Information processing device, method for controlling the information processing device, and control program for the information processing device
The information processing system integrates reservation and security management to automate visitor guidance and access control, addressing the need for efficient facility usage and security, thereby enhancing user experience and facility utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SOFTBANK CORPORATION
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
There is a need for a system that can manage visitor reservations, facility usage, and security while ensuring comprehensive guidance and automated visitor reception, particularly for facilities owned by companies, while maintaining security and preventing unauthorized access.
An information processing system that integrates reservation management, facility usage, and security, utilizing a server to handle facility reservations, unlock/lock mechanisms, and provide guidance based on reservation status, using authentication information and real-time updates to manage facility access and guide visitors to available spaces.
The system automates visitor reception, reduces time spent on visitor handling, ensures secure access, and optimizes facility utilization by guiding visitors to available spaces, enhancing user experience and facility efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure 2026108921000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for an information processing apparatus, and a control program for an information processing apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a room rental system that enables people outside the company to make reservation for using conference rooms and reception rooms that were previously used only within the company, thereby promoting the effective utilization of conference rooms and reception rooms within the company (for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Means for Solving the Problems
[0004] An information processing device for managing the use of multiple facilities, each restricted from entry by a locking device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes: a reservation reception unit that receives facility usage reservations, stores the reservation status of multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, and outputs authentication information including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility based on the reservation information obtained when receiving the reservation; a locking processing unit that uses the authentication information to perform an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility, and performs a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended; a usage status update unit that updates the usage status of the reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and updates the usage status of the reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process; a determination unit that, when it receives a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information from a reception terminal installed in the space where the multiple facilities are located, determines whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information; and a notification unit that notifies a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit.
[0005] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention further comprises a facility information acquisition unit that acquires facility information including at least information regarding the locations of a plurality of facilities and stores it in a predetermined storage unit, and a notification unit may, as a result of the determination, notify a predetermined display device of a first type of guidance information that guides the location of the facility reserved by the reservation information if the facility reserved by the reservation information is unused.
[0006] In an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the notification unit notifies the first type of guidance information, the locking processing unit may perform an unlocking process using authentication information based on predetermined reservation information, regardless of the start time of use according to the predetermined reservation information.
[0007] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention further comprises an extraction unit that, if the result of the determination is that a facility reserved with predetermined reservation information is in use, extracts other available facilities from among the multiple facilities based on the usage status and reservation status of multiple facilities and the content of the predetermined reservation information, and a notification unit notifies a predetermined display device of type 2 guidance information that guides the location of facilities other than the facility reserved with the reservation information, and a reservation acceptance unit may output authentication information including other key information for unlocking the locking device of the other facilities.
[0008] In an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, if the notification unit determines, as a result of the determination unit, that the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is in use before the start time of use according to the predetermined reservation information, the notification unit displays a screen on the reception terminal allowing the user to choose whether or not to wait until the start time of use, and if the reception terminal selects to wait until the start time of use, the extraction unit does not need to extract other facilities.
[0009] A control method for an information processing device that manages the use of multiple facilities, each restricted from entry by a locking device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes the steps of: the information processing device receiving a reservation for the use of a facility, storing the reservation status of the multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, outputting authentication information including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility based on the reservation information obtained when receiving the reservation; using the authentication information, executing an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility, and executing a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended; updating the usage status of the reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and updating the usage status of the reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process; and, when receiving a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information from a reception terminal installed in the space where the multiple facilities are located, determining whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information; and notifying a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the result of the determination step.
[0010] A control program for an information processing device that manages the use of multiple facilities, each restricted from entry by a locking device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, provides the information processing device with the following functions: a function to accept facility use reservations, store the reservation status of multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, output authentication information including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility based on the reservation information acquired when accepting the reservation; a function to perform an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility using the authentication information, and a function to perform a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended; a function to update the usage status of the reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and update the usage status of the reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process; a function to determine whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available based on the usage status of the facility when a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information is acquired from a reception terminal installed in the space where the multiple facilities are located; and a function to notify a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the result of the determination by the determination function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the information processing system configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show an example of a data table according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is an example of the display screen of a reception terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an example of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a data table relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is an example of the display screen of a reception terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an example of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an example of a functional block diagram of a server (information processing device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example of a server control method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] Hereafter, an embodiment of the invention described herein (also referred to as the present invention) will be explained using the figures. Note that the figures are examples only, and the present invention is not limited to those shown in the figures. For example, the number of communication terminals, servers (information processing devices), database servers, reception terminals, display devices, locking devices, etc., as well as the data tables (datasets), flowcharts, and display screens shown are examples only, and the present invention is not limited to these.
