METHOD FOR MANAGING AUTONOMOUS DRIVING DEVICE, AND AUTONOMOUS DRIVING DEVICE

Abstract

When a power failure has occurred within a building (B101), a building management device (C101) simultaneously transmits, to a plurality of management devices (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), a power failure signal for notifying a designated automatic travel device (10) of the occurrence of the power failure. The plurality of management devices (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) each transfer the power failure signal to an automatic travel device (10) within the building (B101). When the automatic travel device (10) has received a power failure signal designating the same, said automatic travel device (10) transmits a power failure response signal to a management device (20) managing said automatic travel device (10). When the management device (20) does not receive a power failure response signal from the designated automatic travel device (10) from among the automatic travel devices (10) managed by said management device (20), the management device (20) notifies the building management device (C101) of the ID of the designated automatic travel device (10), and the building management device (C101) notifies a building manager of the ID of the automatic travel device (10) for which the notification was made.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management method for an automated driving device, and the automated driving device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known automatic driving devices that stop working when a power outage occurs. For example, in the automatic guided vehicle control system of Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2002-199511 A), when a power outage occurs, an automatic power outage detection device (installed on the factory side) transmits a power outage signal to the automatic guided vehicle, and if the automatic guided vehicle has not completed the work (pre-set work) according to the command received before the power was turned off, the automatic guided vehicle completes the work before turning off the power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-199511 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2002-199511 A), if an automatic traveling device installed in a building cannot receive a power outage signal, the automatic traveling device may run into people while traveling in the building during a power outage. To avoid this, the building manager must patrol the building during a power outage to check the operating status of all automatic traveling devices in the building.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an automated driving device and a management method for the automated driving device that can reduce the inspection work required by building managers during power outages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The method for managing autonomous driving devices disclosed herein is a method for managing autonomous driving devices in a building system including a building management device that manages equipment in a building, a plurality of autonomous driving devices that are arranged in the building and each belong to one of a plurality of types, and a plurality of management devices that each manage a corresponding type of autonomous driving device, and includes a step in which the building management device simultaneously transmits a power outage signal to the plurality of management devices when a power outage occurs in the building to notify a designated autonomous driving device of the occurrence of a power outage, a step in which each of the plurality of management devices transfers the power outage signal to an autonomous driving device in the building, a step in which an autonomous driving device transmits a power outage response signal to the management device that manages the autonomous driving device when the autonomous driving device receives a power outage response signal designating the autonomous driving device, a step in which the management device notifies the building management device of the ID of the designated autonomous driving device when it does not receive a power outage response signal from a designated autonomous driving device among the autonomous driving devices it manages, and a step in which the building management device notifies a building manager of the ID of the notified autonomous driving device.

[0007] The autonomous driving device disclosed herein is an autonomous driving device in a building system including a building management device that manages a building, a plurality of autonomous driving devices that are arranged in the building and each of which belongs to a certain type, and a plurality of management devices that manage the autonomous driving devices of the corresponding type, and includes a wireless communication device, a memory, and a processor that executes a program in the memory. When the processor receives a power outage signal from at least one of the management devices via the wireless communication device, the processor transmits a power outage response signal via the wireless communication device to the management device that manages the autonomous driving device, and executes a power outage operation that is predetermined according to the type of the autonomous driving device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the amount of inspection work required by building managers during power outages can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a building system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an automatic driving device 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from a building management device C to a management device 20 for traveling devices, and an example of a communication API from the management device 20 for traveling devices to an automatic traveling device 10. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing examples of types of automatic driving devices. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the position of an automatic driving device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply situation in a building. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the business status of a building. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from an automatic driving device 10 to a driving device management device 20. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state of an automatic driving device. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from a traveling device management device 20 to a building management device C. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state of an automatic driving device. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a building management device C. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a management device 20 for traveling devices. [Figure 14] 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the automatic driving device 10. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first operation example. [Figure 16] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a power outage signal S1 transmitted in a first operation example. FIG. [Figure 17] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a power outage response signal R1 transmitted in the first operation example. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second operation example. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third operation example. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a non-responding device notification signal R2 transmitted in the third operation example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a building system according to an embodiment.

