Toilet management system

Abstract

To improve convenience of communication regarding events occurring in toilets.SOLUTION: A toilet management system according to an embodiment comprises an information input terminal for acquiring event information indicating an event requesting a response from a manager of a toilet and acquiring location information indicating a location of the event at a time different from the time the event information is acquired, where the information input terminal is configured to transmit the event information in association with the location information to an information processing device used for managing the toilet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a restroom management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been provided technologies for restroom managers to collect information about restrooms. For example, a system is known in which building users input information they notice about cleaning sites and other locations in a building into a building user terminal as provided information (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-088066 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the above technology. For example, in the above-mentioned conventional technology system, in order to report various events such as malfunctions of toilet fixtures, stains, and lack of toilet paper or other items, the user must input the location and details of the event into the provided information input screen in detail, and since there are many input items, there is room for improvement in terms of improving convenience for users who make the input. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the convenience of reporting events that occur in toilets, such as in toilet rooms.

[0005] In view of the above, it is an issue to improve the convenience of communicating about incidents that occur in restrooms.

[0006] An object of the disclosed embodiment is to provide a restroom management system that can improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in a restroom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A toilet management system in one aspect of an embodiment has an information input terminal that acquires event information indicating an event that requires a response from the toilet manager, and acquires location information indicating the location where the event occurred at a timing different from the acquisition of the event information, and is characterized in that the information input terminal links the event information to the location information and transmits it to an information processing device used for managing the toilet.

[0008] According to a toilet management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, by acquiring event information indicating an event that requires a toilet manager to respond and location information indicating the location where the event occurred at different times, a toilet user (also referred to as a "user") can provide event information and location information where the event occurred at any time, reducing the user's input burden and promoting the user's reporting of the occurrence of the event. Therefore, the toilet management system can improve the convenience of communication regarding events that occur in the toilet. Examples of events will be described later, but examples include malfunctions, stains, and lack of items such as toilet paper, and requests include requests for malfunction response (repair, etc.), requests for stain response (cleaning, etc.), and response to lack of items (replenishment of items, etc.). In addition, the toilet manager includes various people who work to maintain the toilet in a condition suitable for use by users. For example, the toilet manager includes a manager (facility manager) who manages the operation of the facility where the toilet is installed, and a cleaner who cleans and replenishes the toilet's equipment and items. In this way, the toilet manager includes a person who works at the place where the toilet is installed.

[0009] For example, public toilets, toilets not installed in homes, are available to an unspecified number of people, are frequently used, and are often handled carelessly, which means that various issues such as malfunctions, dirt, and missing items often occur in the toilets. When an issue occurs, it can have an impact on users, such as making the toilets uncomfortable or making them unable to be used. In order to minimize the impact of an issue, the current situation is that people patrol the toilets, but increasing the number of patrols increases the burden on cleaners. With the current shortage of cleaners becoming a serious problem, there is an urgent need to streamline toilet maintenance and management operations.

[0010] Therefore, a means for detecting a malfunction of the appliance or a user's condition using a sensor of the appliance may be used, but the range of sensing, such as malfunction of a part of the appliance or the condition of the user, is limited. In addition, since toilet events occur not only on the appliance but also on the floor, the wash area, the urination area, etc., there may be cases where they cannot be detected. In addition, a means for having the user notify the event, rather than sensing the appliance, may be used, but there is a problem that having the user who notifies the toilet event input the location and content of the event in detail at once places a burden on the user. Therefore, in the toilet management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to enable the user to provide information on the event and information on the location where the event occurred at any time, thereby enabling the user to provide flexible information provision work. Therefore, the toilet management system can improve the convenience of reporting events that occur in the toilet.

[0011] In one aspect of an embodiment, the information input terminal acquires the location information through user input into a displayed first content, and acquires the event information through user input into a second content displayed after acquiring the location information.

[0012] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the restroom management system allows the user to input the location in the first content and then accepts the event information from the user in the second content, thereby allowing the user to input the location information and the event information separately, reducing the input burden on the user and encouraging the user to report the occurrence of the event. Therefore, the restroom management system can improve the convenience of communication regarding events that occur in the restroom.

[0013] In one aspect of an embodiment, the toilet management system is characterized in that the information input terminal acquires the location information through input by the user into the first content including information about the toilet requested by the user.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the restroom management system accepts the user's input of location information in the first content including information about the restroom requested by the user, and can accept the user's designation of a location via the first content including information useful to the user. Thus, the restroom management system can improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in the restroom.

[0015] In one aspect of an embodiment, the information input terminal acquires the location information through input by the user into the first content, which includes at least one of congestion information or facility information regarding the toilet.

[0016] According to a toilet management system according to an embodiment, by accepting an input of location information by a user in a first content including at least one of congestion information or facility information related to the toilet, it is possible to accept a location designation by a user via a first content including information useful to the user. Therefore, the toilet management system can improve the convenience of communication regarding an event occurring in the toilet. For example, according to the toilet management system, a user who has decided which toilet to use after seeing the congestion situation can input event information in that flow, so that the event information can be input more easily. Also, for example, according to the toilet management system, a user who has decided which toilet to use after seeing the facility information can input event information in that flow, so that the event information can be input more easily.

[0017] In one aspect of an embodiment, the toilet management system is characterized in that the information input terminal acquires the location information in response to a user's operation, and acquires the event information through the user's input into content displayed after the location information is acquired.

[0018] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the restroom management system receives event information from the user in the content displayed after acquiring location information in response to a user operation, allowing the user to input location information and event information separately, reducing the input burden on the user and encouraging the user to report the occurrence of an event. Thus, the restroom management system can improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in the restroom.

[0019] In one aspect of the embodiment, the information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a code in response to an operation by the user.

[0020] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the restroom management system obtains location information in response to a user's operation by reading a code in response to the user's operation, eliminating the need for the user to input location information, thereby reducing the burden on the user of providing location information. Therefore, the restroom management system can improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in the restroom.

[0021] In one aspect of the embodiment, the information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a QR code (registered trademark) in response to an operation by the user.

[0022] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the restroom management system obtains location information in response to a user's operation by reading a QR code in response to the user's operation, eliminating the need for the user to input location information, thereby reducing the burden on the user of providing location information. Therefore, the restroom management system can improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in the restroom. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of communicating about events that occur in the restroom. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a restroom management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an application of the restroom management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information input terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the toilet information storage unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information input terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display of congestion information. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display of facility information. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process executed by the restroom management system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a toilet management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cloud server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of determination of the urgency level. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process executed by the restroom management system. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process executed by the restroom management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a toilet management system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0026] <1. First embodiment> <1-1. Example of a toilet management system> Prior to a detailed description of the processing executed in the restroom management system 1 according to the first embodiment, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of the restroom management system 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the restroom management system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows fixture E1, which is a toilet device, fixture E2, which is a sanitary washing device, fixture E3, which is a hand dryer, fixture E4, which is an electric water heater, fixture E5, which is a hand washing device, and fixture E6, which is a urinal device, as examples of fixtures provided in a toilet of a facility to which the toilet management system 1 is applied. In the following, when the fixtures E1 to E6 are described without distinction, they may be referred to as "fixture E". The fixture E is an object (also referred to as "object of use") that is placed in a toilet to which the toilet management system 1 is applied and is used (utilized) by a user of the toilet. Note that the fixtures E1 to E6 shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and the object of use is not limited to the fixtures E1 to E6, but may be various fixtures (devices) provided in the toilet.

[0028] It is not essential that all of the fixtures E1 to E6 are installed in a restroom to which the restroom management system 1 is applied; for example, if there is no men's-only restroom, the restroom to which the restroom management system 1 is applied does not need to have fixture E6 installed. Also, the fixtures installed in a restroom to which the restroom management system 1 is applied are not limited to fixtures E1 to E6, and any fixture may be used, but this point will be discussed later. Below, an example configuration of the restroom management system 1 will be explained based on the above premise.

[0029] The restroom management system 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a gateway device 50, a cloud server 100, an information input terminal 200, and a management terminal 300. The restroom management system 1 may include multiple gateway devices 50, multiple cloud servers 100, multiple information input terminals 200, multiple management terminals 300, etc. Furthermore, the restroom management system 1 is not limited to the above and may have various devices, for example, a sensor that detects an appliance E or information related to the appliance E (such as a detection unit 11 described below).

[0030] The gateway device 50 is an information processing device that functions as a gateway. The gateway device 50 also collects various types of information. For example, the gateway device 50 is a device that collects detection information such as sensor data detected for each use object. The gateway device 50 collects information regarding the use of the use object such as the appliance E. The gateway device 50 communicates with a sensor (detection unit 11, etc.) that detects the use object such as the appliance E, and collects information regarding the use of the use object. When the use object such as the appliance E itself performs detection, the gateway device 50 may communicate with the use object such as the appliance E and collect information regarding the use of the use object. The gateway device 50 transmits the collected information to the cloud server 100.

[0031] The cloud server 100 is an information processing device (computer) that executes various information processing using information about the toilet received from the gateway device 50. The cloud server 100 is communicatively connected to the gateway device 50, the information input terminal 200, and the management terminal 300 wirelessly or via a wired connection via a predetermined network (communication network) such as the Internet. The cloud server 100 may be connected to the gateway device 50, the information input terminal 200, and the management terminal 300 in any manner as long as information can be transmitted and received; the cloud server 100 may be communicatively connected wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0032] For example, the cloud server 100 acquires restroom congestion information as restroom usage information from the gateway device 50. Furthermore, in response to a request from the information input terminal 200, the cloud server 100 causes the information input terminal 200 to display restroom information based on the restroom congestion information and position information related to the restroom. For example, the restroom information may include various information such as a facility name, a floor name, a restroom room name, a restroom space name, and position information based on a Global Positioning System (GPS) or the like. For example, in response to a request from the information input terminal 200, the cloud server 100 transmits content including the restroom information to the information input terminal 200, which will be described in detail later.

[0033] Also, for example, the cloud server 100 acquires information related to an event occurring in a restroom from the information input terminal 200. The cloud server 100 acquires request information requesting a response from the restroom manager. The cloud server 100 receives the request information requesting a response from the restroom manager from the information input terminal 200. The cloud server 100 transmits information corresponding to the request information received from the information input terminal 200 to the management terminal 300.

[0034] The information input terminal 200 is a display terminal (computer) used by a user such as a user of the toilet. The information input terminal 200 displays various information related to the toilet. For example, the information input terminal 200 is a user terminal (mobile terminal) carried by a user who uses the toilet. For example, the information input terminal 200 is a smartphone (also called a "smartphone"). Note that the information input terminal 200 is not limited to a smartphone, and may be a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or the like. For example, the information input terminal 200 is connected to the cloud server 100 via a network N so as to be able to communicate wirelessly or via wire.

[0035] The information input terminal 200 transmits and receives information to and from the cloud server 100. The information input terminal 200 receives information about restrooms from the cloud server 100 and performs display based on the received information. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays content about restrooms received from the cloud server 100. The information input terminal 200 transmits information according to a user's operation (input) to the cloud server 100.

[0036] The information input terminal 200 executes a reading process to read the code AC1, and by accessing the cloud server 100, requests the cloud server 100 to display restroom information, and displays the information received from the cloud server 100. For example, the code AC1 is a QR code (such as the two-dimensional code CD1 in FIG. 2). Note that the QR code is merely an example, and any code can be used as the code AC1 as long as it is possible to access the cloud server 100 and obtain the desired information, and it may be, for example, a two-dimensional code other than a QR code, or a predetermined one-dimensional code such as a barcode.

[0037] The method of accessing the cloud server 100 is not limited to a reading process for reading the code AC1, and may be a method according to various operations of a user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the information input terminal 200 may access the cloud server 100 according to a user's operation on an application (hereinafter also simply referred to as an "app") or website of the facility to which the restroom management system 1 is applied, or a user's operation specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc.

[0038] The information input terminal 200 acquires event information indicating an event that requires a response from the restroom manager. The information input terminal 200 acquires location information indicating the location where the event occurred. The information input terminal 200 links the event information to the location information and transmits it to the cloud server 100 used for managing the restroom. Note that the information input terminal 200 is not limited to a user terminal, and may be any device such as a digital signage, as long as it is capable of executing a desired process.

[0039] The management terminal 300 is an information processing device (computer) used by an administrator (e.g., an administrator of the restroom management system 1, etc.). The management terminal 300 displays various information related to restrooms. For example, if the administrator using the management terminal 300 is the administrator of a facility to which the restroom management system 1 is applied, the management terminal 300 may be a desktop PC. Note that the management terminal 300 is not limited to a desktop PC, and may be a notebook PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. For example, if the administrator using the management terminal 300 is a cleaner, the management terminal 300 may be a device that the cleaner can carry, such as a smartphone. For example, the management terminal 300 is connected to the cloud server 100 via a network N so as to be able to communicate wirelessly or via wire.

[0040] The management terminal 300 transmits and receives information to and from the cloud server 100. The management terminal 300 receives information about restrooms from the cloud server 100 and performs display based on the received information. For example, the management terminal 300 displays content about restrooms received from the cloud server 100. The management terminal 300 transmits information according to operations (inputs) by the administrator to the cloud server 100.

[0041] The management terminal 300 receives from the information input terminal 200 event information indicating an event that requires a response from the restroom manager, based on the operation of the user using the information input terminal 200. The management terminal 300 receives from the information input terminal 200 location information indicating the location where the event occurred, based on the operation of the user using the information input terminal 200. The management terminal 300 receives from the information input terminal 200 the event information linked to the location information.

[0042] The device configuration of the restroom management system 1 described above is merely one example, and any device configuration can be adopted for the restroom management system 1 as long as it is capable of providing the desired services. For example, the cloud server 100 and the gateway device 50 may be integrated. That is, a single device may have the functions executed by the cloud server 100 and the functions executed by the gateway device 50 (gateway functions). In this case, the restroom management system 1 may not have the cloud server 100, with the gateway device 50 executing the functions of the cloud server 100. Furthermore, the restroom management system 1 may have a configuration in which, instead of the cloud server 100 and the gateway device 50, a single information processing device has the functions of both the cloud server 100 and the gateway device 50.

