Information processing system and control method

Abstract

To notify a robot manager of an effect of an unavailable period during which an elevator cannot be used by a robot, when the work schedule of the robot is affected by the unavailability period. [Solution] The information processing system (100) includes an acquisition unit (211) that acquires information indicating unavailable periods during which an autonomous robot (2) cannot use an elevator (3), a prediction unit (212) that predicts whether the robot will complete a task without using the elevator during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the task involves the use of the elevator, and a notification unit (213) that notifies a device (4) used by the manager of the robot of specified notification information if it is predicted that the task will not be completed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system including a robot that uses an elevator, and a control method for the information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, autonomous robots have been moving between floors using elevators to perform tasks. For example, if there is a period during which the robot's use of elevators is restricted, the robot's work efficiency may decrease.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator system that notifies a robot of a robot call registration temporary limit time period and is capable of adjusting the robot call registration temporary limit time period in response to a robot call registration temporary limit wait request from the robot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7151865 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The elevator control device accepts registration of regular inspection periods, out-of-service periods (e.g., periods including parking outages at night, etc.), and dedicated operation periods for operating the elevator for specific users (e.g., VIPs and moving companies). These periods are unavailable periods during which the elevator cannot be used by the robot. It is generally difficult to adjust or change the unavailable periods to match the robot's work schedule, and this requires making changes to the robot's work schedule.

[0006] The work schedule of the robot is established by the robot manager who manages the robot, and the robot manager is responsible for carrying out the work schedule. Therefore, if the original work schedule is affected by the period during which the elevator is unavailable, it is desirable that the robot notify the robot manager of the effect without delay, and the robot manager decides to change or cancel the work schedule of the robot.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize an information processing system and information processing method that can promptly notify a robot manager of an unavailable period during which the robot cannot use an elevator when the robot's work schedule is affected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating unavailable periods during which an elevator cannot be used by an autonomous robot, a prediction unit that predicts whether the robot will complete a task without using the elevator during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the task involves use of the elevator, and a notification unit that notifies a device used by an administrator of the robot of specified notification information if it is predicted that the task will not be completed.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a control method for an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring information indicating unavailable periods during which an elevator cannot be used by an autonomous robot, a prediction step of predicting whether the robot will complete a task without using the elevator during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the task involves use of the elevator, and a notification step of notifying a device used by an administrator of the robot of specified notification information if it is predicted that the task will not be completed.

[0010] The information processing system according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program of the information processing system that realizes the information processing system on a computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the information processing system, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the work schedule of a robot is affected by a period during which the robot cannot use an elevator, the robot manager can be notified of this without delay. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of elevator information. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of schedule information. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of hall call information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of car call information. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of robot call information. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of work information. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processing performed in the information processing system. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between unavailable periods, scheduled work periods before a change, and scheduled work periods after a change. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the unavailable period, the scheduled work period before the change, and the scheduled work period after the change. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [Embodiment 1] <Information Processing System 100> An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 100 includes an elevator control device 1, a robot 2, an elevator 3, and a terminal device 4 (device). In the information processing system 100, the elevator control device 1 is a device that controls the elevator 3, the robot 2 is a robot capable of autonomous travel, and the terminal device 4 is a device used by a manager of the robot 2.

[0014] The information processing system 100 acquires information indicating unavailable periods during which the robot 2 cannot use the elevator 3. Furthermore, the information processing system 100 predicts whether the robot 2 will complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work that requires the use of the elevator 3. Furthermore, if it is predicted that the work will not be completed, the information processing system 100 notifies the terminal device 4 used by the manager of the robot 2 of predetermined notification information.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when it is predicted that the autonomously travelling robot 2 will not complete a task without using the elevator 3 during an unavailable period when the elevator 3 is unavailable during a scheduled task period in which the autonomously travelling robot 2 is scheduled to perform the task and the task requires the use of the elevator 3, the information processing system 100 notifies the terminal device 4 used by the manager who manages the robot 2 of predetermined notification information. This allows the information processing system 100 to notify the manager of the robot 2 without delay that the unavailable period will affect the work schedule of the robot 2, and to urge the manager to change or cancel the work schedule of the robot 2.

[0016] <Elevator 3> 1, the elevator 3 includes a car 31 and a door 32. The elevator 3 also includes an operation panel (not shown) at, for example, a landing on each floor, for users to register hall calls. The elevator 3 also includes an operation panel (not shown) inside the car 31, for users to register car calls.

[0017] The car 31 operates based on the control of a car control unit 114 of the elevator control device 1, and moves between floors. The door 32 opens and closes according to the control of a door control unit 113 of the elevator control device 1. Note that in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 32 of the car 31, the door of the landing also opens and closes.

[0018] <Elevator control device 1> The elevator control device 1 accepts call registrations and controls the operation of the elevator 3 based on the accepted call registrations. For example, the elevator control device 1 controls the operation of the elevator 3 based on hall calls or car calls from human users. Furthermore, when a call is registered by the robot 2, the elevator control device 1 operates the elevator 3 in a robot-only operation mode and controls the elevator 3 based on the accepted call registrations.

[0019] Furthermore, the elevator control device 1 operates the elevator 3 in a special operation mode, which is an operation mode available only to specific users, based on preregistered schedule information 122.

[0020] 1, the elevator control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module that enables the elevator control device 1 to communicate with the robot 2 and the elevator 3.

[0021] [Storage section 12] The storage unit 12 stores various information used in the elevator control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the storage unit 12 stores elevator information 121, schedule information 122, and call registration information 123.

