Service support system, and service support method

Abstract

To provide a service support system capable of supporting a service provider and the like at a facility.SOLUTION: A service support system 10 includes: an acquisition unit 34 that acquires information regarding at least one of the usage status of equipment 51 installed in a facility 60 and the status of the people in the facility 60; and an output unit 35 that outputs a piece of service support information supporting a service provided by a robot in the facility 60 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a service support system and a service support method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various services such as cleaning services and equipment patrol services have been provided in facilities such as buildings. As a technology related to such services, Patent Document 1 discloses a building maintenance management method capable of increasing customer satisfaction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-163346 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a service support system and a service support method capable of supporting service providers in facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A service support system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding at least one of the usage status of equipment installed within a facility and the status of people within the facility, and an output unit that outputs service support information that supports services provided by a robot in the facility based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0006] A service support method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding at least one of the usage status of equipment installed in a facility and the status of people in the facility, and an output step of outputting service support information that supports services provided by a robot in the facility based on the information acquired in the acquisition step.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the service support method. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The service support system and the service support method of the present invention can support service providers in facilities. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a service support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first operation example of the service support system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a compilation of the situations of people in a facility (an example of compilation data). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen for supporting a cleaning service. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second operation example of the service support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the cumulative number of users and priority order for a number of toilets during a specific time period. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen for supporting a cleaning service. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a third operation example of the service support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third example of a display screen for supporting a cleaning service. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a display screen for supporting a cleaning service. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a fourth operation example of the service support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of accumulated operating times of a plurality of pieces of equipment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen for supporting a facility patrol monitoring service. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a fifth operation example of the service support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen for supporting the facility patrol monitoring service. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for supporting a plurality of types of services. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an external view of the robot providing the service. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the service support system according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the service support system according to the embodiment.

[0013] 1, the service support system 100 includes a plurality of management devices 10, an integrated management device 20, a server device 30, and an information terminal 40. The service support system 100 is a system for supporting a provider (service provider) of a service provided in a facility 60. The facility 60 is, for example, an office building, a factory, an entertainment facility such as a shopping mall, a hospital, and a nursing home. The services are provided manually, such as cleaning service within the facility 60, patrol service within the facility 60, and monitoring service of the operation status in a central control room for air conditioning, but may also be provided by a robot as described below.

[0014] In the service support system 100, a facility 60 includes a plurality of areas 61. A management device 10 is installed in each of the plurality of areas 61. The management device 10 is a computer device that stores, as management information, the status of the equipment installed in the area 61 in which the management device 10 is installed and the status of people in the area. The management device 10 is communicatively connected to devices such as equipment 51, a sensor 53, a camera 54, and an LPS (Local Positioning System) 55 via a local communication network. The management information is information measured by these devices and is updated periodically.

[0015] The status of the equipment is, for example, the operation status of the equipment 51 (operating or stopped, etc.), the number of years of use of the equipment 51, and the accumulated operation time of the equipment 51. Examples of the equipment 51 include lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, and equipment for manufacturing goods. The status of a person is, for example, the status of the presence or absence of a person, and is identified by the sensing result of the sensor 53 and the video (moving image) captured by the camera 54. In addition, in the case where a person located in the facility 60 carries a beacon transmitter, the status of the presence or absence of a person can also be identified by an LPS (Local Positioning System) 55 that identifies the position of the person based on the beacon signal.

[0016] When the facility 60 is a single building, each of the multiple areas 61 corresponds to, for example, a floor of the facility 60, but the multiple areas 61 may be multiple different locations on a single floor. When the facility 60 is made up of multiple buildings, each of the multiple areas 61 may correspond to a building of the facility 60.

[0017] The integrated management device 20 is a computer device that acquires management information from each of the multiple management devices 10 and stores integrated management information that integrates the acquired multiple pieces of management information. In other words, the integrated management device 20 stores the status of the equipment installed in the facility 60 and the status of people in the facility 60 as integrated management information. The integrated management information is updated periodically.

