Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device capable of estimating the points of rainwater intrusion in a building. [Solution] An information processing device 15 is provided with a processor 22 that processes information related to water leaks in buildings, wherein the processor 22 is configured to perform a first process of acquiring building information including design data of a building in the real world, a second process of acquiring water leak information including that water leaks have occurred at a predetermined location in a building in the real world, and a third process of generating water leak countermeasure information, including entry points that are connected to the predetermined location by a path of rainwater movement and are entry points into the building in the real world where rainwater enters, based on the building information and the water leak information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program configured to process information related to water leakage in buildings.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a water leakage cause identification assistance system, which is an example of an information processing device that processes information related to water leakage in buildings. The water leakage cause identification assistance system described in Patent Document 1 comprises detected part information regarding locations where water leakage in buildings has been detected in the past.

[0003] Further, the water leakage cause identification assistance system described in Patent Document 1 comprises: a data storage unit that stores intrusion cause information related to causes of water leakage in association with each other; a receiving unit that receives information on the location where the water leakage occurred when a new occurrence of water leakage is detected; and a control unit that detects the detected part information stored in the data storage unit based on the occurrence location information received by the receiving unit, and detects and outputs the intrusion cause information stored in association with the detected part information.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventor of the present application has recognized the problem that the water leakage cause identification assistance system described in Patent Document 1 cannot estimate the rainwater intrusion location in a building, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can estimate a rainwater intrusion location in a building. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This embodiment discloses an information processing device equipped with a processor for processing information related to water leaks in buildings, wherein the processor performs the following: a first process for acquiring building information including design data of a building in the real world; a second process for acquiring water leak information including that water leaks have occurred at a predetermined location within a building in the real world; and a third process for generating water leak countermeasure information, based on the building information and the water leak information, which includes an intrusion point that is connected to the predetermined location by a path for rainwater movement and is an entry point for rainwater to enter the building in the real world. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate the points where rainwater infiltrates a building. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram comprehensively shows the exterior and floor plan of a real-world building. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows examples of information stored in the auxiliary storage device of an information processing device. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of an information processing method used in an information processing system. [Figure 6] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of rain leak prevention information displayed on the screen of an information processing device. [Figure 7] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of rain leak prevention information displayed on the screen of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Overview of the Information Processing System) The upper part of Figure 1 shows an example of the exterior of a real-world building 10 in a perspective view, and the lower part of Figure 1 shows an example of the floor plan of a building 10 in a plan view. If a leak occurs at a designated location inside building 10, a water spray test is conducted to identify (find) the point of entry for rainwater into building 10. Points of rainwater entry in building 10 include, for example, the roof 11, waterproof sheeting, ridge tiles and ridge flashing, verandas and balconies, the areas around skylights and window frames (sashes) 12, the junction between the exterior wall 13 and the roof 11, the exterior wall 13, the joints of the exterior wall 13, and the joints of extensions and renovations. In the real world, a water spray test is conducted in which a worker sprays water from outside building 10 to identify the points of rainwater entry inside building 10.

[0011] In Figure 1, the lower part of the floor plan of building 10 assumes an example where water leakage (water seepage, water dripping) occurs at one or more of the multiple leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4. In Figure 1, in a plan view of building 10, an example is assumed in which a virtual line X1 runs along the north-south direction of building 10 and a virtual line Y1 runs along the east-west direction of building 10. The reference position Q1, which is the intersection of virtual line X1 and virtual line Y1, may be the center of building 10. In the plan view of building 10, leak location A1 is located north of reference position Q1, leak location A2 is located east of reference position Q1, leak location A3 is located south of reference position Q1, and leak location A4 is located west of reference position Q1.

[0012] The information processing system 60 shown in Figure 2 is used to estimate the locations of rainwater intrusion in the building 10 before conducting a water spraying survey. The information processing system 60 may be implemented by an information processing device 15, a user terminal 16, a water leak detection device 17, and an external computer 18. The information processing device 15 is connected to the user terminal 16, the water leak detection device 17, and the external computer 18 via a network 19.

[0013] Network 19 is a communication line for transmitting various information and data, and Network 19 can be implemented by, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, etc. Furthermore, the user terminal 16 and the leak detection device 17 may be connected to each other via Network 20. Multiple leak detection devices 17 may be installed at different locations inside the building 10. Network 20 can be implemented by, for example, a local area network.

[0014] Networks 19 and 20 may consist of communication antennas, communication equipment (access points), repeaters, communication circuits, communication cables (copper wires, optical fibers), etc. Repeaters may include modems (devices that convert analog signals to digital signals), hubs (concentrators), routers, etc. Communication lines include one or more means of communication, including wireless communication and wired communication. Wireless communication includes short-range wireless communication. Short-range wireless communication includes, for example, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®) and Bluetooth®. Wireless communication includes electrical signals, optical signals, radio waves, infrared rays, satellite communication, etc. Signals used for communication include digital signals and analog signals.

[0015] (Configuration of information processing device) The information processing device 15 is operated and managed by operator P1. The information processing device 15 is a computer realized by various hardware and various software. The software includes an operating system and applications. The information processing device 15 may have hardware such as a main unit (casing), ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, processor 22, main memory 23, auxiliary memory 24, drive device 25, input device 26, output device 27, and communication device 28. The ROM 21 is a data read-only memory and the data written to it during manufacturing is not changed. The ROM 21 stores the program that is executed first when the information processing device 15 is started, such as the IPL (Initial Program Loader). The ROM 21 is a non-volatile memory device.

