Design Support Device and Computer Program

Abstract

To provide a design support device and a computer program that allow a user to select an office layout that the user feels physiologically comfortable from among a plurality of office layouts, based on survey results indicating preferences of users working in the office.SOLUTION: A design support device 100 includes: a calculation unit configured to calculate indices related to satisfaction of a business environment, including an index of physiological comfort for each user, using user parameters related to the business environment in a building determined based on survey results indicating preferences of users who work in the building, and results of the user's simulated behavior for each of a plurality of layouts of the building; and a selection unit configured to select layout selection candidates from the plurality of layouts using the calculation results of the satisfaction-related indices by the calculation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support device and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] In order for each office worker to efficiently and comfortably perform their duties in the office work area, the office layout including the arrangement of tables and chairs needs to be appropriately designed. Therefore, technologies for supporting the efficiency of office layout have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes an invention that generates the planning requirements for an office for each action scene based on the subjective survey results of users, who are office workers, including the aggregated results of questionnaires classified for each action scene, and the objective survey results of the users' activities corresponding to the action scenes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is said that office workers spend approximately one-third of at least one day in the office work area. Therefore, designing an office layout that allows each office worker to feel physically comfortable is extremely important for enabling each office worker to perform their duties comfortably.

[0005] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1 above, the satisfaction of the work environment including the physical comfort of the user is not included as an index when generating the planning requirements for the office. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user may feel physically uncomfortable in the layout designed by the designer based on the planning requirements.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a design support device and a computer program that can select a layout in which a user feels physically comfortable from among a plurality of layouts based on a survey result indicating the preferences of users who work in a building.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 1 uses a parameter of the user related to the working environment in the building determined based on a survey result indicating the preferences of users who work in the building, and a result of the simulated behavior of the user for each of the plurality of layouts of the building, to calculate, for each user, an index related to the satisfaction of the working environment including an index of physical comfort. The design support device further includes a selection unit that selects a layout selection candidate from among the plurality of layouts using the calculation result of the index related to the satisfaction by the calculation unit.

[0008] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 1, by using a parameter of the user related to the working environment in the building determined based on a survey result indicating the preferences of the user, and a result of the simulated behavior of the user, an index related to the satisfaction of the working environment including an index of physical comfort is calculated for each user, and a layout selection candidate related to the work in the building is selected using the calculation result of the index. Thus, a layout selection candidate in which the user can feel physically comfortable can be selected from among the plurality of layouts.

[0009] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 2 is the design support device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the index related to the satisfaction in consideration of the influence of the simulated behavior of other users on the index of physical comfort.

[0010] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 2, by calculating an index related to satisfaction for items that affect the impact of the simulated actions of other users on the index of physiological comfort, it is possible to select a layout in which the user can feel physiologically comfortable even in the presence of the actions of other users.

[0011] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 3 is the design support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection unit selects, from among the plurality of layouts, the layout in which the total of the indices related to satisfaction of each user is the highest.

[0012] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 3, by selecting the layout in which the total of the indices related to satisfaction of the user is the highest, it is possible to select a layout in which the user performing the work can feel physiologically comfortable as a whole.

[0013] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 4 is the design support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the index related to satisfaction including the frequency of occurrence of communication between the users, and the selection unit selects, from among the plurality of layouts, the layout in which the frequency of occurrence of communication is the highest.

[0014] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 4, the index related to satisfaction includes the frequency of occurrence of communication between users, and by selecting the layout in which the frequency of occurrence of communication is the highest, it is possible to select an optimal layout for users who feel physiologically comfortable when communication occurs frequently.

[0015] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 5 is the design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a generation unit that generates information obtained by visualizing information obtained in the process of calculating the index related to satisfaction.

[0016] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 5, by generating information obtained in the process of calculating an index related to satisfaction as visualized information, it becomes possible to determine the validity of the layout selection.

[0017] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 6 is the design support device according to claim 5, wherein the generation unit generates information related to the trajectory of the simulated behavior of the user in the layout.

[0018] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 6, by generating information related to the trajectory of the simulated behavior of the user in the layout, it becomes possible to grasp the simulated behavior of the user.

[0019] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 7 is the design support device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the generation unit generates information obtained by visualizing the total of the indices related to the satisfaction of each user as time elapses.

[0020] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 7, by generating information obtained by visualizing the total of the indices related to the satisfaction of each user as time elapses, it becomes possible to grasp the transition of the index related to satisfaction.