[0043] <1-2. Examples of toilet management system applications> Next, an example of an application of the restroom management system 1 will be described using Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an application of the restroom management system. Fig. 2 shows an overview of the configuration, etc., of an example in which the restroom management system 1 is applied to providing information about a facility FC1.

[0044] In the present application, an area (space) having a function including a toilet (toilet) provided in a facility such as a commercial facility is referred to as a toilet room. Also, so-called women's toilets (ladies' toilet rooms), men's toilets (gentlemen's toilet rooms), barrier-free toilets, etc. may be referred to as toilet spaces. For example, a women's toilet room is a toilet space expected to be used by people whose attributes correspond to women, and a gentleman's toilet room is a toilet space expected to be used by people whose attributes correspond to men. Also, for example, a barrier-free toilet may be a toilet space expected to be used by people who belong to the attributes of wheelchair users, ostomates, people with infants, etc. (also called "barrier-free target persons"). Note that the above-mentioned three types of toilet spaces are merely examples, and the toilet space may be any type of toilet space. For example, the toilet space may be a genderless toilet expected to be used by people of all genders. Also, the toilet space may be a toilet space expected to be used by all attributes. In this way, the toilet space may be any toilet space as long as the attributes of the people who use the space are expected.

[0045] In addition, various configurations of toilet rooms are assumed depending on the arrangement. For example, in a facility such as a commercial facility, when a female toilet, a male toilet, and a barrier-free toilet are arranged together in a predetermined area, the toilet room arranged in the predetermined area will have three toilet spaces, the female toilet, the male toilet, and the barrier-free toilet. In addition, for example, when a female toilet and a male toilet are arranged together in a predetermined area, the toilet room arranged in the predetermined area will have two toilet spaces, the female toilet and the male toilet. In addition, for example, when a female toilet and a barrier-free toilet are arranged together in a predetermined area, the toilet room arranged in the predetermined area will have two toilet spaces, the female toilet and the barrier-free toilet.

[0046] Also, for example, if only a men's toilet is arranged in a specified area, the toilet room arranged in that specified area will be a toilet room with one toilet space of a men's toilet. Also, for example, if only a barrier-free toilet is arranged in a specified area, the toilet room arranged in that specified area will be a toilet room with one toilet space of a barrier-free toilet. Also, for example, if only a genderless toilet is arranged in a specified area, the toilet room arranged in that specified area will be a toilet room with one toilet space of a genderless toilet. In other words, one toilet room may be composed of multiple toilet spaces or may be composed of only one toilet space. In other words, the toilet room referred to here can be any configuration as long as it has one or more toilet spaces.

[0047] In the following description, when the toilet rooms such as the toilet room 21 to the toilet room 28 are not distinguished from one another, they may be referred to as the "toilet room 2." 11 , Toilet space 3 12 , Toilet space 3 13 When describing toilet spaces without distinguishing between these, it may be referred to as "toilet space 3."

[0048] Facility FC1 in FIG. 2 is a four-story facility, and is an installation property for which information is provided by the toilet management system 1. For example, facility FC1 is a commercial facility. The facility in which the toilet room 2 is provided may be any facility. For example, the facility in which the toilet room 2 is provided is not limited to a commercial facility such as a department store, but may be any facility such as an amusement park, stadium, office building, park, or parking lot. In this way, the location in which the toilet room 2 is provided may be any location as long as there is space in which the toilet room 2 can be placed.

[0049] The facility FC1 in FIG. 2 is provided with eight toilet rooms 2, two on each of the first to fourth floors. For example, on the first floor of the facility FC1, two toilet rooms 2 are provided: a toilet room 21 shown as toilet room #1 in FIG. 2 and a toilet room 22 shown as toilet room #2. For example, the toilet room 21 is a toilet space 3 for men. 113. Women's toilet space 12 3. Barrier-free toilet space 13 The toilet room 21 has three toilet spaces 3. Details of the toilet room 21 will be described later. For example, the toilet room 22 has two toilet spaces 3, a women's toilet and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 21 is provided in the southern area of ​​the first floor of the facility FC1, and the toilet room 22 is provided in the northern area of ​​the first floor of the facility FC1.

[0050] For example, two toilet rooms 2 are provided on the second floor of facility FC1: a toilet room 23 shown as toilet room #3 in Fig. 2, and a toilet room 24 shown as toilet room #4. For example, the toilet room 23 has three toilet spaces 3, a women's toilet, a men's toilet, and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 24 has one toilet space 3, a women's toilet. For example, the toilet room 23 is provided in the southern area of ​​the second floor of facility FC1, and the toilet room 24 is provided in the northern area of ​​the second floor of facility FC1.

[0051] For example, two toilet rooms 2 are provided on the third floor of facility FC1: a toilet room 25 shown as toilet room #5 in Fig. 2, and a toilet room 26 shown as toilet room #6. For example, the toilet room 25 has three toilet spaces 3: a women's toilet, a men's toilet, and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 26 has three toilet spaces 3: a women's toilet, a men's toilet, and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 25 is provided in the southern area of ​​the third floor of facility FC1, and the toilet room 26 is provided in the northern area of ​​the third floor of facility FC1.

[0052] For example, two toilet rooms 2 are provided on the fourth floor of facility FC1: a toilet room 27 shown as toilet room #7 in Fig. 2, and a toilet room 28 shown as toilet room #8. For example, the toilet room 27 has three toilet spaces 3: a women's toilet, a men's toilet, and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 28 has three toilet spaces 3: a women's toilet, a men's toilet, and a barrier-free toilet. For example, the toilet room 27 is provided in the southern area of ​​the fourth floor of facility FC1, and the toilet room 28 is provided in the northern area of ​​the fourth floor of facility FC1.

[0053] Here, an example of the configuration of the toilet space 3 of the toilet room 21 will be described using the toilet room 21 of FIG. 2 as an example. As described above, the toilet room 21 has the toilet space 3 11 , Toilet space 3 12 , Toilet space 3 13 Thus, the toilet room 21 provided in the south area of ​​the first floor of the facility FC1 includes the toilet space 3, which is a men's toilet. 11 3. Women's toilet space 12 3. Barrier-free toilet space 13 Includes.

[0054] The following is the toilet space 3 shown in Figure 2, which is a men's toilet. 11 An example of the configuration of a toilet space (toilet room) will be described as an example. 11 1 conceptually illustrates an example of the physical arrangement of the

[0055] The toilet space 3 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a men's toilet. 11The toilet space 3 has toilet booths TB1-TB4 which are toilet booths forming private spaces, and a shared space CS1 which is a shared space other than the toilet booths. When describing the toilet booths provided in the toilet space 3 without distinguishing between toilet booths TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, etc., they may be described as "toilet booths TB." In FIG. 2, a case where the toilet space 3 has four toilet booths TB is described as an example, but the toilet space 3 may have three or less or five or more toilet booths TB.

[0056] That is, the toilet space 3 shown in FIG. 11 is merely one example of the toilet space 3, and any configuration can be adopted for the toilet space 3. For example, the toilet space 3 may have one toilet booth TB. The toilet space 3 may have any configuration as long as it includes at least one of the objects of use of the toilet that can be used by a user. For example, the toilet space 3 may have any configuration as long as it includes at least one of the objects of use such as a toilet bowl 10 (corresponding to fixture E1 in FIG. 1), a urinal 20 (corresponding to fixture E6 in FIG. 1), and a washbasin 30 (corresponding to fixture E5 in FIG. 1).

[0057] A toilet booth TB is a space (private space) separated by a partition (partition). Each toilet booth TB is equipped with a toilet bowl 10 and functions as a place where people perform excretory activities. Each toilet booth TB is also equipped with an openable door (not shown) for entering the toilet booth TB. Note that the door of each toilet booth TB is similar to the doors provided in general toilet booths TB, and therefore detailed description will be omitted. Also, the toilet booth TB does not have to be a space completely separated by a partition, and there may be a portion at the top or bottom of the partition that is not separated from the adjacent toilet booth TB or the shared space.

[0058] Furthermore, when describing shared spaces provided in the toilet space 3 without making a distinction, such as the shared space CS1, they may be referred to as the "shared space CS." The shared space CS is a common area within the toilet space 3 where multiple people can stay at the same time. For example, the shared space CS has an entrance to the toilet space 3, facilities that function as a hand-washing area such as a washbasin 30, and routes to each toilet booth TB. The shared space CS functions as a place for entering the toilet space 3, washing hands, etc., moving to each toilet booth TB, etc. Note that when the toilet space 3 is a shared area, 11 When the shared space CS functions as a men's toilet space 3, a urinal 20 is disposed in the shared space CS. That is, the shared space CS may also function as a place for people to defecate.

[0059] Next, the toilet space 3 shown in Figure 2 11 The arrangement of each device in the toilet space 3 will be described below using the toilet bowl 10 as an example. 11 The toilet is placed in the toilet booth TB1. 12 The toilet is placed in the toilet booth TB2. 13 The toilet is placed in the toilet booth TB3. 14 The toilet is placed in the toilet booth TB4. 11 , urinal 10 12 , urinal 10 13 , urinal 10 14 When describing toilets without distinguishing between them, they may be referred to as "toilet 10."

[0060] While Figure 2 shows an example in which there are four toilet bowls 10, any number of toilet bowls 10 can be used as long as the desired processing can be performed, and the number of toilet bowls 10 may be three or less, or five or more. Details of the functions of the toilet bowls 10 will be described later. Furthermore, any description of the toilet bowl 10 as the subject of processing such as information collection and determination may be read as the toilet booth TB in which the toilet bowl 10 is placed.

[0061] The toilet bowl 10 is an object of use of the toilet that is used when a user using the toilet excretes feces, urination, etc. The toilet bowl 10 is placed in a toilet booth TB provided in the toilet space 3. The toilet bowl 10 may have a sanitary washing device (corresponding to device E5 in FIG. 1) and a device for discharging warm water (corresponding to device E4 in FIG. 1). For example, the toilet bowl 10 has a toilet seat device including a toilet seat on which a user sits and an operating unit for operating a nozzle for discharging water for washing. In addition to the toilet seat device, the toilet bowl 10 has various components such as a toilet cover and a toilet bowl to realize the function of a toilet bowl, but detailed explanations will be omitted. It should be noted that the toilet bowl 10 does not have to be included in the toilet management system 1.

[0062] In FIG. 2, a toilet bowl 10 11 ~10 14 Among the toilet booths TB1 to TB4 in which the above-mentioned are arranged, the toilet booth TB4 has a toilet bowl 10 14 In addition, a baby seat 41 (also called a "baby chair") and a diaper changing table 42 are also provided. The baby seat 41 is intended for use by users with children, for example, and is a dedicated chair (equipment) for temporarily holding (keeping) the child when the user is using the toilet, etc. The diaper changing table 42 is intended for use by users with children, for example, and is a table (equipment) used when changing the child's diaper. In this way, equipment other than the toilet bowl 10 may also be provided in the toilet booth TB.

[0063] In addition, the description of the toilet booth TB as the target of processing such as information collection and judgment may be read as the toilet 10 arranged in the toilet booth TB. For example, 11 may be read as toilet booth TB1, and toilet booth TB1 is a toilet bowl 10 11 It may also be read as follows.

[0064] 2, a display object PP1 is placed on the wall inside the toilet booth TB1, which includes a two-dimensional code CD1 for accessing the cloud server 100 and encourages the user to contact the cloud server 100 when an event occurs. For example, the display object PP1 includes an explanation to the user, such as "If this toilet requires troubleshooting or cleaning, please read the code on the left and contact us." The display object PP1 also includes a two-dimensional code CD1 that includes information for identifying the toilet space 3 where the event occurred when the code is read, and the use of the two-dimensional code CD1 will be described later.

[0065] Also, in FIG. 11 The detection unit 11 is disposed in the toilet booth TB1. 11 For example, the detection unit 11 is provided. 11 10 toilet bowls 11 The detection unit 11 functions as a detection unit that detects the use of the 11 When describing the detection units that detect the use of each toilet 10, such as those shown in FIG. 1, without making a distinction, they may be referred to as "detection unit 11." In facility FC1 in FIG. 2, a detection unit 11 that detects the use of the toilet 10 is provided. Detection unit 11 is a detection unit that performs detection related to the toilet 10. Detection unit 11 detects the usage status of the toilet 10, which is a fixture placed in a toilet.

[0066] For example, the detection unit 11 functions as a detection unit that detects the use of the toilet bowl 10. The detection unit 11 has a seating detection sensor provided in the toilet bowl 10, and detects the user sitting on the toilet seat of the toilet bowl 10. In this case, the detection unit 11 detects the user sitting on the toilet bowl 10 by the seating sensor. Note that the detection unit 11 may perform the detection using any sensor, not limited to a seating detection sensor, as long as it is capable of detecting the usage state of the toilet bowl 10. For example, the detection unit 11 may perform the detection using any sensor as long as it is capable of detecting the occupancy state of the space in which the toilet bowl 10 is arranged (for example, the toilet booth TB or the barrier-free toilet space 3, etc.). For example, the detection unit 11 may detect the entry and exit of a person (user) to the toilet booth TB in which the toilet bowl 10 is arranged. For example, the detection unit 11 may be various sensors such as a human body detection sensor and a behavior detection sensor.

