Remote signature system

Abstract

This remote signature system comprises a first system and a second system. The first system includes an input device into which a signatory inputs a signature, a first control device that transmits signature information indicating the signature to the second system, and an imaging device that is capable of capturing a video of the signatory. The second system includes: a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device; a plot device that outputs the signature to a drawing member on the basis of the signature information; a recipient-side notification device that is capable of notifying a recipient, on the basis of signature completion information indicating that the output of the signature by the plot device has been completed, that outputting of the signature by the plot device has been completed; and a video output unit. The first control device generates a processed video that includes signatory motion information based on signatory video information that is captured by the imaging device. The second control device causes the video output unit to display the processed video acquired from the first control device. The processed video includes a video in which a character that is different in appearance from the signatory reproduces the motion of the signatory.

Description

Remote Signage System

[0001] This disclosure relates to a remote signage system. This application claims priority under Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-010746, filed in Japan on January 24, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Conventionally, there are plotting devices that automatically draw arbitrary strings of characters or shapes on paper by moving a writing instrument such as a pen across the paper. Plotting devices that use a pen are also called pen plotters. Plotting devices draw on a drawing surface such as paper based on input information from an external source. By inputting sign information, such as a string of characters like a signature, to an input device located away from the plotting device, and transmitting the sign information input to the input device to the plotting device, a remote sign system can be realized that outputs a sign to a plotting device located away from the sign input location.

[0003] As a method for realizing remote signature output, for example, there is a method for enabling remote-based signing / dedication described in Patent Document 1. The method for enabling signing / dedication described in Patent Document 1 prepares a first computer at a first position related to an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required, prepares a second computer at a position where a signature or dedication is required, and links the first computer and the second computer so as to provide a two-way audio-visual communication system. In the second computer, an input regarding a request for a signature and / or dedication from one or more individuals is received, the request is communicated to the first computer, the individual related to the first computer considers the request, and based on such a request, a signature and / or personalized dedication is provided as an input to an input device connected to the first computer, the signature and / or personalized dedication is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer, in the second computer, the signature and / or personalized dedication is received, and the signature and / or personalized dedication is provided to a plotting device connected to the second computer, and based on the operation of the plotting device, a signature and / or personalized dedication that is substantially the handwriting of the individual related to the first computer introduced into the plotting device is applied.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-522256

[0005] However, in a remote signing system that uses an input device and a plotting device located far apart from each other, such as the method for enabling remote-based signing / dedication described in Patent Document 1, if the recipient waiting for the completion of signature output on the plotting device side does not know the content of the signature to be output, they may not know when the signature output by the plotting device is complete, and therefore may not know when to take out the signed paper or other item from the plotting device. This may reduce the convenience of handing over signatures using a remote signing system.

[0006] In light of the above circumstances, this disclosure aims to provide a remote sign-in system with improved convenience.

[0007] A remote signature system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a remote signature system that causes a recipient-side plotting device to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person who enters a signature, and comprises a first system located on the person who enters the signature and a second system located on the recipient-side, wherein the first system includes an input device for the person who enters a signature, a first control device that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmits the signature information to the second system, and a shooting device capable of capturing an image of the person who enters the signature, and the second system includes a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device, and based on the signature information acquired by the second control device The system includes a plotting device that outputs a signature to a drawing member, a control unit that acquires signature completion information indicating that the output of the signature by the plotting device is complete, a recipient-side notification device that can notify the recipient that the output of the signature by the plotting device is complete based on the signature completion information, and a video output unit. The first control unit generates a processed video including information about the person's actions based on the person's video information captured by the shooting device, and the second control unit controls the video output unit to display the processed video acquired from the first control unit on the video output unit. The processed video includes a video in which a character different from the person's appearance reproduces the person's actions.

[0008] A remote signature system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a remote signature system that causes a plotting device on the recipient side to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person who enters a signature, and comprises a first system located on the person who enters the signature and a second system located on the recipient side, wherein the first system includes an input device for the person who enters a signature and a first control device that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmits the signature information to the second system, and the second system includes a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device, a plotting device that outputs a signature to a drawing member based on the signature information acquired by the second control device, a control unit that acquires signature completion information indicating that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature, and a recipient-side notification device that can notify the recipient that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature based on the signature completion information, wherein the recipient-side notification device is movable in position of the drawing member and notifies the recipient that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature by moving the position of the drawing member relative to the recipient based on the signature completion information acquired by the control unit.

[0009] A remote signature system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a remote signature system that causes a plotting device on the receiving side to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person who signs, and comprises a first system located on the person who signs and a second system located on the receiving side, wherein the first system includes an input device in which the person who signs enter the signature, a first control device that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmits the signature information to the second system, and a person-side notification device that can notify the person who signs of predetermined information, wherein the second system includes a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device, and a plotting device that outputs a signature to a drawing member based on the signature information acquired by the second control device, and the person-side notification device notifies the person who signs that the output of the signature by the plotting device has been completed.

[0010] The remote signature system described herein can provide a remote signature system with improved convenience.

[0011] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote sign system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is an exploded perspective view showing a plotting device included in the remote sign system. This is a cross-sectional view showing the plotting device. This is a cross-sectional view showing the plotting device. This is a plan view showing the plotting device. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a notification method in the remote sign system. This is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote sign system according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote sign system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote sign system according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0012] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a remote sign system 1000 according to the first embodiment.

[0013] [Remote Signature System 1000] The remote signature system 1000 comprises a first system 100 provided on the side of the person filling out the signature P1 and a second system 200 provided on the side of the recipient P2. The remote signature system 1000 is a remote signature system that allows a recipient P2, located at a distance from the person filling out the signature P1, to receive the signature written by the person filling out the signature P1.

[0014] In this embodiment, the first system 100 and the second system 200 are located at separate locations from each other. For example, the first system 100 and the second system 200 are located in different rooms within the same building, or in different buildings. Therefore, the person filling out the form P1 and the person receiving it P2 cannot see each other.

[0015] [First System 100] The first system 100 comprises an input device 110, a sound collection device 120, a shooting device 130, and a first control device 140. Person P1 is located in a space such as a room where the first system 100 is installed.

[0016] [Input device 110] The input device 110 is a device for the person filling out the form P1 to input their signature, and is, for example, a pen tablet. The input device 110 may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet with a touch panel, or it may be a keyboard or mouse. The input device 110 is placed in the vicinity of the person filling out the form P1 in the first system 100.

[0017] The signature entered into the input device 110 by the person filling out the form P1 includes any string of characters, figures, etc. In this embodiment, the signature entered into the input device 110 is mainly entered by the handwriting of the person filling out the form P1.

[0018] [Sound Receiving Device 120] The sound receiving device 120 is a microphone that captures sounds such as voices emitted by the person filling out the form P1. In the first system 100, the sound receiving device 120 is positioned close enough to the person filling out the form P1 to capture their voice.

[0019] [Photography device 130] The photography device 130 is a device such as a camera that can capture images of the person filling out the form P1. In this embodiment, the photography device 130 captures a video of an area that includes at least a part of the person filling out the form P1.

[0020] [First Control Device 140] The first control device 140 is a control device that controls part or all of the first system 100. The first control device 140 is connected to the input device 110, the sound collection device 120, and the imaging device 130 by wire or wireless. The first system 100 is also connected to the second system 200 via the first control device 140 so as to be able to communicate. The first control device 140 comprises an acquisition unit 141, a transmitting / receiving unit 142, and a generation unit 143.

[0021] The first control device 140 is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and a storage unit. Each function of the first control device 140 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in the program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0022] The acquisition unit 141 acquires the signature information entered into the input device 110 from the input device 110. In this embodiment, the signature information entered into the input device 110 is information necessary to reproduce the signature entered by the person who entered it into the input device 110, and includes, for example, the shape and intensity of the signature entered by the person who entered it into the input device 110.

