Space management system and program

Abstract

The space is managed using a short-range wireless communication unit installed in the space used for temporarily storing items, and a user-portable terminal that can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit at least at the start and end of the space's usage period. [Solution] The system using a short-range wireless communication unit 30 and a mobile terminal 90 has a management server 50 that can communicate with the mobile terminal. The management server 50 enables the mobile terminal 90 to determine whether or not a user is present in the space based on the signal received from the short-range wireless communication unit 30 (S405), and when it is determined that a user is present in the space, it enables the mobile terminal 90 to output a message prompting the user to perform an actual touch action, such as holding the mobile terminal 90 over or touching the short-range wireless communication unit 30 (S443).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for automatically managing space and, in particular, to a technology for monitoring the dynamic behavior of a user with respect to the position of a space and / or the entry and exit of a user to and from a space by using a short-range wireless communication unit installed in the space and a user's mobile terminal. Start or end of use It relates to a technology for management.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, services for renting out spaces to users have been becoming widespread. Such rental spaces can be classified, according to the object, into those where humans stay temporarily and those where articles rather than humans are stored temporarily.

[0003] The types of rental spaces where humans stay temporarily can be further classified, according to the use, into a自习room, a conference room, a showroom, a photography room, an event space, a shared room, a co-working space, etc.

[0004] Rental spaces can be further classified into those provided to users as permanent rental spaces and those provided to users as temporary rental spaces.

[0005] As rental spaces provided to users temporarily, various things can be assumed. For example, spaces within stores that originally engage in the business of providing food and drink, such as a Japanese pub, a restaurant, a cafeteria, a coffee shop, etc. (for example, if it is a private room, it can be blocked from other users or other user groups), and are lent to users outside of business hours for purposes other than providing food and drink can be assumed.

[0006] It should be noted that the Chinese character "自习" in the original text seems to be an incorrect or incomplete expression. It might be intended to be "自习室" or something else more specific. The translation is done based on the provided text as accurately as possible while maintaining the original structure and tags.As temporary rental spaces provided to users, it is also conceivable that rooms within accommodation facilities such as hotels (usually private rooms, allowing for isolation from other users or user groups) are available to users not for the purpose of overnight stays, as they are vacant before any reservations are made.

[0007] Rental spaces can be classified by rental period into hourly, daily, and monthly rentals. Furthermore, some rental spaces are offered for a fee, while others are offered free of charge. An example of the latter is a free hourly meeting room provided to students on a university campus.

[0008] Furthermore, there is a movement to install remotely operated electronic locks on the doors of rental spaces, thereby automating the management of these spaces (for example, entry and exit control).

[0009] Several patent documents already exist that disclose technologies for automatically managing rental spaces.

[0010] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for providing an unmanned seat rental service. Specifically, this document discloses that a user reserves a desired seat by communicating with a management server using a mobile terminal, that a transmitter is installed in each seat, that when a user carrying a mobile terminal sits in the reserved seat, the mobile terminal receives the transmitter signal and performs a check-in, and that when a user carrying a mobile terminal leaves the seat, the mobile terminal can no longer receive the transmitter signal and performs a check-out.

[0011] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for providing an unmanned meeting room rental service. Specifically, this document discloses that a user reserves a desired meeting room by communicating with a management server using a mobile terminal, that a transmitter is installed in each meeting room, that when a user carrying a mobile terminal enters the reserved meeting room, the mobile terminal receives the transmitter signal and performs a check-in, and that when a user carrying a mobile terminal leaves the meeting room, the mobile terminal can no longer receive the transmitter signal and performs a check-out. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6253831 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-184241 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The inventors have conducted research and development on technology for automatically managing rental spaces, and as a result have proposed an idea for a service that rents out rental spaces by the hour on the condition that the user reserves one of the rental spaces. This involves dynamically monitoring the user's actual behavior by installing transmitters instead of surveillance cameras in the rental space, and having the user's terminal measure the distance to the transmitters and transmit the results to a management server.

[0014] Furthermore, the inventors also proposed the idea of ​​determining whether the actual behavior of the user monitored in this manner matches the content of the reservation, and if it does not, automatically prompting the user to modify their behavior to match.

[0015] However, neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 discloses that, based on the signal from the transmitter, the user terminal dynamically monitors the temporal change in the actual position of the user as the actual behavior of the user, nor that when there is a discrepancy between the actual behavior of the user and the regular behavior that matches the content of the reservation, the user is automatically urged to correct the subsequent actual behavior of the user to the regular behavior.

[0016] As described above, taking the rental space as an example, it has been explained that there is a demand to automatically monitor the dynamic behavior of the user with respect to the position of a specific space. Similar demands also exist for other types of spaces. For example, in collective facilities such as commercial facilities where multiple salespersons are arranged, factories where multiple workers are arranged, research facilities where multiple researchers are arranged, and organizations where multiple employees are arranged, there exists a demand to automatically monitor the dynamic behavior of each person.

[0017] In view of such circumstances, the present invention relates to a technology for automatically managing a space. In particular, by using a short-range wireless communication unit installed in the space and a user's mobile terminal, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for monitoring the dynamic behavior of the user with respect to the position of the space and / or a technology for managing the entry and exit of the user to and from the space. Start or end of use

Means for Solving the Problem

[0018] To solve that problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, A system for managing the start and end of a user's use of a space, comprising: a short-range wireless communication unit installed in a space used by a user for the temporary storage of goods; and a portable terminal of the user using the space, which is capable of short-range communication with the short-range wireless communication unit at least at the start and end stages of the period during which the user uses the space; Includes a management server capable of communicating with the aforementioned mobile terminal, The management server is A presence / absence determination unit that enables the mobile terminal to determine whether or not the user is present in the space based on a signal received from the short-range wireless communication unit, A prompting unit that enables the mobile terminal to output a visual or auditory message to prompt the user to perform an actual touch action, such as holding the mobile terminal over or touching the near-field communication unit, when it is determined that the user is present in the space. Space management system including is provided.

[0019] Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the above A program executed by the computer of the mobile terminal in order to implement the space management system, The aforementioned mobile device has several functions, The mobile terminal has a function to determine whether or not the user is present in the space based on the signal received from the short-range wireless communication unit, ​ The function to output the message when the existence determination is made. Includes, Programs executed by the computer to realize the aforementioned multiple functions is provided.

[0020] The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into paragraphs, each paragraph is numbered, and if necessary, the numbers of other paragraphs are cited. This is for facilitating the understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof, and it should not be construed that the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof are limited to the following aspects. That is, it should be construed that it is not prohibited to appropriately extract and adopt as technical features of the present invention the technical features described in this specification but not described in the following aspects.

[0021] Furthermore, describing each paragraph in a form that cites the numbers of other paragraphs does not necessarily mean that it prevents the technical features described in each paragraph from being separated and made independent from the technical features described in other paragraphs, and it should be construed that the technical features described in each paragraph can be appropriately made independent according to their nature.

[0022] (1) A space management method for lending a rental space desired by a user to the user by using a transmitter installed in the rental space, a user's mobile terminal, and a management server, where the transmitter is fixedly installed at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the rental space and transmits a unique signal, where the mobile terminal can receive the signal from the transmitter by a short-range communication method within the receivable range and measure the distance from the transmitter based on the received signal, the method comprising: a reservation step in which the mobile terminal makes a reservation for the rental space to the management server by specifying a time schedule including a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time in response to an instruction from the user, A monitoring step in which the mobile terminal measures the user's position relative to the transmitter's position based on the signal received from the transmitter, relating it temporally to at least one of the scheduled start time and scheduled end time, thereby monitoring the user's actual position relative to the rental space as information representing the user's actual actions; The mobile terminal and / or the management server, if the user's actual behavior is inconsistent with the user's regular behavior according to the time schedule, provides a reminder step that prompts the user to correct their subsequent actual behavior to regular behavior. Space management methods including

[0023] (2) The monitoring process is as follows: The user position determination process includes determining the user's position relative to the transmitter's location by performing at least the first and second of the following: a first determination which determines, based on the signal received by the mobile terminal, whether an actual touch has occurred, such as the mobile terminal being held over or touched by the transmitter, and if an actual touch has occurred, generates a touch signal; a second determination which determines whether the mobile terminal is located within the rental space, and if it is located within the rental space, generates an indoor presence signal; and a third determination which determines whether the mobile terminal is located within the receivable range, and if it is located within the receivable range, generates an outdoor presence signal. The aforementioned reminder process is, In the checkout stage when the user leaves the rental space, if the mobile terminal generates a touch signal indicating that the actual touch has occurred, the checkout determination step determines that the user has completed the checkout process to end their use of the rental space. In the checkout stage, if the mobile terminal does not generate the touch signal even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, and instead continuously generates the indoor presence signal or the outdoor presence signal, a checkout prompt step is performed to output a visual or auditory message to prompt the user to perform the substantial touch and complete the checkout. The space management method described in item (1), including (1).