[0067] For example, the detection unit 11 may be provided on the door of the toilet booth TB or the like, and may have a door sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door of the toilet booth TB. The detection unit 11 may have an image sensor that captures an image of the vicinity of the door of the toilet booth TB. In this case, the detection unit 11 may not have a seat detection sensor. The above is an example, and the detection unit 11 may be realized by any means. The toilet bowl 10 and the detection unit 11 may be integrated. In this case, the toilet bowl 10 having the detection unit 11 may be included in the toilet management system 1. The arrangement position of the detection unit 11 is not particularly limited, and it may be installed on the ceiling, wall, floor, etc. of the toilet booth TB, or may be mounted on the toilet seat of the toilet bowl 10. In this way, the detection unit 11 may have, for example, a sensor provided in the toilet (a seat sensor or other sensor that detects a user), or may have a door sensor. In other words, any sensor can be adopted as long as it can detect the usage status of the user.

[0068] Furthermore, the detection unit 11 has, for example, a communication unit (for example, a communication circuit or the like) with wireless communication capabilities, and is connected to the gateway device 50 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. For example, when the detection unit 11 detects use of the toilet 10, it transmits detection information indicating the detection and the date and time of detection, etc., to the gateway device 50 together with identification information (ID, etc.) identifying the toilet 10 or the toilet booth TB in which the toilet 10 is located. For example, the detection unit 11 transmits detection information indicating the usage time of the toilet 10 to the gateway device 50 together with identification information (ID, etc.) identifying the toilet 10 or the toilet booth TB in which the toilet 10 is located.

[0069] urinal 20 11 , urinal 20 12 , urinal 20 13 , urinal 20 14 is placed in the shared space CS1. 11 , urinal 20 12 , urinal 20 13 , urinal 20 14 When describing urinals arranged in the toilet space 3 without making a distinction, they may be referred to as "urinals 20". In Fig. 2, a case where the number of urinals 20 is four is shown as an example, but any number of urinals 20 may be adopted as long as the desired processing can be performed, and the number of urinals 20 may be three or less or five or more.

[0070] The urinal 20 is provided in the male toilet space 3, and is an object of use for the toilet that is used when a user of the toilet excretes urine. In this way, the urinal 20 is an object of use (toilet bowl) specifically for male urination. The urinal 20 is placed in a shared space CS provided in the toilet space 3. Note that, when the urinal 20 is intended as an object (object of use) for providing information on the congestion situation, the toilet management system 1 may have a detection unit that detects use of the urinal 20 by a person (user).

[0071] washbasin 30 11 , basin 30 12 is placed in the shared space CS1. 11 , basin 30 12When describing the washbasins arranged in the toilet space 3 without making a distinction, they may be referred to as "washbasins 30". In Fig. 2, a case where the number of washbasins 30 is two is shown as an example, but any number of washbasins 30 may be adopted as long as the desired treatment can be performed, and the number of washbasins 30 may be one or three or more.

[0072] The washbasin 30 is a toilet object that is used by users when they wash their hands, wash their face, and look in the mirror. The washbasin 30 is placed in a shared space CS provided in the toilet space 3. For example, the washbasin 30 has a faucet with an automatic water faucet function and a bowl part that receives water from the faucet. In addition, a device that provides functions that are required after the user of the washbasin 30 acts, such as a hand dryer (corresponding to device E3 in FIG. 1), may be placed near the washbasin 30. Note that, when the washbasin 30 is a target (object of use) for providing information on the congestion situation, the toilet management system 1 may have a detection unit that detects the use of the washbasin 30 by a person (user).

[0073] From here, toilet space 3 11 21 toilet rooms other than the toilet space 3 12 , 3 13 Toilet space 3 11 The explanation of the same points as those explained in the previous section will be omitted.

[0074] The toilet space 3 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a women's toilet. 12 has four toilet booths TB and a shared space CS2. Toilet Space 3 12 In the shared space CS2, two washbasins 30 and two powder rooms 40 are arranged. The powder room 40 is, for example, a powder corner provided in a corner of the shared space CS of the women's toilet space 3, and is used for actions such as makeup and skin care, and is equipped with mirrors, chairs, etc. In this way, the women's toilet space 3 and the men's toilet space 3 may each be provided with different facilities.

[0075] Also, toilet space 3 12A toilet bowl 10 is disposed in each of the four toilet booths TB. 12 Of the four toilet booths TB, in one toilet booth TB, in addition to the toilet bowl 10, a baby seat 41 and a diaper changing table 42 are arranged.

[0076] The toilet space 3 shown in Figure 2 is an example of a barrier-free toilet. 13 Various facilities are installed in the space. Toilet space 3 13 A toilet bowl 10, a washbasin 30, a baby seat 41, a diaper changing table 42, a changing table 43, and an ostomate 44 are arranged in the toilet space 3. The changing table 43 is an object used, for example, for a user to change clothes in the toilet space 3, and is a dedicated platform (equipment) on which the user takes off footwear such as shoes and stands to change clothes. The ostomate 44 is an object used, for example, by a user who has an artificial anus or artificial bladder, and is equipment such as a stoma appliance and a faucet for washing waste. In addition to the toilet bowl 10 and the washbasin 30, various other equipment is arranged in the toilet space 3 of the barrier-free toilet.

[0077] Here, various processes and the like will be described by taking the case where the configuration of the facility FC1 shown in FIG. 2 is assumed as an example. The gateway device 50 collects information on each of the objects of use shown in FIG. 2. The gateway device 50 collects detection information, which is information detected on the toilet space 3, the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, the washbasin 30, and the like. The gateway device 50 receives detection information from a device that detects information on the toilet space 3, the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, the washbasin 30, and the like. For example, the gateway device 50 receives detection information on the toilet bowl 10 from the detection unit 11 of the toilet bowl 10. The gateway device 50 is connected to the detection unit 11 of the toilet bowl 10 wirelessly so as to be able to communicate. Note that the gateway device 50 may be connected to the device that detects information on the toilet space 3, the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, the washbasin 30, and the like in any way as long as it is possible to send and receive information, and may be connected to the device so as to be able to communicate by wire.

[0078] The cloud server 100 receives information about the toilets of the facility FC1 from the gateway device 50. The cloud server 100 may be placed in any location, for example, outside the toilet space 3 or inside the toilet space 3. Also, QR codes for accessing the facility's app or website may be placed on each floor of the facility FC1. In this case, the information input terminal 200 may start an app corresponding to the QR code (such as a toilet information display app or facility app described below) or access a website corresponding to the QR code in response to a reading process for reading the QR code.

[0079] 2 is collected by cloud server 100, and provided from cloud server 100 to devices such as information input terminal 200 and management terminal 300. Details of cloud server 100, information input terminal 200, and management terminal 300 will be described later, but the processing in each device will be briefly described below.

[0080] For example, the cloud server 100 provides, for example, a facility management support service. For example, the cloud server 100 collects location information related to the facility FC1, such as a floor map of each floor of the facility FC1. For example, the cloud server 100 acquires the location information related to the facility FC1 from an administrator who operates the facility FC1. Note that the cloud server 100 may acquire the location information related to the facility FC1 in any manner, and may acquire the location information related to the facility FC1, such as a floor map of each floor of the facility FC1, from, for example, a website of the facility FC1.

[0081] Also, for example, the cloud server 100 collects information (crowding information) indicating the congestion state of each toilet space 3 of the facility FC1. For example, the cloud server 100 detects the congestion state of each toilet bowl 10 of the toilet space 3 by detecting the seating sensor (detection unit 11 in FIG. 2). 11The congestion state of each toilet space 3 is estimated based on information indicating the usage state of the toilet 10 (usage information) acquired from a network (network, etc.). The cloud server 100 may acquire the usage information and congestion information in any manner, and may acquire the usage information from a device used by the operator who operates the facility FC1, for example.

[0082] Furthermore, for example, the cloud server 100 collects information (also referred to as "facility information") indicating the installation status of equipment in each toilet space 3 of the facility FC1. For example, the cloud server 100 acquires equipment information of equipment such as the powder room 40, baby seat 41, diaper changing table 42, changing table 43, and ostomate 44 for each toilet space 3. As described above, the powder room 40, baby seat 41, diaper changing table 42, changing table 43, and ostomate 44 may also be included in the targets of use. For example, the cloud server 100 acquires equipment information including information indicating each piece of equipment installed in the toilet space 3 and images of the installed equipment.

[0083] Furthermore, the cloud server 100 may acquire, as facility information, information including information on the arrangement of the toilet bowls 10, urinals 20, washbasins 30, etc., and information indicating the presence or absence of a hand dryer corresponding to the washbasin 30 that functions as a hand-washing area. For example, the cloud server 100 acquires facility information including information indicating the toilet bowls 10, urinals 20, washbasins 30, etc. that are arranged in the toilet space 3, and images of the arranged toilet bowls 10, urinals 20, washbasins 30, etc. Note that the cloud server 100 may acquire facility information in any manner, and may acquire facility information from a device used by the operator who operates the facility FC1, for example.

[0084] The cloud server 100 provides information to the information input terminal 200 and receives various information from the information input terminal 200. This will be described in detail later, but for example, the cloud server 100 provides content based on the congestion information, facility information, location information, and the like described above to the information input terminal 200. Then, the cloud server 100 receives information such as cleaning requests, malfunction reports, and satisfaction ratings in response to operations by users who use the information input terminal 200.

[0085] Furthermore, the cloud server 100 provides information to the management terminal 300. For example, the cloud server 100 transmits information such as cleaning requests, malfunction reports, and satisfaction ratings received from the information input terminal 200 to the management terminal 300 as user information. The management terminal 300 displays the user information received from the cloud server 100. For example, the cloud server 100 transmits information such as collected facility information (also referred to as "facility installation information"), usage status information (also referred to as "usage information"), and congestion information to the management terminal 300 as property information. The management terminal 300 displays the property information received from the cloud server 100. For example, the management terminal 300 displays information such as user information and property information by an application related to property management (property management application) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0086] <1-2-1. Application examples of toilet management systems> Here, an example of processing in the toilet management system 1 will be described by taking the occurrence of an event in the facility FC1 in FIG. 11 Toilet booth TB1 (toilet bowl 10) 11 A case will be described as an example in which a user (referred to as "User X") using the toilet booth TB1 discovers (recognizes) an occurrence of an event in the toilet booth TB1. For example, the event that occurred in the toilet booth TB1 is dirt and a malfunction of the fixtures in the toilet booth TB1.

[0087] For example, a user X who enters the toilet booth TB1 detects dirt in the toilet booth TB1 and the toilet bowl 10. 11 The user X then checks the display object PP1 and performs an operation to capture an image of the two-dimensional code CD1 in the display object PP1 using the information input terminal 200. As a result, the information input terminal 200 acquires the location information included in the two-dimensional code CD1 by a reading process of the two-dimensional code CD1 in response to the user's operation. For example, the location information included in the two-dimensional code CD1 indicates that the location corresponding to the two-dimensional code CD1 is the toilet space 3 of the toilet room 21 in the facility FC1. 11The information input terminal 200 may obtain location information by an operation of the user X on the displayed content, which will be described later.

[0088] The information input terminal 200 that reads the two-dimensional code CD1 11 For example, the information input terminal 200 accesses the cloud server 100 in order to notify the administrator of the occurrence of an event regarding the toilet space 3. 11 In response to the request from the information input terminal 200, the cloud server 100 requests the provision of content for informing the administrator of the occurrence of an event in the toilet space 3 as shown in the content CT1 in FIG. 11 A contact content for contacting the administrator about the occurrence of an event is provided to the information input terminal 200.

[0089] Note that the above process is merely an example, and when the information input terminal 200 has already acquired information on the content CT1, the information input terminal 200 may display the content CT1 without accessing the cloud server 100. In this manner, the information input terminal 200 that has read the two-dimensional code CD1 uses the information acquired in any manner to display contact content such as the content CT1 in Fig. 3.

[0090] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an information input terminal. Specifically, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contact content for notifying a manager of an event occurrence. The contact content includes information for requesting a response such as cleaning, troubleshooting, and replenishing supplies.

[0091] 3 shows an example in which the information input terminal 200 is a smartphone carried by the user X. Note that the smartphone shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and as described above, the information input terminal 200 is not limited to a smartphone, and any device used by a user can be adopted.

[0092] Prior to describing the display shown in Fig. 3, a configuration of the information input terminal 200 related to the display shown in Fig. 3 will be described. In Fig. 3, it is assumed that a toilet information display application (also called a "toilet information display app") that displays toilet information has been installed in the information input terminal 200. For example, the information input terminal 200 performs processing such as displaying as shown in Fig. 3 and accepting user operations using the toilet information display app.

[0093] In FIG. 3, the information indicating the location (also called "location display information") displayed at the top of content CT1, which is an example of communication content, is shown abstractly as "toilet space XX", but the location display information is assumed to be information indicating the specific location of the toilet space, such as "barrier-free toilet on the north side of the 1st floor", "women's toilet on the south side of the 4th floor", etc. For example, when the two-dimensional code CD1 placed in the toilet booth TB1 shown in FIG. 2 is read as described above, the location display information of communication content such as content CT1 will indicate the location of toilet space 3 of facility FC1, such as "men's toilet on the south side of the 1st floor", etc. 11 This information indicates that

[0094] From here, we will explain the display shown in Fig. 3. Content CT1, which is an example of contact content shown in Fig. 3, includes text information indicating that the manager can be contacted, an area AR1 that displays information related to cleaning, an area AR2 that displays information related to replenishment, an area AR3 that displays information related to malfunctions, and a send button SD1.

[0095] Area AR1 is arranged with information for the user to request cleaning. That is, area AR1 is an area used by the user to input information when the incident that has occurred is dirt and the user requests the manager to deal with it. The information input terminal 200 displays a plurality of options such as dirt on the floor, dirt on the wash basin, dirt on the urinal, and inside the cubicle in area AR1, and accepts the user's selection of an option. In this way, the contact from the user (customer) is not limited to the toilet bowl, but may be any object of use such as the wash basin or urinal. Note that, for the cubicle, a case is shown in which the toilet seat, toilet bowl, and other detailed options are included, but detailed options do not have to be included. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the cubicle displayed in area AR1 has been selected, and user X enters the toilet space 3 11 This shows a case where a request is made to the manager to deal with the stains on the toilet booth TB inside the building.

