Facility navigation system and facility navigation method

Abstract

A server (10) holds, for each user type, weight data in which each section of an aisle accessible to a user in a facility is assigned with a weight value that depends on a time for movement of the user. The server (10) uses a search condition, which is received from the user and includes a user type, departure point, and destination point of the user, to retrieve a plurality of candidates for a movement route from the departure point to the destination point. The server (10) uses weight data corresponding to the user type of the user for each of the plurality of candidates to calculate a sum of at least one weight value included in the candidate and show the user a movement route that is a candidate minimizing the sum of at least one weight value among the plurality of candidates.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a facility navigation system and a facility navigation method that provide guidance on travel routes within a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-66106 (Patent Document 1) discloses a route guidance device that guides visitors along a route in a target area such as an exhibition hall. The route guidance device determines the current location of the visitor from identification information read from the visitor's tag, and determines the congestion level from the number of pieces of identification information read. The route guidance device then weights the congestion level on map information within the target area, and determines a route from the visitor's current location to the destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-66106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a wide variety of types of users use a facility, the routes that can be traveled may differ depending on the type of user. For example, in a commercial facility, in addition to the routes that shoppers can use, there are usually routes that only store employees and facility managers can use. Furthermore, even if the route is the same, the time it takes to travel along the route may differ depending on the type of user. For example, in a commercial facility, the time it takes for shoppers and employees to travel along the route may differ depending on the equipment and the like that exists on the route.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a facility navigation system that provides guidance on routes within a facility, which will allow users of the facility to travel to their destination in the shortest time possible, depending on the type of user of the facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A facility navigation system according to the present disclosure is a facility navigation system that guides a user of a facility along a travel route within the facility, and includes a processor and a memory that stores a program executed by the processor. The processor holds weight data in which, for each user type, a weight value is assigned to each section of a passageway that the user can pass through within the facility according to the time it takes for the user to travel. The processor searches for multiple candidates for travel routes from a departure point to a destination based on search conditions received from the user, including the user type, departure point, and destination, according to the program. Then, for each of the multiple candidates, the processor calculates a total value of at least one weight value included in the candidate using the weight data corresponding to the user type of the user. The processor guides the user to the candidate with the smallest total value of the weight values ​​among the multiple candidates as the travel route.

[0007] A facility navigation method according to the present disclosure is a facility navigation method for guiding users of a facility along travel routes within the facility, and includes the steps of: retaining weight data for each user type in which a weight value is assigned to each section of a passageway within the facility that the users can pass through according to the time it takes for the users to travel; searching by a computer for multiple candidate travel routes from a departure point to a destination based on search conditions received from the user, including the user's user type, departure point, and destination; calculating by a computer for each of the multiple candidates a total value of at least one weight value contained in the candidate using weight data corresponding to the user's user type; and guiding the user to the candidate among the multiple candidates with the smallest total weight value as the travel route. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a facility navigation system that provides guidance on travel routes within a facility, it is possible to provide guidance on a route that will allow a user of the facility to travel to a destination in the shortest time depending on the type of user of the facility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a facility navigation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the facility navigation system. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a facility navigation method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition input screen displayed on a display of a terminal device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a map showing the current status of a facility. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of route weight data for a facility manager. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of route weight data for shoppers with children. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of moving object weight data. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating a travel route in S17 of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a travel route when the user is a facility manager. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a travel route when a user is a shopper accompanied by a child. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram summarizing the calculation results of the movement paths shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a travel route when a user is a shopper accompanied by a child. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] <Facility navigation system configuration> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a facility navigation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Facility navigation system 100 according to the present embodiment is a system that provides guidance to facility users on routes within the facility. Facility navigation system 100 is configured to calculate a route that allows users to travel from a departure point to a destination in the shortest time according to the type of user, as described below, and provide guidance to the user. The facility navigation system according to the present embodiment will be described below using an example of guidance on routes within a commercial facility (e.g., a shopping mall).

[0013] 1, the facility navigation system 100 includes servers 10 and 20, a terminal device 30, a plurality of wireless communication devices 72, and a plurality of cameras 70. The server 10, the server 20, and the terminal device 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network NW (typically, the Internet).

[0014] There are many people and moving objects in the facility, including shoppers, employees of each store, cleaners, security guards, facility managers, and the like.

[0015] The mobile objects include a mobile robot 40 and a stuffed animal worn by a human body (hereinafter also referred to as a "mascot costume"). The mobile robot 40 is, for example, a cleaning robot that is an autonomous mobile vacuum cleaner, an autonomous mobile transport robot, an autonomous mobile guide robot that responds to inquiries from shoppers 5, or a ride-on robot for small children. The mobile robot 40 is equipped with a battery and can move within the facility using the power stored in the battery. A mascot costume is a large stuffed animal that can be worn by a human being, and is used for events for small children and infants held within the facility.

