U.S. patent application number 13/624551 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for seating arrangement apparatus, seating arrangement method, and seating arrangement program.
This patent application is currently assigned to P&W Solutions Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Toshiyuki Omiya. Invention is credited to Toshiyuki Omiya.
Application Number | 20130076089 13/624551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47910469 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130076089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Omiya; Toshiyuki |
March 28, 2013 |
Seating Arrangement Apparatus, Seating Arrangement Method, and
Seating Arrangement Program
Abstract
A seating arrangement apparatus includes: a storage unit that
stores seating arrangement conditions for each of a plurality of
users; a seating arrangement processing unit that arranges the
plurality of seats for the plurality of users, based on the seating
arrangement conditions for each of the plurality of users; a change
accepting unit that accepts a change input for changing seating
arrangement of a first seat group among the plurality of seats; a
detection unit that detects seating arrangement conditions that are
changed, in a case in which the seating arrangement is planned to
be changed by the change input, resulting in change of
conformability to each of the seating arrangement conditions; and a
reporting unit that reports at least a seating arrangement
condition that is changed from being conformable to being
unconformable, among the seating arrangement conditions thus
detected.
Inventors: |
Omiya; Toshiyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Omiya; Toshiyuki |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
P&W Solutions Co., Ltd.
Shinagawa-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
47910469 |
Appl. No.: |
13/624551 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/217.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/00 20130101; A47C
7/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/217.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/00 20060101
A47C001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2011 |
JP |
2011-210280 |
Claims
1. A seating arrangement apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that
stores seating arrangement conditions for each of a plurality of
users, for whom any one of a plurality of seats are arranged, the
seats being a collection of seat groups provided to each management
unit; a seating arrangement processing unit that arranges the
plurality of seats for the plurality of users, based on the seating
arrangement conditions for each of the plurality of users; a change
accepting unit that accepts a change input for changing seating
arrangement of a first seat group among the plurality of seats; a
detection unit that detects seating arrangement conditions that are
changed, in a case in which the seating arrangement is planned to
be changed by the change input, resulting in change of
conformability to each of the seating arrangement conditions; and a
reporting unit that reports at least a seating arrangement
condition that is changed from being conformable to being
unconformable, among the seating arrangement conditions detected by
the detection unit.
2. The seating arrangement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the seating arrangement conditions are relevant to predetermined
seat attributes or positional relationships with predetermined
users.
3. The seating arrangement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the reporting unit reports a seating arrangement condition that is
changed from being conformable to being unconformable, as well as a
management unit of a second seat group including seats arranged for
users relevant to the seating arrangement condition.
4. The seating arrangement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the change accepting unit accepts a change input for changing
seating arrangement of the second seat group provided to the
management unit reported by the reporting unit, and wherein the
reporting unit reports both of a seating arrangement condition that
is changed from being unconformable to being conformable, and a
seating arrangement condition that is changed from being
conformable to being unconformable, among the seating arrangement
conditions detected by the detection unit.
5. The seating arrangement apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising: a communication unit that performs data communication
with a manager terminal provided to the each management unit,
wherein the change accepting unit accepts a change input for
changing seating arrangement of a seat group relevant to a
management unit corresponding to a manager terminal from the
manager terminal through the communication unit, and wherein the
reporting unit provides a report to the manager terminal from which
the change input was accepted, and to a manager terminal
corresponding to a management unit of a seat group including a seat
arranged for a user relevant to the seating arrangement condition
being a report target, through the communication unit.
6. The seating arrangement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the seat group is provided to each task segment as a management
unit at a contact center.
