Patent Description:
Sorting systems for automating the sorting of articles, such as luggage, have become widespread. For example, the sorting system reads an image of an article conveyed along a main conveyance path, recognizes destination information included in the image, and designates a sorting destination according to a destination recognition result. The sorting system feeds an article from the main conveyance path to a circulation conveyance path, and sorts the article to a sorting destination according to a destination recognition result of the article circulated and conveyed by the circulation conveyance path.

<CIT> discloses a mail sorting system, which is able to dramatically increase the throughput sorting volume of mail pieces or articles, comprises the incorporation of a plurality of cross-circulation path conveyors within a conventional looped or folded conveyor belt system whereby, in effect, mail pieces or articles can be effectively removed from primary conveyor flow path sections so as to create gaps or spaces upon the primary conveyor flow path sections into which additional mail pieces or articles can be introduced through means of a second input or infeed port. In addition, a plurality of the new and improved mail sorting systems can be integrated together into a multi-system mail sorting system wherein off-shoot or auxiliary outfeed conveyor belt sections can feed pieces or articles of mail from any particular one of the mail sorting systems to the second input or infeed ports of the other mail sorting systems so as to render the overall system still more efficient.

In recent years, the increasing number of articles needing to be sorted has in turn increased the demand for greater amounts of articles to be processed per given unit time. Although the article throughput per unit time can be boosted simply by increasing the number of sorting machines installed, this cannot be considered an effective solution in consideration of the fact that the installation space is limited and introduction costs have their upper limits.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article sorting control apparatus, an article sorting control program, and an article sorting system capable of improving article processing efficiency.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an article sorting control apparatus as defined in claim <NUM>, a sorting system as defined in claim <NUM>, as well as by a an article sorting control programme as defined in claim <NUM>. Particular embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims. In particular, the article sorting control apparatus includes a memory, a processor, and a communication interface. The memory stores sorting destination management information for conveying an article from a main conveyance path to a circulation conveyance path, via one of a first conveyance route connected to the circulation conveyance path from the main conveyance path via a first sub-conveyance path, and a second conveyance route connected to the circulation conveyance path from the main conveyance path via a second sub-conveyance path, and for sorting the article to a designated sorting destination among a plurality of sorting destinations while circulating the article in one direction via the circulation conveyance path, the sorting destination management information including reference conveyance route information to allocate one of the first conveyance route and the second conveyance route in accordance with each of the sorting destinations, fixed sorting destination information associating a fixed sorting destination among the destinations to a destination, and dynamic sorting destination information associating a dynamic sorting destination among the sorting destinations to a destination that is allocated in accordance with a situation. The processor selects a first diverging control signal or a second diverging control signal based on a designated sorting destination of the article acquired from information read from the article, the sorting destination management information, and degree of congestion of the first and second sub-conveyance paths, and to allocate an arbitrary destination to the dynamic sorting destination. The communication interface transmits the first or the second diverging control signal selected by the processor to an article sorting apparatus configured to distribute the article from the main conveyance path to the first or the second sub-conveyance path based on the first or the second diverging control signal.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an article sorting system according to an embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, an article sorting system S includes an article sorting apparatus <NUM>, an article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, and a server <NUM>. The article sorting apparatus <NUM> sequentially conveys and diverges a plurality of articles, and sorts the articles to designated sorting destinations based on a sorting destination determination result of the articles. The article sorting control apparatus <NUM> controls article processing (conveyance, divergence, sorting, and the like) performed by the article sorting apparatus <NUM>. The server <NUM> recognizes destination information or the like of the article from an image of the article.

The article sorting apparatus <NUM> includes an introducing portion <NUM>, an information reading portion <NUM>, and a diverging device <NUM>. Further, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> comprises various conveyors <NUM>. For example, the conveyors <NUM> include a main conveyor <NUM> corresponding to a main conveyance path, a first buffer conveyor <NUM> corresponding to a first sub-conveyance path, a second buffer conveyor <NUM> corresponding to a second sub-conveyance path, a first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, a second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, and a circulation conveyor <NUM> corresponding to a circulation conveyance path.

