Support device, support program, and support method

Abstract

This technology assists in obtaining information on the usage status of toilet rooms. [Solution] The support device 50 includes a spatial information acquisition unit that acquires information about the space of the toilet room 21, a simulator that simulates the usage status of the toilet room 21 based on the information acquired by the spatial information acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the simulation results from the simulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support device, a support program, and a support method for assisting in installing an appropriate number of fixtures in a toilet room.

Background Art

[0002] In commercial facilities, entertainment facilities, etc. used by a large number of people, it is desirable to install an appropriate number of toilets, washbasins, etc. in the toilet room according to the purpose of the facility, the number of users, their attributes, etc. The number of toilets, washbasins, etc. to be installed in the toilet room is calculated using the appropriate fixture number calculation method summarized in the report of the Subcommittee on Appropriate Fixture Numbers of the Japan Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers in 1983.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-mentioned appropriate fixture number calculation method was formulated more than 40 years ago and cannot cope with changes in the scale and use of buildings thereafter. For example, there is no defined calculation formula for office buildings or complex facilities with 300 or more people. In addition, there has been no sufficient verification as to whether the number of toilets, washbasins, etc. calculated using the above-mentioned appropriate fixture number calculation method is appropriate in view of the usage situation of the toilet room in the actually constructed facility, and the technology for verification has not been established.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and its object is to provide a technology for assisting in installing an appropriate number of fixtures in a toilet room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a support device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires the number of users expected to use the toilet room within a set time; a simulator that simulates the usage status of the toilet room based on the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit, the conditions for using the toilet room, and the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room; a modification unit that, if the simulation result from the simulator indicates that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will not complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room and causes the simulator to simulate the usage status of the toilet room again; and an output unit that, if the simulation result from the simulator indicates that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, outputs the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in that simulation.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is a support method. This method causes a computer to perform the following steps: obtain the number of users expected to use the toilet room within a set time; simulate the usage of the toilet room based on the obtained number of users, the conditions for using the toilet room, and the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room; if the simulation results indicate that the obtained number of users will not complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, change the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room and simulate the usage of the toilet room again; and if the simulation results indicate that the obtained number of users will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, output the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in that simulation.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure is a support device. This device includes a correspondence holding unit that maintains a correspondence between a set time for a toilet user to complete the use of the toilet, the number of users expected to use the toilet within the set time, and the number of fixtures required for the users expected to use the toilet within the set time to complete the use of the toilet within the set time, and an output unit that outputs the correspondence.

[0009] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also valid forms of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of the support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the support method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of a toilet room design. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a simulation of toilet room usage. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the configuration of the support device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the support method according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the configuration of the support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen output from the support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the procedure for the support method according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows the configuration of the support device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a correspondence held in the correspondence holding unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First Embodiment) As a first embodiment of this disclosure, we will describe a technology for assisting in obtaining the usage status of toilets installed in commercial facilities, entertainment facilities, and the like.

[0012] When a facility is constructed, the toilet rooms are usually designed to match the facility's purpose, the number and characteristics of its users. However, it is difficult to accurately predict the number and characteristics of users before construction, and these factors may change after construction. If the number and arrangement of toilets and other fixtures in a toilet room do not match the current number and characteristics of users, problems may arise such as queues forming in the toilet room or users being forced to travel long distances to reach the toilet. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may be necessary to modify the number, type, and layout of toilets, sinks, and other fixtures in the toilet room to match the actual usage of the toilet room.

[0013] However, in many cases, it is difficult for facility owners or managers (collectively referred to simply as "managers") to accurately grasp the usage status of the toilets installed in their facilities. Furthermore, even if they can grasp the usage status and problems of the toilets, it is difficult for facility managers to determine how to renovate the toilets to resolve the current problems.

[0014] To address these challenges, the support system of this embodiment simulates the usage of a toilet room according to the type, number, and layout of toilets and other fixtures installed in the toilet room, and outputs the simulation results. This allows for accurate determination of whether the type, number, and layout of toilets and other fixtures in the current toilet room or in the proposed design or renovation plan are appropriate. Furthermore, if the type, number, and layout of toilets and other fixtures are inappropriate, the toilet room can be modified as needed, or the existing toilet room can be renovated to improve its usage. In addition, the system can provide facility managers with information to help them decide whether or not to renovate the toilet room, thereby making renovation plans more persuasive and promoting toilet room renovations.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the support system 10 according to the first embodiment. The support system 10 includes a support device 50 that supports the analysis of the usage status of the toilet room 21 installed in the facility 20, a staff terminal 40 used by a staff member who presents the usage status and renovation plans of the toilet room 21 to the administrator, a design support device 42 that supports the creation of design plans and renovation plans for the toilet room 21, a sensor 27 installed inside or outside the toilet room 21 to detect information about the current state of the toilet room 21, a communication device 22 that transmits the information detected by the sensor 27 to the support device 50, and the Internet 12, which is an example of communication means for communicating between these devices.

