Building system, backoff method, recording medium, and computer program product

Abstract

A building system, a backoff method, a recording medium, and a computer program product. The present invention assists an action of withdrawing an autonomous moving body, which can autonomously move in a building by an elevator, to a safe refuge floor in the building when water is to be immersed in the building due to an abnormal weather. The building system computes whether or not a target region will be immersed in water on the basis of weather information acquired from an external service, and computes an evacuation floor for avoiding damage from immersion in a building of the target region when the target region will be immersed in water. Then, the building system instructs the one or more autonomous moving bodies located in the target region to take a car of an elevator provided in the building and to get off the elevator at the refuge floor, and instructs the elevator to move the car taken by the one or more autonomous moving bodies to the refuge floor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a building system technology for causing autonomous mobile bodies in a flooded area to evacuate to an evacuation floor of a building. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses technology for rapidly evacuating or retreating a vehicle in the event of a disaster. Upon receiving disaster information such as a tsunami warning, volcanic eruption warning, or heavy rain warning, the controller of the autonomous vehicle controls the transmission actuator to increase the transmission ratio, allowing the vehicle to quickly evacuate to higher ground.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-206300 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technology in Patent Document 1 targets autonomous vehicles traveling outdoors. Therefore, even if the technology in Patent Document 1 is applied to an autonomous vehicle capable of autonomously moving within a building using an elevator, for example, in the event of flood damage, evacuation may be difficult due to insufficient mobility.

[0006] The present invention is completed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a building system that assists an autonomous moving body in retreating to a safe refuge floor in a building when flooding occurs in the building due to abnormal weather, wherein the above-mentioned autonomous moving body can move autonomously in the building using an elevator.

[0007] The building system of the present invention controls the operation of elevators in buildings located in a target area and the operation of one or more autonomous moving bodies that can move autonomously in the building using the elevators, wherein the building system comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires meteorological information; a flooding calculation unit that calculates whether the target area will be flooded based on the meteorological information; a refuge floor calculation unit that calculates a refuge floor in the building for evacuating from flood damage when the target area is about to be flooded; a moving body control unit that instructs one or more autonomous moving bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator on the refuge floor; and an elevator control unit that instructs the elevator to move the car carrying the one or more autonomous moving bodies to the refuge floor.

[0008] In addition, the retreat method of the present invention is executed by a computer, so that one or more autonomous moving bodies that can move autonomously in a building using an elevator retreat to a refuge floor in a building in a target area, wherein the retreat method includes the following steps: obtaining meteorological information of the target area; calculating whether the target area will be flooded based on the meteorological information; if the target area will be flooded, calculating the refuge floor in the building for retreating from the flood damage; instructing one or more autonomous moving bodies located in the target area to take the elevator car and get off the elevator at the refuge floor; and instructing the elevator to move the car carrying one or more autonomous moving bodies to the refuge floor.

[0009] In addition, the retreat program of the present invention enables a computer to execute processing for causing one or more autonomous mobile bodies that can move autonomously within a building using an elevator to retreat to a refuge floor within a building in a target area. The retreat program is configured to cause a computer to execute the following processing: obtain meteorological information of the target area, calculate whether the target area will be flooded based on the meteorological information, and if the target area will be flooded, calculate the refuge floor within the building for retreating from flood damage, instruct one or more autonomous mobile bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off at the refuge floor, and instruct the elevator to move the car carrying the one or more autonomous mobile bodies to the refuge floor.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the technology of the present invention, a building system can be provided that assists an autonomous moving body that can move autonomously in the building using an elevator in retreating to a safe refuge floor in the building when flooding occurs in the building due to abnormal weather. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the building system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the functions of the control device of the building system according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of processing executed in the building system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a modified example of hardware resources of a building system control device.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the functions of a control device for a building system according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a method of determining an evacuation building in the building identification process.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the functions of a control device for a building system according to a third embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a priority table.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the third embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a block diagram showing the functions of a control device for a building system according to a fourth embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the fourth embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a block diagram showing the functions of a control device for a building system according to a fifth embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of a method of determining an evacuation site in the evacuation site calculation process.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system of the fifth embodiment.

[0027] Description of labels

[0028] 2: External service; 4: Elevator; 6: Autonomous mobile body; 8: Communication network; 10: Building system; 20: Control device; 21: Weather information acquisition unit; 22: Water inundation calculation unit; 23: Refuge floor calculation unit; 24: Mobile body control unit; 25: Elevator control unit; 26: Building determination unit; 27: Evacuation sequence calculation unit; 28: Movement control unit; 30: Processor; 31: Evacuation time calculation unit; 32: Damage occurrence prediction time calculation unit; 33: Refuge place calculation unit; 40: Memory; 42: Evacuation program; 44: Data; 50: Database; 80: Dedicated hardware; 82: Processing circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the common elements in each figure, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0030] 1. Implementation Methods 1.

[0031] 1-1. Overview of Building System According to Embodiment 1

[0032] Figure 1 This is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the building system according to Embodiment 1. The building system 10 according to this embodiment is a system that causes autonomous mobile vehicles in a building within a flooded area to evacuate to safe floors when flooding occurs due to abnormal weather conditions such as heavy rain, tsunamis, or high tides.

[0033] The building system 10 of the first embodiment is connected to an external service 2 , one or more elevators 4 , and one or more autonomous moving objects 6 via a communication network 8 such as the Internet.

[0034] The external service 2 is an external service that distributes disaster information such as weather information, etc. The external service 2 is provided by a public institution such as the Japan Meteorological Agency or a similar institution in another country.

