Work subject determination apparatus, work subject determination method, and work subject determination program

Abstract

To facilitate determining which a work necessary to be carried out should be performed by an operator or a robot.SOLUTION: A work subject determination system 100 has a management server 1. The management server 1 comprises first acquisition means (a control unit 11, and a communication unit 13) for acquiring execution impossible work information D4 and emergent treatment request information D5 which are information relating to execution required works as a work required for execution at a predetermined facility, and work subject determination means (a control unit 11) for determining which a work subject of the execution required work should be set to an operator or a robot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work subject determination device, a work subject determination method, and a work subject determination program. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, technology related to autonomous robots has advanced, and robots that can perform tasks that were previously performed by humans are being developed one after another. By using such robots, it becomes unnecessary to assign workers to tasks that can be performed by robots, and the efficiency of work can be improved.

[0003] In order to effectively utilize such robots, it is necessary to appropriately distribute the tasks that need to be performed among the robots. Therefore, a system is known that aims to organize multiple robots and appropriately distribute the tasks that need to be performed among the robots (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6212088 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Such robots cannot replace humans in all tasks; there are tasks that cannot be performed by robots, or that, even if they can, are not appropriate. When such tasks are included, appropriate task allocation cannot be achieved simply by allocating the tasks that need to be performed to each robot. Therefore, the person deciding on the allocation of tasks may need to make a judgment as to whether the task should be performed by a worker, i.e., a human, or by a robot.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to make it easier to determine whether a task that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or by a robot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a work subject determination device, comprising: An acquisition means for acquiring information on a work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination means for determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the work subject determination device described in claim 1, The task subject determination means determines whether or not the to-be-performed task requires expertise.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the work subject determination device described in claim 2, The task subject determining means determines whether or not there is a worker capable of performing the task.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the work subject determination device described in claim 3, The work subject determination means is characterized in that, when the work to be performed requires expertise and a worker who can perform the work is available, it determines whether the work to be performed can be performed by a robot, and when the work can be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker or a robot, and when the work cannot be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is the work subject determination device described in claim 3, The work subject determination means is characterized in that, when the work to be performed requires specialization and there is no worker who can perform the work, it determines whether the work to be performed can be performed by a robot, and if the work can be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a robot, and if the work cannot be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed cannot be performed.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is the work subject determination device described in claim 2, The task subject determination means determines whether or not the task to be performed can be performed by a robot.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is the work subject determination device described in claim 6, The work subject determination means is characterized in that, if the work to be performed does not require expertise and the work can be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a robot, and if the work to be performed does not require expertise and the work cannot be performed by a robot, it determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the work subject determination device described in claim 1, A second acquisition means for acquiring second information related to an event outside the facility, The task subject determining means determines whether the task subject of the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot, based on the second information.

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is the work subject determination device described in claim 1, The work to be performed is a transportation work, The task subject determining means determines whether the task subject of the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot, based on a weight of the transport object.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is the work subject determination device described in claim 1, a third acquisition means for acquiring third information which is log data generated by a communication tool; The task subject determination means identifies the task to be performed from the contents of the log data, and determines whether the task subject of the identified task to be performed should be a worker or a robot.

[0017] The invention described in claim 11 is the work subject determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The system is characterized by comprising an additional cost determination unit for determining whether or not there is an additional cost for carrying out the required work.

[0018] The invention described in claim 12 is the work subject determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The system further comprises additional cost calculation means for calculating the amount of additional cost required to carry out the required work.

[0019] The invention described in claim 13 is the work subject determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The work to be performed includes work that is determined to be impossible to be performed by a specified worker.

[0020] The invention described in claim 14 is the work subject determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The work to be performed includes work for which a response has been requested.

[0021] The invention described in claim 15 is the work subject determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The present invention is characterized by comprising a priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the works to be performed.

[0022] The invention described in claim 16 is a work subject determination method using a work subject determination device, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring information regarding a work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination step of determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0023] The invention described in claim 17 is a work entity determination program, Computer, An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination means for determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; The present invention is characterized in that it functions as a Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether a task that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or by a robot. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a work subject determination system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the overall flow of operations of the work entity determination system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S1 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S2 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S3 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S4 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]13 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S5 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in step S6 of the work subject determination system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, a work subject determination system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0027] [First Configuration Description] The work entity determination system 100 is a system for determining whether the work entity that needs to be performed at a specific facility such as a station (for example, work related to security duties such as equipment inspection and patrol security, work related to cleaning duties such as garbage collection and replenishing supplies, work related to transportation duties such as delivering and collecting luggage, etc.) should be assigned to a worker or a robot, and as shown in Figure 1, it is configured with a management server 1, a distribution decision maker terminal 2, and a worker terminal 3, and each device is connected via a communication network N.

[0028] In this case, the "work subject" refers to a person or thing that performs the work, and includes both workers and robots. Additionally, "worker" broadly includes people who perform work within a facility. Additionally, "robot" broadly includes machines that perform work within a facility. However, when a worker brings a machine to a work site and performs work using the machine, the work is considered to be performed by the worker. That is, in this embodiment, when a robot performs work, it means that the work is performed by the robot at the work site without a person operating the robot, and other cases are considered to include cases where a worker performs work.

[0029] [1 Management Server] The management server 1 is, for example, a computer owned by a company that manages and operates the work entity determination system 100, and performs determinations related to work entities as described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 1 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0030] The management server 1 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single computer, and for example, a plurality of computers may be connected via a communication network N, thereby realizing the functions of the management server 1. In this case, such a plurality of connected computers corresponds to the management server 1. Also, a management server 1 may be installed in each of a plurality of companies, and each management server 1 may be connected via the communication network N.

[0031] The control unit 11 is a part that controls the operation of the management server 1, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 12 controls each part of the management server 1 in cooperation with the CPU and program data stored in the storage unit 12.

[0032] The storage unit 12 is a part in which various information required for the operation of the management server 1 is stored. For example, the storage unit 12 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, etc., and stores program data. The data required for the operation of the management server 1, such as the above, is stored in a manner readable and writable by the control unit 11.

[0033] The memory unit 12 includes a work plan database 121 , a worker database 122 , a robot database 123 , an impossible-to-perform task database 124 , an emergency response required task database 125 , and a to-be-performed task database 126 .

