Alert system, server, control method, and control program

Abstract

We provide technology that can reduce the risk of sending unnecessary alerts. [Solution] The alert system according to this disclosure comprises: a first facial recognition device installed at the entrance of a facility; a second facial recognition device installed at a location within the facility away from the entrance; a stay time measurement unit that measures a first stay time from the time the first facial recognition device authenticates the visitor's face to the present time; and a notification unit that notifies a management system of an alert when the first stay time exceeds a preset limit stay time. When the second facial recognition device authenticates the visitor's face, the stay time measurement unit resets the measurement of the first stay time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an alert system, a server, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] The entry / exit management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the stay time from the difference between the entry time when a user enters a facility and the current time. Further, the entry / exit management system presents the stay time to the user via a touch display. At this time, if the stay time exceeds the maximum stay time, the entry / exit management system notifies the user to that effect and prompts the user to leave the facility or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have discovered the following problems. When the stay time exceeds the maximum stay time, an alert may be notified to the management system that manages the facility. When a person staying in the facility can be authenticated, the alert is not necessarily required. Such an entry / exit management system may notify unnecessary alerts.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technology capable of suppressing the risk of notifying unnecessary alerts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The alert system according to this disclosure is a first face recognition device provided at an entrance of a facility, and A second facial recognition device is installed within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, A stay time measurement unit measures a first stay time from the time the first facial recognition device authenticated the person's face to the present time, The system includes a notification unit that notifies the management system of an alert when the first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, If the second facial recognition device authenticates the face of the person staying, the stay time measurement unit resets the measurement of the first stay time.

[0007] The server related to this disclosure is A stay time measurement unit measures the first stay time from the time the visitor's face was authenticated at the facility entrance to the present time, When the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, a notification unit notifies the management system of an alert, The stay time measurement unit resets the first stay time measurement when it authenticates the face of the visitor at a location within the facility that is away from the entrance of the facility.

[0008] The control methods relating to this disclosure are as follows: A method for controlling a server in an alert system, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. If the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, an alert is sent to the management system. If the face of the visitor is authenticated within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, the measurement of the first stay time is reset.

[0009] The control program relating to this disclosure is The computer that functions as the server in the alert system, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. When the first stay time has passed the preset limit stay time, notify the management system of an alert. When the face of the person staying is authenticated at a location away from the entrance of the facility within the facility, reset the measurement of the first stay time.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the risk of notifying unnecessary alerts can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing one configuration example of an alert system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing another configuration example of an alert system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing a control method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a hardware configuration included in an alert system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <Embodiment 1> One configuration example of an alert system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the alert system 100 includes a first face recognition device 21, a second face recognition device, and a server 10.

[0014] The alert system 100 is used in a facility. The facility is not particularly limited, but for example, it is an apartment building or its shared facilities. The apartment building is, for example, a condominium for the elderly, a so-called senior residence, etc. The shared facilities are facilities equipped with a dressing room, a workspace, a clinic, etc. The facility equipped with a dressing room is, for example, a bathhouse, a sauna, a pool, a fitness facility, etc.

[0015] The first face recognition device 21 is provided at the entrance of the facility. The entrance of the facility is, for example, the entrance of an apartment, the entrance of a dressing room, etc. The first face recognition device 21 authenticates the face of a person at the entrance of the facility. Specifically, the first face recognition device 21 captures an image of the face of a person at the entrance of the facility and generates a captured image. The first face recognition device 21 compares the captured image with a registered image and determines whether the face information included in the captured image and the registered image matches. The registered image indicates a person staying in the facility. When the first face recognition device 21 determines that the face information matches, the authentication of the face of the person staying at the entrance of the facility is successful. Otherwise, the authentication of the face of the person staying at the entrance of the facility fails. The first face recognition device 21 includes, for example, a camera, an information processing device, etc. The information processing device may be installed in a cloud or on-premises environment.

[0016] The second face recognition device 22 is provided at a location in the facility that is away from the entrance of the facility. The location in the facility that is away from the entrance of the facility is not particularly limited, but for example, it is the private room of a resident of an apartment, a workspace, a clinic, a pool, a fitness area, a bathhouse that can be used while wearing a swimsuit, etc. The second face recognition device 22 authenticates the face of a person at that location. The second face recognition device 22 may have the same configuration as the first face recognition device 21.

[0017] The server 10 includes a stay time measurement unit 1 and a notification unit 2. The server 10 may include, for example, an arithmetic circuit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device having a program memory, a data memory, and other RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and a communication device. The server 10 acquires data and calculates various data by the arithmetic circuit according to the program stored in the storage device. The server 10 exchanges various data with an external system, etc. using the communication device.