[0035] Each elevator 4 is installed in a building with multiple floors, for example, within the area managed by the building system 10. Multiple elevators 4 may be installed in a single building. A hoistway for the elevators 4 is located within the building. The hoistway is a vertically long space spanning multiple floors. A landing adjacent to the hoistway is located on each floor.

[0036] The elevator 4, as its main structure (not shown), includes a hoisting machine, main ropes, a car, and a counterweight. The main ropes are wound around the hoisting machine's sheave. The main ropes support the car's load on one side of the hoisting machine's sheave. The main ropes support the counterweight's load on the other side of the hoisting machine's sheave. The car is a device that transports elevator 4 users or autonomous vehicles between multiple floors by traveling up and down in the hoistway. The car travels up and down in the hoistway in conjunction with the movement of the main ropes, which is driven by the rotation of the hoisting machine's sheave.

[0037] Autonomous mobile object 6 is a robot capable of determining its own position and autonomously moving within the building using elevator 4. Autonomous mobile object 6 can cooperate with elevator 4 to autonomously call elevator 4 and board the corresponding car. Autonomous mobile object 6 operates under the control of a mobile object control device (not shown). The attributes and operational control of autonomous mobile object 6 are not limited. For example, the attributes of autonomous mobile object 6 include a transport robot for transporting cargo, a cleaning robot for cleaning floors, or a security robot for maintaining security within the building.

[0038] Building system 10 is a device that performs various controls to evacuate autonomous mobile vehicles 6 within a flooded area to a safe floor within a building when flooding is imminent within its jurisdiction. Building system 10 communicates with external services 2, autonomous mobile vehicles 6, and elevators 4 via communication network 8.

[0039] The building system 10 includes a control device 20 and a database 50. The control device 20 is a microcomputer including at least one processor 30 and at least one memory 40. The control device 20 is also called an information processing device.

[0040] The memory 40 stores a backoff program 42 and various data 44 used to execute the backoff program 42. The processor 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 30 reads and executes the backoff program 42, thereby implementing various functions of the control device 20 of the building system 10. The various functions implemented will be described in detail later. The backoff program 42 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium or stored on a server such as a cloud server that can communicate with the building system 10.

[0041] Database 50 contains building information and disaster maps for the target area. Disaster maps contain information about areas expected to be damaged by flooding, internal flooding, tsunamis, and the like. For example, disaster maps may also include information on planned drainage capacity for each area. Furthermore, disaster maps may include information on the locations of disaster prevention facilities, such as tsunami evacuation sites and evacuation routes.

[0042] 1-2. Functional Configuration of Building System in Embodiment 1

[0043] Next, the functional configuration of the control device 20 included in the building system 10 will be described in further detail. Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control device of the building system according to Embodiment 1. As functions implemented by processor 30 reading and executing evacuation program 42, building system 10 includes a weather information acquisition unit 21, a flooding calculation unit 22, an evacuation floor calculation unit 23, a moving object control unit 24, and an elevator control unit 25.

[0044] The weather information acquisition unit 21 performs a process for acquiring weather information from the external service 2. This process is hereinafter referred to as "weather information acquisition processing." The weather information here refers to forecast information used to estimate flooding conditions in the target area, including, for example, the amount of precipitation due to heavy rain, the height of a tsunami, and the height of a high tide.

[0045] The flooding calculation unit 22 determines whether the target area will be flooded and calculates the flooding depth if flooded, based on weather information and a disaster map stored in the database 50. This process is hereinafter referred to as "flooding calculation processing."

[0046] If the flooding calculation process determines that flooding is imminent within the target area, the evacuation floor calculation unit 23 calculates the evacuation floors for each building within the target area, which are suitable for safe evacuation from flooding damage. This process is hereinafter referred to as the "evacuation floor calculation process." Here, the evacuation floors are floors higher than the flooding depth and preferred for the autonomous mobile object 6 to evacuate. For example, a evacuation floor is a floor higher than the flooding depth and with no restrictions on escaping stairs for safety reasons.

[0047] The moving object control unit 24 executes a process for instructing autonomous moving objects 6, which are located below the evacuation floor in each building and are to be evacuated, to move to the evacuation floor. This process is hereinafter referred to as the "moving object control process," and the autonomous moving objects 6, which are to be evacuated in the building, are hereinafter referred to as "in-building moving objects." Typically, during the moving object control process, the moving object control unit 24 obtains position information of each autonomous moving object 6. The method for obtaining position information is not limited. The moving object control unit 24 identifies the in-building moving object based on the obtained position information. The moving object control unit 24 then instructs each identified in-building moving object to move to the elevator 4 landing, board the elevator 4, and exit the elevator at the evacuation floor.

[0048] The elevator control unit 25 executes a process to instruct each elevator 4 to transport a mobile object within the building to an evacuation floor. This process is hereinafter referred to as "elevator control processing." This instruction includes registering an elevator call from an autonomous mobile object 6 to an evacuation floor when the autonomous mobile object 6 arrives at a landing below the evacuation floor.

