Monitoring device, monitoring system, monitoring method and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a monitoring device that allows users to easily infer the factors that caused specific actions by a moving object from the display on a map, and to easily and visually understand the purpose of the moving object's actions. [Solution] The monitoring device 100 includes a map storage unit 121 that stores a map of the facility, an area setting unit 111 that sets the target area on the map, an attribute setting unit 112 that sets the attributes assigned to the target area, an area data storage unit 122 that stores the target area and the attributes of the target area, and an output unit 113 that outputs a display signal to display the position of the monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area superimposed on the map on a display unit. The attributes assigned to the target area are determined according to the assumed factors that cause specific actions of the monitored object in that target area.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0003] , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring device, a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a device including a display unit that displays a map and a screen control unit that generates a display screen for displaying the position of an autonomous mobile device on the map based on the position information of the autonomous mobile device at coordinates on the map and outputs the generated display screen to the display unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, in the technology as shown in Patent Document 1, the position of an autonomous mobile device (mobile object) can be displayed on a map. However, when monitoring an autonomous mobile object using such a technology, even if the monitored mobile object performs operations such as stopping, accelerating / decelerating, or changing direction on the displayed map, it is difficult for a monitor (user of the monitoring system) to grasp the reason for the operation of the mobile object from just the display. This is particularly prominent in those who are not proficient in monitoring operations.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems. The objective is to provide a monitoring device, a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a program that can easily infer the factor that caused a specific operation by a mobile object from the display on a map and enable a user to easily and visually grasp the purpose of the operation of the mobile object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The monitoring device according to this disclosure comprises a map storage unit for storing a map of a facility, an area setting unit for setting a target area on the map, an attribute setting unit for setting attributes assigned to the target area, an area data storage unit for storing the target area and the attributes of the target area, and an output unit for outputting a display signal to display the position of a monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area superimposed on the map on a display unit, wherein the attributes assigned to the target area are determined according to assumed factors that cause specific actions of the monitored object in the target area.

[0007] The monitoring system relating to this disclosure comprises the above-described monitoring device and the monitoring terminal having the display unit.

[0008] The monitoring method relating to this disclosure includes a map storage step for storing a map of a facility, an area setting step for setting a target area on the map, an attribute setting step for setting attributes assigned to the target area, an area data storage step for storing the target area and the attributes of the target area, and an output step for outputting a display signal for displaying the position of a monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area superimposed on the map on a display unit, wherein the attributes assigned to the target area are determined according to assumed factors that cause specific actions of the monitored object in the target area.

[0009] The program disclosed herein is intended to cause the monitoring device's computer to execute the monitoring method described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The monitoring device, monitoring system, monitoring method, and program described herein allow for easy inference of the factors that caused a specific action by a moving object from the display on the map, and enable users to easily and visually grasp the purpose of the moving object's actions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of one floor of a facility to which the monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 is applied. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example configuration of a facility management system including a monitoring system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the integrated monitoring processing unit of the monitoring device included in the monitoring system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of processing when editing a target area in the monitoring system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of the monitoring device and monitoring terminal according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for implementing the monitoring device, monitoring system, monitoring method, and program related to this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. For convenience, the positional relationships of each structure may be expressed based on the illustrated state in the following description. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, and any combination of embodiments, any modification of any component of each embodiment, or any omission of any component of each embodiment is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0013] Embodiment 1. Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of one floor of a facility to which a monitoring system is applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a facility management system including a monitoring system. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the integrated monitoring processing unit of the monitoring device provided in the monitoring system. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when editing a target area in the monitoring system. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of a monitoring device and a monitoring terminal.

[0014] The monitoring system according to this embodiment is a system for monitoring objects within a facility. The target facility may be not only a building such as an office building, but also, for example, the premises of a factory. Furthermore, the scope of coverage may not be limited to indoors but may also include outdoors. Figure 1 shows an example of one floor of a facility 10 to which the monitoring system according to this embodiment is applied. In the example shown in the figure, the facility 10 is equipped with a first room 21 and a second room 22, as well as a security door 31 and an elevator 32.

