Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To make it possible to provide an efficient robot dispatch service.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 performs processing for controlling the movement of a robot when providing services by sequentially moving the robot to a plurality of locations. The device comprises acquisition means 101 for acquiring first information indicative of whether the robot can wait at each of the plurality of locations either before or after the service is provided, and determination means 105 for making a determination related to the movement of the robot after the service is provided on the basis of the first information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing technology used in a robot dispatch service. [Background technology]

[0002] RaaS (Robot as a Service) is now in use, where a robot is dispatched to a service location designated by the user to provide various services. For example, a robot waiting at a waiting station is moved to the service location designated by the user at the service time to provide the service. After the service is completed, the robot is returned to the station during the free time until the next service time. Then, at the next service time, the robot is moved from the station to the next service location to provide the service.

[0003] Although not related to RaaS, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that suggests to a user to move to a location where the next job will be performed during the free time after the previous job, based on information about the user's schedule. In a robot dispatch service, it is also possible to move a robot directly from the previous service provision location to the next service provision location during the free time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-50248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if the robot moves directly from the previous service location to the next service location during the idle time, there are cases where the robot is not allowed to wait at the next service location until the next service time. In such cases, the robot has no choice but to return to the station, resulting in unnecessary robot movement.

[0006] The present invention provides an information processing device and the like that can provide an efficient robot dispatch service by minimizing unnecessary robot movements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention performs processing for controlling the movement of a robot when the robot is moved to a plurality of locations in sequence to provide a service. The information processing device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating whether the robot is available to wait at each of the plurality of locations after or before providing the service; and a decision means for making a decision regarding the movement of the robot after providing the service based on the first information. Note that a system including the information processing device and the robot also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for performing processing to control the movement of a robot when the robot is moved to a plurality of locations in sequence to provide a service. The method includes the steps of acquiring first information indicating whether the robot is available to wait at each of the plurality of locations after or before providing the service, and making a decision regarding the movement of the robot after providing the service based on the first information. Note that a program for causing a computer to execute processing in accordance with the information processing method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an efficient robot dispatch service by minimizing unnecessary robot movements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the movement of a robot in an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a robot system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a table showing user-provided conditions for each user in the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a user GUI according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a GUI for a service provider in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In this embodiment, a robot dispatching system that provides cleaning services using a cleaning robot will be described as an example of a robot dispatching service. In the robot dispatching system of this embodiment, a service provider (robot dispatching company) that receives a service provision request from a user dispatches a cleaning robot to a service provision location specified by the user at a time specified by the user, and provides a cleaning service using the cleaning robot. The service provision location is generally a user-managed location managed by the user, but is not necessarily limited to this, and may be a location managed by someone other than the user or a public location.

[0013] When a service provider receives service requests for multiple service locations, the service provider dispatches cleaning robots to those locations in turn, at staggered times. However, if the robot always returns to the station, which is the service provider's robot standby base, after completing service at a service location, the travel time and power required for travel to the station may be wasted. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the robot can wait (in other words, be parked) at the previous or next service location, the robot is made to wait at that service location. This reduces unnecessary travel of the robot to the station.

[0014] 1 shows an example of the movement of a robot 20 in the robot dispatch system of this embodiment. When a service provider receives multiple service requests from the same or different users, the robot 20 autonomously moves from a station 10 to a first service provision location (a first location such as the user's home) 11 and starts cleaning at a specified time.

[0015] When cleaning at the service location 11 is completed, the robot 20 moves to the next service location (second location) 12 and starts cleaning from the specified time. Here, it is assumed that there is a gap between the end time of cleaning at the first service location 11 and the start time of cleaning at the next service location 12 that is longer than the travel time required for the robot 20 to move from the service location 11 to the service location 12.

[0016] In this case, if it is possible to have the robot 20 wait at the first service location 11 after cleaning at that location is completed, the robot 20 is made to wait at that service location 11. In the figure, the waiting state is indicated by a clock symbol. The robot 20 autonomously moves to the service location 12 at the time that is the above-mentioned movement time before the start time of cleaning at the next service location 12. In this way, the robot 20 moves directly from the service location 11 to the service location 12 after cleaning at the service location 11 is completed, without returning to the station 10.