[0013] There is a need for technology that clearly indicates the location of facilities to visitors using facilities owned by a company, and that guides visitors while ensuring the security of the entire building in which the facilities are located. In other words, there is a need for a system that can comprehensively handle visitor reservations, facility usage management, security, and facility guidance. According to one embodiment of the present invention, visitor reservations, facility usage management, security, and facility guidance can be unified, and an automated guidance system based on the reservation information and usage status of the facilities used by visitors can be provided. This makes it possible to automate visitor reception work and reduce the time spent dealing with visitors. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by granting visitors the necessary access rights to use the facilities based on the facility reservation information, it is possible to prevent unauthorized entry into the facilities.
[0014] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 600 may be a system that manages the use of a facility by non-owners of the facility. In the following description, a conference room owned by a company will be used as an example of a facility, and the information processing system 600 will be used as an example to manage the use of the conference room by users (visitors) who do not belong to the company. Note that the facilities managed by the information processing system 600 are not limited to conference rooms, but may be any facility that is reserved and used. Examples of facilities may include conference rooms, reception rooms, saunas, gyms, event spaces, etc. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applicable to rental spaces, rental conference rooms, co-working spaces, etc.
[0015] The information processing system disclosed herein may, for example, be a system for managing reservations for meeting rooms 11 (hereinafter also referred to as meeting rooms 11 in this embodiment) on a floor 10 of a building where multiple facilities 11 are installed, as shown in Figure 1, and for receiving and guiding visitors who will be using the reserved meeting rooms 11. As will be described in detail later, in one embodiment of the present invention, visitors to floor 10 may complete the registration process at a registration terminal 20 installed on floor 10. Guidance according to the registration result may then be displayed on a display device 30. In addition, meeting rooms 11 can be locked and unlocked by a locking device 40, and visitors may be able to unlock the locking device using key information issued when they reserved meeting rooms 11. In other words, the information processing system 600 according to one embodiment may refer to a system in which visitor registration is performed unmanned while ensuring security. Hereafter, the services realized by the information processing system 600 will also be referred to as "management services".
[0016] The information processing system 600 may include a server (information processing device) 100, a communication terminal 200, a reception terminal 20, a display device 30, a locking device 40, and a database server 400. These may be connected to each other via a network 500. The network 500 may include a wireless network or a wired network. Specifically, for example, the network 500 may be a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4th generation communication (4G), 5th generation communication (5G), and 6th generation communication (6G) or later mobile communication systems. However, the network 500 is not limited to these examples and may also include, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), optical fiber lines, etc. Furthermore, the network 500 may be a combination of these.
[0017] Server 100 may perform various processes related to facility management services implemented by the information processing system 600. These various processes related to management services may include facility reservation processing, reservation cancellation processing, locking and unlocking processes related to visitors entering and leaving the facility, and check-in and check-out processes.
[0018] Although only one server 100 is shown in Figure 1, it is not limited to this. In other words, each function described as being provided by server 100 may be implemented by multiple servers. Furthermore, server 100 may be a distributed server system that operates cooperatively by communicating over a network, for example, or it may be a so-called cloud server. That is, server 100 may include not only physical servers but also virtual servers created by software.
[0019] The communication terminal 200 may be a visitor's communication terminal. The visitor may be a user who has received an invitation from the company owning Conference Room 11 and uses Conference Room 11. The communication terminal 200 may store authentication information including key information for unlocking the locking device 40 of the reserved Conference Room 11. The authentication information is information transmitted from the server 100 for authenticating that the user is a regular visitor registered for a certain reservation, and may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, a reservation number, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, a QR code is shown. Note that the authentication information may be generated by the server 100 based on the reservation information, and may include, for example, information on the reserved conference room, the visitor's affiliation (company name, name, etc.), key information (unlock key number, etc.) for unlocking the locking device 40 of the reserved conference room, the reservation date and time, etc.
[0020] Note that the authentication information itself may not be transmitted to the communication terminal 200. That is, a link such as a URL may be transmitted to the communication terminal 200 for the communication terminal 200 to acquire or display information used for authentication such as a QR code or a reservation number.