[0021] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 8 is the design support device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the generation unit generates information obtained by visualizing the total of the indices related to satisfaction for each group to which each user belongs.

[0022] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 8, by generating information obtained by visualizing the total of the indices related to satisfaction for each group to which each user belongs, it becomes possible to grasp the transition of the index related to satisfaction in units of groups.

[0023] The design support device according to the present invention described in claim 9 is the design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an execution unit that executes the simulation of the behavior of the user.

[0024] According to the design support device according to the present invention described in claim 9, by further including an execution unit that executes the simulation of the user, it becomes possible to execute the simulation of the user's behavior and the selection of the layout using the same device.

[0025] The computer program according to the present invention described in claim 10 uses a parameter related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the users who work in the building, and the results of the simulated behavior of the user for each of the plurality of layouts of the building, to calculate an index related to the satisfaction of the work environment including an index of physiological comfort for each user, and uses the calculation result of the index related to the satisfaction to select a candidate for the selection of the layout from among the plurality of layouts, and causes the computer to execute this.

[0026] According to the computer program according to the present invention described in claim 10, by using the user parameters related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the user, and the results of the simulated behavior of the user, an index related to the satisfaction of the work environment including an index of physiological comfort is calculated for each user, and by using the calculation result of the index, a candidate for the selection of the layout related to the work in the building is selected, so that a candidate for the selection of a layout that the user can feel physiologically comfortable can be selected from among the plurality of layouts.

Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, by using the user parameters related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the user, and the results of the simulated behavior of the user, an index related to the satisfaction of the work environment including an index of physiological comfort is calculated for each user, and by using the calculation result of the index, a candidate for the selection of the layout related to the work in the building is selected, so that it is possible to provide a design support device and a computer program capable of selecting a layout in which the user can feel physiologically comfortable from among the plurality of layouts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the overview of the design support apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0031] The design support apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that supports the selection of candidates for the layout of a predetermined space inside a building, for example, the workspace of an office.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a questionnaire 20 that serves as the basis for the operation of the design support apparatus 100. The questionnaire 20 is one that has been previously answered by a user 10 who works or intends to work in the office where the design support apparatus 100 determines the layout. The contents of the questionnaire 20 may include, for example, preferences such as departments, frequency of leaving the seat or going out, thermal environment, brightness, and visual environment. The contents of the questionnaire 20 are provided to the design support apparatus 100 and used for various processes in the design support apparatus 100.

[0033] The design support apparatus 100 is an apparatus that supports the layout design of a target building. In the present embodiment, the design support apparatus 100 selects candidates for the layout that are considered optimal from among a plurality of layouts previously designed by a designer. When selecting candidates for the layout, the design support apparatus 100 uses the simulation results by an action simulator and the contents of the questionnaire 20.

[0034] The action simulator simulates the actions of user 10 who conducts business in the building targeted for layout design. When simulating the actions of user 10, the action simulator uses the content of questionnaire 20 that has been answered in advance. The actions of users conducting business in the office may vary depending on the content of the business, or the characteristics or preferences of each user. Therefore, the action simulator simulates the actions of each of user 10 after tailoring the content of questionnaire 20 to the content, characteristics, or preferences of each user's business.

[0035] In the above description, the design support device 100 is illustrated as including an action simulator, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. That is, the device equipped with an action simulator for simulating the actions of user 10 may be a device different from the design support device 100.

[0036] Subsequently, a hardware configuration example of the design support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the design support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the design support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage 104, a communication I / F (interface) 105, an input unit 106, and an output unit 107.

[0038] The CPU 101 executes various computer programs. Also, the CPU 101 controls each part of the design support device 100. The CPU 101 reads a computer program from the ROM 102 or the storage 104, uses the RAM 103 as a working area, and executes the read computer program. The CPU 101 performs control of the above-described respective configurations and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 102 or the storage 104.

[0039] The ROM 102 stores computer programs executed by the CPU 101 and various setting information. The RAM 103 temporarily stores a computer program or data as a work area when the CPU 101 executes the computer program.