[0017] 2 shows the configuration of a robot system 110 including the information processing device 100 of this embodiment. The robot system 110 includes the information processing device 100, an order information storage unit 111, and a movement control unit 112. The information processing device 100 is connected to the order information storage unit 111 and the movement control unit 112 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0018] The information processing device 100 has a user-provided condition acquisition unit 101, a maintenance information acquisition unit 102, a demand information acquisition unit 103, a specification information acquisition unit 104, and a movement control determination unit 105. The user-provided condition acquisition unit 101, the maintenance information acquisition unit 102, the demand information acquisition unit 103, and the specification information acquisition unit 104 correspond to acquisition means, and the movement control determination unit 105 corresponds to determination means.

[0019] The user provision condition acquisition unit 101 acquires, as user provision conditions (first and second information), actions that the user can provide to the robot (that are beneficial to the service provider) when the user receives a service from a robot dispatched by the service provider. Details of the user provision conditions will be described later. The user provision condition acquisition unit 101 acquires user provision conditions for each of a plurality of service provision locations. Then, the user provision condition acquisition unit 101 outputs information on the user provision conditions to the movement control determination unit 105.

[0020] The maintenance information acquisition unit 102 acquires, as maintenance information, information on the types of maintenance required for the robot and the degree of necessity for each type of maintenance, and outputs the maintenance information to the movement control determination unit 105 .

[0021] The demand information acquisition unit 103 acquires information (third information) for predicting the demand for the service in the area surrounding the service providing location as demand information, and outputs the demand information to the mobility control determination unit 105.

[0022] The specification information acquisition unit 104 acquires information (fourth information) indicating the capability of the robot dispatched by the service provider to provide the service as specification information, and outputs the specification information to the movement control determination unit 105.

[0023] The order information holding unit 111 holds, as order information, information on services ordered by a service provider from a user.

[0024] The movement control determination unit 105 makes a decision regarding the movement of the robot, including the destination of the robot, based on the user-provided conditions, maintenance information, demand information, specification information, and order information, generates control information, and outputs the control information (decision result) to the movement control unit 112. Note that the destination of the robot also includes the current location (for example, the first location as the destination after providing service at the first location). The control information may also include the start time of movement to the destination and the start time of service provision at the destination.

[0025] The movement control unit 112 controls the movement of the robot based on the control information. The movement control unit 112 may be provided outside the information processing device 100 as shown in the figure, or may be provided inside the information processing device 100.

[0026] 3 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) H11 as a computer controls each device (described later) connected to a system bus H21. The CPU H11 functions as a user-provided condition acquisition unit 101, a maintenance information acquisition unit 102, a demand information acquisition unit 103, a specification information acquisition unit 104, and a movement control determination unit 105 (and a movement control unit 112 provided within the information processing device 100) shown in FIG.

[0027] The ROM (Read Only Memory) H12 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) program and a boot program. The external memory H13 stores applications and programs executed by the information processing device 100, as well as various data and files. The external memory H13 is, for example, a memory such as a hard disk (HD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0028] The RAM (Random Access Memory) H14 is used as the main storage device for the CPU H11. The RAM H14 also functions as a work area for the CPU H11. The CPU H11 loads programs stored in the ROM H12 or external memory H13 into the RAM H14 and executes them, and provides overall control over each device connected to the system bus H21.

[0029] The input unit H15 is an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, or a robot controller, and accepts input from the user. The display unit (display means) H16 displays the decision results of the information processing device 100 in accordance with instructions from the CPU H11. The display unit H16 is configured with a liquid crystal display, a projector, an LED indicator, a head-mounted display capable of VR (virtual reality) display, or the like. The display unit H16 may also be equipped with a touch panel and function as the input unit H15. By associating input coordinates on the touch panel with display coordinates, it is possible to configure a GUI that allows the user to enter various inputs.

[0030] The communication I / FH 17 communicates information with an external device (not shown) via a network. Communication with the external device can use various communication methods, such as Ethernet, USB, serial communication, and wireless communication. The network may be a communication network such as a LAN or WAN, a cellular network such as LTE or 5G, or a wireless network, or a combination of these. In other words, the network may employ any communication method for the physical layer as long as it is capable of transmitting and receiving data.

[0031] The flowchart in Figure 4 shows the process (information processing method) executed by the information processing device 100 (CPUH11) in accordance with a program in this embodiment. "S" indicates a step. This process consists of initialization (S101), acquisition of user provision condition information (S102), acquisition of maintenance information (S103), acquisition of demand information (S104), acquisition of specification information (S105), and determination of destination (S106). This process is initiated when a user performs an operation to input user provision conditions along with a service request (such as the service provision location and specified date and time) into a client system for using the service.

