Attendance management system, management server, attendance management method, and program

Abstract

To provide an attendance management system that uses sound waves to manage the attendance status of users, which enables the management of the attendance status of users even in a place where no output device is installed, and also prevents fraudulent attendance registration. [Solution] The terminal device is a terminal device used by a user, and comprises: a sound wave acquisition unit that acquires sound waves output by an information terminal, the sound waves including audible sound and predetermined identification information; an extraction unit that extracts the predetermined identification information from the sound waves; and an information transmission unit that, if the predetermined identification information is extracted from the sound waves, sends a registration request for attendance information to a management server that manages the attendance information of the user, the registration request including the predetermined identification information, user identification information that identifies the user, and time information indicating the time when the predetermined identification information was extracted, and is characterized in that the predetermined identification information is invalidated in any process other than the process in which the information transmission unit sends the registration request to the management server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attendance management system 、 a management server, an attendance management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an attendance management system for managing the attendance status of attendees participating in lectures, classes, training, etc.

[0003] For example, there is known an attendance management system in which an output device that outputs a sound wave representing predetermined identification information is installed at an attendance location where lectures, classes, training, etc. are held, and the attendance status of attendees is managed based on the predetermined identification information acquired by the terminal devices of the attendees (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the attendance management system disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the attendance status of users cannot be managed in a classroom or the like where the output device is not installed. Further, in such an attendance management system, there is a demand to suppress unauthorized attendance registration by users who are actually not present by recording a sound wave including predetermined identification information or transmitting it via a communication line using a terminal device.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an attendance management system that manages the attendance status of users using sound waves, it is possible to manage the attendance status of users even in a place where the output device is not installed, and to suppress unauthorized attendance registration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an attendance management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is an attendance management system including a terminal device used by a user and a management server that registers attendance information of the user attending a lecture. The terminal device includes a sound wave acquisition unit that acquires a sound wave output from an information terminal, an extraction unit that extracts predetermined identification information from the sound wave, and a transmission unit that transmits the predetermined identification information extracted by the extraction unit and user identification information for identifying the user to the management server. The management server includes a reception unit that receives the predetermined identification information and the user identification information for identifying the user from the terminal device, and a registration unit that registers the attendance information of the user attending the lecture based on the predetermined identification information and the user identification information received by the reception unit. The management server has a storage unit, stores the predetermined identification information, the user identification information, the teacher ID, and lecture information related to the lecture in association with each other, identifies the teacher ID for identifying the teacher from the received predetermined identification information, and registers the attendance information of the user who attends the lecture based on the identified teacher ID and the received user identification information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in an attendance management system that manages the attendance status of a user using sound waves, it is possible to manage the attendance status of the user even in a place where an output device is not installed, and it is possible to suppress the registration of fraudulent attendance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] <Configuration of the System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of an attendance management system according to an embodiment. The attendance management system 100 includes, for example, a management server 110, an information terminal 120, a PC (Personal Computer) 130, and terminal devices 140a, 140b, ···. In the following description, when indicating an arbitrary terminal device among the terminal devices 140a, 140b, ···, "terminal device 140" is used.

[0011] The management server 110 is, for example, an information processing device such as a PC or a system including a plurality of information processing devices, and is connected to the communication network 101. The management server 110 manages, for example, the attendance status of attendees, students, etc. (hereinafter referred to as students) who attend lectures, classes, training, etc. (hereinafter referred to as lectures). Note that a student is an example of a user who uses the terminal device 140.

[0012] The information terminal 120 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal used by teachers such as lecturers and teachers who conduct lectures, classes, etc., and can communicate with the management server 110 via the communication network 101. Further, the information terminal 120 can output a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and predetermined identification information (hereinafter referred to as a sound wave ID) notified from the management server 110 by executing an application corresponding to the attendance management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as an app). Note that the audible sound is a sound wave including sounds (for example, music, environmental sounds, voices, etc.) in a frequency range audible to humans (for example, 20 Hz to 20 kHz).

[0013] Preferably, the sound wave 121 output by the information terminal 120 includes music in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as an electronic watermark. However, it is not limited to this, and the sound wave 121 may be environmental sounds (for example, the sound of waves, the sound of birds, the sound of a stream, etc.) in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as an electronic watermark, a voice announcement, or the like.

[0014] The PC 130 is an information processing device such as a notebook PC or a desktop PC used by a teacher, and can communicate with the management server 110 via the communication network 101. For example, the teacher can access a web page provided by the management server 110 using a web browser provided in the PC 130 and view attendance information managed by the management server 110.

[0015] The terminal device 140 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal possessed by a student attending a lecture, a class, etc., and can communicate with the management server 110 via the communication network 101. The terminal device 140 can acquire the sound wave 121 output by the information terminal 120 and extract the sound wave ID included in the sound wave 121 by executing an app corresponding to the attendance management system 100. Further, the terminal device 140 transmits a registration request for attendance information including the extracted sound wave ID, user identification information (hereinafter referred to as a student ID) for identifying the user using the terminal device 140, and time information indicating the time when the sound wave ID was extracted, to the management server 110.

[0016] In addition, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the information terminal that executes the teacher's application is referred to as the information terminal 120, and the information terminal that executes the student's application is referred to as the terminal device 140.

[0017] (Example of usage scenario) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of an attendance management system according to an embodiment. The teacher 202 activates the teacher's application on the information terminal 120 at an arbitrary timing during the lecture to perform an attendance confirmation operation. As a result, the information terminal 120 outputs music 203 (an example of the sound wave 121) in which a sound wave ID is superimposed as an electronic watermark using a speaker or the like provided in the information terminal 120. For example, in this state, the teacher 202 instructs the students attending the lecture to perform an attendance confirmation.

[0018] In response to this, the student 201 participating in the lecture activates the student's application on the terminal device 140 held and performs an attendance registration operation. As a result, the terminal device 140 acquires the music 203 output from the information terminal 120 and extracts the sound wave ID superimposed on the music 203. Further, the terminal device 140 transmits a registration request for attendance information including the extracted sound wave ID, the student ID of the student 201, and time information indicating the time when the sound wave ID was extracted to the management server 110.