[0018] The server device 30 is a cloud server installed outside the facility 60. The server device 30 specifically includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and an information processing unit 33.

[0019] The communication unit 31 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the server device 30 to communicate with the integrated management device 20 and the information terminal 40 via the wide area communication network 70. Specifically, the communication unit 31 receives integrated management information from the integrated management device 20. The communication unit 31 also transmits information on demand for services provided to the facility 60 (hereinafter also referred to as service support information) obtained by information processing by the information processing unit 33 to the information terminal 40. The communication unit 31 is, for example, a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication, but may also be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 31.

[0020] The storage unit 32 is a storage device that stores the integrated management information received by the communication unit 31. The storage unit 32 also stores computer programs executed by the information processing unit 33. The storage unit 32 is realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory.

[0021] The information processing unit 33 performs information processing for supporting a service provider (service provider). Specifically, the information processing unit 33 has an acquisition unit 34 that acquires integrated management information from the storage unit 32, and an output unit 35 that generates and outputs service support information based on the acquired integrated management information. The information processing unit 33 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0022] The information terminal 40 is an information terminal used by a service provider to receive support. The information terminal 40 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may also be a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer.

[0023] Specifically, the information terminal 40 receives service support information from the server device 30 via the wide area communication network 70, and displays a display screen (image) based on the received service support information. The display screen is displayed on a display unit 41 provided in the information terminal 40. The display unit 41 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

[0024] [Example 1] Next, a description will be given of an operation example 1 of the service support system 100. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the operation example 1 of the service support system 100. In the operation example 1, the service support system 100 presents an area 61 (location) where a cleaning service should be provided during a certain time period.

[0025] As described above, the storage unit 32 of the server device 30 stores integrated management information that integrates management information indicating the status of equipment and the status of people in each of the multiple areas 61 included in the facility 60. In other words, the server device 30 manages the status of equipment and the status of people in the facility 60 for each area 61. Note that the integrated management information may be information indicating at least one of the status of equipment and the status of people.

[0026] First, the acquisition unit 34 acquires the integrated management information from the storage unit 32 (S11) and tabulates the situation of people in the facility 60 (S12). Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of tabulation of the situation of people in the facility 60 (one example of tabulated data), which is data obtained by averaging past data (e.g., data from the most recent month) of the number of users of multiple toilets in the facility 60 for each day of the week and time period.

[0027] The acquisition unit 34 can identify (estimate) and tally up the number of toilet users based on, for example, the sensing results of the sensor 53 installed in the toilet (in this case, the number of responses of the human sensor installed in the toilet, etc.) included in the integrated management information, the video captured by the camera 54 installed at the entrance / exit of the toilet, and the reception history of the beacon signal of the LPS 55 installed around the toilet. In other words, the acquisition unit 34 acquires information showing the human situation (number of users, etc.) in the facility 60 for each toilet (area 61) and tallys it up.

[0028] Next, the output unit 35 identifies toilets (area 61) and time periods suitable for providing cleaning services based on the aggregated data (S13). For example, the output unit 35 identifies toilets and time periods with fewer users than a predetermined number based on a criterion that time periods with fewer users are suitable for cleaning (toilets with fewer users have a higher demand for cleaning services). If the predetermined number is five people, the toilets and time periods shaded in FIG. 3 are identified.

[0029] Next, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information indicating toilets (areas 61) and time periods suitable for providing cleaning services (S14). The service support information in this case is an example of information regarding the necessity of services provided to the facility 60. The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S15). When the information terminal 40 receives the service support information, it displays a display screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 41 based on the received service support information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen for supporting cleaning services. Note that, in the case where the display screen indicates the necessity of cleaning services for each area 61 (location of toilets) as shown in FIG. 4, the service support information transmitted from the server device 30 to the information terminal 40 can be said to be information regarding the demand for services for each area 61.

