Patent ID: 12211332

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, an activity support apparatus, an activity support method, and a program according to the example embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.1to5.

[Description of Configuration]

FIG.1is a block diagram showing a configuration of the activity support apparatus10according to the example embodiment. The activity support apparatus10is an apparatus that supports the activities of workers at disaster sites such as fire sites. The activity support apparatus10includes a position acquisition unit1, a boundary data acquisition unit2and an entry determination unit3.

The position acquisition unit1acquires the positions of workers at the disaster site.

The boundary data acquisition unit2acquires boundary data indicating boundary of a building at the disaster site. Boundary data will be described later.

The entry determination unit3determines whether the worker has entered the building based on the worker's positions acquired at different timings and the boundary data.

The activity support apparatus10determines whether the worker at the disaster site has entered the building. A commander who commands the worker can know whether the worker is inside the building or outside the building from the determination result. As a result, the commander can avoid giving wrong instructions to the worker by mistakenly believing that the worker is outside the building even though the worker has entered the building.

Subsequently, a configuration of the activity support apparatus10will be specifically described with reference toFIGS.2to5.

FIG.2is a block diagram specifically showing a configuration of the activity support apparatus10.

In the following explanation, the disaster site is assumed to be the fire site. It is assumed that the workers are engaged in fire extinguishing and rescue activities at the fire site, and that the commander who commands each worker gives instructions to each worker from the command post. In addition, it is assumed that the worker carries a mobile device50and a display device51is installed at the command post.

The activity support apparatus10can perform data communication with the mobile device50and the display device51.

The mobile device50is, for example, a wristwatch-type wearable terminal. The mobile device50has a function of receiving the positioning signal of a positioning system and acquiring position data of the current position. The positioning system is GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS.

The display device51displays the data received from the activity support apparatus10on the screen. The display device51may be a general-purpose PC (personal computer), a smart phone, a tablet-type terminal device, or the like. The activity support apparatus10and the display device51may be provided integrally. Further, the activity support apparatus10may be provided at the same location as the display device51, or may be provided at a separate location.

The activity support apparatus10includes an identification unit4and a notification unit5in addition to the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, and the entry determination unit3described above.

The position acquisition unit1acquires the position of the worker at the fire site by receiving position data from the mobile device50. In addition, when there are a plurality of workers at the fire site and each worker carries the mobile device50, the position acquisition unit1may receive the ID of the worker from the mobile device50together with the position data.

The boundary data acquisition unit2acquires boundary data indicating a boundary of a building at the disaster site. Boundary data is position data of a boundary line between the inside and outside of the building, for example, position data of an outer wall of the building. In addition, the boundary data includes position data of entrances such as windows and doors that allow entry into the building (hereinafter referred to as entrance data).

The boundary data acquisition unit2acquires boundary data of an area designated by the commander, for example. The boundary data acquisition unit2may acquire the boundary data from a service provider that provides the boundary data, or may acquire the boundary data from a storage device in which the boundary data is stored in advance. The storage device that stores the boundary data may be included in the activity support apparatus10or may be installed outside. The boundary data may also be extracted from map data of the disaster site that includes building information.

The entry determination unit3determines whether the worker has entered the building based on the positions of the worker acquired by the position acquisition unit1at different timings and the boundary data acquired by the boundary data acquisition unit2.

FIG.3is a diagram for explaining a method of determining whether the worker has entered the building.

FIG.3shows a worker's position61acquired at timing T1and a worker's position62acquired at timing T2after timing T1. A boundary line60based on the boundary data is also shown between the two positions61and62of the worker. As shown inFIG.3, the worker's position62acquired at timing T2has changed across the boundary line60from the worker's position61acquired at timing T1. In this case, the entry determination unit3determines that the worker has entered the building.

At this time, the entry determination unit3may determine that the worker has entered if there is no change in the position of the worker across the boundary for a predetermined time after the worker's position has changed across the boundary. Referring toFIG.3, the entry determination unit3determines that the worker has entered the building if the worker's position across the boundary line60has not been acquired for the predetermined time after the position62is acquired by the position acquisition unit1. Positioning signals from GPS and the like may contain errors. For this reason, the determination made only once may lead to an erroneous determination result. Therefore, the entry determination unit3can avoid erroneous determinations by making determinations as described above.

