Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

To properly and simply switch functions of an information processing apparatus, such as a tablet terminal, according to the purpose of a user.SOLUTION: A medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires storage information read by a reading unit 22 from a predetermined medium C out of multiple media C. A function switching unit 52 selects a function associated in advance with the predetermined medium C specified by the storage information acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, as a selected function, from among multiple functions that an information processing apparatus 1 can execute, selects a current function when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is other than the selected function, or selects another function when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the selected function. A function exhibition unit 53 allows the information processing apparatus to exhibit the current function selected by the function switching unit 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in restaurants and the like that employ tabletop order systems, tablet terminals equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) (registered trademark) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) (registered trademark) reading functions have been used to receive customer orders and perform settlements (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Such tablet terminals and the like are used not only by customers for the purpose of ordering and settlement, but also by store employees and the like for management purposes. That is, tablet terminals may be used by multiple individuals for different purposes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is required to appropriately and simply switch the functions of an information processing apparatus such as a tablet terminal according to the purpose of the user. However, the conventional technologies including Patent Documents 1 and 2 are in a situation where they cannot sufficiently meet such demands.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to appropriately and easily switch the functions of an information processing apparatus such as a tablet terminal according to the purpose of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, medium information acquisition means for acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among a plurality of the media; function switching means for selecting, as a selection function, a function that is pre-associated with the predetermined medium specified by the stored information among a plurality of functions executable by the information processing apparatus, and switching the current function to the selection function when the current function is other than the selection function; and includes.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the functions of an information processing apparatus such as a tablet terminal can be appropriately and easily switched according to the purpose of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[0010] The information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a tablet terminal or a smartphone equipped with a reading function for NFC (registered trademark) and RFID (registered trademark). The user touches a pre-registered medium C (for example, a specific NFC card or RFID tag) to the information processing apparatus 1. Then, the information processing apparatus 1 reads the information stored in the medium C (hereinafter referred to as "stored information"), and automatically switches to the function (the function associated with the medium C) required by the user based on the stored information. Hereinafter, such processing is referred to as "function switching processing". As the function to be switched in the function switching processing, either the function of the application program or the function of the OS (Operating System) can be adopted. Further, the function may refer to the entire application program in some cases, or may refer to a mode such as a dedicated mode in other cases. Also, the storage location of the registration data for each medium C (data such as the function associated with each medium C, for example, the data in the function DB61 in FIG. 3 described later) is in the information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment (specifically, in the function DB61 in the storage unit 20 in FIG. 4 of FIG. 1), but it is not particularly limited thereto, and for example, an external other information processing apparatus (server or the like) not shown in the figure may also be used. Further, the medium C may be built into a smartphone. As described above, since the information processing apparatus 1 can execute the function switching processing, it is possible to appropriately and easily switch the function according to the purpose of the user (the person who uses the information processing apparatus 1).

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, a touch operation input unit 16, a display unit 17, an output unit 18, an input unit 19, a storage unit 20, a communication unit 21, a reading unit 22, and a drive 23.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 12 or the program loaded from the storage unit 20 to the RAM 13. In the RAM 13, data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes are also appropriately stored.

[0013] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. Connected to the input / output interface 15 are a touch operation input unit 16, a display unit 17, an input unit 19, an output unit 18, a storage unit 20, a communication unit 21, a reading unit 22, and a drive 23.

[0014] The touch operation input unit 16 and the display unit 17 constitute a touch panel TP. The touch operation input unit 16 is composed of a capacitive or resistive film type (pressure-sensitive type) position input sensor laminated on the display surface (touch screen or display) of the display unit 17, and detects the coordinates of the position where a touch operation is performed. Here, the touch operation refers to an operation of contact or proximity of an object to the touch operation input unit 16. The object that contacts or approaches the touch operation input unit 16 is, for example, the user's finger or a touch pen.

[0015] The output unit 18 is composed of a speaker or the like and outputs various information by voice. The input unit 19 is composed of a microphone, various hardware buttons, etc., and inputs various information according to the user's instruction operations.

[0016] The storage unit 20 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like and stores various data. The communication unit 21 controls communication with other devices via the Internet or the like.

[0017] The reading unit 22 has a function of reading a medium C by NFC (registered trademark) or RFID (registered trademark) (and further a writing function if necessary), and reads stored information from the medium C by performing contact or non-contact wireless communication with the medium C. Note that the reading unit 22 may be configured to have a function of writing various information to the medium C if necessary.