[0019] Similarly, a registration request for the attendance information of each student 201 is transmitted from the terminal device 140 held by each student 201 participating in the lecture to the management server 110. The management server 110 manages the attendance status of a plurality of students 201 attending the lecture based on the registration requests for attendance information received from the plurality of terminal devices 140.

[0020] For example, the management server 110 stores in advance the correspondence between the sound wave ID and the teacher ID of the teacher 202, and specifies the teacher ID of the teacher 202 corresponding to the sound wave ID included in the attendance information. In addition, the management server 110 associates the specified teacher ID, the student ID of the student 201 included in the registration request for attendance information, and the time information, and stores and manages them in a storage unit or the like.

[0021] With the above configuration, the attendance management system 100 can manage the attendance status of the student 201 using the terminal device 140 even in a place where an output device that outputs a sound wave including a sound wave ID is not installed.

[0022] (Regarding digital watermark) Digital watermark is a technology for superimposing (embedding) watermark information such as a sound wave ID on content such as music. As methods for superimposing watermark information on content, various methods have been proposed, and the resistance of the digital watermark can be selected according to the method of superimposing the watermark information (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0023] A digital watermark that can extract watermark data even when the content is modified is called a highly resistant digital watermark or a robust digital watermark. Also, when the content is modified, a digital watermark in which the watermark data is lost and the watermark data cannot be extracted is called a low-resistant digital watermark or a fragile digital watermark.

[0024] Table 1 shows the conditions required for the digital watermark used in this embodiment.

[0025]

Table 1

[0026] In addition, as shown in 2) of Table 1, the digital watermark used in this embodiment may have low resistance (or may have high resistance) to changes in the tempo and pitch of music. This is because tempo and pitch changes of music are not performed in the registration process of attendance information where the sound wave ID is used.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in 3) of Table 1, the digital watermark used in this embodiment has low resistance to perceptual coding of music, and when such processing is performed, a fragile digital watermark in which the sound wave ID is lost is used.

[0028] As a result, the sound wave ID included in the sound wave 121 output by the information terminal 120 is lost (invalidated) when, for example, the sound wave 121 is recorded or transmitted over a communication line.

[0029] For example, when recording or transmitting music, perceptual coding is generally performed on the sound wave signal (or sound wave data) acquired by a microphone or the like. Perceptual coding is an encoding method that performs irreversible compression of sound wave data by utilizing the characteristics of human perception to omit detailed information that is difficult to perceive or represent it with fewer bits. When perceptual coding is performed, data embedded in regions that are difficult for humans to hear, for example, in the frequency range above 16 kHz or before and after strong sounds within the human audible frequency range, is lost. Therefore, for example, by embedding the sound wave ID in a region that is difficult for humans to hear, it is possible to realize a fragile digital watermark in which the sound wave ID is lost when recording or transmitting music.

[0030] Note that the processes such as recording, transmission over a communication line, and perceptual coding on the sound wave 121 are examples of predetermined processing on the sound wave 121.

[0031] In addition, as shown in 4) of Table 1, the digital watermark used in this embodiment is a digital watermark with high resistance to D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion and A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion of music. This is to prevent the sound wave ID from being lost during the D / A conversion performed when the information terminal 120 outputs the sound wave 121 embedded with the sound wave ID, and the A / D conversion performed when the terminal device 140 acquires the sound wave 121.

[0032] In the following description, a digital watermark that satisfies the conditions in Table 1 is referred to as a fragile digital watermark.

[0033] In this embodiment, the information terminal 120 outputs the sound wave 121 with the sound wave ID superimposed as a fragile digital watermark. Further, when the terminal device 140 acquires this sound wave 121 and can extract the sound wave ID from the sound wave 121, the terminal device 140 transmits a registration request for the attendance information including the sound wave ID to the management server 110.

[0034] In this way, the sound wave ID is configured to be valid within the range of the process in which the terminal device 140 transmits a registration request for the attendance information including the extracted sound wave ID to the management server 110. For example, the sound wave ID is invalidated in processes other than the process in which the terminal device 140 records the sound wave including the sound wave ID or transmits it via a communication line, and transmits a registration request for the attendance information including the extracted sound wave ID to the management server 110. Therefore, in the attendance management system 100 according to this embodiment, it is possible to expect an effect of suppressing the registration of fraudulent attendance information by a student 201 who is not attending the lecture.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the attendance management system 100 that manages the attendance status of users using sound waves, it is possible to manage the attendance status of users even in places where no output device is installed, and to suppress the registration of fraudulent attendance.

[0036] <Hardware Configuration> (Hardware Configuration of Management Server and PC) The management server 110 and the PC 130 have, for example, the configuration of the computer 300 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. The computer 300 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HD (Hard Disk) 304, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 305, a display 306, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 307, a network I / F 308, a keyboard 309, a pointing device 310, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 312, a media I / F 314, and a bus line 315, etc.

[0038] Among these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the computer 300. The ROM 302 stores programs used for starting up the CPU 301, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The HD 304 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 305 controls the reading and writing of various data to and from the HD 304 according to the control of the CPU 301.

[0039] The display 306 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 307 is an interface for connecting various external devices. External devices in this case include, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc. The network I / F 308 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 101.

[0040] The keyboard 309 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 310 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 312 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 311 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW 311 is not limited to DVD-RW and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 314 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the media 313 such as a flash memory. The bus line 315 includes an address bus, a data bus, various control signals, and the like for electrically connecting the above-described respective components.

[0041] (Hardware Configuration of Information Terminal and Terminal Device) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal and a terminal device according to an embodiment. Here, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 140 will be described, but it is assumed that the information terminal 120 has the same hardware configuration as the terminal device 140.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 140 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage device 404, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405, an imaging element I / F 406, an acceleration / azimuth sensor 407, a media I / F 409, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 410.

[0043] Among these, the CPU 401 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 140. The ROM 402 stores programs used for driving the CPU 401 such as IPL. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The storage device 404 is a large-capacity storage device realized by, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash ROM, or the like, and stores an OS (Operating System), applications, various data, and the like.

