Information processing method, information processing device, terminal device, and computer program

Abstract

To provide an information processing method, information processing device, terminal device and computer program, which provide a mechanism that enables instant registration of visitors without reservations by simple means.SOLUTION: An information processing method disclosed herein comprises: having a terminal device acquire an ID of a person in charge of authorizing visit by a visitor without a reservation; having the terminal device acquire identification information from a medium having recorded therein the identification information for identifying the visitor; having the terminal device transmit person-in-charge information identified from the acquired ID and the identification information to a server; and causing the server to store visitor information obtained by associating the person-in-charge information with the identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing device, a terminal device, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] In offices and facilities where entry is controlled, visitors typically inform a receptionist at the reception counter of their purpose and complete the entry procedures. However, having a dedicated receptionist at the reception counter is not desirable in terms of labor costs and personnel efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, a system has been introduced in which a terminal device for reception of visitors is installed at the reception counter, and visitors can complete the entry procedure by operating the terminal device without the intervention of a receptionist.Patent Document 1 discloses a reception method that can automatically call a person in charge at the destination by comparing the authentication information presented by the visitor with the visitor information held by the scheduled visitor.

[0004] Generally, the person in charge at the facility registers the visitor's name, email address, date and time of visit, etc. in advance in the visitor reception system, and the visitor can complete the reception procedure by simply entering the necessary information into the terminal device at the reception counter.If necessary, an entrance pass containing a two-dimensional barcode required to pass through the entrance gate is printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-208493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, such systems require visitors to register in advance. In the case of an unscheduled visit or if the person in charge forgets to register, the person in charge must register the visitor's name, email address, date and time of visit, etc. in the visitor reception system, which means that visitors who are already at the reception counter have to wait. On the other hand, for security reasons, recording visitor information is essential, and omitting the registration procedure is not desirable. Furthermore, with the method of Patent Document 1, unscheduled visitors are blocked, making it impossible to complete the reception procedure.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an information processing method, information processing device, terminal device, and computer program that can realize a mechanism for instantly registering visitors who have not made a reservation using simple means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present application includes multiple means for solving the above problem, and one example is an information processing method in which a terminal device acquires the ID of a person in charge who allows a visitor without a reservation to visit, the terminal device acquires identification information that identifies the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded, the terminal device transmits the person in charge information specified from the acquired ID and the identification information to a server, and the server stores visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a mechanism for instantly registering visitors who have not made a reservation to visit can be realized by simple means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a person in charge information management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a person in charge information DB. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a visitor reception server. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a visitor information DB. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen of a visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a temporary entry registration screen of the visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication result screen of the visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a business card reading screen of a visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a business card reading screen of the visitor reception terminal device when there are multiple visitors. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a visitor attribute and purpose of visit registration screen of the visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a visitor information registration completion screen of the visitor reception terminal device. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a visitor information DB in which visitor information of visitors who have not made a visit reservation is registered. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an admission pass. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of processing when a visitor with a visit reservation makes a temporary entry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings illustrating an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, a visitor reception system will be described as an example of the information processing system. However, the information processing system is not limited to a visitor reception system and also includes an entry authentication and authorization system that authenticates whether or not to allow outsiders to enter an area where access is restricted. The information processing system includes a visitor reception terminal device 10 as a terminal device, a visitor reception server 50, and a staff member information management server 100. The visitor reception server 50 and the staff member information management server 100 function as servers in this specification. Note that the functions of the staff member information management server 100 may be incorporated into the visitor reception server 50 to form a single server. A visitor information database 70 is connected to the visitor reception server 50. The information processing system may also include an entrance management server 200, an entrance gate 80, and a printer 40. The visitor reception terminal device 10, visitor reception server 50, staff member information management server 100, entrance management server 200, entrance gate 80, printer 40, and staff member terminal device 90 are interconnected via a communication network 1.

[0012] The business card 2 is a medium on which identification information for identifying a visitor is recorded. In the following description, the business card 2 is used as an example of the medium, but the medium is not limited to the business card 2. For example, the medium may be a student ID card, or any medium such as an IC card (e.g., a driver's license, My Number card, passport, etc.) that has a publicly known data format and can uniquely identify the owner of the IC card. The identification information recorded on the business card 2 is assumed to be the visitor's email address, but may also include the visitor's name, company name, etc. In the case of an IC card, the information contained within the IC card may be used as the identification information, and authentication may be performed using eKYC based on the appearance of the IC card.

