Standby sequence management system and standby sequence management method

Abstract

To provide a standby sequence management system and a standby sequence management method that improve convenience.SOLUTION: A standby sequence management system 1 includes a projector 22 and a guiding lamp projection server 10. The guiding lamp projection server 10 includes: a projection pattern determination unit 12 that generates a projection pattern of a guiding lamp for arranging standby sequences of users of ATMs 21A to 21C on the basis of transaction state information for each of the one or more ATMs 21A to 21C installed in an ATM space 20 and the number of persons entering / leaving the ATM space 20; and a projection control unit 14 that allows the projector 22 to project the guiding lamp according to the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit 12 in the ATM space 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a queue management system and a queue management method.

Background Art

[0002] In banks and the like, generally, a plurality of ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are often installed side by side. Users enter the room where the ATMs are installed and conduct transactions using one of the ATMs. Hereinafter, a place such as a room where the ATMs are installed is referred to as an ATM space. When all the ATMs are in use, users will wait in the waiting area and wait in line. At this time, in order to give priority to the users who entered the ATM space earlier, it is preferable that the users wait in line in an arranged queue so that the earlier entrants are in front.

[0003] Therefore, ATM administrators are required to take measures to guide users and organize the queue. Conventionally, as a means of organizing the ATM queue, measures such as installing poles and sticking seals on the floor are common.

[0004] In addition, as a technique for organizing the queue, a technique has been proposed in which waiting positions are set on the path line where the queue is formed in the waiting area so that the distance between waiting persons is a reference distance, and light is irradiated on the set waiting positions to indicate the waiting positions. Also, a technique has been proposed in which the congestion at each train door is detected by a sensor, and an image extending along the alignment line is displayed on the ground near the boarding and alighting openings of the platform corresponding to the door based on the congestion situation. In addition, a technique has been proposed in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in the direction of forming a queue for each check-in desk at an airport, and by changing the lighting state of the LEDs, people waiting in the queue, people who will queue up next, and people who are leaving are guided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] However, when installing poles or attaching seals to the floor, the columns have to be manually changed, which is cumbersome. Also, depending on the visitor situation, the columns of poles may be unnecessarily long, or the seals may peel off and the columns may become unrecognizable. It is difficult to quickly respond to these situations and it is difficult to take optimal countermeasures. Furthermore, from the perspective of infectious disease prevention such as COVID-19, an appropriate sense of distance in the waiting line is required, but it is difficult to indicate an appropriate distance with pole installation. Also, when the guidance to the waiting line is fixed, a bias occurs depending on the position of the ATMs to be used, resulting in increased maintenance and police escort at specific ATMs and a possible reduction in the number of ATMs available to users. Thus, it has been difficult to improve convenience with pole installation or seal attachment to the floor.

[0007] Also, in the technology of irradiating light on the path line forming the waiting line to indicate the waiting position, it is difficult to change the shape of the line etc. and guide users according to the situation. Also, in the technology of displaying an image extending along the alignment line for each train door based on the congestion situation, adjustments are made between multiple lines, but the shape etc. of one line is not changed, and it is difficult to guide users according to the situation in one line for multiple ATMs. This is the same for the technology of changing the lighting state of LEDs arranged in the direction of forming a waiting line for each check-in desk at the airport.

[0008] The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a waiting line management system and a waiting line management method that improve convenience. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0009] In one aspect of the waiting line management system and method disclosed in the present application, the waiting line management system includes a projector and an induction lamp projection device. The induction lamp projection device includes the following components. The projection pattern determination unit generates a projection pattern of the induction lamp for arranging the waiting lines of the users of the automatic transaction devices based on the transaction status information of each of one or more automatic transaction devices installed in a predetermined area and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area. The projection control unit causes the projector to project an induction lamp according to the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit in the predetermined area.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] On one side, the present invention can improve convenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the queue management system and the queue management method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the queue management system and the queue management method disclosed in the present application are not limited by the following embodiments.

EXAMPLE

[0013] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a queue management system using an induction lamp. The queue management system 1 is connected via a network to an induction lamp projection server 10, an ATM 21, a projector 22, and a bank host server 30.

