ROBOT MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND ROBOT MANAGEMENT METHOD

Abstract

The present invention is configured such that electric power can be supplied from a battery (217) to a security system (50) through connection between a robot (200) and a connector (25) provided to supply the electric power to the security system (50). A robot management device (100) outputs an instruction to the robot (200) when it is determined that supply of electric power is stopped in a building (5), the instruction causing the robot (200) to connect to the connector (25) to supply the electric power to the security system (50) after the robot (200) has automatically travelled to the connector (25).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a robot management device and a robot management method that manages a robot capable of supplying power to security equipment installed in a building. [Background technology]

[0002] In building management, for example, a high level of security management is required in a server room where a server that manages the facilities in the building is installed. To prevent unauthorized persons from entering or leaving the server room, for example, entry and exit to the server room is controlled by an entrance and exit management system equipped with a contactless card reader.

[0003] When a power outage occurs in a building, the power supply to security equipment such as the entrance / exit control system will be cut off. If the system is configured to allow entry and exit when a power outage occurs, suspicious people will be able to enter and exit freely, reducing security. On the other hand, if the system is configured to allow exit by electronically unlocking with a card reader, people in the server room will not be able to leave in the event of a power outage. In order to allow people in the server room to leave, it is necessary to supply power to the entrance / exit control system.

[0004] In recent years, self-propelled devices that travel to a facility to be supplied with power by themselves have been developed as power supply devices. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-23044 A) discloses a power supply system including a self-propelled power supply device that travels to a position near a vehicle to be supplied with power and supplies power to the vehicle to be supplied with power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-23044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the power supply system described in Patent Document 1 simply supplies power to vehicles, and no consideration is given to how to ensure security within a building in the event that the supply of power to the building facilities is cut off due to a power outage or the like.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a robot management device and a robot management method that can optimally ensure security within a building when the power supply to building facilities installed within the building is cut off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The robot management device according to the present disclosure is a device that manages a robot capable of supplying power to security equipment installed in a building. The robot management device includes a processor and a memory that stores a program executable by the processor. The robot is autonomously mobile and equipped with a storage battery. The storage battery is configured to supply power to the security equipment by connecting the robot to a supply port provided for supplying power to the security equipment. When it is determined that the power supply in the building has been stopped, the processor outputs an instruction to the robot to have the robot move independently to the supply port and then connect to the supply port to supply power to the security equipment.

[0009] The robot management method according to the present disclosure is a method for managing a robot capable of supplying power to security equipment installed in a building. The robot is autonomously mobile and equipped with a storage battery. A supply port provided for supplying power to the security equipment is connected to the robot, thereby enabling power to be supplied from the storage battery to the security equipment. The robot management method includes a step of, when it is determined that the power supply in the building has been stopped, outputting to the robot an instruction for the robot to connect to the supply port and supply power to the security equipment after the robot has traveled to the supply port by itself. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, when the power supply to building facilities installed in a building is stopped, security within the building can be preferably ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a robot management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a robot management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a robot management system, a security system, and a power company server. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a method of supplying power within a building. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by the robot management device. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by a robot. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by a robot management device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining an overview of the robot management system 1. In Fig. 1, the entrances to a server room and room A in a building 5 are shown. A surveillance camera 72 and a card reader 62 are installed in the building 5 as devices constituting a security system 50 (see Fig. 4 described later) provided in the building 5. Only persons who possess a dedicated IC card can enter or exit the server room and room A.

[0014] When an IC card is held over a non-contact card reader 62 installed near the door 8 to the server room, the door 8 is unlocked. This allows entry to the server room. A surveillance camera 72 is installed near the entrance to the server room, allowing monitoring for suspicious people entering the server room. Images captured by the surveillance camera 72 can also be saved.

[0015] When an IC card is held over a non-contact card reader 62 installed near the door 9 to room A, the door 9 is unlocked. This allows entry to room A. In addition, a surveillance camera 72 is installed near the entrance to room A, making it possible to monitor whether any suspicious persons are entering room A.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, when an IC card is held over card reader 62 on the corridor 6 side, door 8 is unlocked and entry to server room 7 is possible. Currently, there are people 81 and 82 in the server room 7. Person 81 is trying to leave the room using IC card 64 that person 81 possesses. When IC card 64 is held over card reader 63 on the server room 7 side, door 8 is unlocked and person 82 can leave the server room 7.

