Admission management application and admission management device

Abstract

An entrance management application is provided that can reflect the information usage status in a user terminal in the control of a locking device installed at the entrance of a predetermined location. [Solution] This is an entrance management application that operates when a user terminal connected to a management computer via a network is operated by the user, and that allows the user terminal to unlock a locking device installed at the entrance to a specified location.The entrance management application is configured to cause the management computer to perform the following processes: a process of determining whether information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal (step S81); and, if it determines that the information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal, a process of allowing the user terminal to unlock the locking device as an incentive for using the information at the user terminal (step S82).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an entrance management application and an entrance management device that manage users' entry into a predetermined location. [Background technology]

[0002] A mobile smoking car and a mobile smoking system are examples of an entrance management application and an entrance management device for managing users' entry into a predetermined location, and are described in Patent Document 1. The mobile smoking car and the mobile smoking system described in Patent Document 1 comprise an opening / closing door provided in the mobile smoking car and opened and closed by a gate control unit, an ID input unit that reads card information (account) presented by the user, an examination unit that determines the age of the user based on the ID card carried by the user and the account obtained from the smartphone, and determines whether the user is a minor, and a registration unit that registers the user information in a user database if the examination unit determines whether the user is of smoking age based on the card information held up by the ID input unit, and the gate control unit controls the opening of the opening / closing door only if the examination unit determines that the user is not a minor.

[0003] Patent document 1 also describes a display unit (digital signage) placed at a predetermined position in the mobile smoking car, a display control unit that controls the switching of the content of the advertisements displayed on the display unit over time, a settlement unit that charges and settles a distribution fee based on a contract for distributing advertising information displayed on the display unit from an advertising agency server to the mobile smoking car, and a distribution control unit that acquires the advertising information for which payment has been completed by the settlement unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-61317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventor of the present application pointed out that the "Mobile Smoking Car and Mobile Smoking System" described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the relationship between the information provided to users, such as the usage status of advertisements displayed on the display unit of the mobile smoking car, and the control of the opening and closing doors, and that there was room for improvement in this regard.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an entrance management application and an entrance management device that can reflect the information usage status on a user terminal in the control of a locking device installed at the entrance to a specified location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This embodiment discloses an entrance management application that operates by a user operating a user terminal connected to a management computer via a network, and that allows the user to use the user terminal to unlock a locking device installed at the entrance to a designated location.The entrance management application causes the management computer to perform the following processes: determining whether information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used on the user terminal; and, if it determines that the information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used on the user terminal, allowing the user terminal to perform the operation to unlock the locking device as an incentive for the information being used on the user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this embodiment, it is possible to control the locking device installed at the entrance of a predetermined location according to the usage status of information on the user terminal, thereby encouraging users to use information on the user terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an admission control system. [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management computer and a user terminal included in an entrance management system. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an entrance management method executed by the entrance location management system. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a usage screen displayed on a display unit of a user terminal. [Figure 4B] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information screen displayed on a display unit of a user terminal. FIG. [Figure 5A] 10 is a flowchart showing an application example of an entrance management application. [Figure 5B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another application example of the admission control application. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the main part of an admission management method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (overview) In this embodiment, several specific examples of an entrance management system, an entrance management device, an entrance management method, and an entrance management application are described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a smoking area is exemplified as a predetermined location where users enter. As shown in Fig. 1, an entrance management system 10 is composed of smoking area equipment 11, a management computer 12, a user terminal 13, an information providing computer 14, etc. The management computer 12 is connected to the smoking area equipment 11, the user terminal 13, and the information providing computer 14 via a network 15 so as to be able to perform two-way communication with each of them.

[0011] (Smoking area explanation) The smoking area facility 11 is provided in a smoking area 16, which is an example of a predetermined location. The smoking area 16 provides a smoking space where users 17 can smoke cigarettes. There are no limitations on the location where the smoking area 16 is provided, and it may be, for example, inside or outside a building, a park, a parking lot, inside a station, an underground passage, inside a moving object, etc. Moving objects include trains, ships, airplanes, etc.

[0012] The smoking area 16 is separated from the surrounding space by a partition member. The partition member includes a door 18, a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a window, etc. The partition member including the door 18 is an element that prevents smoke generated inside the smoking area 16 from leaking to the outside. The partition member including the door 18 is made of one or more materials such as metal, glass, etc. The door 18 is attached to the wall. The door 18 is operably provided. The door 18 can open and close an entrance, particularly an entrance, provided in the wall. A user 17 cannot enter the smoking area 16 from the outside to the inside unless the door 18 is opened.

[0013] Door 18 may be either a manual door or an automatic door. A manual door is configured to operate by the operating force of user 17, while an automatic door is a door that operates by the power of an actuator. Door 18 may also be a door that moves back and forth, or a door that rotates within a predetermined angle range. Here, an example will be described in which door 18 is a manual door. Door 18 has a first doorknob 60 provided on the outer surface of door 18 and a second doorknob 61 provided on the inner surface of door 18. When door 18 is in the entrance / exit closed state, first doorknob 60 is located outside smoking area 16, and second doorknob 61 is located inside smoking area 16. First doorknob 60 and second doorknob 61 are operated by user 17.