[0023] The acquisition unit 141 acquires the voice information of the person filling out the form, which has been picked up by the sound pickup device 120, from the sound pickup device 120. In this embodiment, the voice information of the person filling out the form, which has been picked up by the sound pickup device 120, is information necessary to reproduce the voice of the person filling out the form, which has been picked up by the sound pickup device 120, and includes, for example, sound information of the voice of the person filling out the form, which has been recorded.

[0024] The acquisition unit 141 acquires the person writing the information captured by the camera 130 from the camera 130. In this embodiment, the person writing the information captured by the camera 130 includes video information of an area that includes at least a part of the person writing the information P1.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving unit 142 is connected to the second system 200 in a communicative manner and transmits various signals to the second system 200 and receives various signals from the second system 200. The transmitting / receiving unit 142 transmits the above-mentioned sign information to the second system 200.

[0026] The generation unit 143 acquires the above-mentioned writer voice information and writer video information from the acquisition unit 141. The generation unit 143 generates a processed video that includes writer action information based on the writer video information. In this embodiment, the writer action information based on the writer video information includes information indicating the actions of writer P1 in the video captured by the shooting device 130.

[0027] Furthermore, the processed video containing information on the person filling out the form is video information that reproduces the actions of the person filling out the form P1. The processed video generated by the generation unit 143 is, for example, a video that includes footage in which a character (avatar) different from the appearance of the person filling out the form P1 reproduces the actions of the person filling out the form P1. The first control device 140 applies predetermined processing to the video of the person filling out the form P1 captured by the shooting device 130 and generates a video (processed video) that includes an arbitrary character that reproduces the actions of the person filling out the form P1. The character generated on the processed video is, for example, a virtual idol.

[0028] The generation unit 143 generates processed audio by applying predetermined conversion processing to the writer's voice information. The predetermined conversion processing that the generation unit 143 applies to the writer's voice information includes, for example, processing to change the pitch (height) of the voice, or processing to convert it into another voice by synthesizing sounds or voices that have been stored in advance.

[0029] The generation unit 143 may also generate processed speech by using a machine learning-trained model. In this case, the trained model of the generation unit 143 takes, for example, the voice information of the person writing the entry obtained from the acquisition unit 141 as input and outputs processed speech in which the speech of the person writing the entry P1 has been converted into the voice of an arbitrary person other than the person writing the entry P1.

[0030] The generation unit 143 transmits the generated processed video and processed audio to the transmission / reception unit 142. The transmission / reception unit 142 transmits the processed video and processed audio received from the generation unit 143 to the second system 200.

[0031] [Second System 200] The second system 200 comprises a plotting device 210, a second control device 220, and an output device 230. The recipient P2 is located in a space such as a room where the second system 200 is installed.

[0032] [Plotting device 210] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the plotting device 210. Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing the plotting device 210. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the plotting device 210.

[0033] The plotting device 210 comprises a control unit 211, a base unit 212, a drive unit 213, a plot structure unit 214, a receiver-side notification device 240, and a detection unit 215. The plotting device 210 is a pen plotter capable of drawing predetermined lines on a drawing member PA using a drawing tool PE.

[0034] The drawing surface PA is, for example, a sheet of paper on which the plotting device 210 draws a predetermined line. The drawing surface PA only needs to be made of a material on which the plotting device 210 can draw a predetermined line, and may be made of paper, a resin film, a cloth, a wooden board, or a metal plate, etc.

[0035] The drawing instrument PE is, for example, a known pen such as a ballpoint pen, ink pen, felt-tip pen, or pencil, and is a writing instrument capable of drawing dots or lines on the drawing object PA by bringing its tip (pen tip) T into contact with the drawing object PA. The drawing instrument PE only needs to be capable of drawing predetermined dots, lines, etc., on the drawing object PA, and may also be a brush or chalk.

[0036] In the following explanation, as shown in Figure 2, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined as being in the horizontal left-right direction (X-axis direction), the Y-axis as being in the horizontal front-back direction (Y-axis direction), and the Z-axis as being in the vertical up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0037] [Control Unit 211] The control unit 211 is composed of a computer such as a microcontroller and controls part or all of the plotting device 210. Specifically, the control unit 211 controls the plotting device 210 based on sign information received from the first system 100.

[0038] [Base portion 212] The base portion 212 is a base on which the drawing member PA can be placed on its upper surface 212a. In this embodiment, the base portion 212 is a plate-shaped member extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction). The upper surface 212a of the base portion 212 is the surface of the base portion 212 that faces upward in the Z-axis direction.

[0039] [Drive Unit 213] The drive unit 213 comprises a movable part 10 and a transport unit 20. The movable part 10 comprises a first movable part 11 and a second movable part 12.

[0040] The first movable part 11 is a moving mechanism that allows the transport unit 20 to move in the Y-axis direction. The second movable part 12 is a moving mechanism that allows the first movable part 11 and the transport unit 20 to move in the X-axis direction. The movable part 10 allows the transport unit 20 to move in the horizontal direction.

[0041] The movable part 10 only needs to be able to move the transport part 20 in the horizontal direction. The transport part 20 may be made movable using a roller part that rotates with an electric motor and a rail part that guides the roller part, or it may be made movable using a linear motion mechanism with an electric motor and a ball screw.

[0042] Furthermore, the movable part 10 may be configured to move the transport unit 20 using a rack and pinion mechanism, or it may be configured to move the transport unit 20 using a multi-joint robot arm.

[0043] The movable part 10 is connected to the control part 211 by wired communication or wireless communication and is controlled by the control part 211. The movable part 10 moves the carrier part 20 in a predetermined direction based on a control signal from the control part 211.

[0044] The carrier part 20 includes a carrier main body part 21, an electromagnet 22, and a first positioning part 23. The carrier main body part 21 is the base part of the carrier part 20 and is connected to the first movable part 11. The upper surface 21a of the carrier main body part 21 is disposed to face the lower surface 212b of the table part 212 in the Z-axis direction.

[0045] The upper surface 21a of the carrier main body part 21 is a surface facing upward in the Z-axis direction in the carrier main body part 21. The lower surface 212b of the table part 212 is a surface facing downward in the Z-axis direction in the table part 212.

[0046] The electromagnet 22 is, for example, a known electromagnet having an iron core and a coil (not shown). The electromagnet 22 is provided on the carrier main body part 21. The electromagnet 22 is provided so as to protrude, for example, from the upper surface 21a of the carrier main body part 21.

[0047] Here, the carrier part 20 is provided near the table part 212. When a current is supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 22, magnetic poles are generated on the side provided near the table part 212 and the side provided away from the table part 212 of the electromagnet 22.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the carrier part 20 is provided below the table part 212 in the Z-axis direction. That is, when a current is supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 22, the electromagnet 22 has magnetic poles at the upper and lower ends in the Z-axis direction.

[0049] The carrier part 20 is connected to the control part 211 by wired communication or wireless communication and is controlled by the control part 211. The control part 211 controls the start or stop of the supply of current to the coil of the electromagnet 22 and the direction of the current to be supplied.

[0050] Note that the control part 211 may control a power supply device provided outside the control part 211 and control the current supplied from the power supply device to the electromagnet 22.

[0051] The first positioning unit 23 is, for example, a magnet (for example, a neodymium magnet) provided on the transport body unit 21. In this embodiment, the transport body unit 21 is provided with three first positioning units 23, but the number of first positioning units 23 provided on the transport unit 20 may be less than three or four or more.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first positioning unit 23 is provided exposed from the upper surface 21a of the transport body 21. Also, in the horizontal direction, the size of the first positioning unit 23 is smaller than the size of the electromagnet 22.