[0014] The ATM 21 and the projector 22 are installed in one branch of the bank. In FIG. 1, one ATM 21 is shown, but in this embodiment, a plurality of ATMs 21 are installed. The projector 22 is a device that projects an induction lamp for aligning users of the ATM 21 using projection mapping or the like.

[0015] The bank host server 30 manages the information system of the bank, including monitoring the operation of the ATM 21. In FIG. 1, the bank host server 30 is shown connected to the ATM 21 in one branch of the bank, but in reality, it manages the information system including the ATM 21 for a plurality of branches.

[0016] For example, the bank host server 30 detects the entry and exit of users into the room where the ATM 21 is installed and monitors the entry status. In addition, the bank host server 30 holds information on the transaction status including the transactions performed on each ATM 21 and the time when each transaction was performed. In addition, the bank host server 30 holds information on the amount of cash held in each ATM 21. In addition, the bank host server 30 holds operation information including the abnormal and failure states of each ATM 21.

[0017] The guidance lamp projection server 10 acquires information about the ATM 21 from the bank host server 30, controls the projector 22 according to the acquired information to project a guidance lamp, guides the users of the ATM 21, and forms an appropriate waiting queue.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the guidance lamp projection server. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 2, the details of the guidance lamp projection server 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the guidance lamp projection server 10 includes an information acquisition unit 11, a projection pattern determination unit 12, a projection pattern storage unit 13, and a projection control unit 14.

[0019] Here, a case where three ATMs, namely ATM 21A to 21C, are installed as the ATM 21 will be described. However, when not distinguishing each of ATM 21A to 21C, it is simply referred to as ATM 21.

[0020] ATM 21A to 21C are each connected to the bank host server 30. In Figure 2, as an example, the state where ATM 21A is connected to the bank host server 30 is shown. Also, the room where ATM 21A to 21C are installed is called the ATM space 20. In the ATM space 20, in addition to ATM 21A to 21C, a projector 22 is installed. The projector 22 is installed, for example, near the ceiling of the ATM space 20 and projects an image onto the floor surface from above.

[0021] The information acquisition unit 11 receives information on the entry status of the ATM space 20 from the bank host server 30. Also, the information acquisition unit 11 receives information on the transaction status of each of ATM 21A to 21C, the time when each transaction was conducted, and the information on the amount of cash held in the machine from the bank host server 30. Thereafter, the information acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired information to the projection pattern determination unit 12.

[0022] The projection pattern storage unit 13 holds information on projection patterns determined in advance. In this embodiment, the projection pattern storage unit 13 has projection patterns for guiding to the priority ATM and projection patterns for free selection. Further, the projection pattern storage unit 13 has a projection pattern when there is no waiting person and a projection pattern when there is a waiting person. Additionally, the projection pattern storage unit 13 may hold a projection pattern of an arrow indicating an exit to be combined with each projection pattern.

[0023] The projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM has a footprint pattern for guiding users continuing up to in front of the priority ATM. Further, the projection pattern for free selection has a footprint pattern for guiding users who are interrupted at the branch point leading to ATMs 21A to 21C.

[0024] The projection pattern when there is no waiting person has a line pattern that is long enough to guide users toward ATMs 21A to 21C as a guiding line for forming a waiting line and is shorter than when there is a waiting person. Further, the projection pattern when there is a waiting person is a line of a length that can accommodate a predetermined number of waiting people and has a guiding line that bends according to the shape of the ATM space 20.

[0025] The projection pattern determination unit 12 receives, from the information acquisition unit 11, input of information on the entry status into the ATM space 20, information on the transaction status of each of ATMs 21A to 21C, and information on the in-flight cash holding amount. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the operation rate of each of ATMs 21A to 21C from the information on the transactions performed by each of ATMs 21A to 21C included in the transaction status information and the time when each transaction was performed. Here, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may calculate the operation time from the previous maintenance to the present as the operation rate, or may calculate the operation time per unit time in the immediate vicinity.