[0014] The smoking area facility 11 includes a locking device 62, an output device 63, a communication device 64, a controller 65, and a camera 68. The locking device 62 is a mechanism that restricts the opening of the door 18 when the first doorknob 60 is operated. The locking device 62 is configured, for example, as an electric lock or an electromagnetic lock. The locking device 62 is provided, for example, on the door 18 or a wall surrounding the smoking area 16. The locking device 62 is communicatively connected to the controller 65. The locking device 62 is switched between an unlocked state and a locked state by a control signal output from the controller 65. The locking device 62 also includes a door sensor 62A that detects when the door 18 is closed and opened. The signal output from the door sensor 62A is sent to the controller 65.

[0015] When the locking device 62 is in an unlocked state, the door 18 can be opened by operating the first doorknob 60. When the locking device 62 is in a locked state, the door 18 cannot be opened by operating the first doorknob 60. When the second doorknob 61 is operated, the locking device 62 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state. Therefore, the user 17 can open the door 18.

[0016] The output device 63 is communicatively connected to the controller 65. The output device 63 is configured to output information provided by the information providing computer 14. The information output from the output device 63 includes content such as advertisements, still images, moving images, animations, text, explanations, music, etc. The output device 63 includes a display 66, a speaker 67, etc. The display 66 includes structures such as a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display, etc.

[0017] The display 66 displays information that can be seen by the user 17, such as advertisements, explanations, still images, videos, animations, text, and other content. The speaker 67 is a device that converts acquired electrical signals into sound and outputs the sound. The speaker 67 outputs information that can be heard by the user 17, such as explanations, music, and other content, as sound. The camera 68 constantly captures images of the interior of the smoking area 16 and outputs a signal. The camera 68 is connected to the controller 65 wirelessly or via a wire so as to be able to communicate with the controller 65.

[0018] The communication device 64 is communicatively connected to the network 15, the network 19, the output device 63, and the controller 65. The communication device 64 is composed of a communication circuit, a communicator, a communication cable, etc. The controller 65 is communicatively connected to the locking device 62, the output device 63, and the communication device 64. The controller 65 is a computer having an input port, an output port, a processor 65A, a memory 65B, etc. The memory 65B is a non-volatile storage device in which non-transient applications are stored. The processor 65A is configured to launch the applications stored in the memory and to execute various processes based on an unlock signal obtained from the user terminal 13, a signal obtained from the information providing computer 14, a signal from the door sensor 62A of the locking device 62, etc.

[0019] The processing executed by the processor 65A includes, for example, processing of an unlocking signal obtained from the user terminal 13, processing of outputting a control signal for unlocking and locking the locking device 62, processing of switching the locking device 62 between an unlocked state and a locked state, processing of measuring the elapsed time from the point at which the locking device 62 is switched from a locked state to an unlocked state, processing of information provided from the information providing computer 14, processing of controlling the information to be output by the output device 63, processing of images captured by the camera 68, processing of transmitting information to the management computer 12, processing of detecting the current time like a clock, processing of measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined point in time like a timer, and the like.

[0020] (Network Description) The network 15 is composed of one or more wireless communication systems or wired communication systems. Wireless communication systems include radio wave communication, optical communication, infrared communication, radio wave communication, satellite communication, etc. Wired communication systems include modems, routers, communication circuits, and communication cables. The network 15 includes one or more networks of the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network, and an intranet.

[0021] (Administrative computer description) An example of the management computer 12 is shown in FIG. 2. The management computer 12 is a computer including a main body (casing), a processor 20, a main memory 21, an auxiliary memory 22, a communication device 23, etc. The processor 20 is provided inside the main body and is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that integrates an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control device (control circuit). The processor 20 is communicatively connected to the main memory 21, the auxiliary memory 22, the communication device 23, etc. via a bus 24. The processor 20 comprehensively controls other devices and circuits provided inside the main body as well as devices and circuits provided outside the main body. The processor 20 may also include processing circuits such as a digital signal processor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) instead of or in addition to the central processing unit.

[0022] The processor 20 loads various applications and processes the acquired information. The information processed by the processor 20 includes user information, smoking area information, billing information, information to be provided to the user terminal 13, information acquired from the user terminal 13, information to be provided to the website, information to be provided to the information providing computer 14, information acquired from the information providing computer 14, etc. Details of this information will be described later. The processing executed by the processor 20 includes calculation, judgment, comparison, control, etc. The processing executed by the processor 20 includes processing to read information from the auxiliary memory 22, processing and judgment of information acquired via the network 15, adding, changing, and updating information stored in the auxiliary memory 22, measuring the current time like a clock, measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined point like a timer, etc.

[0023] The main memory 21 is a volatile storage device, and functions as a work area and a buffer area when the processor 20 executes processing. The auxiliary memory 22 is a non-volatile storage device, that is, a non-transitory storage medium.

[0024] Non-transient applications are stored in the auxiliary memory 22. The applications stored in the auxiliary memory 22 are launched to execute various processes by the processor 20. The applications include programs, setting files, files for storing data, various libraries, etc. The applications stored in the auxiliary memory 22 include an entrance management application. The entrance management application has a configuration and function for managing the smoking area facility 11. The configuration and function of the entrance management application will be described later.

[0025] The auxiliary memory 22 also stores information used by the processor 20 to execute various processes, various information obtained by the processor 20 executing various processes, etc. The information stored in the auxiliary memory 22 includes the processing results, data, instructions, requests, etc. of the processor 20. The processor 20 reads and processes applications stored in the auxiliary memory 22. The information stored in the auxiliary memory 22 includes user information and identification numbers, information acquired from the user terminal 13, information acquired from the information providing computer 14, smoking area information, billing information, content usage history by the user 17, etc.