[0030] As described above, the service support system 100 can present information regarding the necessity of a service to a service provider via the information terminal 40. In other words, the service support system 100 can support the service provider.

[0031] 4 includes an icon 41a for displaying the cleaning service procedure and an icon 41b for displaying the cleaning service precautions. When the service provider operates the icon 41a, the cleaning service procedure (manual) is displayed, and when the service provider operates the icon 41b, the cleaning service precautions are displayed.

[0032] In this way, the service support information may include information on at least one of the service procedure and the points to note for the service as service support information for supporting a person who provides a service to the facility 60. In other words, the service support system 100 can also support a service provider by the service support information.

[0033] [Example 2] Next, a description will be given of an operation example 2 of the service support system 100. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the operation example 2 of the service support system 100. In the operation example 2, the service support system 100 presents a priority order of areas 61 (locations) where cleaning service should be performed in a certain time period.

[0034] Steps S21 and S22 are similar to steps S11 and S12 in the first operational example.

[0035] After step S22, the output unit 35 determines the priority order of the toilets (areas 61) when providing cleaning services in a certain time period based on the aggregated data (S23). For example, based on the aggregated data of Fig. 3, the output unit 35 accumulates the number of users from 10:00 to 12:00, and determines the priority order based on the criterion that the greater the cumulative number of users of a toilet, the greater the need for cleaning (the greater the number of users of a toilet, the greater the demand for cleaning services). Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the cumulative number of users and priority order for multiple toilets from 10:00 to 12:00.

[0036] Next, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information indicating the priority order of cleaning services for the time period of 12:00-13:00 (S24). The service support information in this case is an example of information relating to the priority order of services provided to the facility 60. The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S25). Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays a display screen as shown in Fig. 7 on the display unit 41 based on the received service support information. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen for supporting cleaning services.

[0037] As described above, the service support system 100 can present information regarding the priority order of services to a service provider via the information terminal 40. In other words, the service support system 100 can support the service provider.

[0038] [Example 3] Next, a description will be given of an operation example 3 of the service support system 100. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the operation example 3 of the service support system 100. In the operation example 3, the service support system 100 presents a route for providing a cleaning service.

[0039] Steps S31 to S33 are similar to steps S11 to S13 in the first operational example.

[0040] After step S33, the output unit 35 determines a route to be traveled when providing the cleaning service (S34). Specifically, the output unit 35 generates candidates for the route (hereinafter also referred to as candidate routes) by selecting, in order of time, areas 61 (toilets shaded in FIG. 3) in which the number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number during each time period identified in step S33. Then, the candidates for the route are the following two routes.

[0041] Route (1): 1st floor toilet A → 2nd floor toilet A → 1st floor toilet B → 2nd floor toilet B Route (2): 1st floor toilet A → 2nd floor toilet A → 2nd floor toilet B → 1st floor toilet B

[0042] When multiple candidate routes are constructed in this manner, the output unit 35 determines, for example, the candidate route with the shortest total travel distance as the tour route. For example, if the memory unit 32 stores map information of the facility 60 (location information on the map of multiple toilets), the output unit 35 can calculate the total travel distance of each of the multiple candidate routes.

[0043] The method of determining one of the multiple candidate routes as the tour route is not limited to the method based on the total travel distance. One of the multiple candidate routes may be randomly determined as the tour route, or a candidate route that minimizes the number of moves between floors (movements across floors) may be determined as the tour route. In addition, if a candidate route cannot be constructed, for example, the above-mentioned predetermined number may be increased (the condition is relaxed) and the process of step S33 may be repeated to construct a candidate route.

[0044] Next, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information indicating the travel route (S35). The service support information in this case is an example of information regarding the travel route when providing a service. The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S36). Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays a display screen as shown in Fig. 9 on the display unit 41 based on the received service support information. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a third example of a display screen for supporting a cleaning service.

