Information processing device

Abstract

To fairly pay individual dividends among a plurality of coworking space providing facilities.SOLUTION: An information processing device performs reservation management of a coworking space to be used by a member. The coworking space management device is provided with an arithmetic processing part for calculating an individual dividend to be paid to a coworking space providing facility on the basis of a usage record of the coworking space providing facility for providing a coworking space by the member using a fixed price plan by which coworking spaces of a plurality of facilities can be freely used by paying a prescribed membership fee.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Services that rent out vacant rooms or spaces as coworking spaces are widely available. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing method for efficiently using and sharing things, facilities, and spaces by allowing users who have received predetermined authentication to use a specified space (for example, a vacant room in an apartment building). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6870882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Normally, registered users pay a set usage fee to the facility that operates the coworking space according to the amount of time used each time they use the coworking space. On the other hand, with flat-rate plans that allow users to freely use coworking spaces at multiple facilities by paying a set membership fee every month, no usage fee is paid to the facility at the time of use, and individual distributions based on the member's usage record are paid to each facility.

[0005] However, if the individual distribution amount paid based on a member's usage history is set uniformly across multiple facilities, there is a risk that the amount of individual distribution amount paid will be unfair between facilities with high usage fees and facilities with low usage fees.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to pay individual distribution fees fairly among multiple coworking space providing facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention manages reservations for coworking spaces used by members. The coworking space management device includes a processing unit that calculates individual distributions to be paid to coworking space providing facilities based on the usage record of the coworking space provided by the facilities, by members who use a flat-rate fee plan that allows them to freely use coworking spaces at multiple facilities by paying a predetermined membership fee. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to pay individual distribution fees fairly among a plurality of coworking space providing facilities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a coworking space management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a coworking space management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a facility terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a door lock device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for reserving a coworking space. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using a coworking space. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a breakdown of membership fees for a flat-rate plan. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for calculating individual distributions paid to coworking space providing facilities. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a member's usage record of a coworking space over a specified period. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using a coworking space according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using a coworking space according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing for explaining the embodiments, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] <Configuration of coworking space management system> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a coworking space management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the coworking space management system 1 includes a coworking space management device 10, a user terminal 30, a coworking space providing facility 70, and a network 90. ​​The coworking space management device 10, the user terminal 30, and the coworking space providing facility 70 are connected to each other via the network 90. ​​The network 90 is typically a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, but may also be a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

[0012] 1, the coworking space management system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 30. Similarly, the coworking space management system 1 includes a plurality of coworking space providing facilities 70.

[0013] 1, the coworking space management device 10 is connected via a cloud 190 to a doorlock device management device 110 of a doorlock device manufacturer that provides the doorlock devices 60 installed in the coworking space providing facility 70. For example, an API (Application Programming Interface) is provided to the cloud 190 by an administrator of the coworking space management device 10, and the coworking space management device 10 and each doorlock device management device 110 can cooperate with each other via the API. This allows the coworking space management device 10 to send and receive information about each doorlock device 60 to and from the corresponding doorlock device management device 110.

[0014] The coworking space management device 10 is connected to the door lock device management devices 110 of all door lock device manufacturers that provide door lock devices 60 to the coworking space management system 1. For this reason, the coworking space management device 10 may be connected to multiple door lock device management devices 110 as shown in Fig. 1. Note that the cloud 190 may be realized by the same device as the coworking space management device 10, or may be realized by a device separate from the coworking space management device 10.

[0015] <<Coworking space management device>> The coworking space management device 10 performs various processes such as reservation management for each coworking space in the coworking space providing facility 70 and control related to unlocking / releasing door locks. A registered user, who is a member, accesses the coworking space management device 10 via the network 90 from an application launched on the user terminal 30, and selects the coworking space providing facility 70 to use and reserves the coworking space.

[0016] Furthermore, for members who use a regular rate plan in which fees are paid according to usage time, the coworking space management device 10 calculates and settles a usage fee according to usage history. Furthermore, for members who use a flat-rate rate plan in which they can freely use coworking spaces at multiple facilities by paying a predetermined membership fee every predetermined period (for example, every month), the coworking space management device 10 calculates individual distributions to be paid to each coworking space-providing facility 70 according to the member's usage history every predetermined period. The method for calculating individual distributions will be described in detail later.

[0017] The coworking space management device 10 also manages members, who are registered users who use the coworking space management system 1. The management performed by the coworking space management device 10 includes, for example, registering new members, canceling member registrations, saving and updating members' user account information, accepting coworking space reservations and saving reservation information, accepting reservation changes and cancellations, saving and updating reservation status for each coworking space-providing facility 70, and saving and updating each member's coworking space usage history (e.g., facility ID of the facility used, ID of the coworking space used, date of use, start time of use, end time of use, duration of use, usage fee, etc.). The coworking space management device 10 also calculates individual distributions to be paid to each coworking space-providing facility 70 based on each member's usage history. Hereinafter, when it is clear that a registered user is a registered user, the registered user may be referred to as a "user" or a "member."

[0018] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a coworking space management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the coworking space management device 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 13, a storage 15, a communication interface 17, and a monitor 19. The communication interface 17 is a communication device that transmits and receives various information to and from a user terminal 30 and a facility terminal 50. The communication interface 17 also transmits and receives various information (e.g., locking / unlocking) to and from a door lock device management device 110 via a cloud 190.