[0022] (Elevator Information 121) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of elevator information 121. Elevator information 121 is information relating to the state of elevator 3. As shown in Fig. 2, elevator information 121 includes information indicating a current floor indicating the current position of car 31, a current moving direction of car 31, and a current operation mode of elevator 3. In the example shown in Fig. 2, an upward arrow "↑" indicates that the moving direction of car 31 is a direction toward an upper floor.

[0023] The operation modes of the elevator 3 include a normal operation mode and a robot-only operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the elevator 3 operates in a state in which it can accept hall calls and car calls from users, and calls from the robot 2. The robot-only operation mode is an operation mode when a call from the robot 2 is registered, in which it does not accept hall calls and car calls from users, and it operates the elevator 3 in a state in which only the robot 2 can use the elevator 3.

[0024] Furthermore, the operation modes of the elevator 3 include a special operation mode. The special operation mode is an operation mode based on the schedule information 122, and is performed during a period from a start time to an end time registered in advance as the schedule information 122. During the special operation mode, only those who are scheduled to use the elevator 3 based on the schedule information 122, such as workers or specified users, can use the elevator 3 to move between floors. In the following, those who can use the elevator 3 during the special operation mode are referred to as specific users. During the special operation mode, which is also referred to as an unavailable period, users other than the specific users and the robot 2 cannot use the elevator 3.

[0025] (Schedule information 122) The schedule information 122 is information regarding a schedule for using the elevator 3. The schedule information 122 is registered, for example, by a worker who inspects the elevator 3 using a terminal device or the like capable of issuing instructions to the elevator control device 1.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the schedule information 122. As shown in Fig. 3, the schedule information 122 includes items indicating the contents of the planned use, and information indicating unavailable periods during which a specific user who plans to use the elevator 3 occupies and uses the elevator 3 and other users cannot use the elevator 3. Here, the unavailable periods include at least either an inspection period for the elevator 3 or a dedicated operation period during which the elevator 3 is used by a specific user.

[0027] 3, information indicating that an inspection of elevator 3 will be performed and that the inspection will start at 9:00 on March 1, 2024 and is scheduled to end at 9:40 on the same day is stored as schedule information 122. When such schedule information 122 is stored, the period of the inspection (inspection implementation period) is an unavailable period, and elevator 3 cannot be used by anyone other than the workers performing the inspection.

[0028] 3, information indicating that a specific user (particular user) is scheduled to use the elevator 3 and that the period of use of the user is from 10:00 to 10:10 on March 1, 2024 is stored as the schedule information 122. When such schedule information 122 is stored, during the period of use of the specific user (exclusive operation period), only the specific user can use the elevator 3, and other users cannot use the elevator 3.

[0029] (Call registration information 123) The call registration information 123 is information regarding calls made by users and the robot 2. The call registration information 123 includes hall call information 124, car call information 125, and robot call information 126.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of hall call information 124. Hall call information 124 is information related to hall calls made by users. As shown in FIG. 4, hall call information 124 includes information indicating the floor where the hall call was made (hall call floor), i.e., the departure floor of the user, and the direction of travel specified by the hall call. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of car call information 125. Car call information 125 is information related to car calls made by users. As shown in FIG. 5, car call information 125 includes information indicating the destination floor of the user (car call floor).

[0031] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the robot call information 126. The robot call information 126 is information related to a hall / destination floor call by the robot 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the robot call information 126 includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2.

[0032] [Control unit 11] The control unit 11 executes various processes performed in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0033] (Specific Section 111) The identifying unit 111 identifies the schedule information 122 and transmits it to the robot 2. The identifying unit 111 may transmit the updated schedule information 122 to the robot 2 every time the schedule information 122 is updated (changed or added). The identifying unit 111 may also transmit the schedule information 122 at predetermined intervals, for example, every hour or every day. The identifying unit 111 may also transmit the schedule information 122 when it receives information from the robot 2 requesting acquisition of the schedule information 122.

[0034] The specifying unit 111 may transmit all or only a part of the schedule information 122 stored in the storage unit 12. For example, the specifying unit 111 may transmit the schedule information 122 related to the usage plan scheduled within a predetermined period, for example, one hour or 24 hours, from the time of transmitting the schedule information 122. Furthermore, when the already transmitted schedule information 122 is updated, the specifying unit 111 may transmit only the updated information of the schedule information 122.

[0035] (Reception department 112) The reception unit 112 receives a call registration request from a user and the robot 2. Note that a call registration request from a user can be made using an operation panel (not shown) provided at the landing or in the car 31 of the elevator 3.

[0036] When a call registration request is received from a user, the reception unit 112 stores the user's departure floor and direction of travel, or the user's destination floor, in the call registration information 123 of the memory unit 12, and registers the user's hall call or car call.

[0037] When a call registration request is received from the robot 2, the reception unit 112 stores the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2 in the robot call information 126 of the storage unit 12, and registers a hall / destination floor call for the robot 2. Furthermore, when a hall / destination floor call for the robot 2 is registered, the reception unit 112 outputs a signal to the switching unit 115 to instruct the start of robot-only operation. This starts robot-only operation, and the elevator 3 operates in the robot-only operation mode. During the robot-only operation mode, the reception unit 112 does not accept call registration requests from users.

[0038] During the usage period indicated in the schedule information 122, the reception unit 112 does not accept call registration requests from users other than the specified user and from the robot 2.

[0039] (Door control unit 113) The door control unit 113 controls the opening and closing of the door 32 of the car 31. When the car 31 arrives at any floor, the door control unit 113 acquires information indicating that the car 31 has stopped from the car control unit 114. Upon acquiring this information, the door control unit 113 transmits a signal to the door 32 of the elevator 3 to instruct the door to be opened. As a result, the door 32 of the car 31 opens, and the door of the landing opens in conjunction with the door 32 of the car 31. In addition, the door control unit 113 transmits a signal to the door 22 to instruct the door to be closed a predetermined time after the door is opened (for example, 20 seconds after the door opening is completed). As a result, the door 32 of the car 31 and the door of the landing close.