7. A seating arrangement method for a computer to arrange any of a
plurality of seats for any of a plurality of users, the plurality
of seats being a collection of seat groups provided to each
management unit, the computer including a storage unit that stores
seating arrangement conditions for each of the plurality of users,
the method being performed by the computer to execute: a seating
arrangement processing step of arranging the plurality of seats for
the plurality of users, based on seating arrangement conditions for
each of the plurality of users; a change accepting step of
accepting a change input for changing seating arrangement of a
first seat group among the plurality of seats; a detecting step of
detecting seating arrangement conditions that are changed, in a
case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be changed by
the change input, resulting in change of conformability to each of
the seating arrangement conditions; and a reporting step of
reporting at least a seating arrangement condition that is changed
from being conformable to being unconformable, among the seating
arrangement conditions detected in the detecting step.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a seating
arrangement program for causing a computer to arrange any of a
plurality of seats for any of a plurality of users, the plurality
of seats being a collection of seat groups provided to each
management unit, the computer including a storage unit that stores
seating arrangement conditions for each of the plurality of users,
the program causing the computer to execute: a seating arrangement
processing step of arranging the plurality of seats for the
plurality of users, based on seating arrangement conditions for
each of the plurality of users; a change accepting step of
accepting a change input for changing seating arrangement of a
first seat group among the plurality of seats; a detecting step of
detecting seating arrangement conditions that are changed, in a
case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be changed by
the change input, resulting in change of conformability to each of
the seating arrangement conditions; and a reporting step of
reporting at least a seating arrangement condition that is changed
from being conformable to being unconformable, among the seating
arrangement conditions detected in the detecting step.
Description
[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-210280, filed on
27 Sep. 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a seating arrangement
apparatus, a seating arrangement method, and a seating arrangement
program, all of which arrange a plurality of seats for users.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, for the purpose of improving the work
efficiency or the like of users at an office, a general manager
sets seating arrangement that satisfies more seating arrangement
conditions, by considering seating arrangement conditions for all
the users (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2005-4386).
[0006] On the other hand, in a case in which the office is
segmented into a plurality of management units (for example, task
segments, departments and the like at a contact center), a manager
assigned to each management unit may change the seating arrangement
of some seat groups being a target to be managed, depending on the
detailed circumstances in the management unit, which the general
manager would not be capable of being aware of.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] However, since each manager does not grasp seating
arrangement conditions for the entire office other than the
management unit managed by the manager himself/herself, there may
be cases in which the manager freely changes the seating
arrangement, but the seating arrangement thus changed may be
unconformable to the seating arrangement conditions for the other
seat groups in the other management units. It is not appropriate
for the general manager, who would not be capable of being aware of
detailed circumstances in each management unit, to cope with such
an unconformable case. On the other hand, it has been difficult for
a manager of each management unit to change the seating arrangement
of his/her own seat group by considering seating arrangement of the
other management units.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a seating
arrangement apparatus, a seating arrangement method, and a seating
arrangement program, all of which enable a manager to easily change
partial seating arrangement, while maintaining conformability to
the entire arrangement conditions.
[0009] According to the present invention, means as follows is
provided for solving the problems.
[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a seating
arrangement apparatus including: a storage unit that stores seating
arrangement conditions for each of a plurality of users, for whom
any one of a plurality of seats are arranged, the seats being a
collection of seat groups provided to each management unit; a
seating arrangement processing unit that arranges the plurality of
seats for the plurality of users, based on the seating arrangement
conditions for each of the plurality of users; a change accepting
unit that accepts a change input for changing seating arrangement
of a first seat group among the plurality of seats; a detection
unit that detects seating arrangement conditions that are changed,
in a case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be changed
by the change input, resulting in change of conformability to each
of the seating arrangement conditions; and a reporting unit that
reports at least a seating arrangement condition that is changed
from being conformable to being unconformable, among the seating
arrangement conditions detected by the detection unit.
[0011] According to such a configuration, in a case in which a
change input for changing the seating arrangement of some of the
seat groups is accepted after arranging the entirety of the
plurality of seats by the seating arrangement processing unit, the
seating arrangement apparatus can report to the manager on the
seating arrangement condition of which conformability was changed
as a result of the change input. Therefore, with the seating
arrangement apparatus, the manager can easily change partial
seating arrangement, while maintaining conformability to the entire
arrangement conditions.