[0096] Moreover, area AR2 is provided with information for the user to request replenishment. That is, area AR2 is an area used by the user to input information when an event occurs in which an item is missing and the user requests the manager to deal with the situation. The information input terminal 200 displays options such as toilet paper in area AR2 and accepts the user's selection of an option. FIG. 3 shows a state in which no option displayed in area AR2 has been selected, and user X has selected toilet space 3. 11 This indicates a case where replenishment is not requested.

[0097] Area AR3 contains information for the user to report a malfunction, i.e., to request a malfunction response. That is, area AR3 is an area used by the user to input information when the event that has occurred is a malfunction and the user wishes to request a response from an administrator. The information input terminal 200 displays multiple options, such as a washbasin, a urinal, and a cubicle interior, in area AR3, and accepts the user's selection of an option. Note that, for the cubicle interior, a toilet, a sanitary washing device, and other detailed options are shown, but detailed options do not have to be included. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the cubicle interior displayed in area AR3 has been selected, and user X enters the toilet space 3 11This shows a case where a user is requesting the manager to take action regarding a malfunction of the toilet booth TB in the building.

[0098] The send button SD1 is a button for sending information about the event (also called "event information") input to the content CT1 to the cloud server 100. The send button SD1 may be selectable by the user when at least one or more of the options displayed in the content CT1 are selected. In this case, when no option displayed in the content CT1 is selected, the information input terminal 200 may display the send button SD1 in a different display mode (for example, in a light color) from when at least one or more of the options are selected, or may not display the send button SD1.

[0099] For example, when a user selects the send button SD1, the information input terminal 200 transmits the event information input to the content CT1 to the cloud server 100, which is an information processing device used for managing toilets, by linking the event information to the location information. In FIG. 3, when the user X selects the send button SD1, the information input terminal 200 transmits the event information to the cloud server 100, which is an information processing device used for managing toilets. 11 The location information indicating that the event is dirt in the toilet booth TB and a malfunction of the fixture is linked to the location information indicating that the event is dirt in the toilet booth TB and a malfunction of the fixture, and the linked information is transmitted to the cloud server 100.

[0100] Cloud server 100, which has received event information linked to location information from information input terminal 200, transmits the event information linked to the received location information to management terminal 300. For example, cloud server 100 transmits information including the time of the event occurrence (e.g., the date and time when the request was received), such as 15:32, the event such as a malfunction in a private room, such as a toilet, and a comment input by the user, such as water overflowing, to management terminal 300. Note that the timing of transmission from cloud server 100 to management terminal 300 may be any timing.

[0101] Through the above-mentioned process, the administrator or the like who uses the management terminal 300 can recognize the occurrence of an event and the location where the event occurred by checking the event information linked to the location information. Even if the toilet space 3 is a women's toilet or a barrier-free toilet, when the code placed in the toilet space 3 is read, contact content for requesting cleaning of the toilet space 3 is displayed, similar to the case of the men's toilet described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] <1-3. Cloud server functional configuration> Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the cloud server according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cloud server according to the first embodiment.

[0103] 4, cloud server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that cloud server 100 may also include an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts various operations from an administrator of cloud server 100, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

[0104] The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 110 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 110 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as a gateway device 50, an information input terminal 200, and a management terminal 300. The communication unit 110 may also transmit and receive information to and from the detection unit 11 via the network N.

[0105] Storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, storage unit 120 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by various information processing programs such as a toilet management program.

[0106] The storage unit 120 according to the first embodiment stores toilet room information relating to each of the toilet rooms 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 120 has a toilet room information storage unit 121 and a collected information storage unit 122. Note that the storage unit 120 stores various information necessary for processing, not limited to the toilet room information storage unit 121 and the collected information storage unit 122. For example, the storage unit 120 stores various information (e.g. pictograms, icon images, etc.) used in the information provision processing. For example, the storage unit 120 stores information used to generate content.

[0107] The toilet room information storage unit 121 stores various information related to toilet rooms. For example, the toilet room information storage unit 121 stores information related to the arrangement of the toilet space 3, the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, and the washbasin 30. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a toilet room information storage unit. The toilet room information storage unit 121 shown in Fig. 5 includes items such as "facility," "toilet room," "toilet space," "arrangement location," and "arrangement elements."

[0108] "Facility" indicates the location where the toilet room is located. Note that "facility" is not limited to structures, and various locations where toilet rooms are located can be registered. "Toilet room" indicates identification information for identifying each toilet room. In FIG. 5, for the purpose of explanation, "Toilet room" shows codes such as "21" and "22" assigned to each toilet room, and a character string such as "Toilet room #1", but "Toilet room" stores information that can identify the toilet room (for example, a toilet room ID, etc.).

[0109] "Toilet space" indicates identification information for identifying each toilet space. In FIG. 5, for the purpose of explanation, "Toilet space" is labeled "3 11 ", "3 12 The illustration shows a symbol assigned to each toilet space, such as "," and a string of characters indicating the type of toilet space, such as "Men's Toilet," but information that can identify the toilet space (such as a toilet space ID) is stored in the "toilet space."

[0110] "Location" indicates identification information for identifying each location. In FIG. 5, for the sake of explanation, the "location" indicates symbols such as "TB1", "TB2", "TB3", "TB4", and "CS1" that are assigned to each component of the toilet space 3, but the "location" stores information that can identify the location (such as a location ID). In addition, when the "location" is "-" (hyphen), it indicates that the corresponding toilet space is configured as a single space, such as a barrier-free toilet.

[0111] The "placement elements" include items such as "identification information" and "equipment." The "identification information" indicates identification information for identifying the object to be used in the toilet that is placed in the corresponding placement location. Note that FIG. 5 shows a case where either the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, or the washbasin 30 is registered in the "identification information," but the "identification information" is not limited to the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, or the washbasin 30, and any identification information for identifying the object to be used in the toilet may be registered.

[0112] For example, the "identification information" indicates identification information for identifying the objects to be used in the toilet, such as the toilet bowl 10, the urinal 20, and the washbasin 30, which are arranged in the corresponding arrangement locations. In FIG. 5, for the sake of explanation, "10 11 ", "10 12 ", "10 13 ", "20 11 ", "20 12 ", "20 13 ", "20 14 ", 30 11 ", 30 12However, any information may be registered as the "identification information" as long as it is capable of identifying each target of use.

[0113] For example, the "identification information" stores information capable of identifying a toilet to be placed in a corresponding location (e.g., a toilet ID, etc.), identification information for identifying a urinal (e.g., a urinal ID, etc.), or identification information for identifying a washbasin (e.g., a washbasin ID, etc.).

[0114] Furthermore, "equipment" indicates equipment other than the equipment registered with the identification information that is to be placed at the corresponding placement location. Note that, although Fig. 5 shows a case where any one of baby seat 41, diaper changing table 42, changing table 43, and ostomate 44 is registered in "equipment", information indicating any equipment (e.g., hand dryer, etc.) may be registered in "equipment" without being limited to baby seat 41, diaper changing table 42, changing table 43, and ostomate 44.

[0115] FIG. 5 shows that the facility FC1 is provided with a plurality of toilet rooms 2, such as a toilet room 21, a toilet room 22, and a toilet room 23. Also, in FIG. 5, the toilet room 21, which is the toilet room #1, has a toilet space 3, which is a men's toilet. 11 3. Women's toilet space 12 3. Barrier-free toilet space 13 This indicates that the room contains three toilet spaces 3.

[0116] In addition, the men's toilet space 3 11 indicates that the toilet booth TB1 identified by "TB1", the toilet booth TB2 identified by "TB2", the toilet booth TB3 identified by "TB3", the toilet booth TB4 identified by "TB4" are included as placement locations. 11 indicates that the shared space CS1 identified by "CS1" is included as a placement location.

[0117] The toilet booth TB1, which is the location identified by "TB1", has a "10 1110 toilets identified by 11 In addition, the toilet booth TB2, which is the location identified by "TB2", has a "10 12 10 toilets identified by 12 In addition, the toilet booth TB3, which is the location identified by "TB3", has a "10 13 10 toilets identified by 13 This indicates that the

[0118] In addition, the toilet booth TB4, which is the location identified by "TB4", has a "10 14 10 toilets identified by 14 In addition, the toilet booth TB4 is equipped with a toilet bowl 10. 14 In addition, a baby seat 41 and a diaper changing table 42 are arranged. Also, in the shared space CS1, which is the arrangement location identified by "CS1", "20 11 20 urinals identified by 11 , "30 11 30 washbasins identified by 11 etc. are placed.

[0119] In addition, the toilet space is barrier-free. 13 is one space, and "10 31 10 toilets identified by 31 , a baby seat 41, a diaper changing table 42, a changing table 43, and an ostomate 44 are arranged.

[0120] The toilet information storage unit 121 may store various information according to the purpose, not limited to the above. For example, the toilet information storage unit 121 stores information indicating attributes corresponding to each toilet space 3. For example, the toilet information storage unit 121 stores information indicating attributes corresponding to each toilet space 3. 11 For example, the toilet room information storage unit 121 stores information indicating the attribute “male” in association with the toilet space 3. 12 For example, the toilet room information storage unit 121 stores information indicating the attribute “female” in association with the toilet space 3.13 The restroom information storage unit 121 stores information indicating the attribute "barrier-free target person" in association with the attribute. The restroom information storage unit 121 may also store information (e.g., a sensor ID) capable of identifying a sensor (detection unit) that detects sensor data (detection information) of each target use to be detected in association with the target use detected by the sensor.

[0121] The toilet room information storage unit 121 may store information indicating the specific location of the object of use of each toilet (e.g., latitude and longitude information, etc.) in association with the object of use of each toilet. For example, information indicating the specific location of each toilet space 3 (e.g., latitude and longitude information, etc.) may be stored in association with each toilet space 3. For example, information indicating the specific location of each toilet bowl 10 (e.g., latitude and longitude information, etc.) may be stored in association with each toilet bowl 10.

[0122] The collected information storage unit 122 stores detection information such as sensor data collected about the objects using each toilet. The collected information storage unit 122 stores information received from other devices. The collected information storage unit 122 stores detection information detected by the detection unit 11. For example, the collected information storage unit 122 stores the usage history of the objects using each toilet in association with information identifying the objects using each toilet.

[0123] For example, the collected information storage unit 122 stores the date and time when each toilet object was used in association with information identifying each toilet object. The collected information storage unit 122 stores the date and time when each toilet bowl 10 was used in association with information identifying each toilet bowl 10 or information identifying the toilet booth TB corresponding to each toilet bowl 10. For example, the collected information storage unit 122 stores the date and time when each toilet object was used and the duration of that use in association with information identifying each toilet object. The collected information storage unit 122 stores the date and time when each toilet bowl 10 was used and the duration of that use in association with information identifying each toilet bowl 10 or information identifying the toilet booth TB corresponding to each toilet bowl 10.

[0124] It should be noted that the above is merely an example, and the collected information storage unit 122 stores various types of collected information.

[0125] Returning to Fig. 4, the explanation will be continued. The control unit 130 is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like executing programs (for example, various information processing programs such as the toilet management program according to the present disclosure) stored inside the cloud server 100 using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 130 is also realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0126] 4, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, an estimation unit 132, a processing unit 133, and a transmission unit 134, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

[0127] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information. The acquisition unit 131 receives information collected by the gateway device 50 from the gateway device 50. The acquisition unit 131 acquires the usage status of the objects of use provided in each of the multiple toilet rooms 2. The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from the memory unit 120. The acquisition unit 131 receives information from other devices via the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 131 receives information collected by the other devices (detection information, etc.) from the other devices. The acquisition unit 131 receives detection information detected on the objects of use in the toilet from the other devices.

[0128] The acquisition unit 131 receives detection information detected by a sensor or the like corresponding to an object to be used in the toilet from the sensor. The acquisition unit 131 receives detection information detected by the detection unit 11 regarding the toilet bowl 10 from the gateway device 50. The acquisition unit 131 receives detection information detected by the detection unit 11 regarding the toilet booth TB in which the toilet bowl 10 is arranged from the gateway device 50.

[0129] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires input information related to the toilet by a toilet user. The acquisition unit 131 receives the input information from the information input terminal 200 used by the toilet user. The acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a cleaning request in response to an operation of a user using the information input terminal 200. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a cleaning request from a user for a specific toilet space 3.

[0130] The acquisition unit 131 acquires request information for requesting a response from the restroom manager. The acquisition unit 131 receives the request information for requesting a response from the restroom manager from the information input terminal 200.

[0131] The acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a user's request for a malfunction notification in response to an operation of the user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a user's request for a malfunction notification for a specific toilet space 3.

[0132] The acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a request for a user satisfaction rating in response to an operation of a user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives information indicating a request for a user satisfaction rating for a specific toilet space 3.

[0133] The estimation unit 132 executes a process (estimation process) of estimating various information. The estimation unit 132 executes the estimation process using information stored in the storage unit 120. The estimation unit 132 executes the estimation process using information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the estimation unit 132 executes a process (congested situation estimation process) for estimating a crowded situation. The estimation unit 132 acquires (estimates) crowded information of a plurality of toilet rooms 2 based on the usage status of the use object acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The estimation unit 132 executes a process (congested situation estimation process) of estimating a crowded situation using various information stored in the storage unit 120. The estimation unit 132 executes a crowded situation estimation process of estimating a crowded situation using various information stored in the toilet room information storage unit 121. The estimation unit 132 executes a crowded situation estimation process using various information acquired by the acquisition unit 131.

