Managing device, management system, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for reducing a possibility of occurrence of loss of a recording medium removed from a device.SOLUTION: Provided is a managing device comprising: reception means that receives a status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices and in which the status notification includes recording medium identification information for identifying a recording medium fitted to a communication device of a transmission source; and control means that performs control so as to execute predetermined notification processing when a first time passes from a time of a first status notification including first recording medium identification information received by the reception means without receiving a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a management system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In hospitals, doctors and other medical personnel may use cameras (imaging devices) to photograph patients or affected areas and record the images obtained. The recorded images are used, for example, to observe the condition of the patient or affected area. Doctors and other medical personnel can import the images into an information processing device by removing the recording medium, such as an SD card, on which the photographed images are recorded from the camera and inserting it into an information processing device for image capture within the hospital. The imported images are uploaded to in-hospital systems such as electronic medical records and image databases.

[0003] If a recording medium is lost, there is a possibility that information stored in the recording medium (for example, personal information such as patient images) may be leaked.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, if a recording medium is installed in a device and no operation is performed for a certain period of time, a notification is sent to the user's email address registered in a file recorded on the device or recording medium that the recording medium has been left behind. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5156604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] There is a possibility that the recording medium may be lost after being removed from the device. The technology of Patent Document 1 can address the problem of forgetting to remove the recording medium from the device, but cannot address the problem of losing the recording medium after being removed from the device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a technique for reducing the possibility of losing a recording medium that has been removed from an apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a management device comprising: a receiving means for receiving status notifications repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices, wherein the status notifications include recording medium identification information that identifies a recording medium attached to the transmitting communication device; and a control means for controlling the device to execute a predetermined notification process when a first time period has elapsed since the time of a first status notification received by the receiving means, the first status notification including the first recording medium identification information, without the next status notification including the first recording medium identification information being received. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a recording medium removed from an apparatus will be lost.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording medium management system. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging device 1, which is an example of a communication device into which a recording medium can be attached. [Figure 3]1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing device 2 that is an example of a communication device that can accommodate a recording medium. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a management device 4. [Figure 5] 6 is a flowchart of a status notification process executed by the imaging device 1. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a status notification process executed by the information processing device 2. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a recording medium management process executed by the management device 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium DB 409. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication device DB 410. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] [First embodiment] <Management system configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system for recording media. The management system in Fig. 1 includes an imaging device 1, an information processing device 2, a management device 4, an image recording device 5, a network system 6, an access point 7, and a mobile terminal 8. The imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2 are examples of communication devices into which a recording medium can be attached. In the following description, the imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2 may also be simply referred to as "communication devices."

[0014] The imaging device 1 is used to capture an image of a subject (e.g., an affected area of ​​a patient). The captured image is stored on a recording medium attached to the imaging device 1. The information processing device 2 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and stores (uploads) images acquired (read) from the recording medium in the image recording device 5. The management device 4 is, for example, a server, and manages the status of the recording medium. The image recording device 5 is, for example, a server, and includes a database for storing images. The network system 6 is used for communication between devices (including a mobile terminal 8) in the management system. The access point 7 is used to wirelessly access the network system 6. The mobile terminal 8 is, for example, a smartphone, and is used to receive notifications (e.g., warnings) from the management device 4.

[0015] The imaging device 1 has a built-in wireless network interface, and by connecting to an access point 7, it is possible to communicate with a management device 4 on the network.

[0016] The information processing device 2 has a built-in network interface, and is capable of storing images in the image recording device 5 and communicating with the management device 4 via the network system 6.

[0017] The information processing device 2 can be connected to the network system 6 by wire, but may also be connected to the access point 7 using a wireless network interface and then connected to the network system 6 via the access point 7 .

[0018] The management device 4 can notify the mobile terminal 8 that can access the network of information related to the recording medium. The mobile terminal 8 can receive the notification from the management device 4 and display the information related to the recording medium. The mobile terminal 8 is, for example, a portable terminal owned by a member registered in the management system, but it may also be a stationary PC.