The article sorting apparatus <NUM> includes a plurality of sorting chutes <NUM> corresponding to a plurality of sorting destinations, and a chuter <NUM> that feeds articles to each sorting chute <NUM>. The sorting chute <NUM> includes first fixed sorting chutes <NUM> and 1511a of an area A, first dynamic sorting chutes 1512a and 1512b of the area A, and a first reject sorting chute <NUM> of the area A, as well as second fixed sorting chutes <NUM> and 1521a of an area B, second dynamic sorting chutes 1522a and 1522b of the area B, and a second reject sorting chute <NUM> of the area B. Each sorting chute <NUM> is provided with a plurality of article detection sensors that detect articles contained therein, and article detection signals from the plurality of article detection sensors are output to a processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> monitors the article detection signals from the article detection sensors of each sorting chute <NUM> and detects whether or not the free space in each sorting chute <NUM> exceeds a reference value. In other words, the processor <NUM> detects whether or not there is a vacancy in each sorting chute <NUM> based on the article detection signals from the article detection sensors of each sorting chute <NUM>.

The article sorting apparatus <NUM> further includes a plurality of article detection sensors that detect articles on the main conveyor <NUM>, the first buffer conveyor <NUM>, the second buffer conveyor <NUM>, the first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, the second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, and the circulation conveyor <NUM> corresponding to the circulation conveyance path. For example, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> includes a plurality of article detection sensors <NUM> that detect articles on the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and articles on the second buffer conveyor <NUM>.

For example, the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> can be realized by one computer or a combination of a plurality of computers, communicates with other apparatuses in a wired or wireless manner, receives and stores information from the other apparatuses, transmits a control signal or the like to the other apparatuses, and controls the other apparatuses. For example, the other apparatuses are the article sorting apparatus <NUM> and the server <NUM>.

The article sorting control apparatus <NUM> monitors article detection signals from a plurality of article detection sensors, traces the conveyance (movement) of each article, and detects or estimates where each article is located. Further, the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> allocates article detection identification information (hereinafter referred to as an article detection ID (identification information)) to each article detected by the plurality of article detection sensors (each article sequentially introduced from the introducing portion <NUM>).

The articles processed by the article sorting system S include packages of various sizes, shapes, and weights. Destination information (such as a destination address) is recorded in each article, and article identification information (hereinafter referred to as an article ID) is allocated to each article in advance. For example, the destination information is directly or indirectly recorded for each article, and the article ID is directly or indirectly recorded for each article. The article ID may be an article ID recorded by a recording method of either visible printing or invisible printing with ink that absorbs infrared rays or the like. Alternatively, an electronic tag or a wireless tag storing the article ID may be attached to the article.

The article ID at a minimum includes unique information and is constituted by one or a combination of two or more of a number, a character, a symbol, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, and a QR code (registered trademark). The article sorting control apparatus <NUM> stores an article management table for managing an article ID allocated to each article and destination information read and recognized from each article in association with each other. Further, the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> stores a sorting management table that associates destination information with each sorting chute <NUM>.

For example, the server <NUM> can be realized by one computer or a combination of a plurality of computers, communicates with other apparatuses in a wired or wireless manner, receives and stores information from the other apparatuses, transmits a control signal or the like to the other apparatuses, and controls the other apparatuses. For example, the other apparatus is the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. The server <NUM> receives image information of an article, recognizes destination information or the like of the article from the image information, and returns a destination recognition result.

The sorter constituted by the circulation conveyor <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> may be a cross belt sorter, a sliding shoe sorter, or a bomb-bay sorter. The cross belt sorter conveys an article via a conveyance tray constituted by a belt conveyor, and supplies an article on the conveyance tray to a target sorting chute <NUM> by the rotation of the belt conveyor. The sliding shoe sorter conveys an article by a conveyance tray, inclines the conveyance tray at a timing when the conveyance tray reaches a target sorting chute <NUM>, and slides the article on the conveyance tray toward the target sorting chute <NUM>. The bomb-bay sorter conveys an article via a conveyance tray having a bottom portion configured to be openable and closable, opens the bottom portion at a timing when the conveyance tray reaches a target sorting chute <NUM> or a chuter <NUM> for feeding the article to the target sorting chute <NUM>, and drops the article toward the target chuter <NUM>.

This embodiment will be described on the assumption that the sorter constituted by the circulation conveyor <NUM> is the bomb-bay sorter. The circulation conveyor <NUM> circulates and conveys a plurality of conveyance trays. Each conveyance tray circulated and conveyed by the circulation conveyor <NUM> loads and conveys an article fed by the first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, and loads and conveys the article fed by the second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>. A single conveyance tray loads and conveys one article.

