JP2023012061A - Seat area selection system, sear area selection method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seat area selection system, a seat area selection method and a program which can reduce deviation of tendencies of allocation of positions which are used by a group in a free-address type office.SOLUTION: A seat area selection system comprises a recommendation processing unit which selects, regarding group arrangement for determining tables which are used by the respective groups from among a plurality of tables to be arranged in an object area used as a free-address type office, tables used by the respective groups on the basis of a table priority level showing priority of selecting as arrangement objects from among the plurality of tables in the object area, an arrangement order of the respective groups, the required number of tables determined for every group on the basis of use schedules of the respective groups, and allocated table identification information showing the allocated tables in the object area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a seating area selection system, a seating area selection method, and a program.

In recent years, attention has been focused on a work style (ABW: Activity Based Working) in which a worker (employee) can select the most efficient place to work.
The behavior of workers in the office is divided into multiple "scenes (work scenes)" such as "Think", "Station", "Community", "Review", and "Reception". )”, “Academy”, and “Break” (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The convenience of the building can be enhanced by optimizing the layout of each scene within the building and the position of the group using the building for work at the stage of designing the floor plan. According to Patent Literature 1, general office work is classified into "stations", and exchanges in which workers have meetings are classified into "communities" and the like. Such scene division has already provided a building configured for efficient work.
In addition, if the area for office work ("station") is configured as a free address type, workers can choose the table and seat they want to use from among the tables and seats provided in that area. becomes possible. In such a free-address type office, there are cases where it is desired to activate communication within a group and to be able to work in a suitable environment.
Also, in a free-address type office, there have been cases where a group address is applied, which allocates the position of an area where a group is active, for example, on a group basis.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-115006

When group addresses were applied, the tendency of allocation of positions used by groups was sometimes biased among groups. In such a case, the convenience of being a free address may deteriorate.
An object of the present invention is to provide a seating area selection system, a seating area selection method, and a program capable of reducing bias in allocation of positions used by groups in a free-address office.

(1) The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a seating area selection system, which is a first aspect of the present invention, is arranged in a target area used as a free address office. With respect to group placement that determines a table to be used by each group from among a plurality of tables, a table priority indicating a priority for selection as a placement target from among the plurality of tables in the target area, and a table priority for each group Used by each group based on the arrangement order, the number of required tables determined for each group based on the usage schedule of each group, and the allocated table identification information indicating the allocated tables in the target area A recommendation processing unit that selects each table to be used is provided.

(2) Further, in the seating area selection system, the recommendation processing unit uses the usage schedule information of the target area and the auxiliary information for reducing the bias of the group arrangement tendency, according to the first selection criteria, each of the groups A first group to be preferentially arranged is determined from among.

(3) Furthermore, in the seat area selection system, the auxiliary information for reducing the bias in the arrangement tendency is identification information indicating that it is excluded from being selected as the first group, and the history of being selected as the first group. and history information indicating

(4) Further, in the seat area selection system, the recommendation processing unit removes the first group from among the groups according to a second selection criterion different from the first selection criterion, and determines the arrangement order of the second and subsequent groups. decide.

(5) Further, in the seating area selection system, the second selection criterion is specified using the degrees of association between the groups.

(6) Further, in the seating area selection system, when allocating the first table to a group selected from among the groups, the recommendation processing unit determines whether the group is the first group or not. determine the table of

(7) Furthermore, in the seating area selection system, when allocating the first table to the first group, the recommendation processing unit selects the table to be selected according to the allocation priority of each table in the target area. decide.

(8) Further, in the seating area selection system, when the recommendation processing unit allocates the first table to the second group or later, each table adjacent to the table allocated to the group before the target group From among the tables, the table to be selected is determined according to the table priority order.

(9) Further, in the seating area selection system, the usage schedule information of the target area includes meeting schedule information of each of the groups indicating meetings scheduled in the target area on the date of use of the target area.

(10) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a seating area selection method related to group placement that determines tables to be used by each group from among a plurality of tables arranged in a target area used as a free address office. grouping by a computer based on the table priority indicating the priority of selection as an arrangement target from among the plurality of tables in the target area, the order of arrangement of each group, and the use schedule of each group a step of selecting tables to be used by each group based on the number of required tables determined for each group and assigned table identification information indicating the assigned tables in the target area; be.

(11) Further, one aspect of the present invention relates to group placement that defines a table to be used by each group from among a plurality of tables placed in a target area used as a free address office, The number of required tables determined for each group based on the table priority indicating the priority of selection for placement from among the plurality of tables in the target area, the order of placement of each group, and the usage schedule of each group. and assigned table identification information indicating the assigned table in the target area, selecting a table to be used by each of the groups.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce bias in the allocation of positions used by groups in a free-address office.