[0026] The auxiliary memory 22 has a larger capacity than the main memory 21, and operates in response to input and output instructions from the processor 120. The auxiliary memory 22, which is a non-transitory storage medium, is realized by, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, etc. An example of a magnetic disk is a hard disk drive. An example of an optical disk is a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc. A flash memory is a type of semiconductor memory, and examples of flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, a solid state drive, etc. One or more elements included in the auxiliary memory 22 can be defined as a storage medium 22A that can be attached to and detached from the main body.

[0027] The communication device 23 includes devices, equipment, and standards that connect the management computer 12 to the network 15 via at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. Devices and equipment that connect the management computer 12 to the network 15 include cables, antennas, routers, etc. The communication device 23 is configured, for example, with a communication device for connecting to the network 15. The communication device 23 is configured, for example, with standards such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a communication card for WUSB (Wireless USB). The communication device 23 may also be a router for optical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), or a modem for various communications. The communication device 23 transmits and receives signals, for example, between the Internet and other communication devices using a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0028] The processor 20 is configured to function as a website management unit 25, a user information management unit 26, a smoking area information management unit 27, a paid member information management unit 28, an information management unit 29, and an application management unit 69 by launching non-temporary applications stored in the auxiliary memory 22.

[0029] The website management unit 25 provides a website including various information of the entrance management application to the network 15. The website management unit 25 has a function to provide a website written in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like to the user terminal 13, a function to generate various screens to be provided to the user terminal 13, and a function to acquire various information from the user terminal 13 via the website and various screens.

[0030] The user information management unit 26 is configured to process the user information acquired from the user terminal 13, assign a different identification number to each user 17 included in the user information, and store the user information in the auxiliary memory 22 in association with the identification number. The user information includes the user's name, sex, date of birth, telephone number, address, email address, password, whether or not the user is registered as a member, whether the type of membership is paid or free, and the like.

[0031] The smoking area information management unit 27 is configured to manage the location of each of the multiple smoking areas 16, manage the floor area of ​​each smoking area 16, store the location and floor area of ​​each smoking area 16 in the auxiliary memory 22, process smoking area information obtained from the smoking area equipment 11, and store the smoking area information in the auxiliary memory 22. The smoking area information includes the location of the smoking area 16 used by the user 17, the date and time when the user 17 used the smoking area 16, the identification number of the user 17 who used the smoking area 16, the congestion status inside the smoking area 16, etc.

[0032] The smoking area information management unit 27 can determine the congestion status inside the smoking area 16 from the floor area inside the smoking area 16 and the number of users 17 inside the smoking area 16. For example, if the number of users 17 per unit floor area is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the smoking area information management unit 27 determines that the inside of the smoking area 16 is not crowded, and if the number of users 17 per unit floor area is more than the predetermined number, the smoking area information management unit 27 determines that the inside of the smoking area 16 is crowded.

[0033] The paid member information management unit 28 is configured to manage information about users 17 who have registered as paid members. The information managed by the paid member information management unit 28 includes information to be provided to the user terminal 13 owned by the paid member, the amount of the usage fee to be charged to the user 17, the payment (settlement) method by which the user 17 will pay the usage fee, the institution name and account number of the financial institution designated by the user 17, etc. The paid member information management unit 28 is configured to manage various types of information in association with the identification number of the user 17.

[0034] The information management unit 29 is configured to manage the information provided by the management computer 12 to the user terminal 13 via the website, and manage the usage status and usage history of the information on the user terminal 13. The information provided to the user terminal 13 and used on the user terminal 13 includes content such as advertisements, still images, videos, photographs, animations, text, explanations, music, etc. The type of information, field of information, amount of information (capacity), etc. provided to the user terminal 13 differs depending on whether the user is a registered member and whether he or she is a free member or a paid member.

[0035] The configuration in which management computer 12 provides information to user terminal 13 via a website may be either a first configuration or a second configuration. In the first configuration, management computer 12 provides information obtained from information providing computer 14 on a website. In the second configuration, when information providing computer 14 provides information to network 15, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the website providing the information is displayed on the website provided by management computer 12.

[0036] The application management unit 69 performs tasks such as determining whether to provide the entrance management application to the user terminal 13 and managing the functions of the entrance management application. The functions of the entrance management application include processing to set a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time related to the execution of the entrance management application. The application management unit 69 also has a function to change the second predetermined time based on the type of membership registration and the congestion status inside the smoking area 16.

[0037] The application management unit 69 is configured to set the second predetermined time when a paid membership is registered longer than the second predetermined time when a free membership is registered or the second predetermined time when no membership is registered. The application management unit 69 is also configured to set the second predetermined time when it is determined that the smoking area 16 is crowded longer than the second predetermined time when it is determined that the smoking area 16 is not crowded. The technical meanings of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time will be described later.