[0019] 1 shows one imaging device 1, the management system may include two or more imaging devices. Similarly, the management system may include two or more information processing devices 2, and may also include two or more mobile terminals 8. The imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2 can each be equipped with a recording medium, and the imaging device 1 has a function of recording captured images on the recording medium. The information processing device 2 has a function of reading images recorded on the recording medium. Multiple recording media may be used in the management system.

[0020] 1 shows two communication devices (one imaging device 1 and one information processing device 2), the management system may include only one communication device. That is, the management system may include one or more communication devices.

[0021] <Configuration of imaging device 1> 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging device 1, which is an example of a communication device that can accommodate a recording medium. The configuration of the imaging device 1 that is necessary for explaining the embodiment will be described. The imaging device 1 can be a compact digital camera with an integrated lens that can record images of a general subject as image data, or a single-lens reflex camera with a detachable lens.

[0022] Reference numeral 201 denotes a recording medium reader / writer that includes a mechanism into which a recording medium can be attached (for example, a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted). As the recording medium, a common recording medium such as an SD card or a CompactFlash card (CF card) can be used. Alternatively, other media capable of recording digital data can also be used as the recording medium.

[0023] A wireless network interface 202 is used by the imaging device 1 to connect to the access point 7 and perform data communication.

[0024] Reference numeral 203 denotes a control unit, 204 denotes a ROM, and 205 denotes a RAM. The control unit 203 is, for example, a CPU, and performs various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 204. The RAM 205 is used as a work area when the control unit 203 executes the programs.

[0025] Reference numeral 206 denotes a battery that supplies operating power to the imaging device 1. The control unit 203 has a function of monitoring the battery status, such as the remaining battery capacity, and acquiring remaining battery capacity information.

[0026] An image capturing unit 207 includes an image capturing element. The control unit 203 can use the image capturing unit 207 to capture an image.

[0027] <Configuration of information processing device 2> 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing device 2, which is an example of a communication device that can accommodate a recording medium. Of the configuration of the information processing device 2, the configuration necessary for explaining the embodiment will be described.

[0028] Reference numeral 301 denotes a recording medium reader / writer including a mechanism into which a recording medium can be attached (for example, a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted). Reference numeral 302 denotes a network interface. The network interface 302 is used by the information processing device 2 to connect to the network system 6 and perform data communication.

[0029] Reference numeral 303 denotes a control unit, 304 denotes a ROM, and 305 denotes a RAM. The control unit 303 is, for example, a CPU, and performs various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 304 or storage 308 (described later). The RAM 305 is used as a work area when the control unit 303 executes the programs. The control unit 303 has a function of reading images stored in a recording medium attached to the recording medium reader / writer 301 and uploading the read images to the image recording device 5.

[0030] A storage 308 is provided. For example, an HDD or an SSD is used as the storage 308. The storage 308 stores images acquired from a recording medium, programs for performing various processes, and the like.

[0031] <Configuration of management device 4> 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the management device 4. The following describes the configuration of the management device 4 that is necessary for explaining the embodiment. The management device 4 manages various information in this embodiment, and has the function of managing recording media by using this information and information sent from the communication devices (the imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2).

[0032] A network interface 402 is used by the management device 4 to connect to the network system 6 and perform data communication.

[0033] Reference numeral 403 denotes a control unit, 404 denotes a ROM, and 405 denotes a RAM. The control unit 403 is, for example, a CPU, and performs various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 404 or storage 408 (described later). The RAM 405 is used as a work area when the control unit 403 executes the programs.

[0034] 408 is a storage. For example, an HDD or an SSD is used as the storage 408. The storage 408 stores programs for performing various processes. The storage 408 also stores a recording medium database (recording medium DB 409) and a communication device database (communication device DB 410). The recording medium DB 409 and the communication device DB 410 will be described in detail later.

