Asset management system and asset management method

Abstract

To provide an asset management system and method of controlling the system which can drastically reduce labor required for managing an asset in a facility.SOLUTION: A robot 10 has an RFID scanner 19 as a reader device for reading identification information from a tag 9. The robot 10 uses the RFID scanner 19 to read the identification information from the tag 9 during its travel in a facility. A server 50 stores asset information relating to an asset. The server 50 determines, based on the identification information read by the RFID scanner 19 and the asset information, whether the asset is maintained in the facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an asset management system and an asset management method for managing assets within a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Organizations such as companies that own assets need to properly manage the assets stored in their facilities. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-128608 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology for managing assets using RFID tags.

[0003] The various assets stipulated in the tax law must be inventoried at least once a year to confirm whether they are being managed within the facilities. During the inventory, the person in charge at the company etc. checks the installation or storage status of the assets at the storage location and the number of assets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-128608 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When conducting an inventory, the first step is to check whether assets that have not been used since the last inventory are stored correctly in the designated storage location. At this time, the person in charge is worried that the assets will not be stored in the storage location and their whereabouts will be unknown if a year has passed since the last inventory, and if the whereabouts of the assets are actually unknown, the person in charge will have to work hard to find them.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an asset management system and an asset management method that can minimize the effort required to manage assets within a facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The asset management system according to the present disclosure is a system for managing assets within a facility. The asset management system includes a robot and a server. The robot moves autonomously within the facility. The server is capable of communicating with the robot and manages the assets. The asset is provided with an identification unit having identification information capable of identifying the asset. The robot includes a reading device that reads the identification information from the identification unit. The robot reads the identification information from the identification unit using the reading device while moving within the facility. The server stores asset information relating to the asset. The server determines whether the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information.

[0008] An asset management method according to the present disclosure is a method for managing assets within a facility. The asset management method includes a step of communicating with a robot that moves autonomously within the facility. The asset is provided with an identification unit having identification information capable of identifying the asset. The robot includes a reading device that reads the identification information from the identification unit. The robot reads the identification information from the identification unit using the reading device while moving within the facility. The asset management method further includes a step of storing asset information relating to the asset, and a step of determining whether the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the effort required to manage assets within a facility can be reduced as much as possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an asset management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a robot. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an inventory operation by a robot. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of inventory work by a robot. [Figure 6] 1 is an example of an inventory management DB. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a detection result DB. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example in which equipment is present in a place where it should be stored. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which equipment is not present in a storage location. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example in which equipment is present in a place where it should not be stored. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of processing executed by the asset management system. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for inventory result determination processing. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for a message generation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an asset management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The asset management system 100 is a system that manages assets within a facility. The asset management system 100 includes a robot 10 that moves autonomously within the facility, a plurality of wireless communication devices 30, an equipment management device 40, a server 50 that manages assets, and a terminal 60. The server 50 is configured to be able to communicate with the robot 10 via the equipment management device 40.

[0013] In this embodiment, this facility is an office building of Company A. Within Company A, assets such as terminals used by each employee in their room and equipment stored in a warehouse are stored.

[0014] The robot 10 is an autonomous mobile robot. In this embodiment, the robot 10 is a cleaning robot that cleans the inside of a facility. The robot 10 performs cleaning work on a floor 36 in the facility while autonomously moving within the facility. Furthermore, the robot 10 can perform inventory work for managing assets in the facility while performing cleaning work within the facility.

[0015] In this configuration, when the cleaning robot finishes cleaning all areas in the facility, it is possible to simultaneously complete all inventory work. In this case, inventory work can be repeated more frequently than an inventory work performed once a year. As a result, it is possible to quickly discover whether assets in the facility have been lost (or whether they have been stored correctly in the correct place), and to perform more accurate asset management.

[0016] The robot 10 is provided with an RFID (radio frequency identification) scanner 19. In this embodiment, an RF tag that can be read by the RFID scanner 19 is attached to the assets stored in the facility. Each RF tag is assigned individual identification information (ID). The server 50 stores an inventory management DB 71 as asset information related to the assets.

[0017] The inventory management DB 71 can be input and edited using the terminal 60. Data associating IDs with information on each asset is input in advance into the inventory management DB 71. Therefore, the robot 10 can read the ID of the RF tag with the RFID scanner 19 and identify the asset corresponding to the ID by comparing it with the data recorded in the inventory management DB 71. Hereinafter, "inventory work" in this embodiment refers to the work of detecting IDs with the RFID scanner 19, or the work of further identifying an asset based on the detected ID.

