Device Management Apparatus, Device Management Method, and Storage Medium

Abstract

An acquisition unit (110) acquires abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in a device installed in a meeting room. The device is a display device such as a display or a projector, for example. A meeting information generation unit (120) generates meeting information indicating the state of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device installed in the meeting room. An information transmission unit (130) uses the meeting information to determine a first timing, which is the timing for transmitting abnormality-related information, which is the information to be transmitted due to the occurrence of the abnormality, and transmits the abnormality-related information to the above-mentioned device or other devices at the first timing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device management apparatus, a device management method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] Meeting rooms are used by various groups. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the status of meeting rooms. The meeting room management system described in Patent Document 1 uses the detection results of an illuminance sensor and a temperature sensor to determine whether the meeting room is in use.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-77033 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Outline of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Various devices such as a projector, a display, and an air conditioning device are provided in a meeting room. Sometimes, a prescribed information is sent when an abnormality occurs in these devices. On the other hand, when considering smoothly advancing a meeting, the timing at which the information should be sent is not fixed.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to be able to send information corresponding to an abnormality at an appropriate timing when an abnormality occurs in a device in a meeting room.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a device management apparatus including:

[0012] an acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in a device provided in a meeting room;

[0013] a meeting information generation unit that generates meeting information indicating the progress status of a meeting being held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device provided in the meeting room; and

[0014] an information transmission unit that varies the timing (first timing) at which abnormality-related information, which is information to be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, is sent according to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, and transmits the abnormality-related information to the device or another device at the first timing.

[0015] According to the present invention, there is provided a device management method, in which

[0016] a computer performs the following processing:

[0017] Obtain abnormal information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the equipment installed in the meeting room;

[0018] Generate meeting information indicating the progress status of the meeting being held in the meeting room by processing the information output from the device installed in the meeting room; and

[0019] According to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, make the timing of sending the information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, that is, the abnormal correlation information, different, and send the abnormal correlation information to the device or other devices at this first timing.

[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a program that enables a computer to have the following functions:

[0021] Obtain abnormal information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the equipment installed in the meeting room;

[0022] Generate meeting information indicating the progress status of the meeting being held in the meeting room by processing the information output from the device installed in the meeting room; and

[0023] According to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, make the timing of sending the information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, that is, the abnormal correlation information, different, and send the abnormal correlation information to the device or other devices at this first timing.

[0024] Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, in the case where an abnormality has occurred in the equipment in the meeting room, it is possible to send information corresponding to the abnormality at an appropriate timing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above object and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining the usage environment of the equipment management device according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the equipment management device.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a block diagram exemplifying the hardware structure of the equipment management device.

[0030] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the equipment management device.

[0031] Figure 5This is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the device management apparatus according to the second embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description will be appropriately omitted.

[0033] [First Embodiment]

[0034] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining the usage environment of the device management apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. The device management apparatus 10 is an apparatus for managing the device 210 provided in the conference room 20.

[0035] The device 210 is, for example, a display device such as a monitor or a projector. However, the device 210 can be other devices. For example, it can be an air-conditioning device having a temperature adjustment function, a lighting device, or a device with a built-in battery (e.g., a wireless microphone, a remote control, or an electronic pen). The device 210 sends information indicating the operation state of the device 210 (hereinafter, referred to as operation information) to the device management apparatus 10, and when an abnormality occurs in the device 210, it sends information indicating the situation (hereinafter, referred to as abnormality information) to the device management apparatus 10. When the device management apparatus 10 receives the abnormality information, it sends abnormality-related information associated with the abnormality information to the device 210 or other devices (e.g., other devices in the conference room 20). The abnormality-related information is information that should be sent due to the occurrence of an abnormality. For example, it is control information for the device 210. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the abnormality-related information will be described as control information. Moreover, the devices in the conference room 20 are, for example, the device 210. In this case, the device 210 operates according to the control information sent from the device management apparatus 10.

[0036] As described above, the destination of the abnormality-related information can be a device other than the device 210. For example, as described in other embodiments to be described later, when the abnormality-related information is questionnaire data, the destination of the abnormality-related information can be a display device in the conference room 20 or a terminal brought into the conference room 20.

[0037] The device group 220 is set in the meeting room 20. All the devices in the device group 220 generate information related to the inside of the meeting room 20 (hereinafter referred to as indoor information) required for the device management device 10 to generate control information, and send it to the device management device 10. In the example shown in this figure, the device group 220 includes a lighting control device 222, a shooting device 224, a microphone 226, and a sensor 228. It should be noted that the above abnormal information may not be generated by the device 210, but generated by the device management device 10 analyzing the indoor information generated by the device group 220.

[0038] The lighting control device 222 is a device that controls the lighting devices installed in the meeting room 20. The device management device 10 determines the lighting state of the lighting devices in the meeting room 20, such as the presence or absence of lighting and the intensity at the time of lighting, by processing the information sent from the lighting control device 222.

[0039] The shooting device 224 repeatedly shoots the inside of the meeting room 20 and sends the generated images to the device management device 10. The device management device 10 generates information related to the people in the meeting room 20 (hereinafter referred to as person information) by processing the images. The person information includes, for example, the number and positions of the people in the meeting room 20, and the actions of these people respectively.