[0011] This building system includes autonomous driving devices 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, building management devices C101, C102, . . . , and a management system 120 for the autonomous driving devices.

[0012] The building management device C101 manages and controls the equipment in building B101. The building management device C102 manages and controls the equipment in building B102. The building management devices C101, C102, ... are collectively referred to as building management device C. The buildings B101, B102, ... are collectively referred to as building B.

[0013] The automatic traveling devices 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are arranged in buildings B101, B102, etc. The automatic traveling device 10A is an automatic traveling device for security purposes, and performs security duties within the building. The automatic traveling device 10B is an automatic traveling device for cleaning purposes, and performs cleaning duties within the building. The automatic traveling device 10C is an automatic traveling device for delivery purposes, and performs delivery duties within the building. The automatic traveling device 10D is an automatic traveling device for guidance purposes, and performs guidance duties within the building. When these automatic traveling devices 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are collectively referred to, they will be described as automatic traveling device 10.

[0014] The management system 120 for automatic traveling devices includes a management device 20A for security automatic traveling devices, a management device 20B for cleaning automatic traveling devices, a management device 20C for delivery automatic traveling devices, and a management device 20D for guidance automatic traveling devices. The management device 20A for security automatic traveling devices manages the automatic traveling devices 10A for security purposes arranged in a plurality of buildings B101, B102, etc. The management device 20B for cleaning automatic traveling devices manages the automatic traveling devices 10B for cleaning arranged in a plurality of buildings B101, B102, etc. The management device 20C for delivery automatic traveling devices manages the automatic traveling devices 10C for delivery arranged in a plurality of buildings B101, B102, etc. The management device 20D for guidance automatic traveling devices manages the automatic traveling devices 10D for guidance arranged in a plurality of buildings B101, B102, etc. When these management devices for automatic traveling devices 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are collectively referred to as a management device 20 for traveling devices.

[0015] The above-mentioned components of the building system can communicate with each other via the Internet or the like. The building management devices C101, C102, etc. may be placed on the cloud, or may be installed in the corresponding buildings B101, B102 and operate on emergency power sources during a power outage. The management system 120 for the autonomous driving device may be placed on the cloud.

[0016] When a power outage occurs in Building B, the following process is executed: When a power outage occurs in building B, the building management device C transmits a power outage signal to the management device 20A for security automatic driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning automatic driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery automatic driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance automatic driving devices, all at once, to notify designated automatic driving devices 10 of the occurrence of the power outage.

[0017] Thereafter, each of the management devices 20 of the multiple traveling devices transfers a power outage signal to the automatic traveling device 10 in building B.

[0018] Thereafter, when the automatic driving device 10 receives a power outage signal that designates the automatic driving device 10, it transmits a power outage response signal to the driving device management device 20 that manages the automatic driving device 10, and executes a power outage operation that is predetermined according to the type of automatic driving device.

[0019] Thereafter, when the traveling device management device 20 does not receive a power outage response signal from a specified automatic traveling device 10 among the automatic traveling devices 10 it manages, it notifies the building management device C of the ID of the specified automatic traveling device.

[0020] Thereafter, the building management device C notifies the building manager of the notified ID of the automated driving device. When power is restored in Building B, the following process is executed:

[0021] When power is restored within building B, building management device C transmits a power restoration signal to designated automatic driving devices 10 simultaneously to management device 20A for security automatic driving devices, management device 20B for cleaning automatic driving devices, management device 20C for delivery automatic driving devices, and management device 20D for guidance automatic driving devices.

[0022] Thereafter, each of the management devices 20 of the multiple traveling devices transfers a power restoration signal to the automatic traveling device 10 in the building B.

[0023] Thereafter, when the automatic driving device 10 receives a power restoration signal that designates the automatic driving device 10, it transmits a power restoration response signal to the driving device management device 20 that manages the automatic driving device 10, and executes a predetermined operation upon power restoration according to the type of automatic driving device.