[0016] The processor 22 may be provided in the main body of the information processing apparatus 15, and may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) in which an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control unit (control circuit) are integrated. The processor 22 is communicatively connected to ROM 21, a main storage device 23, an auxiliary storage device 24, a drive device 25, an input device 26, an output device 27, and a communication device 28 via a communication bus 29. The processor 22 comprehensively controls other devices and circuits provided inside the main body, and devices and circuits provided outside the main body.

[0017] Further, the processor 22 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 22 may be implemented by combining any one or more elements selected from, for example, a CPU, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0018] The processor 22 may execute various processes by running programs stored in the main storage device 23, the auxiliary storage device 24, the drive device 25, or the like, and may store processing results in the auxiliary storage device 24. The processes executed by the processor 22 include arithmetic operation, determination, learning, comparison, identification, classification (analysis), inference, regression, suggestion, control, generation and the like.

[0019] The main storage device 23 is a volatile storage device, and may be implemented by, for example, a RAM (Random access memory). The main storage device 23 functions as a work area and a buffer area for storing programs, data, instructions and the like when the processor 22 processes and executes the programs, data, instructions and the like retrieved from the auxiliary storage device 24, the drive device 25 or the like. The main storage device 23 is a non-transitory storage medium.

[0020] The auxiliary storage device 24 is a non-transitory storage medium. The auxiliary storage device 24 may also be understood as a storage. The auxiliary storage device 24 may be provided inside the main body, or may be provided outside the main body and connected to the communication bus 29 via wireless communication or wired communication. The auxiliary storage device 24 operates in accordance with input instructions and output instructions from the processor 22.

[0021] The auxiliary storage device 24 is configured by one or more systems selected from, for example, a magnetic storage system, an optical storage system, a magneto-optical system, a semiconductor storage system, and the like. The magnetic storage system is implemented by a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, and the like. The optical storage system has a configuration in which a disk surface of a storage medium 24A is irradiated with a laser beam, data is recorded by light or heat, and reflection of the laser beam is read by an optical head.

[0022] The optical storage system is implemented by an optical drive and the storage medium 24A. The optical drive includes a combo drive, a super combo drive, a multi drive, a super multi drive, a hyper drive, and the like. The storage medium 24A includes a compact disc, a digital video disc, a Blu-ray disc, and the like. The magneto-optical system is implemented by, for example, a magneto-optical disc.

[0023] The magnetic storage system and the optical storage system include a head and the storage medium 24A. The storage medium 24A may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body. The semiconductor storage system may be defined as a flash memory. Examples of the flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, a solid state drive, and the like.

[0024] Non-transitory programs, various types of information and data may be stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device 24. Further, a non-transitory program read by a drive device or a non-transitory program downloaded from the external computer 18 may be installed in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0025] The drive device 25 is a device that performs processes such as reading information and data stored in the storage medium 25A, modifying information and data stored in the storage medium 25A, and writing information and data. The storage medium 25A is a non-temporary storage medium and may be implemented as, for example, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a semiconductor memory.

[0026] The storage medium 25A may have a portable configuration that allows it to be inserted into and removed from the drive device 25. Furthermore, non-temporary programs may be stored in the storage medium 25A. The programs recorded in the storage medium 25A may be read by the drive device 25, and the read programs may be installed into the auxiliary storage device 24. Additionally, building information of building 10 may be stored in the storage medium 25A. The technical meaning of the building information of building 10 will be explained later.

[0027] The processor 22 runs non-temporary programs and works in cooperation with various hardware components that make up the information processing device 15 to realize the various functional components shown in Figure 3. For example, the processor 22 may realize a rain leak information processing unit 30, a building information processing unit 31, a weather information processing unit 32, a countermeasure information generation unit 33, an artificial intelligence unit 34, various information processing units 35, etc.

[0028] The rain leak information processing unit 30 processes rain leak information acquired from one of the input devices 26, the rain leak detection device 17, or the user terminal 16, and stores the processing results in the auxiliary storage device 24. The rain leak information is information relating to rain leaks that have occurred within the building 10, and consists of image information, audio information, and text data. The rain leak information is associated with a unique building identification number that identifies the building 10 from each other. The image information may include still images, videos, 3D images, and 2D images. The rain leak information processing unit 30 may also acquire rain leak information by processing images acquired by the camera of the rain leak detection device 17 in cooperation with the artificial intelligence unit 34 and the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0029] Image information may consist of still images and videos including images of leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4 inside building 10. Audio information may consist of audio including explanations of leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4 inside building 10. Text data may include the date and time the leak occurred inside building 10, the duration of the leak inside building 10, and explanations of leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4 inside building 10, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the leak information may include items such as the number of floors corresponding to leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4 within building 10, the specific location within building 10 where the leak occurred, and the direction from which the leak occurred within building 10. Specific locations within building 10 where the leak occurred include, for example, the ceiling, walls, the boundary between the ceiling and walls, around window frames, near ventilation openings, etc. The direction from which the leak occurred within building 10 could be east, west, north, or south, etc.

[0031] The building information processing unit 31 processes building information acquired from the user terminal 16 or the drive device 25, and may store the processing results in the auxiliary storage device 24. The building information may consist of image information, audio information, and text data. The building information may include a unique building identification number that identifies the building 10, the location (address) of the building 10, map data including the location of the building 10, design data of the building 10, current condition information of the building 10, etc. The current condition information of the building 10 includes the presence or absence of cracks, structures with cracks, the location of cracks, the size of cracks, etc. The building identification number is associated with other information, namely the location of the building 10, the design data of the building 10, and the current condition information of the building 10.

