JP7546795B2 - Cleaning management device and cleaning management method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning management device and a cleaning management method, and in particular to a cleaning management device and a cleaning management method that manage cleaning work performed by cleaners in areas to be cleaned.

One example of a system that supports cleaning work is the cleaning work support system disclosed in JP 2000-222467 A (Patent Document 1). This cleaning work support system divides floors in a building to be cleaned into contaminated areas, generates a cleaning workload for each contaminated area, and uses this to calculate the total cleaning workload.

JP 2000-222467 A

Incidentally, as it is becoming more difficult for cleaning companies to recruit (secure) cleaners, it is expected that in the future, one cleaner will be responsible for multiple buildings. Also, if a cleaning staff member suddenly needs to take a day off, another cleaner may have to clean buildings they are not responsible for. Furthermore, depending on the balance between personnel and areas to be cleaned, it is also expected that multiple people will share the cleaning duties of a single floor. In such cases, the cleaner will be cleaning buildings that they are unfamiliar with.

When cleaning a building that you are unfamiliar with, you will not know the characteristics of the building and will not know which areas within the area to be cleaned are important areas to clean. This can lead to complaints from building users due to insufficient cleaning.

This disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cleaning management device and a cleaning management method that can reduce dissatisfaction among building users due to insufficient cleaning in the areas to be cleaned.

A cleaning management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device that manages cleaning work of a target cleaning area by a cleaner. It includes a processor and a memory that stores a program executed by the processor. The processor generates an important area map by overlaying a people flow area map on a cleaning area map. The cleaning area map shows multiple cleaning areas in which the target cleaning area is divided into units in which cleaning is performed by cleaners. The people flow area map shows multiple people flow areas in which the target cleaning area is divided based on people flow information in the target cleaning area. The processor determines the importance of cleaning in the multiple cleaning areas based on the information set in the important area map.

A cleaning management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for managing cleaning work of a target cleaning area by a cleaner. The cleaning management method includes a step of generating an important area map by overlaying a people flow area map on a cleaning area map. The cleaning area map shows a plurality of cleaning areas in which the target cleaning area is divided into units in which cleaning is performed by cleaners. The people flow area map shows a plurality of people flow areas in which the target cleaning area is divided based on people flow information in the target cleaning area. The cleaning management method further includes a step of determining the importance of cleaning in the plurality of cleaning areas based on the information set in the important area map.

According to the present disclosure, cleaners can check the importance of cleaning in multiple cleaning areas, allowing them to focus on cleaning areas that are important to users. This can reduce dissatisfaction among building users due to insufficient cleaning in the areas to be cleaned.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cleaning system to which a cleaning management device according to an embodiment is applied; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cleaning system. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for generating an important area map. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cleaning area map. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining determination of a people flow area. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a people flow area map. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an important area map. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an important area table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an area table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an important area map. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process executed by a server. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an important area map according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cleaning system to which a cleaning management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. The cleaning system is a system for cleaning a floor 20 (floor surface) in a building 100.

With reference to Figure 1, the cleaning system includes a number of wireless communication devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, ..., a camera 32, a server 40, and a terminal 60. The server 40 corresponds to one embodiment of a "cleaning management device." The server 40 is a device that manages the cleaning work of the area to be cleaned by a cleaner (cleaner 28).

A mobile object 22 used within the building 100 is provided with a wireless communication device 24. The mobile object 22 is a so-called handcart used for transporting luggage, and is composed of a basket for carrying luggage, wheels, a handle, etc. In this example, a person 25 is using the mobile object 22. The wireless communication device 24 is attached, for example, to the basket or the handle.

The wireless communication device 24 transmits a signal for detecting the position of the mobile object 22 using a communication method that complies with the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy; "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark) communication standard. Instead of the BLE communication standard, a communication method that complies with the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard or the like may be used. The wireless communication device 24 may also transmit various signals transmitted by the mobile object 22 to the server 40 using a communication method that complies with a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

The wireless communication devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3... (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "wireless communication devices 30") are placed, for example, at an appropriate distance from the ceiling 35 of the building 100, and receive signals transmitted from the mobile unit 22 and detect their reception strength using a communication method conforming to the same communication standard as the wireless communication device 24 of the mobile unit 22. The position of the mobile unit 22 on the floor 20 can be determined from the reception strength at each wireless communication device 30. The wireless communication device 30 outputs the reception strength of the signal received from the mobile unit 22 to the server 40. The wireless communication device 30 may be installed on a wall.

