JP2007293534A - Patrol authentication system and portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily configure this patrol authentication system for flexibly generating/changing patrol information. <P>SOLUTION: This patrol authentication system is configured as a system for providing patrol information for patrolling check points, and for authenticating that those check points have been patrolled, and provided with a patrol authentication server 200 which provides patrol information and at least one user terminal 300 which receives patrol information from the patrol authentication server 200. The patrol authentication server 200 is provided with: a check point information storage part 270 in which the check point information showing the check points is stored so as to be associated with the check point ID applied to each check point; a patrol information generating part 220 which generates the patrol information for every user terminal 300; and a patrol information transmitting part 230 for transmitting the generated patrol information to the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 is provided with a patrol information receiving part 310 which receives the patrol information from the patrol authentication server 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a patrol authentication system and a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a patrol authentication system and a portable information terminal using images and sounds.

  As a patrol authentication system, for example, a project called a stamp rally, in which a stamp rally card is handed over to a participant and a specific checkpoint is patroled for authentication, is widely implemented as a method for sales promotion and advertising. For example, in the case of a railway company, a stamp rally is constructed in which a stamp is installed at a specific station indicated on a stamp rally card, and a certain number of stamps are circulated and collected on the mount to perform a patrol authentication. In addition, rules and methods of implementation are changed as appropriate in amusement facilities, shopping malls, and shopping streets.

  In recent years, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in place of the act of pressing a stamp on a stamp card, a method for performing a stamp rally by inputting a secret word posted at each checkpoint of a stamp rally to a mobile phone Has come to be done.

JP 2003-85324 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional stamp rally, it was necessary to install stamps and post secret words at checkpoints in advance, and a large preparation was required to implement the stamp rally. . For this reason, it was difficult to build a stamp rally easily.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is a novel configuration that can be easily configured and that can flexibly generate and change cyclic information. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cyclic authentication system.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, the user provides tour information for visiting one or more checkpoints installed at a predetermined location, and the user visits the checkpoints. A cyclic authentication system for authenticating the above is provided. The patrol authentication system includes a patrol authentication server that provides patrol information and at least one user terminal that receives the patrol information from the patrol authentication server. The cyclic authentication server selects a checkpoint information storage unit that stores checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint in association with a checkpoint ID assigned to each checkpoint, and a checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint information storage unit. And a tour information generating unit that generates the tour information for each user terminal, and a tour information transmitting unit that transmits the generated tour information to the user terminal. In addition, the user terminal includes a tour information receiving unit that receives tour information from the tour authentication server.

  According to such a configuration, the tour information provided from the tour authentication server to the user terminal is generated by selecting the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint information storage unit for each user terminal. Thereby, it is possible to flexibly create or change the tour information according to the user.

  The patrol authentication system may further include an information collection device that collects checkpoint information to be stored in the checkpoint information storage unit of the patrol authentication server. This information collection device includes a checkpoint information transmission unit that transmits collected checkpoint information to a patrol authentication server. The traveling authentication server includes a checkpoint information receiving unit in order to receive checkpoint information from the information collection device. Here, the information collection device does not need to be newly provided in the patrol authentication system, and for example, a camera or a microphone that is always installed can be used. As a result, it is possible to construct and implement a stamp rally system by acquiring checkpoint information from an always-installed information collecting device without installing a checkpoint in advance.

  Here, the information collection device may be set to collect checkpoint information at predetermined time intervals. By acquiring checkpoint information in this way, it is possible to transmit almost real-time information to the user terminal. The checkpoint information storage unit of the patrol authentication server can also store a plurality of checkpoint information for one checkpoint. For example, in the case of checkpoint information that changes according to time, season, etc., it is possible to absorb the error by storing checkpoint information of various patterns in the checkpoint information storage unit.

  The check point information can include, for example, image data. In this case, the information collection device includes an imaging unit that images checkpoints. Furthermore, audio data may be included in the checkpoint information. In this case, the information collection device includes a microphone that collects checkpoint audio. In this way, by using image data or sound data as checkpoint information, it is possible to present checkpoint information to the user by image or sound.

  The user terminal also has an authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information that proves that the user has reached the checkpoint, and authentication information for transmitting the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit to the cyclic authentication server. And a transmission unit. At this time, the cyclic authentication server is configured to check the authentication information receiving unit that receives the authentication information from the user terminal, the verification information received by the authentication information receiving unit, and the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint information storage unit. And an authentication unit.

  For example, each checkpoint is provided with an IC tag having authentication information for specifying the checkpoint, and authentication information stored in the IC tag is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal. It can also be done.

  Further, the authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal captures a checkpoint to generate image data, and the authentication information transmission unit of the user terminal transmits the generated image data as authentication information to the cyclic authentication server, Authentication processing can also be performed.