It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the building to which embodiment is applied. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a seating area selection system 1 of an embodiment; FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining an application example of the seating area selection system 1 of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining an application example of the seating area selection system 1 of FIG. 2A; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an analysis processing device 100 of an embodiment; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the information regarding the table of embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to groups according to the embodiment; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data of the process result of embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of recommendation processing according to the embodiment; 4 is a flowchart of processing for determining the priority of groups according to the embodiment; It is a flow chart of processing which arranges each group on a table of an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of arrangement processing for adjoining tables in a group according to the embodiment; 9 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing for rearranging tables extracted as placement destination candidates according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a result of rearranging candidates for placement destinations by the processing shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a result of rearranging candidates for placement destinations by the processing shown in FIG. 10; 7 is a flowchart of processing for arranging groups adjacent to each other according to the embodiment; 13 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a table extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 12; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a result of rearranging candidates for placement destinations by the processing shown in FIG. 12 ; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a result of rearranging candidates for placement destinations by the processing shown in FIG. 12 ; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a seating area selection system, a seating area selection method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Matters common to each embodiment)
The seating area selection system described below is applied, for example, to seating area selection processing in a free address office.

For example, in the building where the office is located, the seven scenes described above are appropriately arranged to match the work style. The work style includes various requirements such as work content, work place, employment form, work hours, etc., and is predetermined for each group or worker. The layout of each scene is predetermined at the design stage through floor plans and zoning, and changes relatively infrequently. Although the usage rate of each scene described above may vary depending on the contents of daily work, in this embodiment, a common floor plan is applied and the position of each scene remains unchanged.

The embodiments presented below relate to the use of areas allocated to "stations". The seating area selection system of the embodiment applies a "group address system" by providing a "home area" in which the tables and seats used by workers are grouped in a free address type "station". In this "home area", the seats (homes) used for daily work are determined. The seating area selection system proposes (recommends) the position of the table assigned to the "home area" in response to a request from the worker. This is expected to stimulate communication inside and outside the group and increase the sense of belonging among workers. Furthermore, free space is created by optimizing the layout of the work area (home area) for each group. The seating area selection system places the free space at the desired location and provides opportunities for its utilization. Details regarding this will be described below.

(Application example of embodiment)
Embodiments will be described with reference to the following application examples.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a building to which an embodiment is applied.
"Station" is assigned to the target area TZ shown in FIG. 1(a). The number of workers using this target area TZ is determined based on the total number of seats at each table. For example, expect approximately 30 to 50 people in total. It can accommodate up to the total number of seats, but considering convenience, it is better to use the number of people up to about 80% of the total number of seats. For example, the tables arranged in the "station" may have 4 to 6 seats per table. Each table is arranged, for example, at the intersection of a two-dimensional grid. The size, shape, number of seats, etc. of each table may be uniform, or some may be different from each other. The number and position of each table are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1(a) and may be changed as appropriate.

The diagram of the application example shown in (a) of FIG. 1 includes adjacent regions NZ1 and NZ2 in addition to the target region TZ described above. The adjacent region NZ1 is adjacent to the target region TZ. Adjacent region NZ1 is assigned one of the scenes described above, “Community”. In the "community", for example, a place where workers can communicate with each other is provided. The adjacent region NZ2 is adjacent to the target region TZ and the adjacent region NZ1, and the adjacent region NZ2 is provided with a "path" along the direction in which the target region TZ and the adjacent region NZ1 are arranged side by side. FIG. 1(b) shows a legend for the information shown in the table portion shown in FIG. 1(a).

Note that the position of the table within 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 "passageway" meet. The X-axis direction is the direction along which the "passage" extends, and the Y-axis direction is the direction crossing the extension direction of the "passage".

Each of "a1" to "a4", "b1" to "b4", and "c1" to "c4" shown in (a) of FIG. 1 indicates a table with four seats, for example. ing.

Although not shown, the working hours of each group using the target area TZ are set in a common time zone, and are not based on a shift system in which the working hours differ from each other. Furthermore, a flextime system and overtime hours may be applied. For example, the time period for which the seating area selection system makes suggestions may be either or both of regular working hours and overtime hours. In both cases, the seating selection system may vary between regular working hours and overtime suggestions.

A region in which free tables FT (not shown) that are not assigned to each group are arranged is called a free space FS (not shown). An area in which the free tables FT are collectively arranged is called a central table BB. Free table FT is a table that has become available due to vacant seats. It is permitted to use it as a place for

(embodiment)
FIG. 2A is a schematic configuration diagram of the seating area selection system 1 of the embodiment.
The seating area selection system 1 in this embodiment includes an analysis processing device 100, a terminal device 200, and a terminal device 200M. Workers are denoted by W. The manager is indicated by the symbol M. In the following description, the description of the reference characters W and M will be omitted.

