Management system, management device, management method, management program, and user device

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables seat selection by a user to be appropriately managed in a free-addressed environment.SOLUTION: A management device 10: on the basis of first seat information in a first situation that a first user has selected a seat before a second user, calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user; on the basis of second seat information in a second situation that the second user has selected a seat before the first user, calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user; and executes management processing for managing the selection of seats by each of the first and second users, on the basis of the first distance and the second distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system, a management device, a management method, and a management program for managing seat selection by multiple users, and Each of seat of choice User for The present invention relates to a device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, free address systems, where users are not assigned to fixed seats, have gradually become more common in environments with multiple seats, such as workplaces and schools. When a free address seating system is adopted, multiple users can freely choose their seat, allowing them to communicate with a variety of people. As a technology related to such free address seating systems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-15528 (Patent Document 1) discloses a seat reservation system that can appropriately manage seats in a free address office. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-15528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the seat reservation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, each user can reserve a desired seat in advance. However, since a particular user may frequently select a seat near other users, problems may arise, such as stress for other users or a decrease in productivity for other users. On the other hand, if seat information indicating the location of the seat selected by each user can be aggregated, the convenience of the administrator in managing seat selections can be improved, and seat selections by each user can be appropriately managed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can appropriately manage seat selection by users in a free address environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a user device for each of a plurality of users to select a seat, and a management device that manages the seat selection by each of the plurality of users. a notification device for notifying users about seat selections; The management device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected, acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information, calculates a first distance between the position of a seat selected by the first user and the position of a seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information, acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information, and calculates a second distance between the position of a seat selected by the first user and the position of a seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information, Calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times, calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times, calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value, and if the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, Selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user and transmitting a notification signal to a notification device to notify the user of an alert regarding the Perform management operations.

[0007] A management device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device and a storage device that stores a program executed by the control device. The control device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in a plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected, acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user, based on the seat information, calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user, based on the seat information, and calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, Calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times, calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times, calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value, and if the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, Selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user and transmitting a notification signal to a notification device to notify the user of an alert regarding the Perform management operations.

[0008] A management method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes, as processing executed by a computer, steps of acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in a plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user, based on the seat information; calculating a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user, based on the seat information; and calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the second seat information. a step of calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, Selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user and transmitting a notification signal to a notification device to notify the user of an alert regarding the and performing a management process.

[0009] A management program according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes, on a computer, steps of: acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in a plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user, based on the seat information; calculating a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user, based on the seat information; and calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the second seat information; a step of calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, Selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user and transmitting a notification signal to a notification device to notify the user of an alert regarding the and a step of executing a management process.

[0010] According to other aspects of the present disclosure User The device includes a communication device for communicating with a management device that manages seat selection by each of a plurality of users, a display, and a control device that controls the communication device and the display. The management device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected, acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information, calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information, acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information, and calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information. Calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times, calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times, calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value, and if the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, Regarding seat selection by each of the first user and the second user User Information Through Faith The control device transmits the received data to the communication device. User Information Based on The inability of either the first user or the second user to select a specific seat An alert screen indicating this will be displayed on the display.

[0011] A management method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: The process performed by the computer is a step of accepting seat selections by each of a plurality of users; a step of acquiring seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; a step of acquiring first seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information; a step of calculating a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information; a step of acquiring second seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information; and a step of calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information. a step of calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; a step of calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the multiple users, and issuing an alert regarding seat selection by each of the first user and the second user based on the first distance and the second distance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, seat selection by each of a first user and a second user can be managed based on the distance between the seats of the first user and the second user when the first user selects a seat before the second user, and the distance between the seats of the first user and the second user when the second user selects a seat before the first user, thereby making it possible to appropriately manage seat selection by users in a free address environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an application example of the management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user authentication screen displayed on a display of the user device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a seat selection screen displayed on a display of a user device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a seat selection screen displayed on a display of a user device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining seat position coordinates. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a user device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between multiple users according to the distance between seats. [Figure 9] 4 is a diagram for explaining a seating information table and an extracted seating information table according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first seating information table and a second seating information table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a distance average difference table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a histogram of distance mean difference according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by the notification device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a management process executed by a management device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a management process executed by a management device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a management process executed by a management device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a distance average difference table of the management device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a variation of the configuration of a management system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] <First Embodiment> A management system 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] [Application example] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a management system 1 according to a first embodiment. The management system 1 provides a service related to a free address system in which multiple users can freely select their seats in an environment with multiple seats, such as a workplace or a school. For example, when the management system 1 is used in a workplace, employees working in the workplace may be applied as "users." When the management system 1 is used in a school, such as a university, students attending the school may be applied as "users." Note that the management system 1 is not limited to workplaces and schools, and may be used in any environment where a free address system is applicable. In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the management system 1 is used in a workplace.

[0017] 1, the management system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a management device 10, a user device 20, and a notification device 30. The management device 10 is connected to each of the user device 20 and the notification device 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0018] The user device 20 is used by multiple users who use the free address-related services provided by the management system 1. In the first embodiment, the user device 20 is installed near the entrance of the workplace, and each user can select a desired seat by touching a seat selection screen displayed on the display 26 of the user device 20 when coming to work.

[0019] As described above, users can freely select their desired seats using the user device 20. However, certain users may frequently select seats near other users. Therefore, if other users want to avoid certain users, problems such as stress and reduced productivity may arise. To address this problem, an administrator may constantly check the seats selected by each user and take measures to prevent certain users from selecting seats near other users. Alternatively, the administrator may randomly determine the seat selections of certain users registered in a list. However, for an administrator to manually register certain users in a list, the administrator must constantly check the seats selected by each user, which makes the registration process cumbersome and time-consuming. On the other hand, if seat information indicating the location of the seats selected by each user could be aggregated, the administrator's management of seat selections would be more convenient and would be able to appropriately manage each user's seat selections.

