Facility management system

Abstract

To perform sufficient communication with visitors who are present in a facility where remote operation is performed.SOLUTION: An unmanned store system 1 is a facility management system including a headquarter facility (manned store and office 2) in which staff on a management organization side works and branch facilities (unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n) in which visitors (visitors 10) visit, and further includes communication means (the Internet 3, a headquarter server 5, a personal computer 6, an unmanned store server 12, and a digital signage 15) for realizing communication between the staff working in the headquarter facility and the visitors in the branch facilities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility management system that handles visitor support at facilities such as unmanned stores. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, unmanned stores using vending machines have become popular as facilities that are operated remotely in order to reduce labor costs and the like.

[0003] As an example of a distance management system for managing such unmanned stores, Patent Document 1 describes a distance management system in which an unmanned store is provided with a detection means for detecting customers, a sound collection means for collecting sound around the unmanned store or the unmanned store, a photographing means for photographing the faces of customers and the situation around the unmanned store or the unmanned store, an identification phototaking means for photographing identification documents carried by customers, and a notification means for encouraging customers to take further action, and the unmanned store or the unmanned stores are connected to an operation center that manages them at a distance by a communication means.

[0004] The operations center instructs and controls the unmanned store to issue notifications and communications such as questioning suspicious persons, issuing warnings, and urging them to leave. Alternatively, the operations center instructs and controls the unmanned store to issue notifications and communications to stop vandalism against vending machines. These notifications and communications can be made by voice, or by flashing emergency lights, or by increasing the intensity of the lights in the unmanned store 3 or around the vending machines from their usual brightness, or by any other appropriate means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-331859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional unmanned stores (facilities operated remotely) described in Patent Document 1, management and operation of the vending machines or the unmanned store can be carried out remotely, but notifications and communications to customers (visitors) are limited to simple methods such as voice or flashing emergency lights, etc., and sufficient communication with customers is not possible.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable sufficient communication with visitors at a facility that is operated remotely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The facility management system is a facility management system that comprises a headquarters facility where the management organization's staff work and branch facilities where visitors visit, and is characterized by further comprising a communication means that enables communication between the staff working at the headquarters facility and the visitors at the branch facilities.

[0009] The facility management system is characterized in that the branch facility is an unmanned store, and the communication means realizes communication between the staff and the visitors by sharing video and audio.

[0010] The facility management system is further equipped with a printing means that is installed in the branch facility, remotely controlled by the staff, and prints on paper, and the staff summarizes the contents of the discussion with the visitor via the communication means into a hearing sheet, remotely issues an instruction to print the hearing sheet using the printing means, and the visitor receives the hearing sheet printed on paper by the printing means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The facility management system of the present invention makes it possible to communicate effectively with visitors at a facility that is remotely operated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an unmanned store system (facility management system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an unmanned store in an unmanned store system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an unmanned store in an unmanned store system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the unmanned store system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an unmanned store system (facility management system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an unmanned store in the unmanned store system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an unmanned store in the unmanned store system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the unmanned store system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] <Overall configuration of unmanned store system> As shown in Figure 1, an unmanned store system (facility management system) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a manned store / office 2 serving as the headquarters, the Internet 3, and multiple unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2, ... 4-n serving as branches.

[0015] The staffed store / office 2 is equipped with a headquarters server 5 and a personal computer 6 used by an operator.

[0016] The personal computer 6 in the manned store / office 2 is, for example, a notebook computer equipped with a video camera, microphone, speaker, etc., and can communicate with the unmanned store servers 12 (see Figures 2 and 3) of the unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2, ... 4-n via the headquarters server 5 and the Internet 3.

[0017] <Configuration of unmanned stores> As shown in Figure 2, unmanned store 4-1, which is one of multiple unmanned stores according to an embodiment of the present invention, has an unmanned store server 12, person sensors 13 and 14, digital signage 15, printer 16, paint exhibition section 17, painting exhibition section 18, building materials exhibition section 19, building exhibition section 20, and renovation exhibition section 21 arranged on floor 11 of the facility.