The terminal device 200 is a device used by workers to post and browse information. For example, each worker carries a terminal device 200 of the same type. Symbols GA, GB, GC, and GD shown in FIG. 2A indicate groups to which workers belong. Each worker operates the terminal device 200 carried by himself/herself to send information (for example, answers to a questionnaire) to the analysis processing device 100, acquire information from the analysis processing device 100, and display the By displaying it, it is possible to obtain the positions of tables that can be used by workers in the office.

The terminal device 200M is a device that is operated by the manager M of the seat area selection system 1 to change the settings of the analysis processing device 100. FIG.

2B and 2C are diagrams for explaining an application example of the seating area selection system 1. FIG.
FIG. 2B shows a typical work style for one day.
The seat area selection system 1, for example, when a worker arrives at work at 9:00 or at the time (9:00) when the worker is scheduled to come to work, the terminal possessed by the worker is provided with information that guides the seat to be used by the worker on that day. It is displayed on the device 200 (for example, a smart phone). Terminal device 200 may display this guidance in a pop-up format (FIG. 2C). The worker may operate the pop-up icon of the terminal device 200 to display (signage display) related information related to seat guidance.

In addition, for example, when the time to leave the office (for example, 17:30) comes, the seat area selection system 1 sends information to the terminal device 200 ( For example, display it on a smartphone). The work area used during overtime hours is determined so that all groups can fit within a partial area of the whole. In this work area, they may be arranged in groups so that they are grouped together, or they may be arranged in a general free address type.

In this way, the seating area selection system 1 can recommend a work area according to the form of use of the office.

An example of the analysis processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the analysis processing device 100 of the embodiment. 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 storage unit 60 (not shown).

The storage unit 60 stores various data and programs for various processes executed by each unit of the seating area selection system 1, which will be described later. The seat area selection 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 to this.

The information acquisition unit 10 acquires various data related to the processing of the seat area selection system 1 from an operation unit (not shown in FIG. 3) or via the communication line NW (FIG. 2A). The various data include, for example, basic information, information (scheduled information) related to the previous day's questionnaire, 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 composition of workers in each group, the arrangement of a plurality of tables, and the order of priority of the tables. The floor plan information includes information on the positional relationship and distance between the target area TZ used as a free address office and the specific use area located outside the target area TZ. The information on the previous day's questionnaire includes information such as whether or not the workers of each group will be in the room on the day and whether or not they have a meeting on the day. The information on the previous day's questionnaire is an example of schedule information related to work on the day of use declared before the day of use (the day before) of a plurality of tables. The above schedule information is an example of usage schedule information for the target area TZ. The usage schedule information of the target area TZ may include meeting schedule information of each group indicating meetings scheduled within the target area TZ on the date of usage of the target area TZ. The amount of communication between groups includes action history information (including location information) for several days up to the previous day.

After acquiring the above various data, the information acquisition unit 10 writes and adds the acquired information to the storage unit 60 . Each functional unit described below adds to the storage unit 60 the results of processing using various data acquired by the information acquisition unit 10 or various data stored in the storage unit 60 .

Based on the schedule information, the calculation unit 30 calculates the number of necessary tables on the day of use (number of necessary tables) to be used as a table for restricting the form of use on the day of use from among the plurality of tables in the target area TZ. Calculate The required number of tables includes the number of tables in 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 exclusive use by each group and the number of free tables FT allocated for shared use by each group. . In this embodiment, processing based on the number of tables will be described, but instead of this, processing based on the number of seats may be used.

Based on the schedule information, the calculation unit 30 calculates the number of people who responded that they would have a meeting for each group, and based on this, calculates the meeting ratio, attendance rate, and the like. The calculation unit 30 calculates the amount of communication between groups based on the action history information. Inter-group proximity is an example of the amount of communication between groups.

Based on the schedule information, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines the priority of group placement for determining the tables to be used by each of a plurality of groups including the first group and the second group in the target region TZ. . For example, a group with a higher group placement priority is called a first group. In this case, the second group has a lower priority than the first group. The same applies hereinafter.

Furthermore, the recommendation processing unit 40 assigns the area of the second group, which has a lower priority than the group allocation priority of the first group, to the area other than the area in which the areas of the first group are arranged so as to satisfy the required number of tables. Place in area. This determines the position of the second group of regions. The arrangement of the areas of the second group follows the rules for the arrangement of the areas of the second group, which will be described later.