[0044] The CMOS sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject (mainly a self-image) according to the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. Note that the terminal device 140 may have imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor instead of the CMOS sensor 405. The imaging device I / F 406 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 405. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 407 is various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 409 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to and from the recording medium 408 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 410 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0045] Also, the terminal device 140 includes a long-distance communication circuit 411, an antenna 411a of the long-distance communication circuit 411, a CMOS sensor 412, an imaging device I / F 413, a microphone 414, a speaker 415, an audio input / output I / F 416, a display 417, an external device connection I / F 418, a short-distance communication circuit 419, an antenna 419a of the short-distance communication circuit 419, and a touch panel 420.

[0046] Among these, the long-distance communication circuit 411 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the communication network 101. The CMOS sensor 412 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject according to the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. The imaging device I / F 413 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 412. The microphone 414 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 415 is a built-in circuit that converts an electrical signal into physical vibration to generate sounds such as music and voices. The audio input / output I / F 416 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 414 and the speaker 415 according to the control of the CPU 401.

[0047] The display 417 is a type of display means such as liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays images of subjects, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 418 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-range communication circuit 419 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 420 is a type of input means for operating the terminal device 140 when the user presses the display 417.

[0048] Also, the terminal device 140 includes a bus line 421. The bus line 421 includes an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] <Functional configuration> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an attendance management system according to an embodiment.

[0050] (Functional configuration of the management server) The management server 110 realizes, for example, a communication unit 501, an authentication unit 502, a sound wave data providing unit 503, an attendance information management unit 504, an attendance information providing unit 505, a lecture information management unit 506, etc. by executing a predetermined program with the CPU 301 in FIG. 3. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0051] Also, the management server 110 can access storage units such as a user information storage unit 511, a sound wave data storage unit 512, an attendance information storage unit 513, and a lecture information storage unit 514 shown in FIG. 5. These storage units may be realized by the HD 304 and HDD controller 305 provided in the management server 110, or may be realized by an external server (for example, a storage server, etc.).

[0052] The communication unit 501 connects the management server 110 to the communication network 101 using, for example, the network I / F 308 in FIG. 3, and communicates with the information terminal 120, the PC 130, the terminal device 140, etc.

[0053] The authentication unit 502 performs authentication processing for users such as the teacher 202 and the student 201 who request to log in to the management server 110. For example, the authentication unit 502 stores and manages user information 601 as shown in FIG. 6(A) in the user information storage unit 511.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 6(A), the user information 601 includes information such as user ID, password, user type, and name as items. The user ID includes, for example, a teacher ID for identifying the teacher 202 and a student ID for identifying the student 201. The password is an example of authentication information corresponding to the user ID. The user type is information indicating the type of user (e.g., teacher, student, etc.). The name is name information such as the user's name, for example.

[0055] Also, the authentication unit 502 permits the user to log in if, for example, the user ID and password included in the login request received from the information terminal 120, the PC 130, the terminal device 140, etc. are registered in the user information 601. Note that the password is an example of the user's authentication information, and may be other authentication information such as biometric information such as fingerprint and voice, a card ID of an IC card, and an electronic certificate, for example.

[0056] The sound wave data providing unit 503 provides sound wave data such as music data and sound wave IDs to the information terminal 120. For example, when the sound wave data providing unit 503 receives a music data acquisition request for requesting the acquisition of music data from the information terminal 120, it transmits the music data stored in advance in the sound wave data storage unit 512 etc. to the information terminal 120.

[0057] Also, when the sound wave data providing unit 503 receives a sound wave ID acquisition request for acquiring a sound wave ID from the information terminal 120, it assigns a plurality of sound wave IDs to the instructor ID included in the sound wave ID acquisition request and notifies the information terminal 120 of the assigned sound wave IDs. Further, the sound wave data providing unit 503 stores and manages, for example, sound wave ID management information 602 as shown in FIG. 6(B) in the sound wave data storage unit 512. In the sound wave ID management information 602, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the correspondence between the instructor ID and the plurality of sound wave IDs assigned to the instructor ID is stored.

[0058] The attendance information management unit 504 stores and manages, for example, attendance information 603 as shown in FIG. 6(C) in the attendance information storage unit 513. For example, when the attendance information management unit 504 receives a registration request for attendance information including a sound wave ID, a student ID, and time information from the terminal device 140, it refers to the sound wave ID management information 602 to identify the instructor ID corresponding to the sound wave ID included in the registration request for attendance information. Further, the attendance information management unit 504 stores the identified instructor ID, the student ID and the time information included in the attendance information in the attendance information 603.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 6(C), the attendance information 603 includes information such as an instructor ID, a student ID, and time information as items. The instructor ID is identification information for identifying an instructor. The student ID is identification information for identifying a student. The time information is information indicating the time when the terminal device 140 extracts the sound wave ID.

[0060] The attendance information providing unit 505 functions as a web server that provides, for example, a web page for browsing the attendance information managed by the management server 110 to the PC 130 of the instructor 202 or the like. For example, the attendance information providing unit 505 searches the attendance information 603 stored in the attendance information storage unit 513 according to the search conditions specified from the PC 130 or the like, and displays the search results on the PC 130 or the like.

[0061] The lecture information management unit 506 stores and manages lecture information 604 such as that shown in FIG. 6(D) in the lecture information storage unit 514. In the example of FIG. 6(D), the lecture information 604 includes information such as lecture ID, lecture name, classroom name, instructor ID, class period, date and time, etc. as items. The lecture ID is identification information for identifying a lecture. The lecture name is information indicating the name of the lecture. The classroom name is information indicating the name of the classroom where the lecture is held. The instructor ID is identification information for identifying instructor 202. The class period and the date and time are information indicating the date and time of each class period.

[0062] Based on this lecture information 604 and the attendance information 603 in FIG. 6(C), the management server 110 can identify the lectures attended by the student 201, the class periods, etc.