[0040] The microphone 226 generates sound information representing the sound in the meeting room 20 and sends the generated sound information to the device management device 10. The device management device 10 generates the required data by processing the sound information. For example, the device management device 10 generates text data representing the content of the sound made in the meeting room 20 by performing sound recognition processing on the sound information.

[0041] The sensor 228 includes at least an illuminance sensor and a temperature sensor, and sends information representing the detected values to the device management device 10. The device management device 10 can also detect abnormalities in the device group 220 by processing the information sent from the sensor 228. For example, when the device 210 is a lighting device and the information sent from the lighting control device 222 indicates that the device 210 is lit, if the detected value of the illuminance sensor as the sensor 228 does not meet the standard, it is determined that the device 210 has an abnormality. Moreover, when the device 210 is an air conditioning device with a temperature adjustment function, if the detected value of the temperature sensor as the sensor 228 exceeds the temperature range estimated based on the operation information of the device 210 (for example, the set temperature), it is determined that the device 210 has an abnormality.

[0042] In addition, the device management device 10 causes the terminal of the manager who manages the device 210 (hereinafter referred to as the manager terminal 30) to display information related to the abnormality generated by the device 210 as needed.

[0043] It should be noted that each device and equipment in Conference Room 20 can communicate with other devices in a wired manner or in a wireless manner.

[0044] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the device management device 10. The device management device 10 includes an acquisition unit 110, a conference information generation unit 120, and an information transmission unit 130.

[0045] The acquisition unit 110 acquires operation information and abnormal information from the device 210, and acquires various information from the device group 220.

[0046] The conference information generation unit 120 generates information indicating the state of the conference held in Conference Room 20 (hereinafter referred to as conference information) by processing the information output from the device group 220. The conference information includes at least one of in-conference, conference interruption, and conference end. Specific examples of the processing performed by the conference information generation unit 120 will be described later.

[0047] The information transmission unit 130 makes the timing (hereinafter referred to as the first timing) for transmitting abnormal association information, such as control information, to the device 210 different according to the progress state of the conference indicated by the conference information generated by the conference information generation unit 120. And the information transmission unit 130 transmits the abnormal association information to the device 210 at the first timing. Here, when the information transmission unit 130 makes the first timing different according to the progress of the conference, it selects the first timing from multiple candidates. An example of these multiple candidates includes, for example, immediately transmitting the abnormal association information and transmitting the abnormal association information later. Specific examples of the processing performed by the information transmission unit 130 and specific examples of the abnormal association information will be described later.

[0048] Figure 3 It is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of the device management device 10. The device management device 10 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0049] The bus 1010 is a data transfer path for the processor 1020, the memory 1030, the storage device 1040, the input / output interface 1050, and the network interface 1060 to mutually transmit and receive data. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020, etc. is not limited to bus connection.

[0050] The processor 1020 is a processor implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.

[0051] The memory 1030 is a main storage device implemented by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0052] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 1040 stores program modules for implementing the respective functions of the device management apparatus 10 (e.g., the acquisition unit 110, the conference information generation unit 120, and the information transmission unit 130). The processor 1020 implements the respective functions corresponding to the program modules by reading the above-described respective program modules into the memory 1030 and executing them.

[0053] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the device management apparatus 10 to various input / output devices.

[0054] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the device management apparatus 10 to other devices on the network (e.g., the device 210, the device group 220, and the administrator terminal 30).

[0055] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the device management apparatus 10. As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the device 210 in the conference room 20, the device 210 transmits abnormality information. The abnormality information includes information indicating the type of the device 210 and information indicating the type of the abnormality (e.g., an error code).

[0056] The acquisition unit 110 of the device management apparatus 10 acquires the abnormality information from the device 210 and acquires the indoor information generated by the device group 220 (step S10). Here, the acquisition unit 110 may always acquire the indoor information regardless of the presence or absence of the abnormality information, or may acquire the indoor information when the abnormality information is acquired. In the latter case, the acquisition unit 110 may start acquiring the indoor information after acquiring the abnormality information. Further, when the acquisition unit 110 always (e.g., almost in real time) acquires the indoor information, the acquisition unit 110 may analyze the indoor information instead of acquiring the abnormality information from the device 210 to generate the abnormality information. Note that this analysis may be performed by a device different from the device management apparatus 10. In this case, the acquisition unit 110 acquires the abnormality information from this device.

[0057] Next, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information by processing the indoor information (step S20).

[0058] For example, the conference information generation unit 120 generates text data representing the spoken content in the conference room 20 based on the voice information generated by the microphone 226. When the text data does not contain keywords indicating the occurrence of an abnormality, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is in progress. Moreover, when the text data contains keywords indicating the occurrence of an abnormality, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is interrupted. Moreover, when the text data contains keywords indicating the end of the conference, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference has ended. It should be noted that the above-mentioned keywords are pre-stored in, for example, the device management device 10.

[0059] In addition, as another example, the conference information generation unit 120 uses the image generated by the imaging device 224 to generate the above-mentioned person information, and uses this person information to generate conference information. For example, when all the people in the conference room 20 are seated, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is in progress. Moreover, when multiple people are around the device 210 or multiple people come around the device 210 due to shift change, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is interrupted. Moreover, when the people in the conference room 20 start to move together, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference has ended.

