JP2017228134A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently manage reservation information.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: a reservation information storage part that stores reservation information that is information on use reservation of a reservation object space that is a space to be the object of the use reservation; an imaging control part that causes an imaging device to execute imaging on the basis of the reservation information; a use state determination part that determines a use state of the reservation object space on the basis of an image picked up by the imaging device; and a reservation information management part that, when the reservation object space is determined to be in an unused state, executes cancellation of the reservation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

  An information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server installed in an office environment is connected to a network and used as a reservation information management system for managing reservations for conference rooms and the like shared and used by a plurality of users. Sometimes. In such a system, when the user reserves a conference room at a predetermined time using the system and does not use the conference room for the reservation time, the user needs to cancel the reservation manually.

  In such a reservation information management system, there is a technique for checking whether a reserved conference room is actually used by installing a human sensor or a receiver in the conference room (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With the technique of Patent Literature 1, it is possible to grasp the usage status of a conference room by a user.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manually cancel the reservation. For this reason, when the conference room is not used and the reserved user forgets to cancel the reservation, it becomes difficult for other users to use the conference room.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to efficiently manage reservation information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a reservation information storage unit that stores reservation information that is information related to the use reservation of a reservation target space that is a space that is a target of use reservation, and imaging based on the reservation information. An imaging control unit that causes the device to perform imaging, a usage state determination unit that determines a usage state of the reservation target space based on an image captured by the imaging device, and determination that the reservation target space is in an unused state A reservation information management unit that cancels the reservation information when the reservation information is canceled.

  According to the present invention, reservation information can be managed efficiently.

The figure which shows the operation | use form of the reservation information management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the reservation information management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the conference room of the unused state which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the conference room of the use condition which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other unused conference room which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the reservation condition of the conference room which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which manages the reservation condition of the conference room which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the reservation condition of the conference room which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which manages the reservation condition which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which manages the reservation condition which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which manages the reservation condition which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the utilization condition of the conference room which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the utilization condition of the meeting room which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As a reservation information management system in the present embodiment, a system in which a PC or a server and a camera as an imaging device are connected via a network will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus will be described by taking a camera capable of capturing an omnidirectional image as an example, but a configuration in which a plurality of cameras are installed in the conference room and the interior of the conference room is imaged. It may be. The reservation information management system in the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where reservation management is performed for a conference room or the like shared and used in an office.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation mode of the reservation information management system 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a reservation information management system 3 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 1 and an imaging apparatus 2 such as a camera. The imaging device 2 is installed at a position where the inside of the conference room 4 that is a reservation target space can be photographed. Moreover, the imaging device 2 can capture an omnidirectional image and captures an image inside the conference room 4 360 degrees.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is an information processing terminal such as a PC operated by a user who makes a use reservation for the conference room 4. In addition to the PC, a configuration in which a use reservation is made from an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal may be used. Furthermore, it may be configured by an information processing apparatus such as a server.

  The imaging device 2 functions as an image transmission device having an imaging function and a communication function. Further, the imaging device 2 may have an image processing function for converting a captured image into an omnidirectional image.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I. / F50 is connected via the bus 90. The I / F 50 is connected to a display unit 60 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an operation unit 70, and an external connection device 80 such as a router.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 as a whole. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 90 and various hardware and networks. The display unit 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the information processing apparatus 1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the information processing apparatus 1 and is configured with a touch panel, a hard key, and the like in the present embodiment. The external connection device 80 is a connection device such as a router or USB (Universal Serial Bus) for connecting to a network outside the information processing device 1.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs calculations according to those programs, thereby configuring a software control unit. The A functional block for realizing the functions of the information processing apparatus 1 is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the imaging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the imaging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the imaging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, an ASIC 24, and an I / F 25 are connected via a bus 29. Further, an image sensor 26 such as an image sensor is connected to the ASIC 24, and an external connection device 28 is connected to the I / F 25.

  The CPU 21 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire imaging apparatus 2. The RAM 22 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 21 processes information. The ROM 23 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores firmware and various control programs.