[0016] The mobile robot 40 is equipped with a wireless communication device 42. The wireless communication device 42 transmits a signal for detecting the position of the mobile robot 40 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. Alternatively, the wireless communication device 42 transmits an ID (Identification) for identifying the mobile robot 40, a signal indicating the operating state of the mobile robot 40, or the like to the server 20 using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0017] A shopping cart 60 used by a shopper 4 is equipped with a wireless communication device 62. Like the wireless communication device 42, the wireless communication device 62 transmits a signal for detecting the position of the shopping cart 60 using a communication method conforming to the BLE communication standard or the UWB communication standard or the like.

[0018] The multiple wireless communication devices 72 and the multiple cameras 70 are installed, for example, at an appropriate distance from each other on the ceiling 45 of the facility. The multiple wireless communication devices 72 receive signals emitted from the mobile robot 40 and the shopping cart 60 using a communication method conforming to the same communication standard as the wireless communication device 42 of the mobile robot 40 and the wireless communication device 62 of the shopping cart 60, and detect the reception strength of the signals. From the reception strength at the wireless communication device 72, the positions of the mobile robot 40 and the shopping cart 60 within the shopping mall can be measured. The wireless communication device 72 outputs the reception strength of the signals received from the mobile robot 40 and the shopping cart 60 to the server 20.

[0019] The camera 70 captures images of the inside of the facility and outputs the captured images (moving images) to the server 20. The captured images include images of people (shoppers, employees, etc.) or moving objects present in the facility. The wireless communication device 72 and the camera 70 may be installed on a wall.

[0020] The server 20 is a server that monitors people and moving objects in the facility. A plurality of wireless communication devices 72 and cameras 70 installed on the ceiling 45 are communicatively connected to the server 20. The server 20 may be a server that manages the mobile robot 40.

[0021] The server 20 receives from the wireless communication devices 72 the reception strength of the signals received by the wireless communication devices 72, and measures the positions of the mobile robot 40 and the shopping cart 60 within the facility from the reception strength of each wireless communication device 72. The server 20 also measures the positions of the people and the costumed characters based on the captured images (moving images) from the camera 70. Furthermore, the server 20 generates congestion information indicating the congestion state within the facility based on the position information of the shopping cart 60 and the captured images (moving images) from the camera 70. The server 20 transmits the position information of the mobile body and the congestion information within the facility to the server 10 via the communication network NW.

[0022] The server 10 has a function of providing guidance to facility users on routes within the facility. As an example, the server 10 is installed in an operating company that operates the facility. The server 10 can be used by a manager entrusted with the management of the facility by the operating company.

[0023] The server 10 is configured to receive a search instruction from a facility user through the terminal device 30. The search instruction includes search conditions such as the type of user operating the terminal device 30, and a departure point and destination. The server 10 is configured to calculate a route that allows the user to travel from the departure point to the destination in the shortest time using congestion information within the facility and location information of the mobile object acquired from the server 20. The server 10 guides the user through the calculated travel route through the terminal device 30.

[0024] In this embodiment, the server 20 that monitors the facility and the server 10 that calculates the travel route within the facility are configured as separate entities, but this is not limited to this, and the servers 10 and 20 may be configured as an integrated entity.

[0025] The terminal device 30 is communicatively connected to the server 10 via the communication network NW. The terminal device 30 is an information processing device having communication and display functions, and is typically a smartphone or a tablet. The terminal device 30 can be used by shoppers 1 in the facility, a facility manager 3, employees of each store, and the like. The terminal device 30 is not limited to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, and may be a PC (Personal Computer) or the like installed in the facility.

[0026] The terminal device 30 typically has a web browser. The terminal device 30 accesses the server 10 and displays screen data (WEB screen) on the terminal device 30. Note that the terminal device 30 needs to log in to the server 10 in order to display the screen data.

[0027] In this embodiment, the terminal device 30 and the server 10 that calculates the travel route within the facility are configured as separate entities, but this is not limited thereto, and the terminal device 30 and the server 10 may be configured as an integrated entity.

[0028] <Hardware configuration of facility navigation system> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of facility navigation system 100. As shown in FIG.

[0029] 2, the server 10 includes, as its main components, a processor 11 that executes a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 that stores data in a non-volatile manner, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 that volatilely stores data generated by the execution of the program by the processor 11 or data input via an input device, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14 that non-volatilely stores data, and a communication IF (Interface) 15. The components are mutually connected by a data bus 16.