[0024] Thereafter, when the traveling device management device 20 does not receive a power recovery response signal from a specified automatic traveling device 10 among the automatic traveling devices 10 it manages, it notifies the building management device C of the ID of the specified automatic traveling device.

[0025] Thereafter, the building management device C notifies the building manager of the notified ID of the automated driving device. The notification may be made by displaying a message on a display device or by outputting a voice message from a speaker.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automatic driving device 10. As shown in FIG. The automatic driving device 10 includes a wireless communication device 11, a control device 12, and a drive unit 15. The control device 12 includes a memory 13 and a processor 14.

[0027] The memory 13 stores a program. The processor 14 executes the program in the memory 13. The operation of the control device 12 described below is performed by the processor 14 executing the program in the memory 13.

[0028] The wireless communication device 11 communicates with the management device 20A for security use autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning use autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery use autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance use autonomous driving devices in the management system for autonomous driving devices 120 via the Internet or a building intranet. For example, even if the autonomous driving device 10 is the autonomous driving device 10A for security use, the wireless communication device 11 can communicate not only with the management device 20A for security use autonomous driving devices, but also with the management device 20B for cleaning use autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery use autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance use autonomous driving devices.

[0029] The drive unit 15 generates a driving force for driving the automatic driving device 10. The drive unit 15 includes, for example, wheels for moving the automatic driving device 10 and a motor for driving the wheels. The motor can be operated by receiving a supply of electric power from the battery 18.

[0030] The battery 18 supplies power for operating each device constituting the automatic driving device 10.

[0031] When the control device 12 receives a power outage signal from at least one of the multiple traveling device management devices 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D via the wireless communication device 11, it transmits a power outage response signal via the wireless communication device 11 to the traveling device management device 20 that manages the automatic traveling device 10, and executes a power outage operation that is predetermined according to the type of automatic traveling device 10.

[0032] When the control device 12 receives a power restoration signal from at least one of the multiple traveling device management devices 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D via the wireless communication device 11, it transmits a power restoration response signal via the wireless communication device 11 to the traveling device management device 20 that manages the automatic traveling device 10, and executes an operation upon power restoration that is predetermined according to the type of automatic traveling device 10.

[0033] The communication between the building management device C and the management device 20 for the traveling devices, and the communication between the management device 20 for the traveling devices and the automatic traveling devices 10 are performed by signals conforming to a communication API (Application Programming Interface).

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from the building management device C to the management device 20 of the traveling devices, and an example of a communication API from the management device 20 of the traveling devices to the automatic traveling device 10. In FIG.

[0035] This communication API includes a building ID representing the destination building, the type of the destination autonomous driving device, the location of the destination autonomous driving device, the power status of the destination building, and the business status of the destination building.

[0036] 4 is a diagram showing examples of types of autonomous driving devices. The types of autonomous driving devices include all, security, cleaning, delivery, and guidance.

[0037] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the locations of the autonomous driving devices. The locations of the autonomous driving devices include the office area on the first floor, the store area on the first floor, the common area on the first floor, the office area on the second floor, the store area on the second floor, and the common area on the second floor.

[0038] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the power supply status of a building. The power supply status of a building includes normal, power outage, and power restoration. When normal is specified as the power supply status of a building, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a normal signal. When power outage is specified as the power supply status of a building, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a power outage signal. When power restoration is specified as the power supply status of a building, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a power restoration signal.

[0039] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the business status of a building. The business status of a building includes open and closed.

[0040] The communication API from the traveling device management device 20 to the automatic traveling device 10 may not include a building ID. This is because the traveling device management device 20 transmits a signal only to the automatic traveling device 10 in one specified building.

[0041] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from the autonomous driving device 10 to the management device 20 for driving devices. This communication API includes the ID of the autonomous driving device, the type of the autonomous driving device, the location of the autonomous driving device, and the state of the autonomous driving device.

[0042] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state of the automatic driving device. The state of the automatic driving device includes a power outage mode and a power recovery mode.

[0043] When the power outage mode is specified as the state of the automated driving device, the signal transmitted by this communication API is the power outage response signal.When the power recovery mode is specified as the state of the automated driving device, the signal transmitted by this communication API is the power recovery response signal.