[0032] The design data for building 10 includes the completion date of building 10, the internal structure and layout of building 10, the number of floors of building 10, the location of each element constituting building 10, the dimensions and material of each element, the overlapping relationship of each element, the direction and orientation of each element's extension, the inclination angle of each element, the inclination direction of each element, etc. The elements constituting building 10 include the roof 11 and exterior walls 13 shown in Figure 1, as well as ceilings, floors, walls, windows 12, doors, vents, beams, columns, braces, waterproofing materials, etc. The roof 11 may have multiple components 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. The exterior walls 13 may have side walls 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D.

[0033] In the floor plan of building 10 shown in Figure 1, component 11A is located north of reference position Q1, component 11B is located east of reference position Q1, component 11C is located south of reference position Q1, and component 11D is located west of reference position Q1. Furthermore, components 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are each inclined such that their vertical height decreases as they approach the exterior wall 13 from reference position Q1.

[0034] Furthermore, side walls 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D each extend along the vertical direction. In the plan view of building 10 shown in Figure 1, side wall 13A is located north of reference position Q1, side wall 13B is located east of reference position Q1, side wall 13C is located south of reference position Q1, and side wall 13D is located west of reference position Q1.

[0035] The weather information processing unit 32 may process weather information acquired from the external computer 18 and store the processing results in the auxiliary storage device 24. The weather information may consist of both image information and text data. The weather information is region-specific and includes items such as the daily weather in each region, the date and time of rainy weather, the duration from the start to the end of rainfall, the total amount of rainfall during the duration, the amount of rainfall per unit time in the case of rain, the wind speed during rainy weather, and the wind direction during rainy weather. The weather information processing unit 32 may also determine whether there are any commonalities in the weather information between instances of leaks occurring. The technical meaning of the number of leaks occurring will be explained later.

[0036] The response information generation unit 33 works in cooperation with the artificial intelligence unit 34 and the auxiliary storage device 24 to generate rain leak response information and stores the generated rain leak response information in the auxiliary storage device 24. The technical meaning of the rain leak response information will be described later.

[0037] When the program is run, the artificial intelligence unit 34 works in cooperation with the auxiliary storage device 24 to perform various processes. The processes performed by the artificial intelligence unit 34 include learning processes (learning phase) and inference processes (inference phase). The information and data processed by the artificial intelligence unit 34 include image data, audio data, text data, various models, etc.

[0038] The artificial intelligence unit 34 outputs processing results (output data) by processing the input data to be learned with a learning model during a learning process, such as a machine learning process. The artificial intelligence unit 34 may also extract features from the input data using machine learning. Feature extraction from the input data includes classification and regression. The learning model is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24. The artificial intelligence unit 34 trains the learning model by repeatedly performing machine learning.

[0039] The machine learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 34 may include three types: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. In supervised learning, the artificial intelligence unit 34 uses a loss function to calculate the error between the processing result and the correct data, and trains the learning model based on that error. Specifically, it adjusts the weights, biases, etc., to minimize the error.

[0040] In supervised learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 34, which trains a learning model by comparing output data with correct data (correct labels), building information, leak information, and auxiliary leak information may be used as input data to output leak prevention information. The learning model may then be trained to minimize the positional error between the leak prevention information and the correct data of leak intrusion locations by comparing the leak intrusion locations included in the leak prevention information with the correct data of leak intrusion locations.

[0041] Unsupervised learning is a method of training using training data that does not contain correct answers, and it is a method of classifying the training data into groups of data whose features are similar. The artificial intelligence unit 34 may classify each item included in the leak information and auxiliary leak information by performing unsupervised learning. The artificial intelligence unit 34 may also classify each item included in the weather information by performing unsupervised learning. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 34 may classify each item included in the weather information by performing unsupervised learning and associating it with each item included in the leak information and auxiliary leak information.

[0042] Reinforcement learning involves repeatedly processing input data with a learning model to obtain output data, thereby training the learning model. The reinforcement learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 34 repeatedly trains the learning model so that, based on the predicted reward level, it can select actions that result in relatively larger (maximized) rewards in the future (practical application stage).

[0043] Furthermore, when the processor 22 runs the program, the artificial intelligence unit 34 in this embodiment may generate leak-related information in cooperation with the response information generation unit 33 and the auxiliary storage device 24 based on the input prompt. The prompt may be input from the input device 26, or it may be automatically generated by the artificial intelligence unit 34 based on building information and leak-related information.

[0044] The artificial intelligence unit 34 can use a neural network as a learning model to realize machine learning. A neural network has an input layer, an intermediate layer (hidden layer), and an output layer. The intermediate layer is configured to make the input information useful in the output layer. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 34 can perform deep learning in realizing the intermediate layer of the neural network. In deep learning, the intermediate layer is multi-layered with multiple types of stages (nodes), and weights and biases are assigned to the functions (features) contained in the information. Deep learning can reduce noise in the information and data input to the learning model because it automatically instructs the intermediate layer to focus on the functions (features).

[0045] Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 34 may perform tasks such as analyzing the language contained in speech information, analyzing text data, generating prompts, and generating sentences of inference results corresponding to the prompts, using the functions of the large-scale language model. Large-scale language models (LLMs) are a type of generative artificial intelligence specialized in natural language processing (NLP). Large-scale language models are language models that realize advanced natural language generation (LNG) by being constructed through deep learning of a vast amount of text data. Natural language processing processes natural language by combining processes such as morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, contextual analysis, and intent analysis, enabling machine translation, text summarization, speech recognition, etc.

[0046] Large-scale language models may include, for example, ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) (registered trademark), PaLM2 (registered trademark), LaMDA2 (registered trademark), etc. The words and sentences used as instructions to input into these large-scale language models are called prompts.