  On the other hand, the authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal collects checkpoint audio to generate audio data, and the authentication information transmission unit of the user terminal transmits the generated audio data as authentication information to the cyclic authentication server. Authentication processing can also be performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a traveling authentication server that provides traveling information for a user to travel around one or more checkpoints installed at a predetermined location. , At least one portable information terminal including a traveling information receiving unit that receives the traveling information is provided. At this time, the cyclic authentication server includes a checkpoint information storage unit that stores checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint in association with a checkpoint ID assigned to each checkpoint, and a checkpoint stored in the checkpoint information storage unit. A traveling information generation unit that selects information and generates traveling information for each portable information terminal, and a traveling information transmission unit that transmits the generated traveling information to the portable information terminal are provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cyclic authentication system that can be easily configured and can generate and change cyclic information flexibly.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
First, the outline of the cyclic authentication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This section describes the implementation of the stamp rally at the zoo. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment includes one or more information collection devices 100, a cyclic authentication server 200, and at least one user terminal 300.

  The information collection device 100 is a device installed at a predetermined place (hereinafter referred to as “checkpoint”) set as a place for a user to perform patrol authentication. Can be installed. Each information collection device 100 is provided with a camera 110 for acquiring a checkpoint video (still image or moving image) and a microphone 120 for acquiring checkpoint audio. The information collecting apparatus 100 can use an existing apparatus such as a monitoring camera installed for the purpose of monitoring the inside of the animal house, but may be newly installed for the planning of the stamp rally. Good.

  The traveling authentication server 200 is a server that stores checkpoint information indicating each checkpoint collected by each information collection device 100 and generates traveling information indicating a place where the user travels from the checkpoint information. The traveling authentication server 200 transmits the generated traveling information to the user terminal 300 and transmits checkpoint information of each checkpoint to the user terminal 300 in response to a request from the user terminal 300. Further, the traveling authentication server 200 receives authentication information from the user terminal 300 and performs an authentication process for determining whether or not the user has reached the checkpoint.

  The user terminal 300 is a terminal for receiving the tour information from the tour authentication server 200, and the user can know the tour information via the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300. In addition, the user terminal 300 can acquire checkpoint information of a checkpoint by requesting detailed information regarding the checkpoint from the traveling information server 200. As the user terminal 300, for example, a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a ubiquitous communicator can be used. The user circulates checkpoints based on the tour information and checkpoint information received from the tour authentication server 200.

  When the user reaches the checkpoint, the user terminal 300 is used to obtain authentication information for proving that the checkpoint has been reached from the checkpoint. The acquired authentication information is transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the traveling authentication server 200 and is compared with the checkpoint information stored in the traveling authentication server 200 to determine whether authentication is possible. If authenticated, it is determined that the checkpoint has been reached.

  Next, based on FIGS. 2-4, the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning this embodiment is demonstrated. Here, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the stored contents of the tour information database 260. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents stored in the checkpoint database 270.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the information collection device 100 configuring the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment includes a camera 110, a microphone 120, a checkpoint information generation unit 130, and a checkpoint information transmission unit 140. Prepare.

  The camera 110 and the microphone 120 are installed at a checkpoint, and acquire video and audio around the checkpoint. For example, the camera 110 installed on the observatory images the view from the observatory, the camera 110 installed on the lion building images the state of the lion building, and the camera 110 installed on the bird building looks like the bird house. Image. In addition, the microphone 120 installed in the lion house acquires the cry of the lion, and the microphone 120 installed in the bird house acquires the cry of the bird. The video and audio acquired by the camera 110 and the microphone 120 in this way are used as checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint.

  The checkpoint information generation unit 130 is a functional unit that generates checkpoint information to be transmitted to the patrol authentication server 200 based on video and audio acquired by the camera 110 and the microphone 120.

  The checkpoint information transmission unit 140 is a functional unit that transmits the checkpoint information generated by the checkpoint information generation unit 130 to the traveling authentication server 200.

  Each checkpoint is provided with an IC tag that stores unique information for specifying the checkpoint. For example, a checkpoint ID given to each checkpoint can be stored in the IC tag 150, and the information stored in the IC tag 150 is used as authentication information to prove that the user has reached the checkpoint. It is done. In the present embodiment, the IC tag 150 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a beacon that generates a checkpoint ID, or the like may be used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the traveling authentication server 200 includes a checkpoint information receiving unit 210, a traveling information generating unit 220, a traveling information transmitting / receiving unit 230, an authentication information transmitting / receiving unit 240, and a traveling information authenticating unit 250. And a tour information database 260 and a checkpoint database 270.

  The checkpoint information receiving unit 210 is a functional unit that receives checkpoint information from the checkpoint information transmitting unit 140 of the information collecting apparatus 100. When receiving the checkpoint information, the checkpoint information receiving unit 210 stores the checkpoint information in a checkpoint database 270 described later.

  The tour information generation unit 220 is a functional unit that selects one or more checkpoints from the checkpoints stored in the checkpoint database 270 and generates tour information indicating the checkpoints to be visited by the user. The traveling information is information corresponding to the stamp card of the stamp rally in this embodiment. Any number of checkpoints to be visited can be selected by the random or stamp rally organizer. In addition, the tour information generation unit 220 stores the generated tour information in the tour information database 260.

  The traveling information transmission / reception unit 230 is a functional unit that transmits the traveling information generated by the traveling information generation unit 220 to the user terminal 300. The patrol information transmission / reception unit 230 is also a functional unit that receives a checkpoint information request from the user terminal 300, acquires the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270, and transmits the checkpoint information to the user terminal 300.

