Management System

Abstract

To provide a management system with simplified determination or enhanced authentication reliability.SOLUTION: A management system 200 includes: a start authenticator 220 having a display unit 11 for displaying vocalization contents and a voice input unit 27; a termination authenticator 230 having a display unit 11 displaying vocalization contents and a voice input unit 37; and a management device 8 that manages start voice pattern information obtained by the start authenticator 220 and usage start information in association with each other, and also collates end voice pattern information obtained by the end authenticator 230 with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authenticator 220.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system that enables smooth management of facilities such as parking lots, and in particular to a management system that performs voice authentication. [Background technology]

[0002] A facility usage system is known that uses a measuring device such as a camera to acquire biometric information of a user and extracts features from the biometric information (Patent Document 1). An information processing device transmits the features to a server, and the server replies with information regarding past unpaid amounts for the user corresponding to the features. If the information processing device determines from the unpaid amount information that the user is in arrears, it causes a terminal device installed at the gate or the like through which the user is passing to perform a billing for the unpaid fee, etc. Patent Document 1 also states that voiceprints may be used as biometric information of non-payers.

[0003] In the above-mentioned facility usage system, when the voice of a user is used to determine whether or not the user is a defaulter, voiceprint information is simply extracted from the voice data, and it is not easy to ensure the reliability of the determination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-77168 A Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned background technical points, and has an object to provide a management system that easily improves the reliability of judgment or authentication.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives ForThe management system comprises a start authentication machine having a display showing the spoken content and a voice input device, an end authentication machine having a display showing the spoken content and a voice input device, and a management device that links and manages start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication machine and start of usage information, and compares the end voice pattern information obtained by the end authentication machine with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication machine.

[0007] According to the above management system, it is possible to authenticate users at the start and end of facility use, and to perform settlement and entrance / exit management. Furthermore, since the contents of the voice uttered for authentication are presented to the user at the start and end of facility use, the reliability of the authentication is increased.

[0008] According to a specific aspect of the present invention, in the above management system, the start authentication device receives start voice pattern information and use The end authentication device transmits start information to the management device, and the end authentication device inquires of the management device whether or not there is start voice pattern information that matches the end voice pattern information, and acquires use start information if there is start voice pattern information that matches. In this case, the start voice pattern information and the end voice pattern information are generated at a site where the facility is located.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the facility further includes a prepayment machine having a display device and a voice input device that show the contents of the speech, and the prepayment machine inquires of the management device whether there is start voice pattern information that matches the settlement voice pattern information obtained by the prepayment machine, and if there is matched start voice pattern information, obtains start of use information and uses the start of use information for prepayment. In this case, the settlement is completed in advance at the settlement machine, and the end authentication machine, which is usually located at the exit, confirms the end of use of the facility.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the management device includes a management server that is located remotely from the start authenticator and the final authenticator. In this case, the management server remotely manages the start authenticator and the final authenticator.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the management device includes a start control unit incorporated in the start authentication device and a end control unit incorporated in the end authentication device, and the management server receives the start voice pattern information and the start of use information from the start control unit and transmits the start of use information for the start voice pattern information that has consistency with the end voice pattern information to the end authentication device in response to a request from the end control unit. In this case, the start authentication device has the start control unit of the management device built in, the end authentication device has the end control unit built in, and the management server is remotely located with respect to these.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, when accepting a reservation for a service at a facility where a start authentication device is installed, the management server presents a message to be read to the user terminal and acquires corresponding reservation voice pattern information. In this case, the management server makes it possible to accept reservations and make payments in advance.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the start authentication device is a function executed by the user terminal through an application installed in the user terminal. This is an aspect in which the function of the start authentication device is achieved by the user terminal, and it can be applied to parking lots having a flap-type locking mechanism, for example.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the start authentication device is an entrance authentication device installed at an entrance of a parking lot, and the end authentication device is an exit authentication device installed at an exit of the parking lot. The management system is applied to a parking lot and is used for managing entry and exit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a parking lot system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual plan view illustrating a parking lot device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is a front view showing the exterior of the entrance reception machine, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual block diagram explaining the structure of the entrance reception machine. [Figure 4]FIG. 2A is a front view showing the appearance of the exit reception machine, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual block diagram explaining the structure of the exit reception machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a management control device, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a pre-payment machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a management server. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a series of operations related to inventory management. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a parking lot system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a user terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a series of operations related to inventory management. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a parking lot system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating the structure of a settlement device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a parking lot system incorporating a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The parking lot system 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 performs operation management related to entry and exit times, settlement of usage fees, reservations for use, etc. The parking lot system 100 includes a plurality of parking lot devices 120 installed in each of the plurality of parking lots PA1, PA2, ... to be managed, and a management server 80 installed at a location away from the parking lots PA1, PA2, etc. For ease of explanation, two parking lots PA1, PA2 are shown in FIG. 1, but this parking lot system 100 performs operation management in parallel for a number of parking lots including the parking lots PA1, PA2 shown in the figure. The parking lots PA1, PA2 are facilities that provide a service of providing parking spaces, and the parking lot system 100 that performs operation management for such facilities is a management system 200 for parking lots.

