JP7525344B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

In recent years, robots that can be operated remotely over a network have been developed. The following Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a robot that performs shopping, carries luggage, etc. on behalf of a user in a remote location. In this Patent Document 1, when a user reserves a robot, the user selects and reserves a specific robot.

International Publication No. 2020/059493

However, robots require charging and maintenance, and the location of the robot may change as each user uses it. Therefore, when using a reserved robot, there may be a robot available that is in better conditions than the reserved robot. However, there is no established reservation method that allows the use of a robot with better conditions.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device, information processing method, and program that enable a robot under the best conditions to be used when using a reserved robot.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reservation receiving unit that receives a reservation from a user for use of a robot that is not fixed, an authority granting unit that grants the user access authority to the robot for the date and time of use specified by the reservation received by the reservation receiving unit, and a selection unit that selects, based on reservation information related to the reservation and the status of the robot, from among one or more robots corresponding to the reservation, a robot that is in a state suitable for use by the user to whom the access authority has been granted.

According to this aspect, the user is granted access to the robot for the reserved date and time of use, and the robot to be used by the user can be selected from among the robots corresponding to the reservation based on the status of the robot at that time. Therefore, when the user uses the reserved robot, it is possible to use the robot that is in the best condition at that time.

In the above aspect, the reservation reception unit may receive the reservation by having the user specify the place where the robot will be used and the date and time of use. According to this aspect, it is possible to assign to the user a robot that is in good condition at the time of use from among robots that are suitable for the place where the robot will be used.

In the above aspect, the system further includes a storage unit that stores identification information of one or more of the robots in association with a place where the robot is to be used, and the reservation reception unit may present to the user a reservation slot that is set for each place where the robot is to be used, and accept the reservation based on the reservation slot. According to this aspect, a reservation is accepted for each place where the robot is to be used, and when the robot is subsequently used, it is possible to assign to the user a robot that is in good condition at the time of use from among robots that are suitable for the reserved place.

In the above aspect, the status of the robot may include at least any one of the activation status of the robot, the charging status of the robot, the communication status of the robot, and the usage status of the robot. According to this aspect, a robot can be selected based on at least any one of the activation status of the robot, the charging status of the robot, the communication status of the robot, and the usage status of the robot at the time of using the robot, so that it is possible to assign the most suitable robot to the user at the time of use.

An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method executed by a processor, and includes accepting a reservation from a user for use of a non-fixed robot, granting the user access rights to the robot for the date and time of use specified by the accepted reservation, and selecting the robot to be used by the user to whom the access rights have been granted from among one or more robots corresponding to the reservation based on reservation information related to the reservation and the status of the robot.

According to this aspect, the user is granted access to the robot for the reserved date and time of use, and the robot to be used by the user can be selected from among the robots corresponding to the reservation based on the status of the robot at that time. Therefore, when the user uses the reserved robot, it is possible to use the robot that is in the best condition at that time.

Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to receive a reservation from a user for use of an unfixed robot, grant the user access rights to the robot for the date and time of use specified by the received reservation, and select the robot to be used by the user to whom the access rights have been granted from among one or more robots corresponding to the reservation based on reservation information related to the reservation and the status of the robot.

According to this aspect, the user is granted access to the robot for the reserved date and time of use, and the robot to be used by the user can be selected from among the robots corresponding to the reservation based on the status of the robot at that time. Therefore, when the user uses the reserved robot, it is possible to use the robot that is in the best condition at that time.

The present invention makes it possible to provide an information processing device, information processing method, and program that enable a robot under the best conditions to be used when using a reserved robot.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including a server device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a reservation mechanism using reservation slots. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for selecting a robot for a reserved date and time of use. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure for making a reservation for using a robot. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure for selecting a robot to be used by a user at a reserved date and time of use. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the robot according to the embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to only this embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which each element described below is replaced with an equivalent, and such an embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention. Also, to facilitate understanding, the following description will be given using an example of an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using an information processing device (or computer), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[System Configuration]
An exemplary configuration of a system including a server device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the system 1 can perform processes such as searching for an available robot 4 and making a reservation for using the robot 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a server device 2, one or more terminal devices 3, and one or more robots 4. Each device or robot is configured to be able to communicate with the other devices or robots wirelessly or via wires (or both). Each terminal device 3 may have the same configuration or different configurations. Each robot 4 may have the same configuration or different configurations. Below, an overview of each device and robot is described.