[0020] Therefore, the management system 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to appropriately manage seat selection by users in a free address environment using seat information that aggregates the seat positions selected by each user.

[0021] Specifically, the management device 10 acquires seat information indicating the seat position (hereinafter also referred to as "seat position") of each user selected using the user device 20 and the timing at which the seat was selected (hereinafter also referred to as "selection timing"). The management device 10 executes a management process for managing seat selections by multiple users based on the seat information acquired from the user device 20. For example, the management device 10 periodically executes the management process for multiple users, thereby transmitting a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify an alert regarding seat selections by any two users.

[0022] The notification device 30 is used by the administrator. Based on the notification signal received from the management device 10, the notification device 30 notifies the administrator of an alert regarding seat selections by any two users.

[0023] As a result, by using the management system 1, the administrator can obtain information regarding potentially problematic seat selections by any two users that have not yet been reported as problems, based on the seat information of each user aggregated by the management device 10, and can appropriately manage seat selections by each user.

[0024] [Management system configuration] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the management system 1 includes a management device 10, a user device 20, and a notification device 30.

[0025] The management device 10 is configured, for example, as an in-house server device managed in a workplace, or a cloud-based server device provided by an operating company of the management system 1. The management device 10 includes a control device 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13, a media reader 14, and a communication device 15.

[0026] The control device 11 is a computing entity (computer) that executes various programs to perform various processes. The control device 11 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or an MPU (microprocessing unit). A processor, which is an example of the control device 11, has the function of executing various processes by executing programs. However, some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The term "processor" is not limited to a processor in the narrow sense that executes processes using stored programs, such as a CPU or an MPU, but may also include hardwired circuits such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Therefore, the term "processor," which is an example of the control device 11, can also be interpreted as a processing circuitry whose processes are predefined by computer-readable code and / or hardwired circuits. The control device 11 may be configured with a single chip or multiple chips. Furthermore, the processor and related processing circuits may be configured with multiple computers interconnected by wire or wirelessly via a local area network or a wireless network. The processor and associated processing circuitry may be configured as a cloud computer that performs computations remotely based on input data and outputs the results of the computations to other devices at remote locations.

[0027] The memory 12 includes a volatile storage area (for example, a working area) that temporarily stores program code, work memory, etc. when the control device 11 executes various programs. Examples of the memory 12 include volatile memories such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), and non-volatile memories such as ROM (read only memory) and flash memory.

[0028] The storage device 13 stores various programs executed by the control device 11 and various data. For example, the storage device 13 stores a management program 131 executed by the control device 11 and seat information 132 referenced by the control device 11. The storage device 13 may be one or more non-transitory computer readable media, or may be one or more computer readable storage media. Examples of the storage device 13 include a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD).

[0029] The management program 131 includes a program that defines a processing procedure for the control device 11 to manage seat selection by a user using the seat information 132. The seat information 132 includes information indicating the seat position selected by the user using the user device 20 and the timing (e.g., date and time) of the seat selection. The management device 10 may store the management program 131 in advance in the storage device 13, or may store the management program 131 obtained from the storage medium 40 by the media reading device 14 in the storage device 13.

[0030] The media reader 14 accepts the storage medium 40 and obtains various programs or various data from the storage medium 40. The storage medium 40 includes a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD (Secure Digital) card, or the like.

[0031] The communication device 15 communicates with each of the user device 20 and the notification device 30 via a network, thereby transmitting and receiving data between the user device 20 and the notification device 30. For example, by communicating with the user device 20, the communication device 15 obtains information indicating the seat position selected by the user and the timing of the seat selection from the user device 20, and stores the information in the storage device 13 as seat information 132. Furthermore, by communicating with the user device 20, the communication device 15 transmits a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify the user of an alert regarding the seat selection.

[0032] The user device 20 is configured as an information terminal such as a desktop personal computer (PC), a laptop PC, or a tablet PC. In the example of FIG. 1, the user device 20 is exemplified by a tablet PC used by multiple users working in the workplace. Note that the user device 20 is not limited to an information terminal used by multiple users in common, but may also be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone individually owned by each of the multiple users. For example, each user may install an application for using a free address-related service provided by the management system 1 on their smartphone (user device 20) and execute the installed application to display a seat selection screen on the display 26.

[0033] The user device 20 includes a control device 21, a communication device 25, a display 26, and an input interface 27. Although not shown, the user device 20 may also include a memory, a storage device, and a media reader, similar to the management device 10.

[0034] The control device 21 is a computing entity (computer) that executes various processes by executing various programs. The control device 21 is configured with a processor such as a CPU or MPU. Note that a processor, which is an example of the control device 21, has the function of executing various processes by executing programs, but some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as ASIC or FPGA. The "processor," which is an example of the control device 21, may also be interpreted as a processing circuit in which processing is defined in advance by computer-readable code and / or hardwired circuits. Note that the control device 21 may be configured with one chip or multiple chips.

[0035] The display 26 displays a predetermined image under the control of the control device 21. For example, the display 26 displays various screens including a plurality of images, such as a seat selection screen for each user to select a seat.

[0036] Input interface 27 is an operation unit for receiving predetermined information input by a user, and includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. In the first embodiment, a touch panel attached to display 26 is used as input interface 27.

[0037] The notification device 30 is configured as an information terminal such as a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or a tablet PC. In the example of FIG. 1, a desktop PC or a laptop PC is illustrated as the notification device 30. The notification device 30 may also be a mobile terminal that is individually owned by the administrator. For example, the administrator may install an application for using the free address service provided by the management system 1 on a smartphone (notification device 30), and execute the installed application to display an alert screen on the display 36 to notify the user of an alert.

