Processing device, determination method, and evaluation method

Abstract

To provide a processing device capable of grasping a browsing state of books inside a library, that is, a browsing state of books that are not lent, a determination method, and an evaluation method.SOLUTION: In a library in which a bookshelf 100, a desk 110, a chair 111, and a camera 120 are installed, a determination method executed by a processing circuit connected to the camera 120, an RFID reader 130, and a memory via a network reads information corresponding to a book 102 from the RFID reader 130 installed in the desk 110, and determines whether or not a user sitting on the chair 111 of the desk 110 is reading a book based on the read information and an image captured by the camera 120 that captures the inside of the library.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device, a determination method, and an evaluation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Article 7-3 of the Library Law stipulates that the status of library management be evaluated and efforts made to improve it. Traditionally, libraries have been evaluated based on the number of visitors, the number of books borrowed, questionnaires, etc. (See, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-182352 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] ISO 11620 “Information and documentation - Library performance indicators” Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Library evaluation is important for the growth and development of libraries that many people use (or want to use). Specifically, the number of books in a library, usage rate, inventory management, smooth operation, etc. are required, and by correctly evaluating these, it is possible to improve services.

[0006] On the other hand, traditional library evaluations are based mainly on the number of visitors, the number of books borrowed, and surveys, and do not provide insight into the book usage within the library, i.e., the usage of books that are not available for loan (or cannot be loaned).

[0007] Patent Document 1 acquires reference information for books using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader and RFID tag, but determines whether a book has been viewed based on the time it takes for the book to be taken from the shelf and returned. It is common for users to take multiple books from a shelf, then search for other books on several shelves and return the books they took to the shelf without referencing them, or to refer to necessary sections in a study room even if only for a short time and then immediately return the books to the shelf. Therefore, determining whether a book has been viewed based solely on the time it was taken from the shelf poses a problem in the accuracy of the reference information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the processing device includes an RFID reader installed on a desk that reads information corresponding to a book, and a processing circuit that determines whether or not the book is being read based on the read information.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a determination method reads information corresponding to a book from an RFID reader installed on a desk, and determines whether or not the book is being read based on the read information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the location and time of book reading can be identified using RFID tags installed on desks. User attributes can be identified from library registration certificates (loan cards), etc. Therefore, based on an evaluation that takes into account the book reading status within the library, it is possible to select books according to user attributes, optimally shelving them, replace them based on the reading status, and set utilization rate standards for the entire book collection for each library. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Image of the interior of the library [Figure 2] An example of a library database [Figure 3] Diagram showing the processing equipment [Figure 4] An example of a shelf database [Figure 5] An example of a desk database [Figure 6] An example of a camera database [Figure 7] An example of this database [Figure 8] An example of this evaluation database [Figure 9] An example of a desk evaluation database [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a person evaluation database [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for registering a shelf DB by a processing circuit. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for registering a desk DB by a processing circuit. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for registering a camera DB by a processing circuit. [Figure 14] A diagram showing an example of a flowchart for registering the DB by the processing circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an image of the interior of the library.

[0014] The library is equipped with bookshelves 100, desks 110, chairs 111, and cameras 120. There may be multiple bookshelves 100, multiple desks 110, and multiple cameras 120. The camera 120 is not essential and may be installed as needed. Installing the camera 120 allows for more detailed evaluation of the library.

[0015] The bookshelf 100 includes a shelf 101, a book 102, and an RFID reader 130.

[0016] The shelf 101 is a shelf on which books 102 are placed. At least one RFID reader 130 is installed on the shelf 101. Multiple RFID readers 130 may be installed on one shelf 101. One RFID reader 130 may be installed for multiple shelves 101. At least one book 102 is placed on the shelf 101. There may be a shelf 101 on which no book 102 is placed.

[0017] An RFID tag (not shown) is attached to the book 102, for example. The RFID tag stores a different tag ID for each book 102. Even if a user owns multiple books with the same title (for example, books with the same ISBN code), each book will have a different tag ID. The information stored in the RFID tag (for example, the tag ID) is read by an RFID reader 130. A database (DB) may exist that stores book IDs corresponding to tag IDs. By storing the correspondence between tag IDs and book IDs, if a library already has a library DB and manages books using book IDs, the information already stored in the library DB can be used as is.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows an example of a library DB. The library DB stores, in correspondence with a book ID, information necessary for managing books, such as the shelf ID of a specific location, purchase date, purchase price, size of the book 102, thickness of the book 102, color of the book 102 (cover color), status, user, loan date, and expected return date. FIG. 2 shows an example in which, in addition to the book title, author, size and thickness, color, and shelf ID registered in correspondence with a book ID, status, user, loan date, and expected return date are also registered for managing books currently on loan. In FIG. 2, the user's ID is registered as the user, but other information, such as the user's name, may also be registered.

