Status notification device and status management system

Abstract

To provide a status notification device and status management system that detect and manage the status of an object while making a device configuration to be installed in every management object simpler.SOLUTION: A status notification device 10 has: a status display member 20 that has information indicative of a first status and information indicative of a second status individually displayed with respect to each of a pair of main surfaces, and has a magnet 22 fixed to one part of the display member; and a status detection device 30 that includes a magnetic sensor 31 detecting presence or absence of a magnetic field, and a communication unit notifying a result of detection of the magnetic field performed by the magnetic sensor to a server. The magnetic sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 can detect a magnetic field the magnet 22 of the status display member 20 forms when arranging the status display member 20 in a prescribed direction at a given position in a state where the information indicative of the first status is shown, but in a state where the information indicative of the second status is shown, the magnetic sensor thereof is fixed to a position disabling the detection of the magnetic field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a status notification device and a status management system. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for aggregating and managing the status of multiple stores is being studied. Specifically, Patent Document 1 shows that a change in the top surface of an electronic tag, which has two surfaces (front and back), is detected by a motion sensor or the like, and this information is sent from a restaurant terminal to a restaurant information providing server, which then grasps the status of each of multiple restaurants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-5852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 can also be expected to be applied to cases where the status of multiple locations located in a room is managed. However, when managing status using a method in which an electronic tag with two sides (front and back) is placed on a table or the like as described in Patent Document 1, or when using a polyhedron, it is difficult for people who do not know the meaning of the electronic tag or polyhedron to intuitively understand what the object means just by placing it there.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a technology that is capable of detecting and managing the status of an object while simplifying the device configuration installed for each managed object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a status notification device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a status notification device that notifies a server of information regarding whether the occupancy status of an object is a first status or a second status, and includes a status detection device that includes: a status display member that is configured to include a plate-shaped member, and on each of a pair of main surfaces, information indicating the first status and information indicating the second status are displayed separately, and a magnet is fixed to a part of the status display member; a magnetic sensor that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic field; and a communication unit that notifies the server of the magnetic field detection result by the magnetic sensor, wherein the status display member, when placed in a predetermined position, is capable of presenting to the surrounding area either the information indicating the first status or the information indicating the second status, and the magnetic sensor of the status detection device is capable of detecting the magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed in the predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation in a state in which the information indicating the first status is displayed, and is fixed in a position where it cannot detect the magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed in the predetermined position in a state in which the information indicating the second status is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a technique is provided that is capable of managing the status of multiple targets while simplifying the configuration of the device installed for each managed target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a status management system. [Figure 2] 2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the status display member. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a status detection device. [Figure 4] 4(a) to 4(c) are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a status notification device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a database of a server. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing examples of what is displayed on the display of a user terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the status management method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [Status Management System] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a status management system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the status management system 1 is a system for managing the status of multiple status notification devices 10. Each status notification device 10 is a device that notifies a server 40 of the status (occupancy status) of a place or object that is expected to be occupied by a specific user for a predetermined period of time, such as a facility's meeting space, work area, conference room, or private room. The status management system 1 manages which of two statuses (a first status or a second status) each object has.

[0011] Furthermore, the status notification device 10 of the status management system 1 also functions as a display object that presents its own occupancy status to those around it. The status notification device 10 is operated by the user of the target location or object, and changes its display to match the occupancy status. When the status notification device 10 changes its display to match the occupancy status, a signal corresponding to the content to be displayed is sent from the status notification device to the server 40, and the information aggregated in the server 40 can be viewed on the user terminal 60. The status management system 1 includes the status notification device 10, the server 40, and the user terminal 60. The status notification device 10, the server 40, and the user terminal 60 are connected via a network N.

[0012] The status notification device 10 includes a status display member 20 operated by a user or the like, and a status detection device 30 that detects the display content (presentation content) of the status display member 20. The status display member 20 and the status detection device 30 are used on or near an object or place (collectively referred to as an object) whose status is to be detected. One status notification device 10 is used for each object whose occupancy status is to be ascertained. The status detection device 30 of the status notification device 10 includes a magnet sensor 31 that detects the surrounding magnetic field, and a communication unit 32 that transmits the magnetic field detection result by the magnet sensor 31 to a server 40 as a signal corresponding to the display content of the status display member 20. The status display member 20 and the status detection device 30 will be described later.