[0038] (User terminal description) The user terminal 13 is a device used and operated by the user 17. Specifically, the user terminal 13 is a portable computer that the user 17 can carry, move, and operate. The portable computer may be any of a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer. The user terminal 13 is communicatively connected to the management computer 12 via a network 15, and is communicatively connected to the smoking area equipment 11 via a network 19. The network 19 is configured to perform short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication is configured, for example, by a receiver, a communication circuit, a communication cable, etc. The short-range wireless communication includes, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless LAN includes Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0039] The user terminal 13 includes a main body (casing), a processor 30, a main memory 31, an auxiliary memory 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a position detection unit 36, a communication device 37, an information reading device 39, a microphone 40, etc. The processor 30 is provided inside the main body and is composed of a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that integrates an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control device (control circuit). The processor 30 is communicatively connected to the main memory 31, the auxiliary memory 32, the operation unit 33, the display unit 34, the audio output unit 35, the position detection unit 36, the communication device 37, the information reading device 39, etc. via a bus 38. The processor 30 is configured to comprehensively control other devices and circuits provided inside the main body and devices and circuits provided outside the main body.

[0040] The processor 30 is configured to execute various processes by starting or running applications stored in the auxiliary memory 32 or applications acquired from the outside. The processes executed by the processor 30 include calculation, judgment, comparison, control, etc. The processes executed by the processor 30 include reading information from the auxiliary memory 32, executing applications acquired from the management computer 12 via the communication device 37, processing and judging information acquired from the management computer 12, adding, changing, and updating information stored in the auxiliary memory 32, sending information processed by the processor 30 to the management computer 12, sending an unlock signal to the smoking area equipment 11, detecting the current time like a clock, measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined point like a timer, etc.

[0041] The main memory 31 is a volatile storage device that functions as a work area and a buffer area when the processor 30 executes processing. The auxiliary memory 32 is a non-volatile storage device, i.e., a non-transitory storage medium. The auxiliary memory 32 stores non-transitory applications. The processor 30 loads the non-transitory applications and executes processing. The auxiliary memory 32 also stores information before being processed by the processor 30 and information after being processed.

[0042] The processor 30 is configured to load and execute non-temporary applications stored in the auxiliary memory 32, and to process operation contents of the operation unit 33, process various screens and contents displayed on the display unit 34, process audio output from the audio output unit 35, process audio acquired by the microphone 40, etc. The processor 30 is also configured to process position information and movement route detected by the position detection unit 36, process information read by the information reading device 39, process signals output via the communication device 37, process signals input from the communication device 37, store information in the auxiliary memory 32, etc.

[0043] The auxiliary memory 32 has a larger capacity than the main memory 31, and operates in response to input and output instructions from the processor 30. The auxiliary memory 32, which is a non-transitory storage medium, is realized by, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, etc. An example of a magnetic disk is a hard disk drive. An example of an optical disk is a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc. A flash memory is a type of semiconductor memory, and examples of flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, a solid state drive, etc. One or more elements included in the auxiliary memory 32 can be defined as a storage medium 32A that can be attached to and detached from the main body.

[0044] The position detection unit 36 ​​is configured with, for example, a gyro sensor and a detection circuit. The position detection unit 36 ​​detects the current position of the user terminal 13 on the map data and the movement route of the user terminal 13 based on signals received from artificial satellites, signals from the gyro sensor, map data stored in the auxiliary memory 32, etc. The position detection unit 36 ​​may be integrated into the processor 30.

[0045] The communication device 37 includes devices, equipment, and standards that connect the user terminal 13 to the networks 15 and 19 via a wireless communication system. The devices and equipment that connect the user terminal 13 to the networks 15 and 19 include cables, antennas, routers, etc.

[0046] The operation unit 33 is operated when inputting information, signals, etc. to the user terminal 13, when executing various processes in the user terminal 13, when sending various information from the user terminal 13 to the networks 15 and 19, when the user terminal 13 obtains various information via the network 15, etc. The operation unit 33 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display.

[0047] The display unit 34 is attached directly to the main body or connected to the main body via a cable. The display unit 34 is a display that is viewed by the user 17, and the display may include structures such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display may also be defined as a monitor. The display unit 34 displays various screens, information on websites on the network 15, etc. The display unit 34 can also display operation buttons, operation tabs, etc. on the screen.

[0048] That is, the display unit 34 can also function as the operation unit 33. The audio output unit 35 is a device that converts the acquired electrical signal into audio and outputs it. The audio output unit 35 may be any of a speaker provided on the main body, earphones connected to the main body via wireless or wired communication, headphones connected to the main body via wireless or wired communication, etc.

[0049] The information reading device 39 is a device that reads information such as documents, papers, and videos and images around the user terminal 13. The information reading device 39 is composed of a camera, an image scanner, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) device, etc. The microphone 40 is an electronic component that converts acquired voice into an electrical signal and outputs it. The microphone 40 may be structured to be either directly mounted on the main body of the user terminal 13 or connected to the main body via a cable.

[0050] (Explanation of the information providing computer) The information providing computer 14 is operated by an information provider that provides information to the network 15 and the smoking area 16. The information providing computer 14 is communicatively connected to the management computer 12 via the network 15, and is also communicatively connected to the smoking area equipment 11 via the network 15.

[0051] The information providing computer 14 comprises a main body (casing), a processor 50, a main memory 51, an auxiliary memory 52, a communication device 53, etc. The processor 50 is provided inside the main body and is composed of a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that integrates an arithmetic device (arithmetic circuit) and a control device (control circuit). The processor 50 is communicably connected to the main memory 51, the auxiliary memory 52, the communication device 53, etc. via a bus 54. The processor 50 is configured to comprehensively control other devices and circuits provided inside the main body and devices and circuits provided outside the main body.