[0017] When a power outage occurs in building 5, the power supply to the various facilities (lighting facilities, air conditioning facilities, etc.) in building 5, including card readers 62, 63 and surveillance camera 72, is stopped. In this case, it becomes impossible to enter or leave the server room and Room A. Furthermore, since surveillance camera 72 does not operate, it is impossible to monitor the entrance and exit of suspicious persons.

[0018] The robot management system 1 includes a robot management device 100 (see FIG. 3 described later) and a robot 200. The robot 200 is an autonomous mobile robot equipped with a battery. The robot 200 is capable of supplying power to a security system 50. The robot management device 100 is a device that manages the robot 200. When a power outage occurs, the robot management device 100 instructs the robot 200 to supply power to the security system 50. Details will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, a plurality of robots 200 (robots 200a, 200b, etc.) are deployed in a building. The number of robots managed by the robot management device 100 may be one or more.

[0020] 1 shows the robot 200a running to supply power to the security system 50. The robot 200a connects the connector 218 provided on the robot 200a to the connector 25 provided on the wall of the building (near the door 8 of the server room). This causes power to be supplied to the security system 50, and the card readers 62, 63 and the surveillance camera 72 start operating again.

[0021] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the robot management system 1, the security system 50, and the power company server 300. As described above, the robot management system includes the robot management device 100 and the robot 200. The robot management device 100 is connected to the security system 50. Details of the security system 50 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0022] The robot management device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a memory 112, and a communication interface 113. These are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0023] The memory 112 may be configured to include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a storage unit. The storage unit is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0024] The CPU 111 loads programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them to realize various functions of the robot management device 100. The ROM stores programs describing the processing procedures of the robot management device 100. The RAM serves as a working area when the CPU executes programs, and temporarily stores programs, data for executing programs, and the like.

[0025] The robot management device 100 can be connected to the robot 200, the power company server 300, and the security system 50 via the communication interface 113. The robot management device 100 communicates with the robot 200 and the power company server 300 wirelessly. It communicates with the security system 50 via wires. The robot management device 100 communicates with the security system 50 via wires, but may also communicate wirelessly.

[0026] The robot 200 may be, for example, an autonomously mobile vacuum cleaner (cleaning robot). The robot 200 is equipped with a battery 217 and can travel on a floor using the power stored in the battery 217. The robot 200 can clean the floor using a cleaning member while autonomously moving.

[0027] Furthermore, the robot 200 can supply power to the security system 50 using the battery 217 during a power outage. In this manner, in this embodiment, the robot 200 used for cleaning the inside of a building is effectively utilized to supply power to the security system 50 during a power outage. Note that the robot 200 may be, for example, a robot for carrying luggage, a guide robot, a dedicated robot used only during a power outage, or a robot used for any purpose.

[0028] The robot 200 includes a CPU 211, a memory 212, a communication device 213, a camera 214, a driving unit 231, and a battery 217. These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. Similarly, the memory 212 may be configured to include a ROM, a RAM, and a storage unit.

[0029] The CPU 211 loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it to realize various functions of the robot 200. The ROM stores a program in which the processing procedures of the robot 200 are written.

[0030] The communicator 213 in this embodiment is a wireless communication device. The robot 200 can be connected to the robot management device 100 via the communicator 213. In addition, the robot management device 100 can specify the position of the robot 200 using the communicator 213.

[0031] The communicator 213 transmits a signal for detecting the position of the robot 200, for example, using a communication method conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy, "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark) communication standard. Instead of the BLE communication standard, a communication method conforming to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard or the like may be used. The communicator 213 also transmits an ID for identifying the robot 200, a signal indicating the start / end of cleaning by the robot 200, and the like to the robot management device 100, for example, using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0032] Also, for example, a plurality of communication devices (not shown, hereinafter referred to as "installed communication devices") are placed at an appropriate distance from each other on the ceiling of a building. The installed communication devices receive signals transmitted from the robot 200 using a communication method conforming to the same communication standard as the communication device 213 of the robot 200 and detect the reception strength of the signals. The position of the robot 200 on the floor can be measured from the reception strength at the installed communication devices. The installed communication devices are connected to the robot management device 100 by wire or wirelessly. The installed communication devices output the reception strength of the signals received from the robot 200 to the robot management device 100. In this way, the robot management device 100 identifies the position of the robot 200.