[0015] The security door 31 and the elevator 32 are examples of equipment 30 installed in facility 10. In this disclosure, the elevator 32 and the security door 31 are referred to collectively as equipment 30 without distinction. The space adjacent to the entrance of the elevator 32 on the floor of facility 10 is the elevator landing hall 33. Within the floor of facility 10, there is a passageway connecting the landing hall 33 to the entrances of the first room 21 and the second room 22. In the example shown in the figure, the security door 31 is installed at the entrance of the first room 21.

[0016] The main object of monitoring in the monitoring system according to this embodiment is a mobile object 400 moving within the facility. The mobile object 400 to be monitored may include, for example, autonomous mobile objects 410 such as robots and drones, as well as people 420, living beings such as pets, and animals. In this disclosure, when referring to each mobile object such as autonomous mobile objects 410 and people 420 without distinction, they are collectively referred to as mobile objects 400.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a configuration example of a facility management system including the monitoring system according to this embodiment. In the configuration example shown in the figure, as subsystems of the facility management system, an integrated monitoring system 1, an autonomous mobile body management system 310, and a facility management system 320 are included.

[0018] The facility management system includes an equipment information storage unit 301, an equipment / autonomous mobile body processing unit 302, an autonomous mobile body communication unit 311, an equipment control unit 321, and an equipment communication unit 322. The equipment information storage unit 301 stores various types of information regarding each piece of equipment 30. The equipment / autonomous mobile body processing unit 302 performs various types of information processing necessary for cooperative control between the equipment 30 and the autonomous mobile body 410. The autonomous mobile body communication unit 311 is an interface for communicating with each of the autonomous mobile bodies 410 within the facility 10. Communication between the autonomous mobile body communication unit 311 and the autonomous mobile body 410 is basically performed by a wireless method.

[0019] The equipment control unit 321 determines the control content of each piece of equipment 30 according to the processing result in the equipment / autonomous mobile body processing unit 302. The equipment communication unit 322 is an interface for communicating with the equipment control device 500. Communication between the equipment communication unit 322 and the equipment control device 500 may be either a wireless method or a wired method.

[0020] The equipment control device 500 controls each piece of equipment 30 provided in the facility 10. In the example described here, there are an elevator 32 and a security door 31 as the equipment 30. Therefore, as the equipment control device 500, an elevator control device 510 and a security door control device 520 are provided. The elevator control device 510 controls the operation of the elevator 32. The security door control device 520 controls authentication of passage authority at the security door 31, locking and unlocking of the security door 31, opening and closing operations of the security door 31, and the like.

[0021] The autonomous mobile unit management system 310 is comprised of the equipment information storage unit 301, the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302, and the autonomous mobile unit communication unit 311. Furthermore, the equipment management system 320 is comprised of the equipment information storage unit 301, the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302, the equipment control unit 321, and the equipment communication unit 322. The autonomous mobile unit management system 310 and the equipment management system 320 enable coordinated control between the equipment 30 and the autonomous mobile unit 410.

[0022] The autonomous mobile device management system 310 performs tasks such as notifying the autonomous mobile device 410 of information regarding the equipment 30 available to the autonomous mobile device 410, determining whether the equipment 30 is available for use by the autonomous mobile device 410, and notifying the autonomous mobile device 410 of the availability of the equipment 30. The equipment management system 320 manages the usage history of the equipment 30 by the autonomous mobile device 410, understands and predicts the usage status (congestion status) of the equipment 30, and issues control commands to the equipment control device 500 that controls the equipment 30 when the autonomous mobile device 410 uses the equipment 30. The autonomous mobile device 410 also notifies the autonomous mobile device management system 310 of requests to use the equipment 30, and notifies the autonomous mobile device management system 310 of its own location information, etc. The equipment control device 500 notifies the equipment management system 320 of the operating status of the equipment 30, and notifies the equipment management system 320 of the usage history of the equipment 30 by the autonomous mobile device 410, etc.