[0018] The parking lot devices 120 provided in the parking lots PA1, PA2, ... are communicatively connected to the management server 80 via a communication network NT. This communication network NT is specifically the Internet.

[0019] The parking lot device 120, the management server 80, and other components that make up the parking lot system 100 will be described below.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the parking lot device 120 has an entrance gate device 20 at the entrance EN of the parking space PS formed in the parking lot PA, an exit gate device 30 at the exit EX of the parking space PS, and a management control device 40 at a location distant from the entrance gate device 20 and the exit gate device 30. The entrance gate device 20 includes an entrance reception device 20a that a user of the parking lot PA can face while in a vehicle, a gate bar 20b that moves up and down under the control of the entrance reception device 20a, and a drive mechanism. The exit gate device 30 includes an exit reception device 30a that a user of the parking lot PA can face while in a vehicle, and a gate bar 30b that moves up and down under the control of the exit reception device 30a, and a drive mechanism. The parking lot device 120 manages the start and end of parking for each vehicle using the parking lot PA in cooperation with a remotely located management server 80 (see FIG. 1).

[0021] The entrance gate device 20 is a start authentication machine 220 having a display that shows the voice content to the user and a voice input device that takes in the user's voice. When the entrance gate device 20 detects that a vehicle has stopped in front of the entrance gate bar 20b, it reads out a character string designated as the voice content to the parking lot user who is the passenger, and if voice pattern information is read from the voice emitted by the user, it lifts the gate bar 20b to allow the vehicle to enter. The entrance gate device 20 can also perform an operation equivalent to a normal type of entrance that does not use voice, and in this case, a ticket issuing device (not shown) is provided in the entrance reception machine 20a, although detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0022] The exit gate device 30 is a completion authentication device 230 having a display that shows the voice content to the user and a voice input device that takes in the user's voice. When the exit gate device 30 detects that a vehicle has stopped in front of the exit gate bar 30b, it reads out a character string designated as the voice content to the parking lot user who is the passenger, and if voice pattern information is read from the voice of the user and if it is confirmed that the user specified by the voice pattern information has paid the parking fee in advance or at the time of exit, it raises the gate bar 30b to allow the vehicle to exit. The exit gate device 30 can perform an operation equivalent to a normal type of exit that does not use voice. In this case, although detailed explanation is omitted, it is necessary to provide not only a money processing machine but also a reader (not shown) for unsettled or settled tickets in the exit reception machine 30a. In the case of a system that allows advance payment, a prepayment machine PM that operates under the control of the management control device 40 is installed at an appropriate location in the parking lot.

[0023] FIG. 3(A) is a front view showing the exterior of the entrance reception machine 20a, and FIG. 3(B) is a conceptual block diagram explaining the structure of the entrance reception machine 20a. The entrance reception machine 20a has a main control device 22, a storage device 23, a communication device 24, a display and input device 26, a voice input device 27, and a voice output device 28. Although not shown, the entrance reception machine 20a has a sensor that optically or electromagnetically detects a vehicle parked at a predetermined position in front of it. The main control device 22 functions as a start control unit for managing entry and exit. The main control device 22 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 23. This program includes not only a function that enables the entrance reception machine 20a to operate, but also a function that operates in cooperation with an external device such as the management control device 40. The display and input device 26 is, for example, a touch panel display, and functions as a display device 11 that displays the voice content. The display and input device 26 presents information to the user, including an overview of how to use the parking lot and how to start using the parking lot, and allows the user to input information by operating the device. The information displayed on the display and input device 26 includes, for example, a specific character string to be read by the user, and includes an instruction to request the reading of the character string aloud and an indication that passage, i.e., entry, is permitted if the reading can be recorded. The voice input device 27 has a microphone 27a and a voice processing circuit 27b, records the voice read aloud by the user, digitizes it, and transmits it to the main control device 22, which temporarily stores the acquired voice in the storage device 23. The voice output device 28 has a speaker 28a and a voice processing circuit 27b. In other words, the voice processing circuit 27b is a common driving circuit for the voice input device 27 and the voice output device 28. The voice output device 28 provides the user with a voice announcement or guidance regarding the start of use of the parking lot. In the above, the display and input device 26, the microphone 27a, the speaker 28a, etc. are elements that constitute the external appearance of the entrance reception machine 20a.