[0040] In addition, when the elevator 3 is operating in the robot dedicated operation mode, if the door control unit 113 receives a door open hold command from the robot 2 while the door 32 is open, it holds the door 32 in an open state.

[0041] If the door control unit 113 receives a boarding completion signal from the robot 2 within a predetermined time after receiving a command to hold the door open from the robot 2, the door control unit 113 transmits a signal to the door 32 instructing to close the door. If the door control unit 113 receives a boarding completion signal from the robot 2 within a predetermined time after receiving a command to hold the door open from the robot 2, the robot 2 is in a state where it has completed boarding into the car 31. Therefore, by instructing to close the door after receiving the boarding completion signal, the door control unit 113 can close the door 32 promptly after the robot 2 has completed boarding into the car 31. Furthermore, if the door control unit 113 receives a hold-door-open signal from the reception unit 112 and a predetermined time has passed without receiving a boarding completion signal, the door control unit 113 transmits a signal to the door 32 instructing to close the door.

[0042] After the door has been closed, the door control unit 113 outputs information indicating that the door has been closed to the car control unit 114. When a hold-open door command or a boarding completion signal is received from the robot 2, the elevator 3 is operating in the robot-only operation mode, so the car 31 moves to the destination floor of the robot 2.

[0043] In addition, the door control unit 113 may set the door open time longer, for example, to about 3 minutes, when the elevator 3 is operating in the robot-only operation mode than when the elevator 3 is operating in the normal operation mode.

[0044] (Cage control unit 114) The car control unit 114 moves the car 31 based on the registered hall call, car call, and hall destination floor call by the robot 2. When the car 31 arrives at the departure floor of the robot 2, the car control unit 114 outputs information indicating the stop floor of the car 31 to the door control unit 113.

[0045] The car control unit 114 determines the destination floor of the car 31 based on the departure floor and destination floor of the user and robot 2 recorded in the call registration information 123 and the operation mode of the elevator 3 .

[0046] For example, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the normal operation mode, the car control unit 114 refers to the hall call information 124 and the car call information 125 to determine the destination floor of the car 31, and transmits a signal to the car 31 to instruct it to move to the determined floor. As a result, the car 31 of the elevator 3 moves to the destination floor based on the hall call and car call of the user.

[0047] Furthermore, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the robot-only operation mode, the car control unit 114 refers to the robot call information 127 to determine the destination floor of the car 31, and transmits a signal to the car 31 to instruct it to move to the determined floor. As a result, the car 31 of the elevator 3 moves to the departure floor and destination floor based on the landing destination floor call of the robot 2.

[0048] When the robot-only operation is started, the car control unit 114 may instruct the elevator 3 to respond to a registered car call and then to move the robot 2 to the departure floor. This allows users who were in the car 31 when the robot-only operation started to disembark before the robot 2 is allowed to board. When the robot-only operation is started, the car control unit 114 may delete the registered hall call, or may cause the elevator 3 to respond to a registered hall call after the robot-only operation is ended.

[0049] Furthermore, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the special operation mode, the car control unit 114 refers to the hall call information 124 and the car call information 125 to determine the destination floor of the car 31, and transmits a signal to the car 31 to instruct it to move to the determined floor. Here, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the special operation mode, the memory unit 12 stores information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of a specific user as the hall call information 124 and the car call information 125. Therefore, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the special operation mode, the car control unit 114 can move the car 31 to the departure floor and destination floor of a specific user.

[0050] (Switching unit 115) The switching unit 115 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3. For example, when the switching unit 115 receives a signal instructing the start of robot-only operation from the reception unit 112, the switching unit 115 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 stored in the elevator information 121 from the normal operation mode to the robot-only operation mode. This starts the robot-only operation of the elevator 3.

[0051] Furthermore, when the switching unit 115 receives a signal instructing the end of the robot dedicated operation from the reception unit 112, it switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 stored in the elevator information 121 from the robot dedicated operation mode to the normal operation mode. This ends the robot dedicated operation of the elevator 3.

[0052] Furthermore, when it is the start time of the planned use indicated in the schedule information 122, the switching unit 115 starts the special operation mode. Specifically, the switching unit 115 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 to the special operation mode. Note that, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the robot-only operation mode, the switching unit 115 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 to the special operation mode after the robot 2 has completed using the elevator 3.

[0053] <Robot 2> The robot 2 is an information processing device capable of autonomous travel, and can move between floors using an elevator 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the robot 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an operation unit 23. The operation unit 23 is a member such as a wheel, and operates based on the control of the operation control unit 216 to move the robot 2 to a desired position. In addition, when the robot 2 is a robot that performs a predetermined operation such as delivery, the operation unit 23 includes a member for performing the operation.

[0054] [Storage section 22] The storage unit 22 stores information used by the control unit 21. As shown in FIG.

[0055] The work information 221 is information indicating a work scheduled to be performed by the robot 2. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the work information 221. As shown in Fig. 7, the work information 221 stores information indicating a work item, a movement section, a scheduled work time, and a required time in association with each other.

[0056] The movement section is information indicating the range within which the robot 2 moves when the work involves movement. For example, when moving between floors using the elevator 3, information indicating the departure floor and destination floor is stored as the movement section. The planned work period is information indicating the period during which the robot 2 will perform work, and is defined by a start point and an end point. The robot 2 starts work after the start point of the planned work period, and completes the work by the end point. Since work does not always proceed as planned, the planned work period may be set to be longer than the time required for the work. The required time is the time expected to be required for the robot 2 to perform the work.