[0032] In S101, the information processing device 100 initializes itself. Specifically, the information processing device 100 reads a program from the external memory H13 and puts the information processing device 100 into an operable state.

[0033] Next, in S102, the user provision condition acquisition unit 101 acquires information on the user provision conditions for each service provision location and outputs it to the movement control determination unit 105. The user provision conditions include whether or not it is possible to have the robot wait at the service provision location during an available time other than when the service is being provided (after or before the service is provided) (first information). The user provision conditions also include whether or not it is possible for the user to perform maintenance on the robot waiting at the service provision location (second information). The fact that waiting or maintenance is possible at the service provision location can be rephrased as, for example, that the user who manages the service provision location (user management location) has permitted it (selected permission). Maintenance includes, for example, charging the robot and cleaning the robot (disposing of garbage accumulated in a dust container provided on the cleaning robot, cleaning around the robot's drive wheels, etc.).

[0034] Next, in S103, the maintenance information acquisition unit 102 acquires maintenance information and outputs it to the movement control determination unit 105. The maintenance information here is information indicating the remaining battery level of the robot and the amount of space in the dust container.

[0035] Next, in S104, the demand information acquisition unit 103 acquires demand information (third information) for predicting demand for services for each region, and outputs it to the mobility control determination unit 105. The demand information here is information that indicates the history of service provision locations for services for which orders have been received in the past.

[0036] Next, in S105, the specification information acquisition unit 104 acquires specification information (fourth information) and outputs it to the movement control determination unit 105. The specification information here is information that indicates the type of robot. For example, there are two types of cleaning robots: robots that can perform sweeping and robots that can perform wet mopping.

[0037] Next, in S106, the movement control determination unit 105 determines control information including the movement destination of the robot based on the information on user-provided conditions, maintenance information, demand information, specification information, and order information, and outputs the control information to the movement control unit 112. The movement control unit 112 executes movement control of the robot based on the input control information.

[0038] The method for determining the destination of the robot is to calculate a score of suitability as a destination for each of a plurality of destination candidates, and determine the destination candidate with the highest score as the destination. The destination candidates include a plurality of service provision locations included in the order information stored in the order information storage unit 111 and service provision locations where service provision has already been completed.

[0039] The function f in the following equation (1) is used to calculate the score.

[0040]

number

[0041] In formula (1), C n (n=1,2,...,5) represents information such as user conditions, the type of service provided, and the degree of demand in the vicinity of the service providing location. n is C nIt represents the weight of each piece of information, i.e., the importance of each piece of information.

[0042] C1 is information (first information) indicating whether or not it is possible to have the robot wait at a user managed location including a service provision location among the user provision conditions, and is 1 if waiting is possible, and 0 if waiting is not possible. The movement control determination unit 105 does not select a service provision location where C1=0 as a movement destination.

[0043] C2 is information indicating the type of service (service content) to be provided at the service provision location, and is 1 for sweeping and 2 for wet mopping. The weight W2 for C2 is a value according to the type of robot included in the specification information, and if the service to be provided does not match the type of robot, C2W2 (product) becomes 0, and the movement control determination unit 105 does not select that service provision location as the movement destination.

[0044] C3 is information (third information) that indicates the degree of service demand in the vicinity of the service provision location, and the higher the demand, the larger the value is set. The weight W3 for C3 is set large when it is desired to actively direct the robot to areas with high service demand.

[0045] C4 is information indicating whether the robot can be charged, and is 1 if it can be charged and 0 if it cannot. The weight W4 for C4 is the remaining battery level included in the maintenance information, and the lower the remaining battery level, the larger the weight W4 is set. When the remaining battery level is low, the movement control determination unit 105 gives priority to selecting a service providing location where charging is possible as the movement destination.

[0046] C5 is information (second information) indicating whether or not the user can dispose of the garbage accumulated in the robot's dust bin, and is 1 if disposal is possible and 0 if disposal is not possible. A weight W5 for C5 is set according to the amount of free space (free capacity) in the robot's dust bin included in the maintenance information. Specifically, the less free space in the dust bin there is, the larger the weight W5 is set. When the free capacity of the dust bin is low, the movement control determination unit 105 gives higher priority to selecting a service providing location where garbage can be disposed of.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows examples of information related to the above conditions for each user. (a) shows identification information (user ID) for identifying the user. The user with user ID = 1 is the user currently receiving the service. (b) is information (C1) indicating whether the robot can wait at the user's managed location. (c) is information (C2) indicating the type of service (service content) requested by the user. (d) is information (C3) indicating the level of demand for the service in the surrounding area. The level of demand in the surrounding area is predicted for each user from the history of service provision locations, which is demand information, and the result is displayed as information on the level of demand for the service in the surrounding area (high, medium, low). (e) is information (C4) indicating whether the user can charge the waiting robot. (f) is information (C5) indicating whether the user can dispose of garbage (trash disposal).

