Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To properly and simply switch functions of an information processing apparatus, such as a tablet terminal, according to the purpose of a user.SOLUTION: A medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires storage information read by a reading unit 22 from a predetermined medium C out of multiple media C. A function switching unit 52 selects a function associated in advance with the predetermined medium C specified by the storage information acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, as a selected function, from among multiple functions that an information processing apparatus 1 can execute, selects a current function when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is other than the selected function, or selects another function when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the selected function. A function exhibition unit 53 allows the information processing apparatus to exhibit the current function selected by the function switching unit 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, restaurants and other establishments that have adopted tabletop ordering systems have begun to use tablet terminals equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) (registered trademark) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) (registered trademark) reading functions to accept customer orders and make payments (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Such tablet terminals are used not only by customers for ordering and payment purposes, but also by store employees for management purposes. In other words, a tablet terminal may be used by multiple people, each for different purposes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5639236 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-024746 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, there is a demand for the function of an information processing device such as a tablet terminal to be able to be switched appropriately and easily according to the purpose of the user. However, conventional techniques including those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have not been able to fully meet such demands.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to switch functions of an information processing device such as a tablet terminal appropriately and easily according to the purpose of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: An information processing device having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, a medium information acquiring means for acquiring the stored information read from a predetermined medium among the plurality of media by the reading function; a function switching means for selecting a function that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium identified by the storage information among a plurality of functions that can be executed by the information processing device, and switching a current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the functions of an information processing device such as a tablet terminal can be switched appropriately and simply according to the purpose of the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an embodiment of an information processing device to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of registration information stored in the function DB of FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, and is a typical example of switching between an operation mode and an administrator mode. FIG. [Diagram 5]3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, and is a typical example of switching between an operation mode and an administrator mode. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, and is a typical example of switching between an operation mode and an administrator mode. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing a first specific example of a function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2; [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the function switching process executed by the information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2; [Figure 9] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating respective third specific examples of the function switching process executed by the information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] 11 is a diagram showing a fourth specific example of the function switching process executed by the information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing a fifth specific example of the function switching process executed by the information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an embodiment of an information processing device to which the present invention is applied.

[0010] An information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a tablet terminal or a smartphone equipped with an NFC (registered trademark) or RFID (registered trademark) reading function. A user touches a pre-registered medium C (for example, a specific NFC card or RFID tag) to the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 then reads the information stored in the medium C (hereinafter referred to as "stored information") and automatically switches to a function required by the user (a function associated with the medium C) based on the stored information. Hereinafter, such processing will be referred to as a "function switching process." The function to be switched in the function switching process can be either an application program function or an OS (Operating System) function. Also, a function can refer to an entire application program or a mode such as a dedicated mode. In addition, the storage location of the registration data for each medium C (data such as functions associated with each medium C, for example, data in function DB 61 of Figure 3 described below) is within the information processing device 1 in this embodiment (more specifically, within function DB 61 of Figure 4 of memory unit 20 of Figure 1 described below), but is not limited to this and may be, for example, another external information processing device (server, etc.) not shown. Furthermore, the medium C may be built into a smartphone. In this way, the information processing device 1 can execute function switching processing, and therefore it becomes possible to appropriately and simply switch functions according to the purpose of the user (the person who uses the information processing device 1).

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, a touch operation input unit 16, a display unit 17, an output unit 18, an input unit 19, a memory unit 20, a communication unit 21, a reading unit 22, and a drive 23.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 20 to the RAM 13 . The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

[0013] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. A touch operation input unit 16, a display unit 17, an input unit 19, an output unit 18, a storage unit 20, a communication unit 21, a reading unit 22, and a drive 23 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0014] The touch operation input unit 16 and the display unit 17 form a touch panel TP. The touch operation input unit 16 is composed of a capacitive or resistive film (pressure-sensitive) position input sensor that is laminated on the display surface (touch screen or display) of the display unit 17, and detects the coordinates of the position where a touch operation is performed. Here, the touch operation refers to an operation of bringing an object into contact with or into proximity with the touch operation input unit 16. The object that comes into contact with or into proximity with the touch operation input unit 16 is, for example, a user's finger, a touch pen, or the like.

[0015] The output unit 18 is composed of a speaker and the like, and outputs various information by voice. The input unit 19 is composed of a microphone, various hardware buttons, etc., and inputs various information in response to user instructions.