[0023] As an example of coordinated control between equipment 30 and autonomous mobile unit 410, when the autonomous mobile unit 410 intends to use equipment 30, such as the elevator 32 or security door 31, the autonomous mobile unit 410 transmits an equipment use request to the autonomous mobile unit management system 310. The autonomous mobile unit communication unit 311 of the autonomous mobile unit management system 310 receives the equipment use request transmitted from the autonomous mobile unit 410. When the autonomous mobile unit communication unit 311 receives the equipment use request from the autonomous mobile unit 410, the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302 determines whether the autonomous mobile unit 410 is allowed to use the equipment 30.

[0024] For example, each autonomous mobile unit 410 is pre-assigned a mobile unit 400 that uniquely identifies it. Similarly, each piece of equipment 30 is pre-assigned an equipment ID that uniquely identifies it. An equipment usage request transmitted from an autonomous mobile unit 410 includes the mobile unit 400 of the autonomous mobile unit 410 and the equipment ID of the equipment 30 that the autonomous mobile unit 410 intends to use.

[0025] For example, the equipment information storage unit 301 stores in advance whether each autonomous mobile unit 410 has the right to use each piece of equipment 30. That is, for example, the equipment information storage unit 301 stores in advance as usage right information the relationship between the equipment ID and the mobile ID of the autonomous mobile unit 410 that has the right to use the equipment 30 of that equipment ID. The equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302 refers to the usage right information stored in the equipment information storage unit 301 and determines whether the autonomous mobile unit 410 with the mobile ID indicated by the received equipment use request has the right to use the equipment 30 of that equipment ID. If the autonomous mobile unit 410 has the right to use the equipment 30, the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302 permits the autonomous mobile unit 410 to use the equipment 30.

[0026] When the autonomous mobile unit 410 is authorized to use the equipment 30, the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302 outputs an equipment control command to the equipment control unit 321 for the autonomous mobile unit 410 to use the equipment 30. Upon receiving the equipment control command, the equipment control unit 321 determines the control content of the facility 10 necessary for the autonomous mobile unit 410 to use the equipment 30. The equipment management system 320 then transmits the equipment control command based on the determined control content to the equipment control device 500 via the equipment communication unit 322. The equipment control device 500 controls the equipment 30 according to the received equipment control command.

[0027] Furthermore, when the equipment / autonomous mobile unit processing unit 302 authorizes the autonomous mobile unit 410 to use the equipment 30, the autonomous mobile unit management system 310 sends a notification of permission to use the equipment 30 to the autonomous mobile unit 410 via the autonomous mobile unit communication unit 311. Upon receiving the permission notification, the autonomous mobile unit 410 uses the equipment 30 after taking necessary actions such as standing by.

[0028] As described above, the integrated monitoring system 1 monitors the mobile objects 400 that are the targets of monitoring within the facility 10. The mobile objects 400 that are the targets of monitoring may include autonomous mobile objects 410, people 420, etc. The integrated monitoring system 1 may also monitor each piece of equipment 30 in the facility 10. The autonomous mobile object management system 310 and the equipment management system 320 are communicated with the integrated monitoring system 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the integrated monitoring system 1 includes a monitoring device 100 and a monitoring terminal 200. The monitoring device 100 includes an integrated monitoring processing unit 110 and an integrated monitoring storage unit 120. The integrated monitoring processing unit 110 performs various information processing related to the monitoring of the mobile body 400 and the equipment 30. The integrated monitoring storage unit 120 stores various information related to the monitoring of the mobile body 400 and the equipment 30.

[0030] The monitoring terminal 200 is a terminal device for displaying processing results from the monitoring device 100 and inputting information into the monitoring device 100. The monitoring terminal 200 is connected to the monitoring device 100 in a communicative manner via a communication network such as the Internet or a dedicated communication line. The monitoring terminal 200 is, for example, a PC such as a desktop, notebook, or tablet, or a smartphone. The monitoring terminal 200 includes a display unit 201 and an input unit 202. The display unit 201 is, for example, a well-known display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input unit 202 is, for example, a well-known input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touchpad. The monitoring terminal 200 may also include a touch panel that serves as both the display unit 201 and the input unit 202.