  The I / F 25 connects and controls the bus 29 and various hardware and networks. The external connection device 28 is a connection device such as a router or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) for connecting to a network outside the imaging device 2.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in the ROM 23 or a storage medium (not shown) is read out to the RAM 22, and the CPU 21 performs calculations according to those programs, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the function of the imaging device 2 is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the reservation information management system 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the information processing apparatus 1 and the imaging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reservation unit 100 and an image determination unit 110. The reservation unit 100 and the image determination unit 110 may be installed in different information processing apparatuses.

  The reservation unit 100 includes a communication control unit 101, a reservation information management unit 102, and a reservation information storage unit 103, and manages reservation information such as the time when the user uses the conference room 4. The communication control unit 101 controls information transmitted to and received from the reservation unit 100. The reservation information management unit 102 registers and cancels reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 103 based on information transmitted to and received from the reservation unit 100. The reservation information storage unit 103 is a storage medium such as the HDD 40 in which reservation information is stored.

  The image determination unit 110 includes an imaging control unit 111, a data storage unit 112, an image comparison unit 113, a usage state determination unit 114, and a communication control unit 115. Based on the image information received from the imaging device 2, the image determination unit 110 Determine usage.

  The imaging control unit 111 instructs the imaging device 2 to perform imaging for generating image information. The data storage unit 112 is a storage medium such as the HDD 40 in which image information received from the imaging device 2 is stored. The image comparison unit 113 compares the images in the conference room 4 captured by the imaging device 2 and determines whether there is a difference in the comparison target image.

  The use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is used based on the image comparison result performed by the image comparison unit 113. The communication control unit 115 controls information transmitted to and received from the image determination unit 110.

  The imaging device 2 includes an imaging unit 201, an image processing unit 202, and a communication control unit 203. The imaging unit 201 causes the image sensor 26 to capture an image in the conference room 4. The image processing unit 202 performs image processing such as correction on the captured image. The communication control unit 203 controls information transmitted to and received from the imaging device 2.

  In the reservation information management system 3 configured in this way, the usage status of the conference room 4 is determined based on the image captured by the imaging device 2, and the reservation information of the conference room 4 is managed. It is. Next, the flow of processing for determining whether or not the conference room 4 is being used will be described with reference to FIGS.

  5 to 7 are views showing images in the conference room 4 captured by the imaging device 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is an image in which the unused conference room 4 is imaged, and FIG. 6 is an image in which the used conference room 4 is imaged. As shown in FIG. 5, when the unused conference room 4 is imaged, an image including a table, a chair, and the like is obtained. As shown in FIG. 6, when the conference room 4 in use is imaged, an image including a person participating in the conference, a table, a chair, and the like is obtained.

  The use state determination unit 114 sets an image of the conference room 4 in an unused state as shown in FIG. 5 as a reference image, and when an image difference occurs between persons participating in the conference as shown in FIG. It is determined that the conference room 4 is being used. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7, when the person who participates in the conference room 4 is not included and an image in a state in which the table, chair, or the like is moved is obtained, the use state determination unit 114. Determines that the conference room 4 is unused.

  In the present embodiment, an image of an unused conference room 4 as shown in FIG. 5 is captured in advance and stored in the data storage unit 112. And the image comparison part 113 compares with the image imaged with the imaging device 2, and the use condition determination part 114 judges the use condition of the meeting room 4 based on the result of the comparison.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the flow of processing for managing the reservation of the conference room 4 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining details of the reservation information according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for managing the reservation of the conference room 4 according to the present embodiment.

  A user who uses the conference room 4 operates the information processing apparatus 1 and inputs reservation information in advance. In FIG. 8, the case where the conference is reserved with a schedule from “9:00 on March 1 to 10:00” will be described as an example. The reservation information input by the user is stored in the reservation information storage unit 103 by the reservation information management unit 102 (S901).

  The imaging control unit 111 acquires reservation information from the reservation information storage unit 103, and transmits command information for imaging to the imaging unit 201 5 minutes before the meeting start time based on the reservation information (S902, pre-imaging execution) ). The imaging unit 201 captures an image 5 minutes before the start of the conference, that is, “8:55 on March 1” based on the command information. At this time, the following description will be made assuming that an image of an unused conference room 4 is taken as shown in FIG.