Here, an article conveyance route by each conveyor <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> will be described. The article conveyance route includes a conveyance route RO1 (first conveyance route) and a conveyance route RO2 (second conveyance route). As shown in <FIG>, the conveyance route RO1 is a route from the main conveyor <NUM> to the circulation conveyor <NUM> via the first buffer conveyor <NUM>, the first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, and a first merging point P1 in order. The conveyance route RO2 is a route from the main conveyor <NUM> to the circulation conveyor <NUM> via the second buffer conveyor <NUM>, the second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM>, and a second merging point P2 in order. The article sorting apparatus <NUM> conveys an article to the circulation conveyor <NUM> by one of the conveyance route RO1 and the conveyance route RO2, and the circulation conveyor <NUM> circulates the article in one direction to sort the article to each sorting chute <NUM>.

The introducing portion <NUM> receives an article introduced by an operator or an article fed by a conveying belt or the like, and the main conveyor <NUM> conveys the article received by the introducing portion <NUM> to the information reading portion <NUM>.

The information reading portion <NUM> includes a camera, captures an image of an article from an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface of the article by the camera, and outputs image information to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. The information reading portion <NUM> measures the size, shape, weight, and the like of the conveyed article, and outputs article measurement information obtained by the measurement to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. Furthermore, the information reading portion <NUM> reads the article ID from the article and outputs the read article ID to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. When the article ID is a QR code, the information reading portion <NUM> functions as a QR code reader. When the article ID is information stored in the wireless tag, the information reading portion <NUM> functions as a wireless reader and reads the article ID from the wireless tag by wireless communication. The main conveyor <NUM> conveys the article to the diverging device <NUM>.

The diverging device <NUM> distributes articles from the main conveyor <NUM> to the first buffer conveyor <NUM> based on a diverging control signal S11 transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, and distributes articles from the main conveyor <NUM> to the second buffer conveyor <NUM> based on a diverging control signal S12 transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>.

The first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> are separately driven, so as to accumulate articles without a clearance. The first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM> receives the articles from the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and feeds the articles toward the empty conveyance trays of the circulation conveyor <NUM> at the merging point P1. Similarly, the second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM> receives the articles from the second buffer conveyor <NUM> and feeds the articles toward the empty conveyance trays of the circulation conveyor <NUM> at the merging point P2.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the article sorting control apparatus constituting the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> includes the processor <NUM>, a read-only memory (ROM) <NUM>, a random-access memory (RAM) <NUM>, an auxiliary storage device <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and an input/output portion <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> corresponds to a central portion of a computer that performs processing such as calculation and control necessary for article processing. The processor <NUM> executes control to realize various functions based on a program such as system software, application software, or firmware stored in at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor <NUM> is a combination of two or more of these.

The processor <NUM> allocates an article detection ID to each article to be detected based on article detection signals from the article detection sensors, traces the conveyance (movement) of each article, and detects or estimates where each article is located. Further, the processor <NUM> monitors the amount of movement of the circulation conveyor <NUM> based on a signal from a rotary encoder that detects the amount of movement of the circulation conveyor <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> detects the number of circulations of the circulation conveyor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> can also detect the number of circulations of each article by combining the trace of the conveyance of each article and the monitoring of the amount of movement of the circulation conveyor <NUM>.

The ROM <NUM> is a computer-readable storage medium and corresponds to a main storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The ROM <NUM> is a non-volatile memory (non-transitory storage medium) that is exclusively used for reading data. The ROM <NUM> may store at least a portion of the programs described above. In addition, the ROM <NUM> stores data or various setting values and the like used when the processor <NUM> performs various processes.

The RAM <NUM> is a computer-readable storage medium and corresponds to a main storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The RAM <NUM> is a memory used for reading and writing data. The RAM <NUM> is utilized as a so-called work area for storing data to be temporarily used when the processor <NUM> performs various processes.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a computer-readable storage medium and corresponds to an auxiliary storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a non-transitory storage medium such as an electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (registered trademark), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The auxiliary storage device <NUM> may store at least a portion of the programs described above. In addition, the auxiliary storage device <NUM> stores data to be used by the processor <NUM> when performing various types of processing, data generated by the processing performed by the processor <NUM>, or various setting values, and the like. For example, the auxiliary storage device <NUM> stores sorting history information for managing a history of destinations and sorting destinations of the respective articles.