[0035] <Status Notification Processing of Imaging Device 1> 5 is a flowchart of the status notification process executed by the imaging device 1. The imaging device 1 repeatedly executes the status notification process (for example, every few seconds). Even if the main power is off, the imaging device 1 executes the status notification process as long as the battery 206 has enough power to execute the status notification process. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the control unit 203 executing a program stored in the ROM 204.

[0036] In S501, the control unit 203 determines whether or not a recording medium is attached to the recording medium reader / writer 201. If a recording medium is attached, the process proceeds to S502, and if a recording medium is not attached, the process proceeds to S505.

[0037] In S502, the control unit 203 acquires identification information for identifying the recording medium (sometimes called a "recording medium ID" or "recording medium identification information"). The recording medium ID may be, for example, the serial number of the recording medium.

[0038] In S503, the control unit 203 determines whether or not a captured image exists in the recording medium. If a captured image exists in the recording medium, the process proceeds to S504; if not, the process proceeds to S505.

[0039] In S504, the control unit 203 acquires information (image-related information) related to the image stored in the recording medium. The image-related information includes, for example, photographer information (information indicating the photographer of the image) stored as metadata of the image.

[0040] In S505, the control unit 203 acquires the remaining battery capacity of the battery 206 (information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery 206).

[0041] In S506, the control unit 203 transmits a status notification indicating the state of the imaging device 1 to the management device 4. The status notification includes identification information (sometimes called a "communication device ID" or "communication device identification information") that identifies the imaging device 1, which is a communication device, the recording medium ID acquired in S502, the image-related information acquired in S504, and the remaining battery level acquired in S505. If a recording medium is not attached to the imaging device 1, the recording medium ID field in the status notification contains "NULL" (non-attachment information indicating that a recording medium is not attached to the communication device). If no image exists in the recording medium, the image-related information field in the status notification contains "NULL" indicating that no image exists.

[0042] <Status notification process of information processing device 2> 6 is a flowchart of the status notification process executed by the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 repeatedly executes the status notification process (for example, every few seconds). Unless otherwise specified, the process of each step in this flowchart is realized by the control unit 303 executing a program stored in the storage 308.

[0043] In S601, the control unit 303 determines whether or not a recording medium is attached to the recording medium reader / writer 301. If a recording medium is attached, the process proceeds to S602, and if a recording medium is not attached, the process proceeds to S605.

[0044] In S602, the control unit 303 acquires a recording medium ID from the recording medium. For example, the serial number of the recording medium can be used as the recording medium ID.

[0045] In S603, the control unit 303 determines whether or not a captured image exists in the recording medium. If a captured image exists in the recording medium, the process proceeds to S604; if not, the process proceeds to S605.

[0046] In S604, the control unit 303 acquires information (image-related information) related to the image stored in the recording medium. The image-related information includes, for example, photographer information (information indicating the photographer of the image) stored as metadata of the image.

[0047] In S605, the control unit 303 transmits a status notification indicating the state of the information processing device 2 to the management device 4. The status notification includes identification information of the information processing device 2, which is a communication device (sometimes referred to as a "communication device ID" or "communication device identification information"), the recording medium ID acquired in S602, and the image-related information acquired in S604. If a recording medium is not attached to the information processing device 2, the recording medium ID field in the status notification contains "NULL" (non-attachment information indicating that a recording medium is not attached to the communication device). If no image exists on the recording medium, the image-related information field in the status notification contains "NULL" indicating that no image exists.

[0048] <Recording Medium Management Process of Management Device 4> 7 is a flowchart of the recording medium management process executed by the management device 4. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the control unit 403 executing a program stored in the storage 408.

[0049] In S701, the control unit 403 determines whether or not a status notification has been received from a communication device. If the processing of S506 has been performed by the imaging device 1, and if the processing of S605 has been performed by the information processing device 2, the status notification is received in S701. If a status notification has been received, the processing proceeds to S702; if not, the processing proceeds to S703.