  Image information captured by the imaging unit 201 is transmitted to the data storage unit 112 by the communication control unit 203 and stored therein. Next, the imaging control unit 111 transmits command information for imaging to the imaging unit 201 10 minutes after the meeting start time based on the reservation information (S903, execution of imaging). The imaging unit 201 captures an image 10 minutes after the start of the conference based on the command information, that is, “9:10 on March 1”.

  Image information captured by the imaging unit 201 is transmitted to the data storage unit 112 by the communication control unit 203 and stored therein. The image comparison unit 113 compares the image information before and after the start of the conference and determines whether there is a difference (S904). At this time, the image comparison unit 113 transmits to the use state determination unit 114 as a result of comparison whether or not a difference between images corresponding to persons participating in the conference is detected.

  The use state determination unit 114 determines the use state of the conference room 4 based on the comparison result received from the image comparison unit 113 (S905). As illustrated in FIG. 6, when a difference between images corresponding to a person participating in the conference is detected (S905 / Yes), the use state determination unit 114 determines that the conference room 4 is being used, and determines the determination result. It transmits to the reservation information management part 102.

  As shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, when the difference between the images corresponding to the persons participating in the conference is not detected (S905 / No), the usage state determination unit 114 determines that the conference room 4 is in an unused state. The determination result is transmitted to the reservation information management unit 102 (S906).

  When receiving the determination result that the conference room 4 is unused, the reservation information management unit 102 updates the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 103 to “cancel” (S907), and the reservation is canceled. Information indicating this is notified to the information processing apparatus 1 (S908). As a notification method at this time, a method of displaying on the display unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 1, a method of notifying the user who made a reservation input by e-mail, or the like can be used.

  When receiving the determination result that the conference room 4 is in use, the reservation information management unit 102 updates the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 103 to “in use” (S907), and ends this processing. To do.

  As described above, in the reservation information management system 3 according to the present embodiment, the usage status of the conference room 4 is determined based on the image information obtained by imaging the inside of the conference room 4, and according to the determination result. To manage reservation information. Therefore, even when the reserved conference room 4 is not used, the reservation is automatically canceled, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to cancel the reservation.

  In addition, reservations may be continuously registered in the same conference room 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example for explaining the reservation information according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, the conference C is stored as reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 103 by “9:00 on March 1” and the conference D by “9:00 to 10:00 on March 1”. An example is shown.

  In such a case, in the present embodiment, the reservation information can be managed according to the usage status of the conference room 4 by performing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts showing the flow of other processing for managing reservation information according to the present embodiment.

  First, the imaging control unit 111 causes the reservation information management unit 102 to check reservation information (S1101). The reservation information management unit 102 returns the reservation information to the imaging control unit 111, and the imaging control unit 111 determines whether or not the current time is the usage time of the conference room 4 (S1102).

  When the conference room 4 is used and the next conference room 4 use reservation is continuously registered (S1102 / Yes and S1103 / Yes), the imaging control unit 111 ends the conference C. Command information for executing imaging is transmitted to the imaging unit 201 5 minutes before the time (S1104). The imaging unit 201 performs imaging according to the command information, and image information generated by imaging is transmitted from the imaging device 2 to the image determination unit 110.

  The image comparison unit 113 compares the image of the unused conference room 4 with the image generated by the imaging (S1105). The use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is in use based on the comparison result of the images (S1106).

  When the conference room 4 is unused (S1106 / No), the imaging control unit 111 transmits command information for executing imaging in the conference room 4 to the imaging unit 201 10 minutes after the start time of the next conference. (S1201). The image comparison unit 113 compares the image of the unused conference room 4 with the image generated by imaging (S1203). The use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is in use based on the comparison result of the images (S1204).

