Automated warehouse, automated warehouse control method, program, and automated warehouse system

A method of controlling an automated warehouse comprising:

• a plurality of shelves including a set of first shelves storing first articles and a set of second shelves larger than the first shelves and capable of storing first articles and second articles larger than the first articles;
• each shelf being provided with a carrier carrying articles on that shelf;
• and
• an elevator that moving articles up and down between shelves,
• the method comprising:
• allowing a first article to be stored onto a second shelf when a vacancy rate of the second shelf is equal to or more than the predetermined ratio;
• determining a first article to be stored onto only a first shelf when the vacancy rate of the second shelf is less than a predetermined ratio;
• and
• causing a selected carrier and the elevator to store the first article onto the first shelf or the second shelf onto which the first article was determined to be stored.

An automated warehouse system comprising:

• a first automated warehouse including a third shelf that stores a third article and a first carrier that carries the third article;
• a second automated warehouse including a fourth shelf larger than the third shelf and capable of storing the third article and a fourth article larger than the third article, and a second carrier capable of carrying the third article and the fourth article;
• and
• a controller that controls the first carrier and the second carrier,
• wherein, when a vacancy rate of the fourth shelf is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio, the controller allows the second carrier to store the third article also onto the fourth shelf and, when the vacancy rate of the fourth shelf is less than the predetermined ratio, the controller allows the first carrier to store the third article only onto the third shelf.