JP7661078B2 - Utilization area decision support system, utilization area decision support method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a utilization area determination support system, a utilization area determination support method, and a program.

In recent years, a work style called Activity Based Working (ABW), which allows workers (employees) to choose the place where they can work most efficiently, has been attracting attention.
A method of dividing the behavior of workers in an office into a number of "scenes (work scenes)," such as "Think,""Station,""Community,""Review,""Reception,""Academy," and "Break" is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The layout of each scene in a building and the location where groups using the building carry out their work can be optimized at the floor plan design stage to increase the convenience of the building. According to Patent Document 1, general office work is classified into "stations," and interactions in which workers meet with each other are classified into "community," etc. Buildings that are configured to allow efficient work by dividing the scenes in this way have already been provided.
Furthermore, if the area for office work ("station") is configured as a free address system, workers can choose the table and seat they want to use from the tables and seats provided in that area. In such a free address office, it is sometimes desirable to stimulate communication within a group and to be able to work in a suitable environment.
In a free address type office, for example, a group address is sometimes applied, which assigns the location of an area in which each group is active to each group.

JP 2016-115006 A

When a group address is applied to an area used by each group within a target area used as a free address office, a table assigned to a specific group may be placed between multiple tables assigned to that specific group. In such a case, the tables assigned to the specific group may not be adjacent to each other, and the areas used by the specific group may not be consolidated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a utilization area decision support system, utilization area decision support method, and program that can arrange areas used by each group in a free address office so that the areas are grouped together.

(1) The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the utilization area decision support system, which is a first aspect of the present invention, allocates tables in a target area used as a free address office to each of a plurality of groups that use the target area, the tables being permitted to be used by the group. The utilization area decision support system includes an acquisition unit that acquires table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined and an upper limit value of the distance between tables to be allocated to the same group, and a recommendation processing unit that determines a specific table from among a plurality of tables located in the target area according to the table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined, and then estimates an evaluation value when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table, and allocates a specific group from among the plurality of groups whose allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value. The recommendation processing unit allocates each table to be used by the specific group so that the distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.
(2) Furthermore, in the utilization area determination support system, the recommendation processing unit arranges a free space area in the middle of the target area when a planned utilization rate within the target area exceeds a predetermined value.
(3) Furthermore, in the utilization area determination support system, the table selection criteria define a priority for preferentially selecting tables in areas other than the free space area from among the tables in the target area.
(4) Further, in the utilization area determination support system, the recommendation processing unit assigns a table to be used by the specific group to a table in the free space area that is located within a range where the distance from a table assigned as the table to be used by the specific group in an area other than the free space area does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value.
(5) Further, in the utilization area determination support system, when the planned utilization rate within the target area does not exceed a predetermined specified value, the recommendation processing unit assigns the table to be used by the specific group to an unassigned table located within a range where the distance from the table assigned to be used by the specific group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.
(6) Another aspect of the present invention is a utilization area determination support method for a utilization area determination support system that allocates, to each of a plurality of groups that use a target area used as a free address office, a table within the area that the group is permitted to use, the method including the steps of: acquiring table selection criteria by which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined and an upper limit value for the distance between tables to be allocated to the same group; determining a specific table from among a plurality of tables located within the target area in accordance with the table selection criteria by which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined, and then calculating an evaluation value in the case where a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as the group that will use the specific table, and allocating a specific group from among the plurality of groups whose allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value; and allocating each of the tables to be used by the specific group so that the distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value.
(7) Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer of a utilization area determination support system, which allocates tables within a target area used as a free address office to each of a plurality of groups that use the target area, to acquire table selection criteria in which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined and an upper limit value for the distance between tables to be allocated to the same group; determining a specific table from among a plurality of tables located within the target area in accordance with the table selection criteria in which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined, and then calculating an evaluation value in the case where a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is assigned as the group that uses the specific table, and assigning a specific group from among the plurality of groups whose allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value; and assigning each of the tables to be used by the specific group such that the distance between tables assigned to the same group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

According to the present invention, in a free address office, the areas used by each group can be arranged together.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a building to which an embodiment is applied. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a utilization area determination support system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining an application example of the utilization area determination support system 1 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining an application example of the utilization area determination support system 1 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an analysis processing device 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to a table of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information related to a group according to the embodiment. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to an upper limit value of the embodiment. FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of each variable used in processing each group according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of data of a processing result according to the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a recommendation process according to an embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a preparation process according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining placement in a table with the highest table priority. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining placement in a table with the highest table priority. 13 is a flowchart of a process relating to arranging a plurality of tables of the same group (Gr) in the embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a process for arranging a plurality of tables of the same group (Gr) in the embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a process for arranging a plurality of tables of the same group (Gr) in the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a process relating to adjacent arrangement of the same group according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining processing in a case where the tables of a group are not adjacent to each other if seats other than the central table are assigned. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining each piece of information indicated in a symbol in the table. 13 is a flowchart of a process for acquiring a group with high proximity according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the process of acquiring a group with high proximity related to FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the process of acquiring a group with high proximity related to FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the process of acquiring a group with high proximity related to FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining table priority order according to an embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a process for arranging a group (Gr) with high proximity according to an embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of a utilization area determination support system, utilization area determination support method, and program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

(Matters common to all embodiments)
The utilization area decision support system described below is applied to, for example, the seating area selection process for a free address office.