[0026] The projection pattern determination unit 12 preliminarily has an operation rate determination threshold for determining the high operation rate. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines the presence or absence of an ATM 21 among the ATMs 21A to 21C whose operation rate exceeds the operation rate determination threshold. If there is no ATM 21 whose operation rate exceeds the operation rate determination threshold, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a freely selectable projection pattern.

[0027] Also, when there is an ATM 21 whose operation rate exceeds the operation rate determination threshold, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the ATMs 21 whose operation rate is equal to or lower than the operation rate determination threshold. Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the ATMs 21 among the identified ATMs 21 whose in-cabin cash holdings are equal to or more than a predetermined holdings threshold.

[0028] If there is no ATM 21 whose in-cabin cash holdings are equal to or more than the predetermined holdings threshold, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a freely selectable projection pattern. On the other hand, when there is an ATM 21 whose in-cabin cash holdings are equal to or more than the predetermined holdings threshold, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM with that ATM 21 as the priority ATM. When there are a plurality of ATMs 21 whose in-cabin cash holdings are equal to or more than the predetermined holdings threshold, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may use the ATM 21 with the largest in-cabin cash holdings among them as the priority ATM.

[0029] Also, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the number of currently used ATMs 21 from the information on the transaction status of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C. Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of users present in the ATM space 20 by subtracting the number of people leaving the room from the number of people entering the room included in the occupancy status. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of people waiting by subtracting the number of currently used ATMs 21 from the number of users present in the ATM space 20.

[0030] When there is no waiting person, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for the case where there is no waiting person. In contrast, when there is a waiting person, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for the case where there is a waiting person.

[0031] After that, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the selected projection pattern from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 combines the acquired projection patterns to generate a projection pattern to be projected onto the projector 22.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a projection pattern according to the first embodiment. For example, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires from the projection pattern storage unit 13 a projection pattern for the case where there is no waiting person and a projection pattern for guiding to the ATM 21B. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 combines the acquired projection patterns to generate the projection pattern 101 in FIG. 3.

[0033] The projection pattern 101 is a projection pattern for guiding to the ATM 21B where there is no waiting person and the operation rate is low and the amount of in-machine cash is large. The projection pattern determination unit 12 combines a projection pattern for the case where there is no waiting person with a short guiding line 201 and a projection pattern for guiding to a priority ATM where the footprint 202 continues up to in front of the priority ATM, which is the ATM 21B, to generate the projection pattern 101.

[0034] Also, for example, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires from the projection pattern storage unit 13 a projection pattern for the case where there is a waiting person and a projection pattern for freely selecting the ATM 21. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 combines the acquired projection patterns to generate the projection pattern 102 in FIG. 3.

[0035] The projection pattern 102 is a projection pattern in which there are waiting customers and the customers can freely select the ATM 21. When there are waiting customers having a guiding line 201 with a length that can be lined up by a predetermined number of waiting customers, the projection pattern determination unit 12 combines the projection pattern in this case with the projection pattern of free selection where the footprint 202 ends at the branch point leading to the ATMs 21A to 21C, and generates the projection pattern 102. Further, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may combine an arrow 203 indicating an exit as in the projection pattern 102.

[0036] After that, the projection pattern determination unit 12 outputs the generated projection pattern to the projection control unit 14. Here, the ATM space 20 is an example of the "predetermined area". That is, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern of a guiding light for arranging the waiting lines of the users of the automated teller machines based on the information on the transaction status of each of one or more automated teller machines installed in the predetermined area and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area. More specifically, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of waiting customers existing in the area based on the information on the transaction status and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area, and generates a projection pattern including a guiding line with a length corresponding to the calculated number of waiting customers.

[0037] Also, when there are a plurality of automated teller machines, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the automated teller machine with the highest operation rate based on the information on the transaction status, and generates a projection pattern for guiding users to the automated teller machines other than the identified automated teller machine. More specifically, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects an automated teller machine other than the identified automated teller machine and having the in-machine cash holding amount equal to or more than the holding amount threshold, and generates a projection pattern for guiding users to the selected automated teller machine.