[0034] The work plan database 121 stores scheduled work information D1, which is information related to work that is scheduled to be performed within the facility. The worker database 122 also stores worker information D8, which is information related to the workers working at the facility. The robot database 123 also stores robot information D9, which is information related to the robots operating within the facility.

[0035] The impossible task database 124 stores impossible task information D4, which is information related to tasks that have been determined to be impossible for a specified worker to perform during the operation of the system, which will be described later. The emergency response request work database 125 also stores emergency response request information D5, which is information related to work for which a worker has requested that the work be done, during the operation of the system, which will be described later. Furthermore, in the to-be-performed task database 126, element extraction information D6, priority order information D7, task owner information D10, additional cost necessity information D11, and additional cost amount information D12 are stored during the operation of the system described below.

[0036] Details of the data stored in each database will be described in the explanation of the operation.

[0037] The storage unit 12 also stores a program including various commands to the control unit 11 for operating the management server 1, as described later in the description of the operation. The programs stored include an acquisition process for acquiring information regarding work to be performed, which is work that needs to be carried out in a specified facility, and a work subject determination program that executes a work subject determination process for determining whether the work subject for the work to be performed should be a worker or a robot.

[0038] Moreover, each database may be provided in an external server connected to the management server 1 via a communication network N. In this case, the management server 1 will obtain information one by one from these external servers and use it. Moreover, the control unit 11, as a second acquisition means, acquires second information related to an event outside the facility. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires, via the communication network N, information on predetermined surrounding facilities and traffic information as the second information on the event outside the facility. More specifically, for example, if the facility is a station, more people than usual will gather at the station when an event (fireworks display, concert, etc.) occurs in the facilities surrounding the station or when a train malfunction occurs. In such a case, the facility (station) will be more crowded than usual, and it will be necessary to change the subject of the work to be performed from a robot, which would normally be the subject, to a worker. Therefore, the control unit 11 can determine the subject of the work based on the second information.

[0039] The communication unit 13 is a part used for communication between the management server 1 and the distribution decision maker terminal 2 and the worker terminal 3, and is, for example, a communication interface having a communication IC (Integrated Circuit) and a communication connector, and performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 11.

[0040] [2 Distribution Decision Maker Terminal] The distribution decision maker terminal 2 is, for example, an information device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or tablet terminal used by the distribution decision maker who uses this system to ultimately decide the distribution of work (which worker or robot will perform each task), and displays information received from the management server 1, as described below. Each function of the distribution decider terminal 2 may be provided in the management server 1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution decider terminal 2 includes, for example, a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23, similar to the management server 1, and further includes a display unit 24 and an operation unit 25.

[0042] The configurations of the control unit 21 and the communication unit 23 are the same as those of the control unit 11 and the communication unit 13 in the management server 1, respectively. The memory unit 22, like the memory unit 12 in the management server 1, is composed of, for example, an HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc., and stores a program including various instructions to the control unit 21 for operating the distribution decision maker terminal 2, as described in the operation explanation below.

[0043] The display unit 24 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 21 on the display.

[0044] The operation unit 25 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, and other keys associated with various functions, and receives an operation input from the distribution decider who uses the distribution decider terminal 2, and outputs an operation signal according to the operation input to the control unit 21. The operation unit 25 may be, for example, a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 24.

[0045] [3 Worker terminal] The worker terminal 3 is, for example, an information device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal carried by each worker who works at a specified facility where judgments related to the work subject are made using this system and performs various tasks, and transmits information related to emergency response requests to the management server 1, as described below. Each function of the worker terminal 3 may be provided in the management server 1.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the worker terminal 3, like the distribution determiner terminal 2, includes, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, a display unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

[0047] [4 Communication Networks] The communication network N may be, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, a mobile phone communication network, a wireless LAN communication network, etc., and connects between the management server 1 and the distribution decision maker terminal 2, and between the management server 1 and the worker terminal 3, as shown in Figure 1. The communication network N is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the devices as described above and transmit and receive data between them.

[0048] [Second operation explanation] The operation of the work subject determination system 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the work entity determination system 100 can be broadly divided into six steps: extraction of impossible tasks (step S1), acceptance of emergency responses (step S2), determination of priorities (step S3), determination of the work entity (step S4), determination of the work execution costs (step S5), and notification to the distribution decision maker (step S6).

[0049] In the following, a case where steps S1 to S6 are performed in this order will be described as an example, but steps S1 and S2 do not necessarily have to be performed in this order. For example, it is possible that only step S1 or step S2 is performed, such as when step S1 is performed and then step S3 is proceeded to without performing step S2, or when step S2 is performed without performing step S1, and then step S3 is proceeded to. In addition, when both steps S1 and S2 are performed, they may be performed in the order of step S2 and step S1.

[0050] [1 Step S1: Extraction of infeasible tasks] First, the operation of the system when the management server 1 extracts impossible tasks, which are tasks scheduled within a specified facility and that are determined to be impossible to perform by a specified worker, will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0051] First, the management server 1 reads out the scheduled work information D1 from the work plan database 121 in the storage unit 12 (step S1-1).

[0052] The scheduled work information D1 is information related to work scheduled to be performed within a facility, and includes information linked to each task scheduled to be performed at the facility, including worker information D1-1, work content information D1-2, required time information D1-3, scheduled completion time information D1-4, work location information D1-5, and priority level information D1-6.

[0053] The worker information D1-1 is information related to the worker who is scheduled to perform each task, and may include, for example, identification information of the worker, such as an ID, that is the same as the worker identification information D8-1 included in the worker information D8 stored in the worker database 122. If there are multiple workers who are scheduled to perform the task, information for multiple workers will be included.

[0054] Work content information D1-2 is information regarding the work content of each task that is scheduled to be performed, and includes, for example, information regarding the specific work content for each task related to security work, cleaning work, transportation work, etc., as well as information regarding whether each task requires expertise.

[0055] In addition, for each task, if it is a task that can be performed by anyone working at the facility where the task is performed, the task is considered to not require expertise. On the other hand, if the people who can perform the task are limited to a select few who work at the facility where the task is performed, for example, if the task requires a specified qualification, the task is considered to require expertise.

[0056] Furthermore, for work requiring expertise, the work content information D1-2 also includes information on the expertise, that is, information on what type of worker can perform the work (for example, the type of qualification required).