[0024] The main control device (start control unit) 22 reads the words of the voice corresponding to the character string read aloud by the user and analyzes the voiceprint, and if it can obtain the information necessary to identify the user, it opens the gate bar 20b and allows the vehicle to enter. If the main control device 22 allows the vehicle to enter, it transmits the start voice pattern information and use start information to the management server 80 via the management control device 40 as an entry record. The start voice pattern information includes voiceprint analysis information, and the use start information includes the entry time, which is the time when the voice was obtained.

[0025] To explain the acquisition of voice information in detail, the main control device 22 can acquire, for example, the frequency spectrum or spectrogram of the target voice, and when it is determined that the sound sequence corresponds to the requested character string (the character string displayed on the display device 11), it is determined that the information required for identifying the user has been acquired. At this time, the main control device 22 also acquires information on the voiceprint. The voiceprint may be determined based on the frequency spectrum or spectrogram of the target voice itself, or on the mathematical features of the voice extracted from the spectrogram. For the voice corresponding to the character string, the vowels and consonants contained in the letters and syllables can be extracted to determine the feature pattern of the voiceprint, and even if there are multiple voices corresponding to different character strings, a voiceprint analysis can be performed to make them comparable. The spectrogram acquired by the main control device 22 of the entrance reception machine 20a and various information related to the features thereof are collectively referred to as the start voice pattern information. The start voice pattern information can include sound sequence data corresponding to the determined character string.

[0026] FIG. 4(A) is a front view showing the appearance of the exit reception machine 30a, and FIG. 4(B) is a conceptual block diagram explaining the structure of the exit reception machine 30a. The exit reception machine 30a has a main control device 32, a storage device 33, a communication device 34, a money processing device 35a, a printing device 35b, a display and input device 36, a voice input device 37, and a voice output device 38. Although not shown, the exit reception machine 30a has a sensor that optically or electromagnetically detects a vehicle parked at a predetermined position in front of it. The main control device 32 functions as a termination control unit for managing entry and exit, and a combination of the main control device 32, the main control device 22 shown in FIG. 3(B), and the management server 80 shown in FIG. 1 functions as the management device 8 of the parking lot system 100. The main control device 32 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 33. This program includes not only a function that enables the operation of the exit reception machine 30a, but also a function that operates in cooperation with external devices such as the management control device 40. The display and input device 36 is, for example, a touch panel display, and functions as the display 11 that displays the spoken content. The display and input device 36 presents information, including a method for ending use of the parking lot, to the user, and allows the user to input information through operation. The information displayed on the display and input device 36 includes, for example, a specific character string to be read by the user, and includes an instruction to request the reading of the character string aloud and an indication that passage, i.e., exit, is permitted if the reading is recorded. The voice input device 37 has a microphone 37a and a voice processing circuit 37b, records the voice read aloud by the user, digitizes it, and transmits it to the main control device 32, which temporarily stores the acquired voice in the storage device 33. The voice output device 38 has a speaker 38a and a voice processing circuit 37b. In other words, the voice processing circuit 37b is a common driving circuit for the voice input device 37 and the voice output device 38. The voice output device 38 provides the user with a voice announcement or guidance regarding the ending of use of the parking lot. The money processing device 35a enables settlement at the exit reception machine 30a, and the printer 35b issues a receipt. The display and input device 36, microphone 37a, speaker 38a, money processing device 35a, printer 35b, etc. are elements that make up the external appearance of the exit reception machine 30a.

[0027] The main control device (end control unit) 32 reads the words of the voice corresponding to the character string read aloud by the user and analyzes the voiceprint. When the main control device 32 has acquired the information necessary for identifying the user and has communicated with the management server 80 via the management control device 40 to inquire about the corresponding start of use information, the main control device 32 opens the gate bar 30b and allows the vehicle to exit, provided that the payment is settled in advance or settled using the money processing device 35a. The acquisition and processing of voice information performed by the main control device 32 is similar to the acquisition and processing of voice information performed by the main control device 22 of the entrance reception machine 20a. The spectrogram and various information related to its features obtained by the main control device 32 of the exit reception machine 30a are called end voice pattern information. The end voice pattern information can include sound sequence data corresponding to the determined character string. The entrance record stored in the management server 80 that accepts inquiries from the main control device 32 includes the start voice pattern information and the start of use information. The main control device 32 receives, as reference information, from the management server 80, the ID information and entry time included in the usage start information corresponding to the start voice pattern information that is identical to the end voice pattern information acquired by the voice input device 37. The main control device 32 acquires the usage end information linked to the end voice pattern information as an exit record, and calculates the parking fee based on the entry time, exit time, etc. If payment has been made in advance, the parking fee calculated by the main control device 32 will be zero.

