JP6613863B2 - Location information management device, attendance management system, information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a location information management device, an attendance management system, an information providing method, and a program.

  For example, a system for managing attendance status of attendees participating in lectures, trainings, and the like is known.

  For example, if the presence information received from a terminal device with which the central device establishes a wireless connection and communicates with the central device is valid and the established connection is not disconnected, a student operating the terminal device is present. An attendance determination system that determines that the user is present is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 establishes a wireless connection with an attendee's information terminal, and the presence determination condition is that the established wireless connection is not disconnected. However, the performance and specifications of the information terminal of the attendee and the state of charge of the battery are various. For example, maintaining the wireless connection of the information terminal for several hours increases the burden on the information terminal. In addition, since wireless communication reaches outside a room where a lecture or the like is performed, for example, it is difficult to prevent impersonation by an unauthorized user who is not attending a lecture outside the room.

  Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above problems, and in an attendance management system that manages information related to attendance of attendees, the burden on attendees' information terminals is reduced and fraudulent. The purpose is to reduce impersonation by users.

  In order to solve the above problems, a location information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is obtained by an attendee's information terminal from an output device that outputs sound waves including predetermined identification information installed at an attendance place. A location information management device connected via a network to an attendance management device that manages information related to attendance of the attendee at the attendance location based on the predetermined identification information, wherein the output device is installed An information management unit that manages location information; an information reception unit that receives from the attendance management device information about the attendance location and information about a time zone during which the output device outputs the sound wave at the attendance location; An output control unit that outputs the sound wave including the predetermined identification information to the output device installed at the attendance place, and the output device installed at the attendance place outputs the sound wave. Upon receiving the request information including the predetermined identification information included in the sound waves, having an information providing unit for providing to the requesting information on the attendance location of the requested information.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, in an attendance management system that manages attendance information of attendees, it is possible to reduce the burden on attendees' information terminals and to reduce impersonation by unauthorized users.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the attendance management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement schedule of the attendance management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the operation | movement schedule of the attendance management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the gateway which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the information terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the attendance management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which the position information management server which concerns on one Embodiment manages. It is a figure (1) which shows the example of the information which the attendance management server which concerns on one Embodiment manages. It is a figure (2) which shows the example of the information which the attendance management server concerning one embodiment manages. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a registration process of lecture information according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the process of the information terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the registration process of presence information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of presence information registration processing according to Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a presence information registration process according to Modification 2; It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of the information terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a content information registration process according to the second embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the content distribution which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the registration process of presence information.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System configuration>
First, an overview of an attendance management system according to an embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an attendance management system according to an embodiment. The attendance management system 100 uses, for example, an information terminal of an attendee attending a lecture or a class to indicate information indicating whether or not the attendee attended the lecture or the class (hereinafter referred to as attendance information). It is a system to manage. Lectures and classes attended by attendees may be, for example, classes at universities, high schools, elementary and junior high schools, prep schools, cram schools, etc. There may be.

  In FIG. 1, an attendance management system 100 includes a location information management server 101, an attendance management server 102, a content server 103, a gateway 104, an output device 105, an information terminal 107 possessed by attendees 106, a management terminal 108, and the like. Note that the numbers of the gateways 104, the output devices 105, the information terminals 107, and the management terminals 108 in FIG. 1 are examples, and the numbers may be one or more other numbers.

  The location information management server (location information management device) 101 is, for example, an information processing device connected to a network 109 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), or a system including a plurality of information processing devices. The location information management server 101 can communicate with the attendance management server 102, the gateway 104, the information terminal 107, and the like via the network 109. The location information management server 101 can communicate with the output device 105 via a wireless network provided by the gateway 104.

  The location information management server 101 controls the output of sound waves from the output device 105 installed at an attendance place 110 (for example, a classroom or the like) where a lecture attended by attendees 106 is held. For example, the location information management server 101 controls the output device 105 to control the output and stop of sound waves, and the setting and changing of predetermined identification information (hereinafter referred to as output ID) included in the sound waves.

  When the location information management server 101 receives the request information including the output ID included in the sound wave output from the output device 105, the location information management server 101 notifies the request information request source (for example, the information terminal 107, the attendance management server 102, etc.) 110 information (for example, classroom name, classroom ID, etc.) is provided.