[0019] The storage 15 includes various storage areas, such as a program storage area 15a, a user account information storage area 15b, a coworking space providing facility information storage area 15c, a reservation information storage area 15d, a usage record storage area 15e, and an individual distribution calculation result storage area 15f. The program storage area 15a stores various programs, such as a basic program for operating the coworking space management device 10, a coworking space management system application for realizing the coworking space management system 1, and parameters for each program. In this way, the storage 15 functions as a program recording medium.

[0020] The user account information storage area 15b stores user account information of registered users. The user account information includes, for example, the registered user's login ID, the registered user's login password, the registered user's name, the registered user's login history, the registered user's contact information (e.g., email address, phone number), the usage plan (e.g., regular rate plan, flat rate plan, etc.), and the payment method (e.g., credit card payment, bank account withdrawal). Note that the user account information may include only a part of this information.

[0021] Here, we will explain the flat rate plan. Each coworking space-providing facility 70 is associated with a rate class according to the usage fee. The flat rate plan may also include a plan in which the facilities available are limited according to the rate class of the coworking space-providing facility 70. For example, in a flat rate plan in which facilities up to the upper rate class are available, facilities from the lowest rate class, the standard rate class, to the upper rate class are freely available.

[0022] In addition, multiple flat-rate plans with different upper limit price classes may be provided. For example, a first flat-rate plan allows free use of facilities from the base price class to the first upper limit price class. A second flat-rate plan allows free use of facilities from the base price class to a second upper limit price class, which is a price class higher than the first upper limit price class.

[0023] The same applies to the third flat-rate plan corresponding to the third upper limit price class and the flat-rate plans corresponding to higher upper limit price classes. In other words, with the mth flat-rate plan (m is a natural number), facilities from the base price class to the mth upper limit price class can be used freely.

[0024] The coworking space providing facility information storage area 15c stores information about the coworking space providing facilities 70 included in the coworking space management system 1. The coworking space providing facility information includes information such as a facility ID that identifies each coworking space providing facility 70, the location of the coworking space providing facility 70, contact information for the coworking space providing facility 70, fee class, the owner of the coworking space providing facility 70, contact information for the owner, and the owner's bank account to which individual distributions will be transferred. In addition, the coworking space providing facility information storage area 15c stores, for each coworking space providing facility 70, the total number of coworking spaces and the current number of coworking space users.

[0025] The reservation information storage area 15d stores reservation information for the coworking space-providing facility 70 and the coworking space. The reservation information includes, for example, information such as the member who made the reservation, the date of use, the scheduled start time of use, the scheduled end time of use, and a reservation ID. The coworking space management device 10 may generate reservation list information for each coworking space-providing facility 70 or each coworking space based on the reservation information, and store the generated reservation list information in the reservation information storage area 15d or another storage area. The usage history storage area 15e stores each member's usage history of the coworking space-providing facility 70. The usage history includes, for example, information such as the facility used, the coworking space used, the date of use, the start time of use, the end time of use, and the duration of use. If a regular rate plan is used instead of a flat-rate plan, the usage history may include the usage fee. The individual distribution calculation result storage area 15f stores the calculation results of individual distributions calculated based on the usage history of members using the flat-rate plan.

[0026] The main memory 13 stores programs, parameters, etc. read from the program storage area 15a. The main memory 13 also temporarily stores information received via the communication interface 17, information to be transmitted via the communication interface 17, etc.

[0027] The processor 11 is an arithmetic processing unit that reads and executes programs stored in the main memory 13 to realize, in software, functional blocks such as a functional block 11a that drives each component of the coworking space management device 10, a functional block 11b that realizes the coworking space management system 1, and a coordination unit 11c that links the coworking space management device 10 with a door lock device 60 (described later). Note that these functional blocks may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Note that these functional blocks may be realized by hardware alone, or by a combination of software and hardware. The coordination unit 11c will be described in detail later.

[0028] The monitor 19 displays, for example, various types of information managed by the coworking space management device 10, a user interface (UI) for operation by the administrator, etc. The monitor 19 displays, for example, images related to the basic operations of the coworking space management device 10, images related to the coworking space management system 1, etc. The administrator performs desired input operations using input devices such as a keyboard and mouse (not shown) while viewing the images on the monitor 19. The monitor 19 may also be provided with a touch input function.

[0029] <<User terminal>> Next, the user terminal 30 will be described. The user terminal 30 is a terminal used by a member who is a registered user. The member operates the user terminal 30 to launch a coworking space usage application. The user terminal 30 then accesses the coworking space management device 10 via the network 90. ​​The user refers to the screen displayed on the user terminal 30, selects the coworking space-providing facility 70 to use, and makes a reservation for the coworking space. When starting use, the user operates the user terminal 30 at the entrance of the facility to be used to complete the start-of-use procedure and enter the coworking space-providing facility 70. When finishing use of the coworking space, the user operates the user terminal 30 to complete the end-of-use procedure and exit the coworking space-providing facility 70. In this way, in the coworking space management system 1, each procedure from reserving a coworking space to finishing use can be performed on the user terminal 30.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal. Fig. 3 shows the configuration of a user terminal 30, taking a smartphone as an example. As shown in Fig. 3, the user terminal 30 is an information processing device including a processor 31, a main memory 33, a storage 35, a communication interface 37, a camera 38, and a display unit 39. The communication interface 37 is a communication device that transmits and receives various information to and from the coworking space management device 10, the facility terminal 50, etc.

[0031] The storage 35 includes various storage areas such as a program storage area 35a and a reservation information storage area 35b. The program storage area 35a stores various programs such as a basic program for operating the user terminal 30 and a coworking space usage application for the coworking space management system 1 (coworking space management device 10) to be executed by the user terminal 30. In this way, the storage 35 functions as a program recording medium.