[0024] (3) The aforementioned reminder process further includes: The space management method according to paragraph (2), wherein, in the checkout stage, if the mobile terminal generates the room presence signal even after the checkout is completed, it outputs a visual or auditory message to prompt the user to leave the rental space.

[0025] (4) The aforementioned reminder process further includes: A space management method according to any one of items (1) to (3), which includes a check-in determination step in which, at a check-in stage when a user enters the rental space, the mobile terminal generates the touch signal, and the user determines that they have performed a check-in to begin using the rental space.

[0026] (5) The aforementioned reminder process further includes: The space management method according to any one of items (1) to (4), wherein, in the check-in stage, if the mobile terminal continues to generate the indoor presence signal or the outdoor presence signal even after the scheduled start time has elapsed, the method includes a check-in prompt step of outputting a visual or auditory message to prompt the user to perform the check-in by making the actual touch.

[0027] (6) Furthermore, The space management method according to item (4) or (5), which includes a cancellation step in which the mobile terminal generates a cancellation signal indicating that the user has lost the right to use the rental space if it continues to not generate the touch signal, the indoor presence signal, or the outdoor presence signal even after the scheduled start time has elapsed.

[0028] (7) The rental space is provided to the user free of charge using the space management method described in item (5) or (6).

[0029] (8) Each rental space is equipped with an electronic lock unit, The electronic lock unit is A communication unit capable of short-range communication with the mobile terminal and communication with the management server, at least capable of communication with the management server, A mechanism for switching each rental space between locked and unlocked states, A control unit that switches the mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to a signal from the communication unit. A space management method as described in any of items (1) through (7), including (1) above.

[0030] (9) The communication unit is capable of both short-range communication with the mobile terminal and communication with the management server, The communication unit receives a first ID signal representing a user ID from the mobile terminal and a second ID signal representing a user ID of a user who has the right to use the rental space from the management server, and transfers these ID signals to the control unit. The space management method according to item (8), wherein the control unit verifies the ID signals, and if successful, outputs a signal to the mechanism to switch the rental space from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0031] (10) The communication unit has a function to read information from the user's personal authentication card and a function to perform short-range communication with the mobile terminal, The communication unit receives a first ID signal representing the user ID from the personal authentication card and a second ID signal representing the user ID of the user who has the right to use the rental space from the management server, and transfers these ID signals to the control unit. The space management method according to item (8), wherein the control unit verifies the ID signals, and if successful, outputs an unlocking signal to the mechanism unit to switch the rental space from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0032] (11) The space management method according to any one of items (8) to (10), wherein when the checkout is completed and the mobile terminal no longer receives the touch signal or the room presence signal from the transmitter, the control unit outputs a locking signal to the mechanism for switching the rental space from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0033] (12) Furthermore, A space management method according to any one of items (1) to (11), which includes a reservation change step after the aforementioned reservation, in which the user makes changes to the reservation details regarding the rental space and / or scheduled time slot through communication between the management server and the mobile terminal.

[0034] (13) The aforementioned rental space is a rental room that is provided to the user free of charge and is used for the user's stay, The space management method according to paragraph (12), wherein the reservation change step includes a rejection step in which, if the user makes the reservation change on the day of use, the mobile terminal does not generate the indoor presence signal or outdoor presence signal, the reservation change request from the user is rejected.

[0035] (14) The rental space is a rental room that is provided to the user free of charge and is used for the user's stay, The aforementioned reminder process is, The space management method according to any one of items (1) to (13), which includes an output step in which the mobile terminal determines whether there is an absence period during the period from check-in to check-out in which the user is out of the rental room and therefore does not generate the room presence signal, and if the absence period continues for a predetermined time or longer, outputs a visual or auditory message to urge the user to return to the rental room.

[0036] (15) A program for causing a mobile terminal to function as described in any of paragraphs (1) through (14).

[0037] Throughout this application, the term “program” can be interpreted to mean, for example, a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its function, or not only the combination of such instructions but also the files and data processed in accordance with each instruction, but not limited to these.

[0038] Furthermore, this program may achieve its intended purpose by being executed on a computer alone, or by being executed on a computer together with other programs, but is not limited to these two methods. In the latter case, the program relating to this section may be primarily data-based, but is not limited to that.

[0039] (16) A program for causing the management server to function as described in any of items (1) through (14).

[0040] (17) A recording medium on which the program described in item (15) or (16) is recorded in a computer-readable format.

[0041] Throughout this application, the term “recording medium” can be interpreted to mean various forms of recording media, including, but not limited to, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and unremovable storage such as ROMs.

[0042] (18) A user monitoring method that uses a transmitter and a user's mobile terminal to monitor the user's actions relative to a designated space, This method is A transmitter installed in the aforementioned space that emits a unique signal, A user's mobile terminal that can receive signals from the transmitter within its receivable range and measure the distance from the transmitter based on the received signals. It is carried out using, This method is The mobile terminal identifies the transmitter ID of the transmitter based on the signal received from the transmitter, and identifies the space where the transmitter is installed according to the correspondence between the transmitter and the space which is stored in memory beforehand; The mobile terminal and / or management server perform a distance measurement step in which, based on the received signal, discretely measure the distance of the user from the transmitter in relation to time, The mobile terminal and / or management server perform a monitoring step in which they monitor the user's dynamic behavior relative to the location of the space based on the temporal changes in the measured distance. A user monitoring method that includes this.

[0043] (19) The user monitoring method described in paragraph (18), wherein the space includes a room in which the interior space is enclosed by an exterior wall.

[0044] (20) The user monitoring method described in paragraph (18) or (19), which includes a restricted area in the space where unauthorized users are prohibited from entering.

[0045] (21) The user monitoring method according to any one of paragraphs (18) to (20), wherein the monitoring step includes a step of determining, based on a distance measured at a certain time, which of the following is the location at which the user is at a certain time: a first region which is the portion of the space within which the transmitter is installed, a second region which is the portion of the space within which the first region is excluded, and a third region which is the area outside the space.

[0046] (22) The user monitoring method described in any of paragraphs (18) to (21), wherein the space includes a specific area within a collective facility where multiple personnel are arranged as multiple users, and the method is performed to monitor the dynamic behavior of each person using the transmitter and the mobile terminals of the multiple personnel.

[0047] (23) A program for causing a mobile terminal to function as described in any of paragraphs (18) through (22).

[0048] (24) A recording medium on which the program described in item (23) is recorded in a computer-readable format. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0049] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of how multiple transmitters installed in multiple rental rooms, a mobile terminal of a user staying in one of the rental rooms, and a management server in a remote management center communicate with each other in an unmanned rental room management system according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, which manages paid rental rooms. [Figure 2] Figure 2 conceptually represents short-range one-way communication between each transmitter installed in each rental room shown in Figure 1 and the user's mobile terminal, and long-range two-way communication between the mobile terminal and the management server shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram that conceptually represents the transmitter shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart conceptually representing an example of a program executed by the computer of the transmitter shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram conceptually representing the electronic lock shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram conceptually representing the mobile device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram conceptually representing the management server shown in Figure 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is an illustrative diagram showing a room-specific management file used to manage rental room reservations in the system, and Figure 8(b) is an illustrative diagram showing a user-specific management file used for that management. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a series of time charts illustrating the overall sequence of the system shown in Figure 1 (the entire main sequence) without any user delays; Figure 9(b) is a series of time charts illustrating the latter half of the overall sequence with user checkout delays; and Figure 9(c) is a series of time charts illustrating the latter half of the overall sequence with user departure delays. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart conceptually representing the reservation support modules that are executed by the user's mobile device and the management server, respectively, to assist the user in reserving one of the rental rooms in the system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart conceptually representing the check-in support modules executed by the user's mobile terminal, the management server, and the rental room's electronic lock unit, respectively, in the system shown in Figure 1, to assist the user in checking into one of the rental rooms. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a flowchart conceptually representing the checkout support modules executed by the user's mobile device and the management server, respectively, to assist the user in checking out of one of the rental rooms in the system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a set of time charts illustrating the overall sequence (the entire main sequence) of an unmanned rental room management system for managing free rental rooms according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, without user delays; Figure 13(b) is a set of time charts illustrating the first half of the overall sequence with user check-in delays; Figure 13(c) is a set of time charts illustrating the second half of the overall sequence with user check-out delays; and Figure 13(d) is a set of time charts illustrating the second half of the overall sequence with user departure delays. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart conceptually representing the check-in support modules executed by the user's mobile device and the management server, respectively, to assist the user in checking into one of the rental rooms in the system shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart conceptually representing the checkout support modules executed by the user's mobile device and the management server, respectively, in the system shown in Figure 13, to assist the user in checking out of any of the rental rooms. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0050] Hereinafter, some of the more specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0051] <First Embodiment>

[0052] Figure 1 shows an unmanned rental room management system 10 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention (an example of a "rental space management system," hereinafter simply referred to as the "system").