[0019] Figure 2 shows that books 12345678 and 87654321 are the same book, with ISBN 1234, title ABC, author Taro Toshokan, a 1cm thick paperback (105mm x 148mm), and white color. Book 12345678 has shelf A0003 as its designated shelf (the shelf where it should be placed), while book 87654321 has shelf A0001 as its designated shelf. This shows that book 12345678 exists in the library (i.e., it has not been checked out), but book 87654321 was checked out by user P0021 on March 21, 2024. If the loan period is two weeks, the expected return date is April 4, 2024.

[0020] Figure 2 also shows that book 11223344 has an ISBN of 2468, the title CHI, the author Tosho Ichiro, is a 3cm thick hardcover (128mm x 182mm), is red in color, is on shelf A0101, and was loaned by user P0021 on March 21, 2024.

[0021] The desks 110 and chairs 111 are used for reading books or self-study in the library. The desks 110 may be desks at the lending counter or return counter. An RFID reader 130 is installed on the desks 110. If multiple chairs 111 are arranged for each desk 110, an RFID reader 130 may be installed on each chair 111. An RFID reader may be installed on each chair 111.

[0022] The camera 120 captures images of the inside of the library. The camera 120 is installed so that there are no blind spots for the camera 120 inside the library. Multiple cameras 120 may be installed. Each camera 120 is assigned a camera ID.

[0023] The RFID reader 130 periodically (for example, every minute) reads the information stored in the RFID tag of the book 102 .

[0024] The RFID readers 130 installed on the shelves 101 may have different reader IDs for each RFID reader 130 and may separately store the correspondence between the reader ID and the shelf 101 or bookshelf 100, or may have different shelf IDs for each shelf 101, or may have different bookshelf IDs for each bookshelf 100. The reader ID is unique for each RFID reader in each library. It may also be unique for RFID readers in multiple libraries.

[0025] Each RFID reader 130 installed on a desk 110 has a reader ID and stores the correspondence between the reader ID and the desk location separately. When multiple RFID readers 130 are installed on one desk 110, each RFID reader 130 may have a different reader ID, or each desk 110 may have a different reader ID.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the processing device.

[0027] The processing device has a camera 120, an RFID reader 130, a processing circuit 310, and a memory 320. The processing circuit 310 is connected to the RFID reader 130, the camera 120, and the memory 320 via a network. The network can be any network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or a mobile phone network.

[0028] The camera 120 captures at least the bookshelf 100 and the desk 110. Multiple cameras may be used to capture the entire library. The camera 120 captures the books 102 and people (users) inside the library. The camera 120 may be a camera that captures video or a camera that captures still images at predetermined intervals. The camera 120 transmits the captured images to the processing circuit 310 together with a camera ID. The camera 120 may transmit images to the processing circuit 310 at regular intervals, or may transmit images to the processing circuit 310 when a change occurs in the captured image.

[0029] The RFID reader 130 reads information stored in the RFID tag of the book 102 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute). The following describes a case where a tag ID is stored as an example of information stored in an RFID tag. A reader ID is assigned to each RFID 130, and it is possible to detect which RFID reader 130 read the tag ID. The RFID reader 130 transmits the read tag ID together with the reader ID to the processing circuit 310 via the network. When the RFID reader 130 reads multiple tag IDs, such as when there are many books 102 on the shelf 101 or desk 110, the RFID reader 130 transmits the multiple tag IDs together to the processing circuit 310. The RFID reader 130 may transmit the tag IDs individually to the processing circuit 310.

[0030] The processing circuit 310 may be a computer such as a central processing unit (CPU), etc. The processing circuit 310 may exist on a cloud.

[0031] The processing circuit 310 registers the shelf DB, desk DB, camera DB, and book DB based on the information received from the RFID reader 130, the images received from the camera 120, and the information on the lending and returning procedures. It also registers the evaluation DB based on the shelf DB, desk DB, camera DB, and book DB.

[0032] When borrowing or returning a book 102, the user follows a predetermined procedure, such as completing the lending and return procedures at a library counter. The processing circuit 310 processes the lending and return of the book 102 based on the user's lending and return procedures, updates the library DB, and registers it in the DB.

[0033] The processing circuit 310 creates data for evaluating the library. The processing circuit 310 receives tag IDs from the RFID reader 130 at predetermined time intervals, and stores the reader ID and tag ID of the RFID 130 that it transmitted, in association with each other. Based on the reader ID and tag ID currently received and the reader ID and tag ID previously received and stored in the memory 320, the processing circuit 310 can recognize the times when items were taken out and returned from the shelf 101, as well as the start and end times of use of the desk 110.

[0034] Furthermore, the processing circuit 310 can grasp the behavior of the user based on the video received from the camera 120. The processing circuit 310 may identify the book that the user has taken out of the bookshelf 100 based on the size, cover color, thickness, title, etc. of the book in the video received from the camera 120. The processing circuit 310 may associate the tag ID and the time of removal with the book that is recognized as having been taken out based on the size, cover color, and thickness of the book in the video captured by the camera 120 at the same time, and store the association in the memory 320. The processing circuit 310 can recognize how the book 102 taken out of the shelf 101 has moved within the library based on the video received from the camera 120.

