Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To identify appropriate available space for a person in charge.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 according to the present invention includes: an acquisition unit 152 for acquiring physical characteristics of a person in charge of working to store articles in a plurality of storage spaces installed on a shelf and having different installation positions; and a specification unit 153 for specifying a storage candidate space indicating a storage space having an installation position according to the physical characteristics and not storing the article among the plurality of storage spaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Companies that undertake the repair of devices use a repair process management system to manage the progress of the repair process for the devices. The devices to be repaired are notebook PCs (Personal Computers), desktop PCs, etc. In the following description, the devices to be repaired will be appropriately referred to as "devices".

[0003] For example, the status of the progress of the repair process for a device used in a repair process management system includes "not started", "diagnosis in progress", "estimate", "estimate replied", "inspection in progress", "inspection completed", "shipped", etc.

[0004] Among the above statuses, in "diagnosis in progress", the person in charge diagnoses the device, and when the diagnosis is completed, the device is stored in the "temporary management shelf". For the devices stored in the temporary management shelf, the subsequent processes (estimate, estimate replied, inspection in progress, inspection completed, shipped) are sequentially carried out, and the repaired devices are returned to the customer.

[0005] Conventionally, when storing a device in the temporary management shelf, the person in charge checks a plurality of storage spaces in the temporary management shelf, searches for a storage space where the device is not stored, and stores the device. In the following description, a storage space where the device is not stored will be referred to as an "empty space".

[0006] Here, since the work of the person in charge searching for an empty space from the temporary management shelf is time-consuming, it is desirable for a repair process management system or the like to automatically search for an empty space from the primary management shelf.

[0007] As a technology for searching for shelves for storing articles, there is a conventional technology in which the number of locations (required storage capacity) necessary for shelving sorted articles onto an article supply shelf is determined based on at least the incoming quantity of the sorted articles and the number of order lines, and a shelf for storing the articles is determined using the determination result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, the empty space automatically determined by the above-described conventional technology may not be an appropriate empty space for the person in charge.

[0010] For example, at the work site, persons in charge with various physical characteristics are performing the work of storing articles in the empty space. For this reason, even if the empty space is automatically determined using the conventional technology or the like, there are cases where articles cannot be stored in the determined empty space according to the physical characteristics of the person in charge. For example, a person in charge with a short stature, a person with a disability using a wheelchair, a person with a disability in one hand and having difficulty holding articles stably with both hands, a person with an eye disorder who does not prefer illumination to hit the eyes by looking above their own line of sight, etc. have difficulty storing articles in the empty space located at a high place.

[0011] On one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of specifying an appropriate empty space for a person in charge.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] In the first aspect, the information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires the physical characteristics of a person in charge of performing an operation for storing an article in a plurality of storage spaces installed on a shelf, where the installation positions of the plurality of storage spaces are different, and a specification unit that specifies a storage candidate space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics among the plurality of storage spaces and in which the article is not stored.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] An appropriate empty space can be specified for the person in charge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and an information processing apparatus 100. The terminals 10a to 10d and the information processing apparatus 100 are mutually connected via a network 5.

[0017] The terminals 10a to 10d are devices used when various in-house personnel access the information processing apparatus 100, and are different from the devices to be repaired. In the system 1 of FIG. 1, the terminals 10a to 10d are shown, but other terminals may be included. In the following description, the terminals 10a to 10d are collectively referred to as "terminal 10".

[0018] For example, various in-house personnel include those in charge of receiving goods, those in charge of diagnosis, and those in charge of inspection. In the following description, those in charge of receiving goods are referred to as "receiving personnel", those in charge of diagnosis are referred to as "diagnosis personnel", and those in charge of inspection are referred to as "inspection personnel". Hereinafter, the receiving personnel, diagnosis personnel, and inspection personnel will be described in order.

[0019] The receiving staff performs various operations related to the receipt of the device to be repaired (hereinafter referred to as the target device). The receiving staff temporarily stores the target device on the receiving shelf. The receiving staff operates the terminal 10 to set the management information regarding the target device in the information processing device 100.