[0053] First, to give a brief overview, this system 10 is configured to dynamically remotely monitor changes in the user's relative position to the location of the rental room 22 by having the user's mobile terminal 90 use transmitters 30 installed for each rental room 22, based on the user's reservation of a rental room 22 (specifying the location of use, the planned start time (desired start time), and the planned end time (desired end time)).

[0054] In the illustrated example, the rental room 22 is a private room in which the internal space (for example, a space that is generally rectangular or circular) is surrounded by exterior walls (for example, four exterior walls).

[0055] More specifically, in this system 10, the mobile terminal 90 measures the user's position relative to the location of the transmitter 30 based on the signal received from the transmitter 30, in a time-related manner to at least one of the scheduled start time and scheduled end time (for example, at a timing time-related to at least one of the scheduled start time and scheduled end time), thereby monitoring the user's actual position relative to the location of the reserved rental room 22 as information representing the user's actual actions.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 90 uses the signal from the transmitter 30 (for example, the relationship between signal strength and distance) to detect the user's actual location relative to the reserved rental room 22 in two stages (for example, touch state and non-touch state), three stages (for example, touch state, indoor presence signal and outside the receivable area), or four stages (for example, touch state, indoor presence signal, outdoor presence signal and outside the receivable area).

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 90 does not photograph the transmitter 30 or the rental room 22 with its own camera, and the mobile terminal 90 measures the distance to the transmitter 30, so the mobile terminal 90 and the transmitter 30 work together to at least partially replace the function of a surveillance camera.

[0058] Furthermore, in this system 10, if the mobile terminal 90 and / or management server 50 find a discrepancy between the monitored user's actual behavior and the regular behavior according to the reservation details (time schedule, activity schedule), they output a visual or auditory message to the user urging them to correct their subsequent actual behavior to the regular behavior.

[0059] Next, referring to Figure 1, the configuration of this system 10 will be explained in more detail. This system 10 is a system for centrally managing multiple rental room facilities 20 (Figure 1 shows only a representative rental room facility A among these rental room facilities 20). Each rental room facility 20 has multiple rental rooms 22, and each rental room 22 is an example of a rental space that is temporarily rented to one or more users.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, unlike the second embodiment described later, the rental room 22 is subject to a fee, and the user is required to pay a rental fee commensurate with the length of time they use it.

[0061] To explain the classification of the rental rooms 22, each rental room 22 belongs to the first type of rental space, which is characterized in that the user's mobile terminal 90 is positioned within a range that allows short-range communication with the transmitter 30 of the rental space for the entire duration of each rental period, from the start time to the end time of use by the user for that rental space. Other rental spaces belonging to the same first type include multiple rooms within the accommodation facility.

[0062] There is also a second type of rental space, which is characterized in that, at least at the start and end of each rental period from the start time to the end time of use by the user for each rental space, the user's mobile terminal 90 is positioned within a distance that allows short-range communication with the transmitter 30 of the rental space. Rental spaces belonging to this second type include multiple parking spaces in a parking lot (including a bicycle parking area), multiple rental locker rooms, multiple rental warehouses, and multiple safe deposit boxes.

[0063] Each of the 20 rental room facilities is unmanned and remotely managed. Furthermore, in order to reduce and simplify equipment, each of the 20 rental room facilities does not have a payment machine for users to pay rental fees, nor a ticket machine for issuing tickets to users.

[0064] Incidentally, there are two management methods for the rental room facilities 20: an autonomous management method in which each rental room facility 20 is managed independently (individually or self-contained) using only the equipment installed in that facility, and a centralized management method in which multiple rental room facilities 20 communicate remotely with a management server 50 (see Figure 1) to centrally manage those rental room facilities 20. The system 10 according to this embodiment adopts the aforementioned centralized management method as its rental room facility management method.

[0065] <System Configuration Overview>

[0066] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the system 10 comprises a transmitter 30 installed in each rental room 22 within each rental room facility 20, a management server 50 installed in a management center 40 that centrally manages multiple rental room facilities 20, and a user's mobile terminal 90. The number of transmitters 30 installed in each rental room 22 may be multiple units; for example, multiple transmitters 30 having multiple effective receiving areas may be used, arranged so as to substantially cover the entire space of a single rental room facility 20 in a plan view.

[0067] The system 10 according to this embodiment is for managing paid rental rooms 22. Each rental room 22 has a door 91, and a user cannot enter or leave the rental room 22 unless the door is opened. The door 91 is equipped with an electronic lock unit (hereinafter also simply referred to as "electronic lock") 92 that can be unlocked wirelessly by the user using a mobile terminal 90. After making a reservation, the user's mobile terminal 90 wirelessly unlocks the electronic lock unit 92 and enters the rental room 22.

[0068] When the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 detects that a user has actually left the rental room 22 using the transmitter 30, the management server 50 remotely locks the electronic lock unit 92 by sending a locking command to the communication unit 93 of the electronic lock unit 92. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the electronic lock unit 92 may be configured to automatically lock the door 91 when the user leaves the rental room 22 and closes the door, without intervention from the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50.

[0069] <Transmitter>

[0070] In this embodiment, multiple rental rooms 22 are installed in the same rental room facility 20, and one transmitter 30 is used for each rental room 22.

[0071] Each transmitter 30 is configured to emit an identification signal representing its own unique transmitter ID (an example of a "transmitter code"). Since one transmitter ID is also unique to one rental room 22, it is associated one-to-one with one room ID (an example of a "room code"), as described later.

[0072] As shown in Figure 2, in this system 10, the user uses their mobile terminal 90 to receive the aforementioned identification signal from the transmitter 30 installed in the rental room 22 where the user is currently staying, either in contact with the transmitter 30 or in a non-contact state (with the mobile terminal 90 held over the transmitter 30 or with the mobile terminal 90 slightly away from the transmitter 30) using a short-range one-way wireless communication method, and also performs long-range two-way wireless communication with the management server 50 of the management center 40.

[0073] The user's mobile terminal 90 is a device carried by the user and having wireless communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, or PDA.

[0074] Here, we will describe the hardware configuration (see Figure 3) and software configuration (see Figure 4) of a single transmitter 30 that represents the multiple transmitters 30 shown in Figure 1.

[0075] First, conceptually, the transmitter 30 is a contactless or contact-type communication device installed in each corresponding rental room 22, transmitting an identification signal that can identify the rental room facility ID unique to the corresponding rental room 22. The transmitter 30 only needs to have a transmitting function, but may be configured to also have a receiving function as needed.

[0076] Next, to explain the operating method, the transmitter 30 actively transmits a unique identification signal without requiring an external trigger signal, and continuously as long as there is sufficient power supply.

[0077] The transmitter 30 is a device that transmits beacon signals as identification signals, and is also known by names such as beacon device or radio beacon. In one example, the transmitter 30 generates an identification signal representing the corresponding rental room facility ID by modulating the original signal, and transmits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, Bluetooth® signal, NFC (Near Field Communication) signal, etc.

[0078] Next, referring to Figure 3, a functional block diagram, the hardware configuration will be explained. The transmitter 30 is mainly composed of a computer 104 having a processor 100 and a memory 102 that stores multiple applications executed by the processor 100.

[0079] This transmitter 30 also has a replaceable disposable battery 106 as a power source. Instead of battery 106, a rechargeable battery can be used, commercial power can be used as an external power source, or a generator that generates electricity using an external magnetic field (for example, a transponder) can be used.

[0080] The transmitter 30 further includes a transmitting unit 108 that generates and transmits an identification signal. The transmitting unit 108 is powered by a battery 106 and controlled by a controller 110. The controller 110 is controlled by a computer 100.

[0081] Next, referring to Figure 4, the software configuration of the transmitter 30 will be explained. The processor 100 of the transmitter 30 iteratively executes the program conceptually represented by the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0082] During each execution of this program, first, in step S1, the transmitter ID is read from memory 102. This transmitter ID corresponds one-to-one with the room ID assigned to the rental room 22 in which the transmitter 30 is installed.

[0083] Next, in step S2, a signal for modulating the original signal (e.g., carrier signal) so that the read transmitter ID is reflected is output to the controller 110. The controller 110 controls the transmitter 108, and as a result, the transmitter 108 generates the identification signal to be transmitted. Then, in step S3, the generated identification signal is transmitted from the transmitter 108. The process then returns to step S1.

[0084] To explain one function of the user's mobile terminal 90 in relation to the transmitter 30, when the mobile terminal 90 is receiving an identification signal from the transmitter 30, it activates a program that is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 90's computer 134 (see Figure 6). This program demodulates the received identification signal in real time and thereby decodes the transmitter ID in real time.