[0016] The sensor 27 may be a sensor capable of detecting information for acquiring the shape and usage status of the toilet room 21, such as LiDAR, an imaging device, an imaging device with a distance measurement function, a human presence sensor, etc. The sensor 27 may be permanently installed or installed for a certain period (for example, about one week) when analyzing the usage status of the toilet room 21.

[0017] The facility 20 is provided with one or more toilet rooms 21. The toilet room 21 includes an entrance / exit 23 of the toilet room 21, a washbasin 26, one or more private rooms 24, doors 25 of each private room 24, toilet devices 30 installed in each private room 24, a controller 31 for a user of the toilet device 30 to input an operation instruction to the toilet device 30, and a urinal 32 installed in the male toilet room 21. The toilet device 30 may be a Japanese-style toilet device or a Western-style toilet device. Hereinafter, the urinal 32 is also collectively referred to as the "toilet device 30".

[0018] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the support method according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The support device 50 acquires information regarding the space of the toilet room 21 (S10). When analyzing the current usage of the toilet room 21, the support device 50 acquires information such as the size, shape, layout, type of toilet equipment 30 (toilet, urinal, Japanese style, Western style, presence or absence of flushing device, type of flushing device, etc.), number, shape, area, and location of the toilet room 21, the number, shape, area, and location of individual stalls 24, the presence or absence and type of ancillary equipment such as child seats, the type, number, shape, area, and location of installed items such as washbasins 26, and the presence or absence and type of entrances 23. The support device 50 may also acquire the survey results from the staff member's terminal 40, which were obtained by the staff member who visited the toilet room 21 and conducted an on-site survey. The support device 50 may also acquire information such as floor plans, elevations, and other drawings of the toilet room 21, 2D CAD data, 3D CAD data, BIM (Building Information Modeling) data, and bill of materials from the staff member's terminal 40. The support device 50 may acquire information detected by the sensor 27 from the communication device 22. The support device 50 may acquire information such as point cloud data detected by LiDAR, still images or moving images captured by the imaging device from the communication device 22. In this case, the support device 50 may acquire information such as the size, shape, and layout of the toilet room 21, the type, number, shape, area, and location of the toilet equipment 30, the number, shape, area, and location of the individual stalls 24, the presence and type of ancillary equipment, the type, number, shape, area, and location of installed items such as washbasins 26, and the presence and type of entrances and exits 23, based on the acquired information.

[0020] When analyzing the usage of toilet room 21 in design or renovation plans, the support device 50 obtains information from the design support device 42 such as the size, shape, and layout of the toilet room in the design or renovation plan, the type, number, shape, area, and location of the toilet equipment 30, the number, shape, area, and location of the individual stalls 24, the presence or absence and type of ancillary equipment, the type, number, shape, area, and location of installed items such as washbasins 26, and the presence or absence and type of entrances 23.

[0021] The support device 50 acquires the conditions for simulating the usage of the toilet room 21 (S12). The support device 50 acquires information such as the type, size, and area of ​​the facility in which the toilet room 21 is installed, the number of facility users, their time distribution and attributes, whether the toilet room 21 is for men or women, whether it is crowded or normal, the number and attributes of users during crowded times, and the number and attributes of users during normal times. When simulating the usage of a toilet room 21 already installed in facility 20, the support device 50 may acquire the number of users, their time distribution and attributes of the current toilet room 21. When simulating the usage of a toilet room 21 in the design stage, the support device 50 may acquire the number of users, their time distribution and attributes of toilet rooms installed in facilities of the same type as facility 20 in which the toilet room 21 will be installed.

[0022] The support device 50 simulates the usage status of the toilet room 21 based on the acquired information (S14). The support device 50 may also perform a multi-agent simulation in which it sets behavioral rules for multiple users (agents) and has the multiple users act simultaneously, interfering with each other (interacting) according to their respective behavioral rules. The behavioral rules may include, for example, the type and conditions of the toilet equipment 30 and installed items that the user will use (e.g., not using a Japanese-style toilet even if it is free, not using a Western-style toilet without a flushing device even if it is free), the amount of time the user will use the toilet equipment 30 and installed items, whether to wait or move to another toilet room if a queue has formed, and how long of a queue the user will be allowed to wait.