[0031] The integrated monitoring and storage unit 120 of the monitoring device 100 includes a map storage unit 121 and an area data storage unit 122. The map storage unit 121 stores the floor map, or map, of the facility 10. The area data storage unit 122 stores area data for the facility 10. Area data will be described later.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the integrated monitoring processing unit 110 includes an area setting unit 111, an attribute setting unit 112, and an output unit 113. The area setting unit 111 sets the target area 40 on the map. The target area 40 in the monitoring system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a bank area 41, a security door area 42, and an arbitration area 43 as examples of the target area 40.

[0033] Bank area 41 and security door area 42 are examples of equipment-related areas. Equipment-related areas are target areas 40 that are set up in conjunction with equipment 30 within facility 10. Equipment-related areas are areas where a mobile body 400 is present that is using, utilizing, waiting for use or utilization, or requesting use of the corresponding equipment. Bank area 41 is the area where a mobile body 400 using elevator 32, one of the equipment 30, waits until the elevator car of said elevator 32 arrives and gets on and off the car. In the illustrated example, bank area 41 is set at landing 0 of elevator 32. Security door area 42 is the area where a mobile body 400 using security door 31, one of the equipment 30, authenticates passage through security door 31 or passes through security door 31. In the illustrated example, security door area 42 is set up in the areas before and after security door 31.

[0034] The mediation area 43 is an area where the monitored mobile object 400 mediates to avoid interference with other mobile objects. Mediation to avoid interference here refers to the implementation of traffic control based on traffic priority to avoid collisions, contact, etc., when multiple mobile objects pass each other, so that some or all of the multiple mobile objects wait, stop, accelerate, decelerate, change direction, etc. In the illustrated example, the mediation area 43 for mediating between mobile objects entering and exiting the second room 22 is set at the dead end of the passageway 23 in front of the second room 22. Note that the "other mobile objects" with whom the monitored mobile object 400 is mediating may include mobile objects that are not monitored by this monitoring system (autonomous mobile objects, people, etc.). The mediation area 43 is set, for example, in an area of ​​the passageway 23, particularly around intersections or facilities 30 (doors, gates, elevators 32, etc.).

[0035] Users of the monitoring system, administrators of facility 10, etc., input the target area 40 by, for example, operating the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200. Inputting the target area 40 can be done, for example, by specifying the coordinates of the target area 40 on a map. The information of the target area 40 input into the monitoring terminal 200 is transmitted to the monitoring device 100. The area setting unit 111 then sets the target area 40 on the map based on the received information.

[0036] The attribute setting unit 112 of the monitoring device 100 sets the attributes assigned to the target area 40 set by the area setting unit 111 in this manner. In the monitoring system according to this embodiment, attributes are assigned to the target area 40. The attributes assigned to the target area 40 are set according to whether the target area 40 is an equipment-related area or a mediation area as described above. In other words, the attributes assigned to the target area 40 indicate whether the target area 40 is an equipment-related area or a mediation area.

[0037] The attributes assigned to the target area 40 are determined according to the assumed factors that cause specific actions of the mobile object 400 being monitored within the target area 40. Specific actions of the mobile object 400 may include either movement or stopping, or both. More specifically, specific actions may include, for example, the mobile object 400 waiting, stopping, changing movement speed (acceleration, deceleration), changing direction, etc. In the example described here, the equipment-attached area attribute indicates that the assumed factor that causes specific actions of the mobile object 400 within the target area 40 of that attribute is the use of the equipment 30 by the mobile object 400. Similarly, the arbitration area attribute indicates that the assumed factor that causes specific actions of the mobile object 400 within the target area 40 of that attribute is avoiding interference between the mobile object 400 and other mobile objects.

[0038] If the target area 40 is an area with equipment attachments, the attributes may include information about the equipment 30 to which the target area 40 is attached. For example, the attribute information for a bank area 41 includes information indicating that the bank area 41 is attached to an elevator. Similarly, the attribute information for a security door area 42 includes information indicating that the security door area 42 is attached to a security door 31.