[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is the seating
arrangement apparatus as recited in the first aspect, in which the
seating arrangement conditions are relevant to predetermined seat
attributes or positional relationships with predetermined
users.
[0013] According to such a configuration, the seating arrangement
conditions are conditions relevant to predetermined seat attributes
or positional relationships with predetermined users, which the
manager would not be capable of being aware of. Therefore, since
the seating arrangement apparatus reports that conformability to
the seating arrangement conditions was changed, the seating
arrangement apparatus can provide information that should be
considered by the manager who changes partial seating
arrangement.
[0014] A third aspect of the present invention is the seating
arrangement apparatus as recited in the first or second aspect, in
which the reporting unit reports a seating arrangement condition
that is changed from being conformable to being unconformable, as
well as a management unit of a second seat group including seats
arranged for users relevant to the seating arrangement
condition.
[0015] According to such a configuration, the seating arrangement
apparatus can report a seating arrangement condition of which
conformability was changed, as well as management units relevant to
the seating arrangement condition. Therefore, the manager can
efficiently change partial seating arrangement, by understanding
which management units require discussion for making the partial
seating arrangement conformable to the seating arrangement
conditions.
[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the seating
arrangement apparatus as recited in the third aspect, in which the
change accepting unit accepts a change input for changing seating
arrangement of the second seat group provided to the management
unit reported by the reporting unit; and the reporting unit reports
both of a seating arrangement condition that is changed from being
unconformable to being conformable, and a seating arrangement
condition that is changed from being conformable to being
unconformable, among the seating arrangement conditions detected by
the detection unit.
[0017] According to such a configuration, the seating arrangement
apparatus can further accept a change input, regarding a seat group
provided to each management unit reported in response to the change
input. Therefore, the manager can repeatedly make a change input
for seat groups in different management units as well, and can
consider optimal seating arrangement, while understanding seating
arrangement conditions of which conformability is changed each time
the change input is made.
[0018] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the seating
arrangement apparatus as recited in the third or fourth aspect,
further including a communication unit that performs data
communication with a manager terminal provided to the each
management unit, in which the change accepting unit accepts a
change input for changing seating arrangement of a seat group
relevant to a management unit corresponding to a manager terminal
from the manager terminal through the communication unit; and the
reporting unit provides a report to the manager terminal from which
the change input was accepted, and to a manager terminal
corresponding to a management unit of a seat group including a seat
arranged for a user relevant to the seating arrangement condition
being a report target, through the communication unit.
[0019] According to such a configuration, the seating arrangement
apparatus accepts a change input for changing the seating
arrangement of the seat group relevant to the management unit, from
the manager terminal provided to each management unit. The seating
arrangement apparatus can report that the conformability to the
seating arrangement conditions was changed, to the manager terminal
corresponding to the management unit relevant to the seating
arrangement condition of which conformability was changed.
Therefore, when the seating arrangement is partially changed, the
seating arrangement apparatus can report to the managers of the
management units that require discussion for making the seating
arrangement conformable to the seating arrangement conditions, and
thus the change of the seating arrangement can be easily adjusted
by the managers.
[0020] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the seating
arrangement apparatus as recited in any one of the first to fifth
aspects, in which the seat group is provided to each task segment
as a management unit at a contact center.
[0021] According to such a configuration, with the seating
arrangement apparatus, the manager can easily change partial
seating arrangement for each task segment, while maintaining
conformability to the entire seating arrangement conditions at a
contact center provided with a plurality of task segments.
[0022] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a seating
arrangement method for a computer to arrange any of a plurality of
seats for any of a plurality of users, the plurality of seats being
a collection of seat groups provided to each management unit, the
computer including a storage unit that stores seating arrangement
conditions for each of the plurality of users, the method being
performed by the computer to execute: a seating arrangement
processing step of arranging the plurality of seats for the
plurality of users, based on seating arrangement conditions for
each of the plurality of users; a change accepting step of
accepting a change input for changing seating arrangement of a
first seat group among the plurality of seats; a detecting step of
detecting seating arrangement conditions that are changed, in a
case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be changed by
the change input, resulting in change of conformability to each of
the seating arrangement conditions; and a reporting step of
reporting at least a seating arrangement condition that is changed
from being conformable to being unconformable, among the seating
arrangement conditions detected in the detecting step.