[0018] A removable medium 31 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately mounted on the drive 23. A program read from the removable medium 31 by the drive 23 is installed in the storage unit 20 as necessary. Further, the removable medium 31 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 20 in the same manner as the storage unit 20.

[0019] By the cooperation of various hardware and various software of the information processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 as described above, the execution of the above-described function switching process becomes possible. Therefore, hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of a functional configuration for the information processing apparatus 1 to execute the function switching process will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, when the information processing apparatus 1 executes the function switching process, in the CPU 11, a medium information acquisition unit 51, a function switching unit 52, and a function exertion unit 53 function. A function DB 61 is arranged in one area of the storage unit 20.

[0021] Each of the plurality of media C stores storage information capable of specifying the medium C. Here, being able to specify the medium C includes not only being able to directly specify the medium C but also being able to indirectly specify the medium C. For example, when the user U and the medium C are associated, a user ID or the like capable of specifying the user U is also an example of the storage information because it can indirectly specify the medium C associated with the user U. The medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the storage information read by the reading unit 22 from a predetermined medium C among the plurality of media C.

[0022] The function switching unit 52 selects, as a selected function, a function that is pre-associated with a predetermined medium C specified by the stored information acquired by the media information acquisition unit 51 among a plurality of functions executable by the information processing apparatus 1. When the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is other than the selected function, it switches to the current function. On the other hand, when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is already the selected function, it switches to another function. The function execution unit 53 executes the current function switched by the function switching unit 52.

[0023] Specifically, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, information indicating the association between each of the plurality of media C and each of the functions is stored in the function DB 61 as registration information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the registration information stored in the function DB of FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 3, as an example of the plurality of media C, cards A to n are shown. As functions, functions a to m are shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the functions associated with one medium C (card) are not particularly limited to one, and may be plural. For example, functions a, d, and m are associated with card A. Therefore, for example, when the stored information of card A is acquired by the media information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 of FIG. 3, selects functions a, d, and m as the selected functions, and switches to the selected functions when the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is another function, for example. The function execution unit 53 executes functions a, d, and m. Of course, executing functions a, d, and m does not necessarily mean that each process based on function a, various processes based on function d, and various processes based on function m are executed simultaneously in time. The gist is to make it possible to execute when there is a trigger such as an instruction.

[0024] Next, a specific example of the function switching process executed by the information processing apparatus 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 2 will be described. FIGS. 4 to 6 are specific examples of function switching processing executed by an information processing apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 2, and are diagrams showing a typical example of switching between an operation mode and an administrator mode.

[0025] In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 6, assume that there are an operation mode and an administrator mode as functions executed by the information processing apparatus 1. The operation mode is a mode in which application software normally used by a user U (not shown in FIGS. 4 to 6) when the user U is a normal user is operated. The administrator mode is a mode in which an administrator function is operated when the user U is the administrator UK. Also, as the medium C, assume that there is a specific medium CK associated with the administrator mode and held by the administrator UK.

[0026] In a normal state, since the information processing apparatus 1 is used by a normal user (not shown), as shown in FIG. 4, the current mode of the information processing apparatus is the normal mode. In such a normal state, when the administrator UK wants to operate the administrator function of the information processing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the administrator UK touches the information processing apparatus 1 with the specific medium CK in which registration information is stored in the function DB61 in advance.

[0027] As a result, since the storage information of the specific medium CK is acquired by the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 of FIG. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selection function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the operation mode as shown in FIG. 4, the function switching unit 52 switches to the administrator mode, which is the selected function, as shown in FIG. 5. The function display unit 53 displays the administrator mode. As a result, the screen of the information processing apparatus 1 (display unit 17 of FIG. 1) transitions to the management screen.

[0028] Thereafter, when the administrator UK wants to end the administrator mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the administrator UK touches the information processing apparatus 1 with the specific medium CK again. As a result, the current mode of the information processing apparatus 1 returns to the operation mode. That is, since the stored information of the specific medium CK is acquired by the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 in FIG. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selection function. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the administrator mode, the function switching unit 52 switches to the operation mode as shown in FIG. 6. The function execution unit 53 exhibits the operation mode.

[0029] Furthermore, specific examples of the function switching process executed by the information processing apparatus 1 having the functional configuration in FIG. 2 will be described for several cases. FIGS. 7 to 11 are diagrams showing the first to fifth specific cases of the function switching process executed by the information processing apparatus having the functional configuration in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0030] In the first case of FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 1 is adopted in a tabletop order system (a system in which a customer places an order from a tablet terminal or the like in a store such as a restaurant). In step S71 of FIG. 7, a normal order screen is displayed on the touch panel TP of the information processing apparatus 1 arranged on a predetermined table, and the customer at the predetermined table can place an order using the touch panel TP. Such a state in step S71 is the default state. That is, the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 in the default state is the operation mode and includes a function of enabling the touch panel TP (hereinafter referred to as the "enabled function").