[0030] The communication IF 15 is an interface for communication between the server 20 and the terminal device 30 and the server 10. The HDD 14 stores data used for calculating a travel route. The data includes user-specific route weight data and mobile object-specific weight data, which will be described later. The server 10 may include another non-volatile storage device instead of or in addition to the HDD 14.

[0031] The server 20 includes, as main components, a processor 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a HDD 24, and a communication IF 25. The components are mutually connected by a data bus 26. The communication IF 25 is an interface for communicating with the server 10, the mobile robot 40, the wireless communication device 72, and the camera 70. The HDD 24 stores information on the mobile robot 40, information on facilities, and position information on the mobile robot 40, people, and shopping carts 60. The HDD 24 also stores various databases for managing the mobile robot 40.

[0032] Note that, while FIG. 2 shows a configuration example in which the necessary processes are provided by each of the processors 11 and 21 executing a program, some or all of the processes provided may be implemented using a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)).

[0033] The terminal device 30 includes, as main components, a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an input unit 34, a display 35, and a communication IF 36. The components are mutually connected by a data bus 37. The input unit 34 accepts input from a user (e.g., a shopper 1, a facility manager 3, etc.). The display 35 outputs processing results and the like from the processor 11. A touch panel display in which the input unit 34 and the display 35 are integrated may be adopted. The communication IF 36 is an interface for communicating with the server 10. The HDD 34 stores installed apps and the like.

[0034] <How to navigate the facility> Next, a facility navigation method using the facility navigation system 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0035] 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the facility navigation method according to the present embodiment. A series of processing steps shown in this flowchart is executed by the terminal device 30 and the servers 10 and 20 when a user who uses a facility operates the terminal device 30 to search for a travel route within the facility.

[0036] In the figure, the processing executed by the terminal device 30 is shown on the left, the processing executed by the server 10 is shown in the center, and the processing executed by the server 20 is shown on the right. Each step is realized by software processing by the processor 31 in the terminal device 30, the processor 11 in the server 10, and the processor 21 in the server 20, but may also be realized by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) arranged in the terminal device 30 and the servers 10 and 20.

[0037] In step (hereinafter, simply written as "S") 01, the terminal device 30 judges whether or not a user input of a search condition for searching a travel route has been accepted. In S01, for example, if the user starts an application preinstalled in the terminal device 30 and inputs a search condition on an input screen (see FIG. 4) displayed on the display 35, a YES judgment is made, and otherwise a NO judgment is made.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for search conditions displayed on the display 35 of the terminal device 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the input screen 50 is provided with a field 51 for selecting a facility to be searched for, a field 52 for selecting a user type, and a field 53 for selecting a starting point and a destination of a route.

[0039] A user can select a facility to be used by the user from among a plurality of facilities in a field 51. When a facility is selected by the user, the terminal device 30 accesses the server 10 to obtain a floor map of the selected facility from the server 10. Note that if the terminal device 30 is equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and can detect the user's current location, the app can automatically identify the facility to be used by the user, and field 51 can be omitted.

[0040] The user can further select a user type from among a plurality of user types in a field 52. In Fig. 4, "shopper (normal)", "shopper (with child)", "employee (store)", and "facility manager" are exemplified as user types. However, if the terminal device 30 has a database that links a user account with a user's user type, the app can automatically obtain the user type, and so field 52 can be omitted.

[0041] In column 52, shopper (normal) refers to a general shopper. Shopper (with children) refers to a shopper with children. Employee (store) refers to an employee of each store in the facility. Facility manager refers to a manager who manages the facility.

[0042] In column 52, the type of shopper is classified by whether they are accompanied by children or not because, when there are moving objects on the route that attract children's interest, such as ride-on robots or costumed characters, the time required for shoppers accompanied by children to travel the route tends to be longer than the time required for general shoppers to travel the route. In other words, this is based on the fact that the time required for shoppers to travel the route differs depending on whether they are accompanied by children or not.

[0043] A floor map 54 of the facility selected by the user in the column 51 is shown in the column 53. The terminal device 30 displays the floor map 54 acquired from the server 10 on the display 35. The user can input the departure point and destination while referring to the floor map 54.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 3, when the terminal device 30 receives user input of search conditions (facility, user type, departure point, and destination) (YES in S01), the terminal device 30 transmits the received search conditions to the server 10 in S02.