[0085] Furthermore, while the mobile terminal 90 is receiving an identification signal from the transmitter 30, it also measures the distance between the position of the transmitter 30 when it transmitted the identification signal and the position of the mobile terminal 90 when it received the identification signal, based on the received identification signal.

[0086] In other words, the mobile terminal 90 acquires both the transmitter ID corresponding to the transmitter 30 and the distance to the transmitter 30 at that time, based on the identification signal received from the transmitter 30.

[0087] When a user of the mobile terminal 90 approaches the transmitter 30 while holding the mobile terminal 90, or when the mobile terminal 90 is brought into complete or near contact with the transmitting unit 108 of the transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 can receive an identification signal from the transmitter 30 in a non-contact or contact manner.

[0088] In contrast, when a user of the mobile terminal 90 enters a specific reception area while holding their mobile terminal 90, the mobile terminal 90 can receive an identification signal from the transmitter 30 in a contactless manner.

[0089] As conceptually shown in the plan view in Figure 1, each transmitter 30 is assigned two types of receiving areas: the receivable area and the effective receiving area. Both areas are generally defined by circles with each transmitter 30 as the source, with the receivable area having a receivable radius (maximum receiving radius), while the effective receiving area has an effective receiving radius.

[0090] However, specifically, the receivable area means the area from which the identification signal from each transmitter 30 can reach when the power supply to each transmitter 30 is functioning normally, that is, the area from which the mobile terminal 90 can receive the identification signal as long as it is within that area.

[0091] In contrast, the effective reception area has an effective reception radius smaller than the maximum reception radius of the receivable area. The maximum reception radius cannot be set arbitrarily, whereas the effective reception radius can be set arbitrarily, for example, depending on the settings of the signal processing characteristics of the mobile terminal 90.

[0092] The effective reception range is within the range from 0m (touch state) to the maximum reception range. The maximum reception range is, for example, within the range of 50m to 70m.

[0093] In other words, the maximum reception radius refers to the reception limit determined by the hardware, while the effective reception radius refers to the reception limit determined by the software.

[0094] As described above, the mobile terminal 90 measures the distance to the transmitter 30 based on the strength of the identification signal it receives from the transmitter 30. The measured distance may or may not exceed the effective reception radius. When the measured distance does not exceed the effective reception radius, the mobile terminal 90 is located within the effective reception area (see Figure 1), whereas when the measured distance exceeds the effective reception radius, the mobile terminal 90 is located within the receivable area but not within the effective reception area.

[0095] After receiving an identification signal from the transmitter 30, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is less than or equal to the set value of the effective reception radius. If it determines that it is less than or equal to the set value, the mobile terminal 90 determines that it has "effectively received the identification signal from the transmitter 30" (hereinafter also simply referred to as "received the identification signal"). Here, "effectively received" means that the mobile terminal 90 has detected, identified, or identified one of the transmitters 30.

[0096] In response, if the mobile terminal 90 determines that the distance measurement is greater than the set value, it determines that the mobile terminal 90 is currently located outside the effective reception area, and therefore the mobile terminal 90 "has not effectively received the identification signal from the transmitter 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "has not received the identification signal").

[0097] In other words, in this embodiment, if the mobile terminal 90 is located outside the effective reception area, even though the mobile terminal 90 is actually receiving the identification signal, it will appear in the software to be as if the mobile terminal 90 has not received the identification signal.

[0098] Figure 1 shows an example of the effective reception area assigned to the transmitter 30 in a plan view. In this example, the transmitter 30 is installed in a position roughly in the center of the rental room 22 in a plan view.

[0099] In this embodiment, there are two types of effective reception areas for the transmitter 30.

[0100] The first effective reception area is the effective reception area (short reception range) for which the setting value is 0 (hereinafter referred to as the "setting value for short reception range"), that is, when the mobile terminal 90 is in the same position as the transmitter 30 and the user touches the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30, it is determined that the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received the transmitter 30. Alternatively, the setting value may be approximately 10-20 cm, that is, an effective reception area for which it is determined that the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received the transmitter 30 when the user holds the mobile terminal 90 over the transmitter 30 (when it is in the state just before touching it).

[0101] The second effective reception area is a value where the setting value is roughly equal to the radius of a circle that roughly circumscribes or circumscribes the rental room 22 in a plan view (hereinafter referred to as the "long reception range setting value"), that is, an effective reception area (long reception range) for determining that the mobile terminal 90 has effectively received the transmitter 30 if the mobile terminal 90 is located within the internal space of the rental room 22. This long reception range setting value is, for example, 3m, 5m, 10m, 20m, etc.

[0102] In other words, the first effective reception area is for detecting the action of a user being in the same location as the transmitter 30 and touching the transmitter 30 with the mobile terminal 90, while the second effective reception area is for detecting the action of a user being inside the rental room 22.

[0103] <Electronic lock unit>

[0104] Next, with reference to Figure 5, a functional block diagram, the hardware configuration of the electronic lock unit 92 will be described. The electronic lock unit 92 includes a communication unit 93 capable of short-range communication with a mobile terminal 90 and communication with a management server 50, a mechanism unit 94 that switches the door 91 of the corresponding rental room 22 between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a control unit 95 that switches the mechanism unit 94 between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to a signal from the communication unit 93.

[0105] The control unit 95 is mainly composed of a computer having a processor 96 and a memory 97 that stores multiple applications executed by the processor 96. The mechanism 94 has a motor 94a, a movable part 94b driven by the motor 94a, and a lock 94c that is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by the movable part 94b. The motor 94a is driven by power supplied from a power supply 98. The lock 94c is installed so as to straddle the door 91 and the frame of the rental room 22 to which the door 91 is attached. An example of the movable part 94b is a thumbturn, which is a metal fitting attached to the interior side of the door 91 for opening and closing the lock 94c.

[0106] For any user who has reserved one of the rental rooms 22, prior to the scheduled start time, the management server 50 transmits the user ID of the user who has the authority to unlock the electronic lock unit 92 of the reserved rental room 22 to the electronic lock unit 92. Subsequently, the electronic lock unit 92 unlocks when the user holds their membership card (an example of the "personal authentication card" mentioned above, and also an example of a personal magnetic card or personal IC card) or mobile terminal 90, on which their user ID is recorded, over the communication unit 93 of the electronic lock unit 92. In this way, the electronic lock unit 92 unlocks the electronic lock unit 92 by applying the user ID as if it were a unique PIN code for the electronic lock unit 92.

[0107] Alternatively, the electronic lock unit 92 may be configured to be unlocked by applying a PIN. However, in this case, if the PIN in the electronic lock unit 92 is not changed periodically, there is a risk that past users may memorize the combination of the electronic lock unit 92 and the PIN, and use that to illegally unlock the electronic lock unit 92 and enter the rental room 22.

[0108] When the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 detects that a user has actually left the rental room 22 using the transmitter 30, the management server 50 sends a locking command to the communication unit 93 of the electronic lock unit 92 to remotely lock the room.

[0109] Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the electronic lock unit 92 may be configured to automatically lock the door 91 when the user leaves the rental room 22 and closes the door, without intervention from the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50.

[0110] Here, "locked" means, for example, a state in which door 91 can be opened by operation from inside the room but not by operation from outside the room, or a state in which door 91 cannot be opened by operation from either inside or outside the room.

[0111] <Mobile devices>

[0112] Next, referring to Figure 6, a functional block diagram, the hardware configuration of the user's mobile terminal 90 will be explained. The mobile terminal 90 is mainly composed of a computer 134 having a processor 130 and a memory 132 that stores multiple applications executed by the processor 130.

[0113] The mobile terminal 90 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 136 that displays information on a screen (having a window with a finite area that is variable or constant), a receiving unit 138 that receives signals from the transmitter 30 and the management server 50, and a transmitting unit 140 that generates signals and transmits them to the management server 50.

[0114] The mobile terminal 90 further includes an input unit 150 for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit 150 includes, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90. This operation unit may include, but is not limited to, a touchscreen that displays user-operable icons (e.g., virtual buttons), a physical operation unit that can be operated by the user (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc.), or a microphone that senses sound.

[0115] This mobile terminal 90 also has a GPS (Satellite Positioning System) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives multiple GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites and, based on these GPS signals, measures the position of the GPS receiver 152 on Earth (latitude, longitude, and altitude) by triangulation. In other words, this mobile terminal 90 has a satellite-based positioning function.

[0116] <Management Server>

[0117] Next, referring to Figure 7, a functional block diagram, the hardware configuration of the management server 50 will be described. The management server 50 is mainly composed of a computer 164 having a processor 160 and a memory 162 that stores multiple applications executed by the processor 160.

[0118] The management server 50 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 166 for displaying information, a receiving unit 168 for receiving signals from the mobile terminal 90, a transmitting unit 170 for generating signals and transmitting them to the mobile terminal 90, and a clock 172 for measuring the current time. The management server 50 does not directly receive signals from the transmitter 30, but effectively does so via the mobile terminal 90.