[0031] Here, when the customers are replaced at a predetermined table, it is common for a store employee to clean the predetermined table. During the cleaning, if the touch panel TP of the information processing apparatus 1 on the predetermined table remains in the enabled function, there is a risk that the employee will touch the touch panel TP (accidentally operate it), resulting in a situation unintended by the information processing apparatus 1. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such a risk, in the first case, in steps S72 and S73, the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 switches to an administrator mode including a function of disabling the touch panel TP (hereinafter referred to as the "disable function").

[0032] Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) held by the employee (user U) has registration information (information including the association with the administrator mode including the disable function) already registered in the function DB61 in advance. In step S72, when the customer is replaced, the employee (user U) holds the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) over (touches) the information processing apparatus 1.

[0033] As a result, in step S73, the touch panel TP is disabled. That is, since the stored information of the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) is acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 in FIG. 3 and selects the disable function (administrator mode) as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the active function (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the disable function (administrator mode) which is the selected function. The function execution unit 53 exhibits the disable function as the administrator mode. As a result, the screen of the information processing apparatus 1 transitions to a screen for the cleaning mode (one of the administrator modes), and the touch panel TP becomes disabled. This makes it possible to completely prevent accidental operations during cleaning.

[0034] In step S74, after the cleaning is completed, the employee holds the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) over (touches) the information processing apparatus 1 again. As a result, the process returns to step S71, and the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 returns to the active function (operation mode). That is, since the storage information of the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) is acquired by the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in FIG. 3 and selects the invalid function (administrator mode) as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 in step S74 is the invalid function (administrator mode), in step S74, the function switching unit 52 switches to the valid function (operation mode). The function execution unit 53 exhibits the valid function as the operation mode.

[0035] Such a first case has the following merits. That is, as described above, in a store such as a restaurant that adopts a tabletop order system, it is common to clean a predetermined table when the customers at the predetermined table are replaced. In a conventional tablet for realizing a tabletop order system, when an employee cleans it, there is a problem that the employee touches the touch panel of the conventional tablet and the conventional tablet enters an unintended state. In order to solve this problem, a mode in which the touch panel is turned off only during cleaning (hereinafter referred to as the "off mode") may be prepared, but it is necessary to make the operation method for turning on the off mode invisible from the screen surface so that the customer does not accidentally turn it on. Therefore, it is common for an employee to follow a complicated procedure to turn on the off mode, which takes time for the operation and requires effort to remember the operation method. On the other hand, according to the first case using the information processing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied, for an employee, just by touching the registered specific medium C (NFC card in the first case) to the information processing apparatus 1 (tablet) arranged on the predetermined table to be cleaned, the validity and invalidity of the touch panel TP are automatically switched. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the operation time of the employee and simplify the operation method during cleaning when the customers are replaced, and it is possible to prevent incorrect operations by customers by eliminating the conducting wire for switching the validity and invalidity of the touch panel TP.

[0036] In the second case of FIG. 8, an information processing apparatus 1 is adopted in a tabletop order system that can be settled at a predetermined table. That is, the information processing apparatus 1 is configured as a table settlement terminal having a function capable of executing settlement processing by communicating with a server of a store or the like. By adopting the information processing apparatus 1 that allows customers to not only place orders but also complete settlements on the spot (at a predetermined table) in this way, advantages such as eliminating the need to wait in line at the cash register will arise. By the way, when a customer completes a settlement at a predetermined table, it is desirable for the employee to be able to immediately recognize the settlement completion status at a glance, and at the same time, it is desired to prevent any further operations on the customer after the settlement is completed. Such a requirement is realized by applying the second case of FIG. 8.

[0037] In step S81 of FIG. 8, the mode of the information processing apparatus 1 on the predetermined table is in the normal use mode (an example of an operation mode) for a customer to place orders or complete settlements at the store, and a screen for the customer to use is displayed on the touch panel TP. Such a state of step S72 is the default state. That is, the functions of the touch panel TP in the default state are effective functions.

[0038] In the default state where the current functions of the touch panel TP are effective functions, when a customer uses the touch panel TP to complete a settlement, after the settlement is completed, the process shifts from step S81 to step S82. In step S82, after the settlement is completed, the current functions of the touch panel TP automatically switch to ineffective functions. Also, a message indicating the completion of the settlement is displayed on the touch panel TP. This makes it impossible for the customer to perform operations.