[0045] In S11, when the server 10 receives the search conditions from the terminal device 30 (YES in S11), in S12, the server 10 generates a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "current information request signal") for requesting the server 20 to transmit information indicating the current situation of the facility used by the user based on the received search conditions. The current information request signal includes information indicating the facility used by the user (facility name, floor number used, area, etc.), as well as information indicating a specified time and a specified period. The facility information is generated from the facility, departure point, and destination included in the search conditions. The specified time refers to the time when the location information of the mobile object is obtained. The specified time is the time when the user uses the facility, for example, the current time. The specified period refers to the period during which congestion information in the facility is obtained. The specified period is a predetermined period centered around the specified time. The server 10 transmits the generated current information request signal to the server 20 in S12.

[0046] In S21, the server 20 judges whether or not a current information request signal has been received from the server 10. When a current information request signal has been received (YES in S21), the server 20 acquires current information on the facility used by the user based on the information included in the current information request signal. The server 20 then generates a response signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "current information response signal") including the acquired current information and transmits it to the server 10.

[0047] Specifically, the server 20 first acquires congestion information indicating the degree of congestion of the facility used by the user during the specified period in S22. In S22, the server 20 measures the positions of people and shopping carts 60 in the facility during the specified period. The positions of people can be measured from images captured by multiple cameras 70 using known image analysis technology. The position of the shopping cart 60 can be measured from the reception strength of multiple wireless communication devices 72. The server 20 calculates the degree of congestion in the facility based on the measurement results of the positions of people and shopping carts 60. The degree of congestion can be calculated based on, for example, the total number of people and shopping carts 60 present per unit area of ​​the floor.

[0048] Furthermore, the server 20 acquires position information of the moving objects in the facility at the specified time in S23. The server 20 measures the positions of the moving objects (mobile robot 40 and costumed bodies) in the facility at the specified time. The position of the mobile robot 40 can be measured from the reception strength of the multiple wireless communication devices 72. The position of the costumed body can be measured from images captured by the multiple cameras 70 using known image analysis technology.

[0049] Next, the server 20 creates a map showing the current situation in the facility based on the congestion information and the position information of the mobile object acquired in S22 and S23. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the map.

[0050] A schematic plan view of the floors in the facility as viewed from the ceiling is shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the facility is provided with multiple entrances, multiple stores, a store warehouse, a passageway for shoppers to pass through, a passageway for employees to pass through, a machine room, a break room, restrooms, an elevator EV, and the like.

[0051] Marks M1 to M3 shown in Fig. 5 indicate the positions of moving objects at a specified time. Mark M1 indicates the position of a guide robot. Mark M2 indicates the position of a costumed person. Mark M3 indicates the position of a ride-on robot (e.g., a children's train).

[0052] FIG. 5 further illustrates the degree of congestion for each unit area using color. A color bar B1 is shown in the upper right corner of the map, indicating the range of colors assigned according to the degree of congestion. The color bar B1 is divided into a number of segments between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the degree of congestion, and different colors are assigned to the different segments. The map is displayed in different colors according to the degree of congestion in accordance with the color bar B1. In this map, areas with a high degree of congestion indicate that multiple people are crowded together and it is difficult to move around.

[0053] The server 20 generates a current information response signal including the created map and transmits it to the server 10 in S24.

[0054] After transmitting a current information request signal in S12, the server 10 waits to receive a current information response signal from the server 20. In S13, the server 10 determines whether or not it has received a current information response signal from the server 20. If it has received a current information response signal (YES in S13), the server 10 uses the map (FIG. 5) included in the current information response signal to calculate a route that will allow the user to travel from the departure point to the destination in the shortest time, according to the procedure described below.

[0055] Specifically, the server 10 first reads out "user-specific route weight data" stored in the HDD 14 in S14. The user-specific route weight data is data generated for each user type of the facility, and includes routes that the user can travel and weight values ​​that indicate the ease of travel on the routes. In this embodiment, multiple types of route weight data are generated corresponding to shoppers (normal), shoppers (with children), employees (stores), and facility managers, respectively, and stored in the HDD 14. The server 10 reads out user-specific route weight data corresponding to the user from the HDD 14, based on the user type of the user included in the search conditions provided by the terminal device 30.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of route weight data for a facility manager. Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the facility from the ceiling to the floor. The plan view shown in Fig. 6 is the same as the plan view shown in Fig. 5.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the floor plan shows a route that the facility manager can travel. The route that the facility manager can travel includes a shopper aisle that shoppers can travel and an employee aisle that employees can travel.

[0058] The plan view further shows a weight value W according to the ease of movement. Specifically, each of the shopper aisle and the employee aisle is divided into a number of sections, and a weight value W is assigned to each section.