For example, within the building in which the office is located, the seven scenes mentioned above are appropriately arranged to suit the work style. The work style includes various requirements such as the work content, work place, employment type, and working hours, and is determined in advance for each group or worker. The layout of each scene is determined in advance at the design stage using the floor plan and zoning, and is changed relatively infrequently. The utilization rate of each of the above scenes may vary depending on the content of daily work, but in this embodiment, a common floor plan is applied and the position of each scene is immutable.

The embodiment described below relates to the use of areas assigned to "stations." In the embodiment, the utilization area determination support system applies a "group address system" by providing a "home area" in which the tables and seats used by workers are grouped together in a free-address "station." Seats (homes) to be used for daily work are determined within this "home area." In response to requests from workers, the utilization area determination support system proposes (recommends) the location of tables assigned to the "home area." This is expected to stimulate communication both within and outside the group, and to increase the worker's sense of belonging. Furthermore, free space is created by optimizing the layout of each group's work area (home area). The utilization area determination support system provides the opportunity to utilize the free space by providing it in the desired location. Details of this will be explained below.

(Application examples of the embodiment)
The following application example will be given to explain the embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a building to which the embodiment is applied.
A "station" is assigned to the target area TZ shown in (a) of FIG. 1. The number of workers using this target area TZ is determined based on the total number of seats at each table. Although the number of people can be accommodated up to the total number of seats, it is recommended to use up to about 80% of the total number of seats for convenience. For example, tables arranged in a "station" may have 4 to 6 seats per table. Each table is arranged, for example, at the intersection of a two-dimensional lattice. The size, shape, number of seats, etc. of each table may be uniform, or some of them may be different from each other. The number of tables and the arrangement positions may be changed as appropriate without being limited to those shown in (a) of FIG. 1.

The diagram of the application example shown in (a) of FIG. 1 includes adjacent areas NZ1 and NZ2 in addition to the target area TZ. The adjacent area NZ1 is adjacent to the target area TZ. The adjacent area NZ1 is assigned to the "Community" which is one of the above-mentioned scenes. In the "Community", for example, a place where workers can communicate with each other is provided. The target area TZ and the adjacent area NZ1 are adjacent to the adjacent area NZ2, and the adjacent area NZ2 is provided with an "aisle" along the direction in which the target area TZ and the adjacent area NZ1 are arranged side by side. The position of the table in the target area TZ is indicated using XY coordinates. The origin of the XY coordinates is set at the point where the "community" and the "aisle" meet. The X-axis direction is the direction along the extension direction of the "aisle", and the Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the extension direction of the "aisle".

The information assigned to each table is shown in the symbol of each table shown in (a) of Figure 1. An example of the symbol of a table with four seats is shown in (b) of Figure 1, and each piece of information will be explained. The information "table ID", "priority", "X coordinate", and "Y coordinate" are each assigned to the four squares.

The rectangles marked "a1" to "a5", "b1" to "b5", "c1" to "c5", and "d1" to "d5" in (a) of Figure 1 respectively indicate tables with, for example, four or six seats. For example, the symbol S4P indicates the symbol for table a1 with four seats, and its position is column 1 on the X axis and row a on the Y axis. The symbol S6P indicates the symbol for table b1 with six seats, and its position is column 1 on the X axis and row b on the Y axis.

Although not shown in the figure, the working hours of each group using the target area TZ are set to a common time period, and are not based on a shift system in which working hours differ from one another. Furthermore, a flextime system or overtime hours may be applied. For example, the time periods proposed by the utilization area determination support system may be either regular working hours or overtime hours, or both. In both cases, the utilization area determination support system may change the content of the proposals for regular working hours and overtime hours.

For example, if the work style of each group's members tends to involve a relatively large amount of tasks that involve moving outside of their "stations," the highest priority may be assigned to tables closest to the aisle.

The area where free tables FT (not shown) that are not assigned to any group are located is called free space FS (not shown). The area where free tables FT are located together is called central table BB. Free tables FT are tables that have become available by leaving them vacant, but by adjusting the positions of the vacant seats, each group can use them for their own purposes as a place for communication, or individual workers can use them as a place to concentrate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2A is a schematic configuration diagram of a utilization area determination support system 1 according to the first embodiment.
The utilization area determination support system 1 in this embodiment includes an analysis processing device 100, a terminal device 200, and a terminal device 200M. A worker is indicated by the symbol W. A manager is indicated by the symbol M. In the following description, descriptions of the symbols W and M will be omitted.