[0049] 1-3. Specific Processing Executed in the Building System of Embodiment 1

[0050] Hereinafter, specific processing executed in the building system 10 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Figure 3 This is a flowchart of processing executed in the building system according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 The routine shown is executed by the processor 30 of the control device 20 of the building system 10 executing the evacuation program 42 stored in the memory 40. Furthermore, this routine also illustrates a portion of an evacuation method for the building system 10, which is used to evacuate the autonomous mobile vehicle 6 to a safe evacuation floor when flooding occurs in the target area.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In step S100 of the routine shown, the weather information acquisition unit 21 executes weather information acquisition processing to acquire weather information from the external service 2. The acquired weather information is sent to the flooding calculation unit 22. After the processing of step S100, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0052] In step S102, flooding calculation processing is performed to determine whether flooding is imminent in the target area. For example, if the weather information includes information about heavy rain, the flooding calculation unit 22 determines whether the amount of precipitation in the target area due to the heavy rain will exceed the planned drainage equipment volume included in the hazard map. Furthermore, if flooding is imminent in the target area, the flooding calculation unit 22 estimates the flooding depth in the target area based on the amount of precipitation and the hazard map for external or internal flooding. As another example of flooding calculation processing, if the weather information includes information about a tsunami or high tide, the flooding calculation unit 22 determines whether the flooded area estimated based on the hazard map for the tsunami or high tide is included in the target area, and estimates the flooding depth if flooding is imminent. If the determination in step S102 is confirmed to be true, the process proceeds to step 104. If not, the process of step S100 is repeated.

[0053] In step S104, the evacuation floor calculation process is executed. Here, the evacuation floor calculation unit 23 refers to the building information for the target area stored in the database 50 and calculates preferred floors, selected from the floors of each building in the target area that are higher than the flood depth calculated in the flood calculation process, as evacuation floors. For example, the evacuation floor calculation unit 23 calculates floors above the second floor as evacuation floors when the flood depth is between 0.0 and 0.5 m, floors above the third floor as evacuation floors when the flood depth is between 0.5 and 3.0 m, and floors above the fourth floor as evacuation floors when the flood depth is between 3.0 and 5.0 m. Refugee floors are preferably floors with no entry restrictions for safety reasons, and floors that can accommodate a greater number of units are more preferred. After step S104, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0054] In steps S106 and S108, the mobile object control process is executed. Specifically, in step S106, the mobile object control unit 24 obtains the position information of the autonomous mobile object 6 within each building within the target area and identifies each mobile object within the building located on a floor lower than the evacuation floor. After step S106, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0055] In step S108, the moving body control unit 24 issues a movement instruction to each identified moving body in the building to move to the landing of the elevator 4, a boarding instruction to take the elevator 4 at the landing, and a disembarkation instruction to get off the elevator 4 at the evacuation floor.

[0056] In step S110, elevator control processing is executed. Here, if a moving object within the building has arrived at a landing on a floor below the evacuation floor, the elevator control unit 25 registers an elevator call from that landing to the evacuation floor. Whether the moving object within the building has arrived at a landing is determined, for example, based on the location information of the moving object within the building. Alternatively, if the moving object within the building that has arrived at a landing is equipped with a mechanism for transmitting an arrival notification to the building system 10, the arrival of the moving object is determined based on the received arrival notification.

[0057] According to the series of processes in the building system 10 of Embodiment 1 described above, when flooding is imminent in the target area, mobile objects within the building located on floors below the evacuation floor follow instructions to move to the landing of elevator 4. Upon arrival at the landing, the mobile objects register a call from that landing to the evacuation floor. The mobile objects follow instructions to board the elevator 4 car. The elevator 4 car moves to the evacuation floor in response to the call. The mobile objects, following instructions, disembark at the evacuation floor. This allows the mobile objects within the building to retreat to a safe evacuation floor.

[0058] 1-4. Modifications

[0059] The building system 10 of the first embodiment may also be modified as described below. These modifications are also applicable to the building systems of other embodiments described below.

[0060] 1-4-1. Hardware resources of building system 10

[0061] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a modified example of hardware resources of a control device of a building system. Figure 4 In the illustrated example, the control device 20 includes, for example, a processing circuit 82 including a processor 30 , a memory 40 , and dedicated hardware 80 . Figure 4 The example in which a portion of the functions of the control device 20 are implemented by dedicated hardware 80 is shown. All functions of the control device 20 may also be implemented by dedicated hardware 80. Dedicated hardware 80 may be a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0062] The memory 40 may be independent of the control device 20 , and its role may be performed by a cloud or the like.

[0063] Furthermore, all or part of the functions of the control device 20 of the building system 10 may be mounted on the elevator 4 or the autonomous moving object 6. Furthermore, the role of the database 50 may be assumed by a cloud or the like.

[0064] 1-4-2. Mobile object control processing

[0065] In the moving object control process, there are no restrictions on the sharing of control responsibilities between the control device 20 of the building system 10 and the autonomous moving object 6. Specifically, in the moving object control process, as long as the control device 20 of the building system 10 can cooperate with the autonomous moving object 6 to move the autonomous moving object 6 to the evacuation floor, internal processing such as generating a movement path to the evacuation floor can be performed by either the control device 20 or the autonomous moving object 6.

[0066] 2. Implementation Method 2.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the differences from the example disclosed in the first embodiment are described in particular detail. For features not described in the second embodiment, any features of the example disclosed in the first embodiment can be adopted.

[0068] 2-1. Functional Structure of Building System in Embodiment 2

[0069] The building system 10 of the second embodiment is characterized by processing that causes the autonomous mobile bodies 6 moving outside a building in the target area to retreat to an evacuation floor in the building when flooding is expected to occur in the target area.

[0070] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the functions of the control device of the building system according to Embodiment 2. The control device 20 of the building system 10 further includes a building identification unit 26 as a function implemented by the processor 30 reading and executing the evacuation program 42 .

[0071] The building identification unit 26 is a functional block that performs processing for determining a refuge building for autonomous mobile objects 6 moving outside buildings in a target area. This processing is hereinafter referred to as "building identification processing," and autonomous mobile objects 6 outside buildings targeted for evacuation are hereinafter referred to as "mobile objects outside buildings."