[0018] The robot 10 is provided with a wireless communication device 11. The wireless communication device 11 outputs a signal for detecting the position of the robot 10 using a communication method conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy, "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark) communication standard. Instead of the BLE communication standard, a communication method conforming to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard may be used. The wireless communication device 11 also transmits a signal indicating an ID for identifying the robot 10 to the device management device 40 using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0019] The multiple wireless communication devices 30 are installed, for example, at an appropriate distance from each other on the ceiling 35, and receive signals transmitted from the robot 10 using a communication method conforming to the same communication standard as the wireless communication device 11 of the robot 10, and detect the reception strength of the signals. The position of the robot 10 within the facility can be detected from the reception strength of each wireless communication device 30. The wireless communication devices 30 output the reception strength of the signals received from the robot 10 to the equipment management device 40. The wireless communication devices 30 may be installed on a wall.

[0020] The equipment management device 40 controls equipment such as the wireless communication devices 30 installed within the facility. The equipment management device 40 issues cleaning and inventory instructions to the robot 10 based on instructions from the server 50. Note that the equipment management device 40 may directly issue cleaning instructions to the robot 10. The equipment management device 40 receives the reception strength of the signal received by the wireless communication devices 30 from the wireless communication devices 30, and detects the position of the robot 10 within the facility from the reception strength of each wireless communication device 30.

[0021] The device management device 40 is connected to a communication network NW. The device management device 40, a server 50, and a terminal 60, which is a communication terminal, are connected to the communication network NW.

[0022] The server 50 is capable of outputting commands for cleaning and inventory work to the robot 10 via the equipment management device 40, and is also capable of acquiring position information of the robot 10 and the results of the cleaning and inventory work performed by the robot 10.

[0023] The terminal 60 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a personal computer. The terminal 60 includes a display unit 61 that displays various information. The display unit 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal display unit or a display of a mobile terminal. The user of the terminal 60 can check the results of the inventory work performed by the robot 10 on the display unit 61.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 43, an I / F (Interface) device 44, and a storage device 45. The CPU 41, the RAM 42, the ROM 43, the I / F device 44, and the storage device 45 exchange various data through a communication bus 46.

[0025] The CPU 41 loads a program stored in the ROM 43 into the RAM 42 and executes it. In the program stored in the ROM 43, processes to be executed by the server 50 are written.

[0026] The I / F device 44 is an input / output device for exchanging signals and data with the equipment management device 40 and the terminal 60. The server 50 receives, via the I / F device 44, the position of the robot 10 detected by the equipment management device 40, an ID output by the robot 10 for identifying the robot 10, a signal output by the robot 10, and the like.

[0027] The storage device 45 is a storage for storing various information, such as an inventory management DB 71 for managing assets (described later), facility information, and robot 10 information.

[0028] Although not shown, the device management device 40 and the terminal 60 are also configured to include a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / F device, and a storage device, similar to the server 50. The management and control of the robot 10 may be performed by the server 50, the device management device 40, or another server.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, the robot 10 is a cleaning robot that cleans the inside of a facility. This cleaning robot is configured to perform inventory work within the facility. However, the robot 10 is not limited to this, and may be a security robot that guards the inside of the facility, a guide robot that guides people within the facility, a delivery robot that delivers packages within the facility, or a robot that performs some kind of work within the facility. In this case, the robot 10 is configured to perform inventory work within the facility when guarding, guiding, delivering, etc. within the facility. The robot 10 may be a robot that is dedicated to inventory work.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the robot 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the robot 10 includes a wireless communication device 11, a driving unit 13, a camera 14, a storage unit 15, a battery 16, a control unit 18, and an RFID scanner 19. Although not shown, the robot 10 also includes a cleaning device for cleaning floors.

[0031] 1, the wireless communication device 11 transmits a signal for detecting the position of the robot 10 using a communication method conforming to, for example, the BLE communication standard. The wireless communication device 11 also transmits an ID for identifying the robot 10 and various information output by the robot 10 to the device management device 40 using a communication method conforming to, for example, a wireless communication standard such as LTE.

[0032] The camera 14 captures an image of the surroundings of the robot 10 and outputs the captured image to the control unit 18. Instead of the camera 14, a laser range finder or the like may be provided that measures the distance between the robot 10 and an object present in the vicinity of the robot 10.

[0033] The driving unit 13 generates a driving force for moving the robot 10. The driving unit 13 includes, for example, wheels for moving the robot 10 and a motor for driving the wheels. The driving unit 13 (motor) can be operated by receiving a supply of electric power from a battery 16.