[0028] 5(A), the management control device 40 has a main control device 42, a storage device 43, and a communication device 44. The main control device 42 communicates with the entrance reception machine 20a, the exit reception machine 30a, the pre-payment machine PM, and the management server 80 shown in FIG. 2 via the communication device 44, and performs overall control so that the entrance reception machine 20a and the exit reception machine 30a can cooperate to perform entrance and exit management. Note that the management control device 40 can be omitted, and the entrance reception machine 20a and the exit reception machine 30a can communicate with each other, or the entrance reception machine 20a and the exit reception machine 30a can communicate directly with the management server 80.

[0029] FIG. 5(B) is a conceptual block diagram for explaining the structure of the pre-payment machine PM. When the pre-payment machine PM is provided as an element of the parking lot system 100, the pre-payment machine PM operates in cooperation with the entrance reception machine 20a and the exit reception machine 30a via the management control device 40. The pre-payment machine PM basically has the same circuit as the exit reception machine 30a, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Note that the pre-payment machine PM does not have the function of opening and closing the gate bar 20b, as the entrance reception machine 20a does. When settling using the pre-payment machine PM, the user operates the display and input device 56 to request settlement. The main control device 32 of the pre-payment machine PM presents the user with a character string to be read aloud via the display and input device 36, and requests the user to read the character string aloud. The main control device 32 performs voiceprint analysis, etc., on the voice data received using the microphone 37a. When the main control device 32 obtains appropriate end voice pattern information, it communicates with the management server 80 and transmits the end voice pattern information to inquire about the voice pattern information. When the main control device 32 is able to inquire about the corresponding use start information for the end voice pattern information, that is, when matching start voice pattern information exists in the management server 80, it acquires the use start information linked to the start voice pattern information and uses this use start information for advance settlement. Specifically, the main control device 32 presents the user with the usage fee determined from the current time and the use start time, and when the user uses the money processing device 35a to settle the settlement, it transmits to the management server 80 information indicating that the settlement has been completed together with the end voice pattern information.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, the management server 80 is a computer that operates under the management of a system administrator, and manages the usage status and reservations of parking lots. The management server 80 has a main control device 82, a storage device 83, and a communication device 84. The management server 80 is also provided with a telephone reservation device 80t. The management server 80 communicates with the management control device 40 provided in each parking lot via the communication network NT shown in FIG. 1 by the communication device 84. The storage device 83 stores a program that operates the management server 80 and management information for each parking lot. The management server 80 has a voice management matching unit 82a that manages and matches voice pattern information. The management server 80 manages the start voice pattern information and the start of use information obtained by the start authentication device 220 or the entrance reception device 20a in the voice management matching unit 82a by linking them together, and the entrance information is stored in a list in the storage device 83. The management server 80, in the voice management matching unit 82a, matches the end voice pattern information obtained by the end authentication machine 230 or the exit reception machine 30a with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication machine 220 or the entrance reception machine 20a. When pre-payment is performed, the management server 80 matches the end voice pattern information obtained by the pre-payment machine PM with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication machine 220 or the entrance reception machine 20a.

[0031] The management server 80 receives start voice pattern information and use start information from the main control device 22 (see FIG. 3), which is a start control unit, and searches for start voice pattern information that matches the end voice pattern information in response to a request from the main control device 32 (see FIG. 4), which is an end control unit, and transmits use start information linked to the start voice pattern information determined to match to the main control device 32, etc. The main control device 32 acquires use start information and use end information for a specific user corresponding to the start voice pattern information and end voice pattern information that match or are identical. The management server 80 can also receive use end information from the main control device 32. In this case, the management server 80 can manage the entry record and the exit record in association with each other, and can list the user's ID information and the parking lot usage status and store them as the parking lot usage history.

[0032] The management server 80 can accept reservations for parking lot use services using a telephone reservation device 80t. The telephone reservation device 80t enables voice guidance using a dedicated line for reservations. The telephone reservation device 80t is, for example, similar to an automated voice response device, and can accept a caller's request for parking lot use through button operations or conversation. When accepting a parking lot reservation, the telephone reservation device 80t presents a read-aloud text to the caller and acquires voice data corresponding to the read-aloud text repeated by the caller. The management server 80 performs voiceprint analysis or the like on this voice data to acquire reservation voice pattern information. The management server 80 can compare the reservation voice pattern information acquired in advance with start voice pattern information received from the entrance reception machine 20a at the timing of subsequent parking lot use, and can compare it with end voice pattern information received from the exit reception machine 30a thereafter, and can use it for user identity authentication. This allows the management server 80 to accept reservations for parking lots in advance.