[0052] The processor 50 is configured to execute various processes by activating applications stored in the auxiliary memory 52. ​​The main memory 51 is a volatile storage device, and functions as a work area and a buffer area when the processor 50 executes processes. The auxiliary memory 52 is a non-volatile storage device, i.e., a non-transitory storage device. Non-transitory applications are stored in the auxiliary memory 52. ​​The processor 50 loads the non-transitory applications and executes the processes. The auxiliary memory 52 also stores information before being processed by the processor 50 and information after it has been processed. Furthermore, the auxiliary memory 52 stores information to be provided to the management computer 12, screens and information to be published on a website operated by the information providing computer 14 on the network 15, screens and information to be sent to the smoking area facility 11, etc.

[0053] The auxiliary memory 52 has a larger capacity than the main memory 31, and operates in response to input and output instructions from the processor 50. The auxiliary memory 52, which is a non-transitory storage medium, is realized by, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, etc. An example of a magnetic disk is a hard disk drive. An example of an optical disk is a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc. A flash memory is a type of semiconductor memory, and examples of the flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, and a solid state drive, etc.

[0054] The communication device 53 includes devices, equipment, and standards for connecting the information providing computer 14 to the network 15 wirelessly and via wires. Devices and equipment for connecting the information providing computer 14 to the network 15 include cables, antennas, routers, etc.

[0055] (An example of admission management method) FIG. 3 shows an example of an admission management method executed by admission management system 10. In step S10, management computer 12 publishes a website on network 15. In step S30, user 17 accesses the website by operating user terminal 13 to launch a web browser. With user terminal 13 accessing the website, user 17 displays a registration screen on display 34 of user terminal 13 in step S31. User 17 inputs and selects user information on the registration screen. The user information includes the user's name, gender, date of birth, telephone number, address, email address, password, whether or not the user is registered as a member, whether the registration type is paid or free, and, if registering as a paid member, the payment method for the usage fee, the name of the financial institution, and the account number. Furthermore, user 17 operates user terminal 13 in step S31 to send the user information to management computer 12.

[0056] The management computer 12 processes the user information acquired from the user terminal 13 in step S11. If the user information acquired from the user terminal 13 includes information indicating that the user has registered as a member, the management computer 12 executes a member registration process in step S11. The management computer 12 can confirm the age of the user 17 in step S11. That is, if the user's age, determined from the user's date of birth, is the legal smoking age, for example, 20 years of age or older, the management computer 12 can execute a member registration process in step S11. Furthermore, in step S11, the following processes are executed: issuing an identification number for each user included in the user information, regardless of whether the user has registered as a member, and associating the identification number with the user information and storing it in the auxiliary memory 22.

[0057] In step S12 following step S11, management computer 12 provides the identification number and the entrance management application to user terminal 13. If the user's age, determined from the user's date of birth, is below the legal smoking age, management computer 12 does not process the member registration in step S11, and returns an explanatory message to user terminal 13 in step S12 stating, "The user cannot be registered as a member because he or she is below the legal smoking age."

[0058] In step S32, user terminal 13 acquires an identification number from management computer 12 and acquires, i.e., downloads, an entrance management application from management computer 12. In addition, in step S32, user terminal 13 stores the downloaded entrance management application in auxiliary memory 32 and executes an installation process. After completing installation of the entrance management application, user 17 operates user terminal 13 in step S33 to run the entrance management application.

[0059] When the entrance management application is run on the user terminal 13, in step S34, a usage screen 70 such as that shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display unit 34 of the user terminal 13. The usage screen 70 includes an operation menu, such as an unlock operation button 71 and a location search button 72. The user 17 can operate the unlock operation button 71, that is, perform an unlock operation. The unlock operation is an operation for transmitting an unlock signal from the user terminal 13 to the smoking area equipment 11 provided in the smoking area 16.

[0060] In step S13, after providing the entrance management application to the user terminal 13, the management computer 12 provides the user terminal 13 with location information of the smoking area 16. When the user 17 operates the location search button 72 on the usage screen 70 in step S35, the user terminal 13 can obtain location information of the smoking area 16, i.e., the location, from the management computer 12. By obtaining the current location information entered into the user terminal 13, the management computer 12 can provide the user terminal 13 with location information of smoking areas 16 located within a predetermined range from the current location of the user terminal 13. The predetermined range may be, for example, within a radius of 1 km from the current location. Alternatively, the predetermined range may be, for example, a distance that the user 17 can reach on foot from their current location within 15 minutes. When the location search button 72 is operated, a map or the like including the location of the smoking area 16 is displayed on the display unit 34.

[0061] The user 17 actually goes to the smoking area 16 and performs an unlocking operation on the user terminal 13 near the door 18 in step S36. This causes an unlocking signal to be output from the user terminal 13. The unlocking signal contains part of the user information of the user terminal 13, such as an identification number. Upon receiving the unlocking signal from the user terminal 13 in step S50, the controller 65 provided in the smoking area 16 switches the locking device 62 provided at the entrance / exit of the smoking area 16 from a locked state to an unlocked state for a first predetermined time in step S51. The first predetermined time is, for example, 10 seconds. The controller 65 also transmits the identification number included in the unlocking signal to the management computer 12 in step S51.

