Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To adaptively improve safety of a mobile store.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises a communication section and a control section for communicating by the communication section. The control section receives information indicating an area where a mobile store opens and security information indicating a level of security in the area, and transmits an instruction to the mobile store so as to operate equipment for realizing a crime prevention function corresponding to the level of security.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique for photographing customers who come to shop at a mobile sales van. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for continuously photographing a wide area of ​​customers who pick up products displayed on the platform of a mobile sales van. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-089456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in technology to improve safety in mobile stores.

[0005] The objective of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to enable adaptive improvement of the safety of mobile stores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, and the control unit receives information indicating an area in which a mobile store is to be located and security information indicating the level of security in the area, and sends instructions to the mobile store to operate equipment to realize security functions according to the level of security. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the information processing device etc. of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to adaptively improve the safety of a mobile store. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a security system. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a crime prevention function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a security system 1 according to this embodiment. The security system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a mobile store 20, and a server device 30. The information processing device 10, the mobile store 20, and the server device 30 are communicatively connected to a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0010] The information processing device 10 and the server device 30 are server computers installed in a facility such as a data center, etc. The information processing device 10 and the server device 30 are, for example, servers belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems.

[0011] The mobile store 20 is a vehicle equipped with store equipment that can move to any location and provide goods or services. The mobile store 20 may be driven by a driver, or the driving may be automated to any level. Customers can enter the mobile store 20 to shop or receive services. The store equipment includes product display shelves, product delivery tables, eating and drinking space, cooking space, a cash register system, etc. The mobile store 20 is rented to and used by a seller who uses the store equipment to do business. The mobile store 20 is maintained and managed by a business operator who manages the rental to the seller.

[0012] The network 40 includes the Internet, at least one Wide Area Network (WAN), at least one Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or a combination thereof. The network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network.

[0013] The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 13 and a control unit 11 that communicates through the communication unit 13. The control unit 11 receives information indicating the area in which the mobile store 20 is to open and security information indicating the level of security in the area, and sends an instruction to the mobile store 20 to operate equipment for realizing a crime prevention function according to the level of security. The control unit 11 generates security information based on information acquired from a server device 30 of the police, fire department, etc. The area is an area including a place where the mobile store 20 will park in order to open a store, and is an area under the jurisdiction of the police or fire department, etc., or an area in charge of a security company. The mobile store 20 includes a control unit 21 and an imaging unit 25 and a locking mechanism 27 as equipment, and the control unit 21 operates the equipment according to information indicating the instruction received from the information processing device 10. According to this embodiment, it is possible to realize different crime prevention functions in the mobile store 20 according to the level of security in the area. This makes it possible to avoid making the safety of the mobile store 20 unstable by setting the crime prevention functions uniformly, or giving customers who come to the mobile store 20 a feeling of pressure or claustrophobia more than necessary. Therefore, it becomes possible to adaptively improve the safety of the mobile store.

[0014] The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each part of the information processing device 10.

[0016] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information, control / processing programs, etc. used in the operation of the information processing device 10, and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0017] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface includes, for example, a LAN interface. The communication interface includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th The communication unit 13 may include an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as the Universal Mobile Phone (UMP) (International Mobile Phone ...

[0018] The mobile store 20 includes a control unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , a communication unit 23 , an input / output unit 24 , an imaging unit 25 , a positioning unit 26 , and a locking mechanism 27 .

[0019] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor such as a CPU, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 21 controls each part of the mobile store 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the mobile store 20.

[0020] The memory unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 32 functions as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 22 stores any information, control / processing programs, etc. used in the operation of the mobile store 20, and information obtained by the operation of the mobile store 20.

[0021] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface includes, for example, a LAN interface, and an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation). The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the mobile store 20, and transmits data obtained by the operation of the mobile store 20.

[0022] The input / output unit 24 includes at least one input / output interface. The input / output interface includes a touch screen that is provided integrally with a display. The input / output unit 24 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the mobile store 20, and outputs information obtained by the operation of the mobile store 20. The input / output unit 24 may be connected to the mobile store 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the mobile store 20. Any connection method, such as USB, may be used. The input / output unit 24 may not be integrated and may be composed of separate input and output units. In this case, the input unit includes at least one input interface, such as a physical key or a microphone. The output unit includes at least one output interface, such as a display or a speaker.