[0034] The control unit 18 controls the entire robot 10. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 18 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and an I / F device as its main components. These units exchange various data through a communication bus. The CPU loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes the processing to be executed by the robot 10. Note that the processing is not limited to being performed by software, and can also be performed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0035] The control unit 18 controls the driving unit 13 so that the robot 10 moves autonomously based on the captured image from the camera 14. The battery 16 supplies power for operating the driving unit 13 and other devices of the robot 10.

[0036] The storage unit 15 stores a detection result DB 72 (described later) and also temporarily stores information of the inventory management DB 71 acquired from the server 50.

[0037] The RFID scanner 19 reads the information of the RF tag 9 attached to the asset. Inventory work is thereby performed. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an inventory operation by the robot 10. As shown in Fig. 4, equipment 8 is placed on a desk 6. The equipment 8 is an asset managed within a facility, and is equipment to be inventoryed. The robot 10 performs the inventory operation using RFID.

[0039] An RF tag (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "tag") 9 is attached to the equipment 8, which is an asset, as an identification unit. The tag 9 has identification information (such as an ID) that can identify the asset. The robot 10 is equipped with an RFID scanner 19 as a reading device that reads the identification information from the tag 9. The robot 10 reads the identification information from the tag 9 using the RFID scanner 19 while moving within the facility.

[0040] An ID corresponding to each piece of equipment is attached to the tag 9 as identification information. The robot 10 can identify the equipment by acquiring the ID information attached to the tag 9 using the RFID scanner 19.

[0041] For example, suppose that the name of equipment 8 is "equipment X1" and the ID of tag 9 attached to equipment 8 is "1001." When the ID of tag 9 acquired by RFID scanner 19 is "1001," it can be identified by comparing it with information recorded in inventory management DB 71 that the equipment 8 to which the tag 9 is attached is "equipment X1."

[0042] 4, the robot 10 is autonomously traveling and has come to the front of the desk 6. When the RFID scanner 19 equipped to the robot 10 approaches to a position where it can detect the tag 9, it detects the ID of the tag 9. The RFID scanner 19 can simultaneously read information on multiple tags 9 within the range of its radio waves.

[0043] The robot 10 can autonomously move within a facility and perform tasks unrelated to asset management (inventory work). The "tasks unrelated to asset management" include the tasks of cleaning the facility, guarding the facility, delivering packages within the facility, guiding people within the facility, and the like, as described above. The robot 10 reads identification information using the RFID scanner 19 while performing tasks unrelated to asset management in a storage location where assets are stored. In other words, the robot 10 is configured to perform inventory work while cleaning, guarding, delivering, guiding people, and the like within the facility.

[0044] In addition to the RF tag, the equipment may be provided with a two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)). In this case, the robot 10 is provided with a scanner (camera or the like) that reads the two-dimensional code (QR code) instead of the RFID scanner 19. The equipment can be identified by the two-dimensional code (QR code) read by the scanner.

[0045] An example of inventory work in a facility will be described below. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of inventory work by a robot 10. This facility is an office building of company A, and floor 1 is located in the building.

[0046] Floor 1 is divided into a plurality of areas. Floor 1 is provided with a plurality of areas, which are room A, room B, warehouse A, and warehouse B. Robot 10 travels through room A, room B, warehouse A, and warehouse B on floor 1 to perform cleaning work. While performing cleaning work, robot 10 simultaneously performs inventory work.

[0047] Rooms A and B are spaces where employees work, and rooms A and B have multiple desks 6 assigned to employees. A terminal (not shown) used by each employee is installed as equipment on each desk. Hereinafter, tags including tags 9a to 9f will be collectively referred to as "tag 9." Each terminal has a tag 9 attached, and a robot 10 can perform an inventory operation of each terminal by reading the tag 9 attached to the terminal.

[0048] Room A is equipped with furniture including furniture X2 (terminal) with tag 9c, furniture X3 (terminal) with tag 9d, and furniture X4 (terminal) with tag 9e. Room B is equipped with furniture including furniture X5 (terminal) with tag 9f and furniture X6 (terminal) with tag 9g.

[0049] Warehouses A and B are provided with shelves 7 for storing various items. Tags 9 are attached to the various items stored on shelves 7. Warehouse A is equipped with items including item X1 (test equipment) with tag 9a attached. Warehouse B is equipped with items including item with tag 9b attached.

[0050] The inventory work executed by the asset management system 100 will be specifically described below. The server 50 stores an inventory management DB 71 as asset information related to assets. The robot 10 accumulates information such as identification information (ID) read from the tag 9 using the RFID scanner 19 in a detection result DB 72.