[0134] The estimation unit 132 estimates the congestion state based on the number of toilet bowls 10 stored in the toilet room information storage unit 121 (also referred to as the "number of installed toilet bowls") and the number of toilet bowls 10 for which information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 indicates that they are in use (also referred to as the "number of toilet bowls in use"). The estimation unit 132 acquires the number of installed toilet bowls for one toilet space 3 from the toilet room information storage unit 121, and estimates the congestion state of one toilet space 3 based on a comparison between the number of installed toilet bowls and the number of toilet bowls in use indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the estimation unit 132 estimates the congestion state of one toilet space 3 based on the number of installed toilet bowls for one toilet space 3. 11 About the toilet space 3 11 The number of toilets installed and the toilet space 11 Based on a comparison of the number of toilets in use, the toilet space is 3 11 Estimate the congestion situation.

[0135] The estimation unit 132 uses the number of installed toilets and the number of toilets in use to calculate a value indicating the congestion state (also referred to as the "congestion degree"). For example, the estimation unit 132 calculates the congestion degree by dividing the number of toilets in use by the number of installed toilets. Note that the calculation of the congestion degree described above is merely an example, and the estimation unit 132 may calculate the congestion degree using any function, etc., as appropriate. The estimation unit 132 estimates the congestion state of one toilet space 3 based on the congestion degree calculated by dividing the number of toilets in use by the number of installed toilets. For example, the estimation unit 132 calculates the congestion degree by dividing the number of toilets in use by the number of installed toilets. 11 About the toilet space 3 11 The number of toilets installed in the toilet space is 3 11 Based on the congestion level calculated by dividing the number of toilets in use by the number of toilets in use, 11 Estimate the congestion situation.

[0136] For example, when the number of installed toilet bowls for one toilet space 3 is "4" and the number of toilet bowls in use is "0", the estimation unit 132 estimates that the value indicating the congestion state (congestion degree) of the one toilet space 3 is "0" (=0 / 4), i.e., the congestion state is vacant (empty). For example, when the number of installed toilet bowls for one toilet space 3 is "4" and the number of toilet bowls in use is "4", the estimation unit 132 estimates that the congestion degree of the one toilet space 3 is "1" (=4 / 4), i.e., the congestion state is crowded (full).

[0137] Note that the estimation unit 132 may perform estimation at three or more levels, not limited to two levels of vacant and crowded. For example, the estimation unit 132 may estimate the crowded situation as "slightly crowded" when the crowdedness level is 0.6 or more and less than 1. For example, when the number of installed toilet bowls for one toilet space 3 is "4" and the number of toilet bowls in use is "3", the estimation unit 132 estimates that the crowdedness level for one toilet space 3 is "0.75" (=3 / 4), that is, the crowded situation is "slightly crowded".

[0138] The processing unit 133 performs information provision processing. The processing unit 133 performs information provision processing using various pieces of information stored in the storage unit 120. The processing unit 133 performs information provision processing using various pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The processing unit 133 performs information provision processing using various values ​​(information) calculated by the estimation unit 132.

[0139] The processing unit 133 performs information provision processing using the congestion state estimated by the estimation unit 132. The processing unit 133 generates content and the like including information on the congestion state estimated by the estimation unit 132. The processing unit 133 generates content based on the congestion information, facility information, location information, and the like.

[0140] The processing unit 133 executes a process of generating content. The processing unit 133 generates content to be displayed on the information input terminal 200. For example, the processing unit 133 generates content such as the content CT11 by appropriately using various technologies such as Java (registered trademark). The processing unit 133 may generate content such as the content CT11 based on the format of CSS, JavaScript (registered trademark), or HTML. For example, the processing unit 133 may generate content such as the content CT11 in various formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), and PNG (Portable Network Graphics). When the information input terminal 200 generates content based on information received from the cloud server 100, the processing unit 133 does not need to generate content.

[0141] The processing unit 133 instructs the transmission unit 134 to provide information to the information input terminal 200 or the management terminal 300. The processing unit 133 instructs the transmission unit 134 to cause the management terminal 300 to transmit information.

[0142] The transmitting unit 134 functions as an output unit that outputs information. The transmitting unit 134 transmits information to an external information processing device. The transmitting unit 134 transmits information to the information input terminal 200 or the management terminal 300 in response to an instruction from the processing unit 133. The transmitting unit 134 transmits information generated by the processing unit 133 to the information input terminal 200 or the management terminal 300. The transmitting unit 134 transmits content generated by the processing unit 133 to the information input terminal 200. The transmitting unit 134 transmits content based on congestion information, facility information, location information, etc. to the information input terminal 200.

[0143] The transmission unit 134 transmits information such as cleaning requests, malfunction reports, and satisfaction ratings by users acquired from the information input terminal 200 as user information to the management terminal 300. The transmission unit 134 transmits information such as equipment information (equipment installation information), usage status information (usage information), and congestion information as property information to the management terminal 300. The transmission unit 134 transmits information corresponding to the request information received from the information input terminal 200 to the management terminal 300.

[0144] <1-4. Example of information input terminal configuration> Next, a configuration example of the information input terminal 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information input terminal according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the information input terminal 200 has a communication unit 211, an input unit 212, a display unit 213, a storage unit 214, a control unit 215, and an audio output unit 216.

[0145] The communication unit 211 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 211 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. The communication unit 211 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the toilet management system 1. For example, the communication unit 211 transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the cloud server 100.

[0146] The input unit 212 receives various operations input from the user. The input unit 212 accepts various operations from the user via a display surface (for example, the display unit 213) using a touch panel function. The input unit 212 accepts various operations from the user via a display (display surface, display screen) of a smartphone or the like using a touch panel function. That is, the input unit 212 accepts various operations from the user via the display unit 213 of the information input terminal 200.

[0147] In addition, in smartphones, the capacitance method is mainly used as the method of detecting user operations by the input unit 212, but other detection methods such as a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, and an electromagnetic induction method may be used as long as it can detect user operations and realize the function of a touch panel.

[0148] The display unit 213 is a display screen of a smartphone or the like realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and is a display device for displaying various information. That is, the information input terminal 200 accepts user input through the display screen that is the display unit 213, and also outputs to the user. The display unit 213 displays various information. The display unit 213 displays various information according to the display control of the display control unit 253. For example, the display unit 213 switches the display mode according to the display control of the display control unit 253.

[0149] The display unit 213 displays information provided by the cloud server 100. For example, the display unit 213 displays content provided by the cloud server 100.

[0150] The storage unit 214 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 214 stores, for example, information, such as a program, relating to an application (e.g., a toilet information display application) installed in the information input terminal 200. The storage unit 214 stores information used for displaying information. The storage unit 214 stores content to be displayed on the display unit 213.

[0151] The control unit 250 is realized by a CPU, an MPU, or the like executing programs stored in the storage unit 214 using the RAM as a working area. For example, the various programs include programs for applications (e.g., a toilet information display application) that perform various information processing such as display processing. The control unit 250 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0152] 6, the control unit 250 has an acquisition unit 251, a reception unit 252, a display control unit 2503, and a transmission unit 254, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the display processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 250 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the display processing described below.

[0153] The acquisition unit 251 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 251 acquires various information from an external information processing device. The acquisition unit 251 acquires various information from the restroom management system 1. For example, the acquisition unit 251 acquires various information from other devices such as the cloud server 100. For example, the acquisition unit 251 acquires various information from the storage unit 214.

[0154] The acquisition unit 251 receives information provided from the cloud server 100. For example, the acquisition unit 251 receives content from the cloud server 100. The acquisition unit 251 receives content based on congestion information, facility information, location information, and the like.

[0155] The acquisition unit 251 acquires event information indicating an event that requires a response from the restroom manager. The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information indicating the location where the event occurred at a timing different from that of acquiring the event information.

[0156] The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information by a user's input into the displayed first content. The acquisition unit 251 acquires event information by a user's input into a second content to be displayed after acquiring the location information. The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information by a user's input into the first content including information about a toilet requested by the user. The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information by a user's input into the first content including at least one of congestion information and facility information about the toilet.

[0157] The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information in response to a user operation. The acquisition unit 251 acquires event information by user input via the reception unit 252. The acquisition unit 251 acquires event information by user input into content to be displayed after acquiring the location information. The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information by reading a code in response to a user operation. The acquisition unit 251 acquires location information by reading a QR code in response to a user operation.

[0158] The reception unit 252 receives an input by a user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the reception unit 252 receives an operation by a user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the reception unit 252 receives an operation (input) by the user via the input unit 212.

[0159] The reception unit 252 receives a cleaning request from a user in response to an operation of the user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the reception unit 252 receives a cleaning request from a user for a specific toilet space 3.

[0160] The receiving unit 252 receives a user's request for a malfunction notification in response to an operation of the user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 252 receives a user's request for a malfunction notification for a specific toilet space 3.

[0161] The receiving unit 252 receives a request for a user satisfaction rating in response to an operation of the user who uses the information input terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 252 receives a request for a user satisfaction rating for a specific toilet space 3.

[0162] The display control unit 253 controls the display of various information. The display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213. The display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 based on the information received by the acquisition unit 251. The display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 in response to a user operation accepted by the acceptance unit 252.

[0163] The display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that various information such as content is displayed. For example, the display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that the content CT11 is displayed. For example, the display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that the content CT11 is displayed. For example, the display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that the content CT12 is displayed. For example, the display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that the content CT13 is displayed. For example, the display control unit 253 controls the display of the display unit 213 so that the content CT14 is displayed.

[0164] The display control unit 253 switches the display mode in response to a user operation. The display control unit 253 switches the display mode from a list display (also referred to as a "list display mode") to an individual display (also referred to as an "individual display mode") in response to a user operation. The display control unit 253 switches the display mode to display information of attributes corresponding to the selected tab in response to a user operation of selecting a tab.

[0165] For example, when the detail display button DB11 in the content CT11 is selected, the display control unit 253 switches the display mode from the content CT11 to the content CT13. For example, when the detail display button DB31 in the content CT12 is selected, the display control unit 253 switches the display mode from the content CT12 to the content CT14.

[0166] For example, when the selected tab is changed from tab TU1 to tab TU3, the display control unit 253 switches the display mode from content CT11 to content CT12. For example, when the selected tab is changed from tab TU1 to tab TU2, the display control unit 253 switches the display mode from content CT11 to toilet information corresponding to the attribute "female."

[0167] The display control unit 253 may generate information to be displayed. The display control unit 253 executes a process of generating content to be displayed. The display control unit 253 generates content to be displayed on the screen (display unit 213). For example, the display control unit 253 generates content such as the content CT1 by appropriately using various technologies such as Java. The display control unit 253 may generate content such as the content CT1 based on the format of CSS, JavaScript, or HTML. For example, the display control unit 253 may generate content such as the content CT1 in various formats such as JPEG, GIF, or PNG. When the cloud server 100 generates content, the display control unit 253 may only control the display of the content acquired from the cloud server 100 without generating content.

[0168] The transmission unit 254 transmits various information. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits various information by controlling the communication unit 211. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information to other devices via the communication unit 211. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information stored in the storage unit 214 to other devices.

[0169] The transmission unit 254 transmits various information to the restroom management system 1. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits various information to another device such as the cloud server 100. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information acquired by the acquisition unit 251 to the other device. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information corresponding to a user operation accepted by the acceptance unit 252 to the other device. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information generated by the display control unit 253 to the other device.

[0170] The transmission unit 254 transmits the information input by the user to other devices such as the cloud server 100. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits the information input by the user to the cloud server 100. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits a request according to a user's operation as user-input information to the cloud server 100. The transmission unit 254 links the event information to location information and transmits it to the cloud server 100 used for managing the toilets.

[0171] The transmission unit 254 transmits the user's cleaning request accepted by the acceptance unit 252 to the cloud server 100. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits the user's cleaning request for a specific toilet space 3 to the cloud server 100 as user input information.

[0172] The transmission unit 254 transmits the user's malfunction notification request received by the reception unit 252 to the cloud server 100. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits the user's malfunction notification request for a specific toilet space 3 to the cloud server 100 as user input information.

[0173] The transmission unit 254 transmits the request for the user satisfaction rating accepted by the acceptance unit 252 to the cloud server 100. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits the request for the user satisfaction rating for a specific toilet space 3 to the cloud server 100 as user input information.

[0174] Note that when the various processes by the control unit 250 described above are performed by a predetermined application (e.g., a toilet information display application, etc.), each unit of the control unit 250 may be realized, for example, by the predetermined application (e.g., a toilet information display application, etc.). For example, the various processes by the control unit 250 may be realized by control information received from an external information processing device.

[0175] The audio output unit 216 outputs sounds. For example, the audio output unit 216 is a speaker. The audio output unit 216 outputs various sounds in response to control. The audio output unit 216 outputs various sounds in response to a user's operation.

[0176] <1-5. Information provision example> In the above example, the case where the code CD1 placed in the toilet booth TB is read by the information input terminal 200, and the content CT1 shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the information input terminal 200 has been described as an example, but the manner in which the content CT1 is displayed is not limited to the above. For example, the information input terminal 200 may obtain location information by a user's input to a displayed first content, and obtain event information by a user's input to a second content that is displayed after obtaining the location information.

[0177] In this case, the information input terminal 200 may obtain location information by a user's input to a first content including information about the toilet requested by the user. The information input terminal 200 may also obtain location information by a user's input to a first content including at least one of congestion information and facility information about the toilet. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays the congestion status and the like, and transitions from the display to a screen for inputting event information.

[0178] For example, the information input terminal 200 may acquire location information by a user's input into a first content such as the content CT11 shown in Fig. 7 or the content CT13 shown in Fig. 8, and acquire event information by a user's input into a contact content, which is a second content to be displayed after acquiring the location information. Some examples of this point will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0179] <1-5-1. Example of transition from congestion information display> For example, the content CT1 may transition from the display of the content showing congestion information. This point will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display of congestion information. For example, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list display mode in which restroom information corresponding to the attribute "male" is displayed in a list.

[0180] First, a list display mode in which toilet information corresponding to the attribute male is displayed in a list will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the same points as those described with reference to Fig. 3 and the like will not be described as appropriate. The information input terminal 200 in Fig. 7 shows a state in which content CT11 in a list display mode in which toilet information corresponding to the attribute male is displayed in a list on the display unit 213 in response to a user's operation. For example, the content CT11 is a male toilet list content in which toilet information related to multiple toilet spaces 3 (also called "male toilets") corresponding to the attribute "male" is displayed in a list display mode.