[0050] In S702, the control unit 403 updates the recording medium DB 409 and the communication device DB 410 according to the information in the status notification received in S701.

[0051] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the recording medium DB 409. The recording medium DB 409 includes entries that associate a recording medium ID, a time of confirmation of attachment, a communication device ID, a remaining battery level, and image-related information. In this embodiment, one or more recording media corresponding to one or more recording medium IDs (one or more specific pieces of recording medium identification information) included in the recording medium DB 409 are objects of management by the management device 4.

[0052] If the recording medium ID in the received status notification is not "NULL" (i.e., if a recording medium is installed), the control unit 403 searches the recording medium DB 409 for an entry corresponding to the recording medium ID in the status notification.

[0053] For example, if the recording medium ID in the status notification is "M1732," the second entry from the top shown in FIG. 8 is detected. In this case, the control unit 403 updates the contents of the "communication device ID," "remaining battery level," and "image-related information" of the detected entry with the information in the status notification. The control unit 403 also updates the "attachment confirmation time" of the detected entry. The attachment confirmation time indicates the most recent time when it was confirmed that the recording medium was attached. For example, the reception time of the status notification is used as the attachment confirmation time. Alternatively, the imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2 may include the transmission time in the status notification, in which case the transmission time in the status notification may be used as the attachment confirmation time.

[0054] If the recording medium DB 409 does not contain an entry corresponding to the recording medium ID in the status notification, the control unit 403 adds a new entry to the recording medium DB 409 according to the information in the status notification. As a result, an entry including the recording medium ID in the status notification is added to the recording medium DB 409, and the new recording medium corresponding to this recording medium ID is added as a management target of the management device 4.

[0055] If the status notification does not include the remaining battery capacity, "N / A" is recorded in the "remaining battery capacity" field of the recording medium DB 409.

[0056] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the communication device DB 410. The communication device DB 410 includes communication device IDs and non-wearing confirmation times.

[0057] If the recording medium ID in the received status notification is "NULL" (i.e., no recording medium is installed), the control unit 403 searches the communication device DB 410 for an entry corresponding to the communication device ID in the status notification.

[0058] For example, if the communication device ID in the status notification is "C7265," the first entry from the top shown in FIG. 9 is detected. In this case, the control unit 403 updates the "non-attachment confirmation time" of the detected entry. The non-attachment confirmation time indicates the most recent time when it was confirmed that the recording medium was not attached. For example, the reception time of the status notification is used as the non-attachment confirmation time. Alternatively, the imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2 may include the transmission time in the status notification, in which case the transmission time in the status notification may be used as the non-attachment confirmation time.

[0059] If the communication device DB 410 does not contain an entry corresponding to the communication device ID in the status notification, the control unit 403 adds a new entry to the communication device DB 410 according to the information in the status notification. As a result, an entry including the communication device ID in the status notification is added to the communication device DB 410.

[0060] In S703, the control unit 403 determines whether or not a return instruction (exclusion instruction) has been accepted. If a return instruction has been accepted, the process proceeds to S704, and if not, the process proceeds to S705.

[0061] The return instruction is an instruction to return the recording medium (an instruction to remove a specific recording medium ID from the recording medium DB 409 in order to remove the specific recording medium from the management target), and indicates the recording medium ID of the recording medium to be returned.

[0062] There are no particular limitations on the method for returning recording media and the method for accepting return instructions. For example, a storage box for safely storing recording media may be installed in a facility (e.g., a hospital) that uses the management system, and a return processing device may be installed next to the storage box. The return processing device may be, for example, a PC with a configuration similar to that of the information processing device 2, and a return processing application (program) may be installed in the return processing device. The user of the recording medium inserts the recording medium they wish to return into the recording medium reader / writer of the return processing device and performs a return operation on the user interface of the return processing application displayed on the display of the return processing device. When the user performs the return operation, the return processing device obtains the recording medium ID from the recording medium and sends a return instruction indicating the obtained recording medium to the management device 4.