[0051] Then, the asset management system 100 determines whether or not an asset is stored in the facility based on the identification information (ID, etc.) read by the RFID scanner 19 and the asset information (inventory management DB 71). This determination process may be executed by the robot 10 or the server 50.

[0052] Fig. 6 is an example of the inventory management DB 71. The inventory management DB 71 records information on assets (equipment) of company A managed by the asset management system 100. A tag 9 (tags 9a to 9g in Fig. 5, etc.) that can be identified by an ID is attached to each piece of equipment. The inventory management DB 71 records the equipment ID, name, type, and storage location of the equipment. When an inventory operation is performed, the detection location, detection date and time, and inventory results are recorded for each piece of equipment.

[0053] For example, the name of the equipment with tag 9a and ID "1001" is "Equipment X1" (see Figure 5). The type of this equipment is "Test Equipment" and this equipment is stored in "Warehouse A." The name of the equipment with tag 9c and ID "1002" is "Equipment X2." The type of this equipment is "Terminal" and this equipment is stored in "Room A."

[0054] The name of the equipment with tag 9d and ID "1003" is "Equipment X3." The type of this equipment is a "terminal" and this equipment is stored in "Room A." The name of the equipment with tag 9e and ID "1004" is "Equipment X4." The type of this equipment is a "terminal" and this equipment is stored in "Room A."

[0055] The name of the equipment with tag 9f having ID "1005" is "Equipment X5". The type of this equipment is "Terminal" and this equipment is stored in "Room B". The name of the equipment with tag 9g having ID "1006" is "Equipment X6". The type of this equipment is "Terminal" and this equipment is stored in "Room B". The detection results, detection date and time, and inventory results recorded in the inventory management DB71 will be described later.

[0056] 7 is an example of the detection result DB 72. In the detection result DB 72, the results of detection by the RFID scanner 19 of the robot 10 are recorded.

[0057] The detection result DB 72 records the date and time when the tag 9 was detected by the RFID scanner 19 (detection date and time), the ID of the detected tag 9, and the detection location. In the "detection location", the area where the RFID scanner 19 of the robot 10 detected the tag 9 is recorded.

[0058] The detection location is determined based on the position of the robot 10 identified by the device management device 40. For example, when the device management device 40 receives a signal from the robot 10 from the wireless communication device 30 installed in room A, it identifies that the robot is located in room A. The robot 10 receives this information from the device management device 40 and determines that the detection location is "room A."

[0059] In this example, the detection result DB 72 records that a tag 9 with ID "1002" was detected in room A (detection location) at 15:05:05 on Dec. 5, 2022 (detection date and time).

[0060] Similarly, at 15:05:11 on December 5, 2022, tag 9 with ID "1003" is detected in room A. At 15:06:01 on December 5, 2022, tag 9 with ID "1004" is detected in room A. At 9:20:00 on December 6, 2022, tag 9 with ID "1006" is detected in room B. At 9:21:00 on December 6, 2022, tag 9 with ID "1001" is detected in room B.

[0061] The results recorded in the detection result DB 72 are reflected in the inventory management DB 71. In FIG.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 6, the data on “detection location” and “detection date and time” corresponding to the IDs “1001” to “1004” and “1006” recorded in the detection result DB 72 are transcribed into the inventory management DB 71 .

[0063] Next, the asset management system 100 performs an inventory result determination process (FIG. 12 described below) and records the result in the "inventory result" column of the inventory management DB 71. For example, in IDs "1002" to "1004" and "1006", these items were detected, and the "storage location" where the items are stored matches the "detection location" where the items were actually stored. In this case, "OK" is recorded as the inventory result. Here, the word "OK" means that the items were detected.

[0064] Meanwhile, equipment X1 with ID "1001" was detected, but because the storage location (warehouse A) and detection location (room B) did not match, the inventory result was recorded as "OK (wrong storage location)." Since equipment X1 itself was present, the inventory result was recorded as OK, but it also recorded that equipment X1 had been taken to a location different from where it should have been managed. This inventory result suggests that equipment X1 should be returned to its correct management location.

[0065] Equipment X5 with ID "1005" was not detected during inventory work in the storage location (room B). If an asset that should be managed in the storage location is not detected as a result of inventory work in the storage location (room B), "NG" is recorded in the inventory result for the asset that was not detected. Note that if inventory work is performed in all areas and equipment X5 is not found in any area, "NG (lost)" is recorded as the inventory result. In this case, it is indicated that equipment X5 has been lost. The letters "NG" mean that the equipment was not detected.