[0039] That is, the trigger for switching the current functions of the touch panel TP from effective functions to ineffective functions was the touch of the specific medium C (acquisition of stored information by the medium information acquisition unit 51) in the first case, but it is "settlement completed" in the second case. Here, it is assumed that the registration information of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second case) held by the employee (user U) has been pre-registered in the function DB61 in the same manner as in the first case. However, in the first case, when the employee (user U) touches the specific medium C (NFC card in the first case), the administrator mode (invalid function of the touch panel TP) is switched. In contrast, in step S82 of the second case, after the settlement is completed, it automatically switches to the administrator mode (invalid function of the touch panel TP). That is, in the second case, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 in FIG. 3 with the completion of the settlement as a trigger instead of touching the specific medium C, and selects the invalid function (administrator mode) as the selected function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 at the start timing of step S82 is the valid function (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the invalid function (administrator mode) which is the selected function. The function execution unit 53 exhibits the invalid function as the administrator mode. As a result, a message indicating the completion of the settlement is displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus 1 (display unit 17 in FIG. 1), and the touch panel TP becomes invalid.

[0040] After that, when the customer who has completed the settlement leaves the predetermined table, the employee (user U) holds the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second case) over (touches) the information processing apparatus 1 in order to return to the operation mode (activate the touch panel TP).

[0041] As a result, in step S83, the touch panel TP becomes valid. That is, since the stored information of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second case) is acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 in FIG. 3 with this as a trigger and selects the administrator mode as the selected function. Since the current function (mode) is the administrator mode, it switches to the operation mode (valid function). The function execution unit 53 exhibits the operation mode (valid function). As a result, the touch panel TP becomes valid, the process returns to step S81, and the state of the information processing apparatus 1 returns to the default state. In this way, only the employee (user U) who is the owner of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second case) can return the information processing apparatus 1 to its original default state.

[0042] Such a second case has the following merits. That is, as described above, when settlement by a customer is completed in a predetermined table, it is desirable for an employee to immediately recognize that the settlement is completed, and at the same time, it is required that the customer after the settlement completion cannot perform any further operations. To fulfill this requirement, the information processing apparatus 1 automatically switches to the administrator mode (invalid function) triggered by the completion of settlement. That is, the information processing apparatus 1 displays a display indicating the completion of settlement and automatically invalidates the touch panel TP to prohibit operations by the customer. In order for the customer to leave the seat and return to the state of accepting orders again (return to the operation mode (valid function)), the employee (user U) only needs to perform a simple operation of touching the dedicated specific medium C (specific NFC card in the second case) owned by himself / herself on the information processing apparatus 1.

[0043] Note that in the second case of FIG. 8, “completion of settlement” is adopted as a trigger for switching from the operation mode (valid function) to the administrator mode (invalid function) instead of touching the specific medium C, but it is not particularly limited to “completion of settlement”. That is, any predetermined process can be adopted as a trigger for switching from the operation mode (valid function) to the administrator mode (invalid function) instead of touching the specific medium C.

[0044] In the third case of FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 1 is adopted for electronic advertisement (signage) use. In this case, in the operation mode, in order to prohibit operations by viewers, the touch panel TP is turned off (invalid function is exerted), and at the same time, a function of hiding the system bar for device operation (hereinafter referred to as “system bar OFF function”) is exerted to make the advertisement be displayed in full screen. Such an operation mode is appropriately referred to as the “normal advertisement playback mode”. On the other hand, when it is necessary to replace the advertisement content stored inside the information processing apparatus 1 or change the settings of the information processing apparatus 1, the mode is switched to the administrator mode. In this administrator mode, the touch panel TP is turned on (the effective function is exhibited) and the function of displaying the system bar for device operation (hereinafter referred to as the "system bar ON function") is exhibited in order to accept operations for the management by the administrator (user U).

[0045] In step S91 of FIG. 9, the mode of the information processing apparatus 1 is the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode), the current function of the touch panel TP is the invalid function, and the current function of the system bar is the system bar OFF function. The state of step S91 such as this is the default state. That is, the function of the touch panel TP in the default state is the effective function.

[0046] Here, for example, it is assumed that the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) held by the employee (user U) has the registration information already registered in the function DB61 in advance. The registration information in this case includes the association with the administrator mode, that is, the effective function for the touch panel TP and the association with the system bar ON function. Therefore, when it is necessary to replace the advertisement content or change the settings, in step S92, the administrator (user U) holds the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) over (touches) the information processing apparatus 1. Then, the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case).