[0032] The coworking space usage application is stored, for example, in an application distribution server (not shown). The user terminal 30 accesses the application distribution server, downloads the coworking space usage application from the application distribution server, and stores it in the program storage area 35a. Furthermore, as needed, the coworking space usage application is installed in the program storage area 35a.

[0033] The reservation information storage area 35b stores reservation information for coworking spaces reserved by members. The reservation information stored in the reservation information storage area 35b includes, for example, the facility name (or facility ID) of the coworking space providing facility 70, the reserved coworking space, the date of use, the scheduled start time of use, the scheduled end time of use, the scheduled duration of use, and a reservation ID assigned at the time of reservation. This reservation information is associated with, for example, the reservation ID. Note that the reservation information storage area 35b may also store past reservation information for which the date of use has passed.

[0034] The reservation information storage area 35b does not have to be provided in the storage 35. In this case, the user terminal 30 calls up and refers to the reservation information of the corresponding member from the coworking space management device 10 all the time or as needed while the coworking space use application is running.

[0035] For example, a member can start a coworking space usage application and display reservation information on the user terminal 30. From the user terminal 30, the member can perform operations such as confirming a reservation, changing a reservation, and canceling a reservation. Note that the reservation information may be read from the coworking space management device 10 while logged in to the coworking space reservation management system 1 (coworking space reservation management device 10). This reduces the load on the storage 35.

[0036] The coworking space usage application may also be linked to a calendar application, which allows the reservation information for the coworking space to be registered in the calendar as part of the user's schedule, enabling the user to easily check the reservation details for the coworking space along with other schedules.

[0037] The main memory 33 stores programs, parameters, etc. read from the program storage area 35a. The main memory 33 also temporarily stores information received via the communication interface 37, information to be transmitted via the communication interface 37, etc.

[0038] The processor 31 reads and executes programs stored in the main memory 33 to realize, in software, functional blocks that drive each component of the user terminal 30, functional blocks necessary for the user terminal 30 in the coworking space management system 1, etc. Note that some functions may be realized in hardware. In this case, the functional blocks are realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0039] The camera 38 is used to read the entrance access key 72 when entering the coworking space providing facility 70, and to read the exit access key 73 when exiting the coworking space providing facility 70, etc.

[0040] The display unit 39 displays various images of the user terminal 30. For example, the display unit 39 displays images related to the basic operations of the user terminal 30, images of the coworking space utilization application, etc. The display unit 39 is equipped with a touch input function, and the user performs desired input operations by touching the display unit 39 while viewing the images. Note that the display unit 39 and the input operation unit may be configured separately.

[0041] <<Coworking space facilities>> Next, the coworking space-providing facility 70 will be described. The coworking space-providing facility 70 is a facility that provides coworking spaces to members. As shown in FIG. 1, the coworking space-providing facility 70 includes, for example, a facility terminal 50, a door 71, a door lock device 60 attached to the door 71, an entry access key 72, an exit access key 73, and coworking spaces R1 to R10. A user enters the coworking space-providing facility 70 through the door 71 and uses the reserved coworking space (R1 to R10). During business hours, the coworking space-providing facility 70 may be operated unmanned or with staff on-site.

[0042] <<<Facility terminal>>> Facility terminal 50 is an information processing device installed in coworking space providing facility 70. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a facility terminal according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, facility terminal 50 is an information processing device including a processor 51, a main memory 53, a storage 55, a communication interface 57, and a monitor 59.

[0043] The communication interface 57 is a communication device that transmits and receives various information between the coworking space management device 10 and the door lock device 60. Note that information is transmitted and received between the communication interface 57 and the door lock device 60 in the same facility via wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication.

[0044] Storage 55 includes various storage areas such as program storage area 55a and reservation information storage area 55b. Program storage area 55a stores various programs such as a basic program for operating facility terminal 50, a coworking space management system application for realizing coworking space management system 1, and parameters for each program. In this way, storage 55 functions as a program recording medium.

[0045] The reservation information storage area 55b stores reservation information for the corresponding coworking space providing facility 70. The reservation information includes, for example, information such as the member who made the reservation, the date of use, the scheduled start time of use, the scheduled end time of use, the scheduled duration of use, and a reservation ID. The reservation information storage area 55b may also store the reservation status for each coworking space. This information is transmitted from the coworking space management device 10.

[0046] The reservation information storage area 55b does not necessarily have to be provided in the storage 55. In this case, the facility terminal 50 calls and refers to the reservation information of the coworking space providing facility 70 from the coworking space management device 10 while the coworking space management system application is running.

[0047] The main memory 53 stores programs, parameters, etc. read from the program storage area 55a. The main memory 53 also temporarily stores information received via the communication interface 57, information to be transmitted via the communication interface 57, etc.

[0048] The processor 51 reads and executes programs stored in the main memory 53 to realize, in software, functional blocks that drive each component of the facility terminal 50, functional blocks necessary for the coworking space management system 1, etc. Note that some functions may be realized in hardware. In this case, the functional blocks are realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0049] The monitor 59 displays various images of the facility terminal 50. For example, the monitor 59 displays images related to the basic operation of the facility terminal 50, images related to the coworking space management system 1, etc. Staff at the coworking space providing facility 70 can perform desired input operations, check reservation information and reservation status, etc., by operating input devices such as a keyboard and mouse (not shown) while viewing the images on the monitor 59. The monitor 59 may also be provided with a touch input function.