[0018] The dwell time measurement unit 1 measures the first dwell time from the time the first facial recognition device 21 authenticates the dweller's face to the present time. When the second facial recognition device 22 authenticates the dwell time measurement unit 1, the dwell time measurement unit 1 resets the measurement of the first dwell time. Specifically, the dwell time measurement unit 1 temporarily stops measuring the first dwell time and starts measuring the second dwell time from the time the second facial recognition device authenticates the dweller to the present time.

[0019] Notification unit 2 sends an alert to the management system (not shown) when the first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time. This management system is used to manage the facilities described above. This management system may be widely used, for example, in services provided by facility management companies.

[0020] As described above, the configuration of the alert system 100 allows for the authentication of occupants at the facility entrance and at locations away from the facility entrance. Authenticating occupants at multiple locations within the facility suppresses the notification of unnecessary alerts. Therefore, unnecessary alert notifications can be suppressed.

[0021] <Embodiment 2> The alert system 200 will be explained using Figure 2.

[0022] The alert system 200 is a modified version of the alert system 100 shown in Figure 1. The alert system 200 has the same configuration as the alert system 100, except that it includes a third facial recognition device 23 and a server 11.

[0023] The third facial recognition device 23 is installed at the exit of the facility or outside the facility exit. The facility exit or outside the facility exit is, for example, the exit of a common facility in an apartment building, the entrance to a facility other than the common facility, or the entrance to a private unit. The entrance to the private unit may be, for example, the resident's own room in an apartment building. When the third facial recognition device 23 authenticates the resident's face, the stay time measurement unit 1 stops measuring the first stay time. The first stay time may be recorded in the personal information management database 6 as the time the resident used the facility.

[0024] Server 11 has the same configuration as Server 10, except that it includes a gender determination unit 3, a limit stay time setting unit 4, a facial recognition database 5, and a personal information management database 6.

[0025] The gender determination unit 3 determines the gender of a resident authenticated by the first facial recognition device 21 based on the resident's face authenticated by the first facial recognition device 21. The gender determination unit 3 can perform the above determination using, for example, an inference model that takes a captured image as input and outputs the gender of each person in the captured image. This inference model may be generated by machine learning.

[0026] The facial recognition database 5 records the faces of multiple individuals. The multiple individuals whose faces are recorded by the facial recognition database 5 may, for example, be people who are assumed to be residents. For example, if the facility where the alert system 100 is used is an apartment building, the multiple individuals whose faces are recorded by the facial recognition database 5 may be residents of that apartment building.

[0027] The personal information management database 6 records multiple pieces of personal information linked to multiple individuals recorded by the facial recognition database 5. Each piece of personal information includes usage history information showing the history of each individual's use of the facility. Usage history information includes, for example, the time of day and period of use when the individual used the facility.

[0028] The limit stay time setting unit 4 may set the limit stay time based on the gender of the resident determined by the gender determination unit 3. For example, if the gender determination unit 3 determines that the resident is female, the limit stay time setting unit 4 may extend the limit stay time. Conversely, if the gender determination unit 3 determines that the resident is male, the limit stay time setting unit 4 may shorten the limit stay time. Women tend to stay longer than men. The limit stay time setting unit 4 may set the limit stay time according to the gender of the resident.

[0029] The limit stay time setting unit 4 may set the limit stay time based on personal information associated with the person whose face is authenticated by the first facial recognition device 21. Specifically, the limit stay time setting unit 4 compares the face of the person authenticated by the first facial recognition device 21 with the faces of people recorded in the facial recognition database 5. The limit stay time setting unit 4 also extracts personal information associated with the person whose face is compared from the personal information management database 6. The limit stay time setting unit 4 sets the limit stay time based on the personal information extracted from the personal information management database 6. For example, the limit stay time setting unit 4 may set the limit stay time according to the gender of the person indicated by the personal information.

[0030] The limit stay time setting unit 4 may set the limit stay time based on the usage history information of personal information associated with the person whose face has been matched. For example, if the person whose face has been authenticated by the first facial recognition device 21 has used the facility for a longer period of time compared to other people, the limit stay time setting unit 4 may extend the limit stay time.

[0031] <Processing> Next, an example of the processing of the alert system 200 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0032] The dwell time measurement unit 1 starts measuring the first dwell time (step ST1). Specifically, the first facial recognition device 21 authenticates the face of a person at the entrance of the facility. The dwell time measurement unit 1 measures the first dwell time, from the time the first facial recognition device 21 authenticated the visitor's face to the present time.