[0044] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a communication API from the management device 20 for traveling devices to the building management device C. This communication API includes the ID of the automatic traveling device, the type of the automatic traveling device, the position of the automatic traveling device, and the state of the automatic traveling device.

[0045] The position of the automated driving device is, for an automated driving device 10 that does not respond, the last known position of the automated driving device.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the state of an automatic driving device. The state of the automatic driving device includes a power outage mode, a power recovery mode, and no response. When the state of the automatic driving device includes a power outage mode, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a power outage response signal. When the state of the automatic driving device includes a power recovery mode, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a power recovery response signal. When the state of the automatic driving device includes a no response, the signal transmitted by this communication API is a non-responding device notification signal.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the building management device C. In step S201, when the building management device C receives a notification of the occurrence of a power outage from a device in building B that it manages, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0048] In step S202, the building management device C transmits a power outage signal (including a power outage as the building power supply status in the communication API of FIG. 3) to the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices.

[0049] In step S207, if the building management device C receives a notification of power restoration, the process proceeds to step S208.

[0050] In step S208, the building management device C transmits a power restoration signal (including power restoration as the building's power supply status in the communication API of FIG. 3) to the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices.

[0051] In step S203, if the building management device C receives an unresponsive device notification signal (including no response as the state of the autonomous driving device in the communication API of FIG. 10) from one of the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices, the processing proceeds to step S204.

[0052] In step S204, the building management device C notifies the building manager of the building management device C of the alarm together with the ID of the autonomous driving device, the type of autonomous driving device, and the position of the autonomous driving device (last confirmed position) contained in the unresponsive device notification signal. This enables the building manager to dispatch a worker to the position specified by the position of the autonomous driving device in building B to inspect the condition of the autonomous driving device 10 specified by the ID of the autonomous driving device.

[0053] In step S205, if the building management device C receives a power outage response signal (including power outage mode as the state of the autonomous driving device in the communication API of FIG. 8) or a power restoration response signal (including power restoration mode as the state of the autonomous driving device in the communication API of FIG. 8) from one of the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices, the processing proceeds to step S206.

[0054] In step S206, the building management device C notifies the building manager of the building management device C of the ID of the autonomous driving device, the type of autonomous driving device, and the location of the autonomous driving device contained in the response content, which is the power outage response signal (which includes power outage mode as the state of the autonomous driving device in the communication API of Figure 10) or the power restoration response signal (which includes power restoration mode as the state of the autonomous driving device in the communication API of Figure 10).

[0055] In step S209, if an instruction to end control is received, the process ends, and if an instruction to end control is not received, the process returns to step S201.

[0056] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the management device 20 for traveling devices. In step S301, when the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device receive a power outage signal from the building management device C (the communication API in Figure 3 includes a power outage as the power supply status of the building), the processing proceeds to step S302.

[0057] In step S302, the management device 20A for the security automatic traveling device, the management device 20B for the cleaning automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance automatic traveling device transfer the power failure signal to the automatic traveling device 10 located in the building of the building ID included in the power failure signal. Each of the management device 20A for the security automatic traveling device, the management device 20B for the cleaning automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance automatic traveling device transfers the power failure signal to the automatic traveling device 10 managed by the management device of the other traveling device in addition to the automatic traveling device 10 that it manages. As a result, for example, even if the management device 20A for the security automatic traveling device has an abnormality and cannot transfer the power failure signal to the security automatic traveling device 10, the power failure signal is transferred from the management device 20B for the cleaning automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance automatic traveling device that are normal to the security automatic traveling device 10.

[0058] In step S306, when the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device receive a power restoration signal from the building management device C (including power restoration as the power supply status of the building in the communication API of Figure 3), the processing proceeds to step S307.