  The authentication information transmission / reception unit 240 is a functional unit that receives authentication information from the user terminal 300 and transmits the received authentication information to the traveling information authentication unit 250. In addition, the authentication information transmission / reception unit 240 is also a functional unit that transmits the authentication result by the traveling information authentication unit 250 to the user terminal 300.

  The traveling information authentication unit 250 is a functional unit that performs verification of authentication information in order to authenticate that the user has reached the checkpoint. The traveling information authentication unit 250 collates the authentication information received from the authentication information transmission / reception unit 240 with the checkpoint information stored in the traveling information database 260, and if the information matches, the traveling information authentication unit 250 has reached the checkpoint. Authenticate.

  The traveling information database 260 is a storage unit that stores the traveling information created by the traveling information generation unit 220 in association with the user ID of the user participating in the stamp rally, and includes a memory such as a RAM or a hard disk. Is done. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the tour information database 260 includes a user ID 261, a unique checkpoint ID 262 representing each checkpoint, and a tour status indicating whether each checkpoint has been visited. Travel information such as H.263 is stored.

  The checkpoint database 270 is a storage unit that stores checkpoint information indicating checkpoints, and includes a memory such as a RAM or a hard disk. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the checkpoint database 270 stores checkpoint information such as a time stamp 251, a checkpoint ID 252, an image data file name 253, and an audio data file name 254.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 300 includes a patrol information transmission / reception unit 310, a control unit 320, a display unit 331, a speaker 333, an operation unit 335, an authentication information reading unit 340, and an authentication. And an information transmission / reception unit 350.

  The tour information transmitting / receiving unit 310 is a functional unit that receives the tour information from the tour information transmitting / receiving unit 230 of the tour authentication server 200. Further, it is also a functional unit that transmits a request for acquiring tour information or checkpoint information to the tour authentication server 200 in accordance with input information from the operation unit 335.

  The control unit 320 is a functional unit that controls each functional unit in the user terminal 300. For example, the tour information or checkpoint information received from the tour authentication server 200 is controlled to be presented from the display unit 331 or the speaker 333, or the information of the IC tag 150 read by the authentication information reading unit 340 is used as the tour authentication server 200. Or the authentication information transmission / reception unit 350 is controlled so as to be transmitted.

  The display unit 331 is, for example, a display that displays video, and is a functional unit that displays patrol information and checkpoint information. In addition, the display unit 331 may employ a touch panel method that allows a user to perform various operations by touching the display surface with a finger or the like. In this case, the display unit 331 can also function as an operation unit. The speaker 333 is a functional unit for presenting audio to the user. Furthermore, the operation unit 335 is a functional unit for the user to select information and the like, and includes, for example, a selection button for selecting contents displayed on the display unit 331 (see FIG. 1).

  The authentication information reading unit 340 is a functional unit for acquiring authentication information from the IC tag 150 provided at each check point. For the authentication information reading unit 340, for example, a non-contact type reader / writer that incorporates an antenna and exchanges power and signals by radio waves can be used.

  The authentication information transmission / reception unit 350 is a functional unit that transmits authentication information to the cyclic authentication server 200 in order to authenticate the authentication information acquired from the checkpoint. The authentication information transmission / reception unit 350 is also a functional unit that receives an authentication result of authentication information in the patrol information server 200.

  The configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the cyclic authentication processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, (a) is a display example of traveling information, and (b) is a display example of checkpoint information.

  In the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, first, at each checkpoint of the stamp rally, checkpoint information indicating the checkpoint is acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100 and transmitted to the cyclic authentication server 200. (S101). Each checkpoint is provided with an information collection device 100 including a camera 110 and a microphone 120, and using these, the checkpoint is imaged to acquire an image around the checkpoint, and audio that can be heard around the checkpoint. Can be obtained. Video or audio acquired by the camera 110 or the microphone 120 can be used as checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint. Further, the collection of checkpoint information by the information collecting apparatus 100 is acquired every predetermined time, for example, every 5 minutes.

  Next, the cyclic authentication server 200 that has received the checkpoint information stores the received checkpoint information in the checkpoint database 270 (S103). The video and audio acquired by the camera 110 and the microphone 120 of the information collection device 100 installed at each check point are associated with a check point ID 272 uniquely assigned to each check point, together with a time stamp 271 indicating a data update time. It is stored in the checkpoint database 270. The update of the checkpoint database 270 can be made almost the same as the timing of collecting the checkpoint information in step S101. When video or audio is acquired by the camera 110 or the microphone 120, the checkpoint information is stored in the patrol authentication server 200. The cyclic authentication server 200 updates the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270.

  Further, the traveling authentication server 200 selects a checkpoint for circulating the user from the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270, generates the traveling information, and transmits it to the user terminal 300 (S105). As described above, the tour information can be generated by, for example, selecting a predetermined number of checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 at random. Alternatively, the stamp rally organizer may be allowed to select an arbitrary number of checkpoints that the user wants to visit. In this way, it is possible to generate a cyclic authentication by combining checkpoint information.