[0045] In step S36, only the area 61 (location) to be cleaned in the current time slot may be displayed. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a display screen for supporting the cleaning service.

[0046] As described above, the service support system 100 can present information about a route taken when providing a service to a service provider via the information terminal 40. In other words, the service support system 100 can support the service provider.

[0047] [Example 4] Next, a fourth operation example of the service support system 100 will be described. In the above first to third operation examples, the service support system 100 supports a cleaning service based on the situation of people in the facility 60 (the number of toilet users). In the fourth operation example, an example will be described in which a patrol monitoring (visual inspection) service of the facility 51 is supported based on the situation of the facility 51 in the facility 60. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the fourth operation example of the service support system 100.

[0048] First, the acquisition unit 34 acquires integrated management information from the storage unit 32 (S41), and the output unit 35 identifies the cumulative operation time of each of the multiple pieces of equipment 51 to be monitored in the facility 60 based on the acquired integrated management information (S42). Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the cumulative operation time of each of the multiple pieces of equipment 51 (equipment A to D). Note that, instead of the cumulative operation time, the number of years of use (the number of years since the equipment 51 was introduced, regardless of whether it is in operation) or the like may be used.

[0049] Next, the output unit 35 determines the time interval (frequency of visual inspection) at which a person should visually check each of the multiple pieces of equipment A to D based on the identified cumulative operation time (S43). In general, the longer the cumulative operation time, the higher the possibility of occurrence of an abnormality such as a breakdown. Therefore, the output unit 35 determines the time interval at which visual inspection should be performed to be shorter for a piece of equipment 51 with a longer cumulative operation time, for example.

[0050] Next, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information indicating the time intervals at which visual inspection should be performed as a patrol monitoring service for the facility 51 (S44). The service support information in this case is an example of information relating to the frequency of services provided to the facility 60. The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S45). Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays a display screen as shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 41 based on the received service support information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen for supporting the patrol monitoring service for the facility 51.

[0051] As described above, the service support system 100 can present information on the frequency of providing a service to a service provider via the information terminal 40. In other words, the service support system 100 can support the service provider.

[0052] Note that the fourth operation example can also be applied when supporting cleaning services based on the situation of people (the number of toilet users) in the facility 60. The output unit 35 can generate and output service support information indicating that, for example, the more toilets that are used by a greater number of people per day, the more cleanings are required per day (cleaning frequency).

[0053] [Example 5] Next, a fifth operation example of the service support system 100 will be described. The output unit 35 may create a tour route based on the frequency of service provision described in the fourth operation example, and output service support information indicating the tour route. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the fifth operation example of the service support system 100.

[0054] The processes of steps S51 to S53 are the same as those of steps S41 to S43. Following step S53, the output unit 35 creates a tour route (in other words, a tour schedule) based on the time interval determined in step S43 (S54). For example, if map information of the facility 60 (position information on the map of the facilities A to D) is stored in the storage unit 32, the output unit 35 can identify a tour route that satisfies the frequency of visual inspection of each of the facilities A to D determined in step S43, and generate and output service support information indicating the identified tour route. The tour route may be determined by any existing method.

[0055] Next, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information indicating the travel route (S55). The service support information in this case is an example of information regarding the travel route when providing a service. The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S56). Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays on the display unit 41 a display screen (for example, a display screen similar to that in FIG. 9) indicating the travel route based on the received service support information.

[0056] Here, if an abnormality occurs in the equipment 51, the service provider must ignore the patrol route and rush to the installation location of the equipment 51 to check the equipment 51 where the abnormality has occurred. In such a case, the communication unit 31 receives abnormality notification information transmitted by the equipment 51 in response to the occurrence of the abnormality via the management device 10 and the integrated management device 20 (S57).