[0040] The storage 104 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The storage 104 stores various programs including an operating system for operating the design support device 100 and various data.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the storage 104 stores a plurality of layouts inside the building, which are designed by a designer in advance. This layout includes the shape of desks, the arrangement of desks and chairs, the shape of tables, the arrangement of tables and chairs, shelves, or the arrangement of furniture such as multifunctional devices. Further, the layout includes information on places where the user can pass and places where the user cannot pass. Places where the user cannot pass are, for example, places where furniture such as desks, chairs, tables, shelves, and multifunctional devices are installed. In the present embodiment, the layout is designed on the premise of a free-address system in which the user can select a favorite seat every day to perform business. Specific examples of the layout will be described later.

[0042] The storage 104 stores an action simulation program 104A, a selection candidate determination program 104B, a parameter database 104C, and a layout database 104D. The action simulation program 104A and the selection candidate determination program 104B can be stored in the storage 104 by setting a recording medium (not shown) in which the action simulation program 104A and the selection candidate determination program 104B are written in the design support device 100 and reading the action simulation program 104A and the selection candidate determination program 104B from the recording medium.

[0043] The parameter database 104C stores the respective parameters of the users 10, which are determined based on the questionnaire 20 indicating the preferences of each user 10. The layout database 104D stores a plurality of layouts designed in advance by the designer in a form recordable in the database.

[0044] The communication I / F 105 is an interface that executes communication processing with other devices. For communication processing with other devices, standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. are used.

[0045] The input unit 106 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used to perform various inputs.

[0046] The output unit 107 displays or outputs various information, such as a liquid crystal display or a printer. The touch panel method may be adopted as the output unit 107 so that it functions as the input unit 106.

[0047] Next, a functional configuration example of the design support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the design support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the design support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an execution unit 110, a calculation unit 120, a selection unit 130, and a generation unit 140. Each functional configuration can be realized, for example, when the CPU 101 reads and executes the action simulation program 104A and the selection candidate selection program 104B stored in the storage 104.

[0049] The execution unit 110 simulates the actions of user 10. In this embodiment, the execution unit 110 uses an action simulator to simulate the actions of user 10. The action simulator operates with, as inputs, the respective parameters of user 10 and a plurality of layouts inside the building, which are determined based on the questionnaire 20 indicating the preferences of each of the users 10 who work in the building that is the subject of the layout design. The action simulator simulates the actions of each of user 10 based on those inputs. Then, the action simulator outputs the results of the simulated actions of each of user 10. The output of the action simulator may include the coordinates for each time step of each of user 10.

[0050] The calculation unit 120 calculates, for each of user 10, an index related to the satisfaction of the above-described work environment including an index of physiological comfort. In the following description, the index related to the satisfaction of the work environment is also referred to as "satisfaction degree".

[0051] The calculation unit 120 takes, as inputs, the respective parameters of user 10 related to the work environment in the building, which are determined based on the questionnaire 20 indicating the preferences of each of the users 10 who work in the building that is the subject of the layout design, and the results of the simulated actions of each of user 10 for each of the plurality of layouts of the building. Then, the calculation unit 120 uses these inputs to output, for each of user 10, the value of the satisfaction degree calculated respectively.

[0052] The respective parameters of user 10 related to the work environment in the building can be determined, for example, by a designer who designs the layout in advance based on the questionnaire 20. The respective parameters of user 10 related to the work environment in the building can also be derived, for example, based on the content of the questionnaire 20. Details of the parameters of user 10 will be described in detail later.

[0053] The calculation unit 120 passes the satisfaction degree information calculated for each of user 10 to the selection unit 130. The method for calculating the satisfaction degree by the calculation unit 120 will be described in detail later.

[0054] The selection unit 130 selects candidate layouts for selection from among a plurality of layouts stored in the storage 104 using the satisfaction information calculated by the calculation unit 120 for each user 10.

[0055] For example, the selection unit 130 may select, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest sum of the satisfaction levels of each user 10. Here, the satisfaction value used as a criterion is, for example, the cumulative value of the satisfaction level of the user 10 at the time when the simulated one-day work of the user 10 ends. By selecting, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest total of the satisfaction levels of each user 10, the selection unit 130 can present, as a candidate layout for selection, an office layout in which the user 10 performing the work can generally feel physically comfortable.

[0056] Also, for example, the selection unit 130 may select, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest communication frequency in each simulated action of the user 10. By selecting, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest communication frequency, the selection unit 130 can present, as a candidate layout for selection, an office layout that is optimal for a user who feels physically comfortable when communication frequently occurs.