[0020] The management information includes a reception number, a PC identification number, a PC type, spare part information, etc. The reception number is an incident number for managing a series of information regarding the target device. The PC identification number is a number for identifying the target device. The PC type is information indicating the type of the target device (laptop PC or desktop PC). The spare part information is information regarding the spare parts attached to the target device. The spare parts attached to the target device include a mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, a speaker, a camera, an external hard disk, a headset, a power adapter, etc.

[0021] The diagnosis staff acquires the target device stored on the receiving shelf and performs operations (diagnosis) related to diagnosis classification on the workbench assigned to themselves. After the diagnosis is completed, the diagnosis staff stores the target device in the "temporary management shelf".

[0022] There are multiple diagnosis staff, and each diagnosis staff has various physical characteristics. Such physical characteristics include height and the presence or absence of disabilities.

[0023] Here, when the diagnosis staff stores the target device in the temporary management shelf, they operate the terminal 10 to access the information processing device 100 and request the information on the available space in the temporary management shelf. For example, when the diagnosis staff requests the information on the available space in the temporary management shelf, they notify the information processing device 100 of the staff identification number that can uniquely identify the diagnosis staff, the PC identification number, etc.

[0024] The diagnosis staff refers to the information on the available space notified by the information processing device 100 and stores the target device in the temporary management shelf. The diagnosis staff contacts the inspection staff regarding the target device stored in the temporary management device and continues the process.

[0025] In addition, when the diagnostician diagnoses the target device and there is a need to handle replacement parts that require additional costs, the diagnostician stores the target device in the temporary storage shelf and then contacts the customer to request approval for the additional costs. After obtaining approval from the customer, the diagnostician performs the necessary actions and continues with the target device for the inspector.

[0026] The inspector performs various inspections on the target device stored in the temporary storage shelf, and for the inspected target device, stores it in the shipping shelf. The target device stored in the shipping shelf is shipped to the customer.

[0027] The above explanations have been given regarding the receiving staff, diagnostician, and inspector. However, each staff member (receiving staff, diagnostician, inspector) may perform work other than the above-described content. Also, each staff member may directly operate the information processing device 100.

[0028] When the information processing device 100 receives a request for information on the available space in the temporary storage shelf from the terminal 10 operated by the diagnostician, it acquires the physical characteristics of the diagnostician. The information processing device 100 identifies a storage candidate space that is the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics among the plurality of storage spaces included in the temporary storage shelf and in which no other target device is stored. The information processing device 100 notifies the terminal 10 operated by the diagnostician of the information on the identified storage candidate space.

[0029] In this way, according to the information processing device 100, among the plurality of storage spaces in the temporary storage shelf, it identifies the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics of the diagnostician and in which no other target device is stored, so that it is possible to notify the diagnostician who transports the target device to the temporary storage shelf of an appropriate available space.

[0030] Next, an example of the working environment of the diagnosis staff will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the working environment of the diagnosis staff. As shown in FIG. 2, the working environment of the diagnosis staff includes work desks 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, a receiving shelf 20, a temporary management shelf 30, a terminal 10, etc. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the shipping shelf mentioned in FIG. 1 and the waiting shelf used for other purposes are omitted.

[0031] The terminal 10 is a device used when each person in charge accesses the information processing device 100. The description of the terminal 10 is the same as the description given in FIG. 1. Note that the terminal 10 may be installed on the work desks 15a to 15f.

[0032] The work desks 15a to 15f are desks used by each diagnosis staff when diagnosing the target device. It is assumed that the work desks used by the diagnosis staff are specified in advance. For example, the work desk 15a is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16a. The work desk 15b is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16b. The work desk 15c is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16c. The work desk 15d is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16d. The work desk 15e is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16e. The work desk 15f is the desk used by the diagnosis staff 16f.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the work desks 15a to 15f and the diagnosis staff 16a to 16f are shown, but other work desks and diagnosis staff may be included. In the following description, the work desks 15a to 15f are collectively referred to as "work desk 15". The diagnosis staff 16a to 16f are collectively referred to as "diagnosis staff 16".