[0057] In addition to cases where a specific qualification is required to perform a task, the following tasks, for example, are considered to require expertise.

[0058] First, there are cases where the use of the equipment required for the work in question requires certain skills, such as when some training is required to use the equipment. For example, in the case of cleaning work, if special cleaning equipment is required to clean floors, and only those who have received prior training can use the cleaning equipment, the work requiring the use of the cleaning equipment is considered to be specialized. For example, when transport work requires, in addition to qualifications such as a driver's license, training on the transport equipment to be used, such as in-house training, according to company rules, etc., only those who have received such training can carry out the work, which means that the work requires expertise.

[0059] Secondly, there are cases where the workers who can carry out the work differ depending on the time of day, such as cases where the workers who can carry out the work differ depending on whether it is daytime or nighttime. For example, in the case of cleaning work, cleaning toilet floors is often not done during the day, but only at night (late at night when there are no customers), because a wet floor can be dangerous as it can cause users to fall. In such cases, cleaning toilet floors requires expertise in that it cannot be done by specialized daytime workers, and can only be done by workers who are able to work at night.

[0060] Third, the task in question requires certain speaking skills. For example, in the case of guidance work, the ability to converse in a specified language, such as English, may be required to carry out the work, and such work can only be carried out by people who can converse in that language, and therefore is considered to require expertise.

[0061] The required time information D1-3 is information related to the required time for each task to be performed, and includes information related to the specific time required from the start to the end of the task, such as 10 minutes or 1 hour.

[0062] The scheduled completion time information D1-4 is information relating to the scheduled completion time of each task to be performed, and includes information relating to the specific time when the task is scheduled to end (the time when the task's required time has elapsed from the task's start time).

[0063] The location information D1-5 is information relating to the location where each task to be performed will be performed, and includes, for example, information relating to which area of ​​a plurality of areas previously formed by dividing the facility in which the task will be performed.

[0064] The priority level information D1-6 is information related to the priority level of each task to be performed, and includes, for example, information related to the priority level of the task set in advance according to a predetermined standard. The priority level may be set, for example, in three stages (high, medium, and low), or in five stages (1 to 5) with the higher number indicating the higher priority. Here, the information on the work to be performed may be set and input in advance by a manager or the like, but as a third acquisition means, the control unit 11 may acquire call logs (log data) made by telephone (communication tool) between workers, or between a worker and a manager, convert them into text, and extract worker information, work content information, required time information, scheduled completion time information, work location information, and priority level information based on the text information. Specifically, for example, when a worker finds a malfunctioning part of equipment or a visibly dirty part within a facility and reports it to a manager by telephone or other means, the control unit 11 converts the call log into text and registers the content of that text as a new scheduled task.

[0065] Next, the management server 1 acquires current date and time information, which is information related to the date and time at that point in time (step S1-2). The method of obtaining the information is not particularly limited, and the information may be obtained by utilizing a clock function that the management server 1 itself has, or by communicating with an external system via the communication unit 13.

[0066] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 extracts information related to work that is scheduled to be performed or has been performed at the present time from the scheduled work information D1 acquired in step S1-1 (step S1-3). Specifically, by comparing the required time information D1-3 and scheduled completion time information D1-4 contained in the scheduled work information D1 with the current date and time information obtained in step S1-2, information relating to work that is scheduled to have been completed (after the scheduled completion time) or is being performed (after the scheduled start time or before the scheduled completion time) at that time can be extracted.

[0067] Next, the management server 1 acquires work progress information D3, which is information related to the progress of each work related to the scheduled work information D1 extracted in step S1-3, from the worker scheduled to perform the work (step S1-3).

[0068] The work progress information D3 includes information linking work content information D3-1, progress status information D3-2, and estimated completion time information D3-3 for each work.

[0069] The work content information D3-1 may include information related to the specific work content of each work, similar to that included in the work content information D1-2 of the scheduled work information D1.

[0070] The progress status information D3-2 is information relating to the progress of each task as determined by the worker performing each task, and includes, for example, information for each task such as not yet done (0% done), XX% done, or completed (100% done) depending on the task's progress.

[0071] The estimated completion time information D3-3 is information about the estimated completion time of each task as determined by the worker who performs each task, and includes information about the specific time when the task is estimated to be completed. Note that the estimated completion time information D3-3 is not included for tasks whose progress status information D3-2 indicates that they are completed.

[0072] A specific method for acquiring the work progress information D3 is not particularly limited. For example, the management server 1 may acquire the work progress information D3 by communicating with the worker terminal 3 used by the worker performing each work, causing the worker terminal 3 to transmit information input by each worker using the operation unit 35 via the communication network N, and receiving the transmitted information via the communication unit 13.

[0073] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 predicts a delay in each task related to the scheduled task information D1 extracted in step S1-3 (step S1-5).

[0074] Specifically, tasks that are not yet completed or are marked as XX% completed are extracted from the progress status information D3-2 included in the work progress information D3 acquired in step S1-4, and the progress status information D3-2 and estimated completion time information D3-3 included in the work progress information D3 are compared with the required time information D1-3 and scheduled completion time information D1-4 included in the scheduled work information D1 to predict the delay time of each task (the extent to which the actual completion time is delayed compared to the scheduled completion time related to the scheduled completion time information D1-4 included in the scheduled work information D1).

[0075] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not each task for which a delay time was predicted in step S1-5 can be performed by a specific worker related to the worker information D1-1 in the scheduled task information D1 (step S1-6).

[0076] Specifically, based on the delay time predicted in step S1-5, it is determined whether the worker scheduled to perform each task will be able to complete the task within his or her working hours. If the task can be completed within the working hours, it is determined that the task can be completed; if the task cannot be completed within the working hours, it is determined that the task cannot be completed.

[0077] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 stores information relating to the work that was determined in step S1-6 to be impossible to perform by a specified worker (scheduled work information D1 relating to the work) as impossible work information D4 in the impossible work database 124 of the memory unit 12 (step S1-7).

[0078] This enables the management server 1 to obtain impossible work information D4, which is information regarding work that needs to be performed at a specified facility such as a station, but that has been determined to be impossible to perform by a specified worker.