[0013] The server 40 is an information processing device that compiles information related to the occupancy status of each object detected by each of the multiple status notification devices 10. The identification information of the status notification devices 10 is registered in advance in the server 40. When information related to the occupancy status of an object is transmitted from a status notification device 10, the server 40 identifies the corresponding object based on the identification information accompanying the transmitted information, and updates the status indicating the occupancy status of the object identified by the transmitted information.

[0014] The user terminal 60 is a display device used by a user. The user terminal 60 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet owned by the user. A web browser or a dedicated application is pre-installed on the user terminal 60. The user terminal 60 also has, for example, a touch panel display as a display 61. Information held in the database 44 of the server 40 can be displayed on the display 61 of the user terminal 60. The user terminal 60 is a device for displaying the status of an object, and other devices such as digital signage or a display can also be used.

[0015] The network N is any wired or wireless communication network. The network N is, for example, the Internet, a public line network, a dedicated line network, etc. The status detection device 30 and the user terminal 60 are each connected to the server 40 via the network N so as to be able to communicate with each other. The network N may also be a network established by short-range wireless communication, such as wireless LAN or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0016] [Status notification device] 2 to 4, the status display member 20 and status detection device 30 that constitute the status notification device 10, as well as the status notification device 10, will be described. Figures 2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams illustrating the status display member 20, Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams illustrating the status detection device 30, and Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are diagrams illustrating how to use the status notification device 10.

[0017] First, the status display member 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the status display member 20 can be configured as a flat plate-like member having a pair of main surfaces 20a, 20b. The shape of the flat plate is not particularly limited, but a rectangular shape is shown as an example. The pair of main surfaces 20a, 20b of the status display member 20 each include an indication for indicating the occupancy status of a different object to the surrounding area. The status display member 20 is configured to include a main body 21 and a magnet 22.

[0018] The main body 21 is a member that constitutes the main part of the status display member 20. In the example shown in FIG. 2(a), the main body 21 is constituted by a single member, and has the outer shape of the status display member 20, i.e., a flat plate shape with a rectangular main surface. The magnet 22 is attached to a part of the main body 21. The material of the main body 21 is not particularly limited, but for example, a non-magnetic material that does not affect the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22 can be used.

[0019] The magnet 22 generates a magnetic field around it. Specifically, when the status display member 20 is placed in a predetermined position, the magnet generates a magnetic field of a magnitude that allows the status detection device 30 to detect a difference in the magnetic field depending on the orientation of the status display member 20. There are no particular limitations on the type of magnet 22, and commercially available permanent magnets or the like can be used.

[0020] In the case of the status display member 20 of this embodiment, the magnet 22 is attached near an end portion along one of a pair of long sides of the periphery (the edge surrounding the periphery of the main surface) of the flat plate-shaped main body 21 having a rectangular main surface. Therefore, it is desirable that the flat plate-shaped status display member 20 has a thickness sufficient to allow the attachment of the magnet 22. The magnet 22 is positioned so that the status display member 20 is in a predetermined position relative to the status detection device 30, which will be described later, and so that the position of the magnet 22 changes when the content displayed by the status display member 20 to the surroundings is changed. This point will be described later.

[0021] The main surfaces 20a and 20b of the status display member 20 are respectively provided with a character string T1 and a character string T2 relating to the status. In the status display member 20 of this embodiment, the character string T1 displays the character string "In use" indicating that the object is in use (occupied), and the character string T2 displays the character string "Vacant" indicating that the object is vacant (unoccupied). Thus, the main surfaces 20a and 20b display information relating to different statuses. In this embodiment, the character string T1 on the main surface 20a displays the first status, and the character string T2 on the main surface 20b displays the second status. The main surfaces 20a and 20b may be colored differently to indicate the difference in status. The method of displaying the status is not limited to character strings; shapes, patterns, colors, and the like may also be used. The above two statuses are merely examples and may be modified as appropriate depending on the application. For example, the two statuses may be set to "Reserved" and "Unreserved."

[0022] The character strings T1 and T2 are both character strings that indicate information about occupancy, but also indicate the up-down direction when the status display member 20 is installed on the status detection device 30. As an example, by placing the status display member 20 so that the character strings T1 and T2 are readable, the status detection device 30 can appropriately detect the occupancy status.