[0039] Similar to the setting of the target area 40, users of the monitoring system, administrators of the facility 10, etc., input the attributes of each target area 40 by, for example, operating the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200. The attribute information of the target area 40 entered into the monitoring terminal 200 is transmitted to the monitoring device 100. The attribute setting unit 112 then sets the attributes of the target area 40 based on the received information.

[0040] The area data storage unit 122 of the monitoring device 100 stores the target area 40 set in this manner and the attributes of the target area 40 as area data. In other words, the area data is data consisting of information including the target area 40 on the map and the attributes assigned to the target area 40.

[0041] The output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 outputs data used for monitoring the mobile object 400. In the monitoring system according to this embodiment, the output unit 113 outputs a display signal for displaying the data used for monitoring the mobile object 400 on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200. More specifically, this display signal is for displaying the position of the mobile object 400, which is the monitored object moving within the facility 10, the target area 40, and the attributes assigned to the target area 40, superimposed on a map on the display unit 201. Upon receiving this display signal, the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200 displays the position of the mobile object 400, which is the monitored object moving within the facility 10, the target area 40, and the attributes assigned to the target area 40, superimposed on a map.

[0042] The output unit 113 acquires map data from the map storage unit 121 of the integrated monitoring storage unit 120. The output unit 113 also acquires information on the target area 40 and the attributes assigned to the target area 40, i.e., area data, from the area data storage unit 122 of the integrated monitoring storage unit 120. Furthermore, the monitoring device 100 acquires the current location data of the mobile object 400, which is the monitored object moving within the facility 10, from, for example, the autonomous mobile object management system 310. The output unit 113 then uses this acquired data to generate the aforementioned display signal.

[0043] In the monitoring system including the monitoring device 100 configured as described above, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 generates and outputs a display signal for displaying the position of the mobile object 400, which is the object to be monitored, as well as the target area 40 and the attributes assigned to the target area 40, superimposed on a map. Based on such a display signal, the position of the mobile object 400, which is the object to be monitored, as well as the attributes assigned to the target area 40, can be displayed superimposed on a map, for example, by displaying them on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200.

[0044] Therefore, when a user (monitor) of the monitoring system, who is monitoring while viewing such a display, notices that the monitored mobile object 400 is performing a specific action such as stopping, accelerating or decelerating, or changing direction on the displayed map, they can check whether the current location of the mobile object 400 is within the target area 40. If the current location of the mobile object 400 is within the target area 40, they can easily infer the likely factors that caused the mobile object 400 to perform that specific action by checking the attributes of the target area 40. Furthermore, by overlaying the target area 40 and its attributes onto the map and displaying them in a unified manner, the purpose of the mobile object 400's actions can be visualized, and the monitor can easily and visually grasp the likely factors that caused the mobile object 400 to perform that specific action.

[0045] In the example described here, a monitoring terminal 200 equipped with a display unit 201 and an input unit 202 was used, but one or both of the display unit 201 and the input unit 202 may be provided on the monitoring device 100.

[0046] Furthermore, especially if the attributes of the target area 40 include the attribute of an equipment-attached area, the map storage unit 121 may further store the location of the equipment 30 in the facility 10. The output unit 113 may then acquire the location information of the equipment 30 stored in the map storage unit 121 and generate and output a display signal that overlays the location of the equipment 30 onto the map for further display. In this way, for example, the location of the equipment 30 can be further displayed on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200 by overlaying it onto the map, and a monitor who checks this display can easily visually grasp the equipment 30 corresponding to the equipment-attached area on the map. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the equipment 30 related to the assumed factor that caused a specific action of the mobile body 400 located within the equipment-attached area.

[0047] Next, an example of the operation flow in the monitoring system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. First, in step S110, for example, when a user starts registering and editing the target area 40 on the monitoring terminal 200, in the following step S120, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 sends a display signal to the monitoring terminal 200, and the registration and editing screen is displayed on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200. On the registration and editing screen, the map, equipment 30, and target area 40 are mapped.

[0048] If, after step S120, the user selects to register the target area 40 in step S130, then in step S140, the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to input the area data of the target area 40 to be registered, i.e., coordinates, attributes, name, etc. On the other hand, if the user selects to edit the target area 40 in step S130, then in step S141, the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to select the target area 40 to edit. Then, in the following step S142, the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to edit the area data of the target area 40 selected in step S141, i.e., coordinates, attributes, name, etc.