[0057] The generation unit 140 generates information obtained by visualizing the information obtained in the process of calculating the satisfaction level by the calculation unit 120. By generating the visualized information, the generation unit 140 enables the determination of the validity of the layout selected by the selection unit 130.

[0058] For example, the generation unit 140 generates information regarding the trajectory of each simulated action of the user 10 in each layout. By the generation unit 140 generating information regarding the trajectory of each simulated action of the user 10 in each layout, it becomes easier for the layout designer to grasp the simulated actions of the user.

[0059] For example, the generation unit 140 generates information that visualizes the total satisfaction of each user 10 over time. By generating the generation unit 140 generates information that visualizes the total satisfaction of each user 10 over time, the layout designer can grasp the transition of satisfaction.

[0060] For example, the generation unit 140 generates information that visualizes the total satisfaction of each user 10 for each group to which each user 10 belongs over time. By generating the generation unit 140 generates information that visualizes the total satisfaction of each user 10 for each group (for example, department, section, position, gender, age group, etc.) to which each user 10 belongs over time, the layout designer can grasp the transition of satisfaction for each group.

[0061] By having the configuration described above, the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can calculate the satisfaction of the work environment including the index of physiological comfort for each user, and can select candidates for the layout related to the work in the building using the calculation result of the satisfaction. And the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can present an office layout in which the user can feel physiologically comfortable as a selection candidate for the layout.

[0062] Subsequently, the operation of the design support device 100 will be described.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an operation example of the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The series of processes shown in FIG. 4 is executed, for example, when the CPU 101 of the design support device 100 reads out and executes the action simulation program 104A and the selection candidate selection program 104B from the storage 104.

[0064] The CPU 101 executes a behavior simulator (step S101) based on each layout designed in advance by a designer and each parameter of the user 10 regarding the business environment in the building determined based on the questionnaire 20 indicating each preference of the user 10 who conducts business in the building to be the subject of the layout design.

[0065] As described above, each layout is recorded in the layout database 104D in a form that can be recorded in the database. Also, each parameter of the user 10 is recorded in the parameter database 104C. The behavior simulator executes the simulation of each behavior of the user 10 assuming the time from the start to the end of the business day.

[0066] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams schematically showing an example of the layout designed in advance by the designer and recorded in the layout database 104D. The shape and arrangement pattern of the tables are different between the layout shown in FIG. 5 and the layout shown in FIG. 6. In the present embodiment, the behavior simulator simulates the behavior of the user with the layouts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the following description, the layout shown in FIG. 5 is referred to as pattern 1, and the layout shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as pattern 2.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data of each layout recorded in the layout database 104D. The ID column stores an identifier for identifying each layout, and the layout data column stores the data (binary data) of the layout corresponding to each ID.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of each parameter of user 10 recorded in parameter database 104C. In parameter database 104C, for each item of user name, user ID, and congestion level (denoted as "congestion" in FIG. 8), visual environment, thermal environment, brightness, surrounding users (denoted as "surrounding" in FIG. 8), and presence or absence of accidental communication (denoted as "accidental" in FIG. 8), the preferred value of each user is recorded. These values are set in advance based on the content of questionnaire 20 answered by each of users 10.

[0069] The meaning of the value of each item of congestion level, visual environment, thermal environment, brightness, surrounding users, and presence or absence of accidental communication will be described.

[0070] The congestion level is an item indicating whether each user prefers an environment with many people around or an environment with few people around. Whether a certain number of people around is considered crowded depends on the subjective judgment of each user. In this embodiment, when it is 0, it means that the user prefers an environment with few people around, and when it is 1, it means that the user prefers an environment with many people around. Therefore, it is set that Mr. Yamada prefers an environment with few people around, and Mr. Takeda prefers an environment with many people around.

[0071] The visual environment is an item indicating whether each user prefers an environment with good line of sight or an environment with bad line of sight. In this embodiment, when it is 0, it means that the user prefers an environment with bad line of sight, and when it is 1, it means that the user prefers an environment with good line of sight. Therefore, it is set that both Mr. Yamada and Mr. Takeda prefer an environment with bad line of sight.

[0072] The thermal environment is an item indicating whether each user prefers an environment with direct sunlight energy or an environment without direct sunlight energy. In this embodiment, when it is 0, it means that the user prefers an environment without direct sunlight energy, and when it is 1, it means that the user prefers an environment with direct sunlight energy. Therefore, it is set that Mr. Yamada prefers an environment with direct sunlight energy, and Mr. Takeda prefers an environment without direct sunlight energy.