[0023] According to such a configuration, effects similar to those
of the first aspect can be expected by the computer performing the
seating arrangement method.
[0024] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a seating
arrangement program for causing a computer to arrange any of a
plurality of seats for any of a plurality of users, the plurality
of seats being a collection of seat groups provided to each
management unit, the computer including a storage unit that stores
seating arrangement conditions for each of the plurality of users,
the program causing the computer to execute: a seating arrangement
processing step of arranging the plurality of seats for the
plurality of users, based on seating arrangement conditions for
each of the plurality of users; a change accepting step of
accepting a change input for changing seating arrangement of a
first seat group among the plurality of seats; a detecting step of
detecting seating arrangement conditions that are changed, in a
case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be changed by
the change input, resulting in change of conformability to each of
the seating arrangement conditions; and a reporting step of
reporting at least a seating arrangement condition that is changed
from being conformable to being unconformable, among the seating
arrangement conditions detected in the detecting step.
[0025] According to such a configuration, effects similar to those
of the first aspect can be expected by causing the computer to
execute the seating arrangement program.
[0026] According to the present invention, a manager can easily
change partial seating arrangement, while maintaining
conformability to the entire arrangement conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of a seating arrangement apparatus according to a first
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a seating arrangement condition
table according to the first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a seat attribute table according
to the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a seating arrangement setting
table according to the first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a change input for
changing a result of seating arrangement processing according to
the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing processing according to
the first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of a seating arrangement apparatus according to a second
embodiment; and
[0034] FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing processing according to
the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0035] Descriptions are hereinafter provided for a first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0036] When the seating arrangement of a seat group for users
provided to each task segment being a management unit is changed at
a contact center, a seating arrangement apparatus 1 according to
the present embodiment determines conformability to seating
arrangement conditions for the entire users, and outputs report
information.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of the seating arrangement apparatus 1 according to the present
embodiment.
[0038] The seating arrangement apparatus 1 includes a control unit
10, a storage unit 20, a communication unit 30, an input unit 40,
and an output unit 50.
[0039] The control unit 10 controls the entirety of the seating
arrangement apparatus 1, and appropriately reads and executes
various programs stored in the storage unit 20, thereby
collaborating with the aforementioned hardware units, and
implementing various functions according to the present embodiment.
The control unit 10 may be a central processing unit (CPU).
Functions of each part provided to the control unit 10 will be
described later.
[0040] The storage unit 20 is a storage area that stores various
programs and a variety of data for causing a group of hardware
units to function as the seating arrangement apparatus 1, in which
the storage unit 20 may be a hard disk drive (HDD). More
specifically, the storage unit 20 stores a program (a seating
arrangement program) that is executed by the control unit 10 to
implement various functions of the present embodiment.
[0041] The storage unit 20 stores: a seating arrangement condition
table 21 that stores a seating arrangement condition that is set
for each of a plurality of users, for whom any of a plurality of
seats is arranged, the plurality of seats being a collection of
seat groups provided to each management unit; a seat attribute
table 22 that stores a variety of attribute information of each of
the plurality of seats; and a seating arrangement setting table 23
that stores a result of the seating arrangement.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the seating arrangement
condition table 21 according to the present embodiment.
[0043] The seating arrangement condition table 21 stores user names
and seating arrangement conditions A, B, and so on, in association
with IDs for identifying the users. Here, there may be a user with
no seating arrangement conditions being set, and a plurality of
seating arrangement conditions may be set to a single user.
[0044] The seating arrangement conditions are relevant to
predetermined seat attributes or positional relationships with
predetermined users. For example, it is not preferable to arrange a
seat being next to a user with an ID "004" for a user with an ID
"001", and it is not preferable to arrange a seat being for a task
X for the user with the ID "001". Any seat may be arranged for a
user with an ID "002".