[0018] The unmanned store server 12 of the unmanned store 4-1 is connected to the headquarters server 5 of the manned store / office 2 via the Internet 3. The unmanned store server 12 is covered by a partition (not shown) so that it cannot be seen by customers 10.

[0019] The person sensors 13 and 14 are connected to the unmanned store server 12 and detect the entrance and exit of people, including a customer 10, to the unmanned store 4-1.

[0020] The digital signage 15 is connected to the unmanned store server 12 and serves as a communication means for realizing communication with the customer 10.

[0021] The printer 16 is connected to the unmanned store server 12 and prints on paper based on data from the personal computer 6 in the manned store / office 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0022] The paint display section 17 has paint cans 32 and guide lamps 41 arranged on a display stand 31.

[0023] The paint exhibition section 18 comprises a display stand 33 on which a board 34 on which graphs showing the durability of paints and the like are printed, and guide lamps 42.

[0024] In the building material exhibition section 19, guide lamps 43 are placed above the sample building materials 35.

[0025] In the architectural exhibition section 20, a model of an architectural structure 37 and an induction lamp 44 are arranged on an exhibition stand 36.

[0026] The renovation exhibition section 21 comprises a display stand 38, a transparent acrylic plate 39 on which renovation information is printed, and an induction lamp 45 arranged on top of the display stand 38.

[0027] In the unmanned store 4-1, the unmanned store server 12 is connected to lamp drive circuits 61, 62, ..., 65 attached to the person sensors 13, 14, the digital signage 15, the printer 16, the paint exhibition section 17, the painting exhibition section 18, the building material exhibition section 19, the building exhibition section 20, and the renovation exhibition section 21. The lamp drive circuits 61, 62, ..., 65 supply power to the lamps 41, 42, ..., 45 under the control of the unmanned store server 12 to light up the lamps 41, 42, ..., 45.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the digital signage 15 includes a control unit 51, a communication unit 52, a monitor 53, a touch panel 54, a speaker 55, a microphone unit 56, a camera unit 57, and a storage unit 58.

[0029] The communication unit 52 is connected to the unmanned store server 12 and transmits and receives information between the unmanned store server 12 and the control unit 51 .

[0030] The monitor 53 is controlled by the control unit 51 and displays various images. The touch panel 54 is provided on the front side of the monitor 53 and is controlled by the control unit 51 to accept touch operations by the customer 10. The speaker 55 is controlled by the control unit 51 and outputs various sounds.

[0031] The microphone unit 56 receives audio from within the unmanned store 4-1, including the customer 10, and transmits the audio data generated by the reception to the control unit 51. The camera unit 57 captures images of the unmanned store 4-1, including the customer 10, and transmits the video data generated by the capture to the control unit 51.

[0032] The storage unit 58 stores various data from the control unit 51, and reads out the stored data and transmits it to the control unit 51 as needed.

[0033] <Control of unmanned store systems> The control process of the unmanned store system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4, taking the unmanned store 4-1 as an example.

[0034] In FIG. 4, first, in step S1, the unmanned store server 12 of the unmanned store 4-1 detects a customer 10 using human sensors 13 and 14. Then, when the unmanned store server 12 detects a customer, in step S2 it contacts the headquarters server 5 of the manned store / office 2. The headquarters server 5 then establishes communication between the digital signage 15 of the unmanned store 4-1 and the personal computer 6 of the manned store / office 2. This enables communication between the customer 10 in front of the digital signage 15 and the staff member operating the personal computer 6 via video and audio.

[0035] Thereafter, the staff member operating the personal computer 6 greets the customer, and in step S4, the head office server 5 transmits video and audio data of the staff member's greeting to the unmanned store server 12. As a result, the digital signage 15 displays the staff member's greeting as video and audio.

[0036] In response to this, the customer 10 standing in front of the digital signage 15 gives a greeting, and in step S5 the unmanned store server 12 transmits video and audio data of the customer 10's greeting to the headquarters server 5. As a result, the personal computer 6 displays the customer 10's greeting in video and audio.