[0033] A series of operations relating to management of entry and exit performed between the management server 80 and the multiple parking lot devices 120 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] First, in the scene SC0 of reservation, the management server 80 performs telephone reception processing (step S01). The person who calls the dedicated dial specifies the parking lot and the period of use to be reserved to the telephone reservation device 80t by operating buttons and talking according to the voice guidance from the telephone reservation device 80t operating under the control of the main control device 82, and the information corresponding to this specification is stored in the storage device 83 as reservation information. In the telephone reception processing, in order to confirm whether or not a reservation is possible, the main control device 82 communicates with the contracted parking lots PA1, ... to obtain the current vacancy information of the parking lots PA1, ... (step S02). At this time, the telephone reservation device 80t presents the person who makes the reservation with a word or character string to be read aloud. The character string to be read aloud is set, for example, as a random character string arranged in a predetermined length, and may not have a linguistic meaning, but it can also have a linguistic meaning. The character string to be read aloud is changed every time according to a random rule, and a different one is set for each user. When the person recites or reads the reservation information in response to the request, the telephone reservation device 80t transmits the recorded voice data of the reading to the main control device 82. The main control device 82 performs voiceprint analysis on the voice data, and records the obtained reservation voice pattern information in association with the appropriately assigned person ID of the person reserving. After that, the main control device 82 transmits a notice of use to the parking lot device 120 of the parking lot PA1 or the management control device 40 (step S03).

[0035] In the scene SC3 at the start of use, the parking lot device 120 of the parking lot PA1 performs an entrance process (step S31). In the entrance process, the entrance reception machine 20a of the parking lot device 120 presents a character string to be read aloud to a user who moves in front of the entrance reception machine 20a via the display and input device 26, and requests the user to read the character string aloud. The character string to be read aloud is set, for example, as a random character string arranged in a predetermined length, and may not have a linguistic meaning, but may also have a linguistic meaning. In this case, the character string to be read aloud is changed every time. At this time, the language may be switched, for example, from Japanese to English, based on the user's reaction or vocalization, or the operation of the display and input device 26. When the user performs the requested reading aloud, the voice input device 27 reads the voice and transmits the voice data to the main control device 22, and the main control device 22 performs a voiceprint analysis or the like on the received voice data, and if appropriate start voice pattern information is obtained, the vehicle is permitted to enter. When the main control device 22 permits the entry of the vehicle, it transmits the start voice pattern information and the use start information as an entry record to the management server 80 via the management control device 40 (step S32). At this time, the management server 80 checks whether the entered user corresponds to any of the already registered reservation voice pattern information list based on the start voice pattern information of the user corresponding to the entry record, and confirms whether the user is a reservation holder as described in scene SC0.

[0036] In the scene SC4 of the end of use, the parking lot device 120 of the parking lot PA1 performs an exit process (step S41). In the entry process, the exit reception device 30a of the parking lot device 120 presents a character string to be read aloud to the user who has moved in front of the exit reception device 30a via the display and input device 26, and requests the user to read the character string aloud. The character string to be read aloud is set, for example, as a random character string arranged in a predetermined length, and may not have a linguistic meaning, but may also have a linguistic meaning. In this case, the character string to be read aloud is changed each time. When the user performs the requested reading aloud, the voice input device 37 reads the voice and transmits the voice data to the main control device 32, and the main control device 32 performs a voiceprint analysis of the received voice data, etc. When the main control device 32 obtains appropriate end voice pattern information, it communicates with the management server 80 via the management control device 40 and transmits the end voice pattern information to inquire about the voice pattern information (step S42). As a matching process, the management server 80 searches for start voice pattern information that matches the end voice pattern information, and for start voice pattern information determined to match, transmits use start information linked to it to the main control device 32 (step S42). If the main control device 32 is able to check the use start information, it allows the vehicle to exit on the condition that a prepayment is made or a payment is made using the money processing device 35a. If the main control device 32 allows the vehicle to exit, it transmits an exit record including the use end information to the management server 80 via the management control device 40 (step S43).