[0021] In FIG. 1, a smartphone is shown as the communication terminal 200, but the communication terminal 200 may be any terminal that can realize the functions described in each embodiment.
[0022] The reception terminal 20 may be a communication terminal installed, for example, at the entrance and exit of Floor 10 and performing reception processing for visitors. Note that the installation location of the reception terminal 20 is not limited to this. The reception terminal 20 may transmit the reservation information acquired in the reception processing of the visitor to the server 100. In FIG. 1, the reception terminal 20 is shown as a tablet terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0023] The display device 30 may be, for example, installed near the reception terminal 20 and display a notification corresponding to the reception process. The display device 30 may be a digital signage or a monitor. The display device 30 may be connected to the server 100 via the network 500, or it may be connected to the reception terminal 20 by wire or wireless connection and exchange notification content with the reception terminal 20.
[0024] The locking device 40 is a means for locking the entrance to the conference room 11, and may be, for example, a smart lock that can be unlocked and locked by a communication terminal 200. According to one embodiment of the present invention, authentication information including the above-mentioned key information for unlocking the smart lock may be transmitted in advance from the server 100 to the communication terminal 200. Visitors may unlock the smart lock by having a predetermined reader device read the key information.
[0025] The database server 400 may store various types of information (data) used by the information processing system 600. In Figure 1, only one database server 400 is shown separately from the server 100, but it may be integrated with the server 100. That is, the database server 400 may be the volatile memory or non-volatile memory of the server 100. Furthermore, the database server 400 may consist of multiple storage devices. The database server 400 may be connected to the server 100 via a dedicated internal network different from the network 500, or it may be connected to the server 100 via the network 500.
[0026] The database server 400 may store, for example, user information relating to users who use the management service. User information is information for identifying each user and may include, for example, a user ID (IDentifier) (an example of an identifier) that uniquely identifies the user, a username, an email address, etc. In this context, "users who use the management service" refers to persons who are able to reserve meeting room 11 and may be employees, officers, or temporary staff of the company that owns meeting room 11, or other persons who have been granted the authority to reserve meeting room 11.
[0027] The information stored in the database server 400 will be explained using Figures 2(a) and 2(b). Figure 2(a) is an example of a table containing details of a conference room, as an example of a facility. Table TB10 may be a dataset that associates a conference room ID, which uniquely identifies a conference room, with the name of the conference room, the maximum number of people who can use the conference room, and its location within floor 10. For example, a conference room identified by conference room ID "mr_N01" has "N01" as its name, a maximum number of people of "8," and its location within floor 10 is "11F." The location within floor 10 can be any information that allows for the determination of where conference room 11 is located within floor 10. For example, the database server 400 may store a floor plan (floor map) of floor 10 with identification numbers (e.g., "11F," "11E," etc. in table TB10) assigned to the area of each conference room. Alternatively, the location of a conference room may be identified by coordinate information within floor 10.
[0028] Note that the table TB10 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2(a), and may be stored in any manner as long as it is possible to identify each conference room. Also, the information stored in the table TB10 is not limited to what is shown, and may be more or less than what is shown. For example, the table TB10 may also store information regarding the area and equipment of conference room 11.
[0029] Figure 2(b) shows an example of a table relating to the reservation status of meeting room 11. Table TB20 may be a dataset that associates reservation information for each meeting room 11 on floor 10 with a reservation ID that uniquely identifies each reservation, a meeting room ID that uniquely identifies the reserved meeting room, the user ID of the user who made the reservation, the reservation date, the reservation time slot (start and end times), and the email addresses of the users participating in the meeting. For example, a reservation identified by reservation ID "rsv_001" indicates that the meeting room identified by meeting room ID "mr_N01" will be used by the user identified by user ID "user_001" on "2024 / 10 / 11" from "11:00-12:00", and that the user identified by user ID "user_009" and a visitor with the email address "**3@**.com" will participate. Note that "*" in the figure may contain alphanumeric characters, etc.
[0030] Note that table TB20 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2(b), and may be stored in any manner as long as each reservation can be identified. Also, the information stored in table TB20 is not limited to what is shown, and may be more or less than what is shown. Note that table TB20 may be updated each time a new reservation is set or a reservation is changed.