  For example, suppose that from the checkpoint database 270, an observation deck is selected as the first checkpoint, a lion building is selected as the second checkpoint, and a birdhouse is selected as the third checkpoint. At this time, the tour information corresponding to the stamp card of the stamp rally is information indicating that the first three check points are visited. The generated tour information is stored in the tour information database 260 in association with the user ID, and is transmitted to the user terminal 300.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 300 that has received the tour information displays the tour information on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, for example (S107). For example, the tour information is displayed on the display unit 331 as shown in FIG. 6A, and the user is presented to tour three check points. At this time, for example, the video of each check point may be displayed on the display unit 331.

  Next, the user selects a checkpoint to circulate from the circulation information displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, and requests the circulation authentication server 200 to transmit checkpoint information indicating the checkpoint (S109). . The check point can be selected by, for example, a selection button on the operation unit 335. If the display unit 331 employs a touch panel method, the check point can be selected by touching a region to be selected with a finger or the like. The information transmitted to the traveling information server 200 at the time of requesting checkpoint information is the user ID and the selected checkpoint. For example, if the first checkpoint shown in FIG. 6A is selected, the content indicating that the user ID and the first checkpoint are selected is transmitted to the traveling authentication server 200.

  The cyclic authentication server 200 that has received the request for checkpoint information transmits the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 to the user terminal 300 (S111). In step S <b> 111, the traveling authentication server 200 first acquires the checkpoint ID from which the checkpoint information is to be acquired from the traveling information database 260 based on the user ID and the selected checkpoint. Then, the checkpoint information associated with the checkpoint ID is acquired from the checkpoint database 270.

  For example, if the user ID “0001” and the content that the first checkpoint is selected are received from the user terminal 300, the traveling authentication server 200 receives the first check from the traveling information database 260 as shown in FIG. The checkpoint ID “001” of the point is acquired. Then, the video data and / or audio data associated with the checkpoint ID “001” is acquired from the checkpoint database 270 as checkpoint information. In this way, the traveling authentication server 200 acquires checkpoint information and transmits it to the user terminal 300.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 300 that has received the checkpoint information presents the checkpoint information to the user (S113). The check point information is presented to the user as video or audio via the display unit 331 or the speaker 333 of the user terminal 300. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a still image captured by the camera 110 of the information collection device 100 is displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300 as the check point information of the first check point. The user searches for a checkpoint using the presented still image.

  Here, the checkpoint information of the first checkpoint was a still image. For example, the checkpoint to be presented to the user, such as a lionhouse video at the second checkpoint and a birdhouse voice at the third checkpoint. Point information can be selected according to the characteristics of the checkpoint. Further, the processing in steps S109 to S113 may be performed when detailed information is required, and can be omitted.

  Next, when the user reaches the checkpoint (S115), the user terminal 300 is used to perform authentication processing to prove that the checkpoint has been reached (S117). In this embodiment, an IC tag 150 that stores a checkpoint ID as information for specifying a checkpoint is provided at each checkpoint. By holding the user terminal 300 over the IC tag 150, an IC tag 150 is stored. The checkpoint ID stored in the tag 150 can be acquired. The checkpoint ID acquired by the user terminal 300 is transmitted as authentication information to the traveling authentication server 200 together with the user ID.

  Further, the traveling authentication server 200 that has received the authentication information from the user terminal 300 collates the checkpoint ID stored in the traveling information database 260 with the authentication information (S119). If it is determined that the checkpoint information stored in the traveling information database 260 matches the authentication information, it is authenticated that the checkpoint has been reached. If the checkpoint information does not match, the checkpoint has been reached. Not authenticated.

  For example, when the information transmitted from the user terminal 300 is the user ID “0001” and the checkpoint ID “001” acquired from the IC tag 150, the information is stored in the traveling information database 260 in association with the user ID “0001”. If “001” is present in the checkpoint ID that has been set, it is authenticated that the checkpoint has been reached. On the other hand, if there is no “001” in the checkpoint ID associated with the user ID “0001” and stored in the tour information database 260, the checkpoint is not reached.

  When it is authenticated in step S119 that the checkpoint information has been reached, the traveling authentication server 200 reflects the content that the checkpoint has been reached in the traveling information database 260 (S121). In other words, processing is performed to update the tour status 263 of the tour information database 260 shown in FIG. 3 from “not yet” to “done” for the authenticated checkpoint. As a result, the tour information is in a state corresponding to the stamp card on which the stamp is pressed.

  Thereafter, the traveling authentication server 200 transmits the authentication result to the user terminal 300 (S123). The authentication result can be notified by the display unit 331 or the speaker 333 of the user terminal 300. Thereby, the user terminal 300 can recognize that the check point has been reached.

  The configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the first embodiment and the cyclic authentication process using the same have been described above. With such a configuration, it is possible to construct and implement a stamp rally system by acquiring checkpoint information from an information collection device such as a camera or a microphone that is always installed without setting a checkpoint in advance. Further, in the conventional stamp rally, it is difficult to change / increase / decrease checkpoints or change checkpoints by the user, but according to the present embodiment, these can be set freely. Furthermore, in the conventional stamp rally, the information about the checkpoint is only clearly indicated by characters on the stamp card, and the pleasure of searching for the checkpoint is weak. However, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to add the pleasure of searching for a place using video and audio as a hint.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a cyclic authentication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment is different from the cyclic authentication system according to the first embodiment in that authentication information is an image captured by a camera 360 built in or added to the user terminal 300. Therefore, hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment.

