Server device, entrance / exit management system, server device control method and program

Abstract

To provide a server device capable of easily determining whether or not a visitor meets a person the visitor wants to meet while grasping the person's position.SOLUTION: A server device (20) comprises an admission person management database (101), a reception section (102), a search request processing section (103), and a transmission section (104). The admission person management database (101) stores location information, and the date and time of admission of an admission person to a restricted area. The reception section (102) receives a search request for persons a visitor wants to meet from an authentication terminal (10) that controls the visitor's admission to the restricted area. The search request processing section (103), according to the search request, calculates the staying time of admission persons corresponding to the persons the visitor wants to meet among admission persons stored in the admission person management database (101). The transmission section (104) transmits the location information and the calculated staying time of the persons the visitor wants to meet to the authentication terminal (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, an entrance / exit management system, a control method for a server device, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, more and more diverse work styles have been promoted. For example, the "free address" system, in which employees are free to use any available seat without being assigned a specific desk, is being promoted.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 states that a system is provided that allows a user's presence status to be confirmed without moving to the seat position. The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a user terminal and a server. A camera is provided in the user terminal. The user terminal detects the user's face based on an input image from the camera, determines whether the user is present or not, and transmits presence information indicating the determination result to the server. The server stores the presence information transmitted from each user terminal. Furthermore, when a request to confirm the user's presence information is received from the terminal of another user, the server transmits the stored presence information to the terminal of the other user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-101566 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, employees belonging to a specific department may use one free address floor, but there may also be cases where many employees from different departments use the same floor. In this case, problems may arise such as time taken to find the person required for a meeting on that floor, due to the fact that it is the first time that the people meeting each other have met.

[0006] Furthermore, even if a visitor to a floor has no scheduled meeting, if a familiar employee is staying on the floor, he or she may wish to meet with that employee for the purpose of exchanging information, etc. However, if the employee he or she wishes to meet has just entered the floor, the visitor may be hesitant to meet with that employee, as it is assumed that the employee has just started work.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a server device, an entrance / exit management system, a control method for the server device, and a storage medium that contribute to enabling a visitor to grasp the location of a person he or she wishes to meet and easily decide whether or not to meet with that person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided which comprises an visitor management database which stores location information and entry dates and times of visitors to a restricted area, a receiving unit which receives a search request for a meeting request from an authentication terminal which controls the entry of visitors to the restricted area, the search request processing unit which calculates the stay time of a visitor corresponding to the meeting request among the visitors stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request, and a transmitting unit which transmits location information of the meeting requesting person and the calculated stay time to the authentication terminal.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entrance / exit management system including an authentication terminal that controls the entry of visitors to a restricted area, and a server device connected to the authentication terminal, the server device comprising an visitor management database that stores location information and entry dates and times of entrants to the restricted area, a receiving unit that receives from the authentication terminal a search request for a meeting request of an individual whom the visitor wishes to meet, a search request processing unit that calculates, in accordance with the search request, the stay time of an individual corresponding to the meeting request among the entrants stored in the visitor management database, and a transmitting unit that transmits location information of the individual who wishes to meet and the calculated stay time to the authentication terminal.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a server device having an visitor management database that stores location information and entry dates and times of visitors to a restricted area, the method receiving a search request for a person wishing to meet with the visitor from an authentication terminal that controls the entry of visitors to the restricted area, calculating the length of stay of a visitor corresponding to the visitor among the visitors stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request, and transmitting location information of the person wishing to meet and the calculated length of stay to the authentication terminal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device having an visitor management database that stores location information and entry dates and times of visitors to a restricted area to execute the following processes: receiving a search request from an authentication terminal that controls the entry of visitors to the restricted area for a person wishing to meet with the visitor; calculating, in accordance with the search request, the length of stay of a person corresponding to the person wishing to meet with the visitor among the visitors stored in the visitor management database; and transmitting location information of the person wishing to meet with the visitor and the calculated length of stay to the authentication terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to each aspect of the present invention, there are provided a server device, an entrance / exit management system, a control method for a server device, and a storage medium that contribute to allowing a visitor to grasp the location of a person he / she wishes to meet and easily determine whether or not to meet with that person. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an entrance / exit management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display of an authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a user registration unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a user information acquisition unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an attendee management database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an attendee management database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of an authentication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a user information acquisition unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a user information acquisition unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information database according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display by an authentication terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display by an authentication terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display by an authentication terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display by an authentication terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] First, an outline of one embodiment will be described. The reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to aid in understanding, and the description of the outline is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units rather than hardware units. The connection lines between the blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. The unidirectional arrows are used to diagrammatically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0015] A server device 100 according to an embodiment includes a visitor management database 101, a receiving unit 102, a search request processing unit 103, and a transmitting unit 104 (see FIG. 1). The visitor management database 101 stores location information of visitors in the restricted area and the date and time of entry. The receiving unit 102 receives a search request for a person who wishes to meet with a visitor from an authentication terminal that controls the entry of visitors to the restricted area. The search request processing unit 103 calculates the stay time of a visitor corresponding to the visitor among the visitors stored in the visitor management database 101 in accordance with the search request. The transmitting unit 104 transmits the location information of the person who wishes to meet and the calculated stay time to the authentication terminal.

[0016] The server device 100 refers to the visitor management database 101, acquires location information of the person the visitor wishes to meet, and calculates the duration of stay. The server device 100 transmits the location information and duration of stay of the person who wishes to meet to the authentication terminal. The authentication terminal displays the information so that the visitor can know the location and duration of stay of the person who wishes to meet. As a result, the visitor can easily determine whether or not to visit the person who wishes to meet, taking into account the duration of stay while knowing the location of the person who wishes to meet.

[0017] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 2, the entrance / exit management system includes an authentication terminal 10 and a server device 20. The entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment manages the entrance and exit of users of a free address floor (hereinafter also simply referred to as a floor).

[0020] At least one camera device 30 is installed on the floor shown in Fig. 2. The camera device 30 is installed so as to overlook the entire floor. Although one camera device 30 is shown in Fig. 2, if multiple camera devices 30 are required to obtain an image overlooking the entire floor, a number of camera devices 30 that will achieve that purpose will be installed.

[0021] The devices shown in Fig. 2 are interconnected. For example, the authentication terminal 10 and the server device 20 are connected by a wired or wireless communication means and are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Although Fig. 2 shows a connection line between the authentication terminal 10 and the server device 20, other components (e.g., a camera device 30) are also connected to the server device 20. Furthermore, a stationary PC (Personal Computer) installed on the floor is also connected to the server device 20.