[0033] Alternatively, instead of the "installed communication device", multiple cameras (not shown, hereinafter referred to as "installed cameras") installed on the ceiling inside the building may be used. The installed cameras capture images of the inside of the building including the floors. Images of the robot 200 are included in the images captured by the installed cameras. The installed cameras are connected to the robot management device 100 by wire or wirelessly. The installed cameras output data indicating the captured images to the robot management device 100. The robot management device 100 identifies the position of the robot 200 from the captured images using known image analysis technology.

[0034] The robot management device 100 receives an ID for identifying the robot 200 and various information output from the robot, which are transmitted from the communication device 213. In addition, the robot management device 100 can transmit, via the communication device 213, a signal to instruct the robot 200 to clean, or a signal to instruct the security system 50 to supply power in the event of a power outage, etc.

[0035] CPU 211 controls the operation of robot 200. When cleaning, it controls drive unit 231 and a cleaning member (not shown) so that robot 200 cleans while moving autonomously. The cleaning member is a member provided on the bottom surface of robot 200 for sucking dust on the floor (floor surface). The cleaning member includes, for example, a suction port, a blower for sucking dust from the suction port, a rotating brush provided at the suction port, and a motor for driving the rotating brush.

[0036] The camera 214 captures an image of the surroundings of the robot 200 and outputs the captured image to the CPU 211. The CPU 211 controls the driving unit 231 and the cleaning members based on the captured image from the camera 214 and the cleaning area information so that the robot 200 moves autonomously while cleaning.

[0037] The driving unit 231 generates a driving force for the robot 200 to run. The driving unit 231 includes, for example, wheels for the robot 200 to move and a motor for driving the wheels. The driving unit 231 can be operated by receiving a supply of electric power from the battery 217. The battery 217 supplies electric power for the driving unit 231 and each device of the robot 200 to operate.

[0038] When the robot 200 connects to the security system 50 to supply power, the robot 200 drives the driving unit 231 based on an instruction from the robot management device 100 to travel to a position where a power supply connector of the security system 50 is located. Then, based on an image captured by the camera 214, the connector on the robot 200 side is connected to the connector on the security system 50 side. Then, power is supplied from the battery 217 to the security system 50.

[0039] The robot management device 100 is configured to be able to communicate with a power company server 300. The power company server 300 is a server provided by a power company that supplies power to the building 5. The robot management device 100 is able to receive a power outage signal indicating that a power outage has occurred in the building 5 from the power company server 300. When the power outage signal is received, the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply has been stopped.

[0040] 4 is a diagram for explaining a power supply method in a building 5. The security system 50 and the robot management device 100 are connected to a power source 11 (commercial power source). The security system 50 is supplied with power from the power source 11 via a cable L1. The robot management device 100 is supplied with power from the power source 11 via a cable L2.

[0041] In the event of a power outage, or when the power supply from the power source 11 is cut off by the breaker 12, power will no longer be supplied to the security system 50 and the robot management device 100. The following describes an example in which a power outage occurs.

[0042] The robot management device 100 is connected to a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) 101, which is an uninterruptible power supply. The UPS 101 supplies power to the robot management device 100 when the power supply in the building 5 is stopped. For this reason, the robot management device 100 is configured to receive power from the UPS 101 for a certain period of time even if a power outage occurs and power supply from the power source 11 is no longer possible.

[0043] In addition, since the robot 200 also has a battery 217, it can operate even if a power outage occurs in the building 5. The power company server 300 also operates regardless of a power outage in the building 5. Therefore, even if a power outage occurs in the building 5, the robot management device 100 can communicate with the power company server 300 and the robot 200.

[0044] In the present embodiment, security system 50 refers to building facilities (security facilities) related to the security of building 5, among the building facilities installed in building 5. Security system 50 (security facilities) includes an entrance / exit control system 60 and a surveillance camera system 70.

[0045] The entrance / exit management system 60 is a system that manages entrance and exit to rooms in a building 5. The entrance / exit management system 60 comprises a management device 61 and multiple card readers 62, 63. The management device 61 is a device that controls the card readers 62, 63 and manages entrance and exit. The card reader 62 is installed at the entrance of the room and is used when entering the room. The card reader 63 is installed at the exit of the room and is used when leaving the room. The robot management device 100 is capable of communicating with the management device 61 and can obtain information on the card readers 62, 63, etc. from the management device 61.