[0066] A specific example will be described below with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figures 8 to 10 show floor 1 where robot 10 performs inventory work, similar to Figure 5. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining an example in which equipment is present in a place where it should be stored.

[0067] The robot 10 is currently performing cleaning work and inventory work in warehouse A. The robot 10 detects the tag 9a attached to equipment X1 (ID "1001") in warehouse A. As shown in the inventory management DB 71 of FIG. 6, the equipment X1 is stored in warehouse A. Upon detecting the tag 9a in warehouse A, the ID "1001" and the detection location "warehouse A" are recorded in the detection result DB 72 together with the detection date and time.

[0068] Furthermore, the detection location "warehouse A" is also recorded in the inventory management DB 71. In this case, since the storage location (warehouse A) and the detection location (warehouse A) match, the inventory result is recorded as "OK." The information in the inventory management DB 71 can be confirmed on the terminal 60.

[0069] The display unit 61 (FIG. 8) of the terminal 60 displays the detection location of each piece of equipment, etc. For example, the display unit 61 displays that the robot 10 has performed an inventory task and detected equipment X1 in warehouse A and equipment X2 in room A.

[0070] The storage location of equipment X1 is Warehouse A, and the storage location of equipment X2 is Room A, so "OK" is recorded in the inventory results for both. Note that for simplicity, only the tag 9a of equipment X1 is shown in Figure 8, but it is assumed that the other equipment (tags) are also stored in the storage locations of each room and warehouse.

[0071] 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case where the equipment X1 is not present in the storage location. In this example, the equipment X1 is not stored in the warehouse A. Therefore, the robot 10 does not detect the equipment X1 in the warehouse A.

[0072] Assume that the robot 10 has completed the inventory work of warehouse A. At this time, if there is any equipment that has not been detected in the inventory work of warehouse A even though the storage location in the inventory management DB 71 is "warehouse A," "-" is set to the detection location of the equipment. Since the tag 9a attached to equipment X1 was not detected in the inventory work of warehouse A, "-" is recorded as the detection result of equipment X1 (ID: 1001) in the inventory management DB 71, and "NG" is recorded as the inventory result.

[0073] In this case, the display unit 61 (FIG. 9) of the terminal 60 displays "-" as the detection location of the equipment X1. Then, an alert "There is no equipment X1 in warehouse A" is displayed on the display unit 61, indicating that the equipment X1 does not exist in warehouse A.

[0074] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case where furniture is stored in a place where it should not be stored. The example of Fig. 10 explains a situation in which an inventory task for room B was performed after the example of Fig. 9. In this example, it is assumed that furniture X1 was used in room B.

[0075] During cleaning and inventory work in room B, the robot 10 detects the tag 9a attached to the equipment X1. Upon detecting the tag 9a in room B, the ID "1001" and the detection location "room B" are recorded in the detection result DB 72 along with the detection date and time. Furthermore, the detection location "room B" of the equipment X1 (ID: 1001) is recorded in the inventory management DB 71. Because the storage location (warehouse A) and the detection location (room B) are different, the inventory result "OK (storage location different)" is recorded.

[0076] In this case, "Room B" is displayed on the display unit 61 (FIG. 10) of the terminal 60 as the detection location of the equipment X1. Then, an alert "The storage location of the equipment X1 is Warehouse A" is displayed on the display unit 61. This indicates that the equipment X1 displayed on the display screen should be stored in "Warehouse A" rather than in "Room B" where it is currently located.

[0077] If equipment X1 is not found in any area when the inventory work for all areas (rooms A and B, warehouses A and B) is completed, the inventory result "NG (lost)" is recorded in the inventory management DB 71. In this case, an alert "Equipment X1 is missing" is displayed on the display unit 61, indicating that equipment X1 has been lost.

[0078] The following describes the process executed by the asset management system 100 with reference to a flowchart.

[0079] This process may be started, for example, when the robot 10 starts cleaning work. This process is executed from the start of one cleaning work (for example, cleaning work of room A) until the cleaning work is completed. When cleaning work of room A is performed, an inventory work of room A is executed during the cleaning work of room A.

[0080] Hereinafter, a "step" may simply be referred to as "S." The following processing will be described as processing executed by the robot 10, but may also be executed by the server 50, or may be executed by the robot 10 and the server 50 together.

[0081] When this process starts, in S100, the asset management system 100 reads out the inventory management DB 71. Next, in S101, the asset management system 100 acquires position information of the robot 10. As described above, the position of the robot 10 within the facility is detected from the reception strength of the wireless communication device 30, and the robot 10 acquires this position information.