[0072] During the building identification process, the building identification unit 26 obtains the position information of each main mobile object 6 and identifies mobile objects outside buildings that are moving within the target area based on the obtained position information. The building identification unit 26 then determines, from among one or more candidate evacuation buildings located within the target area, the evacuation building to which each identified mobile object outside a building should take refuge. The candidate evacuation buildings in this case are buildings for which evacuation floors have been set during the evacuation floor calculation process.

[0073] Figure 6 This figure illustrates an example of a method for determining an evacuation building during building identification processing. In the example shown in this figure, buildings A, B, and C are shown as candidate evacuation buildings. During the building identification process, building identification unit 26 determines building A, the candidate evacuation building closest to the position of the mobile object outside the building, as the evacuation building.

[0074] The moving object control unit 24 executes a process for instructing moving objects outside the building to move to the evacuation floors of the evacuation buildings during the moving object control process. Typically, the moving object control unit 24 instructs each moving object within the building to move to and enter each designated evacuation building, to move to the landing of the elevator 4, to board the elevator 4, and to exit the elevator at the evacuation floor.

[0075] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of the second embodiment described above, when flooding is about to occur in the target area, mobile objects outside the building in the target area can be quickly evacuated to safe evacuation floors in the building.

[0076] 2-2. Specific Processing Executed in the Building System of Embodiment 2

[0077] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 The routine shown is executed by the processor 30 of the control device 20 of the building system 10 executing the evacuation program 42 stored in the memory 40. Furthermore, this routine also illustrates a portion of an evacuation method for the building system 10, which is used to evacuate the autonomous mobile vehicle 6 to a safe evacuation floor when flooding occurs in the target area.

[0078] exist Figure 7 In steps S200 to S204 of the routine shown, the following steps are performed: Figure 3 The same processing is performed from step S100 to step S104 of the routine shown. After the processing of step S204 is executed, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0079] In steps S206 and S208, building identification processing is performed. Specifically, in step S206, the building identification unit 26 obtains the position information of the autonomous mobile object 6 within the target area and identifies the mobile object outside the building. After the processing in step S206 is completed, the processing proceeds to step S208.

[0080] In step S208, the building identification unit 26 determines as an evacuation building the evacuation building candidate closest to each mobile object outside the building, from among the evacuation building candidates within the target area for which the evacuation floor was set in the evacuation floor calculation process in step S204. Upon completion of step S208, the process proceeds to step S210.

[0081] In step S210, the moving body control unit 24 provides each of the determined moving bodies outside the building with a movement instruction to move to the refuge building determined in step S208, a movement instruction to move to the floor station of the elevator 4 of the refuge building, an elevator boarding instruction to take the elevator 4 at the floor station, and a disembarking instruction to get off the elevator 4 at the refuge floor.

[0082] Furthermore, in step S212, elevator control processing is executed. Here, when a mobile object outside the building arrives at a landing in the evacuation building, the elevator control unit 25 registers an elevator call from that landing to the evacuation floor. Whether the mobile object outside the building has arrived at a landing is determined, for example, based on its positional information. Alternatively, if the mobile object arriving at a landing has the function of transmitting a landing arrival notification to the building system 10, the arrival of the mobile object is determined based on the received landing arrival notification. Consequently, the elevator car 4 is dispatched to the landing.

[0083] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of Embodiment 2 described above, if flooding is imminent in the target area, a mobile object outside a building in the target area moves to the nearest elevator 4 landing of the evacuation building in accordance with instructions. When the mobile object arrives at the landing, a call is registered from that landing to the evacuation floor. The mobile object outside the building boards the elevator 4 car in accordance with the instructions. The elevator 4 car moves to the evacuation floor in accordance with the call. The mobile object outside the building disembarks at the evacuation floor in accordance with the instructions. This allows the mobile object outside the building to retreat to a safe evacuation floor.

[0084] 2-3. Modifications

[0085] The building system 10 of the second embodiment may also adopt a modified form as described below.

[0086] 2-3-1. Building confirmation process

[0087] The evacuation building determined during the building identification process does not necessarily need to be the candidate evacuation building closest to the mobile objects outside the building. In other words, it is also conceivable that if mobile objects outside the building gather to seek refuge in a single building, they will not be able to quickly reach the evacuation floor. Therefore, during the building identification process, the building identification unit 26 may also consider the congestion level of the candidate evacuation buildings in the target area when determining the evacuation building. In this case, for example, the building identification unit 26 may exclude from the candidate evacuation buildings in the target area any buildings where the number of mobile objects outside the building has reached the permitted number of evacuations. This process can prevent mobile objects outside the building from concentrating on a specific building for seeking refuge.

[0088] 3. Implementation Method 3.

[0089] In the third embodiment, the differences from the example disclosed in the first embodiment are described in particular detail. Any features of the example disclosed in the first embodiment may be adopted for features not described in the third embodiment.

[0090] 3-1. Functional Structure of Building System in Embodiment 3

[0091] The building system 10 according to the third embodiment is characterized by a process of setting priorities for evacuation order when evacuating moving objects in a building to an evacuation floor.

[0092] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the functions of the control device of the building system according to Embodiment 3. The control device 20 of the building system 10 further includes an evacuation sequence calculation unit 27 as a function implemented by the processor 30 reading and executing the evacuation program 42 .