[0038] The notification device 30 includes a control device 31, a communication device 35, a display 36, and an input interface 37. Although not shown, the notification device 30 may also include a memory, a storage device, and a media reader, similar to the management device 10.

[0039] The control device 31 is a computing entity (computer) that executes various processes by executing various programs. The control device 31 is configured with a processor such as a CPU or MPU. Note that a processor, which is an example of the control device 31, has the function of executing various processes by executing programs, but some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as ASIC or FPGA. The "processor," which is an example of the control device 31, may also be interpreted as a processing circuit in which processing is defined in advance by computer-readable code and / or hardwired circuits. Note that the control device 31 may be configured with one chip or multiple chips.

[0040] The display 36 displays a predetermined image under the control of the control device 31. For example, the display 36 displays various screens including a plurality of images, such as an alert screen for notifying an alert.

[0041] The input interface 37 is an operation unit for receiving predetermined information input by the administrator, and includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. In the first embodiment, a mouse and a keyboard are applied as the input interface 37.

[0042] [Example of user seat selection] An example of seat selection by a user will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 shows an example of a user authentication screen displayed on display 26 of user device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] 3, the user device 20 displays a user authentication screen for authenticating a user on the display 26. The user authentication screen includes a seat map 261, a floor selection field 262, a user search field 263, a message field 264, and a confirmation icon 265.

[0044] The seat map 261 is a planar map of the workplace, and uses multiple rectangular seat icons to indicate the locations of multiple seats in the workplace. The floor selection field 262 is a field for selecting the floor number of the workplace. For example, in the floor selection field 262, a user can select the floor number of the workplace in a pull-down menu. The user search field 263 is a field for searching for a user. For example, a user can view information about a desired user by entering the affiliation code or name of the user to be searched for in the user search field 263. The message field 264 is a field displaying various messages for the user. For example, on the user authentication screen, the message field 264 displays a message prompting the user to touch their ID card to a card reader (not shown). The confirm icon 265 is an icon that the user touches to confirm the selected seat.

[0045] On the user authentication screen shown in FIG. 3, the user touches the card reader with his or her own ID card to be authenticated, and thereby obtains permission to select a seat.

[0046] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a seat selection screen displayed on the display 26 of the user device 20 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, once user authentication is complete, the user device 20 displays a seat selection screen for selecting a seat on the display 26. The seat selection screen includes a seat map 261, a floor selection field 262, a message field 264, and an OK icon 265, as well as a user information field 266, a seat display field 267, and a selected seat field 268.

[0047] The user information field 266 is a field for showing information about a user who has been authenticated. For example, the user information field 266 shows the name (in this example, "B") and ID (in this example, "23456") of the authenticated user. The user ID may include any information that can identify each user, such as the user's employee code. The seat display field 267 is a field for showing whether a seat can be selected and the selection status. For example, the seat display field 267 shows the display mode of seat icons on the seat map 261 corresponding to selectable seats, unselectable seats, and selected seats. The display mode of the seat icons for unselectable seats is not limited to the examples in FIGS. 4 and 5, and may be other display modes, such as grayed out. The selected seat field 268 is a field for showing information about a user who has selected a seat corresponding to a seat icon touched by the user. For example, the selected seat field 268 shows the name (in this example, "A") and ID (in this example, "12345") of the user who selected the seat corresponding to the seat icon.

[0048] After being authenticated, the user can touch a seat icon at a desired position on the seat selection screen shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to select a seat corresponding to that seat icon.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when a user is authenticated, a message prompting the user to select a seat is displayed in a message field 264. When the user touches a selected seat icon, information about the user who has selected the seat corresponding to that seat icon is displayed in a selected seat field 268. In this example, the selected seat field 268 indicates that user "A" has selected a seat. This allows the user to recognize which seats other users have selected.

[0050] 5, when the user touches a desired seat icon from among the selectable seat icons, the seat icon switches to a display mode indicating that the seat icon has been selected. In this state, when the user touches the confirm icon 265, the seat selection is confirmed, and information about the confirmed seat (in this example, the seat number is "8") is displayed in the message field 264.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining seat position coordinates. As shown in Fig. 6, in seat map 261, position coordinates including X coordinates and Y coordinates are determined in advance for each seat. Note that the position information of each seat is not limited to X coordinates and Y coordinates, and may be determined by other methods. For example, the position information of each seat may be associated with a seat number assigned to each seat.

[0052] 4 and 5, when a seat is selected by the user, the user device 20 transmits user information (for example, name and ID) along with seat information indicating the seat position selected by the user and the timing of selection of the seat to the management device 10. The management device 10 accumulates and stores the seat information linked to the user information acquired from the user device 20 as seat information 132 in the storage device 13. As a result, the management device 10 can acquire seat information indicating the seat position and the timing of selection every time a seat is selected by the user, and accumulate and store the acquired seat information.

[0053] [Example of user device processing] The processing executed by the user device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the user device 20 according to the first embodiment. The control device 21 of the user device 20 executes a control program (not shown) to execute the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. In the figure, "S" is used as an abbreviation for "STEP."

[0054] 7, the user device 20 displays the user authentication screen shown in Fig. 3 on the display 26 (S1). The user device 20 determines whether or not user authentication has been completed on the user authentication screen (S2).

[0055] For example, when a user touches an ID card to a card reader, the user device 20 transmits user information such as the ID included on the ID card to the management device 10. The management device 10 determines whether the user can be authenticated based on the user information received from the user device 20, and transmits information indicating the determination result to the user device 20. If the determination result received from the management device 10 indicates completion of user authentication, the user device 20 determines that user authentication has been completed, and if the determination result received from the management device 10 indicates a user authentication error or if the determination result has not been received from the management device 10, the user device 20 determines that user authentication has not been completed.