[0082] In S102, the asset management system 100 performs a scan process of the tag 9 (ID) by the RFID scanner 19. If an item to which the tag 9 is attached is within the detection range of the RFID scanner 19, the tag 9 is detected. This makes it possible to detect the ID of the tag 9. The robot 10 acquires the result of the scan by the RFID scanner 19.

[0083] In S103, the asset management system 100 updates the detection result DB 72. As a result of the scanning by the RFID scanner 19, the detection result DB 72 is updated as described with reference to FIG.

[0084] In S104, the asset management system 100 executes the inventory result determination process (FIG. 12). As a result of executing the inventory result determination process, the inventory result is determined as described with reference to FIG. 6. For example, if the storage location of the equipment and the detection location match, the inventory result is determined as "OK."

[0085] In S105, the asset management system 100 updates the inventory management DB 71. As described with reference to Fig. 6, the items "detection location," "detection date and time," and "inventory result" in the inventory management DB 71 are updated.

[0086] In S106, the asset management system 100 determines whether the work of the robot 10 (for example, cleaning work of the room A) is completed. When the asset management system 100 determines that the work of the robot 10 is completed (YES in S106), it ends this process.

[0087] On the other hand, when the asset management system 100 does not determine that the work of the robot 10 is completed (NO in S106), the process returns to S101. As a result, the inventory work is performed while the robot 10 is traveling for the cleaning work.

[0088] When the robot 10 executes this process, data of the inventory management DB 71 is acquired from the server 50 when starting this process, the acquired data of the inventory management DB 71 is updated in S105, and the data of the inventory management DB 71 is transmitted to the server 50 when ending this process. The server 50 overwrites the data received from the robot 10 in the inventory management DB 71. When the server 50 executes this process, a command to scan the tag 9 is transmitted to the robot 10 in S102, and the result (acquired ID, etc.) is received by the server 50. The detection result DB 72 and the inventory management DB 71 are then held on the server 50 side and updated on the server 50 side.

[0089] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the inventory result determination process. When the inventory result determination process starts, if the asset management system 100 determines that the storage location and the location where the tag 9 was detected match (YES in S201), it determines the inventory result as "OK" (S202) and ends the inventory result determination process. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 8, the inventory result of equipment X1 is determined to be "OK".

[0090] In this way, when the location where the RFID scanner 19 reads the identification information (ID) matches the storage location, the asset management system 100 determines that the asset is stored within the facility (inventory result "OK").

[0091] If the determination in S201 is NO, and if the asset management system 100 determines that the tag 9 could not be detected at the storage location (YES in S203), it determines the inventory result as "NG" (S204) and ends the inventory result determination process. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 9, the inventory result of equipment X1 is determined as "NG".

[0092] In this way, when the RFID scanner 19 cannot detect the identification information (ID) at the storage location, the asset management system 100 determines that the asset is not stored at the storage location (inventory result "NG").

[0093] If the determination in S203 is NO, and if the asset management system 100 determines that the tag was detected in a location other than the storage location (YES in S205), it determines the inventory result as "OK (wrong storage location)" (S206) and ends the inventory result determination process. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the inventory result of equipment X1 is determined as "OK (wrong storage location)".

[0094] In this way, when the RFID scanner 19 reads the identification information (ID) at a location other than the storage location, the asset management system 100 determines that the asset is stored at a location other than the storage location (inventory result: "OK (storage location is different)").

[0095] If the determination in S205 is NO, and if the asset management system 100 determines that tags could not be detected at all locations (YES in S207), it determines the inventory result as "NG (lost)" (S208) and ends the inventory result determination process. The asset management system 100 also ends the inventory result determination process if the determination in S207 is NO.

[0096] In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not an asset is stored in a place where it should be stored (storage place). Furthermore, it is also possible to detect whether an asset is stored in a place where it should not be stored.

[0097] The asset management system 100 includes a terminal 60 as a display device. The terminal 60 can display various types of asset information. The terminal 60 can display the contents of the inventory management DB 71 as asset information, and also displays an alert (message) based on the inventory result as described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

[0098] The following is an explanation using a flowchart. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the message generation process. For example, this process may be started when there is a request from the terminal 60 to the server 50 to display the inventory results. When the inventory results are to be displayed on the terminal 60, the display request is sent from the terminal 60 to the server 50. The server 50 generates display information to be displayed on the terminal 60, and starts this process to generate an alert to be displayed on the terminal 60. The terminal 60 displays the alert together with the display information generated by the server 50.