[0119] <Management file>

[0120] The management server 50 creates and updates management files to manage multiple reservations for multiple rental rooms 22 made by multiple users, and the latest version of these files is shared with the mobile terminal 90.

[0121] The management files are classified into room-specific management files for managing reservations for multiple rental rooms 22 by multiple users, as illustrated in Figure 8(a), and user-specific management files for managing reservations for multiple rental rooms 22 by multiple users, as illustrated in Figure 8(b).

[0122] As illustrated in Figure 8(a), the room-specific management file displays whether a reservation is made and the scheduled usage time (including date and time) for each rental room facility 20 and each rental room 22. The user visually checks this room-specific management file on the screen of their mobile device 90, refers to it to find a rental room facility 20 with available seats, finds a rental room 22 within that facility with available time slots, and specifies the desired date and time.

[0123] In the example shown in Figure 8(a), within the time axis (from 0:00 to 23:59) for each rental room 22 in the room-specific management file, the time slots where a horizontal bar hatched with diagonal lines exists at the most recent update time of the room-specific management file indicate time slots where a reservation already exists, i.e., time slots with prior bookings (booked), while time slots where the bar does not exist indicate time slots where no reservation has yet been made, i.e., time slots with no prior bookings (vacant rooms).

[0124] The user enters the identification information of the rental room facility 20 they wish to use, the identification information of the rental room 22 they wish to use, the planned start date and time, and the planned end date and time into their mobile device 90, thereby reserving the rental room 22 they wish to use.

[0125] As illustrated in Figure 8(b), the user-specific management file displays, for each user, personal authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), location information to identify the location of the reserved rental room facility 20 (a unique ID for the selected facility 20), location information to identify the location of the reserved rental room 22 (a unique ID for the selected rental room 22), time information to define the planned usage time for the reserved rental room 22 (planned start time, planned end time, planned usage time, etc.), and the status of the reserved rental room 22, indicating whether it is currently "in use," "vacant," or "reserved."

[0126] <Overview of the entire sequence>

[0127] Figure 9(a) shows an example of the overall sequence of this system 10 (the entire main sequence) represented by multiple time charts, assuming no user delays (a state in which the user's actual actions coincide with regular actions that follow a reserved time schedule or action schedule).

[0128] In this example, the user made a reservation for a rental room 22 within a rental room facility 20, based on a time schedule (activity schedule) with a planned start time of 15:30 and a planned end time of 17:30.

[0129] 1) A reminder to the user that the scheduled start time is approaching.

[0130] The management server 50 instructs the user's mobile terminal 90 to output a message, either visually or audibly, to the user's mobile terminal 90 at a predetermined time before the scheduled start time, for example, 30 minutes before, at 15:00, indicating that the scheduled start time is 15:30.

[0131] 2) Unlocking the electronic lock unit 92

[0132] The user approaches the reserved rental room 22, and unlocks the electronic lock unit 92 of the rental room 22 by holding their mobile terminal 90 or their membership card over or touching it to the electronic lock unit 92, after which they enter the rental room 22.

[0133] 3) Indoor determination using transmitter 30

[0134] The mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the transmitter 30 without the user's awareness and measures the distance to the transmitter 30 based on the signal strength. If the distance is greater than the setting value for the short reception range but less than the setting value for the long reception range, it is determined that the user is inside the rental room 22.

[0135] Therefore, when a user enters rental room 22, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user is inside rental room 22, and conversely, when a user leaves rental room 22, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user is not inside rental room 22.

[0136] 4) Check-in determination using the electronic lock unit 92

[0137] In this embodiment, when a user unlocks the electronic lock unit 92 of the rental room 22 using a mobile terminal 90 or their own membership card, it is determined that the user has checked in.

[0138] Alternatively, after entering the room, if the user consciously approaches the transmitter 30 inside the rental room 22 and holds or touches the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 (hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, simply referred to as "touching"), the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 may determine that the user has checked in.

[0139] 5) Checkout determination using transmitter 30

[0140] Prior to leaving the room, the user consciously approaches the transmitter 30 inside the rental room 22 and touches the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30, at which point the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user has checked out.

[0141] 6) Charge

[0142] If a user checks in before the scheduled start time, billing begins from that check-in time. If a user checks in after the scheduled start time, billing begins from the scheduled start time.

[0143] Furthermore, whether a user checks out before or after the scheduled end time, billing to the user will end at the scheduled end time. However, if a user checks out after the scheduled end time, they may be subject to an appropriate penalty.

[0144] 7) Payment

[0145] Users pay the rental fee electronically using their mobile device 90 at checkout.

[0146] <Measures to address late checkouts>

[0147] Figure 9(b) shows the latter half of the overall sequence of this system 10, represented by multiple time charts, with a delay in user checkout.

[0148] If the user does not touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, check-out will not be performed even after the scheduled end time has passed. In this case, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 will output a visual or auditory message from the mobile terminal 90 to the user urging them to "touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 to perform check-out, as the scheduled end time has elapsed."

[0149] <Measures to address delays in leaving the room>

[0150] Figure 9(c) shows the latter half of the overall sequence of this system 10, represented by multiple time charts, with a delay in the user's departure.

[0151] If, after check-out, the user remains in the same rental room 22 even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 will output a visual or auditory message from the mobile terminal 90 to remind the user to leave rental room 22 because the scheduled end time has elapsed.

[0152] <Reservation Stage>

[0153] Next, the reservation stage in system 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 10.

[0154] Figure 10 conceptually illustrates, in a flowchart, the reservation support modules that are executed by the processor 130 of the user's mobile terminal 90 and the processor 160 of the management server 50, respectively, in system 10 to assist the user in reserving one of the rental rooms.

[0155] First, in step S101, the mobile terminal 90 logs in to the management server 50. At this time, the mobile terminal sends the user's user ID to the management server 50.

[0156] In response, in step S151, the management server 50 sends back to the mobile terminal 90 multiple room-specific management files (see Figure 8(a)) (stored in memory 162) for all rental room facilities 20.

[0157] In response, the mobile terminal 90 displays the received room-specific management files on its screen in step S102.

[0158] Next, in step S103, the mobile terminal 90 enables the user to select one of the rental room facilities 20 and reserve one of the multiple rental rooms 22 within the selected rental room facility 20 for a period from the scheduled start time to the scheduled end time. At this time, the user enters the necessary information into the mobile terminal 90. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the reservation-related data necessary for the reservation to the management server 50.

[0159] In response, in step S152, the management server 50 creates a user-specific management file (see Figure 8(b)) based on the received reservation-related data, associates it with the user, and saves it in memory 162. Subsequently, in step S153, the management server 50 determines that the reservation is complete and sends the user-specific management file to the mobile terminal 90.

[0160] In response, the mobile terminal 90 displays the received user-specific management file or equivalent on its screen in step S104.

[0161] <Check-in Stage>

[0162] Next, the check-in stage in system 10 will be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0163] Figure 11 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart the check-in support module in system 10, which is executed by the processor 130 of the user's mobile terminal 90, the processor 160 of the management server 50, and the processor 96 of the electronic lock unit 92 of the rental room 22, respectively, to assist the user in arriving at and checking into the reserved rental room 22. be.

[0164] First, in step S231, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Next, in step S232, it reads the scheduled start time for the currently selected user from the user-specific management file and determines whether the current time is a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled start time (for example, 30 minutes before the scheduled start time). If the determination is NO, it returns to step S231; otherwise, it proceeds to step S233.

[0165] In step S233, the management server 50 sends data to the user's mobile terminal 90 indicating that the scheduled start time will arrive in 30 minutes, along with the room ID of the reserved rental room 22. Meanwhile, it sends the user ID of the user who is scheduled to issue an unlocking command soon to the electronic lock unit 92 of the reserved rental room 22.

[0166] In response, in step S201, the mobile terminal 90 displays on its screen the identification information of the rental room 22, which is represented by the received room ID. Meanwhile, in step S271, the electronic lock unit 92 waits in a position to unlock the room if the user inputs an unlock command along with the same user ID as the received user ID.

[0167] The mobile terminal 90 then transmits an unlock command along with the user ID to the communication unit 93 of the electronic lock unit 92 in step S202.

[0168] In response, the electronic lock unit 92 receives the unlock command along with the user ID from the mobile terminal 90 in step S272, and compares the received user ID with the user ID received from the management server 50 in step S271. The user ID received from the management server 50 is temporarily stored in memory 97 for later reference, and is deleted from memory 97 when processing for the current user is completed.

[0169] If the verification is successful, the electronic lock unit 92 unlocks the lock 94c in step S273. Specifically, the control unit 95 outputs an unlocking signal to the mechanism unit 94 to switch the lock 94c of the mechanism unit 94 from the locked state to the unlocked state. After that, the user opens the door 91 from outside and enters the reserved rental room 22.