[0056] If user authentication has not been completed (NO in S2), the user device 20 ends this process. If user authentication has not been completed for reasons such as the user not being registered (NO in S2), the user device 20 may display a user registration screen (not shown) on the display 26. Furthermore, the user device 20 may register the user information of the new user entered on the user registration screen and then return to the process of S1. On the other hand, if user authentication has been completed (YES in S2), the user device 20 displays the seat selection screen shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 on the display 26 (S3).

[0057] The user device 20 determines whether or not a seat selection has been accepted on the seat selection screen (S4). For example, the user device 20 determines whether or not a desired seat icon has been touched by the user from among the selectable seat icons.

[0058] If the user device 20 has not accepted a seat selection (NO in S4), it repeats the process of S4. On the other hand, if the user device 20 has accepted a seat selection (YES in S4), it confirms the accepted seat selection by the user (S5). Thereafter, the user device 20 transmits seat information indicating the seat position and selection timing together with the user information to the management device 10 (S6), and ends this process. Note that the user device 20 may transmit the seat information to the management device 10 every time it accepts a seat selection from the user and confirms the user's seat, or it may transmit seat information accumulated within a predetermined period to the management device 10 at each predetermined period.

[0059] [Management of user seat selection in management system] The management of seat selection by users in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a plurality of users according to the distance between seats.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, by focusing on any two users (a first user and a second user) among multiple users, the relationship between them can be roughly determined depending on the seat positions and the timing of selection. For example, in a situation where the first user selects a seat first and the second user selects a seat after the first user (hereinafter also referred to as the "first situation"), the distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user is referred to as the "first distance." Note that the first distance is the distance per first situation. As will be described in detail later, in the management system 1, the first distance may vary depending on the seat selection situations of multiple users. Therefore, the management system 1 uses a first average value obtained by averaging the first distances multiple times over a predetermined period, such as one week or one month, to improve the accuracy of the distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user. In addition, in a situation where the second user selects a seat first and the first user selects a seat after the second user (hereinafter also referred to as the "second situation"), the distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user is referred to as the "second distance." Note that the second distance is the distance per second situation. As will be described in detail later, in the management system 1, the second distance may vary depending on the seat selection situations of multiple users. Therefore, by using a second average value obtained by averaging the second distances multiple times over a predetermined period, such as one week or one month, the accuracy of the distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user is improved.

[0061] When the first distance is relatively small and the second distance is relatively small, the first user and the second user tend to get closer to each other, and therefore the relationship between the first user and the second user is relatively strong. When the first distance is relatively large and the second distance is relatively large, the first user and the second user tend to avoid each other, and therefore the relationship between the first user and the second user is relatively weak. When the first distance is relatively large and the second distance is relatively small, it can be said that the first user tends to select a seat close to the second user, while the second user tends to avoid the first user. When the second distance is relatively large and the first distance is relatively small, it can be said that the second user tends to select a seat close to the first user, while the first user tends to avoid the second user.

[0062] When the relationship between the first user and the second user is relatively strong, or when the relationship between the first user and the second user is relatively weak, no particular problem occurs. However, when the first user approaches the second user while the second user tends to avoid the first user, or when the second user approaches the first user while the first user tends to avoid the second user, problems may arise, such as stress for other users or a decrease in the productivity of other users, because a specific user is trying to approach other users against their will.

[0063] 9 to 12, in the management system 1, the management device 10 is configured to appropriately manage seat selection by each user using seat information that aggregates the seat positions and selection timings selected by each user. In the example shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, user A is applied to the "first user" and user B is applied to the "second user."

[0064] 9 is a diagram illustrating a seat information table and an extracted seat information table according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the management device 10 stores and memorizes seat information in the seat information table. The seat information table stores seat information such as the selection timing (date and time in this example) at which a seat is selected by a user, user information (name and ID in this example) of the user who selected the seat, and the seat position selected by the user (seat number and seat position coordinates in this example).

[0065] The management device 10 acquires seat information of any two users from the seat information stored in the seat information table. In this example, the management device 10 extracts seat information for each of user A and user B from the seat information and stores it in the extracted seat information table. That is, the extracted seat information table stores seat information such as selection timing, user information, and seat position related only to user A and user B.

[0066] 10 is a diagram illustrating a first seating information table and a second seating information table according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the management device 10 acquires, from the seating information of user A and user B stored in the extracted information table, seating information (hereinafter also referred to as "first seating information") indicating the positions of seats selected by each of user A and user B in a situation (first situation) in which user A selected a seat before user B, and stores the acquired information in the first seating information table. Furthermore, from the seating information of user A and user B stored in the extracted information table, the management device 10 acquires, from the seating information of user A and user B stored in the extracted information table, seating information (hereinafter also referred to as "second seating information") indicating the positions of seats selected by each of user A and user B in a situation (second situation) in which user B selected a seat before user A, and stores the acquired information in the second seating information table.

[0067] The management device 10 calculates the distance (hereinafter also referred to as the "first distance") between the seat position selected by user A and the seat position selected by user B based on the first seat information stored in the first seat information table. Furthermore, the management device 10 calculates the average value of the first distance (hereinafter also referred to as the "first average value") when the first situation occurs multiple times. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the management device 10 calculates "3.6" as the first average value. Note that the first average value when the first situation occurs once is the same as the first distance for one occurrence.

[0068] The management device 10 calculates the distance (hereinafter also referred to as the "second distance") between the seat position selected by user A and the seat position selected by user B based on the second seat information stored in the second seat information table. Furthermore, the management device 10 calculates the average value of the second distance (hereinafter also referred to as the "second average value") when the second situation occurs multiple times. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the management device 10 calculates "27.9" as the second average value. Note that the second average value when the second situation occurs once will be the same as the second distance for one occurrence.