[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the seat attribute table 22
according to the present embodiment.
[0046] In association with IDs for identifying the seats, the seat
attribute table 22 stores various attributes such as: a seat group
(a block) to which the seat belongs; IDs of the seats located in
the vicinities of the seat; a management unit (a task segment) of
the seat; and positional characteristics of the seat at the office
(for example, beside the window, or near the entrance).
[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the seating arrangement setting
table 23 according to the present embodiment.
[0048] The seating arrangement setting table 23 stores user IDs in
association with seat IDs, as a result of the seating
arrangement.
[0049] The communication unit 30 is a network adapter used by the
seating arrangement apparatus 1 to transmit and receive data to and
from other apparatuses. The communication unit 30 performs data
communication through a network with a manager terminal 100
provided to each management unit.
[0050] The input unit 40 is an interface device that accepts an
input of an instruction by an operator into the seating arrangement
apparatus 1. The input unit 40 is configured by, for example, a
keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, and the like.
[0051] The output unit 50 includes a display unit that displays a
screen for accepting an input of data from the operator, and
displays a screen for showing results of processing by the seating
arrangement apparatus 1. The output unit 50 may also include a
display unit such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display or a liquid
crystal display (LCD), as well as other various output units such
as a printer.
[0052] Next, detailed descriptions are provided for functions of
the control unit 10.
[0053] The control unit 10 includes a seating arrangement
processing unit 11, a change accepting unit 12, a detection unit
13, and a reporting unit 14. Each of those units is a functional
block that is implemented by executing the seating arrangement
program.
[0054] The seating arrangement processing unit 11 arranges a
plurality of seats for a plurality of users at the office, based on
seating arrangement conditions for the plurality of users, the
conditions being stored in the seating arrangement condition table
21. A seating arrangement processing algorithm may be an existing
algorithm, and it is preferable for a seating arrangement result to
satisfy more seating arrangement conditions.
[0055] Among the plurality of seats arranged by the seating
arrangement processing unit 11, the change accepting unit 12
accepts a change input for changing seating arrangement of a first
seat group through the communication unit 30 or the input unit
40.
[0056] The change accepting unit 12 may accept change inputs
regarding a plurality of seat groups, and may accept, for example,
a change input for changing seating arrangement of a second seat
group provided to a management unit that is reported by the
reporting unit 14.
[0057] In a case in which the seating arrangement is planned to be
changed by such a change input, resulting in change of the
conformability to each seating arrangement condition, the detection
unit 13 detects a seating arrangement condition that was changed.
By detecting a seating arrangement condition that was changed from
being conformable to being unconformable, the detection unit 13 can
acquire, as an alert, information about inconvenience resulting
from the change input.
[0058] Among the seating arrangement conditions detected by the
detection unit 13, the reporting unit 14 reports at least a seating
arrangement condition that was changed from being conformable to
being unconformable. In addition to the seating arrangement
condition detected as being changed from being conformable to being
unconformable, the reporting unit 14 also reports a management unit
of the second seat group including seats arranged for users
relevant to this seating arrangement condition.
[0059] In a case in which a change input for changing seating
arrangement of the second seat group is accepted, the reporting
unit 14 reports both of the seating arrangement conditions that
were changed from being unconformable to being conformable, and the
seating arrangement conditions that were changed from being
conformable to being unconformable, among the seating arrangement
conditions detected by the detection unit 13. As a result, the
reporting unit 14 can report whether the inconvenience due to the
change of the seating arrangement of the first seat group is
resolved, and whether another inconvenience newly occurs, and the
reporting unit 14 can also report a management unit relevant to the
newly occurred inconvenience.
[0060] Here, the reporting unit 14 may cause the output unit 50 to
output report information including the seating arrangement
conditions and the management unit, and may cause the communication
unit 30 to report the report information to the manager terminal
100.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a change input for
changing a result of the seating arrangement processing according
to the present embodiment.