The camera 32 is placed, for example, on the ceiling 35, and captures images of the inside of the building 100 including the floor 20. The camera 32 outputs data indicating the captured image to the server 40. There is no limit to the number of cameras 32. The camera 32 may also be installed on a wall.

The camera 32 captures images of the building 100 including the floor 20. The images captured by the camera 32 include images of people 26 passing through the building 100. The camera 32 outputs data indicative of the captured images to the server 40.

As described later, in this example, the movement trajectory of person 25 (moving body 22) using moving body 22 is detected using wireless communication device 30, and the movement trajectory of person 26 is detected using camera 32. Note that the movement trajectories of person 25 and person 26 may also be detected using camera 32. Also, any device may be used as long as it can identify the movement trajectories of people 25 and 26.

The server 40 (CPU 41) determines the cleaning importance of multiple cleaning areas on the floor 20 according to a procedure described below. Then, the important area map 170 reflecting the cleaning importance is made displayable on the terminal 60 or the display device 46 (described below) of the server 40.

The terminal 60 is a terminal used by the cleaner 28. The cleaner 28 cleans the floor 20 to be cleaned. The terminal 60 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop computer, etc. The server 40 can be logged in from the terminal 60, and is wirelessly connected to the terminal 60 via a network.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of server 40. Referring to Figure 2, server 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 43, an I/F (Interface) device 44, a storage device 45, and a display device 46. CPU 41, RAM 42, ROM 43, I/F device 44, storage device 45, and display device 46 exchange various data via a communication bus 47. In this embodiment, RAM 42, ROM 43, and storage device 45 are also collectively referred to as "memory."

The CPU 41 deploys the program stored in the ROM 43 in the RAM 42 and executes it. The program stored in the ROM 43 describes the processing to be executed by the server 40.

The I/F device 44 is an input/output device for exchanging signals and data with the wireless communication devices 30 and the camera 32. The I/F device 44 receives the reception strength of the signal received at the wireless communication device 30 from each wireless communication device 30. The I/F device 44 also receives data indicating a captured image from the camera 32. Furthermore, the I/F device 44 may transmit various signals and the like emitted by the mobile object 22 to the server 40 using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE.

The storage device 45 is a storage that stores various information, and stores information about the floor 20 (such as flooring information), the movement history (trajectory) of the person 26 and the moving object 22, etc. The storage device 45 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The display device 46 displays various information. The display device 46 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a display.

Like the server 40, the terminal 60 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, a memory unit, and a communication I/F, and is connected to the server 40 via the communication I/F. The terminal 60 also has an input unit that accepts input from a user (cleaner 28), and a display unit that displays various information. The input unit is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a display.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning system. Referring to Figure 3, the server 40 includes an input unit 52, a control unit 50, a storage device 45, and a display device 46 as a display unit.

The input unit 52 is connected to the wireless communication device 30 and the camera 32 (also referred to as the "identification unit"). The identification unit identifies the movement of people in the area to be cleaned. As described above, the wireless communication device 30 outputs to the server 40 the reception strength of the signal received from the wireless communication device 24 mounted on the mobile object 22 used within the building 100. In addition, the camera 32 outputs data indicating the captured image including an image of a person 26 passing through the building 100 to the server 40. The input unit 52 accepts a signal indicating the reception strength detected by the wireless communication device 30 and data indicating the captured image by the camera 32, and transfers the accepted signal to the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 generates a people flow map 130 (described later) from this information, and finally generates an important area map 170. In addition to these maps, the storage device 45 also stores a basic floor plan 110, a cleaning area map 120, etc. (described later). Information on these maps, etc. is transmitted to the terminal 60.

In addition, information such as these maps can be displayed on the display screen of the display device 46 or the terminal 60. The cleaner 28 can then perform cleaning while checking information such as the importance of cleaning on the display screen of the display device 46 or the terminal 60.

The generation of various maps will be explained in detail below using Figure 4 onwards. Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the procedure for generating an important area map 170. The display device 46 stores a basic floor map 110, a cleaning area map 120, people flow information 101, people flow map 130, people flow area map 131, an important area table 210, an area table 220, important area maps 150, 170, etc.

The server 40 (control unit 50) generates a cleaning area map 120 from the basic floor plan 110. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the basic floor plan 110. The basic floor plan 110 is stored in advance in the storage device 45.

As shown in Figure 5, the basic floor plan 110 shows a schematic plan view of a floor 20 in a building 100 (in this embodiment, a commercial facility such as a shopping mall) as seen from the ceiling. The floor 20 is a cleaning target area that may be cleaned by a cleaner 28.