[0034] The receiving shelf 20 is a shelf for storing the incoming target devices. For example, the diagnosis staff 16 acquires the target device from the receiving shelf 20 and diagnoses the target device on the work desk assigned to himself / herself. Other descriptions of the receiving shelf are the same as the above description.

[0035] The temporary management shelf 30 is a shelf having a plurality of storage spaces with different installation positions. The target device is stored in the storage space. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the temporary management shelf. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the temporary management shelf 30 is a shelf with 8 tiers in the vertical direction and 5 columns in the horizontal direction. In the following description, the storage space at the n-th tier from the bottom and the m-th column from the left of the temporary management shelf 30 will be denoted as "storage space (n, m)" as appropriate.

[0036] For example, when the diagnosis operator 16 finishes the diagnosis and stores the target device in the temporary management shelf 30, the operator operates the terminal 10 and inputs the operator identification number assigned to himself / herself and the PC identification number assigned to the target device to the information processing device 100, thereby obtaining the information of the candidate storage space.

[0037] The diagnosis operator 16 stores the target device in the storage space corresponding to the information of the candidate storage space. For example, when the information of the candidate storage space includes "shelf number N-M", the diagnosis operator 16 stores the target device in the storage space (N, M) of the temporary management shelf 30.

[0038] Next, a configuration example of the information processing device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, this information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a display unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0039] The communication unit 110 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal 10 and other external devices via the network 5. The communication unit 110 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like.

[0040] The input unit 120 is an input device for inputting various information to the control unit 150 of the information processing device 100. The input unit 120 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

[0041] The display unit 130 is a display device that displays the information output from the control unit 150.

[0042] The storage unit 140 has an operator management table 141, a temporary storage shelf table 142, a determination table 143, a work management table 144, and a target device management table 145. The storage unit 140 is a storage device such as a memory.

[0043] The operator management table 141 holds various types of information about the operator. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the operator management table. As shown in FIG. 5, this operator management table 141 includes an operator identification number, name, disabled flag, characteristics, height, and workbench position.

[0044] The operator identification number is a number that uniquely identifies the diagnosing operator. The name is the name of the diagnosing operator. The disabled flag indicates whether the diagnosing operator is disabled. When the diagnosing operator is disabled, the disabled flag is "on". When the diagnosing operator is not disabled, the disabled flag is "off".

[0045] The characteristics indicate the characteristics of the diagnosing operator when the disabled flag is "on". For example, such characteristics are a wheelchair, one-handed disability, etc. The height indicates the height of the diagnosing operator. The workbench position is the position information of the workbench used by the diagnosing operator.

[0046] In the description of the operator management table 141 in FIG. 5, the case of holding various types of information about the diagnosing operator has been described, but it may also hold various types of information about the incoming goods operator and the inspection operator.

[0047] The temporary storage shelf table 142 holds various types of information about the temporary storage shelf 30. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the temporary storage shelf table. As shown in FIG. 6, this temporary storage shelf table 142 includes a shelf number, position coordinates, usage flag, and reception number.

[0048] The shelf number is a number that uniquely identifies the storage space in the temporary management shelf table 142. For example, when the shelf number is "N-M", the corresponding storage space is the storage space (N,M) of the temporary management shelf 30.

[0049] The position coordinates are the position coordinates of the corresponding storage space. The usage flag is a flag indicating whether the target device is stored in the corresponding storage space. When the target device is stored in the corresponding storage space, the usage flag is "on". When the target device is not stored in the corresponding storage space, the usage flag is "off". For example, a storage space with the usage flag "off" is an empty space.

[0050] The reception number indicates the reception number related to the target device stored in the corresponding storage space.

[0051] The determination table 143 holds information on the positions of appropriate storage spaces for the physical characteristics of the diagnostician. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the determination table. As shown in FIG. 7, this determination table 143 associates characteristics, height, and recommended shelf height. The explanations regarding characteristics and height are the same as those regarding characteristics and height in the person-in-charge management table 141 in FIG. 5.

[0052] The recommended shelf height indicates the position of a storage space suitable for a combination of characteristics and height (physical characteristics). For example, the recommended shelf height for the characteristics "wheelchair" and height "all heights" is shown to be the "3rd to 4th tiers" of the temporary management shelf table 142. The storage spaces in the "3rd to 4th tiers" of the temporary management shelf table 142 shown in FIG. 3 are storage spaces (3,1) to (3,5), (4,1) to (4,5).