[0046] In this embodiment, card readers 62, 63 are installed in the server room 7 and room A, which require high security, and the card readers are used to unlock the room not only when entering but also when leaving (the server room 7 and room A cannot be left unless the card reader 63 is used to unlock the room while power is being supplied). In the server room 7 and room A, the history of people entering and leaving the room can be managed, and the number of people present can be known. Meanwhile, in the other rooms, only the card reader 62 is installed, and the card reader is used to unlock the room only when entering. In the event of a power outage, the doors of these rooms can be manually unlocked and people can leave the room.

[0047] The surveillance camera system 70 is a system that manages surveillance cameras 72 that monitor a building 5. The surveillance camera system 70 includes a management device 71 and a plurality of surveillance cameras 72. The management device 71 controls the surveillance cameras 72 and manages the images acquired from the surveillance cameras 72. The robot management device 100 is capable of communicating with the management device 71 and is capable of acquiring information about the surveillance cameras 72, etc., from the management device 71.

[0048] In the event of a power outage, power is no longer supplied from the power source 11 to the entrance / exit control system 60 and the surveillance camera system 70. This makes it impossible to allow entry / exit using the card readers 62 and 63, and impossible to perform surveillance using the surveillance camera 72.

[0049] The cable L1 is connected to a connector 25. The connector 25 is a supply port provided for supplying power to the security system 50. The robot 200 includes a battery 217 and a connector 218. In this embodiment, the connector 25 is connected to the connector 218 of the robot 200, so that power can be supplied from the battery 217 to the security system 50.

[0050] When the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply has been stopped in the building 5, the robot 200 drives itself to a location where the connector 25 is installed (see FIG. 1), and then outputs an instruction to the robot 200 to connect to the connector 25 and supply power to the security system 50.

[0051] When the robot 200 receives this command, the autonomous mobile robot 200 travels to the location where the connector 25 is installed and connects the connector 218 to the connector 25. Then, the battery 217 of the robot 200 supplies power to each device of the security system 50. This allows the card readers 62, 63 to control entry and exit to the room and the security camera 72 to monitor the inside of the building 5 again.

[0052] The process executed in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the process executed by the robot management device 100. For example, this process may be started at predetermined time intervals (1 second). Hereinafter, "step" may be simply referred to as "S".

[0053] The robot management device 100 can access the power company server 300 and request information on the power supply status for the building 5. In response to this request, if the building 5 is experiencing a power outage, the power company server 300 transmits a power outage signal indicating that the building 5 is experiencing a power outage.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, when this process starts, in S101, the robot management device 100 requests information about the power supply status of building 5 from the power company server 300, and as a result, determines whether or not a power outage signal has been acquired (received) from the power company server 300.

[0055] When the robot management device 100 determines that a power outage signal has been received from the power company server 300 (YES in S101), the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand, when the robot management device 100 determines that a power outage signal has not been received from the power company server 300 (NO in S101), the process proceeds to S103.

[0056] In S102, the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 has been stopped. In this manner, in this embodiment, the robot management device 100 determines whether or not a power outage has occurred based on information from the power company server 300 provided by the power company.

[0057] When the power supply to the security system 50 is stopped (YES in S103), the robot management device 100 outputs (transmits) a power supply instruction to the security system 50 to the robot 200 (S104), and ends this process (in the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the determination in S101 is YES, the determination in S103 is also YES). Note that, when multiple robots 200 are installed, the robot with the most remaining battery power in the battery 217 may be selected, and a power supply instruction may be output to the selected robot.

[0058] The power supply instruction is an instruction to have the robot 200 connect to the connector 25 and supply power to the security system 50 after the robot 200 has traveled to the connector 25 by itself.

[0059] On the other hand, if the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 has not been stopped (NO in S103), the robot management device 100 ends this process without outputting a power supply instruction.

[0060] 6 is a flowchart of the process executed by the robot 200. For example, this process may be started at predetermined time intervals (every second).

[0061] 6, when this process starts, the robot 200 determines in S201 whether or not it has received a power supply instruction to the security system 50 from the robot management device 100. If the robot 200 has received a power supply instruction (YES in S201), the process proceeds to S202. On the other hand, if the robot 200 has not received a power supply instruction (NO in S201), the robot 200 ends this process.