The building 100 is provided with multiple entrances and exits for people 26 or moving objects 22 (used by person 25) to enter and exit the building, and an elevator for people 26 or moving objects 22 to move up and down floors. Additionally, multiple stores 310 are provided on floor 20. Note that the building 100 is not limited to a commercial facility, and may be a factory or an office, etc. The stores 310 may also be workshops, conference rooms, or some other facility.

The storage device 45 stores information (floor material information) about the floor material for each floor. Floor materials include, for example, floor tiles, cushioned flooring, hardwood flooring, carpet, etc. Floor tiles are made of polyvinyl chloride or ceramics, etc. Cushioned flooring is a sheet-like floor material made of polyvinyl chloride resin. Hardwood flooring is a floor material made of wood. Carpet is a floor material whose surface is formed of pile, which is a bundle of fibers. The storage device 45 also stores the color of the floor (for example, white).

The server 40 uses the acquired floor material information to determine whether the floor material of the floor 20 is made of a raised material (also referred to as a "raised material"). For example, if the floor material is a carpet, the server 40 determines that the floor material is made of a raised material. On the other hand, if the floor material is made of tiles, cushion flooring or hardwood flooring, the server 40 determines that the floor material is not made of a raised material (also referred to as a "non-raised material").

In the basic floor diagram 110, the server 40 distinguishes between areas where the floor is made of a brushed material (areas of brushed material 330) and areas where the floor is made of a non-brushed material (areas other than brushed material 330). The basic floor diagram 110 also holds information on the floor color as internal information in addition to the floor material. In this example, it is assumed that the floor color can also be confirmed in the basic floor diagram 110 at the user's instruction.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing a cleaning area map 120. The cleaning area map 120 shows a number of cleaning areas. These multiple cleaning areas are divisions of the area to be cleaned into units in which cleaning is performed by cleaners 28.

These multiple cleaning areas are divided based on the distance from an entrance leading to the outdoors, the color of the floor to be cleaned, and the material of the floor. A cleaning area map 120 is then created based on the divided areas.

Specifically, the areas to be cleaned may be divided according to whether they are close to the entrance or exit, whether the floor color is white, and whether the floor material is a non-fleece material. The areas to be cleaned are divided to make it easier for the cleaner 28 to clean. For example, areas with the same floor material (for which the same cleaning tools can be used) and that can be cleaned in a few minutes (for example, 5 minutes) may be classified as one cleaning area, so that the areas are divided to make it easier for the cleaner 28 to clean.

In the cleaning area map 120 of Figure 6, the area to be cleaned is divided into multiple areas a to z and aa. Here, areas c, o, g, and w are set as areas close to the entrance/exit. Areas h, i, l to n, q, and t are set as areas where the floor material is a brushed material. In addition, the cleaning area map 120 also holds information on the floor color as internal information in addition to the floor material, and the floor color can be confirmed on the cleaning area map 120 at the user's instruction.

The cleaner 28 displays the basic floor plan 110 on the display device 46 of the server 40 or the screen of the terminal 60, divides the area to be cleaned into multiple areas, and registers them. The server 40 generates a map divided into multiple areas as the cleaning area map 120.

Returning to FIG. 4, the server 40 (control unit 50) generates people flow information 101 based on information from the camera 32 and the wireless communication device 24. Furthermore, the server 40 generates a people flow map 130 based on the people flow information 101.

The server 40 measures the position of the moving object 22 (used by the person 25) on the floor 20 from the reception strength of the wireless communication device 24. The server 40 also measures the position of the person 26 on the floor 20 from the captured image using known image analysis technology.

Based on the measurement results of the positions of the moving object 22 and the person 26, the server 40 detects the movement trajectories of the moving object 22 and the person 26, and stores this in the storage device 45 as people flow information 101. The server 40 uses the detected movement trajectories (people flow information 101) of the moving object 22 and the person 26 to generate a people flow map 130 that represents the flow of people (people flow) on the floor 20.