[0022] The server device 20 may be installed in the same building as the free address floor, or may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

[0023] The authentication terminal 10 is a terminal installed at the entrance to the free address floor. The authentication terminal 10 is connected to a gate 40. When the authentication terminal 10 successfully authenticates a visitor, it opens the gate 40 and permits the visitor to use the free address floor. The authentication terminal 10 is a terminal that controls the entry of visitors to a restricted area (free address floor) where the users who can enter are restricted (limited).

[0024] The server device 20 is a device that manages users on the floor. The server device 20 executes authentication processing using biometric information (e.g., face image) of the visitor acquired via the authentication terminal 10. The server device 20 notifies the authentication terminal 10 of the result of the authentication processing.

[0025] When the server device 20 succeeds in authenticating a visitor, it manages the authenticated person as a visitor (stayer) of the floor. The server device 20 manages visitors in the free address flow using a database (visitor management database described later). The server device 20 also manages the visitor's entry date and time (authentication time).

[0026] The server device 20 manages the positions of users (entrants and visitors to the floor) within the floor. The server device 20 grasps the position of each user in real time by any means.

[0027] For example, the server device 20 may obtain location information from a terminal (such as a smartphone) carried by the user to ascertain the location of the user. In this case, the terminal carried by the user may receive GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites to perform positioning and generate location information including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the terminal itself.

[0028] The server device 20 may detect the position of the user by analyzing an image obtained from the camera device 30. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the server device 20 determines the position of the user by analyzing an image obtained from the camera device 30.

[0029] The server device 20 updates the locations of visitors stored in the visitor management database in real time.

[0030] A visitor (a user who wishes to enter a free address floor) may wish to meet (for a meeting, a conference) with a user on the floor. In this case, after successful authentication by the authentication terminal 10, the visitor inputs information about the person he wishes to meet (hereinafter referred to as the person requesting the meeting).

[0031] For example, the authentication terminal 10 confirms the visitor's intention (whether the visitor wishes to meet with other users) using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as shown in Fig. 3. When the authentication terminal 10 determines that the visitor wishes to meet with other users, it accepts the visitor's operation using a GUI as shown in Fig. 4.

[0032] For example, a visitor who sees a screen such as that shown in Fig. 4 inputs the name of the person he or she wishes to meet in the character input area. After inputting the name of the person who wishes to meet, the visitor presses the decision button. The authentication terminal 10 transmits the name of the person who wishes to meet, acquired through a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 4, to the server device 20.

[0033] The authentication terminal 10 includes an input / output device that is an integrated liquid crystal panel and touch panel, and uses the input / output device to display a GUI and accept operations from the user.

[0034] The server device 20 identifies the location of the person requesting a meeting based on the information (the name of the person requesting a meeting) acquired from the authentication terminal 10, and notifies the authentication terminal 10 of the identified location.

[0035] The authentication terminal 10 uses the acquired information to display the location of the person wishing to meet (the location of the person wishing to meet within the free address floor). For example, the authentication terminal 10 displays a screen as shown in Fig. 5. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the authentication terminal 10 displays map information that mimics a free address floor. Then, the authentication terminal 10 identifies the location of the person wishing to meet with a teardrop-shaped marker (a marker that is teardrop-shaped and upside down), and displays the face image, name, etc. of the person wishing to meet within the marker.

[0036] A visitor who sees a screen like the one shown in Figure 5 will know that the person he or she wishes to meet is sitting at a round table in the center of the floor. The visitor can easily find the location of the person he or she wishes to meet and does not need to search for the person.

[0037] The server device 20 notifies the authentication terminal 10 of the location of the person requesting the meeting as well as the length of time the person is staying. Therefore, the authentication terminal 10 can also display the length of time the person requesting the meeting is staying, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Alternatively, the authentication terminal 10 may change the display of the marker, etc., depending on the stay time of the person seeking a meeting. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the authentication terminal 10 may change the color or the shade of the color of the marker depending on the stay time of the person seeking a meeting. For example, the longer the stay time, the darker the color, and the shorter the stay time, the lighter the color. In the example of FIG. 7, the marker M1 shown in FIG. 7 has the shortest stay time, and the marker M3 shown in FIG. 7 has the longest stay time. The marker M2 shown in FIG. 7 indicates the stay time between marker M1 and marker M3.

[0039] Alternatively, the authentication terminal 10 may change the design of the marker depending on the length of stay. For example, the authentication terminal 10 may express differences in length of stay with different shapes such as a star or a triangle. That is, when the authentication terminal 10 displays the position of a person seeking an appointment with a marker, the authentication terminal 10 may change the color or design of the marker depending on the length of stay.

[0040] As explained above, when a visitor wishes to meet with a person on a floor, the authentication terminal 10 requests (demands) the server device 20 to search for the location of that person. In the following explanation, the request sent from the authentication terminal 10 to the server device 20 will be referred to as a "search request." Information that identifies the person seeking to meet, such as the name of the person seeking to meet, will be referred to as "interview requester information." Location information of the person seeking to meet, included in the response (response to the search request) sent by the server device 20 to the authentication terminal 10 will be referred to as "interview requester location information."

[0041] <Advance preparation> In order to realize the entrance and exit management of users by the server device 20, the system users (users of the free address floor) need to make advance preparations. The advance preparations will be described below.

[0042] A user registers his / her attribute values ​​such as his / her biometric information and profile in the system. Specifically, the user inputs a face image to the server device 20. The user also inputs his / her profile (for example, attribute information such as name, employee number, place of work, department, job title, contact information, etc.) to the server device 20.

[0043] Any method can be used to input the biometric information, profile, and other information. For example, the user takes an image of his or her face using a terminal such as a smartphone. Furthermore, the user uses the terminal to generate a text file or the like in which the profile is described. The user operates the terminal to transmit the information (face image, profile) to the server device 20. Alternatively, the user may input the necessary information to the server device 20 using an external storage device such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) in which the information is stored.

[0044] Alternatively, the server device 20 may have a function as a WEB server, and the user may input the necessary information using a form provided by the server. Alternatively, a terminal for inputting the above information may be installed outside the floor, and the user may input the necessary information from the terminal to the server device 20. Alternatively, the user may input the necessary information from the authentication terminal 10 to the server device 20.

[0045] The server device 20 updates a database that manages system users using the acquired user information (biometric information, profile, etc.). Details regarding updating the database will be described later, but the server device 20 updates the database through the following operations. In the following description, the database for managing users who use the system disclosed in the present application will be referred to as the "user information database."

[0046] If the person corresponding to the acquired user information is a new user who is not registered in the user information database, the server device 20 assigns an ID (Identifier) ​​to the user. The server device 20 also generates a feature quantity that characterizes the acquired face image.

[0047] The server device 20 adds an entry to the user information database, including the ID assigned to the new user, the feature amount generated from the face image, the face image of the user, a profile, etc. By the server device 20 registering the user information, the user is allowed to enter the free address floor.