[0093] The evacuation order calculation unit 27 is a functional block for executing a process of calculating the order in which a plurality of moving objects in a building within a target area should be evacuated to evacuation floors. This process is hereinafter referred to as "evacuation order calculation processing."

[0094] Figure 9 1 is a diagram showing an example of a priority table. In the example of the priority table shown in the figure, the priority of the evacuation order corresponding to the amount of money of the mobile body is set for each autonomous mobile body 6. The database 50 stores, for example, Figure 9 In the evacuation order calculation process, the evacuation order calculation unit 27 determines the evacuation order of the moving objects in the building, starting with the highest priority, based on the priority table. The "evacuation order" here refers to the order in which the moving objects arrive at the evacuation floor and exit the elevator, and is not necessarily the same as the order in which the moving objects board the elevator 4.

[0095] The moving object control unit 24 executes a process for instructing moving objects within a building to move to an evacuation floor of the evacuation building during the moving object control process. Typically, when there are multiple moving objects within the building, the moving object control unit 24 instructs each moving object within the building to move to a landing of the elevator 4, board the elevator 4, and exit the elevator at the evacuation floor, so that the moving objects arrive at the evacuation floor according to the evacuation order determined by the evacuation order calculation process.

[0096] For example, if the number of cars that the autonomous moving object 6 can board is one, the moving object control unit 24 instructs the moving object with the highest evacuation priority among the multiple in-building moving objects to board and exit the elevator 4. Alternatively, if the number of cars that the autonomous moving object 6 can board is two, the moving object with the highest evacuation priority and the moving object with the second lowest evacuation priority among the multiple in-building moving objects are instructed to board and exit the elevator 4. In this case, there is no restriction on the order in which the two in-building moving objects board the elevator.

[0097] 3-2. Specific Processing Executed in the Building System of Embodiment 3

[0098] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the third embodiment. Figure 10 The routine shown is executed by the processor 30 of the control device 20 of the building system 10 executing the evacuation program 42 stored in the memory 40. Furthermore, this routine also illustrates a portion of an evacuation method for the building system 10, which is used to evacuate the autonomous mobile vehicle 6 to a safe evacuation floor when flooding occurs in the target area.

[0099] exist Figure 10 In steps S300 to S304 of the routine shown, the following steps are performed: Figure 3 The same processing is performed from step S100 to step S104 of the routine shown. After the processing of step S304 is executed, the process proceeds to step S306.

[0100] In steps S306 and S308, the evacuation order calculation process is executed. Specifically, in step S306, the evacuation order calculation unit 27 obtains the position information of the autonomous mobile objects 6 within each building within the target area and identifies each mobile object within the building located on a floor lower than the evacuation floor. The evacuation order calculation unit 27 then determines whether there are multiple mobile objects within the identified building. If the determination is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S308; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S310.

[0101] In step S308, the evacuation order calculation unit 27 determines the evacuation order for the plurality of intra-building moving objects in the building, starting from the highest priority, based on the priority table stored in the database 50. When step S308 is completed, the process proceeds to step S310.

[0102] In step 310, a moving object control process is executed. Typically, the moving object control unit 24 instructs each moving object in the building to move to the landing of the elevator 4, take the elevator 4, and get off at the evacuation floor so that the moving object reaches the evacuation floor according to the evacuation order determined by the evacuation order calculation process.

[0103] Furthermore, in step S312, elevator control processing is executed. Here, the elevator control unit 25 registers elevator calls so that the moving objects in the building, starting with those at the top of the evacuation order, disembark from the evacuation floors in order. In this case, considering the operating efficiency of the elevator 4, the order in which the moving objects in the building board the elevators need not be the same as the evacuation order; instead, the order can be adjusted sequentially for the moving objects in the same car.

[0104] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of the third embodiment described above, when flooding is about to occur in the target area, the autonomous mobile objects 6 with high priority can be quickly retreated to the evacuation floors.

[0105] 3-3. Modification

[0106] The building system 10 of the third embodiment may also adopt a modified form as described below.

[0107] 3-3-1. Priority table

[0108] The priority table may set priorities based on criteria other than monetary value. For example, the priority table may set priorities for autonomous moving bodies based on the degree of necessity for business continuity.

[0109] 3-3-2. Autonomous moving objects as control targets

[0110] In the building system 10 of the third embodiment, the autonomous moving objects 6 to be controlled are not limited to moving objects within a building, but may also include moving objects outside a building.

[0111] 4. Implementation Method4.

[0112] In Embodiment 4, differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 are described in particular detail. Any features of the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 can be adopted for features not described in Embodiment 4.

[0113] 4-1. Functional Structure of Building System in Embodiment 4

[0114] The building system 10 of the fourth embodiment is characterized by processing for preventing damage to autonomous mobile bodies 6 within buildings in a target area due to flooding when the target area is about to be flooded.

[0115] Figure 11 This is a block diagram showing the functions of the building system control device according to Embodiment 4. The building system control device 20 further includes a movement control unit 28 as a function implemented by the processor 30 reading and executing the avoidance program 42 .

[0116] The movement restriction unit 28 is a functional block that performs processing to restrict the movement of autonomous mobile objects 6 within buildings in the target area. This processing is hereinafter referred to as "movement restriction processing." Specifically, during the movement restriction processing, the movement restriction unit 28 restricts autonomous mobile objects 6 located on floors above the evacuation floor from moving to floors below the evacuation floor. Furthermore, autonomous mobile objects 6 within the building are restricted from moving outside the building.