[0062] When the locking device 62 is unlocked, the user 17 can open the door 18 by operating the first doorknob 60 provided on the exterior surface of the door 18. After entering the smoking area 16, the user 17 closes the door 18. In step S52, the controller 65 switches the locking device 62 from an unlocked state to a locked state. When a first predetermined time has elapsed since the controller 65 received the unlock signal, the controller 65 switches the locking device 62 from an unlocked state to a locked state. Therefore, even if a person who does not possess the user terminal 13 that sent the unlock signal operates the first doorknob 60 provided on the exterior surface of the door 18, the door 18 cannot be opened. Furthermore, unless the unlock signal is sent from the user terminal 13, the door 18 cannot be opened even if someone operates the first doorknob 60 provided on the exterior surface of the door 18.

[0063] The output device 63 provided inside the smoking area 16 outputs content in step S53. In step S53, the output device 63 can, for example, display information on the display 66 and output audio included in the information from the speaker 67. While the user 17 is inside the smoking area 16, he or she can see the information displayed on the display 66 and hear the audio output from the speaker 67. After smoking inside the smoking area 16, the user 17 operates the second door knob 61 provided on the inner surface of the door 18. When the second door knob 61 is operated, the locking device 62 is switched from a locked state to an unlocked state. This allows the user 17 to open the door 18, and after leaving the smoking area 16, the user 17 closes the door 18. When the door 18 is closed, the locking device 62 is switched from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0064] In step S14, management computer 12 processes the identification number obtained from smoking area facility 11, and generates smoking area usage information such as user information of user 17 who used smoking area 16, the location of the used smoking area 16, the date the smoking area 16 was used, and the time period the smoking area 16 was used, and stores the generated smoking area usage information in auxiliary memory 22. Management computer 12 can also transmit the smoking area usage information to information providing computer 14.

[0065] The information providing computer 14 can then change the content of the information to be output from the output device 63 based on the smoking area usage information obtained from the management computer 12. For example, the information providing computer 14 can change the content of the information to be output from the output device 63 to suit the age and gender of the user 17 who uses the smoking area 16. The information providing computer 14 can also change the content of the information to be output from the output device 63 for each location where a smoking area 16 is located to suit the age and gender of the user 17 who uses the smoking area 16 at that location. Furthermore, the information providing computer 14 can also change the content of the information to be output from the output device 63 to suit the age, gender, and time period of use of the user 17 who uses the smoking area 16.

[0066] In the flowchart of Fig. 3, if the management computer 12 performs member registration in step S11 and then the user terminal 13 accesses the website in step S30, the user terminal 13 skips steps S31 and S32 and proceeds to step S33, as indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 3. The management computer 12 may also simultaneously perform the processes of steps S12 and S13 in Fig. 3. The locking device 62 may also be configured to prevent the operation of the first doorknob 60 itself when an operating force is applied to the first doorknob 60.

[0067] (Effects of the embodiment) If the age of user 17 acquired from user terminal 13 is below the legal smoking age, management computer 12 will not perform the registration process. In other words, if user 17 is below the legal smoking age, the user cannot perform the unlocking operation on user terminal 13. Then, controller 65 of smoking area equipment 11 controls locking device 62 to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state when it acquires an unlocking signal. Furthermore, if controller 65 does not acquire an unlocking signal, it keeps locking device 62 in the locked state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unregistered persons, i.e., persons below the legal smoking age, from entering smoking area 16.

[0068] Furthermore, the information providing computer 14 can change the content of the information to be output by the output device 63 based on the smoking area usage information acquired from the management computer 12. Therefore, the content of the information to be output by the output device 63 can be adapted to the smoking area usage information.

[0069] (Application example 1) As shown by the dashed line in the flowchart of Figure 3, the management computer 12 can also provide information on a website in step S15 following step S12, and proceed to step S13. The information provided on the website is, for example, information provided by the information providing computer 14 using the first or second configuration described above.

[0070] Then, when the entrance management application runs on the user terminal 13, the user terminal 13 acquires information from the management computer 12 in step S37, which follows step S33. After the user terminal 13 acquires the information, when the user 17 operates the unlock operation button 71 shown in FIG. 4A, an information screen 73 such as that shown in FIG. 4B is displayed before an operation signal is output from the user terminal 13. When the user 17 uses the information on the information screen 73, the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 3. "Use of information" on the user terminal 13 includes displaying the information on the display unit 34, outputting the audio contained in the information from the audio output unit 35, and the like.

[0071] Furthermore, "use of information" on the user terminal 13 also includes the user 17 operating an operation button such as "Previewed" displayed on the information screen 73 after listening to the audio output from the audio output unit 35, the user 17 operating an operation button such as "Read" or "Confirmed" displayed on the information screen 73 after reading the information displayed on the information screen 73, the user 17 operating the operation unit 33 to respond in text or sentences to questions or questionnaires included in the information displayed on the information screen 73, and the user 17 responding to the audio output from the audio output unit 35 using the microphone 40. Furthermore, "use of information" on the user terminal 13 also includes the user 17 using the information screen 73 to complete a procedure to purchase a product described or recommended on the information screen 73. Furthermore, "use of information" on the user terminal 13 also includes the user 17 using the information screen 73 to complete a procedure to participate in an event described or recommended on the information screen 73.