[0037] Thereafter, the staff member operating the personal computer 6 gives an explanation, and in step S6 the head office server 5 transmits the video and audio data of the staff member's explanation to the unmanned store server 12. As a result, in step S7 the unmanned store server 12 receives the video and audio data of the staff member's explanation, and the digital signage 15 displays the staff member's explanation in video and audio.

[0038] After this, the staff member operating the personal computer 6 uses the personal computer 6 to turn on the lamp of the exhibition section that they wish to introduce to the customer 10, among the paint exhibition section 17, the coating exhibition section 18, the building material exhibition section 19, the building exhibition section 20, and the renovation exhibition section 21.

[0039] As a result, in step S8, the headquarters server 5 performs lamp lighting operation processing and transmits command data for lighting the selected lamp to the unmanned store server 12. As a result, in step S9, the unmanned store server 12 transmits a lamp lighting signal to the lamp driving circuit corresponding to the selected lamp among the lamp driving circuits 61, 62...65, thereby causing the corresponding lamp driving circuit to light up the corresponding lamp among the lamps 41, 42...45 in step S10. This allows the customer 10 to view the exhibition area with the lamps lit.

[0040] After this, the unmanned store server 12 processes the consultation with the staff in step S11, and the headquarters server 5 processes the consultation with the customer 10 in step S12, so that the customer 10 in front of the digital signage 15 and the staff operating the personal computer 6 can consult with each other via video and audio.

[0041] Based on such consultation, the staff operates the personal computer 6 to input information into the hearing sheet displayed on the screen, and the unmanned store server 12 performs processing to compile the consultation contents into the hearing sheet in step S13.

[0042] Next, in step S14, the unmanned store server 12 transmits print data of a hearing sheet summarizing the consultation contents to the unmanned store server 12. As a result, in step S15, the unmanned store server 12 performs print control processing on the printer 16, and in step S16, the printer 16 prints the hearing sheet summarizing the consultation contents on paper and ejects it.

[0043] The customer 10 receives the interview sheet output from the printer 16 and requests an estimate and a meeting by operating the touch panel 54 or by voice input using the digital signage 15. As a result, the unmanned store server 12 performs a process to send the data for the estimate and meeting request in step S17, and the headquarters server 5 performs a process to receive the data for the estimate and meeting request in step S18 and displays the data for the estimate and meeting request on the personal computer 6. The staff member inputs a response to the data for the estimate and meeting request displayed on the personal computer 6.

[0044] As a result, the headquarters server 5 performs a process to send the answer data in step S19, and the unmanned store server 12 performs a process to receive the answer data in step S20, displays the answer with video and audio on the digital signage 15, and performs a print control process on the printer 16, which prints and ejects the answer on paper in step S21. The customer 10 receives the answer paper ejected from the printer 16 and goes home.

[0045] <Configuration and Effects of the Embodiment> To summarize the configuration and effects of an embodiment of the present invention, the unmanned store system 1 is a facility management system that comprises a headquarters facility (staffed store and office 2) where staff from the management organization work, and branch facilities (unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2...4-n) where visitors (visitors 10) visit, and further comprises communication means (Internet 3, headquarters server 5, personal computer 6, unmanned store server 12, digital signage 15) that enable communication between the staff working at the headquarters facility and the visitors at the branch facilities.

[0046] The branch facilities are unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2, . . . 4-n, and the communication means realizes communication between the staff and the visitors (visitors 10) by sharing video and audio.

[0047] The unmanned store system 1 is installed in the branch facility (unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2...4-n), is controlled by remote operation by the staff, and further comprises a printing means (printer 16) for printing on paper, the staff compiles the details of the discussion with the visitor (visitor 10) into a hearing sheet via the communication means, and remotely instructs the printing means to print the hearing sheet, and the visitor receives the hearing sheet printed on paper by the printing means.

[0048] With this configuration, the unmanned store system 1 can communicate sufficiently with customers who visit the unmanned stores 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-n.