[0059] The ease of travel in each section can be evaluated by the time it takes to travel in that section. The shorter the travel time, the easier it is evaluated to be, and the longer the travel time, the more difficult it is evaluated to be. Therefore, the weight value W of each section is determined according to the time it takes to travel in that section. The weight value W is determined so that the longer it takes to travel (i.e., the more difficult it is to travel), the larger its value is. In the route weight data for facility managers shown in FIG. 6, the weight value W of each section is determined according to the time it takes the facility manager to travel.

[0060] The time required to travel each section can basically be estimated based on the distance and road width of the section. This is because, in general, the longer the distance of the section, the longer the time required to travel, and the narrower the road width of the section, the longer the time required to travel due to the limited travel speed. The weight value W of each section shown in FIG. 6 is a relative evaluation of the weight value of each section, with the weight value for the section having a predetermined distance and road width as the reference value. The smaller the weight value W, the easier it is to travel.

[0061] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of route weight data for shoppers with children. Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of the facility from the ceiling. The plan view shown in Fig. 7 is the same as the plan views shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 7, the plan view shows routes that shoppers with children can travel along and a weight value W. The routes that shoppers with children can travel along are different from the routes that facility managers can travel along, shown in Fig. 6, in that they do not include employee aisles. Therefore, in the route weight data for shoppers (with children), the weight value W is not assigned to the employee aisle.

[0063] As in Fig. 6, each shopping aisle is divided into a number of sections, and each section is assigned a weight value W determined according to the time it takes for shoppers with children to travel. The weight value W of each section can basically be determined by a relative evaluation using the weight value for a section having a predetermined distance and width as a reference value.

[0064] However, in the case of shoppers with children, the travel time may differ from that of regular shoppers or facility managers, even if the route is the same. For example, in a section where there are stores or facilities that attract children's interest, it may take longer for the shoppers with children to travel than for regular shoppers or facility managers. Therefore, in the route weight data for shoppers with children, the weight value W of such a section may be set to a value larger than the value obtained from the distance and road width of the section.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 3, the server 10 reads out the "weight data by moving object" stored in the HDD 14 in S15. The weight data by moving object is configured to include weight values ​​determined for each type of moving object. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the weight data by moving object. In FIG. 8, a cleaning robot, a ride-on robot, a guide robot, and a costumed robot are exemplified as moving objects existing in the facility. A weight value is assigned to each moving object. This weight value is synonymous with the weight value in the above-mentioned user-specific route weight data, and is determined taking into consideration the time required for travel.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 8, the weight value of each moving object can be determined relatively according to the type of moving object. For a moving object that may hinder the movement of a user, a larger weight value can be set compared to a moving object that does not hinder the movement in order to increase the time required for the movement.

[0067] Furthermore, the weight value of each moving object can be changed according to the type of user. In the example of FIG. 8, the weight value for a shopper with children is higher for each of the ride-on robot and the costumed person than for normal shoppers, store employees, and facility managers. This is because the ride-on robot and the costumed person are likely to be an obstacle to the movement of shoppers, especially those with children. The weight value of each moving object can be appropriately set by a manager or the like who uses the server 10.

[0068] 3, in S16, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W of each section included in the user-specific route weight data read in S14. In S16, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W of each section using the current information response signal received from the server 20 in S13 and the moving object-specific weight data read in S15.

[0069] As described above, the weight value W of each section in the user-specific route weight data is a numerical representation of the time it takes to travel through that section (ease of travel), and can basically be determined based on the distance and road width of that section.

[0070] However, even between sections of equal length and width, the travel time may differ depending on the degree of congestion in each section. For example, as the degree of congestion in a section increases, the travel time tends to increase because a large number of people are concentrated there, making it difficult to move around.

[0071] In addition, depending on the type of user, the time it takes to move may vary depending on the presence or absence of a moving object on the path and the type of the moving object. For example, for a shopper with a child, if a ride-on robot or a costumed character is on the path, the time it takes to move may be longer than if these moving objects are not on the path.

[0072] Therefore, in S16, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W included in the user-specific route weight data by using the facility congestion information and the mobile object position information included in the current information response signal and the mobile object weight data (FIG. 8). This allows the weight value W of each section to reflect the current status of the facility.

[0073] Specifically, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W of each section included in the user-specific route weight data read out in S14 according to the congestion level of the section. For example, the weight value W of a section included in an area with a high congestion level is changed to a value higher than the value determined from the distance and road width of the section according to the congestion level. Also, the weight value W of a section included in an area with a low congestion level is changed to a value lower than the value determined from the distance and road width of the section according to the congestion level. This allows the weight value W of each section to reflect the actual congestion level.