[0063] Alternatively, the management device 4 may have the function of a return processing device. In this case, the user loads a recording medium into a recording medium reader / writer (not shown) of the management device 4 and performs a return operation on a user interface of a return processing application displayed on a display (not shown) of the management device 4. When the user performs the return operation, the control unit 403 receives a return instruction from the return processing application.

[0064] In S704, the control unit 403 deletes the entry corresponding to the recording medium ID indicated in the return instruction from the recording medium DB 409. As a result, the recording medium having the recording medium ID indicated in the return instruction is excluded from the management target of the management device 4.

[0065] In S705, the control unit 403 determines whether a first time (e.g., three minutes) has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time, using a recording medium ID corresponding to a specific entry included in the recording medium DB 409 as the target recording medium ID. If the target recording medium corresponding to the target recording medium ID is attached to a communication device (imaging device 1 or information processing device 2) in the management system, the attachment confirmation time in the recording medium DB 409 is periodically updated, so it is unlikely that the first time will have elapsed since the attachment confirmation time. On the other hand, if the first time has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time, there is a possibility that the target recording medium has been removed from the communication device (imaging device 1 or information processing device 2) and then left unattached without being attached to another communication device. In this case, there is a possibility that the target recording medium will be lost.

[0066] For example, initially, the recording medium ID of the top entry in the recording medium DB 409 is selected as the target recording medium ID. In this case, the control unit 403 compares the attachment confirmation time "2024 / 5 / 10, 10:15:10" of the recording medium having the recording medium ID "M1051" with the current time to determine whether a first time has passed since the attachment confirmation time. If the first time has passed since the attachment confirmation time, the process proceeds to S706; if not, the process proceeds to S709.

[0067] In S706, the control unit 403 determines whether the first time period has elapsed since the time of confirmation of attachment is due to a dead battery. If the cause is a dead battery, the process proceeds to S707; if not, the process proceeds to S708.

[0068] Specifically, the control unit 403 references the recording medium DB 409 and acquires the remaining battery level corresponding to the target recording medium ID. If a condition (condition A) that the remaining battery level is less than a threshold (e.g., less than 5%) is satisfied, the control unit 403 determines that the cause is a dead battery. The fact that condition A is satisfied means that the battery may have run out after the communication device in which the target recording medium is attached last transmitted a status notification. Therefore, even though the target recording medium is still attached to the communication device, the communication device may not be able to transmit a status notification due to a dead battery, and the attachment confirmation time may not be updated, so it is possible that a first time has passed since the attachment confirmation time. In this embodiment, by performing the processing of S706, it is possible to refrain from executing the notification processing of S708 (described below) if the cause is a dead battery.

[0069] In determining whether the battery is dead, the control unit 403 may consider, in addition to the remaining battery power, the possibility that the target recording medium has been removed from the communication device. In this case, the control unit 403 acquires, in addition to the remaining battery power, the communication device ID corresponding to the target recording medium ID. Then, the control unit 403 acquires, from the communication device DB 410, the non-attachment confirmation time corresponding to the acquired communication device ID. If, in addition to condition A, a condition (condition B) is satisfied, in which the attachment confirmation time is later than the non-attachment confirmation time or there is no non-attachment confirmation time, the control unit 403 determines that the cause is battery dead. If condition B is satisfied, it means that the removal of the target recording medium has not been confirmed since it was confirmed that the target recording medium was attached to the communication device. Therefore, it is considered that the target recording medium is still attached to the communication device. Conversely, if condition B is not satisfied, the target recording medium may have been removed from the communication device. Therefore, even if condition A is satisfied, if condition B is not satisfied, the control unit 403 determines that the cause is not battery dead.