[0023] The support device 50 generates output information based on the results of the simulation by the simulator (S16). The output information includes the frequency of queues, waiting time, usage rate of the toilet device 30 and other installed items, user movement patterns, and animation display of the simulation.

[0024] The support device 50 outputs the generated output information (S18). The support device 50 may also display the generated output information, reports containing the output information, etc., on a display device, print them using a printing device, or send them to the staff member's terminal 40. This makes it possible to accurately grasp and evaluate the usage status of the toilet room 21.

[0025] The support device 50 generates proposed changes to the toilet room 21 based on the simulation results (S20). The support device 50 may also generate proposed changes to the size, shape, and layout of the toilet room, the type, number, shape, area, and location of the toilet equipment 30, the number, shape, area, and location of the individual stalls 24, the presence and type of ancillary equipment, the type, number, shape, area, and location of installed items such as washbasins 26, and the presence and type of entrances 23, based on the simulation results. For example, if a queue occurred in the simulation, the toilet room 21 may be made wider, the number of toilet equipment 30 and installed items may be increased, or the layout of the toilet equipment 30 and installed items may be changed to reduce wasted space. Conversely, if no queue occurred or the frequency of queue occurrence was less than a predetermined value in the simulation, the toilet room 21 may be made narrower, the number of toilet equipment 30 and installed items may be reduced, or the layout of the toilet equipment 30 and installed items may be changed to a layout with more space. The support device 50 may generate proposed changes, including a change in the layout of the toilet room 21, if the waiting lines for the individual stalls 24 and the waiting lines for the washbasins 26 interfere with each other in the toilet room 21. The support device 50 may also receive proposed changes to the toilet room 21 from an administrator or designer. The support device 50 transmits the proposed changes to the toilet room 21 to the design support device 42.

[0026] The design support device 42 modifies the design or renovation plan for the toilet room 21 according to the proposed changes generated by the support device 50 (S22).

[0027] The design support device 42 automatically generates the layout of the toilet equipment 30 and other fixtures in the revised design or renovation plan for the toilet room 21 based on spatial information such as the size and shape of the toilet room 21 (S24). If the support device 50 instructs the design support device 42 to change the number of toilet equipment 30 or other fixtures, the design support device 42 automatically generates a layout in which the instructed number of toilet equipment 30 and other fixtures are placed in the toilet room 21. The design support device 42 may also automatically generate the layout using an evolutionary algorithm in which the fitness is determined by an evaluation value calculated using evaluation criteria for evaluating the quality of the placement of the toilet equipment 30 and other fixtures. The evaluation criteria may include criteria that represent the convenience for the expected user when using the toilet equipment 30 and other fixtures. The design support device 42 transmits the revised design or renovation plan to the support device 50.

[0028] Returning to step S14, the support device 50 simulates the usage of the toilet room 21 in the design or renovation plan modified by the design support device 42. In this way, by repeatedly modifying the design or renovation plan of the toilet room 21 and simulating its usage, it is possible to create a design or renovation plan for the toilet room 21 that is suitable for actual usage.

[0029] Figure 3 shows an example of a toilet room 21 design. In this example, two design proposals (a) and (b) with different layouts of the toilet equipment 30 and other installed items are created for the same toilet room 21, and the usage conditions in each are simulated. The simulation results are then output in a comparable format.

[0030] The support device 50 generates agents (users) at the starting point 90 with a probability corresponding to the number of users in the toilet room 21, and sets behavioral rules for the agents with a probability corresponding to the attribute ratio of the users in the toilet room 21. The support device 50 moves the agents along the passage 91 leading from the starting point 90 to the toilet room 21. If a queue has formed in the passage 91, the support device 50 has the agents join the end of the queue. When the agents reach the entrance / exit 23 of the toilet room 21, the support device 50 moves the agents inside the toilet room 21. The support device 50 determines whether the toilet equipment 30 or other fixtures that the agent will use are available, according to the agent's behavioral rules, and if they are available, moves the agent to the toilet equipment 30 or fixtures. If they are not available, the agent waits in an available space inside the toilet room 21. The support device 50 has the agents use the toilet equipment 30 or fixtures for the usage time set in the agent's behavioral rules, and when use is finished, has the agents exit through the entrance / exit 23.