[0013] The employee ID card 3 is a card carried or owned by a person in charge (e.g., an employee) who authorizes the visit of visitors. The ID can be anything that can uniquely identify the person in charge, such as an employee number, a value unique to the card (card ID), or any alphanumeric characters. The card of the person in charge is not limited to an employee ID card, but can also be a staff ID card of a facility, etc.

[0014] Visitor reception terminal device 10 can be configured with a PC (personal computer) or the like, and can be operated by visitors and staff.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of visitor reception terminal device 10. Visitor reception terminal device 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire device, a communication unit 12, a memory 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a camera 16, a short-range wireless communication unit 17, an OCR processing unit 18, and a storage unit 19.

[0016] The control unit 11 may be configured by incorporating a required number of CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro-Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), etc. The control unit 11 may also be configured by combining DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), etc.

[0017] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module and has the function of communicating with the visitor reception server 50 and the person in charge information management server 100 .

[0018] The display unit 14 can be configured with a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0019] The operation unit 15 is configured with a touch panel or the like, and can accept operations on the information displayed on the display unit 14. The operation unit 15 may also be configured with a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or the like.

[0020] The camera 16 can capture a business card image by photographing the business card 2 held up by the visitor. The camera 16 outputs the captured business card image to the OCR processing unit 18.

[0021] The OCR processing unit 18 performs character recognition processing on the business card image and extracts the visitor's email address, name, company name, affiliation, etc. from the business card image. The OCR processing unit 18 outputs the extracted email address, name, company name, affiliation, etc. to the control unit 11.

[0022] The short-distance wireless communication unit 17 can read the ID of the person in charge from the employee ID card 3 that the person in charge holds up. The short-distance wireless communication unit 17 outputs the read ID to the control unit 11.

[0023] The storage unit 19 can be configured with, for example, a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and stores an application (computer program) 20 and required information.

[0024] The memory 13 can be configured with semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), flash memory, etc. The application 20 can be deployed in the memory 23, and the control unit 11 can execute the application 20.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the person in charge information management server 100. The person in charge information management server 100 comprises a control unit 101 that controls the entire server, a communication unit 102, and a person in charge information DB 103. The person in charge information management server 100 is a server that manages information on people in charge who belong to a company, business office, facility, etc. The person in charge information management server 100 is not limited to a server operated by the company, business office, facility, etc., but may also be an external server system or a server system on the cloud.

[0026] The control unit 101 may be configured by incorporating a required number of CPUs, MPUs, GPUs, and the like.

[0027] The communication unit 102 includes a communication module and has the function of communicating with the visitor reception terminal device 10 .

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the person in charge information DB 103. The person in charge information DB 103 is a database that records information that associates card IDs with the names, email addresses, employee numbers, etc. of the people in charge. In this specification, the names, email addresses, employee numbers, etc. of the people in charge are collectively referred to as person in charge information. As shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the name of the person in charge with card ID "00001" is "AAA," the email address is "aaaa@Aabc.com," and the employee number is "111111." It can also be seen that the name of the person in charge with card ID "00102" is "BBB," the email address is "bbbb@Aabc.com," and the employee number is "222222."

[0029] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of visitor reception server 50. Visitor reception server 50 includes a control unit 51 that controls the entire server, a communication unit 52, a memory 53, an interface unit 54, and a storage unit 55.

[0030] The control unit 51 may be configured by incorporating a required number of CPUs, MPUs, GPUs, and the like.

[0031] The communication unit 52 includes a communication module and has a function of communicating with the visitor reception terminal device 10 and the entrance management server 200 .

[0032] The interface unit 54 provides a function for accessing the visitor information DB 70 .

[0033] The storage unit 55 can be configured with, for example, a hard disk or semiconductor memory, and stores a computer program 56 and required information.

[0034] The memory 53 can be configured with semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), flash memory, etc. A computer program 56 can be loaded into the memory 53, and the control unit 51 can execute the computer program 56.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the visitor information DB70. Visitor information is generated and registered (stored) in the visitor information DB70 when a visitor and, if necessary, a person in charge complete visit reception procedures at the visitor reception terminal device 10. The visitor information DB70 is also registered when a person in charge operates the person in charge terminal device 90. The visitor information DB70 stores information such as visitor information, person in charge information, whether or not a visitor has made a reservation, the reservation date and time (reception date and time), and the date and time of entry, all in association with each other. Visitor information includes the visitor's email address, name, company name and affiliation, attributes, purpose of visit, etc. Person in charge information includes the person in charge's name, email address, etc.