Return toFIG.2. The identification unit4identifies the entry position of the worker when the worker enters the building. Referring toFIG.3, the identification unit4identifies the vicinity of the intersection of the boundary line60and the straight line connecting the worker's positions61and62as the worker's entry position. The identification unit4determines whether or not there is an entrance of the building near the specified entry position based on the entrance data included in the boundary data. If there is an entrance, the identification unit4identifies the entrance as the worker's entry position.

The notification unit5notifies the commander of the determination result of the entry determination unit3and the identification result of the identification unit4by displaying the screen on the display device51installed at the command post.FIG.4is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for notifying the entry position of the worker.FIG.4shows the display screen when the worker has entered the building.

The notification unit5transmits the map data of the fire site to the display device51. As a result, a map of the fire site is displayed on the display device51. In addition, the notification unit5transmits to the display device51the fact that the worker has entered the building, the position of the worker after entering, and the identified entry position. The display device51displays a mark55indicating the worker's position after entering the building, a mark56indicating the worker's entry position, and character information57.

Note that the notification unit5may transmit the worker's position data to the display device51at any time when the worker has not entered the building. In this case, the commander can grasp the worker's position in real time. Then, the entry of the worker into the building can be grasped in real time from the determination result of the entry determination unit3. The notification unit5may also notify the determination result of the entry determination unit3and the identification result of the identification unit4to the mobile devices50of other workers.

Furthermore, if the entry position designated in advance by the commander in the activity support apparatus10is different from the entry position identified by the identification unit4, the notification unit5may notify the position where the worker has entered. In this case, the commander can grasp worker's behavior contrary to the commander's will.

Moreover, when there is no entrance, the identification unit4may identify that the wall of the building has been destroyed to enter. In this case, by notifying the commander, the commander can use the position as an evacuation route for workers.

[Apparatus Operations]

Next, the operation of the activity support apparatus10in the example embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is a flow diagram showing the operation of the activity support apparatus10according to the example embodiment. In the example embodiment, the activity support method is implemented by operating the activity support apparatus10. Therefore, the description of the activity support method in the example embodiment will be replaced with the following description of the operation of the activity support apparatus10.

The boundary data acquisition unit2acquires boundary data (S1). Next, the position acquisition unit1acquires the position of the worker by receiving the position data acquired from the positioning signal by the mobile device50(S2). The entry determination unit3determines whether the worker has entered the building (S3).

As described with reference toFIG.3, the entry determination unit3determines whether the position acquired in S2(e.g., position62inFIG.3) has changed from the position acquired in the S2previously executed (e.g., position61inFIG.3) across the boundary line of the boundary data acquired in S1(e.g., boundary line60inFIG.3). If the worker has not entered (S3: NO), it is determined whether the work at the fire site has been finished (S6). If the work at the fire site has not been finished (S6: NO), the process of S2is executed. If the work at the fire site has been finished (S6: YES), this process ends.

If the worker has entered the building (S3: YES), the identification unit4identifies the entry position (S4). Then, the notification unit5notifies the fact that the worker has entered the building, the position of the worker after entering, and the identified entry position (S5). The notification unit5transmits these data to the display device51, for example. By displaying the screen shown inFIG.4on the display device51, the commander is notified that the worker has entered the building.

In the above explanation, the disaster site is a fire site, but it may be another disaster site such as a site where a building collapsed due to an earthquake or a site where a gas leak occurred.

[Program]

It is sufficient for the program according to the example embodiment 1 to be a program that causes a computer to execute each step shown inFIG.5. The activity support apparatus10and the activity support method according to the example embodiment can be realized by installing this program in the computer and executing this program. In this case, a processor of the computer functions as the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, and the notification unit5, and performs processing.

Also, the program according to the example embodiment may be executed by a computer system constituted by a plurality of computers. In this case, for example, each computer may function as any of the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, and the notification unit5.

In addition to general-purpose PCs, smart phones and tablet-type terminal devices are examples of computers.

Effect in the Example Embodiment 1

According to the activity support apparatus10of the example embodiment, it can be determined whether the worker has entered the building. By notifying the commander of this determination result, the commander can avoid the risk of giving inappropriate instructions as a result of mistakenly believing that the worker is inside the building even though the worker is outside. In addition, by notifying the other workers at the disaster site of the determination results, the other workers can easily grasp the situation at the other sites.