[0069] Furthermore, the management device 10 calculates the difference between the first average value and the second average value (hereinafter also referred to as the "distance average difference"). For example, in the example of Fig. 10, the management device 10 calculates "-24.3" as the distance average difference by subtracting the second average value ("27.9") from the first average value ("3.6").

[0070] 11 is a diagram illustrating a distance average difference table according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the management device 10 calculates the distance average difference for each combination of any two users (a first user and a second user) as described above, and stores the calculated distance average difference in the distance average difference table. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, the management device 10 calculates "-24.3" as the distance average difference between users A and B, and "0.9" as the distance average difference between users X and Y, and stores the calculated distance average differences in the distance average difference table in association with the user information.

[0071] Here, the management device 10 is configured to uniformly subtract the second average value from the first average value when calculating the distance average difference for each combination of any two users. In this calculation method, if the distance average difference is greater than 0, the first user tends to approach the second user, while the second user tends to avoid the first user. On the other hand, if the distance average difference is less than 0, the second user tends to approach the first user, while the first user tends to avoid the second user. For example, between users A and B, the distance average difference is "-24.3", so user B tends to approach user A, while user A tends to avoid user B.

[0072] Note that the management device 10 may be configured to uniformly subtract the first average value from the second average value when calculating the average distance difference for each combination of any two users. In such a calculation method, if the average distance difference is greater than 0, the second user tends to approach the first user, while the first user tends to avoid the second user. On the other hand, if the average distance difference is less than 0, the first user tends to approach the second user, while the second user tends to avoid the first user.

[0073] The management device 10 extracts outliers from the average distance differences between any two users (a first user and a second user) stored in the average distance difference table. For example, Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a histogram of the average distance differences according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the management device 10 generates a histogram based on the average distance differences between any two users, and extracts outliers from the generated histogram.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 12, the management device 10 extracts "-24.3" calculated from the seat information of user A and user B as an outlier for the average distance difference. For example, the management device 10 extracts, as an outlier, an average distance difference whose number is equal to or less than a threshold (e.g., 1). Alternatively, the management device 10 may extract, as an outlier, an average distance difference whose absolute value is equal to or less than a threshold (e.g., 20). Note that the method for extracting outliers is not limited to absolute evaluation, and the management device 10 may extract outliers using relative evaluation. For example, the management device 10 may extract, as an outlier, an average distance difference whose difference from the largest number is equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 30). Alternatively, the management device 10 may extract, as an outlier, an average distance difference whose absolute value from the largest average distance difference is equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 20). The method for extracting outliers in the management device 10 is not limited to the method using a threshold, and other methods may be used to extract outliers, such as the Smirnoff-Grubbs test, k-nearest neighbors, LOF (Local Outlier Factor), and Hotelling's theory. The management device 10 may be configured to allow the administrator to select criteria such as a threshold for extracting outliers from multiple options.

[0075] When the management device 10 extracts an outlier, it executes a management process for managing seat selection for the first user and the second user involved in the calculation of the outlier distance mean difference. For example, for user A and user B corresponding to the outlier value "-24.3," the management device 10 transmits a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify an alert regarding seat selection by user A and user B because user B tends to approach user A while user A tends to avoid user B. Based on the notification signal received from the management device 10, the notification device 30 notifies the administrator of the alert regarding seat selection by user A and user B.

[0076] As a result, by using the management system 1, an administrator can detect problems such as a particular user (e.g., user B) frequently selecting a seat near another user (e.g., user A) based on the seat information of each user aggregated by the management device 10, and can appropriately manage seat selection by two problematic users (user A and user B).

[0077] [Example of management device processing] The processing executed by the management device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are flowcharts relating to the processing executed by the management device 10 according to the first embodiment. The control device 11 of the management device 10 executes the processing of the flowcharts shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 by executing the management program 131. The flowchart shown in Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the processing included in S12 of Fig. 13. In the figures, "S" is used as an abbreviation for "STEP."

[0078] 13, the management device 10 acquires seat information of any first user and second user from the seat information stored in the seat information table (S11). The management device 10 calculates the average distance difference between the first user and the second user based on the seat information of the first user and the second user (S12).

[0079] As shown in FIG. 14, based on the seat information of the first user and the second user, the management device 10 acquires first seat information indicating the positions of the seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user (S21).

[0080] Based on the first seat information, the management device 10 calculates the average value (first distance average) of the first distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user when the first situation occurs multiple times (S22).

[0081] Based on the seat information of the first user and the second user, the management device 10 acquires second seat information indicating the positions of the seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user (S23).

[0082] Based on the second seat information, the management device 10 calculates the average value (second distance average) of the second distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user when the second situation occurs multiple times (S24).

[0083] The management device 10 calculates the difference between the first distance average and the second distance average (distance average difference) (S25). After that, the management device 10 ends this process and proceeds to the process of S13 in FIG.

[0084] 13, after calculating the distance average difference in S12, the management device 10 determines whether or not the distance average difference has been calculated for all users for which seat information has been acquired (S13). If the distance average difference has not been calculated for all users (NO in S13), the management device 10 executes the process of S11 again. On the other hand, if the distance average difference has been calculated for all users (YES in S13), the management device 10 extracts outliers of the distance average difference (S14).

[0085] When the management device 10 extracts the outlier, it executes a management process for managing seat selection for the first user and the second user involved in the calculation of the distance average difference, which is the outlier (S15). For example, the management device 10 transmits a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify an alert regarding the seat selection by the first user and the second user involved in the calculation of the outlier. Thereafter, the management device 10 ends this process.