[0038] The projection control unit 14 receives the input of the generated projection pattern from the projection pattern determination unit 12. Then, the projection control unit 14 transmits it to the projector 22 to instruct the projection of the guiding light. Thereby, the projector 22 projects the guiding light on the floor surface of the ATM space 20 according to the projection pattern specified by the projection pattern determination unit 12.

[0039] For example, when the projection pattern 101 is projected, the user enters from the entrance of the guiding line 201, proceeds in front of the ATM 21B according to the footprint 202, and uses the ATM 21B. As a result, the ATM 21B with a high operation rate and a sufficient number of in-flight cash is preferentially used.

[0040] Also, when the projection pattern 102 is projected, a user who has entered the ATM space 20 in a situation where all of the ATMs 21A to 21C are already in use enters from the entrance of the guiding line 201 and lines up at the end of the waiting queue formed along the guiding line 201. Then, when it is the turn to use any of the ATMs 21A to 21C, the user can appropriately select an ATM 21 from the available ATMs 21A to 21C and conduct a transaction. As a result, a waiting queue of a desired shape can be formed. Also, in the case of the projection pattern 102, since the user heads toward the exit according to the arrow 203, the flow of the user can be appropriately controlled.

[0041] Here, in this embodiment, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern to be projected onto the projector 22 by combining the projection patterns acquired from various projection patterns stored in the projection pattern storage unit 13, but is not limited thereto. For example, the projection pattern storage unit 13 may hold all variations of the projection patterns, and the projection pattern determination unit 12 may select an appropriate projection pattern from among them.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the guiding light projection process by the guiding light projection server according to the first embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the flow of the guiding light projection process by the guiding light projection server 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0043] The projection pattern determination unit 12 receives, from the information acquisition unit 11, the information on the entry status of the ATM space 20, and the information on the transaction status and the in-flight cash holdings of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the operation rate of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C (step S1).

[0044] Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the in-cash holdings of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C (step S2).

[0045] Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether there is a priority ATM among the ATMs 21A to 21C whose operation rate is equal to or lower than the operation rate threshold value and whose in-cash holdings are equal to or lower than the holdings threshold value (step S3).

[0046] If there is a priority ATM (step S3: affirmative), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM (step S4).

[0047] On the other hand, if there is no priority ATM (step S3: negative), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for free selection (step S5).

[0048] Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the number of ATMs 21 currently in use from the transaction status of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C. Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of users present in the ATM space 20 by subtracting the number of people leaving the ATM space 20 from the number of people entering the ATM space 20. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of waiting people by subtracting the number of ATMs 21 currently in use from the number of users present in the ATM space 20 (step S6).

[0049] Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether there are waiting people from the calculated number of waiting people (step S7).

[0050] If there are waiting people (step S7: affirmative), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern indicating the presence of waiting people (step S8).

[0051] On the other hand, if there are no waiting people (step S7: negative), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern indicating the absence of waiting people (step S9).

[0052] The projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the selected projection pattern from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern to be projected by combining the acquired projection patterns (step S10).

[0053] After that, the projection control unit 14 transmits the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit 12 to the projector 22, and causes the projector 22 to project the guiding light according to the projection pattern (step S11).

[0054] As described above, the waiting line management system according to this embodiment generates a projection pattern according to the transaction status of the device used by the user and the presence or absence of waiting persons, and causes the projector to project the guiding light according to the generated projection pattern. Thereby, it is possible to quickly change the waiting line, and it is possible to project an optimal waiting line according to the transaction status and the number of people entering the room to guide customers. In addition, by guiding customers in cooperation with information such as in-flight cash, it is possible to perform optimal in-flight cash management. Furthermore, by guiding customers according to the operating rate, it is possible to reduce the number of maintenance and escort trips and enable stable continuous operation of the device, and it is possible to reduce costs. In this way, by appropriate guidance, in-flight cash management, and reduction of the number of maintenance and escort trips, it is possible to improve the convenience of automatic handling devices such as ATMs.