[0059] In step S307, the management device 20A for the security use automatic traveling device, the management device 20B for the cleaning use automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery use automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance use automatic traveling device transfer the power restoration signal to the automatic traveling device 10 located in the building of the building ID included in the power restoration signal. Each of the management device 20A for the security use automatic traveling device, the management device 20B for the cleaning use automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery use automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance use automatic traveling device transfers the power restoration signal to the automatic traveling device 10 managed by the other management device in addition to the automatic traveling device 10 that it manages. As a result, for example, even if an abnormality occurs in the management device 20A for the security use automatic traveling device and it is not possible to transfer the power failure signal to the security use automatic traveling device 10, the power restoration signal is transferred from the management device 20B for the cleaning use automatic traveling device, the management device 20C for the delivery use automatic traveling device, and the management device 20D for the guidance use automatic traveling device that are normal to the security use automatic traveling device 10.

[0060] In step S303, when the type of the automatic driving device included in the power failure signal or power restoration signal is the type of the automatic driving device that the traveling device management device 20 manages, if the traveling device management device 20 receives a power failure response signal (including power failure mode as the state of the automatic driving device in the communication API of FIG. 8) or a power restoration response signal (including power restoration mode as the state of the automatic driving device in the communication API of FIG. 8) from the automatic driving device 10 that is located at the position of the automatic driving device included in the power failure signal or power restoration signal and that it manages, the process proceeds to step S304. That is, the process proceeds to step S304 when any of the following four conditions is established.

[0061] (a) When the type of autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is "all" or "security," the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices receives a power outage response signal or a power restoration response signal from an autonomous driving device 10 for security purposes that is located at the position of the autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0062] (b) When the type of automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “cleaning”, the management device 20B for cleaning automatic driving devices receives a power outage response signal or power restoration response signal from the automatic driving device 10 for cleaning that is located at the position of the automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0063] (c) When the type of autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “delivery”, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices receives a power outage response signal or a power restoration response signal from an autonomous driving device 10 for delivery that is located at the position of the autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0064] (d) When the type of automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is "all" or "guidance," the management device 20D for guidance automatic driving devices receives a power outage response signal or power restoration response signal from the guidance automatic driving device 10 located at the position of the automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0065] In step S304, the management device 20 of the traveling devices transfers the received power failure response signal or power restoration response signal to the building management device C.

[0066] When the type of the automatic traveling device included in the power failure signal or power restoration signal is the type of the automatic traveling device that the traveling device management device 20 manages, if the traveling device management device 20 is located at the position of the automatic traveling device included in the power failure signal or power restoration signal and has not received a power failure response signal or a power restoration response signal from the automatic traveling device 10 that it manages, the process proceeds to step S305. That is, the process proceeds to step S305 when any of the following four conditions is established.

[0067] (a) When the type of autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “security,” the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices does not receive a power outage response signal or power restoration response signal from the autonomous driving device 10 for security purposes that is located at the position of the autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0068] (b) When the type of automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “cleaning”, the management device 20B for cleaning automatic driving devices does not receive a power outage response signal or power restoration response signal from the automatic driving device 10 for cleaning located at the position of the automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0069] (c) When the type of autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “delivery”, the management device 20C of the autonomous driving device for delivery does not receive a power outage response signal or a power restoration response signal from the autonomous driving device 10 for delivery located at the position of the autonomous driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0070] (d) When the type of automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal is “all” or “guidance,” the management device 20D for guidance automatic driving devices does not receive a power outage response signal or power restoration response signal from the guidance automatic driving device 10 located at the position of the automatic driving device included in the power outage signal or power restoration signal.

[0071] In step S305, the traveling device management device 20 transmits to the building management device C an unresponsive device notification signal (including "no response" as the status of the autonomous traveling device in the communication API of FIG. 10) including the ID, type, and location of the autonomous traveling device to identify the autonomous traveling device that did not transmit a power outage response signal or a power recovery response signal.

[0072] In step S308, if an instruction to end control is received, the process ends, and if an instruction to end control is not received, the process returns to step S301.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the automatic driving device 10. In step S101, when the control device 12 of the autonomous driving device 10 receives a power outage signal via the wireless communication device 11 from at least one of the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device, the processing proceeds to step S102.