[0050] <<<Door lock device>>> Door lock device 60 is attached to door 71 and locks / unlocks door 71. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the door lock device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, door lock device 60 includes a controller 61, a main memory 63, a door lock main body 65, a communication interface 67, and a door sensor 69. The communication interface 67 is a communication device that transmits and receives various information between the coworking space management device 10 and the facility terminal 50. Communication between the communication interface 67 and the facility terminal 50 is performed via wireless LAN, short-range wireless communication, or the like.

[0051] The main memory 63 temporarily stores information received via the communication interface 67, information to be transmitted via the communication interface 67, etc. The main information received by the communication interface 67 is an unlock instruction signal from the door lock device 60. This unlock instruction signal may include a key for unlocking the door lock main body 65. On the other hand, the main information transmitted by the communication interface 67 is, for example, an unlock completion notification and a lock completion notification in response to the unlock instruction signal.

[0052] The controller 61 is a functional block that drives each component of the door lock device 60. For example, when the controller 61 receives an unlocking instruction signal from the coworking space management device 10 or the facility terminal 50, the controller 61 transmits an unlocking execution signal to the door lock main body 65. Alternatively, when the controller 61 receives an unlocking instruction signal, the controller 61 compares the key included in the unlocking instruction signal with the key in the door lock main body 65, and if these keys match, transmits an unlocking execution signal to the door lock main body 65. This unlocks the door lock main body 65, and the door 71 opens.

[0053] When the unlocking of the door lock main body 65 is completed, the controller 61 transmits an unlocking completion notification to the coworking space management device 10 via the communication interface 67 directly or via the facility terminal 50 to the coworking space management device 10. This notifies the coworking space management device 10 and the facility terminal 50 that the door 71 is now in the open state.

[0054] Furthermore, when the door 71 is closed, the controller 61 transmits a locking signal to the door lock main body 65. This causes the door lock main body 65 to lock, and the door 71 to be in a closed state. Note that when the door 71 is closed, the door lock main body 65 may automatically lock without receiving the locking signal.

[0055] The controller 61 is configured with hardware such as, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a processor, etc. Furthermore, like the management terminal 50, the controller 61 may execute a program to implement the necessary functional blocks, etc., in software. In this case, some functions are implemented by combining software and hardware.

[0056] The door sensor 69 is a sensor that detects the state of the door 71. The door sensor 69 includes sensors such as a position sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity gyro sensor, and transmits the detection result of the state of the door 71 to the controller 61 as a door sensor signal. The controller 61 can detect, for example, the position, speed, acceleration, etc. of the door 71 based on the door sensor signal.

[0057] Alternatively, the door sensor 69 may be configured, for example, by a pair of sensors provided on the door 71 and a door frame (not shown) surrounding the outer periphery of the door 71. In this case, for example, information such as the relative positions of the pair of sensors is transmitted as a door sensor signal to the controller 61. The controller 61 can detect whether the door 71 is open or closed based on the door sensor signal from the pair of sensors.

[0058] The facility terminal 50 and the door lock device 60 may be managed by the business operator that operates the coworking space management system 1 or the coworking space management device 10, or may be managed by the owner of the coworking space providing facility 70.

[0059] <<<<Linkage between coworking space management device and door lock device>>> As already mentioned, the coworking space management device 10 cooperates with the door lock device 60 via the cooperation unit 11c. Door lock devices 60 are supplied to the market by a number of door lock device manufacturers, but the control methods for locking and unlocking differ depending on the manufacturer and product. Therefore, the cooperation unit 11c of the coworking space management device 10 tunes the signal (e.g., the unlock instruction signal) generated by the function block 11b for each coworking space providing facility 70 (door lock device 60) so that it conforms to the specifications of the door lock device 60 installed in each coworking space providing facility 70.

[0060] In this way, the coworking space management device 10 also has a hub function that mediates cooperation with multiple types of door lock devices 60 with different specifications. This makes it possible to increase the number of cooperation destinations of door lock devices 60 that can be used by the coworking space management system 1. Furthermore, even when a door lock device 60 with different specifications is introduced due to renovations or equipment updates of the coworking space providing facility 70, this can be accommodated by simply changing data such as parameters, thereby improving the versatility of the door lock device 60.

[0061] The cooperation unit 11c may be provided in the facility terminal 50, or may be provided independently of the coworking space management device 10 and the facility terminal 50.

[0062] <How to reserve a coworking space> Next, a method for reserving a coworking space will be described. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the method for reserving a coworking space. A member operates the user terminal 30 to start a coworking space utilization application (step S10), and displays a coworking space reservation screen (step S20).

[0063] When the coworking space reservation screen is displayed on the user terminal 30, the member inputs the usage conditions such as the usage date, usage start time, usage end time, etc., and transmits the usage conditions to the coworking space management device 10 (step S30).

[0064] The coworking space management device 10 generates vacant space information including information on available coworking space providing facilities 70 and coworking spaces based on the usage conditions transmitted from the user terminal, and transmits the generated vacant space information to the user terminal 30 that transmitted the usage conditions (step S40).

[0065] The coworking space management device 10 may refer to the rate plan used by the member and generate vacant space information including only information about coworking space-providing facilities 70 and coworking spaces that can be used under the rate plan. For example, if the member is using a standard rate plan, vacant space information about coworking space-providing facilities 70 and coworking spaces of all rate classes is generated. In contrast, if the member is using a flat-rate rate plan, vacant space information about coworking space-providing facilities 70 and coworking spaces of rate classes equal to or lower than the upper limit rate class set in the flat-rate rate plan is generated.