[0016] The storage unit 20 is configured with a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like, and stores various data. The communication unit 21 controls communications with other devices via the Internet or the like.

[0017] The reading unit 22 has a function of reading the medium C using NFC (registered trademark) or RFID (registered trademark) (and a writing function as necessary), and reads stored information from the medium C by performing contact or non-contact wireless communication with the medium C. The reading unit 22 may also have a function of writing various information to the medium C as necessary.

[0018] Removable media 31, which may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 23. Programs read from the removable media 31 by the drive 23 are installed in the storage unit 20 as necessary. The removable media 31 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 20 in the same manner as the storage unit 20.

[0019] The above-mentioned function switching process can be executed by cooperation between the various hardware and software of the information processing device 1 in FIG. An example of a functional configuration for the information processing device 1 to execute the function switching process will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device of FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, when the information processing device 1 executes the function switching process, in the CPU 11, a medium information acquisition section 51, a function switching section 52, and a function execution section 53 function. In one area of ​​the storage unit 20, a function DB 61 is arranged.

[0021] Each of the multiple media C stores stored information capable of identifying the medium C. Here, being able to identify the medium C includes being able to directly identify the medium C as well as being able to indirectly identify the medium C. For example, when a user U and a medium C are associated with each other, a user ID or the like capable of identifying the user U is also an example of stored information because it can indirectly identify the medium C associated with the user U. The medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information read by the reading unit 22 from a predetermined medium C among the plurality of media C.

[0022] The function switching unit 52 selects, from among a plurality of functions that the information processing device 1 can execute, a function that is pre-associated with a specific medium C identified by the storage information acquired by the medium information acquisition unit 51 as a selected function, and switches to the current function when the current function of the information processing device 1 is other than the selected function, whereas if the current function of the information processing device 1 is already the selected function, it switches to another function. The function exerting section 53 exerts the current function switched by the function switching section 52 .

[0023] Specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, information indicating the association between each of the multiple media C and each of the functions is stored in the function DB 61 as registration information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of registration information stored in the function DB of FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, cards A to n are shown as examples of a plurality of media C. As functions, functions a to m are shown. 3, the number of functions associated with one medium C (card) is not limited to one, and may be multiple. For example, card A is associated with functions a, d, and m. Therefore, for example, when storage information of card A is acquired by the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 of Figure 3 and selects functions a, d, and m as selected functions, and when, for example, the current function of the information processing device 1 is another function, switches to the selected function. The function exerting unit 53 exerts the functions a, d, and m. Naturally, exerting the functions a, d, and m does not necessarily mean that the processes based on the function a, the various processes based on the function d, and the various processes based on the function m are executed simultaneously in terms of time, but means that they are made ready to be executed when a trigger such as an instruction is received.

[0024] Next, a specific example of a function switching process executed by the information processing device 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 2 will be described. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing a specific example of a function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, and are diagrams showing a typical example of switching between an operation mode and an administrator mode.

[0025] In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 6, it is assumed that the functions executed by the information processing device 1 include an operation mode and an administrator mode. The operation mode is a mode in which, when the user U is a normal user (not shown in FIGS. 4 to 6), application software used by normal users is operated. The administrator mode is a mode in which, when the user U is the administrator UK, administrator functions are operated. It is also assumed that a specific medium CK exists as a medium C, which is associated with the administrator mode and is held by the administrator UK.

[0026] In a normal state, the information processing device 1 is used by a normal user (not shown), and therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the current mode of the information processing device is the normal mode. In such a normal state, when the administrator UK wants to operate the administrator function of the information processing device 1, he touches a specific medium CK, whose registration information has been previously stored in the function DB 61, to the information processing device 1, as shown in Figure 4.

[0027] As a result, the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires storage information of the specific medium CK, so the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Then, as the current function of the information processing device 1 is the operation mode as shown in Fig. 4, the function switching unit 52 switches to the administrator mode, which is the selected function, as shown in Fig. 5. The function execution unit 53 executes the administrator mode. As a result, the screen of the information processing device 1 (display unit 17 in Fig. 1) transitions to an administration screen.