[0057] When the communication unit 31 receives the abnormality notification information, the output unit 35 generates and outputs service support information instructing a visual inspection of the equipment 51 in which the abnormality has occurred (S58). This service support information can be said to be information regarding the necessity (demand) for inspection of the equipment in which the abnormality has occurred.

[0058] The output service support information is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31 (S59). Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays a display screen as shown in Fig. 15 on the display unit 41 based on the received service support information. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen for supporting a patrol monitoring service for facility 51.

[0059] 15 is displayed, when a completion button included in the display screen is operated, the information terminal 40 transmits completion notification information. The communication unit 31 of the server device 30 receives the completion notification information transmitted by the information terminal 40 (S60), and upon receiving the completion notification information, the output unit 35 reconstructs the tour route (S61).

[0060] For example, the output unit 35 assumes that one inspection of the equipment 51 in which an abnormality has occurred has been completed due to receipt of the completion notification information, and cancels or postpones the inspection of the equipment 51 in which an abnormality has occurred that has not been performed at the time when the completion notification information was received, thereby reconstructing the patrol route. Furthermore, in order to improve the inspection frequency of the equipment 51 in which an abnormality has occurred, the output unit 35 may shorten the time interval for visual inspection required for the equipment 51 in which an abnormality has occurred, and then re-perform the process of step S54, thereby reconstructing the patrol route for the next day and thereafter.

[0061] 14, the service support information indicating the reconstructed route is transmitted to the information terminal 40 by the communication unit 31. Upon receiving the service support information, the information terminal 40 displays on the display unit 41 a display screen indicating the travel route reconstructed based on the received service support information.

[0062] As described above, the service support system 100 can reconstruct the service provision route when an irregular event occurs, such as an abnormality occurring in the facility 51.

[0063] [Variations] The above operational examples 1 to 5 may be combined in any manner. For example, the output unit 35 may output both information regarding the demand for cleaning services and information regarding the demand for facility patrol services. In other words, the output unit 35 may output information regarding the demand for services for each type of service. In this case, the server device 30 may transmit information regarding the demand for each of the multiple types of services to the information terminal 40, and the information terminal 40 may display a display screen for supporting the multiple types of services. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for supporting the multiple types of services. The service provider can switch between multiple display screens corresponding to the multiple types of services by operating the tab 41c. Note that, in the case of 1 Information relating to a plurality of types of services may be displayed in a list on one display screen.

[0064] In the above operation examples 1 to 3, the output unit 35 outputs service support information for supporting cleaning service based on information indicating the person's status from the integrated management information, but it may output service support information for supporting cleaning service based on information indicating the status of the equipment 51 from the integrated management information. For example, if a human sensor-responsive lighting equipment is installed in the restroom, the output unit 35 can use information indicating the number of times the lighting equipment is turned on and off instead of information indicating the person's status.

[0065] In the above operation examples 1 to 5, the service support information is information for supporting a service provider (human), but it may be information for supporting a robot providing a service. That is, the server device 30 may transmit the service support information to the robot through the wide area communication network 70. Fig. 17 is an external view of a robot, and this robot 80 is, for example, a robot that provides a cleaning service.

[0066] The service support information transmitted to the robot 80 may be command information for remotely controlling the robot 80, or it may be auxiliary information for the AI ​​(Artificial Intelligence) of the robot 80 to perform route selection, etc. (in this case, the robot 80 determines the final route, etc. based on the service support information).

[0067] In this manner, the service support system 100 can also support the robot 80 that provides a service.

[0068] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the service support system 100 includes an acquisition unit 34 that acquires information regarding at least one of the usage status of the equipment 51 provided within the facility 60 and the status of people within the facility 60, and an output unit 35 that outputs information regarding the demand for services provided in the facility 60 (the service support information in the above embodiment) based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 34.

[0069] Such a service support system 100 can support a service provider (a person or a robot 80) with information on the demand for the service (in other words, necessity, needs, etc.).

[0070] Furthermore, for example, information regarding demand for a service includes information regarding whether or not the service is required.