[0086] [Example of management device processing] The processing executed by the notification device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart relating to the processing executed by the notification device 30 according to the first embodiment. The control device 31 of the notification device 30 executes a control program (not shown) to execute the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 15. In the figure, "S" is used as an abbreviation for "STEP."

[0087] 15, the notification device 30 determines whether or not a notification signal has been received from the management device 10 (S31). If the notification device 30 has not received a notification signal from the management device 10 (NO in S31), the notification device 30 ends this process.

[0088] On the other hand, if the notification device 30 receives a notification signal from the management device 10 (YES in S31), it displays an alert screen on the display 36 (S32) and ends this process.

[0089] The alert screen displays information (e.g., name and ID) of a registered user who is registered on the list as having a problem with seat selection, and information (e.g., name and ID) of a target user who is the target of the specific user. For example, in the example of FIGS. 8 to 12, user B tends to approach user A, while user A tends to avoid user B, so the alert screen displays information about user B as a registered user and information about user A as a target user. Note that other methods, such as notification using email or SNS, may be used for the alert notification. Furthermore, when an administrator accesses the list, information about a specific user registered on the list may be displayed in a more noticeable color than information about other users. Note that the management device 10 may simply create a list of users who have a problem with seat selection as a management process.

[0090] As described above, the management device 10 calculates the difference (average distance difference) between the average value of the first distance, which is the distance between the seats of the first user and the second user when the first user selects a seat before the second user, and the average value of the second distance, which is the distance between the seats of the first user and the second user when the second user selects a seat before the first user, and can transmit a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify an alert based on the calculated average distance difference. Meanwhile, the notification device 30 can notify an administrator of the alert by displaying an alert screen on the display 36 based on the received notification signal. This allows the administrator to take measures, such as calling attention to the users indicated on the alert screen, and therefore can appropriately manage the seat selections of the two problematic users.

[0091] <Embodiment 2> The management system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Only the parts of the management system 1 according to the second embodiment that are different from the management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0092] 16 is a diagram for explaining the management processing executed by the management device 10 according to embodiment 2. The management device 10 according to embodiment 1 is configured to transmit a notification signal for notifying an alert to the notification device 30 as the management processing, but may also execute other processing.

[0093] Specifically, as the management process, the management device 10 may perform a process of disabling the selection of a specific seat by either the first user or the second user. For example, Fig. 16 shows a seat selection screen displayed on the display 26 by the user device 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0094] After being authenticated, the user can select a desired seat on the seat selection screen shown in Fig. 16, but when a registered user registered in the list of the management device 10 as shown in Fig. 15 selects a seat, for seats within a predetermined range from the seat selected by the target user, the seat icon is displayed in an unselectable manner and an unselectable field 269 indicating that the seat is unselectable is displayed on the display 26. For example, even if user B attempts to select a seat next to the seat selected by user A, the seat icon for the adjacent seat is displayed in an unselectable manner and an unselectable field 269 indicating that the seat is unselectable is displayed on the display 26.

[0095] More specifically, the management device 10 transmits information about the registered users and the target user registered in the list as shown in Fig. 15 to the user device 20. If the registered user selects a seat within a predetermined range from the seat selected by the target user based on the information about the registered users and the target user acquired from the management device 10, the user device 20 displays an unselectable field 269 on the display 26 indicating that the seat cannot be selected.

[0096] This allows the administrator to prevent registered users from selecting seats near the target user, thereby properly managing seat selection by two problematic users.

[0097] <Third Embodiment> The management system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Only the parts of the management system 1 according to the third embodiment that are different from the management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0098] 17 is a diagram illustrating a management process executed by management device 10 according to the third embodiment. As the management process, management device 10 according to the third embodiment may execute a process of recommending the selection of a specific seat to either the first user or the second user. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates a seat selection screen displayed on display 26 by user device 20 according to the third embodiment.

[0099] After being authenticated, the user can select the desired seat on the seat selection screen shown in FIG. 17. However, for registered users registered in the list of the management device 10 as shown in FIG. 15, a recommendation column 270 is displayed on the display 26, recommending the selection of a seat outside a predetermined range from the seats selected by the target user.

[0100] More specifically, the management device 10 transmits information about the registered users and the target user registered in the list as shown in Fig. 15 to the user device 20. When the registered user selects a seat, the user device 20 displays on the display 26, based on the information about the registered users and the target user acquired from the management device 10, a recommendation field 270 that recommends the selection of a seat outside a predetermined range from the seats selected by the target user.

[0101] This allows the administrator to encourage registered users to select seats away from the target user, thereby properly managing seat selection by two problematic users.

[0102] <Fourth Embodiment> The management system 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Only the parts of the management system 1 according to the fourth embodiment that are different from the management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0103] 18 is a diagram illustrating a management process executed by management device 10 according to the fourth embodiment. As the management process, management device 10 according to the fourth embodiment may execute a process of forcing either the first user or the second user to select a specific seat. For example, FIG. 18 illustrates a seat selection screen displayed on display 26 by user device 20 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0104] After user authentication, the user can select the desired seat on the seat selection screen shown in Figure 18, but a confirmation field 271 indicating that a seat outside a specified range of the seats selected by the target user has been forcibly confirmed as the seat of the registered user registered in the list of the management device 10 as shown in Figure 15 is displayed on the display 26, and further information about the confirmed seat (in this example, the seat number is "45") is displayed in a message field 264.