[0028] Thereafter, when the administrator UK wishes to end the administrator mode, he or she touches the specific medium CK to the information processing device 1 again, as shown in FIG. As a result, the current mode of the information processing device 1 returns to the operation mode. That is, since the storage information of the specific medium CK is acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Then, since the current function of the information processing device 1 is the administrator mode as shown in Fig. 5, the function switching unit 52 switches to the operation mode as shown in Fig. 6. The function execution unit 53 executes the operation mode.

[0029] Furthermore, some cases will be described as specific examples of the function switching process executed by the information processing device 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 7 to 11 are diagrams showing first to fifth specific examples of the function switching process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, respectively.

[0030] In the first example of FIG. 7, the information processing device 1 is adopted in a tabletop ordering system (a system in which customers place orders using tablet terminals or the like in a store such as a restaurant). In step S71 of Fig. 7, a normal order screen is displayed on the touch panel TP of the information processing device 1 arranged at a specific table, and a customer at the specific table can use the touch panel TP to place an order. Such a state in step S71 is the default state. That is, the current function of the information processing device 1 in the default state is the operation mode, and includes a function to enable the touch panel TP (hereinafter referred to as the "enabled function").

[0031] Here, when a customer is replaced at a particular table, a store employee generally cleans the particular table. If the touch panel TP of the information processing device 1 at the particular table remains in an enabled state during the cleaning, there is a risk that the information processing device 1 will enter an unintended state if the employee touches the touch panel TP (performs an erroneous operation). Therefore, in order to prevent this from occurring, in the first example, in steps S72 and S73, the current function of the information processing device 1 is switched to an administrator mode including a function for disabling the touch panel TP (hereinafter, referred to as the "disabled function").

[0032] Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the registration information (information including the association with the administrator mode including the disabled function) of the specific medium C (in the first example, an NFC card) held by the employee (user U) is pre-registered in the function DB 61. In step S72, an employee (user U) holds (touches) a specific medium C (an NFC card in the first example) over (on) the information processing device 1 when a new customer is entering the store.

[0033] As a result, in step S73, the touch panel TP is disabled. That is, since the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires stored information of the specific medium C (an NFC card in the first example), the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the disabled function (administrator mode) as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 is the enabled function (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the disabled function (administrator mode), which is the selected function. The function execution unit 53 executes the disabled function as the administrator mode. As a result, the screen of the information processing device 1 transitions to a screen for the cleaning mode (one of the administrator modes), and the touch panel TP becomes disabled. This makes it possible to completely prevent erroneous operation during cleaning.

[0034] In step S74, after the cleaning is completed, the worker holds (touches) the specific medium C (the NFC card in the first example) over (or touches) the information processing device 1 again. As a result, the process returns to step S71, and the current function of the information processing device 1 returns to the valid function (operation mode). That is, since the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information of the specific medium C (the NFC card in the first example), the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the disabled function (administrator mode) as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 in step S74 is the disabled function (administrator mode), in step S74 the function switching unit 52 switches to the enabled function (operation mode). The function execution unit 53 executes the enabled function as the operation mode.

[0035] Such a first example has the following advantages: That is, as described above, in establishments such as restaurants that employ a tabletop ordering system, it is common for a table to be cleaned when a customer leaves the table. With conventional tablets for implementing a tabletop ordering system, when an employee cleans the table, the employee touches the touch panel of the conventional tablet, causing the conventional tablet to enter an unintended state. To solve this problem, it would be possible to provide a mode that turns off the touch panel only during cleaning (hereinafter referred to as "off mode"); however, it is necessary to make the operation method for turning off the mode invisible from the screen surface so that customers do not turn off the mode by mistake. Therefore, employees generally have to follow complicated procedures to turn off the mode, which takes time and effort to remember. In contrast, in the first example using the information processing device 1 to which the present invention is applied, the employee can automatically switch between enabled and disabled by simply touching the registered specific medium C (NFC card in the first example) to the information processing device 1 (tablet) placed on the specified table to be cleaned. This makes it possible to reduce the operation time and simplify the operation method of the employee when cleaning between customers, and to prevent erroneous operation by customers by eliminating the lead line for switching between enabled and disabled of the touch panel TP.