[0035] The processing circuit 310 recognizes the tag IDs removed from the shelf 101 and the tag IDs returned to the shelf 101 based on the tag IDs received from the RFID reader 130 and the previously received tag IDs. The RFID reader 130 may recognize the tag IDs returned to the shelf 101 and the tag IDs removed from the shelf 101 based on the tag IDs it read and the tag IDs it read previously, and the processing circuit 310 may receive the returned tag IDs and the removed tag IDs from the RFID reader 130.

[0036] The processing circuit 310 registers the information in the shelf DB based on the information received from the RFID reader 130 installed on the shelf 101. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the shelf DB. The reader ID is registered in the shelf DB as a shelf ID.

[0037] The processing circuit 310 registers information on the date and time when the book with the tag ID was taken out (tag ID reading end date and time) and the date and time when the book was returned (tag ID reading restart date and time) for each shelf ID in the shelf DB. The processing circuit 310 may also calculate the time from the date and time when the book was taken out to the date and time when the book was returned (take-out time) and register this in the shelf DB.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example in which a book with tag 00001 is taken from shelf A0001 at 11:20 on February 2, 2024, and returned at 15:15 (number 1), and then taken out at 10:38 on February 3, 2024 (number 2), but returned to shelf A2001 at 11:25 instead of shelf A0001 (number 5).

[0039] When a book is returned to a shelf, a display can be displayed. For example, if tag 00001 corresponds to book 876564321, the designated shelf is A0001 according to the library DB in FIG. 2. When tag 00001 is returned to shelf A2001, processing circuit 310 may detect that the book has been returned to a shelf other than the designated shelf and output an alarm. Processing circuit 310 may, for example, illuminate the shelf with a red or yellow LED (light) or output a voice message such as, "Please return the book to its designated location." On the other hand, when a book is returned to the designated shelf, processing circuit 310 may illuminate the shelf with a blue LED or output a voice message such as, "Thank you for using our service."

[0040] Figure 4 shows that a book with tag 12345 was taken from shelf A0101 at 11:58 on February 3, 2024 and returned at 12:44 (number 3), and that a book with tag 13579 was taken from shelf A1003 at 11:59 on February 3, 2024 and returned at 12:44 on February 13, 2024 (number 4).

[0041] The processing circuit 310 updates the desk DB based on information received from the RFID reader 130 installed on the desk 110. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the desk DB. The reader ID is registered in the desk DB as a desk ID.

[0042] A motion sensor may be installed on the desk 110 or chair to understand when a desk 110 is being used without a book in the library. When a motion sensor detects a person, it transmits the sensor ID of the motion sensor that detected the person and the time when detection started. When the motion sensor no longer detects a person, it transmits the sensor ID and the time when detection ended. When a motion sensor is installed, the sensor ID is registered in the desk DB as the desk ID.

[0043] The processing circuitry 310 registers, for each desk ID, information on the tag ID, the date and time the book with the tag ID was placed (date and time of use start), and the date and time the book was taken away (date and time of use end), in the desk DB. The processing circuitry 310 may also calculate the time from the date and time of use start to the date and time of use end (usage time), and register this in the desk DB.

[0044] Figure 5 shows that a book with tag 00001 was placed on desk X0001 and used from 11:20 to 15:15 on February 2, 2024 (number 1), a book with tag 00001 was placed on desk X0003 and used from 10:38 to 11:25 on February 3, 2024 (number 2), and two books with tags 12345 and 13579 were placed on desk Y0011 and used from 12:02 to 12:43 in 2024 (numbers 3 and 4).

[0045] Figure 5 shows that desk Z0101 was used (number 5) from 10:02 to 10:25 on February 3, 2024, without using any books in the library.

[0046] The processing circuit 310 updates the camera DB based on the information received from the camera 120. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the camera DB.

[0047] The processing circuit 310 manages user information for each camera ID. For each camera ID, the processing circuit 310 manages a desk ID, the start and end dates and times of photographing the person (user), the characteristics (color) of the book, and the start and end dates and times of reading. Multiple desks and people may be photographed by one camera, and the size and title of a book may be managed in addition to color as its characteristics.

[0048] The processing circuit 310 also estimates person attributes such as gender and age based on the captured image. Attributes include, for example, gender and age. Age may be child, teens, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, etc., or may be junior high school student, high school student, etc. Age may also be a category used by libraries for statistics.

[0049] When a user moves across the areas photographed by multiple cameras 120, the processing circuitry 310 can determine that the person photographed by the multiple cameras 120 is the same person based on the user's clothing, hairstyle, physique, etc. If the processing circuitry 310 is able to identify the user ID upon entry or during rental procedures, it may determine the person's attributes based on information registered in the user DB. The user ID may be registered instead of the person's attributes.