[0048] Next, each device included in the entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0049] [Server device] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 20 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 8, the server device 20 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration unit 202, an authentication unit 203, a user management unit 204, a search request processing unit 205, and a storage unit 206.

[0050] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the authentication terminal 10. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the authentication terminal 10. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiver that receives search requests and a function as a transmitter that transmits authentication results, etc.

[0051] The user registration unit 202 is a means for realizing the above-mentioned system user registration. The user registration unit 202 includes a plurality of sub-modules. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration of the user registration unit 202. Referring to FIG. 9, the user registration unit 202 includes a user information acquisition unit 211, an ID generation unit 212, a feature generation unit 213, and an entry management unit 214.

[0052] The user information acquisition unit 211 is a means for acquiring the user information described above. The user information acquisition unit 211 acquires biometric information and a profile of each of a plurality of users who use the entrance / exit management system. More specifically, the user information acquisition unit 211 acquires biometric information (e.g., face image) and a profile (e.g., name, affiliation, etc.) of the system user. The system user may input the above information from his / her own terminal to the server device 20, or may input the above information by operating the authentication terminal 10.

[0053] The user information acquisition unit 211 may provide a GUI or a form for inputting the above information. For example, when a user's terminal accesses the server device 20, the user information acquisition unit 211 displays an information input form as shown in Fig. 10 on the terminal operated by the user.

[0054] The system user inputs the information shown in Fig. 10. After inputting all the information, the system user presses the "Send" button and inputs the biometric information and profile to the server device 20.

[0055] When a user inputs user information using the authentication terminal 10, the authentication terminal 10 acquires a facial image of the user using an interface as shown in Fig. 11. When the authentication terminal 10 succeeds in acquiring a facial image, it provides the user with an interface for inputting a profile.

[0056] The user information acquisition unit 211 stores the acquired user information in the storage unit 206 .

[0057] The ID generation unit 212 is a means for generating an ID to be assigned to a system user. When the user information input by the system user is information related to a new registration, the ID generation unit 212 generates an ID for identifying the new user. For example, the ID generation unit 212 may calculate a hash value of the acquired user information (face image, profile), and use the hash value as the ID to be assigned to the user. Alternatively, the ID generation unit 212 may assign a unique value each time a user is registered, and use this value as the ID. In the following explanation, the ID generated by the ID generation unit 212 (the ID for identifying a system user) will be referred to as a "user ID."

[0058] The feature amount generating unit 213 is a means for generating a feature amount (a feature vector consisting of a plurality of feature amounts) that characterizes a facial image from a facial image included in the user information. Existing technology can be used for the feature amount generation process, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the feature amount generating unit 213 extracts the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. as feature points from the facial image. Thereafter, the feature amount generating unit 213 calculates the position of each feature point and the distance between each feature point as feature amounts, and generates a feature vector consisting of a plurality of feature amounts (vector information that characterizes a facial image).

[0059] The entry management unit 214 is a means for managing entries in the user information database. When registering a new user in the database, the entry management unit 214 adds an entry including the user ID generated by the ID generation unit 212, the feature amount generated by the feature amount generation unit 213, the face image, and the profile acquired from the user to the user information database.

[0060] By operating the user registration unit 202, a user information database (a database that stores a user ID for identifying a system user, biometric information, and a profile in association with each other) as shown in Fig. 12 is constructed. Note that the contents registered in the user information database shown in Fig. 12 are merely examples, and are of course not intended to limit the information to be registered in the user information database.

[0061] Returning to Fig. 8, the authentication unit 203 is a means for performing authentication processing of visitors who visit a free address floor. The authentication unit 203 acquires an authentication request from the authentication terminal 10. Since the authentication request includes biometric information (face image) of the visitor (person to be authenticated), the authentication unit 203 extracts the face image from the authentication request. The authentication unit 203 calculates feature amounts from the acquired face image.

[0062] The authentication unit 203 sets the feature amount calculated based on the face image acquired from the authentication terminal 10 as a matching target, and performs a matching process with the feature amount registered in the user information database. More specifically, the authentication unit 203 sets the calculated feature amount (feature vector) as a matching target, and performs 1:N (N is a positive integer, the same applies below) matching with multiple feature vectors registered in the user information database.

[0063] The authentication unit 203 calculates the similarity between the feature to be matched and each of the multiple feature on the registration side. The similarity can be calculated using chi-square distance, Euclidean distance, etc. The greater the distance, the lower the similarity, and the closer the distance, the higher the similarity.

[0064] The authentication unit 203 determines that the authentication of the target to be matched has been successful if the similarity between the feature and the target feature among the multiple feature amounts registered in the user information database is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and if there is a feature amount with the highest similarity. The authentication unit 203 transmits the authentication result (authentication successful, authentication failed) to the authentication terminal 10 as a response to the matching request.

[0065] The authentication unit 203 reads out a user ID corresponding to a person who has been successfully authenticated from the user information database. If the biometric authentication of a visitor is successful, the authentication unit 203 may transmit a response (authentication success) including the user ID of the person who has been successfully authenticated (visitor's user ID) to the authentication terminal 10. The authentication unit 203 also passes the read user ID to the user management unit 204.

[0066] In this way, the authentication unit 203 performs biometric authentication of the visitor using the visitor's biometric information included in the authentication request and the biometric information of each of the multiple users stored in the user information database. The authentication unit 203 transmits the result of the biometric authentication to the authentication terminal 10 via the communication control unit 201.

[0067] The user management unit 204 is a means for managing users (entrants and visitors on the floor) within the free address floor. The user management unit 204 manages visitors using the user ID acquired from the authentication unit 203. Specifically, the user management unit 204 manages the user ID by associating it with the location information, etc. of the person corresponding to the user ID.

[0068] The user management unit 204 calculates the position of a visitor in real time. As described above, the user management unit 204 calculates the position of a visitor by any means. In the first embodiment, the user management unit 204 calculates the position information of a visitor by analyzing images obtained from the camera devices 30 installed at various locations on the free address floor. The user management unit 204 functions as a calculation unit that calculates the position information of visitors on the free address floor.

[0069] For example, the user management unit 204 extracts a face region (face image) from image data acquired from the camera device 30. The user management unit 204 calculates a feature amount from the extracted face image and identifies the user ID of the person appearing in the image data by a matching process using a user information database. Furthermore, the user management unit 204 converts the coordinates of the face image in the image data (for example, coordinates in a coordinate system with the lower left corner of the image data as the origin) into coordinates on the floor (coordinates in a coordinate system with an entrance or the like as the origin). For example, the user management unit 204 performs the above conversion using a conversion table prepared in advance to calculate the user's position information. The user management unit 204 updates the position information of the identified user ID with the position information calculated using the image data. Note that the size of a person's face can be considered to be the same to a certain extent, so the distance between the user and the camera device 30 can be estimated from the size of the face. Therefore, by preparing the above conversion table for each size of the extracted face region, the user management unit 204 can estimate the user's position.