[0049] After steps S140 and S142, the integrated monitoring system 1 then performs the process in step S150. In step S150, the area data entered by the monitoring terminal 200 is transmitted to the monitoring device 100 in order to register the area data registered in step S140 or the area data edited in step S142 to the integrated monitoring system 1.

[0050] In the subsequent step S160, the monitoring device 100 stores the registered (or edited) area data in the integrated monitoring storage unit 120. Specifically, the area setting unit 111 sets the target area 40 based on the input area data. The attribute setting unit 112 sets the attributes of the target area 40 based on the input area data. The area data, including the set target area 40 and attributes, is then stored in the area data storage unit 122. After step S160, the integrated monitoring processing unit 110 then performs the processing in step S170.

[0051] In step S170, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 generates and outputs a display signal to overlay the position of the mobile object 400, which is the monitored object moving within the facility 10, the target area 40, and the attributes assigned to the target area 40 onto a map. The output display signal is transmitted from the monitoring device 100 to the monitoring terminal 200. Upon receiving the display signal, the monitoring terminal 200 displays the position of the mobile object 400, which is the monitored object moving within the facility 10, the target area 40, and the attributes assigned to the target area 40 onto a map on its display unit 201. Once the processing in step S170 is complete, the series of operations is finished.

[0052] In the monitoring system including the monitoring device 100 according to this embodiment, convenience can be improved by allowing editing of the target area 40 while visually confirming it. In this case, the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 accepts modification operations, including movement and / or deformation, of the boundary of the target area 40 displayed on the display unit 201 superimposed on the map. Such modification operations can be performed, for example, by clicking and dragging using a pointing device such as a mouse or touchpad on the input unit 202, or by tapping, pinching in, and pinching out using a touch panel on the input unit 202. The content of the modification operation performed on the input unit 202 is transmitted from the monitoring terminal 200 to the monitoring device 100. The area setting unit 111 of the monitoring device 100 sets the target area 40 on the map according to the content of the received modification operation. More specifically, the area setting unit 111 converts the boundary of the target area 40 after the modification operation, displayed on the display unit 201, into coordinates on the map and sets the target area on the map. As mentioned above, such a display unit 201 and input unit 202 may also be provided in the monitoring device 100.

[0053] Next, an example of the processing flow related to editing such a target area 40 in the monitoring system will be explained with reference to Figure 5. First, in step S210, for example, when a user starts an operation to edit the coordinates of the target area 40 on the monitoring terminal 200, in the following step S220, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 sends a display signal to the monitoring terminal 200, and the area editing screen is displayed on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200. On the area editing screen, the map, equipment 30, and target area 40 are mapped.

[0054] After step S220, in step S230, when the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to select the target area 40 to edit, in step S240, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 sends a display signal to the monitoring terminal 200, and the coordinate editing screen for the selected target area 40 is displayed on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200.

[0055] After step S240, if the user selects to edit the coordinates of the target area 40 with the mouse in step S250, in step S251, the output unit 113 of the monitoring device 100 sends a display signal to the monitoring terminal 200, causing the mouse editing screen to be displayed on the display unit 201 of the monitoring terminal 200. In the following step S252, the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to modify the boundaries of the target area 40 displayed on the map on the mouse editing screen. This modification operation involves moving and / or transforming the boundaries of the target area 40 displayed on the map. In other words, the modification operation involves changing the position and / or expanding / contracting the range of the target area 40 displayed on the map. The details of the modification operation performed at the monitoring terminal 200 are transmitted to the monitoring device 100.