[0048] The movement control determination unit 105 multiplies these pieces of information C2 to C5 by weights W2 to W5. Here, it is assumed that the robot is capable of sweeping, has a low remaining battery but sufficient free space in the dust container, and prioritizes destinations with a high degree of service demand. In this case, the service provision location of the user with user ID=4, which is (b) able to wait (True), (c) able to sweep, (d) high demand, (e) able to charge (True), and (f) unable to throw away trash (False), has the highest score and is determined as the destination.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the robot can wait at the previous or next service provision location during the available time, the robot is made to wait at that user-managed location without returning to the station. As a result, travel to the station can be reduced, and an efficient robot dispatch service can be provided. Furthermore, an appropriate destination for the robot can be determined according to various information (conditions), including whether waiting is possible.

[0050] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the movement control determination unit 105 determines the robot's destination based on the user-provided conditions, maintenance information, demand information, and specification information. However, the movement control determination unit 105 may also determine the destination based on fewer types of information. Specifically, the movement destination may be determined based only on the user-provided conditions and specification information. That is, the movement destination of the robot is determined based on information (first information) indicating whether the robot can wait at the service provision location and whether the type of service to be provided matches the type of robot (fourth information). In this case, all of the weights W3, W4, and W5 included in equation (1) may be fixed to 0.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the service providing location with the highest score using formula (1) is determined as the destination, but the service provider's station may also be determined as the destination. The station may be determined as the destination when the robot refuses to wait or the user refuses maintenance at any of the service providing locations. If waiting is refused at any of the service providing locations, the robot has no place to stay and must be returned to the station. Furthermore, if there is almost no free space in the robot's dust bin, cleaning cannot continue unless the trash accumulated in the dust bin is disposed of. Therefore, if there is no user to dispose of the trash, the robot must be returned to the station.

[0052] In this way, by selecting a station as the destination depending on the robot's situation, the robot dispatch service can be carried out smoothly.

[0053] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the maintenance information indicates the remaining battery level and the amount of empty space in the dust container. However, the information is not limited to these and may be any information that can be used to evaluate the degree to which robot maintenance is required. Specifically, the information may be information on the degree of wear of robot parts. In this case, a high degree of wear of a part is evaluated as a high degree of maintenance requirement. The degree of maintenance requirement evaluated in this manner is used as a weight when determining the destination, and the score reflects whether or not the user is willing to replace parts. This makes it possible to determine the destination while taking into account the degree to which robot maintenance is required.

[0054] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, the demand information was information indicating the history of service delivery locations for which orders were received in the past. However, the demand information is not limited to this and may be any information that can be used to predict demand. Specifically, the demand information may be information on the number of businesses or households in the area where the service is provided, or information on income and population statistics provided by the government or local government. If the demand information is information on the number of businesses in the area, and the service content is targeted at businesses, it can be predicted that the greater the number of businesses, the greater the demand. On the other hand, if the demand information is income statistics, it can be predicted that the higher the average income, the greater the opportunities to use robot dispatch services in the area. Furthermore, if the demand information is population statistics, it can be predicted that areas with higher population density have a larger user population, and therefore, higher demand.

[0055] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, the specification information is information indicating the type of robot, but it is not limited to this and may be any information indicating the ability of the robot to provide a service. Specifically, if the robot has detachable equipment and the type or quality of the service that can be provided changes depending on the equipment, the specification information may be information about the equipment. In such cases, by selecting a destination based on the type or quality of the service ordered and information about the robot's equipment, it is possible to appropriately match the service to be provided with the robot.

[0056] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment, the process of determining the destination shown in Fig. 4 is started when the user performs an operation to input the user-provided conditions on the client system. However, this is not limited to this, and the process may be started when there is a change in the user-provided conditions. Specifically, if the user's schedule suddenly changes after the service provision has ended and the time that the robot can wait at the user-managed location changes, the destination may be determined again. This allows the robot dispatch service to be provided smoothly even when the user-provided conditions change due to the user's schedule.