[0047] Thereby, in step S93, the switching to the administrator mode, that is, the switching to the effective function for the touch panel TP and the system bar ON function is executed. That is, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in FIG. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selection function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 is the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode), the function switching unit 52 switches to the administrator mode which is the selected function. The function execution unit 53, as the administrator mode, causes the effective function of the touch panel TP to be executed and causes the system bar ON function to be executed. As a result, the touch panel TP becomes effective and the system bar is displayed. Thereby, the administrator (user U) can replace the content and change the device settings.

[0048] In step S94, the administrator (user U) who has finished replacing the content and changing the device settings holds (touches) the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) again against the information processing apparatus 1. Thereby, the process returns to step S91, and the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 returns to the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode). That is, since the stored information of the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) is acquired in the medium information acquisition unit 51, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB 61 in FIG. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selection function. Since the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 in step S94 is the administrator mode, in step S94, the function switching unit 52 switches to the normal advertisement playback mode (operation mode). The function execution unit 53, as the operation mode, causes the invalid function of the touch panel TP to be executed and causes the system bar OFF function to be executed. As a result, the touch panel TP becomes invalid and the system bar is not displayed.

[0049] Such a third case has the following merits. That is, as described above, by using the information processing apparatus 1 for electronic advertisement (signage) purposes, unlike the signage of a single display, it becomes possible to operate by touching the screen, so that an external operation device is not required and the system can be simply constructed. In addition, when the administrator (user U) performs operations such as replacing content or changing device settings, the administrator only needs to touch the registered specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) to the information processing device 1 (tablet), and can easily and quickly enable the touch panel and display the system bar. Similarly, when operations such as replacing content or changing device settings are completed, the administrator (user U) only needs to touch the registered specific medium C (specific NFC card in the third case) to the information processing device 1 (tablet), and can easily and quickly return to the normal advertisement playback mode (disable the touch panel and hide the system bar).

[0050] In the fourth case of FIG. 9, in a system (hereinafter referred to as "entrance and exit management system") for managing entrance and exit by touching a pre-registered medium C by the owner of the medium C to a terminal installed at a predetermined location (for example, the entrance and exit of an office, conference room, kindergarten, nursery school, bus entrance and exit, etc.), the information processing device 1 is adopted as the terminal. In this case, it is assumed that the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth embodiment) held by the administrator (second user U) has information including the administrator mode pre-registered in the function DB61 as registration information. In the operation mode, it is assumed that an application program (hereinafter referred to as "entrance and exit management application") capable of recording the entrance and exit of the count target person (first user U) when the count target person touches the medium C is launched and executed by the information processing device 1. On the other hand, in the administrator mode, a summary screen is displayed on the information processing device 1, and based on the operation of the administrator (second user U), the summary of the entrance and exit persons is performed, and when there is a count target person (first user U) who has entered but not exited at that time, an alert (warning) can be issued.

[0051] In step S101 of FIG. 10, the mode of the information processing device 1 is the operation mode (normal execution of the entrance and exit management application). Such a state of step S101 is the default state. That is, in step S101, when the first user U (the person to be counted) holds the personal card (medium C) in front of (touches) the information processing device 1 at the time of entry and exit, the information processing device 1 records the entry and exit of the first user U as an entrant. On the screen of the information processing device 1 in the operation mode, there is no UI (User Interface) for aggregation. Also, the medium C held by the entry / exit counting target (the first user U) is not registered in the function DB61. This prevents unnecessary transitions of the information processing device 1 (such as accidental switching to the administrator mode) due to the operations of the counting target (the first user U).

[0052] Here, when it is necessary to aggregate entry and exit, etc., in step S102, the administrator (the second user U) holds (touches) a specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the fourth case) in front of the information processing device 1. Then, the medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information of the specific medium C (a specific NFC card in the fourth case). As a result, the switch to the administrator mode, that is, the transition from the entry / exit screen to the aggregation screen, and the transition to the mode required by the administrator, etc., are performed. That is, the function switching unit 52 accesses the function DB61 in FIG. 3 and selects the administrator mode as the selection function. Since the current function of the information processing device 1 is the operation mode (while the entry / exit management application is running), the function switching unit 52 switches to the selected administrator mode. The function execution unit 53 executes the transition from the entry / exit screen to the aggregation screen and the transition to the mode required by the administrator, etc., in the administrator mode.

[0053] As a result, in step S103, when there are people who have entered but not exited among the entry / exit counting targets (the first user U) at that time, the administrator (the second user U) can issue an alert (warning).