[0060] In addition, as another example, the conference information generation unit 120 can use the number of people in the conference room 20 to generate conference information. For example, the conference information generation unit 120 pre-obtains the number of people scheduled to attend the conference, and when the number of people in the conference room 20 reaches or exceeds a reference ratio with respect to the number of people scheduled to attend the conference, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is in progress. Here, the number of people in the conference room 20 is determined by, for example, processing the image generated by the imaging device 224. Moreover, the conference information generation unit 120 obtains the number of people scheduled to attend the conference from, for example, the schedule management device.

[0061] In addition, as another example, the conference information generation unit 120 can use the number of people who have spoken within a recent specified time (for example, within 3 minutes) to generate conference information. For example, the conference information generation unit 120 uses the voiceprint included in the voice data generated by the microphone 226 to determine the number of people who have spoken. And when the number of people who have spoken meets the criterion, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information meaning that the conference is in progress.

[0062] In addition, as another example, the conference information generation unit 120 may generate conference information using the number of people gazing at the screen of the display or the projection surface of the projector. For example, when the number of people meets a benchmark, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information indicating that the conference is in progress. Here, the number of people gazing at the screen of the display or the projection surface of the projector is determined by, for example, processing the image generated by the imaging device 224.

[0063] In addition, as another example, the conference information generation unit 120 may generate conference information using the presence or absence of changes in the input data to the display or the projector. For example, when the input data to the display or the projector starts to change, the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information indicating that the conference is in progress.

[0064] It should be noted that when the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information using the voice information generated by the microphone 226, it may use the result of machine learning performed on the voice information or text data to generate conference information. Moreover, when the conference information generation unit 120 generates conference information using the image generated by the imaging device 224, it may use the result of machine learning performed on the image to generate conference information.

[0065] Next, the information sending unit 130 determines the anomaly-related information to be sent, such as control information for dealing with the anomaly, using the type of the anomaly information. Moreover, the information sending unit 130 determines the timing, i.e., the first timing (step S30), at which to send the control information to the device 210 using the conference information. Here, the information sending unit 130 preferably also uses the anomaly information to determine the first timing. More specifically, the anomaly information includes information indicating the content of the anomaly generated by the device 210. And the information sending unit 130 determines the first timing using the content of the anomaly indicated by the anomaly information. The reason is that urgent response is required according to the type of the anomaly. Next, the information sending unit 130 sends the control information at the first timing (step S40). It should be noted that instead of steps S30 and S40, the information sending unit 130 may send the control information to the device 210 when the conference information meets a benchmark.

[0066] Here, a specific example of the first timing will be described. In this example, when the content of the anomaly meets a specific condition, the information sending unit 130 does not send the anomaly-related information before the conference information indicates that the conference is interrupted or ended. It should be noted that when the specific condition is not met, the information sending unit 130 may send the anomaly-related information immediately after learning of the anomaly.

[0067] For example, when the device 210 is a display or a projector and the abnormal information indicates that no video signal is input to the device, the abnormal associated information is control information. This control information is for causing the device 210 to perform an alarm display. And, when the meeting information indicates that a meeting is in progress, the information sending unit 130 immediately sends the control information.

[0068] In addition, when the device 210 is a display or a projector having multiple input terminals for video, and the abnormal information indicates that although a video signal for the device 210 is input but the selected input terminal is not the input terminal for the data to be input for display, the abnormal associated information is control information. This control information is a control instruction for causing the device 210 to select the input terminal for the data to be input for display. And, when the meeting information indicates that a meeting is in progress, the information sending unit 130 immediately sends the control information.

[0069] In addition, it is conceivable that the device 210 is a display or a projector, and the contrast (brightness difference) of the display can be determined by processing an image obtained by photographing the display performed by the display or the projector (for example, an image generated by the photographing device 224). As an example, the device 210 or its management device determines the difference between the brightness of the text in the image and the brightness around the text as the contrast. And, an example of the abnormal information is that the contrast is below a reference. In this case, the abnormal associated information is control information. This control information changes the parameters of the display (or projection) in such a way as to increase the contrast of the device 210. And, when the meeting information indicates that a meeting is in progress, the information sending unit 130 immediately sends the control information.

[0070] It should be noted that in the above example, when the device 210 also includes the lighting of the conference room 20, the information sending unit 130 may also include, instead of or in addition to the control of the display or the projector, controlling the brightness of the lighting. Even so, the visibility of the screen or the projected image is also improved.

[0071] In addition, when the device 210 is a projector, the decrease in contrast also includes the case where it is caused by the deterioration of the light source. In this case, the control information causes the projector to perform a display recommending replacement of the light source of the projector. And, when the meeting information indicates before the meeting starts, during the interruption or at the end of the meeting, the information sending unit 130 sends the control information for performing the above display. Here, the information sending unit 130 preferably sends the control information when the meeting is interrupted or after it ends.

[0072] It should be noted that the information sending unit 130 may also send the abnormal associated information to the manager terminal 30 to cause it to perform a display recommending replacement of the light source of the projector. The timing of sending this abnormal associated information is arbitrary. For example, it can be immediately after obtaining the abnormal information.

[0073] Note that, in this example, there is a case where the device 210 counts the cumulative light emission time of the light source. In this case, after the acquisition unit 110 has acquired the abnormal information, the information transmission unit 130 acquires the cumulative light emission time from the device 210. At this time, the device 210 can transmit the cumulative light emission time according to the request from the information transmission unit 130. Moreover, the information transmission unit 130 can set that the cumulative light emission time exceeds the reference time as a condition for transmitting abnormal-related information (sometimes also control information). Note that the device 210 can transmit the cumulative light emission time to the device management apparatus 10 together with the abnormal information.