[0037] In addition, if the end voice pattern information and the start voice pattern information are compared, but the start voice pattern information that matches the end voice pattern information cannot be found, the main control device 32 allows the vehicle to exit if the user presents the voice string or character string that was requested to be read aloud when the start voice pattern information was obtained via the voice input device 37 or the display and input device 36 to the exit reception machine 30a. This is an alternative authentication using a word or character string. In other words, strict authentication that requires a match between a voiceprint and a word can be replaced with a relaxed authentication that requires a match between a word. This alternative authentication can prevent a situation where the user cannot exit the parking lot if, for example, a voiceprint is not obtained in a good condition. Specifically, if the content of the read aloud obtained from the start voice pattern information is "Open Sesame," the user can make a payment at the exit reception machine 30a and the vehicle can exit.

[0038] In the parking lot system 100 described above, the voice management matching unit 82a incorporated in the management server 80 can be incorporated in the main control device 42 of the management control device 40. In this case, the voice pattern information is matched in the management control device 40, and the management server 80 is not essential. Furthermore, the voice management matching unit 82a incorporated in the management server 80 can be incorporated in the entrance reception machine 20a or the exit reception machine 30a.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the case where the management system 200 is the parking lot system 100 has been described, but the objects managed by the management system 200 are not limited to parking lots, and can also be those related to the use of bicycle parking lots and entry and exit from various facilities.

[0040] The management system 200 or the parking lot system 100 of this embodiment includes a start authentication device 220 having a display 11 showing the spoken content and a voice input device 27, an end authentication device 230 having a display 11 showing the spoken content and a voice input device 37, and a management device 8 that manages the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication device 220 and the start of use information in association with each other, and compares the end voice pattern information obtained by the end authentication device 230 with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication device 220. According to this management system 200, it is possible to authenticate a user by voice pattern information at the start and end of facility use, and to perform settlement and entrance and exit management. Furthermore, since the spoken content for authentication is presented to the user at the start and end of facility use, the reliability of authentication is increased.

[0041] [Second embodiment] The management system of the second embodiment will be described below. The management system of the second embodiment is a modification of the management system of the first embodiment, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of the parking lot system 100 of this embodiment, a management server 80 accepts connections from a plurality of user terminals UT1, UT2, . . . such as smartphones and tablet PCs via a communication network NT.

[0043] The user terminal UT shown in FIG. 9 is owned by a person who plans to use the parking lot. The user terminal UT has a main control device 72, a storage device 73, a communication device 74, and an interface device 75. The user terminal UT communicates with the management server 80 via the communication network NT shown in FIG. 1 by the communication device 74. The storage device 73 stores a plurality of applications, including a parking lot usage application that allows, for example, settlement of parking lot usage fees and reservation use, as application software that runs on a basic program that operates the user terminal UT. The parking lot usage application allows a user to select a plurality of remote parking lots by connecting to the management server 80, and allows a user to transmit a reservation request for the selected parking lot. In response to a reservation request from the user terminal UT, the management server 80 performs a reservation acceptance process and a registration process for the parking lot. The parking lot usage application cooperates with the management server 80 to obtain a parking lot usage history in which the identity of the holder of the user terminal UT and the user of the parking lot are authenticated, and can present the parking lot usage history to the holder. The parking lot usage application allows the holder of the user terminal UT to make an online payment to pay the parking lot usage fee via an online payment system not shown. The parking fee includes a settlement fee after using the parking lot, a reservation fee for reserving the parking lot in advance, etc.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 10, a series of operations relating to management of entry and exit performed among the user terminal UT, the management server 80, and the multiple parking lot devices 120 will be described.

[0045] First, in the user registration scene SC1, the user operates the user terminal UT to operate the parking lot use application and start the user registration process. The user terminal UT starts communication with the management server 80 in response to the operation performed by the user via the interface device 75, and requests initial registration (step S11). The management server 80 operates in response to the request from the user terminal UT, so that a request for reading aloud and a response for reading aloud are made between the user terminal UT and the management server 80 (step S12). At this time, the management server 80 transmits a character string to be read by the user to the user terminal UT, and requests the character string to be read aloud. The character string to be read aloud is set, for example, as a random character string arranged in a predetermined length, and may not have a linguistic meaning, but may also have a linguistic meaning. When the user reads aloud via the interface device 75 of the user terminal UT, the recorded voice data is transmitted to the management server 80. The management server 80 performs voiceprint analysis, etc. on the voice data received from the user terminal UT, and records the obtained reservation voice pattern information in association with the user ID (step S13). Thereafter, the management server 80 transmits a registration completion notification to the user terminal UT (step S14).