[0074] In step S102, if the automatic driving device 10 is specified as the destination in the power outage signal, i.e., if the “type of automatic driving device” and “position of automatic driving device” included in the power outage signal match the type and position of automatic driving device 10, processing proceeds to step S103.

[0075] In step S103, the control device 12 of the automatic traveling device 10 transmits a power outage response signal to the traveling device management device 20 that manages the automatic traveling device 10 through the wireless communication device 11. If the automatic traveling device 10 is an automatic traveling device for security purposes, the power outage response signal is transmitted to the management device 20A of the automatic traveling device for security purposes. If the automatic traveling device 10 is an automatic traveling device for cleaning purposes, the power outage response signal is transmitted to the management device 20B of the automatic traveling device for cleaning purposes. If the automatic traveling device 10 is an automatic traveling device for delivery purposes, the power outage response signal is transmitted to the management device 20C of the automatic traveling device for delivery purposes. If the automatic traveling device 10 is an automatic traveling device for guidance purposes, the power outage response signal is transmitted to the management device 20D of the automatic traveling device for guidance purposes.

[0076] In step S104, the control device 12 of the automatic driving device 10 transitions to a power outage mode.

[0077] In step S105, the control device 12 of the automatic driving device 10 causes the automatic driving device 10 to execute a predetermined task in the power outage mode. For example, the automatic driving device 10A for security purposes may illuminate the surroundings with a lighting device provided therein while traveling at a low speed in the power outage mode. The automatic driving device 10B for cleaning purposes may stop in the power outage mode and illuminate the automatic driving device 10B itself with a lighting device provided therein to prevent people from bumping into the automatic driving device 10B.

[0078] In step S106, when the control device 12 of the autonomous driving device 10 receives a power restoration signal via the wireless communication device 11 from at least one of the management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices, the processing proceeds to step S107.

[0079] In step S107, if the automatic driving device 10 is specified as the destination in the power recovery signal, that is, if the “type of automatic driving device” and “position of automatic driving device” included in the power recovery signal match the type and position of automatic driving device 10, processing proceeds to step S108.

[0080] In step S108, the control device 12 of the automatic driving device 10 transmits a power restoration response signal to the driving device management device 20 that manages the automatic driving device 10 through the wireless communication device 11. If the automatic driving device 10 is an automatic driving device for security purposes, the power restoration response signal is transmitted to the management device 20A of the automatic driving device for security purposes. If the automatic driving device 10 is an automatic driving device for cleaning purposes, the power restoration response signal is transmitted to the management device 20B of the automatic driving device for cleaning purposes. If the automatic driving device 10 is an automatic driving device for delivery purposes, the power restoration response signal is transmitted to the management device 20C of the automatic driving device for delivery purposes. If the automatic driving device 10 is an automatic driving device for guidance purposes, the power restoration response signal is transmitted to the management device 20D of the automatic driving device for guidance purposes.

[0081] In step S109, the control device 12 of the automatic driving device 10 transitions to a power recovery mode.

[0082] In step S110, the control device 12 of the automated driving device 10 causes the automated driving device 10 to execute a predetermined task in the power recovery mode.

[0083] In step S111, if an instruction to end the control is received, the process ends, and if an instruction to end the control is not received, the process returns to step S101.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a first operation example. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a power outage signal S1 transmitted in the first operation example. The power outage signal S1 includes "102" as the building ID, "all" as the type of the automatic traveling device, "office area on the second floor" as the location of the automatic traveling device, "power outage" as the power supply status of the building, and "open" as the business status of the building. Assume that an automatic traveling device 10 for security purposes is located in the office area on the second floor of a building with a building ID of 102. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a power outage response signal R1 transmitted in the first operation example. The power outage response signal R1 includes "289" as the ID of the automatic traveling device, "security" as the type of the automatic traveling device, "office area on the second floor" as the location of the automatic traveling device, and "power outage mode" as the state of the automatic traveling device.

[0085] The building management device C102 of building B102 transmits a power outage signal S1 shown in FIG. 16 to the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device.