  An attendance management server (attendance management device) 102 is connected to a network 109, and can be communicated with the location information management server 101, content server 103, information terminal 107, management terminal 108, etc., or a plurality of information processing devices It is a system including

  The attendance management server 102 manages attendance information indicating whether or not the attendee 106 attended a lecture or the like held at the attendance place 110 based on the presence information received from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106. The presence information transmitted from the information terminal 107 to the attendance management server 102 includes, for example, information for identifying the information terminal 107, information on the attendance place 110 acquired by the information terminal 107 from the location information management server 101, and the like. It is.

  As another example, presence information transmitted from the information terminal 107 to the attendance management server 102 includes an output ID acquired from the output device 105 by the information terminal 107 in place of the information on the attendance place 110. Also good. In this case, the attendance management server 102 can transmit the request information including the output ID received from the information terminal 107 to the location information management server 101 and acquire the attendance location information from the location information management server 101.

  This is an information processing apparatus connected to the content server 103 and the network 109 and capable of communicating with the attendance management server 102, the information terminal 107, the management terminal 108, etc., or a system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  For example, the content server 103 registers content (for example, a document file) used in a lecture held at the attendance place 110 in advance, and provides the content to the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106. For example, a lecturer who gives a lecture at the attendance place 110 uses the management terminal 108 to register a document file or the like used for the lecture in the content server 103 in advance. The attendee 106 accesses the content server 103 using the information terminal 107 and browses or acquires a document file or the like.

  The gateway 104 can communicate with the location information management server 101 via the network 109 and forms a wireless network together with the output device 105. The gateway 104 relays (transfers) data between the output device 105 connected to the wireless network provided by the gateway 104 and the location information management server 101.

  The output device 105 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the attendance place 110 and outputs sound waves including the instructed output ID at the attendance place 110 in accordance with output control by the position information management server 101. The output device 105 can communicate with the location information management server 101 via the gateway 104.

  Preferably, the output device 105 is installed such that the arrival range 111 of the sound wave output from the output device 105 is within the attendance place 110 and the sound wave reaches the entire attendance place 110. For example, when the attendance place 110 is large, a plurality of output devices 105 are installed at the attendance place.

  The sound wave output from the output device 105 is preferably a non-audible sound that is not audible (or difficult to hear) by a general person. Thereby, the output device 105 can output the sound wave including the output ID while suppressing the influence on the lecture held at the attendance place 110.

  Preferably, the sound wave output from the output device 105 is a sound wave of 16 kHz or higher. A sound wave having a high frequency has high straightness and is difficult to pass through a wall or the like, so that the sound wave arrival range 111 of the output device 105 can be suppressed within the range of the attendance place 110.

  The output device 105 will be described below assuming that the output device 105 is a speaker device that outputs sound waves by itself, but the output device 105 outputs sound waves to an existing speaker or the like installed at the attendance place 110, for example. It may be an audio signal output device or the like.

  The information terminal 107 is an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer) used by the attendee 106. The information terminal 107 can communicate with the location information management server 101, the attendance management server 102, the content server 103, etc. by connecting to the network 109 by wireless communication.

  The information terminal 107 is included in the sound wave output from the output device 105 using the built-in microphone by executing an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) for the information terminal 107 corresponding to the attendance management system 100. The output ID is extracted. For example, the information terminal 107 transmits request information including the output ID acquired at the attendance place 110 to the position information management server 101, and acquires information on the attendance place 110 from the position information management server 101. Further, the information terminal 107 displays attendance information including identification information (hereinafter referred to as an application ID) for identifying the information terminal 107 and information on the attendance place 110 acquired from the position information management server 101. Send to.

  The attendance management server 102 manages attendance information of attendees of the information terminal 107 using presence information and time information received from one or more information terminals 107 at the attendance place 110. As the time information used for managing the attendance information, for example, information on the time when the information terminal 107 acquires the output ID is included in the presence information and transmitted. Alternatively, the time information used for managing the attendance information may be the time when the attendance management server 102 receives the presence information from the information terminal 107, or the output device 105 transmits the output ID. Information on the time zone to be used may be used. In short, the time information used for managing the attendance information may be any information that allows the information terminal 107 to identify the time or time zone when the information terminal 107 acquires the sound wave including the output ID at the attendance location 110.

  The management terminal 108 is an information processing apparatus such as a PC used by an administrator (for example, a lecturer) for registering a lecture schedule in the attendance management server 102 or for registering content (for example, a document file) in the content server 103. is there.

  As a preferred example, the location information management server 101 is a cloud service operated by a service provider or the like that provides a location information management service. An administrator (for example, a school or the like) that manages the attendance management server 102 manages the attendance of the attendee 106 by using the information on the attendance place 110 provided by the cloud service, so that the location information management server 101 is installed. Costs and management costs can be saved.