[0036] 8, the information processing device 1 is adopted in a tabletop ordering system that allows payment at a specific table. That is, the information processing device 1 is configured as a tabletop payment terminal that has a function of executing payment processing by communicating with a store server or the like. In this way, by adopting the information processing device 1 that allows customers to not only place orders but also make payments on the spot (at a designated table), there are advantages such as eliminating the need to wait at the cash register. Incidentally, when a customer has completed payment at a specified table, it is desirable for an employee to know at a glance that the payment has been completed, and at the same time, it is desirable to prevent the customer from performing any further operations after the payment has been completed. Such a desire can be realized by applying the second example of FIG.

[0037] In step S81 of Fig. 8, the mode of the information processing device 1 on the predetermined table is a normal use mode (one example of an operation mode) for customers to place orders and make payments at a store, and the touch panel TP is in a state where a screen used by the customer is displayed. Such a state of step S72 is a default state. That is, the function of the touch panel TP in the default state is an enabled function.

[0038] When the current function of the touch panel TP is in the default state of the valid function and the customer uses the touch panel TP to make a payment, the process moves from step S81 to step S82 after the payment is completed. In step S82, after the payment is completed, the current function of the touch panel TP is automatically switched to an inactive function. Also, a message indicating that the payment is completed is displayed on the touch panel TP. This disables operations by the customer.

[0039] In other words, in the first case, the trigger for switching the current function of the touch panel TP from an enabled function to an disabled function was the touch of a specific medium C (acquisition of stored information by the medium information acquisition unit 51), but in the second case, it is “payment completion.” Here, it is assumed that the registration information of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second example) held by the employee (user U) is pre-registered in the function DB 61, similarly to the first example. However, in the first example, the employee (user U) touches the specific medium C (NFC card in the first example) to switch to the administrator mode (disable function of the touch panel TP). In contrast, in step S82 of the second example, the mode automatically switches to the administrator mode (disable function of the touch panel TP) after the payment is completed. That is, in the second example, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 of FIG. 3 and selects the disabled function (administrator mode) as the selected function, using the completion of the payment as a trigger instead of the touch of the specific medium C. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 at the start timing of step S82 is the enabled function (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the disabled function (administrator mode), which is the selected function. The function execution unit 53 executes the disabled function as the administrator mode. As a result, the screen (display unit 17 of FIG. 1) of the information processing device 1 displays the completion of the payment, and the touch panel TP is disabled.

[0040] After that, when the customer who has completed the payment leaves the designated table, the employee (user U) holds (touches) the specific medium C (in the second case, a specific NFC card) over the information processing device 1 to return to operational mode (to activate the touch panel TP).

[0041] As a result, in step S83, the touch panel TP is enabled. That is, since the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information of the specific medium C (the specific NFC card in the second example), the function switching unit 52 uses this as a trigger to access the function DB 61 in FIG. 3 and select the administrator mode as the selected function, and since the current function (mode) is the administrator mode, it switches to the operation mode (valid function). The function exertion unit 53 exerts the operation mode (valid function). As a result, the touch panel TP becomes valid, the process returns to step S81, and the state of the information processing device 1 returns to the default state. In this way, only the employee (user U) who is the holder of the specific medium C (the specific NFC card in the second example) can return the information processing device 1 to its original default state.

[0042] This second example has the following advantages: In other words, as described above, it is desirable for an employee to be able to tell at a glance that a customer has completed payment at a specified table, and at the same time, it is desirable for the customer to be unable to perform any further operations after completing payment. To meet this demand, the information processing device 1 automatically switches to administrator mode (disabled function) when the payment is completed. That is, the information processing device 1 displays a message indicating the payment is completed and automatically disables the touch panel TP to prohibit operation by the customer. When a customer leaves the room, in order to return to the operational mode (enabled function) and accept orders again, the employee (user U) simply needs to touch the information processing device 1 with a dedicated specific medium C (in the second case, a specific NFC card) that he or she owns.

[0043] In the second example of Fig. 8, "payment completion" is used instead of touching a specific medium C as a trigger for switching from the operation mode (valid function) to the administrator mode (invalid function), but it is not particularly limited to "payment completion". In other words, any predetermined process can be used instead of touching a specific medium C as a trigger for switching from the operation mode (valid function) to the administrator mode (invalid function).