[0066] Next, step S50 will be described. Based on the vacant space information transmitted from the coworking space management device 10, a list of reservable coworking space-providing facilities 70 and reservable coworking spaces is displayed on the user terminal 30. In addition, information such as usage fees and fee classes is displayed for each coworking space-providing facility 70.

[0067] The member selects the coworking space providing facility and coworking space to reserve by referring to the air quality information and information such as the usage fees and usage classes of each facility displayed on the user terminal 30. The selection information including the coworking space providing facility and coworking space selected by the member is transmitted to the coworking space management device 10 as a reservation request from the member.

[0068] When the coworking space management device 10 receives a reservation request (selection information) from the user terminal 30, it executes reservation processing for this member based on the usage conditions and selection information that have already been received. When the reservation processing is completed, the coworking space management device 10 issues a reservation ID and saves information including the reservation ID, information included in the usage conditions such as the date of use, start time of use, and end time of use, and information included in the selection conditions about the coworking space providing facility and the coworking space in the storage 15 as reservation information.

[0069] Then, the coworking space management device 10 sends a reservation completion notification including the reservation ID to the user terminal 30 that sent the selection information, notifying the user that the reservation has been completed (step S60). The reservation completion notification may include information such as the date of use, the start time of use, the end time of use, the coworking space providing facility, the coworking space, etc. The user terminal 30 saves the received reservation completion notification in storage 35. Through this process, the coworking space is reserved. Note that the process of saving the reservation information in storage 15 and the process of notifying the member may be performed in parallel.

[0070] <How to use the coworking space> Next, a method for using a coworking space will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using a coworking space. Upon arriving at the reserved coworking space-providing facility 70, the user operates the user terminal 30 to launch the coworking space usage application (step S110). Next, the member operates the user terminal 30 to display the access key reading screen (step S120). When the access key reading screen is displayed, the member points the camera 38 of the user terminal 30 at the entrance access key 72 and reads the entrance access key 72 into the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 then transmits the read entrance access key to the coworking space management device 10 and performs the usage start procedure (step S130).

[0071] The coworking space management device 10 performs user authentication based on the entrance access key transmitted from the user terminal 30 (step S140). Specifically, the coworking space management device 10 identifies the user to be authenticated based on, for example, the user's login ID. The coworking space management device 10 also identifies the coworking space-providing facility 70 to which the user to be authenticated wishes to enter, based on the entrance access key transmitted from the user terminal 30. Then, based on the identified coworking space-providing facility 70, reservation information, etc., the coworking space management device 10 determines whether the user to be authenticated has made a reservation for the identified coworking space-providing facility 70 (coworking space) on the day or around the current time.

[0072] If the coworking space management device 10 determines that the user to be authenticated has not reserved this coworking space providing facility 70 (coworking space), it determines that user authentication has failed (No). In this case, the coworking space management device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of the user to be authenticated that authentication has failed (step S240), and the flow ends. Note that if the user wishes to perform user authentication again, the flow in FIG. 9 is executed again.

[0073] On the other hand, in step S140, if the user to be authenticated has reserved this coworking space providing facility 70 (coworking space), the coworking space management device 10 determines that the user authentication has been successful (Yes), and the process of step S160 is executed.

[0074] In step S160, the coworking space management device 10 notifies the door lock device management device 110 of the door lock device manufacturer that supplies the door lock device 60 of this coworking space providing facility 70, via the cloud 190, that this door lock device 60 will be unlocked. Then, the coworking space management device 10 transmits an unlock instruction signal to the door lock device 60 or facility terminal 50 of the coworking space providing facility 70 to which the member wishes to enter, instructing it to open the door 71 of this coworking space providing facility 70.

[0075] Furthermore, the coworking space management device 10 updates the usage history, for example, by setting the time of successful user authentication as the usage start time of the user to be authenticated. Note that the usage history may be updated in step S140.

[0076] In step S170, when the facility terminal 50 receives the unlock instruction signal from the coworking space management device 10, it notifies the door lock device 60 that it has received the unlock instruction signal, and unlocks the door lock main body 65. Alternatively, when the door lock device 60 receives the unlock instruction signal directly from the coworking space management device 10, it unlocks the door lock main body 65. When the door lock main body 65 is unlocked, the door 71 automatically opens, and the member enters the coworking space-providing facility 70. The member then uses an available coworking space or a reserved coworking space (step S180). If the door 71 is a gate type, the member opens the door 71 themselves to enter the coworking space-providing facility 70.

[0077] Incidentally, in the case of door lock devices managed over a network, the system may be configured so that the door lock device manufacturer unlocks the door lock device. In this case, a request to unlock the door lock device is made from the coworking space management device 10, and the door lock device manufacturer's door lock device management device 110 issues an unlocking instruction. Even when unlocking is performed from the coworking space management device 10, it may take time to unlock the door lock device 60 because it is necessary to obtain unlocking permission from the door lock device manufacturer each time.

[0078] However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the administrator of the coworking space management device 10, i.e., the administrator of the coworking space management system 1, has been given the authority to unlock each door lock device 60 by the door lock device manufacturer. This allows the coworking space management device 10 to unlock the target door lock device 65 simply by notifying the door lock device management device 110 of the door lock device manufacturer that provides the door lock device 60 to be unlocked that the door lock device 65 will be unlocked. This makes it possible to unlock the door lock device 65 smoothly.