[0079] [2 Step S2: Emergency response reception] Next, the operation of this system when the management server 1 receives an emergency response request from each worker will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0080] First, when work occurs that requires emergency response by a worker other than himself / herself, each worker uses the operation unit 35 of the worker terminal 3 to input emergency response request information D5, which is information related to the work that requires emergency response (step S2-1). Here, the control unit 11 may convert the call log between the worker and the control unit 11 into text, and based on the text information, the control unit 11 may determine that the information is emergency response request information, which is information related to work that requires an emergency response, and automatically register it. Specifically, if a pre-registered word (such as "urgent" or "urgent") is included in the text, it is automatically registered as emergency response request information.

[0081] The emergency response request information D5 includes linked information of work content information D5-1, work location information D5-2, required time information D5-3, response required date and time information D5-4, number of people required to respond information D5-5, and expertise information D5-6.

[0082] The work content information D5-1 is information relating to the work content of the work, and includes, for example, information relating to the specific work content, similar to the work content information D1-2 included in the scheduled work information D1.

[0083] The work location information D5-2 is information relating to the location where the work will be performed, and, for example, like the work location information D1-5 contained in the scheduled work information D1, includes information regarding which area the work will be performed in among multiple areas that have been formed by dividing the facility in advance.

[0084] The required time information D5-3 is information related to the time required for the task, and includes, for example, information related to the specific time required from the start to the finish of the task, such as 10 minutes, 1 hour, etc., similar to the required time information D1-3 included in the scheduled task information D1.

[0085] The response required date and time information D5-4 is information relating to the date by which the task needs to be completed, and includes information relating to a specific date and time, such as by 17:00 on April 1st.

[0086] The number of people required to handle the work D5-5 is information related to the number of people required to handle the work, and includes information related to a specific number of people, such as 1 person, 2 people, 3 people, etc.

[0087] The expertise information D5-6 is information regarding whether the work is specialized and the content of the work that requires expertise, and includes information regarding whether the work is specialized and the content of the work, similar to the information contained in the work content information D1-2 of the work information D1 to be performed.

[0088] In other words, with regard to whether or not the work requires expertise, if the work can be performed by anyone who works at the facility where the work is performed, the work will be considered to not require expertise. On the other hand, if the people who can perform the work are limited to a select few who work at the facility where the work is performed, for example, when the work requires a specified qualification, the work will be considered to require expertise. In addition, the content of the expertise may include information on what type of worker can perform the work (for example, the type of qualification required).

[0089] When the emergency response request information D5 is input, the control unit 31 of the worker terminal 3 transmits the emergency response request information D5 input in step S2-1 from the communication unit 33 to the management server 1 via the communication network N (step S2-2).

[0090] In addition, instead of the method in which the worker himself inputs the emergency response request information D5 using the worker terminal 3 as described above, the worker may request an emergency response to a designated person in the business that employs him or a designated person in the business that manages this system, and communicate the necessary information, and the emergency response request information D5 input by the person in charge using the terminal used by the person in charge may be transmitted to the management server 1.

[0091] In addition, the request for emergency response is not limited to cases where it is made by a worker, but may be made, for example, by a user of the facility. In this case, for example, information related to a request made by a user of the facility to a customer service desk at the facility is communicated by the facility manager to a person in charge of a predetermined business depending on the work content, and the emergency response request information D5 input by the person in charge using a terminal used by the person in charge is transmitted to the management server 1.

[0092] In the management server 1, which receives the information transmitted from the worker terminal 3 via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 stores the received emergency response request information D5 in the emergency response request work database 125 of the memory unit 12 (step S2-3).

[0093] This allows the management server 1 to acquire emergency response request information D5, which is information regarding work that needs to be carried out upon a response request from a worker at a specific facility such as a station.

[0094] [3 Step S3: Determining Priorities] Next, the operation of the system when determining the priority order for tasks related to the impossible task information D4 stored in the impossible task database 124 in step S1 and tasks related to the emergency response request information D5 stored in the emergency response request task database 125 in step S2 in the management server 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0095] First, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 extracts information relating to specified elements from each of the impossible work information D4 stored in the impossible work database 124 in step S1 and the emergency response request information D5 stored in the emergency response request work database 125 in step S2 (step S3-1).

[0096] Specifically, from each of the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5, required time information D6-1, which is information related to the time required for the work, expertise information D6-2, which is information related to whether the work is specialized and what its content is, required number of responders information D6-3, which is information related to the number of workers required for the work, required response date and time information D6-4, which is information related to the date by which the work needs to be completed, work location information D6-5, which is information related to the work location, and work content information D6-6, which is information related to the work content, are extracted, and the extracted information (element extraction information D6) is stored in the to-be-performed work database 126 of the memory unit 12.

[0097] Next, the control unit 11 determines the priority order for each task for which the element extraction information D6 is stored in the to-be-performed task database 126 of the storage unit 12 (step S3-2). As a specific method for determining the priority order, for example, the following can be considered.

[0098] First, the dates and times related to the response required date and time information D6-4 are compared, and the priority order is determined such that the closer the response required date and time is, the higher the priority order is.

[0099] In addition, it is possible to determine priorities by comparing the work content related to the work content information D6-6 and the time required for the work related to the required time information D6-1, and assigning a higher priority to work that requires less time and can be performed immediately.

[0100] In addition, based on the expertise information D6-2, it is possible to determine priorities such that the less specialized the task, the higher the priority, and for tasks that require expertise, the more workers who are able to perform that specialized task, the higher the priority.

[0101] Furthermore, these elements may be combined to comprehensively determine the priority order. In this case, for example, points may be allocated to each element, and the higher the total, the higher the priority order.

[0102] When the priority order is determined in step S3-2, the control unit 11 of the management server 1 links information relating to the determined priority order (priority order information D7) with the corresponding element extraction information D6 and stores it in the to-be-performed work database 126 of the memory unit 12 (step S3-3).

[0103] For example, if cleaning toilet floors is a cleaning task that can only be performed at night (late night hours when there are no users) as described above, in step S1, if it is impossible for a designated worker to complete the task at night (late night hours), it will be extracted as an impossible task, and in step S2, for example, if the worker performing the task determines that the task cannot be completed by night due to some kind of trouble, an emergency response will be requested. Then, in step S3, for example, if it is already daytime and the work cannot be performed anyway, since it cannot be performed immediately and will have to wait until nighttime, the priority is determined to be lower than other work that can be performed immediately.