[0063] (Functional Configuration of Information Terminal) The information terminal 120 realizes, for example, a communication unit 521, a sound wave data acquisition unit 522, a sound wave generation unit 523, a sound wave output unit 524, a display control unit 525, an operation reception unit 526, an authentication unit 527, and a storage unit 528, etc. by executing an instructor application with the CPU 401 in FIG. 4. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0064] The communication unit 521 connects the information terminal 120 to the communication network 101 and communicates with the management server 110, etc. using, for example, the long-distance communication circuit 411 in FIG. 4.

[0065] The sound wave data acquisition unit 522 acquires sound wave data such as music data and sound wave IDs from the management server 110, for example, at the time of first startup, etc., and stores it in the storage unit 528.

[0066] The sound wave generation unit 523 generates a sound wave (sound wave data) including an audible sound and a sound wave ID (predetermined identification information) output by the information terminal 120.

[0067] Preferably, the sound wave generation unit 523 generates music (music data) in which a sound wave ID is superimposed with a fragile electronic watermark that satisfies the conditions shown in Table 1. However, it is not limited to this, and the sound wave generation unit 523 may generate fragile electronic watermark data representing the sound wave ID separately from the music. Further, the sound wave generation unit 523 may generate sound waves (or sound wave data) such as environmental sounds or voice announcements in which a sound wave ID is superimposed with a fragile electronic watermark.

[0068] The sound wave output unit 524 outputs a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID, for example, using the sound input / output I / F 416, the speaker 415, etc. of FIG. 4. For example, the sound wave output unit 524 outputs music 203 (an example of the sound wave 121) in which a sound wave ID is superimposed with a fragile electronic watermark generated by the sound wave generation unit 523.

[0069] However, it is not limited to this, and the sound wave output unit 524 may output music based on the music data acquired by the sound wave data acquisition unit 522, for example, and may output a fragile electronic watermark sound representing the sound wave ID generated by the sound wave generation unit 523. Further, the sound wave output unit 524 may output the sound wave 121 using, for example, the sound wave data including the audible sound and the sound wave ID acquired by the sound wave data acquisition unit 522 from the management server 110.

[0070] The display control unit 525 causes a display unit such as the display 417 of FIG. 4 to display various display screens such as a display screen of an application for teachers. The operation reception unit 526 receives an input operation on an operation unit such as the touch panel 420 of FIG. 4, for example.

[0071] The authentication unit 527 authenticates the information terminal 120 or the teacher 202 who uses the application for teachers executed on the information terminal 120. Note that the authentication unit 527 may perform authentication processing within the information terminal 120, or may send an authentication request to the management server 110 to request authentication.

[0072] The memory unit 528 is realized by, for example, the program executed by the CPU 401 in FIG. 4, and the storage device 404, the RAM 403, etc., and stores various data, information, etc., such as the sound wave data acquired by the sound wave data acquisition unit 522.

[0073] (Functional Configuration of Terminal Device) The terminal device 140 realizes, for example, the communication unit 531, the sound wave acquisition unit 532, the extraction unit 533, the information transmission unit 534, the authentication unit 535, the display control unit 536, the operation reception unit 537, and the memory unit 538, etc. by executing a student application with the CPU 401 in FIG. 4. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0074] The communication unit 531 connects the terminal device 140 to the communication network 101 and communicates with the management server 110, etc. using, for example, the long-distance communication circuit 411 in FIG. 4.

[0075] The sound wave acquisition unit 532 executes a sound wave acquisition process of acquiring a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID output by the information terminal 120 using, for example, the microphone 414 and the sound input / output I / F 416 in FIG. 4. For example, the sound wave acquisition unit 532 A / D-converts the sound wave 121 acquired by the microphone 414 using the sound input / output I / F 416, etc. to generate sound wave data and stores it in the memory unit 538.

[0076] The extraction unit 533 extracts the sound wave ID from the sound wave 121 acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 532. For example, the extraction unit 533 executes an extraction process of analyzing the sound wave data stored in the memory unit 538 by the sound wave acquisition unit 532 with a predetermined algorithm to extract the sound wave ID.

[0077] Note that in this embodiment, since perceptual coding is not performed on the sound wave data of the sound wave 121 acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 532, the extraction unit 533 can extract the sound wave ID from the sound wave data of the sound wave 121.

[0078] However, when the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 532 is not the sound wave 121 output by the information terminal 120, but for example, the sound wave obtained by recording and playing back the sound wave 121, or the sound wave transmitted through the communication line, the extraction unit 533 cannot extract the sound wave ID.

[0079] When the information transmission unit 534 can extract the sound wave ID from the sound wave 121, the information transmission unit 534 executes information transmission processing for transmitting a registration request for attendance information including the extracted sound wave ID, the student ID of the student 201 who uses the terminal device 140, time information indicating the date and time when the sound wave ID was extracted, etc. to the management server 110.

[0080] Preferably, when the sound wave ID cannot be extracted from the sound wave 121, the information transmission unit 534 aborts the process of transmitting a registration request for attendance information to the management server 110.

[0081] The authentication unit 535 authenticates the student 201 who uses the terminal device 140 or the student application executed on the terminal device 140. Note that the authentication unit 535 may perform the authentication process within the terminal device 140, or may send an authentication request to the management server 110 to request authentication.

[0082] The display control unit 536 displays various display screens such as the display screen of the student application on a display unit such as the display 417 in FIG. 4. The operation reception unit 537 receives an input operation on an operation unit such as the touch panel 420 in FIG. 4.

[0083] The storage unit 538 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 401 in FIG. 4, and a storage device 404, a RAM 403, etc., and stores various data and information such as the sound wave data of the sound wave 121 acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 532.

[0084] (Functional Configuration of PC) Since the PC 130 may be a general computer 300 having a web browser 541, the description of the functional configuration is omitted.

[0085] Note that the functional configuration of the attendance management system 100 shown in FIG. 5 is an example. For example, each functional configuration of the information terminal 120 shown in FIG. 5 may be realized by a PC 130 having a voice output function or the like. Further, each functional configuration of the management server 110 shown in FIG. 5 may be provided in a distributed manner in a plurality of computers 300.