[0181] The content CT11 includes an area AR11 that displays information corresponding to the tab TU1 selected from the tabs TU1 to TU3. In the following description, when the tabs TU1 to TU3 are not differentiated from one another, they may be referred to as "tab TU." Also, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the content CT11 includes a survey response button BT1 for the user to respond to a survey, but the content CT11 does not have to include the survey response button BT1. For example, when the user selects the survey response button BT1, the information input terminal 200 displays information about the survey to be responded to by the user.

[0182] The information input terminal 200 in Fig. 7 shows three tabs TU displayed: a tab TU1 corresponding to the attribute "male", a tab TU2 corresponding to the attribute "female", and a tab TU3 corresponding to the attribute "barrier-free target person", with the tab TU1 selected. In Fig. 7, the tabs TU2 and TU3 other than the selected tab TU1 are hatched to indicate that the tab TU1 is selected and the tabs TU2 and TU3 are not selected.

[0183] Thus, in the information input terminal 200 in Fig. 7, the tab TU1 is in a selected state, and toilet information corresponding to the attribute "male" is displayed in the area AR11 of the content CT11. In Fig. 7, the area AR11 of the content CT11 displays a list of toilet information (also referred to as "first toilet information") for multiple toilet rooms 2, such as the south toilet on the third floor of facility FC1 (corresponding to toilet room 25), the north toilet on the third floor of facility FC1 (corresponding to toilet room 26), and the south toilet on the second floor of facility FC1 (corresponding to toilet room 23).

[0184] The information input terminal 200 may display toilet information of another toilet 2 in the area AR11 of the content CT11 in response to a user operation. For example, the information input terminal 200 may display toilet information of the toilet 2 on the fourth floor of the facility FC1 in response to a scroll operation in which the user moves a finger touching the area AR11 of the content CT11 in the up and down direction. 7、 28) and toilet information for toilet room 2 on the first floor of facility FC1 (toilet room 2 1、 22) toilet room information, etc. may be displayed.

[0185] For example, the information input terminal 200 may perform display in response to selection of pictograms AT1 to AT3 corresponding to each of three attributes included in the top screen that is first displayed when the toilet information display application is started. For example, when the user selects pictogram AT1 from among pictograms AT1 to AT3 displayed on the top screen, the information input terminal 200 displays content CT11, which is a men's toilet list content corresponding to pictogram AT1 (i.e., male). In this way, the top screen of the toilet information display application displays pictograms AT1 to AT3 displayed corresponding to each of tabs TU1 to TU3, and the display is switched to a state in which the tab TU corresponding to the pictogram AT selected by the user is selected from among them. Note that the above-mentioned display switching from the top screen is merely an example, and the information input terminal 200 may switch the display in any manner.

[0186] As shown in Fig. 7, the first toilet room information corresponding to the attribute "male" includes information on the toilet space 3 (men's toilet) corresponding to the attribute "male" included in the toilet room 2. In Fig. 7, the information input terminal 200 displays, in an area AR11 of the content CT11, first toilet room information INF11 of the men's toilet among the toilets on the south side on the third floor of the facility FC1, first toilet room information INF12 of the men's toilet among the toilets on the north side on the third floor of the facility FC1, and first toilet room information INF13 of the men's toilet among the toilets on the south side on the second floor of the facility FC1. Hereinafter, when the first toilet room information such as the first toilet room information INF11 to INF33 is described without distinction, it may be described as "first toilet room information INF".

[0187] The first toilet room information INF11 includes congestion information CG11 indicating the congestion status of the men's toilet (hereinafter also referred to as the "south side men's toilet on the 3rd floor") among the toilets on the south side of the 3rd floor of facility FC1, and facility information PG11 indicating the facilities of the south side men's toilet on the 3rd floor.

[0188] In Fig. 7, the congestion information CG11 indicates that the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor is empty. Note that in the drawing, colors are expressed by differences in hatching, with the congestion information CG11 being displayed in cooler colors (such as blue) as the level of congestion is lower, and in warmer colors (such as red) as the level of congestion is higher. Also, Fig. 7 shows an example of a case in which the congestion status is indicated in the form of a bar indicator, the word "empty," and a color, but the congestion information CG11 is not limited to the form of a bar indicator, characters, and colors, and may be displayed in any desired format, such as a bar indicator only, or a numerical representation of the level of congestion.

[0189] 7, the facility information PG11 includes a pictogram corresponding to the baby seat 41 and a pictogram corresponding to the diaper changing table 42. That is, the facility information PG11 indicates that the baby seat 41 and the diaper changing table 42 are installed in the south men's restroom on the third floor. Note that the above is merely an example, and the facility information PG11 may indicate in any format, such as text (baby seat available, diaper changing table available, etc.), that the baby seat 41 and the diaper changing table 42 are installed in the south men's restroom on the third floor. In the following, when congestion information such as congestion information CG11 to CG13 is described without distinction, it may be written as "crowding information CG," and when congestion information such as facility information PG11 to PG35 is described without distinction, it may be written as "facility information PG."

[0190] In addition, the first toilet room information INF11 includes an event occurrence notification button RB11 for requesting cleaning of the south side men's toilet on the third floor, and a toilet evaluation button EB11 for evaluating the south side men's toilet on the third floor. In the following, when the buttons for requesting cleaning of the corresponding toilet space 3, such as the event occurrence notification buttons RB11 to RB13, are described without distinction, they may be referred to as "event occurrence notification buttons RB."

[0191] For example, when the user selects the event occurrence report button RB11 included in content CT11, which is an example of the first content, the information input terminal 200 obtains location information indicating that the location where the event occurred is the men's restroom on the south side of the third floor corresponding to the event occurrence report button RB11, i.e., the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the toilet room 25 of facility FC1.

[0192] Then, in response to the selection of the event occurrence notification button RB11, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content, which is a second content for requesting the user to respond to an event such as cleaning, malfunction response, and item replenishment in the south-side men's restroom on the third floor. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content such as the content CT1 shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the location display information of the notification content is information indicating that the location is the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 25 of the facility FC1, such as "the south-side men's restroom on the third floor". The information input terminal 200 acquires event information of an event that has occurred in the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 25 of the facility FC1, based on the user's input to the displayed notification content. Note that the input to the notification content and the transmission of information to the cloud server 100 are the same as those described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0193] For example, when the user selects the restroom evaluation button EB11, the information input terminal 200 displays information for the user to evaluate the south side men's restroom on the third floor. In this case, the information input terminal 200 displays information for accepting an input of an evaluation from the user about the south side men's restroom on the third floor. For example, the information input terminal 200 may display a list for the user to select an overall evaluation, good points, improvements, etc., for the south side men's restroom on the third floor. Then, when the information input terminal 200 accepts a selection from the user, it transmits information indicating the content of the evaluation selected by the user to the cloud server 100 together with information indicating that the south side men's restroom on the third floor is the subject of evaluation. Note that the above is merely an example, and the information input terminal 200 may accept an evaluation by the user in any manner.

[0194] The first toilet information INF11 includes a display switch button DB11 for displaying only toilet information for the south side men's toilet on the third floor, and a map display button IC11 for displaying map information including the south side men's toilet on the third floor. For example, when the user selects the display switch button DB11, the information input terminal 200 displays only toilet information for the south side men's toilet on the third floor, which will be described in Fig. 8. Also, when the user selects the map display button IC11, the information input terminal 200 displays a floor map including the south side men's toilet on the third floor.

[0195] The first toilet information INF12 includes congestion information CG12 indicating the congestion state of the men's toilet among the north toilets on the 3rd floor of the facility FC1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "north men's toilet on the 3rd floor"), and equipment information PG12 indicating the equipment of the north men's toilet on the 3rd floor. Note that, regarding the first toilet information INF12, explanations of the same points as those of the first toilet information INF11 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0196] In Fig. 7, the congestion information CG12 indicates that the north men's restroom on the third floor is crowded. Also, in Fig. 7, the facility information PG12 includes a pictogram corresponding to a baby seat 41 and a pictogram corresponding to a diaper changing table 42. In other words, the facility information PG12 indicates that the baby seat 41 and the diaper changing table 42 are installed in the north men's restroom on the third floor.

[0197] In addition, the first toilet information INF12 includes an event occurrence notification button RB12 for requesting cleaning of the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor, and a toilet evaluation button EB12 for evaluating the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor. For example, when the user selects the toilet evaluation button EB12, the information input terminal 200 displays information for the user to evaluate the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor.

[0198] For example, when the user selects the event occurrence notification button RB12, the information input terminal 200 obtains location information indicating that the location where the event occurred is the men's restroom on the north side of the third floor corresponding to the event occurrence notification button RB12, i.e., the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the toilet room 26 of facility FC1.

[0199] Then, in response to the selection of the event occurrence notification button RB12, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content, which is a second content for requesting the user to deal with an event such as cleaning, troubleshooting, and replenishing items in the north men's restroom on the third floor. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content such as the content CT1 shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the location display information of the notification content is information indicating that the location is the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 26 of the facility FC1, such as "north men's restroom on the third floor". The information input terminal 200 acquires event information of an event that has occurred in the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 26 of the facility FC1, based on the user's input to the displayed notification content. Note that the input to the notification content and the transmission of information to the cloud server 100 are the same as those described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0200] The first toilet information INF12 includes a display switch button DB12 for displaying only toilet information for the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor, and a map display button IC12 for displaying map information including the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor. For example, when the user selects the display switch button DB12, the information input terminal 200 displays only toilet information for the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor. Also, when the user selects the map display button IC12, the information input terminal 200 displays a floor map including the north side men's toilet on the 3rd floor.

[0201] The first toilet information INF13 includes congestion information CG13 indicating the congestion state of the men's toilet among the toilets on the south side of the second floor of the facility FC1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "south side men's toilet on the second floor"), and equipment information PG13 indicating the equipment of the south side men's toilet on the second floor. Note that, regarding the first toilet information INF13, explanations of points similar to those of the first toilet information INF11 and INF12 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0202] In Fig. 7, the congestion information CG13 indicates that the men's restroom on the south side on the second floor is slightly crowded. Also, in Fig. 7, the facility information PG13 includes a pictogram corresponding to a baby seat 41. That is, the facility information PG13 indicates that a baby seat 41 is installed in the men's restroom on the south side on the second floor.

[0203] In addition, the first toilet information INF13 includes an event occurrence notification button RB13 for requesting cleaning of the south side men's toilet on the second floor, and a toilet evaluation button EB13 for evaluating the south side men's toilet on the second floor. For example, when the user selects the toilet evaluation button EB13, the information input terminal 200 displays information for the user to evaluate the south side men's toilet on the second floor.

[0204] For example, when the user selects the event occurrence notification button RB13, the information input terminal 200 obtains location information indicating that the location where the event occurred is the men's restroom on the south side of the second floor corresponding to the event occurrence notification button RB13, i.e., the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the toilet room 23 of facility FC1.

[0205] Then, in response to the selection of the event occurrence notification button RB13, the information input terminal 200 displays the notification content, which is the second content for requesting the user to deal with the event such as cleaning, troubleshooting, and replenishing items in the north men's restroom on the third floor. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays the notification content such as the content CT1 shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the location display information of the notification content is information indicating that the location is the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 23 of the facility FC1, such as "south men's restroom on the second floor". The information input terminal 200 acquires event information of the event that occurred in the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 23 of the facility FC1 by the user's input to the displayed notification content. Note that the input to the notification content and the transmission of information to the cloud server 100 are the same as those described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0206] The first toilet information INF13 includes a display switch button DB13 for displaying only toilet information for the south side men's toilet on the second floor, and a map display button IC13 for displaying map information including the south side men's toilet on the second floor. For example, when the user selects the display switch button DB13, the information input terminal 200 displays only toilet information for the south side men's toilet on the second floor. Also, when the user selects the map display button IC13, the information input terminal 200 displays a floor map including the south side men's toilet on the second floor.

[0207] 7, for example, when the user selects tab TU2 by touching (contacting) the area where tab TU2 is displayed on the information input terminal 200, the information input terminal 200 displays content in a list display mode that displays a list of toilet information corresponding to the selected tab TU2, i.e., the attribute "female." For example, the content in a list display mode that displays a list of toilet information corresponding to the attribute female is a female toilet list content in which toilet information regarding a plurality of female toilets is displayed in a list display mode.

[0208] Furthermore, when the user selects tab TU1 while the women's restroom list content is displayed, the information input terminal 200 displays the men's restroom list content (content CT11, etc.) corresponding to the selected tab TU1, i.e., the attribute "male." In this way, the information input terminal 200 switches and displays the content in the list display mode corresponding to each attribute according to the user's selection of tab TU.

[0209] 7, when the user selects tab TU3, the information input terminal 200 displays content in a list display mode that displays a list of toilet information corresponding to the selected tab TU3, i.e., the attribute "barrier-free person." For example, the content in a list display mode that displays a list of toilet information whose attribute corresponds to barrier-free person is a barrier-free toilet list content in which toilet information about a plurality of barrier-free toilets is displayed in a list display mode.

[0210] Furthermore, when the user selects tab TU1 while the barrier-free toilet list content is displayed, the information input terminal 200 displays the men's toilet list content (content CT11, etc.) corresponding to the selected tab TU1, i.e., the attribute "male." In this way, the information input terminal 200 switches and displays content in a list display mode corresponding to each attribute according to the user's selection of tab TU.

[0211] In addition, in the women's restroom list content and the barrier-free restroom list content, when the incident notification button RB is selected, contact content for requesting cleaning of the corresponding toilet space 3 is displayed, just like in the men's restroom list content, so explanation will be omitted.