[0049] The unmanned store system 1 is a business model in which manned sales and marketing activities are handled unmanned, and can be adapted to various applications within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] Possible target industries include painting, renovation, construction, paint, building materials, etc., but it can also be applied to other industries.

[0051] Target customers include those looking for reliable quality and peace of mind (painting, renovations, buildings, paints, building materials), but we can also accommodate other customers.

[0052] Possible objectives include obtaining requests for quotes, increasing the contract rate, and increasing the unit price per contract, but other objectives can also be addressed.

[0053] The benefits that visitors can gain include preventing infection from COVID-19 and other diseases, the peace of mind that the store will not be open, and the ability to look around at their own pace, but there are other benefits as well.

[0054] The flow of a visitor's actions is as follows: (1) go to the unmanned store (showroom), (2) exchange greetings with staff via the screen, (3) receive explanations from staff about the exhibits and the store interior via the screen, (4) look at the exhibits (with supplementary explanations provided via POP and video), (5) consult with staff via the screen about the exhibits and items (painting, renovations, architecture, paint, building materials), (6) the content of the consultation is compiled into an interview sheet, printed on an in-store printer, and the visitor receives the interview sheet along with any reference materials placed nearby, (7) if the content and response are satisfactory, the visitor requests an estimate and requests a meeting on-site (at home) next time, but it is also possible to adapt this to other visitor behavioral flows.

[0055] The present invention can also provide unmanned support not in a store (showroom) but in various branch facilities such as offices. It does not have to be completely unmanned, but may be unmanned occasionally. Unmanned stores can also be used by a company itself, not for the purpose of selling to or using third parties. They can also be used as a place for consultations that are not intended for sales or marketing. Instead of support on a screen, voice support over the phone or screen sharing on a smartphone is also possible.

[0056] The structure, system, program, material, connections of each member, chemical substances, and the like of the present invention can be variously changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to combine two or more components into one, or conversely, it is possible to configure one component from two or more separate components and connect them together.

[0057] Furthermore, the above embodiment is merely one of the currently best modes or modes close to it. Furthermore, the control may be performed by a higher-level control unit such as a cloud server, or may be performed by a more peripheral control unit. Furthermore, the order of control can be changed as appropriate as long as it has a predetermined effect.

[0058] <Definition, etc.> The unmanned store of the present invention may be of any type as long as it is equipped with a communication means that enables communication between customers and staff working at the management facility. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The unmanned store system of the present invention can be effectively used by businesses and corporations that provide painting, remodeling, construction, paints, and building materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Unmanned store system 2...Staffed store and office 3...Internet 4-1, 4-2...4-n...Unmanned store 5...Headquarters server 6...Personal computer 11...Floor 12...Unmanned store server 13, 14...Human sensor 15...Digital signage 16...Printer 17...Paint exhibition area 18...Painting exhibition section 19...Building materials exhibition section 20...Building exhibition section 21...Renovation exhibition section 31...Display stand 32...Can 33...Display stand 34...Board 35...Building material 36...Display stand 37...Model 38...Display stand 39...Transparent acrylic board 41, 42, 43, 44, 45...Induction lamps 51...Control unit 52...Communication unit 53...Monitor 54...Touch panel 55...Speaker 56...Microphone section 57...Camera section 58...Storage section

Claims

1. The headquarters facility where the staff work, An unmanned store where visitors can come and go, A system comprising: A communication means for enabling communication between the staff and customers in unmanned stores A system comprising:

2. The unmanned store is equipped with multiple display areas, Lamps are placed in each exhibition area, a lighting means for lighting the lamp of one of the exhibition sections when the staff operates the computer to light the lamp of the one of the exhibition sections; The system of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The unmanned store is equipped with a sensor capable of detecting customers, 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the sensor detects a visitor, communication can be realized by the communication means.

4. The headquarters facility is equipped with a headquarters server, The unmanned store is equipped with an unmanned store server, A transmission means for transmitting the request for estimate to the headquarters server when the request for estimate is input using the digital signage installed in the unmanned store. The system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

Images