[0170] Next, in step S274, the electronic lock unit 92 sends an unlocking completion signal to the management server 50 along with the user ID, indicating that it is in an unlocked state.

[0171] Meanwhile, in step S234, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172, and then in step S235, it determines whether the current time is earlier than the scheduled start time for this user. If the determination is YES, in step S236, it attempts to receive data from the electronic lock unit 92.

[0172] Subsequently, in step S237, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received the unlocking completion signal from the electronic lock unit 92. If the determination is NO, it returns to S234; otherwise, it proceeds to step S238.

[0173] In step S238, the management server 50 determines that the user has checked in to the rental room 22 that they reserved. Subsequently, in step S239, the management server 50 updates the user-specific management file so that the status changes from "reserved" to "in use".

[0174] In this embodiment, the unlocking completion signal from the electronic lock unit 92 corresponds to the check-in completion signal indicating that the user has completed check-in. However, as in the second embodiment described later, it may be replaced with a check-in completion signal from the mobile terminal 90 (an example of the "touch signal").

[0175] Subsequently, in step S240, the management server 50 begins billing the user. The rental fee is calculated as a post-payment fee, for example, based on the actual usage time or the length of time from the scheduled start time to the scheduled end time.

[0176] Next, in step S241, the management server 50 sends to the mobile terminal 90 information regarding the completion of check-in, identification information of the rental room 22 being used, the scheduled check-out time (scheduled end time), the billing method, and other rental-related information regarding the terms of use.

[0177] In response, in step S203, the mobile terminal 90 receives rental-related information from the management server 50 and displays the information on its screen. Subsequently, in step S204, the mobile terminal 90 enters the reserved rental room 22 together with the user, or, if already entered, begins using the room.

[0178] <Checkout Stage>

[0179] Next, the checkout stage in system 10 will be described with reference to Figure 12.

[0180] Figure 12 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart the checkout support module in system 10, which is executed by the processor 130 of the user's mobile terminal 90, the processor 160 of the management server 50, and the processor 96 of the electronic lock unit 92 of the rental room 22, respectively, to assist the user in checking out of the reserved rental room 22.

[0181] First, in step S331, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Next, in step S332, it reads the scheduled end time for the currently selected user from the user-specific management file and determines whether the current time is earlier than the scheduled end time. If the determination is YES, in step S333, it attempts to receive a checkout completion signal (an example of the "touch signal") from the mobile terminal 90.

[0182] Subsequently, in step S334, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received the checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, it returns to S331, but if it is YES, in step S335, the management server 50 determines that the user has checked out of the reserved rental room 22.

[0183] Here, steps S332-S334 work together to implement a function that discretely measures the user's distance from the transmitter 30 (i.e., an example of an indicator representing the user's dynamic behavior relative to the location of the rental room 22) in relation to a specific time (scheduled end time).

[0184] Next, in step S339, the management server 50 updates the user-specific management file so that the status changes from "In Use" to "Vacant". Then, in step S340, the management server 50 calculates the amount of the rental fee by calculating the length of the actual usage time, and sends invoice data to the mobile terminal 90 indicating that the rental fee of that amount will be charged, thereby billing the user for the rental fee.

[0185] In response to this, if the determination in step S332 is NO, that is, if the user has not checked out even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, the management server 50 sends a checkout reminder signal to the mobile terminal 90 in step S336, instructing the mobile terminal 90 to output a visual or auditory message urging the user to "touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 to check out, as the scheduled end time has elapsed."

[0186] Upon receiving the checkout reminder signal, the mobile terminal 90 outputs the message via the screen or speaker in accordance with the signal in step S301.

[0187] After step S336 is executed, in step S337, the management server 50 attempts to receive a checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90.

[0188] Subsequently, in step S338, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received the checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, it returns to S336; otherwise, it proceeds to step S335. As a result, the management server 50 determines that the user has checked out of the reserved rental room 22.

[0189] Meanwhile, in step S302, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the transmitter 30, and then, in step S303, if a signal is received, it measures the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 based on the signal strength. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is shorter than the setting value for the short reception range, that is, whether the user has substantially touched the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30.

[0190] If the determination is NO, the process returns to S302. If it is YES, in step S304, the mobile terminal 90 extracts the corresponding transmitter ID from the received signal. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 converts the acquired transmitter ID into the identification information of the rental room 22 (e.g., room number) according to the correspondence between the transmitter ID and the identification information of the rental room 22 (e.g., room number) stored in memory 132. The mobile terminal 90 then compares this identification information with the identification information of the rental room 22 reserved by the user.

[0191] Next, in step S305, if the verification is successful, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the current user has checked out and sends the checkout completion signal to the management server 50 (step S333 or S337).

[0192] In Figure 12, the dashed line labeled "Case 1" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a checkout completion signal to the management server 50 before the scheduled end time has elapsed, while the dashed line labeled "Case 2" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a checkout completion signal to the management server 50 after the scheduled end time has elapsed and in response to the aforementioned reminder.

[0193] Subsequently, the mobile terminal 90 receives a billing statement based on the received invoice data and, in step S306, electronically settles the rental fee.

[0194] Next, in step S307, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the transmitter 30 again, and then in step S308, if a signal is received, it measures the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 based on the signal strength. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is shorter than the setting value for the long reception range, that is, whether the user is still present in the rental room 22.

[0195] If the determination is YES, the mobile terminal 90 outputs a visual or auditory message in step S309 to remind the user to leave the rental room 22 because the scheduled end time has passed. Then, the process returns to step S307.

[0196] In response to this, if the determination in step S308 is NO, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S310 that the user has left the rental room 22, and then in step S311 transmits a lock command along with the user ID to the communication unit 92 of the electronic lock unit 92.

[0197] In response, the electronic lock unit 92, in step S371, compares the received user ID with the user ID stored in memory 97. Specifically, the control unit 95 outputs a locking signal to the mechanism unit 94 to switch the lock 94c of the mechanism unit 94 from the unlocked state to the locked state. After that, the user ID is erased from memory 97.

[0198] If the verification is successful, the electronic lock unit 92 locks the lock 94c in step S372. After that, the user opens the door 91 from inside the room, leaves the reserved rental room 22, and closes the door 91. After that, no unauthorized person can open the door 91 from outside the room.

[0199] Next, in step S373, the electronic lock unit 92 sends a lock completion signal to the management server 50 along with the user ID, indicating that it is in a locked state.

[0200] Meanwhile, in step S341, the management server 50 confirms that the rental room 22 has been successfully locked based on the information it has received.

[0201] <Second Embodiment>

[0202] Next, an unmanned rental room management system 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, redundant explanations of parts common to the unmanned rental room management system 10 according to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the different parts will be described in detail. The unmanned rental room management system according to this embodiment is configured to perform an unmanned rental room management method according to this embodiment.

[0203] As described above, in the first embodiment, each rental room 22 is rented out to users for a fee, and there are charges and user payments associated with its use. In contrast, in this embodiment, each rental room 22 is rented out to users free of charge, and there are no charges or user payments associated with its use.

[0204] Furthermore, an electronic lock unit 92 is present in the first embodiment because, since each rental room 22 is rented out to users for a fee, there is usually a desire to restrict the range of people who can enter and exit each rental room 22, and also to improve the security of each rental room 22.

[0205] In contrast, the electronic lock unit 92 is absent in this embodiment because the rental room facility 20 is installed within a facility where the range of entrants is somewhat restricted (for example, a school such as a university campus), and because each rental room 22 is rented out to users free of charge, it is expected that many people will be able to enter and exit the same rental room 22 relatively freely.

[0206] Therefore, in this embodiment, the electronic lock unit 92 is not installed on the door 91, or even if it is installed, it is not used. As a result, the user can open and close the door 91 freely at all times (for example, by operating an operating member such as a door handle, lever handle, or door knob).

[0207] <Overview of the entire sequence>

[0208] Figure 13(a) shows an example of the overall sequence of this system 10 (the entire main sequence) represented by multiple time charts, under the condition that there are no delays by the user (the user's actual actions are consistent with regular actions that follow the reserved time schedule (action schedule)).

[0209] In this example, the user made a reservation for a rental room 22 within a rental room facility 20, based on a time schedule (activity schedule) with a planned start time of 15:30 and a planned end time of 17:30.

[0210] 1) A reminder to the user that the scheduled start time is approaching.

[0211] The management server 50 instructs the user's mobile terminal 90 to output a message, either visually or audibly, to the user's mobile terminal 90 at a predetermined time before the scheduled start time, for example, 30 minutes before, at 15:00, indicating that the scheduled start time is 15:30.

[0212] 2) Indoor determination using transmitter 30

[0213] The mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the transmitter 30 without the user's awareness and measures the distance to the transmitter 30 based on the signal strength. If the distance is greater than the setting value for the short reception range but less than the setting value for the long reception range, it is determined that the user is inside the rental room 22.