[0031] Figure 4 shows an example of a simulation of the usage of the toilet room 21. The support device 50 may also display an animation of how a user 92 uses the toilet room 21. This makes it possible to visualize the usage status of the toilet room 21, allowing for visual confirmation of the user's movement patterns and the occurrence of waiting lines. The support device 50 may also display the user 92 at a size that matches the scale of the toilet room 21. This allows for visual confirmation of the amount of available space in the toilet room 21.

[0032] The support device 50 may output the results of a simulator simulation of the usage of the same toilet room 21 under multiple different conditions. Figure 3 shows an example of comparing usage when the layout of the toilet equipment 30 and other installed items differs in the same toilet room 21, but usage during peak hours and normal hours may also be compared, or usage when the number of toilet equipment 30 and other installed items differs. This makes it possible to accurately grasp and evaluate the usage of the toilet room 21 under multiple different conditions.

[0033] The support device 50 may output the results of simulating the usage status of multiple different toilet rooms 21 under the same conditions using a simulator. For example, the usage status of multiple toilet rooms 21 with different sizes and shapes may be compared. This makes it possible to accurately grasp and evaluate the usage status of multiple different toilet rooms 21.

[0034] The support device 50 may simulate the behavior of users in part or all of the facility 20, including the toilet rooms 21. For example, in a facility where sports, events, concerts, etc., are held, the situation in which spectators sitting in the audience seats use multiple toilet rooms 21 installed in the facility may be simulated by multi-agent simulation. When events or concerts are held, a large number of spectators will use the toilet rooms 21 during the limited break time. According to the support device 50 of this embodiment, it is possible to evaluate the number of toilet rooms 21, toilet equipment 30, and other installed items necessary to allow spectators who use the toilet rooms 21 to return to their seats during the break time.

[0035] The support device 50 may learn the relationship between information and conditions related to the space of the toilet room 21 and information representing the usage status of the toilet room 21, and generate a usage status prediction algorithm for predicting the usage status of the toilet room 21. This usage status prediction algorithm may be artificial intelligence constructed by a neural network or the like, which takes information and conditions related to the space of the toilet room 21 as input and outputs information representing the usage status of the toilet room 21. The support device 50 may learn the usage status prediction algorithm using simulation results from a simulator or information representing the actual usage status of the toilet room 21 detected by sensors 27 or the like as learning data. For example, the usage status prediction algorithm may be learned by adjusting the intermediate layer of the neural network so that when information and conditions related to the space of the toilet room 21 are input, information representing the usage status of the toilet room 21 is output. This makes it possible to predict the usage status of the toilet room 21 more quickly and accurately.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the support device 50 according to the first embodiment. The support device 50 comprises a communication device 51, a storage device 80, and a processing device 60. The support device 50 may be a server device, a personal computer or other device, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

[0037] The communication device 51 controls communication with other devices. The communication device 51 may communicate using any communication method, whether wired or wireless.

[0038] The storage device 80 stores programs, data, etc., used by the processing device 60. The storage device 80 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. Information acquired from the communication device 22, the staff terminal 40, etc., is stored in the storage device 80.

[0039] The processing unit 60 comprises a spatial information acquisition unit 61, a condition acquisition unit 62, a usage status simulator 63, an output information generation unit 64, an output unit 65, a usage status estimation AI learning unit 66, a usage status estimation unit 67, and a proposed change generation unit 68. These configurations can be realized in hardware terms by arbitrary circuits, a computer's CPU, memory, or other LSIs, and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we are describing functional blocks realized through the cooperation of these components. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, such as hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

[0040] In step S10, the spatial information acquisition unit 61 acquires information about the space of the toilet room 21.

[0041] In step S12, the condition acquisition unit 62 acquires the conditions for simulating the usage status of the toilet room 21.

[0042] In step S14, the usage simulator 63 simulates the usage status of the toilet room 21 based on the information acquired by the spatial information acquisition unit 61 and the information acquired by the condition acquisition unit 62.

[0043] In step S16, the output information generation unit 64 generates output information based on the results of the simulation by the usage simulator 63.

[0044] In step S18, the output unit 65 outputs the output information generated by the output information generation unit 64.

[0045] In step S20, the proposed change generation unit 68 generates proposed changes to the toilet room 21 based on the simulation results from the usage simulator 63.