[0057] The work performed by the robot 2 stored as the work information 221 may be a series of work including a plurality of actions. For example, the actions of moving from a waiting position to a floor for collection using the elevator 3, collecting the goods, moving to a floor of the delivery destination using the elevator 3 again, and making a delivery may be stored as one work in the work information 221. Note that the action of returning to the waiting position using the elevator 3 after making a delivery may be stored as the same work as the work including a series of actions, or may be stored as a different work.

[0058] Also, the task may be a part of a series of tasks. For example, the task of moving from a waiting position using the elevator 3, the task of collecting at the destination floor, the task of moving using the elevator 3, the task of delivering at the destination floor, and the task of returning to the waiting position using the elevator 3 after delivering may each be stored as a separate task.

[0059] Also, the action of moving from the waiting position to the floor where the goods are to be collected using the elevator 3, and the action of carrying out the collection may be stored as one task in the memory unit 22. In this case, the action of moving to the floor of the delivery destination using the elevator 3 and the action of carrying out the delivery may be stored as separate tasks, and the action of returning to the waiting position using the elevator 3 may be stored as yet another task.

[0060] Furthermore, the work performed by the robot 2 is not limited to collection and delivery. The work may be set according to the function of the robot 2. For example, if the robot 2 is a cleaning robot, the work may be an action of moving to a cleaning location and an action of cleaning at the destination.

[0061] [Control unit 21] The control unit 21 executes each process performed in the robot 2. As shown in FIG 1, the control unit 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, a prediction unit 212, a notification unit 213, a change unit 214, a call request unit 215, and an operation control unit 216.

[0062] (Acquisition section 211) The acquisition unit 211 acquires information indicating unavailable periods during which the autonomously traveling robot 2 cannot use the elevator 3. Specifically, the acquisition unit 211 receives schedule information 122 including information indicating the unavailable periods from the elevator control device 1. Here, the unavailable periods include at least one of an inspection period for the elevator 3 and a dedicated operation period during which the elevator 3 is used by specific users. The acquisition unit 211 outputs the received schedule information 122 to the prediction unit 212.

[0063] The acquiring unit 211 may receive new schedule information 122 transmitted from the elevator control device 1 every time the schedule information 122 is updated in the elevator control device 1. The elevator control device 1 may also transmit the schedule information 122 at predetermined intervals. Here, the predetermined period may be, for example, one hour, 12 hours, or one day. The acquiring unit 211 may also request the elevator control device 1 to provide the schedule information 122 at a timing such as before the start of work registered in the work information 221. In this case, the elevator control device 1 may transmit the schedule information 122 upon receiving the request.

[0064] (Prediction unit 212) When the prediction unit 212 acquires the schedule information 122 from the acquisition unit 211, the prediction unit 212 refers to the work information 221 in the storage unit 22. The prediction unit 212 predicts whether or not the robot 2 will complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period during a scheduled work period in which the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work involving the use of the elevator 3, and outputs the prediction result to the notification unit 213. The prediction unit 212 may predict whether or not all of the scheduled work can be completed, or may predict whether or not one of the most recent work can be completed. An example in which the prediction unit 212 makes a prediction about one of the most recent work among the works scheduled for the robot 2 will be described below.

[0065] The prediction unit 212 predicts that the work will not be completed if (1) the work is started from the start point of the scheduled work period and the completion time of the work is predicted to exceed the end point of the scheduled work period. The prediction unit 212 also predicts that the work will not be completed if (2) the work start time needs to be earlier than the start point of the scheduled work period in order to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period.

[0066] The prediction by the prediction unit 212 will be explained using an example in which work is planned to move from the first floor to the fourth floor of a building, the planned work period for the work is between 10:00 and 10:20, and the required time is approximately 5 minutes.

[0067] In this example, if the unavailable period of the elevator 3 is from 10:00 to 10:30, even if the robot 2 starts work at 10:00, the elevator 3 is unavailable, and the robot 2 cannot complete the work by 10:20. Even if the robot 2 uses the elevator 3 from 10:30 after the unavailable period ends and completes the movement in 5 minutes, the completion time of the work is 10:35, which is beyond the end point of the originally scheduled work period. In addition, in the above example, in order to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period, the start time of the work needs to be 9:40 or earlier. In such a case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the robot 2 cannot complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period in the scheduled work period in which the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work involving the use of the elevator 3.

[0068] On the other hand, in the above example, if the unavailable period of the elevator 3 is from 9:00 to 10:00, the elevator 3 will be available when the robot 2 starts work at 10:00, and the robot 2 will be able to complete the work by 10:20. In such a case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the robot 2 will be able to complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period during the planned work period in which the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work that requires the use of the elevator 3.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above example, if the unavailable period of the elevator 3 is from 10:00 to 10:10, the elevator 3 will be unavailable when the robot 2 starts work at 10:00. However, since the time required for the robot 2 to complete work is about 5 minutes, by using the elevator 3 from 10:10 after the unavailable period ends, the work can be completed by 10:20. Even in such a case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the robot 2 will be able to complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period during the planned work period in which work involving the use of the elevator 3 is planned.

[0070] (Notification Department 213) When it is predicted that the work will not be completed, the notification unit 213 notifies the terminal device 4 used by the manager of the robot 2 of predetermined notification information. Specifically, the notification unit 213 acquires information indicating the prediction result from the prediction unit 212. When the prediction unit 212 indicates that the work indicated in the work information 221 will not be completed, the notification unit 213 generates notification information for the terminal device 4 and notifies the terminal device 4 of the generated notification information.

[0071] The notification information is information regarding the relationship between the work of the robot 2 and the scheduled use of the elevator 3. For example, the notification information includes information indicating that at least a part of the scheduled work period of the robot 2 overlaps with the unavailable period, and that it is predicted that the robot 2 will not be able to complete the work by the completion time of the work. The notification information may also include information indicating the work that is predicted to be incomplete, the scheduled use of the elevator 3 scheduled during the scheduled work period of the work, and the unavailable period corresponding to the scheduled use.