[0053] The recommended shelf height for the characteristics "one-handed disability" and height "less than 170 cm" is shown to be the "3rd to 4th tiers" of the temporary management shelf table 142.

[0054] For the feature "one-handed disability" and height "170 cm or more", the recommended shelf height is shown to be the "3rd to 5th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142. The storage spaces of the "3rd to 4th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142 shown in Figure 3 are storage spaces (3,1) to (3,5), (4,1) to (4,5), and (5,1) to (5,5).

[0055] For the feature "-(no disability)" and height "less than 160 cm", the recommended shelf height is shown to be the "1st to 2nd levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142. The storage spaces of the "1st to 2nd levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142 shown in Figure 3 are storage spaces (1,1) to (1,5) and (2,1) to (2,5).

[0056] For the feature "-(no disability)" and height "160 cm or more and less than 180 cm", the recommended shelf height is shown to be the "1st to 2nd, 5th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142. The storage spaces of the "1st to 2nd, 5th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142 shown in Figure 3 are storage spaces (1,1) to (1,5), (2,1) to (2,5), and (5,1) to (5,5).

[0057] For the feature "-(no disability)" and height "180 cm or more", the recommended shelf height is shown to be the "5th to 8th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142. The storage spaces of the "5th to 8th levels" of the temporary management shelf table 142 shown in Figure 3 are storage spaces (5,1) to (5,5), (6,1) to (6,5), (7,1) to (7,5), and (8,1) to (8,5).

[0058] The work management table 144 holds information on repair work for the target device. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the work management table. As shown in Figure 8, this work management table 144 has a reception number, diagnosis start date, diagnosis end date, re-estimate request date, customer response deadline, customer response reception date, etc. The explanation regarding the reception number is the same as the explanation regarding the above-mentioned reception number.

[0059] The diagnosis start date is the date when the person in charge of diagnosis starts diagnosing the target device. The diagnosis end date is the date when the person in charge of diagnosis finishes diagnosing the target device. The reinspection request date is the date when the person in charge of diagnosis requests a reinspection of the target device. The customer response deadline is the date of the response deadline set by the person in charge of diagnosis for the customer. The customer response reception date is the date when the response from the customer is received.

[0060] The target device management table 145 holds various types of information regarding the target device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the target device management table. As shown in FIG. 9, the target device management table 145 has a reception number, a PC identification number, a PC type, spare part information, etc. The explanations regarding the reception number, the PC identification number, the PC type, and the spare part information are the same as the above explanations.

[0061] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4. The control unit 150 includes an update unit 151, an acquisition unit 152, a specification unit 153, and a notification unit 154. The control unit 150 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like.

[0062] The update unit 151 is a processing unit that accepts access from the terminal 10 operated by each person in charge and updates the information in the storage unit 140.

[0063] For example, when the update unit 151 receives management information from the terminal 10 operated by the incoming goods person in charge, it registers the reception number, the PC identification number, and the spare part information included in the management information in the target device management table 145.

[0064] When the update unit 151 receives information regarding the diagnosis start date, the diagnosis end date, the reinspection request date, the customer response deadline, the customer response reception date, etc. in association with the reception number from the terminal 10 operated by the person in charge of diagnosis, it updates the work management table 144 based on the received information.

[0065] In addition, when each person in charge moves the target device stored in the temporary management shelf 30 to another location, the terminal 10 is operated to input the shelf number of the storage space that has become an empty space after the movement into the information processing apparatus 100. In this case, the update unit 151 accesses the temporary management shelf table 142, sets the use flag corresponding to the shelf number of the storage space that has become an empty space to "off", and clears the reception number.

[0066] The acquisition unit 152 is a processing unit that acquires the physical characteristics of the diagnostic person in charge who performs the work of storing the target device in the storage space. An example of the processing of the acquisition unit 152 is shown below.