[0046] The usage status estimation AI learning unit 66 learns the relationship between information and conditions related to the space of the toilet room 21 and information representing the usage status of the toilet room 21, and generates a usage status estimation AI for estimating the usage status of the toilet room 21.

[0047] The usage status estimation unit 67 estimates the usage status of the toilet room 21 using the usage status estimation AI learned by the usage status estimation AI learning unit 66.

[0048] The support system of the first embodiment can be applied not only to toilet rooms in facilities where a specific number of or unspecified users are expected, but also to acquiring usage information for toilets in ordinary homes, public toilets installed in parks or on streets, etc.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) In facilities such as factories, office buildings, and concert halls, a large number of users utilize the restrooms intensively during limited periods, such as break times or before work begins. To ensure that all users who wish to use the restrooms can do so within the allotted time, it is necessary to provide restrooms equipped with a sufficient number of fixtures.

[0050] Therefore, as a second embodiment of this disclosure, a technique is described for suggesting the number of fixtures that should be installed in a toilet room based on the number of users expected to use the toilet room within a set time.

[0051] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the support method according to the second embodiment.

[0052] The support device 50 obtains the set time by which users of the toilet room should complete their use of the toilet room, and the number of users expected to use the toilet room within the set time (S50). The set time may be a length such as a break time during work or during an event such as a concert, a predetermined time before the start of work or an event, or a predetermined time after the end of work or an event. The support device 50 may obtain the set time by which users of the toilet room should complete their use of the toilet room, and the number of users expected to use the toilet room within the set time, from the facility manager or the like. The support device 50 may obtain the type of facility, size, number of people present in the facility, distribution of attributes such as gender and age, number of toilet rooms already installed or planned to be installed, size, and location from the facility manager or the like, and estimate the set time and the number of users expected to use the toilet room based on this information. For example, the number of seats in the facility and the distribution of attributes of the occupants may be obtained, and the number of users expected to use the toilet room within the set time may be estimated by estimating the proportion of occupants who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time based on the attributes of the occupants. Alternatively, the number of users who use the toilet room within a set time period in an existing facility may be measured using information detected by sensors installed in the toilet room, and the average number of users over a certain period may be calculated to obtain the number of users who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time period.

[0053] The support device 50 acquires the conditions for the use of the toilet room that are set when simulating the usage status of the toilet room (S52). The conditions for the use of the toilet room may include (1) the time required for the user to reach the toilet room, (2) the time each fixture installed in the toilet room is occupied, (3) the shape and size of the toilet room, (4) the path the user takes to move within the toilet room, (5) exceptional events, and (6) the allowable waiting time.

[0054] (1) The time required for a user to reach the toilet room may be estimated based on the size and shape of the facility, the positional relationship between the user's seat and the toilet room, etc. In existing facilities, the time required for a user to move from their seat to the toilet room may be measured using sensors or the like.

[0055] (2) The occupancy time of each fixture installed in a toilet room may be set according to the type of facility, the distribution of attributes of people present in the facility, the interval between breaks, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and whether people present in the facility are mainly standing or sitting. In existing facilities, the occupancy time of fixtures when a user uses the toilet room may be measured from information detected by sensors installed in the toilet room.

[0056] (3) The spatial layout of the toilet room, such as its shape and size, may be obtained from the facility manager or other relevant parties. The spatial layout of the toilet room can affect the walking time of users, the degree to which users slow down when passing other users, the number of users who can move in parallel along the pathways within the toilet room, the duration of toilet room use, and the ease of use of fixtures within the toilet room. As will be described later, the spatial layout of the toilet room is also used when generating the layout of fixtures within the toilet room.

[0057] (4) The paths a user takes in a toilet room may be obtained by extracting possible behavioral patterns that a user may take in the toilet room and estimating the probability of taking those behavioral patterns. Behavioral patterns may be extracted from information detected by sensors installed in toilet rooms in existing facilities, or by conducting surveys of users.

[0058] (5) Exceptional events that may occur in a toilet room include prolonged use by a person who is unwell, occupancy of equipment due to regular cleaning, and a reduction in the number of equipment due to equipment malfunction or blockage. The probability of these events occurring, the time equipment is occupied, and the time equipment is down may be measured from information detected by sensors installed in toilet rooms in existing facilities, or estimated from past historical information.

[0059] (6) The acceptable waiting time may be set according to the type of facility, the distribution of attributes of the people present in the facility, the length of breaks, the intervals between breaks, etc. The acceptable waiting time may also be set based on surveys of users or previously published papers.