[0072] The notification information also includes proposal information that is a proposal for changing the work schedule. For example, the notification information includes, as proposal information, at least one of a proposal to advance the start point of the scheduled work period in accordance with the unavailable period, a proposal to delay the end point of the scheduled period in accordance with the unavailable period, and a proposal to cancel the work.

[0073] For example, the notification unit 213 determines, as the proposed information, to start the work after the unavailable period ends, to finish the work before the unavailable period starts, or to stop the work. Specifically, when the work of the robot 2 starts at 10:00 and is scheduled to be completed at 10:20, and the unavailable period of the elevator 3 is the period from 10:00 to 11:00, the notification unit 213 determines, as the proposed information, to include information indicating at least one of the following proposals (1) to (3) in the notification information.

[0074] (1) Proposal to start work at 9:40 and finish at 10:00 (2) Proposal to start work at 11:00 and finish at 11:20 (3) Proposal to stop the work The changed scheduled work period indicated by the proposal information does not overlap with the unavailable period, or if it does overlap, it is sufficient that the work can be completed during the scheduled work period, and is not limited to the above example. For example, if the start and end points of the scheduled work period are advanced, the start and end points of the changed scheduled work period may be earlier. Also, if the start and end points of the scheduled work period are delayed, the start and end points of the changed scheduled work period may be later.

[0075] In addition, the notification information may contain multiple proposals for changing the start and end points of the scheduled work period as proposal information. For example, when the notification information contains the proposal (1) above, the notification information may contain a proposal to further advance the start and end times of the work in addition to the proposal (1).

[0076] (Change section 214) The change unit 214 receives a change instruction signal from the terminal device 4. The change instruction signal includes information instructing a change to the work included in the work information 221. Upon receiving the change instruction signal, the change unit 214 changes the work information 221 based on the instruction included in the change instruction signal.

[0077] For example, if the change instruction signal includes information instructing to move up the start point of a scheduled work period of a certain task by 10 minutes, the change unit 214 moves up by 10 minutes the start point and end point of the scheduled work period of the task stored as the task information 221. As a result, the robot 2 starts the task 10 minutes earlier than planned.

[0078] (Call request unit 215) The call request unit 215 requests the elevator control device 1 to register a call based on the work information 221. Specifically, the call request unit 215 refers to the work information 221, and when it is time to start work using the elevator 3, generates a call registration request including information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2, and transmits it to the elevator control device 1. As a result, a call for the robot 2 is registered in the elevator control device 1, and the robot 2 can move between floors using the elevator 3.

[0079] If the work start time falls within the unavailable period and the elevator control device 1 does not accept the call registration request from the robot 2, the call request unit 215 waits for a predetermined period and then transmits the call registration request again.

[0080] (Operation control unit 216) The operation control unit 216 controls the operation of the operation unit 23. For example, the operation control unit 216 controls the operation unit 23 to cause the robot 2 to perform an operation scheduled for the robot 2 stored as the work information 221. For example, when a work of moving from a floor where the robot 2 is present to another floor is stored as the work information 221, the operation control unit 216 operates the operation unit 23 to move the robot 2 to a landing of the elevator 3. In addition, when a collection is scheduled to be performed on a certain floor as the work information 221, the operation control unit 216 operates the operation unit 23 to move the robot 2 to the floor and then causes the robot 2 to perform the collection work.

[0081] Furthermore, when the robot 2 is waiting for the elevator 3, if information is received from the elevator control device 1 indicating that the elevator 3 has opened the door at the departure floor of the robot 2, the operation control unit 216 transmits a hold-open door command to the elevator control device 1. Thereafter, the operation control unit 216 operates the operation unit 23 to cause the robot 2 to board the car 31. After the operation of the robot 2 to board the car 31 is completed, the operation control unit 216 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0082] Furthermore, when the robot 2 is in the car 31, upon receiving information from the elevator control device 1 indicating that the door has opened at the destination floor of the robot 2, the operation control unit 216 transmits a door open hold command to the elevator control device 1. Thereafter, the operation control unit 216 operates the operation unit 23 to cause the robot 2 to disembark from the car 31. After the disembarking operation of the robot 2 from the car 31 is completed, the operation control unit 216 transmits a disembarkation completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0083] <Terminal Device 4> The terminal device 4 is a device such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone used by an administrator of the robot 2, and is communicatively connected to the robot 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 4 includes a control unit 41, an output unit 42, and an input unit 43. The output unit 42 may be a display device such as a display, and outputs information under the control of the control unit 41. The input unit 43 may be a touch panel or the like that also has the function of the output unit 42, and receives input from the administrator and outputs a signal indicating the content of the received input to the control unit 41.

[0084] When it is predicted that the robot 2 will not be able to complete the work within the planned work period without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period, the control unit 41 receives notification information from the robot 2. Upon receiving the notification information, the control unit 41 causes the output unit 42 to output the notification information. The notification information includes information indicating that it is predicted that the work will not be completed within the planned work period, and proposal information proposing a change to the work. This allows the manager of the robot 2 to understand that the robot 2 will not be able to complete the work within the planned work period and the proposed content of the planned work period. The proposal information may include at least one of a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period in accordance with the unavailable period, a proposal to delay the end point of the planned work period in accordance with the unavailable period, and a proposal to stop the work.

[0085] The input unit 43 accepts a change instruction input by the manager who has confirmed the notification information. A change instruction input is an input that instructs a change to the work, and includes an input that specifies the start point or end point of the changed scheduled work period. The manager may input a change instruction by inputting an arbitrary value that indicates the start point or end point of the changed scheduled work period. The manager may also input a change instruction by selecting a desired start point or end point of the scheduled work period from options displayed as proposed information in the output unit 42.