[0044] In the third example of FIG. 8, the information processing device 1 is used for electronic advertising (signage). In this case, in the operation mode, the touch panel TP is turned off (disable function is activated) to prohibit the viewer from operating it, and at the same time, a function to hide the system bar for device operation to improve appearance (hereinafter referred to as "system bar OFF function") is activated, and the advertisement is displayed full screen. This type of operation mode is appropriately called "normal advertisement playback mode". On the other hand, when it is necessary to replace the advertising content stored inside the information processing device 1 or change the settings of the information processing device 1, the mode is switched to the administrator mode. In this administrator mode, in order to accept operations for management by the administrator (user U), the touch panel TP is turned on (enabled function is exercised) and at the same time, a function for displaying a system bar for device operation (hereinafter referred to as the "system bar ON function") is exercised.

[0045] 9, the mode of the information processing device 1 is a normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode), the current function of the touch panel TP is a disabled function, and the current function of the system bar is a system bar OFF function. Such a state of step S91 is a default state. That is, the function of the touch panel TP in the default state is a valid function.

[0046] Here, for example, it is assumed that the registration information of a specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the third example) held by an employee (user U) has been registered in advance in the function DB 61. The registration information in this case includes association with the administrator mode, that is, the valid functions for the touch panel TP, and association with the system bar ON function. Therefore, when it is necessary to replace the advertising content or change the settings, in step S92, the administrator (user U) holds (touches) a specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the third example) over the information processing device 1. Then, the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the storage information of the specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the third example).

[0047] As a result, in step S93, switching to the administrator mode, that is, switching to the valid functions for the touch panel TP and the system bar ON function is executed. That is, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 is the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the administrator mode, which is the selected function. As the administrator mode, the function execution unit 53 executes the enabled function of the touch panel TP and also executes the system bar ON function. As a result, the touch panel TP is enabled and the system bar is displayed. This allows the administrator (user U) to replace content and change device settings.

[0048] In step S94, the administrator (user U) who has finished replacing the contents and changing the settings of the device holds (touches) the specific medium C (the specific NFC card in the third example) over (over) the information processing device 1 again. As a result, the process returns to step S91, and the current function of the information processing device 1 returns to the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode). That is, since the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires stored information of the specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the third example), the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 in step S94 is the administrator mode, in step S94 the function switching unit 52 switches to the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode). The function execution unit 53 executes the disable function of the touch panel TP and the system bar OFF function as the operation mode. As a result, the touch panel TP is disabled and the system bar is hidden.

[0049] This third example has the following advantages: In other words, as described above, by using the information processing device 1 for electronic advertising (signage) purposes, operation can be performed by touching the screen, unlike signage that is a single display, eliminating the need for an external operating device and making it possible to build a simple system. In addition, when the administrator (user U) replaces content or changes device settings, etc., he or she can easily and quickly enable the touch panel and display the system bar by simply touching a registered specific medium C (in the third case, a specific NFC card) to the information processing device 1 (tablet). Similarly, when content replacement or device setting changes have been completed, the administrator (user U) can easily and quickly return to normal advertisement playback mode (disabling the touch panel and hiding the system bar) by simply touching the registered specific medium C (in the third case, a specific NFC card) to the information processing device 1 (tablet).

[0050] In the fourth example of Figure 9, an information processing device 1 is used as a terminal in a system (hereinafter referred to as an "entrance / exit management system") that manages entry and exit by allowing the owner of a pre-registered medium C to touch the medium C to a terminal installed in a specified location (for example, the entrance / exit of an office or conference room, a kindergarten, a nursery school, a bus entrance / exit, etc.). In this case, it is assumed that the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth embodiment) held by the administrator (second user U) has information including the administrator mode registered in advance in the function DB 61 as registration information. In the operation mode, an application program (hereinafter referred to as the "entrance / exit management app") that can record the entry and exit of a person to be counted (first user U) when the person to be counted touches medium C is launched and executed by the information processing device 1. On the other hand, in administrator mode, a tallying screen is displayed on the information processing device 1, and based on the operation of the administrator (second user U), the number of people entering and exiting is tallied, and an alert (warning) can be issued if there is a person to be counted (first user U) who has entered but not yet exited at that time.

[0051] 10, the information processing device 1 is in an operation mode (normal execution of the entrance / exit management application). Such a state in step S101 is the default state. That is, in step S101, when a first user U (the person to be counted) holds (touches) his / her personal card (medium C) over the information processing device 1 upon entry and exit, the information processing device 1 records the first user U as an entrant and keeps a record of his / her entry and exit. On the screen of the information processing device 1 in the operation mode, there is no UI (User Interface) for tallying. In addition, the medium C held by the person (first user U) who is the object of counting at the entrance and exit is not registered in the function DB 61. This prevents unnecessary transitions (such as erroneous switching to administrator mode) of the information processing device 1 caused by the operation of the person (first user U) who is the object of counting.