[0079] Furthermore, the coworking space management device 10 can be connected to door lock device management devices 110 from multiple door lock device manufacturers via the cloud 190, making it possible to use door lock devices 60 from multiple manufacturers. This also improves the versatility of the system, making it possible to freely configure and update the door lock devices 60.

[0080] Then, when the member has finished using the coworking space, the member operates the user terminal 30 to launch the coworking space use application (step S190) and display the access key reading screen (step S200). When the access key reading screen is displayed, the user points the camera 38 of the user terminal 30 at the exit access key 73 and reads the exit access key 73 into the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 then transmits the read exit access key to the coworking space management device 10 and performs the usage termination procedure (step S210).

[0081] In step S220, when the coworking space management device 10 receives the exit access key, it stores, for example, the reception time or transmission time of the exit access key as the user's usage end time. Then, the coworking space management device 10 calculates the usage time of the member who has completed the usage end procedure based on the usage start time and usage end time.

[0082] Furthermore, when a user uses a coworking space under a regular rate plan, the coworking space management device 10 calculates the usage fee for the coworking space used this time based on the usage time and the fee schedule for each coworking space providing facility 70. Note that when a user under a flat rate plan uses a coworking space, the coworking space management device 10 does not need to calculate the usage fee for the coworking space this time. The coworking space management device 10 then saves the usage end time, usage time, and usage fee in storage 15 and updates the usage record.

[0083] When the member approaches the door 71, the door lock main body 65 is unlocked and the door 71 opens automatically. The member then exits the coworking space providing facility 70 (step S230). If the door 71 is a gate type, the member opens the door 71 by himself to exit the coworking space providing facility 70.

[0084] In this way, when exiting the coworking space providing facility 70, the door lock main body 65 is unlocked without receiving an unlocking instruction from the coworking space management device 10. For example, a presence / absence sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person is provided near the door 71 inside the coworking space providing facility 70, and the controller 61 of the door lock device 60 locks or unlocks the door lock main body 65 based on the presence / absence detection signal received from the presence / absence sensor. When these processes are completed, the series of processes when using the coworking space ends.

[0085] It is not necessary for the facility terminal 50 to be installed in the coworking space providing facility 70. In this case, the door lock device 60 is connected to the coworking space management device 10 and performs operations such as unlocking the door lock main body 65 based on a signal transmitted from the coworking space management device 10. In this case, various information such as reservation information is managed only by the coworking space management device 10.

[0086] <Individual distribution calculation method> Individual distributions are paid to the owner of the coworking space-providing facility 70 every predetermined period (for example, one month) from the membership fees of members who use the flat rate plan. Here, a method for calculating the individual distributions paid to the coworking space-providing facility 70 will be explained. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the breakdown of membership fees for the flat rate plan. As shown in FIG. 8, the membership fee 600 for the flat rate plan is made up of an operator fee 610, an agency fee 620, and a distribution 630.

[0087] The operator fee 610 is a fee received by the operator of the coworking space management system 1 (coworking space management device 10). The agency fee 620 is a fee received by an agency that has concluded a usage contract with a member for the coworking space management system 1. And the distribution money 630 is the source of individual distribution money paid to the owner of the coworking space providing facility 70.

[0088] Figure 8(a) corresponds to a flat rate plan that allows use of only coworking space providing facilities 70 in the standard rate class (rate class 1), and the distribution consists only of a first distribution D1. Figure 8(b) corresponds to a flat rate plan that allows use of coworking space providing facilities 70 up to rate class 2, which is one level higher than standard rate class 1, and the distribution consists of a first distribution D1 and a second distribution D2. Figure 8(c) corresponds to a flat rate plan that allows use of coworking space providing facilities 70 up to rate class n, which is even higher than rate class 2, and the distribution consists of a first distribution D1, a second distribution D2, ..., and an nth distribution Dn.

[0089] The following describes a method for calculating the amount of the coworking space providing facility distribution 630 to be paid to the owner of each coworking space providing facility 70. Figure 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating individual distributions to be paid to the coworking space providing facility.

[0090] In step S310, the coworking space management device 10 reads out the member's usage history from the storage 15. At this time, the usage history read out includes information such as the coworking space providing facilities used by the member during a predetermined period, the corresponding fee class, and the usage time. In step S310, the usage history of only one member may be read out, or the usage histories of multiple members may be read out all at once.

[0091] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the usage record of a member's coworking space over a specified period. Figure 10(a) shows the usage record when only fee class 1 is used. Figure 10(b) shows the usage record when fee classes 1 and 2 are used. Figure 10(c) shows the usage record when fee classes 1, 2, and 3 are used.

[0092] In step S320, the coworking space management device 10 calculates the total usage time (class usage time T) of the coworking space providing facility 70 for each fee class. For example, in FIG. 10(a), only the coworking space providing facility 70 of fee class 1 is used, and the class usage time (first class usage time T1) of the coworking space providing facility 70 of fee class 1 is 50 hours. In FIG. 10(b), coworking space providing facilities 70 of fee classes 1 and 2 are used. The class usage time (first class usage time T1) of the coworking space providing facility 70 of fee class 1 is 30 hours, and the class usage time (second class usage time T2) of the coworking space providing facility 70 of fee class 2 is 20 hours. In FIG. 10(c), coworking space providing facilities 70 of fee classes 1, 2, and 3 are used. The class usage time (first class usage time T1) of the coworking space providing facility 70 in fee class 1 is 30 hours, the class usage time (second class usage time T2) of the coworking space providing facility 70 in fee class 2 is 20 hours, and the class usage time (third class usage time T3) of the coworking space providing facility 70 in fee class 3 is 50 hours.