[0033] Next, the second facial recognition device 22 and the third facial recognition device 23 attempt to authenticate the visitor's face until the visitor's stay time exceeds the limit (steps ST2 to ST4).

[0034] First, the second facial recognition device 22 determines whether or not it has authenticated the visitor's face (step ST2).

[0035] If the second facial recognition device 22 authenticates the visitor's face (step ST2: YES), the visitor time measurement unit 1 restarts measuring the first visitor time (step ST1).

[0036] On the other hand, if the second facial recognition device 22 does not recognize the visitor's face, but the third facial recognition device 23 does (step ST2: NO, ST3: YES), the alert system 200 completes its processing.

[0037] Furthermore, if the stay time exceeds the limit stay time without the second facial recognition device 22 and the third facial recognition device 23 authenticating the resident's face (step ST2: NO, ST3: NO, ST4: YES), the notification unit 2 notifies the management system of an alert (step ST5).

[0038] Therefore, it is possible to authenticate visitors at the facility entrance and at locations away from the entrance. Because visitors are authenticated at multiple locations within the facility, the notification unit 2 will not send an alert if the visitor does not require one. This suppresses the notification of unnecessary alerts.

[0039] Furthermore, the limit stay time setting unit 4 of the alert system 200 can change the limit stay time according to the visitor's gender, personal information, and usage history information. In other words, alerts can be sent at an appropriate time depending on the visitor.

[0040] <Other Embodiments> The alert system according to the above embodiment may have the following hardware configuration. Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration included in the alert system. As the processing procedures in the alert system have been described in the various embodiments described above, this disclosure can also take the form of a control method.

[0041] The alert system 110 shown in Figure 4 includes a processor 111 and a memory 112, along with an interface 113. Each configuration of the alert system 110 described in the above-described embodiment is realized by the processor 111 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 112. In other words, this program is a program that causes the processor 111 to function as the alert system 110 or as a part thereof.

[0042] The program described above, when loaded into a computer, includes a set of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. Examples, but not limited to, include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted over a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. Examples, but not limited to, include temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium that includes electrically, optically, acoustically, or otherwise propagating signals.

[0043] Furthermore, the program described above can be described as a control program that causes the alert system 110 to execute such a control method.

[0044] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0045] Each drawing is merely illustrative to illustrate one or more embodiments. Each drawing may be associated with one or more other embodiments rather than with only one specific embodiment. As those skilled in the art will understand, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings, for example, to create embodiments not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing to illustrate an exemplary embodiment are necessarily required, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps shown in any of the drawings may be changed as appropriate.

[0046] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: (Note 1) The first facial recognition device is installed at the entrance of the facility, A second facial recognition device is installed within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, A stay time measurement unit measures a first stay time from the time the first facial recognition device authenticated the person's face to the present time, The system includes a notification unit that notifies the management system of an alert when the first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, If the second facial recognition device authenticates the face of the person staying, the stay time measurement unit resets the measurement of the first stay time. Alert system. (Note 2) If the second facial recognition device authenticates the resident's face, the dwell time measurement unit temporarily stops measuring the first dwell time and starts measuring the second dwell time from the time the second facial recognition device authenticated the resident to the present time. The alert system described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The facility further comprises a third facial recognition device located at the exit of the facility or outside the exit of the facility. If the third facial recognition device authenticates the face of the person staying, the stay time measurement unit stops measuring the first stay time. The alert system described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) Gender determination unit, It further includes a limit stay time setting unit, The gender determination unit determines the gender of the resident authenticated by the first facial recognition device based on the resident's face authenticated by the first facial recognition device. The limit stay time setting unit sets the limit stay time based on the gender of the resident authenticated by the first facial recognition device as determined. The alert system described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 5) A facial recognition database that records the faces of multiple people, A personal information management database that records multiple pieces of personal information linked to each of the aforementioned individuals, It further includes a limit stay time setting unit, The limit stay time setting unit compares the face of the visitor authenticated by the first facial recognition device with the faces of the persons recorded in the facial recognition database, extracts personal information associated with the person whose face was compared, and sets the limit stay time based on the personal information associated with the person whose face was compared. The alert system described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 6) Each piece of personal information includes usage history information showing the history of each person's use of the aforementioned facilities. The aforementioned limit stay time setting unit sets the limit stay time based on the usage history information of personal information associated with the person whose face has been matched. The alert system described in Appendix 5. (Note 7) A stay time measurement unit measures the first stay time from the time the visitor's face was authenticated at the facility entrance to the present time, When the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, a notification unit notifies the management system of an alert, The stay time measurement unit resets the first stay time measurement when it authenticates the face of the visitor at a location within the facility that is away from the entrance of the facility. server. (Note 8) A method for controlling a server in an alert system, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. If the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, an alert is sent to the management system. If the face of the visitor is authenticated within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, the measurement of the first stay time is reset. Control method. (Note 9) The computer that functions as the server in the alert system, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. If the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, an alert is sent to the management system. If the face of the person staying at the facility is authenticated at a location away from the entrance of the facility, the first measurement of the time spent staying will be reset. Control program.