[0070] For example, consider a case where the target recording medium ID is "M1732." In this case, the remaining battery level is "4%." Therefore, if the threshold is 5%, condition A is met. Furthermore, the attachment confirmation time is "2024 / 5 / 10, 10:15:25," the communication device ID is "C1050," and the non-attachment confirmation time is "2024 / 5 / 10, 08:23:50." Therefore, the attachment confirmation time is later than the non-attachment confirmation time, and condition B is also met. Therefore, although the first time period has passed since the attachment confirmation time, it is highly likely that the recording medium with the recording medium ID "M1732" is still attached to the imaging device 1 with the communication device ID "C1050." Therefore, the control unit 403 advances the process to S707 to refrain from executing the notification process (described below) in S708.

[0071] As another example, consider the case where the target recording medium ID is "M1756." In this case, condition A is met, but condition B is not. That is, it is confirmed that the target recording medium was removed from the same imaging device 1 at "2024 / 5 / 10, 10:15:28," which is later than "2024 / 5 / 10, 10:15:25," the date at which it was last confirmed that the target recording medium was installed in the same imaging device 1 with the communication device ID "C7265." In this case, it is highly likely that the target recording medium was left unattended after being removed from the imaging device 1 without being installed in another communication device. Therefore, the control unit 403 proceeds to step S708.

[0072] In S707, the control unit 403 determines whether a second time (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time. The second time is longer than the first time (e.g., 3 minutes). Even if the battery-related condition (condition A, or condition A and condition B) in S706 is satisfied, if a relatively long time (a second time longer than the first time) has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time, the possibility that the target recording medium has been removed from the communication device increases. Therefore, the control unit 403 proceeds to S708. On the other hand, if the second time has not elapsed since the attachment confirmation time, it is highly likely that the target recording medium is still attached to the communication device. Therefore, the control unit 403 proceeds to S709.

[0073] In S708, the control unit 403 performs a predetermined notification process to notify the user that the target recording medium has been removed from the communication device and is left there, and that there is a possibility that it may be lost. The specific content of the notification process is not particularly limited, and any process that generates a notification is included in the notification process of this embodiment. For example, the control unit 403 may send a message (loss warning) warning of the possibility of loss of the recording medium to the communication device that last sent a status notification including the target recording medium ID (in the case of the recording medium ID "M1756," the imaging device 1 having the communication device ID "C7265"). In this case, the imaging device 1 can display the loss warning on a display (not shown) of the imaging device 1. As another example, the control unit 403 may send a loss warning to the portable terminal 8. In this case, the portable terminal 8 can display the loss warning. As yet another example, the control unit 403 may display the loss warning on a display (not shown) of the management device 4.

[0074] In S709, the control unit 403 refers to the recording medium DB 409 and determines whether or not there are any unprocessed recording medium IDs (recording medium IDs that have not yet been selected as the target recording medium ID). If there are any unprocessed recording medium IDs, the process returns to S705, and the control unit 403 performs the same process on the next target recording medium ID selected from the recording medium DB 409. If there are no unprocessed recording medium IDs, the process returns to S701.

[0075] <Summary of the First Embodiment> As described above, according to the first embodiment, the management device 4 receives status notifications repeatedly transmitted from one or more communication devices (for example, the imaging device 1 and the information processing device 2). The received status notification includes a recording medium ID (identification information recording medium) that identifies a recording medium attached to the communication device that sent the notification. If a first time period has elapsed since the time of a status notification (first status notification) including a specific recording medium ID (first recording medium identification information) without receiving a next status notification including the same recording medium ID, the management device controls to execute a predetermined notification process.

[0076] Note that a case where a first time has elapsed since the time of a status notification including a specific recording medium ID without receiving a next status notification including the same recording medium ID refers to, for example, a case where it is determined in S705 of FIG. 7 that a first time has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time corresponding to a specific recording medium ID in the recording medium DB 409. The attachment confirmation time corresponding to a specific recording medium ID in the recording medium DB 409 is the time (e.g., the reception time or the transmission time) of the latest status notification (the last received status notification) among the status notifications including the specific recording medium. Therefore, by determining whether a first time has elapsed since the attachment confirmation time corresponding to a specific recording medium ID in the recording medium DB 409, it is possible to detect that a first time has elapsed since the time of a status notification including the specific recording medium ID without receiving a next status notification including the same recording medium ID.