[0047] When the artificial intelligence unit 34 functions as a generative artificial intelligence unit, it can perform text generation, image generation, video generation, and speech generation. Text generation is a function that, when a prompt (in text format), such as an instruction or question, is input, analyzes the content and intent of the prompt and uses the information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 to automatically generate a response (in text format) to the prompt. Because a large-scale language model is used, natural and highly accurate responses can be obtained.

[0048] Image generation is a function that automatically generates an original image similar to the prompt's image by using information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 in response to an input prompt (in text format). Examples of artificial intelligence that generate images include stable diffusion, mid-journey, and Dali-2.

[0049] Video generation is a function that automatically generates an original video that closely resembles the image of the prompt (in text format) by using the information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 in response to the input prompt. Gentoo is a well-known example of artificial intelligence that generates videos.

[0050] The voice generation function automatically generates original voice data (such as the sound of watering, the sound of rain leaking, the sound of wind, etc.) in response to an input prompt (in voice or text format) using information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0051] The artificial intelligence unit 34 outputs an inference result in the inference process by processing the input data, i.e., the data to be inferred, with a learning model. The data to be inferred may include leak information, building information, weather information, and auxiliary design data. The artificial intelligence unit 34 may also work with the auxiliary storage device 24 to output leak countermeasures information as an inference result.

[0052] The various information processing units 35 may acquire various information and data from the user terminal 16 and the external computer 18, and store the acquired information and data in the auxiliary storage device 24. The information and data acquired by the various information processing units 35 from the database device may include auxiliary leak information, which is information on leaks that have occurred in various buildings, and auxiliary design data, which is design data for various buildings. Various buildings refer to all buildings that are not associated with a building identification number. The items included in the auxiliary leak information are the same as the items included in the leak information. The items included in the auxiliary design data are the same as the items included in the design data.

[0053] The input device 26 is a device operated by operator P1 and may include devices such as an input device 226, a keyboard 26A, a mouse 26B, a microphone 26C, a camera 26D, and a display 26E. The display 26E may be implemented as, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent display. The screen of the display 26E displays images, graphics, text, operation buttons, operation tabs, etc. The display 26E may also be understood as a monitor.

[0054] Operator P1 can input information and data to the information processing device 15 and input various commands by operating one or more of the following configurations: keyboard 26A, mouse 226B, and operation buttons and operation tabs displayed on the screen of display 26E. Operator P1 may also input leak information and weather information by operating the input device 26. Operator P1 may also input building design data of the building 10 obtained from user P2 by operating the input device 26. Information and data entered by operating the input device 26 are stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0055] Microphone 26C is an electronic component that converts acquired sound into an electrical signal and outputs it. Microphone 26C is connected to the communication bus 29 by either a wireless or wired communication system. Camera 26D is connected to the communication bus 29 by either a wireless or wired communication system. Camera 26D photographs an object and generates image information. The image information includes video and still images. The image information generated by camera 26D is processed by processor 22 and stored in auxiliary storage device 24.

[0056] The output device 27 may include devices such as a display 26E, a printer 27A, and an audio information output device 27B. The display 26E is the same as the display 26E of the input device 26. The audio information output device 27B is a device that converts electrical signals contained in information and data into audio information and outputs it. The audio information output device 27B is implemented by a speaker, headphones, earphones, etc. The audio information output device 27B is connected to the communication bus 29 by wireless or wired communication. The printer 27A prints information and data onto paper using toner or ink and outputs it.

[0057] Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 24 may also implement a leak information storage unit 36, a building information storage unit 37, a weather information storage unit 38, a countermeasure information storage unit 39, a program storage unit 40, a model storage unit 41, various information storage units 42, etc., as shown in Figure 3. The leak information storage unit 36 ​​stores leak information that has been input to and processed by the leak information processing unit 30. The building information storage unit 37 stores building information that has been input to and processed by the building information processing unit 31. The weather information storage unit 38 stores weather information that has been input to and processed by the weather information processing unit 32. Figure 4 shows an example of leak information, building information, and weather information stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0058] The troubleshooting information storage unit 39 stores the leak troubleshooting information generated by the troubleshooting information generation unit 33. The program storage unit 40 stores applications and non-temporary programs run by the processor 22. The model storage unit 41 stores learning models and large-scale language models, etc. The various information storage units 42 store information and data acquired by the various information processing units 35.

[0059] The communication device 28 includes devices, equipment, and standards for connecting the information processing device 15 to a user terminal 16, a water leak detection device 17, an external computer 18, etc., via a network 19 using at least one of either a wireless communication system or a wired communication system. The hardware constituting the communication device 28 may consist of, for example, a LAN card, a network adapter, a network interface card, a communication cable, a communication antenna, a communication port, etc.

[0060] (User terminal configuration) The user terminal 16 is a computer having an input device 16A, an output device 16B, a communication device 16C, a processor 16D, a storage device 16E, etc., and the user terminal 16 is operated by user P2. User P2 is, for example, a resident of building 10 or the owner of building 10.

[0061] The input device 16A is implemented by a keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera, etc. The output device 16B is implemented by a display, speaker, printer, etc. The storage device 16E is a non-temporary storage medium, and non-temporary programs, various information, and data are stored in the storage device 16E. The processor 16D may run the program, perform various processes, and store the processing results in the storage device 16E.

[0062] The processor 16D is connected to the input device 16A, output device 16B, communication device 16C, and storage device 16E via a communication bus. The communication device 16C is implemented by a communication circuit, communication cable, communication port, etc. The communication device 16C is connected to networks 19 and 20. The user terminal 16 may acquire rain leak information from the rain leak detection device 17. User P2 may operate the user terminal 16 and input building information to the user terminal 16. Then, the user terminal 16 may transmit the rain leak information and building information to the information processing device 15.