[0214] Therefore, when a user enters rental room 22, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user is inside rental room 22, and conversely, when a user leaves rental room 22, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user is not inside rental room 22.

[0215] 3) Check-in determination using transmitter 30

[0216] After entering the room, the user consciously approaches the transmitter 30 inside the rental room 22 and holds or touches the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 (hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, simply referred to as "touching"), at which point the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user has checked in.

[0217] 4) Checkout determination using transmitter 30

[0218] Prior to leaving the room, the user consciously approaches the transmitter 30 inside the rental room 22 and touches the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30, at which point the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 determine that the user has checked out.

[0219] <Measures to address late check-in>

[0220] Figure 13(b) shows the latter half of the overall sequence of this system 10, represented by multiple time charts, with a user check-in delay.

[0221] If a user is inside rental room 22 but does not touch the transmitter 30 with their mobile device 90 even after the scheduled start time has passed, check-in will not be performed even at the scheduled start time. In this case, the mobile device 90 and / or the management server 50 will output a visual or auditory message from the mobile device 90 to the user urging them to "touch the mobile device 90 with the transmitter 30 to check in, as the scheduled start time has passed."

[0222] <Measures to address late checkouts>

[0223] Figure 3(c) shows the latter half of the overall sequence of this system 10, represented by multiple time charts, with a delay in user checkout.

[0224] If the user does not touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, check-out will not be performed even after the scheduled end time has passed. In this case, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 will output a visual or auditory message from the mobile terminal 90 to the user urging them to "touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 to perform check-out, as the scheduled end time has elapsed."

[0225] <Measures to address delays in leaving the room>

[0226] Figure 13(c) shows the latter half of the overall sequence of this system 10, represented by multiple time charts, with a delay in the user's departure.

[0227] If, after check-out, the user remains in the same rental room 22 even after the scheduled end time has elapsed, the mobile terminal 90 and / or the management server 50 will output a visual or auditory message from the mobile terminal 90 to remind the user to leave rental room 22 because the scheduled end time has elapsed.

[0228] <Reservation Stage>

[0229] In this embodiment, the user's reservation of the rental room 22 is supported by executing the same reservation support module as described above, with reference to Figure 10.

[0230] <Check-in Stage>

[0231] Next, the check-in stage in system 10 will be described with reference to Figure 14.

[0232] Figure 14 conceptually illustrates, in a flowchart, the check-in support modules in System 10, which are executed by the user's mobile terminal 90 and the processors 130 and 160 of the management server 50, respectively, to assist the user in arriving at and checking into the reserved rental room 22.

[0233] First, in step S431, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Next, in step S432, it reads the scheduled start time for the currently selected user from the user-specific management file and determines whether the current time is a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled start time (for example, 30 minutes before the scheduled start time). If the determination is NO, it returns to step S431; otherwise, it proceeds to step S433.

[0234] In step S433, the management server 50 sends data to the user's mobile terminal 90 indicating that the scheduled start time will arrive in 30 minutes, along with the room ID of the reserved rental room 22.

[0235] In response, in step S402, the mobile terminal 90 displays on its screen the identification information of the rental room 22, which is represented by the received room ID.

[0236] Meanwhile, in step S434, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172, and then in step S435, it determines whether the current time is earlier than the scheduled start time for the current user. If the determination is YES, in step S436, it attempts to receive a check-in completion signal (an example of the "touch signal") from the mobile terminal 90.

[0237] Subsequently, in step S437, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received a check-in completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, it returns to S434; otherwise, it proceeds to step S438.

[0238] Here, steps S434-S437 work together to implement a function that discretely measures the user's distance from the transmitter 30 (i.e., an example of an indicator representing the user's dynamic behavior relative to the location of the rental room 22) in relation to a specific time (scheduled start time).

[0239] In step S438, the management server 50 determines that the user has checked in to the rental room 22 that they reserved. Subsequently, in step S447, the management server 50 updates the user-specific management file so that the status changes from "reserved" to "in use".

[0240] Subsequently, in step S448, the management server 50 transmits to the mobile terminal 90 information regarding the completion of check-in, identification information of the rental room 22 being used, the scheduled check-out time (scheduled end time), and other rental-related information concerning the terms of use.

[0241] In response, the mobile terminal 90 receives rental-related information from the management server 50 in step S410 and displays that information on its screen.

[0242] Meanwhile, if the determination in step S435 is NO, the management server 50 attempts in step S439 to receive a room presence signal from the mobile terminal 90 (a signal indicating that the user is present in the rental room 22). If the determination in step S440 is NO, in S441 it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed from the scheduled start time. If it has not yet elapsed, it returns to step S439, but if it has elapsed, in step S442 it forcibly cancels the reservation as a penalty for the user's delay.

[0243] In response to this, if the determination in step S440 is YES, the management server 50 sends a check-in reminder signal to the mobile terminal 90 in step S443, instructing the mobile terminal 90 to output a visual or auditory message urging the user to "touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 to check in, as the scheduled start time has elapsed."

[0244] Upon receiving the check-in reminder signal, the mobile terminal 90 outputs the message via its screen or speaker in accordance with the signal in step S401.

[0245] After step S443 is completed, in step S444, the management server 50 attempts to receive a check-in completion signal from the mobile terminal 90.

[0246] Subsequently, in step S445, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received the check-in completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, in S446, it determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed from the scheduled start time. If the determination is NO, it returns to step S439, but if it is YES, in step S442, it forcibly cancels the reservation as a penalty for the user's delay.

[0247] If the determination in step S445 is YES, the management server 50 determines in step S438 that the user has checked in to the reserved rental room 22.

[0248] Meanwhile, in step S403, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the transmitter 30, and then, in step S404, if a signal is received, it measures the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 based on the signal strength. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is shorter than the setting value for the short reception range, that is, whether the user has substantially touched the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30.

[0249] If the determination is NO, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S405 whether the distance measurement is longer than the setting value for the short reception range but shorter than the setting value for the long reception range. In other words, it determines whether the user is inside the rental room 22. If the determination is YES, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the presence signal inside the room to the management server 50 in step S407 (step S439).

[0250] In response to this, if the determination in step S405 is NO, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S406 that the user is outside the rental room 22 because the measured distance is longer than the setting value for the long reception range, and transmits an outside presence signal to the management server 50 (step S439). After that, the process returns to step S403.

[0251] On the other hand, if the determination in step S404 is YES, the mobile terminal 90 extracts the corresponding transmitter ID from the received signal in step S408. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 converts the acquired transmitter ID into the identification information of the rental room 22 (for example, the room number) according to the correspondence between the transmitter ID and the identification information of the rental room 22 (for example, the room number) stored in the memory 132. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 compares this identification information with the identification information of the rental room 22 reserved by the user.

[0252] Next, in step S409, if the verification is successful, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the current user has checked in and sends the check-in completion signal to the management server 50 (step S436 or S444).

[0253] In Figure 14, the dashed line labeled "Case 1" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a check-in completion signal to the management server 50 before the scheduled start time has elapsed, while the dashed line labeled "Case 2" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a check-in completion signal to the management server 50 after the scheduled start time has elapsed and in response to the aforementioned reminder.

[0254] <Checkout Stage>

[0255] Next, the checkout stage in system 10 will be described with reference to Figure 15.

[0256] Figure 15 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart the checkout support modules in system 10, which are executed by the user's mobile terminal 90 and the processors 130 and 160 of the management server 50, respectively, to assist the user in checking out of the reserved rental room 22.

[0257] First, in step S531, the management server 50 measures the current time using the clock 172. Next, in step S532, it reads the scheduled end time for the currently selected user from the user-specific management file and determines whether the current time is earlier than the scheduled end time. If the determination is YES, in step S333, it attempts to receive a checkout completion signal (an example of the "touch signal") from the mobile terminal 90.

[0258] Subsequently, in step S534, the management server 50 determines whether or not it has received the checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, it returns to S331, but if it is YES, in step S535, the management server 50 determines that the user has checked out of the reserved rental room 22.

[0259] Here, steps S531-S534 work together to implement a function that discretely measures the user's distance from the transmitter 30 (i.e., an example of an indicator representing the user's dynamic behavior relative to the location of the rental room 22) in relation to a specific time (scheduled end time).

[0260] Subsequently, in step S539, the management server 50 updates the user-specific management file so that the status is changed from "in use" to "vacant". After that, in step S540, the management server 50 transmits rental-related information to the mobile terminal 90.

[0261] On the other hand, if the determination in step S532 is NO, that is, if the user does not check out even after the scheduled end time has passed, the management server 50, in step S536, transmits a checkout urging signal to the mobile terminal 90 to instruct it to output a visual or auditory message for urging the user to "touch the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30 to perform checkout because the scheduled end time has passed".