[0036] The presence or absence of a visit reservation is recorded as "visit reservation available" if the visit is registered in advance, and as "visit not scheduled" if registered immediately. The record of whether or not a visit reservation is available can be used to analyze business status.

[0037] The reservation date and time is the date and time when the visitor plans to visit when registering the visitor's information in advance. The reception date and time is the date and time when the visitor actually arrives and is checked in.

[0038] The entry date and time is the date and time when the visitor completed the check-in procedure and actually passed through the entrance gate 80. Note that, since there are actually offices, facilities, etc. that do not have entrance gates 80, there may be cases where the entry date and time is not registered in the visitor information DB 70.

[0039] For registration number "0010," the visitor's email address is "xxxx@fgh.com," their name is "XYZ," their company name / affiliation is "KBC," their attribute is "delivery company," and their purpose of visit is "delivery." The name of the person who authorized the visitor's visit is "AAA," and their email address is "aaaa@abc.com." The date and time "xxxx" is recorded in the reception date and time, so it can be seen that the visitor has already visited.

[0040] For registration number "0030," the visitor's email address is "yyyy@kby.com," their name is "KLM," their company name / affiliation is "MGK," their attribute is "insurance sales," and their purpose of visit is "interview." The name of the person who authorized the visitor's visit is "BBB," and their email address is "bbbb@abc.com." Since no date or time is recorded in the reception date and time, it can be seen that the visitor's visit is in the future.

[0041] For registration number "0040," the visitor's email address is "tttt@sby.com," their name is "EDF," their company name / affiliation is "SSQ," their attribute is "bank," and their purpose of visit is "contract." The name of the person in charge who authorized the visitor's visit is "CCC," and their email address is "cccc@abc.com." The date and time "△△△△" are recorded in the reception date and time, but no date and time are recorded in the entry date and time, so it can be seen that the visitor was received but did not enter the building.

[0042] As mentioned above, all of the registration numbers "0010," "0030," and "0040" indicate cases where a visitor has made a reservation (a visitor who has been registered in advance). Next, we will explain how to accept a visitor who does not have a reservation, using the screen displayed on display unit 14 of visitor reception terminal device 10.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the standby screen 110 of the visitor reception terminal device 10. The standby screen 110 displays a message such as "Welcome! This is the visitor reception system," along with a "QR code holder" icon 111, a "person without an appointment" icon 112, and a "temporary entry reception by staff" icon 113. Visitors who have made a reservation to visit in advance can have their visitor reception performed by operating the "QR code holder" icon 111. Visitors who do not have a reservation to visit do not need to operate the "QR code holder" icon 111. In this specification, "temporary entry reception" is used to start the reception process for visitors who do not have a reservation to visit. ("QR code" is a registered trademark.)

[0044] When a visitor operates the "person without an appointment" icon 112, a person in charge (employee) who will allow the visitor to enter can be called. For example, a notification can be sent to the person in charge's terminal device 90 or telephone. On the person in charge terminal device 90, the notification can be read, for example, via chat. The person in charge will come to the visitor reception terminal device 10. In this case, a selection screen for the person to be called may be displayed so that the visitor can make a selection, or a predetermined person may respond. When the called person in charge operates the "temporary entry reception by employee" icon 113, the temporary entry registration screen described below is displayed.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the temporary entry registration screen 120 of the visitor reception terminal device 10. The temporary entry registration screen 120 displays a message such as, "Attention employees: Please hold your employee ID card over the NFC reader at the bottom right of the screen for authentication." The temporary entry registration screen 120 also displays a message such as, "Those without an appointment can enter by registering as an employee. Please contact 'Those without an appointment' and have an employee called." This message is intended to guide a visitor to operate the 'People without an appointment' icon 112 again if they accidentally operate the 'Temporary entry reception by an employee' icon 113 instead of the 'People without an appointment' icon 112 on the standby screen 110. Therefore, to prevent erroneous operation, the "employee temporary entry reception" icon 113 may be made a hidden icon (hidden button) so that only the person in charge can call up this function, or the person in charge may hold up their employee ID card on the standby screen 110 without displaying the temporary entry registration screen 120.