[0067] The acquisition unit 152 receives a request for information on the empty space of the temporary management shelf (hereinafter referred to as request information) from the terminal 10 operated by the diagnostic person in charge. The request information includes the person in charge identification number, the PC identification number, the reception number, and the like. For example, the diagnostic person in charge may access the target device management table 145 of the information processing apparatus 100 and grasp the reception number corresponding to the PC identification information.

[0068] The acquisition unit 152 acquires the disabled person flag, characteristics, height, and workbench position information corresponding to the person in charge identification number based on the person in charge identification number and the person in charge management table 141. For example, the disabled person flag, characteristics, and height information correspond to the physical characteristic information.

[0069] The acquisition unit 152 outputs the physical characteristic information, the PC identification number, the reception number, and the workbench position information to the specifying unit 153.

[0070] The specifying unit 153 is a processing unit that specifies a storage candidate space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics among the plurality of storage spaces included in the temporary management shelf 30 and in which no other target device is stored. An example of the processing of the specifying unit 153 is shown below.

[0071] When the disabled flag included in the information on physical characteristics acquired by the acquisition unit 152 is "ON", the specifying unit 153 determines that the person in charge of diagnosis is a disabled person. On the other hand, when the disabled flag included in the information on physical characteristics acquired by the acquisition unit 152 is "OFF", the specifying unit 153 determines that the person in charge of diagnosis is not a disabled person (is a healthy person).

[0072] When the person in charge of diagnosis is a disabled person, the specifying unit 153 performs the following processing. The specifying unit 153 specifies the recommended shelf height based on the characteristics and height included in the information on physical characteristics and the determination table 143. The specifying unit 153 compares the specified estimated shelf height with the temporary management shelf table 142, and specifies a storage space in which the use flag is "OFF" among the storage spaces corresponding to the specified estimated shelf height.

[0073] When there are a plurality of specified storage spaces, the specifying unit 153 calculates the distance between the position coordinates of the specified storage space and the workbench position for each storage space, and specifies the storage space with the position coordinates having the shortest distance from the workbench position as the storage candidate space.

[0074] When there is only one specified storage space, the specifying unit 153 specifies such a storage space as the storage candidate space.

[0075] In addition, as a result of comparing the specified estimated shelf height with the temporary management shelf table 142, when there is no storage space in which the use flag is "OFF" among the storage spaces corresponding to the estimated shelf height, the specifying unit 153 specifies one storage space in which the use flag is "OFF" from all the storage spaces in the temporary management shelf table 142 and sets it as the storage candidate space.

[0076] On the one hand, when the person in charge of diagnosis is not a person with a disability, the specific part 153 performs the following processing. The specific part 153 specifies the recommended shelf height based on the height included in the information on physical characteristics and the determination table 143. The specific part 153 compares the specified estimated shelf height with the temporary management shelf table 142, and specifies the storage space in which the use flag is "off" among the storage spaces corresponding to the specified estimated shelf height.

[0077] When there are a plurality of specified storage spaces, the specific part 153 preferentially specifies, as the storage candidate space, the storage space other than the storage space that a person with a disability may use from the specified storage spaces. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the storage spaces that a healthy person and a person with a disability may use are the fifth-stage storage spaces. For example, when the height of the person in charge of diagnosis (a healthy person) is "160 cm or more and less than 180 cm", the recommended shelf height is "1-2, fifth stage", but the fifth-stage storage space may be used by a person with a disability. Therefore, the specific part 153 preferentially specifies the storage space with the recommended shelf height of "1st-2nd stage". When all the use flags of the storage spaces with the recommended shelf height of "1st-2nd stage" are "off", the specific part 153 specifies the storage candidate space from the storage space with the recommended shelf height of "fifth stage".

[0078] As described above, after specifying the storage candidate space, the specific part 153 notifies the terminal 10 used by the person in charge of diagnosis of the shelf number of the storage candidate space. Further, the specific part 153 sets the use flag corresponding to the shelf number of the notified storage candidate space to "on" in the temporary management shelf table 142, and registers the reception number corresponding to the reception number (the reception number received from the acquisition part 152).