The server device 2 is, for example, a device that executes reservation processing for using the robot 4. The server device 2 is configured with an information processing device such as a server computer. The server device 2 may be configured with one information processing device, or may be configured with multiple information processing devices (for example, cloud computing or edge computing).

The terminal device 3 is an information processing device used by a user to operate the robot 4 and to reserve the robot 4. The terminal device 3 is, for example, a general-purpose or dedicated information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a head-mounted display, or an operating system for a specific purpose.

The robot 4 is an unfixed robot. "Unfixed" includes, for example, cases where the robot 4 is a mobile type having a drive unit for movement such as wheels, and a wearable type that can be worn by a person and has a drive unit for operating a manipulator, etc.

Mobile robots include, for example, robots that run on one, two or multiple wheels, robots that run on caterpillar tracks, robots that run on rails, robots that move by hopping, robots that walk on two legs, four legs or multiple legs, robots that navigate on or underwater using propellers, and robots that fly using propellers or the like.

Examples of wearable robots include those published in MHD Yamen Saraiji, Tomoya Sasaki, Reo Matsumura, Kouta Minamizawa and Masahiko Inami, "Fusion: full body surrogacy for collaborative communication," Proceeding SIGGRAPH '18 ACM SIGGRAPH 2018 Emerging Technologies Article No. 7.

Robot 4 also includes the following: vehicles and heavy machinery capable of automatic or semi-automatic driving, drones, airplanes, robots equipped with cameras that can move on rails and are installed in sports stadiums, etc., and satellite-type robots launched into outer space that can control their attitude and the direction of camera photography. Robot 4 may also be a so-called telepresence robot or avatar robot.

The user operates the robot 4 (for example, moving the robot 4 or operating the camera mounted on the robot 4) via the terminal device 3. A signal for operating the robot 4 is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the robot 4 via the server device 2 or other devices. The signal for operating the robot 4 may be transmitted directly from the terminal device 3 to the robot 4. The robot 4 operates according to the received signal, and transmits data acquired or detected by the robot 4 regarding the location of the robot 4, such as image data and audio data acquired through the camera, microphone, and other devices mounted on the robot 4, to the terminal device 3. This allows the user to experience, via the terminal device 3 and the robot 4, as if they were in the location of the robot 4. The data transmitted from the robot 4 may be transmitted to the terminal device 3 via the server device 2 or other devices, or may be transmitted directly to the terminal device 3.

The functional configuration of the server device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. These functions are realized by the processor (controller) of the server device 2 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device (storage unit). The hardware configuration of the server device 2 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 2 has, as its functional configuration, for example, a reservation reception unit 21, an authorization unit 22, a selection unit 23, and a database 24. The functions possessed by the server device 2 are not limited to these, and may have functions that a computer generally has, as well as other functions.

The reservation reception unit 21 executes a reservation process that receives and confirms a reservation for use of the robot 4 from a user. When making a reservation, the user specifies the location where the robot 4 will be used and the date and time when the robot 4 will be used. The reservation reception unit 21 confirms the reservation based on the location and date and time of use specified by the user.

The place where the robot 4 is used can be set arbitrarily for each scene where the robot 4 is used or each place where the robot 4 is used. Scenes where the robot 4 is used include, for example, events, exhibitions, attractions, shopping, meetings, simulated experiences, etc. Places where the robot 4 is used include, for example, each event space set up in an event venue, each exhibition area set up in an exhibition facility, each facility within an attraction, each store in a shopping facility, each conference room in a company, each venue for simulated experiences, etc.

As a place where the robot 4 can be used, for example, a place for staff to inspect and maintain the robot 4 may be provided separately. In this place for staff, it is desirable to limit the users who can use the robot 4 to staff only.

The date and time of use of the robot 4 is specified by the user, for example, using a reservation slot that is set for each location where the robot 4 is used. The reservation slot can be set arbitrarily in predetermined time units, such as 30 minutes or 1 hour. The reservation slot will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 3.

Figure 3 shows examples of reservation slot lists Ra and Rb that are set by an administrator M who manages the system 1 or the robot 4 by operating the server device 2. In the figure, Art Museum A in Japan and Art Museum B in France are shown as examples of places where the robot 4 will be used.