[0071] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers, etc., with information regarding the necessity of the service.

[0072] Furthermore, for example, the information regarding the demand for the service includes information regarding the priority of the service.

[0073] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers and the like with information regarding the priority order of services.

[0074] Furthermore, for example, the information regarding the demand for the service includes information regarding the travel route when providing the service.

[0075] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers, etc., with information on routes to be taken when providing a service.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, the information regarding the demand for the service includes information regarding the frequency of providing the service.

[0077] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers, etc., with information related to the frequency of service provision.

[0078] Also, for example, the information regarding demand for services includes service assistance information to assist those providing services at facility 60 .

[0079] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers and the like using the service assistance information.

[0080] Moreover, for example, the service assistance information includes information regarding at least one of the service procedure and the points to note about the service.

[0081] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers, etc., with service assistance information that includes information on at least one of the service procedure and points to note for the service.

[0082] Also, for example, the facility 60 includes a plurality of areas 61, and the output unit 35 outputs information regarding the demand for services for each area 61.

[0083] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers and the like using information regarding the demand for services for each area 61.

[0084] Also, for example, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 indicates the number of users of each area 61, and the information regarding the demand for services for each area 61 output by the output unit 35 indicates that the greater the number of users in an area 61, the greater the demand for the service.

[0085] As explained in the above-mentioned operation example 2, such a service support system 100 can output information indicating that the greater the cumulative number of users in an area 61, the greater the demand for the service.

[0086] Also, for example, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 indicates the number of users of each area 61, and the information regarding the demand for services for each area 61 output by the output unit 35 indicates that the demand for services is higher in areas 61 with fewer users.

[0087] As explained in the above operation example 1, such a service support system 100 can output information indicating that the fewer the number of users in an area 61 in a certain time period, the higher the demand for the service.

[0088] Also, for example, the information regarding demand for services is information regarding demand for cleaning services.

[0089] Such a service support system 100 can support a cleaning service provider.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the output unit 35 outputs information regarding the demand for each type of service.

[0091] Such a service support system 100 can support service providers and the like with information regarding the demand for services for each type of service.

[0092] In addition, the service support method executed by a computer such as the service support system 100 includes an acquisition step (e.g., S11) of acquiring information regarding at least one of the usage status of the equipment 51 provided in the facility 60 and the status of people in the facility 60, and an output step (e.g., S14) of outputting information regarding the demand for services provided in the facility 60 based on the information acquired in the acquisition step (e.g., S11).

[0093] Such a service support method can support service providers, etc., with information on demand for the service.

[0094] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0095] For example, in the above embodiment, the service support system is realized by a plurality of devices, but it may be realized as a single device. For example, the service support system may be realized as a single device equivalent to a server device. When the service support system is realized by a plurality of devices, the components of the service support system may be allocated in any manner among the plurality of devices.

[0096] For example, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. Also, a relay device (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the processes executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0098] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0099] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0100] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0101] For example, the present invention may be realized as a service support method executed by a computer such as a service support system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a service support method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0102] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 34 Acquisition Department 35 Output section 51 Equipment 60 Facilities 61 areas 100 Service Support System

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding at least one of a usage status of equipment installed in a facility and a status of people in the facility; an output unit that outputs service support information that supports a service provided by a robot in the facility based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Service support system.

2. The service support information includes command information for remotely controlling the robot. The service support system according to claim 1 .

3. The service support information includes information for the robot to perform route selection. The service support system according to claim 1 .

4. The services include at least one of a cleaning service and a facility patrol service. The service support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The service includes a patrol monitoring service. The service support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An acquisition step of acquiring information regarding at least one of a usage status of equipment installed in a facility and a status of people in the facility; and an output step of outputting service support information for supporting a service provided by a robot in the facility based on the information acquired in the acquisition step. Service support methods.

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the service support method according to claim 6.

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