Example Embodiment 2

Next, an activity support apparatus, an activity support method, and a program according to the example embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.6to9.

FIG.6is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the activity support apparatus20according to the example embodiment.

In addition to the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, and the notification unit5described in the example embodiment 1, the activity support apparatus20includes a measurement unit6, a withdrawal determination unit7, and a warning unit8. Since the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, and the notification unit5are the same as those in the example embodiment 1, description thereof will be omitted.

The measurement unit6measures time after the entry determination unit3determines that the worker has entered the building. In other words, the measuring unit6is a timer that measures the time the worker is continuously inside the building.

A withdrawal determination unit7determines whether the worker has withdrawn from the building after the entry determination unit3has determined that the worker has entered the building. As with the entry determination unit3, the withdrawal determination unit7determines based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data. Referring toFIG.3, the worker's position61acquired at timing T1is assumed to be inside the building. The withdrawal determination unit7determines that the worker has withdrawn from the building when the worker's position62acquired at timing T2after timing T1has changed from position61across the boundary line60.

The warning unit8warns that the activity time is exceeded when the withdrawal determination unit7determines that the worker has not withdrawn from the building and the time measured by the measurement unit6exceeds a certain period of time. The warning unit8may warn the commander via the display device51or warn the worker via the mobile device50. The certain period of time may be a predetermined time, or may be appropriately changed depending on the content of the warning. A case in which the certain period of time is determined according to the content of the warning will be described below.

In the case of warning about the amount of air remaining in an air respirator carried by the worker, the certain period of time is determined based on the amount of air remaining in the air respirator. Activity time at the fire site is limited by the amount of air remaining in the air respirator the worker has. Therefore, the activity support apparatus20acquires the remaining amount of air in the air respirator directly from the air respirator or via the mobile device50. Then, the activity support apparatus20estimates the time from the current remaining amount of air until the remaining amount of air reaches 30% through continued use, and sets the estimated time as certain period of time. Note that 30% is an example. If the worker stays in the building continuously for more than the certain period of time, the air in the respirator will run out and the worker will be in danger, so the warning unit8issues a warning.FIG.7is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen for warning of overtime.

Furthermore, when warning about a worker's physical condition is performed, the certain period of time is determined based on a worker's biometric information. If the worker's body temperature is abnormally high or the amount of perspiration is large, working for a long time at the fire site poses a danger to the worker. Therefore, the activity support apparatus20acquires the amount of perspiration or body temperature of the worker from the mobile device50, and estimates the time during which the worker can be physically active based on rules set in advance based on empirical rules, etc., and the estimated time is set as the certain period of time. When the worker's continuous time in the building exceeds the certain period of time, the worker's body is in danger, so the warning unit8issues a warning.FIG.8is a diagram showing another example of a warning screen for warning of overtime.

Note that the warning by the warning unit8may be given by voice. Also, the warning unit8may warn the worker from the mobile device50.

[Apparatus Operations]

Next, the operation of the activity support apparatus20in the example embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.9.FIG.9is a flow diagram showing the operation of the activity support apparatus20. In the example embodiment, the activity support method is implemented by operating the activity support apparatus20. Therefore, the description of the activity support method in the example embodiment will be replaced with the following description of the operation of the activity support apparatus20.

S11to S16are the same as S1to S6shown inFIG.5of the first embodiment. That is, the boundary data acquisition unit2acquires boundary data (S11). Next, the position acquisition unit1acquires the position of the worker by receiving the position data acquired from the positioning signal by the mobile device50(S12). The entry determination unit3determines whether the worker has entered the building (S13). If the worker has not entered (S13: NO), it is determined whether the work at the fire site has been finished (S16). If the work at the fire site has not been finished (S16: NO), the process of S12is executed. If the work at the fire site has been finished (S16: YES), this process ends. If the worker has entered the building (S13: YES), the identification unit4identifies the entry position (S14). Then, the notification unit5notifies the fact that the worker has entered the building, the position of the worker after entering, and the identified entry position (S15).

Next, the withdrawal determination unit7determines whether the worker who entered the building has withdrawn from the building (S17). If the worker has not withdrawn (S17: NO), the measurement unit6measures the time the worker is continuously inside the building. (S18). The warning unit8determines whether the measured time exceeds the certain period of time (S19). If the certain period of time has not elapsed (S19: NO), the process of S17is executed. If the certain period of time has elapsed (S19: YES), the warning unit8warns that the activity time has exceeded (S20). Then, the process of S17is executed. If it is determined in S17that the worker has withdrawn (S18: YES), the process of S16is executed.