  As another example, the attendance management server 102 may have the function of a location information management server 101 or a content server.

<Overview of operation>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation schedule of the attendance management system according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, output information is set in the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110 “before the lecture”. For example, the position information management server 101 outputs output information including information on a plurality of time zones in which the output device 105 outputs sound waves and information on sound wave IDs that differ for each of the plurality of time zones before the lecture starts. Set to 105.

  In addition, at the information terminal 107 before the start of the lecture, the application for the attendance management system 100 is activated by the attendee 106 at the information terminal 107, the application acquires the schedule information from the attendance management server 102, and sets the time of the information terminal 107. Do. The schedule information acquired from the attendance management server 102 by the application includes, for example, the schedule of the lecture of the day and the time zone in which each of the lectures outputs a sound wave including a sound wave ID from the output device 105 of the attendance place 110. Etc. are included.

  In FIG. 2, when “Lecture 1” is started at time 9:00, the output device 105 installed at the attendance place 110 uses the sound wave ID “ID001” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture. Transmission (output) of sound waves including In addition, the information terminal 107 automatically activates the application based on the schedule information acquired before the start of the lecture, and the activated application executes the attendance confirmation process for the attendee 106. In the presence confirmation process, for example, the information terminal 107 acquires attendance location information from the position information management server 101 using the sound wave ID acquired from the output device 105, and the acquired attendance location information, application ID, Is sent to the attendance management server 102.

  At time 9:10, the output device 105 stops transmitting the sound wave including the sound wave ID “ID001” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture. Note that 10 minutes of the transmission time of the sound wave including the sound wave ID “ID001” is merely an example.

  At time 9:30, the output device 105 starts transmitting a sound wave including the sound wave ID “ID002” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture. In addition, the information terminal 107 automatically activates the application based on the schedule information acquired before the start of the lecture, and the activated application executes the attendance confirmation process for the attendee 106.

  At time 9:40, the output device 105 stops transmitting the sound wave including the sound wave ID “ID002” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture.

  At time 10:10, the output device 105 starts transmitting a sound wave including the sound wave ID “ID003” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture. In addition, the information terminal 107 automatically activates the application based on the schedule information acquired before the start of the lecture, and the activated application executes the attendance confirmation process for the attendee 106.

  Preferably, at this time, the information terminal 107 displays an attendance result indicating whether or not the attendee 106 is registered as “attendance” for the lecture 1 on the display screen.

  At time 10:20, the output device 105 stops transmitting sound waves including the sound wave ID “ID003” based on the output information set before the start of the lecture. In lecture 2, the same processing as lecture 1 is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the output device 105 outputs sound waves including output IDs that differ depending on the time zone in a plurality of predetermined time zones at the attendance place 110 according to a preset operation schedule. To do. In addition, the information terminal 107 automatically activates the application in the time zone in which the output device 105 outputs sound waves according to the operation schedule acquired in advance, and uses the sound wave ID included in the sound waves output by the output device 105 to Process seat confirmation.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, since the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 should just be started in the predetermined time slot | zone, the load of the information terminal 107 can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the output device 105 according to the present embodiment outputs the sound wave ID using, for example, a non-audible sound of 16 kHz or higher, the leakage of the sound wave to the outside of the attendance place 110 (for example, the classroom) is suppressed, and unauthorized Spoofing by various users can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, since the output device 105 according to the present embodiment outputs a sound wave ID that is different for each time zone in a plurality of time zones, for example, it is possible to reduce impersonation by an unauthorized user due to sound wave recording or the like. Can do.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation schedule of the attendance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of a case where a small test or the like is confirmed in the lecture 1 by using content registered in the content server 103, for example. In this case, since the time for performing the quiz may vary depending on the progress of the lesson, etc., in the example of FIG. 107 applications are activated. Note that manual activation of the application is an example. For example, the management terminal 108 transmits a predetermined mail to the information terminal 107, and the information terminal 107 activates the application of the information terminal 107 in response to reception of the predetermined mail. It may be something that is activated.

  In FIG. 3, at time 9:50, the lecturer 1 performs a content distribution operation, for example, using the management terminal 108. In response to this, for example, the output device 105 starts outputting a sound wave including a predetermined output ID “ID101”.

  For example, the attendee 106 manually activates the application of the information terminal 107 according to the instruction of the lecturer, for example. Alternatively, as described above, the application of the information terminal 107 may be activated in response to a predetermined mail transmitted from the management terminal 108.