Embodiment

[0055] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The waiting line management system according to this embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in that it varies the shape of the guiding line according to the number of waiting people. The guiding light projection server 10 according to Embodiment 2 is also represented by the block diagram of FIG. 2. In the following description, the operations of the respective parts similar to those in Embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a projection pattern according to Example 2. The projection pattern storage unit 13 has projection patterns 111 to 114 in FIG. 5 as projection patterns according to the number of waiting people. The projection pattern 111 is a projection pattern when there are no waiting people. The projection pattern 112 is a projection pattern when the number of waiting people is 1 or more and less than 7. The projection pattern 113 is a projection pattern when the number of waiting people is 7 or more and less than 10. The projection pattern 112 is a projection pattern when the number of waiting people is 10 or more.

[0057] The projection patterns 111 to 114 are set such that as the number of waiting people increases, the guiding line 201 becomes longer and the footprints 202 also increase. Further, the projection patterns 111 to 114 are set such that when the guiding line 201 extends, it bends at a certain point and extends in the opposite direction to form a zigzag waiting line.

[0058] The projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of waiting people from the information on the transaction status of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C and the entry status into the ATM space 20. Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether there are waiting people, and if there are waiting people, whether it is 1 or more and less than 7, 7 or more and less than 10, or 10 or more.

[0059] The projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 111 when there are no waiting people. The projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 112 when the number of waiting people is 1 or more and less than 7. The projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 113 when the number of waiting people is 7 or more and less than 10. The projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 114 when the number of waiting people is 10 or more.

[0060] In addition, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern based on the operation rate of the ATM 21 and the amount of cash held in the machine. Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the selected projection pattern from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern that combines the projection pattern selected based on the number of waiting people and the projection pattern selected based on the operation rate of the ATM 21 and the amount of cash held in the machine for projection.

[0061] In this way, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern in which the guiding line 201 is bent according to the length of the guiding line 201 and the shape of the predetermined area.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the selection process of the projection pattern based on the number of waiting people by the guiding light projection server according to the second embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the flow of the selection process of the projection pattern based on the number of waiting people by the guiding light projection server 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0063] The projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether all of the ATMs 21A to 21C are in use based on the transaction status of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C (step S11).

[0064] If any of the ATMs 21A to 21C is not in use (step S11: NO), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 111 in FIG. 5 (step S12).

[0065] On the other hand, if all of the ATMs 21A to 21C are in use (step S11: YES), the projection pattern determination unit 12 calculates the number of waiting people (step S13).

[0066] Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether the number of waiting people is less than 7 (step S14).

[0067] If the number of waiting people is less than 7 (step S14: YES), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 112 in FIG. 5 (step S15).

[0068] On the other hand, when the number of waiting people is 7 or more (step S14: No), the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether the number of waiting people is less than 10 (step S16).

[0069] When the number of waiting people is less than 10 (step S16: Yes), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 113 in FIG. 5 (step S17).

[0070] On the other hand, when the number of waiting people is 10 or more (step S16: No), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects the projection pattern 114 in FIG. 5 (step S18).

[0071] The projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the selected projection pattern from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern to be projected using the acquired projection pattern. The projection control unit 14 transmits the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit 12 to the projector 22, and causes the projector 22 to project the guiding light according to the generated projection pattern (step S19).

[0072] Here, in this embodiment, a projection pattern that forms a simple zigzag waiting line that reverses at a constant length as the guiding line 201 extends is used. However, the shape of the guiding line 201 may be varied according to the shape and structure of the ATM space 20. For example, when there is a pillar in the ATM space 20, the projection pattern storage unit 13 may hold a guiding pattern that bypasses the pillar.

[0073] Furthermore, in Example 2, the projection pattern storage unit 13 held a projection pattern corresponding to the length of the guiding line 201 in advance, but the method for generating the projection pattern is not limited to this. For example, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may generate a projection pattern corresponding to the number of waiting people by the following method. The projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires from the projection pattern storage unit 13 the projection pattern when there are no waiting people and the information on the length of the guiding line 201 corresponding to the number of waiting people. Also, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the shape and structure of the ATM space 20 from the bank host server 30 via the information acquisition unit 11. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may generate a projection pattern that projects the guiding line 201 with a specified length and that fits within the ATM space 20 according to the shape and structure of the ATM space 20, and projects footprints 202 at predetermined intervals between the guiding lines 201.