[0086] <Flow of processing> Subsequently, the flow of processing of the attendance management method according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0087] [First Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows an example of processing at the time of starting an application according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the processing of steps S701 to S712 shows an example of processing at the time of starting an application executed when a teacher's application is started on the information terminal 120. Further, the processing of steps S721 to S725 shows an example of processing at the time of starting an application executed when a student's application is started on the terminal device 140.

[0088] In step S701, when the teacher 202 performs an operation to start the teacher's application on the information terminal 120, the processing of steps S702 to S712 is executed.

[0089] In step S702, the information terminal 120 starts the teacher's application in response to the operation to start the teacher's application. When the teacher's application is started, the display control unit 525 of the information terminal 120 causes a display unit such as the display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a login screen, for example.

[0090] In step S703, when teacher 202 performs a login operation by entering, for example, a teacher ID, password, etc. on the login screen, in step S704, the authentication unit 527 of the information terminal 120 performs the authentication process of teacher 202 using the teacher ID and password. For example, if the teacher ID and password entered in the login operation are the pre-registered teacher ID and password, the login of teacher 202 is permitted, and the processes after step S705 are executed. On the other hand, if the teacher ID and password entered in the login operation are not the pre-registered teacher ID and password, the login of teacher 202 is rejected, and the processes after step S705 are aborted.

[0091] In step S705, the sound wave data acquisition unit 522 of the information terminal 120 sends a request to the management server 110 to acquire music data.

[0092] In step S706, when the sound wave data providing unit 503 of the management server 110 receives a request to acquire music data, it sends the music data to the information terminal 120 that is the request source.

[0093] In step S707, the sound wave data acquisition unit 522 of the information terminal 120 stores the music data received from the management server 110 in the storage unit 528 or the like.

[0094] In step S708, the sound wave data acquisition unit 522 of the information terminal 120 sends a request to the management server 110 to acquire a sound wave ID. This request to acquire a sound wave ID includes the teacher ID of teacher 202 who succeeded in authentication in step S704.

[0095] In step S709, when the sound wave data providing unit 503 of the management server 110 receives a request for acquiring a sound wave ID, it assigns a sound wave ID to the teacher ID included in the acquisition request. Further, the sound wave data providing unit 503 stores, in the sound wave ID management information 602 as shown in FIG. 6(B) for example, the correspondence between the teacher ID and the sound wave ID assigned to the teacher ID. At this time, the sound wave data providing unit 503 assigns different sound wave IDs for each teacher ID so that the teacher ID can be specified from the sound wave ID.

[0096] In step S710, the sound wave data providing unit 503 of the management server 110 notifies the information terminal 120 of the request source of the sound wave ID assigned to the teacher ID.

[0097] In step S711, the sound wave data acquisition unit 522 of the information terminal 120 stores the plurality of sound wave IDs received from the management server 110 in the storage unit 528 or the like.

[0098] Note that when valid music data and sound wave IDs are already stored in the storage unit 528 of the information terminal 120, part or all of the sound wave data acquisition process 700 shown in steps S705 to S711 can be omitted.

[0099] In step S712, the display control unit 525 of the information terminal 120 causes a display unit such as the display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a menu screen of the teacher application.

[0100] FIG. 8(A) shows an example of the menu screen 810 of the teacher application to be displayed by the display control unit 525. For example, teacher 202 can perform an attendance confirmation operation described later by selecting the "Attendance Confirmation" button 811 displayed on the menu screen 810 of the teacher application.

[0101] By the above processing, the information terminal 120 can specify the teacher ID of the teacher 202 who uses the information terminal 120 and store the plurality of sound wave IDs notified from the management server 110 in the storage unit 528 or the like.

[0102] Next, the processing at the time of starting the student application will be described.

[0103] In step S721, when student 201 performs a startup operation of the student application on terminal device 140, the processing after step S722 is executed.

[0104] In step S722, terminal device 140 starts the student application in response to the startup operation of the student application. When the student application starts, the display control unit 536 of terminal device 140 causes a display unit such as display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a login screen.

[0105] In step S723, when student 201 performs a login operation of inputting a student ID, password, etc. on the login screen, in step S724, the authentication unit 535 of terminal device 140 performs an authentication process of student 201 using the student ID and password. For example, when the student ID and password input in the login operation are the pre-registered student ID and password, the authentication unit 535 permits the login of student 201 and executes the processing of step S725. On the other hand, when the student ID and password input in the login operation are not the pre-registered student ID and password, the authentication unit 535 rejects the login of student 201 and aborts the processing of step S725.

[0106] In step S725, the display control unit 536 of terminal device 140 causes a display unit such as display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a menu screen of the student application.

[0107] FIG. 8(B) shows an example of a menu screen 820 of the student application to be displayed by the display control unit 536. For example, student 201 can perform a registration operation of attendance described later by selecting an "Attendance Confirmation" button 821 displayed on the menu screen 820 of the student application.

[0108] By the above process, the terminal device 140 can identify the student ID of the student 201 who uses the terminal device 140.

[0109] Note that the process at the time of app startup described in FIG. 7 is an example. For example, in steps S703 and S704, instead of the password of the teacher 202, the information terminal 120 may perform authentication of the teacher 202 using biometric information such as the fingerprint or face image of the teacher 202.

[0110] Similarly, in steps S723 and S724, instead of the password of the student 201, the terminal device 140 may perform authentication of the student 201 using biometric information such as the fingerprint or face image of the student 201. This makes it more difficult, for example, for the student 201 to fraudulently register the attendance of another student even if the student 201 brings in a terminal device 140 for another student who is not attending the lecture.

[0111] Also, in step S704, the authentication unit 527 of the information terminal 120 may perform authentication of the teacher 202 by the management server 110 by sending an authentication request to the management server 110. Similarly, in step S724, the authentication unit 535 of the terminal device 140 may perform authentication of the student 201 by the management server 110 by sending an authentication request to the management server 110.