[0023] Next, the status detection device 30 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the status detection device 30 has a magnet sensor 31, a communication unit 32, and a main body unit 33. As described above, the magnet sensor 31 has a function of detecting the surrounding magnetic field. Furthermore, the communication unit 32 has a function of transmitting the magnetic field detection result by the magnet sensor 31 to the server 40. The communication unit 32 may be configured to periodically transmit the magnetic field detection result by the magnet sensor 31 to the server 40, or may be configured to transmit information about a change in the magnetic field to the server 40 when it detects that the magnetic field has changed. In this way, the timing of transmission by the communication unit 32 to the server 40 can be changed as appropriate.

[0024] A gateway device may be installed to relay communication between the communication unit 32 of the status detection device 30 and the server 40. In this case, the communication unit 32 may be a communication module for performing short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or the like) with the gateway device. In this case, the network N may be configured to include a wireless communication network (BLE network) between the status detection device 30 and the gateway device, and a wired or wireless communication network between the gateway device and the server 40.

[0025] The main body 33 includes a recess 33a for positioning the status display member 20 at a predetermined position, and an accommodation portion 33b for accommodating the magnet sensor 31 and the communication portion 32. In this manner, the recess 33a functions as a display member support portion for positioning the status display member 20 at a predetermined position. The recess 33a is sized to correspond to the size of the status display member 20. Therefore, by inserting the lower end of the status display member 20 into the recess 33a, the status display member 20 can be stably positioned at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the status display member 20 can be inserted into the recess 33a with the longitudinal direction (direction along the long sides) of the status display member 20 aligned horizontally and the lateral direction (direction along the short sides) aligned vertically.

[0026] Furthermore, the main body 33 has the function of clarifying the surface of the installed status display member 20 (the status to be displayed). By configuring the storage section 33b, which stores the magnet sensor 31, to be taller than the recess 33a, when the status display member 20 is placed in the recess 33a, the storage section 33b side shields the rear side of the status display member 20 more than the front side. This allows anyone to intuitively determine which side of the installed status display member 20 is the front and which side is the rear (the side showing the status you do not want to display). Furthermore, by adjusting the depth of the recess 33a, the status display member 20 can be tilted approximately 10° from the vertical direction (see FIG. 4(c)) while being supported by the status detection device 30. In this way, tilting the main surface on which the status to be displayed is written from the vertical direction so that it is visible from above makes it easier to identify which of the pair of main surfaces 20a, 20b displays the status to be displayed.

[0027] When the status display member 20 is used in combination with the status detection device 30, the positional relationship between the status display member 20 and the status detection device 30 (particularly the magnet sensor 31) is important for appropriate status detection. For this reason, a structure such as the recess 33a of the status detection device 30 may be used to fix the position of the status display member 20 (the position where it should be placed during use) by the status detection device 30 and support the status display member 20 at that position. The recess 33a is one example, and the structure for supporting the status display member 20 at a predetermined position (the position during use) is not particularly limited.

[0028] The accommodation section 33b accommodates the magnet sensor 31 and the communication section 32 therein. The shape of the accommodation section 33b is not particularly limited. The magnet sensor 31 is fixed at a predetermined position in the accommodation section 33b. In this embodiment, the magnet sensor 31 and the communication section 32 are accommodated inside the accommodation section 33b, and a state in which the magnet sensor 31 and the communication section 32 are not visible from the outside is shown, but this state is not limited thereto. For example, the magnet sensor 31 and the communication section 32 may be exposed to the outside. In the status detection device 30, only when the status display member 20 is accommodated in the recess 33a with at least one of the main surfaces facing outward, the magnetic field from the magnet 22 of the status display member 20 can be detected by the magnet sensor 31, and communication by the communication section 32 is not obstructed.

[0029] 4(a) to (c) show an example of using the status display member 20 in combination with the status detection device 30. For simplicity, the communication unit 32 is not shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0030] FIG. 4(a) shows a state in which the status display member 20 is installed in the recess 33a of the status detection device 30 with the main surface 20a of the status display member 20 facing forward (front). The status display member 20 is housed in the recess 33a with the side surface to which the magnet 22 is attached facing downward. At this time, the distance between the magnet 22 and the magnet sensor 31 becomes short, and the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 can detect the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22. Therefore, information indicating that the magnet sensor 31 is detecting a magnetic field is transmitted from the communication unit 32 to the server 40. In other words, the information indicating that a magnetic field is being detected here is information indicating the status "in use" written on the main surface 20a.