[0074] In addition, when the device 210 is an air-conditioning device, an example of the content of the abnormality indicated by the abnormal information is that the room temperature exceeds the reference range. In this case, the information transmission unit 130 transmits the abnormal-related information after the conference information indicates that the conference is interrupted or ended. That is, when the device 210 is an air-conditioning device, the "specific condition" in the above content is that the room temperature exceeds the reference range. The abnormal-related information transmitted here can be questionnaire data or can indicate repairs to be performed on the device 210. The content of the questionnaire conducted here is about, for example, the comfort level of the room temperature in the conference room 20. Moreover, the method of transmitting the questionnaire data is the same as that in the second embodiment described later.

[0075] Note that the destination for transmitting the abnormal-related information can be a display device in the conference room 20, such as a monitor or a projector, or can also be the manager terminal 30.

[0076] On the other hand, when the device 210 is an air-conditioning device and the content of the abnormality indicated by the abnormal information indicates that the air-conditioning device does not operate (that is, when the above specific condition is not satisfied), the information transmission unit 130 immediately transmits the abnormal-related information.

[0077] In addition, when the device 210 is a device with a built-in battery such as a wireless microphone, a remote controller, or an electronic pen, the device 210 transmits, as abnormality information, information indicating such a situation to the device management device 10 at least when the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a reference value. Then, after the information transmission unit 130 of the device management device 10 determines that the meeting has been interrupted or ended based on the meeting information, the information transmission unit 130 transmits abnormality-related information, such as information for outputting a recommendation to replace the battery, to a display or a projector in the meeting room 20. That is, when the device 210 is a device with a built-in battery, the "specific condition" in the above content is that the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a reference value. The abnormality-related information transmitted here is, for example, information for displaying or outputting a sound for recommending battery replacement. Further, the information transmission unit 130 may also transmit this information to the administrator terminal 30. At this time, the information transmission unit 130 preferably transmits the information to the administrator terminal 30 immediately after obtaining the abnormality information.

[0078] It should be noted that, in addition to the above examples, the information transmission unit 130 preferably transmits control information before the meeting information indicates the start of the meeting, during an interruption, or at the end of the meeting. In other words, in a standard state, the information transmission unit 130 preferably transmits control information before the meeting information indicates the start of the meeting, during an interruption, or at the end of the meeting.

[0079] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the device 210 in the meeting room 20, the information transmission unit 130 of the device management device 10 transmits control information for dealing with the abnormality to the device 210. Here, the information transmission unit 130 uses the meeting information indicating the state of the meeting to determine the timing of transmitting the control information to the device 210. Alternatively, the information transmission unit 130 transmits the control information to the device 210 when the meeting information meets a reference. Therefore, the abnormality of the device 210 can be dealt with at an appropriate timing.

[0080] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, Figure 1 the microphone 226 shown may be a so-called smart speaker. In this case, the smart speaker has a speaker in addition to the microphone 226. Further, a user in the meeting room 20 can operate the device 210 via the smart speaker. Specifically, the information transmission unit 130 of the device management device 10 uses the sound data input to the microphone of the smart speaker to generate information for operating the device 210, and transmits this information to the device 210.

[0081] As an example, the information transmission unit 130 of the smart speaker or device management device 10 analyzes the content of the conversation taking place in the meeting room 20. And when this content satisfies a specific condition, the information transmission unit 130 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the meeting room 20, determines the content of the abnormality, and generates the above-mentioned abnormality information. Then, the information transmission unit 130 generates abnormality-related information composed of sound data. The information transmission unit 130 transmits this sound data to the smart speaker. Then, the smart speaker outputs sound in accordance with this sound data.

[0082] For example, when the device 210 is a display device such as a monitor or a projector, sometimes the display device does not display an image that should be input from the outside. In such a case, the conversation taking place in the meeting room 20 should include statements such as "not displaying" and "not projecting". When such statements are included in the conversation, the information transmission unit 130 outputs sounds such as "Is the selected terminal appropriate?" or "Do you want to switch the input terminal to another terminal?" from the smart speaker. For example, when a sound such as "Do you want to switch the input terminal to another terminal?" is output from the smart speaker and the microphone of the smart speaker picks up a sound meaning "yes" as a response, the information transmission unit 130 sends an instruction to the device 210 to switch the input terminal.

[0083] In addition, when the device 210 is a display device such as a monitor or a projector, it is also possible to change the display contrast or brightness. For example, the information transmission unit 130 can determine the display contrast or brightness by processing an image obtained by photographing the display performed by the monitor or projector (for example, an image generated by the photographing device 224). And when the contrast or brightness is below the reference, the information transmission unit 130 outputs sounds such as "Do you want to increase the contrast?" or "Do you want to brighten the screen?" from the smart speaker. And when the microphone of the smart speaker picks up a sound meaning "yes" as a response, the information transmission unit 130 sends an instruction to the device 210 to increase the contrast (or to brighten the screen).