The recommendation processing unit 40 may select free tables FT that are permitted to be used by members of the first group and members of the second group so as to satisfy the required number of tables.

The output unit 50 receives a request from an external terminal device, and outputs the processing result of the recommendation processing unit 40 to the terminal device according to the request.

An example of various information related to the case shown in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C.

FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to a table according to the embodiment; Information related to each table is stored in the "table master" shown in FIG. 4A. "Table master" includes items such as table ID, number of seats, coordinates (X coordinate, Y coordinate), central table, extraction order, and table priority. Each record of the "table master" is provided for each table.

The table ID is identification information of 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 the groups.

The central table shows information for identifying the table within the central table BB and information defining the priority order of the tables within the central table BB. For example, "0" indicates that it is not set as the central table BB, and a numerical value other than "0" indicates that each table is set as the central table. As for the priority of the tables in the central table BB, for example, "1" is defined as the highest priority, and the higher the serial number, the lower the priority.

The order of extraction indicates the result of predetermined arithmetic processing relating to table allocation. For the order of extraction, for example, "1" is defined as having the highest priority, and the higher the serial number, the lower the priority.

The table priority is the priority of the table selected when arranging the groups. Regarding the table priority order, for example, "1" is defined as the highest priority order, and the priority order is lowered as the serial number increases.

FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining an example of information related to a group according to the embodiment; Information related to each group is stored in the "group master" shown in FIG. 4B.
"Group master" includes items such as group ID, name, number of people to belong to, number of people scheduled to be present, number of required tables, number of people scheduled to have a meeting, ratio of people scheduled to have a meeting, flag not to be first, group processing order, etc. .

For example, the group ID is identification information of each group. Name indicates the name of each group. The number of members belonging to each group indicates the number of members belonging to each group.
The number of expected attendees indicates the expected number of attendees on that day. For example, based on the result of a questionnaire, it may be a value obtained by totaling the number of people who are expected to be enrolled on that day. The required number of tables indicates the number of tables required to allocate the expected attendees based on the number of expected attendees.

The number of people scheduled to have a meeting indicates the number of people scheduled to have a meeting among the people scheduled to be enrolled. For example, based on the results of a questionnaire, it may be a value obtained by aggregating the number of people who answered that they had plans to have a meeting among the prospective enrollees. The ratio of people scheduled to have a meeting indicates the ratio of those who answered that they have plans to have a meeting among the people scheduled to be present. For example, it may be the ratio of the "number of people scheduled to have a meeting" to the above "number of people scheduled to be present".

The non-first flag indicates information for avoiding placement in the highest priority table when group placement processing is performed. For example, 1 is set for a group that should not be arranged in the highest priority table. The group priority indicates the order in which groups to be processed next are selected in order in the process of arranging groups. This group priority order is recalculated and updated with reference to the basic data of the group master, inter-group proximity, output history, etc. each time processing is performed.

The basic data of the group master includes information based on questionnaire results, etc. Group ID, number of people belonging, number of people scheduled to be present, number of required tables, number of people scheduled to have a meeting, ratio of people scheduled to have a meeting, flag not to be first and so on. As a method for calculating the degree of proximity between groups, a known method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-115006 or the like may be used. The group priority order of the "group master" should also be defined by a serial number starting from 1, like the table priority order described above.

FIG. 4C is a diagram for explaining an example of data as a result of processing according to the embodiment; The "output data" shown in FIG. 4E stores the data of the processing result. "Output data" includes items such as table ID, number of seats, group ID, group name, number of seats used, and number of vacant seats. For example, the number of seats indicates the number of seats that can be assigned to each table. A group associated with the group ID is assigned to each table associated with the table ID, and the number of people assigned is stored as the number of seats used. The number of available seats is the result of subtracting the number of occupied seats from the number of seats at each table.

The state shown in FIG. 4C exemplifies the case where 10 members of group A are distributed and allocated to three tables "a1", "a2" and "b1". Four people are assigned to each of the "a1" and "a2" tables, and there are no vacant seats. On the other hand, two people are assigned to table "b1" and there are two empty seats. All other tables are vacant.

An overview of the recommendation process according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of recommendation processing according to the embodiment.

The recommendation processing unit 40 determines the priority of groups (step S1). Details of this will be described later.

The recommendation processing unit 40 acquires the group ID and the number of people expected to be present in accordance with the priority of the group (step S2), arranges each group in a table based on this (step S3), and displays the result as Append to output data. Details of this will be described later.

The recommendation processing unit 40 acquires the number of arranged seats by referring to the output data (step S4). The recommendation processing unit 40 compares the number of people expected to be present with the number of already arranged seats, and determines whether the number of people expected to be present is equal to or less than the number of already arranged seats (number of expected people ≤ number of already arranged seats). is identified (step S5). When the number of people expected to be present exceeds the number of already arranged seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 continues the processing of the group and performs the processing from step S3.