  In the process of S1204, when the conference room 4 is in an unused state (S1204 / No), the usage state determination unit 114 transmits a determination result that the conference room 4 is in an unused state to the reservation information management unit 102. . The reservation information management unit 102 cancels the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 103 based on the determination result acquired from the use state determination unit 114 (S1205), and notifies the display unit 60 and the user that the reservation has been canceled. Notify and end this process. In the process of S1204, when it is determined that the conference room 4 is in use (S1204 / Yes), the imaging control unit 111 executes the process from S1103 again.

  When the conference room 4 is in use (S1106 / Yes), the imaging control unit 111 transmits command information for executing imaging at a predetermined interval to the imaging unit 201 (S1107). Note that image information in the conference room 4 captured at a predetermined interval is stored in the data storage unit 112.

  The image comparison unit 113 compares the image information in the conference room 4 captured at a predetermined interval with the image information captured immediately before the image information (S1108), and the use state determination unit 114 performs the comparison of each image. Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether the conference room 4 is in use (S1109).

  At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the imaging control unit 111 transmits to the imaging unit 201 command information for executing imaging at predetermined intervals a, b, c, d, and e. The image comparison unit 113 compares the image captured at each timing with the image captured at the immediately preceding timing, and the use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is in use. . At this time, for example, the image captured at the interval a is compared with the image captured at S1104, and the image captured at the interval c is compared with the image captured at the interval b.

  In the process of S1109, when it is determined that the conference room 4 is unused (S1109 / No), the imaging control unit 111 executes the same process from the step of S1202.

  In the process of S1109, when the conference room 4 is in use until the alert time (for example, one minute before the start of use of the next conference room 4) (S1109 / Yes and S1110 / Yes), the use status determination unit 114 Then, the reservation information management unit 102 is notified that the conference room 4 is in use at the alert time. The reservation information management unit 102 transmits information for notifying the display unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 1 and the user who registered the corresponding reservation information that it is one minute before the use start time of the next conference room 4. (S1111).

  After the alert notification is performed, the imaging control unit 111 transmits command information for performing imaging of the conference room 4 to the imaging unit 201 (S1112). At this time, the captured image information in the conference room 4 is stored in the data storage unit 112. The image comparison unit 113 compares the captured image information in the conference room 4 with the image information in the conference room 4 captured in S1107 (S1113), and the use state determination unit 114 performs the comparison of each image. It is determined whether the conference room 4 is in use based on the comparison result (S1201).

  When the conference room 4 is in use (S1201 / Yes), the use state determination unit 114 transmits information indicating that the conference room 4 is in use to the reservation information management unit 102. When the reservation information management unit 102 receives information indicating that the conference room 4 is in use, the reservation information management unit 102 performs use extension registration for the display unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 1 and the user who registered the corresponding reservation information. The requested information is transmitted (S1206), and this process ends. Therefore, the reservation information management unit 102 also functions as a notification unit.

  In addition, “use extension registration” according to the present embodiment refers to “update reservation time” in the reservation information registered by the user when there is a user who uses the conference room 4 beyond the reservation time. Indicates that an operation such as “use another meeting room” is executed.

  When the meeting room 4 is not in the time zone in which it is used (S1102 / No), the imaging control unit 111 holds the meeting after a predetermined time elapses, for example, 5 minutes before the next use start time, based on the acquired reservation information. Command information for executing imaging in the room 4 is transmitted to the imaging unit 201 (S1301). In addition, even when the next conference room 4 use reservation is not continuously registered (S1103 / No), the imaging control unit 111 determines the conference room after a predetermined time has passed based on the acquired reservation information. 4 is transmitted to the imaging unit 201 (S1301).

  The image comparison unit 113 compares the captured image with an image in the unused conference room 4 (S1302). The use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is in use based on the comparison result of the images (S1303). As shown in FIG. 15, when the conference room 4 is in use before the use reservation start time of the conference room 4 (S1303 / Yes), in this case, the reservation information management unit 102 sets the reservation information to “in use”. The imaging control unit 111 performs the same processing from S1103.

  When the conference room 4 is in an unused state (S1303 / No), the imaging control unit 111 transmits command information for executing imaging in the conference room 4 to the imaging unit 201 10 minutes after the use start time of the conference room 4. (S1304). The image comparison unit 113 compares the captured image with the image in the conference room 4 captured in S1302 (S1305). The use state determination unit 114 determines whether or not the conference room 4 is in use based on the comparison result of the images (S1305).