[0062] In the present example, based on seating arrangement
conditions in the seating arrangement condition table 21, a block A
(seats A01 to A04) and a block B (seats B01 to B04) are arranged
for users 001 to 008.
[0063] At this time, in a case in which a change input for
replacing the user 001 with the user 008 regarding the seating
arrangement in the block A is accepted, determination is made as to
whether the seating arrangement thus changed is conformable to each
of the seating arrangement conditions. Since this case is
unconformable to the seating arrangement condition relevant to the
user 001 "seating position next to the user 004 is NG", the
unconformable seating arrangement condition is reported, and a
management unit (task segment) of the block B where the seat is
arranged for the relevant user 004 is reported.
[0064] FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing processing by the seating
arrangement apparatus 1 and the manager terminal 100 according to
the present embodiment.
[0065] It is assumed that the seating arrangement apparatus 1 has
executed seating arrangement processing in advance, and a result of
such seating arrangement is stored in the seating arrangement
setting table 23.
[0066] In Step S1, the manager terminal 100 accepts a change input
from the manager to change the seating arrangement of any of the
seat groups.
[0067] In Step S2, the seating arrangement apparatus 1 receives
data representing the change input accepted in Step S1, from the
manager terminal 100.
[0068] In Step S3, based on the data received in Step S2, the
seating arrangement apparatus 1 temporarily sets the change of
seating arrangement, and stores the seating arrangement into the
storage unit 20.
[0069] In Step S4, based on the seating arrangement that was
temporarily set in Step S3, the seating arrangement apparatus 1
checks the seating arrangement conditions stored in the seating
arrangement condition table 21, and detects a seating arrangement
condition of which conformability was changed as a result.
[0070] In Step S5, the seating arrangement apparatus 1 transmits
data representing the seating arrangement condition of which
conformability was changed in Step S4, and data representing the
management unit relevant to the seating arrangement condition, to
the manager terminal 100.
[0071] In Step S6, based on the data received in Step S5, the
manager terminal 100 outputs the seating arrangement condition of
which conformability was changed, and the management unit relevant
to the seating arrangement condition, as report information
regarding the change input.
[0072] In Step S7, in response to an input from the manager, the
manager terminal 100 determines whether to terminate acceptance of
a change input. In a case in which the determination is YES, the
processing is terminated, and in a case in which the determination
is NO, the processing returns to Step S1 and continues accepting a
new change input.
[0073] In a case in which approval is obtained from all the
relevant management units, the seating arrangement apparatus 1 may
decide the change of the seating arrangement, by receiving
instruction data for deciding the seating arrangement from the
manager terminal 100, and reflecting change of the seating
arrangement, which was temporarily set, in the seating arrangement
setting table 23 so as to be updated.
[0074] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in
a case in which a change input for changing the seating arrangement
of some of the seat groups is accepted after arranging the entirety
of the plurality of seats by the seating arrangement processing,
the seating arrangement apparatus 1 can report to the manager on
the seating arrangement condition of which conformability was
changed as a result of the change input. Therefore, with the
seating arrangement apparatus 1, the manager can easily change
partial seating arrangement, while maintaining conformability to
the entire arrangement conditions.
[0075] The seating arrangement conditions are conditions relevant
to predetermined seat attributes or positional relationships with
predetermined users, which the manager would not be capable of
being aware of. Therefore, since the seating arrangement apparatus
1 reports that conformability to the seating arrangement conditions
was changed, the seating arrangement apparatus 1 can provide
information that should be considered by the manager who changes
partial seating arrangement.
[0076] The seating arrangement apparatus 1 can report a seating
arrangement condition of which conformability was changed, as well
as management units (task segments) relevant to the seating
arrangement condition. Therefore, the manager can efficiently
change partial seating arrangement, by understanding which
management units require discussion for making the partial seating
arrangement conformable to the seating arrangement conditions.
[0077] The seating arrangement apparatus 1 can further accept a
change input, regarding a seat group provided to each management
unit reported in response to the change input. Therefore, the
manager can repeatedly make a change input for seat groups in
different management units as well, and can consider optimal
seating arrangement, while understanding seating arrangement
conditions of which conformability is changed each time the change
input is made.