[0104] [4 Step S4: Determining who is the operator of the work] Next, the operation of the system when determining whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot for each task that was stored in the management server 1 in step S3 by linking the element extraction information D6 and the priority order information D7 in the to-be-performed task database 126 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 6.

[0105] First, in the management server 1, the control unit 11, as a first acquisition means, extracts and acquires, from the tasks whose information is stored in the to-be-performed task database 126, the task with the highest priority in terms of priority information D7 among those tasks for which the determination of the task subject has not yet been completed (step S4-1). That is, if no determination of the operator has been made, the information (first information) having the highest priority in the priority order information D7 is extracted.

[0106] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 determines whether the work extracted in step S4-1 requires expertise (step S4-2).

[0107] Specifically, the presence or absence of expertise may be determined according to information relating to the presence or absence of expertise in expertise information D6-2 included in element extraction information D6.

[0108] If it is determined in step S4-2 that the work has expertise, then the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a worker who can handle the work (step S4-3).

[0109] That is, the worker information D8 stored in the worker database 122 of the storage unit 12 includes worker identification information D8-1, which is identification information such as an ID given to each worker, available work information D8-2, which is information related to specialized work that each worker can handle (such as the type of qualifications that each worker has), work date and time information D8-3, which is information related to the work date and time of each worker (work days and work hours on each work day (what time the worker works from and to what time)), and hourly rate information D8-4, which is information related to the hourly rate of work of each worker. Since the expertise information D6-2 contains information on whether the work requires expertise and also on the content of the expertise, i.e., the type of worker that can perform the work (for example, the type of qualification required), the control unit 11 compares the information on the content of expertise contained in the expertise information D6-2 with the information on the available specialized work contained in the available work information D8-2, and for a work determined to require expertise in step S4-2, if there is an available worker, it determines that there is a available worker, and if there is no available worker, it determines that there is no available worker.

[0110] If it is determined in step S4-3 that there is no available worker, the control unit 11 then determines whether or not the task can be performed by a robot (step S4-4A).

[0111] That is, the robot information D9 stored in the robot database 123 of the memory unit 12 includes robot identification information D9-1, which is identification information such as an ID assigned to each robot, available task information D9-2, which is information related to the content of tasks that can be performed by each robot, and battery remaining capacity information D9-3, which is real-time information on the remaining battery capacity of the robot. Therefore, the control unit 11 compares the task content related to the task content information D6-6 included in the element extraction information D6 with the information related to the content of tasks that can be performed by each robot included in the available task information D9-2, and determines that for tasks for which it was determined in step S4-3 that there is no available worker, the task can be performed by a robot if there is a available robot, and cannot be performed by a robot if there is no available robot.

[0112] If it is determined in step S4-4A that the task cannot be performed by a robot, then it is determined that the task cannot be performed (step S4-5A) since there is no worker available and the task cannot be performed by a robot either.

[0113] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4-4A that the task can be performed by a robot, since there is no worker available and the task can be performed by a robot, it is determined that the task will be performed by a robot (step S4-5B).

[0114] If it is determined in step S4-3 that there is a worker available to handle the task, then the control unit 11 determines whether or not the task can be performed by a robot (step S4-4B).

[0115] In this case too, the control unit 11 compares the work content related to the work content information D6-6 included in the element extraction information D6 with the information related to the content of work that can be performed by each robot included in the available work information D9-2, and determines that for a task determined in step S4-3 to have a capable worker, the task can be performed by a robot if a capable robot is available, and that the task cannot be performed by a robot if a capable robot is not available. Here, when information indicating that the facility is expected to be more crowded than usual (for example, a fireworks display) is acquired as the second information related to an event outside the facility, the control unit 11 determines that the robot cannot carry out the event.

[0116] If it is determined in step S4-4B that the task cannot be performed by a robot, it is determined that the task will be performed by a worker since there is a worker who can handle the task and the task cannot be performed by a robot (step S4-5C).

[0117] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4-4B that the task can be performed by a robot, then since there is a worker who can handle the task and the task can be performed by a robot, it is determined that the task will be performed by a worker or a robot (step S4-5D).

[0118] If it is determined in step S4-2 that the work does not require expertise, then control unit 11 determines whether or not the work is a transportation work (step S4-7). When the control unit 11 determines that the work is transportation work (step S4-7; Yes), it further determines whether or not the weight of the object to be transported is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S4-8). Here, the predetermined value is, for example, a weight that is too heavy for a human to carry, but any value can be set. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that the work is not a transportation work (step S4-7; No), the process proceeds to step S4-4C. In step S4-8, when the control unit 11 determines that the weight of the transportation object is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S4-8; Yes), it determines that the robot will perform the task. On the other hand, in step S4-8, if the control unit 11 determines that the weight of the transportation object is less than the predetermined value (step S4-8; No), it determines whether or not the task can be performed by a robot (step S4-4C).

[0119] In step S4-4C, the control unit 11 compares the work content related to the work content information D6-6 included in the element extraction information D6 with the information related to the content of work that can be performed by each robot included in the available work information D9-2, and determines that for a task determined in step S4-2 to not require expertise, the task can be performed by a robot if a robot that can perform the task exists, and cannot be performed by a robot if a robot that can perform the task does not exist.

[0120] If it is determined in step S4-4C that the task cannot be performed by a robot, then although there are workers who can perform the task because the task does not require expertise, it is determined that the task cannot be performed by a robot and therefore the worker will perform the task (step S4-5E).

[0121] In contrast, if it is determined in step S4-4C that the task can be performed by a robot, it is determined that the task does not require expertise and there are workers who can handle it, so it is possible for a robot to perform it, but since it is more efficient to have a robot perform a task that does not require expertise if it can be performed by a robot, it is determined that the robot will perform the task (step S4-5F).

[0122] Step S4-5A, Step S4-5B, Step S4-5C, Step S4-5D, Step S4-5E or Step In S4-5F, when a determination is made as to the work entity that will perform the work (whether the work cannot be performed, work will be done by a worker, work will be done by a robot, or work will be done by a worker or a robot), in step S4-6, the control unit 11 of the management server 1 links information related to the determined work entity (work entity information D10) with the corresponding element extraction information D6 and stores it in the work to be performed database 126 of the memory unit 12.