[0099] When the message generation process starts, if the asset management system 100 judges the inventory result to be "NG" (YES in S301), it generates a message to the effect that the item is not stored in the storage location (S302) and ends the message generation process. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the message "Item X1 is not present in warehouse A" is generated and displayed on the terminal 60.

[0100] In this way, when it is determined that the asset is not stored in the storage location, the terminal 60 displays a message to the effect that the asset is not stored in the storage location.

[0101] If the asset management system 100 judges the inventory result as "OK (wrong storage location)" (YES in S303) when NO is judged in S301, it generates a message urging the user to store the item in the storage location (S304) and ends the message generation process. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the message "The storage location of equipment X1 is warehouse A" is generated and displayed on the terminal 60.

[0102] In this way, when it is determined that the assets are stored in a place other than the storage place, the terminal 60 displays a message urging the user to store the assets in the storage place.

[0103] If the asset management system 100 judges the inventory result as "NG (lost)" (YES in S305) when the judgment in S303 is NO, the asset management system 100 generates a message to the effect that the asset has been lost (S306) and ends the message generation process. For example, "Equipment X1 is lost" is displayed on the terminal 60. The asset management system 100 also ends the message generation process when the judgment in S305 is NO.

[0104] The robot 10 may patrol the storage locations (rooms A and B, warehouses A and B) one by one. When the robot 10 enters a storage location, it scans the assets and checks whether there are any assets to be stored in the storage location. Alternatively, the robot 10 may constantly perform a scanning operation while patrolling the facility to check whether there are any assets nearby.

[0105] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the asset management system 100 is a system that manages assets within a facility. The asset management system 100 includes a robot 10 and a server 50. The robot 10 moves autonomously within a facility. The server 50 is capable of communicating with the robot 10 and manages the assets. An RF tag (tag) 9 is attached to the asset as an identification unit. The tag 9 has identification information (ID, etc.) that can identify the asset. The robot 10 includes an RFID scanner 19 as a reading device that reads the identification information from the tag 9. The robot 10 reads the identification information from the tag 9 using the RFID scanner 19 while moving within the facility. The server 50 stores asset information (inventory management DB 71) related to the asset. The server 50 determines whether the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the RFID scanner 19 and the asset information.

[0106] In this way, inventory work can be performed while the autonomously moving robot 10 patrols the facility, so that the labor required for managing assets within the facility can be reduced to a minimum.

[0107] The asset information (inventory management DB 71) records the storage location where the asset is stored. If the location where the RFID scanner 19 reads the identification information (ID, etc.) matches the storage location, the server 50 determines that the asset is stored within the facility. In this way, it is possible to not only know that the asset exists within the facility, but also to know that the asset is reliably stored in the specified storage location.

[0108] If the RFID scanner 19 cannot detect identification information (such as an ID) at the storage location, the server 50 determines that the asset is not stored at the storage location. In this way, it is possible to know that the asset may be in a location other than the storage location or that the asset may have been lost, and therefore it is possible to take measures against this immediately.

[0109] When the RFID scanner 19 reads the identification information at a location other than the storage location, the server 50 determines that the asset is stored at a location other than the storage location. In this manner, it is possible to know that the asset is located at a location other than the storage location, and at least that the asset has not been lost.

[0110] The asset management system 100 includes a terminal 60 as a display device. The terminal 60 displays asset information. When it is determined that the asset is not stored in the storage location, the terminal 60 displays a message to the effect that the asset is not stored in the storage location. This makes it easier to know that the asset may be in a location other than the storage location or that the asset may have been lost, and therefore makes it possible to take immediate measures against this.

[0111] When it is determined that the assets are stored in a location other than the storage location, the terminal 60 displays a message urging the user to store the assets in the storage location. This reduces the risk of losing the assets and allows the assets to be properly managed in an appropriate location. This is particularly useful when important assets are stored in a highly secure location.

[0112] The robot 10 can autonomously move within the facility and perform tasks unrelated to asset management. The robot 10 reads identification information using the RFID scanner 19 while performing tasks unrelated to asset management in the storage area.

[0113] For example, inventory work can be done while a cleaning robot is cleaning, a security robot is on guard duty, a guide robot is giving guidance, a delivery robot is delivering, etc., so inventory work can be done frequently. This allows for more accurate asset management compared to conducting inventory work once a year. Furthermore, there is no need to install a dedicated robot for inventory work, which allows for significant reduction in equipment costs.

[0114] [Note] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following supplementary notes.