[0074] Furthermore, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W of each section depending on the presence or absence of a moving object in that section and the type of the moving object. Specifically, for a section in which a moving object exists, the server 10 adjusts the weight value W based on the type of the moving object and the user type by referring to the moving object weight data (FIG. 8). For example, if the user is a shopper with a child, the server 10 changes the weight value W of the section in which a mascot exists to the value indicated in the moving object weight data ("100" in FIG. 8). On the other hand, if the user is a facility manager, the server 10 changes the weight value W of the section in which a mascot exists to the value indicated in the moving object weight data ("2" in FIG. 8).

[0075] According to this, in the user-specific route weight data, the weight value W of each section is a numerical representation of the ease of movement for each type of user, determined by taking into consideration not only the distance and road width of the section, but also the degree of congestion in the section, the presence or absence of moving objects, and the type of moving object.

[0076] Next, the server 10 calculates a route that allows the user to travel from the departure point to the destination in the shortest time by using the user-specific route weight data with the weight value W adjusted in S17. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for calculating the travel route in S17 of Fig. 3.

[0077] 9, the server 10 first searches for candidates for a travel route from a departure point to a destination in S171. Next, the server 10 calculates a total value of weight values ​​W for each of the multiple candidates by adding up the multiple weight values ​​W included in the travel route in S172. Finally, the server 10 calculates the candidate with the smallest total value of weight values ​​W as the travel route from among the multiple candidates in S173.

[0078] The procedure for calculating the travel route by the server 10 in S17 of FIG. 3 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG. 10 to FIG.

[0079] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a movement path when the user is a facility manager. Fig. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the inside of a facility, looking at the floors from the ceiling. The plan view shown in Fig. 10 is the same as the plan view shown in Fig. 6. Consider the case of calculating a movement path when the facility manager departs from elevator EV4 and moves to a break room in this plan view.

[0080] The server 10 first searches for candidates for a travel route starting from the elevator EV4 and ending at the break room. In Fig. 10, the searched candidates (travel routes Rt1 to Rt3) are shown superimposed on the route weight data for the facility manager. Note that, since the routes that the facility manager can travel include the employee passage, the candidates include the travel route Rt2 that passes through the employee passage.

[0081] Next, the server 10 calculates the total value of the weight values ​​W for each of the multiple candidates by adding up the multiple weight values ​​W included in the travel route. In the example of FIG. 9, the travel route Rt1 includes a total of six weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "2", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the total value of these weight values ​​W is "35". The travel route Rt2 includes a total of four weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "4", "3", and "3", and the total value of these weight values ​​W is "17". The travel route Rt3 includes a total of ten weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "15", "15", "7", "2", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the total value of these weight values ​​W is "72".

[0082] Next, the server 10 compares the total value of the weighting value W among the multiple candidates. Then, the server 10 calculates the candidate with the smallest total value of the weighting value W as the route that allows the user to travel to the destination in the shortest time.

[0083] In the route weight data for the facility manager, the weight value W of each section is determined so that the more difficult it is for the facility manager to travel (the longer it takes to travel), the larger the value. Therefore, the total value of the multiple weight values ​​W included in the travel route represents the ease of travel (the time it takes to travel) along the entire travel route. Therefore, the smaller the total value of the weight values ​​W, the easier it is to travel along the travel route (the shorter the time it takes to travel).

[0084] 10, among the three candidates (movement routes Rt1 to Rt3), the total value of the weighting values ​​W of the movement route Rt2 is the smallest. Therefore, the server 10 calculates the movement route Rt2 as the route that enables the facility manager to travel to the destination in the shortest time.

[0085] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a route when a user is a shopper with a child. Fig. 11 shows a schematic plan view of the facility from the ceiling. The plan view shown in Fig. 11 is the same as the plan view shown in Fig. 10. Consider the case of calculating a route when a shopper with a child leaves elevator EV4 and moves to a rest room in this plan view.

[0086] As in Fig. 10, the server 10 first searches for candidates for a travel route starting from the elevator EV4 and ending at the break room. Fig. 11 shows the multiple candidates (travel routes Rt1, Rt3) that have been searched for, superimposed on the route weight data (Fig. 7) for shoppers with children. Note that the employee passage is not included in the routes that shoppers can travel, so the travel route Rt2 that passes through the employee passage shown in Fig. 10 is excluded from the candidates.

[0087] Next, the server 10 calculates the sum of the weight values ​​W included in the travel route for each of the multiple candidates. In the example of FIG. 10, the travel route Rt1 includes a total of six weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "2", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the sum of these weight values ​​W is "35". The travel route Rt3 includes a total of ten weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "15", "15", "7", "2", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the sum of these weight values ​​W is "72".