[0093] In step S330, the coworking space management device 10 calculates the individual distribution amount of each coworking space providing facility 70 for one member's usage history based on the usage time t of each coworking space providing facility 70, the class usage time T of each fee class, and the distribution amount of each fee class (D1, D2, ...).

[0094] In Figure 10(a), the individual dividends ma, mb, and mc of coworking space providers A, B, and C are calculated as follows: ma=D1*(ta / T1)=D1*(10 / 50) mb=D1*(tb / T1)=D1*(20 / 50) mc=D1*(tc / T1)=D1*(20 / 50)

[0095] In Figure 10(b), the individual dividends ma, mb, and mc of coworking space providers A, B, and C are calculated as follows: ma=D1*(ta / (T1+T2)) =D1*(10 / 50) mb=D1*(tb / (T1+T2)) =D1*(20 / 50) mc=D1*(tc / (T1+T2))+D2*(tc / T2) =D1*(20 / 50)+D2*(20 / 20)

[0096] In Figure 10(c), the individual dividends ma, mb, mc, and md of coworking space providing facilities A, B, C, and D are calculated as follows: ma=D1*(ta / (T1+T2+T3)) =D1*(10 / 100) mb=D1*(tb / (T1+T2+T3)) =D1*(20 / 100) mc=D1*(tc / (T1+T2+T3))+D2*(tc / (T2+T3)) =D1*(20 / 100)+D2*(20 / 70) md=D1*(td / (T1+T2+T3))+D2*(td / (T2+T3)) +D3*(td / T3) =D1*(50 / 100)+D2*(50 / 70)+D3*(50 / 50)

[0097] In this way, the individual distribution of each coworking space provider consists of an individual distribution calculated from the distribution corresponding to a lower fee class than itself (first individual distribution), and an individual distribution calculated from the distribution corresponding to its own fee class (second individual distribution).

[0098] In addition, the first individual distribution, which is calculated from the distribution corresponding to a lower fee class than one's own, is calculated based on the usage time of one's own coworking space provider's facility relative to the total usage time (first total usage time), which is the sum of the usage times of all fee classes, including one's own fee class. Therefore, for coworking space providers in fee class 1, the first individual distribution is not paid, and only the second individual distribution is paid. And for coworking space providers in fee class 2 or higher, both the first individual distribution and the second individual distribution are paid.

[0099] The second individual distribution amount calculated from the distribution amount corresponding to one's own fee class is calculated based on the usage time of one's own coworking space provider facility relative to the total usage time (second total usage time) which is the sum of the usage time of one's own fee class and classes of a fee class higher than one's own.

[0100] Applying Figure 10, the individual distribution amount for a coworking space provider in the first price class is calculated based on the total class usage time for all price classes (first price class, second price class, third price class) and the usage time of the provider's own coworking space provider. For a coworking space provider in the second price class, it is calculated based on the total class usage time for the second and third price classes and the usage time of the provider's own coworking space provider. For a coworking space provider in the third price class, it is calculated based on the class usage time for the third price class and the usage time of the provider's own coworking space provider.

[0101] In step S340, it is determined whether individual dividends have been calculated for all members. If individual dividends have not been calculated for all members because there are members for whom individual dividends have not been calculated (No), steps S310 to S330 are performed again to calculate individual dividends for members for whom individual dividends have not yet been calculated.

[0102] On the other hand, if the individual distribution amounts for all members have been calculated (Yes), the process proceeds to step S350. The coworking space management device 10 aggregates the individual distribution amounts for all members calculated in the previous steps and calculates the individual distribution amount for each coworking space providing facility. Once these steps are performed, the flow in FIG. 10 for calculating the individual distribution amount ends.

[0103] <Major Effects of This Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the individual distribution amount to be paid to the coworking space providing facility is calculated based on the usage record of the coworking space providing facility by the member using the flat rate plan. This configuration makes it possible to pay the individual distribution amount equally among multiple coworking space providing facilities.

[0104] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first individual distribution amount and the second individual distribution amount are calculated according to the fee class of the target coworking space providing facility, making it possible to pay individual distribution amounts more fairly among multiple coworking space providing facilities.

[0105] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, an individual distribution amount is calculated for each member, and once the individual distribution amounts for all members have been calculated, the individual distribution amounts for all members are totaled and the individual distribution amount for each coworking space providing facility is calculated. With this configuration, the amount of data required for calculating the individual distribution amount is reduced, thereby reducing the load associated with calculations.

[0106] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a member of a flat-rate plan uses a coworking space without making a reservation in advance. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a coworking space according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 7, the description of parts that overlap with FIG. 7 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0107] When the user arrives at the coworking space providing facility 70 that the user wishes to use, the user operates the user terminal 30 to start the coworking space use application (step S110). It is desirable that the user check in advance the vacancy information of the coworking space providing facility 70 that the user wishes to use, or the coworking space providing facility 70 that the user wishes to use and coworking space providing facilities 70 in the vicinity of the coworking space providing facility 70 that the user wishes to use.

[0108] The subsequent steps of reading the entrance access key (step S120), transmitting the entrance access key, and executing the procedure to start using the service (step S130) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0109] In step S140, the coworking space management device 10 performs user authentication when an entrance access key is sent from the user terminal 30. The coworking space management device 10 identifies the user to be authenticated based on, for example, the user's login ID. Then, the coworking space management device 10 references the user account information to confirm whether the user to be authenticated is using a flat-rate plan.