[0062] In S202, the robot 200 travels to a location where the supply port (connector 25) is installed. After traveling, in S203, the robot 200 connects the connector 218 of the robot 200 to the supply port (connector 25) (see FIG. 1). Then, in S204, the robot 200 supplies power from the battery 217 to the security system 50, and ends this process.

[0063] The robot management device 100 can receive a restoration signal from the power company server 300, notifying the restoration of power after a power outage that occurred in the building 5. When the robot management device 100 receives the restoration signal while supplying power to the robot 200, the robot management device 100 instructs the robot 200 to stop supplying power.

[0064] As described above, in order to prevent the intrusion of suspicious persons and ensure high security, the building 5 is provided with an entrance / exit management system 60 that electrically unlocks the server room 7 and other rooms when entering and leaving the room. When a power outage occurs in the building 5, it becomes impossible to leave the server room 7. In this embodiment, when the supply of power to the building facilities is stopped, an instruction to supply power to the security system 50 (the entrance / exit management system 60, the surveillance camera system 70) is output to the robot 200. The robot 200 supplies power to the security system 50. Since the server room 7 is not freely accessible even during a power outage, it is possible to prevent suspicious persons from entering the room. On the other hand, when a power outage occurs, the door can be opened and closed by supplying power from the robot 200, so it is possible to prevent people from being trapped in the server room 7. Furthermore, even during a power outage, it is possible to monitor whether suspicious persons are entering or leaving the server room 7 by the surveillance camera 72. In this way, when the supply of power to the building facilities installed in the building 5 is stopped, it is possible to appropriately ensure security in the building 5.

[0065] 5, in this embodiment, the robot management device 100 is configured to determine that the power supply has been stopped when a power failure signal is received from the power company server 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the robot management device 100 may determine that the power supply has been stopped when it is determined that the power supply has been cut off by a breaker 12 installed in the building 5.

[0066] The following description will be given with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the process executed by the robot management device 100 according to the modified example. For example, this process may be started at predetermined time intervals (every second).

[0067] When this process starts, in S301, the robot management device 100 determines whether the power supply to the robot management device 100 has been switched from the power source 11 to the UPS 101. As shown in Fig. 4, when the power supply from the power source 11 is stopped, the robot management device 100 receives power from the UPS 101. At this time, the robot management device 100 receives a notification from the UPS 101 that the power supply has been switched to the UPS 101.

[0068] If the robot management apparatus 100 determines that the power supply has been switched to the UPS 101 (YES in S301), the process proceeds to S302. On the other hand, if the robot management apparatus 100 does not determine that the power supply has been switched to the UPS 101 (NO in S301), the process proceeds to S304.

[0069] In S302, the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker 12. That is, when the robot management device 100 detects that power is being supplied from the UPS 101, it determines that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker 12. Note that the robot management device 100 may determine that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker 12 by some other method.

[0070] In S303, the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 has been stopped. In other words, when the robot management device 100 determines that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker 12 installed in the building 5, it determines that the power supply from the power source 11 has been stopped.

[0071] If the breaker 12 has stopped the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 (YES in S304), the robot management device 100 outputs an instruction to the robot 200 to supply power to the security system 50 (S305), and terminates this processing (in the flowchart of Figure 7, if the judgment in S301 is YES, the judgment in S304 will also be YES).

[0072] On the other hand, if the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 has not been stopped (NO in S304), the robot management device 100 ends this process without outputting a power supply instruction.

[0073] The UPS 101 can send a restoration notification to the robot management apparatus 100 to inform that the power supply to the robot management apparatus 100 has been restored from the UPS 101 to the power source 11. When the robot management apparatus 100 receives the restoration notification, it instructs the robot 200 to stop supplying power.

[0074] Note that the present invention is not limited to performing either the process in the flowchart in Fig. 5 or the process in the flowchart in Fig. 7, and may perform either process. Specifically, it may be determined that the power supply from the power source 11 to the security system 50 has been stopped when "it is determined that a power outage signal has been acquired from the power company server 300" or "when the power supply has been cut off by the breaker 12".

[0075] A situation where a power outage signal is received from the power company server 300 is assumed to be a situation where a power outage occurs and power is no longer supplied from the power company. Such a situation also includes a case where a natural disaster such as a major earthquake occurs and the power company implements a planned power outage. When such a disaster occurs, a suspicious person often breaks into a building. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure security during a power outage as in the present embodiment.