The reservation slots in list Ra correspond to three robots 4 that will be placed in Museum A in Japan. The reservation slots in list Rb correspond to six robots 4 that will be placed in Museum B in France.

In the database 24 of the server device 2, robot allocation information regarding the allocation of robots 4 is registered. This robot allocation information includes, for example, the field in which the robot 4 is used and a robot ID that identifies the robot 4 to be placed in that field. One or more robots 4 can be registered in each field.

For example, three robots 4 are registered for Art Museum A, with A1, A2, and A3 set as their respective robot IDs. Six robots 4 are registered for Art Museum B, with B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6 set as their respective robot IDs.

The robot allocation information also includes the maximum number of robots that multiple users can connect and operate simultaneously at each location.

For example, at Art Museum A, the maximum number of robots is set to two. Therefore, at Art Museum A, of the three robots 4, a maximum of two robots 4 can be in operation at the same time. In other words, at Art Museum A, the maximum number of users who can make reservations for one reservation slot is two. At Art Museum B, the maximum number of robots is set to four. Therefore, at Art Museum B, of the six robots 4, a maximum of four robots 4 can be in operation at the same time. In other words, at Art Museum B, the maximum number of users who can make reservations for one reservation slot is four.

Using such a reservation slot, a user can make a reservation as follows:

For example, when user Ua operates terminal device 3a to specify Art Museum A as the place to use robot 4, a list Ra of reservation slots corresponding to Art Museum A is displayed on the screen of terminal device 3a.

When user Ua operates terminal device 3a to select a reservation slot that is available and that user Ua desires from list Ra and performs a reservation confirmation operation, user Ua's reservation for the reservation slot at art museum A specified by user Ua is confirmed. At this time, the robot 4 to be used by user Ua is not determined. The robot 4 to be used by user Ua is selected when user Ua uses robot 4, as described below.

Similarly, when user Ub operates terminal device 3b to specify Museum B as the place to use robot 4, a list Rb of reservation slots corresponding to Museum B is displayed on the screen of terminal device 3b.

When user Ub operates terminal device 3b to select a reservation slot that is available and that user Ub desires from list Rb and performs a reservation confirmation operation, user Ub's reservation for the reservation slot at museum B specified by user Ub is confirmed. At this time, the robot 4 to be used by user Ub is not determined. The robot 4 to be used by user Ub is selected when user Ub uses the robot 4, as described below.

When the reservation is confirmed as described above, reservation information regarding the reservation is registered in the database 24 of the server device 2. The reservation information includes, for example, a user ID that identifies the user who made the reservation, venue information that specifies the venue in which the robot 4 will be used, usage date and time information including the time period in which the robot 4 will be used, and terminal information regarding the terminal device 3 used by the user who made the reservation.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2, when the confirmed reserved use date and time arrives, the authority granting unit 22 grants the user who made the reservation the authority to access the robot 4 placed in the reserved location.

The selection unit 23 selects a robot 4 to be used by a user who has been granted access rights from among one or more robots 4 placed at the reserved venue, based on the reservation information and robot status information described below.

The robot status information is information about the status of each robot 4, and is stored in the database 24 of the server device 2 as needed. The robot status information includes, for example, information identifying the location where the robot 4 is placed, the robot ID, activation status information of the robot 4, charging status information of the robot 4, communication status information of the robot 4, and usage status information of the robot 4.

The selection of the robot 4 to be used by the user will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4. In the figure, the robots 4 assigned to the users Ua and Ub who made the reservation are displayed surrounded by frames Fa and Fb.

For example, when the reserved date and time of use arrives, the authority granting unit 22 of the server device 2 grants the terminal device 3a of the user Ua the access authority to use the robot 4 at the A museum in Japan. On the other hand, the authority granting unit 22 grants the terminal device 3b of the user Ub the access authority to use the robot 4 at the B museum in France.

The selection unit 23 of the server device 2 selects the robot 4 with the robot ID A3 from among the three robots 4 placed in the A Art Museum in Japan as the robot 4 to be used by the user Ua. The selected robot 4 operates based on commands from the terminal device 3a operated by the user Ua for the period specified by the reservation. This allows the user Ua to have the experience of feeling as if he or she were in the A Art Museum in Japan where the robot 4 is located.