[0031] On the other hand, FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the status display member 20 is placed in the recess 33a of the status detection device 30 with the main surface 20b of the status display member 20 facing forward (front). At this time, the distance between the magnet 22 and the magnet sensor 31 increases, and the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 cannot detect the magnetic field formed by the magnet 22 (is unable to detect). Therefore, information indicating that the magnet sensor 31 is not detecting a magnetic field is transmitted from the communication unit 32 to the server 40. In other words, the information indicating that a magnetic field is not being detected is information indicating the status of "vacant" written on the main surface 20b.

[0032] In this way, in the status detection device 30, whether or not the magnet sensor 31 detects the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22 depends on the orientation of the status display member 20 when it is placed at a predetermined position in the recess 33a. Then, information specifying whether or not the magnet sensor 31 has detected the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22 is sent from the communication unit 32 to the server 40. In other words, the information specifying whether or not the magnet sensor 31 has detected the magnetic field is sent from the status detection device 30 to the server 40 as information indicating the status (information indicating the occupancy status).

[0033] As described above, when the status display member 20 is installed in a predetermined position, the distance between the magnet 22 and the status detection device 30 is changed by changing the orientation of the main surface 20a. It is necessary to ensure that the magnetic field detection range of the magnetic sensor 31 is different depending on whether the status display member 20 is installed with the main surface 20a facing outward or the main surface 20b facing outward. In other words, the size of the status display member 20 needs to be designed according to the magnetic field detection range (performance) of the magnetic sensor 31. In this embodiment, the vertical direction of the status display member 20 (the vertical direction when installed) is the same for both the main surfaces 20a and 20b, and the magnet 22 is set to face downward under either condition. Therefore, regardless of whether the status display member 20 is installed with the main surface 20a or 20b facing outward, the magnet 22 is located at the bottom. Therefore, it can be said that the length of the bottom edge of the status display member 20 depends on the magnetic field detection range of the magnetic sensor 31. In this way, the shape of the status display member 20, the attachment position of the magnet 22, the performance of the magnet sensor 31, etc. can be set appropriately so that the magnet sensor 31 can switch between a state in which it can detect a magnetic field and a state in which it cannot detect a magnetic field depending on the orientation of the status display member 20.

[0034] [server] Next, the server 40 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the server 40 is configured to include a receiver 41 having a function of receiving the status detection result transmitted from the status notification device 10, an updater 42 having a function of updating the database 44 based on the status detection result received by the receiver 41, an output unit 43 having a function of outputting information held in the database 44 based on a request from the user terminal 60 or the like, and the database 44.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the server 50 may be physically configured as a computer system including one or more central processing units (CPUs) 101 (processors), one or more read-only memories (ROMs) 102, one or more random access memories (RAMs) 103 (main storage devices), a hard disk drive (HDD) 104 (auxiliary storage devices), and a communication unit 105, such as a communication interface for communicating with a network N. For example, the CPU 101 reads a processing program pre-stored in the HDD 104 into the RAM 103 and executes it, causing each piece of hardware to operate under the control of the CPU 101, and reading and writing data from and to the ROM 102, RAM 103, and HDD 104. This realizes each function of the server 40 shown in FIG. 5. The user terminal 60 may also be configured with hardware similar to that of the server 40 shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] An example of information held in the database 44 of the server 40 is shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, in the database 44, the location where the status detection device 30 is installed (Desk 1, Small Desk 1, etc. in Fig. 6) is associated with identification information (terminal ID in Fig. 6) that identifies the status detection device 30, and the occupancy status (vacancy status) of the location are associated with each other. Information regarding the installation location of the status detection device 30 is acquired in advance separately from the information transmitted from the status detection device 30.

[0037] The relationship between the presence or absence of detection of a magnetic field by the magnet sensor 31 and the occupancy status of the object is specified in advance, and this information is stored in the server 40. Specifically, in the above example, the server 40 stores a correspondence in which the detection of a magnetic field by the magnet 22 by the magnet sensor 31 indicates a state in which the main surface 20a of the status display member 20 is displayed, i.e., a state in which the object is in use. In the server 40, when the receiving unit 41 receives information specifying the detection status of the magnetic field by the magnet sensor 31 from the status detection device 30, the updating unit 42 updates the information based on the relationship between the presence or absence of detection of a magnetic field by the magnet sensor 31 and the occupancy status of the object. In the example shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the status detection device 30 identified by the terminal ID ID001, the magnet sensor 31 does not detect a magnetic field, so the occupancy status is set to "vacant," while in the status detection device 30 identified by the terminal ID ID002, the magnet sensor 31 detects a magnetic field, so the occupancy status is set to "in use."