The programs stored in at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM> include a program for article processing. As an example, the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> is transferred to an administrator or the like of the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> with the program being stored in at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. Alternatively, the program may be transferred to the administrator or the like by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the program. In this case, the program stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is written to at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM> through the operation by the administrator or the service person. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the program is, for example, a removable storage medium, such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a network or the like and written to at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication with another apparatus via a network or the like, receiving various types of information transmitted from another apparatus, and transmitting various types of information to another apparatus. For example, the communication interface <NUM> receives the article IDs from the server <NUM> before starting the article processing. The communication interface <NUM> also receives the article detection signals from the article detection sensors, the image information, the article measurement information, and the articles ID from the information reading portion <NUM>. Further, the communication interface <NUM> transmits the diverging control signal S11 or S12 to the diverging device <NUM>, and transmits sorting destination information (information for specifying the sorting chutes <NUM>) associated with the article IDs to the article sorting apparatus <NUM>.

The input/output portion <NUM> includes a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a touch panel display, and the like. The input/output portion <NUM> receives an instruction input from the operator and notifies the processor <NUM> of the instruction input. The touch panel display displays various types of information for the operator.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the server included in the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the server <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an auxiliary storage device <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and an input/output portion <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> corresponds to a central portion of a computer that performs processing such as calculation and control necessary for article processing. The processor <NUM> executes control to realize various functions based on a program such as system software, application software, or firmware stored in at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> recognizes destination information included in the image information transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, and outputs a recognition result of the destination information.

The ROM <NUM> corresponds to a main storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The ROM <NUM> is a nonvolatile memory that is used exclusively for reading data. The ROM <NUM> may store at least a portion of the programs described above. In addition, the ROM <NUM> stores data or various setting values and the like used when the processor <NUM> performs various processes.

The RAM <NUM> corresponds to a main storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The RAM <NUM> is a memory used for reading and writing data. The RAM <NUM> is utilized as a so-called work area for storing data to be temporarily used when the processor <NUM> performs various processes.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> corresponds to an auxiliary storage device of the computer including the processor <NUM> as a center. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> may store at least a portion of the programs described above. In addition, the auxiliary storage device <NUM> stores data to be used by the processor <NUM> when performing various types of processing, data generated by the processing performed by the processor <NUM>, or various setting values, and the like.

The programs stored in at least one of the ROM <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM> include a program for recognizing destination information from image information.

The communication interface <NUM> is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication with another apparatus via a network or the like, receiving various types of information transmitted from another apparatus, and transmitting these various types of information to another apparatus. For example, the communication interface <NUM> receives image information of an article transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, and transmits a recognition result of destination information included in the image information of the article to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>.

The input/output portion <NUM> includes a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a touch panel display, and the like.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of an article sorting process performed by the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

The processor <NUM> of the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> performs initial setting (ST1), allocates a role to each sorting chute <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM>, and registers sorting destination management information and a limit on the number of circulations in the auxiliary storage devices <NUM> or the like. The sorting destination management information includes reference conveyance route information for allocating one of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> according to each sorting chute <NUM>. Further, the sorting destination management information includes information on the destination allocated to each sorting chute <NUM>. The destination allocated to each sorting chute <NUM> is a part of the actual destination. For example, the sorting destination management information includes fixed sorting destination information that associates, among the sorting chutes <NUM>, each of the first fixed sorting chutes <NUM> and 1511a and the second fixed sorting chutes <NUM> and 1521a with a destination. Furthermore, the sorting destination management information includes dynamic sorting destination information that associates each of the first dynamic sorting chutes 1512a and 1512b, and the second dynamic sorting chutes 1522a and 1522b with a destination allocated in accordance with a situation. The limit on the number of circulations includes information on the limited number of circulations for which the articles are circulated by the circulation conveyor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> allocates the first buffer conveyor <NUM> to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area A as the reference conveyance route and allocates the second buffer conveyor <NUM> to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area B as the reference conveyance route.

For example, the processor <NUM> allocates the reference conveyance route (first buffer conveyor <NUM>) and the destination (destination AD1) to the first fixed sorting chute 1511a in the area A, allocates the reference conveyance route (first buffer conveyor <NUM>) and undetermined destinations to the first dynamic sorting chutes 1512a and 1512b in the area A, and allocates the reference conveyance route (first buffer conveyor <NUM>) and the destination (reject RE1) to the first reject sorting chute <NUM> in the area A.

Furthermore, the processor <NUM> allocates the reference conveyance route (second buffer conveyor <NUM>) and the destination (destination AD2) to the second fixed sorting chute 1521a in the area B, allocates the reference conveyance route (second buffer conveyor <NUM>) and undetermined destinations to the second dynamic sorting chutes 1522a and 1522b in the area B, and allocates the reference conveyance route (second buffer conveyor <NUM>) and the destination (reject RE2) to the second reject sorting chute <NUM> in the area B.