[0053] In the horizontal direction, the base portion 212 has a larger area than the transport portion 20. The transport portion 20 is movable horizontally relative to the base portion 212 by the movable portion 10 in the space below the base portion 212.

[0054] [Plot structure 214] The plot structure 214 comprises a support portion 40 and a drawing portion 50. The support portion 40 is placed on the upper surface of the drawing member PA. The support portion 40 comprises a support body portion 41, a support opening 42, and a second positioning portion 43.

[0055] The support body portion 41 is the base portion of the support portion 40 and is, for example, a cylindrical member having a central axis extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0056] The support opening 42 is an opening that penetrates the support body 41 in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the support opening 42 has a first support opening 42a and a second support opening 42b. The first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b penetrate from the upper surface 41a to the lower surface 41b of the support body 41 and communicate with each other in the horizontal direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first support opening 42a is located in the center of the support body 41 in the horizontal direction. The inner diameter of the first support opening 42a and the inner diameter of the second support opening 42b may be equal or different from each other.

[0058] The first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b are circular openings that overlap each other in a plan view from the Z-axis direction, and a constricted shape is formed at the boundary between the first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b, protruding inward from the opening.

[0059] The second positioning portion 43 is, for example, a magnet (for example, a neodymium magnet) provided on the support body portion 41. In this embodiment, the support body portion 41 is provided with three second positioning portions 43, but the number of second positioning portions 43 provided on the support portion 40 may be less than three or four or more.

[0060] Preferably, the number of first positioning units 23 provided in the transport unit 20 and the number of second positioning units 43 provided in the support unit 40 are equal. In this embodiment, the second positioning units 43 are provided exposed from the lower surface 41b of the support body unit 41.

[0061] The drawing unit 50 includes a lifting magnet 51 and a fixing unit 52. The lifting magnet 51 is a magnet that is attracted to or repelled by the electromagnet 22 by magnetic force. The lifting magnet 51 is sized to fit through the second support opening 42b. The lifting magnet 51 is, for example, a cylindrical magnet with a central axis extending in the Z-axis direction and an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second support opening 42b.

[0062] The fixing part 52 is connected to the lifting magnet 51 and is a member that connects the lifting magnet 51 and the drawing tool PE. The fixing part 52 is, for example, an annular member that follows the outer surface of the drawing tool PE. The drawing tool PE is fixed to the fixing part 52 by inserting it into the internal space of the annular fixing part 52, and the drawing tool PE and the lifting magnet 51 can be connected by the fixing part 52.

[0063] The drawing section 50 is preferably configured to allow the drawing tool PE to be attached and detached. The drawing section 50 is also detachably inserted into the support opening 42. When the drawing section 50 is inserted into the support opening 42, the drawing tool PE and the fixing section 52 are positioned inside the first support opening 42a, and the lifting magnet 51 is positioned inside the second support opening 42b.

[0064] The first support opening 42a has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the drawing tool PE, for example. By setting the inner diameters of the first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b to appropriate dimensions that match the shapes of the drawing section 50 and the drawing tool PE, the inner surface of the support opening 42 can adequately support the drawing section 50 and the drawing tool PE, and tilting of the drawing section 50 and the drawing tool PE inserted through the support opening 42 can be suppressed.

[0065] The plotting operation of the plotting device 210 will now be described. When the plotting device 210 is operated, the drawing member PA is placed on the upper surface 212a of the base portion 212. The support portion 40 is also placed on the upper surface of the drawing member PA. At this time, the lower surface 41b of the support body portion 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the drawing member PA in the Z-axis direction.

[0066] Furthermore, when the plotting device 210 is operated, the drawing unit 50 is inserted through the support opening 42, and at least a portion of the drawing unit 50 is positioned inside the support opening 42. The drawing unit 50 is provided to be able to move back and forth in the Z-axis direction inside the support opening 42. The drawing tool PE is positioned so that its tip T faces the drawing member PA in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transport unit 20 and the support unit 40 are positioned in the Z-axis direction, sandwiching the base unit 212 and the drawing member PA. In this configuration, the support unit 40 is positioned such that the second positioning unit 43 corresponds to the first positioning unit 23, and the support opening 42 corresponds to the electromagnet 22.

[0068] Specifically, the support portion 40 is arranged such that, in the horizontal direction, the second positioning portion 43 overlaps with at least a part of the first positioning portion 23, and the support opening 42 overlaps with at least a part of the electromagnet 22.

[0069] The drawing section 50, positioned within the support opening 42, is arranged such that the lifting magnet 51 overlaps with at least a portion of the electromagnet 22 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the drawing tool PE and the fixing section 52 do not necessarily overlap with the electromagnet 22 in the horizontal direction.

[0070] The first positioning section 23 and the second positioning section 43 are magnets arranged to attract each other in the Z-axis direction, sandwiching the base section 212 by magnetic force. By positioning the support section 40 of the second positioning section 43 at a position corresponding to the first positioning section 23, the first positioning section 23 and the second positioning section 43 are attracted to each other by magnetic force.

[0071] An attractive force acts between the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43, fixing the position of the second positioning unit 43 relative to the first positioning unit 23, and fixing the position of the support unit 40 relative to the transport unit 20.

[0072] The drawing unit 50 is positioned inside the support opening 42 and is supported horizontally by the inner surface of the support opening 42. Therefore, the horizontal position of the support unit 40 and the drawing unit 50 relative to the transport unit 20 is determined by positioning the support unit 40 using the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43.

[0073] In the Z-axis direction, the transport unit 20 only needs to be positioned in a location that can generate an attractive force between the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43, and the upper surface 21a of the transport body 21 may or may not be in contact with the lower surface 212b of the base unit 212.

[0074] After positioning the support unit 40 and the drawing unit 50 at predetermined locations on the upper surface of the drawing member PA, the control unit 211 controls the current supplied to the electromagnet 22. At this time, the control unit 211 controls at least the direction in which the current flows through the coil of the electromagnet 22. The control unit 211 may also control the current value and voltage of the current supplied to the electromagnet 22.

[0075] The lifting magnet 51 is positioned inside the support opening 42 such that magnetic poles are generated on the side closer to the base 212 (lower end side) and on the side further away from the base 212 (upper end side). In other words, the lifting magnet 51 is positioned inside the support opening 42 such that one of the lower end side and the upper end side is the positive pole (N pole) and the other is the negative pole (S pole).

[0076] Furthermore, when current is supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 22, magnetic poles are generated on the side of the electromagnet 22 that is located near the base portion 212 (upper end side) and on the side that is located away from the base portion 212 (lower end side). In other words, when current is supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 22, one of the lower end side and the upper end side is arranged to be a positive pole (N pole) and the other to be a negative pole (S pole).

[0077] In the following explanation, of the directions in which current flows through the coil of the electromagnet 22, the direction in which the magnetic pole at the upper end of the electromagnet 22 is different from the magnetic pole at the lower end of the lifting magnet 51 will be referred to as the "first flow direction," and the direction in which the magnetic pole at the upper end of the electromagnet 22 is the same as the magnetic pole at the lower end of the lifting magnet 51 will be referred to as the "second flow direction."

[0078] In the plotting device 210, the lifting magnet 51 is attracted to the electromagnet 22 when current flows in the first direction, and repelled from the electromagnet 22 when current flows in the second direction.

[0079] The control unit 211 can switch the direction of current flow supplied to the electromagnet 22 between a first flow direction and a second flow direction. The plotting device 210 shown in Figure 3 is in a state where the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 are attracted to each other by magnetic force (attraction state).