[0086] The control unit 41 transmits a change instruction signal including information indicating the changed scheduled work period to the robot 2 based on the content of the change instruction input received by the input unit 43. As a result, when the manager inputs a change instruction to the input unit 43, the work information 221 is changed in the robot 2, and the robot 2 performs work based on the changed work information 221.

[0087] <Example of processing flow of information processing system 100> 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the information processing system 100. The flow of processing performed in the information processing system 100 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0088] First, the identifying unit 111 of the elevator control device 1 refers to the storage unit 12 and acquires the schedule information 122 including information indicating the unavailable period. The identifying unit 111 may acquire the schedule information 122, for example, every predetermined period, specifically every hour or every day. The schedule information 122 may also be acquired every time the schedule information 122 is updated in the elevator control device 1. Furthermore, the schedule information 122 may be acquired when the elevator control device 1 accepts a request for the schedule information 122 from the robot 2.

[0089] The identification unit 111 transmits the acquired schedule information 122 to the robot 2 (S1). As a result, the acquisition unit 211 of the robot 2 acquires the schedule information 122 including information indicating the unavailable period (S11: acquisition step). The acquisition unit 211 outputs the acquired schedule information 122 to the prediction unit 212.

[0090] When the prediction unit 212 acquires the schedule information 122, it refers to the work information 221 in the storage unit 22. The prediction unit 212 predicts whether or not a work can be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period, based on the schedule information 122 and the work information 221 (S12: prediction step). Note that, when information on a plurality of works is stored as the work information 221, the prediction unit 212 may make a prediction for the most recent work that uses the elevator 3, or may make a prediction for all works that use the elevator 3.

[0091] If the task can be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period (YES in S12), the prediction unit 212 outputs a prediction result indicating that the task can be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period to the notification unit 213. When the notification unit 213 acquires the prediction result, it ends the processing. If the result is YES in step S12, the robot 2 can complete the task by the completion time without changing either the start time or the completion time in the task information 221. Therefore, if the result is YES in step S12, the robot 2 ends the processing without performing the processing in step S13 and subsequent steps, and starts the task when the start time arrives.

[0092] On the other hand, if it is predicted that the completion time of the work will exceed the end point of the scheduled work period if the work is started from the start point of the scheduled work period, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the work cannot be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period (NO in S12). Also, if it is predicted that the start time of the work needs to be earlier than the start point of the scheduled work period in order to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the work cannot be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period (NO in S12). If NO in step S12, the prediction unit 212 outputs to the notification unit 213 a prediction result indicating that the work cannot be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period.

[0093] When the notification unit 213 acquires from the prediction unit 212 a prediction result indicating that the task cannot be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period, the notification unit 213 generates notification information. The notification information includes information indicating that at least a part of a scheduled work period for the task of the robot 2 overlaps with the unavailable period, and that it is predicted that the robot 2 will not be able to complete the task by the completion time of the task. The notification information may also include information indicating the task that is predicted to be unable to be completed, the scheduled use of the elevator 3 scheduled during the scheduled work period for the task, and the unavailable period corresponding to the scheduled use.

[0094] Furthermore, the notification unit 213 determines the proposed information to be included in the notification information to be notified to the administrator (S13). The proposed information includes information indicating at least one of a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period according to the unavailable period, a proposal to delay the end point of the planned period according to the unavailable period, and a proposal to stop the work. For example, the notification unit 213 determines, as the proposed information, to start the work after the unavailable period ends, to finish the work before the unavailable period starts, or to stop the work. The notification unit 213 generates notification information including the proposed information and notifies the terminal device 4 (S14: notification step).

[0095] When the control unit 41 of the terminal device 4 receives the notification information, it controls the output unit 42 to present the information included in the received notification information (S21). This allows the manager of the robot 2 using the terminal device 4 to understand that the work of the robot 2 is predicted not to be completed as scheduled, and the proposal to change the scheduled work period to complete the work.

[0096] When the control unit 41 of the terminal device 4 receives a change instruction input to the input unit 43 instructing a change to the scheduled work period (YES in S22), it transmits a change instruction signal based on the input content to the robot 2. The change instruction signal includes information indicating the work to be changed and information indicating the changed scheduled work period or information indicating that the work is to be stopped.

[0097] When the change unit 214 of the robot 2 receives the change instruction signal (S15), it changes the work information 221 based on the change instruction signal (S16).

[0098] Thereafter, the call request unit 215 and the operation control unit 216 of the robot 2 perform or cancel the work based on the changed work information 221. If the scheduled work period is changed, the changed scheduled work period is set so that the work can be completed during the scheduled work period without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. Therefore, the robot 2 can start and complete the work as scheduled.

[0099] <Examples of forecasts and work changes> Below, using Figures 9 and 10, we will explain an example of predicting whether the work of the robot 2 will be completed without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period, and changing the planned work period if the work is not completed.

[0100] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of the relationship between the unavailable period, the planned work period before the change, and the planned work period after the change. In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, one scale indicates 5 minutes. In the example shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the schedule information 122 shows that an inspection work is scheduled for the period from 9:00 to 9:40 on March 1, and the period (reference numeral 901) is the unavailable period (first unavailable period). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the schedule information 122 shows that a specific user is scheduled to use the service for the period from 10:00 to 10:10 on March 1, and the period (reference numeral 902) is the unavailable period (second unavailable period). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the schedule information 122 shows that an inspection work is scheduled for the period from 10:00 to 11:00 on March 2, and the period (reference numeral 903) is the unavailable period (third unavailable period). The "planned work period before change" may be the original planned work period when the work was set, or may be the planned work period immediately before the current prediction is made.