[0060] The support device 50 sets an initial value for the number of fixtures to be installed in the toilet room (S54). The initial value may be 1 for fixtures already installed or planned to be installed in the toilet room, and 0 for fixtures not installed or planned to be installed in the toilet room. The initial value for the number of fixtures may be set according to the set time, the expected number of users, etc.

[0061] The support device 50 generates a layout of fixtures in the toilet room (S56). The support device 50 may generate candidate layouts using an evolutionary algorithm in which an evaluation value calculated using an evaluation criterion for evaluating the quality of the fixture placement is used as fitness. Any known algorithm may be used as the evolutionary algorithm, such as a genetic algorithm, genetic programming, evolutionary programming, or evolutionary strategy. First, the support device 50 generates an initial population in the evolutionary algorithm by placing a set number of fixtures in the toilet room using a graphic embedding algorithm. The chromosomes of each individual include the type, shape, and position of the fixture. The support device 50 generates a layout pattern of fixtures included in each individual based on the layout rules. The support device 50 calculates an evaluation value as the fitness of each individual, calculated using an evaluation criterion for evaluating the quality of the placement of the toilet and fixtures. The support device 50 mutates the current generation of individuals with a predetermined probability to change the layout pattern or layout position. The genes to be changed and the amount of change may be determined according to a predetermined rule or may be determined randomly. The support device 50 eliminates individuals with low fitness from the current generation and preserves the remaining individuals for the next generation. The support device 50 repeats the above procedure until evolution converges. The support device 50 may determine that evolution has converged, for example, when the number of generational changes exceeds a predetermined number, when the maximum fitness in the population exceeds a threshold, when the average fitness of the entire population exceeds a threshold, or when generations in which the rate of increase in the population's fitness is below a threshold continue for a predetermined period. The support device 50 uses individuals with high evaluation values ​​from the final generation to create the optimal equipment layout.

[0062] The support device 50 simulates the usage status of a toilet room, where fixtures are arranged according to the generated layout, in accordance with the conditions for using the toilet room (S58). As described in the first embodiment, the support device 50 may also perform a multi-agent simulation in which behavioral rules are set for multiple users (agents), and the multiple users act simultaneously, interfering with each other (interacting) according to their respective behavioral rules. The support device 50 simulates the usage status until the predicted number of users have completed using the toilet room.

[0063] If the simulation results indicate that the predicted number of users will not complete using the toilet room within the set time (N in S60), or that a queue exceeding the allowable waiting time has occurred (Y in S62), the support device 50 changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room (S64) and returns to step S56. The support device 50 may increase the number of any one of the installed fixtures by one. The fixture whose number is increased may be selected based on the simulation results. The procedure of generating a layout of the changed number of fixtures (S56) and simulating the toilet room usage again (S58) is repeated until the simulation results indicate that the predicted number of users will complete using the toilet room within the set time and that no queue exceeding the allowable waiting time has occurred. If the changed number of fixtures cannot be placed in the toilet room under the conditions of (3) above, the size and shape of the toilet room may be changed so that the changed number of fixtures can be placed.

[0064] If the simulation results indicate that the predicted number of users will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time (Y in S60) and that no queues exceeding the allowable waiting time occurred (N in S62), the support device 50 outputs the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in that simulation as the number of fixtures that should be installed in the toilet room (S66). If multiple types of fixtures are installed in the toilet room, the support device 50 may output combinations of the number of multiple types of fixtures that should be installed in the toilet room. The support device 50 may also output the waiting time that occurred in the toilet room, the length of the queue, and any changes made to the size or shape of the toilet room.

[0065] In step S64, the support device 50 may increase the number of fixtures by one for all installed fixtures and then perform steps S56 and S58. For example, if a toilet room is equipped with a toilet, urinal, washbasin, and styling corner, the support device 50 may simulate the usage of the toilet room when one toilet, one urinal, one washbasin, and one styling corner are added, and verify whether the predicted number of users can complete using the toilet room within the set time and whether a queue exceeding the acceptable waiting time was created.

[0066] Figure 7 shows the configuration of the support device 50 according to the second embodiment. The support device 50 comprises a communication device 51, a storage device 80, and a processing device 60. The support device 50 may be a server device, a personal computer or other device, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

[0067] The communication device 51 controls communication with other devices. The communication device 51 may communicate using any communication method, whether wired or wireless.

[0068] The storage device 80 stores programs, data, etc., used by the processing device 60. The storage device 80 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. Information acquired from the communication device 22, the staff terminal 40, etc., is stored in the storage device 80.