[0072] In other words, the entrance management application operated by the user terminal 13 is configured to be able to proceed to step S34 as an incentive, for example, a reward, for using the information provided by the management computer 12 at the user terminal 13. This can therefore encourage the user 17 to use the information at the user terminal 13. Note that the entrance management application operated by the user terminal 13 is configured such that even if the information screen 73 shown in FIG. 4B is displayed, if the user 17 does not use the information on the information screen 73, the user terminal 13 cannot execute step S34.

[0073] The information providing computer 14 can then change the information provided to the management computer 12 from the information providing computer 14 based on the smoking area usage information acquired from the management computer 12. For example, the information providing computer 14 can change the information provided to the management computer 12 to match the age and gender of the user 17 who used the smoking area 16.

[0074] Note that the management computer 12 may perform a process of providing the admission management application to the user terminal 13 in step S12 only if the user 17 has registered as a paid member in step S11. In this case, the user terminal 13 may execute step S34 without executing step S37.

[0075] (Application example 2) An application example of the entrance management application executed on the user terminal 13 is shown in FIG. 5A. The processor 30 of the user terminal 13 detects the current time when the information was used on the user terminal 13 in step S60. Then, the processor 30 detects in step S61 whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed since the information was used on the user terminal 13. If the processor 30 determines "Yes" in step S61, the process proceeds to step S62, where the user terminal 13 can perform an unlocking operation. Furthermore, after the second predetermined time has elapsed since the information was used on the user terminal 13, the process proceeds to step S63, where the user terminal 13 cannot perform an unlocking operation, or an unlocking signal is not output even if the user terminal 13 performs an unlocking operation.

[0076] In other words, after the second predetermined time has elapsed, when the information is used again on user terminal 13, the unlocking operation of step S34 can be performed. To satisfy the application example of Fig. 5A, management computer 12 manages the functions of the entrance management application so that user terminal 13 performs the judgment of step S61 and the processing of steps S62 and S63 before providing the entrance management application to user terminal 13. Furthermore, management computer 12 presets the second predetermined time to, for example, 3 hours or 5 hours.

[0077] (Application example 3) Another application example of the entrance management application executed on the user terminal 13 is shown in FIG. 5B. Processor 30 of user terminal 13 detects the current time when the information was used on the user terminal 13 in step S70. Then, processor 30 detects in step S71 whether it is the same day that the information was used on the user terminal 13. If processor 30 determines Yes in step S71, the process proceeds to step S62, where an unlocking operation can be performed on the user terminal 13. If it is the day after the information was used on the user terminal 13, the process proceeds to step S73, where the unlocking operation cannot be performed on the user terminal 13, or an unlocking signal is not output even if an unlocking operation is performed on the user terminal 13.

[0078] The management computer 12 manages the functions of the entrance management application so that, before providing the entrance management application to the user terminal 13, the user terminal 13 performs the determination in step S71 and the processing in steps S72 and S73.

[0079] (Application example 4) The admission management application started by the user terminal 13 may be configured to set the second predetermined time period described in Application Example 2 longer when paid membership registration is performed in step S11 than when paid membership registration is not performed. For example, the second predetermined time period can be set to six hours when paid membership registration is performed, and can be set to three hours when paid membership registration is not performed.

[0080] (Application example 5) The entrance management application run on the user terminal 13 may be configured to change the second predetermined time period described in Application Example 2 depending on the level of congestion inside the smoking area 16. The management computer 12 can determine the level of congestion inside the smoking area 16 in real time by processing the video images from the camera 68 acquired from the smoking area facility 11. After the user terminal 13 acquires the entrance management application, the management computer 12 sends to the user terminal 13 a control signal that changes the second predetermined time period based on the level of congestion inside the smoking area 16. The second predetermined time period when it is determined that the smoking area 16 is crowded is longer than the second predetermined time period when it is determined that the smoking area 16 is not crowded. The entrance management application run on the user terminal 13 changes the second predetermined time period based on the control signal sent from the management computer 12.

[0081] (Key points of admission control method) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the main parts of the entrance management method described in this embodiment. The process shown in Fig. 6 is based on the premise that when an entrance management application is run on user terminal 13, management computer 12 is configured to be able to determine whether information has been used on user terminal 13. In step S80, management computer 12 determines whether user 17's age, determined from the user's date of birth, is equal to or exceeds the legal smoking age.

[0082] If the management computer 12 determines Yes in step S80, it determines in step S81 whether the information provided from the management computer 12 to the user terminal 13 has been used by the user terminal 13. If the management computer 12 determines Yes in step S81, it proceeds to step S82 and executes processing to permit the user terminal 13 to perform an unlocking operation. That is, it becomes possible to perform an unlocking operation by the user terminal 13. On the other hand, if the management computer 12 determines No in step S80 or No in step S81, it proceeds to step S83 and prohibits the user terminal 13 from performing an unlocking operation. That is, it becomes impossible to perform an unlocking operation by the user terminal 13.

[0083] (supplementary explanation) An example of the technical meaning described in this embodiment is as follows: User 17 is an example of a user. User terminal 13 is an example of a user terminal. Smoking area 16 is an example of a predetermined location and a smoking area. Locking device 62 is an example of a locking device. Management computer 12 is an example of a management computer. The second predetermined time is an example of a predetermined time. Processor 30 is an example of a processor. Management computer 12 is an example of an entrance management device.

[0084] In this embodiment, the entrance management application operated by the user terminal 13 may be obtained from a path other than the network 15. For example, if the storage medium 32A can be attached to and detached from the main body of the user terminal 13, the user 17 can obtain the storage medium 32A on which the entrance management application is pre-stored and connect it to the user terminal 13.