  When the conference room 4 is in use (S1306 / Yes), the reservation information management unit 102 updates the reservation information to “in use”, and the imaging control unit 111 executes the same processing from S1103. When the conference room 4 is in an unused state (S1306 / No), the usage state determination unit 114 transmits information indicating that the conference room 4 is in an unused state to the reservation information management unit 102. When the reservation information management unit 102 receives information indicating that the conference room 4 is not in use, the reservation information management unit 102 cancels the corresponding reservation information (S1205), and ends this processing.

  If the imaging device 2 is equipped with a face recognition function and the conference room 4 is used before the use start time of the conference room 4 as shown in FIG. The use state may be determined based on whether or not face recognition is performed. For example, when the use of the conference room 4 is started from “8:45 on March 1” in the reservation information shown in FIG. 8, the difference in images corresponding to the persons participating in the conference is not detected in the process of S904. Sometimes.

  In such a case, when face recognition is performed on the images in the conference room 4 captured in S902 and S903 by using the face recognition function installed in the imaging device 2, the processing in S905 is performed. It is determined that the conference room 4 is in use.

  As described above, in the reservation system according to the present embodiment, the conference room 4 is used based on the result of comparing the images in the conference room 4 that is the reservation target space at a predetermined timing. It is determined whether or not it has been. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the storage area for storing the imaging data as compared with the conventional case where a continuous imaging method such as video shooting is used. In addition, since the audio in the conference room 4 is not recorded, it is possible to reduce the content of the conference from leaking to the outside.

  Further, when the conference room 4 is not used even after the reservation time has elapsed, the reservation system according to the present embodiment automatically cancels the corresponding reservation without requiring the user's operation. Therefore, even if the user does not cancel the reservation, the use schedule of the conference room 4 can be adjusted and the conference room 4 can be used effectively.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Imaging apparatus 3 Reservation system 4 Meeting room 10, 21 CPU
20, 22 RAM
30, 23 ROM
40 HDD
50, 25 interface 60 LCD
70 Operation unit 80, 28 External connection device 90, 29 Bus 100 Reservation unit 101 Communication control unit 102 Reservation information management unit 103 Reservation information storage unit 110 Image determination unit 111 Imaging control unit 112 Data storage unit 113 Image comparison unit 114 Usage state determination Unit 115 communication control unit 201 imaging unit 202 image processing unit 203 communication control unit

JP 2014-182408 A

Claims (6)

A reservation information storage unit that stores reservation information that is information related to the use reservation of a reservation target space that is a space to be used for reservation;
An imaging control unit that causes the imaging device to perform imaging based on the reservation information;
A usage state determination unit that determines a usage state of the reservation target space based on an image captured by the imaging device;
A reservation information management unit that executes cancellation of the reservation information when it is determined that the reservation target space is unused;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An image comparison unit for comparing the images;
The imaging control unit
The imaging is executed before and after the use of the reservation target space is started based on the reservation information,
The image comparison unit
Performing a comparison of the captured images before and after the use of the reservation target space is started,
The usage state determination unit
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a usage state of the reservation target space is determined based on a comparison result of the images. The usage state determination unit
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use state is determined based on a difference between the captured images.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that registration or cancellation of the reservation information has been performed. A reservation information storage unit that stores reservation information that is information related to the use reservation of a reservation target space that is a space to be used for reservation;
An imaging control unit that causes the imaging device to perform imaging based on the reservation information;
A usage state determination unit that determines a usage state of the reservation target space based on an image captured by the imaging device;
A reservation information management unit that executes cancellation of the reservation information when it is determined that the reservation target space is unused;
An information processing system comprising: Reservation information that is information related to the use reservation of a reservation target space that is a target of use reservation,
Causing the imaging device to perform imaging based on the reservation information;
Determining a use state of the reservation target space based on an image captured by the imaging device;
An information processing method comprising: canceling the reservation information when it is determined that the reservation target space is unused.