[Program]

It is sufficient for the program according to the example embodiment 2 to be a program that causes a computer to execute each step shown inFIG.9. The activity support apparatus20and the activity support method according to the example embodiment can be realized by installing this program in the computer and executing this program. In this case, a processor of the computer functions as the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, the notification unit5, the measurement unit6, the withdrawal determination unit7, and the warning unit8, and performs processing.

Also, the program according to the example embodiment may be executed by a computer system constituted by a plurality of computers. In this case, for example, each computer may function as any of the position acquisition unit1, the boundary data acquisition unit2, the entry determination unit3, the identification unit4, the notification unit5, the measurement unit6, the withdrawal determination unit7, and the warning unit8.

In addition to general-purpose PCs, smart phones and tablet-type terminal devices are examples of computers.

Effect in the Example Embodiment 2

According to the activity support apparatus20of the example embodiment, it can be determined whether the worker has entered the building. By notifying the commander of this determination result, the commander can avoid the risk of giving inappropriate instructions as a result of mistakenly believing that the worker is inside the building even though the worker is outside. In addition, by notifying the other workers at the disaster site of the determination results, the other workers can easily grasp the situation at the other sites. Furthermore, the activity support apparatus20warns when the worker stays in the building continuously for a long time, thereby avoiding danger to the worker.

[Physical Configuration]

Here, a computer that realizes the activity support apparatus by executing the programs in the example embodiments 1 and 2 will be described with reference toFIG.10.FIG.10is a block diagram illustrating one example of a computer realizing the activity support apparatus in the example embodiments 1 and 2.

As illustrated inFIG.10, a computer110includes a CPU111, a main memory112, a storage device113, an input interface114, a display controller115, a data reader/writer116, and a communication interface117. These components are connected via a bus121so as to be capable of performing data communication with one another. Note that the computer110may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) in addition to the CPU111or in place of the CPU111.

The CPU111loads the programs (codes) in the example embodiments 1 and 2, which are stored in the storage device113, onto the main memory112, and performs various computations by executing these codes in a predetermined order. The main memory112is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Furthermore, the programs in the example embodiments 1 and 2 are provided in a state such that the programs are stored in a computer readable recording medium120. Note that the programs in the example embodiments 1 and 2 may also be programs that are distributed on the Internet, to which the computer110is connected via the communication interface117.

In addition, specific examples of the storage device113include semiconductor storage devices such as a flash memory, in addition to hard disk drives. The input interface114mediates data transmission between the CPU111and input equipment118such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display controller115is connected to a display device119, and controls the display performed by the display device119.

The data reader/writer116mediates data transmission between the CPU111and the recording medium120, and executes the reading out of the program from the recording medium120and the writing of results of processing in the computer110to the recording medium120. The communication interface117mediates data transmission between the CPU111and other computers.

Furthermore, specific examples of the recording medium120include a general-purpose semiconductor storage device such as a CF (Compact Flash; registered trademark) card or a SD (Secure Digital) card, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, and an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory).

Note that the activity support apparatuses in the example embodiments 1 and 2 can also be realized by using pieces of hardware corresponding to the respective units, rather than using a computer on which the program is installed. Furthermore, a portion of the activity support apparatus may be realized by using a program, and the remaining portion of the activity support apparatus may be realized by using hardware.

The configurations of Embodiments 1 and 2 described above can be combined as appropriate. While a part of or the entirety of the above-described example embodiments 1 and 2 can be expressed by (Supplementary note 1) to (Supplementary note 18) described in the following, the invention is not limited to the following description.