[0050] Figure 6 shows that camera A0001 is a camera that photographs desk X0001, and that a female user in her 20s holding a white book begins to appear in the image at 11:19 on February 2, 2024, begins reading the white book at 11:22, and then finishes reading at 15:10, disappearing from view (number 1).

[0051] Figure 6 shows that camera A0003 is a camera photographing desk X0003, and that a male user in his 50s holding a white book begins to appear in the image at 10:37 on February 3, 2024, begins reading the white book at 10:38, finishes reading at 11:20, and disappears from view at 11:26 (number 2).

[0052] Figure 6 shows that camera B0011 is a camera photographing desk Y0011, and that a female user in her 60s holding a red book and a white book first appears on screen at 11:56 on February 3, 2024, begins reading the red book at 12:03, finishes reading at 12:42, but disappears from view at 12:45 without reading the white book (numbers 3 and 4).

[0053] Figure 6 shows that camera C0101 is a camera photographing desk Z0101, and that a male user in his 30s holding a white book begins to appear on camera at 10:00 on February 3, 2024, starts reading the white book at 10:03, finishes reading at 10:25, and disappears from view at 10:28 (number 5).

[0054] The processing circuit 310 can track the movement of the book 102 based on the video captured by the camera 120. The processing circuit 310 grasps the movement status of the book 102 based on the information received from the RFID reader 130 and the information received from the camera 120, and updates the book DB. Information registered in the book DB includes, for example, the shelf ID and date and time the book was taken out, the location of the desk 110 on which the book was placed, the shelf ID and date and time the book was returned, and whether the book was checked out (on loan). Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the book DB. The shelf ID to which the book was returned is reflected in the current status item.

[0055] The processing circuit 310 recognizes the book 102 taken out of the bookshelf 100 based on information from the RFID reader 130. The processing circuit 310 determines the state of the book 102 after it has been taken out of the bookshelf 100 using images received from the camera 120. For example, by tracking a user moving from the bookshelf 100 to a study room based on images received from the camera 120, it can be determined that the book 102 taken out of the bookshelf 100 has been moved to the study room. If the image shows the book 102 open, the processing circuit 310 determines that the book is being read, and if the image shows the book 102 closed, the processing circuit 310 determines that the book is not being read. The processing circuit 310 can determine the loan date and return date based on the loan and return procedures.

[0056] By receiving the tag ID from the RFID reader 130, the processing circuit 310 can determine that the book 102 has been taken out from the shelf 101 and moved to the desk 110. If the book 102 has been moved to the desk 110, or if a predetermined time has passed since the book 102 was moved to the desk 110, the processing circuit 310 determines that the book 102 has been read. If the book 102 is taken out from the shelf 101 and a lending procedure is performed without being moved to the desk 110, or if the time the book 102 has been staying on the desk 110 is less than a predetermined time, the processing circuit 310 determines that the book 102 has not been read.

[0057] Based on the image, the processing circuitry 310 can determine which user read the book 102, when, for how long, and where. Based on the image, the processing circuitry 310 can also determine which user took the book 102 off the shelf 101 but left it there without reading it, when, and for how long.

[0058] 4 to 6, the processing circuit 310 can determine that a female user in her twenties (number 1 in the camera DB) took a book with tag 00001 (number 1 in the desk DB) from shelf A0001 (number 1 in the shelf DB) at 11:20 on February 2, 2024, placed it on desk X0001 (number 1 in the desk DB), used the desk from 11:22 to 15:10, and returned it to shelf A0001 (number 1 in the shelf DB) at 15:15 (number 1). The processing circuit 310 can calculate that the reading time was 3 hours and 48 minutes (number 1 in the camera DB) out of the 3 hours and 55 minutes of the take-out time (number 1 in the shelf DB), and therefore the non-reading time was 7 minutes.

[0059] Furthermore, the processing circuit 310 can determine that a male user in his 50s took a book with tag 00001 from shelf A0001 at 10:38 on February 3, 2024, placed it on desk X0003, read it from 10:38 to 11:20, and returned it to shelf A2001 at 11:25 (number 2). The reading time was 42 minutes, and the non-reading time was 5 minutes.

[0060] Furthermore, the processing circuit 310 can determine that a female user in her 60s took the book with tag 12345 from shelf A0101 at 11:58 on February 3, 2024, and the book with tag 13579 from shelf A1003 at 11:59 on February 3, 2024, placed both books on Y0011's desk at 12:02, read the book with tag 12345 from 12:03 to 12:42, and returned it to shelf A0101 at 12:44, but proceeded with the loan procedure without reading the book with tag 13579, and then completed the return procedure on February 13, 2024, and returned it to shelf A1003 at 12:44 (numbers 3 and 4). The book with tag 12345 had a reading time of 39 minutes and a non-reading time of 7 minutes, and the book with tag 13579 had no reading time, 1 hour and 15 minutes of non-reading time, and was loaned for 10 days.

[0061] The processing circuit 310 records the information obtained about the book in the book DB.