[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of a table regarding the usage status of conference room 11. Table TB30 may store the real-time usage status of each conference room 11. As will be described in detail later, the server 100 may update the usage status of conference room 11 from "unused" to "in use" when the locking device 40 of conference room 11 is released, i.e., when a visitor checks in to conference room 11. Also, when the locking device 40 of conference room 11 is locked, i.e., when a visitor checks out from conference room 11, the usage status of conference room 11 may be updated from "in use" to "unused". Here, if there are multiple users using conference room 11, the usage status of conference room 11 may be updated to "in use" when at least one of those users checks in, and to "unused" when all of those users check out. Alternatively, the usage status of the conference room may be updated when all of the multiple users using conference room 11 check in / check out. Furthermore, the usage status of the conference room may be updated when at least one of the multiple users using conference room 11 checks in / checks out. Please note that table TB30 is just one example, and the information indicating the usage status of the conference room is not limited to what is shown in the illustration.
[0032] Hereinafter, the use of the conference room 11 by a visitor according to one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. First, the visitor may complete the check-in process at the check-in terminal 20. Figure 4(a) is an example of the check-in screen displayed on the check-in terminal 20. The visitor may have the camera (not shown) of the check-in terminal 20 read a QR code, which is their authentication information, on the check-in screen 21. The QR code may be displayed on the visitor's communication terminal 200 or printed on paper. The check-in terminal 20 may send a check-in notification to the server 100 based on the reservation information included in the authentication information. That is, the check-in notification may send to the server 100 information that uniquely identifies the reservation, including at least one of the following: information about the reserved conference room, the visitor's affiliation (company name, name, etc.), key information for unlocking the locking device 40 of the reserved conference room, and the reservation date and time. The server 100 may determine whether the authentication information is legitimate and whether the visitor has the authority to use the reserved conference room. Whether or not the authentication information is legitimate may be determined by whether or not the conference room where the locking device 40 from which the authentication information was read is installed is a reserved conference room, and whether or not the time when the locking device 40 read the authentication information falls within the reserved time slot.
[0033] The key information is not limited to a QR code. For example, the key information could be a reservation number issued at the time of booking. In this case, for example, the reception terminal 20 may display a keypad that allows visitors to directly enter the reservation number.
[0034] When the server 100 receives a reception notification from the reception terminal 20, it may determine whether the reserved meeting room 11 is available, that is, whether meeting room 11 is in use, by referring to table TB30. If the reserved meeting room 11 is not in use, the server 100 may notify the display device 30 of the location of the meeting room (Type 1 guidance information). Figure 4(b) is an example of a notification screen on the display device 30, in which the location of meeting room N02 is highlighted on the floor map and guidance to meeting room N02 is shown. Note that the figure is just an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0035] Furthermore, if the server 100 receives notification of the above-mentioned Type 1 guidance information via the display device 30, it may perform the unlocking process using key information regardless of the reserved start time. That is, if the reserved meeting room is available when the visitor's check-in is complete and the visitor has been guided in, the locking device 40 may be unlocked before the reserved start time. Furthermore, if a user checks out of the meeting room earlier than their reserved time, they may set whether or not to allow other users to use the meeting room within the original reserved time after check-out. If other users are allowed to use the meeting room, the unlocking of the locking device 40 before the start time, as described above, may be performed. Furthermore, whether or not the locking device 40 can be unlocked before the start time can be set by the reservation user or the meeting room administrator.
[0036] Furthermore, if the server 100 finds that the reserved meeting room 11 is in use when the visitor's registration process is complete, i.e., if the check-out process for the reserved meeting room 11 has not been completed, the server 100 may refer to the reservation information (number of participants, reservation time slot, etc.) in addition to tables TB30 and TB20 to extract other available meeting rooms 11 from among the multiple meeting rooms 11. More specifically, the server 100 may refer to each table to extract other meeting rooms that can accommodate the number of users scheduled to enter the reserved meeting room 11 and that are available until the end of the reservation time. The server 100 may then notify the display device 30 of the location of the other available meeting rooms 11 (Type 2 guidance information). Figure 5(a) is an example of a notification screen on the display device 30, and the notification screen 42 may highlight the location of meeting room N03 on the floor map and indicate that meeting room N03 is available. Note that the figure is just an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0037] Furthermore, along with the notification of the Type 2 guidance information, the server 100 may generate key information for unlocking the locking device 40 of another conference room (in this case, conference room N03) that was announced in the Type 2 guidance information. The generated key information may be transmitted to the visitor's communication terminal 200 and to the communication terminals (not shown) of the reservation user and participating user.