[0088] Next, the server 10 compares the total value of the weighting value W among the multiple candidates, and calculates the candidate with the smallest total value of the weighting value W as the route that allows the user to travel to the destination in the shortest time. In the case of FIG. 11, of the two route candidates (routes Rt1 and Rt3), route Rt1 has the smallest total value of the weighting value W. Therefore, the server 10 calculates route Rt1 as the route that allows shoppers with children to travel to the destination in the shortest time.

[0089] Fig. 12 shows a summary of the calculation results of the movement routes shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. In Fig. 12, the movement route Rt2 shows the movement route calculated by the server 10 when the user is a facility manager. The movement route Rt1 shows the movement route calculated by the server 10 when the user is a shopper with a child. Both movement routes start from the elevator EV4 and have the rest room as the destination.

[0090] 12, the travel route calculated by the server 10 differs depending on the user type of the user. This is based on the fact that the route that can be traveled differs depending on the user type of the user, and the weight value W of each section of the route differs depending on the user type of the user.

[0091] Furthermore, even if the user type of the user is the same, the calculated travel route will be different because the weight value W of each section changes depending on the congestion level in the facility, the presence or absence of a moving object, and the type of moving object.

[0092] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a movement route when a user is a shopper accompanied by a child, and is a diagram to be compared with Fig. 11. Fig. 13 shows a schematic plan view of the inside of a facility, looking from the ceiling up at the floor. The plan view shown in Fig. 13 differs from the plan view shown in Fig. 11 in that a costumed person (see mark M2 in the figure) is present on the movement route Rt1.

[0093] In the example of FIG. 13, the server 10 refers to the weight data by moving object (FIG. 8) and changes the weight value W of the section in which the moving object exists in the route weight data for shoppers with children (FIG. 7). In the route weight data for shoppers with children (FIG. 7), the weight value W of the section is "2." In the weight data by moving object (FIG. 8), the weight value is set to "100" when the user type is shoppers with children and the type of moving object is a costumed person. Therefore, the server 10 changes the weight value W of the section from "2" to "100."

[0094] In the plan view shown in FIG. 13, similarly to FIG. 11, a case will be considered in which a route is calculated for a shopper with a child to travel from elevator EV4 to a rest room.

[0095] The server 10 first searches for candidates for travel routes starting from the elevator EV4 and ending at the rest room. In Fig. 13, similar to Fig. 11, the searched candidates for travel routes (travel routes Rt1, Rt3) are shown superimposed on route weight data for shoppers with children.

[0096] Next, the server 10 calculates the total value of the weight values ​​W for each of the multiple travel route candidates by adding up the multiple weight values ​​W included in the route. In the example of FIG. 13, the travel route Rt1 includes a total of six weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "100", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the total value of these weight values ​​W is "136". The travel route Rt3 includes a total of ten weight values ​​W, namely, "7", "15", "15", "7", "2", "7", "8", "7", "4", and "3", and the total value of these weight values ​​W is "72".

[0097] Next, the server 10 compares the total weight value W between multiple candidate travel routes, and calculates the candidate with the smallest total weight value W as the route that the user can travel in the shortest time. In the case of FIG. 13, of the two candidate travel routes (travel routes Rt1 and Rt3), the total weight value W of the travel route Rt3 is small. Therefore, the server 10 calculates the travel route Rt3 as the route that allows shoppers with children to travel to their destination in the shortest time.

[0098] 11 and 13, when the user is a shopper accompanied by a child, the route calculated by the server 10 differs depending on whether or not a costumed person is present. This makes it possible to guide a shopper accompanied by a child to a route that will take them to their destination in the shortest time, taking into consideration the presence or absence of a moving object that will attract the child's interest.

[0099] Returning to FIG. 3, the server 10 transmits data indicating the travel route calculated in S17 to the terminal device 30 in S18.

[0100] After transmitting search conditions to the server 10 in S02, the terminal device 30 waits to receive travel route data from the server 10. In S03, the terminal device 30 determines whether or not travel route data has been received from the server 10. If travel route data has been received (YES in S03), the terminal device 30 displays the received travel route data on the display 35 in S04. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 30 displays the travel route indicated by the travel route data on the floor map of the facility used by the user on the display 35. This allows the user to travel to the destination while referring to the travel route displayed on the display 35.

[0101] As described above, in the facility navigation system according to this embodiment, the server 10 holds user-specific route weight data created for each user type. In this user-specific route weight data, a weight value is assigned to each section of a passageway that the user can pass through according to the time it takes for the user to move. Since the passageways that the user can pass through and the time it takes to move through each section of the passageway differ depending on the type of user, the user-specific route weight data differs depending on the type of user. Then, when guiding the user to a movement route within the facility, the server 10 calculates a movement route from the departure point to the destination using the route weight data corresponding to the user's user type. This makes it possible to guide the user to a route that allows the user to move from the departure point to the destination in the shortest time according to the user's user type.