[0070] Alternatively, the free address floor may be divided into a grid pattern, and a camera device 30 may be assigned to each of the divided small areas. In this case, the user management unit 204 may estimate the user's position by referencing information (e.g., table information) that associates the imaging range and position of each camera device 30, and analyzing image data obtained from each camera device 30. That is, the user management unit 204 may infer the position of a person corresponding to a facial image from the position of the camera device 30 that captured an image including the facial image. That is, if a person is captured in image data obtained from a camera device 30, the user management unit 204 determines that the person is present within the imaging range of the camera device 30, and infers the position.

[0071] Alternatively, the user management unit 204 may calculate the position information of the visitor using a stereo camera capable of calculating the depth direction as the camera device 30. In this case, the user management unit 204 analyzes the two pieces of image data and calculates the position (coordinates) and direction of the user based on the position of the camera device 30. After that, the user management unit 204 may calculate the user's position information by combining the position of the camera device 30 and the position of the user (adding the relative position of the user to the absolute position of the camera device 30).

[0072] Alternatively, as described above, the user management unit 204 may acquire location information from a terminal carried by the user. The user's terminal may generate location information using a GPS, or may generate location information based on the strength of radio waves received from a wireless access point such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0073] If there is a blind spot for the camera device 30, the user management unit 204 may calculate the position of the user from address information of the PC (personal computer) used by the user. For example, the address information of the PC may be stored in association with the location information of the PC, and the visitor may be identified from login information (information identifying the user using the PC) obtained from the PC, and the location information may be calculated. In a free address venue, the location of the user may be identified from the location of the PC and the logged-in ID by logging in to the PC placed on each table using an ID and PW (password) or face authentication.

[0074] The user management unit 204 manages a user ID, the date and time when the user entered the floor, and the location information of the user in association with each other. Specifically, the user management unit 204 manages visitors using a visitor management database having fields for storing at least the above three pieces of information. For example, the user management unit 204 manages visitors using a visitor management database as shown in Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 13, the visitor management database is a database that stores at least a user ID corresponding to a visitor to a restricted area (free address floor) where entry and exit are restricted, the date and time of entry, and the location information of the visitor in association with each other.

[0075] The visitor management database shown in Fig. 13 is an example, and in addition to the visit date and time and location information, the visitor's status (work status) may also be managed. For example, if the visitor is in a meeting, the visitor's status may be set to "in a meeting," and if the visitor is performing work at a round table or the like, the visitor's status may be set to "regular work" (see Fig. 14). Note that if the visitor is in a conference room, the visitor's status may be set to "in a meeting."

[0076] The user management unit 204 adds a new entry to the visitor management database immediately after a user enters the free address floor. Also, when a visitor leaves the floor, the user management unit 204 deletes the corresponding entry from the visitor management database. The user management unit 204 detects the entry and exit of users using images obtained from the camera device 30.

[0077] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 8, the search request processing unit 205 is a means for processing a "search request" received from the authentication terminal 10. The search request processing unit 205 transmits to the authentication terminal 10 the location information, duration of stay, etc. of the person requesting to meet with whom the visitor wishes to meet. The search request processing unit 205 calculates the duration of stay (duration of stay within the free address floor) of the visitor corresponding to the visitor who wishes to meet among the visitors stored in the visitor management database, in accordance with the search request relating to the location of the person requesting to meet received from the authentication terminal 10. The search request processing unit 205 transmits the location information of the person requesting to meet, the calculated duration of stay, etc. to the authentication terminal 10 via the communication control unit 201.

[0078] The search request processing unit 205 extracts information that identifies the person wishing to meet from the search request (person wishing to meet information; for example, name). The search request processing unit 205 searches the user information database using the extracted information as a search key, and identifies the corresponding user ID.

[0079] The search request processing unit 205 refers to the visitor management database and acquires the location information (coordinate information within the floor) corresponding to the specified user ID. The search request processing unit 205 also calculates the stay time of the specified user (the difference between the current time and the entry time) based on the entry date and time (entry time) corresponding to the specified user ID and the current time.

[0080] The search request processing unit 205 transmits the search results, including the location information, the duration of stay, the names and face images of the people seeking meetings who are the subject of the search, to the authentication terminal 10.

[0081] For example, in the example of FIG. 2, if a visitor wants to know the location of visitor U, a search request including the name (ABC) of visitor U is sent to the server device 20. The search request processing unit 205 acquires a corresponding user ID from the user information database based on the name (ABC) included in the search request. The search request processing unit 205 refers to the visitor management database and acquires the location information of the person corresponding to the user ID read from the user information database. The search request processing unit 205 transmits the acquired location information, the calculated stay time, the name (ABC) and face image of the search target person to the authentication terminal 10. The authentication terminal 10 displays a screen showing the location of the person requesting to meet using the acquired search results (name, face image, location information, stay time). For example, the authentication terminal 10 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0082] In addition, there may be cases where users with the same name are registered in the user information database. In this case, the search request processing unit 205 cannot determine which of the multiple people with the same name is the person who wishes to meet, so it transmits the search results (name, face image, location information, and stay time) of the multiple people to the authentication terminal 10. The authentication terminal 10 may display the search results for each of the multiple people. In this case, the visitor may identify the person who wishes to meet based on the displayed face image. Alternatively, the search request processing unit 205 may transmit the name, location information, and stay time to the authentication terminal 10 if there is only one person (person registered in the database) corresponding to the acquired name, and may transmit a face image to the authentication terminal 10 in addition to the name, location information, and stay time if there are multiple corresponding people. In other words, the search request processing unit 205 may change the content to be transmitted to the authentication terminal 10 depending on the acquired information of the person who wishes to meet and the results obtained from the user information database.

[0083] In this way, the search request processing unit 205 refers to the user information database and identifies a corresponding user ID from information identifying the person wishing to meet that is included in the search request (for example, the name of the person wishing to meet).The search request processing unit 205 refers to the visitor management database and identifies a visitor corresponding to the person wishing to meet from the identified user ID.

[0084] The storage unit 206 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 20. A user information database and an attendee management database are constructed in the storage unit 206. The user information database is a database that stores biometric information, user ID, and information identifying each user (e.g., name, etc.) of each of multiple users who are allowed to enter the restricted area, in association with each other. The attendee management database is a database that stores the user ID, location information, and entry date and time of an attendee, in association with each other.

[0085] [Authentication device] The authentication terminal 10 is a terminal that manages entry to a restricted area (free address floor). When authentication using biometric information registered in the user information database is successful, the authentication terminal 10 permits the successfully authenticated user to enter the restricted area.