[0063] (Configuration of a water leak detection device) Multiple rain leak detection devices 17 may be installed at different locations inside the building 10. The rain leak detection device 17 is a device that detects rain leaks occurring inside the building 10 and outputs information. The rain leak detection device 17 can be implemented by, for example, a rain leak sensor 17A, a camera 17B, a processor 17C, a storage device 17D, a communication device 17E, etc. The rain leak sensor 17A physically detects rainwater that has entered the building 10 and outputs a signal. The rain leak sensor 17A is configured to detect resistance between electrodes, for example, and detects the presence or absence of a rain leak by the change (decrease) in resistance between electrodes when water comes into contact with the electrodes.

[0064] Camera 17B captures images of the interior of building 10, and processor 17C processes the image data to detect whether or not there is a water leak. The information and data used for processing by processor 17C are stored in storage device 17D. The communication device 17E is implemented by a communication circuit, communication cable, communication antenna, etc. Processor 17C detects whether or not a water leak has occurred and sends water leak information, including whether or not a water leak has occurred, to networks 19 and 20 via communication device 17E.

[0065] (External computer configuration) The external computer 18 is implemented by a processor 18A, a storage device 18B, a communication device 18C, etc. The processor 18A may be implemented by a CPU, for example. The storage device 18B is a non-temporary storage medium, and non-temporary programs, information, and data are stored in the storage device 18B. The communication device 18C is implemented by a communication circuit, a communication cable, a communication port, etc. The processor 18A is connected to the storage device 18B and the communication device 18C via a communication bus.

[0066] The processor 18A may run a program, acquire weather information for each region of a given country, and store the acquired weather information in a database in the storage device 18B. The processor 18A may also run a program, acquire auxiliary leak information and auxiliary design data for various buildings in a given country, and store the data in a database in the storage device 18B.

[0067] (Example of information processing system processing 1) In the information processing system 60, the information processing method shown in Figure 5 may be executed before conducting a water spraying survey in the real world. The information processing device 15 may acquire rain leak information and building information in step S10. The information processing device 15 may acquire rain leak information input from the input device 26, or it may acquire rain leak information transmitted from the user terminal 16 or the rain leak detection device 17.

[0068] In step S11, the information processing device 15 acquires weather information. The information processing device 15 may acquire weather information input from the input device 26, or it may acquire weather information transmitted from the external computer 18. The information processing device 15 may perform steps S10 and S11 in parallel, or perform step S10 first and then step S11, or perform step S11 first and then step S10.

[0069] In step S12, the processor 22 of the information processing device 15 processes leak information and building information relating to the same building 10 located at the same location, and determines whether "multiple leaks have occurred at the same location within the same building 10". For example, the processor 22 may determine Yes in step S12 if leaks occur at the same location within the building 10 on different days. For example, the processor 22 may determine Yes in step S12 if leaks occur multiple times at the same location within the building 10 on the same day, with predetermined time intervals between each leak.

[0070] If the processor 22 determines Yes in step S12, it proceeds to step S13 to determine whether there are common items in the weather information for each instance of a leak occurring. The processor 22 may also determine Yes in step S13 if there are two or more common items among the five items included in the weather information, for example, the duration from the start to the end of the rainfall, the total amount of rainfall within that duration, the amount of rainfall per unit time in rainy weather, the wind speed in rainy weather, and the wind direction in rainy weather.

[0071] The processor 22 may determine in step S13 that there is no common item among the five items described above, if there is one or fewer common items. A common item means that the difference between the physical quantities represented by each item is within a predetermined range. If the processor 22 determines in step S13 that there is a common item, it proceeds to step S14 and generates leak prevention information using the common items. The leak prevention information generated by the processor 22 corresponds to the building 10 in the real world. The leak prevention information may include, for example, simulation information and watering information displayed on the display 26E of the information processing device 15.

[0072] The information regarding rain leak countermeasures may include the movement paths D1 leading to the rain leak locations A1, A2, A3, and A4, respectively, and the virtual intrusion locations C1, C2, C3, and C4 which are entry points to the building 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. The processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion locations C1, C2, C3, and C4 in the building 10 are located on the roof 11 if a rain leak occurs and the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s] or less. This is because, at a wind speed of 5 [m / s] or less, the possibility of rainwater being blown onto the exterior wall 13 and causing a rain leak is lower than the predetermined value.

[0073] The processor 22 may estimate that, if no water leakage occurs when the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], and if water leakage occurs when the wind speed exceeds 5 [m / s], then, as shown in Figure 7, the virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4 included in the water leakage countermeasures information are located on the exterior wall 13. This is because the possibility of water leakage occurring due to rainwater being blown onto the exterior wall 13 by driving rain is higher than the predetermined value.

[0074] Furthermore, if a leak occurs when the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from north to south, the processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point C1 is located in component 11A. If a leak occurs when the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from east to west, the processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point C2 is located in component 11B.

[0075] The processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point C1 is located in component 11C if a leak occurs when the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s] or less, and the wind is blowing from south to north. The processor 22 may also estimate that the virtual intrusion point C4 is located in component 11D if a leak occurs when the wind speed is below a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s] or less, and the wind is blowing from west to east.

[0076] Furthermore, if a leak occurs when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from north to south, the processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point F1 is located on the side wall 13A. If a leak occurs when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from east to west, the processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point F2 is located on the side wall 13B.