Second Embodiment
[0078] Descriptions are hereinafter provided for a second
embodiment of the present invention. Configurations similar to
those in the first embodiment are assigned with the same reference
numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted or simplified.
[0079] A seating arrangement apparatus 1a according to the present
embodiment identifies a manager terminal provided to or a manager
assigned to each management unit, and communicates particular data
therewith.
[0080] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of the seating arrangement apparatus 1a according to the present
embodiment.
[0081] A change accepting unit 12a and a reporting unit 14a in a
control unit 10a, as well as a communication unit 30a, are
different from the seating arrangement apparatus 1 of the first
embodiment.
[0082] The change accepting unit 12a accepts a change input for
changing seating arrangement of a seat group relevant to a
management unit corresponding to a manager terminal 100a, from the
manager terminal 100a through the communication unit 30a. The
change accepting unit 12a accepts a change input for changing
seating arrangement of a seat group relevant to a management unit
corresponding to a manager terminal 100b, from the manager terminal
100b. The change accepting unit 12a similarly accepts a change
input from each manager terminal 100 (a, b and so on), but such a
change input is for changing seating arrangement of a seat group
relevant to a management unit, based on internal circumstances of
each management unit.
[0083] At this time, the change accepting unit 12a may authenticate
whether the seat group as a target of the change input is relevant
to the management unit corresponding to the manager terminal 100
from which the change input was accepted.
[0084] The reporting unit 14a provides a report to the manager
terminal 100a from which the change input was accepted, and to the
manager terminal 100b corresponding to a management unit of a seat
group including a seat arranged for a user relevant to the seating
arrangement condition being a report target, through the
communication unit 30a. More specifically, in a case in which the
seating arrangement is changed based on the change input, resulting
in that another seating arrangement condition relevant to another
management unit other than the management unit of the seat group
thus changed became unconformable, the reporting unit 14a can
report that adjustment is required, to a manager who manages the
another management unit.
[0085] The communication unit 30a identifies a plurality of manager
terminals 100 (a, b and so on) or a plurality of managers, and
communicates data therewith. When a different manager uses a
manager terminal 100, the manager terminal 100 is also different.
In other words, a management unit, from which the change accepting
unit 12a has accepted a change input, is identified by identifying
the manager terminal 100 or the manager. The control unit 10a may
identify the manager terminal 100 or the manager.
[0086] FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing processing by the seating
arrangement apparatus 1a, the manager terminal 100a and the manager
terminal 100b according to the present embodiment.
[0087] It is assumed that the seating arrangement apparatus 1a has
executed seating arrangement processing in advance, and a result of
such seating arrangement is stored in the seating arrangement
setting table 23.
[0088] In Step S11, the manager terminal 100a accepts a change
input from the manager to change the seating arrangement of a first
seat group belonging to the management unit that is managed by the
manager himself/herself.
[0089] In Step S12, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a receives
data representing the change input accepted in Step S1, from the
manager terminal 100a.
[0090] In Step S13, based on the data received in Step S12, the
seating arrangement apparatus 1a temporarily sets change of seating
arrangement, and stores the seating arrangement into the storage
unit 20.
[0091] In Step S14, based on the seating arrangement that was
temporarily set in Step S13, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a
checks the seating arrangement conditions stored in the seating
arrangement condition table 21, and detects any seating arrangement
condition of which conformability was changed as a result.
[0092] In Step S15, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a transmits
data representing the seating arrangement condition of which
conformability was changed in Step S14, and data representing the
management unit relevant to the seating arrangement condition, to
the manager terminal 100a.
[0093] In Step S16, based on the data received in Step S15, the
manager terminal 100a outputs the seating arrangement condition of
which conformability was changed, and the management unit relevant
to the seating arrangement condition, as report information
regarding the change input.