[0079] The notification part 154 is a processing part that notifies the terminal 10 used by the supporter of the movement instruction of the target device stored in the storage space preferentially used by the person with a disability when the empty ratio of the storage space preferentially used by the person with a disability among the storage spaces installed in the temporary management shelf 30 becomes a certain number or less.

[0080] For example, referring to the determination table 143 in FIG. 7, the storage spaces preferentially used by the disabled are the storage spaces on the 3rd to 5th tiers. The notification unit 154 periodically accesses the temporary management shelf table 142 and counts the number "X" of storage spaces with the use flag being "off" among the storage spaces on the 3rd to 5th tiers. Let the number of all storage spaces on the 3rd to 5th tiers be "Y". When the value of "X / Y" is less than a preset threshold, the notification unit 154 executes the following process.

[0081] Based on the temporary management shelf table 142, the notification unit 154 identifies the reception numbers of the records with the use flag being "on" among the storage spaces corresponding to the shelf numbers on the 3rd to 5th tiers. Based on the work management table 144, the notification unit 154 identifies the customer response deadline corresponding to the identified reception number and determines whether the current date has passed the customer response deadline. Note that the notification unit 154 obtains the current date from a timer (not shown) or the like.

[0082] When the current date has passed the customer response deadline, the notification unit 154 notifies the terminal 10 used by the supporter of the movement instruction for the target device stored in the storage space of the shelf number corresponding to the reception number. Note that the supporter is a preset healthy person among each person in charge. The movement instruction is set with the shelf number of the storage space in which the target device to be moved is stored.

[0083] Note that the notification unit 154 may further execute the following process. For example, the notification unit 154 monitors the storage spaces preferentially used by the disabled among the storage spaces in the temporary management shelf table 142 and counts the number (the number of times the use flag switches from off to on) of newly stored target devices every day. Based on the counted result, the notification unit 154 calculates the average value Z of the number of newly stored target devices per day. When the above "X" is less than such average value Z, the notification unit 154 may execute the same process as the process when the value of "X / Y" is less than a preset threshold.

[0084] Next, an example of the processing procedure of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the acquisition unit 152 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires request information (person in charge identification number, PC identification number, reception number, etc.) from the terminal 10 operated by the person in charge of diagnosis (step S101).

[0085] The acquisition unit 152 acquires information on physical characteristics corresponding to the person in charge identification number based on the person in charge management table 141 (step S102). The information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the disabled person flag corresponding to the person in charge identification number is on based on the person in charge management table 141 (step S103).

[0086] When the disabled person flag is not on (step S103, No), the specifying unit 153 of the information processing apparatus 100 executes a specifying process for a healthy person (step S104) and proceeds to step S108.

[0087] On the other hand, when the disabled person flag is on (step S103, Yes), the specifying unit 153 specifies the recommended shelf height corresponding to the physical characteristics based on the determination table 143 (step S105). The specifying unit 153 determines whether there is an empty space among the storage spaces corresponding to the specified recommended shelf height based on the temporary management shelf table 142 (step S106).

[0088] When there is an empty space (step S106, Yes), the specifying unit 153 specifies the empty space with the shortest distance from the workbench position of the person in charge of diagnosis as the storage candidate space (step S107). The specifying unit 153 notifies the terminal 10 of the information on the storage candidate space (step S108).

[0089] On the other hand, when there is no empty space (step S106, No), the specifying unit 153 specifies an empty space other than the storage space of the specified recommended shelf height as the storage candidate space (step S109) and proceeds to step S108.

[0090] Next, an example of the processing procedure of the specific processing for non-disabled persons shown in step S104 of FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the specific processing for non-disabled persons. As shown in FIG. 11, the specifying unit 153 specifies a recommended shelf height corresponding to the physical characteristics based on the determination table 143 (step S201).

[0091] The specifying unit 153 determines whether there are multiple empty spaces among the storage spaces corresponding to the specified recommended shelf height (step S202). When there are multiple empty spaces (step S202, Yes), the specifying unit 153 preferentially specifies, as the storage candidate space, the empty space other than the empty space that a disabled person may use from the empty spaces (step S203).