[0054] In step S104, the administrator (second user U) who has pressed the confirmed button holds (touches) the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth case) in front of the information processing apparatus 1 again. As a result, the process returns to step S105, and the current function of the information processing apparatus 1 returns to the normal operation mode. That is, in the information processing apparatus 1, the entrance / exit management application is executed, and the display screen returns (transitions) to the original entrance / exit screen.

[0055] Such a fourth case has the following merits. That is, when ending the operation in a predetermined place (office, conference room, kindergarten, nursery school, bus, etc.) where the entrance / exit management system is introduced, the administrator (second user U) needs to confirm whether all the persons (first users U) who have entered the predetermined place have left. For this confirmation, it is necessary to transition to the administrator mode and display the aggregation screen on the information processing apparatus 1. Therefore, for example, an aggregation button for transitioning to the administrator mode can be arranged on the screen in the operation mode (entrance / exit screen by executing the entrance / exit management application). However, in this case, the aggregation button may be pressed by the first user or the like in an unintended scene, which will cause an obstacle to the normal operation. Therefore, the method of transitioning to the administrator mode (aggregation operation method) needs to use a special method known only to the administrator (second user U). The fourth case can be adopted as one of such special methods. When the fourth case is applied, the administrator (second user U) can easily perform the aggregation work only by touching the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth case) owned by himself / herself to the information processing apparatus 1. On the other hand, the risk of an incorrect operation such as a person who does not have the specific medium C (specific NFC card in the fourth case), that is, a person other than the administrator, transitioning to the administrator mode is substantially eliminated.

[0056] In the fifth case of FIG. 11, a member (user U) of a predetermined service holds a specific medium C (in the fifth case, a membership card NFC card) as a membership card, and the stored information of the specific medium C (in the fifth case, the membership card NFC card) (the individual number of the membership card NFC card, which is the membership number) is associated with the member information in the server of the predetermined service (membership card information database). Examples of the member information include personal allergy information, age, religion, and the like. On the other hand, in the function DB61, a specific medium C (in the fifth case, a membership card NFC card) is associated with a function related to a predetermined service. Specifically, for the specific medium C (in the fifth case, a membership card NFC card), a mode that uses the member information obtained through the specific medium C and is the optimal mode for the member (user U) (hereinafter referred to as the "member mode") is associated.

[0057] In step S111, when the member (user U) wants to switch the mode of the information processing apparatus 1 to the member mode, the member holds (touches) the specific medium C (in the fifth case, the membership card NFC card) over the information processing apparatus 1. The medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires the stored information (membership number) of the specific medium C (in the fifth case, the membership card NFC card) via the reading unit 22, transmits the stored information (membership number) to the server for inquiry, and as a result, obtains (acquires) the member information transmitted from the server.

[0058] In step S112, the function switching unit 52 switches the mode of the information processing apparatus 1 to the member mode (selected function) with the member mode as the selected function. The function execution unit 53 causes, as the execution of the member mode, for example, a menu (personal menu) adapted to the member information to be displayed on the information processing apparatus 1. Specifically, for example, when the information processing apparatus 1 is a terminal used by a customer in a restaurant, the function execution unit 53, as the execution of the member mode, displays a menu that avoids allergies obtained from the member information, or displays a halal menu that conforms to the halal obtained from the member information, or displays a children's menu when it is obtained from the member information that the member is a child.

[0059] Such a fifth case has the following advantages. That is, as described above, for a member (user U) of a predetermined service, by simply touching a specific medium C (a membership card NFC card in the fifth case) to the information processing device 1 (tablet), the time required to switch to the member mode (for example, the search time for the optimal display for that member) can be shortened. In addition, there is also a method of providing a mode switching button or the like on the screen of the application program. However, there is also an advantage that, as in the fifth case, optimization can be achieved by associating personal information (member information) with the member mode.

[0060] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are considered to be included in the present invention.

[0061] For example, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example for achieving the object of the present invention and is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the communication method for the reading unit 20 to read the stored information of the medium C is NFC or RFID. However, it is not particularly limited to this, and any communication method may be used.

[0062] Also, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing device 1 in FIG. 1 is provided with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole. What functional blocks are used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example in FIG. 2.

[0063] Also, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. Also, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination thereof.

[0064] When a series of processes are to be executed by software, the programs constituting the software are installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer in addition to a server.

[0065] A recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body to provide the program to the user, but also constituted by a recording medium or the like provided to the user in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body.

[0066] Note that in this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes performed in time series in accordance with the order, but also processes executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series.