[0262] Upon receiving the checkout urging signal, in step S501, the mobile terminal 90 outputs the message via the screen or the speaker according to the signal.

[0263] After executing step S536, the management server 50 attempts to receive a checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90 in step S537.

[0264] After that, in step S538, the management server 50 determines whether it has received the checkout completion signal from the mobile terminal 90. If the determination is NO, it returns to S536, but if it is YES, it proceeds to step S535. As a result, the management server 50 determines that the current user has checked out for the reserved rental room 22.

[0265] Meanwhile, in step S502, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the transmitter 30, and then, in step S503, if a signal is received, it measures the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 based on the signal strength. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is shorter than the setting value for the short reception range, that is, whether the user has substantially touched the mobile terminal 90 to the transmitter 30.

[0266] If the determination is NO, the process returns to S502. If it is YES, in step S504, the mobile terminal 90 extracts the corresponding transmitter ID from the received signal. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 converts the acquired transmitter ID into the identification information of the rental room 22 (e.g., room number) according to the correspondence between the transmitter ID and the identification information of the rental room 22 (e.g., room number) stored in memory 132. The mobile terminal 90 then compares this identification information with the identification information of the rental room 22 reserved by the user.

[0267] Next, in step S505, if the verification is successful, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the current user has checked out and sends the checkout completion signal to the management server 50.

[0268] In Figure 15, the dashed line labeled "Case 1" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a checkout completion signal to the management server 50 before the scheduled end time has elapsed, while the dashed line labeled "Case 2" represents a scenario in which the mobile terminal 90 sends a checkout completion signal to the management server 50 after the scheduled end time has elapsed and in response to the aforementioned reminder.

[0269] Subsequently, in step S506, the mobile terminal 90 displays the rental-related information received from the management server 50 on its screen.

[0270] Next, in step S507, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the transmitter 30 again, and then, in step S508, if a signal is received, it measures the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 based on the signal strength. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured distance is shorter than the setting value for the long reception range, that is, whether the user is still present in the rental room 22.

[0271] If the determination is YES, the mobile terminal 90 outputs a visual or auditory message in step S509 to remind the user to leave the rental room 22 because the scheduled end time has passed. The process then returns to step S507.

[0272] In response to this, if the determination in step S508 is NO, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S510 that the user has left the rental room 22.

[0273] Furthermore, the system 10 according to this embodiment and the system 10 according to the first embodiment optionally have the following functions.

[0274] <Reservation change function>

[0275] After a user makes a reservation, a reservation change function allows the user to change the reservation details for the rental room 22 and / or scheduled time slot through communication between the management server 50 and the mobile terminal 90.

[0276] According to one example of this reservation change function, if a user makes a reservation change on the day they intend to use the rental room 22, the reservation change request from the user will be rejected if the mobile terminal 90 does not generate the indoor presence signal or outdoor presence signal.

[0277] <Absence period suppression function>

[0278] The mobile terminal 90 determines whether there is a period of absence during the rental room 22 from check-in to check-out in which the user is out of the rental room 22 and therefore does not generate the room presence signal. If the absence period continues for a predetermined time or longer, the mobile terminal 90 outputs a visual or auditory message urging the user to return to the rental room 22.

[0279] Furthermore, this embodiment can be implemented with various modifications. For example, it can be improved so that the management server 50 performs at least some of the same data processing as the mobile terminal 90, or conversely, so that the mobile terminal 90 performs at least some of the same data processing as the management server 50. This also applies to the following second embodiment.

[0280] As is clear from the above description, according to some of the embodiments described above, the actual dynamic behavior of the user is dynamically monitored by installing transmitters in the rental space instead of surveillance cameras, and the distance to the transmitters is discretely measured by the user's mobile device in relation to the time.

[0281] While surveillance cameras monitor the rental space and its users in a two-dimensional, overhead manner, transmitters measure the same target in one dimension, that is, in terms of distance. In effect, a transmitter is equivalent to capturing the same target as a distance image.

[0282] If we consider that the distance measured by the transmitter is the radius of a circle centered on the transmitter's position, then the distance image acquired by the transmitter can be expanded into a two-dimensional image divided into multiple concentric circular regions centered on the transmitter's position. Therefore, if the shape of the rental space being monitored can be approximately represented in a plan view by multiple concentric circles centered on the transmitter's position, the rationality of expanding a one-dimensional distance image into a two-dimensional image in this way increases.

[0283] Thus, the transmitter has the same monitoring function as the surveillance camera. However, since the surveillance camera is installed at a position that is always visible to the user, when a surveillance camera is installed, the user may worry that they are constantly being watched by others, and there may be concerns about privacy infringement. In contrast, when the transmitter is installed, the user does not have such worries or concerns. In this sense, unlike the surveillance camera, the transmitter can perform a similar monitoring function without disturbing the user.

[0284] Also, when using a surveillance camera, since the human being who is the subject of the shooting is not specified in advance, shooting their face image plays an important role. In contrast, when using the transmitter, since the user who is the monitoring target is specified in advance, the monitoring target may be represented as a single point on the distance image.

[0285] Furthermore, when using a surveillance camera, in order to automatically analyze the imaging result, highly sophisticated and complex data processing is required, so usually human intervention is needed. However, when using the transmitter, since the imaging result is represented by a plurality of distance values, by performing simple data processing, the plurality of distance values can be converted into the user's behavior pattern.

[0286] As described above, several embodiments of the present invention have been typically described by taking two embodiments as examples. From these embodiments, the following ideas are extracted.

[0287] It is a user monitoring method that uses a transmitter (an example of which is transmitter 30) and the user's mobile terminal (an example of which is mobile terminal 90) to monitor the relative behavior of the user with respect to a specified space (an example of which is rental space 22).

[0288] The method is carried out using a transmitter installed in the space that emits a unique signal, and a user's mobile terminal that can receive a signal from the transmitter within its receivable range and measure the distance from the transmitter based on the received signal.

[0289] Specifically, the method may include at least one of the following: a) a space identification step (e.g., step S408) in which the mobile terminal identifies the transmitter ID of the transmitter based on the signal received from the transmitter and identifies the space in which the transmitter is installed according to a correspondence between the transmitter and the space that is stored in memory in advance; b) a distance measurement step (e.g., steps S404, S440) in which the mobile terminal and / or management server discretely measure the distance of the user from the transmitter in relation to time based on the received signal; and c) a monitoring step (e.g., steps S404-S406, S440, S443, S507-S510) in which the mobile terminal and / or management server monitor the dynamic behavior of the user relative to the location of the space based on the temporal progression of the measured distance.

[0290] The aforementioned space may include a room whose interior space is enclosed by an exterior wall (one example of which is rental space 22). The aforementioned space may also include a restricted area where unauthorized users are prohibited from entering (in a sense, one example of which is rental space 22 after check-out).

[0291] The monitoring step may include a step of determining, based on a distance measured at a certain time, which of the following is the location of the user at that time: a first region (e.g., the touch state), which is the portion of the space within which the transmitter is located close to the location where the transmitter is installed; a second region (e.g., the indoor presence state), which is the portion of the space within which the first region is excluded; and a third region (e.g., the outdoor presence state), which is the area outside the space.

[0292] The space includes a specific area within a collective facility where multiple personnel are positioned as multiple users, and the method may be implemented to monitor the dynamic behavior of each personnel using the transmitter and the mobile terminals of the multiple personnel.

[0293] Although some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the [Summary of the Invention] section above.

Claims

1. A system for managing the start and end of a user's use of a space, comprising: a short-range wireless communication unit installed in a space used by a user for the temporary storage of goods; and a portable terminal of the user using the space, which is capable of short-range communication with the short-range wireless communication unit at least at the start and end stages of the period during which the user uses the space; Includes a management server capable of communicating with the aforementioned mobile terminal, The management server is A presence / absence determination unit that enables the mobile terminal to determine whether or not the user is present in the space based on a signal received from the short-range wireless communication unit, A prompting unit that enables the mobile terminal to output a visual or auditory message to prompt the user to perform an actual touch action, such as holding the mobile terminal over or touching the near-field communication unit, when it is determined that the user is present in the space. A space management system that includes this.

2. The space management system according to claim 1, wherein the space exists as multiple parking spaces, multiple rental locker rooms, multiple rental warehouses, or multiple safe deposit boxes within a parking lot.

3. A program executed by the computer of the mobile terminal in order to implement the space management system described in claim 1, The aforementioned mobile device has several functions, The mobile terminal has a function to determine whether or not the user is present in the space based on the signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit, The function to output the message when the existence determination is made. Includes, A program executed by the computer to realize the aforementioned multiple functions.

4. A program for functioning as a management server according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A recording medium in which the program described in claim 3 is recorded in a computer-readable format.

6. A recording medium in which the program described in claim 4 is recorded in a computer-readable format.

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