[0074] As described above, the waiting line management system according to this embodiment projects a guiding light using a projection pattern in which the guiding line extends according to the number of waiting people to form a waiting line. Thereby, it is possible to quickly project a guiding light of an appropriate length according to a change in the number of waiting people, and it is possible to appropriately align the waiting people within the ATM space to form a waiting line. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of automatic handling devices such as ATMs.

Example

[0075] Next, Example 3 will be described. The waiting line management system according to this embodiment is different from Example 1 in that it projects a projection indicating unavailability for an ATM that cannot be used. The guiding light projection server 10 according to Example 3 is also represented by the block diagram of FIG. 2. In the following description, the operations of each part similar to those in Example 1 may be omitted.

[0076] The projection pattern storage unit 13 pre-holds a projection pattern indicating the inoperability of the ATM 21. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a projection pattern indicating that the ATM is inoperable. In the present embodiment, the projection pattern storage unit 13 holds a projection pattern 211 projected onto the housing of the inoperable ATM 21 and a projection pattern 212 projected in front of the inoperable ATM 21 to indicate inoperability.

[0077] The projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the operation information of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C via the information acquisition unit 11. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether there is an inoperable ATM 21 from the operation information of each of the ATMs 21A to 21C. If there is an inoperable ATM 21, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern indicating inoperability.

[0078] In addition, regardless of whether there is an inoperable ATM 21, the projection pattern determination unit 12 identifies the ATM 21 with the largest amount of in-cash held among the ATMs 21 other than the inoperable ATM 21 as the priority ATM. However, if there is a priority ATM obtained from the operation rate, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may prioritize that one and does not have to identify the priority ATM from among the ATMs 21 other than the inoperable ones. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM.

[0079] Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the projection patterns 211 and 212, which are projection patterns indicating inoperability, from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Also, it acquires from the projection pattern storage unit 13 a projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM. The projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern to be projected by combining them. At this time, the projection pattern determination unit 12 may combine other projection patterns such as a projection pattern for projecting the guiding line 201.

[0080] Here, the unavailable ATM 21 serves as an example of a "restricted-use automated teller machine". Also, the projection patterns 211 and 212 serve as examples of "projection patterns for restricting use". That is, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the operation information of each automated teller machine, identifies the automated teller machine with restricted use, and generates a projection pattern for restricting the use of the identified automated teller machine.

[0081] Thereafter, the projection control unit 14 transmits the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit 12 to the projector 22, and causes the projector 22 to project the guiding lights according to the projection pattern. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the projector 22 projects the projection pattern 211 onto the front surface of the housing of the unavailable ATM 21, together with the projection of the guiding line 201 and the footprint 202 on the floor surface of the ATM space 20, and projects the projection pattern 212 in front of the ATM 21. Thereby, the user can easily identify the unavailable ATM 21 and avoid lining up at that ATM 21 by mistake.

[0082] In this way, the projection control unit 14 causes the projector 22 to project a projection pattern for restricting the use of the automated teller machine onto the automated teller machine identified by the projection pattern determination unit 12.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the selection process of the projection pattern indicating unavailability by the waiting line management system according to Embodiment 3. Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the process of the selection process of the projection pattern indicating unavailability by the waiting line management system 1 according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0084] The projection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether there is an unavailable ATM 21 from the operation information of the ATMs 21A to 21C (step S21). If there is no unavailable ATM 21 (step S21: negative), the projection pattern selection process proceeds to step S23.

[0085] On the other hand, when there is an inoperable ATM21 (step S21: affirmative), the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern indicating inoperability (step S22).

[0086] Next, the projection pattern determination unit 12 selects a projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM, with the ATM21 having the largest in-air cash holding amount among the ATMs21 other than the inoperable ones, as the priority ATM (step S23).