[0102] In this embodiment, in response to receiving the user's search conditions from the terminal device 30, the server 10 acquires congestion information within the facility and position information of moving objects (mobile robot 40, mascot costumes, etc.) within the facility, and adjusts the weight value assigned to each section of the user-specific route weight data based on the acquired information. This allows the current situation within the facility to be reflected in the weight value, making it possible to guide the user to an appropriate travel route that takes into account the current situation within the facility.

[0103] In this embodiment, the server 10 adjusts the weighting value to be assigned to each section of the user-specific route weighting data according to the type of moving object located in the facility and the user type of the user. This makes it possible to guide the user to an appropriate moving route according to the user type even when a moving object is present in the facility.

[0104] 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]

[0105] 1,4,5 Shopper, 3 Facility manager, 10,20 Server, 11,21,31 Processor, 15,25,36 Communication IF, 16,26,37 Data bus, 22,32 ROM, 23,33 RAM, 30 Terminal device, 34 Input section, 35 Display, 40 Mobile robot, 42,62,72 Wireless communication device, 45 Ceiling, 50 Input screen, 54 Floor map, 60 Shopping cart, 70 Camera, 100 Facility navigation system, NW Communication network, W Weight value.

Claims

1. A facility navigation system that provides guidance to users of a facility on a route within the facility, comprising: A processor; a memory for storing a program to be executed by the processor; the processor holds weight data in which a weight value is assigned to each section of a passageway in the facility through which the user can pass, the weight value corresponding to a time required for the user to move, for each user type; The processor, according to the program, Searching for a plurality of candidates for a travel route from the departure point to the destination based on search conditions received from a user, including a user type, a departure point, and a destination of the user; calculating a sum of at least one of the weight values ​​included in each of the plurality of candidates by using the weight data corresponding to the user type of the user; presenting to the user a candidate among the plurality of candidates for which the total value of the weight values ​​is the smallest as the travel route; The processor further comprises: acquiring location information of a moving object autonomously moving within the facility in response to the input of the search conditions; adjusting the weight value to be assigned to each of the sections in the weight data based on the acquired position information of the moving body; A facility navigation system that uses the adjusted weight data to calculate a sum of the weight values ​​for each of the plurality of candidates.

2. The processor, Acquire congestion information indicating a congestion state within the facility in response to the input of the search conditions; adjusting the weighting value to be assigned to each of the sections in the weighting data based on the acquired congestion information; The facility navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusted weight data is used to calculate a sum of the weight values ​​for each of the plurality of candidates.

3. The facility navigation system according to claim 2 , wherein the processor adjusts the weight value assigned to each of the sections so that the weight value increases as the congestion level of the section increases.

4. The facility navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor adjusts the weight value to be assigned to the section in which the mobile object is located based on a type of the mobile object and a user type of the user.

5. 1. A facility navigation method for guiding a user of a facility along a route within the facility, comprising: storing weight data in which a weight value corresponding to a time required for a user to move is assigned to each section of a passageway in the facility through which the user can pass, for each user type; A step of searching, by a computer, for a plurality of candidates of a travel route from the departure point to the destination based on search conditions received from a user, the search conditions including a user type, a departure point, and a destination of the user; calculating, by the computer, a total value of at least one of the weight values ​​included in each of the plurality of candidates using weight data corresponding to a user type of the user; guiding, to the user, a candidate among the plurality of candidates for which the total value of the weight values ​​is the smallest, as the travel route; acquiring location information of a moving object autonomously moving within the facility in response to the input of the search conditions; and adjusting, by the computer, the weight value assigned to each of the sections in the weight data based on the acquired position information of the moving body, A facility navigation method, wherein the step of calculating a sum of weight values ​​includes a step of calculating a sum of weight values ​​for each of the plurality of candidates using the adjusted weight data.

6. acquiring congestion information indicating a congestion state within the facility in response to the input of the search conditions; and adjusting, by the computer, the weight value assigned to each of the sections in the weight data based on the acquired congestion information, The facility navigation method according to claim 5 , wherein the step of calculating the sum of the weight values ​​includes the step of calculating the sum of the weight values ​​for each of the plurality of candidates using the adjusted weight data.

7. 7. The facility navigation method according to claim 6, wherein said step of adjusting the weight value includes a step of adjusting said weight value given to each of said sections so that the weight value increases as the degree of congestion of said sections increases.

8. The facility navigation method according to claim 5 , wherein the step of adjusting the weight value includes a step of adjusting the weight value to be assigned to the section in which the mobile object is located based on a type of the mobile object and a user type of the user.

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