  First, based on FIG. 7, the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning this embodiment is demonstrated. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about what has the same function as the information collection apparatus 100 concerning 1st Embodiment, the patrol authentication server 200, and the user terminal 300, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The information collection device 100 includes a camera 110, a microphone 120, a checkpoint information generation unit 130, and a checkpoint information transmission unit 140. In the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment, as described above, the image captured by the camera 360 of the user terminal 300 is used as authentication information. Therefore, the IC tag 150 that stores the authentication information as in the first embodiment is used. There is no need to provide it.

  The traveling authentication server 200 includes a checkpoint information receiving unit 210, a traveling information generating unit 220, a traveling information transmitting / receiving unit 230, an authentication information transmitting / receiving unit 240, a traveling information authentication unit 280, a traveling information database 260, a checkpoint. A database 270.

  The checkpoint database 270 according to the present embodiment stores checkpoint information acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100 at each checkpoint, as in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, one checkpoint is stored in each checkpoint. On the other hand, a plurality of checkpoint information is stored. As described above, in this embodiment, since an image is used as authentication information, an image captured by the user terminal 300 varies depending on, for example, the time, season, and angle at which the image is captured. Accordingly, by storing a plurality of patterns of images for one check point in the check point database 270 in advance, when the image captured by the user terminal 300 is authenticated, an image error caused by time, season, and angle is generated. Can be absorbed.

  The traveling information authentication unit 280 is a functional unit that performs verification of authentication information in order to authenticate that the user has reached the checkpoint. The traveling information authentication unit 280 according to the present embodiment recognizes an image acquired by the user terminal 300 and checks whether or not the checkpoint has been reached by collating it with a plurality of images stored in the checkpoint database 270. judge.

  The user terminal 300 includes a patrol information transmission / reception unit 310, a control unit 320, a display unit 331, a speaker 333, an operation unit 335, a camera 360, and an authentication information transmission / reception unit 350. In this embodiment, a camera 360 is provided to use an image acquired by the user terminal 300 as authentication information for proving that the user has reached the checkpoint.

  Next, the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that detailed description of the process of performing the same process as the cyclic authentication process according to the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the cyclic authentication processing according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, first, at each checkpoint of the stamp rally, checkpoint information indicating the checkpoint is acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100 and transmitted to the cyclic authentication server 200. (S201). The cyclic authentication server 200 that has received the checkpoint information stores the received checkpoint information in the checkpoint database 270 (S203). In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of images with different imaging times, seasons, angles, and the like are acquired in advance and stored in the checkpoint database.

  Next, the traveling authentication server 200 selects a checkpoint for circulating the user from the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270, generates the traveling information, and transmits it to the user terminal 300 (S205). For the tour information, for example, a predetermined number of checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 may be selected at random, or an arbitrary number of checkpoints that the stamp rally organizer wants to visit the user. You may make it select. The generated tour information is stored in the tour information database 260 and transmitted to the user terminal 300.

  The user terminal 300 that has received the tour information displays the tour information on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, for example (S207). The user selects a checkpoint to circulate from the circulation information displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, and requests the circulation authentication server 200 to transmit checkpoint information indicating the checkpoint (S209). At this time, the information transmitted to the traveling information server 200 when the checkpoint information is requested is the user ID and the selected checkpoint.

  Receiving the request for checkpoint information, the traveling authentication server 200 transmits the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 to the user terminal 300 (S211). In step S211, the traveling authentication server 200 first acquires the checkpoint ID from which the checkpoint information is to be acquired from the traveling information database 260 based on the user ID and the selected checkpoint. Then, the checkpoint information associated with the checkpoint ID is acquired from the checkpoint database 270. At this time, the checkpoint information to be acquired can be acquired by selecting, for example, data close to the date and time when the checkpoint information transmission request is received. In this way, the traveling authentication server 200 acquires checkpoint information and transmits it to the user terminal 300. Note that the processing of steps S209 to S211 can be omitted.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 300 that has received the checkpoint information presents the checkpoint information to the user (S213). The user searches for a checkpoint based on the presented checkpoint information.

  Next, when the user arrives at the checkpoint (S215), in order to prove that the checkpoint has been reached, the user acquires authentication information and transmits it to the traveling authentication server 200 (S217). In the present embodiment, an image captured by the camera 360 of the user terminal 300 is acquired as authentication information. At this time, the user captures an image as similar as possible to the image displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300. The captured image is delivered to the tour information authentication unit 280 of the tour authentication server 200 by, for example, transmitting to a mail address designated by the stamp rally organizer.

  The traveling information authentication unit 280 that has received the image captured by the user terminal 300 refers to a plurality of images stored in the checkpoint database 270 and determines whether or not the received image is captured around the checkpoint. Determination is made (S219). The determination is performed using pattern matching of an existing image. For example, the similarity between the received image and the image stored in the checkpoint database 270 is calculated, and the calculated similarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined size. If so, it can be determined that they match. At this time, for example, the acquired image may look different from the image presented as checkpoint information depending on the time of day, the weather, etc., and therefore it is determined whether or not they match with a plurality of images. Is desirable.