[0112] (Attendance confirmation process) FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the attendance confirmation process according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of an attendance confirmation process for the teacher 202 to confirm the students 201 who are attending a lecture or the like. It is assumed that at the start time of the process shown in FIG. 9, the information terminal 120 has completed the process at the time of app startup as shown in steps S701 to S712 in FIG. 7. Also, it is assumed that the terminal device 140 has completed the process at the time of app startup as shown in steps S721 to S725 in FIG. 7.

[0113] In step S901, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when teacher 202 is giving a lecture to a plurality of students 201, at an arbitrary timing, teacher 202 performs an attendance confirmation operation on information terminal 120. For example, teacher 202 can perform an attendance confirmation operation by selecting "Attendance Confirmation" button 811 displayed on the menu screen 810 of the teacher's app as shown in FIG. 8(A).

[0114] In step S902, in response to the attendance confirmation operation, display control unit 525 of information terminal 120 causes a display unit such as display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a setting / operation screen 1010 as shown in FIG. 10(A).

[0115] In step S903, for example, teacher 202 performs a setting operation on setting / operation screen 1010 as shown in FIG. 10(A). For example, teacher 202 sets a lecture name, classroom name, keyword, etc. in setting field 1011 of setting / operation screen 1010. Note that the process of step S903 is optional and not essential.

[0116] In step S904, for example, teacher 202 performs a sound wave output operation on setting / operation screen 1010 as shown in FIG. 10(A). For example, teacher 202 selects "Start" button 1012 on setting / operation screen 1010.

[0117] In step S905, sound wave output unit 524 of information terminal 120 transmits an output start notification notifying that it will output sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID to management server 110. This output start notification includes the sound wave ID included in sound wave 121, the setting information set in step S903, etc.

[0118] In step S906, the information terminal 120 outputs a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID. For example, the sound wave generation unit 523 generates sound wave data of music 203 in which the sound wave ID notified from the management server 110 and stored in the storage unit 528 is superimposed as a fragile digital watermark. Further, the sound wave output unit 524 outputs music 203 (an example of the sound wave 121) in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as a fragile digital watermark using the sound wave data generated by the sound wave generation unit 523.

[0119] In this state, the instructor 202 instructs the students 201 attending the lecture to perform an attendance registration. Alternatively, the sound wave 121 such as music 203 output by the information terminal 120 may include a voice message instructing to perform an attendance registration.

[0120] In step S911, the student 201 attending the lecture performs an attendance registration operation on the terminal device 140 in response to the instruction from the instructor 202 or the sound wave 121 such as music 203. For example, the student 201 can perform an attendance registration operation by selecting an "Attendance Registration" button 821 displayed on a menu screen 820 of a student app as shown in FIG. 8(B).

[0121] In step S912, the terminal device 140 acquires the sound wave 121 including the audible sound and the sound wave ID output by the information terminal 120 in response to the attendance registration operation, and extracts the sound wave ID included in the sound wave 121. For example, the sound wave acquisition unit 532 of the terminal device 140 acquires music 203 in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as a fragile digital watermark output by the information terminal 120. Further, the extraction unit 533 of the terminal device 140 analyzes the music 203 acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 532 and extracts the sound wave ID.

[0122] Here, when the sound wave ID is extracted, the processing after step S913 is executed. On the other hand, when the sound wave ID is not extracted, the terminal device 140 aborts the processing after step S913.

[0123] In step S913, the display control unit 536 of the terminal device 140 causes a display unit such as the display 417 in FIG. 4 to display a confirmation screen 1020 as shown in FIG. 10(B).

[0124] In step S914, when the student 201 performs a confirmation operation on the confirmation screen 1020 as shown in FIG. 10(B), the processing after step S915 is executed. For example, the student 201 can perform a confirmation operation by selecting the "Register" button 1021 on the confirmation screen 1020 as shown in FIG. 10(B).

[0125] In step S915, the information transmission unit 534 of the terminal device 140 transmits a registration request for attendance information including the sound wave ID extracted by the extraction unit 533, the student ID of the student 201, and time information indicating the date and time when the sound wave ID was extracted, to the management server 110.

[0126] In step S916, when the attendance information management unit 504 of the management server 110 receives a registration request for attendance information, it identifies the teacher ID corresponding to the sound wave ID, for example, by referring to the sound wave ID management information 602 as shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0127] In step S917, the attendance information management unit 504 of the management server 110 registers the identified teacher ID, the student ID included in the registration request for attendance information, and the time information in the attendance information 603 as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example.

[0128] Also, when the teacher 202 wants to stop the sound wave 121 output in steps S904 to S906, as shown in step S907, the teacher 202 performs a sound wave stop operation on the information terminal 120. For example, the teacher 202 can perform a sound wave stop operation by selecting the "End" button 1013 on the setting / operation screen 1010 as shown in FIG. 10(A).

[0129] In step S908, in response to the sound wave stop operation, the sound wave output unit 524 of the information terminal 120 stops the output of the sound wave 121 (such as music 203) whose output was started in step S906.

[0130] By the above processing, the attendance information of the student 201 attending the lecture is registered in the management server 110. Similarly, each student 201 attending the lecture performs an attendance registration operation on the terminal device 140 they possess, and the attendance information of each student 201 attending the lecture is registered in the management server 110.

[0131] (Viewing Process of Attendance Data) FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the viewing process of attendance data according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of the process when, for example, the teacher 202 uses the PC 130 to view the attendance information managed by the management server 110.

[0132] In step S1101, the teacher 202 performs a connection operation, for example, using the web browser 541 of the PC 130, to connect to the web page for viewing attendance information provided by the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110. For example, the teacher 202 inputs the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information for accessing the web page for viewing attendance information into the web browser 541.

[0133] In step S1102, the web browser 541 of the PC 130 requests a connection to the web page for viewing attendance information provided by the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110.

[0134] In step S1103, the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110 causes the web browser 541 of the PC 130 to display a login screen for logging in to the web service provided by the attendance information providing unit 505. As a result, in step S1004, the web browser 541 of the PC 130 displays the login screen.