[0046] As described above, the "Temporary Entry Reception by Staff" icon 113 (operation unit) for the person in charge to receive a visit is displayed on the display unit 14 of visitor reception terminal device 10, and when a visitor is received using the "Temporary Entry Reception by Staff" icon 113, visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires the ID of the person in charge. This makes it easy to acquire the ID for authenticating the person in charge.

[0047] In addition, the visitor reception terminal device 10 may acquire the ID when a card with an ID recorded on it (such as an employee ID card) is brought close to the visitor reception terminal device 10 without displaying the "Temporary Entry Reception by Employee" icon 113.

[0048] The following describes the process that takes place after the person in charge swipes their employee ID card on the temporary entry registration screen 120.

[0049] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the information processing system of this embodiment. When a person in charge holds up their employee ID card on the temporary entry registration screen 120 of the visitor reception terminal device 10, the visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires the ID of the person in charge from the employee ID card (S11) and sends an authentication request together with the acquired ID of the person in charge to the person in charge information management server 100 (S12). Upon receiving the authentication request, the person in charge information management server 100 authenticates the ID of the person in charge (S13).

[0050] The ID of the person in charge can be authenticated based on whether the acquired ID matches an ID registered (stored) in the person in charge information DB 103. If the same ID as the acquired ID is stored, it is determined that the authentication was successful, and if the same ID as the acquired ID is not stored, it is determined that the authentication was unsuccessful. If the authentication was unsuccessful, the person in charge information management server 100 notifies the visitor reception terminal device 10 of this fact, and the process ends.

[0051] If the authentication of the person in charge's ID is successful, the person in charge information management server 100 sends the person in charge information linked to the person in charge's ID to the visitor reception terminal device 10 (S14). The person in charge information includes the person in charge's email address. The person in charge information may also include the person in charge's name and employee number. The visitor reception terminal device 10 displays the person in charge's name (S15), indicating that the person in charge's ID has been successfully authenticated. Here, the person in charge's email address may also be displayed.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the authentication result screen 130 of the visitor reception terminal device 10. The authentication result screen 130 displays a message such as, for example, "Hello, AAA. Authentication has been completed." This allows the person in charge to confirm that their ID has been successfully authenticated and that the visitor reception process can be carried out. The email address "aaaa@abc.com" may be displayed instead of the name "AAA." Once the person in charge's ID is authenticated, the visitor reception terminal device 10 activates the camera 16 and transitions to a business card reading screen, which will be described later.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the business card reading screen 140 of the visitor reception terminal device 10. On the business card reading screen 140, the camera 16 is activated, and a message such as "Please hold your business card over the camera at the top of the screen. Please bring the business card close so that only the business card is visible in the preview display" is displayed on the business card reading screen 140. Note that a similar message may also be output by voice. A business card image is displayed in the preview display area. The visitor can adjust the position of the business card 2 while viewing the preview image. Once the business card 2 is adjusted to the correct position, the camera 16 automatically takes a picture of the business card 2 and acquires the business card image.

[0054] As described above, when the person in charge information is displayed on display unit 14 of visitor reception terminal device 10, the operation to obtain the visitor's email address from business card 2 (medium) is accepted by visitor reception terminal device 10. This allows the visitor to be received in the presence of the person in charge who will allow the visitor to enter the building.

[0055] There may be more than one visitor for one matter. The following explains the business card reading screen when there are multiple visitors.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the business card reading screen 150 when there are multiple visitors to the visitor reception terminal device 10. The business card reading screen 150 displays a screen for selecting the number of visitors. In the example of FIG. 12, a selection box is displayed to select one, two, three, four, five, or more than six, allowing the representative of the visitors to select the number. Alternatively, the number may be entered directly instead of selecting the number. The business card reading screen 150 displays a message such as "Do you want to read the business cards of all visitors?". Operating the "Yes" icon causes the reading process to be repeated for each visitor on the business card reading screen 140. Operating the "No" icon cancels the reading process. After the first business card 2 is read on the business card reading screen 140, the user may be prompted to select whether to continue reading. Alternatively, the system may be configured in advance to not require the selection of the number of visitors, and icons and buttons may be hidden, eliminating the need to select the number of visitors.

[0057] When a visitor performs reception processing at visitor reception terminal device 10, the visitor's attributes and purpose of visit can be registered by selecting or inputting the visitor's attributes and purpose of visit.