[0038] Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, if a reserved meeting room is in use, the user may be directed to another meeting room. Furthermore, key information for unlocking another meeting room may be transmitted. This allows for a highly user-friendly system without making visitors wait, and also increases the utilization rate of meeting rooms.
[0039] Furthermore, if a visitor is directed to a different meeting room, that is, if the meeting room has been changed from the one originally reserved, the user who made the reservation for the meeting and the users participating in the meeting may be notified.
[0040] If, as a result of a check performed before the start time of use, the facility reserved in the reservation information is in use, a screen may be displayed on the reception terminal 20 allowing the user to choose whether or not to wait until the start time of use. Figure 5(b) is an example of a selection screen allowing the user to choose whether or not to wait until the start time of use. The selection screen 22 may be a screen that indicates that it is until the reservation time and allows the user to choose whether or not to search for a meeting room that is immediately available or to wait until the reservation time. If the visitor selects to search for a meeting room that is immediately available on the selection screen 22, the server 100 may perform the above-described extraction process for other meeting rooms. If the visitor selects to wait until the start time of use on the selection screen 22, the server 100 does not need to perform the above-described extraction process for other meeting rooms. In this case, the server 100 may determine whether or not the reserved meeting room is available when the start time of use arrives. If the meeting room is not available, the server may search for other meeting rooms, or the user using the meeting room or the user participating in the meeting may be notified that it is reserved, for example, by a communication terminal or speaker installed in the meeting room.
[0041] Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, visitors may be given the option to either wait until the start time of their reservation or to search for a meeting room that is immediately available. This can create a positive impression on visitors and reduce the unnecessary process of searching for other meeting rooms.
[0042] <Structure> Figure 6 will be used to explain the hardware and functional configuration of server 100.
[0043] <server> (1) Server hardware configuration The server 100 may include a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, an input / output unit 130, and a storage unit 170.
[0044] The control unit 110 is typically a processor, and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, etc., and may be implemented by logic circuits (hardware) or dedicated circuits formed on an integrated circuit chip (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc.
[0045] The communication unit 120 may be implemented as hardware such as a NIC or network adapter, communication software, or a combination thereof. The communication unit 120 may send and receive various types of data to and from the receiving terminal 20 and the communication terminal 200 via the network 500.
[0046] The input / output unit 130 may include an input device for inputting various operations to the server 100, and an output device for outputting processing results processed by the server 100. The input device may include, for example, hardware keys such as a touch panel, touch display, or keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera, or a microphone. The output device may output processing results processed by the control unit 110. The output device may include, for example, a display, touch panel, or speaker.
[0047] The storage unit 170 stores various programs and data necessary for the server 100 to operate. The storage unit 170 may include, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The storage unit 170 may also include memory that provides a workspace for the control unit 110.
[0048] (2) Server Functional Configuration The server 100 may be an information processing device that manages the use of multiple facilities 11, each of which is restricted from entry by a locking device 40. The server 100 may include, as functions implemented by the control unit 110, a facility information acquisition unit 111, a reservation acceptance unit 112, a locking processing unit 113, a usage status update unit 114, a determination unit 115, a notification unit 116, and an extraction unit 117. Note that, among the functional units shown in Figure 6, functional units that are not essential in each embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, the functions or processing of each functional unit may be implemented by machine learning or AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the extent that it is feasible.
[0049] The facility information acquisition unit 111 may acquire facility information that includes at least information regarding the locations of multiple facilities and store it in a predetermined storage unit. The predetermined storage unit may be a database server 400, and the facility information may be stored as table TB10 in Figure 2(a). The facility information may also be transmitted to the server 100 from a communication terminal of a facility administrator (not shown). The facility information may also include information regarding a floor map showing the layout of the facilities.
[0050] The reservation reception unit 112 may receive facility usage reservations from the user's communication terminal and store the reservation status of multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit. The reservation reception unit 112 may also output authentication information, including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility, based on the reservation information obtained when accepting the reservation. The reservation information may include the meeting room to be reserved, the reservation date and time, the reservation time slot (information that allows determination of the start and end times of use), and the number of people using the meeting room. In addition to the above reservation information, the authentication information may also include key information for unlocking the locking device 40 of the reserved meeting room. Furthermore, in response to the reception of a visitor, if the visitor is directed to a facility other than the one that was reserved, the reservation reception unit 112 may generate key information for unlocking the locking device 40 of the other facility.