[0046] In the scene SC2 of reservation, the user operates the parking lot use application by operating the user terminal UT, and the user terminal UT inquires about the availability of the target parking lot to the management server 80 (step S21), and the management server 80 transmits the availability of the inquired one or more parking lots to the user terminal UT (step S22). At this time, the management server 80 communicates with the contracted parking lots PA1, ... to obtain the current availability information of the parking lots PA1, ... (step S23). When the user specifies the target parking lot PA1 and time via the interface device 75 of the user terminal UT, the user terminal UT transmits a reservation registration request to the management server 80 (step S24), and the management server 80 transmits a notice of use to the parking lot device 120 of the parking lot PA1 or the management control device 40 (step S25), and transmits a registration completion notice to the user terminal UT (step S26). Note that the above reservation of use is not essential. When making a reservation of use, a payment process for the parking fee can be performed between the user terminal UT and the management server 80, etc. When making a reservation for use, the parking lots PA1, . . . must carry out operations to secure a parking space for the person who plans to park.

[0047] Scene SC3 at the start of use is the same as that described in Fig. 7 for the first embodiment, and the main control device 22 of the entrance reception machine 20a transmits the start voice pattern information and start of use information acquired from the user to the management server 80. However, the management server 80, which has received the start voice pattern information etc. from the main control device 22, checks from this start voice pattern information whether the entered user corresponds to any of the list of reservation voice pattern information registered by user registration, which is a reservation in a broad sense, confirms whether the entered user is a target of the initial registration described in scene SC1, and confirms whether the user is a reservation registrant described in scene SC2.

[0048] The scene SC4 at the end of use is similar to that described in FIG. 7 for the first embodiment, where the main control device 32 of the exit reception machine 30a transmits start voice pattern information to the management server 80, and the management server 80 returns use start information to the main control device 32 for start voice pattern information that is consistent with the end voice pattern information, enabling entry and exit time management.

[0049] In the above description of the second embodiment, the main control device 22 of the entrance reception machine 20a acquires the start voice pattern information and the use start information and transmits them to the management server 80. However, instead of acquiring the start voice pattern information at the entrance reception machine 20a, the main control device 22 exchanges data with the user terminal UT to acquire reservation information, etc., and communicates with the management server 80 to identify the reservation voice pattern information. Data exchange can be performed using NFC or other short-distance communication, and is made possible by an operation in which one device reads a two-dimensional code displayed by the other device. In this case, the entrance reception machine 20a does not acquire the start voice pattern information, but the reservation voice pattern information stored in the management server 80 can be used as the start voice pattern information. In other words, the management server 80 or the user terminal UT functions as a start authentication device that acquires reservation voice pattern information corresponding to the start voice pattern information.

[0050] [Third embodiment] The management system of the third embodiment will be described below. The management system of the third embodiment is a modification of the management system of the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0051] 11, the parking lot system 100 includes a plurality of vehicle room devices 10 installed on a vehicle room basis in the parking lot PA, a settlement device 50 that collectively manages the plurality of vehicle room devices 10, and a management server 80 installed at a location away from the parking lot PA. The plurality of vehicle room devices 10 are installed in a plurality of parking spaces SP that make up the parking lot PA. The management server 80 accepts connections from a plurality of user terminals UT1, UT2, ..., such as smartphones and tablet PCs, via a communication network NT.

[0052] The vehicle compartment device 10 has a locking device 61 and a vehicle detection device 62. The locking device 61 operates under the control of the settlement device 50, and permits or restricts the vehicle from leaving the parking space SP in which it is installed. As is well known, the locking device 61 is composed of a locking plate, a drive mechanism, a drive circuit, etc.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a conceptual block diagram for explaining the structure of the settlement device 50. The settlement device 50 has a main control device 52, a storage device 53, a communication device 54, a money processing device 55a, a printing device 55b, a display and input device 56, a voice input device 57, and a voice output device 58. The main control device 52 functions as a termination control unit for managing entry and exit. The main control device 52 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 53. This program includes not only a function that enables the operation of the settlement device 50, but also a function that operates in cooperation with the management server 80. The display and input device 56 is, for example, a touch panel display, and functions as a display device 11 that shows the voice content. The display and input device 56 presents information including a method for ending use of the parking lot to the user, and allows information input by the user's operation. The information displayed on the display and input device 56 includes, for example, a specific character string to be read by the user, and includes an instruction to request the reading of the character string aloud and an indication that passage, i.e., exit, is permitted if the reading can be recorded. The voice input device 57 and the voice output device 58 are similar to the voice input device 37 and the voice output device 38 provided in the exit reception machine 30a of the first embodiment. The money processing device 55a and the printer 55b are similar to the money processing device 35a and the printer 35b provided in the exit reception machine 30a of the first embodiment.

[0054] To give an overview of the operation, user registration and reservation using the user terminal UT1 are similar to those in the second embodiment (see FIG. 10).