[0058] As described above, visitor reception terminal device 10 accepts input of the number of visitors and repeatedly accepts the operation to obtain email addresses from business cards 2 a number of times corresponding to the number of visitors accepted. This improves convenience because it is only necessary to repeat a simple operation regardless of the number of visitors.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a visitor attribute and purpose of visit registration screen 160 of visitor reception terminal device 10. The registration screen 160 displays selectable candidate visit purposes, such as business negotiation, meeting, delivery, and contract. The registration screen 160 also displays selectable candidate visitor attributes, such as business partner, insurance salesperson, delivery company, and bank. The registration screen 160 may also display only the visit purpose or the attributes. The visitor can select the most appropriate item from the candidates. In the example of FIG. 13, "business negotiation" and "business partner" are selected. When the "OK" icon is operated, the visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires the selected item. When the "cancel" icon is operated, the selection operation can be canceled. Alternatively, the candidate visitor attributes and purpose of visit may be output by voice, allowing the visitor to select.

[0060] In this way, at least one of the attributes and the purpose of the visit is selectably output from at least one of the candidate visitor attributes and candidate purpose of the visit to the output unit (for example, display unit 14, speaker, etc.) of visitor reception terminal device 10, and at least one of the attributes and the purpose of the visit selected by the visitor is transmitted by visitor reception terminal device 10 to visitor reception server 50. Visitor reception server 50 can associate at least one of the attributes and the purpose of the visit with the visitor's email address and register (store) this in visitor information DB 70. As a result, the same visitor information as that of visitors who have booked a visit is registered, and therefore the integrity of the registered visitor information can be ensured regardless of whether a visitor has booked a visit or not.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 9, when business card 2 is read on business card reading screen 140, visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires an image of the visitor's business card (S16) and uses the OCR processing function to extract an email address from the business card image (S17). Note that the visitor's name, company name, affiliation, etc. may also be extracted from the business card image. Visitor reception terminal device 10 compiles the acquired person in charge information and the visitor's email address and transmits them as visitor information to visitor reception server 50 (S18). Note that the business card image may also be transmitted as visitor information.

[0062] As described above, the control unit 11 of the visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires the ID of the person in charge who will allow visitors without a reservation to visit, acquires the email address from the business card 2 (medium) on which the email address identifying the visitor is recorded, and sends the person in charge information identified from the acquired ID and the email address to the visitor reception server 50.

[0063] When visitor reception terminal device 10 sends visitor information, it may include information such as the visitor's date and time of visit, purpose of visit, visitor attributes, visitor's name, company name, affiliation, etc. This allows visitor reception server 50 to register information such as the visitor's date and time of visit, purpose of visit, visitor attributes, visitor's name, company name, affiliation, etc. in association with the visitor's email address.

[0064] The visitor reception server 50 receives the visitor information, registers (stores) the received visitor information in the visitor information DB 70 (S19), and sends a registration completion notice to the visitor reception terminal device 10 (S20). The visitor reception server 50 sends the visitor information to the entrance management server 200 (S21). The entrance management server 200 sends printing information for printing an entrance pass to the printer 40 (S22). The printer 40 then prints the entrance pass. If the printer 40 is installed near the visitor reception terminal device 10, the visitor or person in charge can easily obtain the printed entrance pass. The entrance management server 200 also registers information for reading the two-dimensional barcode printed on the entrance pass in the entrance gate 80. This allows the visitor to pass through the entrance gate by having the entrance gate read the entrance pass.

[0065] As described above, visitor reception terminal device 10 acquires the ID of the person in charge who will allow a visitor without a reservation to visit, acquires the email address from business card 2 (medium) on which the email address identifying the visitor is recorded, and sends the person in charge information identified from the acquired ID and the email address to visitor reception server 50 (server), which then stores (registers) the visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the email address in visitor information DB 70. This makes it possible to realize a system that allows for the immediate registration of visitors without a reservation by simple means.

[0066] Furthermore, the person in charge information management server 100 (server) stores person in charge information DB 103, which associates the person in charge's ID with the person in charge information. The person in charge information management server 100 authenticates the acquired ID based on whether the ID acquired from the visitor reception terminal device 10 is stored in the person in charge information DB 103. If the authentication is successful, the person in charge information management server 100 identifies the person in charge information associated with the acquired ID and transmits the identified person in charge information to the visitor reception terminal device 10. This allows the legitimate person in charge to allow the visitor to enter the building.