[0023] The imaging unit 25 includes a camera. The imaging unit 25 can capture images of the inside and surroundings of the mobile store 20. The imaging unit 25 sends the captured images to the control unit 21. The images include still images and video images.

[0024] The positioning unit 26 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. The GNSS includes at least one of, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 26 acquires the position information of the mobile store 20.

[0025] The locking mechanism 27 is provided at each door through which customers enter the mobile store 20. The locking mechanism 27 is operated by an actuator in response to a command signal from the control unit 21 to unlock and lock each door.

[0026] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment in a processor corresponding to the control unit 11. The program is a program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device 10. The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a ROM. The computer-readable medium may include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical recording medium. The program may be distributed by a portable medium, or may be distributed from a server or the like via a network. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a server or the like, and executed by a so-called ASP (application service provider) type service in which functions are realized by execution instructions from the information processing device 10 and result acquisition.

[0027] <Example of operation of information processing device 10> 2 is a flow chart showing an example of an operation procedure of the information processing device 10. The procedure in FIG.

[0028] In S1, the control unit 11 acquires information indicating the area in which the mobile store 20 is to open. The control unit 11 acquires the information from the mobile store 20. The information is location information detected by the positioning unit 26 of the mobile store 20. The control unit 11 may acquire the information by reading from the storage unit 12 information in which the store location of the seller who uses the mobile store 20 is recorded.

[0029] In S2, the control unit 11 acquires security information indicating the area and the level of security in the area in association with each other. The control unit 11 acquires the information indicating the number of crimes in the area during a predetermined period from a public institution such as the police or fire department, or a server device 30 of a security service provider, and generates security information according to the number of crimes to acquire security information. In this example, the control unit 11 generates security information by determining the level of security as "bad" if the number of crimes is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, determining the level of security as "normal" if the number of crimes is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and less than the first predetermined value, and determining the level of security as "good" if the number of crimes is less than the second predetermined value. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are arbitrarily set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 stores the generated security information in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 may acquire security information by reading it from the storage unit 12.

[0030] In S3, the control unit 11 acquires store information indicating information related to the mobile store. The store information includes information indicating the type of business run by a seller using the mobile store 20, whether the store is staffed or unstaffed, and the like. The control unit 11 acquires the store information from the mobile store 20. The control unit 11 may acquire the information by reading from the storage unit 12 information recording the type of business of a seller using the mobile store 20.

[0031] In S4, the control unit 11 selects the crime prevention function to be realized in the mobile store 20. The control unit 11 acquires information indicating the crime prevention function that the mobile store 20 can execute, and selects the crime prevention function indicated by the information. The information is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. FIG. 3 shows information T1 indicating the crime prevention function. In this example, the control unit 11 selects more functions as the level of crime indicated by the crime information becomes worse. When the store information indicates that the store is staffed, the control unit 11 selects more functions compared to when the store is not staffed. In addition, when the type of business indicated by the store information is a predetermined type of business, the control unit 11 selects more functions. The predetermined type of business includes types of businesses in which the unit price of goods is a predetermined amount or more, such as jewelry stores, art and craft stores, high-end clothing stores, and electrical appliance stores. The predetermined type of business is arbitrarily set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12. In this example, when the level of crime indicates "good", the control unit 11 selects the authentication function No. 1 of the information T1. When the security level indicates "normal," the control unit 11 selects the locking function of the mobile store 20 No. 2 in addition to the function No. 1. When the security level indicates "bad," the control unit 11 selects the video recording function of the mobile store 20 No. 3 in addition to the functions No. 1 and No. 2. In this example, the security level is "good," the mobile store 20 is a staffed store, and the type of business of the seller using the mobile store 20 is a jewelry store. The control unit 11 selects the authentication function No. 1 and the locking function No. 2 of the information T1.

[0032] The authentication function is a function that authenticates customers who have made a reservation in advance when entering the mobile store 20, and unlocks the door of the mobile store 20 if the customer is successfully authenticated. Authentication methods include facial authentication, fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, password authentication, and the like. Facial authentication is performed by the control unit 21 of the mobile store 20 acquiring an image generated by the imaging unit 25 of the mobile store 20 and comparing the image with a database that registers information showing the customer's face using any image analysis technology. The database is stored in the memory unit 22 of the mobile store 20 or the memory unit 12 of the information processing device 10.