[0087] Thereafter, the projection pattern determination unit 12 acquires the selected projection pattern from the projection pattern storage unit 13. Then, the projection pattern determination unit 12 generates a projection pattern to be projected using the acquired projection pattern. The projection control unit 14 transmits the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit 12 to the projector 22, and causes the projector 22 to project the guiding light according to the generated projection pattern. In this case, the projection control unit 14 projects the projection patterns 211 and 212 on the inoperable ATM21, and projects the projection pattern for guiding to the priority ATM (step S24).

[0088] As described above, the waiting line management system according to this embodiment projects a projection pattern indicating inoperability on the inoperable ATM. Thereby, the user can identify at a glance the ATM that cannot be used, reduce the use of the wrong ATM, and smooth the transactions using the ATM. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the convenience of automatic handling devices such as ATMs.

[0089] (Hardware Configuration) FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the guiding light projection server. Next, with reference to FIG. 9, an example of the hardware configuration for realizing each function of the guiding light projection server 10 will be described.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, the guidance lamp projection server 10 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, a hard disk 93, and a network interface 94. The CPU 91 is connected to the memory 92, the hard disk 93, and the network interface 94 via a bus.

[0091] The network interface 94 is an interface for communication between the guidance lamp projection server 10 and an external device. The network interface 94 realizes a part of the functions of the information acquisition unit 11 illustrated in FIG. 1. The network interface 94 relays communication, for example, between the bank host server 30 and the projector 22 and the CPU 91.

[0092] The hard disk 93 is an auxiliary storage device. The hard disk 93 realizes the functions of the projection pattern storage unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, the hard disk 93 stores a program for realizing the functions of the information acquisition unit 11, the projection pattern determination unit 12, and the projection control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0093] The memory 92 is a main storage device. The memory 92 can use, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0094] The CPU 91 reads out various programs from the hard disk 93, expands them in the memory 92, and executes them. Thereby, the CPU 91 realizes the functions of the information acquisition unit 11, the projection pattern determination unit 12, and the projection control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Explanation of Signs

[0095] 1 Waiting queue management system 10 Guidance lamp projection server 11 Information acquisition unit 12 Projection pattern determination unit 13 Projection pattern storage unit 14 Projection control unit 20 ATM space 21,21A~21C ATM 22 Projector 30 Bank Host Server

Claims

1. A waiting line management system including a projector and a guiding light projection device, wherein the guiding light projection device includes a projection pattern determination unit that generates a projection pattern of guiding lights for arranging the waiting lines of the users of the automated transaction devices based on the transaction status information of each of one or more automated transaction devices installed in a predetermined area and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area, and a projection control unit that projects the guiding lights according to the projection pattern generated by the projection pattern determination unit onto the projector in the predetermined area. A waiting line management system characterized by the above.

2. The projection pattern determination unit calculates the number of waiting people of the users existing in the predetermined area based on the transaction status information and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area, and generates the projection pattern including a guiding line having a length corresponding to the calculated number of waiting people. The waiting line management system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The projection pattern determination unit generates the projection pattern in which the guiding line is bent according to the length of the guiding line and the shape of the predetermined area. The waiting line management system according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The projection pattern determination unit identifies the automated transaction device with the highest operation rate based on the transaction status information when there are a plurality of automated transaction devices, and generates the projection pattern for guiding users to the automated transaction devices other than the identified automated transaction device. The waiting line management system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. The projection pattern determination unit selects the automated transaction devices other than the identified automated transaction device and having a cash holding amount in the machine equal to or more than a holding amount threshold value, and generates the projection pattern for guiding users to the selected automated transaction devices. The waiting line management system according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The projection pattern determination unit acquires the operation information of each of the automated transaction devices, identifies the automated transaction devices whose use is restricted, and generates a projection pattern for restricting the use of the identified automated transaction devices. The projection control unit projects, onto the projector, the projection pattern for restricting the use of the automated transaction devices identified by the projection pattern determination unit onto the identified automated transaction devices. The waiting line management system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

7. The waiting line management device Based on the transaction status information of each of one or more automated trading devices installed in a predetermined area and the number of people entering and leaving the predetermined area, generate a projection pattern of a guiding light for organizing the waiting queue of users of the automated trading device. In the predetermined area, project the guiding light according to the generated projection pattern onto a projector. A waiting queue management method characterized by executing the process.

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