[0135] In step S1005, the teacher 202 performs a login operation by inputting, for example, a teacher ID, a password, etc. to the login screen. As a result, in step S1106, the web browser 541 of the PC 130 transmits login information including the teacher ID, the password, etc. to the management server 110.

[0136] In step S1107, the authentication unit 502 of the management server 110 performs authentication processing of the login information. For example, when the teacher ID and the password included in the login information are registered in the user information 601 as shown in FIG. 6(A), the authentication unit 502 permits the login. On the other hand, when the teacher ID and the password included in the login information are not registered in the user information 601 as shown in FIG. 6(A), the authentication unit 502 rejects the login. Here, when the login is permitted, the processing after step S1108 is executed.

[0137] In step S1108, the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110 causes a search screen to be displayed on the web browser 541 of the PC 130. As a result, in step S1109, the web browser 541 of the PC 130 displays a search screen 1210 as shown in FIG. 12(A), for example.

[0138] In the example of FIG. 12(A), the search screen 1210 includes a setting field 1211 for setting search conditions such as a period, a day of the week, a class period, a lecture name, a classroom name, etc., and a "Search" button 1213 for instructing the start of the search. Note that among the search conditions, the information other than the "period" is optional and the setting can be omitted.

[0139] In step S1110, the teacher 202 performs a search operation on the search screen 1210. For example, the teacher 202 can perform a search operation by setting search conditions in the setting field 1211 of the search screen 1210 and selecting the "Search" button 1213.

[0140] In step S1111, when the web browser 541 of the PC 130 receives a search operation, it notifies the management server 110 of the teacher ID and the search conditions including the set search conditions and the like.

[0141] In step S1112, the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110 searches for attendance information 603 as shown in, for example, FIG. 6(C) according to the received search conditions. For example, the attendance information providing unit 505 extracts records corresponding to the teacher ID included in the received search conditions from the information registered in the attendance information 603. In addition, the attendance information providing unit 505 extracts records corresponding to the received period from the information registered in the attendance information 603.

[0142] Furthermore, the attendance information providing unit 505 specifies the lecture name, classroom name, class period, etc. corresponding to each record based on the teacher ID and time information included in the extracted records and the lecture information 604 as shown in, for example, FIG. 6(D). In addition, the attendance information providing unit 505 further extracts records corresponding to the search conditions when search conditions such as a period, day of the week, class period, lecture name, classroom name, etc. are set. Although the lecture information 604 shown in FIG. 6(D) does not include information regarding the day of the week, the day of the week can be specified based on time information and the like.

[0143] In step S1113, the attendance information providing unit 505 of the management server 110 displays a search result screen showing the search results on the web browser 541 of the PC 130. Thereby, the web browser 541 of the PC 130 displays a search result screen 1220 as shown in, for example, FIG. 12(B).

[0144] In the example of FIG. 12(B), on the search result screen 1220, a list 1221 of the attendance information of each student 201 in the lecture name "Lecture A" is displayed. Thus, for example, it can be seen that the student 201 with the student ID "AC23245" has attended all six lectures in the lecture name "Lecture A". Also, it can be seen that the student 201 with the student ID "CK39514" has not attended three of the six lectures in the lecture name "Lecture A".

[0145] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the attendance management system that manages the attendance status of users using sound waves, it becomes possible to manage the attendance status of users even in places where the output device is not installed.

[0146] Also, according to this embodiment, since the information terminal 120 outputs the sound wave 121 in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as a fragile digital watermark, for example, by recording or transmitting via a communication line, the sound wave ID is lost (invalidated). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the unauthorized registration of attendance by students 201 who are not attending the lecture.

[0147] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the information terminal 120 suppresses the unauthorized registration of attendance by outputting the sound wave 121 in which the sound wave ID is superimposed as a fragile digital watermark. However, with this method alone, there remains a possibility that unauthorized registration of attendance may be performed using special equipment (for example, a recording device that can record quantized sound wave data as it is without performing perceptual coding).

[0148] Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example of the processing for suppressing the unauthorized registration of attendance even when such special equipment is used will be described.

[0149] Note that the system configuration, hardware configuration, and functional configuration of the attendance management system 100 according to the second embodiment may be the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0150] [Flow of Processing] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the attendance confirmation process according to the second embodiment. Since the basic processing content is the same as that of the attendance confirmation process according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 9, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment here.

[0151] In step S1301, the information terminal 120 executes an attendance confirmation process as shown in steps S901 to S904 of FIG. 9, for example.

[0152] In step S905, the sound wave output unit 524 of the information terminal 120 transmits an output start notification notifying that it will output a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID to the management server 110, similar to the first embodiment.

[0153] In step S1302, the attendance information management unit 504 of the management server 110 stores the sound wave ID included in the output start notification and the output start date and time of the sound wave 121 including the sound wave ID in the sound wave output information 1401 as shown in FIG. 14, for example. This sound wave output information 1401 is stored in, for example, the sound wave data storage unit 512 of FIG. 5.

[0154] Also, in steps S907 and S908, when the teacher 202 stops the output of the sound wave 121 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the processing after step S1303 is executed.

[0155] In step S1303, the sound wave output unit 524 of the information terminal 120 notifies the management server 110 of an output stop notification notifying that the output of the sound wave 121 has stopped. This output stop notification includes the sound wave ID superimposed on the sound wave 121 whose output has stopped.

[0156] In step S1304, the attendance information management unit 504 of the management server 110 stores the output stop date and time when the output of the sound wave 121 stopped in the record corresponding to the sound wave ID included in the output stop notification in the sound wave output information 1401 as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

[0157] In step S1305, the terminal device 140 executes, for example, an attendance registration process as shown in steps S911 to S915 of FIG. 9.

[0158] In step S1306, the attendance information management unit 504 of the management server 110 determines whether the sound wave ID included in the attendance information registration request is valid based on the time information included in the attendance information registration request received from the terminal device 140.