If the number of people expected to be present is equal to or less than the number of already arranged seats, the recommendation processing unit 40 ends the processing of that group and attempts to switch to the processing of the next group. For example, the recommendation processing unit 40 identifies whether processing of all groups has been completed (step S6). In the incomplete stage in which the processing of all groups has not been completed, the recommendation processing unit 40 performs the processing from step S2 in order to switch to the processing of the next group.

When the processing of all groups is finished, the recommendation processing unit 40 outputs history information (step S7), and finishes a series of processing.

The above process is performed in response to a request from the administrator or when a predetermined time has come. Hereinafter, the processing of each step will be described in more detail by showing a more specific example of processing.

First, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the process of determining the priority of each group related to step S1 (FIG. 5) will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing for determining the priority of groups according to the embodiment. The processing illustrated in FIG. 6 may be applied to the result of extracting the group to be assigned first, when ensuring the balance between the groups.

The recommendation processing unit 40 calculates the meeting-scheduled person ratio based on the previous day's questionnaire results (step S11).

The groups may be sorted based on the "not first flag", the ratio of scheduled meeting participants, and the order of priority of groups to be selected to determine the order of selection of groups to be processed. The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts the first group in the selection order as a processing target (step S12).

For example, with respect to the "non-first flag", groups that do not have the same flag are prioritized over groups that have the same flag. Regarding the ratio of people scheduled to have a meeting, priority is given to groups with a relatively high ratio. In other words, in the case of the proportion of people scheduled to have a meeting, selection is made in descending order. Regarding the priority of the group, it follows the priority. As the group priority order, the group master priority order may be used.

The recommendation processing unit 40 calculates the ratio (simply referred to as “ratio”) of the number of times the extracted group was assigned first during a predetermined period (for example, 30 days) in the past (step S13). The recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether or not the ratio exceeds a predetermined ratio (eg, 30%) (step S14).

If the ratio does not exceed the predetermined ratio, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines the extracted group as the "first priority group" (step S15).

If the ratio exceeds the predetermined ratio, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether or not there is a group whose evaluation has not been completed among all groups to be evaluated, in other words, whether or not the group to be evaluated is the last group. (Step S16).

If the group is not the last group, the recommendation processing unit 40 extracts the next group to be evaluated (next group) from among the groups for which evaluation has not been completed (step S17).

If it is the last group, the recommendation processing unit 40 determines the group that is first in the selection order in the process of step S12 as the "first priority group" (step S18).

The recommendation processing unit 40 determines the processing order of the second and subsequent groups (step S19).

It should be noted that inter-group proximity may be applied to the process of determining the processing order of the second and subsequent groups. For example, the degree of inter-group proximity may be determined based on information on the amount of communication between groups based on past behavior history. In this case, two or more members of the group are located within a predetermined range, and the time and number of people who stayed at that location for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) are measured, and the total for one week is calculated. Use the result of dividing the total time (time multiplied by the number of people) by the number of people in the group.

For example, assume that the number of members of Group A is 5 and the number of members of Group B is 10.
When 3 people from group A and 3 people from group B have a meeting for 10 minutes, and 2 people from group A and 2 people from group B have a meeting for 20 minutes, according to the following formulas (1) to (3), The inter-group proximity between the A group and the B group is calculated. The proximity between groups is an example of an index indicating the degree of association between groups.

A: (30 + 40) / 5 people = 14 minutes ... (1)
B: (30 + 40) / 10 people = 7 minutes ... (2)
Group proximity between A group and B group: 14 + 7 = 21 minutes (3)

In a manner similar to that described above, the inter-group proximity between the two groups is calculated for each group.

If there are multiple sets of groups with the same inter-group proximity, the order may be determined using the following conditions.

Select the one with the smaller number of times of close arrangement in the past (referred to as the number of times of proximity) (first condition).
- The previous close arrangement selects the one in the past (second condition).

The above conditions may be combined. For example, if the determination based on the first condition is applied first, and as a result, the number of times of proximity becomes the same, the second condition is applied.

Note that the process for determining the processing order of the second and subsequent groups is not limited to the above, and a known order determination process technique may be applied.

By the above processing, it is preferable to determine the priority of each group.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of processing for arranging each group in the table related to step S3 (FIG. 5) will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing for arranging each group in the table according to the embodiment.

The recommendation processing unit 40 identifies whether or not the group of the acquired group ID is the first table arrangement (step S31).