The selection unit 23 of the server device 2 selects the robot 4 with the robot ID B6 from among the six robots 4 placed in the B Museum in France as the robot 4 to be used by the user Ub. The selected robot 4 operates based on commands from the terminal device 3b operated by the user Ub for the period specified by the reservation. This allows the user Ub to have the experience of feeling as if he or she were in the B Museum in France where the robot 4 is.

When selecting a robot 4, the selection unit 23 selects a robot 4 that is determined to be optimal based on the robot status information. Examples of criteria for determining optimality are given below in (1) to (7).

(1) Based on the activation status information of the robot 4, the robot that is currently activated is preferentially selected.
(2) Based on the charging status information of the robots 4, a robot with a large remaining battery capacity is preferentially selected.
(3) Based on the communication status information of the robot 4, a robot having a communication section with high radio wave intensity is preferentially selected.
(4) Based on the usage status information of the robot 4, a robot that has recently been charged or maintained is preferentially selected.
(5) Based on the usage status information of the robot 4, a robot whose failure flag is OFF is preferentially selected.
(6) Based on the usage status information of the robot 4, a robot for which no application for extended use has been made since the previous time period is preferentially selected.
(7) Based on the usage status information of the robot 4, a robot whose current location is closest to a predetermined starting position is preferentially selected (taking into account disposable robots, etc.).

The above criteria (1) to (7) can be appropriately combined to select the optimal robot 4. In this case, the priority may be calculated by weighting each criterion, and the robot with the highest priority may be selected.

In addition to the above, a robot 4 having high capabilities or a robot 4 having a high camera performance may be preferentially selected.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2, the database 24 stores various data, such as data required for the processing executed by the server device 2 and data generated or set by the processing. The various data includes the robot allocation information, reservation information, and robot status information described above, as well as robot information about the robot 4 and user information about the user who uses the robot 4. The robot information includes, for example, a robot ID, information about the capabilities of the robot 4, and information about the performance of the camera of the robot 4.

The above describes the functions possessed by the server device 2 with reference to FIG. 2, but some or all of the above-mentioned functions may be realized as functions possessed by the terminal device 3 or the robot 4.

[System Operation]
The processing procedure for making a reservation for use of the robot 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This processing procedure is realized by the processors of the server device 2 and the terminal device 3 reading and executing a computer program stored in a storage device. Note that detailed explanations of each processing step in this process will be omitted here for those that have already been given.

This processing procedure begins when a user who has logged in to the system 1 operates the terminal device 3 to request the server device 2 to process a reservation for the robot 4.

First, the server device 2 displays a list of places where the robot 4 can be used on the screen of the terminal device 3 (step S101).

Next, the user operates the terminal device 3 to specify a desired location from the list of locations displayed on the screen, and information about the specified location is sent to the server device 2 (step S102).

Next, the server device 2 displays a list of reservation slots corresponding to the event specified in step S102 on the screen of the terminal device 3 (step S103).

Then, the user operates the terminal device 3 to select a desired reservation slot from the list of reservation slots displayed on the screen that has available reservations, and requests confirmation of the reservation. A request to confirm the reservation for the specified reservation slot is then sent to the server device 2 (step S104).

Next, the server device 2 generates reservation information based on the location specified in step S102 and the reservation slot specified in step S104, and registers the reservation information in the database 24 (step S105). This confirms the user's reservation.

The process procedure for selecting the robot 4 to be used by the user at the reserved date and time of use will be described with reference to FIG. 6. This process procedure is realized by the processors in the server device 2 and the terminal device 3 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device. Note that detailed explanations of each processing step in this process will be omitted here for those that have already been explained in detail.

This processing procedure begins when a user who has logged in to the system 1 operates the terminal device 3 to request the use of the robot 4 from the server device 2.

First, when the reserved usage date and time arrives, the server device 2 grants the user who made the reservation access rights to the robot 4 placed in the reserved location (step S201).

Next, the server device 2 selects a robot 4 to be used by the user to whom access rights were granted in step S201 above from among the robots 4 placed in the reserved venue based on the robot status information (step S202).

The server device 2 then performs a process of assigning the user's terminal device 3 as a communication partner of the selected robot 4 (step S203).