[0080] In the plotting device 210 in the adsorption state, an attractive force acts between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51. That is, a force acts on the lifting magnet 51 in the direction that brings it closer to the electromagnet 22. At this time, the control unit 211 causes the magnetic pole on the upper end of the electromagnet 22 to be different from the magnetic pole on the lower end of the lifting magnet 51 by passing an electric current in the first flow direction through the electromagnet 22.

[0081] As the magnetic pole at the upper end of the electromagnet 22 becomes different from the magnetic pole at the lower end of the lifting magnet 51, the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 attract each other, and the plotting device 210 enters the attracted state shown in Figure 3.

[0082] When the plotting device 210 is in the suction state, the drawing tool PE, which is connected to the lifting magnet 51 by the fixing part 52, is pulled towards the electromagnet 22 side (downward) together with the lifting magnet 51 inside the support opening 42. At this time, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is in contact with the upper surface of the drawing member PA.

[0083] The plotting device 210 shown in Figure 4 is in a state where the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 are repelling each other by magnetic force (repulsive state). In the plotting device 210 in the repulsive state, a repulsive force acts between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51. That is, a force acts on the lifting magnet 51 in the direction away from the electromagnet 22.

[0084] At this time, the control unit 211 applies current to the electromagnet 22 in the second flow direction, thereby making the magnetic pole on the upper end of the electromagnet 22 the same as the magnetic pole on the lower end of the lifting magnet 51. As the magnetic pole on the upper end of the electromagnet 22 becomes the same as the magnetic pole on the lower end of the lifting magnet 51, the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 repel each other, and the plotting device 210 enters the repulsive state shown in Figure 4.

[0085] When the plotting device 210 is in a repulsive state, the drawing tool PE, which is connected to the lifting magnet 51 by the fixing part 52, moves together with the lifting magnet 51 towards the electromagnet 22 (upward) inside the support opening 42.

[0086] When the lifting magnet 51 is repelling the electromagnet 22, for example, when the gravitational force acting on the drawing unit 50 and the repulsive force acting on the lifting magnet 51 are balanced, the drawing unit 50 will be stationary in the Z-axis direction. When the gravitational force and repulsive force are balanced and the drawing unit 50 is stationary, as shown in Figure 4, the drawing unit 50 will be stationary with at least a part of it positioned inside the support opening 42.

[0087] At this time, the drawing unit 50 is positioned inside the support opening 42 to such an extent that it can be supported by the support unit 40, and the tip T of the drawing tool PE is stationary at an upward distance from the member PA to be drawn. For example, the tip T of the drawing tool PE should be slightly separated from the member PA to be drawn.

[0088] In the repulsive plotting device 210, the drawing unit 50 only needs to be positioned such that the tip T of the drawing tool PE is spaced apart from the drawing member PA in the Z-axis direction, and does not need to be strictly stationary.

[0089] In this manner, the drawing unit 50 moves back and forth in the Z-axis direction within the support opening 42 due to the attraction or repulsion between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51.

[0090] The plotting device 210 illustrated in Figure 5 draws a line L on the upper surface of the drawing member PA based on sign information acquired from the first system 100. The line L illustrated in Figure 5 includes a first line L1 drawn along a predetermined path from a first starting point L1a to a first ending point L1b, and a second line L2 drawn along a predetermined path from a second starting point L2a to a second ending point L2b.

[0091] The control unit 211 controls the plotting device 210 based on sign information that includes data such as the coordinates of the first starting point L1a, the first ending point L1b, the second starting point L2a, and the second ending point L2b, the path from the first starting point L1a to the first ending point L1b, and the path from the second starting point L2a to the second ending point L2b.

[0092] The following describes the operation in which the plotting device 210 draws a line L on the upper surface of the drawing member PA. First, the control unit 211 flows current through the electromagnet 22 in the second flow direction described above, causing the plotting device 210 to be in the repulsive state described above.

[0093] The control unit 211 controls the movable part 10 so that the tip T of the drawing tool PE is positioned above the first starting point L1a in the repulsive plotting device 210. Specifically, the control unit 211 controls the first movable part 11 and the second movable part 12 to move the transport unit 20 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0094] At this time, the first positioning section 23 of the transport section 20 and the second positioning section 43 of the support section 40 are in a state where they are attracted to each other by magnetic force, with the base section 212 and the drawing member PA sandwiched in the Z-axis direction.

[0095] Therefore, the control unit 211 can move the transport unit 20, thereby causing the support unit 40, which is placed on the upper surface of the drawing member PA, to follow the transport unit 20. In addition, the control unit 211 can move the drawing unit 50, which is located inside the support opening 42 of the support unit 40, together with the support unit 40 by moving the support unit 40.

[0096] When the plotting device 210 is in a repulsive state, the tip T of the drawing unit 50 is positioned inside the support opening 42, spaced apart from the drawing member PA. Therefore, when the control unit 211 moves the tip T of the drawing tool PE to the first starting point L1a, no line is drawn on the drawing member PA by the drawing tool PE.

[0097] Next, the control unit 211 places the plotting device 210 into the aforementioned adsorption state with the tip T of the drawing tool PE positioned above the first starting point L1a. Specifically, the control unit 211 applies current to the electromagnet 22 in the first flow direction described above, causing the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 to attract each other by magnetic force, thereby bringing the tip T of the drawing tool PE into contact with the first starting point L1a on the upper surface of the drawing member PA.

[0098] Next, the control unit 211 maintains the plotting device 210 in a suction state and moves the transport unit 20 by the movable unit 10 so that the tip T of the drawing tool PE moves from the first starting point L1a to the first ending point L1b, based on the path data from the first starting point L1a to the first ending point L1b. At this time, since the tip T of the drawing tool PE is in contact with the upper surface of the drawing member PA, the first line L1 from the first starting point L1a to the first ending point L1b is drawn on the drawing member PA by the drawing tool PE.

[0099] When the tip T of the drawing tool PE reaches the first endpoint L1b, the control unit 211 flows current in the second flow direction to the electromagnet 22, causing the plotting device 210 to repel. While maintaining the plotting device 210 in a repelling state, the control unit 211 moves the transport unit 20 by the movable unit 10 so that the tip T of the drawing tool PE moves from the first endpoint L1b to the second starting point L2a.

[0100] In the path from the first endpoint L1b to the second starting point L2a, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is separated from the drawing object PA, so no line is drawn on the drawing object PA. When the tip T of the drawing tool PE reaches the second starting point L2a, the control unit 211 flows current in the first flow direction to the electromagnet 22, putting the plotting device 210 into an attracted state.

[0101] The control unit 211 puts the plotting device 210 into an adsorption state, and with the tip T of the drawing tool PE, draws a second line L2 on the drawing member PA from a second start point L2a to a second end point L2b, thereby completing the drawing of line L on the drawing member PA.

[0102] In this embodiment, the plotting device 210 can draw (plot) a predetermined line on the drawing member PA by switching the direction of the current flowing through the electromagnet 22 to switch the plotting device 210 between an attractive state and a repulsive state, and by controlling the movable part 10 to move the transport part 20, the support part 40 and the drawing part 50. Note that the plotting device 210 is not limited to the above configuration and only needs to be able to output a sign based on sign information acquired from an external source.

[0103] [Recipient-side notification device 240] As shown in Figure 2, the recipient-side notification device 240 includes a first notification unit 241, a second notification unit 242, and a third notification unit 243.

[0104] The first notification unit 241 is a movable mechanism connected to the base unit 212, which allows the base unit 212 to move in the X-axis direction. The second notification unit 242 is a movable mechanism which allows the first notification unit 241 and the base unit 212 to move in the Y-axis direction. The third notification unit 243 is a movable mechanism which allows the first notification unit 241, the second notification unit 242, and the base unit 212 to move in the Z-axis direction.