If the group with the acquired group ID is placed at the first table, the recommendation processing unit 40 identifies whether the group with the acquired group ID is extracted as the first group among the groups to be placed. (step S32).

If the first group has been extracted, the recommendation processing unit 40 places the first table of that group in the table with the highest table priority (step S34), and ends the series of processes. As a result, the first table of the group to be placed first can be placed on the table with the highest table priority.

When a group other than the first group, that is, the second and subsequent groups have been extracted, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects a table adjacent to the table of the group processed immediately before the group to be arranged and still allocated. The group to be placed is placed in the table with the highest table priority among the tables that have not been placed (step S35), and the series of processing ends. As a result, the first tables of the second and subsequent groups can be arranged so as to be adjacent to the previous group.

If it is not the first arrangement process of the group of the acquired group ID, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects a table adjacent to the table where the group of the group ID is arranged and which has not yet been assigned. The group is placed in the table with the highest priority (step S33), and the series of processes is finished. As a result, the second and subsequent tables in each group can be arranged in order.

According to the above process, by identifying the group assignment order within each group and whether it is the assignment process for the first table in the same group, the process can be performed in accordance with the group assignment order.

(First application example)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9D, an application example (first application example) of the process of arranging the tables in the group adjacent to each other in step S35 (FIG. 7) will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of arrangement processing for adjoining tables in a group according to the embodiment. 9A to 9D are diagrams for explaining tables extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 8. FIG. (a) of FIG. 9A shows a table extracted by dark hatching. Diagonal hatching indicates the starting point table. FIG. 9A (b) shows a list containing items corresponding to the table master. This list is obtained by omitting the "abscissa" and "ordinate" from the table master, and indicates the tables extracted in each process. 9B to 9D are similar to FIG. 9A.

The recommendation processing unit 40 acquires the coordinates of the first table (step S81), and uses this as a starting point. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the first table of the X group has already been placed at "a1", and this is the starting point. A case of arranging the second table of the X group will be exemplified below. The X group may be any of the A group to the D group, and is exemplified for explanation.

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts a vacant table within a range of ±1 in the vertical or horizontal direction from the starting point as a candidate table for arrangement (referred to as a first candidate) (step S82). For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, "b1" and "a2" are extracted as the first candidates by extraction starting from "a1". The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "1" indicating the first candidate as the extraction order data of the table master to the extracted "b1" and "a2".

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts a vacant table within a range of ±1 in the diagonal direction from the starting point as a candidate table for arrangement (step S83). For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, "b2" is extracted as the second candidate by extraction starting from "a1". For the extracted "b2", the recommendation processing unit 40 adds "2" indicating the second candidate as the extraction order data of the table master.

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts an empty table within a range of ±2 in the vertical or horizontal direction from the starting point as a candidate table for arrangement (step S84). For example, "b1", "c2", "a2" and "a3" are extracted as the third candidates by extraction starting from "a1" as shown in FIG. 9C. The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "3" indicating the third candidate as the extraction order data of the table master to the extracted "b1", "c2", "a2" and "a3".

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts all empty tables as candidate tables for arrangement (step S85). A free table is a table that has not yet been assigned a group. For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, all tables other than "a1" are extracted as the fourth candidate by extraction starting from "a1". The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "4" indicating the fourth candidate as the extraction order data of the table master for all the extracted tables other than "a1".

The recommendation processing unit 40 identifies whether there is no extracted table (step S86). If there is no extracted table, the recommendation processing unit 40 stops processing because there is no empty table (step S89).

If there is an extracted table, the recommendation processing unit 40 rearranges the table extracted as a candidate for the placement destination according to a predetermined rule (step S87). The recommendation processing unit 40 rearranges and arranges them in the top table (step S88), and ends the series of processes.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, a case will be described in which the tables extracted as candidates for the placement destination are rearranged. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process of rearranging tables extracted as placement destination candidates according to the embodiment. FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an example of the result of rearranging the placement destination candidates.

The recommendation processing unit 40 integrates the data of the tables extracted as the first to fourth candidates (step S871). At this time, the table repeatedly extracted has duplicate data, but the following processing may be continued.

The recommendation processing unit 40 determines whether or not the ratio of the number of empty tables to the total number of tables to be arranged reaches a predetermined value (threshold K) (step S872). For example, the threshold K is halved.

When the ratio does not reach a predetermined threshold value K, that is, when the ratio of empty tables is less than the threshold value K, the table near the center (the table in the BB area) is used as the free table FT. It is preferable to perform rearrangement in such a way as to ensure More specifically, the recommendation processing unit 40 first performs sorting using the data of the items in the center table (step S873), and arranges the allocation of the table near the center so that it is near the end of the candidates. . Subsequently, the recommendation processing unit 40 performs sorting using the data of the items in the order of extraction in the group master (for example, FIGS. 11A and 11B) (step S874), and finally uses the data of the items in the table priority order. Then sorting is performed (step S875). As a result, results such as those shown in FIG. 11A can be obtained.