[0086] The management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices transfer the power outage signal S1 shown in Figure 16 to the autonomous driving device 10 in building B102, whose building ID is "102".

[0087] The security automatic traveling device 10 in the office area on the second floor designated by the power outage signal S1 transmits a power outage response signal R1 shown in FIG. 17 to the management device 20A of the security automatic traveling devices.

[0088] The management device 20A of the security automatic traveling device that receives the power failure response signal R1 transfers the power failure response signal R1 shown in FIG.

[0089] 18 is a diagram showing a second operation example. The power failure signal S1 and the power failure response signal R1 of the second operation example are the same as the power failure signal S1 and the power failure response signal R1 of the first operation example. In the second operation example, as in the first operation example, it is assumed that the security automatic driving device 10 is located in an office area on the second floor of a building with a building ID of 102.

[0090] The building management device C102 of building B102 transmits a power outage signal S1 shown in FIG. 16 to the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device.

[0091] The management device 20A for the security automatic traveling device, the management device 20B for the cleaning automatic traveling device, and the management device 20C for the delivery automatic traveling device do not transfer the power failure signal S1 because an abnormality has occurred. The management device 20D for the guidance automatic traveling device transfers the power failure signal S1 shown in FIG. 16 to the automatic traveling device 10 in the building B102 with the building ID "102".

[0092] The security automatic traveling device 10 in the office area on the second floor designated by the power outage signal S1 transmits a power outage response signal R1 shown in FIG. 17 to the management device 20A of the security automatic traveling devices.

[0093] The management device 20A of the security automatic traveling device that receives the power failure response signal R1 transfers the power failure response signal R1 shown in FIG.

[0094] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a third operation example. The power failure signal S1 in the third operation example is the same as the power failure signal S1 in the first operation example. In the third operation example, as in the first operation example, it is assumed that the security automatic traveling device 10 is located in the office area on the second floor of a building with a building ID of 102. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an unresponsive device notification signal R2 transmitted in the third operation example. The unresponsive device notification signal R2 includes "289" as the ID of the automatic traveling device, "security" as the type of the automatic traveling device, "office area on the second floor" as the final confirmation position of the automatic traveling device, and "no response" as the state of the automatic traveling device.

[0095] The building management device C102 of building B102 transmits a power outage signal S1 shown in FIG. 16 to the management device 20A of the security autonomous driving device, the management device 20B of the cleaning autonomous driving device, the management device 20C of the delivery autonomous driving device, and the management device 20D of the guidance autonomous driving device.

[0096] The management device 20A for security autonomous driving devices, the management device 20B for cleaning autonomous driving devices, the management device 20C for delivery autonomous driving devices, and the management device 20D for guidance autonomous driving devices transfer the power outage signal S1 shown in Figure 16 to the autonomous driving device 10 in building B102, whose building ID is "102".

[0097] The security automated traveling device 10 in the office area on the second floor specified by the power outage signal S1 is experiencing an abnormality and does not transmit a power outage response signal R1 to the management device 20A of the security automated traveling devices.

[0098] The management device 20A of the security automatic traveling device that did not receive the power failure response signal R1 transfers a non-responding device notification signal R2 shown in FIG. 20 to the building management device C102 of the building B102.

[0099] Variations. The following modifications are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0100] (1) Power outage signal When the business status of a building included in the power outage signal is "closed," the automatic driving device 10 may maintain the normal mode even when the automatic driving device 10 receives a power outage signal, since the automatic driving device 10 will not collide with people.

[0101] (2) In the embodiment, the traveling device management device 20 transfers the power failure signal and power restoration signal not only to the types of automated traveling devices 10 that it manages, but also to types of automated traveling devices 10 that it does not manage, but this is not limited to this. The traveling device management device 20 may transfer the power failure signal and power restoration signal only to the types of automated traveling devices 10 that it manages.