[0084] As another example, consider a situation where an Internet conference is held in Conference Room 20. In this case, the device 210 is a device (such as a personal computer) for conducting an Internet conference. Also, the information transmission unit 130 determines the movement of the mouth of the person in Conference Room 20 by processing the image generated by the imaging device 224, and thereby can determine whether this person is speaking. And, when the output from the microphone 226 becomes 0 in the device 210 although no sound is made, the information transmission unit 130 causes the speaker to output a sound such as "Is the microphone muted?" or "Unmute the microphone?". And, when a sound meaning "Yes" is picked up by the microphone of the smart speaker as a response to the sound "Unmute the microphone?", the information transmission unit 130 outputs to the device 210 for unmuting the microphone 226.

[0085] [Second Embodiment]

[0086] Figure 5 FIG. is an example of the functional configuration of the device management apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. The device management apparatus 10 shown in this figure has the same configuration as the device management apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment except that it includes a timing determination unit 140 and a questionnaire transmission unit 150.

[0087] The questionnaire transmission unit 150 transmits questionnaire data indicating a questionnaire related to Conference Room 20 to the display device (such as a monitor or a projector) in Conference Room 20 or the terminal of the conference participants. Here, the terminal of the conference participants is determined using, for example, the email address of the participants. In this case, the questionnaire transmission unit 150 obtains the email addresses of the participants from, for example, the schedule management device in Conference Room 20.

[0088] Note that the questionnaire transmission unit 150 may also use the abnormality information transmitted from the device 210 to determine (or correct) the questionnaire data when an abnormality occurs in the device 210. For example, the questionnaire transmission unit 150 includes items related to the type of abnormality indicated by the abnormality information in the questionnaire data. The information required for generating these questionnaire data is stored in the questionnaire transmission unit 150 in advance. For example, the questionnaire transmission unit 150 stores items according to various types of the device 210 and various types of failures. And, the questionnaire transmission unit 150 includes items corresponding to the abnormality information received from the device 210 in the questionnaire data.

[0089] Also, the timing determination unit 140 uses the conference information generated by the conference information generation unit 120 to determine the timing (hereinafter, referred to as the second timing) for transmitting the questionnaire data. For example, the timing determination unit 140 transmits the questionnaire data when the conference information satisfies a criterion, specifically, at the timing of the end of the conference.

[0090] It should be noted that the timing determination unit 140 may also, instead of sending the questionnaire data by email, display the content of the questionnaire or information indicating the existence of the questionnaire on the projector or display in the meeting room 20, and also display code information indicating the URL for inputting response data on the projector or display.

[0091] With this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can also be obtained. Moreover, it is possible to send questionnaire data indicating a questionnaire related to the meeting room 20. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as the device association information, questionnaire data may be used instead of control information. In this case, the timing determination unit 140 and the questionnaire sending unit 150 may not be provided.

[0092] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but these are examples of the present invention, and various structures other than those described above may also be adopted.

[0093] In addition, in the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of processes (processing) are sequentially described, but the execution order of the processes executed in each embodiment is not limited to the described order. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated processes may be changed within a range where there is no obstacle in content. Moreover, the above-described embodiments may be combined within a range where the content is not contradictory.

[0094] Part or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as follows in the appended notes, but are not limited to the following.

[0095] 1. An equipment management device, comprising:

[0096] An acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information indicating that equipment provided in a meeting room has an abnormality;

[0097] A meeting information generation unit that generates meeting information indicating the progress status of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device provided in the meeting room; and

[0098] An information sending unit that, according to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, makes different the timing, i.e., the first timing, for sending abnormality-related information, which is information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, and sends the abnormality-related information to the equipment or another device at the first timing.

[0099] 2. The equipment management device according to 1 above, wherein

[0100] when making the first timing different according to the progress of the meeting, the information sending unit selects the first timing from a plurality of candidates

[0101] The multiple candidates at least include immediately sending the abnormal association information and sending the abnormal association information later.

[0102] 3. The device management apparatus according to the above item 1 or 2, wherein

[0103] The meeting information includes at least one of during the meeting, meeting interruption, and meeting end.

[0104] 4. The device management apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, wherein

[0105] The abnormal information includes information indicating the content of the abnormality,

[0106] The information sending unit also determines the first timing using the content of the abnormality indicated by the abnormal information.

[0107] 5. The device management apparatus according to the above item 4, wherein

[0108] The information sending unit does not send the abnormal association information before the meeting interruption or end when the content of the abnormality satisfies a specific condition.

[0109] 6. The device management apparatus according to the above item 5, wherein

[0110] The device is an air conditioning device that adjusts the room temperature of the meeting room,

[0111] The specific condition is that the room temperature exceeds the reference range.

[0112] 7. The device management apparatus according to the above item 5, wherein

[0113] The device is built-in with a battery,

[0114] The specific condition is that the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes below the reference.

[0115] 8. The device management apparatus according to the above item 4, wherein

[0116] The device is a display or a projector,

[0117] The abnormal information indicates that no video signal is input to the device,

[0118] When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the meeting,

[0119] The abnormal association information is information for performing an alarm display.

[0120] 9. The device management apparatus according to 4 above, wherein,

[0121] The device is a display or a projector having a plurality of input terminals for images,

[0122] The abnormal information indicates that although an image signal for the device is input, the selected input terminal is not the input terminal for which the data for display is input,

[0123] When the conference information indicates that the conference is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the conference,

[0124] The abnormal association information is a control instruction for causing the device to select the input terminal for which the data for display is input.

[0125] 10. The device management apparatus according to 4 above, wherein,

[0126] The device is a display or a projector,

[0127] The abnormal information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display performed by the display or the projector, and indicates that the contrast of the display is below a reference value,

[0128] When the conference information indicates that the conference is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the conference,

[0129] The abnormal association information indicates increasing the contrast of the device.