[0077] The processor 22 may estimate that the virtual intrusion point F3 is located on the side wall 13C if a leak occurs when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from south to north. The processor 22 may also estimate that the virtual intrusion point F4 is located on the side wall 13D if a leak occurs when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], and the wind is blowing from west to east.

[0078] The processor 22 may estimate that virtual intrusion points C1, C2, C3, and C4 are located on the roof 11 if a leak occurs when the rainfall per unit time is less than or equal to a predetermined value, for example, 5 [mm] or less, and the wind speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s] or less. This is because the possibility of rainwater accumulating on the exterior surface of the building 10 and causing a leak is higher than the predetermined value, even if the rainfall is small. The processor 22 can also estimate which of the components 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D of the roof 11 the virtual intrusion points C1, C2, C3, and C4 are located on, based on the wind direction.

[0079] The processor 22 may estimate that virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4 are located on the outer wall 13 if, when the rainfall per unit time is less than or equal to a predetermined value, for example, 5 [mm], and the wind speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], no water leakage has occurred, and then if the rainfall per unit time exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 10 [mm], and the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 5 [m / s], water leakage occurs. This is because the probability that the amount of rainfall has increased and rainwater has infiltrated from the outer wall 13, causing water leakage, is higher than the predetermined value. The processor 22 can also estimate which of the side walls 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D the virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4 are located on, based on the wind direction.

[0080] Furthermore, the processor 22 can estimate a movement path D1 connecting the actual leak location A1, A2, A3, or A4 with the estimated virtual intrusion location, based on the positional relationship between the actual leak location and the virtual intrusion location, as well as items included in the building data.

[0081] The processor 22 may process design data acquired from the input device 26 or user terminal 16 to generate simulation information for creating a virtual building in a virtual space and spraying water onto the exterior of the virtual building. The simulation information includes a virtual space B1 and a virtual building 10A to be displayed on the display 26E, as shown in Figure 6. The processor 22 may also work with the auxiliary storage device 24 to process building information, auxiliary design data, water leakage information, and auxiliary water leakage information to infer the water movement path and virtual intrusion points in the virtual building 10A.

[0082] The migration path D1 is the migration path of rainwater that leads to a virtual leak location E1, which corresponds to a leak location A1 occurring in the real-world building 10. The virtual intrusion location C1 corresponds to the migration path D1 and is a location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from component 11A.

[0083] Movement path D2 is the path of rainwater that leads to a virtual leak location E2, which corresponds to a leak location A2 occurring in the real-world building 10. Virtual intrusion location C2 corresponds to movement path D2 and is a location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from component 11B.

[0084] Movement path D3 is the path of rainwater that leads to virtual leak location E3, which corresponds to leak location A3 in the real-world building 10. Virtual intrusion location C3 corresponds to movement path D3 and is a location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from component 11C.

[0085] The migration path D4 is the path of rainwater that leads to a virtual leak location E4, which corresponds to a leak location A4 occurring in the real-world building 10. The virtual intrusion location C4 corresponds to the migration path D4 and is a location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from component 11D.

[0086] Movement path G1 is the path of rainwater that leads to virtual leak location E1, which corresponds to leak location A1 in the real-world building 10. Virtual intrusion location F1 corresponds to movement path G1 and is the location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from the side wall 13A.

[0087] The migration path G2 is the path of rainwater that leads to the virtual leak location E2, which corresponds to the leak location A2 occurring in the real-world building 10. The virtual intrusion location F2 corresponds to the migration path G2 and is the location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from the side wall 13B.

[0088] Movement path G3 is the path of rainwater that leads to virtual leak location E3, which corresponds to leak location A3 occurring in the real-world building 10. Virtual intrusion location F3 corresponds to movement path G3 and is the location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from the side wall 13C.

[0089] The migration path G4 is the migration path of rainwater that leads to the virtual leak location E4, which corresponds to the leak location A4 occurring in the real-world building 10. The virtual intrusion location F4 corresponds to the migration path G4 and is the location where rainwater is presumed to intrude from the side wall 13D.

[0090] Water moves in the direction of gravity, and each movement path is determined by conditions such as the position of the elements constituting the virtual building 10A, the direction of arrangement of the elements, the overlapping relationship between the elements, and the location and size of cracks. Then, in the virtual space B1, a simulation can be performed in which water is sprayed from the tip (nozzle) of the watering device 50 toward the virtual intrusion point of the virtual building 10A.

[0091] The watering information includes a watering survey method, which involves spraying water on the real-world building 10 to find points of rainwater intrusion in the real-world building 10. The watering survey method includes, for example, watering items such as watering on the points of intrusion of the building 10, the duration of watering from the start to the end of watering, the amount of water sprayed per unit time, the direction of watering on the building 10, and the watering pressure. The processor 22 may display the virtual building 10A on the display 26E as shown in Figure 6, and display virtual intrusion points C1, C2, C3, and C4 on the components 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D of the roof 11 of the virtual building 10A. Alternatively, the processor 22 may display the virtual building 10A on the display 26E as shown in Figure 7, and display virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4 on the side walls 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D of the exterior wall 13 of the virtual building 10A.

[0092] The direction of water spraying on building 10 refers to the position of the nozzle of the watering device 50 relative to the virtual entry points. As shown in Figure 6, the nozzle of the watering device 50 may be positioned in any of the cardinal directions (east, west, north, or south) relative to each of the virtual entry points C1, C2, C3, and C4. Alternatively, the nozzle of the watering device 50 may be positioned directly above each of the virtual entry points C1, C2, C3, and C4 in the vertical direction.

[0093] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4 may be indicated on the outer wall 1 of the virtual building 10A. The direction of water spraying relative to building 10 refers to the position of the nozzles of the watering device 50 relative to the virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4. The nozzles of the watering device 50 may be positioned in any direction from above, to the side, in front, etc., relative to the virtual intrusion points F1, F2, F3, and F4.