[0117] 4-2. Specific Processing Executed in the Building System of Embodiment 4

[0118] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 12 The routine shown is executed by the processor 30 of the control device 20 of the building system 10 executing the evacuation program 42 stored in the memory 40. Furthermore, this routine also illustrates a portion of an evacuation method for the building system 10, which is used to evacuate the autonomous mobile vehicle 6 to a safe evacuation floor when flooding occurs in the target area.

[0119] exist Figure 12 In steps S400 to S404 of the routine shown, the following steps are performed: Figure 3 The same processing is performed from step S100 to step S104 of the routine shown. After the processing of step S404 is executed, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0120] In steps S406 and S408, movement restriction processing is performed. Specifically, in step S406, the movement restriction unit 28 obtains the location information of the autonomous mobile objects 6 within each building within the target area and identifies the autonomous mobile objects 6 located on floors above the evacuation floor of each building. The evacuation order calculation unit 27 then instructs the identified autonomous mobile objects 6 to prohibit movement to floors below the evacuation floor. Furthermore, in step S408, the movement restriction unit 28 instructs all autonomous mobile objects 6 within the building to prohibit movement outside the building.

[0121] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of the fourth embodiment described above, when flooding is about to occur in the target area, the autonomous mobile body 6 located in the building can be protected from damage caused by the flooding.

[0122] 4-3. Modification

[0123] The building system 10 of the fourth embodiment may also adopt a modified form as described below.

[0124] 4-3-1. Movement restriction processing

[0125] In the movement restriction processing, the movement restriction unit 28 may be configured to only execute either a process of restricting the autonomous mobile body 6 located on floors above the evacuation floor from moving to floors below the evacuation floor or a process of restricting the autonomous mobile body 6 in the building from moving outside the building.

[0126] 5. Implementation method 5.

[0127] In Embodiment 5, differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 2 are described in particular detail. Any features of the example disclosed in Embodiment 2 can be adopted for features not described in Embodiment 5.

[0128] 5-1. Functional Structure of Building System in Embodiment 5

[0129] The building system 10 of the fifth embodiment is characterized by processing for causing the autonomous mobile bodies 6 located outside the building to evacuate to an outdoor evacuation site when flooding is expected to occur in the target area.

[0130] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the building system control device according to Embodiment 5. As functions implemented by processor 30 reading and executing evacuation program 42, control device 20 of building system 10 further includes an evacuation time calculation unit 31, a damage occurrence prediction time calculation unit 32, and an evacuation location calculation unit 33.

[0131] The evacuation time calculation unit 31 is a functional block that performs processing to calculate the evacuation time required for a mobile object outside a building to reach the refuge building determined in the building identification process. This processing is hereinafter referred to as the "evacuation time calculation process." Specifically, during the evacuation time calculation process, the evacuation time calculation unit 31 calculates the evacuation time based on the distance from the mobile object outside the building to the refuge building and the moving speed of the mobile object outside the building.

[0132] The damage occurrence prediction time calculation unit 32 is a functional block that performs processing to calculate the predicted time required for flood damage to occur in the evacuation building. This processing is hereinafter referred to as the "prediction time calculation process." In this process, the damage occurrence prediction time calculation unit 32 calculates the predicted time based on meteorological information. Examples of the meteorological information referenced here include real-time map information on floods caused by heavy rain, information on predicted arrival times for tsunamis, and tide level prediction information related to high tides.

[0133] The evacuation location calculation unit 33 is a functional block for executing the following processing: determining an outdoor evacuation location for a mobile object outside a building. This processing is hereinafter referred to as "evacuation location calculation processing." In the evacuation location calculation processing, the evacuation location calculation unit 33 compares the evacuation time with the predicted time to determine whether the mobile object outside the building can evacuate to a refuge building before a disaster occurs. The database 50 stores information on candidate outdoor evacuation locations in the event of flooding in high ground, etc. If the evacuation location calculation unit 33 determines that the mobile object outside the building cannot evacuate to a refuge building before a disaster occurs, it refers to the information on candidate outdoor evacuation locations stored in the database 50 and calculates the outdoor evacuation location candidate closest to the mobile object outside the building as the final evacuation location. The elevator control unit 25 instructs the mobile object outside the building to move to the evacuation location determined by the evacuation location calculation processing.

[0134] Figure 14 This figure illustrates an example of a method for determining an evacuation site during the evacuation site calculation process. The example shown in this figure illustrates an evacuation building and two outdoor evacuation site candidates, evacuation site D and evacuation site E. For example, during the evacuation site calculation process, the evacuation site calculation unit 33 determines evacuation site D, which is the outdoor evacuation site candidate closest to the mobile object outside the building, as the evacuation site.

[0135] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of the fifth embodiment described above, when it is difficult to evacuate to a refuge building before flood damage occurs, the autonomous mobile body 6 can be protected from flood damage by evacuating to an outdoor refuge.

[0136] 5-2. Specific Processing Executed in the Building System of Embodiment 5

[0137] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the processing executed in the building system of the fifth embodiment. Figure 15 The routine shown is executed by the processor 30 of the control device 20 of the building system 10 executing the evacuation program 42 stored in the memory 40. Furthermore, this routine also illustrates a portion of an evacuation method for causing the autonomous mobile vehicle 6 to evacuate to a safe evacuation floor when flooding occurs in a target area in the building system 10.

[0138] exist Figure 15 In steps S500 to S508 of the routine shown, the following steps are performed: Figure 7 The same processing is performed from step S200 to step S208 of the routine shown in the figure. After the processing of step S508 is executed, the processing proceeds to step S510.