[0051] The locking unit 113 may perform an unlocking process for the locking device of a reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility using authentication information. The request to start using the facility may be when key information is read by the reader of the locking device. The locking unit 113 may determine whether the read key information is legitimate, that is, whether the user has the right to use the reserved meeting room. If the locking unit 113 determines that the key information is legitimate, it may unlock the locking device 40. The locking unit 113 may also perform a locking process for the locking device of a reserved facility in response to a notification that the user has finished using the facility. The notification that the user has finished using the facility may be, for example, when a predetermined operation indicating the end of use of the facility is performed on a communication terminal (not shown) installed in the facility, or on the user's communication terminal. Alternatively, it may be when the key information is read again by the locking device 40.
[0052] Furthermore, if the locking unit 113 receives notification of the first type of guidance information, which is a notification indicating the location of the conference room, via the display device 30, it may perform the unlocking process using key information regardless of the reserved start time.
[0053] The usage status update unit 114 may update the usage status of a reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and update the usage status of a reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process. The usage status of each facility may be stored in the table TB30 in Figure 4.
[0054] When the determination unit 115 receives a reception notification from the reception terminal 20, it may determine whether the reserved facility is available based on the facility's usage status (i.e., table TB30).
[0055] The notification unit 116 may notify the display device 30 of the results of the determination by the determination unit 115. For example, if the determination results in the facility reserved in the reservation information being unused, the notification unit 116 may notify the display device 30 of Type 1 guidance information that guides the user to the location of the facility reserved in the reservation information. Also, if the determination results in the facility reserved in the reservation information being in use and other available facilities are extracted, the notification unit 116 may notify the display device 30 of Type 2 guidance information that guides the user to the location of those other facilities. Furthermore, if the notification unit 116 determines that the reserved facility is in use before the reserved start time, it may display a screen on the reception terminal 20 allowing the user to choose whether or not to wait until the start time.
[0056] If the determination by the judgment unit 115 indicates that a facility reserved in the reservation information is in use, the extraction unit 117 may extract other available facilities from among the multiple facilities based on the usage status and reservation status of multiple facilities and the content of the predetermined reservation information.
[0057] <Server control flowchart> The control method for the server 100 described above will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7. First, the reservation acceptance unit 112 of the server 100 accepts reservations for the use of multiple facilities 11, each of which entry is restricted by a locking device 40, and may store the reservation status of the multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit (step S11). The reservation status information may be stored in the database server 400 as the table TB20 described above. Next, the reservation acceptance unit 112 may output authentication information, including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility, based on the reservation information acquired when accepting the reservation (step S12). The locking processing unit 113 may perform an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility using the key information, and may perform a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended (step S13). The usage status update unit 114 may update the usage status of the reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and update the usage status of the reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process (step S14). Information regarding usage status may be stored as the table TB30 described above. When the determination unit 115 receives a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information from a reception terminal installed in a space where multiple facilities are located, it may determine whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information (step S15). The notification unit 116 may notify the predetermined display device 30 of the content corresponding to the determination result (step S16).
[0058] The present invention has been described based on various drawings and embodiments, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. Furthermore, the configurations shown in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, each component described as being provided by server 100 may be implemented by multiple servers in a distributed manner. Furthermore, the functions described as being implemented by server 100 may be implemented by the reception terminal 20. Also, instead of providing a display device 30, the content that would be notified to the display device 30 may be displayed on the reception terminal 20.
[0059] The programs of each embodiment of this disclosure may be provided stored in a storage medium readable by the information processing device. The storage medium is a "non-temporary tangible medium" capable of storing programs. The programs include, for example, software programs and information processing device programs. When each functional unit of the server 100 as an information processing device is implemented by software, the server 100 functions as a facility information acquisition unit 111, a reservation acceptance unit 112, a locking processing unit 113, a usage status update unit 114, a determination unit 115, a notification unit 116, and an extraction unit 117 by having the processor execute a program loaded into memory.
[0060] The storage medium may, where appropriate, include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (e.g., field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tape, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards or drives, any other suitable storage medium, or two or more suitable combinations thereof. The storage medium may, where appropriate, be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile.
[0061] Furthermore, the program disclosed herein may be provided to the server 100 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves).
[0062] Furthermore, each embodiment of this disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, where the program is embodied by electronic transmission. The programs of this disclosure may be implemented using, for example, scripting languages such as JavaScript® and Python®, or languages such as C, Go, Swift®, Koltin®, and Java®.