[0033] The locking function is a function for locking the door of the mobile store 20 from when a customer arrives to when he or she leaves the store. The control unit 21 of the mobile store 20 acquires an image generated by the imaging unit 25 of the mobile store 20 and determines whether or not the customer has paid for the product using any image analysis technology. When the control unit 21 determines that the customer has paid for the product or service, it controls the actuator of the locking mechanism 27 by sending a signal to unlock the door. Based on the image, the control unit 21 may control the locking mechanism 27 to lock the door when the customer picks up a product from the product shelf. Based on the image, the control unit 21 may also control the locking mechanism 27 to unlock the door when it determines that the customer is about to leave the mobile store 20 without the product.

[0034] The video recording function is a function for storing in the memory unit 22, or a function for transmitting to the information processing device 10 and storing in the memory unit 12 of the information processing device 10, the video image captured by the imaging unit 25 of the mobile store 20 of the behavior of customers inside the mobile store 20. The video recording function may further include a function for playing back a sound from the input / output unit 24 of the mobile store 20 to notify customers that recording is in progress.

[0035] The control unit 11 may select security functions based on the time and the brightness of the surroundings of the mobile store 20 in addition to the security information and store information. In this case, the control unit 11 selects more security functions when the time falls within a predetermined time period, such as late at night, compared to when the time does not fall within the predetermined time period. The control unit 11 also acquires information indicating the brightness of the surroundings of the mobile store 20 detected by any sensor including the imaging unit 25 of the mobile store 20, and selects more security functions when the brightness is less than a predetermined value, compared to when the brightness is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The predetermined time period and the predetermined value of brightness are set arbitrarily and stored in advance in the memory unit 12.

[0036] In S5, the control unit 11 transmits information to the mobile store 20 instructing it to realize the selected function. The control unit 21 of the mobile store 20 receives the information and controls each unit of the mobile store 20. In this example, the control unit 21 obtains an image of the customer captured by the imaging unit 25 and performs face authentication based on the image, thereby realizing the authentication function. The control unit 21 also determines, from the image of the customer captured by the imaging unit 25, that the customer is inside the mobile store 20 using any image processing technology, and activates the locking mechanism 27 while the customer is inside the mobile store 20, thereby realizing the locking function.

[0037] In S6, the control unit 11 judges whether the mobile store 20 is an unmanned store based on the store information. If it is an unmanned store, the control unit 11 proceeds to S7. If it is a staffed store, the processing operation of the control unit 11 ends.

[0038] In S7, the control unit 11 judges whether the customer has been in the mobile store 20 for a predetermined time or longer. The predetermined time may be arbitrarily set in advance and stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 21 judges whether the customer has been in the mobile store 20 for a predetermined time or longer by an arbitrary image analysis technique based on images of the inside of the mobile store 20 captured by the imaging unit 25. If it is determined that the customer has not been in the mobile store 20 for a predetermined time or longer, the processing operation of the control unit 11 ends. If it is determined that the customer has been in the mobile store 20 for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 11 proceeds to S8.

[0039] In S8, the control unit 11 transmits information to instruct the mobile store 20 to move to a pre-specified location. The pre-specified location may include, for example, another manned store operated by the seller who uses the mobile store 20. The control unit 21 of the mobile store 20 acquires the information, and the mobile store 20 moves to the location by automatic driving.

[0040] In the above, the embodiment has been described based on the drawings and examples, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

[0041] For example, in the mobile store 20, when the authentication function is realized using the imaging unit 25, the control unit 21 judges whether the customer is a first-time customer. The judgment may be made by any image analysis technology. When the control unit 21 judges that the customer is a first-time customer, it may realize another function in addition to the function indicated by the information received from the information processing device 10 in S5. This can enhance the crime prevention function for first-time customers and improve the safety of the mobile store 20.

[0042] For example, when no damage such as theft occurs to the mobile store 20 in a specified area for a specified period of time, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may update the security information stored in the memory unit 12 and change the security level of the area in a better direction. This makes it possible to maintain the latest security information and prevent the security information from deviating from the actual situation in the area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Security system 10. Information processing device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13. Communications Department 20 Mobile Store 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input / output section 25 Imaging unit 26 Positioning unit 27 Locking mechanism 30 Server device 40 Network

Claims

[Claim 1] The Communications Department and a control unit that performs communication by the communication unit, The control unit receives information indicating an area in which the mobile store is to be opened and security information indicating a level of security in the area, and sends an instruction to the mobile store to operate equipment for realizing a crime prevention function according to the level of security. Information processing device.

Images