[0056] Following step S252, in step S253, the integrated monitoring processing unit 110 of the monitoring device 100 calculates the scale of the map displayed on the mouse editing screen of the display unit 201 based on the display signal transmitted from the output unit 113 to the monitoring terminal 200 in step S251. Then, in the following step S254, the area setting unit 111 of the integrated monitoring processing unit 110 converts the boundary of the target area 40 after the modification operation, as displayed on the display unit 201, into coordinates on the map and sets the target area 40 on the map. More specifically, the area setting unit 111 uses the scale of the map displayed on the mouse editing screen calculated in step S253 and the coordinates of the boundary of the target area 40 after the modification operation as displayed on the mouse editing screen to calculate the actual coordinates of the boundary of the target area 40 after the modification operation on the map. Then, the area setting unit 111 sets the target area 40 on the map using the actual coordinates of the calculated boundary of the target area 40 after the modification operation on the map.

[0057] After step S254, the process proceeds to step S260. If the user selects to directly edit the coordinates of the target area 40 in step S250, the process proceeds directly from step S250 to S260 without going through steps S251 to S254. In step S260, the user operates the input unit 202 of the monitoring terminal 200 to directly input and edit the area data of the target area 40, i.e., coordinates, attributes, name, etc. Even if the process proceeds via steps S251 to S254, the user may still directly edit the area data to make fine adjustments. Furthermore, names and other information that are difficult to input using a mouse should be edited in step S260.

[0058] Following step S260, in step S270, the area data registered in step S260 is transmitted to the monitoring device 100 from the monitoring terminal 200 in order to register it with the integrated monitoring system 1. In the subsequent step S280, the monitoring device 100 stores the edited area data in the integrated monitoring storage unit 120 to reflect the changes. Once the processing in step S280 is complete, the series of operations is finished.

[0059] Figure 6 shows an example of a configuration that realizes the respective functions of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 in this embodiment. The respective functions of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 are realized, for example, by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may include a processor 101 and a memory 102. The processing circuit may also include dedicated hardware 103. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 103, and this processing circuit may further include a processor 101 and a memory 102. In the example shown in the figure, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 103. Also, in the example shown in the figure, the processing circuit further includes a processor 101 and a memory 102.

[0060] A processing circuit that is partly a dedicated hardware 103 includes, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 101 and at least one memory 102, the functions of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0061] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 102. The processor 101 reads and executes the programs stored in memory 102 to realize the functions of each part. The processor 101 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Examples of memory 102 include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, and DVDs.

[0062] In this way, the processing circuits of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 can realize their respective functions through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. If the processing circuits of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 are equipped with at least a processor 101 and a memory 102, the processor 101 executes the program stored in the memory 102 in each of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200, and the hardware and software of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200 work together to realize the functions of each part of the monitoring device 100 and the monitoring terminal 200. Similarly, the devices constituting the autonomous mobile management system 310 and the equipment management system 320 may also realize their functions by being equipped with processing circuits having a processor 101, a memory 102, and dedicated hardware 103.

[0063] As described above, the monitoring method relating to this disclosure includes a map storage step for storing a map of the facility 10, an area setting step for setting a target area 40 on the map, an attribute setting step for setting attributes assigned to the target area 40, an area data storage step for storing the target area 40 and its attributes, and an output step for outputting a display signal to display the position of the monitored object moving within the facility 10, the target area 40, and the attributes assigned to the target area 40 on the display unit 201 by superimposing them on the map. The attributes assigned to the target area 40 are determined according to the assumed factors that cause specific actions of the monitored object in the target area 40. The program relating to this disclosure causes the computer of the monitoring device 100 to execute the above monitoring method. The recording medium relating to this disclosure is a computer-readable medium on which the above program is recorded.