[0062] 7 also records that the book with tag 13579 was taken off the shelf at 16:39 on March 18, 2024, and the loan procedure was carried out, and that the book is currently on loan and is now on the third day. When the processing circuit 310 receives the tag ID from the RFID reader 130, it updates the information of the corresponding tag.

[0063] The processing circuit 310 may register the rental date and return date (scheduled return date) in this DB instead of the number of rental days.

[0064] When a user performs a book lending procedure or presents a membership card when entering the library, the user ID may be identified and registered in this DB based on the information in the camera DB and the library DB.The user ID of the user in the image captured by the camera performing the lending procedure can be identified based on the image of the user capturing the image of the user performing the lending procedure and the data of the lending procedure in the library DB.

[0065] The processing circuitry 310 may obtain user information such as a user ID, the user's name, gender, age, and address based on a library user card. The user card may be an IC card, and when the user approaches a gate installed at the entrance of the library, the gate reads the user information stored in the IC card and transmits it to the processing circuitry 310. The processing circuitry 310 may receive the user information from the gate. The processing circuitry 310 may associate the user's video with the user information based on a video of the entrance and the user information obtained from the IC card. The processing circuitry 310 may obtain user information (e.g., user attributes) such as gender and age by analyzing the video.

[0066] The processing circuit may create a people database that tracks user behavior. The status information may record the date and time of entry, the date and time of exit, the date and time a user started reading, the date and time a user finished reading, the shelves and desks visited, the books they took out, the books they read, and the books they borrowed (lend). When a user takes out multiple books, it is expected that they will read each book in order. Therefore, by recording the date and time a user started reading and the date and time a user finished reading in the status information, the amount of time spent reading each book can be accurately tracked.

[0067] The memory 320 stores various programs, various parameters, and various DBs used by the processing circuit 310. The memory 320 may exist on a cloud.

[0068] <Evaluation> The processing circuit 310 creates the evaluation DB using the library DB, shelf DB, desk DB, and camera DB stored in the memory 320. The evaluation DB may be created at predetermined intervals (for example, every three months).

[0069] The evaluation DB is information used by library administrators (evaluators) to evaluate libraries. Evaluators can evaluate libraries based on the evaluation DB. The evaluation DB may consist of an evaluation DB for books (hereinafter referred to as the "book evaluation DB"), an evaluation DB for desks (hereinafter referred to as the "desk evaluation DB"), and an evaluation DB for people (hereinafter referred to as the "person evaluation DB").

[0070] The evaluator may be, for example, the library director, the head of the organization that established the library (such as a local government or a company), etc. The processing circuit 310 may evaluate the library using, for example, artificial intelligence.

[0071] If an evaluator manages multiple libraries, they can create book selection criteria that match the attributes of visitors by referencing the evaluation information for each library. For example, if Library A is frequently used by students and Library B is frequently used by women, they can stock books that students often use in Library A and books that women often use in Library B. If Library A is nearby a school but is not frequently used by students, they can encourage students to use the library by reviewing the books stocked or replacing inventory. Evaluators can set book selection criteria or inventory replacement criteria that match the attributes of visitors and conduct evaluations.

[0072] The evaluator can set optimal book utilization standards based on the usage and lending status of the library's entire collection and conduct evaluations. By using the usage status of books in the library created by the evaluation device, the evaluator can select books according to the attributes of visitors, optimally shelving them, replace inventory based on the utilization status, and optimally utilize the collection. By setting book selection standards, shelving standards, replacement standards, and utilization rate standards for each library, the evaluator or processing circuit 310 can evaluate the status of better library management in combination with conventional evaluation standards and aim to improve management.

[0073] The evaluation information may be recorded not for each book title but for each tag ID (book ID).

[0074] By recording the evaluation information for each tag ID, the processing circuit 310 can determine the difference in the number of times a book is taken out depending on the shelf location, and can determine the location of the book. This allows optimal arrangement (shelving) according to the book 102, and encourages the use of the book. Shelving criteria can be set and evaluation can be performed.

[0075] The evaluation information may be evaluation information for each user attribute. By understanding the usage status of each user attribute for each book title, it is possible to select books according to the attributes of library users or to select books according to the attributes of users who are expected to use the library in the future.

[0076] FIG. 8 shows an example of a book evaluation DB. The book evaluation DB is information for understanding the status of the book 102 and is generated based on the book DB. The status of the book 102 may include the time the book 102 was removed from the bookshelf 100, the attributes of the user who used the book 102 the most, the lending status, etc. The time period with the most lending and returning may also be recorded. The time period can be set to morning, afternoon, evening, night, weekday, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, etc. The lending status, etc. may be recorded for each time period.

[0077] The processing circuit 310 can generate a book evaluation DB based on the book DB. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the evaluation information includes the book title, the number of times used at a desk, the total reading time, the total non-reading time, the number of times taken out, and the number of people who took out the book.

[0078] In the "title" field, the title of the book 102 is recorded based on the correspondence between the tag ID and the book ID.