[0057] [Variation 6] In the above embodiment, the user provision condition is whether or not the user can perform maintenance on the robot (such as charging or disposing of trash) while the robot is waiting at the user-managed location. In contrast, if the user actually performs maintenance on the waiting robot, the service provider may pay a reward (incentive) to the user.

[0058] Whether or not the user has performed maintenance can be automatically detected by checking, through communication between the service provider and the robot, whether the remaining battery level has increased or the amount of empty space in the dustbin has increased at the user-managed location where the robot is waiting. By determining the reward to be paid to the user when such reward-eligible actions as charging or disposing of trash are detected, the reward can be paid to the user without the user having to report it.

[0059] It is also possible to pay a reward to a user simply for allowing the robot to stand by, even if the user does not perform maintenance on the robot.

[0060] [Variation 7] The user may input the user-provided conditions described in the above embodiment and the information processing device 100 may display to the user the results of determining the control information through a user GUI (G100) shown in Fig. 6. The user GUI (G100) is displayed on a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet on the user side who has logged in to the client system.

[0061] G110 is a user input section for the user to input (set) user-provided conditions. G111 is an input section for inputting whether the robot can wait at the user-managed location, and G112 is an input section for inputting whether the robot can be charged at the user-managed location. G113 is an input section for inputting whether garbage can be disposed of at the user-managed location. Figure 6 shows the case where the user with user ID = 4 shown in Figure 5 has input user-provided conditions.

[0062] G120 is an incentive display section that displays the amount of incentive to be paid to the user for the user-provided conditions entered in the user input section G110. G130 is a decision button that allows the user to confirm the user-provided conditions entered in the user input section G110 and reflect them in the system.

[0063] G140 is a status display section that displays the status of the robot reflecting the control information determined by the information processing device 100 (movement control determination section 105) after the decision button G130 is operated. G141 is a status display section that displays the current status of the robot, i.e., whether it is waiting or moving. G142 is a waiting time display section that displays the waiting time (start time of movement to the next destination) when the status is waiting.

[0064] By using this user GUI, users can easily input user-provided conditions into the client system, check the current status and standby time of the robot, and clearly see the amount of incentives they can receive according to the user-provided conditions.

[0065] [Variation 8] The status of the robot and the control information determined by the information processing device 100 may be checked by the service provider through a GUI for service provider (G200) shown in Fig. 7. The GUI for service provider (G200) is displayed on a personal computer or the like on the service provider side as the information processing device 100 or connected to the information processing device 100.

[0066] G201 is a current location display unit that displays the current location of the robot (for example, user A corresponding to the first service providing location 11 shown in FIG. 1). G202 is a status display unit that displays the current status of the robot, i.e., whether it is waiting or moving. G204 is a destination display unit that displays the next destination of the robot (for example, user B corresponding to the second service providing location 12 shown in FIG. 1), and G203 is a movement time display unit that displays the time when the robot will move to the next destination (the time corresponding to the waiting time displayed in G143 in FIG. 6).

[0067] By using this GUI for service providers, service providers can easily check the status of the robots and their movement schedules.

[0068] [Variation 9] In the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the movement control determination unit 105 mainly determines the movement destination of the robot after providing the service, but the movement control determination unit 105 may also make decisions regarding movement, including how to move the robot and make it wait. That is, after providing the service at the first service providing location, the robot may be moved to the next service providing location after waiting at that service providing location, or may be moved to the next service providing location and wait there without waiting at the first service providing location.

[0069] Furthermore, even in this case, if waiting at the first and next service provision locations is refused, it may be decided to return the robot to the station after providing service at the first service provision location.