[0092] On the other hand, when there are not multiple empty spaces (step S202, No), the specifying unit 153 specifies the corresponding empty space as the storage candidate space (step S204).

[0093] Next, an example of the processing procedure of the notification unit 154 according to this embodiment will be described. The notification unit 154 periodically executes the processing shown in FIG. 12.

[0094] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the notification unit according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the notification unit 154 of the information processing apparatus 100 counts the number (X) of storage spaces with the use flag turned on among the storage spaces preferentially used by disabled persons based on the temporary management shelf table 142 (step S301).

[0095] The notification unit 154 determines whether the value of X / Y is less than the threshold (step S302). Note that Y is the number of storage spaces preferentially used by disabled persons. When the value of X / Y is not less than the threshold (step S302, No), the notification unit 154 ends the processing. On the other hand, when the value of X / Y is less than the threshold (step S302, Yes), the notification unit 154 proceeds to step S303.

[0096] Based on the temporary storage shelf table 142 and the work management table 144, the notification unit 154 determines whether there is a target device stored in the storage space with the use flag set to "on" among the storage spaces preferentially used by the disabled person, and whether the current date has passed the customer response deadline for the target device (step S303).

[0097] If there is no target device for which the current date has passed the customer response deadline (step S303, No), the notification unit 154 ends the process. On the other hand, if there is a target device (receiving number) for which the current date has passed the customer response deadline (step S303, Yes), the notification unit 154 proceeds to step S304.

[0098] The notification unit 154 notifies the terminal 10 used by the supporter of the movement instruction of the target device stored in the storage space of the shelf number of the corresponding target device (receiving number) (step S304).

[0099] Next, the effects of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus 100 acquires the physical characteristics of the person in charge, and among the plurality of storage spaces set in the temporary storage shelf 30, identifies a storage candidate space that is the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics and in which the target device is not stored. Thereby, an appropriate empty space can be identified for the person in charge.

[0100] When there are a plurality of storage candidate spaces (empty spaces corresponding to the physical characteristics), the information processing apparatus 100 identifies one storage candidate space from the plurality of storage candidate spaces based on the distance between the work location of the person in charge and the installation positions of the respective storage candidate spaces. Thereby, a storage candidate space at a position closer to the work location can be identified.

[0101] When the person in charge is a person with a disability, the information processing apparatus 100 identifies, as a storage space at an installation position according to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed at the middle height of the temporary management shelf 30. For example, the storage space installed at the middle height of the temporary management shelf 30 is the storage space from the third tier to the fourth tier, or the storage space from the third tier to the fifth tier of the temporary management shelf 30 shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, it is possible to identify a storage candidate space in which a person with a disability can easily store the target device.

[0102] When the height of the person in charge is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the information processing apparatus 100 identifies, as a storage space at an installation position according to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed above the storage space installed at the middle height of the temporary management shelf 30. Accordingly, it is possible to identify, as a storage candidate space, a storage space that is at a position where it is difficult for a person in charge with a low height to store and that can be stored by a person in charge with a high height.

[0103] When the height of the person in charge is less than the threshold value, the information processing apparatus 100 identifies, as a storage space at an installation position according to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed below the storage space installed at the middle height of the temporary management shelf 30. Accordingly, it is possible to identify a storage candidate space in which a person in charge with a low height can store.

[0104] When the number of storage candidate spaces becomes less than a predetermined number, the information processing apparatus 100 notifies information on a storage space that is a storage space at an installation position according to the physical characteristics and in which the target device is stored. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of storage candidate spaces is insufficient.

[0105] Note that the processing of the information processing apparatus 100 described above is an example, and the information processing apparatus 100 may further execute other processing. For example, the specifying unit 153 of the information processing apparatus 100 may further specify a storage candidate space by using the PC type and the spare part information set in the target device management table 145.

[0106] When the PC type corresponding to the PC identification number of the target device is a desktop PC, the specifying unit 153 may preferentially specify, as the storage candidate space, the storage space located lower among the storage spaces corresponding to the physical characteristics. Further, when the number of the accessories corresponding to the PC identification number of the target device is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the specifying unit 153 may preferentially specify, as the storage candidate space, the storage space located lower among the storage spaces corresponding to the physical characteristics. Thereby, it is possible to easily store a heavy PC such as a desktop PC or an object with a large number of accessories that is difficult to carry, in the storage space.