[0086] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the authentication terminal 10. Referring to Fig. 15, the authentication terminal 10 includes a communication control unit 301, a face image acquisition unit 302, an authentication request unit 303, a search request unit 304, a search result output unit 305, and a storage unit 306.

[0087] The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the server device 20. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the server device 20. The communication control unit 301 passes the data received from the other devices to the other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits the data acquired from the other processing modules to the other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from the other devices via the communication control unit 301.

[0088] The face image acquisition unit 302 is a means for controlling a camera device (a camera device provided in the authentication terminal 10) and acquiring a face image (biometric information) of a visitor in front of the visitor. The face image acquisition unit 302 captures an image of the area in front of the device periodically or at a predetermined timing. The face image acquisition unit 302 determines whether or not the acquired image contains a human face image, and if a face image is included, extracts the face image from the acquired image data.

[0089] Since existing technologies can be used for the face image detection process and face image extraction process by the face image acquisition unit 302, detailed explanations will be omitted. For example, the face image acquisition unit 302 may extract a face image (face region) from image data using a learning model learned by a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). Alternatively, the face image acquisition unit 302 may extract a face image using a method such as template matching.

[0090] The facial image acquisition unit 302 passes the extracted facial image to the authentication request unit 303 .

[0091] The authentication request unit 303 is a means for requesting authentication of a visitor to the server device 20. The authentication request unit 303 generates an authentication request including the acquired face image, and transmits it to the server device 20.

[0092] The authentication request unit 303 receives a response (authentication success, authentication failure) to the authentication request from the server device 20. If the response from the server device 20 includes a user ID, the authentication request unit 303 stores the user ID in the storage unit 306.

[0093] If the authentication result is "authentication failed," the authentication request unit 303 notifies the visitor of that fact. At that time, it is preferable for the authentication request unit 303 to also notify the visitor of contact information in the event of authentication failure, etc. For example, the authentication request unit 303 displays on an LCD panel or the like that the authentication has failed and a contact phone number, etc.

[0094] If the authentication result is “authentication successful”, authentication request unit 303 notifies search request unit 304 accordingly.

[0095] The search request unit 304 is a means for requesting the server device 20 to search for a person who wishes to meet. The search request unit 304 displays a screen for the visitor to input his / her intention of whether or not to search for a person who wishes to meet. For example, the search request unit 304 displays a screen as shown in FIG.

[0096] If the visitor does not wish to search for people wishing to meet (if No in FIG. 3 is selected), the search request unit 304 opens the gate 40. After the visitor enters the floor, the search request unit 304 closes the gate 40. Whether or not the visitor has entered the floor (whether or not the visitor has passed through the gate 40) is detected by a sensor (a sensor using infrared rays or the like) installed at the gate 40, and the detection result is notified to the authentication terminal 10.

[0097] When the visitor wishes to search for a person who wishes to meet (when Yes in FIG. 3 is selected), the search request unit 304 displays a screen for inputting information about the person who wishes to meet. For example, the search request unit 304 displays (generates a GUI) as shown in FIG.

[0098] The search request unit 304 generates a “search request” including information acquired via the GUI (information of the person wishing to meet; for example, the name of the person wishing to meet). The search request unit 304 transmits the generated search request to the server device 20.

[0099] The search request unit 304 obtains a response to the above request from the server device 20. The search request unit 304 passes the obtained response to the search result output unit 305.

[0100] The search result output unit 305 is a means for outputting information related to the search results acquired from the server device 20. Specifically, the search result output unit 305 outputs information related to the location of the person requesting the meeting. The search result output unit 305 uses the response acquired from the server device 20 (the name, face image, location information, and stay time of the person requesting the meeting) to display, for example, a screen such as those shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 on the display.

[0101] The administrator or the like inputs in advance information required for displaying the images shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 into the authentication terminal 10. Specifically, the administrator or the like inputs information on the layout of the free address floor and information on the coordinate system into the authentication terminal 10 in advance. For example, the administrator or the like stores in the authentication terminal 10 a conversion formula or the like for converting the position information (coordinate information) acquired from the server device 20 into coordinates on a map.

[0102] The displays shown in Figures 5 and 6 are merely examples and are not intended to limit the output format, output form, etc. of the search result output unit 305. For example, the search result output unit 305 may send the search results to the visitor's email address, etc. Alternatively, the search result output unit 305 may notify the visitor of the location information of the person requesting the meeting by replacing the location information with a simple expression indicating the location information. For example, in the examples of Figures 5 and 6, a display or voice such as "Mr. ABC is seated at the round table in the center" may be output.

[0103] Alternatively, as described above, the search result output unit 305 may use the stay time acquired from the server device 20 to display as shown in FIG.

[0104] The storage unit 306 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the authentication terminal 10 .

[0105] [Operation of the entrance / exit management system] Next, the operation of the entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0106] Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the entrance / exit management system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the system operation when a visitor wishes to search for a person who wishes to meet with him / her. It is assumed that system users have been registered in advance prior to the operation of Fig. 16.

[0107] When a visitor positions himself / herself in front of the authentication terminal 10, the authentication terminal 10 acquires a facial image of the visitor. The authentication terminal 10 transmits an authentication request including the facial image to the server device 20 (step S01).

[0108] The server device 20 executes authentication processing using the acquired face image (matching processing using features registered in the user information database) (step S11). The server device 20 transmits the result of the authentication processing (authentication success, authentication failure) to the authentication terminal 10.

[0109] When the visitor wishes to search for a person who wishes to meet, the authentication terminal 10 transmits a search request including the name and other information of the person who wishes to meet to the server device 20 (step S02).

[0110] The server device 20 extracts the information of the person wishing to meet from the search request, and identifies the location information of the person wishing to meet using the user information database and visitor management database (step S12).

[0111] The server device 20 transmits a response (response to the search request) including the location information, the duration of stay, and the like, to the authentication terminal 10 (step S13).

[0112] The authentication terminal 10 outputs information indicating the location of the person requesting the meeting using the acquired location information, duration of stay, etc. (outputting location information of the person requesting the meeting; step S03).

[0113] As described above, the server device 20 according to the first embodiment refers to the visitor management database and the like to acquire location information of the person whom the visitor wishes to meet. Furthermore, the server device 20 calculates the stay time of the person who wishes to meet. The server device 20 transmits the location information and stay time of the person who wishes to meet to the authentication terminal 10. The authentication terminal 10 displays the information so that the visitor can grasp the location and stay time of the person who wishes to meet. As a result, the visitor can easily determine whether or not to visit the person who wishes to meet, taking into account the stay time while grasping the location of the person who wishes to meet.

[0114] [Second embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0115] In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a visitor registers in advance users who he or she frequently meets. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a visitor displays the location and stay time of a user (registered person) registered in advance.