[0105] More specifically, the management device 10 transmits information about the registered users and the target user registered in the list as shown in FIG. 15 to the user device 20. When a registered user selects a seat based on the information about the registered users and the target users acquired from the management device 10, the user device 20 forcibly determines a seat outside a predetermined range from the seat selected by the target user as the registered user's seat, and transmits seat information indicating the location of the determined seat to the management device 10. Furthermore, the user device 20 displays a determination field 271 on the display 26 indicating that a seat outside a predetermined range from the seat selected by the target user has been forcibly determined as the registered user's seat. Note that the management device 10 may determine the registered user's seat, or the user device 20 may determine the registered user's seat. Furthermore, the management device 10 or the user device 20 may randomly determine the registered user's seat, or may predetermine the registered user's seat.

[0106] <Fifth Embodiment> The management system 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Only the parts of the management system 1 according to the fifth embodiment that are different from the management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0107] 19 is a diagram illustrating a distance average difference table of the management device 10 according to the fifth embodiment. In the management device 10 according to the first embodiment, the user information linked to the seat information includes the user's name and ID, but may include other information. For example, the user information linked to the seat information may include attribute information indicating the user's attributes. The attribute information may include the department to which the user belongs, the user's job title, etc.

[0108] For example, in the distance mean difference table shown in FIG. 19 , the department to which each user belongs and the job title of each user are stored as attribute information for each first user and second user. When the management device 10 transmits a notification signal to the notification device 30 to notify the first user and second user corresponding to the distance mean difference that is an outlier extracted based on the distance mean difference table, the management device 10 may include attribute information for each of the first user and second user in the notification signal. Based on the notification signal received from the management device 10, the notification device 30 may include the attribute information for each of the first user and second user in an alert screen and display the alert on the display 36 together with the alert regarding the seat selection by the first user and the second user.

[0109] 19, User B, who is the manager of Section 1, tends to approach User A, who is a general employee of Section 1, while User A tends to avoid User B. In this case, the administrator can use the alert screen displayed on display 36 of notification device 30 to detect problems such as User B, the boss, wanting to keep a certain distance from User A, the subordinate, or User B, the boss, only approaching User A, a specific subordinate.

[0110] As a result, by using the management system 1, an administrator can detect problems such as a particular user (e.g., user B) frequently selecting a seat near another user (e.g., user A) based on the seat information of each user aggregated by the management device 10, and can also recognize the relationship between the two users with whom the problem is occurring (e.g., the relationship between a superior and a subordinate) based on the user information (attribute information), thereby allowing the administrator to appropriately manage the seat selection by the two users while taking into account the relationship between the two users.

[0111] <Modification> The management system 1 according to the first to fifth embodiments has been described above, but the configuration and various processes of each device (management device 10, user device 20, and notification device 30) of the management system 1 may be configured in various variations. Fig. 20 is a diagram for explaining variations in the configuration of a management system according to a modified example.

[0112] 20, the management system 1 of Pattern 1 is a cloud-type system. For example, in the management system 1 of Pattern 1, a desktop, laptop, or tablet PC is used as the user device 20 on which each user selects a seat, an in-house or cloud server device is used as the management device 10 that calculates the distance average difference, a network is used as an output method for outputting the calculation result of the distance average difference to the notification device 30, and a web service or email may be used as the output destination.

[0113] The management system 1 of Pattern 2 is a type of system that outputs only the calculation results on the web. For example, in the management system 1 of Pattern 2, a desktop, laptop, or tablet PC is used as the device in which the user device 20 and the management device 10 are integrated, a network is used as the output method for outputting the calculation results of the distance average difference to the notification device 30, and a web service may be used as the output destination.

[0114] The management system 1 of Pattern 3 is a type of system that outputs only the calculation results to a local PC. For example, in the management system 1 of Pattern 3, a desktop, laptop, or tablet PC is used as the device in which the user device 20 and the management device 10 are integrated, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used as the output method for outputting the calculation results of the distance average difference to the notification device 30, and a smartphone or other tablet PC may be used as the output destination.

[0115] The management system 1 of Pattern 4 is a standalone system. For example, in the management system 1 of Pattern 4, the user device 20, the management device 10, and the notification device 30 may be integrated into a desktop, laptop, or tablet PC.

[0116] <Aspect> (Item 1) A management system (1) according to one aspect includes a user device (20) for each of a plurality of users to select a seat, and a management device (10) that manages the seat selection by each of the plurality of users. The management device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected (S11), acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information (S21), calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information (S22), acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information (S23), calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information (S24), and performs a management process for managing the selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user based on the first distance and the second distance (S15).

[0117] (Clause 2) In the management system described in paragraph 1, the management device calculates a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times (S22), calculates a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times (S24), calculates the difference between the first average value and the second average value (S25), and performs management processing based on the difference.

[0118] (Clause 3) In the management system described in paragraph 2, the management device performs management processing for the first user and the second user when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from multiple users.

[0119] (4) The management system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3 further includes a notification device (30) that notifies users of seat selections. The management process includes transmitting a notification signal to the notification device to notify the users of an alert regarding the seat selections made by the first user and the second user.

[0120] (Item 5) In the management system described in item 4, the notification signal includes attribute information indicating attributes of each of the first user and the second user.

[0121] (Item 6) In the management system according to any one of Items 1 to 5, the management process includes a process of disabling the selection of a specific seat by either the first user or the second user.

[0122] (Item 7) In the management system according to any one of Items 1 to 5, the management process includes a process of recommending the selection of a specific seat to either the first user or the second user.

[0123] (Item 8) In the management system according to any one of Items 1 to 5, the management process includes a process of forcing either the first user or the second user to select a specific seat.

[0124] (Item 9) A management device (10) according to one aspect includes a control device (11) and a storage device (13) that stores a program executed by the control device. The control device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the multiple users and the timing at which the seat was selected (S11), acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information (S21), calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information (S22), acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information (S23), calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information (S24), and performs a management process to manage the seat selection by each of the first user and the second user based on the first distance and the second distance (S15).