[0105] The recipient-side notification device 240 only needs to have a movable base 212. The base 212 may be made movable using a roller section rotated by an electric motor and a rail section that guides the roller section, or it may be made movable using a linear motion mechanism with an electric motor and a ball screw.

[0106] Furthermore, the recipient-side notification device 240 may be configured to move the base portion 212 using a rack and pinion mechanism, or it may be configured to move the base portion 212 using a multi-joint robot arm.

[0107] [Detection Unit 215] The detection unit 215 can detect when the plotting device 210 has completed outputting a sign based on the sign information. The detection unit 215 may detect when the sign output has been completed by detecting the position of the transport unit 20, or by detecting when the rotation angle of the electric motor of the movable unit 10 has been completed, or by detecting when the control unit 211 has completed sending control signals to the movable unit 10 and the transport unit 20. In addition, for example, when timely transmission and reception of sign information (writing information) in stream format is performed between the first system 100 and the second system 200, the detection unit 215 may determine when the sign output has been completed by detecting when the transmission of control signals to the plotting device 210 has been interrupted for a certain period of time. The control unit 211 obtains sign completion information from the detection unit 215, indicating that the plotting device 210 has completed outputting a sign.

[0108] [Second Control Device 220] The second control device 220 is a control device that controls part or all of the second system 200. The second control device 220 is connected to the plotting device 210 and the output device 230 by wire or wireless. The second system 200 is also connected to the first system 100 via the second control device 220 so as to be communicative. The second control device 220 comprises a transmitting / receiving unit 221 and an output control unit 222.

[0109] The second control unit 220 is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and a storage unit. Each function of the second control unit 220 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0110] The transmitting / receiving unit 221 is connected to the first system 100 in a communicative manner and transmits various signals to the first system 100 and receives various signals from the first system 100. Specifically, the transmitting / receiving unit 221 acquires from the transmitting / receiving unit 142 of the first control device 140 sign information indicating a sign input to the input device 110, and processed video and processed audio generated by the generation unit 143.

[0111] If the generation unit 143 does not generate processed audio, and the acquisition unit 141 transmits the filler's voice information to the transmission / reception unit 142, the transmission / reception unit 221 of the second control device 220 acquires the signature information, processed video, and filler's video information from the transmission / reception unit 142 of the first control device 140.

[0112] The output control unit 222 transmits the sign information acquired by the transmitting / receiving unit 221 to the plotting device 210, and transmits the processed video and processed audio acquired by the transmitting / receiving unit 221 to the output device 230.

[0113] [Output device 230] The output device 230 comprises a video output unit 231 and an audio output unit 232. The video output unit 231 is a display device capable of displaying image information (images, videos, etc.) received from the second control device 220. The audio output unit 232 is a speaker capable of outputting sound information (sounds, voices, etc.) acquired from the second control device 220. The output device 230 only needs to be capable of outputting image information and sound information, and may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0114] [Notification Method] Next, the notification method in the remote sign system 1000 will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the notification method in the remote sign system 1000. The notification method in the remote sign system 1000 described below is a method in which the plotting device 210 outputs a sign based on the sign information indicating a sign input to the input device 110, and the recipient P2 is notified that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210 has been completed.

[0115] (Step S1) The remote signature system 1000 first performs step S1 (various information acquisition process). In step S1, the input device 110 acquires signature information indicating the signature entered by the person who filled it out P1.

[0116] In step S1, the sound-collecting device 120 collects the voice emitted by the person filling out the form P1 and acquires voice information indicating the voice emitted by the person filling out the form P1. The imaging device 130 also photographs the person filling out the form P1 and acquires image information indicating the image of the person filling out the form P1. The first control device 140 acquires signature information from the input device 110, voice information from the sound-collecting device 120, and image information from the imaging device 130.

[0117] The generation unit 143 performs a predetermined conversion process on the voice information of the person filling out the form acquired by the sound collection device 120 to generate processed audio. The generation unit 143 also generates processed video that includes information about the person filling out the form based on the image information of the person filling out the form captured by the camera 130.

[0118] As a result, the first control device 140 acquires processed audio converted from the voice of the person filling out the form P1, and processed video in which the actions of the person filling out the form P1 are reproduced by a character or the like that has a different appearance from the person filling out the form P1. The transmitting / receiving unit 221 of the first control device 140 transmits the signature information, processed audio, and processed video to the transmitting / receiving unit 221 of the second control device 220.

[0119] (Step S2) Next, the remote sign system 1000 performs step S2 (output process). In step S2, the output control unit 222 of the second control device 220 transmits the sign information received by the transmitting / receiving unit 221 to the plotting device 210. The output control unit 222 also transmits the processed audio and processed video received by the transmitting / receiving unit 221 to the output device 230.

[0120] The video output unit 231 of the output device 230 displays the processed video received from the second control device 220. The audio output unit 232 of the output device 230 outputs the processed audio received from the second control device 220.

[0121] This allows recipient P2 to view the processed video displayed on the output device 230 while simultaneously listening to the processed audio output from the output device 230. The processed video viewed by recipient P2 is a video in which a character or other entity, different in appearance from the person filling out the form P1, reproduces the actions of the person filling out the form P1. The remote signature system 1000 generates and displays the processed video in near real-time while simultaneously filming the person filling out the form P1.

[0122] Furthermore, the processed audio that recipient P2 can hear is the audio obtained by applying predetermined processing to the voice spoken by the person filling out the form P1. The remote signature system 1000 generates and outputs the processed audio in near real time while simultaneously receiving the voice of the person filling out the form P1. This makes it possible, for example, to make recipient P2 believe that a character or the like that reproduces the actions of the person filling out the form P1 is speaking the words that the person filling out the form P1 spoke, but in a different voice from the person filling out the form P1 spoke.

[0123] Furthermore, in step S2, the plotting device 210 draws a signature on the drawing member PA based on the signature information received from the second control device 220. The signature drawn by the plotting device 210 is a reproduction of the signature entered by the person who entered it P1 into the input device 110.

[0124] For example, the camera 130 is capturing images of the person signing in on the input device 110, P1. As a result, the output device 230 displays an image of a character that replicates the actions of person signing in, almost in real time with respect to P1's actions.

[0125] By continuously transmitting the sign information input to the input device 110 from the first control device 140 to the second control device 220, the plotting device 210 can reproduce the sign input to the input device 110 on the drawing member PA in near real time.

[0126] This makes it possible to create the illusion for the recipient P2 that a character reproducing the actions of the signer P1 is actually signing the object PA being drawn on, thereby improving the user experience through live performance.

[0127] (Step S3) Next, the remote sign system 1000 performs step S3 (completion determination step). In step S3, the second system 200 determines whether or not the output of the sign by the plotting device 210 has been completed.

[0128] In this embodiment, the detection unit 215 of the plotting device 210 detects that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210 has been completed and transmits sign completion information to the control unit 211 indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210 has been completed. The second system 200 determines whether or not the output of the sign by the plotting device 210 has been completed based on the detection result of the detection unit 215.

[0129] The second system 200 determines, for example, that the signature output is not complete when the plotting device 210 has not acquired signature completion information. When the second system 200 determines that the signature output is not complete, it returns to step S2 and continues to output the signature based on the signature information.

[0130] In this embodiment, the second system 200 determines that the output of the sign is complete when the plotting device 210 acquires the sign completion information. When the remote sign system 1000 determines that the output of the sign is complete, it proceeds to step S4 (notification process).

[0131] (Step S4) In step S4, the control unit 211 of the plotting device 210 moves the base 212 on which the drawing member PA, on which the sign has been output, is placed, by driving the receiver-side notification device 240.

[0132] For example, the plotting device 210 moves the base 212 toward the recipient P2. This creates the illusion for the recipient P2 that the drawing member PA, which has a signature inscribed by the character projected on the output device 230, is being offered by the character itself. The direction in which the control unit 211 moves the base 212 may be horizontal or vertical.