Specifically, the server 40 uses a known image analysis technique to extract people 26 from the captured image, and detects the flow of people 26 moving on the floor 20 by measuring the time series change in the position of the extracted people 26. The server 40 also measures the position of the moving object 22 based on the reception strength of the signal received from the wireless communication device 24 of the moving object 22, and detects the flow of moving object 22 moving on the floor 20 by measuring the time series change in the measured position of the moving object 22. The server 40 then stores the detected people 26 and the flow of moving object 22 as people flow information 101. The server 40 then generates a people flow map 130 using the people flow information 101. The server 40 stores the generated people flow map 130 in the storage device 45.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a people flow map 130. Like Figure 5, Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of a floor 20 in a building 100 as seen from the ceiling. A thick line (also called "people flow") 320 in Figure 7 indicates the movement trajectory (traffic line) of a person 26 or a moving object 22. The line (people flow) 320 shows the movement of a person 26 or a moving object 22 between an entrance/exit, an elevator, and a store 310.

Returning to FIG. 4, the server 40 generates a people flow area map 131 based on the people flow map 130. The people flow area map 131 shows multiple people flow areas into which the area to be cleaned is divided based on the people flow information 101 (lines (people flow) 320) in the area to be cleaned. A detailed explanation is given below.

Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the determination of people flow areas. As shown in Figure 8, the server 40 divides the area to be cleaned into multiple people flow areas based on people flow information (line (people flow) 320) in the people flow map 130a.

For example, in a location where people are flowing, multiple people flow areas are set up. The multiple people flow areas are divided into multiple areas according to the amount of people flowing. Furthermore, the areas may be divided into areas of a size or shape (e.g., a rectangle) that are easy to manage.

The server 40 reflects the multiple pedestrian flow areas thus divided in the pedestrian flow map to generate the pedestrian flow area map 131. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the pedestrian flow area map 131.

In the pedestrian flow area map 131, a pedestrian flow rate is set for each pedestrian flow area. The pedestrian flow rate is set in three stages, with "high" being set for pedestrian flow areas with high pedestrian flow rates, "low" being set for pedestrian flow areas with low pedestrian flow rates, and "medium" being set for pedestrian flow areas with medium pedestrian flow rates. The server 40 stores the generated pedestrian flow area map 131 in the storage device 45.

Returning to FIG. 4, the server 40 generates an important area map 150 based on the cleaning area map 120 and the people flow area map 131. The server 40 stores the generated important area map 150 in the storage device 45.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the important area map 150. Hereinafter, cleaning areas a to z and cleaning area aa will be referred to as areas a to z, area aa, or areas a to z and area aa, respectively.

A cleaning area map 120 divided into multiple cleaning areas is overlaid with a pedestrian flow area map 131 divided into multiple pedestrian flow areas to generate an important area map 150. As a result, each cleaning area is further divided according to the pedestrian flow rate of the pedestrian flow areas.

For example, cleaning area b includes a pedestrian flow area where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "high" and a pedestrian flow area where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "medium." In other words, cleaning area b can be further divided into areas with a "medium" pedestrian flow rate, areas with a "high" pedestrian flow rate, and areas with no pedestrian flow rate.

Returning to FIG. 4, the server 40 generates an area table 220 based on the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. The server 40 stores the generated area table 220 in the storage device 45.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the important area table 210. The important area table 210 is a table for determining the cleaning importance (also simply referred to as "importance"). The cleaning importance is indicated by a numerical value, and the smaller the numerical value, the higher the cleaning importance.

The server 40 determines the cleaning importance of multiple cleaning areas based on the information set in the important area map 150. Finally, the important area map 170, which reflects the cleaning importance of the important area map 150, can be displayed on the display device 46 of the server 40 or the screen of the terminal 60.

Here, when cleaner 28 cleans a building that he is unfamiliar with, he does not know the characteristics of the building and therefore does not know which areas of the area to be cleaned are areas with a high level of cleaning importance. If there are cleaning defects in areas with a high level of cleaning importance, this may lead to complaints from building users. Areas with a high level of cleaning importance are places where complaints from building users are likely to occur frequently, such as places where dirt such as dust tends to accumulate or where dirt such as dust is easily noticeable.

When people walk, dirt from outside on shoes and dust from clothes fall onto the floor, making the floor dirty. In other words, places with a lot of foot traffic tend to accumulate dirt easily. Also, the closer to the entrance, the more dust falls onto the floor and the more dirt accumulates. If the floor is made of a raised material such as carpet, dirt is less noticeable, but if the floor is made of a non-raised material (such as stone), dirt is more noticeable. Also, if the floor is white, dirt is more noticeable, but if it is a color other than white (such as gray, which is an intermediate color between white and black), dirt is less noticeable. In this embodiment, "white" is used as an example of a color that makes dirt more noticeable, but the color is not limited to this, and any color that building users feel is more noticeable (for example, a pale color close to white) may be used.