[0079] If multiple tag IDs exist for the same book title, the usage status of the book (for example, total reading time, total non-reading time, number of times taken out, number of people taken out) may be recorded for each book ID. The usage status may include the total number of loan days, number of times loaned out, and number of people who have borrowed. Usage status for each attribute may also be recorded. By managing the reading time and non-reading time at a desk for each book title, it is possible to understand how the book is used in the library.

[0080] If there are multiple tag IDs for the same book title, the usage status for each tag ID may be recorded. If the same signature is placed on different shelves, the evaluator can determine the shelf on which to place the book by comparing the usage status of the book according to the shelf on which it is placed.

[0081] In the example shown in Figure 8, the book title ABC with tag 00001 was used 235 times by 198 people in the library, with a reading time of 1,059 hours and 23 minutes and a non-reading time of 225 hours and 5 minutes, and was loaned 52 times by 48 people, with the total loan period being 166 days.

[0082] For example, the evaluator may determine that book ABC is an important book for the library because it is frequently used both within the library and for loan. Alternatively, the evaluator may determine that book ABC is used too much within the library and loaned out too much, and that new copies should be purchased to increase the number of copies.

[0083] In the example shown in Figure 8, book title ABC with tag 00003 was used 6 times by 6 people in the library, with a reading time of 1 hour 33 minutes and a non-reading time of 6 hours 22 minutes, and was loaned 42 times by 33 people.

[0084] For example, the evaluator may determine that, although it is the same book with the same name ABC, the reading time and number of times it has been checked out is less than that of the book with the tag 00001, and therefore the shelf location for placing the book with the name ABC with the tag 00003 needs to be reconsidered.

[0085] In the example shown in Figure 8, book title XYZ was used 57 times by 44 people in the library, with a reading time of 23 hours and 0 minutes, a non-reading time of 866 hours and 13 minutes, and was loaned out twice by two people.

[0086] For example, an evaluator may determine that book title XYZ is often a candidate for research within the library, but is not frequently used or borrowed, and therefore can be replaced by other related books.

[0087] In the example shown in Figure 8, the book title DNP was used 227 times by 152 people in the library, with a reading time of 510 hours and 18 minutes, a non-reading time of 497 hours and 52 minutes, and was loaned 35 times by 30 people.

[0088] For example, the evaluator may evaluate the book title DNP as being important to libraries because it is frequently used both within libraries and for loan purposes.

[0089] In the example shown in Figure 8, the book title JPO was used 25 times by three people in the library, with a reading time of 211 hours and 15 minutes, a non-reading time of 2 hours and 19 minutes, and no loans.

[0090] For example, the evaluator may determine that the book JPO is only used by a small number of people in the library, but when it is used it is read in detail, so it is a book that needs to be referred to when doing research and should be prohibited from being loaned. For example, the evaluator may determine that because it is a book that is only read in limited circumstances, it should be placed on a closed shelf rather than an open shelf.

[0091] Fig. 9 shows an example of a desk evaluation DB. The processing circuit 310 can generate the desk evaluation DB based on information received from the RFID reader 130 and information received from the camera 120. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the desk ID, the number of times the desk has been used, the total usage time, and the number of users are recorded as evaluation information.

[0092] By managing the number of times a desk is used, the duration of use, and the number of people using it for each desk, it is possible to understand how the desk is being used. The time period in which the desk is most used may be recorded. The time period can be set to morning, afternoon, evening, night, weekday, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, etc. The number of times a desk is used, the duration of use, and the number of people using it according to the time period may be managed for each desk.

[0093] The administrator can determine where to place the desks (library layout) by comparing the number of times and duration of use depending on the desk's location. When determining where to place the desks, the administrator can refer to the book evaluation DB and the desk evaluation DB and take into consideration, for example, placing the desks near the bookshelves 100 where the books 102 that are frequently used in the library are stored.

[0094] FIG. 10 shows an example of a person evaluation DB. The processing circuit 310 can generate a person evaluation DB based on information received from the RFID reader 130, information received from the camera 120, and lending and returning procedures. FIG. 10 shows an example in which evaluation information such as a person's attributes (gender and age), number of books lent out, number of people lent out, average number of books lent out, number of times desks are used, total desk usage time, and average desk usage time are recorded. The most frequently used time period may also be recorded. Time periods can be set to morning, afternoon, evening, night, weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, etc. Evaluation information may also be recorded for each time period.

[0095] It is possible to grasp the book lending status and desk usage status for each person's attributes.

[0096] Administrators can decide how to respond to people who use the library, such as purchasing books based on attributes that are used frequently, taking measures to promote use by attributes that are used less, or changing opening hours.

[0097] For example, if there are many middle-aged and elderly users, they can purchase books that are popular among them; if there are few elementary school students using the library, they can hold events for elementary school students; if there is little use in the morning and more use in the evening, they can open later in the morning but close later in the evening.