[0110] If the user to be authenticated is not a member of the flat-rate plan, the coworking space management device 10 determines that user authentication has failed (No). In this case, the coworking space management device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of the user to be authenticated that authentication has failed (step S240), and the flow ends. If the user wishes to perform user authentication again, the flow in FIG. 11 is executed again.

[0111] On the other hand, in step S140, if the user to be authenticated is a member of a flat rate plan, the coworking space management device 10 determines that the user authentication has been successful (Yes).

[0112] The subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG. 7 except that in step S180, a member who has entered the coworking space providing facility 70 uses an available coworking space.

[0113] This embodiment may also be applied to members other than those using flat-rate plans. However, a payment method (e.g., credit card payment, bank account debit) may be registered as a condition. In this case, whether or not the payment method of the member to be authenticated is registered becomes a condition for user authentication in step S140. If a payment method is not registered (No), processing in step S240 is performed, and if a payment method is registered, processing in step S160 is performed. Furthermore, for members who do not use flat-rate plans, usage fees are calculated and saved in step S220.

[0114] According to this embodiment, members can use the coworking space without making a reservation in advance.

[0115] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment described above, a case where a member uses a coworking space without making a reservation in advance was described. However, even when a member enters the coworking space providing facility 70, there may be cases where there are no available coworking spaces. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method of using a coworking space that takes into account the availability of the coworking space will be described.

[0116] Figure 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a coworking space according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 12, step S350 is added between step S140 and step S160 in Figure 11. Also in this embodiment, explanations of content that overlaps with Figures 7 and 11 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0117] If the user authentication is successful in step S140, the coworking space management device 10 proceeds to step S350 and determines whether there are any available coworking spaces in the coworking space providing device 70 that the member wishes to use. For example, the coworking space management device 10 compares the total number of coworking spaces in the coworking space providing facility 70 that the user wishes to use with the current number of users of the coworking spaces to check the availability of the coworking spaces. If the current number of users is the same as the total number of coworking spaces, the coworking space management device 10 determines that there are no available coworking spaces (No), notifies the user that there are no available coworking spaces (step S240), and the flow ends.

[0118] On the other hand, if the current number of users is less than the total number of coworking spaces, the coworking space management device 10 determines that there is vacant space in the coworking space (Yes), and performs the processing of steps S160-S170 related to unlocking the door lock device 65. Also, in step S160, the coworking space management device 10 updates the current number of users of the coworking space and stores it in the storage 15. Also, in step S220, the coworking space management device 10 updates the current number of users of the coworking space. The processing in the other steps is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0119] According to this embodiment, it is possible to use a coworking space without making a reservation in advance, and it is also possible to perform user authentication that reflects the availability of the coworking space.

[0120] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the unlocking method (FIGS. 1, 7, 11-12, etc.) of the door lock device 60 of the coworking space providing facility 70 has been described. Such an unlocking method is not limited to the business of providing the coworking space management system 1.

[0121] For example, the unlocking method described above can be applied to various businesses that use locking devices, such as office management businesses (locking devices for entrances and lockers, etc.), rental space businesses (locking devices for entrances and lockers, etc.), housing management businesses (locking devices for entrances and lockers, etc.), rental car businesses (locking devices for doors and handles, etc.), and bicycle sharing businesses (locking devices for wheels and handles, etc.). In other words, by connecting the management devices of businesses that provide these businesses via the cloud with the management devices of locking device manufacturers that provide each locking device, the locking devices can be smoothly unlocked from the management devices of the businesses. This also improves the versatility of the system, making it possible for these businesses to freely configure and update locking devices.

[0122] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and it may not necessarily be necessary to include all of the described configurations.

[0123] Furthermore, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment or modified example, etc. It is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Note that the elements and relative sizes between elements shown in the drawings are simplified and idealized to make the present invention easier to understand, and may be more complicated in actual implementation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...Coworking space management system, 10...Coworking space management device, 30...User terminal, 50...Facility terminal, 60...Door lock device, 70...Coworking space providing facility, 90...Network.

Claims

1. An information processing device that manages reservations for coworking spaces used by members, a calculation processing unit that calculates individual distributions to be paid to the coworking space providing facility based on the usage record of the coworking space by the member who uses a flat-rate fee plan that allows the member to freely use coworking spaces at multiple facilities by paying a predetermined membership fee, and Each coworking space provider is associated with a fee class, the calculation processing unit calculates a first individual distribution amount from distribution amounts corresponding to a fee class lower than that of the target coworking space providing facility, calculates a second individual distribution amount from distribution amounts corresponding to a fee class of the target coworking space providing facility, and calculates the individual distribution amount of the target coworking space providing facility by summing the first individual distribution amount and the second individual distribution amount; Information processing device.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The calculation processing unit calculates a first individual distribution amount based on the usage time of the target coworking space providing facility relative to a first total usage time obtained by adding up the usage time of each class of all fee classes including the fee class of the target coworking space providing facility, and calculates a second individual distribution amount based on the usage time of the target coworking space providing facility relative to a second total usage time obtained by adding up the usage time of each class of the fee class of the target coworking space providing facility and a fee class higher than the target coworking space providing facility. Information processing device.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The calculation processing unit calculates the individual distribution amount for each of the members, and after calculating the individual distribution amounts for all of the members, aggregates the individual distribution amounts of all of the members and calculates the individual distribution amount for each of the coworking space providing facilities. Information processing device.

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