[0123] By repeating the process from step S4-1 to step S4-6, a determination is made as to which work entity will perform the work (whether the work cannot be performed, work will be done by a worker, work will be done by a robot, or work will be done by a worker or a robot) in order of highest priority according to the priority order information D7, and information relating to the determination results is stored.

[0124] [5 Step S5: Determining the cost of carrying out the work] Next, the operation of the present system when the management server 1 determines the cost involved in carrying out each task by the task subject determined in step S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0125] First, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 extracts, from the work-to-be-performed database 126, response required date and time information D6-4, which is information regarding the date by which each task needs to be completed, and work subject information D10, which is information regarding the work subject determined in step S4 (step S5-1).

[0126] Next, in the management server 1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not additional costs are required when the work entity related to the work entity information D10 extracted in step S5-1 carries out the work (step S5-2).

[0127] Specifically, first, if the work subject related to the work subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a worker, the control unit 11 determines whether overtime is required when the worker performs the work, and if overtime is required, determines that additional costs will be required.

[0128] In other words, the control unit 11 compares the response required date and time information D6-4 extracted in step S5-1 with the work date and time information D8-3, which is information related to the work dates and times (work days and work hours (work time and work time) on each work day) of each worker included in the worker information D8, and determines that no overtime will occur if there is a worker who can perform the work within the working hours, and that overtime will occur if there is no worker who can perform the work within the working hours.

[0129] In addition, if the work subject related to the work subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a robot, the control unit 11 determines whether charging is required when the robot performs the work, and if charging is required, determines that additional costs will be required.

[0130] In other words, the control unit 11 refers to battery remaining amount information D9-3, which is real-time information on the remaining battery amount of the robot included in the robot information D9, and determines that charging is not necessary if the remaining battery amount is sufficient to perform the work related to the work content information D6-6, and determines that charging is necessary if the remaining battery amount is insufficient to perform the work related to the work content information D6-6.

[0131] Furthermore, if the work subject related to the work subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a worker or a robot, the control unit 11 determines whether overtime is required if the work is performed by a worker, and determines whether charging is required if the work is performed by a robot, and determines that additional costs will be required if overtime or charging is required. The respective determination methods are the same as those described for the cases where the task subject is a worker and a robot.

[0132] If it is determined in step S5-2 that additional costs are required, then control unit 11 calculates the amount of the additional costs (step S5-3).

[0133] Specifically, first, when the work subject related to the work subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a worker, the control unit 11 calculates the additional cost associated with the occurrence of overtime work.

[0134] That is, the control unit 11, for example, calculates the amount of time that overtime will be required from the response required date and time information D6-4 extracted in step S5-1 and the working date and time information D8-3 included in the worker information D8, and then multiplies the hourly rate for that worker (amount related to the hourly rate information D8-4) by the calculated overtime hours, and then multiplies this by a predetermined premium rate to calculate the additional cost associated with the occurrence of overtime (additional cost = hourly rate x overtime hours x premium rate).

[0135] Furthermore, if the task subject related to the task subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a robot, the control unit 11 calculates an additional cost associated with charging.

[0136] That is, the control unit 11 may calculate the electricity cost required for charging by multiplying the charging cost (electricity cost) per unit time by the time required for charging, and calculate the additional cost associated with charging.

[0137] In addition, if the work subject related to the work subject information D10 extracted in step S5-1 is a worker or a robot, the control unit 11 calculates the additional cost associated with overtime work when the work is performed by a worker, and also calculates the additional cost associated with charging when the work is performed by a robot.

[0138] That is, if the control unit 11 determines in step S5-2 that overtime work will occur, it calculates the additional cost associated with the overtime work, and if it determines in step S5-2 that charging is necessary, it calculates the additional cost associated with charging, and if it determines in step S5-2 that overtime work will occur and charging is necessary, it calculates the additional cost associated with charging and the additional cost associated with the overtime work. The respective calculation methods are the same as those explained for the cases where the task subject is a worker and a robot.

[0139] When the additional cost is calculated in step S5-3, the control unit 11 of the management server 1 links additional cost necessity information D11, which is information regarding the necessity of additional cost associated with the performance of the work determined in step S5-2, and additional cost amount information D12, which is information regarding the amount of the additional cost associated with the performance of the work calculated in step S5-3, with the corresponding element extraction information D6 and stores them in the work to be performed database 126 of the memory unit 12 (step S5-4).

[0140] As the additional cost necessity information D11, if overtime cost and / or charging cost occurs, "additional cost exists" is stored, and if neither of them occurs, "no additional cost" is stored.

[0141] In addition, the additional cost amount information D12 stores the additional cost associated with overtime work for work in which the work subject related to the work subject information D10 is a worker, the additional cost associated with charging for work in which the work subject related to the work subject information D10 is a robot, and the additional cost associated with overtime work and / or the additional cost associated with charging for work in which the work subject related to the work subject information D10 is a worker or a robot.

[0142] [6 Step S6: Notification to distribution decision maker] Next, the operation of the present system when notifying the distribution decision maker using the distribution decision maker terminal 2 of the information stored in the to-be-performed task database 126 of the memory unit 12 through the processes up to step S5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 8.

[0143] In step S5-4, when the additional cost necessity information D11 and the additional cost amount information D12 are stored in the work to be performed database 126 of the memory unit 12, the control unit 11 in the management server 1 links the element extraction information D6, priority information D7, work subject information D10, additional cost necessity information D11, and additional cost amount information D12 stored in the work to be performed database 126 of the memory unit 12 for each task, and transmits them from the communication unit 13 to the distribution decision maker terminal 2 via the communication network N (step S6-1).

[0144] In the distribution decider terminal 2 that receives the information transmitted from the management server 1 via the communication unit 23, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display the received information (step S6-2).

[0145] This enables the distribution decision maker to confirm, for each task, information on the details of each task related to the element extraction information D6, information on the priority order of each task related to the priority order information D7, information on the determination result of the task owner related to the task owner information D10, information on the necessity of additional costs related to the additional cost necessity information D11, and information on the amount of additional costs related to the additional cost amount information D12.