[0098] The processing circuit 310 may create an evaluation database for shelves (hereinafter referred to as a "shelf evaluation database"). Based on the shelf evaluation database, books may be arranged on shelves that take into account the attributes of users who use the books most frequently. For example, if the top shelf is not being used often, the administrator may remodel the shelf to be lower or place books that are used relatively infrequently or that are not used by children on the top shelf.

[0099] The evaluation information is not limited to the examples in Figures 8 to 10. The processing circuit 310 can generate various types of evaluation information by statistically processing the state information.

[0100] It is possible to evaluate people based on their book usage. For example, if the library is a corporate library and the evaluator is a company manager, the evaluation of individual users (employees) can be used in corporate activities (such as personnel transfers and personnel evaluations).

[0101] For example, it is possible for a company to identify employees needed for its business and ensure that the right people are assigned to the right positions. For example, if a company is introducing AI technology, it can identify employee W who is knowledgeable about AI technology based on his / her usage of books related to AI technology and transfer employee W to the business that is introducing AI technology. On the other hand, it is also possible to use user attributes (such as department and year of joining the company) and his / her usage of books related to the user. For example, if employee X in the general affairs department frequently refers to books on intellectual property, it can be evaluated as "employee X is interested in intellectual property" and employee Y's motivation can be improved by asking employee X to transfer to the intellectual property department.

[0102] For example, if employee Y in the legal department frequently uses books on U.S. contract law, it is possible to evaluate him as "enthusiastic about learning U.S. contract law." On the other hand, the fact that he does not use the library can also be used to his advantage. While it is common for young employees to use books related to their department (job) as needed, for example, if young employee Z in the accounting department does not use any accounting-related books, it is possible to evaluate him as "Employee Z is young, but he is already so knowledgeable about accounting that he does not need to refer to reference books."

[0103] Furthermore, it is possible to evaluate recommended books as part of book evaluations. For example, if a specific book P is the most frequently used among many books on DX (digital transformation), the administrator can determine that book P is a recommended book for learning about DX. For example, if there are two books P and Q both related to DX, and there is not much difference between the number of times books P and Q are taken off the shelf and brought to the desk, but the time that book P is referenced at the desk is longer than that of book Q, the administrator can determine that book P is more suitable as a book for learning about DX than book Q, and therefore can evaluate book P as a recommended book for DX.

[0104] <Flowchart> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart in which the processing circuit 310 registers the shelf DB.

[0105] The processing circuit 310 receives the tag ID and reader ID read by the RFID reader 130 (step S1101). The processing circuit receives the tag ID and reader ID at predetermined time intervals. When the RFID reader 130 reads multiple tag IDs, it transmits the multiple tag IDs together.

[0106] The processing circuit 310 compares the tag ID received from the same reader ID last time with the tag ID received this time, and determines the tag ID corresponding to the book taken out from the shelf and the tag ID corresponding to the book returned to the shelf (step S1102). If the processing circuit 310 does not receive the tag ID received last time this time, it determines that the book corresponding to that tag ID has been taken out from the shelf and determines the current time as the take-out time, and if the processing circuit 310 receives a tag ID that was not received last time this time, it determines that the book corresponding to that tag ID has been returned to the shelf and determines the current time as the put-back time.

[0107] The processing circuit 310 registers the take-out time and the return time in the shelf DB (step S1103). The difference between the take-out time and the return time may be registered in the shelf DB as the take-out time.

[0108] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart in which the processing circuitry 310 registers the desk DB.

[0109] The processing circuit 310 receives the tag ID and reader ID read by the RFID reader 130 (step S1201). The processing circuit receives the tag ID and reader ID at predetermined time intervals. When the RFID reader 130 reads multiple tag IDs, it transmits the multiple tag IDs together.

[0110] The processing circuit 310 compares the tag ID received last time from the same reader ID with the tag ID received this time, and determines the tag ID corresponding to the book placed on the desk and the tag ID corresponding to the book removed from the desk (step S1202). If the processing circuit 310 receives a tag ID this time that it did not receive last time, it determines that the book corresponding to that tag ID has been placed on the desk (placed) and determines the current time as the start time of use, and if it does not receive the tag ID received last time this time, it determines that the book corresponding to that tag ID has been removed from the desk and determines the current time as the end time of use.

[0111] The processing circuit 310 registers the use start time and use end time in the desk DB (step S1203). The difference between the use start time and use end time may be registered in the desk DB as the use time.

[0112] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart in which the processing circuit 310 registers the camera DB.

[0113] Processing circuitry 310 receives an image from camera 120 (step S1301). The image may be a moving image or a still image. Camera 120 may transmit an image to processing circuitry 310 at regular intervals, or may transmit an image to processing circuitry 310 when a change occurs in the captured image.

[0114] The processing circuit 310 determines whether a person is photographed in the image, and if a person is photographed, estimates the person's attributes (step S1302). Attributes include, for example, gender and age. Attributes are not limited to gender and age. For example, if a person is wearing work clothes with a company name on them, the company name may be estimated as an attribute. The time when the person's photography begins is regarded as the photography start time, and the time when the person's photography ends is regarded as the photography end time.