[0116] The configuration of the entrance / exit management system according to the second embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, so the explanation corresponding to Fig. 2 will be omitted. Also, the processing configuration of the authentication terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to the second embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted. The following explanation will focus on the differences between the first and second embodiments.

[0117] The user registration unit 202 of the server device 20 acquires information on people frequently visited by a system user when the user registers the system user. More specifically, the user information acquisition unit 211 generates a GUI as shown in Fig. 17. When the user accesses the GUI and wishes to register a person who frequently visits the system user, the user presses the "Register" button located at the bottom right.

[0118] In response to pressing of the button, the user information acquisition unit 211 generates a GUI as shown in FIG. 18. Following the GUI, the user registers people who frequently visit. For example, the system user inputs the name of a person in charge of another department with whom the system user collaborates. Alternatively, the user information acquisition unit 211 may refer to a digitized employee list or the like, and generate a GUI that displays candidates for registrants when the user inputs all or part of a name, and allows the user to select a registrant from the displayed candidates. Alternatively, the user information acquisition unit 211 may identify a registrant by an employee number or the like instead of a name (the employee number may be input).

[0119] That is, the user information acquisition unit 211 acquires information (such as the names of the candidates) regarding people (candidates) who are candidates for meeting each user registered in the user information database.

[0120] The user information acquisition unit 211 stores the acquired candidate information together with the biometric information (facial image, feature amount) and attribute information (name, affiliation, etc.) of the system user in a user information database (see FIG. 19). As shown in FIG. 19, the user information database according to the second embodiment stores at least one candidate (candidate's name, etc.) related to a person who wishes to meet with each user, in addition to biometric information, user ID, and information identifying each user (user's name, etc.).

[0121] 20 that the visitor wishes to search for a person who wishes to meet, the search request unit 304 of the authentication terminal 10 transmits a "search request" to the server device 20. At that time, the search request unit 304 transmits a search request including the user ID of the visitor (person who has been successfully authenticated) to the server device 20. Note that in the second embodiment, the search request transmitted from the authentication terminal 10 does not include the name, etc., of the person who wishes to meet.

[0122] The search request processor 205 of the server device 20 acquires the user ID from the received search request. The search request processor 205 searches the user information database using the acquired user ID as a key, and identifies an entry corresponding to the visitor.

[0123] The search request processor 205 refers to the candidate field of the identified entry and acquires the candidate information (such as name and employee number). In the example of Fig. 19, if the user ID is "ID01", the names of two candidates (AA1, AA2) are acquired.

[0124] The search request processor 205 searches the user information database using the acquired candidate's name as a key, and acquires the corresponding user ID. In the above example, "ID11" is identified as the user ID of the user with the name "AA1," and "ID12" is identified as the user ID of the user with the name "AA2."

[0125] The search request processor 205 searches the admission management database using the identified user ID as a key to identify the corresponding entry. With reference to Fig. 13, in the above example, the entries in the sixth and seventh rows are identified.

[0126] Based on the information of the identified entry, the search request processing unit 205 generates search results to be transmitted to the authentication terminal 10. In the above example, the search request processing unit 205 transmits the search results including the location information, stay time, name (candidate's name), and face image for each of the two registrants to the authentication terminal 10.

[0127] If the candidate is absent (if the specified user ID is not stored in the entrance management database), the search request processing unit 205 transmits search results including that fact to the authentication terminal 10. Specifically, the search request processing unit 205 transmits search results including the name, face image, etc. of the absent candidate (person wishing to meet who has been pre-registered) to the authentication terminal 10. If the visitor wishing to meet is absent from the free address floor, the search request processing unit 205 notifies the authentication terminal 10 that the person wishing to meet is absent.

[0128] The search request unit 304 of the authentication terminal 10 passes the response (search result) acquired from the server device 20 to the search result output unit 305 .

[0129] The search result output unit 305 uses the response (candidate's name, face image, location information, stay time, etc.) acquired from the server device 20 to display, for example, a screen as shown in Fig. 21. In Fig. 21, as described with reference to Fig. 7, the color of the marker is changed according to the stay time of the candidate (person seeking an interview).

[0130] If the candidate is absent, the search result output unit 305 displays a result as shown in Fig. 22 to clearly indicate the absent person. If the meeting requesting person is absent, the authentication terminal 10 displays that fact.

[0131] As described above, the server device 20 according to the second embodiment refers to the user information database and identifies candidates from the visitor's user ID included in the search request. The server device 20 calculates the stay time of visitors corresponding to the candidates among the visitors stored in the visitor management database, and transmits this together with location information and the like to the authentication terminal 10. That is, in the second embodiment, the visitor does not need to input the name and other information of the person wishing to meet, and can know the location and stay time of the person wishing to meet with a simple operation.

[0132] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0133] In the third embodiment, a combination of the first and second embodiments will be described. In the third embodiment, a combination of searching for the location of a person wishing to meet specified by a visitor (first embodiment) and searching for the location of a person wishing to meet registered in advance by a visitor (second embodiment) will be described.

[0134] The configuration of the entrance / exit management system according to the third embodiment can be the same as that of the first and second embodiments, so the explanation corresponding to Fig. 2 will be omitted. Also, the processing configuration of the authentication terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to the third embodiment can be the same as that of the first and third embodiments, so the explanation will be omitted. The following explanation will focus on the differences between the first to third embodiments.

[0135] The search request unit 304 of the authentication terminal 10 according to the third embodiment acquires the search method desired by the visitor through a GUI as shown in Fig. 23. When a visitor wishes to search for a user who has registered in advance, the operation of the entrance / exit management system according to the third embodiment can be the same as the operation of the entrance / exit management system according to the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0136] When a visitor specifies a person wishing to meet, the search request unit 304 sends a search request to the server device 20, which includes information identifying the person wishing to meet (person wishing to meet information; name, etc.) and the user ID of the person who was successfully authenticated (visitor).

[0137] The search request processing unit 205 processes the request in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The search request processing unit 205 also searches the user information database using the visitor's user ID included in the search request as a key to identify a corresponding entry. The search request processing unit 205 stores the meeting request information (such as the name of the person requested to meet) included in the search request in the candidate field of the identified entry. In other words, the search request processing unit 205 treats the user for whom the visitor has instructed a search as a "pre-registered person" as described in the second embodiment, and registers the user in the user information database.

[0138] When there is a request to search for the location of a pre-registered user (a potential meeting candidate), the search request processing unit 205 searches the above-mentioned user information database, enabling a location search that includes not only pre-registered people, but also people specified in past location searches.

[0139] As described above, in the third embodiment, when a search request includes information identifying the person wishing to meet and the visitor's user ID, the server device 20 stores the information identifying the person wishing to meet as candidate information in an entry corresponding to the visitor in the user information database. As a result, the candidates stored in the user information database are enhanced, and user convenience can be improved.