[0067] In summary, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied only needs to have the following configuration and can take various embodiments. That is, the information processing apparatus (for example, the information processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1) to which the present invention is applied is an information processing apparatus having a reading function (for example, a reading unit 22) for reading stored information stored in a medium (for example, the medium C in FIG. 1) by a predetermined wireless communication method (for example, NFC or RFID), a medium information acquisition means (for example, a medium information acquisition unit 51 in FIG. 2) for acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium (for example, the specific medium CK in FIGS. 4 to 6 or the specific medium C in FIGS. 7 to 11) among the plurality of the media, Among the plurality of functions executable by the information processing apparatus, a function (for example, one or more functions registered for each card in the function DB 61 of FIG. 3) previously associated with the predetermined medium specified by the stored information is set as a selection function, and when the current function is other than the selection function, a function switching means (function switching unit 52) that switches to the selection function, is sufficient. Further, when the current function is the selection function, the function switching means can also switch to another function. Thereby, it becomes possible to appropriately and easily switch the function of the information processing apparatus according to the purpose of the user (a person who uses the information processing apparatus).

[0068] Here, the plurality of functions include an operation mode (for example, the operation modes of FIGS. 4 and 6) for normally using the information processing apparatus and an administrator mode (for example, the administrator mode of FIG. 5) for managing the information processing apparatus. The predetermined medium is associated with the administrator mode. The function switching means uses the administrator mode as the selection function, switches to the administrator mode when the current function is the operation mode (for example, switches as shown in FIG. 5), and switches to the operation mode when the current function is the administrator mode (for example, switches as shown in FIG. 6). can do.

[0069] The information processing apparatus further includes a touch panel (for example, the touch panel TP of FIG. 1). The operation mode includes a function of activating the touch panel (for example, step S71 in FIG. 7, step S81 in FIG. 8). The administrator mode includes a function of deactivating the touch panel (for example, step S73 in FIG. 7, step S82 in FIG. 8). can do.

[0070] The function switching means When the current function is in the operation mode, instead of acquiring the stored information by the medium information acquisition means, a predetermined process (for example, payment completion as in step S82 of FIG. 9) is executed as a trigger, and the administrator mode is used as a selection function to switch from the operation mode to the administrator mode (for example, step S82 of FIG. 8). When the current function is in the administrator mode, the administrator mode is used as a selection function to switch from the administrator mode to the operation mode (for example, step S83 of FIG. 8) triggered by the acquisition of the stored information by the medium information acquisition means (for example, touching the specific medium C as in step S83 of FIG. 8). It can be done.

[0071] The information processing apparatus further has a touch panel (for example, the touch panel TP in FIG. 1). The operation mode includes a function of disabling the touch panel and a function of turning off the system bar of the touch panel (for example, the normal advertisement playback mode in step S91 of FIG. 9). The administrator mode includes a function of enabling the touch panel and a function of turning on the system bar of the touch panel (for example, steps S92 and S93 of FIG. 9). It can be done.

[0072] The operation mode has a function of recording the entry or exit of a first person (for example, the "user" in FIG. 10) having the medium to a predetermined place based on the stored information read by the reading function from a medium other than the predetermined medium (for example, "the user holds the personal card (medium C) to leave a record of entry and exit" and "the entry and exit management application" in step S101 of FIG. 10). The administrator mode has a management function including counting the number of entrants to the predetermined place by the operation of a second person (for example, the "administrator" in FIG. 10) having the predetermined medium, and outputting an alert to the first person who has entered but not exited at that time (for example, steps S102 and S103 of FIG. 10). It can be done.

[0073] The predetermined medium is a medium for members of a predetermined service (for example, the specific medium C as the "membership card" in FIG. 11), and the stored information of the predetermined medium is associated with member information in a server of the predetermined service (for example, the membership card information database managed by the server in FIG. 11). The function associated with the predetermined medium is a function related to the predetermined service (for example, the function in step S112 of FIG. 11). When the medium information acquisition means acquires the stored information from the predetermined medium, it further transmits the stored information to the server and acquires the member information transmitted from the server as a result of the inquiry (for example, step S111 in FIG. 11). When the current function is other than the selected function, the function switching means switches to the selected function, which is the function related to the predetermined service pre-associated with the predetermined medium specified by the member information via the stored information (for example, step S112 in FIG. 11). It can be done.