The conveyance distance from the merging point P1 to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area A is shorter than the conveyance distance from the merging point P2 to the sorting chutes <NUM> (first fixed sorting chutes <NUM>, 1511a, etc.) in the area A, and the conveyance distance from the merging point P2 to the sorting chutes <NUM> (second fixed sorting chutes <NUM>, 1521a, etc.) in the area B is shorter than the conveyance distance from the merging point P1 to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area B.

Therefore, in a case where the articles are sorted with respect to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area A, the conveyance distance and the conveyance time by the circulation conveyor <NUM> can be shortened by selecting the first buffer conveyor <NUM> rather than the second buffer conveyor <NUM>. In a case where the articles are sorted with respect to the sorting chutes <NUM> in the area B, the conveyance distance and the conveyance time by the circulation conveyor <NUM> can be shortened by selecting the second buffer conveyor <NUM> rather than the first buffer conveyor <NUM>.

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> starts conveyance and sorting of the articles by the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST2). Accordingly, the introducing portion <NUM> starts introducing the articles, and each conveyor <NUM> starts conveying the articles. For example, the processor <NUM> outputs a first speed control signal for controlling the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> to a first conveyance speed, outputs a second speed control signal for controlling the main conveyor <NUM> to a second conveyance speed, and outputs a third speed control signal for controlling the circulation conveyor <NUM> to a third conveyance speed. The first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> convey the articles in one direction at the first conveyance speed based on the first speed control signal, the main conveyor <NUM> conveys the articles in one direction at the second conveyance speed based on the second speed control signal, and the circulation conveyor <NUM> circulates and conveys the articles in one direction at the third conveyance speed based on the third speed control signal. The second conveyance speed of the main conveyor <NUM> is greater than the first conveyance speed of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM>, and is, for example, twice the first conveyance speed or greater. The third conveyance speed is equal to the first conveyance speed.

Further, the processor <NUM> monitors article detection signals from the article detection sensors, traces the conveyance (movement) of each article, detects or estimates where each article is located, allocates an article detection ID to the detected or estimated article, and monitors the article based on the article detection ID. Further, determination or estimation of the degree of congestion of each conveyor <NUM> is started (ST3). For example, the communication interface <NUM> receives article detection signals from the article detection sensors <NUM>. The processor <NUM> detects or estimates the number of articles in the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> based on the article detection signals from the article detection sensors <NUM>, and determines or estimates the degree of congestion of the articles in the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> detects a situation in which the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> is higher than the degree of congestion of the second buffer conveyor <NUM>, or a situation in which the degree of congestion of the second buffer conveyor <NUM> is higher than the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM>.

The information reading portion <NUM> reads an image of the conveyed article and transmits the read image information to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, and the communication interface <NUM> of the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> receives the image information and transmits the received image information to the server <NUM>. The information reading portion <NUM> may transmit the read image information directly to the server <NUM>. When an article ID is given to the conveyed article, the information reading portion <NUM> reads the article ID and transmits the article ID to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> of the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> registers the article ID read from a certain article and the article detection ID allocated to the same certain article in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> in association with each other.

The communication interface <NUM> of the server <NUM> receives the image information, the processor <NUM> of the server <NUM> recognizes the destination included in the image information, and the communication interface <NUM> transmits the destination recognition result to the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>. When the destination recognition is successful, the destination recognition result includes a recognition success flag and recognized destination information. When the destination recognition fails, the destination recognition result includes a recognition failure flag.

The communication interface <NUM> receives the destination recognition result from the server <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> determines the designated sorting destination of the article based on the sorting destination management information and the destination recognition result (ST5). The article ID, the article detection ID, and the destination recognition result of the certain article are registered in association with one another, and the processing proceeds to distribution and sorting processing (ST6).

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of distribution and sorting processing by the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

For example, in the case where the designated sorting destination of the article is the area A, when the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> in the area A of the designated sorting destination of the article is equal to or less than the reference value (ST601, NO), the processor <NUM> executes distribution control for distributing the article to the area A of the designated sorting destination (ST602), and executes sorting control for sorting the article to the designated sorting destination based on the determination of the designated sorting destination of the article (ST603). Similarly, in the case where the designated sorting destination of the article is the area B, when the degree of congestion of the second buffer conveyor <NUM> in the area B of the designated sorting destination of the article is equal to or less than the reference value (ST601, NO), the processor <NUM> executes distribution control for distributing the article to the area B of the designated sorting destination (ST602), and executes sorting control for sorting the article to the designated sorting destination based on the determination of the designated sorting destination of the article (ST603).