[0077] According to the first embodiment, if the recording medium remains removed from the communication device for a certain period of time (for example, 3 minutes), a predetermined notification process is performed. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of the recording medium being lost after being removed from the communication device.

[0078] Furthermore, when two or more communication devices are present, the management device 4 receives a status notification from each communication device. Therefore, if a specific recording medium is removed from a specific communication device and quickly installed in another communication device, the first time period will not elapse from the time of the status notification including the specific recording medium ID without receiving the next status notification including the same recording medium ID, and the predetermined notification process will not be executed. Conversely, if a user removes a specific recording medium from a specific communication device and then forgets to install the specific recording medium in another communication device, the predetermined notification process will be executed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in an environment where a user is expected to move a recording medium from a specific communication device (e.g., the imaging device 1) to another communication device (e.g., the information processing device 2), it is possible to reduce the possibility of the removed recording medium being lost.

[0079] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0080] [summary] The above-described embodiment discloses at least the inventions shown in the following items, but is not limited to these inventions. (Item 1) a receiving means for receiving a status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices, the status notification including recording medium identification information for identifying a recording medium attached to the communication device that is the transmission source; a control means for controlling to execute a predetermined notification process when a first time period has elapsed since the time of a first status notification including the first recording medium identification information received by the receiving means without a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information being received; A management device comprising: (Item 2) the control means controls to execute the predetermined notification process when the first time period has elapsed since the time of the status notification including the target recording medium identification information received by the receiving means, without the next status notification including the target recording medium identification information being received, with each of the one or more specific recording medium identification information including the first recording medium identification information being set as target recording medium identification information. 2. The management device according to item 1, (Item 3) further comprising an adding means for adding the second recording medium identification information to the one or more specific recording medium identification information when the receiving means receives a status notification including second recording medium identification information that is not included in the one or more specific recording medium identification information; 3. The management device according to item 2. (Item 4) a receiving means for receiving an exclusion instruction to exclude a third recording medium identification information from the one or more specific recording medium identification information; an exclusion means for excluding the third recording medium identification information from the one or more specific recording medium identification information in response to the exclusion instruction; 4. The management device according to item 2 or 3, further comprising: (Item 5) the status notification transmitted from a battery-operated communication device among the one or more communication devices includes a remaining battery level of the communication device that transmitted the status notification; even if the first time period has elapsed since the time of the first status notification including the first recording medium identification information without receiving a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information, if a predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied, the control means refrains from executing the predetermined notification process; the predetermined battery-related condition is met when the first status notification includes a remaining battery charge below a threshold. 5. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) a status notification transmitted from a communication device in which a recording medium is not installed among the one or more communication devices includes non-installation information indicating that a recording medium is not installed in the communication device that is the transmission source; the predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied when the first status notification includes a remaining battery charge that is less than the threshold, and when a status notification including the non-attachment information has not been received from the communication device that is the sender of the first status notification after the first status notification. 6. The management device according to item 5, (Item 7) Even if the predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied, if a second time longer than the first time has elapsed since the time of the first status notification without the next status notification being received, the control means performs control to execute the predetermined notification process. 7. The management device according to item 5 or 6, (Item 8) the predetermined notification process includes a process of transmitting a predetermined notification to a communication device that is a sender of the first status notification. 8. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 7, (Item 9) the one or more communication devices include an imaging device; The imaging device captures an image and stores the image in a recording medium attached to the imaging device. 9. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 10) the one or more communication devices include an information processing device; the information processing device acquires an image stored in a recording medium attached to the information processing device, and stores the image in an image recording device; 10. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 9. (Item 11) The time of the first status notification is the time of receipt of the first status notification. 11. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 10. (Item 12) the status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of the one or more communication devices includes a transmission time; The time of the first status notification is the transmission time included in the first status notification. 11. The management device according to any one of items 1 to 10. (Item 13) A management device according to any one of items 1 to 12; two or more communication devices each repeatedly transmitting said status notification; A management system comprising: (Item 14) A control method executed by a management device, a receiving step of receiving a status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices, the status notification including recording medium identification information for identifying a recording medium attached to the communication device that is the transmission source; a control step of controlling to execute a predetermined notification process when a first time period has elapsed since the time of a first status notification including the first recording medium identification information received in the receiving step without a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information being received; A control method comprising: (Item 15) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the management device described in any one of items 1 to 12.