[0076] Although not shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, power source 11 also supplies power to building facilities other than security system 50. For example, if some building facility in the building breaks down and an overcurrent flows, breaker 12 cuts off the power supply. In this case, if power is supplied to at least security system 50, card readers 62, 63 and surveillance camera 72 can be operated, and security within building 5 can be ensured. For this reason, in this embodiment, connector 25 is provided as a power supply port exclusively for security system 50.

[0077] The robot management device 100 stores in advance the amount of power required for the security system 50. The amount of power required is, for example, the amount of power required to operate the entrance / exit management system 60 and the surveillance camera system 70 for a predetermined period of time. A person who is trapped in a server room or the like due to a power outage can unlock the door and leave the server room or other room during the predetermined period of time (while power is being supplied).

[0078] The robot management device 100 communicates with a plurality of robots 200 (robots 200a, b, etc.) to grasp the remaining charge of the battery 217 of each robot 200. Then, the robot management device 100 may output a power supply instruction to a robot 200 for which "remaining charge of the battery 217" - "power consumption while traveling" is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned "required power amount."

[0079] The power consumption for traveling refers to the power required for the robot 200 to travel to a location where the connector 25 is located and to return to a waiting location after the power supply has ended. The waiting location is, for example, a charging spot where the battery 217 of the robot 200 can be charged. Note that if there is no robot 200 that consumes more than the above-mentioned "required amount of power," a power supply instruction may be output to multiple robots 200.

[0080] In this embodiment, the robot management system 1 is configured to include the robot management device 100 and the robot 200, but is not limited to this and may be configured to include only the robot 200. In this case, the processing performed by the robot management device 100 may be performed by the robot 200 itself.

[0081] [Note] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following supplementary notes.

[0082] (Appendix 1) A robot management device that manages a robot capable of supplying power to a security facility installed in a building, A processor; a memory for storing a program executable by the processor; The robot is an autonomous mobile robot equipped with a storage battery, a supply port provided for supplying power to the security equipment is connected to the robot, whereby power can be supplied from the storage battery to the security equipment; The processor is a robot management device that, when it is determined that the power supply in the building has been stopped, outputs an instruction to the robot to connect to the supply outlet and supply power to the security equipment after the robot drives itself to the supply outlet.

[0083] For example, if a building is equipped with an entrance / exit management system (security equipment) that electrically unlocks doors when entering and leaving a room such as a server room in order to prevent the intrusion of suspicious people and ensure high security, a power outage will make it impossible to leave the room. When the power supply to the building equipment is cut off, a command to supply power to the security equipment can be output to a robot, thereby preventing suspicious people from entering the room and preventing people from becoming trapped in the room. In this way, when the power supply to the building equipment installed in the building is cut off, security within the building can be appropriately ensured.

[0084] (Appendix 2) The security equipment includes an entrance / exit management system that manages entrance / exit to rooms in the building, The robot management device of claim 1, wherein the room can be left by unlocking the room when power is supplied.

[0085] When the power supply to the building facilities is cut off, a command to supply power to the entrance / exit management system is output to the robot, preventing suspicious people from entering the room while preventing people from being locked in the room due to the unlocking process. In this way, when the power supply to the building facilities installed in the building is cut off, security within the building can be appropriately ensured.

[0086] (Appendix 3) The robot management device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the security facility further includes a surveillance camera system that manages surveillance cameras that monitor the building.

[0087] If the power supply to the building facilities is cut off, an instruction to supply power to the security camera system in addition to the entrance / exit control system can be output to the robot, making it possible to monitor whether suspicious individuals are entering or leaving. In this way, if the power supply to the building facilities installed in the building is cut off, security within the building can be appropriately ensured.

[0088] (Appendix 4) The processor is configured to be able to communicate with a server provided by a power company that supplies power to the building, The processor, A power outage signal indicating that the building has experienced a power outage can be received from the server; The robot management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein, when the power failure signal is received, it is determined that the supply of power has been stopped.

[0089] In this way, by receiving a power outage signal from the server provided by the power company, it is possible to determine whether or not the power supply within the building has been stopped.

[0090] (Appendix 5) The robot management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the processor determines that the power supply has been stopped when it determines that the power supply has been cut off by a breaker installed in the building.

[0091] In this way, by checking whether the power supply has been cut off by the breaker, it is possible to determine whether the power supply in the building has been stopped.