[0139] In step S510, the evacuation time calculation process, the predicted time calculation process, and the refuge site calculation process are executed. Specifically, in the evacuation time calculation process, the evacuation time is calculated by the evacuation time calculation unit 31 based on the distance from the moving body outside the building to the refuge building and the moving speed of the moving body outside the building. In the predicted time calculation process, the damage occurrence prediction time calculation unit 32 calculates the predicted time based on the meteorological information. Then, in the refuge site calculation process, the refuge site calculation unit 33 determines whether the evacuation time is shorter than the predicted time. As a result, when it is confirmed that the determination is established, it is determined that it is possible to take refuge in the refuge building before flooding occurs, and the process enters step S512. In steps S512 to S514, the following steps are executed. Figure 7 Steps S210 to S212 of the illustrated routine are the same processing.

[0140] On the other hand, if the determination in step S510 is not confirmed, it is determined that evacuation to the refuge building is not possible before flooding occurs, and the process proceeds to step S516. In step S516, the evacuation site calculation unit 33 refers to the outdoor evacuation site candidate information stored in the database 50 during the evacuation site calculation process and calculates the outdoor evacuation site candidate closest to the mobile object outside the building as the final outdoor evacuation site. After executing step S516, the process proceeds to step S518. In step S518, the elevator control unit 25 instructs the mobile object outside the building to move to the outdoor evacuation site determined by the evacuation site calculation process.

[0141] According to the series of processes of the building system 10 of the fifth embodiment described above, when it is difficult to evacuate to a refuge building before a flood disaster occurs, the autonomous mobile body 6 can be protected from flood damage by evacuating to an outdoor refuge.

[0142] 5-3. Modification

[0143] The building system 10 of the fifth embodiment may also adopt a modified form as described below.

[0144] 5-3-1. Evacuation area calculation processing

[0145] The outdoor evacuation site determined in the evacuation site calculation process does not necessarily need to be the candidate evacuation site closest to the mobile object outside the building. In other words, the evacuation site may be determined in consideration of conditions such as the terrain, size, and altitude of the candidate evacuation site.

[0146] 6. Others

[0147] While preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications and substitutions may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0148] Hereinafter, various aspects of the present invention will be described in general as supplementary notes.

[0149] (Note 1)

[0150] A building system that controls the operation of an elevator in a building within a target area and the operation of one or more autonomous moving objects capable of autonomously moving within the building using the elevator, wherein the building system comprises:

[0151] an acquisition unit, which acquires meteorological information;

[0152] a flooding calculation unit for calculating whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information;

[0153] an evacuation floor calculation unit for calculating an evacuation floor within the building for evacuating from flood damage when the target area is about to be flooded;

[0154] a moving body control unit that instructs the one or more autonomous moving bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor; and

[0155] An elevator control unit instructs the elevator to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

[0156] (Note 2)

[0157] The building system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0158] The moving body control unit is configured to instruct a moving body within the building that is moving to a floor lower than the evacuation floor within the building among the one or more autonomous moving bodies to board the elevator car and get off the evacuation floor.

[0159] (Note 3)

[0160] The building system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0161] The building system further includes a building identification unit that identifies an evacuation building for the one or more autonomous mobile bodies to evacuate from one or more evacuation building candidates within the target area.

[0162] The mobile body control unit is configured to instruct a mobile body outside the building, among the one or more autonomous mobile bodies, that is moving outside the building in the target area to board the elevator car installed in the refuge building and get off at the evacuation floor.

[0163] The elevator control unit is configured to instruct the elevator installed in the evacuation building to move the car in which the moving object outside the building is riding to the evacuation floor.

[0164] (Note 4)

[0165] The building system according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein:

[0166] The building identification unit is configured to identify, as the evacuation building, an evacuation building candidate closest to the mobile object outside the building among the one or more evacuation building candidates.

[0167] (Note 5)

[0168] The building system according to Supplement 4, wherein:

[0169] The building identification unit is configured to exclude, from the candidate list, buildings in which the number of autonomous mobile bodies that can be evacuated has reached a permitted number, from among the one or more evacuation building candidates within the target area.

[0170] (Note 6)

[0171] The building system according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0172] The building system further includes an evacuation order calculation unit that calculates the evacuation order of the one or more autonomous mobile bodies according to the priority of the evacuation order.

[0173] The moving body control unit is configured to instruct the one or more autonomous moving bodies to board the elevator car and get off at the evacuation floor according to the evacuation order.

[0174] (Note 7)

[0175] The building system according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0176] The building system further includes a movement control unit that prohibits autonomous movable bodies located on floors above the evacuation floor in the building from moving to floors below the evacuation floor when the target area is about to be flooded.

[0177] (Note 8)

[0178] The building system according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0179] The building system further includes a movement control unit that prohibits an autonomous mobile object located in the building, among the one or more autonomous mobile objects, from moving outside the building when the target area is about to be flooded.

[0180] (Note 9)

[0181] The building system according to any one of Notes 3 to 5, wherein:

[0182] The building system has:

[0183] an evacuation time calculation unit that calculates an evacuation time required for the mobile object outside the building to move to the evacuation building; and

[0184] a predicted time calculation unit for calculating a predicted time required until flood damage occurs in the target area based on the weather information;

[0185] The building system is configured such that, when the evacuation time is longer than the predicted time, the mobile object control unit instructs the mobile object outside the building to move to an outdoor evacuation site.

[0186] (Note 10)

[0187] The building system according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0188] The flooding calculation unit is configured to calculate the flooding depth of the target area when the target area is flooded based on the amount of precipitation in the target area included in the weather information.

[0189] The evacuation floor calculation unit is configured to calculate the evacuation floor based on the flooding depth.