Then, the user operates the terminal device 3 to transmit a command to the robot 4 from the terminal device 3, thereby operating the robot 4 selected in step S202 (step S204). This allows the user to operate the robot 4 placed in the location specified by the reservation for the period specified by the reservation.

As described above, according to the server device 2 of this embodiment, the user is granted access to the robot 4 at the reserved date and time of use, and the robot 4 to be used by the user can be selected from among the robots 4 corresponding to the reservation based on the robot status information at that time. Therefore, when the user uses the reserved robot 4, it is possible to allow the user to use the robot 4 that is in the best condition at that time.

In addition, reservations can be accepted for each location where the robot will be used, making it possible to assign a user a robot that is suitable for the reserved location and that is in the best condition at the time of use.

Furthermore, since the robot can be selected based on at least one of the robot's startup status, robot's charging status, robot's communication status, and robot usage status at the time of using the robot, it is possible to assign the user the most suitable robot at the time of use from among robots suitable for the reserved location.

[Computer hardware configuration]
7, an exemplary hardware configuration of a computer (information processing device) for implementing the server device 2 and the terminal device 3 in this embodiment will be described. Here, the hardware configuration of the server device 2 will be described, but the hardware configuration of the terminal device 3 is also similar.

As shown in FIG. 7, the server device 2 includes, as its hardware configuration, a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, a communication unit 204, an input unit 205, and a display unit 206. The server device 2 may not include some of these components. In addition to these components, the server device 2 may also include other components that are generally included in a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer.

The processor 201 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 201 is a control unit that controls various processes in the server device 2 by executing programs stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 realizes the functions of the server device 2 described in the above embodiment and controls the execution of the above processes by cooperating with other components of the server device 2 and the programs.

The memory 202 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The program code of the program executed by the processor 201 and data required for executing the program are temporarily read from the storage device 203 or the like or are stored in advance in the memory 202.

The storage device 203 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device 203 stores an operating system, various programs for implementing the above-mentioned configurations, data of the above-mentioned processing results, etc.

The communication unit 204 is a device for performing data communication via a network, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the server device 2. The communication unit 204 may be removably connected to the server device 2. In that case, the communication unit 204 is connected to the server device 2 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

The input unit 205 is a device for receiving input from a user and a device for inputting data from outside the server device 2. Specific examples of the input unit 205 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a joystick, various sensors, a wearable device, and a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The input unit 205 may be removably connected to the server device 2. In that case, the input unit 205 is connected to the server device 2 via an interface such as a USB.

The display unit 206 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display unit 206 include, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and a display of a wearable device. The display unit 206 may be removably connected to the outside of the server device 2. In that case, the display unit 206 is connected to the server device 2 via, for example, a display cable. In addition, when a touch panel is used as the input unit 205, the display unit 206 can be configured as an integral part of the input unit 205.

With reference to FIG. 8, an exemplary hardware configuration of the computer (information processing device) and other main components mounted on the robot 4 in this embodiment will be described. The robot 4 includes, as its hardware configuration, a processor 401, a RAM 402, a ROM (Read only Memory) 403, a communication unit 404, an input unit 405, a display unit 406, a drive unit 407, and a camera 408. The configuration shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and the robot 4 may not include some of these components, or may include other components. For example, the robot 4 may include a speaker, a microphone, and various sensors.

The processor 401 is the calculation unit of the robot 4, and is, for example, a CPU. The processor 401 is a control unit that controls the execution of programs stored in the RAM 402 or ROM 403, and calculates and processes data. The processor 401 executes, for example, a program (communication program) that controls communication via the robot. The processor 401 receives various data from the input unit 405 and the communication unit 404, and displays the calculation results of the data on the display unit 406 or stores them in the RAM 402.

The communication program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as RAM 402 or ROM 403, or may be provided via a communication network connected by communication unit 404. In robot 4, various operations for controlling robot 4 are realized by processor 401 executing the communication program. Note that these physical configurations are merely examples and do not necessarily have to be independent configurations. For example, robot 4 may be equipped with an LSI (Large-Scale Integration) in which processor 401 is integrated with RAM 402 and ROM 403.

RAM 402 and ROM 403 are storage units that store data required for various processes and data resulting from the processes. In addition to RAM 402 and ROM 403, robot 4 may also include a large-capacity storage unit such as a hard disk drive. Communication unit 404 is a device that communicates with external devices.