For example, when all the article detection sensors <NUM> of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> continue to detect articles for a certain period of time or longer, the processor <NUM> determines that the degree of congestion of the area A exceeds the reference value. Similarly, when all the article detection sensors <NUM> of the second buffer conveyor <NUM> continue to detect articles for a certain period of time or longer, the processor <NUM> determines that the degree of congestion of the area B exceeds the reference value.

That is, the processor <NUM> selects the diverging control signal S11 or S12 based on the reference conveyance route allocated to the designated sorting destination of the article, and the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected diverging control signal S11 or S12 to the diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST602). Further, the processor <NUM> selects a sorting control signal S2 for sorting the article to the designated sorting destination, and the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected sorting control signal S2 to the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST603).

For example, when the designated sorting destination of the article is determined to be the first fixed sorting chute 1511a, since the first buffer conveyor <NUM> is allocated to the first fixed sorting chute 1511a as the reference conveyance route, the processor <NUM> selects the diverging control signal S11 for causing the diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> to distribute the article to the first buffer conveyor <NUM>. Alternatively, when the designated sorting destination of the article is determined to be the second fixed sorting chute 1521a, since the second buffer conveyor <NUM> is allocated to the second fixed sorting chute 1521a as the reference conveyance route, the processor <NUM> selects the diverging control signal S12 for causing the diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> to distribute the article to the second buffer conveyor <NUM>.

The diverging device <NUM> distributes the article to the first buffer conveyor <NUM> or the second buffer conveyor <NUM> based on the diverging control signal S11 or S12 (ST604). The first buffer conveyor <NUM> or the second buffer conveyor <NUM> conveys the article, and the first timing adjustment conveyor <NUM> or the second timing adjustment conveyor <NUM> introduces the article into an empty conveyance tray on the circulation conveyor <NUM>. The circulation conveyor <NUM> circulates and conveys the article introduced into the conveyance tray.

For example, when the article reaches the position corresponding to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination based on the sorting control signal S2 transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM> while the circulation conveyor <NUM> makes a half-turn, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> opens the bottom portion of the conveyance tray and sorts the article to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination (ST605). The processor <NUM> registers information on the destination of the article and the sorting destination in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> as sorting history information.

On the other hand, in the case where the designated sorting destination of the article is the area A, when the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> of the area A of the designated sorting destination of the article exceeds the reference value (ST601, YES) and the degree of congestion of the second buffer conveyor <NUM> of the other area, namely, the area B, is equal to or less than the reference value (ST606, NO), the processor <NUM> selects the diverging control signal S12, the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected diverging control signal S12 to the diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST607), and the diverging device <NUM> distributes the article to the second buffer conveyor <NUM> based on the diverging control signal S12 (ST608). Similarly, in the case where the designated sorting destination of the article is the area B, when the degree of congestion of the second buffer conveyor <NUM> of the area B of the designated sorting destination of the article exceeds the reference value (ST601, YES) and the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> of the other area, namely, the area A, is equal to or less than the reference value (ST606, NO), the processor <NUM> selects the diverging control signal S11, the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected diverging control signal S11 to the diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST607), and the diverging device <NUM> distributes the article to the first buffer conveyor <NUM> based on the diverging control signal S11 (ST608).

In addition, in a case where the destination allocated in accordance with a situation is not associated with the dynamic sorting chute (ST609, YES), the processor <NUM> allocates an arbitrary destination to the dynamic sorting chute. For example, the processor <NUM> allocates a destination of the highest frequency as an arbitrary destination to the dynamic sorting chute based on the sorting history information of each article (ST610). Alternatively, the processor <NUM> allocates the destination of the article to be sorted as an arbitrary destination to the dynamic sorting chute based on the destination recognition result received in ST5 (ST610).

Here, some examples of allocation of an arbitrary destination to a dynamic sorting chute will be described. For example, when the designated sorting destination of the article is the area A (in this case, the article is distributed to the area B due to the influence of the degree of congestion), the processor <NUM> allocates the destination of the highest frequency to the second dynamic sorting chute 1522a of the area B, and allocates the destination of the second highest frequency to the second dynamic sorting chute 1522b of the area B. Further, in this case, the processor <NUM> may allocate the destination of the third highest frequency to the first dynamic sorting chute 1512a of the area A, and allocate the destination of the fourth highest frequency to the first dynamic sorting chute 1512b of the area A.