[0140] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the entrance / exit management system will be described.

[0141] The server device 20 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called a computer), and has the configuration exemplified in Fig. 24. For example, the server device 20 has a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0142] However, the configuration shown in Fig. 24 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 20. The server device 20 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. In addition, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 20 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in Fig. 24, and for example, the server device 20 may include multiple processors 311.

[0143] The processor 311 is, for example, a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0144] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0145] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. that accepts user operations.

[0146] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, a module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0147] The functions of the server device 20 are realized by various processing modules. For example, the processing modules are realized by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules may also be realized by a semiconductor chip.

[0148] The authentication terminal 10 can also be configured by an information processing device like the server device 20, and the basic hardware configuration is not described here because it is the same as the server device 20. For example, the authentication terminal 10 may be provided with a camera device, a liquid crystal display, etc.

[0149] The server device 20 is equipped with a computer, and the computer executes a program to realize the functions of the server device 20. The server device 20 also executes a control method for the server device 20 by the program.

[0150] [Variations] The configuration, operation, etc. of the entrance / exit management system described in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to limit the system configuration, etc.

[0151] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the name and face image of the person requesting to meet are transmitted from the server device 20 to the authentication terminal 10. However, in addition to or instead of this information, other information may be transmitted to the authentication terminal 10. For example, the status of the person requesting to meet (e.g., at regular work, in a meeting) may be transmitted to the authentication terminal 10. The authentication terminal 10 also displays the status of the person requesting to meet, thereby providing a basis for the visitor to decide whether or not to visit the person requesting to meet.

[0152] The server device 20 may cooperate with other servers or databases that manage information about visitors to the floor. For example, the server device 20 transmits the name and employee number of the person requesting the meeting to the other servers, etc., and acquires the schedule information of the person requesting the meeting. The server device 20 may also transmit the acquired schedule information to the authentication terminal 10. By responding in this way, if the person requesting the meeting is absent, the authentication terminal 10 can display information about the return time and the place of stay of the absent person.

[0153] Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, when location information of multiple meeting requesters (including absent meeting requesters) is displayed, the authentication terminal 10 may display schedule information of the meeting requester selected by the visitor. For example, in the example of Fig. 21, when a visitor wants to know the schedule of meeting requester AA1, the visitor clicks on the marker of the meeting requester to display the corresponding schedule information. In this manner, the visitor can know the schedule of the meeting requester and can make an appropriate decision as to whether or not to visit the meeting requester. For example, when the meeting requester will soon be absent for a meeting, the visitor will refrain from meeting with the meeting requester.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the server device 20 calculates the stay time of each visitor on the free address floor. However, the server device 20 may divide the floor into smaller areas for management, and calculate the stay time in each small area. When a visitor leaves a small area and moves to another small area, the server device 20 may calculate the stay time in the new small area. In other words, the server device 20 may calculate the time that each visitor stays in substantially the same place in the restricted area (free address floor) as the stay time of each visitor.

[0155] The profile of a system user (user attribute values) may be input using a scanner or the like. For example, a user inputs an image of his / her business card to the server device 20 using a scanner. The server device 20 performs an optical character recognition (OCR) process on the acquired image. The server device 20 may determine the user profile based on the acquired information.

[0156] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which biometric information related to a "face image" is transmitted from the authentication terminal 10 to the server device 20. However, biometric information related to "feature amounts generated from a face image" may also be transmitted from the authentication terminal 10 or the like to the server device 20. The server device 20 may use the acquired feature amounts (feature vector) to execute a matching process against feature amounts registered in the user information database.

[0157] The server device 20 may notify the person requesting the meeting of the arrival of a visitor. Specifically, when the server device 20 acquires a search request including the name and the like of the person requesting the meeting from the visitor via the authentication terminal 10, the server device 20 may send an email to the person requesting the meeting notifying the presence of the visitor.

[0158] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the authentication terminal 10 controls entry to a free address floor. However, the use of the authentication terminal 10 is not limited to controlling entry to a free address floor. For example, the authentication terminal 10 may be used to restrict entry to an event venue, an exhibition, or the like. The authentication terminal 10 may be a terminal that performs two-factor authentication when entering a floor, or may be a terminal that makes payments by facial recognition (for example, a facial recognition self-checkout).

[0159] In the flow charts (flow charts, sequence diagrams) used in the above description, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the figures can be changed to a degree that does not interfere with the content, such as executing each process in parallel.

[0160] The above-mentioned embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the configurations described above are necessary. In addition, when a plurality of embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of an embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of an embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of an embodiment with another configuration.

[0161] From the above explanation, the industrial applicability of the present invention is clear, and the present invention can be suitably applied to an entrance / exit management system used in a free address floor of a company or the like.