[0094] In Step S17, in response to an input from the manager, the
manager terminal 100a determines whether to determine the seating
arrangement that was temporarily set. In a case in which the
determination is YES, the processing advances to Step S18, and in a
case in which the determination is NO, the processing returns to
Step S11 and continues accepting a new change input.
[0095] In Step S18, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a receives
an instruction data for deciding the seating arrangement from the
manager terminal 100a.
[0096] In Step S19, in a case in which the seating arrangement
condition of which conformability was changed in Step S14 includes
a condition relevant to a management unit of the manager terminal
100b, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a transmits data
representing the relevant seating arrangement condition and the
management unit to the manager terminal 100b.
[0097] In Step S20, based on the data received in Step S19, the
manager terminal 100b outputs the seating arrangement condition of
which conformability was changed, and the management unit relevant
to the seating arrangement condition, as report information
regarding the change input in the manager terminal 100a.
[0098] In Step S21, in response to an input from the manager, the
manager terminal 100b determines whether to decide the seating
arrangement that was temporarily set. In a case in which the
determination is YES, the processing advances to Step S24, and in a
case in which the determination is NO, the processing advances to
Step S22.
[0099] In Steps S22 and S23, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a
receives data representing the change input of the seating
arrangement of the second seat group accepted in the manager
terminal 100b, similarly to Steps S11 and S12. Subsequently, based
on the change input, change of seating arrangement is temporarily
set (Step S13), and the seating arrangement condition is checked
(Step S14). In a case in which the conformability to the seating
arrangement condition is changed as a result, report information is
reported to the relevant manager terminal 100a or the relevant
manager terminal 100b (Steps S15 and S19).
[0100] In Step S24, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a receives
an instruction data for deciding the seating arrangement from the
manager terminal 100b.
[0101] In this manner, based on the change input in the manager
terminal 100a or the manager terminal 100b, the temporary setting
of the seating arrangement is repeated until determining that the
seating arrangement that was temporarily set is decided in both
Steps S17 and S21, and report information regarding the change in
conformability to the seating arrangement condition is output each
time.
[0102] In Step S25, in response to receiving decision instruction
data in Steps S18 and S24, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a
reflects the change of the seating arrangement, which was
temporarily set, in the seating arrangement setting table 23 so as
to be updated.
[0103] In Steps S26 and S27, the seating arrangement apparatus 1a
reports to the manager terminal 100a and the manager terminal 100b
that the change of the seating arrangement has been decided.
[0104] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
seating arrangement apparatus 1a accepts a change input for
changing the seating arrangement of the seat group relevant to the
management unit, from the manager terminal 100 (a, b and so on)
provided to each management unit (task segment). The seating
arrangement apparatus 1a can report that the conformability to the
seating arrangement conditions was changed, to the manager terminal
100 corresponding to the management unit relevant to the seating
arrangement condition of which conformability was changed.
Therefore, when the seating arrangement is partially changed, the
seating arrangement apparatus 1a can report to the managers of the
management units that require discussion for making the seating
arrangement conformable to the seating arrangement conditions, and
thus the change of the seating arrangement can be easily adjusted
by the managers.
[0105] The present embodiment has been exemplified for the case in
which two management units, i.e. the two manager terminals 100 are
provided, but the present invention can also be applied to a case
in which three or more management units (task segments) are
provided. In this case, when decision instructions are received
from the manager terminals 100 of all the managers, the seating
arrangement apparatus 1a decides the seating arrangement that was
temporarily set.
[0106] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, the present invention is not limited to the
aforementioned embodiments. The effects described in the
embodiments merely list the most preferable effects that arise from
the present invention, and the effects according to the present
invention are not limited to those described in the
embodiments.
[0107] The seating arrangement apparatus 1 may be any of various
information processing apparatuses (computers) such as a server
device or a personal computer (PC), and each of the aforementioned
functions is implemented by software. In a case in which a function
is implemented by software, a program composing the software is
installed in an information processing apparatus. Such a program
may be distributed by being recorded in a removable medium such as
a CD-ROM, and may be distributed by being downloaded to an
information processing apparatus through a network.
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