The input unit 405 is a device for inputting data from outside the robot 4. The input unit 405 may include, for example, a keyboard and a touch panel for accepting data input from a user. The input unit 405 may also include a microphone for voice input.

The display unit 406 is a device for displaying various types of information. The display unit 406 visually displays the results of calculations performed by the processor 401, and may be configured, for example, as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 406 may display images captured by the camera 408 of the robot 4.

The driving unit 407 includes a remotely controlled actuator, and includes a moving unit such as wheels, a manipulator, etc. If the robot 4 is a mobile robot, the driving unit 407 includes at least a moving unit such as wheels, but may also include a manipulator. If the robot 4 is a wearable robot, the driving unit 407 includes at least a manipulator.

The camera 408 includes an imaging element that captures still images or videos, and transmits the captured still images or videos to an external device via the communication unit 404.

[Modification]
The program for implementing the system 1 (or the server device 2, the terminal device 3, or the robot 4) in this embodiment can be recorded on various recording media such as optical disks such as CD-ROMs, magnetic disks, semiconductor memories, etc. Also, the above-mentioned program can be downloaded through a recording medium or via a communication network, etc., and installed or loaded into a computer.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting.

1...system, 2...server device, 3...terminal device, 4...robot, 21...reservation reception unit, 22...authorization unit, 23...selection unit, 24...database, 201...processor, 202...memory, 203...storage device, 204...communication unit, 205...input unit, 206...display unit, 401...processor, 402...RAM, 403...ROM, 404...communication unit, 405...input unit, 406...display unit, 407...drive unit, 408...camera

Claims (4)

a reservation reception unit that receives a reservation from a user for using an unfixed robot;
an authority granting unit that grants the user an authority to access the robot at a date and time of use designated by the reservation accepted by the reservation accepting unit;
a selection unit that selects the robot to be used by the user to whom the access authority has been granted from among the one or more robots corresponding to the reservation based on reservation information related to the reservation and a status of the robot;
Equipped with
the reservation reception unit presents to the user a reservation slot set for each location where the robot is to be used, and accepts the reservation by having the user specify a location where the robot is to be used and the date and time of use;
The number of users who can reserve for one reservation slot is the maximum number of robots that multiple users can connect and operate simultaneously in each of the locations where the robots are used,
When the reservation acceptance unit confirms the reservation of the user, the reservation acceptance unit confirms the place where the robot will be used and the date and time of use, but does not confirm the robot to be used by the user.
Information processing device. The status of the robot includes at least one of an activation status of the robot, a charging status of the robot, a communication status of the robot, and a usage status of the robot.
2. The information processing device according to claim 1 . 1. A processor-implemented method, comprising:
accepting reservations from users for use of an unfixed robot;
granting the user access to the robot at the date and time of use designated by the accepted reservation;
selecting the robot to be used by the user to whom the access authority has been granted from among the one or more robots corresponding to the reservation based on reservation information related to the reservation and a status of the robot;
Including,
Accepting the reservation from the user includes presenting the user with a reservation slot set for each location where the robot is to be used, and allowing the user to specify the location where the robot is to be used and the date and time of use, thereby accepting the reservation;
The number of users who can reserve for one reservation slot is the maximum number of robots that multiple users can connect and operate simultaneously in each of the locations where the robots are used,
Accepting the reservation from the user includes determining the place and date and time for using the robot when the reservation of the user is confirmed, but not determining the robot to be used by the user.
Information processing methods. On the computer,
accepting reservations from users for use of an unfixed robot;
granting the user access to the robot at the date and time of use designated by the accepted reservation;
selecting the robot to be used by the user to whom the access authority has been granted from among the one or more robots corresponding to the reservation based on reservation information related to the reservation and a status of the robot;
Run the command ,
Accepting the reservation from the user includes presenting the user with a reservation slot set for each location where the robot is to be used, and allowing the user to specify the location where the robot is to be used and the date and time of use, thereby accepting the reservation;
The number of users who can reserve for one reservation slot is the maximum number of robots that multiple users can connect and operate simultaneously in each of the locations where the robots are used,
Accepting the reservation from the user includes determining the place and date and time for using the robot when the reservation of the user is confirmed, but not determining the robot to be used by the user.
program.