[0063] According to each aspect of this disclosure described above, by providing users with a more user-friendly work environment, we can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and inclusive, safe [Explanation of Symbols]
[0064] 100 Servers (Information Processing Devices) 110 Control Unit 111 Facility Information Acquisition Department 112 Reservation Department 113 Locking section 114 Usage Status Update Section 115 Judgment section 116 Notification Department 117 Extraction part 120 Communications Department 130 Input / output section 170 Storage section 200 communication terminals 400 Database Servers 500 Networks 600 Information Processing Systems 20 Reception terminal 30 Display device 40 Locking device
Claims
1. An information processing device for managing the use of multiple facilities, each with restricted access by a locking mechanism, A reservation receiving unit that receives reservations for the use of the aforementioned facilities, stores the reservation status of the multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, and outputs authentication information including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility based on the reservation information obtained when receiving the reservation. A locking processing unit that, in response to a request to start using the reserved facility using the aforementioned authentication information, performs an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility, and in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended, performs a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility. A usage status update unit updates the usage status of the reserved facility to "in use" based on the unlocking process, and updates the usage status of the reserved facility to "unused" based on the locking process. When a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information is received from a reception terminal installed in the space where the aforementioned multiple facilities are located, a determination unit determines whether or not the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available, based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information. A notification unit that notifies a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit, An information processing device equipped with the following features.
2. The facility information acquisition unit further includes a unit that acquires facility information, which includes at least information regarding the locations of the aforementioned plurality of facilities, and stores it in a predetermined storage unit. If, as a result of the determination, the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is unused, the notification unit notifies the predetermined display device of Type 1 guidance information that guides the location of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
3. When the notification unit notifies the first type of guidance information, the locking processing unit performs an unlocking process using authentication information based on the predetermined reservation information, regardless of the start time of use specified in the predetermined reservation information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.
4. If, as a result of the determination, the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is in use, the system further includes an extraction unit that extracts other available facilities from among the multiple facilities based on the usage and reservation status of the multiple facilities and the content of the predetermined reservation information. The notification unit notifies the designated display device of Type 2 guidance information that indicates the location of the facility reserved in the reservation information and other facilities, The reservation reception unit outputs authentication information including other key information for unlocking the locking device of the other facility. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.
5. If, as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is in use before the start time of use according to the predetermined reservation information, the notification unit displays a screen on the reception terminal allowing the user to choose whether or not to wait until the start time of use. If the reception terminal selects to wait until the start time of use, the extraction unit will not perform extraction of other facilities. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
6. A control method for an information processing device that manages the use of multiple facilities, each with restricted access by a locking device, Information processing device, The steps include: accepting a reservation for the use of the facility, storing the reservation status of the multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, and outputting authentication information, including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility, based on the reservation information obtained when accepting the reservation; The steps include: using the authentication information, performing an unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility, and performing a locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended; Based on the unlocking process, the usage status of the reserved facility is updated to "in use," and based on the locking process, the usage status of the reserved facility is updated to "unused." When a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information is obtained from a reception terminal installed in the space where the aforementioned multiple facilities are located, the step of determining whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available is based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information. A step of notifying a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the result of the determination step described above, A method for controlling an information processing device to perform the following actions.
7. A control program for an information processing device that manages the use of multiple facilities, each with restricted access by a locking device, In an information processing device, The function includes receiving reservations for the use of the aforementioned facilities, storing the reservation status of the multiple facilities in a predetermined storage unit, and outputting authentication information, including key information for unlocking the locking device of the reserved facility, based on the reservation information obtained when receiving the reservation. A function that, using the aforementioned authentication information, performs the unlocking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a request to start using the reserved facility, and performs the locking process for the locking device of the reserved facility in response to a notification that the use of the reserved facility has ended. Based on the unlocking process, the usage status of the reserved facility is updated to "in use," and based on the locking process, the usage status of the reserved facility is updated to "unused." When a reception terminal installed in the space where the aforementioned multiple facilities are located receives a reception notification based on predetermined reservation information, it has a function to determine whether the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information is available for use, based on the usage status of the facility reserved with the predetermined reservation information. A function that notifies a predetermined display device of the content corresponding to the result of the determination by the aforementioned determination function, A control program for an information processing device that makes this possible.