[0052] Here, when it is necessary to tally up entrances and exits, in step S102, the administrator (second user U) holds (touches) a specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the fourth example) over the information processing device 1. Then, the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information of the specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the fourth example). This causes a switch to the administrator mode, i.e., a transition from the entrance / exit screen to a tallying screen, and a transition to a mode required by the administrator, etc., is performed. That is, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in Fig. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 is the operation mode (the entrance / exit management application is running), the function switching unit 52 switches to the administrator mode, which is the selected function. As the administrator mode, the function exertion unit 53 executes a transition from the entrance / exit screen to a tallying screen, a transition to a mode required by the administrator, and the like.

[0053] As a result, in step S103, the administrator (second user U) can issue an alert (warning) when there is someone among those being counted for entry and exit (first user U) who has entered but not yet exited at that time.

[0054] In step S104, the administrator (second user U) who pressed the confirmed button holds (touches) the specific medium C (the specific NFC card in the fourth example) over (over) the information processing device 1 again. As a result, the process returns to step S105, and the current function of the information processing device 1 returns to the normal operation mode. That is, in the information processing device 1, the entrance / exit management application is executed, and the display screen returns (transitions) to the original entrance / exit screen.

[0055] This fourth example has the following advantages: In other words, when terminating operations at a specific location (office, conference room, kindergarten, daycare center, bus, etc.) where an entrance / exit management system has been installed, the administrator (second user U) needs to check whether all persons (first users U) who entered the specific location have exited. To make this check, it is necessary to transition to the administrator mode and have the information processing device 1 display a tally screen. Therefore, for example, a counting button for transitioning to administrator mode could be placed on the operational mode screen (the entrance / exit screen displayed by executing the entrance / exit management app); however, in this case, the counting button could be pressed unintentionally by the first user, etc., causing disruption to normal operation. Therefore, the method of transitioning to the administrator mode (the operation method for counting) needs to be a special method known only to the administrator (second user U). The fourth example can be adopted as one of such special methods. When the fourth example is applied, the administrator (second user U) can easily perform the tallying work by simply touching the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth example) owned by the administrator to the information processing device 1. On the other hand, there is practically no risk of a person who does not have the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth example), i.e., a person other than the administrator, making an erroneous operation such as switching to administrator mode.

[0056] In the fifth example of Fig. 11, a member (user U) of a predetermined service has a specific medium C (membership NFC card in the fifth example) as a membership card, and the stored information (membership number, which is an individual number of the membership card NFC card) of the specific medium C (membership NFC card in the fifth example) is associated with membership information in the server (membership information database) of the predetermined service. Examples of membership information include an individual's allergy information, age, religion, etc. Meanwhile, in the function DB 61, a specific medium C (a membership NFC card in the fifth example) is associated with a function related to a predetermined service. Specifically, a mode that uses member information obtained via the specific medium C and is optimal for a member (user U) (hereinafter referred to as a "member mode") is associated with the specific medium C (a membership NFC card in the fifth example).

[0057] In step S111, a member (user U) holds (touches) a specific medium C (a membership NFC card in the fifth example) over the information processing device 1 when he or she wishes to switch the mode of the information processing device 1 to the member mode. The medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires stored information (membership number) of a specific medium C (in the fifth case, a membership NFC card) via the reading unit 22, and sends the stored information (membership number) to a server to make an inquiry, and as a result, obtains (acquires) the membership information sent from the server.

[0058] In step S112, the function switching unit 52 sets the member mode as the selected function and switches the mode of the information processing device 1 to the member mode (selected function). The function exertion unit 53 exerts the member mode by, for example, causing the information processing device 1 to display a menu (personalized menu) tailored to the member information. Specifically, for example, when the information processing device 1 is a terminal used by customers of a restaurant, the function performance unit 53 performs the member mode by displaying a menu that avoids allergies obtained from the member information, displaying a halal menu that complies with halal standards obtained from the member information, or displaying a menu for children when it is determined from the member information that the member is a child.