[0081] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...imaging device, 2...information processing device, 4...management device, 5...image recording device, 6...network system, 7...access point, 8...mobile terminal

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving a status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices, the status notification including recording medium identification information for identifying a recording medium attached to the communication device that is the transmission source; a control means for controlling the execution of a predetermined notification process when a first time period has elapsed since the time of a first status notification including the first recording medium identification information received by the receiving means without a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information being received; A management device comprising:

2. the control means controls to execute the predetermined notification process when the first time period has elapsed since the time of the status notification including the target recording medium identification information received by the receiving means, without the next status notification including the target recording medium identification information being received, with each of one or more specific recording medium identification information including the first recording medium identification information being set as target recording medium identification information. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising an adding unit which, when the receiving unit receives a status notification including second recording medium identification information that is not included in the one or more specific recording medium identification information, adds the second recording medium identification information to the one or more specific recording medium identification information.

3. The management device according to claim 2.

4. a receiving unit for receiving an exclusion instruction to exclude the third recording medium identification information from the one or more specific recording medium identification information; an exclusion means for excluding the third recording medium identification information from the one or more specific recording medium identification information in response to the exclusion instruction; The management device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

5. the status notification transmitted from a battery-operated communication device among the one or more communication devices includes a remaining battery level of the communication device that transmitted the status notification; even if the first time period has elapsed since the time of the first status notification including the first recording medium identification information without receiving a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information, if a predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied, the control means refrains from executing the predetermined notification process; the predetermined battery-related condition is met when the first status notification includes a remaining battery charge below a threshold. The management device according to claim 1 .

6. a status notification transmitted from a communication device in which a recording medium is not installed among the one or more communication devices includes non-installation information indicating that a recording medium is not installed in the communication device that is the transmission source; the predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied when the first status notification includes a remaining battery charge that is less than the threshold, and when a status notification including the non-attachment information has not been received from the communication device that is the sender of the first status notification after the first status notification.

6. The management device according to claim 5.

7. Even if the predetermined battery-related condition is satisfied, if a second time longer than the first time has elapsed since the time of the first status notification without the next status notification being received, the control means performs control to execute the predetermined notification process.

6. The management device according to claim 5.

8. the predetermined notification process includes a process of transmitting a predetermined notification to a communication device that is a sender of the first status notification. The management device according to claim 1 .

9. the one or more communication devices include an imaging device; The imaging device captures an image and stores the image in a recording medium attached to the imaging device. The management device according to claim 1 .

10. the one or more communication devices include an information processing device; the information processing device acquires an image stored in a recording medium attached to the information processing device, and stores the image in an image recording device; The management device according to claim 1 .

11. the time of the first status notification is the time of receipt of the first status notification; The management device according to claim 1 .

12. the status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of the one or more communication devices includes a transmission time; the time of the first status notification is a transmission time included in the first status notification; The management device according to claim 1 .

13. A management device according to any one of claims 1 to 12; two or more communication devices each repeatedly transmitting said status notification; A management system comprising:

14. A control method executed by a management device, a receiving step of receiving a status notification repeatedly transmitted from each of one or more communication devices, the status notification including recording medium identification information for identifying a recording medium attached to the communication device that is the transmission source; a control step of controlling to execute a predetermined notification process when a first time period has elapsed since the time of a first status notification including the first recording medium identification information received in the receiving step without a next status notification including the first recording medium identification information being received; A control method comprising:

15. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images