(Supplementary Note 1)

An activity support apparatus that supports an activity of a worker at a disaster site, the activity support apparatus including:a position acquisition unit that acquires a position of the worker,a boundary data acquisition unit that acquires boundary data indicating a boundary of a building at the disaster site, andan entry determination unit that determines whether the worker has entered the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data.
(Supplementary Note 2)

The activity support apparatus according to Supplementary note 1, whereinthe entry determination unit determines that the worker has entered if the positions of the worker acquired at different timings change across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 3)

The activity support apparatus according to Supplementary note 2, whereinthe entry determination unit determines that the worker has entered if there is no change in the position of the worker across the boundary for a predetermined time after the position of the worker has changed across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 4)

The activity support apparatus according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 3, whereinthe boundary data includes position data of an entrance that allow entry into the building,the activity support apparatus further including:an identification unit that identifies an entry position of the worker when the worker is determined to have entered.
(Supplementary Note 5)

The activity support apparatus according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 4, further including:a measurement unit that measures time after the worker is determined to have entered the building,a withdrawal determination unit that determines whether the worker has withdrawn from the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data, after the worker is determined to have entered the building, anda warning unit that warns of exceeding activity time if it is determined that the worker has not withdrawn from the building and the time measured exceeds a certain period of time.
(Supplementary Note 6)

The activity support apparatus according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 5, whereinthe position acquisition unit acquires a position based on a positioning signal from positioning system.
(Supplementary Note 7)

An activity support method that supports an activity of a worker at a disaster site,the activity support method including:a step of acquiring a position of the worker,a step of acquiring boundary data that indicates a boundary of a building at the disaster site, anda step of determining whether the worker has entered the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data.
(Supplementary Note 8)

The activity support method according to Supplementary note 7, whereinin the step of determining whether the worker has entered the building,determining that the worker has entered if the positions of the worker acquired at different timings change across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 9)

The activity support method according to Supplementary note 8, whereinin the step of determining whether the worker has entered the building,determining that the worker has entered if there is no change in the position of the worker across the boundary for a predetermined time after the position of the worker has changed across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 10)

The activity support method according to any one of Supplementary notes 7 to 9, whereinthe boundary data includes position data of an entrance that allow entry into the building,the activity support method further including:a step of identifying an entry position of the worker when the worker is determined to have entered.
(Supplementary Note 11)

The activity support method according to any one of Supplementary notes 7 to 10, further including:a step of measuring time after the worker is determined to have entered the building,a step of determining whether the worker has withdrawn from the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data, after the worker is determined to have entered the building, anda step of warning of exceeding activity time if it is determined that the worker has not withdrawn from the building and the time measured exceeds a certain period of time.
(Supplementary Note 12)

The activity support method according to any one of Supplementary notes 7 to 11, whereinin the step of acquiring the position of the worker,acquiring a position based on a positioning signal from positioning system.
(Supplementary Note 13)

A computer-readable recording medium that includes a program, which allows a computer to support an activity of a worker at a disaster site, recorded thereon,the program including instructions that cause a computer to execute:a step of acquiring a position of the worker,a step of acquiring boundary data that indicates a boundary of a building at the disaster site, anda step of determining whether the worker has entered the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data.
(Supplementary Note 14)

The computer-readable recording medium according to Supplementary note 13, whereinin the step of determining whether the worker has entered the building,determining that the worker has entered if the positions of the worker acquired at different timings change across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 15)

The computer-readable recording medium according to Supplementary note 14, whereinin the step of determining whether the worker has entered the building,determining that the worker has entered if there is no change in the position of the worker across the boundary for a predetermined time after the position of the worker has changed across the boundary.
(Supplementary Note 16)

The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of Supplementary notes 13 to 15, whereinthe boundary data includes position data of an entrance that allow entry into the building,the program further including instructions that cause a computer to execute:a step of identifying an entry position of the worker when the worker is determined to have entered.
(Supplementary Note 17)

The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of Supplementary notes 13 to 16, the program further including instructions that cause a computer to execute:a step of measuring time after the worker is determined to have entered the building,a step of determining whether the worker has withdrawn from the building based on the positions of the worker acquired at different timings and the boundary data, after the worker is determined to have entered the building, anda step of warning of exceeding activity time if it is determined that the worker has not withdrawn from the building and the time measured exceeds a certain period of time.
(Supplementary Note 18)

The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of Supplementary notes 13 to 17, whereinin the step of acquiring the position of the worker,acquiring a position based on a positioning signal from positioning system.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Position acquisition unit2Boundary data acquisition unit3Entry determination unit4Identification unit5Notification unit6Measurement unit7Withdrawal determination unit8Warning unit10Activity support apparatus20Activity support apparatus50Mobile device51Display device55Mark56Mark57Character information60Boundary line61Position61Position110Computer111CPU112Main memory113Storage device114Input interface115Display controller116Data reader/writer117Communication interface118Input equipment119Display device120Recording medium121Bus