[0047] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configuration and function) described in Appendices 2 to 6 that are dependent on Appendice 1 may also be dependent on Appendices 7, 8, and 9 in the same way as those described in Appendices 2 to 6. Some or all of the elements described in any appendice may be applicable to various hardware, software, recording means, systems, and methods for recording software. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100, 200, 110 alert system Servers 10 and 11 1. Dwell time measurement unit 2 Notification section 3 Gender Determination Department 4. Limit stay time setting section 5. Facial Recognition Database 6. Personal Information Management Database 21. First facial recognition device 22. Second facial recognition device 23. The third facial recognition device 111 processors 112 memory 113 Interface

Claims

1. The first facial recognition device installed at the entrance of the facility, A second facial recognition device is installed within the aforementioned facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, A stay time measurement unit measures a first stay time from the time the first facial recognition device authenticated the visitor's face to the present time, When the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, a notification unit notifies the management system of an alert, A facial recognition database that records the faces of multiple people, A personal information management database that records multiple pieces of personal information linked to each of the aforementioned individuals, It includes a limit stay time setting unit, If the second facial recognition device authenticates the face of the person staying, the stay time measurement unit resets the measurement of the first stay time. The limit stay time setting unit compares the face of the visitor authenticated by the first facial recognition device with the faces of the persons recorded in the facial recognition database, extracts personal information associated with the person whose face was compared, and sets the limit stay time based on the personal information associated with the person whose face was compared. Alert system.

2. When the second facial recognition device authenticates the resident's face, the dwell time measurement unit resets the measurement of the first dwell time and starts measuring the first dwell time from the time the second facial recognition device authenticated the resident to the present time. The alert system according to claim 1.

3. The facility further comprises a third facial recognition device located at the exit of the facility or outside the exit of the facility. If the third facial recognition device authenticates the face of the person staying, the stay time measurement unit stops measuring the first stay time. The alert system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. It also includes a gender determination unit, The gender determination unit determines the gender of the resident authenticated by the first facial recognition device based on the resident's face authenticated by the first facial recognition device. The limit stay time setting unit sets the limit stay time based on the gender of the resident authenticated by the first facial recognition device as determined. The alert system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Each piece of personal information includes usage history information showing the history of each person's use of the aforementioned facilities. The aforementioned limit stay time setting unit sets the limit stay time based on the usage history information of personal information associated with the person whose face has been matched. The alert system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A stay time measurement unit measures the first stay time from the time the visitor's face was authenticated at the facility entrance to the present time, When the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, a notification unit notifies the management system of an alert, A facial recognition database that records the faces of multiple people, A personal information management database that records multiple pieces of personal information linked to each of the aforementioned individuals, It includes a limit stay time setting unit, If the stay time measurement unit authenticates the face of the visitor at a location within the facility away from the entrance of the facility, it resets the first stay time measurement. The limit stay time setting unit compares the face of the visitor authenticated at the entrance of the facility with the face of the person recorded in the face recognition database, extracts personal information associated with the person whose face was compared, and sets the limit stay time based on the personal information associated with the person whose face was compared. server.

7. A method for controlling a server in an alert system, Record the faces of multiple people, Record multiple pieces of personal information associated with each of the aforementioned individuals, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. If the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, an alert is sent to the management system. If the face of the visitor is authenticated within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, the measurement of the first stay time is reset. The facility's entrance authenticates the visitor's face, which is then compared with the recorded person's face. Personal information associated with the matched face is extracted, and the maximum stay time is set based on the personal information associated with the matched face. Control method.

8. The computer that functions as the server in the alert system, Record the faces of multiple people, Record multiple pieces of personal information associated with each of the aforementioned individuals, The first period of stay is measured from the time the visitor's face is authenticated at the facility entrance until the present time. If the aforementioned first stay time exceeds a predetermined limit stay time, an alert is sent to the management system. If the face of the visitor is authenticated within the facility at a location away from the entrance of the facility, the measurement of the first stay time is reset. The facility's entrance authenticates the visitor's face, which is then compared with the recorded person's face. Personal information associated with the matched face is extracted, and the maximum stay time is set based on the personal information associated with the matched face. To do, to make something happen. Control program.

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