[0133] Furthermore, when the control unit 211 moves the base portion 212 toward the recipient P2, it is preferable to control the drive unit 213 so that the plot structure portion 214 is positioned outside the drawing member PA on the upper surface 212a of the base portion 212.

[0134] The recipient P2 understands that the input of the signature by the plotting device 210 has been completed because the position of the drawing member PA has been moved, and receives the drawing member PA with the signature written on it. In other words, the recipient-side notification device 240 can notify the recipient P2 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210 has been completed by moving the position of the drawing member PA relative to the recipient P2.

[0135] Recipient P2, waiting for the plotting device 210 to finish outputting the signature, is often unaware of the content of the signature output by the plotting device 210. The signature output by the plotting device 210 may, for example, be a string of characters or symbols representing the name of the person filling out the form P1, or it may also include a string of characters representing the name of recipient P2, or other shapes. The signature output by the plotting device 210 changes depending on the content that person filling out the form P1 inputs into the input device 110.

[0136] In the remote signature system 1000, since the person signing P1 and the person receiving the signature P2 are located far apart, the person receiving P2 cannot directly see the actions of the person signing P1 and therefore cannot determine that the signature has been completed by visually observing the actions of the person signing P1.

[0137] Recipient P2 can see the actions of a character or other object that replicates the actions of person signing P1 by viewing the processing video displayed on the output device 230. However, the processing video may not include all of person signing P1's actions, including their fine details, nor may it include the hand movements of the character or other object that mimics person signing P1's actions. Therefore, recipient P2 may not be able to determine that the signature has been completed from the actions of person signing P1 replicated on the processing video.

[0138] Furthermore, there is a possibility of a time lag between the action of the person filling out the form P1 entering their signature into the input device 110 and the action of the plotting device 210 outputting the signature. In this case, even if the output device 230 displays the image captured by the shooting device 130 rather than the processed image generated by the generation unit 143, it would be difficult for the recipient P2 to determine from the image displayed on the output device 230 that the signature has been completed.

[0139] In this embodiment, the recipient-side notification device 240 can notify recipient P2 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210 is complete by moving the position of the drawing member PA relative to recipient P2 based on the signature completion information acquired by the control unit 211 from the detection unit 215. Recipient P2, having been notified by the recipient-side notification device 240 that the output of the signature is complete, takes the drawing member PA with the signature written on it from the base 212 of the plotting device 210 and receives it.

[0140] The remote signature system 1000 of this embodiment comprises a first system 100 located on the side of the person signing P1 and a second system 200 located on the side of the recipient P2. The first system 100 includes an input device 110 on which the person signing P1 enters their signature, and a first control device 140 that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered into the input device 110 and transmits the signature information to the second system 200. The second system 200 includes a second control device 220 that acquires signature information from the first control device 140, a plot device 210 that outputs a signature to a drawing member PA based on the signature information acquired by the second control device 220, a control unit 211 that acquires signature completion information indicating that the output of the signature by the plot device 210 has been completed, and a recipient-side notification device 240 that can notify the recipient P2 that the output of the signature by the plot device 210 has been completed based on the signature completion information.

[0141] With a remote sign system 1000 configured in this way, the recipient P2, who is waiting for the plotting device 210 to complete outputting the sign, can understand the timing for removing the drawing member PA with the sign output from the plotting device 210 by notification from the recipient-side notification device 240. Therefore, a remote sign system 1000 that improves the convenience of sign exchange can be provided.

[0142] The second system 200 may also be equipped with a camera to photograph the recipient P2 and a microphone to capture the voice spoken by the recipient P2. The first system 100 may also be equipped with a display or speaker capable of outputting the video footage and audio captured by the second system 200. This enables conversation between the person filling out the form P1 and the recipient P2, creating an environment similar to when the person filling out the form P1 and the recipient P2 are face-to-face signing and exchanging the documents, thereby enabling a live presentation that further enhances the user experience for the recipient P2.

[0143] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 7. In the following description, components that are common to those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the remote signage system 1000A according to the second embodiment.

[0144] The remote signage system 1000A comprises a first system 100A and a second system 200A.

[0145] The first system 100A includes an input device 110, a sound collection device 120, a shooting device 130, and a first control device 140A. The first control device 140A includes an acquisition unit 141, a transmitting / receiving unit 142A, and a generation unit 143A.

[0146] The second system 200A comprises a plotting device 210A, a second control device 220A, and a recipient-side notification device 240A. The plotting device 210A comprises a control unit 211, a base unit 212, a drive unit 213, a plot structure unit 214, and a detection unit 215. In this embodiment, the plotting device 210A does not include the recipient-side notification device 240 of the first embodiment.

[0147] The second control device 220A includes a transmitting / receiving unit 221, an output control unit 222, and an acquisition unit 223. The control unit 211 of the plotting device 210A transmits the sign completion information acquired by the detection result of the detection unit 215 to the acquisition unit 223 of the second control device 220A.

[0148] The acquisition unit 223 transmits the signature completion information acquired from the plotting device 210A to the transmission / reception unit 221. The signature completion information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 221 to the transmission / reception unit 142A of the first control device 140A, and from the transmission / reception unit 142A to the generation unit 143A.

[0149] The generation unit 143A generates processed video based on the video information of the person filling out the form acquired from the camera 130 and the signature completion information acquired from the second system 200. The processed video generated by the generation unit 143A includes information on the person filling out the form and information based on the signature completion information. The generation unit 143A also generates processed audio by applying a predetermined conversion process to the voice information of the person filling out the form acquired by the sound acquisition device 120.

[0150] Information based on the signature completion information includes, for example, strings of characters or figures indicating that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210A has been completed. For example, the processed video generated by the generation unit 143A is a video in which information such as strings of characters or figures indicating that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210A has been completed is superimposed on a background of characters that mimic the actions of the person filling out the signature P1. The generation unit 143A transmits the generated processed video to the transmission / reception unit 142A. The transmission / reception unit 142A transmits the processed video received from the generation unit 143A to the transmission / reception unit 221 of the second control device 220A.

[0151] The recipient-side notification device 240A comprises a video output unit 244 and an audio output unit 245. The video output unit 244 is a display device capable of displaying image information (images, videos, etc.) received from the second control device 220A. The audio output unit 245 is a speaker capable of outputting sound information (sounds, voices, etc.) acquired from the second control device 220A. The recipient-side notification device 240A only needs to be capable of outputting image information and sound information, and may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0152] The output control unit 222 of the second control device 220A acquires the processed video from the transmitting / receiving unit 221 and transmits the processed video to the receiver-side notification device 240A. The video output unit 244 of the receiver-side notification device 240A displays the processed video acquired from the second control device 220A.

[0153] In this embodiment, the processed video displayed on the video output unit 244 includes, as described above, information based on the person's actions and information based on the signature completion information. The recipient P2 can understand that the signature output by the plotting device 210A has been completed by viewing the processed video displayed on the recipient-side notification device 240A.

[0154] For example, the video output unit 244 displays a video in which information such as strings of characters and figures indicating that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210A has been completed is superimposed on a background of a character that mimics the actions of the person filling out the signature P1. The recipient-side notification device 240A can notify the recipient P2 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210A has been completed by displaying image information based on the signature completion information acquired by the control unit 211.

[0155] In addition, the recipient-side notification device 240A may display image information such as strings of characters or figures indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A has been completed, separately from the processed video generated by the generation unit 143A, and notify the recipient P2 that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A has been completed.

[0156] In this case, for example, the signature completion information acquired by the plotting device 210A is not transmitted to the first system 100A. Therefore, the processed video generated by the generation unit 143A does not include information based on the signature completion information.