The terminal device 200 is a device used by workers to post and view information. For example, each worker carries the same type of terminal device 200. The symbols GA, GB, GC, and GD in FIG. 3 indicate the groups to which the workers belong. Each worker can operate the terminal device 200 he or she carries to send information (e.g., responses to a questionnaire) to the analysis processing device 100, obtain information from the analysis processing device 100, and display the information on the display unit, thereby obtaining the location of tables available to the worker in the office.

The terminal device 200M is a device operated by the administrator M of the utilization area determination support system 1 to change the settings of the analysis processing device 100.

2B and 2C are diagrams for explaining an application example of the utilization area determination support system 1. FIG.
FIG. 2B shows a typical work style for one day.
For example, when a worker arrives at work at 9:00 or when the worker is scheduled to arrive at work (9:00), the utilization area determination support system 1 displays information on the worker's terminal device 200 (e.g., a smartphone) that guides the worker to the seat that the worker will use that day. The terminal device 200 may display this information in a pop-up format (FIG. 2C). The worker may operate a pop-up icon on the terminal device 200 to display (on a signage) related information regarding the seat guide.

In addition, for example, when it is time to leave work (e.g., 5:30 p.m.), the utilization area determination support system 1 displays information on the terminal device 200 (e.g., a smartphone) carried by the worker, informing them of the work area (seat) that the worker will use during overtime that day. The work area to be used during overtime is determined so that all groups fit within a portion of the overall area. Within this work area, the groups may be arranged in groups so that they are grouped together, or may be arranged in a general free address format.

In this way, the utilization area decision support system 1 can recommend work areas according to the office utilization system.

An example of the analysis processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the analysis processing device 100 of the first embodiment. The analysis processing device 100 is an example of a computer system.

The analysis processing device 100 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 10, a calculation unit 30, a recommendation processing unit 40, an output unit 50, and a memory unit 60 (not shown).

The storage unit 60 stores various data and programs for various processes executed by each unit of the utilization area determination support system 1, which will be described later. The utilization area determination support system 1 may be configured to use an external storage unit in addition to the storage unit 60, and a general method using communication may be applied in this case.

The information acquisition unit 10 acquires various data related to the processing of the utilization area determination support system 1 from an operation unit not shown in FIG. 3A or via the communication line NW (FIG. 2A). The various data include, for example, basic information, information related to a questionnaire from the previous day (schedule information), and data on the amount of inter-organizational communication up to the previous day.

For example, the basic information includes various information such as the floor plan of the building, the work style of each target group, the personnel composition of the workers of each group, the priority and upper limit values assigned to the multiple tables. For example, the floor plan information includes information on the positional relationship and distance between the target area TZ used as a free address office and an area for specific uses located outside the target area TZ. The priority (called table priority) and upper limit values assigned to the multiple tables will be described later. The information on the previous day's questionnaire includes the presence schedule for that day declared by the workers of each group, whether or not there is a meeting scheduled for that day, etc. The above information on the previous day's questionnaire is an example of schedule information related to the work on the day of use that was declared before the use of the multiple tables (the day before). The above schedule information is an example of schedule information including schedule information related to a meeting scheduled for the day of use. The amount of communication between groups includes behavior history information (including location information) for several days up to the day before.

When the information acquisition unit 10 acquires the various data described above, it writes and adds the acquired information to the storage unit 60. Each of the functional units described below uses the various data acquired by the information acquisition unit 10 or the various data stored in the storage unit 60 to add the results of processing to the storage unit 60.

The calculation unit 30 calculates the number of tables required on the day of use (required number of tables) from among the multiple tables in the target area TZ to be used as tables that limit the usage pattern on that day, based on the above schedule information. The required number of tables includes the number of tables for each group and the number of free tables. More specifically, the required number of tables on the day of use includes the number of tables allocated for each group's exclusive use and the number of free tables FT allocated for shared use by each group. In this embodiment, processing based on the number of tables is described, but processing based on the number of seats may be used instead.

The calculation unit 30 calculates the number of people who answered that they plan to be present for each group based on the above-mentioned schedule information. The calculation unit 30 calculates the amount of communication between groups based on the behavior history information.

Based on the above-mentioned schedule information, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines the priority of group arrangement for determining the table to be used by each of multiple groups, including the first group and the second group, within the target area TZ. For example, the group with the higher priority of group arrangement is called the first group. In this case, the second group has a lower priority than the first group. The same applies below.

Furthermore, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the areas of the second group, which has a lower priority than the group placement priority of the first group, in an area other than the area in which the areas of the first group are placed so as to satisfy the required number of tables. In this way, the second group is determined. Note that the placement of the areas of this second group shall follow the rules for placing areas of the second group, which will be described later.

The recommendation processing unit 40 may pre-select free tables FT that are permitted for use by members of the first group and members of the second group as appropriate to meet the required number of tables.

The output unit 50 receives requests from external terminal devices and outputs the results of the processing by the recommendation processing unit 40 to the terminal devices in response to the requests.

With reference to Figures 4A to 4E, an example of various types of information related to the example shown in the embodiment will be described.

Figure 4A is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to a table in an embodiment. The "table master" shown in Figure 4A stores information related to each table. The "table master" includes items such as the table ID, number of seats, coordinates (X coordinate, Y coordinate), table priority, and center table. Each record in the "table master" is provided for each table.