Explanation of Signs

[0074] 1 ··· Information processing device, 11 ··· CPU, 12 ··· ROM, 13 ··· RAM, 14 ··· Bus, 15 ··· Input / output interface, 16 ··· Touch operation input unit, 17 ··· Display unit, 18 ··· Output unit, 19 ··· Input unit, 20 ··· Storage unit, 21 ··· Communication unit, 22 ··· Reading unit, 23 ··· Drive, 31 ··· Removable medium, 51 ··· Medium information acquisition unit, 52 ··· Function switching unit, 53 ··· Function exertion unit, 61 ··· Function DB, TP ··· Touch panel, C, CK ··· Medium, CT ··· Specific medium, U, UT ··· User

Claims

1. In an information processing apparatus having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, the stored information stored in the medium includes information indicating that M (M is an integer value of 2 or more and M ≤ N) functions out of N (N is an integer value of 2 or more) functions executable by the information processing apparatus are associated in advance, medium information acquisition means for acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among a plurality of the media; specifying, as a selection function, the M functions associated in advance with the predetermined medium specified by the stored information, comparing the currently executing function with the selection function, and if the currently executing function is a function different from the selection function, switching the currently executing function to a state in which the selection function can be executed, and if the currently executing function is the same function as the selection function, switching from the currently executing function to another function; function switching means; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The N functions include an operation mode for normally using the information processing apparatus and an administrator mode for managing the information processing apparatus, the predetermined medium is associated with the administrator mode as the M function, the function switching means uses the administrator mode as the selection function, and switches to the administrator mode when the currently executing function is the operation mode, and switches to the operation mode when the currently executing function is the administrator mode. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The information processing apparatus further has a touch panel, the operation mode includes a function of enabling the touch panel, the administrator mode includes a function of disabling the touch panel. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The function switching means When the currently executing function is in the operation mode, instead of acquiring the stored information by the medium information acquisition means, a predetermined process is executed as a trigger, and the administrator mode is used as a selection function to switch from the operation mode to the administrator mode. When the currently executing function is in the administrator mode, the administrator mode is used as the selection function to switch from the administrator mode to the operation mode by triggering the acquisition of the stored information by the medium information acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The information processing apparatus further includes a touch panel. The operation mode includes a function of disabling the touch panel and a function of turning off the system bar of the touch panel. The administrator mode includes a function of enabling the touch panel and a function of turning on the system bar of the touch panel. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

6. The operation mode has a function of recording the entry or exit of a first person having the medium to a predetermined place based on the stored information read by the reading function from a medium other than the predetermined medium. The administrator mode has a management function including counting the number of entrants to the predetermined place by the operation of a second person having the predetermined medium and outputting an alert to the first person who has entered but not exited at that time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

7. The predetermined medium is a medium for members of a predetermined service, and the stored information of the predetermined medium is associated with member information in a server of the predetermined service. At least a part of the M functions associated with the predetermined medium are functions related to the predetermined service. When the media information acquisition means acquires the stored information from the predetermined medium, it further acquires the member information transmitted from the server as a result of transmitting the stored information to the server for inquiry, The function switching means sets, as a selection function, the function related to the predetermined service that is associated in advance with the predetermined medium specified by the member information via the stored information, and switches to the selection function when the current function is other than the selection function. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. In an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, The stored information stored in the medium includes information indicating that M (M is an integer value of 2 or more and M ≤ N) functions out of N (N is an integer value of 2 or more) functions executable by the information processing apparatus are associated in advance, A medium information acquisition step of acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among a plurality of the media, Among a plurality of functions executable by the information processing apparatus, the M functions associated in advance with the predetermined medium specified by the stored information are specified as selection functions, the currently executed function is compared with the selection function, and when the currently executed function is a function different from the selection function, the currently executed function is switched to a state where the selection function can be executed, and when the currently executed function is the same function as the selection function, the currently executed function is switched to another function; a function switching step, An information processing method including the above.

9. In a computer having a reading function for reading stored information stored in a medium by a predetermined wireless communication method, The stored information stored in the medium includes information indicating that M (M is an integer value of 2 or more and M ≤ N) functions out of N (N is an integer value of 2 or more) functions executable by the computer are associated in advance, A media information acquisition step of acquiring the stored information read by the reading function from a predetermined medium among the plurality of the media; Among the plurality of functions executable by the computer, a function of the M functions preliminarily associated with the predetermined medium specified by the stored information is specified as a selection function, the currently executing function is compared with the selection function, and when the currently executing function is a function different from the selection function, the currently executing function is switched to a state in which the selection function can be executed, and when the currently executing function is the same function as the selection function, a function switching step of switching from the currently executing function to another function; A program for executing control processing including the above.

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