  When it is determined that the image stored in the checkpoint database 270 matches the image captured by the user terminal 300, it is authenticated that the checkpoint has been reached. It is not authenticated that the point has been reached (S221).

  When it is authenticated in step S221 that the checkpoint information has been reached, the traveling authentication server 200 reflects the content that the checkpoint has been reached in the traveling information database 260 (S223). Thereafter, the traveling authentication server 200 transmits the authentication result to the user terminal 300 (S225). The authentication result can be notified by the display unit 331 or the speaker 333 of the user terminal 300. Thereby, the user terminal 300 can recognize that the check point has been reached.

  The configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the second embodiment and the cyclic authentication process using the same have been described above. With such a configuration, it is possible to construct and implement a stamp rally system by acquiring checkpoint information from an information collection device such as a camera or a microphone that is always installed without setting a checkpoint in advance. It is also possible to change / increase / decrease checkpoints and change checkpoints by the user. In addition, you can add the pleasure of searching for a place using video and audio as a hint. According to the second embodiment, since an image is used as authentication information, it is possible to perform authentication processing using a checkpoint video acquired in advance.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a cyclic authentication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment is different from the cyclic authentication system according to the first embodiment in that voice acquired from a microphone 370 built in or added to the user terminal 300 is used as authentication information. Therefore, hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment.

  First, based on FIG. 9, the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning this embodiment is demonstrated. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about what has the same function as the information collection apparatus 100 concerning 1st Embodiment, the patrol authentication server 200, and the user terminal 300, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The information collection device 100 includes a camera 110, a microphone 120, a checkpoint information generation unit 130, and a checkpoint information transmission unit 140. In the cyclic authentication system according to the present embodiment, as described above, since the voice acquired from the microphone 370 of the user terminal 300 is used as the authentication information, the IC tag 150 that stores the authentication information as in the first embodiment is used. There is no need to provide it.

  The traveling authentication server 200 includes a checkpoint information receiving unit 210, a traveling information generating unit 220, a traveling information transmitting / receiving unit 230, an authentication information transmitting / receiving unit 240, a traveling information authentication unit 290, a traveling information database 260, a checkpoint. A database 270.

  The checkpoint database 270 stores checkpoint information acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100 at each checkpoint, as in the first embodiment. The traveling information authentication unit 290 is a functional unit that performs verification of authentication information in order to authenticate that the user has reached the checkpoint. The traveling information authentication unit 280 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the check point has been reached by comparing the voice acquired by the user terminal 300 with the current voice acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100.

  The user terminal 300 includes a patrol information transmission / reception unit 310, a control unit 320, a display unit 331, a speaker 333, an operation unit 335, a microphone 370, and an authentication information transmission / reception unit 350. In this embodiment, a microphone 370 is provided in order to use the voice acquired by the user terminal 300 as authentication information for proving that the user has reached the checkpoint.

  Next, the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that detailed description of the process of performing the same process as the cyclic authentication process according to the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the cyclic authentication process according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, first, at each checkpoint of the stamp rally, checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint is acquired by the information collecting apparatus 100 and transmitted to the cyclic authentication server 200. (S301). Checkpoint information shall be acquired every predetermined time. Then, the cyclic authentication server 200 that has received the checkpoint information stores the received checkpoint information in the checkpoint database 270 (S303).

  Next, the traveling authentication server 200 selects a checkpoint for circulating the user from the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270, generates the traveling information, and transmits it to the user terminal 300 (S305). For the tour information, for example, a predetermined number of checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 may be selected at random, or an arbitrary number of checkpoints that the stamp rally organizer wants to visit the user. You may make it select. The generated tour information is stored in the tour information database 260 and transmitted to the user terminal 300.

  The user terminal 300 that has received the tour information displays the tour information on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, for example (S307). The user selects a checkpoint to be toured from the tour information displayed on the display unit 331 of the user terminal 300, and requests the tour authentication server 200 to transmit checkpoint information indicating the checkpoint (S309). At this time, the information transmitted to the traveling information server 200 when the checkpoint information is requested is the user ID and the selected checkpoint.

  Receiving the request for checkpoint information, the traveling authentication server 200 transmits the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint database 270 to the user terminal 300 (S311). In step S311, the cyclic authentication server 200 first acquires the checkpoint ID from which the checkpoint information is to be acquired from the cyclic information database 260 based on the user ID and the selected checkpoint. Then, the checkpoint information associated with the checkpoint ID is acquired from the checkpoint database 270. In this way, the traveling authentication server 200 acquires checkpoint information and transmits it to the user terminal 300. Note that the processing in steps S309 to S311 can be omitted.

  Thereafter, the user terminal 300 that has received the checkpoint information presents the checkpoint information to the user (S313). The user searches for a checkpoint based on the presented checkpoint information.

  Next, when the user reaches the checkpoint (S315), the authentication information is acquired and transmitted to the traveling authentication server 200 (S317) in order to prove that the checkpoint has been reached. In the present embodiment, voice acquired by the microphone 370 of the user terminal 300 is used as authentication information. The acquired voice data is delivered to the tour information authentication unit 290 of the tour authentication server 200 by communication means (not shown).