[0162] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] an attendee management database that stores location information and entry date and time of attendees in the restricted area; a receiving unit that receives a search request for a person who wishes to meet with the visitor from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into the restricted area; a search request processing unit that calculates the length of stay of visitors corresponding to the person wishing to meet among those stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request; A transmission unit that transmits location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time to the authentication terminal; A server device comprising: [Appendix 2] a user information database that stores biometric information, a user ID, and information for identifying each user of a plurality of users who are allowed to enter the restricted area in association with each other; the visitor management database stores the visitor's user ID, location information, and visit date and time in association with each other; The search request includes information identifying the person wishing to meet, The search request processing unit refers to the user information database, and identifies the corresponding user ID from information identifying the person wishing to meet that is included in the search request, and A server device as described in Appendix 1, which refers to the visitor management database and identifies a visitor corresponding to the person wishing to meet from the identified user ID. [Appendix 3] The receiving unit receives an authentication request including biometric information of the visitor from the authentication terminal, an authentication unit that performs biometric authentication of the visitor using the biometric information included in the authentication request and the biometric information stored in the user information database; 3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits a result of the biometric authentication to the authentication terminal. [Appendix 4] The server device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission unit transmits an authentication result including a user ID of the visitor to the authentication terminal if the biometric authentication of the visitor is successful. [Appendix 5] The user information database stores, in addition to the biometric information, the user ID, and information identifying each user, at least one candidate for each user who wishes to meet the user; the receiving unit receives the search request that does not include information identifying the person wishing to meet and that includes the user ID of the visitor; The server device described in Appendix 4, wherein the search request processing unit refers to the user information database to identify the candidate from the visitor's user ID included in the search request, and calculates the stay time of an attendee corresponding to the candidate among the attendees stored in the attendee management database. [Appendix 6] The server device described in Appendix 5, wherein when the search request includes information identifying the person wishing to meet and the visitor's user ID, the search request processing unit stores the information identifying the person wishing to meet as information of the candidate in an entry corresponding to the visitor in the user information database. [Appendix 7] The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the search request processing unit calculates the staying time based on the entry date and time of the visitor corresponding to the person wishing to meet and the current time. [Appendix 8] The server device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 6, wherein the biometric information is a face image or a feature amount generated from the face image. [Appendix 9] A server device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, further comprising a calculation unit that analyzes images obtained from at least one camera device photographing the restricted area and calculates location information of the entrants. [Appendix 10] an authentication terminal for controlling the entry of visitors into the restricted area; a server device connected to the authentication terminal; Including, The server device includes: an attendee management database that stores location information and entry dates and times of attendees in the restricted area; a receiving unit that receives a search request for a person who the visitor wishes to meet from the authentication terminal; a search request processing unit that calculates the length of stay of visitors corresponding to the person wishing to meet among those stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request; A transmission unit that transmits location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time to the authentication terminal; An entrance / exit management system. [Appendix 11] The entrance / exit management system of claim 10, wherein the authentication terminal, when displaying the location of the person wishing to meet with a marker, changes the color or design of the marker depending on the length of time the person has been there. [Appendix 12] When the meeting requesting person is not present in the restricted area, the search request processing unit notifies the authentication terminal that the meeting requesting person is not present; The entrance / exit management system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, when the person wishing to meet is not present, the authentication terminal displays that the person wishing to meet is not present. [Appendix 13] A server device having an attendee management database that stores location information and entry dates and times of attendees in a restricted area, receiving a search request for a person who wishes to meet with the visitor from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into the restricted area; Calculating the length of stay of visitors corresponding to the person requesting an appointment among those stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request; A method for controlling a server device, the method comprising: transmitting location information of the person requesting the meeting and the calculated length of stay to the authentication terminal. [Appendix 14] A computer installed in a server device having an attendee management database that stores the location information and the entry date and time of an attendee in a restricted area, receiving a search request for a person who wishes to meet with the visitor from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into the restricted area; A process of calculating the stay time of visitors corresponding to the person requesting an appointment among the visitors stored in the visitor management database in accordance with the search request; A process of transmitting location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time to the authentication terminal; A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the above.

[0163] The disclosures of the above cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art can make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 10 Authentication terminal 20, 100 Server equipment 30 Camera Equipment 40 Gate 101 Visitor Management Database (DB;Data Base) 102 Receiving unit 103, 205 Search request processing unit 104 Transmitter 201, 301 Communication control unit 202 User Registration Department 203 Authentication Department 204 User Management Department 206, 306 Storage section 211 User information acquisition department 212 ID generation section 213 Feature Generation Unit 214 Entry Management Department 302 Face image acquisition unit 303 Authentication Request Section 304 Search request section 305 Search result output section 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input / Output Interface 314 Communication Interface M1, M2, M3 markers

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a search request including specific information of a person who the visitor wishes to meet from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into a restricted area; a search request processing unit which stores user IDs of users permitted to enter the restricted area in association with specific information identifying each user, refers to a user information database to identify the user ID associated with the specific information included in the search request, and stores location information of visitors to the restricted area, entry date and time, and the user ID in association with each other, and refers to a visitor management database to calculate the duration of stay of the person seeking to meet within the restricted area based on the entry date and time associated with the identified user ID and the current time; an output unit that outputs the location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time; A server device comprising:

2. the user information database stores, in addition to the user ID and the specific information, biometric information of the user who is permitted to enter the restricted area; The receiving unit receives an authentication request including biometric information of the visitor from the authentication terminal, an acquisition unit that acquires a result of biometric authentication of the visitor using the biometric information of the visitor included in the authentication request and the biometric information of the user stored in the user information database, The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit outputs a result of the biometric authentication.

3. The server device according to claim 2 , wherein the output unit outputs a result of the biometric authentication including the user ID of the visitor when the biometric authentication of the visitor is successful.

4. The user information database stores, in addition to the biometric information of the user, the user ID, and information for identifying each of the users, at least one candidate for the person who wishes to meet the user, and the receiving unit receives the search request that does not include information identifying the person wishing to meet and that includes the user ID of the visitor; The server device described in claim 3, wherein the search request processing unit refers to the user information database to identify the candidate from the user ID of the visitor included in the search request, and calculates the stay time of an attendee corresponding to the candidate among the attendees stored in the attendee management database.

5. The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising a calculation unit that analyzes images obtained from at least one camera device that photographs the restricted area and calculates the position information of the entrant.

6. an authentication terminal for controlling the entry of visitors into the restricted area; a server device connected to the authentication terminal; Including, The server device includes: a receiving unit that receives a search request including specific information of a person who the visitor wishes to meet from the authentication terminal; a search request processing unit which stores user IDs of users permitted to enter the restricted area in association with specific information identifying each user, refers to a user information database to identify the user ID associated with the specific information included in the search request, and stores location information of visitors to the restricted area, entry date and time, and the user ID in association with each other, and refers to a visitor management database to calculate the duration of stay of the person seeking to meet within the restricted area based on the entry date and time associated with the identified user ID and the current time; an output unit that outputs and transmits the location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time; An entrance / exit management system.

7. The entrance / exit management system according to claim 6, wherein the authentication terminal, when displaying the position of the person requesting an appointment with a marker, changes a color or a design of the marker depending on the length of stay of the person.

8. When the meeting requesting person is not present in the restricted area, the search request processing unit notifies the authentication terminal that the meeting requesting person is not present; 8. The entrance / exit management system according to claim 6, wherein, when the person requesting the meeting is not present, the authentication terminal displays that the person requesting the meeting is not present.

9. receiving a search request including specific information of a person whom the visitor wishes to meet from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into a restricted area; linking and storing the user IDs of users who are allowed to enter the restricted area and specific information that identifies each user; referring to a user information database, identifying the user ID linked to the specific information included in the search request, and linking and storing the location information of the entrant in the restricted area, the entry date and time, and the user ID; referring to a visitor management database, calculating the stay time of the person wishing to meet in the restricted area based on the entry date and time linked to the identified user ID and the current time; A method for controlling a server device, the method including: outputting the location information of the person requesting the meeting and the calculated duration of stay.

10. receiving a search request including specific information of a person whom the visitor wishes to meet from an authentication terminal that controls the visitor's entry into a restricted area; a process of storing, in association with each other, the user IDs of users permitted to enter the restricted area and specific information identifying each user; referring to a user information database, identifying the user ID associated with the specific information included in the search request, and storing, in association with each other, location information of visitors to the restricted area, the date and time of entry, and the user ID; referring to a visitor management database, calculating the length of stay of the person wishing to meet within the restricted area based on the date and time of entry associated with the identified user ID and the current time; A process of outputting the location information of the person seeking an appointment and the calculated staying time; A program for causing a computer to execute the following.

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