[0092] (Appendix 6) the robot management device is connected to an uninterruptible power supply that supplies power when the power supply to the building is interrupted; A robot management device as described in Appendix 5, wherein the processor determines that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker when it detects that power is being supplied from the uninterruptible power supply.

[0093] In this way, by checking whether the power supply to the robot management device has been switched from the commercial power source to the uninterruptible power source, it is possible to determine whether the power supply has been cut off by the breaker.

[0094] (Appendix 7) A robot management method for managing a robot capable of supplying power to a security facility installed in a building, comprising: The robot is an autonomous mobile robot equipped with a storage battery, a supply port provided for supplying power to the security equipment is connected to the robot, whereby power can be supplied from the storage battery to the security equipment; A robot management method comprising a step of, when it is determined that the power supply in the building has been stopped, outputting to the robot an instruction for the robot to connect to the supply outlet and supply power to the security equipment after the robot has driven to the supply outlet on its own.

[0095] In this way, if the power supply to building facilities installed in the building is stopped, security within the building can be appropriately ensured.

[0096] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The technical scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 robot management system, 6 corridor, 7 server room, 8, 9 door, 11 power supply, 12 breaker, 25 connector, 26 door, 50 security system, 60 entrance / exit management system, 61, 71 management device, 62, 63 card reader, 64 IC card, 70 surveillance camera system, 72 surveillance camera, 81, 82 person, 100 robot management device, 101 UPS, 111, 211 CPU, 112, 212 memory, 113 communication interface, 200, 200a, 200b robot, 214 camera, 213 communication device, 217 battery, 218 connector, 231 drive unit, 300 power company server.

Claims

1. A robot management device that manages a robot capable of supplying power to a security facility installed in a building, A processor; a memory for storing a program executable by the processor; the robot is placed in the building, is capable of autonomously moving within the building, and is equipped with a storage battery; a supply port provided on a wall surface within the building for supplying power to the security equipment is connected to the robot, thereby enabling power to be supplied from the storage battery to the security equipment; when it is determined that the power supply in the building has been stopped, the processor outputs an instruction to the robot to connect to the power supply port and supply power to the security equipment after the robot moves by itself from its current position in the building to a position where the power supply outlet is provided, The security equipment is a robot management device that includes an entry / exit management system that manages entry and exit to a room that can be entered and exited by performing an unlocking process when power is supplied, and a surveillance camera system that manages surveillance cameras installed in a position where it can monitor video of entry and exit to the room.

2. The processor is configured to be able to communicate with a server provided by a power company that supplies power to the building, The processor, A power outage signal indicating that the building has experienced a power outage can be received from the server; The robot management device according to claim 1 , wherein the robot management device determines that the power supply has been stopped when the power failure signal is received.

3. The robot management device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor determines that the power supply has been stopped when it determines that the power supply has been cut off by a breaker installed in the building.

4. the robot management device is connected to an uninterruptible power supply that supplies power when the power supply to the building is interrupted; The robot management device according to claim 3 , wherein the processor determines that the power supply has been cut off by the breaker when it detects that power is being supplied from the uninterruptible power supply.

5. A plurality of the robots are installed in the building, The memory stores in advance a required power supply amount required to operate the security equipment for a predetermined period of time, The processor obtains the remaining charge of the storage battery of each of a plurality of the robots, and outputs an instruction to supply power to the security equipment to a robot for which the remaining charge of the storage battery minus the amount of power consumed for traveling to move to the location where the supply port is provided is equal to or greater than the required power supply amount. A robot management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The robot management device of claim 5, wherein the traveling power consumption further includes the amount of power required for the robot to return to a waiting location after the robot connects to the supply port and the supply of power to the security equipment is terminated.

7. A robot management method for managing a robot capable of supplying power to a security facility installed in a building, comprising: the robot is placed in the building, is capable of autonomously moving within the building, and is equipped with a storage battery; a supply port provided on a wall surface within the building for supplying power to the security equipment is connected to the robot, thereby enabling power to be supplied from the storage battery to the security equipment; when it is determined that the power supply to the building has been stopped, the robot moves by itself from its current position in the building to a position where the power supply outlet is provided, and then outputs an instruction to the robot to connect to the power supply outlet and supply power to the security equipment; The robot management method includes an entrance / exit management system that manages entry and exit to a room, where entry and exit can be made by performing an unlocking process when power is supplied, and a surveillance camera system that manages surveillance cameras installed in positions where entry and exit to the room can be monitored on video.

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