[0038] [User device] The user terminal 60 may be used, for example, to display the occupancy status of objects all at once. A web browser or a dedicated application may be installed in the user terminal 60 in advance. The user terminal 60 communicates with the server 40, acquires information stored in the database 44, and displays it on the display 61. The server 40 transmits the information stored in the database 44 in response to a request from the user terminal 60. The information to be transmitted may be all of the information stored in the database 44, or may be a portion of the information requested by the user terminal 60. The timing at which the user terminal 60 acquires information from the server 40 is not particularly limited, but may be periodically (for example, every few seconds to several minutes) in order to acquire the latest information.

[0039] 7(a) and 7(b) show examples of displays on the display 61 of the user terminal 60. FIG. 7(a) shows an example in which the total number of objects (desks in this embodiment) and the number of vacant objects among them are displayed on the display 61. To realize the display shown in FIG. 7(a), information such as the installation locations of the multiple status detection devices 30 is not required. Therefore, by acquiring only information indicating the availability of all the status detection devices 30 and counting the number of pieces of information indicating one status (here, information indicating "vacant") from that information, the information shown in FIG. 7(a) can be displayed on the display 61. On the other hand, FIG. 7(b) shows an example in which the layout of each of the multiple objects (desks in this embodiment) is illustrated and the occupancy status of each desk is displayed on the display 61. To realize the display shown in FIG. 7(b), information such as the installation locations of the multiple status detection devices 30 is required. Furthermore, information on the layout of the objects, that is, the desks, is required. Therefore, for all status detection devices 30, information identifying their installation locations and information indicating their availability can be obtained, and these can be combined to display the information shown in Figure 7(b) on the display 61.

[0040] [Status management method] A status management method using the status management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Although Fig. 8 shows only the status detection device 30 included in one status notification device 10, each of the status detection devices 30 included in multiple status notification devices 10 performs the same operation.

[0041] First, the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 is activated, causing the status detection device 30 to detect the magnetic field generated by the status display member 20 (step S01). Information related to the detection of the magnetic force by the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 is transmitted to the server 40 via the communication unit 32 periodically or when a change in the magnetic field is detected (step S02). When the receiving unit 41 of the server 40 receives the information related to the detection of the magnetic field from the status detection device 30, the updating unit 42 updates the database 44 as necessary (step S03).

[0042] Furthermore, the output unit 43 of the server 40 transmits information relating to seat availability, for example, periodically, to the user terminal 60 (step S04). The user terminal 60 updates the display content on the display 61 based on the information transmitted from the server 40 (step S05). This completes the series of processes.

[0043] More specifically, for example, suppose the orientation of the face of the status display member 20 is changed in one of the multiple objects (e.g., a desk), and the magnet sensor 31 detects a change in the magnetic field due to the change. This information is transmitted from the communication unit 32 of the status detection device 30 to the server 40, where the database 44 is updated. The information stored in the database 44 is then transmitted from the server 40 to the user terminal 60 and displayed on the display 61 of the user terminal 60. The occupancy status of each of the multiple objects can change individually. Therefore, the placement of the status display member 20 can be changed individually in each of the multiple status notification devices 10. Each status detection device 30 transmits information related to the magnetic field detected by its own magnet sensor 31 to the server 40. The server 40 then updates the information stored in the database 44 based on the information related to the magnetic field detection transmitted from each status detection device 30, and transmits the updated information to the user terminal 60 as appropriate. By repeating this operation, the user terminal 60 can grasp the occupancy status of the multiple objects in near real time.

[0044] [Effect] In the status management system 1 and status notification device 10 of the above embodiment, when the status display member 20 of the status notification device 10 is placed in a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation to present information indicating a first status, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22 of the status display member 20 is detected by the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30. On the other hand, when the status display member 20 is placed in a predetermined position to present information indicating a second status, the magnet sensor 31 is configured not to detect the magnetic field. The magnetic field detection result by the magnet sensor 31 is then transmitted from the status detection device 30 to the server 40. Furthermore, the server 40 aggregates the magnetic field detection results by the magnet sensors 31 from multiple status detection devices 30, and compiles information regarding the status of each target object.