The table ID is identification information for each table. The number of seats is the number of seats at each table. The X coordinate indicates the coordinate in the X direction of each table, and the Y coordinate indicates the coordinate in the Y direction. The table priority is the priority of the table selected when arranging groups. For table priority, for example, "1" is defined as the highest priority, and the higher the consecutive number, the lower the priority.

The central table indicates information for identifying it as a table within central table BB, and information defining the priority of tables within central table BB. For example, "0" indicates that it is not set as central table BB, and any number other than "0" indicates that the respective table is set as a central table. The priority of tables within central table BB should also be defined by consecutive numbers starting from 1, similar to the table priority.

4B is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to groups according to the embodiment. The "group master" shown in FIG. 4B stores information related to each group.
The "group master" includes items such as group ID, number of members, prevention of leading, and group priority.

For example, the group ID is identification information for each group. The group name indicates the name of each group. The number of members indicates the number of members in each group. The first prevention indicates information for preventing a group from being placed in the highest priority table when performing group placement processing. For example, a value of 1 is set for a group that should not be placed in the highest priority table. The group priority indicates the order in which groups are selected when performing group placement processing. The group priority of the "group master" should also be specified as a consecutive number starting from 1, similar to the table priority described above.

Figure 4C is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to upper limit values in an embodiment. The "upper limit value" shown in (a) of Figure 4C stores information related to the upper limit value of the distance between the tables in which each group is placed.

The "upper limit" includes items such as upper limit UL1 and upper limit UL2. For example, upper limit UL1 indicates the upper limit of the distance that defines the range of the target when extracting the adjacent relationship between different groups. For example, it defines the range when extracting which groups have already been assigned to the surrounding (adjacent) tables for a table in which a group is to be placed.
The upper limit value UL2 indicates the upper limit of the distance that defines the range of the target destination when placing the same group in adjacent tables. For example, it defines the range when extracting which groups have already been assigned to the surrounding (adjacent) tables for a table in which two groups are to be placed.

Figure 4C (b) shows an example of calculating the distance between tables. The distance between the centers of the tables is used. The tables are arranged in a grid pattern in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The grid spacing is set to 1.0. The reference position of each table is aligned with this grid. The reference position of the table is set, for example, to the center of the table top. For example, tables a1 and a2 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The distance between them is 1.0. Tables a1 and b1 are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. The distance between them is 1.0. In contrast, tables a1 and b2 are arranged relatively close to each other, but are not adjacent to each other. The distance between them is 1.4.

Figure 4D is a diagram for explaining an example of each variable used in processing each group in an embodiment. The "group data" shown in Figure 4D stores data on each variable used in processing. For example, the "group data" includes items such as the group ID, number of people scheduled to be present, number of meetings scheduled, ratio of people scheduled to have meetings, and processing order.

The group ID is identification information for each group. The number of people scheduled to be present indicates the number of people scheduled to be present on that day. For example, it may be a value obtained by aggregating the number of people scheduled to be present on that day based on the results of a survey. The number of people scheduled to have meetings indicates the number of people who have meetings scheduled among those scheduled to be present. For example, it may be a value obtained by aggregating the number of people who answered that they have meetings scheduled among those scheduled to be present based on the results of a survey. The ratio of people scheduled to have meetings indicates the ratio of people who answered that they have meetings scheduled among those scheduled to be present. For example, it may be the ratio of the "number of people scheduled to be present" to the above-mentioned "number of people scheduled to have meetings". The processing order indicates the processing order of the group to be processed next. This processing order is recalculated and updated each time processing is performed by referring to the meeting ratio, group master, inter-group proximity, and output history. Note that a known method described in JP2016-115006A or the like may be used as a method for calculating inter-group proximity.

Figure 4E is a diagram for explaining an example of data resulting from processing in an embodiment. The "output data" shown in Figure 4E stores data resulting from processing. The "output data" includes items such as a table ID, a group ID, and the number of seats in use. For example, for each table associated with a table ID, a group associated with a group ID is assigned, and the number of groups is stored as the number of seats in use.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of the recommendation process of the embodiment.

First, a preparation process is carried out (step S12).
For example, the information acquisition unit 10 acquires basic information, schedule information, and behavior history information designated by the facility manager. For example, the schedule information may be based on responses to a questionnaire presented by the information acquisition unit 10 to the group members, or may be based on schedule information collected by a schedule management device (not shown). The calculation unit 30 calculates the number of tables required based on the schedule information. Based on this, the manager selects, for example, a central arrangement, which is one of the types of arrangement positions for free space.

In this embodiment, for example, the occupancy rate may be used as schedule information to identify whether or not the application of the process described below is appropriate. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the advance preparation process of this embodiment.