[0130] 11. The device management apparatus according to 9 above, wherein,

[0131] The device further includes the lighting in the conference room,

[0132] The abnormal association information further indicates controlling the brightness of the lighting.

[0133] 12. The device management apparatus according to 4 above, wherein,

[0134] The device is a projector,

[0135] The abnormal association information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display result of the projector, and indicates that the contrast in the image is below a reference value,

[0136] The information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent before, after interruption or after the end of the conference,

[0137] The abnormal association information indicates a display for recommending to replace the light source of the projector with a new one.

[0138] 13. The device management apparatus according to item 12 above, wherein

[0139] The information sending unit also causes a terminal of a manager of the meeting room to display a recommendation to replace the light source of the projector.

[0140] 14. The device management apparatus according to item 12 or 13 above, wherein

[0141] The information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent after the meeting ends.

[0142] 15. The device management apparatus according to any one of items 12 to 14 above, wherein

[0143] The information sending unit also sets that the cumulative light emission time of the light source exceeds a reference time as a condition for performing the display.

[0144] 16. The device management apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15 above, wherein

[0145] The abnormal association information is questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room.

[0146] 17. The device management apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15 above, wherein

[0147] The device management apparatus includes:

[0148] A questionnaire survey sending unit that sends questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room to a display device in the meeting room or a terminal of a participant in the meeting; and

[0149] A timing determination unit that uses the meeting information to determine a second timing for sending the questionnaire survey data.

[0150] 18. The device management apparatus according to item 16 or 17 above, wherein

[0151] The questionnaire survey data is determined using the abnormal information.

[0152] 19. A device management method, wherein

[0153] A computer performs the following processing:

[0154] Obtain abnormal information indicating that a device provided in a meeting room has an abnormality;

[0155] Generating meeting information indicating the progress status of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device provided in the meeting room; and

[0156] According to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, the timing of sending information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, i.e., the first timing, is made different, and the abnormality-related information is sent to the device or other devices at the first timing.

[0157] 20. The device management method according to the above 19, wherein

[0158] When the computer makes the first timing different according to the progress of the meeting, it selects the first timing from a plurality of candidates

[0159] The plurality of candidates at least include immediately sending the abnormality-related information and sending the abnormality-related information later.

[0160] 21. The device management method according to the above 19 or 20, wherein

[0161] The meeting information includes at least one of in-progress meeting, meeting interruption, and meeting end.

[0162] 22. The device management method according to any one of the above 19 to 21, wherein

[0163] The abnormality information includes information indicating the content of the abnormality

[0164] The computer also determines the first timing using the content of the abnormality indicated by the abnormality information.

[0165] 23. The device management method according to the above 22, wherein

[0166] When the content of the abnormality satisfies a specific condition, the computer does not send the abnormality-related information before the meeting is interrupted or ended.

[0167] 24. The device management method according to the above 23, wherein

[0168] The device is an air conditioning device that adjusts the room temperature in the meeting room

[0169] The specific condition is that the room temperature exceeds the reference range.

[0170] 25. The device management method according to the above 23, wherein

[0171] The device has a built-in battery

[0172] The specific condition is that the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes below the reference level.

[0173] 26. According to the device management method described in 22 above, wherein,

[0174] The device is a display or a projector,

[0175] The abnormal information indicates that no video signal is input to the device,

[0176] When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the computer determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the meeting,

[0177] The abnormal association information is information for performing an alarm display.

[0178] 27. According to the device management method described in 22 above, wherein,

[0179] The device is a display or a projector having a plurality of input terminals for video,

[0180] The abnormal information indicates that although a video signal for the device is input, the selected input terminal is not the input terminal for the data to be input for display,

[0181] When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the computer determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the meeting,

[0182] The abnormal association information is a control instruction for causing the device to select the input terminal for the data to be input for display.

[0183] 28. According to the device management method described in 22 above, wherein,

[0184] The device is a display or a projector,

[0185] The abnormal information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display performed by the display or the projector, and indicates that the contrast of the display is below the reference level,

[0186] When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the computer determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the meeting,

[0187] The abnormal association information indicates increasing the contrast of the device.

[0188] 29. According to the device management method described in 27 above, wherein,

[0189] The device further includes the lighting in the conference room,

[0190] The abnormal association information further indicates controlling the brightness of the lighting.

[0191] 30. The device management method according to the above item 22, wherein,

[0192] The device is a projector,

[0193] The abnormal association information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display result of the projector, and indicates that the contrast in the image is below a reference value,

[0194] The computer determines the first timing in such a manner that the abnormal association information is sent before, during an interruption, or after the end of the meeting,

[0195] The abnormal association information indicates causing the projector to display a recommendation to replace the light source of the projector.

[0196] 31. The device management method according to the above item 30, wherein,

[0197] The computer further causes a terminal of a manager of the conference room to display a recommendation to replace the light source of the projector.

[0198] 32. The device management method according to the above item 30 or 31, wherein,

[0199] The computer determines the first timing in such a manner that the abnormal association information is sent after the end of the meeting.

[0200] 33. The device management method according to any one of the above items 30 to 32, wherein,

[0201] The computer further sets that the cumulative light emission time of the light source exceeds a reference time as a condition for performing the display.