[0045] According to the above-described status notification device 10, the status display member 20 used to display the status of each object has a simple configuration, consisting of only a magnet 22 fixed thereto and no electronic circuitry. This allows for easy handling and high durability. The status detection device 30 also has a simple configuration, consisting of only a magnet sensor 31 that detects the magnetic field generated by the magnet 22 and a communication unit 32 that communicates with the server 40. Furthermore, the status display member 20 itself functions as a display that displays the occupancy status to those around it. Thus, the above-described status notification device 10 is capable of detecting and managing the status of each object while maintaining a simpler configuration for the device that is installed for each object and notifies the server of the object's status.

[0046] Furthermore, when presenting the first status, the status display member 20 is placed in a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation, so that the magnet sensor 31 of the status detection device 30 can detect the magnetic field. In this case, the status display member 20 contains information specifying the orientation when the status display member is placed in a predetermined position so as to present information indicating the first status, so that the operator can place the status display member 20 in a predetermined position with the appropriate orientation. This makes it possible to more accurately detect and manage the status of the object.

[0047] The information indicating the first status displayed on one main surface 20a of the status display member 20 may be information specifying the orientation of the status display member when placing it at a predetermined position. In this case, for example, an operator of the status display member 20 can place the status display member 20 at a predetermined position while appropriately adjusting the orientation of the status display member 20 while referring to the information indicating the first status. This makes it possible to more accurately detect and manage the status of the object.

[0048] Furthermore, like the above-described status detection device 30, a display member support portion for arranging the status display member 20 at a predetermined position may be included. In this case, the display member support portion of the status detection device 30 can support the status display member 20 at a position suitable for detection of the magnetic field by the magnet sensor 31. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect the status of the target object more accurately.

[0049] The display member support portion may include a recess 33a that accommodates the lower end of the status display member 20 when the status display member 20 is positioned at a predetermined position. In this case, the magnet sensor 31 may be fixed near one longitudinal end of the recess 33a. In this case, the status display member 20 may be configured to be accommodated in the recess 33a with the magnet 22 and the magnet sensor 31 closer to each other when presenting information indicating a first status than when presenting information indicating a second status. In this case, by accommodating the lower end of the status display member 20 in the recess 33a, the status display member 20 can be appropriately positioned at a predetermined position. Furthermore, the magnet sensor 31 may be fixed near one longitudinal end of the recess 33a. In this case, the magnet and the magnetic sensor may be accommodated in the recess with the magnet closer to each other when presenting information indicating a first status than when presenting information indicating a second status. With this configuration, the magnet sensor 31 can more easily detect a magnetic field when presenting information indicating a first status, thereby making it possible to appropriately detect differences in magnetic fields depending on the status.

[0050] The attachment position of the magnet 22 on the status display member 20 may be set so that it is housed within the recess 33a when the status display member 20 is placed in a predetermined position. In this case, when the status display member 20 is placed in a predetermined position, the magnet 22 of the status display member 20 fits into the recess 33a, making it difficult to see from the surroundings, resulting in a good appearance. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, if the magnet 22 is configured to fit into the recess 33a both when presenting information indicating the first status and when presenting information indicating the second status, the magnet 22 will be less noticeable.

[0051] The display member support section may support the status display member 20 in a state inclined relative to the vertical direction so that the main surface on which the status to be presented to those around is written can be seen from above. With this configuration, the status presented by the status display member 20 to those around it becomes clearer, making it easier for people around to recognize the status. Note that the angle of inclination can be set to about 5° to 30°, including the 10° angle described in the above embodiment, to further improve visibility from those around.

[0052] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

[0053] For example, in the above embodiment, the status detection device 30 has a recess 33a (display element support portion) for supporting the status display element 20. However, a separate component from the status detection device 30 may function as the display element support portion. Furthermore, the "predetermined position" at which the status detection device 30 places the status display element 20 when detecting the status defines the position of the status display element 20 relative to the magnetic sensor 31. Therefore, instead of a display element support portion, the predetermined position may be defined by a marking or other means that defines the position of the status display element 20. Furthermore, as long as the operator of the status display element 20 can identify the predetermined position, a component or other means for specifying the predetermined position may be omitted. In this case, it is desirable to clearly indicate which of the two main surfaces of the status display element 20 is the front (the display surface indicating the desired status) when the status display element 20 is placed in the predetermined position. For example, the display surface may be clearly indicated by adhering the back side of the status display element 20 (the side opposite the side on which the desired status is written) to a wall.