[0157] When the second control device 220A determines that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete, it controls the recipient-side notification device 240A to display image information such as strings of characters or figures indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete on the video output unit 244. At this time, it is preferable that the video output unit 244 displays the processed video and the image information based on the sign completion information. The image information based on the sign completion information is image information indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete, and is stored in advance, for example, in the memory unit of the second control device 220A.

[0158] Furthermore, the recipient-side notification device 240A may notify the recipient P2 that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete by outputting sound or voice. For example, when the second control device 220A determines that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete, it controls the recipient-side notification device 240A to output sound information, including sound or voice indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete, to the voice output unit 245.

[0159] In this case, it is preferable that the audio output unit 245 outputs the processed audio generated by the generation unit 143A and sound information based on the sign completion information. The sound information based on the sign completion information is sound information indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A has been completed, and is stored in advance, for example, in the storage unit of the second control device 220A.

[0160] According to the remote sign system 1000A of this embodiment, the recipient P2 is notified that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210A is complete by image information displayed on the recipient-side notification device 240A or sound information output from the recipient-side notification device 240A, thereby improving the convenience of sign exchange.

[0161] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the remote signage system 1000B according to the third embodiment.

[0162] The remote signage system 1000B comprises a first system 100B and a second system 200B.

[0163] The first system 100B comprises an input device 110, a sound collection device 120, a photographing device 130, a first control device 140B, and a user-side notification device 150. The first control device 140B comprises an acquisition unit 141, a transmitting / receiving unit 142B, a generation unit 143, and an output control unit 144. Details of the user-side notification device 150 will be described later.

[0164] The second system 200B comprises a plotting device 210B, a second control device 220B, and an output device 230. The plotting device 210B comprises a control unit 211, a base unit 212, a drive unit 213, a plotting structure unit 214, and a detection unit 215.

[0165] The second control device 220B includes a transmitting / receiving unit 221, an output control unit 222, and an acquisition unit 223. The control unit 211 of the plotting device 210B transmits the sign completion information acquired by the detection result of the detection unit 215 to the acquisition unit 223 of the second control device 220B.

[0166] The acquisition unit 223 transmits the signature completion information acquired from the plotting device 210B to the transmission / reception unit 221. The signature completion information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 221 to the transmission / reception unit 142B of the first control device 140B, and from the transmission / reception unit 142B to the output control unit 144.

[0167] The user-side notification device 150 is a display device capable of displaying image information (images, videos, etc.) acquired from the output control unit 144. The user-side notification device 150 only needs to be capable of displaying image information and may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0168] In step S4 shown in Figure 6, the output control unit 144 controls the user-side notification device 150 to display image information such as strings of characters or figures on the user-side notification device 150 to indicate that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B is complete. The image information indicating that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B is complete is stored in advance, for example, in the storage unit of the first control device 140B.

[0169] There may be a time lag between the action of person P1 entering their signature into the input device 110 and the action of the plotting device 210B outputting the signature. However, since person P1 is located at a distance from the plotting device 210B, they cannot directly observe the operation of the plotting device 210B and therefore cannot confirm that the signature entry has been completed by visually observing the operation of the plotting device 210B.

[0170] In this embodiment, the person filling out the form P1 can understand that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B has been completed by visually viewing the image information displayed on the person filling out the form notification device 150. That is, the person filling out the form notification device 150 notifies the person filling out the form P1 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B has been completed by displaying image information based on the signature completion information.

[0171] When the writer P1 is notified by the writer-side notification device 150 that the plotting device 210B has finished outputting the signature, the writer P1 informs the recipient P2 that the signature output is complete, for example, through the sound pickup device 120. As a result, the recipient P2 understands that the plotting device 210B has finished outputting the signature, and takes the drawing member PA with the signature written on it from the base 212 of the plotting device 210B and receives it.

[0172] Furthermore, the user-side notification device 150 may notify user P1 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B is complete by outputting sound or voice. For example, the user-side notification device 150 includes a speaker capable of outputting sound information (sound, voice, etc.) acquired from the output control unit 144. The user-side notification device 150 only needs to be capable of outputting sound information and may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0173] In step S4 shown in Figure 6, the output control unit 144 controls the user-side notification device 150 to output sound information, including a sound or voice indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210B is complete. The sound information indicating that the output of the sign by the plotting device 210B is complete is stored in advance, for example, in the memory unit of the first control device 140B.

[0174] The user-side notification device 150 can notify user P1 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B is complete by outputting sound information based on the signature completion information.

[0175] The remote signature system 1000B of this embodiment comprises a first system 100B located on the side of the signer P1 and a second system 200B located on the side of the recipient P2. The first system 100B includes an input device 110 on which the signer P1 inputs a signature, a first control device 140B that acquires signature information indicating the signature input to the input device 110 and transmits the signature information to the second system 200B, and a signer-side notification device 150 that can notify the signer P1 of predetermined information. The second system 200B includes a second control device 220B that acquires signature information from the first control device 140B, and a plot device 210B that outputs a signature to the drawing member PA based on the signature information acquired by the second control device 220B. The signer-side notification device 150 notifies the signer P1 that the output of the signature by the plot device 210B has been completed.

[0176] According to the remote signature system 1000B of this embodiment, the convenience of signature exchange can be improved by notifying the signer P1 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210B is complete through image information displayed on the signer-side notification device 150 or sound information output from the signer-side notification device 150.

[0177] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the remote signage system 1000C according to the fourth embodiment.

[0178] The remote signage system 1000C comprises a first system 100C and a second system 200C.

[0179] The first system 100C comprises an input device 110, a sound collection device 120, a shooting device 130, a first control device 140C, and a user-side notification device 150C. The first control device 140C comprises an acquisition unit 141, a transmitting / receiving unit 142C, a generation unit 143, and an output control unit 144. Details of the user-side notification device 150C will be described later.

[0180] The second system 200C comprises a plotting device 210C, a second control device 220C, an output device 230, and a plotting device 250. The plotting device 210C comprises a control unit 211, a base unit 212, a drive unit 213, and a plotting structure unit 214. The second control device 220C comprises a transmitting / receiving unit 221, an output control unit 222, and an acquisition unit 223.

[0181] The plot shooting device 250 is a device such as a camera capable of capturing images of the plot device 210C. The plot shooting device 250 captures a video of the plot device 210C, specifically a region including at least the base portion 212.

[0182] The acquisition unit 223 acquires plot video information captured by the plot shooting device 250 from the plot shooting device 250. In this embodiment, the plot video information captured by the plot shooting device 250 includes video information capturing at least the area including the base portion 212.

[0183] The acquisition unit 223 transmits the plot video information acquired from the plot imaging device 250 to the transmission / reception unit 221. The plot video information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 221 to the transmission / reception unit 142C of the first control device 140C, and from the transmission / reception unit 142C to the output control unit 144.

[0184] The user-side notification device 150C is a display device capable of displaying image information (images, videos, etc.) acquired from the output control unit 144. The user-side notification device 150C only needs to be capable of displaying image information and may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0185] The output control unit 144 controls the user-side notification device 150C to display the plot video information captured by the plot shooting device 250 on the user-side notification device 150C. In this embodiment, user P1 can understand that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210C has been completed by visually confirming the plot video information displayed on the user-side notification device 150C. In other words, the user-side notification device 150C can notify user P1 that the output of the signature by the plotting device 210C has been completed by displaying the plot video information.

[0186] According to the remote signature system 1000C of this embodiment, the signer P1 is notified that the sign output by the plotting device 210C has been completed by plotting video information displayed on the signer side notification device 150C, thereby improving the convenience of sign exchange.