[0064] In this disclosure, the embodiments may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Examples of various embodiments of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix. (Note 1) A map memory unit that stores the facility's map, An area setting unit for setting the target area in the aforementioned map, An attribute setting unit for setting attributes assigned to the aforementioned target area, An area data storage unit that stores the target area and the attributes of the target area, The system includes an output unit that outputs a display signal for displaying on a display unit the position of a monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area, superimposed on the map. The attributes assigned to the target area are determined by a monitoring device in accordance with the expected factors that cause a specific action of the monitored object within that target area. (Note 2) The monitoring device described in Appendix 1, wherein the specified operation of the monitored object includes either or both movement and stopping of the monitored object. (Note 3) The map storage unit further stores the locations of equipment in the facility, The aforementioned display signal causes the display unit to further display the location of the equipment superimposed on the map. The aforementioned assumed factors include the monitoring device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, including the use of the equipment by the monitored object. (Note 4) The aforementioned assumed factors include the monitoring device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, which includes the monitoring target avoiding interference with other moving objects. (Note 5) The system further includes an input unit that accepts modification operations, including movement and / or deformation, of the boundary of the target area displayed on the display unit superimposed on the map, The monitoring device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the area setting unit converts the boundary of the target area after the modification operation displayed on the display unit into coordinates on the map, and sets the target area on the map. (Note 6) A monitoring device described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 5, A monitoring system comprising a monitoring terminal having the aforementioned display unit. (Note 7) A map memory step to memorize the facility's map, Area setting step for setting the target area in the aforementioned map, An attribute setting step for setting attributes assigned to the target area, Area data storage step for storing the target area and the attributes of the target area, The system includes an output step that outputs a display signal for displaying on a display unit the position of the monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area, superimposed on the map. A monitoring method in which the attributes assigned to the target area are determined according to the expected factors that cause a specific operation of the monitored object in the target area. (Note 8) A program to cause the monitoring device's computer to execute the monitoring method described in Appendix 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1. Integrated Monitoring System 10 facilities 21 Room 1 22 2nd living room 23 aisle 30 Equipment 31 Security Door 32 Elevators 33 Boarding Hall 40 Target Areas 41 Bank Area 42 Security Door Area 43 Mediation Area 100 Monitoring equipment 101 Processors 102 memory 103 Dedicated Hardware 110 Integrated Monitoring Processing Unit 111 Area setting section 112 Attribute setting section 113 Output section 120 Integrated Monitoring and Storage Unit 121 Map memory unit 122 Area Data Storage Unit 200 monitoring terminals 201 Display section 202 Input Section 301 Equipment information storage unit 302 Equipment / Autonomous Mobile Unit Processing Unit 310 Autonomous Mobile System Management System 311 Autonomous Mobile Unit Communication Unit 320 Equipment Management Systems 321 Equipment Control Unit 322 Equipment and Communications Department 400 Mobile Units 410 Autonomous Mobile Units 420 people 500 Equipment control devices 510 Elevator control device 520 Security Door Control System

Claims

1. A map memory unit that stores the facility's map, An area setting unit for setting the target area in the aforementioned map, An attribute setting unit for setting attributes assigned to the aforementioned target area, An area data storage unit that stores the target area and the attributes of the target area, The system includes an output unit that outputs a display signal for displaying on a display unit the position of a monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area, superimposed on the map. The attributes assigned to the target area are determined by a monitoring device in accordance with the expected factors that cause a specific action of the monitored object within that target area.

2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the specified operation of the monitored object includes either or both movement and stopping of the monitored object.

3. The map storage unit further stores the locations of equipment in the facility, The aforementioned display signal causes the display unit to further display the location of the equipment superimposed on the map. The monitoring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the assumed factors include the use of the equipment by the monitored object.

4. The monitoring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the assumed factors include the monitoring target avoiding interference with other moving objects.

5. The system further includes an input unit that accepts modification operations, including movement and / or deformation, of the boundary of the target area displayed on the display unit superimposed on the map, The monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area setting unit converts the boundary of the target area after the modification operation displayed on the display unit into coordinates on the map, and sets the target area on the map.

6. A monitoring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A monitoring system comprising a monitoring terminal having the aforementioned display unit.

7. A map memory step to memorize the facility's map, Area setting step for setting the target area in the aforementioned map, An attribute setting step for setting attributes assigned to the target area, Area data storage step for storing the target area and the attributes of the target area, The system includes an output step that outputs a display signal for displaying on a display unit the position of the monitored object moving within the facility, the target area, and the attributes assigned to the target area, superimposed on the map. A monitoring method in which the attributes assigned to the target area are determined according to the expected factors that cause a specific operation of the monitored object in the target area.

8. A program for causing the computer of a monitoring device to execute the monitoring method described in claim 7.

Images