[0212] <1-5-2. Example of transition from facility information display> For example, the content CT1 may transition from the display of content showing facility information. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of facility information. For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an individual display mode that displays toilet room information of a specific toilet room whose attribute corresponds to male. Note that the description of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0213] First, an individual display mode for displaying toilet information of a specific toilet whose attribute corresponds to male will be described with reference to FIG.

[0214] The information input terminal 200 in Fig. 8 shows a state in which content CT13 in an individual display mode that displays only toilet room information of a specific toilet room whose attribute corresponds to male, in response to a user's operation, is displayed on the display unit 213. For example, the content CT13 is a specific male toilet information content in which toilet room information about one toilet space 3 (male toilet) corresponding to the attribute "male" is displayed in an individual display mode.

[0215] For example, when a user selects a display switching button DB11 in the content CT11 shown in Fig. 7, the information input terminal 200 displays the content CT13 including only the restroom information about the south side men's restroom on the third floor as shown in Fig. 8. The content CT13 includes an area AR12 that displays information corresponding to the tab TU1 selected from the tabs TU1 to TU3. Also, Fig. 8 shows as an example a case where the content CT13 includes a survey response button BT1 for the user to respond to a survey, but the content CT13 does not have to include the survey response button BT1. The information input terminal 200 in Fig. 8 shows a state in which three tabs TU are displayed and the tab TU1 is selected.

[0216] Thus, in the information input terminal 200 in Fig. 8, the tab TU1 is in a selected state, and toilet information (also referred to as "second toilet information") that details at least a part of the first toilet information for a specific toilet 2 is displayed in the area AR12 of the content CT13. In Fig. 8, only the second toilet information for the men's toilet on the south side on the third floor is displayed in the area AR12 of the content CT13.

[0217] As shown in Fig. 8, the second toilet information for a specific toilet room 2 corresponding to the attribute "male" includes information on a toilet space 3 (men's toilet) corresponding to the attribute "male" included in the specific toilet room 2. In Fig. 8, the information input terminal 200 displays, in an area AR12 of content CT13, second toilet information SNF11 of a men's toilet (men's toilet on the south side of the third floor) among the toilets on the south side of the third floor of facility FC1. Hereinafter, when the second toilet information such as second toilet information SNF11, SNF12 is described without distinction, it may be described as "second toilet information SNF".

[0218] The second toilet information SNF11 includes congestion information CR11 indicating the congestion state of the men's toilet (the men's toilet on the south side of the third floor) among the toilets on the south side of the third floor of the facility FC1, and equipment information PG15 indicating the equipment of the men's toilet on the south side of the third floor.

[0219] In FIG. 8, the congestion information CR11 indicates that the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor is vacant. In FIG. 8, the congestion information CR11 includes information indicating in a sentence, such as "this restroom is vacant," that the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor is vacant. In this way, the second restroom information SNF11 includes more detailed information on the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor in the first restroom information INF11. This allows the user to clearly understand that the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor is vacant.

[0220] 8, the facility information PG15 includes a pictogram corresponding to a baby seat 41 and a pictogram corresponding to a diaper changing table 42. That is, the facility information PG15 indicates that the baby seat 41 and the diaper changing table 42 are installed in the men's restroom on the south side on the third floor.

[0221] The second toilet room information SNF11 also includes image information IG15 showing the status of the south side men's toilet on the third floor. In FIG. 8, the second toilet room information SNF11 includes image information IG15 showing a specific image of the status inside the south side men's toilet on the third floor. In this way, the second toilet room information SNF11 includes more detailed information than the information on the south side men's toilet on the third floor in the first toilet room information INF11. This allows the user to grasp the status of the south side men's toilet on the third floor in more detail.

[0222] In addition, in the second toilet information SNF11, the event occurrence notification button RB15 for requesting cleaning of the south side men's toilet on the 3rd floor includes a toilet evaluation button EB15 for evaluating the south side men's toilet on the 3rd floor. For example, when the user selects the toilet evaluation button EB15, the information input terminal 200 displays information for the user to evaluate the south side men's toilet on the 3rd floor.

[0223] For example, when the user selects the event occurrence notification button RB15 included in content CT13, which is an example of the first content, the information input terminal 200 obtains location information indicating that the location where the event occurred is the men's restroom on the south side of the third floor corresponding to the event occurrence notification button RB15, i.e., the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the toilet room 25 of facility FC1.

[0224] Then, in response to the selection of the event occurrence notification button RB15, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content, which is a second content for requesting the user to deal with an event such as cleaning, troubleshooting, and replenishing items in the south-side men's restroom on the third floor. For example, the information input terminal 200 displays a notification content such as the content CT1 shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the location display information of the notification content is information indicating that the location is the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 25 of the facility FC1, such as "the men's restroom on the south side of the third floor". The information input terminal 200 acquires event information of an event that has occurred in the men's restroom (toilet space 3) in the restroom room 25 of the facility FC1, based on the user's input to the displayed notification content. Note that the input to the notification content and the transmission of information to the cloud server 100 are the same as those described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0225] The second toilet information SNF11 also includes a map display button IC15 for displaying map information including the south side men's toilet on the third floor. When the user selects the map display button IC15, the information input terminal 200 displays a floor map including the south side men's toilet on the third floor, in the same way as when the map display button IC11 is selected.

[0226] 8, for example, when the user selects a back process by touching (contacting) the area in the upper left corner of the information input terminal 200 where "Back" is displayed, the information input terminal 200 switches the display from the content CT13 to the content CT11. In this way, the information input terminal 200 can switch the display from the individual display mode to the list display mode in response to the user's operation.

[0227] In Fig. 8, for example, when the user selects the tab TU2, the information input terminal 200 displays the second toilet room information SNF of the selected tab TU2, i.e., the toilet space 3 (the south-side women's toilet on the third floor) corresponding to the attribute "women" among the south-side toilets on the third floor of the facility FC1. Note that, if the toilet space 3 corresponding to the attribute "women" is not included in the south-side toilets on the third floor of the facility FC1, the tab TU2 may not be selectable in Fig. 8.

[0228] In Fig. 8, for example, when the user selects the tab TU3, the information input terminal 200 displays the second toilet room information SNF of the selected tab TU3, i.e., the toilet space 3 (the south-side barrier-free toilet on the third floor) corresponding to the attribute "barrier-free person" among the south-side toilets on the third floor of the facility FC1. Note that, if the toilet space 3 corresponding to the attribute "barrier-free person" is not included in the south-side toilets on the third floor of the facility FC1, the tab TU3 may not be selectable in Fig. 8.

[0229] In addition, in the specific women's restroom information content and the specific barrier-free restroom information content, when the incident notification button RB is selected, contact content for requesting cleaning of the corresponding toilet space 3 is displayed, just like in the specific men's restroom information content, so explanation will be omitted.

[0230] <1-6. Processing flow> From here, the processing flow of the information provision processing will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the processing executed by the restroom management system.

[0231] The restroom management system 1 reads the code with a smartphone (step S101). For example, in the restroom management system 1, a user operates an information input terminal 200 such as a smartphone, and the information input terminal 200 executes a reading process to read a code such as a QR code.

[0232] The restroom management system 1 displays the restroom information page (step S102). For example, in the restroom management system 1, the information input terminal 200 requests the cloud server 100 to provide information in response to the reading process, and displays the restroom information page received from the cloud server 100.

[0233] The restroom management system 1 selects a target toilet space (step S103). For example, in the restroom management system 1, a user operates the information input terminal 200 to select a target toilet space 3, and the information input terminal 200 acquires information indicating the selection of the target toilet space 3.

[0234] The restroom management system 1 selects the request content (step S104). For example, in the restroom management system 1, the user operates the information input terminal 200 to select the request content corresponding to the event that has occurred, and the information input terminal 200 acquires information indicating the request content selected by the user.

[0235] The restroom management system 1 executes a transmission process (step S105). For example, in the restroom management system 1, the information input terminal 200 transmits information indicating the request content to the cloud server 100.

[0236] The restroom management system 1 notifies the management terminal 300 (step S106). For example, in the restroom management system 1, the cloud server 100, which has received information indicating the request contents from the information input terminal 200, notifies the management terminal 300 of the information indicating the request contents. The restroom management system 1 may vary the notification destination depending on the contents of the event. For example, the restroom management system 1 may notify the facility manager when the request contents are a request for dealing with a malfunction, and may notify a cleaner when the request contents are a request for dealing with stains or missing items. In this case, for example, when the request contents are a request for dealing with a malfunction, the cloud server 100 transmits information indicating the request contents to the management terminal 300 used by the facility manager. When the request contents are a request for dealing with stains or missing items, the cloud server 100 transmits information indicating the request contents to the management terminal 300 used by the cleaner.

[0237] <2. Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the administrator is notified of the occurrence of an event in response to a communication from a user regarding the occurrence of the event, but the restroom management system may also determine whether or not an event has occurred. The system configuration, processing, etc. of an example of the restroom management system 1A when determining whether or not an event has occurred will be described below.

[0238] <2-1. Example of a toilet management system> Prior to describing the processing executed in the restroom management system 1A according to the second embodiment, an example of the configuration of the restroom management system 1A will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the restroom management system according to the second embodiment. Note that, in the restroom management system 1A according to the second embodiment, descriptions of the same points as those in the restroom management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0239] For example, the restroom management system 1A according to the second embodiment corresponds to a system in which the functionality of an urgency determination unit is added to the restroom management system 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that, while Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the cloud server 100A has the functionality of the urgency determination unit, the functionality of the urgency determination unit is not limited to the cloud server 100A, and may be provided by any device included in the restroom management system 1A, such as the management terminal 300 or the information input terminal 200.

[0240] The cloud server 100A acquires a detection result regarding the usage status of the fixtures arranged in the toilet. The cloud server 100A receives the detection result regarding the usage status of the fixtures arranged in the toilet from the detection unit 11. The cloud server 100A determines whether or not an event corresponding to the request information has occurred based on the request information and the detection result by the detection unit.

[0241] Cloud server 100A notifies the management terminal 300 of the determination result. Cloud server 100A transmits the determination result to management terminal 300. Cloud server 100A determines the urgency of the occurrence of the event based on the request information and the detection result by the detection unit.

[0242] <2-2. Cloud server functional configuration> Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the cloud server according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cloud server according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the cloud server 100A has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120A, and a control unit 130A. Note that, in the cloud server 100A according to the second embodiment, the description of the same points as those of the cloud server 100 according to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0243] The storage unit 120A is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 120A is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by various information processing programs such as a determination program.

[0244] The storage unit 120A according to the first embodiment stores toilet room information related to each of the toilet rooms 2. As shown in Fig. 11, the storage unit 120A has a toilet room information storage unit 121, a collected information storage unit 122, and an information for determination storage unit 123. Note that the storage unit 120A stores various information necessary for processing, not limited to the toilet room information storage unit 121, the collected information storage unit 122, and the information for determination storage unit 123.

[0245] The information-for-determination storage unit 123 stores various pieces of information used for determination. The information-for-determination storage unit 123 stores information used for determining the presence or absence of an event occurrence. The information-for-determination storage unit 123 stores information used for determining the degree of urgency.

[0246] For example, the information for determination storage unit 123 stores information used to determine the degree of urgency according to a combination of whether or not a user has contacted the user and whether or not an appliance has been used. For example, the information for determination storage unit 123 stores information indicating the degree of urgency according to a combination of whether or not a user has contacted the user and whether or not an appliance has been used, as shown in a determination table MT1 in Fig. 12. Note that the above is merely an example, and the information for determination storage unit 123 stores various collected information.

[0247] Returning to Fig. 11, the description will be continued. The control unit 130A is realized by, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or the like executing a program (for example, various information processing programs of the determination program according to the present disclosure) stored in the cloud server 100A using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 130A is also realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0248] 11, the control unit 130A has an acquisition unit 131, an estimation unit 132, a processing unit 133, a transmission unit 134, and a determination unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130A is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

[0249] The acquisition unit 131 acquires detection results relating to the usage status of the fixtures arranged in the toilet. The acquisition unit 131 receives detection results relating to the usage status of the fixtures arranged in the toilet from the detection unit 11.

[0250] The transmission unit 134 notifies the result of the determination made by the determination unit 135. The transmission unit 134 transmits the result of the determination made by the determination unit 135 to the management terminal 300.

[0251] Determination unit 135 functions as an urgency determination unit. As described above, when a device other than cloud server 100A has the function of an urgency determination unit, cloud server 100A may have the determination unit.

[0252] The determination unit 135 determines whether or not an event corresponding to the request information has occurred based on the request information and the detection result by the detection unit. The determination unit 135 determines the urgency of the occurrence of the event based on the request information and the detection result by the detection unit.

[0253] The determination unit 135 determines the urgency to be higher when the request information is acquired and the appliance corresponding to the request information is not being used than when the request information is acquired and the appliance corresponding to the request information is being used. When a certain appliance has not been used for a predetermined period of time, the determination unit 135 determines that an event requiring a response to the certain appliance has occurred even if the request information corresponding to the certain appliance has not been acquired, and determines the urgency to be lower than when the request information corresponding to the certain appliance is acquired and the certain appliance is not being used.

[0254] Note that "the fixture is not being used" here may refer to various situations. For example, "the fixture is not being used" may mean that the seat occupancy sensor of the toilet seat has not been used (has not detected) for a certain period of time. "The fixture is not being used" may mean that the utilization rate is low compared to past usage. "The fixture is not being used" may mean that the utilization rate is low compared to the utilization rate of other objects of the same type. For example, if the fixture is a toilet bowl 10, "the fixture is not being used" may mean that the utilization rate of the toilet booth TB in which the toilet bowl 10 is placed is low compared to the utilization rate of other toilet booths TB.

[0255] The determination unit 135 determines whether the appliance is not being used by using various information acquired from the gateway device 50, etc. As described above, the determination unit 135 determines that the appliance is not being used when the seat sensor of the toilet seat has not been used for a certain period of time, the usage rate is low compared to past usage, the usage rate is low compared to the usage rate of other objects of the same type, etc. When the determination unit 135 does not determine that the appliance is not being used as described above, it may determine that the appliance is being used. For example, the determination unit 135 may determine that the appliance is being used when the seat sensor of the toilet seat is ON.