[0094] The processor 22 may also provide a display area 51 on the display 26E. The processor 22 may display watering items, including the duration of watering from start to finish, the amount of water sprayed per unit time, the direction of watering on the building 10, and the watering pressure, as text data in the display area 51. The processor 22 may also set the watering items, including the duration of watering from start to finish, the amount of water sprayed per unit time, the direction of watering on the building 10, and the watering pressure, to match the common items of weather information determined in step S13.

[0095] The user terminal 16 may transmit rain leak information and building information to the information processing device 15 in step S20. The rain leak detection device 17 may transmit rain leak information to the information processing device 15 in step S20. The external computer 18 may transmit weather information to the information processing device 15 in step S30. Note that if the processor 22 of the information processing device 15 determines No in step S12 or No in step S13, it will not generate rain leak countermeasure information (step S15) and will terminate processing.

[0096] Furthermore, the processor 22 of the information processing device 15 may, in step S13, determine Yes if there are three or more common items among the five items mentioned above included in the weather information, and No if there are two or fewer common items. The processor 22 may also set the leak locations of the virtual building 10A in correspondence with the leak locations of building 10. The processor 22 may also estimate the movement path and virtual intrusion locations of the virtual building 10A in correspondence with the leak locations of building 10.

[0097] (Example of information processing system processing 2) In the information processing system 60, some of the routines of the information processing method shown in Figure 5 may be modified. For example, if the processor 22 acquires rain leak information and building information in step S10, and if a rain leak occurs only once at the same location inside the building 10 and is determined to be No in step S12, it may proceed to step S14 as shown by the dashed line, and generate rain leak countermeasure information based on the building information and rain leak information. In this case, the processor 22 may generate the rain leak countermeasure information in step S14 without considering weather information.

[0098] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, before conducting a water spray survey, the locations of rainwater intrusion in the building 10 can be estimated based on the building information and water leakage information of the building 10 in the real world. Therefore, the work efficiency of a water spray survey, in which a worker identifies the locations of rainwater intrusion by spraying water from outside the building 10 in the real world, can be improved.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if multiple instances of water leakage occur at the same location within the same building 10 in the real world, and it is determined that there are multiple common items included in the weather information for each of the multiple instances of water leakage, then water leakage countermeasures corresponding to the building 10 in the real world are generated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the accuracy of estimating the location of rainwater intrusion in the building 10 is improved.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if there are multiple common items among the items included in the weather information, rainwater leakage countermeasures corresponding to the real-world building 10 are generated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the accuracy of estimating the points of rainwater intrusion in the building 10 is improved.

[0101] Furthermore, this embodiment may generate simulation information to be displayed on the screen as rainwater leakage countermeasures. The simulation information includes a virtual rainwater leakage location and a rainwater movement path displayed on the virtual building, and a virtual intrusion location that corresponds to the real-world intrusion location of the building and is displayed on the virtual building. Therefore, the accuracy of estimating the rainwater intrusion locations in building 10 is further improved.

[0102] Furthermore, the rainwater leakage prevention information generated in this embodiment may include a water spraying investigation method for identifying points of intrusion in the real-world building 10. The worker can refer to the virtual points of intrusion C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, etc., and perform the task of spraying water from the nozzle of the water spraying device 50 onto the building 10. If, as a result of the water spraying work, rainwater leakage occurs at points of intrusion A1, A2, A3, A4, etc., within the building 10, then the points of intrusion estimated by the information processing device 15 are considered correct. Therefore, the work efficiency of identifying points of rainwater intrusion in the building 10 is improved.

[0103] Furthermore, the water spraying survey method generated in this embodiment may include target watering locations on the real-world building 10, the duration of watering from start to finish, the amount of water sprayed per unit time, and the direction and pressure of watering on the real-world building 10. The target watering locations correspond to virtual intrusion locations. Therefore, the work efficiency of identifying rainwater intrusion points in the building 10 is improved.

[0104] (supplementary explanation) An example of the technical meaning disclosed in this embodiment is as follows: Information processing device 15 is an example of an information processing device and computer. Processor 22 is an example of a processor. Display 26E is an example of a display. Building 10 is an example of a building in the real world.

[0105] Step S10 shown in Figure 5 is an example of the first process, steps S10 and S12 are examples of the second process, steps S12, S13 and S14 are examples of the third process, step S11 is an example of the fourth process, step S13 is an example of the fifth process, and step S14 is an example of the sixth process. Virtual building 10A is an example of a virtual building. Leak locations A1, A2, A3 and A4 are examples of leak locations. Virtual intrusion locations C1, C2, C3 and C4, F1, F2 and F3 and F4 are examples of virtual intrusion locations and target watering locations. Movement paths D1, D2 and D3 and D4, G1 and G2 and G3 and G4 are examples of movement paths. Virtual leak locations E1, E2 and E3 and E4 are examples of virtual leak locations. There may be fewer than four leak locations or five or more locations. There may be fewer than eight or nine or more hypothetical intrusion locations. There may be fewer than four or five or more hypothetical leak locations. There may be one or more leak locations at the same time.