On the other hand, when the ratio reaches a predetermined threshold value K, that is, when the ratio of empty tables is equal to or greater than the threshold value K, a table near the center (a table in the BB area) is secured as a free table FT. It is better to sort without More specifically, the recommendation processing unit 40 advances the process to step S874 without performing sorting using the item data of the central table. As a result, a result shown in FIG. 11B, which is different from the above result, can be obtained.

Comparing FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the head is still “b1”. In the case of FIG. 11B, the tables "b2" and "b3" assigned to the items in the central table are assigned in the latter half of this list. Unlike the case of FIG. 11A, which is allocated at the end of the list.

According to the application example described above, the seating area selection system 1 can arrange adjacently the tables used by the members of the group.

(Second application example)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13A to 13D, an application example (second application example) of the process of arranging groups adjacent to each other in step S34 (FIG. 7) will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing for arranging groups adjacent to each other according to the embodiment. 13A to 13D are diagrams for explaining tables extracted in the course of the processing shown in FIG. 12. FIG. Figures 12 and 13A-13D correspond to Figures 8 and 9A-9D previously described.

The recommendation processing unit 40 acquires all the table coordinates of the previously processed group (step S81A), and uses this as a starting point. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, the second table of the A group has already been arranged at "a1" and "b1", and the table of the B group is arranged using these as starting points. The notations of FIGS. 13A to 13D are the same as those of FIGS. 9A to 9D described above.

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts a vacant table within a range of ±1 in the vertical or horizontal direction from each starting point as a candidate (first candidate) table for arrangement (step S82A). For example, as shown in FIG. 13A , “c1”, “a2”, and “b2” are extracted as the first candidates by extraction starting from “a1” and “b1”. The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "1" indicating the first candidate as the extraction order data of the table master to the extracted "c1", "a2", and "b2".

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts an empty table within a range of ±1 in the diagonal direction from each starting point as a candidate table for arrangement (step S83A). For example, as shown in FIG. 13B , “a2”, “b2” and “c2” are extracted as the second candidates by extraction starting from “a1” and “b1”. The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "2" indicating the second candidate as the extraction order data of the table master to the extracted "a2", "b2" and "c2".

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts empty tables within a range of ±2 in the vertical or horizontal direction from each starting point as candidate tables for arrangement (step S84A). For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, extraction starting from “a1” and “b1” extracts “c1”, “a2”, “b2”, “a3” and “b3” as the third candidates. . The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "3" indicating the third candidate as the extraction order data of the table master to the extracted "c1", "a2", "b2", "a3" and "b3".

The recommendation processing unit 40 extracts all empty tables as candidate tables for placement (step S85A). A free table is a table that has not yet been assigned a group. For example, as shown in FIG. 13D, all tables excluding "a1" and "b1" are extracted as the fourth candidate by extraction starting from "a1" and "b1". The recommendation processing unit 40 adds "4" indicating the fourth candidate as the extraction order data of the table master for all the tables except for the extracted "a1" and "b1".

The recommendation processing unit 40 identifies whether there is no extracted table (step S86). After that, the processing from step S87 to step S89 is the same as in FIG. 8 described above.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, a case will be described in which the tables extracted as placement destination candidates are rearranged. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining an example of the result of rearranging the placement destination candidates. 14A and 14B correspond to FIGS. 11A and 11B described above.

When the ratio of the number of empty tables to the total number of tables in the arrangement target does not reach a predetermined value, that is, when the number of empty tables is relatively small, the result shown in FIG. 14A is obtained.

On the other hand, when the ratio reaches a predetermined value, that is, when there are relatively many empty tables, the result shown in FIG. 14B can be obtained.

Comparing FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the beginning is still “c1”. In the case of FIG. 14B, the "b2" and "b3" tables, which are assigned to entries in the central table, are interspersed in this list. For example, "b2" is assigned to the third from the top of the list. It differs from the case of FIG. 14A, which is allocated at the end of the list.

According to the application example described above, the seating area selection system 1 can arrange adjacently tables used by core groups having a high degree of association between groups.

The seating area selection system 1 of any of the above-described embodiments relates to group placement that determines a table to be used by each group from among a plurality of tables arranged in a target area used as a free address office, The table priority that indicates the priority to be selected from multiple tables in the target area, the order of placement of each group, the number of required tables determined for each group based on the usage schedule of each group, and the target By providing a recommendation processing unit 40 that selects a table to be used by each group based on assigned table identification information that indicates the assigned table in the area, groups can use in a free address type office. Position allocation trend bias can be reduced.