[0101] (First example) First, with reference to FIG. 9, we will explain an example in which the robot 2 is scheduled to use the elevator 3 to move from the first floor to the fourth floor of a building during a scheduled work period (symbol 904) starting at 10:00 and ending at 10:20, taking five minutes to complete.

[0102] If the work of Robot 2 is scheduled to be performed on March 1, as shown in Fig. 9, the first unavailable period (reference symbol 901) is a time before the start of the scheduled work period (reference symbol 904) of Robot 2. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, the second unavailable period (reference symbol 902) overlaps with the scheduled work period of Robot 2. However, since the required time for the work of Robot 2 is five minutes, by performing the work after the end of the second unavailable period, the work can be completed by the end of the scheduled work period.

[0103] Therefore, when performing work on March 1, the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. In this case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the work can be completed, and the notification unit 213 does not notify the notification information.

[0104] (Second example) Next, a case will be described where the same work as in the first example is scheduled to be performed on March 2. As shown in FIG. 9, when the robot 2 is scheduled to perform the work on March 2, the third unavailable period (reference symbol 903) overlaps with the scheduled work period (reference symbol 904) of the robot 2. In addition, the third unavailable period continues beyond the end point of the scheduled work period. Therefore, if the robot 2 starts the work as scheduled, the elevator 3 cannot be used during the unavailable period, and therefore the robot 2 can use the elevator 3 from 11:00 onwards, and the completion time of the work exceeds the end point of the scheduled work period. In addition, in order for the robot 2 to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period, it is predicted that the start time of the work needs to be earlier than the start point of the scheduled work period.

[0105] As described above, when performing work on March 2, the robot 2 cannot complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. In this case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the work cannot be completed, and the notification unit 213 notifies the notification information.

[0106] For example, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period to 9:40. If the manager inputs a change instruction to advance the start point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 9:40 to 10:00 (reference numeral 905), and the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the third unavailable period.

[0107] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to delay the end point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to set the end point of the planned work period to 11:20. If the manager inputs a change instruction to delay the end point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 11:00 to 11:20 (reference number 906), and the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the third unavailable period.

[0108] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 may notify the user by including a proposal to stop the work in the notification information. When the manager inputs a change instruction to instruct the user to stop the work based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed, and the robot 2 does not need to use the elevator 3.

[0109] (Third example) Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an example will be described in which the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work for 40 minutes, including the operation of moving from the first floor to the fourth floor of a building using the elevator 3, during a scheduled work period (symbol 1001) starting at 9:25 and ending at 10:25.

[0110] If the robot 2 is scheduled to perform work on March 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the first unavailable period (reference symbol 901) and the second unavailable period (reference symbol 902) overlap with the robot 2's scheduled work period (reference symbol 1001). In addition, the time from the end of the first unavailable period to the start of the second unavailable period is shorter than 40 minutes, which is the time required for the robot 2 to perform the work. Therefore, if the robot 2 starts the work as scheduled, the elevator 3 cannot be used during the unavailable period, and furthermore, the elevator 3 cannot be used between the end of the first unavailable period and the start of the second unavailable period. Therefore, if the robot 2 starts the work as scheduled, the robot 2 can use the elevator 3 from 10:10 onwards, and the completion time of the work exceeds the end point of the scheduled work period. In addition, it is predicted that the start time of the work needs to be earlier than the start point of the scheduled work period in order for the robot 2 to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period.

[0111] As described above, when a task is to be performed on March 1, the robot 2 cannot complete the task without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. In this case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the task cannot be completed, and the notification unit 213 notifies the notification information.

[0112] For example, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period to 8:00. If the manager inputs a change instruction to advance the start point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 8:00: to 9:00 (reference numeral 1002), and the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the first unavailable period and the second unavailable period.

[0113] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to delay the end point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to set the end point of the planned work period to 11:10. If the manager inputs a change instruction to delay the end point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 10:10 to 11:10 (reference numeral 1003), and the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the first unavailable period and the second unavailable period.

[0114] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 may notify the user by including a proposal to stop the work in the notification information. When the manager inputs a change instruction to instruct the user to stop the work based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed, and the robot 2 does not need to use the elevator 3.

[0115] (Example 4) Next, a case where the same work as in the third example is scheduled to be performed on March 2 will be described. When the work of the robot 2 is scheduled to be performed on March 2, as shown in FIG. 10, the third unavailable period (reference symbol 903) overlaps with the scheduled work period of the robot 2 (reference symbol 1001). In addition, since the third unavailable period starts before the required time for the work has elapsed, counting from the start point of the scheduled work period, the robot 2 cannot start the work from the start point of the scheduled work period. Therefore, if the robot 2 starts the work as scheduled, the robot 2 can use the elevator 3 from 11:00 onwards, and the completion time of the work will exceed the end point of the scheduled work period. In addition, in order for the robot 2 to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period, it is predicted that the start time of the work needs to be earlier than the start point of the scheduled work period.

[0116] As described above, when performing work on March 2, the robot 2 cannot complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. In this case, the prediction unit 212 predicts that the work cannot be completed, and the notification unit 213 notifies the notification information.

[0117] For example, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to advance the start point of the planned work period to 9:00. If the manager inputs a change instruction to advance the start point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 9:00 to 10:00 (reference numeral 1004), and the robot 2 can complete the work during the third unavailable period without using the elevator 3.

[0118] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to delay the end point of the planned work period. Specifically, the notification unit 213 notifies the user by including in the notification information a proposal to set the end point of the planned work period to 12:00. If the manager inputs a change instruction to delay the end point of the planned work period based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed. As a result, the planned work period becomes the period from 11:00 to 12:00 (reference number 1005), and the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the third unavailable period.