[0067] Furthermore, as described above, when the visitor reception server 50 stores visitor information, the visitor information may be registered in the entrance management server 200 that manages the entrance gate 80, and the entrance management server 200 may then send printing information to the printer 40 (printing device) for printing an entrance pass containing a two-dimensional barcode read by the entrance gate 80.

[0068] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a visitor information registration completion screen 170 of the visitor reception terminal device 10. The registration completion screen 170 displays a message such as, "Welcome zzzz@bbc.com. Thank you for visiting us today. Registration is complete. We will now print a QR code for entry. Please scan it at the gate to enter the building." This notifies the user that the visitor information has been registered, and also displays a standard message such as precautions to take when entering the building.

[0069] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the visitor information DB 70 when visitor information for a visitor without a reservation is registered. In the example of FIG. 15, visitor information for a visitor without a reservation is registered with registration number "0050." The visitor's email address is "zzzz@bbc.com," the visitor's name is "PPP," the company name / affiliation is "TSB," the attribute is "client," and the purpose of the visit is "business negotiation." The name of the person in charge who authorized the visitor's visit is "AAA," and the email address is "aaaa@abc.com." The visitor without a reservation (an immediate, unscheduled visit) is marked as "No." The reservation date and time are blank, the reception date and time are April 20th at 9:50, and the entry date and time are April 20th at 9:55. The reservation date and time may be blank or may be the same as the reception date and time. By setting the reservation date and time to the same value as the date and time of reception, it can be interpreted as if the reservation was registered immediately and reception was carried out at the same time.

[0070] As shown in Figure 15, according to this embodiment, even in the case of a visitor who does not have a visit reservation, the same visitor information as that of visitors who have visit reservations with registration numbers "0010," "0030," and "0040" is registered, so the integrity of the visitor information registered can be guaranteed regardless of whether a visit reservation has been made or not.

[0071] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an entrance pass. On the entrance pass, for example, the visitor's email address, the reception time, the name of the person in charge who permitted entry, and a two-dimensional barcode to be read at the entrance gate 80 are printed. Note that the entrance pass is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 16. The email address of the person in charge may also be printed on the entrance pass.

[0072] It is possible that a visitor may have made a reservation, but may have overlooked the notification of reservation completion and may have arrived thinking that they had not made a reservation. The following explains how to handle such a case.

[0073] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the processing performed when a visitor with a reservation requests temporary entry. The reception information for visitor KLM, who does not have a reservation, is assumed to include an email address of yyyy@kby.com and a reception time of 12:50 on April 25th. Meanwhile, the visitor information DB 70 also contains visitor information with an email address of yyyy@kby.com and a reservation date and time of 13:00 on April 25th.

[0074] The visitor reception server 50 determines whether the email address (identification information) of a visitor without a reservation received from the visitor reception terminal device 10 matches the email address of a visitor with a reservation, and if it determines that they match, it can identify the visitor without a reservation as a reserved visitor.

[0075] In the example of FIG. 17, the email address of a visitor who has not made a reservation matches the email address registered in the visitor information DB 70.

[0076] More specifically, the visitor reception server 50 determines whether a predetermined time period including the visit date and time (reception time) of a visitor without a reservation includes the scheduled visit date and time (reservation date and time) of a visitor with a reservation who is identified by an email address that matches the email address of the visitor without a reservation, and if the scheduled visit date and time is included in the time period, the visitor without a reservation can be identified as a reserved visitor.

[0077] In the example of Figure 17, visitor information with the same email address is registered within a ±30-minute range of the reception time of a visitor without a reservation, so the visitor information of visitor KLM is not registered and the visitor is treated as a visit for an existing scheduled visit. This means that even if a visitor has made a reservation but overlooks the notification that the reservation is complete and arrives thinking that they have not made a reservation, they can still go through the same procedures as if they had registered their visitor information in advance, and the temporary entry procedure can be omitted.

[0078] In the above embodiment, a visitor reception system has been described as an example of an information processing system, but the present invention is not limited to visitor reception systems and can be applied to a system in which an authorized person who can grant authentication and permission registers a holder of personally identifiable information (such as a customer) as a means of temporary entry. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to entry into office spaces, but also to a facility where entry is generally planned (such as a university library or research building) as a means for easily realizing temporary entry.