[0073] Brightness is an item indicating whether each user prefers an environment where the brightness satisfies a predetermined condition or an environment where it does not. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that in the case of 0, the user prefers an environment where the brightness does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and in the case of 1, the user prefers an environment where the brightness satisfies the predetermined condition. Therefore, Mr. Yamada is set to prefer a bright environment, and Mr. Takeda is set to prefer a dark environment.

[0074] Surrounding users is an item for storing the ID of the user that each user dislikes. In the present embodiment, Mr. Yamada dislikes the user with ID 15, while Mr. Takeda is set to have no disliked users.

[0075] The presence or absence of accidental communication is an item indicating whether each user prefers an environment where accidental communication between users occurs frequently or an environment where it occurs less frequently. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that in the case of 0, the user prefers an environment with less accidental communication, and in the case of 1, the user prefers an environment with more accidental communication. Therefore, Mr. Yamada is set to prefer an environment with less accidental communication, and Mr. Takeda is set to prefer an environment with more accidental communication.

[0076] The action simulator may predefine places where accidental communication is likely to occur. Examples of places where accidental communication is likely to occur include, for example, a boiler room or a landing of a staircase.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of each parameter of user 10 recorded in parameter database 104C. What is shown in FIG. 9 are parameters indicating to what extent each user 10 attaches importance to each item shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the parameters shown in FIG. 8 and the parameters shown in FIG. 9 coexist in parameter database 104C. These values are set in advance by a layout designer or the like based on the content of questionnaire 20 answered by each of users 10.

[0078] Each of users 10 sets a priority of 0 to 5 in six levels for each item of congestion level, visual environment, thermal environment, brightness, surrounding users, and presence or absence of accidental communication. The value of the priority is used when calculating the priority of each of users 10. Of course, the number of priority levels is not limited to six.

[0079] The behavior simulator simulates the behavior of each of users 10 based on the state transition pattern of each of users 10 set in advance. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the state transition pattern of user 10. The state transition pattern of user 10 may be stored in, for example, storage and referred to by behavior simulation program 104A. Each of users 10 is in the "commuting" state at the start of business for a day. The behavior simulator transitions from the "commuting" state to the "locker" or "to desk" state with a predetermined probability. This probability can vary depending on the department to which user 10 belongs or the attributes of user 10 such as the gender of user 10. Since it is considered that female users 10 often change clothes before starting work, the probability of transitioning to the "locker" state can be set high.

[0080] It is assumed that in the pre-designed layout, the coordinates of the location corresponding to each state set in the state transition pattern are specified in advance. With this specification, the behavior simulator can determine to which coordinates each of the users should be moved when the state of the user transitions.

[0081] For example, if a certain department has a large amount of administrative work and desk work is its main business, then the users belonging to that department have extremely low frequency of going out. Once they sit on a chair, they often perform long-term work, and also have the characteristic of frequent movement to the multifunction device. Therefore, when conducting a simulation using the behavior simulator, for user 10 belonging to that department, the probability of state transition may be predetermined so as to reflect such behavior.

[0082] Conditional state transitions may be set for each of user 10. For example, when the manager transitions to the meeting state, the users who are the subordinates of that manager also transition to the meeting state together, and so on. Since the timing of the meeting often needs to be determined in advance, when conducting a simulation using the behavior simulator, the timing of the meeting may be predetermined.

[0083] The CPU 101 may present the movement trajectory of each of user 10 whose behavior is being simulated by the behavior simulator on the layout of the simulation target. FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing examples in which the movement trajectories of each of user 10 whose behavior is being simulated by the behavior simulator are superimposed on the layout. FIG. 11 is an example in which the movement trajectories of each of user 10 in pattern 1 are superimposed on the layout, and FIG. 12 is an example in which the movement trajectories of each of user 10 in pattern 2 are superimposed on the layout. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the movement trajectories of each of user 10 are shown by lines on each layout. The CPU 101 may present by superimposing the trajectories of all user 10, or may present by superimposing the trajectories for each attribute of user 10, such as department, section, position, gender, and age group.