[0115] (Appendix 1) An asset management system for managing assets within a facility, A robot that moves autonomously within the facility; a server capable of communicating with the robot and managing the assets; The asset is provided with an identification section having identification information capable of identifying the asset, The robot comprises: a reader for reading the identification information from the identification unit; reading the identification information from the identification unit using the reader while moving within the facility; The server, storing asset information relating to said asset; An asset management system that determines whether or not the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information.

[0116] (Appendix 2) The asset information includes a storage location where the asset is stored, The asset management system of claim 1, wherein the server determines that the asset is stored within the facility if the location where the reading device read the identification information matches the storage location.

[0117] (Appendix 3) 3. The asset management system of claim 2, wherein the server determines that the asset is not stored in the storage location if the reading device cannot detect the identification information in the storage location.

[0118] (Appendix 4) 4. The asset management system of claim 2, wherein the server determines that the asset is stored at a location other than the storage location when the reading device reads the identification information at a location other than the storage location.

[0119] (Appendix 5) A display device for displaying the asset information is further provided. The asset management system according to any one of Appendices 2 to 4, wherein the display device displays a message indicating that the asset is not stored in the storage location if it is determined that the asset is not stored in the storage location.

[0120] (Appendix 6) A display device for displaying the asset information is further provided. The asset management system according to any one of Appendices 2 to 5, wherein the display device, when it is determined that the asset is stored in a location other than the storage location, displays a message prompting the user to store the asset in the storage location.

[0121] (Appendix 7) The robot comprises: The robot is capable of autonomously moving within the facility to perform tasks unrelated to the management of the assets; 7. The asset management system according to claim 2, wherein the identification information is read by the reader during execution of an operation unrelated to management of the asset in the storage location.

[0122] (Appendix 8) An asset management method for managing assets within a facility, comprising: communicating with a robot that moves autonomously within the facility; The asset is provided with an identification section having identification information capable of identifying the asset, The robot comprises: a reader for reading the identification information from the identification unit; reading the identification information from the identification unit using the reader while moving within the facility; storing asset information relating to said asset; The asset management method further comprises a step of determining whether or not the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information.

[0123] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples and are not limited to the above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 floor, 6 desk, 7 shelf, 8 equipment, 9, 9a to 9f RF tag, 10 robot, 11, 30 wireless communication device, 13 drive unit, 14 camera, 15 memory unit, 16 battery, 18 control unit, 19 RFID scanner, 35 ceiling, 36 floor, 40 equipment management device, 41 CPU, 42 RAM, 43 ROM, 44 I / F device, 45 storage device, 46 communication bus, 50 server, 60 terminal, 61 display unit, 71 inventory management DB, 72 detection result DB, 100 asset management system, NW communication network.

Claims

1. An asset management system for managing assets within a facility, A robot that moves autonomously within the facility; a server capable of communicating with the robot and managing the assets; The asset is provided with an identification section having identification information capable of identifying the asset, The robot comprises: a reader for reading the identification information from the identification unit; reading the identification information from the identification unit using the reader while moving within the facility; The server, storing asset information relating to said asset; An asset management system that determines whether or not the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information.

2. The asset information includes a storage location where the asset is stored, The asset management system according to claim 1 , wherein the server determines that the asset is stored within the facility when a location where the reader reads the identification information matches the storage location.

3. The asset management system according to claim 2 , wherein the server determines that the asset is not stored in the storage location when the reading device cannot detect the identification information in the storage location.

4. The asset management system according to claim 3 , wherein the server determines that the asset is stored at a location other than the storage location when the reading device reads the identification information at a location other than the storage location.

5. A display device for displaying the asset information is further provided.

4. The asset management system according to claim 3, wherein said display device displays a message indicating that said asset is not stored in said storage location when it is determined that said asset is not stored in said storage location.

6. A display device for displaying the asset information is further provided. The asset management system according to claim 4 , wherein the display device, when it is determined that the asset is stored in a place other than the storage place, displays a message urging the user to store the asset in the storage place.

7. The robot comprises: The robot is capable of autonomously moving within the facility to perform tasks unrelated to the management of the assets; The asset management system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the identification information is read by the reader during execution of an operation unrelated to management of the asset in the storage location.

8. An asset management method for managing assets within a facility, comprising: communicating with a robot that moves autonomously within the facility; The asset is provided with an identification section having identification information capable of identifying the asset, The robot comprises: a reader for reading the identification information from the identification unit; reading the identification information from the identification unit using the reader while moving within the facility; storing asset information relating to said asset; The asset management method further comprises a step of determining whether or not the asset is stored within the facility based on the identification information read by the reading device and the asset information.

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