[0059] Such a fifth example has the following advantages: In other words, as described above, for a member (user U) of a specified service, the time to switch to member mode (for example, the search time to obtain the optimal display for that member) can be shortened by simply touching a specific medium C (in the fifth example, a membership NFC card) to the information processing device 1 (tablet). Another technique is to provide a mode switching button on the application program screen, but as in the fifth example, there is also the advantage that further optimization can be achieved by linking personal information (membership information) with the membership mode.

[0060] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are considered to be included in the present invention.

[0061] For example, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example for achieving the object of the present invention, and is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the communication method by which the reading unit 20 reads the stored information of the medium C is based on NFC or RFID, but is not limited to this and any communication method may be used.

[0062] In addition, the functional block diagram shown in Fig. 2 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the information processing device 1 in Fig. 1 has a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example in Fig. 2.

[0063] Furthermore, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination of both.

[0064] When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer implemented with dedicated hardware. Furthermore, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0065] A recording medium containing such a program may be composed not only of a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device body in order to provide the program to the user, but also of a recording medium that is provided to the user in a pre-installed state in the device body.

[0066] In this specification, the steps of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium include not only processes that are performed chronologically according to the order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically but are executed in parallel or individually.

[0067] In summary, it is sufficient for an information processing device to which the present invention is applied to have the following configuration, and various embodiments can be adopted. That is, an information processing device to which the present invention is applied (for example, the information processing device 1 in FIG. 1) An information processing device having a reading function (e.g., a reading unit 22) for reading stored information stored in a medium (e.g., medium C in FIG. 1) by a predetermined wireless communication method (e.g., NFC or RFID), a medium information acquiring means (e.g., medium information acquiring unit 51 in FIG. 2) for acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium (e.g., a specific medium CK in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 or a specific medium C in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11) among the plurality of media; a function switching means (function switching unit 52) ​​for selecting a function (e.g., one or more functions registered for each card in the function DB 61 of FIG. 3) that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium identified by the stored information among a plurality of functions that the information processing device can execute, and for switching to the selected function when a current function is other than the selected function; It will be enough if you have this. Furthermore, the function switching means can also switch the current function to another function when the selected function is selected. This makes it possible to appropriately and easily switch functions of the information processing device according to the purpose of the user (a person who uses the information processing device).

[0068] Here, the plurality of functions include an operation mode in which the information processing device is normally used (e.g., the operation mode in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6) and an administrator mode in which the information processing device is managed (e.g., the administrator mode in FIG. 5), the predetermined medium is associated with the administrator mode, the function switching means switches the administrator mode to the selected function when the current function is the operation mode (e.g., switches as shown in FIG. 5 ), and switches the current function to the operation mode when the current function is the administrator mode (e.g., switches as shown in FIG. 6 ); It is possible.

[0069] The information processing device further includes a touch panel (e.g., the touch panel TP of FIG. 1 ), The operation mode includes a function for enabling the touch panel (e.g., step S71 in FIG. 7 and step S81 in FIG. 8 ), The administrator mode includes a function for disabling the touch panel (for example, step S73 in FIG. 7 and step S82 in FIG. 8). It is possible.

[0070] The function switching means is When the current function is the operation mode, instead of the acquisition of the stored information by the medium information acquisition means, a predetermined process (e.g., completion of payment as in step S82 of FIG. 9) is executed as a trigger, and the operation mode is switched to the administrator mode as a selection function (e.g., step S82 of FIG. 8); If the current function is the administrator mode, acquisition of the stored information by the medium information acquisition means (e.g., touching a specific medium C as in step S83 of FIG. 8) is used as a trigger to switch from the administrator mode to the operation mode with the administrator mode as a selection function (e.g., step S83 of FIG. 8). It is possible.

[0071] The information processing device further includes a touch panel (e.g., the touch panel TP of FIG. 1 ), The operation mode includes a function for disabling the touch panel and a function for turning off the system bar of the touch panel (for example, the normal advertisement playback mode in step S91 of FIG. 9 ), The administrator mode includes a function for enabling the touch panel and a function for turning on the system bar of the touch panel (e.g., steps S92 and S93 in FIG. 9 ). It is possible.