[0054] Furthermore, the information specifying the orientation of the status display member 20 when presenting information indicating the first status or the second status is not limited to the display content of the status display member 20, such as the character strings T1, T2, etc. For example, the orientation when placing the status display member 20 in a predetermined position may be specified using the external shape of the status display member 20. Specifically, one example of a method is to make the side of the status display member 20 that should be placed at the bottom flat and form the other sides with curved surfaces, etc., so that the status display member 20 cannot be placed unless it is in the predetermined orientation.

[0055] Furthermore, the arrangement of the magnet 22 in the status display member 20 is not limited to the above embodiment. When the status displayed by the status display member 20 is changed, the positional relationship between the magnet sensor 31 and the magnet 22 is changed, and the position of the magnet 22 may be changed if this condition changes the state of whether or not the magnetic field can be detected. Furthermore, the above configuration may be realized by adjusting the position of the magnet 22 and the sensitivity (detection sensitivity) of the magnet sensor 31.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the case where the server 40 and the user terminal 60 are present has been described, but the server 40 may be configured integrally with the user terminal 60. In other words, the user terminal 60 may be configured to include the database 44, and the magnetic field detection results of the status detection device 30 may be transmitted to the user terminal 60. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...status management system, 10...status notification device, 20...status display member, 20a, 20b...main surface, 21...main body, 22...magnet, 30...status detection device, 31...magnetic sensor, 32...communication unit, 33...main body, 33a...recess (display member support portion), 33b...accommodation unit, 40...server, 44...database, 50...server, 60...user terminal.

Claims

1. A status notification device that notifies a server of information regarding whether an occupancy status of an object is a first status or a second status, a status display member including a plate-like member, on each of a pair of main surfaces of which information indicating the first status and information indicating the second status are displayed separately, and a magnet is fixed to a part of the status display member; a status detection device including a magnetic sensor that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic field, and a communication unit that notifies a server of the magnetic field detection result by the magnetic sensor; and the status display member, when placed at a predetermined position, is capable of presenting to the surroundings either information indicating the first status or information indicating the second status, A status notification device in which the magnetic sensor of the status detection device is capable of detecting the magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed at the specified position in a specified orientation while presenting information indicating the first status, and is fixed in a position where it cannot detect the magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed at the specified position while presenting information indicating the second status.

2. The status notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes information specifying an orientation of the status indicator when placed at the predetermined position so as to present the information indicating the first status.

3. 3. The status notification device according to claim 2, wherein the information specifying the orientation of the status display member when it is placed at the predetermined position is information indicating the first status displayed on one main surface of the status display member.

4. 4. The status notification device according to claim 1, wherein the status detection device further includes a display member support portion for arranging the status display member at the predetermined position.

5. the indicator support portion includes a recess that accommodates a lower end of the status indicator when the status indicator is placed at the predetermined position, the magnetic sensor is fixed to the recess in the vicinity of one end along the longitudinal direction, 5. The status notification device of claim 4, wherein when presenting information indicating the first status, the status display member is housed in the recess with the magnet and the magnetic sensor closer together than when presenting information indicating the second status.

6. 6. The status notification device according to claim 5, wherein the magnet is attached to the status display member at a position where it is housed in the recess when the status display member is placed at the predetermined position.

7. A status notification device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the display member support portion supports the status display member in a tilted state relative to the vertical direction so that the main surface on which the status to be presented to the surrounding area is written can be viewed from above.

8. A status notification device described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of magnetic sensors is one.

9. a plurality of status notification devices provided corresponding to the plurality of objects, each detecting whether the occupancy status of each object is the first status or the second status; a server that collects information relating to the occupancy status of the object transmitted from the status notification device; A status management system including: The status notification device a status display member including a plate-like member, on each of a pair of main surfaces of which information indicating the first status and information indicating the second status are displayed separately, and a magnet is fixed to a part of the status display member; a status detection device including a magnetic sensor that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic field, and a communication unit that notifies a server of the magnetic field detection result by the magnetic sensor; and the status display member, when placed at a predetermined position, is capable of presenting to the surroundings either information indicating the first status or information indicating the second status, A status management system in which the magnetic sensor of the status detection device is capable of detecting a magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed at the predetermined position in a predetermined orientation while presenting information indicating the first status, and is fixed in a position where it cannot detect a magnetic field formed by the magnet of the status display member when the status display member is placed at the predetermined position while presenting information indicating the second status.

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