[0085] In this embodiment, the management computer 12 may be composed of a single computer or multiple computers. The entrance management application stored in the auxiliary memory or storage medium can also be considered an application product. The management computer 12 may be any of a supercomputer, a mainframe, a server, etc.

[0086] In this embodiment, the predetermined place includes a predetermined area, a predetermined space, a predetermined room, a predetermined building, etc. The predetermined place is not limited to a smoking area, but may also be a school, an event venue, an amusement park, etc. Furthermore, partition members that separate or divide the predetermined place include doors, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, etc., as well as fences, gates, walls, shutters, etc.

[0087] 3, the user terminal 13 can also attach identification information of the user 17 read by the information reader 39 of the user terminal 13, such as an image of the driver's license, an image of the My Number card, an image of the resident card, or a facial photograph of the user 17. When the user 17 performs such an operation on the user terminal 13, the determination made by the management computer 12 in step S11 of "whether the user is of legal smoking age or not" - that is, the effectiveness of age verification - is improved.

[0088] In this embodiment, an example is disclosed in which the entrance management application used by the user terminal 13 is a native application that is downloaded to the user terminal 13, installed, and runs. However, the entrance management application used by the user terminal 13 may also be a web application that runs on a web browser, or a hybrid application. A hybrid application has the properties of both a native application and a web application.

[0089] Furthermore, the management computer may be configured to acquire user information from the user terminal after providing the entrance management application to the user terminal. When configured in this manner, the entrance management application has a configuration in which, after being provided to the user terminal from the management computer, user information is sent from the user terminal to the management computer, and if the management computer determines that the user is of legal smoking age, the user terminal can perform an operation to unlock the locking device, and a configuration in which, if the management computer determines that the user is not of legal smoking age, the user terminal cannot perform an operation to unlock the locking device.

[0090] This embodiment discloses the following entrance management method. For example, the entrance management method is executed by an entrance management device connected via a network to a user terminal operated by a user, in which the entrance management device executes a process of determining whether information provided to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal, and, if it determines that the information provided to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal, a process of permitting the user terminal to use the user terminal to unlock a locking device installed at the entrance to a predetermined location as an incentive for the user terminal using the information.

[0091] The present embodiment also describes the following storage medium: For example, a non-transitory storage medium is disclosed that stores a non-transitory entrance management application that operates when a user operates a user terminal connected to a management computer via a network and that enables the user to use the user terminal to unlock a locking device installed at the entrance of a predetermined location, wherein the entrance management application causes the management computer to execute the following processes: determining whether information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal; and, if it determines that the information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal, allowing the user terminal to unlock the locking device as an incentive for using the information at the user terminal. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] This embodiment can be used as an entrance management application and an entrance management device that manages the entrance of users to a predetermined location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 12...Administrative computer, 13...User terminal, 30...Processor, 33...Operation unit, 34...Display unit, 35...Audio output unit, 37...Communication device, 62...Locking device

Claims

1. An entrance management application that is operated by a user on a user terminal connected to a management computer via a network, and that allows the user to use the user terminal to unlock a locking device installed at an entrance to a predetermined location, The management computer a process of determining whether or not information provided from the management computer to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal; a process of permitting the user terminal to perform an operation to unlock the locking device as an incentive for the information provided from the management computer to the user terminal when it is determined that the information has been used at the user terminal; , an admissions control application.

2. 2. The admission control application of claim 1, The management computer A process for permitting an operation to unlock the locking device on the user terminal when the user has registered as a paid member in order to use information on the user terminal, even if the information is not being used on the user terminal; and an admissions management application.

3. 2. The admission control application of claim 1, The management computer a process of prohibiting the user terminal from performing an operation to unlock the locking device when a predetermined time has elapsed since the information was used on the user terminal; and an admissions management application.

4. 4. The admission control application of claim 3, The management computer a process of setting the predetermined time when the user has registered as a paid member to be longer than the predetermined time when the user has not registered as a paid member; and an admissions management application. tion.

5. 4. The admission control application of claim 3, The management computer a process of setting the predetermined time when the predetermined place is crowded with people to be longer than the predetermined time when the predetermined place is not crowded with people; and an admissions management application.

6. 2. The admission control application of claim 1, The management computer determining whether the user is of legal smoking age; When it is determined that the user's age is within the age at which smoking is permitted and that the information has been used on the user terminal, a process of permitting the user terminal to perform an operation to unlock the locking device provided in the smoking area included in the specified location as an incentive for the information being used on the user terminal; , an admissions control application.

7. An entrance management device having a processor that executes processing and connected via a network to a user terminal operated by a user, The processor: a process of determining whether the information provided to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal; a process of permitting, when it is determined that the information provided to the user terminal has been used at the user terminal, the user terminal to perform an operation to unlock a locking device provided at an entrance to a predetermined location as an incentive for the information being used at the user terminal; An entrance control device that performs the above.

8. The entrance management device according to claim 7, The processor: determining whether the user is of legal smoking age; When it is determined that the user's age is within the age at which smoking is permitted and that the information has been used on the user terminal, a process of permitting the user terminal to perform an operation to unlock the locking device provided in the smoking area included in the specified location as an incentive for the information being used on the user terminal; An entrance control device that performs the above.

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