[0146] [Third effect explanation] Next, the effects of the work subject determination system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0147] According to the work subject determination system 100 of this embodiment, the management server 1 acquires impossible work information D4 and emergency response request information D5, which are information relating to work that needs to be performed at a specific facility such as a station, and then determines whether the work subject related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5 should be a worker or a robot.

[0148] In this embodiment, there are four judgment results in step S4: work by a worker (step S4-5C and step S4-5E), work by a robot (step S4-5B and step S4-5F), work by either a worker or a robot (step S4-5D), and work cannot be performed (step S4-5A). The work subject is not necessarily determined to be only either a worker or a robot, but if the possible judgment results include both the case where the work subject is determined to be a worker (in this case steps S4-5C and step S4-5E) and the case where the work subject is determined to be a robot (in this case steps S4-5B and step S4-5F), then this is considered to be included in the case of determining whether the work subject should be a worker or a robot.

[0149] This makes it possible to provide the person who decides on the allocation of work with information regarding whether the work should be carried out by a worker or a robot, making it easier to decide whether the work that needs to be carried out should be carried out by a worker or a robot.

[0150] In addition, when the management server 1 determines whether the work to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, it determines in step S4-2 whether the work requires specialization, making it possible to determine the work provider depending on whether the work requires specialization.

[0151] Furthermore, when the management server 1 determines whether the task that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, if the task requires specialization, it determines in step S4-3 whether there is a worker who can perform the task, making it possible to determine the task owner depending on whether there is a worker who can perform the specialized task.

[0152] Furthermore, when the management server 1 determines whether the work that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, if the work requires specialization and there is a worker who can perform the work, then in step S4-4B it is determined whether the work can be performed by a robot, making it possible to determine the work subject based on the presence or absence of a robot that can perform the specialized work, in addition to the presence or absence of a worker who can perform the specialized work.

[0153] Furthermore, when the management server 1 determines whether the work that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, if the work requires specialization and there is no worker available to perform the work, it determines in step S4-4A whether the work can be performed by a robot, making it possible to determine the work subject based on the presence or absence of a robot that can perform the specialized work, in addition to the presence or absence of a worker who can perform the specialized work.

[0154] In addition, when the management server 1 determines whether the work that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, if the work does not require expertise, in step S4-4C it determines whether the work can be performed by a robot, making it possible to determine the work owner for work that does not require expertise depending on whether or not there is a robot that can perform the work that does not require expertise.

[0155] In addition, when the management server 1 determines whether the work that needs to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, it becomes possible to determine the work entity that will perform the work based on second information regarding an event outside the facility.

[0156] Moreover, the management server 1 can determine whether the task to be performed should be performed by a worker or a robot, based on the weight of the transport object.

[0157] Furthermore, the management server 1 can identify a task to be performed from the contents of the call log, and determine whether the task to be performed by the identified task should be performed by a worker or a robot.

[0158] In addition, in step S5-2, the management server 1 determines whether or not there is additional cost to perform the work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5, making it possible to provide information regarding the presence or absence of additional costs depending on the work entity.

[0159] In addition, by determining in the management server 1 whether or not overtime will be required when workers perform work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5, it is possible to provide information regarding whether or not overtime will be required when the work is performed by a worker.

[0160] In addition, by determining in the management server 1 whether charging is required when a robot performs work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5, it is possible to provide information regarding whether charging is required when the work is performed by a robot.

[0161] In addition, in step S5-3, the management server 1 calculates the amount of additional costs for carrying out the work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5, making it possible to provide information regarding the amount of additional costs according to the work entity.

[0162] In addition, by calculating the amount of overtime pay that will be incurred when a worker performs work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5 in the management server 1, it is possible to provide information regarding the amount of overtime pay that will be incurred when the work is performed by a worker.

[0163] In addition, by calculating the amount of electricity required to charge the robot when it performs the work related to the impossible work information D4 and the emergency response request information D5 in the management server 1, it is also possible to provide information related to the amount of electricity required to charge the robot.

[0164] Furthermore, in the management server 1, the tasks that are used to determine whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot include tasks related to impossible task information D4, which is tasks that have been determined to be impossible to perform by a specified worker.This makes it possible to provide information regarding whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot for tasks that cannot be performed by a specified worker and need to be performed by a worker other than the specified worker or a robot.

[0165] In addition, in the management server 1, the tasks that are used to determine whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot include tasks related to emergency response request information D5, which is tasks for which a worker has requested a response. This makes it possible to provide information regarding whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot for tasks for which a worker has requested a response and which need to be performed by a worker or a robot.

[0166] Furthermore, by determining the priority order for performing tasks related to the impossible task information D4 and the emergency response request information D5 in the management server 1, it is possible to provide information related to the priority order of tasks.

[0167] [Fourth Variation] Next, a modification of the work subject determination system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0168] [1 Variation 1: Change in costs to be considered] In the above description of the operation, the cost taken into consideration in step S5 is the overtime pay when the work subject is a worker, and the electricity cost required for charging when the work subject is a robot. In this regard, it is preferable to take these two costs into consideration, but the costs that can be taken into consideration are not limited to the additional costs incurred by the execution of the work by the work subject determined in step S4. For example, in addition to or instead of the overtime pay and the electricity cost required for charging, the following costs may be taken into consideration.

[0169] That is, for workers, additional transportation costs incurred by performing the work (for example, taxi fares when they are unable to return home by train) may be taken into consideration. Also, for robots, if replacement of consumable parts becomes necessary as a result of performing the work, the cost of replacing such parts may be taken into consideration.

[0170] In addition, there are cases where the cost is determined for each cleaning task, such as a certain amount per cleaning, or a certain amount per 1m cleaning. 2In cases where the cost is determined for each area, such as a certain amount per task, costs incurred due to an increase in the number of tasks or an increase in the task area may be considered as additional costs.

[0171] [2 Variation 2: Further determination of the work subject] In the above description of the operation, when the task subject is determined to be a worker or a robot in step S4-5D, information related to the determination result of the worker or robot is sent as the task subject information D10 in step S6 to the distribution decision maker terminal 2. In this case, the decision of whether the task should be performed by a worker or a robot is left to the decision maker using the distribution decision maker terminal 2.

[0172] In contrast, if the work subject is determined to be a worker or a robot in step S4-5D, the control unit 11 in the management server 1 may further determine whether the work subject is a worker or a robot, and transmit information related to the result.