Alternatively, the processor <NUM> allocates the destination of the highest frequency to the first dynamic sorting chute 1512a of the area A and the second dynamic sorting chute 1522a of the area B, and allocates the destination of the second highest frequency to the first dynamic sorting chute 1512b of the area A and the second dynamic sorting chute 1522b of the area B.

Alternatively, the processor <NUM> allocates the four destinations from the destination of the highest frequency to the destination of the fourth highest frequency respectively to four dynamic sorting chutes (the second dynamic sorting chute 1522a, the second dynamic sorting chute 1522b, the first dynamic sorting chute 1512a, and the first dynamic sorting chute 1512b).

Alternatively, the processor <NUM> allocates, to a dynamic sorting chute, the destination associated with a designated sorting destination of an article to be distributed to another area.

When the designated sorting destination of the article corresponds to a dynamic sorting chute (ST611, YES) and the free space in the dynamic sorting chute exceeds the reference value (ST612, YES), the processor <NUM> selects the sorting control signal S2 for sorting the article to the dynamic sorting destination, and the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected sorting control signal S2 to the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST613).

When the article reaches the position corresponding to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination (the second dynamic sorting chute 1522a, the second dynamic sorting chute 1522b, the first dynamic sorting chute 1512a, or the first dynamic sorting chute 1512b) based on the sorting control signal S2 transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> opens the bottom portion of the conveyance tray and sorts the article to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination (ST614). The processor <NUM> registers information on the destination of the article and the sorting destination in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> as sorting history information.

Further, when the designated sorting destination of the article does not correspond to a dynamic sorting chute (ST611, NO), the processor <NUM> selects the sorting control signal S2 for sorting the article to the designated sorting destination, and the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected sorting control signal S2 to the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST615).

When the article reaches the position corresponding to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination (the first fixed sorting chute <NUM> or 1511a, or the second fixed sorting chute <NUM> or 1521a) based on the sorting control signal S2 transmitted from the article sorting control apparatus <NUM>, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> opens the bottom portion of the conveyance tray and sorts the article to the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination (ST616). The processor <NUM> registers information on the destination of the article and the sorting destination in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> as sorting history information.

When the free space of the dynamic sorting chute is equal to or less than the reference value (ST612, NO), the processing proceeds to a crowded state process A (ST621). When the degree of congestion of the other area, the first buffer conveyor <NUM> or the second buffer conveyor <NUM>, exceeds the reference value (ST606, YES), the processing proceeds to a crowded state process B (ST622).

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the crowded state process A performed by the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

When the free space of the dynamic sorting chute is equal to or less than the reference value (crowded state) (ST612, NO), the processor <NUM> selects the reject control signal S3, and the communication interface <NUM> outputs the selected reject control signal S3 to the article sorting apparatus <NUM> (ST6211). The article sorting apparatus <NUM> sorts the article to the designated reject destination based on the reject control signal S3 (ST6212). For example, based on the reject control signal S3, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> opens the bottom portion of the conveyance tray at the timing when the article reaches the position corresponding to the first reject sorting chute <NUM> or the second reject sorting chute <NUM>, and sorts the article into the first reject sorting chute <NUM> or the second reject sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination. The processor <NUM> registers information on the destination of the article and the sorting destination in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> as sorting history information.

When the container of the dynamic sorting chute in the crowded state is replaced and the crowded state is eliminated (ST6213, YES), the processor <NUM> resets the allocation of the dynamic sorting chute (ST6214). As a result, the dynamic sorting chute returns to the dynamic state.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of the crowded state process B performed by the article sorting system according to the embodiment.

When the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> or the second buffer conveyor <NUM> in the other area exceeds the reference value (ST606, YES), the processor <NUM> stops the conveyance of the article by the main conveyor <NUM> (ST6221). When the area of the designated sorting destination of the article is the area A and the processor <NUM> detects that the degree of congestion of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> of the area A is the reference value or less (ST6222, YES), conveyance of the article by the main conveyor <NUM> is restarted (ST6223), distribution control for distributing the article to the area A of the designated sorting destination is executed (ST6224), and sorting control for sorting the article to the designated sorting destination is executed based on determination of the designated sorting destination of the article (ST6225). The diverging device <NUM> of the article sorting apparatus <NUM> distributes the article to the first buffer conveyor <NUM> or the second buffer conveyor <NUM> in accordance with the distribution control of the processor <NUM> (ST6226). Further, the article sorting apparatus <NUM> sorts the article into the sorting chute <NUM> of the designated sorting destination in accordance with the sorting control of the processor <NUM> (ST6227). The processor <NUM> registers information on the destination of the article and the sorting destination in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> as sorting history information.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an article sorting control apparatus, an article sorting control program, and an article sorting system with an improved article processing efficiency. For example, even when the reference conveyance route to the designated sorting destination of the article is congested, the article can be efficiently conveyed and sorted by selecting another conveyance route. In addition, when another conveyance route is selected, a sorting destination is allocated to a dynamic sorting chute. Utilizing the dynamic sorting chute makes it possible to compensate for a partial decrease in processing efficiency due to the use of another conveyance route.