[0187] Although each embodiment of this disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components shown in each of the embodiments described above and the modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0188] (Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, the generation units 143 and 143A generate a processed video including information about the person filling in the form based on the person filling in the form video information captured by the shooting device 130, but the form of the generation unit is not limited thereto.

[0189] The generation unit may, for example, generate a processed video including a character performing various pre-set actions based on information input by user P1. For example, the memory unit of the first control device stores images or videos showing various actions of the character, and information associated with various actions of a character created as a 3D model.

[0190] User P1 uses an input device such as a keyboard or mouse to input information to the first control unit to instruct the character's movements. The generation unit generates a processed video including a character that performs actions based on the input information.

[0191] Person P1, for example, speaks into the sound-collecting device 120, describing the actions of the character they have instructed and the words that correspond to those actions. Output devices such as a display or speaker on the recipient P2's side output a processed video including the character performing actions based on the instructions of person P1, and sound information based on the voice collected by the sound-collecting device 120.

[0192] (Modification 2) In each of the above embodiments, the generation units 143 and 143A generate processed audio based on the voice information of the person writing the data obtained from the sound collection device 120, but the configuration of the generation unit is not limited thereto. The generation unit may not generate processed audio and may only generate processed video.

[0193] In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit of the first control device acquires the voice information of the person filling out the form, which has been picked up by the sound collection device 120, from the acquisition unit 141, and acquires the processed video generated by the generation unit from the generation unit. The transmitting / receiving unit of the first control device transmits the acquired voice information of the person filling out the form and the processed video to the transmitting / receiving unit of the second control device.

[0194] The second control device controls the output device and outputs the filler's voice information and processed video. In other words, recipient P2 receives the filler P1's voice, which has not undergone the predetermined conversion process, and the processed video.

[0195] (Modification 3) In each of the above embodiments, the plotting devices 210, 210A, 210B, and 210C output the signs input to the input device 110 to the drawing member PA in near real time, but the form of the plotting device is not limited thereto.

[0196] For example, the plotting device may draw the signature on the drawing member PA at a speed slower than the speed at which the person filling in the signature P1 writes the signature on the input device 110. In this case, the generation unit of the first control device may generate a processed image corresponding to the drawing speed of the plotting device.

[0197] 1000, 1000A, 1000B, 1000C Remote Sign System 100, 100A, 100B, 100C First System 110 Input Device 120 Sound Acquisition Device 130 Shooting Device 140, 140A, 140B, 140C First Control Device 150, 150C User-Side Notification Device 200, 200A, 200B, 200C Second System 210, 210A, 210B, 210C Plot Device 211 Control Unit 220, 220A, 220B, 220C Second Control Device 231 Video Output Unit 232 Audio Output Unit 240, 240A Recipient-Side Notification Device 244 Video Output Unit 245 Audio Output Unit 250 Plot Shooting Device P1 User P2 Recipient PA Drawing Member

Claims

1. A remote signature system that causes a receiving-side plotting device to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person filling out a form, comprising: a first system located on the person filling out the form; and a second system located on the receiving-side, wherein the first system includes: an input device for the person filling out the form to input a signature; a first control device that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmits the signature information to the second system; and a shooting device capable of capturing video of the person filling out the form, wherein the second system includes: a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device; a plotting device that outputs a signature to a drawing member based on the signature information acquired by the second control device; a control unit that acquires signature completion information indicating that the plotting device has completed outputting the signature; a receiving-side notification device that can notify the recipient that the plotting device has completed outputting the signature based on the signature completion information; and a video output unit, wherein the first control device generates a processed video including person operation information based on person video information captured by the shooting device; and the second control device controls the video output unit to display the processed video acquired from the first control device on the video output unit. The aforementioned processing video includes a remote sign-up system in which a character different from the person who wrote the entry reproduces the actions of the person who wrote the entry.

2. The remote sign system according to claim 1, wherein the first system has a sound-collecting device capable of collecting the voice of the person filling out the form, the first control device generates processed voice by applying a predetermined conversion process to the voice information of the person filling out the form collected by the sound-collecting device, the second system has a voice output unit capable of outputting the processed voice, and the second control device controls the voice output unit to output the processed voice acquired from the first control device.

3. The remote sign system according to claim 1, wherein the recipient-side notification device is capable of moving the position of the drawing member, and notifies the recipient that the output of the sign by the plotting device has been completed by moving the position of the drawing member relative to the recipient based on the sign completion information acquired by the control unit.

4. The remote sign system according to claim 1, wherein the recipient-side notification device is capable of outputting sound information including sound or voice, and notifies the recipient that the output of the sign by the plotting device has been completed by outputting the sound information based on the sign completion information acquired by the control unit.

5. The remote sign system according to claim 1, wherein the recipient-side notification device is capable of displaying image information, and notifies the recipient that the output of the sign by the plotting device has been completed by displaying the image information based on the sign completion information acquired by the control unit.

6. A remote signature system that causes a plotting device on the recipient side to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person filling out a form, comprising: a first system located on the person filling out the form; and a second system located on the recipient side, wherein the first system includes: an input device for the person filling out the form to input a signature; and a first control device that acquires signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmits the signature information to the second system, wherein the second system includes: a second control device that acquires the signature information from the first control device; a plotting device that outputs a signature to a drawing member based on the signature information acquired by the second control device; a control unit that acquires signature completion information indicating that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature; and a recipient-side notification device that can notify the recipient that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature based on the signature completion information, wherein the recipient-side notification device is movable in position relative to the drawing member, and notifies the recipient that the plotting device has completed outputting a signature by moving the position of the drawing member relative to the recipient based on the signature completion information acquired by the control unit.

7. A remote signature system that causes a receiving-side plotting device to output a signature based on a signature entered by a person filling out a form, comprising: a first system located on the person filling out the form; and a second system located on the receiving-side, wherein the first system includes: an input device for the person filling out the form to input the signature; a first control device for acquiring signature information indicating the signature entered in the input device and transmitting the signature information to the second system; and a person filling out the form to notify the person filling out the form of predetermined information; wherein the second system includes: a second control device for acquiring the signature information from the first control device; and a plotting device for outputting a signature on a drawing member based on the signature information acquired by the second control device; and the person filling out the form to notify the person filling out the form that the output of the signature by the plotting device has been completed.

8. The remote sign system according to claim 7, wherein the first system has a camera capable of capturing images of the person filling out the form, the first control device generates a processed image including information about the person's actions based on the image information of the person filling out the form captured by the camera, the second system has a video output unit capable of displaying the processed image, and the second control device controls the video output unit to display the processed image acquired from the first control device on the video output unit.

9. The remote sign system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first system has a sound-collecting device capable of collecting the voice of the person filling out the form, the first control device generates processed voice by applying a predetermined conversion process to the voice information of the person filling out the form collected by the sound-collecting device, the second system has a voice output unit capable of outputting the processed voice, and the second control device controls the voice output unit to output the processed voice acquired from the first control device.

10. The remote sign system according to claim 7, wherein the second system has a control unit that acquires sign completion information indicating that the output of a sign by the plotting device has been completed, the user-side notification device is capable of outputting sound information including sound or voice, and notifies the user that the output of a sign by the plotting device has been completed by outputting the sound information based on the sign completion information acquired by the control unit.

11. The remote sign system according to claim 7, wherein the second system has a control unit that acquires sign completion information indicating that the output of a sign by the plotting device has been completed, and the signer-side notification device is capable of displaying image information, and notifies the signer that the output of a sign by the plotting device has been completed by displaying the image information based on the sign completion information acquired by the control unit.

12. The remote sign system according to claim 7, wherein the second system includes a plot shooting device capable of shooting an image of the plot device, the user-side notification device is capable of displaying plot image information captured by the plot shooting device, and by displaying the plot image information, notifies the user that the output of the sign by the plot device has been completed.

Images