[0115] The processing circuitry 310 estimates the book captured in the image (step S1303). The processing circuitry 310 estimates information about the book, such as its color and size. The title of the book captured in the image may be estimated by character recognition.

[0116] The processing circuit 310 determines whether the estimated book is being read (step S1304). If the book is open, it is determined that the book is being read, and if the book is closed, it is determined that the book is not being read. The time when reading of a new book is started is recognized as the reading start time, and the time when reading of the book is finished is recognized as the reading end time.

[0117] The processing circuit 310 registers the camera ID, as well as the location ID, shooting start time, shooting end time, book information, reading start time, reading end time, and attributes in the camera DB (step S1305). The location ID is a shelf ID or a desk ID. The location ID is preset in the camera, and if multiple desks and shelves are photographed, the desk ID corresponding to the desk on which the person was photographed, or the shelf ID corresponding to the shelf on which the person was photographed, is transmitted as the location ID. In the case of a camera 120 that can change the shooting location, a location ID is selected according to control.

[0118] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart for the processing circuit 310 to register this DB.

[0119] The processing circuit 310 acquires registered data from the shelf DB, the desk DB, and the camera DB (step S1401).

[0120] The processing circuitry 310 grasps the usage status of the book based on the acquired data (step S1402). The processing circuitry 310 grasps the sequence of how the user used a book.

[0121] For example, the time when a book was retrieved from a shelf is obtained from the shelf DB, and the time when the book was placed on a desk is obtained from the desk DB. Whether a book placed on a desk has been read can be determined based on the camera DB. The correspondence between the tag ID in the desk DB and the book information in the camera DB can be estimated using information registered in the library DB. Even if there are multiple books on a desk, the processing circuitry 310 can estimate which books have been read and which have not, among the multiple tag IDs registered in the desk DB, by using the size and color (or title) of each book, the correspondence between the tag ID and the book ID registered in the camera DB, and the size, color information, and title of the book corresponding to the book ID registered in the library DB. The processing circuitry 310 may also determine the loan date, return date, and user ID based on the loan and return procedures.

[0122] The processing circuit 310 registers the tag ID, book ID, shelf removal time, shelf return time, current status, reading time, loan date, return date, and user ID in the book DB (step S1403). The processing circuit 310 registers information about the sequence of events that the user has understood about how they used a book in the book DB.

[0123] The current status may be, for example, a shelf ID if the book is on a shelf, a desk ID if the book is on a desk, or on loan if the book is on loan. The processing circuit 310 may acquire the reading time from the camera DB. Alternatively, the processing circuit 310 may track the person who has acquired the book from the shelf based on the data in the camera DB. Furthermore, the processing circuit 310 may understand the book lending and return procedures based on the data in the library DB. If the book is on loan, the processing circuit 310 may register the return due date as the return date.

[0124] Although the examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0125] (1) A processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an RFID reader installed on a desk that reads information corresponding to a book, and a processing circuit that determines whether or not a book is being read based on the read information.

[0126] (2) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a processing device is the processing device of (1), further comprising a camera for photographing the inside of a library, and the processing circuit further determines whether or not the person is reading a book based on the image captured by the camera.

[0127] (3) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the processing device is the processing device of (2), wherein the processing circuit generates evaluation information for the library based on the read information and the image captured by the camera.

[0128] (4) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a determination method reads information corresponding to a book from an RFID reader installed on a desk, and determines whether or not the book is being read based on the read information.

[0129] (5) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination method is the determination method of (1), further determining whether or not the person is reading a book based on an image captured by a camera.

[0130] (6) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the evaluation method evaluates libraries based on the judgment method of (5). [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 100 bookshelves 101 Shelf 102 bottles 110 desk 111 Chair 120 Camera 130 RFID Reader 310 Processing Circuit 320 memory

Claims

1. An RFID reader installed on the desk that reads information corresponding to the book; a processing circuit that determines whether or not the user is reading a book based on the read information; A processing device having:

2. It further has a camera that takes pictures inside the library, The processing circuit further determines whether or not the person is reading a book based on the image captured by the camera. The processing device of claim 1 .

3. the processing circuit generates evaluation information of the library based on the read information and the image captured by the camera. The processing device of claim 2 .

4. The RFID reader installed on the desk reads the information corresponding to the book, determining whether or not the user is reading a book based on the read information; Judgment method.

5. The determination further includes determining whether the person is reading a book based on an image captured by a camera. The determination method according to claim 4.

6. Evaluating a library based on the determination method according to claim 4 or 5. Evaluation method.

7. an RFID reader installed on a desk that reads information corresponding to an item placed on a shelf; a processing circuit for determining the usage status of the item based on the read information; A processing device having:

8. Further, a camera for photographing the interior of the room is provided, The processing circuit further determines the usage status of the item based on the image captured by the camera. The processing device of claim 7 .

9. the processing circuit generates evaluation information based on the read information and the image captured by the camera. The processing device of claim 8 .

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