[0159] For example, the attendance information management unit 504 refers to the sound wave output information 1401 as shown in FIG. 14 to specify the time when the sound wave ID included in the attendance information registration request was output. Also, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start or stop of the output of the sound wave ID included in the attendance information registration request, the attendance information management unit 504 determines that the sound wave ID is invalid. On the other hand, if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the start or stop of the output of the sound wave ID included in the attendance information registration request, the attendance information management unit 504 determines that the sound wave ID is valid.

[0160] If the sound wave ID is valid, in step S1307, the attendance information management unit 504 executes, for example, an attendance information registration process as shown in steps S916 and S917 of FIG. 9. On the other hand, if the sound wave ID is invalid, the attendance information management unit 504 aborts the attendance information registration process in step S1307.

[0161] In this way, in the present embodiment, the management server 110 stores the period during which the information terminal 120 outputs the sound wave 121 including the sound wave ID, and invalidates the sound wave ID for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the output or stop of the sound wave 121.

[0162] Therefore, for example, if the sound wave 121 output by the information terminal 120 is recorded by a special device that does not perform perceptual coding, and the recorded sound wave is used to perform an attendance registration process later, the sound wave ID is invalidated, so that unauthorized attendance registration can be effectively suppressed.

[0163] According to each embodiment of the invention, in an attendance management system that manages the attendance status of users using sound waves, it is possible to manage the attendance status of users even in places where an output device is not installed, and it is possible to suppress the registration of fraudulent attendance.

[0164] Also, according to each embodiment of the present invention, for example, like the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to install an output device in each classroom, so the cost of installing the output device can be reduced.

[0165] Also, for example, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a sound wave including a sound wave ID is output at a frequency of 16 kHz or higher, in a quiet environment such as a classroom during a lecture, for some students, it may be heard as an unpleasant mosquito sound.

[0166] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the information terminal 120 outputs a sound wave 121 including an audible sound and a sound wave ID, it is possible to suppress the sound wave including the sound wave ID from being recognized as an unpleasant mosquito sound due to being masked by the audible sound.

[0167] <Supplementary Note> Each function of each embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0168] 100 Attendance Management System 120 Information Terminal 140 Terminal Device 532 Sound Wave Acquisition Unit 533 Extraction unit 534 Information transmission unit

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0169]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Claims

An attendance management system including a terminal device used by a user and a management server for registering attendance information of the user attending a lecture, the terminal device includes: a sound wave acquisition unit for acquiring a sound wave output from an information terminal; an extraction unit for extracting predetermined identification information from the sound wave; a transmission unit for transmitting the predetermined identification information extracted by the extraction unit and user identification information for identifying the user to the management server; and is provided with: the management server includes: a reception unit for receiving the predetermined identification information and user identification information for identifying the user from the terminal device; a registration unit for registering attendance information of the user attending the lecture based on the predetermined identification information and the user identification information received by the reception unit; and is provided with: The management server has a storage unit, stores the predetermined identification information, the user identification information, the teacher ID, and lecture information related to the lecture in association with each other, identifies the teacher ID for identifying the teacher from the received predetermined identification information, and registers the attendance information of the user attending the lecture based on the identified teacher ID and the received user identification information. An attendance management system.

2. When the transmission unit can extract the predetermined identification information from the sound wave, it transmits a registration request for attendance information including the predetermined identification information, the user identification information, and time information indicating the time when the predetermined identification information was extracted to the management server. The attendance management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined identification information is invalidated in a process other than the process of transmitting the registration request to the management server by the terminal device.

3. The attendance management system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined identification information becomes invalid when the sound wave is recorded.

4. The attendance management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined identification information becomes invalid when the sound wave is transmitted.

5. The attendance management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the predetermined identification information becomes invalid when the sound wave is perceptually encoded.

6. The attendance management system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined identification information becomes invalid when a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the sound wave was started or stopped.

7. The attendance management system includes the information terminal that outputs the sound wave including the audible sound and the predetermined identification information, The information terminal outputs the sound wave in which the predetermined identification information is superimposed as an electronic watermark that is lost when the predetermined processing is performed on the sound wave, according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Attendance management system.

8. The management server manages the date and time when the information terminal outputs the sound wave including the predetermined identification information, and invalidates the predetermined identification information when a predetermined time has elapsed from the date and time when the sound wave was output. The attendance management system according to claim 7.

9. The management server Receives a request for acquiring the predetermined identification information and the teacher ID from the information terminal, When the acquisition request is received, the teacher ID and the predetermined identification information are stored in association with each other, The attendance management system according to claim 1.

10. A management server that registers attendance information of users attending a lecture, A receiving unit that receives, from a terminal device used by the user, the predetermined identification information extracted from the sound wave output by the information terminal and the user identification information for identifying the user, A registration unit that registers attendance information of the user attending the lecture based on the predetermined identification information received by the receiving unit and the user identification information. and includes The management server has a storage unit, stores the predetermined identification information, the user identification information, the teacher ID, and lecture information related to the lecture in association with each other, identifies the teacher ID that identifies the teacher from the received predetermined identification information, and registers the attendance information of the user who attends the lecture based on the identified teacher ID and the received user identification information. A management server characterized by that.

11. In an attendance management system including a terminal device used by a user and a management server that registers attendance information of the user who attends a lecture, the terminal device executes a sound wave acquisition process for acquiring a sound wave output from an information terminal, an extraction process for extracting predetermined identification information from the sound wave, and a transmission process for transmitting the predetermined identification information extracted by the extraction process and user identification information for identifying the user to the management server, and the management server executes a reception process for receiving the predetermined identification information and user identification information for identifying the user from the terminal device, and a registration process for registering the attendance information of the user who attends the lecture based on the predetermined identification information and the user identification information received in the reception process, and The management server has a storage unit, stores the predetermined identification information, the user identification information, the teacher ID, and lecture information related to the lecture in association with each other, identifies the teacher ID that identifies the teacher from the received predetermined identification information, and registers the attendance information of the user who attends the lecture based on the identified teacher ID and the received user identification information. An attendance management method characterized by that.

12. A program for causing a terminal device and a management server to execute the attendance management method according to Claim 11.

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