In this embodiment, as described above, the importance of cleaning is increased in areas that are important to building users (places where dirt such as dust tends to accumulate (near entrances and exits, places with high foot traffic), or places where dirt such as dust is easily noticeable (places where the floor is white, places where the floor material is non-brushed, etc.).

The server 40 determines the cleaning importance based on the floor color, floor material, distance from an entrance/exit, and people flow information 101. Specifically, the important area table 210 is defined so that the cleaning importance is high when the floor color is white, the floor material is a non-fleece material, the area is close to an entrance/exit, and there is a lot of people flowing. The values in the important area table 210 may be changed by the cleaner 28 as appropriate depending on the characteristics of the building.

In the important area table 210, values are specified according to the visibility of dirt depending on the floor color. If the floor color is "white", a value of 1 is set. If the floor color is "other than white", a value of 1.5 is set. If the floor color is "white", dirt is recognized as being more visible than if the floor color is "other than white", and a smaller value is set (higher importance).

In the important area table 210, values are specified according to the degree to which dirt will be noticeable depending on the floor material. If the floor material is "non-brushed (non-brushed material)", a value of 1 is set. If the floor material is "brushed (brushed material)", a value of 2 is set. If the floor material is "non-brushed", dirt is recognized as being more noticeable than if the floor material is "brushed", and a smaller value is set (higher importance).

In the important area table 210, a value is specified according to the proximity to an entrance/exit. If it is close to the entrance/exit, 1 is set, if it is far from the entrance/exit, 3 is set, and if it is about medium, 2 is set. In other words, the closer it is to the entrance/exit, the smaller the value is set (the higher the importance).

In the important area table 210, a value according to the number of people is specified. This value corresponds to the value set in the people flow area map 131. If the number of people is high (if "High" is set in the people flow area map 131), 1 is set. If the number of people is low (if "Low" is set in the people flow area map 131), 3 is set. If the number of people is medium (if "Medium" is set in the people flow area map 131), 2 is set. If there is no number of people (if none of "High", "Medium", or "Low" is set in the people flow area map 131), 4 is set. In other words, the higher the number of people is, the smaller the value is set (the higher the importance).

Note that the settings in the important area table 210 described above are merely an example. Any setting may be used as long as it is deemed important when dirt is expected to be noticeable to building users. For floor colors, multiple colors that make dirt noticeable may be prepared, and a numerical value may be set for each color. For floor materials, numerical values may also be set using a classification method other than "brushed" and "non-brushed" (for example, surface gloss, etc.).

Figure 12 is a diagram showing the area table 220. The area table 220 specifies the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor material, the proximity to entrances/exits, the number of people flowing, and the importance of cleaning for each cleaning area (also simply referred to as "area").

Each value (importance, etc.) in the area table 220 is calculated by applying the information of each area read from the important area map 150 (see Figure 10) to the information in the important area table 210 (see Figure 11) that has been set up and registered in advance.

For example, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color is set based on the floor color setting of each cleaning area in the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. Since the floor color of cleaning areas a to d is set to white in the important area map 150, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color is set to 1.0 based on the important area table 210.

The conspicuousness of dirt due to the floor material is calculated from the floor material setting for each cleaning area in the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. Since the floor material for cleaning areas a to d is set to a non-brushed material in the important area map 150, the conspicuousness of dirt due to the floor material is set to 1 based on the important area table 210.

The proximity of each cleaning area to an entrance is set based on the proximity of the cleaning area to the entrance in the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. For example, in the important area map 150, cleaning area c is close to the entrance and is therefore set to 1, cleaning area a is far from the entrance and is therefore set to 3, and cleaning areas b and d are somewhere in between, so are set to 2.

The foot traffic flow rate is set based on the foot traffic flow rate of each cleaning area in the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. For example, in the important area map 150, cleaning area a has no foot traffic flow and is therefore set to 4.

In cleaning area b of the important area map 150, a number 1 is set for people flow areas where the people flow rate is set to "high," a number 2 is set for people flow areas where the people flow rate is set to "medium," and a number 4 is set for people flow areas where no people flow rate is set.

The conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color, conspicuousness of dirt due to floor material, proximity to entrances/exits, and foot traffic flow rates corresponding to each cleaning area and each pedestrian flow area set as described above are set in the area table 220.

In addition, cleaning importance (importance) is calculated from the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color corresponding to each cleaning area and each foot traffic area, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor material, the proximity to entrances/exits, and the foot traffic flow. Specifically, importance = conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color x conspicuousness of dirt due to floor material x proximity to entrances/exits x foot traffic flow.