[0102] (3) In the embodiment, the automatic traveling device 10 always transmits a power failure response signal or a power restoration response signal to the management device 20 that manages the automatic traveling device 10, regardless of whether the automatic traveling device 10 receives a power failure signal or a power restoration signal from any traveling device management device 20, but this is not limited to this. When the automatic traveling device 10 receives a power failure signal or a power restoration signal, the automatic traveling device 10 may transmit the power failure response signal or the power restoration response signal to the management device 20 of the traveling device that is the source of the power failure signal or the power restoration signal.

[0103] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D automatic driving device, 11 wireless communication device, 12 control device, 13 memory, 14 processor, 15 drive unit, 18 battery, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D driving device management device, 120 automatic driving device management system, B, B101, B102, ID building, C, C101, C102 building management device.

Claims

1. A method for managing automated driving devices in a building system including a building management device that manages equipment in a building, a plurality of automated driving devices that are arranged in the building and each of which belongs to one of a plurality of types, and a plurality of management devices that each manages a corresponding type of automated driving device, comprising: a step of, when a power outage occurs in the building, the building management device simultaneously transmitting a power outage signal to the plurality of management devices to notify a designated automated driving device of the occurrence of the power outage; Each of the plurality of management devices transfers the power outage signal to the automated driving device in the building; A step in which the automated driving device transmits a power outage response signal to the management device that manages the automated driving device when the automated driving device receives the power outage signal that designates the automated driving device; When the management device does not receive the power outage response signal from the designated automatic traveling device among the automatic traveling devices managed by the management device, the management device notifies the building management device of an ID of the designated automatic traveling device; The method for managing an autonomous driving device comprises a step of the building management device notifying a building manager of the notified ID of the autonomous driving device.

2. The management method for an automated driving device as described in claim 1, further comprising a step of executing a power outage operation that is predetermined according to the type of the automated driving device when the automated driving device receives the power outage signal that specifies the automated driving device.

3. 3. The method for managing an automated driving device according to claim 1, wherein the power failure signal includes a type of the automated driving device and a location of the automated driving device in order to specify the automated driving device.

4. The method for managing an automatic driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power outage response signal includes an ID of the automatic driving device, a type of the automatic driving device, and a location of the automatic driving device.

5. a step of the building management device simultaneously transmitting a power restoration signal to the plurality of management devices when power is restored to the building, the power restoration signal being used to notify a designated automated driving device of the restoration of power; Each of the plurality of management devices transfers the power recovery signal to the plurality of automated driving devices in the building; a step of transmitting a power recovery response signal to the management device that manages the automatic traveling device when the automatic traveling device receives the power recovery signal that designates the automatic traveling device; when the management device does not receive the power recovery response signal from the designated automatic traveling device among the automatic traveling devices managed by the management device, notifying the building management device of an ID of the designated automatic traveling device; The method for managing an autonomous driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of the building management device notifying a building manager of the notified ID of the autonomous driving device.

6. The method for managing an automatic driving device according to claim 5 , wherein the power recovery signal includes a type of the automatic driving device and a position of the automatic driving device in order to specify the automatic driving device.

7. 7. The method for managing an automatic driving device according to claim 5, wherein the power recovery response signal includes an ID of the automatic driving device, a type of the automatic driving device, and a position of the automatic driving device.

8. The method for managing an automated driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step of transferring the power outage signal includes a step in which each of the plurality of management devices transfers the power outage signal to automated driving devices of managed and unmanaged types in the building.

9. An automated driving device in a building system including a building management device that manages a building, a plurality of automated driving devices that are arranged in the building and each of which belongs to a certain type, and a plurality of management devices that manage the automated driving devices of a corresponding type, A wireless communication device; Memory, a processor for executing a program in the memory; When the processor receives a power outage signal from at least one of the multiple management devices via the wireless communication device, it transmits a power outage response signal via the wireless communication device to the management device that manages the autonomous driving device, and executes a power outage operation that is predetermined depending on the type of the autonomous driving device.

10. The autonomous driving device of claim 9, further comprising: when the processor receives a power recovery signal from at least one of the plurality of management devices via the wireless communication device, the processor transmits a power recovery response signal via the wireless communication device to the management device that manages the autonomous driving device, and executes a predetermined operation upon power recovery according to the type of the autonomous driving device.

Images