[0069] The processing unit 60 includes a set time acquisition unit 71, a user count acquisition unit 72, a usage status simulator 73, a condition acquisition unit 74, a layout generation unit 75, an AI learning unit for determining the number of devices 76, a modification unit 77, an output unit 78, and a device count determination unit 79. These configurations can be realized in hardware terms by arbitrary circuits, a computer's CPU, memory, or other LSIs, and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we are describing functional blocks realized through the cooperation of these components. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, such as hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

[0070] In step S50, the set time acquisition unit 71 acquires the set time at which the user of the toilet room should complete their use of the toilet room.

[0071] In step S50, the user count acquisition unit 72 acquires the number of users who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time.

[0072] In step S52, the condition acquisition unit 74 acquires the conditions related to the use of the toilet room that are set when simulating the usage status of the toilet room.

[0073] In step S56, the layout generation unit 75 generates the layout of fixtures in the toilet room.

[0074] In step S58, the usage simulator 73 simulates the usage status of the toilet room according to the conditions for the use of the toilet room.

[0075] The modification unit 77 changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in step S64.

[0076] In step S66, the output unit 78 outputs the number of fixtures to be installed in the toilet room.

[0077] The equipment count determination AI learning unit 76 learns the relationship between the set time, the number of users expected to use the toilet room within that time, and the recommended number of equipment, and generates an equipment count determination AI to determine the recommended number of equipment.

[0078] The fixture count determination unit 79 uses the fixture count determination AI learned by the fixture count determination AI learning unit 76 to determine the recommended number of fixtures based on the set time and the number of users expected to use the toilet room within that time.

[0079] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen output from the support device 50 according to the second embodiment. The screen displays the recommended combination of equipment numbers determined by the support device 50. The screen also displays the waiting time that occurred in the simulation, the length of the queue, and the fact that the calculated combination of equipment numbers cannot be placed in the space of the designated toilet room.

[0080] According to the support method and support device of the second embodiment, the number of devices necessary for the user to complete the use of the toilet room within a set time is output, thereby improving convenience for facility managers and others. Furthermore, facility users can complete the use of the toilet room within a limited time such as a break time without having to wait for an unacceptable amount of time, thus improving convenience for facility users and others.

[0081] (Third embodiment) In the second embodiment, the optimal number of fixtures corresponding to the set time and the predicted number of users was output for a toilet room installed in a specific facility. When a facility manager manages multiple similar facilities, or when planning events with different break times and capacity numbers in similar facilities, there is a need to know the relationship between the set time, the predicted number of users, and the required number of fixtures.

[0082] Therefore, as a third embodiment of this disclosure, we will describe a technique that presents a correspondence between a set time, the number of users expected to use the toilet room within that set time, and the number of fixtures recommended to be installed in the toilet room.

[0083] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the support method according to the third embodiment.

[0084] The support device 50 changes the set time and the predicted number of users and determines the optimal number of devices recommended for each case (S70). The support device 50 may also determine the recommended number of devices corresponding to the set time and the predicted number of users using the technology described in the second embodiment.

[0085] The support device 50 generates and maintains the correspondence between the set time, the predicted number of users, and the recommended number of devices (S72).

[0086] The support device 50 outputs the set time and the correspondence between the predicted number of users and the recommended number of devices, in response to requests from facility managers and others (S74).

[0087] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the support device according to the third embodiment. The support device 50 of the third embodiment includes a correspondence relationship holding unit 81 and a correspondence relationship generation unit 82 in place of the device count determination AI learning unit 76 and device count determination unit 79 of the support device 50 of the second embodiment.

[0088] In step S72, the correspondence relationship generation unit 82 generates a correspondence between the set time, the predicted number of users, and the recommended number of devices, and stores it in the correspondence relationship holding unit 81.

[0089] The correspondence relationship holding unit 81 holds the correspondence relationship between the set time, the predicted number of users, and the recommended number of devices, which is generated by the correspondence relationship generation unit 82.

[0090] Figure 11 shows an example of a correspondence maintained by the correspondence maintenance unit 81. The correspondence maintenance unit 81 maintains the correspondence between the set time within which a toilet user should complete their use of the toilet, the number of users expected to use the toilet within that set time, and the number of fixtures required for those users to complete their use of the toilet within that time. Facility managers and others can refer to this correspondence to install the necessary number of fixtures in the toilet.