[0055] When starting to use the parking space, the user simply parks the vehicle in the parking space SP. The main control device 52 detects the entry based on the vehicle detection device 62, and sets the locking device 61 to the lock state. In this case, the main control device 52 queries the management server 80 to confirm whether or not a reservation for entry has been made. If a reservation has been made, the main control device 52 sends to the management server 80 parking position information specifying the number of the parking lot or parking space SP, along with usage start information including the parking start time. The management server 80 identifies the person who made the reservation from the parking position information, and links the reservation voice pattern information obtained at the time of reservation to the usage start information and registers it as start voice pattern information. In this case, Interest User terminal UT but Gets the reserved voice pattern information that corresponds to the start voice pattern information Then, the main control device 52 transmits the usage start information to the management server 80. It acts as a start authenticator.

[0056] At the end of the usage scene, the user operates the display and input device 56 to request settlement and leaving the garage. The main control device 52 of the settlement device 50 presents the user with a character string to be read aloud via the display and input device 56 and requests the user to read the character string aloud. The main control device 52 performs voiceprint analysis on the received voice data. When appropriate end voice pattern information is obtained, the main control device 52 queries the voice pattern information by communicating with the management server 80 and transmitting the end voice pattern information. When the main control device 52 has been able to query the start of usage information, it releases the locking device 61 and permits the vehicle to leave the garage, provided that advance settlement is made or settlement is performed using the money processing device 55a.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the voiceprint and its features are judged as the voice pattern information, but individual voice information such as intonation and dialect can be used in the judgment instead of or in addition to the voiceprint.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the character string to be read aloud is displayed on the display and input device 26, etc., but it is also possible to display pictures or patterns that evoke a specific concept on the display and input device 26 and have the user vocalize the pictures or patterns as words. In this case, the voice pattern information includes voiceprints and character strings obtained from pronunciations that correspond to the abstract conceptual language evoked by the pictures or patterns. In this case, the identity of the generated wording or character string has a broadness that allows for ambiguity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 8...management device, 11...display, 20...entrance gate device, 20a...entrance reception machine, 22...main control device, 26...display and input device, 27...voice input device, 27a...microphone, 27b...voice processing circuit, 28...voice output device, 30...exit gate device, 30a...exit reception machine, 32...main control device, 35a...money processing device, 36...display and input device, 37...voice input device, 37a...microphone, 37b...voice processing circuit, 40...management control device, 42...main control device, 50...payment device, 52...main control device device, 55a...money processing device, 56...display and input device, 57...voice input device, 61...locking device, 62...vehicle detection device, 72...main control device, 75...interface device, 80...management server, 80t...telephone reservation device, 82...main control device, 82a...voice management matching unit, 100...parking lot system, 120...parking lot device, 200...management system, 220...start authentication device, 230...end authentication device, NT...communication network, PA...parking lot, PM...prepayment machine, UT...user terminal

Claims

1. a start authentication device having a display device showing the first utterance content and a voice input device; a completion authentication device having a display device and a voice input device that show a second utterance content different from the first utterance content; a management server that manages the start and end of facility use by linking start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication device on the premise that the sound sequence matches the first utterance content with start information of use and by comparing end voice pattern information obtained by the end authentication device on the premise that the sound sequence matches the second utterance content with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication device; A management system comprising:

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the start authentication device transmits the start voice pattern information and the start of use information to the management server, and the end authentication device queries the management server as to whether or not there is start voice pattern information that matches the end voice pattern information, and acquires the start of use information if there is start voice pattern information that matches.

3. The device further includes a prepayment machine having a display device that shows the contents of the voice and a voice input device, The management system according to claim 2, wherein the pre-payment machine queries the management server to determine whether or not there is starting voice pattern information that matches the payment voice pattern information obtained by the pre-payment machine, and if there is starting voice pattern information that matches, obtains the start of use information and uses the start of use information for pre-payment.

4. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management server is located remotely from the start authentication machine and the end authentication machine.

5. The start authentication device includes a start control unit, and the end authentication device includes an end control unit, 5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the management server receives the starting voice pattern information and the usage start information from the start control unit, and in response to a request from the end control unit, transmits the usage start information to the end control unit for the starting voice pattern information that has consistency with the end voice pattern information.

6. A management system as described in any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein when accepting a reservation for a service at a facility in which the start authentication machine is installed, the management server presents a text to be read aloud to the user terminal, obtains corresponding reservation voice pattern information, and determines the identity of the user by comparing the reservation voice pattern information with the start voice pattern information obtained by the start authentication machine.

7. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the start authentication machine is an entrance authentication machine installed at the entrance of a parking lot, and the end authentication machine is an exit authentication machine installed at the exit of the parking lot.

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