Further, by allocating a sorting destination of a high designation frequency to a dynamic sorting chute or by allocating a designated sorting destination of an article to be distributed to another area to the dynamic sorting chute, the article can be efficiently conveyed and sorted. For example, in the case where an article is distributed to the area B as another area, the article can be sorted by conveyance within a half-turn of the circulation conveyor <NUM> by allocating a sorting destination of a high designation frequency to a dynamic sorting chute of the area B, or by allocating a designated sorting destination of an article to be distributed to the area B to a dynamic sorting chute of the area B.

Further, by making the conveyance speed of the main conveyor <NUM> greater than the conveyance speed of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> (for example, double the speed or higher), the article conveyance amount per unit time can be increased. Moreover, by using two buffer conveyors, the article can be fed to the circulation conveyor <NUM> in accordance with the conveyance speed of the main conveyor <NUM>. The embodiment in which two buffer conveyors are used has been described. However, three or more buffer conveyors may be used, and the diverging device <NUM> may select one buffer conveyor among the three or more buffer conveyors to distribute the article. embodiment, it is possible to provide an article sorting control apparatus, an article sorting control program, and an article sorting system with an improved article processing efficiency. For example, even when the reference conveyance route to the designated sorting destination of the article is congested, the article can be efficiently conveyed and sorted by selecting another conveyance route. In addition, when another conveyance route is selected, a sorting destination is allocated to a dynamic sorting chute. Utilizing the dynamic sorting chute makes it possible to compensate for a partial decrease in processing efficiency due to the use of another conveyance route.

Further, by making the conveyance speed of the main conveyor <NUM> greater than the conveyance speed of the first buffer conveyor <NUM> and the second buffer conveyor <NUM> (for example, double the speed or higher), the article conveyance amount per unit time can be increased. Moreover, by using two buffer conveyors, the article can be fed to the circulation conveyor <NUM> in accordance with the conveyance speed of the main conveyor <NUM>. The embodiment in which two buffer conveyors are used has been described. However, three or more buffer conveyors may be used, and the diverging device <NUM> may select one buffer conveyor among the three or more buffer conveyors to distribute the article.

Claim 1:
An article sorting control apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a memory (<NUM>) that stores sorting destination management information for conveying an article from a main conveyance path (<NUM>) to a circulation conveyance path (<NUM>), via one of a first conveyance route (RO1) connected to the circulation conveyance path (<NUM>) from the main conveyance path (<NUM>) via a first sub-conveyance path (<NUM>), and a second conveyance route (RO2) connected to the circulation conveyance path (<NUM>) from the main conveyance path (<NUM>) via a second sub-conveyance path (<NUM>), and for sorting the article to a designated sorting destination among a plurality of sorting destinations while circulating the article in one direction via the circulation conveyance path (<NUM>), the sorting destination management information including reference conveyance route information to allocate one of the first conveyance route (RO1) and the second conveyance route (RO2) in accordance with each of the sorting destinations, fixed sorting destination information associating a fixed sorting destination among the sorting destinations to a destination, and dynamic sorting destination information associating a dynamic sorting destination among the sorting destinations to a destination that is allocated in accordance with a situation;
a processor (<NUM>) configured to select a first diverging control signal or a second diverging control signal based on a designated sorting destination of the article acquired from information read from the article, the sorting destination management information, and degree of congestion of the first and second sub-conveyance paths (<NUM>, <NUM>), and to allocate an arbitrary destination to the dynamic sorting destination; and
a communication interface (<NUM>) configured to transmit the first or the second diverging control signal selected by the processor (<NUM>) to an article sorting apparatus configured to distribute the article from the main conveyance path (<NUM>) to the first or the second sub-conveyance path (<NUM>) based on the first or the second diverging control signal.