[0084] The CPU 101 calculates the satisfaction level of each user 10 from the parameters of each user 10 and the execution results of the behavior simulator (step S102). The CPU 101 may calculate the satisfaction level of each user 10 for each time step of the simulated behavior, or may calculate the satisfaction level of each time step at the end of the simulated one-day business.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the environmental data of Mr. Yamada at a certain time step by the behavior simulator. What is shown in FIG. 13 is an example of the environmental data at the coordinates (1234, 1010) of pattern 1 at a certain time step. Note that an arbitrary point may be set at the origin (0, 0) of the coordinates. For example, the lower left corner in each layout shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be set as the origin.

[0086] The environmental data shown in FIG. 13 indicates that the congestion level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the passing condition of the line of sight serving as the standard of the visual environment is less than the predetermined threshold, the energy of the direct light serving as the standard of the thermal environment is larger than the predetermined threshold by a certain amount, the brightness serving as the standard of brightness is larger than the predetermined threshold, there are no users that the user dislikes around, and no accidental communication has occurred. Note that an arbitrary distance (for example, within a radius of 1 meter) can be set as the standard distance for determining whether there is a user that the user dislikes around.

[0087] The CPU 101 calculates the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada at that time step using this environmental data. The method for calculating the satisfaction level in this embodiment will be described. Specifically, for each item, if it is in a positive state, the CPU 101 multiplies the priority of the item by +1, and if it is in a negative state, multiplies the priority of the item by -1, and sets the sum of each item as the satisfaction level of each user at that time step.

[0088] Referring to Figure 8, since Mr. Yamada prefers an uncongested environment, the congestion level at this time step is in a negative state. On the other hand, referring to Figure 9, the priority of Mr. Yamada's congestion level is 0. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada's congestion level at this time step is -1 × 0 = 0.

[0089] Similarly, referring to Figure 8, since Mr. Yamada prefers an environment with poor line of sight, the visual environment at this time step is in a positive state. On the other hand, referring to Figure 9, the priority of Mr. Yamada's visual environment is 1. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada's visual environment at this time step is 1 × 1 = 1.

[0090] Similarly, referring to Figure 8, since Mr. Yamada prefers an environment with direct light energy, the thermal environment at this time step is in a positive state. On the other hand, referring to Figure 9, the priority of Mr. Yamada's thermal environment is 2. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada's thermal environment at this time step is 1 × 2 = 2.

[0091] Similarly, referring to Figure 8, since Mr. Yamada prefers an environment where the brightness meets the predetermined conditions, the brightness at this time step is in a positive state. On the other hand, referring to Figure 9, the priority of Mr. Yamada's brightness is 3. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada's brightness at this time step is 1 × 3 = 3.

[0092] Similarly, referring to Figure 8, although Mr. Yamada dislikes the user with ID 15, but since that user is not around, the surrounding at this time step is in a positive state. On the other hand, referring to Figure 9, the priority of whether there is a disliked user around Mr. Yamada is 4. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada's surrounding at this time step is 1 × 4 = 4.

[0093] Similarly, referring to FIG. 8, since Mr. Yamada prefers an environment where no accidental communication occurs, the accident at this time step is in a negative state. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9, the priority of Mr. Yamada's accidental communication is 5. Therefore, the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada at this time step is -1×5 = -5.

[0094] The CPU 101 calculates the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada at that time step by summing up the satisfaction levels calculated as described above for each item. The CPU 101 calculates the satisfaction level of Mr. Yamada at this time step as 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 - 5 = 5.

[0095] The CPU 101 calculates the satisfaction level as described above for each of the users 10 whose actions are being simulated by the action simulator.

[0096] Subsequently, the CPU 101 presents the time transition of the satisfaction level of each of the users 10 calculated in step S102 (step S103). The CPU 101 calculates the time transition of the satisfaction level for each layout. The CPU 101 may present the time transition of the satisfaction level for each user 10, or may present the time transition of the satisfaction level for each attribute of the users 10, such as department, section, position, gender, age group.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a graph showing an example of the time transition of the cumulative value of the satisfaction level of a certain user 10. FIG. 14 shows the time transition of the cumulative value of the satisfaction level in the two exemplified layouts. FIG. 14 shows that the cumulative value of the satisfaction level is finally higher in Pattern 1 than in Pattern 2.

[0098] Subsequently, the CPU 101 selects candidate layouts for selection from the time series of satisfaction levels of each user 10 (step S104). The CPU 101 may select, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest sum of satisfaction levels of each user 10. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may select, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest communication frequency in each simulated action of the user 10. Here, the CPU 101 selects, as a candidate layout for selection, the layout with the highest sum of satisfaction levels of each user 10. Therefore, the CPU 101 selects Pattern 1 as a candidate layout for selection.