[0091] According to the support method and support device of the third embodiment, the correspondence between the set time, the predicted number of users, and the required number of devices is output, thereby improving convenience for facility managers and others. Furthermore, facility users can complete the use of the toilet room within a limited time such as a break time without having to wait for an unacceptable amount of time, thus improving convenience for facility users and others.

[0092] The technologies of the first, second, and third embodiments may be applied in any combination.

[0093] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments, but embodiments merely illustrate the principles and applications of the present invention. Furthermore, many modifications and changes in arrangement are possible in the embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 10...Support system, 12...Internet, 20...Facility, 21...Toilet room, 22...Communication device, 23...Entrance / exit, 24...Individual room, 25...Door, 26...Washbasin, 27...Sensor, 30...Toilet equipment, 31...Controller, 32...Urinal, 40...Person in charge terminal, 42...Design support device, 50...Support device, 51...Communication device, 60...Processing device, 61...Spatial information acquisition unit, 62...Condition acquisition unit, 63...Usage status simulator, 64...Output information generation unit 65...Output unit, 66...Usage status estimation AI learning unit, 67...Usage status estimation unit, 68...Change proposal generation unit, 71...Set time acquisition unit, 72...Number of users acquisition unit, 73...Usage status simulator, 74...Condition acquisition unit, 75...Layout generation unit, 76...Number of devices determination AI learning unit, 77...Change unit, 78...Output unit, 79...Number of devices determination unit, 80...Storage device, 81...Correspondence relationship holding unit, 82...Correspondence relationship generation unit, 90...Starting point, 91...Passageway, 92...User.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the number of users who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time, A simulator that simulates the usage status of the toilet room based on the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit, the conditions for using the toilet room, and the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room, If the simulation results from the simulator indicate that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will not complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the modification unit changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room and causes the simulator to simulate the usage status of the toilet room again. If the simulation results from the simulator indicate that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the output unit outputs the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in that simulation. A support device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned modification unit changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room and causes the simulator to simulate the usage of the toilet room again if the simulation results from the simulator indicate that a queue exceeding the allowable waiting time will occur in the toilet room. The support device according to claim 1.

3. The conditions for the use of the aforementioned toilet room include at least one of the following: (1) the time required for the user to reach the toilet room; (2) the time each fixture installed in the toilet room is occupied; (3) the shape and size of the toilet room; (4) the route the user takes within the toilet room; (5) exceptional circumstances; and (6) permissible waiting time. The support device according to claim 1.

4. The system includes a layout generation unit that generates a layout for installing fixtures in the toilet room based on information regarding the space of the toilet room and the number of fixtures to be installed in the toilet room. The simulator simulates the usage status of the toilet room based on the layout generated by the layout generation unit. The support device according to claim 1.

5. The acquisition unit acquires information regarding the space of the toilet room, The output unit outputs whether or not the number of fixtures output by the output unit can be placed in the toilet room space acquired by the acquisition unit. The support device according to claim 1.

6. The output unit outputs the waiting time or queue length that occurred during the simulation by the simulator. The support device according to claim 1.

7. The output unit outputs the correspondence between the set time, the number of users, and the recommended number of devices. The support device according to claim 1.

8. Computers, An acquisition unit that acquires the number of users who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time, A simulator that simulates the usage status of the toilet room based on the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit, the conditions for using the toilet room, and the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room, If the simulation results from the simulator indicate that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will not complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the modification unit changes the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room and causes the simulator to simulate the usage status of the toilet room again. If the simulation results from the simulator indicate that the number of users acquired by the acquisition unit will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the output unit outputs the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room in that simulation. A support program to enable it to function as such.

9. On the computer, The steps include obtaining the number of users who are expected to use the toilet room within the set time, A step of simulating the usage status of the toilet room based on the number of users obtained, the conditions for using the toilet room, and the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room, If the simulation results indicate that the acquired number of users will not complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room is changed, and the usage status of the toilet room is simulated again. If the simulation results indicate that the acquired number of users will complete the use of the toilet room within the set time, the simulation includes the step of outputting the number of fixtures installed in the toilet room. A method to support the execution of this task.

10. A correspondence holding unit that maintains a correspondence between the set time within which a user of a toilet room should complete the use of the toilet room, the number of users expected to use the toilet room within the set time, and the number of fixtures required for the users expected to use the toilet room within the set time to complete the use of the toilet room within the set time. An output unit that outputs the aforementioned correspondence relationship, A support device equipped with the following features.

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