For example, in cleaning area a, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor color = 1.0, the conspicuousness of dirt due to floor material = 1, the proximity to the entrance/exit = 3, and the number of people flowing = 4. Therefore, the importance of cleaning area a is calculated as 1 x 1 x 3 x 4 = 12.

Similarly, the importance of a pedestrian flow area in cleaning area b where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "high" is calculated as 1 x 1 x 2 x 1 = 2. The importance of a pedestrian flow area in cleaning area b where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "medium" is calculated as 1 x 1 x 2 x 2 = 4. The importance of a pedestrian flow area in cleaning area b where the pedestrian flow rate is not set is calculated as 1 x 1 x 2 x 4 = 8.

Note that the above method of calculating the cleaning importance is merely one example. The cleaning importance may be calculated by multiplying the values as described above, or by adding the values together, or by some other method.

Returning to FIG. 4, the server 40 generates an important area map 170 that reflects the importance in the area table 220. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the important area map 170.

The important area map 170 displays the importance corresponding to each cleaning area and each people flow area in the important area map 150. Here, for simplicity, only area b (cleaning area b) is illustrated, but in reality the importance is displayed for all cleaning areas.

In area b of the important area map 170, importance level "2" is displayed for pedestrian flow areas where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "high," importance level "4" is displayed for pedestrian flow areas where the pedestrian flow rate is set to "medium," and importance level "8" is displayed for pedestrian flow areas where no pedestrian flow rate is set. Importance levels are displayed similarly for the other areas a, c-z, and aa.

Next, the processing executed by the server 40 will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining an example of the procedure of processing executed by the server 40. The series of processing shown in this flowchart is executed for each floor. This processing corresponds to the processing explained using Figures 4 to 13 above.

First, in S101, the server 40 acquires a basic floor plan 110 (see FIG. 5). In S102, the server 40 generates a cleaning area map 120 (see FIG. 6) based on the basic floor plan 110.

In S103, the server 40 acquires information from the camera 32 and the wireless communication device 30. In S104, the server 40 generates people flow information 101 based on the information from the camera 32 and the wireless communication device 30. In S105, the server 40 generates a people flow map 130 (see FIG. 7) based on the people flow information 101. In S106, the server 40 generates a people flow area map 131 (see FIG. 9) based on the people flow map 130.

In S107, the server 40 generates an important area map 150 (see Figure 10) from the cleaning area map 120 and the people flow area map 131.

In S108, the server 40 acquires the important area table 210 (see FIG. 11). In S109, the server 40 generates the area table 220 (see FIG. 12) based on the important area map 150 and the important area table 210. This determines the importance level.

In S110, the server 40 generates an important area map 170 (see FIG. 13) that reflects the importance level in the important area map 150. In S111, the server 40 outputs the important area map 170. This allows the important area map 170 to be displayed on the display device 46 of the server 40 or the screen of the terminal 60. This allows the cleaner 28 to carry out cleaning work while checking the cleaning importance level on the important area map 170.

As described above, the server 40 determines areas with high cleaning importance based on the distance from the entrance/exit, the floor material, and people flow information. When cleaning an unfamiliar building, the cleaning staff does not know which areas of the area to be cleaned are of high importance because they do not know the characteristics of the building. This can lead to complaints from building users due to inadequate cleaning.

Places near entrances and exits and places with a lot of foot traffic are places where dirt tends to accumulate. Also, places where the floor is made of a non-fleece material or where the floor is white are places where dirt is easily noticeable. Since such places where dirt tends to accumulate and where dirt is easily noticeable are places where complaints from building users are likely to occur, in this embodiment, the cleaning importance of these places is increased. With this configuration, even if the cleaner 28 is unfamiliar with the building, he or she can know the cleaning importance (high or low importance) of the area he or she is responsible for and can focus on cleaning areas where complaints are likely to occur. This can reduce dissatisfaction among building users due to insufficient cleaning in the areas to be cleaned.

In the above, places where dirt is likely to accumulate are places with a lot of dust and the like. In contrast, places where dirt is likely to be noticeable are not necessarily places with a lot of dust and the like, but places where people intuitively notice dirt. For this reason, in this embodiment, the area to be cleaned is not evaluated only from the perspective of how efficiently the cleaning work can be completed. This embodiment is characterized in that it also evaluates the area to be cleaned taking into account points that intuitively notice dirt, such as the material and color of the floor.