The calculation unit 30 calculates the total number of people expected to be present in each group and the overall occupancy rate, for example, based on the responses to the questionnaire. The occupancy rate is the ratio of the total number of people expected to be present in each group to the total number of people belonging to each group. The calculation unit 30 determines whether the overall occupancy rate is lower than a predetermined value (step S122), and if the overall occupancy rate is lower than the predetermined value, proceeds to step S126. The predetermined value related to the occupancy rate may be, for example, 40%. If the overall occupancy rate exceeds the predetermined value, the calculation unit 30 determines whether the total number of people expected to be present is greater than the number of seats at the tables excluding the center table (step S124).

If the total number of people expected to be present is greater than the number of seats at the tables excluding the center table, the arrangement condition is determined to be such that no center table is provided so that there is no shortage of seats (step S126), and the process ends. If the total number of people expected to be present is not greater than the number of seats at the tables excluding the center table, the arrangement condition is determined to be such that a center table (free space area) is provided, and the process ends. Note that the occupancy rate is an example of a planned utilization rate.

The following explanation of this embodiment focuses on the case where a central table (free space area) is provided.

Returning to FIG. 5, the recommendation processing unit 40 then extracts a group (first processing group) to be processed first according to a predetermined group priority order (step S14). This group priority order may be predetermined by an administrator, or may be determined based on historical information of group placement results.

Next, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the group (Gr) that is first in the processing order in the table with the first table priority (step S18). Note that "group (Gr)" indicates the identification information of that group.

Now, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain the placement of tables with the first table priority. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the placement of tables with the first table priority. The table priority is determined based on the group master, output data, etc. For example, the table selection criteria specifies a priority for preferentially selecting tables in areas other than the central table BB (free space area) from among the tables in the target area TZ.

For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines table a1 to be the table with the first table priority using the table priority order shown in FIG. 7. Note that the table priority order shown in FIG. 7 shows the result of rearranging the table priority order on the premise that the central table is placed. The priority order of tables assigned to the central table is set lower than the priority order of tables that are not assigned to the central table. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the group (Gr) with the first processing order is placed in table a1 with the first table priority order. The double line around the outer frame of table (a1) shown in FIG. 7 indicates that it has been assigned. The same applies below.

When multiple tables of the same group (Gr) need to be placed, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the tables of the same group (Gr) close to each other (step S20). For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 allocates tables extracted according to table priority order as tables of the same group (Gr) so as to secure the planned number of seats for the same group (Gr). The details of this process will be described later. Note that, if there are not enough tables at this stage, it is advisable to secure available seats by methods such as shared seating.

Next, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether the arrangement of all groups has been completed (step S22). If the arrangement of all groups has been completed, the series of processes ends.

If there are any unallocated groups, the recommendation processing unit 40 obtains the table ID (T) of the table with the highest table priority among the free tables (step S30).

Next, the recommendation processing unit 40 acquires groups (Gr) that are groups that are highly proximate to groups placed in adjacent tables (step S32). The recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether adjacent placement of the same group is possible, and if adjacent placement is not possible, changes the table ID (T) according to a predetermined rule (step S34). This is repeated the necessary number of times to determine the table ID (T) of tables that can be placed adjacently.

The recommendation processing unit 40 places the group (Gr) with high proximity in a table (table ID (T)) that can be placed adjacently (step S36).

By following the above processing steps, the recommendation processing unit 40 can place groups (Gr) with high proximity adjacent to each other.

Below, we will provide some specific examples (scenarios) and explain the processing involved in each example.

Scenario 1A: Placing multiple tables from the same group (Gr)

The process for arranging multiple tables of the same group (Gr) (step S20 in FIG. 5) will be described with reference to FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C. FIG. 9A is a flowchart of the process for arranging multiple tables of the same group (Gr) in an embodiment. FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are diagrams for explaining the process for arranging multiple tables of the same group (Gr) in an embodiment.

The information shown in Figure 9C is an example of the results of calculating the distance from a table assigned to a specific group to the new target table. The information shown in Figure 9C is an example of the results of calculating the distance from the assigned table to the new target table, compared to the "table master" shown in Figure 4A above.

The prerequisites for this example are that the same group has already been assigned to tables c1 and d1 (placed), and we are at the stage of placing a third table from the same group.

In the information shown in Figure 9C, "distance from c1" and "distance from c2" are the distances from table c1 and table c2 to the respective tables to be placed. The sum of the above distances is shown as distance (M).

As shown in FIG. 9A, first, the recommendation processing unit 40 compares the number of people who plan to be present in a particular group with the number of seats already allocated for the same group to calculate the number of seats that are insufficient for the allocated group. For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether the number of people who plan to be present is equal to or less than the number of seats already allocated (step S202). This conditional formula is shown in formula (1).

Number of people expected to attend <= Number of seats already allocated ... (1)

Note that because allocation is done on a table-by-table basis, the number of allocated seats may be greater than the number of people expected to be seated. This difference represents the number of available seats at that table.

If the number of people planning to attend is equal to or less than the number of allocated seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 ends the series of processes. If the number of people planning to attend exceeds the number of allocated seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether there is an unassigned table (empty table) (step S204), and if there is no empty table, it may attempt, for example, a shared seat process. The shared seat process will be described later.