  The traveling information authentication unit 290 that has received the voice data acquired by the user terminal 300 determines whether or not the received voice is acquired around the checkpoint (S319). Here, the cyclic authentication server 200 that has received the voice data acquires the voice at the current checkpoint from the information collecting apparatus 100. Then, the voice data acquired by the user terminal 300 is compared with the voice at the current checkpoint. This comparison can be performed, for example, by comparing waveforms and speech spectrum components. Then, the degree of similarity between the voice data acquired by the user terminal 300 and the voice at the current checkpoint is calculated. If the calculated degree of similarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude, it can be determined that they match.

  When it is determined that the voice at the current checkpoint and the voice data acquired by the user terminal 300 match, it is authenticated that the checkpoint has been reached. It is not authenticated that it has arrived (S321).

  If it is authenticated in step S321 that the checkpoint information has been reached, the traveling authentication server 200 reflects the content that the checkpoint has been reached in the traveling information database 260 (S323). Thereafter, the traveling authentication server 200 transmits the authentication result to the user terminal 300 (S325). The authentication result can be notified by the display unit 331 or the speaker 333 of the user terminal 300. Thereby, the user terminal 300 can recognize that the check point has been reached.

  The configuration of the cyclic authentication system according to the third embodiment and the cyclic authentication process using the same have been described above. With such a configuration, it is possible to construct and implement a stamp rally system by acquiring checkpoint information from an information collection device such as a camera or a microphone that is always installed without setting a checkpoint in advance. It is also possible to change / increase / decrease checkpoints and change checkpoints by the user. In addition, you can add the pleasure of searching for a place using video and audio as a hint. According to the third embodiment, since voice is used as authentication information, a microphone is installed at a checkpoint, so that voice for comparison with voice acquired by a user terminal can be acquired in real time. It is possible to perform authentication processing more accurately.

  In the cyclic authentication system according to the second embodiment, it is possible to perform cyclic authentication that a specific place has been reached regardless of the time, and in the third embodiment, a specific place is reached at a specific time. It is possible to perform a cyclic authentication of what has been done.

(Modification)
Next, a modified example of the cyclic authentication system according to the first to third embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first to third embodiments, the patrol authentication system is applied to the stamp rally, but the modified example shows an example applied to the bingo game. Here, FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a bingo card as an example of the tour information, where (a) is a display example of the bingo card at the start of the bingo game, and (b) has authenticated information. It is a display example of a bingo card. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the cyclic authentication process of the present modification. In this modification, the configuration of the cyclic authentication system is described as being the same as the configuration of the cyclic information system according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2), but the configuration of the second and third embodiments is used. There may be.

  In a modified example of the patrol information system, for example, the patrol information is presented as a bingo card of a bingo game so that the user can patrol stores such as shopping streets, department stores, and airport buildings. The bingo card is made up of images arranged in a grid as shown in FIG. The user visits the place (destination) displayed on the bingo card and performs authentication to create a state in which the squares of the bingo card are punched, and to select one of the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal rows. Make a punched state and make it bingo.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, the traveling authentication server generates a bingo card as traveling information (S401). The bingo card is made up of 3 × 3 images as shown in FIG. 11A, for example, and an image constituting the bingo card can use, for example, a store sign or an advertisement. The generated bingo card is transmitted to the user terminal (S403).

  Next, the user terminal that has received the bingo card displays the bingo card on the display unit and presents it to the user (S405). The user searches for a store or an advertisement indicated by the image displayed on the bingo card and punches the squares of the bingo card. At this time, when the details of the image constituting the grid are necessary, the grid is selected by the operation unit 335, and detailed information is requested from the patrol authentication server (S407). In response to the request for the detailed status, the patrol authentication server transmits the detailed image information to the user terminal (S409). Note that the processing in steps S407 and S409 may be omitted.

  When the user reaches the destination (S411), the destination information is acquired and transmitted to the patrol authentication server (S413). Here, the destination information can be, for example, a destination ID assigned to each destination, and the destination information is read by reading an IC tag installed at each destination as in the first embodiment. ID can be acquired. Further, as in the second embodiment, an image captured by the user terminal may be used as the destination information, and an image similar to the image displayed on the grid is captured by using the camera of the user terminal. Can be acquired.

  The patrol authentication server that acquired the destination information from the user terminal authenticates the acquired destination information and determines whether or not the user has reached the destination (S415). The destination information can be authenticated by collating with the destination information stored in the patrol authentication server. If these pieces of destination information match, it is determined that the user has reached the destination and is authenticated, and the information on the bingo card, which is the traveling information, is updated (S417).

  Thereafter, the authentication result of the destination information is transmitted to the user terminal (S419). In step S419, when the destination information is authenticated, for example, an instruction to mark the grid corresponding to the authenticated destination information is provided so that the grid of the bingo card is punched. Sent from the server to the user terminal. By this instruction, the bingo card displayed on the user terminal is in a state as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the user is not authenticated, the fact is notified to the user via the display unit or the speaker.

  In the above, the modification of the patrol authentication system was described. According to such a configuration, a bingo game can be constructed and implemented using existing information, and bingo cards can be easily changed or increased. Furthermore, it is possible to add the pleasure of searching for a place using images as hints.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above embodiment and the modification, the authentication process is performed by the cyclic authentication server. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the cyclic information authentication unit is provided in the user terminal, and the authentication process is performed by the user terminal. May be performed.