In the above embodiment, a method for presenting an important area map reflecting the importance of cleaning in a cleaning system in which cleaning work is performed by cleaners has been described, but this method may also be applied to cases in which cleaning work is performed by an autonomous cleaning robot. In this case, cleaning instructions may be given to the autonomous cleaning robot to focus on cleaning areas with higher cleaning importance (for example, to take more time to clean).

[Modification]
In the present embodiment, the display device 46 is configured to display the important area map 170 so as to distinguish between areas where the floor material is not a raised material and areas where the floor material is a raised material, but in this modified example, it is configured as follows.

The display device 46 distinguishes between areas where the floor material is not a raised material and areas where the floor material is a raised material in the important area map 170, and also distinguishes between areas where the floor color is white and areas where the floor color is a color other than white. In this modified example, emphasis is placed on areas where people are intuitively concerned about dirt, such as the floor material or floor color, and the display device is configured to alert the cleaner 28 to such areas. In other respects, the explanation is essentially the same as that given using Figures 1 to 14.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an important area map 170 relating to a modified example. In this modified example, only areas a to d are shown, and the other areas are not shown. Also, in the explanation of Figure 12 above, the floor color is white and the floor material is a non-fleece material in all areas a to d. In this modified example, in area a, the floor color is white and the floor material is a fleece material, in areas b and c, the floor color is white and the floor material is a non-fleece material, and in area d, the floor color is a color other than white and the floor material is a fleece material.

As shown in Figure 15, a circle is displayed in areas where the floor material is a non-napped material, and a star is displayed in areas where the floor color is white. In area a, the importance level is 18. And because the floor color in area a is white, a star is displayed along with an importance level of 18.

In area b, the importance of areas with a "high" foot traffic volume is "2", the importance of areas with a "medium" foot traffic volume is "4", and the importance of areas with a "no" foot traffic volume is "8". The floor color of area b is white, so a star is displayed along with the importance. Furthermore, the floor material in area b is a non-brushed material, so a circle is displayed along with the importance.

In area c, the importance of areas with a "high" foot traffic volume is "1," and the importance of areas with a "medium" foot traffic volume is "2." The floor color of area c is white, so a star is displayed along with the importance. Furthermore, the floor material in area c is a non-brushed material, so a circle is displayed along with the importance.

In area d, the importance of areas with a "high" foot traffic volume is "6", the importance of areas with a "medium" foot traffic volume is "12", and the importance of areas with a "no" foot traffic volume is "12". The floor color of area d is a color other than white, and the floor material is a brushed material. For this reason, neither a star nor a circle is displayed.

For example, the area in area c with an importance level of "1" is marked with a circle and a star, and the cleaner can intuitively understand that it is particularly important and dirt on the floor is easily noticeable (leading to complaints), and therefore should be cleaned thoroughly. On the other hand, area d has neither a circle nor a star, and it can be understood that the area with an importance level of "24" is not a place that building users pay much attention to. For this reason, if there are restrictions on cleaning time, it can be understood that more time should be spent on the area in area c with an importance level of "1" rather than devoting more time to cleaning area d with an importance level of "24". In other words, the cleaner can understand which areas are important from the perspective of facility users.

As mentioned above, the closer to the entrance/exit, the more dust is likely to fall on the floor, and dirt is more likely to accumulate in areas with a lot of foot traffic. On the other hand, if the floor is made of a non-fleece material such as stone, or if the floor is white, dirt is more noticeable. Such areas where dirt is more noticeable are also areas where building users are more likely to complain. In the important area map 170, if the floor is made of a non-fleece material where dirt is more noticeable, the area is indicated with a star, and if the floor is white where dirt is more noticeable, the area is indicated with a circle, allowing cleaners to focus on cleaning areas where dirt is more noticeable. This can further reduce building user dissatisfaction due to insufficient cleaning in the areas to be cleaned.

In addition, without being limited to the above examples, areas where the floor is white may be displayed in a color that attracts the attention of cleaning staff, or a prominent display may be made. Areas where the floor material is a non-napped material may be displayed in a color that attracts the attention of cleaning staff, or a prominent display may be made. In addition, without being limited to these, if the floor color or floor material is one where dirt is easily noticeable, it is sufficient to display this area in a way that attracts the attention of cleaning staff.