[0079] In this embodiment, instead of the ID of the person in charge, biometric information such as the fingerprint or face of the person in charge may be used to authenticate the person in charge. In this case, the ID may be replaced with the biometric information in the process illustrated in FIG.

[0080] In this embodiment, the OCR processing unit 18 in the visitor reception terminal device 10 may be provided in the visitor reception server 50, and identification information such as the visitor's email address may be extracted by the visitor reception server 50. The OCR processing unit 18 may also use an external cloud service, for example, a cloud service provided by another company that manages business card information.

[0081] (Appendix 1) In the information processing method, a terminal device acquires the ID of a person in charge who will allow a visitor without a reservation to visit, the terminal device acquires identification information that identifies the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded, the terminal device transmits the person in charge information identified from the acquired ID and the identification information to a server, and the server stores visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the identification information.

[0082] (Appendix 2) In the information processing method of Appendix 1, the ID of the person in charge and the person in charge information are stored in a memory unit in association with each other, and the server authenticates the acquired ID based on whether the acquired ID is stored in the memory unit, and if the authentication is successful, the person in charge information associated with the acquired ID is identified.

[0083] (Supplementary Note 3) In the information processing method according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the terminal device transmits the visit date and time of the visitor to the server, and the server stores the visit date and time in association with the identification information.

[0084] (Appendix 4) In the information processing method of any one of Appendices 1 to 3, at least one of an attribute and a purpose of visit is selectably output from at least one of candidate attributes of the visitor and candidate purposes of visit to an output section of the terminal device, and at least one of the attribute and the purpose of visit selected by the visitor is transmitted by the terminal device to the server, and the server stores at least one of the attribute and the purpose of visit in association with the identification information.

[0085] (Appendix 5) In the information processing method of any one of Appendices 1 to 4, when the person in charge information is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, the terminal device accepts an operation to obtain the identification information from the medium.

[0086] (Appendix 6) The information processing method is any one of Appendices 1 to 5, and includes accepting input of the number of visitors and repeatedly accepting an operation to obtain the identification information from the medium a number of times corresponding to the number of visitors accepted.

[0087] (Appendix 7) In the information processing method of any one of Appendices 1 to 6, an operation unit for the person in charge to accept a visit is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, and when the person in charge accepts a visit using the operation unit, the terminal device acquires the ID.

[0088] (Supplementary Note 8) The information processing method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein when a card on which the ID is recorded is brought close to the terminal device, the terminal device acquires the ID.

[0089] (Appendix 9) In the information processing method of any one of Appendices 1 to 8, when the server stores the visitor information, the visitor information is registered in a management server that manages the entrance gate, and a printing device obtains from the management server printing information for printing an entrance pass that contains a two-dimensional barcode to be read at the entrance gate.

[0090] (Appendix 10) In the information processing method of any one of Appendices 1 to 9, the server determines whether the identification information received from the terminal device matches the identification information of a visitor who has made a reservation to visit, and if it determines that they match, identifies the visitor who has not made a reservation to visit as a visitor who has made a reservation.

[0091] (Appendix 11) In the information processing method of Appendix 10, it is determined whether a predetermined time period including the visit date and time of the visitor without a visit reservation includes the scheduled visit date and time of the visitor with a visit reservation who is identified by identification information that matches the identification information received from the terminal device, and if the scheduled visit date and time is included in the time period, the visitor without a visit reservation is identified as a visitor with a reservation.

[0092] (Supplementary Note 12) In the information processing method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11, the person in charge information includes an email address of the person in charge, and the identification information includes an email address of the visitor.

[0093] (Supplementary Note 13) In the information processing method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 12, the medium includes a business card or a student ID card.

[0094] (Appendix 14) The information processing device includes a control unit, which receives from the terminal device information about a person in charge who allows a visitor without a visit reservation to visit, the information being identified from the ID of the person in charge, and identification information identifying the visitor, and stores visitor information in which the information about the person in charge is associated with the identification information.

[0095] (Appendix 15) The terminal device is equipped with a control unit, which acquires the ID of a person in charge who will allow a visitor without a reservation to visit, acquires the identification information that identifies the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded, and transmits the person in charge information and the identification information identified from the acquired ID to a server.

[0096] (Appendix 16) The computer program causes a computer to execute a process of receiving, from a terminal device, information on a person in charge who allows a visitor without a reservation to visit, the information on the person in charge being identified from the ID of the person in charge, and identification information that identifies the visitor, and storing visitor information in which the information on the person in charge is associated with the identification information.