[0107] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the same functions as the information processing apparatus 100 shown in the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the same functions as the information processing apparatus of the embodiment.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 13, the computer 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes various arithmetic processes, an input device 202 that receives input of data from a user, and a display 203. Further, the computer 200 includes a communication device 204 that communicates with the terminal 10 or the like via a wired or wireless network, and an interface device 205 that connects to other devices. Further, the computer 200 includes a RAM 206 that temporarily stores various information, and a hard disk device 207. Then, each of the devices 201 to 207 is connected to a bus 208.

[0109] The hard disk device 207 includes an update program 207a, an acquisition program 207b, a specifying program 207c, and a notification program 207d. Further, the CPU 201 reads out each of the programs 207a to 207d and expands them in the RAM 206.

[0110] The update program 207a functions as the update process 206a. The acquisition program 207b functions as the acquisition process 206b. The identification program 207c functions as the identification process 206c. The notification program 207d functions as the notification process 206d.

[0111] The processing of the update process 206a corresponds to the processing of the update unit 151. The processing of the acquisition process 206b corresponds to the processing of the acquisition unit 152. The processing of the identification process 206c corresponds to the processing of the identification unit 153. The processing of the notification process 206d corresponds to the processing of the notification unit 154.

[0112] Note that for each of the programs 207a to 207d, it is not necessarily required to store them in the hard disk device 207 from the beginning. For example, each program may be stored in a "portable physical medium" such as a flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, or IC card inserted into the computer 200. Then, the computer 200 may read and execute each of the programs 207a to 207d.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0113] 100 Information processing apparatus 110 Communication unit 120 Input unit 130 Display unit 140 Storage unit 141 Person-in-charge management table 142 Temporary management shelf table 143 Judgment table 144 Work management table 145 Target device management table 150 Control unit 151 Update unit 152 Acquisition unit 153 Identification unit 154 Notification unit

Claims

1. A plurality of storage spaces installed on a shelf, an acquisition unit that acquires the physical characteristics of a person in charge of performing an operation for storing an article in each of the plurality of storage spaces having different installation positions; A specifying unit that specifies a storage candidate space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics among the plurality of storage spaces and in which no article is stored; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the same.

2. When there are a plurality of storage candidate spaces, the specifying unit further executes a process of specifying one storage candidate space from the plurality of storage candidate spaces based on the distance between the work location of the person in charge and the installation positions of the respective storage candidate spaces. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The physical characteristics of the person in charge include information on whether the person in charge is a person with a disability. When the person in charge is a person with a disability, the specifying unit specifies, as the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed at a middle height of the shelf as the storage candidate space. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The physical characteristics of the person in charge include information on the height of the person in charge. When the height of the person in charge is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the specifying unit specifies, as the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed above a storage space installed at a middle height of the shelf as the storage candidate space. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The physical characteristics of the person in charge include information on the height of the person in charge. When the height of the person in charge is less than a threshold value, the specifying unit specifies, as the storage space at the installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics, a storage space installed below a storage space installed at a middle height of the shelf as the storage candidate space. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

6. The specifying unit further uses information on the type of the article or accessories of the article to specify a storage candidate space. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. When the number of the storage candidate spaces becomes less than a predetermined number, the information processing apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies information on a storage space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics and in which an article is stored. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. A plurality of storage spaces installed on a shelf, obtaining the physical characteristics of a person in charge of performing an operation for storing an article in each of the plurality of storage spaces having different installation positions, Among the plurality of storage spaces, identifying a storage candidate space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics and in which no article is stored. An information processing method characterized in that a computer executes the process.

9. A plurality of storage spaces installed on a shelf, obtaining the physical characteristics of a person in charge of performing an operation for storing an article in each of the plurality of storage spaces having different installation positions, Among the plurality of storage spaces, identifying a storage candidate space that is a storage space at an installation position corresponding to the physical characteristics and in which no article is stored. An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute the process.

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