In addition, the recommendation processing unit 40 preferentially arranges from each group according to the first selection criterion using the usage plan information of the target area TZ and the auxiliary information for reducing the bias of the group arrangement tendency. 1 group should be determined. At that time, the auxiliary information for reducing the bias of the arrangement tendency is either identification information indicating exclusion from being selected as the first group or history information indicating the history of being selected as the first group. or A “not the first flag” can be applied to the identification information indicating exclusion from selection as the first group. The number of times of selection during a predetermined period may be applied to the history information indicating the history of selection as the first group.

Note that the recommendation processing unit 40 may determine the arrangement order of the second and subsequent groups by excluding the first group from among the groups according to a second selection criterion different from the first selection criterion. The second selection criteria may be defined using the degree of association between groups. Thereby, the second group can be assigned according to the situation after the assignment of the first group is finished.

When allocating the first table to the group selected from among the groups, the recommendation processing unit 40 may determine the table to be selected depending on whether the group is the first group. Thereby, a predetermined desired table can be assigned to the first table of the first group. At that time, the recommendation processing unit 40 may determine the table to be selected according to the allocation priority of each table in the target region TZ.

When allocating the table of the first table to the second group or later, the recommendation processing unit 40 selects each table adjacent to the table allocated to the group before the target group according to the table priority order. By determining the table to be selected, the position of each group can be determined according to the table priority.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the seating area selection system 1 has a computer system inside. A series of processes related to the above-described processes are stored in a computer-readable storage medium in the form of a program, and the above processes are performed by reading and executing this program by a computer. Here, computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, and the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer receiving the distribution may execute the program. In addition, the term "computer system" as used herein includes an OS and the like.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above. Embodiments of the present invention can be modified, for example, from the above embodiments as follows.
For example, in the above embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the configuration related to the present invention has been described as having each function of the seating area selection system 1 integrated into one device. may be configured

1 seat area selection 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 (11)

With regard to group placement that determines the table to be used by each group from among the multiple tables placed in the target area used as a free address office,
A table priority indicating a priority to be selected from among the plurality of tables in the target area as an arrangement target, an arrangement order of each group, and a necessary table determined for each group based on a use schedule of each group. A seating area selection system comprising: a recommendation processing unit that selects a table to be used by each group based on the number and assigned table identification information indicating assigned tables in the target area. The recommendation processing unit
Determining a first group to be preferentially arranged from among the groups according to a first selection criterion using the planned use information of the target area and auxiliary information for reducing bias in group arrangement tendency,
A seating area selection system according to claim 1. The auxiliary information for reducing bias in the arrangement tendency includes either identification information indicating exclusion from being selected as the first group, or history information indicating a history of being selected as the first group. 3. A seating area selection system according to claim 2. The recommendation processing unit
Determining the arrangement order of the second and subsequent groups excluding the first group from among the groups according to a second selection criterion different from the first selection criterion;
3. A seating area selection system according to claim 2. The second selection criterion is defined using the degree of association between the groups,
5. A seating area selection system according to claim 4. The recommendation processing unit
When assigning a first table to a group selected from each of the groups, determining the table to be selected depending on whether or not the group is the first group;
The seating area selection system according to claim 4 or 5. The recommendation processing unit
When allocating the first table to the first group, determining the table to be selected according to the allocation priority of each table in the target area,
7. A seating area selection system according to claim 6. The recommendation processing unit
When assigning the first table to the second group or later, the table to be selected is selected from among the tables adjacent to the table assigned to the group preceding the target group according to the table priority order. decide,
The seating area selection system according to claim 6 or 7. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the use schedule information of the target area includes meeting schedule information of each of the groups indicating meetings scheduled in the target area on the date of use of the target area. Seating area selection system as described. A seating area selection method related to group placement that determines a table to be used by each group from among a plurality of tables arranged in a target area used as a free address office,
by computer,
A table priority indicating a priority to be selected from among the plurality of tables in the target area as an arrangement target, an arrangement order of each group, and a necessary table determined for each group based on a use schedule of each group. selecting a table to be used by each group based on the number and assigned table identification information indicating an assigned table within the target area;
Seating area selection method, including; With regard to group placement that determines the table to be used by each group from among the multiple tables placed in the target area used as a free address office,
to the computer,
A table priority indicating a priority to be selected from among the plurality of tables in the target area as an arrangement target, an arrangement order of each group, and a necessary table determined for each group based on a use schedule of each group. selecting a table to be used by each group based on the number and assigned table identification information indicating an assigned table within the target area;
program to run the

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