[0173] In this case, the control unit 11 may refer to the additional cost necessity information D11 and determine that the robot that does not require additional cost will perform the task if additional cost is required only for the worker or the robot. In this case, for example, if additional cost is required only for the worker, it is determined that the robot will perform the task, and if additional cost is required only for the robot, it is determined that the worker will perform the task.

[0174] Also, for example, after referring to the additional cost necessity information D11, if an additional cost is required whether the task is performed by a worker or a robot, the additional cost amount information D12 may be further referred to and it may be determined that the task is to be performed by the task with the lower additional cost related to the additional cost amount information D12. In this case, for example, if the additional cost of the task performed by a worker is lower than the additional cost of the task performed by a robot, it may be determined that the task is to be performed by a worker, and if the additional cost of the task performed by a robot is lower than the additional cost of the task performed by a worker, it may be determined that the task is to be performed by a robot.

[0175] Also, for example, when the additional cost requirement information D11 is referenced and it is determined that no additional cost is required for either the execution by a worker or the execution by a robot, priority is given to the worker, and it is determined that the worker will execute the task.

[0176] [3 Variation 3: Change of target facility] In the above explanation of the configuration and operation, the target facility is a station, and the target work is work expected at a station (work related to security duties such as equipment inspection and patrol security, work related to cleaning duties such as garbage collection and replenishing supplies, work related to transportation duties such as baggage delivery and collection, etc.), but the target facilities and work are not limited to this.

[0177] Regardless of the type of facility, as long as both workers and robots are deployed and work can be performed by both, the system of this embodiment can be applied to determine whether the work that needs to be performed should be carried out by a worker or a robot, making it easier to decide whether the work that needs to be performed should be carried out by a worker or a robot.

[0178] [4 Variation 4: Change in the method for setting available work] For both workers and robots, the tasks that can be handled (tasks related to the available task information D8-2 included in the worker information D8 for workers, and tasks related to the available task information D9-2 included in the robot information D9 for robots) may be set by rating the skill level of each worker and robot individually, for example, based on the speed at which past task results were achieved.

[0179] [5 Variation 5: Change in judgment order] In step S4 of the above operation description, a case has been described in which the presence or absence of expertise is first determined for the work extracted in step S4-1 in step S4-2, and then a determination is made as to whether or not there is a worker who can handle the work or whether or not it can be performed by a robot. In this regard, although it is preferable to go through such a process of determination, the order of determination is not necessarily limited to this, and it is also possible to go through a process of first determining whether or not there is a worker who can handle the work or whether or not it can be performed by a robot, and then determining whether or not the work is specialized.

[0180] [others] Although the telephone has been given as an example of a communication tool, any tool that allows people to communicate with each other, such as e-mail, chat, SNS, or wireless, can be used. The task entity determination program may use a learning model that has learned past task entity determination results and actual task performance. The learning model can be updated as needed to more accurately determine task entities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 100 Work subject judgment system 1 Management server (operation subject determination device) 11 control unit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, third acquisition means, work subject determination means, additional cost presence / absence determination means, additional cost amount calculation means, priority order determination means) 12 Storage section 13 Communication Department (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, third acquisition means) 2. Distribution Decision Maker Terminal 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Display section 25 Control section 3. Worker terminal 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Communications Department 34 Display section 35 Control section N Communication Network D1 Planned Work Information D3 Work progress information D4 Impossible Work Information D5 Emergency response request information D6 Element Extraction Information D7 Priority Information D8 Worker Information D9 Robot Information D10 Work subject information D11 Additional cost information D12 Additional cost amount information

Claims

1. A first acquisition means for acquiring first information related to a work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination means for determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; A work subject determination device comprising:

2. 2. The device for determining a task owner according to claim 1, wherein the task owner determining means determines whether or not the task to be performed requires expertise.

3. 3. The work subject determination device according to claim 2, wherein the work subject determination means determines whether or not there is a worker capable of performing the work.

4. The work subject determination device according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the work to be performed requires expertise and a worker who can perform the work is available, the work subject determination means determines whether the work to be performed can be performed by a robot, and when the work can be performed by a robot, determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker or a robot, and when the work cannot be performed by a robot, determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker.

5. The work subject determination device of claim 3, characterized in that when the work to be performed requires expertise and there is no worker who can perform the work, the work subject determination means determines whether the work to be performed can be performed by a robot, and when the work can be performed by a robot, determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a robot, and when the work cannot be performed by a robot, determines that the work to be performed cannot be performed.

6. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the task-required task determining means determines whether or not the task-required task can be performed by a robot.

7. The work subject determination device according to claim 6, characterized in that the work subject determination means determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a robot if the work to be performed does not require expertise and the work can be performed by a robot, and determines that the work to be performed will be performed by a worker if the work to be performed does not require expertise and the work cannot be performed by a robot.

8. A second acquisition means for acquiring second information related to an event outside the facility, 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the task subject determination means determines whether the task subject of the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot, based on the second information.

9. The work to be performed is a transportation work, 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the task subject determination means determines whether the task subject for the work to be performed should be a worker or a robot based on a weight of the object to be transported.

10. a third acquisition means for acquiring third information which is log data generated by a communication tool; 2. The work subject determination device according to claim 1, wherein the work subject determination means identifies the work to be performed from the contents of the log data, and determines whether the work subject of the identified work to be performed should be a worker or a robot.

11. The work subject determination device according to claim 1 , further comprising an additional cost determination unit that determines whether or not there is an additional cost for performing the required work.

12. 11. The work subject determination device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional cost calculation unit that calculates an additional cost for performing the required work.

13. 11. The worker determination device according to claim 1, wherein the to-be-performed work includes a work that is determined to be impossible to be performed by a predetermined worker.

14. The task subject determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the task to be performed includes a task for which a response has been requested.

15. 11. The work subject determination device according to claim 1, further comprising a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for the work to be performed.

16. In the method for determining a worker by the worker determination device, An acquisition step of acquiring information regarding a work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination step of determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; A method for determining a task subject, comprising:

17. Computer, An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding work to be performed, which is work that needs to be performed in a predetermined facility; a task subject determination means for determining whether a task subject for the task to be performed should be a worker or a robot; A work subject determination program characterized by causing the work subject to function as a work subject.

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