[0099] Subsequently, the CPU 101 displays the selected candidate layout for selection (step S105). When the CPU 101 selects Pattern 1 as a candidate layout for selection, the method of displaying the selected candidate layout by the CPU 101 is not limited to a specific one as long as it can be understood that Pattern 1 has been selected as a candidate for selection.

[0100] By executing the above-described operations, the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can calculate the satisfaction level of the work environment including the index of physiological comfort for each user, and select candidate layouts for the work in the building using the calculation result of the satisfaction level. Then, by executing the above-described operations, the design support device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can present candidate office layouts that allow the user to feel physiologically comfortable.

[0101] The behavior simulator may improve the accuracy of the simulation by adjusting the state transition probability by machine learning the results of past simulations. The machine learning may be machine learning using a neural network such as deep learning, for example.

[0102] The action simulator may simulate the actions of each user by setting popular or unpopular locations for each user according to the season. For example, since it is hot in summer and cold in winter, the action simulator may determine that there are few users sitting in the window seats during summer or winter and simulate the actions of each user.

[0103] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0104] For example, in the above embodiment, the selection candidates for the layout were selected on the premise of a free address system in which the user can perform work by selecting a favorite seat every day. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. Similarly, even when some or all of the seats are fixed, the design support device 100 may select a layout considered to be optimal from the simulation results of the user's actions.

[0105] Also, each step in the method of the embodiment of the present invention described above does not necessarily have to be processed in the described order. For example, each step may be processed with the order changed as appropriate. Also, instead of being processed in time series, each step may be processed partly in parallel or individually. Furthermore, the processing method of each step does not necessarily have to be processed in the described method. For example, it may be processed by another method by another functional unit.

[0106] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the position confirmation process executed by the CPU by reading software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of the processor in this case include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration dedicated to executing specific processing, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the position confirmation process may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0107] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an aspect in which the program for the position confirmation process is pre-stored (installed) in the ROM or the storage has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the program may be in a form downloaded from an external device via a network.

Explanation of Signs

[0108] 10 User 20 Questionnaire 100 Design Support Device 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Storage 104A Behavior Simulation Program 104B Selection Candidate Selection Program 104C Parameter Database 104D Layout Database 105 Communication I / F 106 Input Section 107 Output Section 110 Execution Section 120 Calculation Section 130 Selection Section 140 Generation Section

Claims

1. A calculation unit that calculates an index related to satisfaction with the work environment including an index of physiological comfort for each user, using the parameter of the user related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the users who conduct business in the building, and the result of the simulated behavior of the user for each of a plurality of layouts of the building; A selection unit that selects, from among the plurality of layouts, the layout in which the total of the indexes related to satisfaction calculated by the calculation unit is the highest as the layout in which the user feels physiologically comfortable; A design support device comprising:

2. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the index related to satisfaction in consideration of the influence of the simulated behavior of other users on the index of physiological comfort.

3. The design support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a generation unit that generates information obtained by visualizing information obtained in the process of calculating the index related to satisfaction.

4. The design support device according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit generates information related to the trajectory of the simulated behavior of the user in the layout.

5. The design support device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the generation unit generates information obtained by visualizing the total of the indexes related to satisfaction of each user over time.

6. The design support device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the generation unit generates information obtained by visualizing the total of the indexes related to satisfaction for each group to which each user belongs.

7. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an execution unit that executes simulation of the behavior of the user. A calculation unit that calculates, for each user, an index related to satisfaction with the work environment including an index of physiological comfort, using the parameter of the user related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the users who work in the building, and the results of the simulated behavior of the user for each of the plurality of layouts of the building, including the frequency of occurrence of communication between the users; A selection unit that selects, from among the plurality of layouts, the layout with the highest frequency of occurrence of communication as the layout in which the user feels physiologically comfortable; A design support device comprising: Claim 9 Calculating, for each user, an index related to satisfaction with the work environment including an index of physiological comfort, using the parameter of the user related to the work environment in the building determined based on the survey results indicating the preferences of the users who work in the building, and the results of the simulated behavior of the user for each of the plurality of layouts of the building; Selecting, from among the plurality of layouts, the layout with the highest total of the indices related to satisfaction as the layout in which the user feels physiologically comfortable; A computer program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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