Furthermore, the display is not limited to the color or material of the floor, and may be any display that attracts the attention of cleaning staff in areas that are likely to be noticeable to building users. For example, an area that is likely to be noticeable to building users is the area near the exit of a descending escalator. In the case of a descending escalator, building users' eyes tend to focus on the area at their feet. The area immediately after getting off the descending escalator is likely to be noticeable to building users, so dirt in this area is also likely to be noticed (leading to complaints). For this reason, the display may be made to attract the attention of cleaning staff in the area near the exit of the descending escalator. Not limited to this, displays may be made to attract the attention of cleaning staff in areas where building users' eyes are likely to focus.

The pedestrian flow information 101 may be generated based on information acquired from the camera 32 and wireless communication device 30 over a certain period of time in the past. If there is a possibility that the trend of pedestrian flow may change, the pedestrian flow information may be updated once a day or once a week. Furthermore, if the trend of pedestrian flow may change due to an event at a commercial facility, etc., the past pedestrian flow information to be used may be switched according to the trend. For example, multiple pieces of pedestrian flow information may be prepared in advance, and one may be selected from the multiple pieces of pedestrian flow information and applied to the pedestrian flow map according to the trend of pedestrian flow on the day.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The technical scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

20 Floor, 22 Mobile object (push cart), 24 Wireless communication device, 25, 26 Person, 28 Cleaning staff, 30 Wireless communication device, 32 Camera, 35 Ceiling, 40 Server (cleaning management device), 41 CPU, 42 RAM, 43 ROM, 44 I/F device, 45 Storage device, 46 Display device, 50 Control unit, 52 Input unit, 60 Terminal, 100 Building, 101 People flow information, 110 Basic floor map, 120 Cleaning area map, 130, 130a People flow map, 131 People flow area map, 150, 170 Important area map, 210 Important area table, 220 Area table, 310 Store, 320 Line (people flow), 330 Brushed material.

Claims (7)

A cleaning management device that manages cleaning work of a cleaning target area by a cleaner,
A processor;
a memory for storing a program executed by the processor;
The processor generates an important area map by overlaying a people flow area map on a cleaning area map;
The cleaning area map shows a plurality of cleaning areas in which the cleaning target area is divided into units in which cleaning is performed by the cleaner,
The people flow area map shows a plurality of people flow areas into which the cleaning target area is divided based on people flow information in the cleaning target area,
The processor determines a cleaning importance level for each of the plurality of cleaning areas based on the information set in the important area map;
The information set in the important area map includes a distance from an entrance leading to the outside, a color of the floor to be cleaned, a material of the floor, and the pedestrian flow information,
When the distance from the entrance is a first distance, the cleaning importance is higher than when the distance from the entrance is a second distance that is longer than the first distance,
When the color of the floor is white, the cleaning importance is higher than when the color of the floor is a color other than white,
When the material of the floor is not a raised material, the cleaning importance is higher than when the material of the floor is a raised material . The cleaning management device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a map in which the importance of cleaning is reflected in the important area map. The cleaning management device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cleaning areas are divided based on a distance from the entrance / exit, a color of the floor, and a material of the floor. The cleaning management device according to claim 3 , wherein when a first people flow rate is set in the people flow information, the cleaning importance is higher than when a second people flow rate lower than the first people flow rate is set. The display unit is
A region where the floor color is white and a region where the floor color is a color other than white are displayed in a distinguishable manner,
The cleaning management device according to claim 4 , wherein the area where the floor material is not a raised material and the area where the floor material is a raised material are displayed in a distinguishable manner. The cleaning management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the people flow information is generated based on information acquired from an identification unit that identifies the movement of people in the area to be cleaned. A cleaning management method executed by a computer for managing cleaning work of a cleaning target area by a cleaner, comprising:
A step of generating an important area map by overlaying a people flow area map on a cleaning area map,
The cleaning area map shows a plurality of cleaning areas in which the cleaning target area is divided into units in which cleaning is performed by the cleaner,
The people flow area map shows a plurality of people flow areas into which the cleaning target area is divided based on people flow information in the cleaning target area,
The method further includes a step of determining a cleaning importance level for each of the plurality of cleaning areas based on information set in the important area map;
The information set in the important area map includes a distance from an entrance leading to the outside, a color of the floor to be cleaned, a material of the floor, and the pedestrian flow information,
When the distance from the entrance is a first distance, the cleaning importance is higher than when the distance from the entrance is a second distance that is longer than the first distance,
When the color of the floor is white, the cleaning importance is higher than when the color of the floor is a color other than white,
In the cleaning management method , when the material of the floor is not a raised material, the cleaning importance is higher than when the material of the floor is a raised material .

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