for example, the worker P, the time, and the work unit are related to each other in the allocation plan DB. 
     In the allocation plan DA illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the worker P 3  performs a loading work at the first workspace  12 A from 11:30 to 12:00 and performs a loading work at the first workspace  12 A from 15:30 to 16:00. In the allocation plan DB illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the worker P 3  performs a loading work at the first workspace  12 A from 11:30 to 12:00, performs a loading work at the second workspace  12 B from 13:30 to 14:00, and performs a loading work at the first workspace  12 A from 15:30 to 16:00. That is, as the shipping preparation work of the estimated workload has not been completed in the allocation plan DA illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the loading work performed by the worker P 3  at the second workspace  12 B from 13:30 to 14:00 is added to the allocation plan DB illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Thus, it is possible to respond to a change in the shipping preparation work at the workspace  12 . For example, the number of the workers P required may be temporarily increased during the shipping preparation work time period immediately before the shipment time. As a result, it is possible to further ensure that the shipping preparation work is completed by the shipment time DT. 
     More specifically, the assignment model storage  63  stores the assignment model of the worker P. The assignment model includes the information indicating the worker P assigned to each shipping preparation work time period corresponding to the worker information DP and the workload estimation information for each of one or more work units. 
     Specifically, the assignment model includes the template indicating the number of the workers P assigned to each of the time periods. For example, the assignment model includes the information in which the single worker P is assigned to the shipping preparation work time period from 11:00 to 11:30 corresponding to the work unit for transporting the first product S 1  and the second product S 2  to “Kyoto” and the two workers P are assigned to the shipping preparation work time period from 11:30 to 12:00. 
     The worker allocation plan generator  54  executes assignment of the workers P based on the assignment model. Therefore, the worker allocation plan generator  54  may accurately generate the allocation plan DA. 
     The assignment model updater  55  updates the assignment model based on the actual performance data in the past. Therefore, the worker allocation plan generator  54  may accurately generate the allocation plan DA. For example, the assignment model updater  55  updates the assignment model in a case where the shipping preparation work is completed up to 15 minutes before. Specifically, the assignment model includes information such that the assignment of the two workers P to a shipping preparation work time period is changed to the assignment of the single worker P to the shipping preparation work time period. Thus, it is possible to suppress the shortage or excess of the work processing capability of the workspace  12 . 
     The assignment model updater  55  may update the work performance ability of the worker P stored in the worker information storage  61 . For example, the assignment model updater  55  updates the work performance ability of the worker P 5  from “3” to “4”. 
     When there are multiple work units, the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the worker P selected from the workers P to a specific work unit that is given priority among the work units based on a predetermined condition. Thus, the high-priority shipping preparation work may be completed. The predetermined condition is preferably that the work unit having the earlier final shipment time is given priority among the work units. According to this preferable example, an urgent shipping preparation work may be completed. As a result, it is possible to further ensure that the shipping preparation work is completed by the shipment time DT. 
     Next, a process of the controller  50  is described with reference to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of the controller  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , first, at Step S 101 , the acquirer  51  sequentially acquires the plurality of sets of the order information DR. 
     Subsequently, at Step S 102 , the worker information storage  61  stores the worker information DP about the workers P. 
     Then, at Step S 103 , the shipment time storage  62  stores the one or more shipment times DT. 
     Then, at Step S 104 , the workload estimation information generator  52  generates workload estimation information. 
     Then, at Step S 105 , the shipping preparation work time period setter  53  sets a shipping preparation work time period for each of the one or more work units. 
     Then, at Step S 106 , the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the worker P to each of the one or more work units based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information to generate the allocation plan DA. 
     Then, at Step S 107 , the acquirer  51  sequentially acquires the plurality sets of the order information DR. 
     Then, at Step S 108 , the assignment model updater  55  acquires the actual performance data. 
     Then, at Step S 109 , the worker allocation plan generator  54  assigns the worker P to each of the one or more work units based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information to generate the allocation plan DB. Afterward, the process ends. 
     The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be implemented in various aspects without departing from the scope thereof. In the drawings, the components are primarily illustrated in a schematic manner for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of the components illustrated differ from the reality for the sake of creation of the drawings. The material, shape, dimension, etc. of the components illustrated in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited and may be variously modified without substantially departing from the advantages of the present invention. 
     (1) Although the worker allocation plan generator  54  generates the allocation plan DA based on the worker information DP and the workload estimation information in the work plan generation apparatus  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , the worker allocation plan generator  54  may generate the allocation plan DA and the allocation plan DB through machine learning. 
     (2) Although the second departure time is the final shipment time in the work plan generation apparatus  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a third departure time may be further provided so that the third departure time is the final shipment time. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention may be used in the field of work plan generation apparatuses.