[0072] The operation mode has a function of recording the entry or exit of a first person (e.g., “user” in FIG. 10 ) who has a medium other than the predetermined medium, based on the stored information read by the reading function from the medium (e.g., “user holds up personal card (medium C) to record entry and exit” in step S101 of FIG. 10 , “entrance and exit management application”), The administrator mode has a management function including tallying up the number of visitors to the specified venue by the operation of a second person (e.g., the “administrator” in FIG. 10) who has the specified medium, and outputting an alert to the first person who has entered but not yet left the venue at that time (e.g., steps S102 and S103 in FIG. 10); It is possible.

[0073] The predetermined medium is a medium for a member of a predetermined service (e.g., specific medium C as the “membership card” in FIG. 11), and the stored information of the predetermined medium is associated with member information in a server of the predetermined service (e.g., a membership card information database managed by the server in FIG. 11), The function associated with the predetermined medium is a function related to the predetermined service (e.g., the function of step S112 in FIG. 11 ), The medium information acquisition means acquires the stored information from the predetermined medium, and then transmits the stored information to the server to acquire member information transmitted from the server as a result of an inquiry (for example, step S111 in FIG. 11 ); The function switching means sets the function related to the predetermined service that is previously associated with the predetermined medium identified by the member information via the stored information as a selected function, and switches the current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function (e.g., step S112 in FIG. 11 ); It is possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 information processing device, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 bus, 15 input / output interface, 16 touch operation input section, 17 display section, 18 output section, 19 input section, 20 storage section, 21 communication section, 22 reading section, 23 drive, 31 removable media, 51 media information acquisition section, 52 function switching section, 53 function execution section, 61 function DB, TP touch panel, C, CK media, CT specific media, U, UT user

Claims

1. An information processing device having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, a medium information acquiring means for acquiring the stored information read from a predetermined medium among the plurality of media by the reading function; a function switching means for selecting a function that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium identified by the storage information among a plurality of functions that can be executed by the information processing device, and switching a current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function; An information processing device comprising:

2. The function switching means further switches the current function to another function when the current function is the selected function. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the plurality of functions include an operation mode for normally using the information processing device and an administrator mode for managing the information processing device; the predetermined medium is associated with the administrator mode, the function switching means switches the administrator mode to the selected function when the current function is the operation mode, and switches the mode to the administrator mode when the current function is the administrator mode, The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The information processing device further includes a touch panel, the operation mode includes a function of enabling the touch panel; the administrator mode includes a function of disabling the touch panel; The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The function switching means is When the current function is the operation mode, switching from the operation mode to the administrator mode as a selection function is performed in response to a trigger that a predetermined process is executed instead of the acquisition of the stored information by the medium information acquisition means; when the current function is the administrator mode, the acquisition of the storage information by the medium information acquisition means is used as a trigger to switch from the administrator mode to the operation mode, with the administrator mode being used as a selection function; The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The information processing device further includes a touch panel, the operation mode includes a function of disabling the touch panel and a function of turning off a system bar of the touch panel, the administrator mode includes a function of enabling the touch panel and a function of turning on a system bar of the touch panel; The information processing device according to claim 3 .

7. The operation mode has a function of recording an entry or exit of a first person having a medium other than the predetermined medium based on the stored information read by the reading function from the medium, The administrator mode has a management function including tallying up the number of visitors to the specified venue by the operation of a second person having the specified medium, and outputting an alert to the first person who has entered but not yet left the venue at that time. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

8. the predetermined medium is a medium for a member of a predetermined service, and the stored information of the predetermined medium is associated with member information in a server of the predetermined service; the function associated with the predetermined medium is a function related to the predetermined service, the medium information acquiring means acquires the stored information from the predetermined medium, and then transmits the stored information to the server, and acquires member information transmitted from the server as a result of the inquiry; the function switching means sets the function related to the predetermined service that is previously associated with the predetermined medium identified by the member information via the stored information as a selected function, and switches the current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing device having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, comprising: a medium information acquiring step of acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among the plurality of media; a function switching step of selecting a function that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium identified by the storage information among a plurality of functions that the information processing device can execute, and switching a current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function; An information processing method comprising:

10. A computer having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, a medium information acquiring step of acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among the plurality of media; a function switching step of selecting a function that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium identified by the stored information among a plurality of functions executable by the computer, and switching a current function to the selected function when the current function is other than the selected function; A program that executes control processing including:

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