  In the cyclic authentication system according to the second and third embodiments, an IC tag storing authentication information is not provided and video or audio is used as authentication information. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, in the cyclic authentication system according to the second and third embodiments, each checkpoint includes an IC tag that stores authentication information (for example, checkpoint ID), and the user terminal reads the authentication information from the IC tag. An authentication information reading unit can also be provided. In this case, it is determined whether or not the authentication information stored in the IC tag matches, and whether or not the similarity of video or audio is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and whether or not authentication is possible is determined.

  The present invention is applicable to a cyclic authentication system, and particularly applicable to a cyclic authentication system using images and sounds.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the memory content of a patrol information database. It is explanatory drawing which shows the memory content of a checkpoint database. It is a flowchart which shows the cyclic | annular authentication process concerning the embodiment. It is an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of a user terminal, Comprising: (a) is a display example of traveling information, (b) is a display example of checkpoint information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the cyclic | annular authentication process concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cyclic | annular authentication system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the cyclic | annular authentication process concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a bingo card as a modification of traveling information, (a) is a display example of a bingo card at the start of a bingo game, and (b) is a display example of a bingo card with authenticated information. . It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the cyclic | annular authentication process of 1st-3rd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information collecting device 110, 360 Camera 120, 370 Microphone 130 Checkpoint information generation part 140 Checkpoint information transmission part 150 IC tag 200 Travel information server 210 Checkpoint information reception part 220 Travel information generation part 230 Travel information transmission / reception part (Tour information) server)
240 Authentication information transmitter / receiver (tour information server)
250, 280, 290 Travel information authentication unit 260 Travel information database 270 Checkpoint database 300 User terminal 310 Travel information transmission / reception unit (user terminal)
320 Control Unit 331 Display Unit 333 Speaker 335 Operation Unit 340 Authentication Information Reading Unit 350 Authentication Information Transmission / Reception Unit (User Terminal)

Claims (13)

A patrol authentication system that provides patrol information for a user to patrol one or more checkpoints installed at a predetermined location and authenticates that the user patrols the checkpoint:
A patrol authentication server providing the patrol information; and at least one user terminal receiving the patrol information from the patrol authentication server;
The patrol authentication server
A checkpoint information storage unit for storing checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint in association with a checkpoint ID assigned to each checkpoint;
A tour information generating unit that selects the check point information stored in the check point information storage unit and generates the tour information for each user terminal;
A traveling information transmission unit for transmitting the generated traveling information to the user terminal;
With
The said user terminal is provided with the cyclic information receiving part which receives the said cyclic information from the said cyclic authentication server, The cyclic authentication system characterized by the above-mentioned. An information collection device for collecting the checkpoint information to be stored in the checkpoint information storage unit of the patrol authentication server;
The information collection device includes a checkpoint information transmission unit that transmits the collected checkpoint information to the patrol authentication server,
The cyclic authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic authentication server includes a checkpoint information receiving unit that receives the checkpoint information from the information collection device.   The cyclic authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the information collection device collects checkpoint information at predetermined time intervals.   The cyclic authentication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the checkpoint information storage unit of the cyclic authentication server stores a plurality of checkpoint information for one checkpoint.   The cyclic authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the checkpoint information includes at least image data.   The traveling authentication system according to claim 5, wherein the information collection device includes an imaging unit that images a checkpoint.   The cyclic authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the check point information includes at least voice data.   The patrol authentication system according to claim 7, wherein the information collection device includes a microphone that collects checkpoint audio. The user terminal is
An authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information proving that the user has reached the checkpoint;
An authentication information transmitting unit that transmits the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquiring unit to the cyclic authentication server;
With
The patrol authentication server
An authentication information receiving unit for receiving the authentication information from the user terminal;
A cyclic authentication unit for comparing the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit with the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint information storage unit;
The cyclic authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: Each checkpoint is provided with an IC tag having authentication information for specifying the checkpoint,
10. The cyclic authentication system according to claim 9, wherein the authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal acquires authentication information stored in an IC tag. The authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal captures a checkpoint to generate image data,
10. The cyclic authentication system according to claim 9, wherein the authentication information transmission unit of the user terminal transmits the generated image data as authentication information to the cyclic authentication server. The authentication information acquisition unit of the user terminal generates voice data by collecting checkpoint voices,
10. The cyclic authentication system according to claim 9, wherein the authentication information transmission unit of the user terminal transmits the generated voice data as authentication information to the cyclic authentication server. At least one portable information terminal provided with a traveling information receiving unit for receiving the traveling information from a traveling authentication server that provides traveling information for traveling around one or more checkpoints installed at a predetermined location. There,
The patrol authentication server
A checkpoint information storage unit for storing checkpoint information indicating a checkpoint in association with a checkpoint ID assigned to each checkpoint;
A traveling information generation unit that selects the checkpoint information stored in the checkpoint information storage unit and generates the traveling information for each portable information terminal;
A traveling information transmitting unit for transmitting the generated traveling information to the portable information terminal;
A portable information terminal comprising:

Images