If there are free tables, the recommendation processing unit 40 calculates the distance (M) from the arranged tables of the group (Gr) for each free table (step S206). In this case, if there are multiple arranged tables in the same group, it is advisable to add up the distances from each table.

Next, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects a table in which to place the group (Gr) by rearranging the order of placement using numerical values related to the table master, such as the center table, distance (M), and table priority. The recommendation processing unit 40 assigns the group (Gr) to the selected table and places the group (Gr) there (step S208). After completing the processing of step S208, the recommendation processing unit 40 proceeds to the processing of step S202.

For example, the list in FIG. 9C shows the results of sorting based on the values of each item in the order of center table, distance (M), and table priority when there is a free table in each table registered in the table master. The record shown at the top is the result of trial calculation for table d2 with table ID "d2", and the "distance from table c1 to table d2", "distance from table c2 to table d2", and the total "distance (M)" are 1.41, 1.00, and 2.41, respectively. The "distance (M)" value is an example of an evaluation value, and more specifically, an example of an evaluation value related to distance. It is advisable to select the table with the smallest "distance (M)" value among the records. As a result, the recommendation processing unit 40 extracts table d2 as a suitable table.

By using the above process, when placing multiple tables from the same group (Gr), the tables in the same group can be placed adjacent to each other.

Scenario 1B: If seats other than the center table are assigned, the group's tables will not be adjacent

Next, referring to Figures 10 to 12, a process that is applied when the tables of a group will not be adjacent if seats other than the central table are assigned will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart of a process related to adjacent placement of tables of the same group in an embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram for explaining a process that will not be adjacent if seats other than the central table are assigned. Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining each piece of information shown in the table symbol.

For example, during processing, a specific group may be placed on a free table under conditions that assume the central table will be used. An example of this is described below.

Figure 11 shows the table allocation status. Figure 12 shows a second example of a symbol for a table with four seats, and explains the information shown in each cell in the table. The information "Table ID" and "Group priority" are allocated to the top two cells, and the information "Allocated group" is allocated to the bottom cell.

As shown in Figure 11, it is assumed that all tables other than the central table, except for table d5, have already been assigned. As mentioned above, there are no free tables other than table d5 among the tables other than the central table. Table d5 is a table that is at the corner of the target area. Therefore, the tables adjacent to table d5 in the -X and -Y directions (tables c5 and d4) are tables within the adjacent range CC, but have already been assigned.

In this situation, if group F, which has 11 people expected to be present, is to be placed at table d5, which has only four seats, group F cannot be placed there. If the seats for group F, which are insufficient when allocated to table d5, are allocated to vacant tables in the center table, the tables for group F will no longer be adjacent.

Therefore, this embodiment solves the problem of such a situation by the following process.

As shown in FIG. 10, first, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether the number of people expected to be in the group is greater than the number of vacant seats at the table selected as the candidate for placement (the table to be placed at) (step S342). If the number of people expected to be in the group is not greater than the number of vacant seats at the selected table, there is no need to assign multiple tables to the group, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the number of people expected to be enrolled in the group is greater than the number of vacant seats at the selected table, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether there are any vacant tables adjacent to the table selected as a candidate for placement from within the adjacent range CC (step S344). For example, this determination can be made by using the value of the above upper limit value UL2 (e.g., 1.2) to define the adjacent range CC. By using the value of the upper limit value UL2 as a threshold, table c4, whose distance from table d5 to table c4 is 1.4 or more, is determined to be not an adjacent table to table d5.

If there is a free table adjacent to the table selected as a candidate for placement, the recommendation processing unit 40 decides to use that table, sets the table ID of that table as a variable (T), and ends the series of processes.

If there is no free table adjacent to the table selected as a candidate for placement, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether there are any other free tables (step S346), and if there are no other free tables, proceeds to sharing a table.

If there are other free tables, the recommendation processing unit 40 changes the variable (T) indicating the table ID of the free table to the value of the table ID of the next free table (step S348) and proceeds to step S342.

By the above process, the recommendation processing unit 40 can assign a table to be used by a specific group to a table in the central table BB that is located within a range where the distance from a table assigned to be used by a specific group in an area other than the central table BB (free space area) does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value UL2. This can resolve cases where the tables of a group are not adjacent to each other due to the positions where other groups are placed.

The above-mentioned sharing process refers to the process of assigning multiple groups to one table. By combining such sharing processes, it may be possible to resolve cases where there are not enough tables when only the process of assigning a single group so that they can use one table exclusively.

The recommendation processing unit 40 may apply the following examples as a method for this sharing seat processing.

- One table will be shared between the two groups, and the boundary will be set up within the table.

- The two tables that form the boundary between the two groups will be shared, and the boundary will be set up within each of the two tables.