[0256] <2-3. Examples of urgency determination> Here, an example of urgency determination will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of urgency determination. Note that the determination table MT1 shown in Fig. 12 is merely an example, and the cloud server 100A may determine the urgency by appropriately using various information.

[0257] The judgment table MT1 shown in Fig. 12 is a list of urgency levels according to a combination of whether or not a user has contacted the user and whether or not the equipment has been used. The items "User Contacted" and "No User Contacted" correspond to whether or not a user of the toilet has contacted the user about the occurrence of an event. For example, the items "User Contacted" and "No User Contacted" correspond to whether or not cloud server 100A has received location information and event information from information input terminal 200.

[0258] The items "fixture used" and "fixture not used" correspond to whether or not a toilet user has used the fixture. For example, the items "fixture used" and "fixture not used" correspond to whether or not a toilet fixture has been used during a specified period.

[0259] In the judgment table MT1, if there is a user contact and no equipment use, the urgency level is high, and if there is a user contact and equipment use, the urgency level is low. In the judgment table MT1, if there is no user contact and no equipment use, the urgency level is medium, and if there is no user contact and equipment use, the urgency level is "-" (none), meaning no event has occurred.

[0260] In Fig. 12, cloud server 100A judges the urgency using judgment table MT1. For example, when there is a user contact and no tool use, cloud server 100A judges the urgency of the response to the event to be high. For example, when there is a user contact and tool use, cloud server 100A judges the urgency of the response to the event to be low. For example, when there is no user contact and no tool use, cloud server 100A judges the urgency of the response to the event to be medium. For example, when there is no user contact and tool use, cloud server 100A judges the urgency of the response to the event to be none, i.e., the event has not occurred.

[0261] <2-4. Processing flow> From here, the processing flow of the information provision processing will be explained using Figures 13 and 14. Figures 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure executed by the restroom management system. Note that explanations of points similar to those explained in Figure 8 etc. will be omitted as appropriate. For example, in the processing in the restroom management system 1A shown below, the notification destination may be changed depending on the content of the event, but explanations of this point will be omitted as it is similar to the processing in the restroom management system 1.

[0262] First, a description will be given of a processing example shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows a processing example when a response to an event is requested by a user.

[0263] The restroom management system 1A reads the code with a smartphone (step S201). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, a user operates an information input terminal 200 such as a smartphone, and the information input terminal 200 executes a reading process to read a code such as a QR code.

[0264] The restroom management system 1A displays a restroom information page (step S202). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the information input terminal 200 requests the cloud server 100A to provide information in response to the reading process, and displays the restroom information page received from the cloud server 100A.

[0265] The restroom management system 1A selects a target toilet space (step S203). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, a user operates the information input terminal 200 to select a target toilet space 3, and the information input terminal 200 acquires information indicating the selection of the target toilet space 3.

[0266] The restroom management system 1A selects the request content (step S204). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the user operates the information input terminal 200 to select the request content corresponding to the event that has occurred, and the information input terminal 200 acquires information indicating the request content selected by the user.

[0267] The restroom management system 1A executes a transmission process (step S205). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the information input terminal 200 transmits information indicating the request content to the cloud server 100A.

[0268] The restroom management system 1A determines whether the fixture is being used (step S206). For example, the restroom management system 1A uses information collected by the cloud server 100A to determine whether the fixture that is the subject of the event has not been used continuously for a predetermined period of time prior to the time when the information indicating the request content was received. For example, the restroom management system 1A determines that the fixture that is the subject of the event is being used if it is used within 10 minutes from the time when the information indicating the request content was received. Note that 10 minutes is merely an example, and any time period can be set.

[0269] When the restroom management system 1A determines that the fixture is being used (step S206: Yes), it determines that the urgency is low (step S207). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, when the cloud server 100A determines that the fixture that is the subject of the event occurrence is being used, it determines that an event has occurred but that the urgency of responding to the event is low.

[0270] The restroom management system 1A notifies the management terminal 300 (step S208). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cloud server 100A that receives information indicating the request content from the information input terminal 200 notifies the management terminal 300 of the information indicating the request content and information indicating the urgency.

[0271] In the restroom management system 1A, a cleaner checks during a regular visit (step S209). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, since the urgency is low, a cleaner checks the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content during a regular visit.

[0272] The restroom management system 1A executes a response (step S210). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, a cleaner on a regular patrol responds to the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content.

[0273] The restroom management system 1A inputs the response details to the management terminal 300 (step S211). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cleaner who responded to the incident or the manager who received the report from the cleaner operates the management terminal 300 to input the response details to the management terminal 300.

[0274] The restroom management system 1A accumulates the response history in the cloud (step S212). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the management terminal 300 that receives the input of the response content transmits information indicating the response content to the cloud server 100A, and the cloud server 100A registers the information indicating the response content received in the storage unit 120.

[0275] When the restroom management system 1A determines that the fixture is not being used (step S206: No), it determines that the urgency is high (step S213). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, when the cloud server 100A determines that the fixture that is the subject of the event occurrence is not being used, it determines that an event has occurred and that the urgency of responding to the event is high.

[0276] The restroom management system 1A notifies the management terminal 300 (step S214). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cloud server 100A that receives information indicating the request content from the information input terminal 200 notifies the management terminal 300 of the information indicating the request content and information indicating the urgency.

[0277] In the restroom management system 1A, a cleaner immediately checks the site (step S215). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, since the urgency is high, a cleaner immediately goes to the site to check the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content.

[0278] The restroom management system 1A executes a response (step S216). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, a cleaner on regular patrol responds to the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content.

[0279] The restroom management system 1A inputs the response details to the management terminal 300 (step S217). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cleaner who responded to the incident or the manager who received the report from the cleaner operates the management terminal 300 to input the response details to the management terminal 300.

[0280] The restroom management system 1A accumulates the response history in the cloud (step S218). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the management terminal 300 that has received the input of the response content transmits information indicating the response content to the cloud server 100A, and the cloud server 100A registers the information indicating the response content received in the storage unit 120.

[0281] The processing example shown in Fig. 13 shows a processing example when a user requests a response to an event, but the restroom management system 1A may execute the processing regardless of whether or not a user requests a response to an event. An example of the processing in this case will be described using Fig. 14. Note that the same points as those described in Fig. 13 etc. will not be described as appropriate.

[0282] The restroom management system 1A checks the usage status of the fixture (step S301). For example, the restroom management system 1A uses information collected by the cloud server 100A to check the usage status of the fixture that is the subject of the event occurrence.

[0283] The restroom management system 1A determines whether the fixture is being used (step S302). For example, the restroom management system 1A uses information collected by the cloud server 100A to determine whether the fixture that is the subject of the event has not been used continuously for a predetermined period of time before the time when the information indicating the request content is received.

[0284] When the restroom management system 1A determines that the fixture is being used (step S302: Yes), it determines whether there has been a contact from the user (step S303). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, when the cloud server 100A determines that the fixture that is the subject of an event occurrence is being used, it determines whether the process of step S205 shown in Fig. 13 has been performed for the occurrence of the event, that is, whether request information requesting a response from the user has been received.

[0285] If there is no contact from the user (step S303: No), the restroom management system 1A returns to step S301 and repeats the process. For example, in the restroom management system 1A, if the appliance in which the cloud server 100A is the subject of an event is being used and there is no contact from the user about the event, it determines that there is a high possibility that the event has not occurred, and returns to step S301 and repeats the process without notifying the management terminal 300, etc.

[0286] On the other hand, if there is a contact from the user (step S303: Yes), the restroom management system 1A determines that the urgency is low (step S304). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, when the cloud server 100A is using an appliance that is the subject of an event, and there is a contact from the user about the event, the system determines that an event has occurred but that the urgency of responding to the event is low.

[0287] The restroom management system 1A notifies the management terminal 300 (step S305). The restroom management system 1A is checked by a cleaner during regular rounds (step S306). The restroom management system 1A takes action (step S307). The restroom management system 1A inputs the action details to the management terminal 300 (step S308). The restroom management system 1A accumulates the action history in the cloud (step S309).

[0288] When the restroom management system 1A determines that the fixture is not being used (step S302: No), it determines whether or not there has been a contact from the user (step S310). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, when the cloud server 100A determines that the fixture that is the subject of the event occurrence is not being used, it determines whether or not the process of step S205 shown in Fig. 13 has been performed for the occurrence of the event, that is, whether or not the user has received request information requesting a response.

[0289] If there is a contact from a user (step S310: Yes), the restroom management system 1A determines that the urgency is high (step S311). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, if the appliance in which the cloud server 100A is the subject of an event is not being used and there is a contact from a user about the event, the system determines that an event has occurred and that the urgency of responding to the event is high.

[0290] The restroom management system 1A notifies the management terminal 300 (step S312). The restroom management system 1A has a cleaner immediately check the site (step S313). The restroom management system 1A takes action (step S314). The restroom management system 1A inputs the action details to the management terminal 300 (step S315). The restroom management system 1A accumulates the action history in the cloud (step S316).

[0291] If there is no contact from the user (step S310: No), the restroom management system 1A determines that the urgency is medium (step S317). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, if the appliance in which the cloud server 100A is the subject of an event is not being used and there is no contact from the user about the event, the system determines that an event has occurred and that the urgency of responding to the event is medium.

[0292] The restroom management system 1A notifies the management terminal 300 (step S318). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cloud server 100A that receives information indicating the request content from the information input terminal 200 notifies the management terminal 300 of the information indicating the request content and information indicating the urgency.

[0293] The restroom management system 1A sends a cleaning staff member to the site to check if possible (step S319). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, since the urgency is medium, the cleaning staff member goes to the site to check if possible about the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content.

[0294] The restroom management system 1A executes a response (step S320). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, a cleaner on a regular patrol responds to the event corresponding to the information indicating the request content.

[0295] The restroom management system 1A inputs the response details to the management terminal 300 (step S321). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the cleaner who responded to the incident or the manager who received the report from the cleaner operates the management terminal 300 to input the response details to the management terminal 300.

[0296] The restroom management system 1A accumulates the response history in the cloud (step S322). For example, in the restroom management system 1A, the management terminal 300 that receives the input of the response content transmits information indicating the response content to the cloud server 100A, and the cloud server 100A registers the information indicating the response content received in the storage unit 120.

[0297] <3. Other examples> The above-mentioned process is merely an example, and the restroom management systems 1 and 1A may perform various processes other than those described above. An example of this point will be described below with the restroom management system 1 acting as the processing subject. Note that the process described below may be performed by the restroom management system 1A.

[0298] For example, in the above example, the case where event information is acquired after location information is acquired has been described as an example, but the timing of acquiring location information and event information may be any timing. For example, the restroom management system 1 may acquire location information after acquiring event information. In this case, the restroom management system 1 may display content for receiving input of event information such as contact content in response to a user request, and after acquiring the event information, display content (location designation content) that requests the user to specify a location, and accept the location designation from the user.

[0299] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0300] The above-described embodiments and modifications may have the following configurations, but are not limited to these. (1) an information input terminal that acquires event information indicating an event that requires a response from a restroom manager, and acquires location information indicating a location where the event occurred at a timing different from that of acquisition of the event information; having The information input terminal transmits the event information to an information processing device used for managing the toilet by linking the event information to the location information. A toilet management system. (2) The information input terminal acquires the location information through a user's input to a displayed first content, and acquires the event information through the user's input to a second content that is displayed after acquiring the location information. The toilet management system according to (1) above. (3) The information input terminal obtains the location information by the user's input to the first content including information about the toilet requested by the user. The toilet management system according to (2) above. (4) The information input terminal acquires the location information by the user's input to the first content including at least one of congestion information and facility information regarding the toilet. The toilet management system according to (2) or (3), characterized in that (5) The information input terminal acquires the location information in response to a user's operation, and acquires the event information by the user's input to content to be displayed after acquiring the location information. The toilet management system according to any one of (1) to (4) above. (6) The information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a code in response to an operation by the user. The toilet management system according to (5) above. (7) The information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a QR code (registered trademark) in response to an operation by the user. The toilet management system according to (6) above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0301] 1. Toilet management system 2 Toilet room 3. Toilet space 10 Toilet bowl 20 Urinal 30 wash basin 50 Gateway Device 100 Cloud Servers 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Toilet room information storage unit 122 Collected information storage unit 130 Control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Estimation Department 133 Processing section 134 Transmission unit (output unit) 200 Information input terminal 211 Communications Department 212 Input section 213 Display section 214 Storage section 215 Control Unit 251 Acquisition Department 252 Reception 253 Display control section 254 Transmitter 216 Audio output section 300 Management terminal CS shared space TB Toilet Booth

Claims

1. an information input terminal that acquires event information indicating an event that requires a response from a restroom manager, and acquires location information indicating a location where the event occurred at a timing different from that of acquisition of the event information; having The information input terminal transmits the event information to an information processing device used for managing the toilet by linking the event information to the location information. A toilet management system.

2. The information input terminal acquires the location information through a user's input to a displayed first content, and acquires the event information through the user's input to a second content that is displayed after acquiring the location information. The toilet management system according to claim 1 .

3. The information input terminal obtains the location information by the user's input to the first content including information about the toilet requested by the user. The toilet management system according to claim 2 .

4. The information input terminal acquires the location information by the user's input to the first content including at least one of congestion information and facility information regarding the toilet. The toilet management system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The information input terminal acquires the location information in response to a user's operation, and acquires the event information by the user's input to content to be displayed after acquiring the location information. The toilet management system according to claim 1 .

6. The information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a code in response to an operation by the user. The toilet management system according to claim 5 .

7. The information input terminal acquires the location information by reading a QR code (registered trademark) in response to an operation by the user. The toilet management system according to claim 6 .

Images