[0202] 34. The device management method according to any one of the above items 19 to 33, wherein,

[0203] The abnormal association information is questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the conference room.

[0204] 35. The device management method according to any one of the above items 19 to 33, wherein,

[0205] The computer further performs:

[0206] Sending questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the conference room to a display device in the conference room or a terminal of a participant in the meeting;

[0207] Use the meeting information to determine a second timing for sending the questionnaire data.

[0208] 36. The device management method according to the above 34 or 35, wherein

[0209] The questionnaire data is determined using the exception information.

[0210] 37. A program that enables a computer to have the following functions:

[0211] An acquisition function that acquires exception information indicating that an exception has occurred in a device installed in a meeting room;

[0212] A generation function that generates meeting information indicating the progress status of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device installed in the meeting room; and

[0213] A sending function that, according to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, makes the timing, i.e., the first timing, for sending exception-related information, which is information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the exception, different, and sends the exception-related information to the device or another device at the first timing.

[0214] 38. The program according to the above 37, wherein

[0215] When the sending function makes the first timing different according to the progress of the meeting, it selects the first timing from multiple candidates,

[0216] The multiple candidates at least include immediately sending the exception-related information and sending the exception-related information later.

[0217] 39. The program according to the above 37 or 38, wherein

[0218] The meeting information includes at least one of in-progress meeting, meeting interruption, and meeting end.

[0219] 40. The program according to any one of the above 37 to 39, wherein

[0220] The exception information includes information indicating the content of the exception,

[0221] The sending function also determines the first timing using the content of the exception indicated by the exception information.

[0222] 41. The program according to the above 40, wherein

[0223] When the content of the exception meets a specific condition, the sending function does not send the exception-related information before the meeting is interrupted or ended.

[0224] 42. According to the procedure described in the above 41, wherein,

[0225] The device is an air conditioning device for adjusting the room temperature of the meeting room,

[0226] The specific condition is that the room temperature exceeds the reference range.

[0227] 43. According to the procedure described in the above 41, wherein,

[0228] The device is built-in with a battery,

[0229] The specific condition is that the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes below the reference.

[0230] 44. According to the procedure described in the above 40, wherein,

[0231] The device is a display or a projector,

[0232] The abnormal information indicates that no video signal is input to the device,

[0233] The sending function determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal associated information is sent in the meeting when the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress,

[0234] The abnormal associated information is information for performing an alarm display.

[0235] 45. According to the procedure described in the above 40, wherein,

[0236] The device is a display or a projector having a plurality of input terminals for images,

[0237] The abnormal information indicates that although a video signal for the device is input, the selected input terminal is not the input terminal for the data to be input and displayed,

[0238] The sending function determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal associated information is sent in the meeting when the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress,

[0239] The abnormal associated information is a control command for causing the device to select the input terminal for the data to be input and displayed.

[0240] 46. According to the procedure described in the above 40, wherein,

[0241] The device is a display or a projector,

[0242] The abnormal information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing a display performed by the display or the projector, and indicates that the contrast of the display is below a reference level.

[0243] When the conference information indicates that the conference is in progress, the sending function determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent during the conference.

[0244] The abnormal association information indicates increasing the contrast of the device.

[0245] 47. According to the program described in 45 above, wherein,

[0246] The device further includes the lighting in the conference room.

[0247] The abnormal association information further indicates controlling the brightness of the lighting.

[0248] 48. According to the program described in 40 above, wherein,

[0249] The device is a projector.

[0250] The abnormal association information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display result of the projector, and indicates that the contrast within the image is below a reference level.

[0251] The sending function determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent before the conference starts, after the conference is interrupted or ends.

[0252] The abnormal association information indicates causing the projector to perform a display recommending replacement of the light source of the projector.

[0253] 49. According to the program described in 48 above, wherein,

[0254] The sending function also causes a terminal of the administrator of the conference room to perform a display recommending replacement of the light source of the projector.

[0255] 50. According to the program described in 48 or 49 above, wherein,

[0256] The sending function determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormal association information is sent after the conference ends.

[0257] 51. According to the program described in any one of 48 to 50 above, wherein,

[0258] The sending function also sets that the cumulative light emission time of the light source exceeds a reference time as a condition for performing the display.

[0259] 52. According to the program described in any one of 37 to 51 above, wherein,

[0260] The abnormal association information is questionnaire survey data representing a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room.

[0261] 53. The program according to any one of the above items 37 to 51, wherein,

[0262] The program enables the computer to have the following functions:

[0263] A questionnaire survey sending function that sends questionnaire survey data representing a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room to a display device in the meeting room or a terminal of a participant in the meeting; and

[0264] An opportunity determination function that uses the meeting information to determine a second opportunity to send the questionnaire survey data.

[0265] 54. The program according to the above item 52 or 53, wherein,

[0266] The questionnaire survey data is determined using the abnormal information.

[0267] This application claims priority based on International Application No. PCT / JP2019 / 38485 filed on September 30, 2019, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety the disclosure thereof.