[0125] (Section 10) A management method according to one embodiment includes, as processing executed by a computer (11), a step (S11) of acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in a plurality of users and the timing of selecting the seat; a step (S21) of acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user; a step (S22) of calculating, based on the first seat information, a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user; a step (S23) of acquiring, based on the seat information, second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user; a step (S24) of calculating, based on the second seat information, a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user; and a step (S15) of executing a management process for managing the selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user based on the first distance and the second distance.

[0126] (Section 11) A management program (131) according to one embodiment causes a computer (11) to execute the following steps: acquiring seat information (S11) indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in a plurality of users and the timing of selecting the seat; acquiring first seat information (S21) indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user, based on the seat information; calculating a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information (S23) indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user, based on the seat information; calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user, based on the second seat information; and executing a management process (S15) to manage the selection of seats by each of the first user and the second user, based on the first distance and the second distance.

[0127] (Item 12) A notification device (30) according to one embodiment includes a communication device (35) for communicating with a management device (10) that manages seat selection by each of a plurality of users, a display (36), and a control device (31) that controls the communication device and the display. The management device acquires seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected (S11), acquires first seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information (S21), calculates a first distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information (S22), acquires second seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat before the first user based on the seat information (S23), calculates a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information (S24), and transmits a notification signal to the notification device to notify an alert regarding the seat selection by each of the first user and the second user based on the first distance and the second distance (S15). The control device displays an alert screen indicating the alert on the display based on the notification signal received by the communication device (S32).

[0128] (Clause 13) A management method according to one aspect includes a step (S4) of accepting seat selections by each of a plurality of users; a step (S11) of acquiring seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing of selecting the seat; a step (S21) of acquiring first seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user based on the seat information; and a step (S22) of acquiring first seat information indicating the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the first seat information. The method includes a step (S22) of calculating a first distance between the seat positions; a step (S23) of acquiring, based on the seat information, second seat information indicating the seat positions selected by each of the first and second users in a second situation in which the second user selects a seat before the first user; a step (S24) of calculating, based on the second seat information, a second distance between the seat position selected by the first user and the seat position selected by the second user; and a step (S32) of notifying an alert regarding the seat selection by each of the first and second users based on the first and second distances.

[0129] Although a number of embodiments and modifications have been described above, the features of each of these embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction.

[0130] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 management system, 10 management device, 11, 21, 31 control device, 12 memory, 13 storage device, 14 media reading device, 15, 25, 35 communication device, 20 user device, 26, 36 display, 27, 37 input interface, 30 notification device, 40 storage medium, 131 management program, 132 seat information, 261 seat map, 262 floor selection field, 263 user search field, 264 message field, 265 decision icon, 266 user information field, 267 seat display field, 268 selected seat field, 269 non-selectable field, 270 recommendation field, 271 confirmation field.

Claims

1. A management system for managing seat selection by a plurality of users, comprising: a user device for each of the plurality of users to select a seat; a management device for managing seat selection by each of the plurality of users; a notification device that notifies the plurality of users regarding seat selections, The management device acquire seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat earlier than the second user; Calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; Calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; Calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; A management system that executes a management process including a process of sending a notification signal to the notification device to notify an alert regarding seat selection by each of the first user and the second user when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users.

2. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the notification signal includes attribute information indicating attributes of the first user and the second user.

3. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management process includes a process of disabling the selection of a specific seat by either the first user or the second user.

4. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management process includes a process of recommending a selection of a specific seat to either the first user or the second user.

5. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management process includes a process of forcing either the first user or the second user to select a specific seat.

6. A management device for managing seat selection by a plurality of users, comprising: a control device; a storage device that stores a program executed by the control device, The control device acquire seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat earlier than the second user; Calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; Calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; Calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; A management device that executes a management process including, when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users, sending a notification signal to a notification device to notify an alert regarding the seat selection by each of the first user and the second user.

7. 1. A method for managing seat selection by a plurality of users, comprising: The process performed by the computer is acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user; calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selects a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and executing a management process including a process of sending a notification signal to a notification device to notify an alert regarding seat selection by each of the first user and the second user when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users.

8. A management program for managing seat selection by multiple users, comprising: On the computer, acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user; calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selects a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and a step of executing a management process including a process of sending a notification signal to a notification device to notify an alert regarding the seat selection by each of the first user and the second user when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users.

9. A user device for each of a plurality of users to select a seat, comprising: a communication device for communicating with a management device that manages seat selection by each of the plurality of users; The display and a control device that controls the communication device and the display, The management device acquire seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat earlier than the second user; Calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selected a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; Calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; Calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; transmitting user information regarding each of the first user and the second user to the communication device when the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users; The control device, based on the user information received by the communication device, causes the display to display an alert screen indicating that a specific seat cannot be selected by either the first user or the second user.

10. 1. A method for managing seat selection by a plurality of users, comprising: The process performed by the computer is accepting a seat selection by each of the plurality of users; acquiring seat information indicating the position of a seat selected by each of a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users and the timing at which the seat was selected; acquiring, based on the seat information, first seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a first situation in which the first user selected a seat before the second user; calculating a first distance between a seat position selected by the first user and a seat position selected by the second user based on the first seat information; acquiring second seat information indicating positions of seats selected by each of the first user and the second user in a second situation in which the second user selects a seat earlier than the first user, based on the seat information; calculating a second distance between the position of the seat selected by the first user and the position of the seat selected by the second user based on the second seat information; calculating a first average value of the first distance when the first situation occurs multiple times; calculating a second average value of the second distance when the second situation occurs multiple times; calculating a difference between the first average value and the second average value; and if the difference between the first user and the second user is an outlier among the differences between each combination of two users selectable from the plurality of users, notifying an alert regarding the seat selection by each of the first user and the second user.

Images