[0097] (Appendix 17) The computer program is a computer program that runs on a terminal device and causes a computer to execute the following process: obtain the ID of a person in charge who will allow a visitor without a reservation to visit; obtain the identification information that identifies the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded; and send the person in charge information identified from the obtained ID and the identification information to a server.

[0098] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. In addition, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, although the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), this is not limited to this format. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Communication Network 2. Business cards 3 Employee ID card 10 Visitor reception terminal device 11 Control section 12 Communications Department 13. Memory 14 Display section 15 Control section 16 Camera 17 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 18 OCR processing section 19 Memory section 20 Applications 40 Printers 50 Visitor reception server 51 Control section 52 Communications Department 53 Memory 54 Interface section 55 Storage section 56 Computer Programs 70 Visitor Information DB 80 Entrance Gate 90 Personnel terminal device 100 Personnel information management server 101 Control section 102 Communications Department 103 Personnel Information DB 200 Entrance management server

Claims

1. The terminal device acquires the ID of a person in charge who allows the visit of a visitor who has not made a reservation, The terminal device acquires identification information for identifying the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded; The terminal device transmits the person in charge information and the identification information specified by the acquired ID to the server, The server stores visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the identification information. Information processing methods.

2. The ID of the person in charge and the person in charge information are stored in a storage unit in association with each other, The server authenticates the acquired ID based on whether the acquired ID is stored in the storage unit, If the authentication is successful, the person in charge information associated with the acquired ID is identified. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. The terminal device transmits the visit date and time of the visitor to the server, The server stores the visit date and time in association with the identification information. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

4. outputting at least one of a visitor's attribute candidate and a visit purpose candidate to an output unit of the terminal device in a selectable manner from at least one of a visitor's attribute candidate and a visit purpose candidate; The terminal device transmits at least one of the attribute and the purpose of the visit selected by the visitor to the server; The server stores at least one of the attribute and the purpose of the visit in association with the identification information. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

5. when the person in charge information is displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, an operation for acquiring the identification information from the medium is accepted by the terminal device. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Accept the input of the number of visitors, repeatedly accepting an operation for acquiring the identification information from the medium a number of times corresponding to the number of people accepted; The information processing method according to claim 5.

7. displaying an operation section for the person in charge to accept a visitor on a display section of the terminal device; When a visitor is accepted through the operation unit, the terminal device acquires the ID. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. When a card on which the ID is recorded is brought close to the terminal device, the terminal device acquires the ID. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. When the server stores the visitor information, the visitor information is registered in a management server that manages the entrance gate; a printing device acquires from the management server printing information for printing an entrance pass on which a two-dimensional barcode to be read at the entrance gate is recorded; The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The server determines whether or not the identification information received from the terminal device matches the identification information of a visitor who has made a reservation to visit; If it is determined that there is a match, the visitor without a reservation is identified as a visitor with a reservation. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. determining whether a predetermined time period including the visit date and time of the visitor without a visit reservation includes a scheduled visit date and time of the visitor with a visit reservation identified by identification information that matches the identification information received from the terminal device; If the time period includes the scheduled visit date and time, the visitor without a visit reservation is identified as a visitor with a reservation. The information processing method according to claim 10.

12. The person in charge information includes an email address of the person in charge, The identification information includes an email address of the visitor. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. The medium includes a business card or a student ID card. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A control unit is provided, The control unit is receiving from the terminal device person in charge information specified by the ID of a person in charge who is to permit the visit of a visitor without a visit reservation, and identification information identifying the visitor; storing visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the identification information; Information processing device.

15. A control unit is provided, The control unit is Obtain the ID of the person in charge who allows the visit of visitors without a reservation, Acquire the identification information for identifying the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded; Transmitting the person in charge information and the identification information specified from the acquired ID to the server; Terminal device.

16. receiving from the terminal device person in charge information specified by the ID of a person in charge who is to permit the visit of a visitor without a visit reservation, and identification information identifying the visitor; storing visitor information in which the person in charge information is associated with the identification information; A computer program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

17. A computer program that operates on a terminal device, Obtain the ID of the person in charge who allows the visit of visitors without a reservation, Acquire the identification information for identifying the visitor from a medium on which the identification information is recorded; Transmitting the person in charge information and the identification information specified from the acquired ID to the server; A computer program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

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