According to the above embodiment, the utilization area determination support system 1 allocates tables in the area that is permitted for use by each of the multiple groups that use the target area in the target area used as a free address type office. The utilization area determination support system 1 includes an information acquisition unit that acquires table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined and an upper limit value of the distance between tables to be allocated to the same group, and a recommendation processing unit 40 that determines a specific table from among the multiple tables located in the target area according to the table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined, and then estimates an evaluation value when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table, and allocates a specific group from among the multiple groups whose allocation has not been completed to a specific table based on the estimated evaluation value. The recommendation processing unit 40 allocates each table to be used by a specific group so that the distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value. This allows the areas used by each group in a free address type office to be arranged so that they are grouped together. The upper limit value is not limited to being defined between the same group, and may simply be a predetermined value. The upper limit value UL2 defined between the same group is one example of the upper limit value. By using the upper limit value UL2 defined between the same group, the same group can be placed in adjacent tables.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a case where a central table is arranged will be described. In this embodiment, a case where a central table is not arranged will be described. The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

With reference to Figures 13 to 17, we will explain the process of obtaining groups with relatively high proximity in cases where a central table is not placed.

Figure 13 is a flowchart of the process of acquiring groups with high proximity in the second embodiment. Figures 14A to 15 are diagrams for explaining the process of acquiring groups with high proximity related to Figure 13. Figure 14A shows the position information of each table, and Figure 14B shows information on groups already assigned to each table. Note that the proximity referred to here may include information such as the proximity itself, the ratio of people scheduled to meet, and group priority. Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining table priority in the embodiment.

The table to be analyzed in this process is defined as the adjacent range DD based on the upper limit value UL1. For example, the adjacent range DD is a region within a circle with the position of the reference table as its center and the upper limit value UL1 as its radius. The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts the group to be processed based on the degree of association between the groups placed in the table within the adjacent range DD based on the upper limit value UL1 and the groups not placed (step S322).

For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 calculates the relevance between groups placed in tables within the adjacent range DD from the target table and unplaced groups. The recommendation processing unit 40 aggregates information indicating the relevance of unplaced groups using the group IDs of unplaced groups (called proximity group IDs) as a key. Information indicating the relevance of unplaced groups may include average distance, proximity, ratio of people scheduled to meet, group priority order, etc.

The above average distance refers to the average distance calculated for each proximity group from the table selected as a candidate for placement (the table to be placed) to tables in adjacent groups that have already been placed. Proximity refers to the proximity of groups that are highly related to the group that has already been placed (called adjacent groups). The ratio of people scheduled to have meetings refers to the ratio of people scheduled to have meetings to the number of people in the adjacent group.

Next, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines a group to be processed from among the unplaced groups based on the results of the above extraction (step S324) and ends the process.

For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 may sort the information of the groups to be processed based on one or more pieces of information such as the average distance, proximity, ratio of people scheduled to meet, and group priority of each group, and determine the group with the highest ranking as the group to be processed.

As a result, when the occupancy rate (planned usage rate) within the target area TZ does not exceed a predetermined value, the recommendation processing unit 40 can assign a table to be used by a specific group to an unassigned table located within a range where the distance from the table assigned to be used by the specific group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value UL1.

Referring to Figures 15 and 16, we will show a more specific example and explain how to calculate the average distance.

FIG. 15A shows an excerpt of data relating to an unallocated table.
For example, at the stage where the unallocated tables shown in Fig. 15(b) remain, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects a table with a high priority based on a preset selection criterion as a candidate for placement from among the tables whose allocation has not been completed and shown in the list shown in Fig. 15(a). In the case of the situation shown in Fig. 16, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects table c3, which has the lowest table priority number, based on the table priority order.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), tables b2-b4, tables c2 and c4, and tables d2-d4 are tables within the adjacent range DD. As shown in FIG. 14B and FIG. 15(a), tables b2-b3, table c2, and tables d2-d3 have already been assigned groups. The groups already assigned to tables within the adjacent range DD are groups A, C, D, and E. In addition to the above, group B is assigned to a table outside the adjacent range DD.

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts, for example, two groups, groups F and G, as groups to be evaluated based on the group priority order in the group table, and generates each piece of information shown in FIG. 12(a).
For example, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the proximity of group G to groups A, C, and E is 0. Although not shown in Fig. 15(a), the proximity of group F to groups A, C, and E is also 0. As described above, the proximity of both groups F and G "to groups A, C, and E" is 0. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the proximity of group F to group D is 7, which indicates that the association between groups D and F is high.
As a result, based on the "proximity", group F, which has a higher "proximity" value, is selected (FIG. 15(b)).

According to the group data (Figure 4D), the number of people expected to be present in group F is four, and the number of people expected to be present in group G is eleven. Group F can be allocated to one table, table c3, which has four seats. Group G cannot be allocated to just one table, table c3, which has four seats, and will have to be allocated across multiple tables.

With reference to FIG. 17, a more specific example of the process (step S36) of arranging a group (Gr) with high proximity as shown in FIG. 5 described above will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the process of arranging a group (Gr) with high proximity according to an embodiment.

The recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether the number of people planning to be present is greater than the number of vacant seats at the table selected as the candidate for placement (the table to be placed at) (step S362). If the number of people planning to be present is greater than the number of vacant seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the number of vacant seats at that table in that table (step S364) and adds the data for the number of vacant seats to the seat usage number column of the output data. This completes the series of processes.