[0190] (Note 11)

[0191] A computer-implemented evacuation method for causing one or more autonomous moving objects capable of autonomously moving within a building using an elevator to evacuate to an evacuation floor within a target area of ​​the building, wherein the evacuation method comprises the following steps:

[0192] Obtaining weather information for the target area;

[0193] Calculating whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information;

[0194] When the target area is about to be flooded, calculating an evacuation floor in the building for evacuating from flood damage;

[0195] instructing the one or more autonomous mobile bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor; and

[0196] The elevator is instructed to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

[0197] (Note 12)

[0198] A evacuation program causes a computer to execute processing for causing one or more autonomous moving bodies capable of autonomously moving within a building using an elevator to evacuate to an evacuation floor within a building in a target area, wherein:

[0199] The backoff program is configured to cause the computer to execute the following processing:

[0200] Obtaining weather information for the target area,

[0201] Calculate whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information.

[0202] When the target area is about to be flooded, an evacuation floor for evacuating from flood damage in the building is calculated.

[0203] instructing the one or more autonomous mobile bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor,

[0204] The elevator is instructed to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

Claims

1. A building system that controls the operation of an elevator in a building within a target area and the operation of one or more autonomous moving objects capable of autonomously moving within the building using the elevator, wherein: The building system has: an acquisition unit, which acquires meteorological information; a flooding calculation unit for calculating whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information; an evacuation floor calculation unit for calculating an evacuation floor within the building for evacuating from flood damage when the target area is about to be flooded; a moving body control unit for instructing the one or more autonomous moving bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor; as well as The elevator control unit instructs the elevator to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

2. The building system according to claim 1, wherein: The moving body control unit is configured to instruct a moving body within the building that is moving to a floor lower than the evacuation floor within the building among the one or more autonomous moving bodies to board the elevator car and get off the evacuation floor.

3. The building system according to claim 1, wherein: The building system further includes a building identification unit that identifies an evacuation building for the one or more autonomous mobile bodies to evacuate from one or more evacuation building candidates within the target area. The mobile body control unit is configured to instruct a mobile body outside the building, among the one or more autonomous mobile bodies, that is moving outside the building in the target area to board the elevator car installed in the refuge building and get off at the evacuation floor. The elevator control unit is configured to instruct the elevator installed in the evacuation building to move the car in which the moving object outside the building is riding to the evacuation floor.

4. The building system according to claim 3, wherein: The building identification unit is configured to identify, as the evacuation building, an evacuation building candidate closest to the mobile object outside the building among the one or more evacuation building candidates.

5. The building system according to claim 4, wherein: The building identification unit is configured to exclude, from the candidate list, buildings in which the number of autonomous mobile bodies that can be evacuated has reached a permitted number, from among the one or more evacuation building candidates within the target area.

6. The building system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The building system further includes an evacuation order calculation unit that calculates the evacuation order of the one or more autonomous mobile bodies according to the priority of the evacuation order. The moving body control unit is configured to instruct the one or more autonomous moving bodies to board the elevator car and get off at the evacuation floor according to the evacuation order.

7. The building system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The building system further includes a movement control unit that prohibits autonomous movable bodies located on floors above the evacuation floor in the building from moving to floors below the evacuation floor when the target area is about to be flooded.

8. The building system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The building system further includes a movement control unit that prohibits an autonomous mobile object located in the building, among the one or more autonomous mobile objects, from moving outside the building when the target area is about to be flooded.

9. The building system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The building system has: an evacuation time calculation unit that calculates an evacuation time required for the mobile object outside the building to move to the evacuation building; and a predicted time calculation unit for calculating a predicted time required until flood damage occurs in the target area based on the weather information; The building system is configured such that, when the evacuation time is longer than the predicted time, the mobile object control unit instructs the mobile object outside the building to move to an outdoor evacuation site.

10. The building system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The flooding calculation unit is configured to calculate the flooding depth of the target area when the target area is flooded based on the amount of precipitation in the target area included in the weather information. The evacuation floor calculation unit is configured to calculate the evacuation floor based on the flooding depth.

11. A method for evacuating a building to an evacuation floor in a target area, executed by a computer, wherein: The backoff method comprises the following steps: Obtaining weather information for the target area; Calculating whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information; When the target area is about to be flooded, calculating an evacuation floor in the building for evacuating from flood damage; instructing the one or more autonomous mobile objects located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor; as well as The elevator is instructed to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

12. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an evacuation program for causing a computer to execute processing for causing one or more autonomous moving bodies capable of autonomously moving within a building using an elevator to evacuate to an evacuation floor within a building in a target area, wherein: The backoff program is configured to cause the computer to execute the following processing: Obtaining weather information for the target area, Calculate whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information. When the target area is about to be flooded, an evacuation floor for evacuating from flood damage in the building is calculated. instructing the one or more autonomous mobile bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor, The elevator is instructed to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

13. A computer program product having an evacuation program recorded thereon, the evacuation program causing a computer to execute processing for causing one or more autonomous moving bodies capable of autonomously moving within a building using an elevator to evacuate to an evacuation floor within a building in a target area, wherein: The backoff program is configured to cause the computer to execute the following processing: Obtaining weather information for the target area, Calculate whether the target area will be flooded based on the weather information. When the target area is about to be flooded, an evacuation floor for evacuating from flood damage in the building is calculated. instructing the one or more autonomous mobile bodies located in the target area to board the elevator car and get off the elevator at the evacuation floor, The elevator is instructed to move the car in which the one or more autonomous moving objects are riding to the evacuation floor.

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