[0268] Reference numeral description

[0269] 10 Equipment management device

[0270] 20 Meeting room

[0271] 30 Administrator terminal

[0272] 110 Acquisition unit

[0273] 120 Meeting information generation unit

[0274] 130 Information sending unit

[0275] 140 Opportunity determination unit

[0276] 150 Questionnaire survey sending unit

[0277] 210 Equipment

[0278] 220 Device group

[0279] 222 Lighting control device

[0280] 224 Shooting device

[0281] 226 Microphone

[0282] 228 Sensor

Claims

1. An equipment management device, comprising: An acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in equipment installed in a meeting room; A meeting information generation unit that generates meeting information indicating the progress status of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing information output from a device installed in the meeting room; and An information sending unit that makes different the timing, i.e., the first timing, of sending information related to the abnormality, which is information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, according to the progress status of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, and sends the abnormality-related information to the equipment or another device at the first timing, The device installed in the meeting room is any one of a microphone, a photographing device, a display, and a projector.

2. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein, When the first timing is made different according to the progress of the meeting, the information sending unit selects the first timing from a plurality of candidates. The plurality of candidates at least include immediately sending the abnormality-related information and sending the abnormality-related information later.

3. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The meeting information includes at least one of in-progress meeting, meeting interruption, and meeting end.

4. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein, The abnormality information includes information indicating the content of the abnormality. The information sending unit also determines the first timing using the content of the abnormality indicated by the abnormality information.

5. The equipment management device according to claim 4, wherein, When the content of the abnormality satisfies a specified condition, the information sending unit does not send the abnormality-related information before the meeting is interrupted or ended.

6. The equipment management device according to claim 5, wherein, The device is an air-conditioning device that adjusts the room temperature of the meeting room. The specified condition is that the room temperature exceeds a reference range.

7. The equipment management device according to claim 5, wherein, The device is built-in with a battery. The specified condition is that the remaining capacity or output voltage of the battery becomes below a reference.

8. The equipment management device according to claim 4, wherein, The device is a display or a projector. The abnormality information indicates that no video signal is input to the device. When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormality-related information is sent during the meeting. The abnormality-related information is information for performing an alarm display.

9. The equipment management device according to claim 4, wherein, The device is a display or a projector having a plurality of input terminals for video. The abnormality information indicates that although a video signal is input to the device, the selected input terminal is not the input terminal for the data to be input for display. When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormality-related information is sent during the meeting. The abnormality-related information is a control instruction for causing the device to select the input terminal for the data to be input for display.

10. The device management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The device is a display or a projector. The abnormality information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display performed by the display or the projector, and indicates that the contrast of the display is below a reference. When the meeting information indicates that the meeting is in progress, the information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormality-related information is sent during the meeting. The abnormality-related information indicates increasing the contrast of the device.

11. The device management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The device further includes the lighting in the meeting room. The abnormality-related information also indicates controlling the brightness of the lighting.

12. The device management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The device is a projector. The abnormality-related information is generated by processing an image obtained by photographing the display result of the projector, and indicates that the contrast within the image is below a reference. The information sending unit determines the first timing in such a way that the abnormality-related information is sent before the meeting is held, after it is interrupted, or after it ends. The abnormality-related information indicates causing the projector to display a recommendation to replace the light source of the projector.

13. The device management apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The information sending unit also causes a terminal of the administrator of the meeting room to display a recommendation to replace the light source of the projector.

14. The device management apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The information sending unit determines the first timing in a manner of sending the abnormal association information after the end of the meeting.

15. The device management apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The information sending unit also sets that the cumulative light emission time of the light source exceeds a reference time as a condition for performing the display.

16. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The abnormal association information is questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room.

17. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The device management device includes: A questionnaire survey sending unit that sends questionnaire survey data indicating a questionnaire survey related to the meeting room to a display device in the meeting room or a terminal of a participant in the meeting; And A timing determination unit that uses the meeting information to determine a second timing for sending the questionnaire survey data.

18. The device management apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The questionnaire survey data is determined using the abnormal information.

19. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The meeting information generation unit generates text data indicating the vocal content performed in the meeting room according to the sound information generated by the microphone, When the meeting information that does not mean the ongoing state is generated, the information sending unit sends the abnormal association information.

20. A device management apparatus, comprising: An acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information indicating that a device installed in a conference room has an abnormality; A conference information generation unit that generates conference information indicating the progress status of a conference held in the conference room by processing information output from a device installed in the conference room; and An information sending unit that determines a timing for sending abnormality-related information, which is information to be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, based on the current progress status of the conference indicated by the conference information and the content of the abnormality information, and sends the abnormality-related information to the device or another device at that timing.

21. A device management method, wherein The computer performs the following processing: Obtain abnormal information indicating that a device provided in the meeting room has an abnormality; Generate meeting information indicating the ongoing state of a meeting held in the meeting room by processing the information output from the device provided in the meeting room; And According to the ongoing state of the meeting indicated by the meeting information, the timing of sending the abnormal association information, which is the information that should be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, i.e., the first timing, is made different, and the abnormal association information is sent to the device or other devices at the first timing. The device provided in the meeting room is any one of a microphone, a shooting device, a display, and a projector.

22. A storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to have the following functions: Acquire abnormality information indicating that a device installed in a conference room has an abnormality; Generate conference information indicating the progress status of a conference held in the conference room by processing information output from a device installed in the conference room; and Make the timing, i.e., the first timing, for sending abnormality-related information, which is information to be sent due to the occurrence of the abnormality, different according to the progress status of the conference indicated by the conference information, and send the abnormality-related information to the device or another device at that first timing, The device installed in the conference room is any one of a microphone, a photographing device, a display, and a projector.

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