[0106] This embodiment also discloses the following characteristic configuration: A storage medium is disclosed which stores a non-temporary program that causes a computer to process information related to water leaks, the program having the following configuration: a first process of acquiring building information including design data of a building in the real world; a second process of acquiring water leak information including that a water leak has occurred at a predetermined location in the building in the real world; and a third process of estimating a water intrusion point connected to the predetermined location in the building in the real world by a path of rainwater movement, based on the building information. The program may also be defined as a program product. [Industrial applicability]

[0107] This embodiment can be used as an information processing device, information processing method, and program configured to process information related to water leaks in buildings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10...Building, 10A...Virtual building, 15...Information processing device, 22...Processor, 26E...Display, A1,A2,A3,A4...Roof leak locations, C1,C2,C3,C4,F1,F2,F3,F4...Virtual intrusion locations, D1,D2,D3,D4,G1,G2,G3,G4...Movement paths, E1,E2,E3,E4...Virtual roof leak locations

Claims

1. An information processing device equipped with a processor for processing information regarding leaks in buildings, The aforementioned processor, The first process involves acquiring building information, including design data for real-world buildings, A second process involves acquiring information about water leaks, including that a water leak has occurred at a specific location within a building in the real world. A third process generates rainwater leakage prevention information, based on the building information and the rainwater leakage information, which includes entry points that are connected to the predetermined location by a rainwater movement path and are entry points into the building in the real world. This configuration is for executing the following: The processor, by executing the second process, obtains leak information including that multiple leaks have occurred at the same location within the same building in the real world. The aforementioned processor, A fourth process involves obtaining weather information, including the weather at the location of the aforementioned building. A fifth process to determine whether there are multiple common items in the weather information for each of the multiple instances of water leakage that occur at the same location within the same building, If the fifth process determines that there are multiple common items included in the weather information, the sixth process generates leak prevention information corresponding to real-world buildings, This configuration is for executing the following: It is connected to the aforementioned processor in a communication manner and includes a display that shows information, The rain leak prevention information generated by the processor in the sixth process is simulation information displayed on the display. The aforementioned simulation information is Virtual buildings generated based on the design data of real-world buildings, Corresponding to the locations of leaks in real-world buildings, and the virtual leak locations displayed in the virtual building, A path for rainwater movement that connects to the aforementioned virtual leak location and is displayed on the aforementioned virtual building, Corresponding to the aforementioned intrusion points in a real-world building, and the virtual intrusion points displayed in the virtual building, Information processing device including

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The fifth process performed by the processor includes a process for determining whether there are multiple common items among the items included in the weather information, such as the duration from the start of rainfall to the end of rainfall, the total amount of rainfall within that duration, the amount of rainfall per unit time in rainy weather, the wind speed in rainy weather, and the wind direction in rainy weather.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The information processing device includes a method for conducting a water spray survey to identify the point of water intrusion in a real-world building, which is the water leak prevention information generated by the processor in the sixth process.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, The water spraying survey method generated by the processor in the sixth process includes a target water spraying location for the building in the real world, the duration of water spraying from the start to the end of water spraying, the amount of water sprayed per unit time, and the direction and pressure of water spraying on the building in the real world, which are information processing devices.

5. An information processing method performed by a computer equipped with a display that processes and displays information related to roof leaks, The aforementioned computer, The first process involves acquiring building information, including design data for real-world buildings, A second process involves acquiring information about water leaks, including that a water leak has occurred at a specific location within a building in the real world. A third process that estimates rainwater intrusion points connected to predetermined locations within a building in the real world by rainwater movement paths, based on the aforementioned building information, This configuration is for executing the following: The computer, by executing the second process, obtains information about water leaks, including that multiple water leaks have occurred at the same location within the same building in the real world. The aforementioned computer, A fourth process involves obtaining weather information, including the weather at the location of the aforementioned building. A fifth process to determine whether there are multiple common items in the weather information for each of the multiple instances of water leakage that occur at the same location within the same building, If the fifth process determines that there are multiple common items included in the weather information, the sixth process generates leak prevention information corresponding to real-world buildings, This configuration is for executing the following: The rain leak prevention information generated by the computer in the sixth process is simulation information displayed on the display. The aforementioned simulation information is Virtual buildings generated based on the design data of real-world buildings, Corresponding to the locations of leaks in real-world buildings, and the virtual leak locations displayed in the virtual building, A path for rainwater movement that connects to the aforementioned virtual leak location and is displayed on the aforementioned virtual building, Corresponding to the entry points for rainwater in real-world buildings, and the virtual entry points displayed in the virtual building, Information processing methods including

6. A non-temporary program that causes a computer equipped with a display to process information related to roof leaks, To the aforementioned computer, The first process involves acquiring building information, including design data for real-world buildings, A second process involves acquiring information about water leaks, including that a water leak has occurred at a specific location within a building in the real world. A third process that estimates rainwater intrusion points connected to predetermined locations within a building in the real world by rainwater movement paths, based on the aforementioned building information, This configuration allows the execution of the following: By executing the second process on the aforementioned computer, information about water leaks, including that multiple water leaks have occurred at the same location within the same building in the real world, is obtained. To the aforementioned computer, A fourth process involves obtaining weather information, including the weather at the location of the aforementioned building. A fifth process to determine whether there are multiple common items in the weather information for each of the multiple instances of water leakage that occur at the same location within the same building, If the fifth process determines that there are multiple common items included in the weather information, the sixth process generates leak prevention information corresponding to real-world buildings, This configuration allows the execution of the following: The rain leak prevention information generated by the computer in the sixth process is simulation information displayed on the display. The aforementioned simulation information is Virtual buildings generated based on the design data of real-world buildings, Corresponding to the locations of leaks in real-world buildings, and the virtual leak locations displayed in the virtual building, A path for rainwater movement that connects to the aforementioned virtual leak location and is displayed on the aforementioned virtual building, Corresponding to the entry points for rainwater in real-world buildings, and the virtual entry points displayed in the virtual building, A program that includes this.

Images