[0070] The above embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0071] (Configuration 1) An information processing device for performing processing to control movement of a robot when the robot is moved to a plurality of locations in sequence to provide a service, an acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating whether the robot is available to wait after or before providing the service at each of the plurality of locations; and a decision means for making a decision regarding movement of the robot after the service has been provided based on the first information. (Configuration 2) 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1, wherein the determining means determines a destination of the robot after the service is provided. (Configuration 3) The information processing device according to configuration 2, wherein the determination means determines a second location among the first location or at least one location different from the first location as the destination after the service is provided at a first location among the plurality of locations. (Configuration 4) the robot moves from a standby base to the first location; 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3, wherein the standby base is included in the destination determined by the determining means after the service is provided at the first location. (Configuration 5) the plurality of locations includes a first location and a second location; The information processing device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the decision means decides that after providing the service at the first location, the robot will wait at the first location and then move to the second location, or move to the second location and wait there without waiting at the first location. (Configuration 6) the robot moves from a standby base to the first location; 6. The information processing device according to configuration 5, wherein the decision made by the decision means includes moving the robot to the waiting base after the service has been provided at the first location. (Configuration 7) each of the plurality of locations is a location managed by a user who has requested the service; 7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition means acquires the first information input by the user. (Configuration 8) the acquiring means further acquires second information indicating whether maintenance on the robot is possible at each of the plurality of locations; 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the decision means makes the decision based on the first information and the second information. (Configuration 9) 9. The information processing device according to configuration 8, wherein the maintenance includes at least one of charging the robot and cleaning the robot. (Configuration 10) The robot further includes a means for acquiring maintenance information including types of maintenance required for the robot or information on the types of maintenance and the degree of necessity for each type of maintenance, 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the decision unit makes the decision based on the first information, the second information, and the maintenance information. (Configuration 11) each of the plurality of locations is a location managed by a user who has requested the service; 11. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 8 to 10, wherein the acquisition means acquires the second information input by the user. (Configuration 12) the acquiring means further acquires third information for predicting demand for the service in the vicinity of the plurality of locations; 12. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the decision means makes the decision based on the first information and third information. (Configuration 13) the acquisition means further acquires fourth information indicating services that the robot can provide; The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that the decision means makes the decision based on whether the first information and the service requested to be provided to the robot match the service indicated by the fourth information. (Configuration 14) 14. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, further comprising a control means for controlling the robot based on the result of the determination by the determination means. (Configuration 15) 15. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein a result of the determination by the determination means is displayed on a display means. (Configuration 16) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15; and a robot whose movement is controlled based on the result of the decision made by the information processing device.

[0072] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0073] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible to each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Robot Standby Station 11 First service location 12 Second service location 20. Robot 100 Information processing device

Claims

1. An information processing device for performing processing to control movement of a robot when the robot is moved to a plurality of locations in sequence to provide a service, an acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating whether the robot is available to wait after or before providing the service at each of the plurality of locations; and a decision means for making a decision regarding movement of the robot after the service has been provided based on the first information.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines a destination of the robot after the service is provided.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the determination means determines a second location among the first location or at least one location different from the first location as the destination after the service is provided at a first location among the plurality of locations.

4. the robot moves from a standby base to the first location; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the destination determined by the determining means after the service is provided at the first location includes the waiting location.

5. the plurality of locations includes a first location and a second location; The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the decision means decides that after providing the service at the first location, the robot will be moved to the second location after waiting at the first location, or that the robot will be moved to the second location and wait there without waiting at the first location.

6. the robot moves from a standby base to the first location; 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination by the determination means includes moving the robot to the standby base after the service has been provided at the first location.

7. each of the plurality of locations is a location managed by a user who has requested the service; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring means acquires the first information input by the user.

8. the acquiring means further acquires second information indicating whether maintenance on the robot is possible at each of the plurality of locations; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means makes the determination based on the first information and the second information.

9. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the maintenance includes at least one of charging the robot and cleaning the robot.

10. a maintenance information acquisition means for acquiring maintenance information including types of maintenance required for the robot or information on the types of maintenance and the degree of necessity for each type of maintenance; 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the determining means makes the determination based on the first information, the second information, and the maintenance information.

11. each of the plurality of locations is a location managed by a user who has requested the service; 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring means acquires the second information input by the user.

12. the acquiring means further acquires third information for predicting demand for the service in the vicinity of the plurality of locations; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means makes the determination based on the first information and the third information.

13. the acquiring means further acquires fourth information indicating a service that the robot can provide; The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the decision means makes the decision based on whether the first information and the service requested to be provided to the robot match the service indicated by the fourth information.

14. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the robot based on the result of the determination by the determination means.

15. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the result of the determination by the determination means is displayed on a display means.

16. Each of the plurality of locations is a location managed by the user who requested the service.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process for paying a reward to the user who has performed at least one of the permission to wait and maintenance of the robot.

17. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and a robot whose movement is controlled based on the result of the decision made by the information processing device.

18. 1. An information processing method for performing processing to control movement of a robot when the robot is moved to a plurality of locations in sequence to provide a service, the method comprising: acquiring first information indicating whether the robot is available to wait after or before providing the service at each of the plurality of locations; and making a decision regarding the movement of the robot after the service is provided based on the first information.

19. 18. A program causing a computer to execute a process according to the information processing method of claim 17.

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