[0119] Alternatively, the notification unit 213 may notify the user by including a proposal to stop the work in the notification information. When the manager inputs a change instruction to instruct the user to stop the work based on the proposal, the work information 221 of the robot 2 is changed, and the robot 2 does not need to use the elevator 3.

[0120] As described above, when the robot 2 cannot complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period, the information processing system 100 notifies the terminal device 4 of the notification information and proposes a change in the work schedule to the manager. Therefore, when the work schedule of the robot 2 is affected, the information processing system 100 can notify the manager of the robot 2 of this without delay. Furthermore, by being notified of the notification information, the manager can understand that the work cannot be completed as scheduled and can change the work schedule as necessary. As a result, the robot 2 can perform the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period or cancel the work based on the changed work information 221.

[0121] [Modifications] In the above embodiment, even if the scheduled work period of the robot 2 overlaps with the unavailable period, the notification unit 213 does not notify the notification information if the work can be completed during the scheduled work period. Here, the notification unit 213 may notify the notification information if the scheduled work period of the robot 2 overlaps with the unavailable period, even if the work can be completed during the scheduled work period. In this case, the notification unit 213 notifies the terminal device 4 by including in the notification information information indicating that the robot 2 can complete the work and that the scheduled work period of the robot 2 overlaps with the unavailable period.

[0122] 9, when the robot 2 performs work on March 1, the robot 2 can complete the work without using the elevator 3 during the unavailable period. In this case, the robot 2 does not use the elevator 3 from the start point of the scheduled work period, but performs the work by using the elevator 3 after the completion of the second unavailable period. In such a situation, the notification unit 213 may notify the terminal device 4 as notification information that the scheduled work period of the robot 2 overlaps with the second unavailable period, and that the actual start of the work by the robot 2 is 10:10, which is after the end of the second unavailable period.

[0123] [Modification 2] In the above-described embodiment, the robot 2 includes the acquisition unit 211, the prediction unit 212, and the notification unit 213, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the information processing system 100 may include a management device that is communicatively connected to the elevator control device 1 and the robot 2 and manages the robot 2, and the management device may include the prediction unit 212 and the notification unit 213.

[0124] [Software implementation example] The functions of information processing system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "system") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the system, and a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in control units 11, 21).

[0125] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program to realize each function described in each of the above embodiments.

[0126] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be provided to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0127] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0128] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may be executed by the control device or another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0129] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0130] 〔summary〕 The information processing system according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating unavailable periods during which an elevator cannot be used by an autonomous robot, a prediction unit that predicts whether the robot will complete a task without using the elevator during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the task involves use of the elevator, and a notification unit that notifies a device used by an administrator of the robot of specified notification information if it is predicted that the task will not be completed.

[0131] In an information processing system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the prediction unit may predict that the work will not be completed if it is predicted that if the work is started from the start of the scheduled work period, the completion time of the work will exceed the end of the scheduled work period, or if it is predicted that in order to complete the work by the end of the scheduled work period, the start time of the work needs to be earlier than the start of the scheduled work period.

[0132] In an information processing system according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 or 2, the notification information may include at least one of a suggestion to advance the start of the planned work period in accordance with the unavailable period, a suggestion to delay the end of the planned work period in accordance with the unavailable period, and a suggestion to cancel the work.

[0133] In an information processing system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3, the unavailable period may include at least one of an inspection period for the elevator and a dedicated operation period during which the elevator is used by designated users.

[0134] A control method for an information processing system according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring information indicating unavailable periods during which an elevator cannot be used by an autonomous robot, a prediction step of predicting whether the robot will complete a task without using the elevator during the unavailable periods during a planned work period in which the task involves use of the elevator, and a notification step of notifying a device used by an administrator of the robot of specified notification information if it is predicted that the task will not be completed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 2. Robot 3. Elevator 4 Terminal equipment (device) 100 Information Processing Systems 211 Acquisition Department 212 Prediction Department 213 Notification Department S11 Acquisition step S12 Prediction step S14 Notification Step

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a period during which the autonomously movable robot cannot use the elevator; a storage unit that stores information indicating a planned work period during which the robot is scheduled to perform work involving the use of the elevator and information indicating a required time for the work; a prediction unit that predicts whether the robot will complete the task during the scheduled task period without using the elevator during the unavailable period, based on the information indicating the unavailable period, the information indicating the scheduled task period, and the information indicating a required time for the task; a notification unit that notifies a device used by an administrator of the robot of predetermined notification information when the task is predicted to be incomplete; An information processing system comprising:

2. The prediction unit is If the work is started from the start point of the scheduled work period, the completion time of the work is predicted to exceed the end point of the scheduled work period, or When it is predicted that in order to complete the work by the end point of the scheduled work period, it is necessary to advance the start time of the work from the start point of the scheduled work period, predicting that said task will not be completed; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The notification information is a proposal to advance the start of the scheduled work period in response to the unavailable period; a proposal to delay an end of the scheduled work period in response to the unavailable period; and a proposal to discontinue said work; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The unavailable period includes at least one of an inspection period of the elevator and a dedicated operation period during which the elevator is used by a specified user. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. A control method executed by a computer included in an information processing system, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a period during which the autonomously movable robot cannot use the elevator; a prediction step of predicting whether the robot will complete the task without using the elevator during the unavailable period, during the scheduled work period, based on information indicating the unavailable period, information indicating a scheduled work period during which the robot is scheduled to perform a task involving use of the elevator and information indicating a required time for the task, which are stored in a storage unit; a notification step of notifying a device used by an administrator of the robot of predetermined notification information when the task is predicted to be incomplete; A method for controlling an information processing system comprising:

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