If the number of people planning to be present is equal to or less than the number of vacant seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the number of people planning to be present in the table (step S366) and adds the data of the number of people planning to be present to the number of seats in use column of the output data. This completes the series of processes.

By performing the above process, groups (Gr) with high proximity can be placed at tables that can be placed adjacently, depending on the number of people expected to be present in the group to be placed.

According to any of the above embodiments, the utilization area determination support system 1 allocates tables in a target area used as a free address office to each of a plurality of groups that use the target area, the tables being permitted to be used by the group. The utilization area determination support system 1 includes an information acquisition unit 10 that acquires table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined and an upper limit value of the distance between tables to be allocated to the same group, and a recommendation processing unit 40 that determines a specific table from among a plurality of tables located in the target area according to the table selection criteria in which the order of table selection is predetermined, and then estimates an evaluation value when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table, and allocates a specific group from among the plurality of groups whose allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value. The recommendation processing unit 40 allocates tables to be used by the specific group so that the distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed the upper limit value that has been predetermined. This allows the utilization area determination support system 1 to arrange areas used by each group in a free address office so that they are grouped together.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, and the utilization area determination support system 1 has an internal computer system. The series of steps related to the above-mentioned processes are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable storage medium, and the above-mentioned processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Here, computer-readable storage medium refers to a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc. Also, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives this distribution may execute the program. Also, the "computer system" here includes an OS, etc.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, the embodiment of the present invention can be a modification of the above embodiment as follows.

For example, in the above embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the configuration related to the present invention has been described as the functions of the utilization area determination support system 1 being integrated into one device, but the functions may be appropriately distributed across multiple devices.

1 Utilization area decision support system, 10 Information acquisition unit, 30 Calculation unit, 40 Recommendation processing unit, 50 Output unit, 60 Storage unit, 100 Analysis processing device, 200, 200M Terminal device

Claims (7)

A utilization area decision support system that allocates tables in an area that is permitted for use by a group to each of a plurality of groups that use the target area, the tables being allocated to each group within the area, the tables being permitted for use by the group, within a target area that is used as a free address type office,
an acquisition unit that acquires table selection criteria in which a selection order of tables is predetermined and an upper limit value of the distance between tables to be assigned to the same group;
determining a specific table from among a plurality of tables located within the target area according to a table selection criterion in which a table selection order is predetermined;
Then, an evaluation value indicating a distance between the specific table and other tables when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table is calculated;
a recommendation processing unit that allocates a specific group among the plurality of groups for which allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value;
Equipped with
The recommendation processing unit assigns tables to be used by the specific groups such that an evaluation value indicating a distance between tables assigned to the same group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit. The recommendation processing unit is
2. The utilization area determination support system according to claim 1, wherein a free space area is arranged in the middle of the target area when a planned utilization rate within the target area exceeds a predetermined value. 3. The utilization area determination support system according to claim 2, wherein the table selection criteria defines a priority for preferentially selecting tables in an area other than the free space area from among the tables in the target area. The recommendation processing unit is
A utilization area determination support system as described in claim 2 or claim 3, which assigns a table to be used by the specific group to a table in the free space area that is located in an area other than the free space area and whose distance from the table assigned as the table to be used by the specific group does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value. The recommendation processing unit is
A utilization area determination support system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the planned utilization rate within the target area does not exceed a predetermined specified value, the table to be used by the specific group is assigned to an unallocated table located within a range whose distance from the table assigned to be used by the specific group does not exceed the predetermined upper limit value. A utilization area decision support system and method for allocating tables in an area permitted for use by a group to each of a plurality of groups using the target area, the target area being used as a free address type office, the method comprising:
obtaining table selection criteria in which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined, and an upper limit of the distance between tables to be assigned to the same group;
determining a specific table from among a plurality of tables located within the target area according to a table selection criterion in which a table selection order is predetermined;
Then, an evaluation value indicating a distance between the specific table and other tables when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table is calculated;
A step of allocating a specific group from among the plurality of groups for which allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value;
and allocating tables to be used by the specific groups so that an evaluation value indicating a distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit. A computer of a utilization area decision support system which allocates tables in an area permitted for use by a group to each of a plurality of groups using the target area, the target area being used as a free address type office,
acquiring table selection criteria in which the order in which tables are selected is predetermined, and an upper limit of the distance between tables to be assigned to the same group;
determining a specific table from among a plurality of tables located within the target area according to a table selection criterion in which a selection order of the tables is predetermined;
Then, an evaluation value indicating a distance between the specific table and other tables when a group including a table whose allocation has not been completed is allocated as a group that uses the specific table is estimated, and
A step of allocating a specific group from among the plurality of groups for which allocation has not been completed to the specific table based on the estimated evaluation value;
and a step of allocating tables to be used by the specific groups such that an evaluation value indicating the distance between tables allocated to the same group does not exceed a predetermined upper limit.

Images