  When the application of the information terminal 107 is activated, the information terminal 107 acquires access information for acquiring content from the attendance management server 102, and acquires content from the content server 103 using the acquired access information. In addition, the information terminal 107 executes confirmation processing for notifying the attendance management server 102 that content has been acquired, for example. Note that the confirmation process for notifying the attendance management server 102 that the content has been acquired may be, for example, a process of sending a small test response or the like to the attendance management server 102.

  At time 10:00, the output device 105 stops outputting sound waves in response to an instruction from the location information management server 101, for example.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the lecturer can distribute the content used in the lecture at an arbitrary time, and therefore can manage attendance using the content distribution result, the test result, and the like. Thereby, the attendance management system 100 can more effectively reduce impersonation by an unauthorized user.

<Hardware configuration>
(Computer hardware configuration)
The position information management server 101, the attendance management server 102, the content server 103, and the management terminal 108 have a general computer configuration. Here, a hardware configuration example of a computer will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer according to an embodiment. The computer 400 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 402, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 403, a storage unit 404, a network I / F (Interface) unit 405, an input unit 406, a display unit. 407, an external I / F unit 408, a bus 409, and the like.

  The CPU 401 is an arithmetic device that implements each function of the computer 400 by reading a program and data stored in the ROM 403, the storage unit 404, and the like onto the RAM 402 and executing processing. A RAM 402 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 401. The ROM 403 is a non-volatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off.

  The storage unit 404 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores an OS (Operation System), application programs, various data, and the like.

  A network I / F unit 405 is a communication interface for connecting the computer 400 to the network 109.

  The input unit 406 is a pointing device such as a mouse or an input device such as a keyboard, and is used to input each operation signal to the computer 400.

  The display unit 407 is a display device such as a display, and displays a processing result or the like by the computer 400.

  The external I / F unit 408 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes, for example, a recording medium 410 and the like. The computer 400 can read and / or write the recording medium 410 via the external I / F unit 408. The recording medium 410 includes, for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a memory card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and the like. In addition, the computer 400 stores a predetermined program in the recording medium 410, and the predetermined program is executed by installing the program stored in the recording medium 410 into the computer 400 via the external I / F unit 408. It becomes possible.

  A bus 409 is connected to each of the above-described components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

  Note that the configuration of the computer 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely an example. For example, the computer 400 may include an input unit 406, a display unit 407, and the like. The input unit 406 and the display unit 407 are, for example, an integrated display input unit such as a touch panel display. Also good.

(Gateway hardware configuration example)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a gateway according to an embodiment. The gateway 104 includes, for example, a CPU 501, a RAM 502, a ROM 503, a wireless communication unit 504, a network I / F unit 505, and a bus 506.

  The CPU 501 is an arithmetic device that realizes each function of the gateway 104 by executing a program stored in the ROM 503 or the like. A RAM 502 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 501. The ROM 503 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program of the gateway 104 and the like. The ROM 503 may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM or an EEPROM.

  The wireless communication unit 504 includes a wireless circuit, an antenna, and the like that communicate with the output device 105 by a predetermined wireless communication method. As a predetermined wireless communication method, for example, wireless LAN, Zigbee (registered trademark), specific power saving wireless (IEEE802.15.4g) in 920 MHz band, or the like can be applied.

  A network I / F unit 505 is a communication interface for connecting the gateway 104 to the network 109 and performing communication. A bus 506 is connected to each of the above-described components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Hardware configuration of output device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the output device according to the embodiment. The output device 105 includes, for example, a CPU 601, a RAM 602, a flash ROM 603, a wireless communication unit 604, a sound wave control unit 605, a speaker 606, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 607, a bus 608, and the like.

  The CPU 601 is an arithmetic device that realizes each function of the output device 105 by executing a program stored in the flash ROM 603 or the like. A RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 601. The flash ROM 603 is a non-volatile memory that stores information such as a program for the output device 105 and identification information for identifying the output device ID (hereinafter referred to as an output device ID).

  The wireless communication unit 604 includes a wireless circuit, an antenna, and the like that communicate with the gateway 104 by the same wireless communication method as the wireless communication unit 504 of the gateway 104 described above.

  For example, the sound wave control unit 605 generates a sound wave signal including a sound wave ID at a designated frequency in accordance with control of a program or the like that operates on the CPU 601, amplifies the sound volume to a designated volume, and outputs the amplified sound signal.

  Preferably, the sound wave control unit 605 outputs a sound wave signal including the sound wave ID as an inaudible sound having a high frequency of, for example, 16 kHz or higher in the sound frequency band. The higher the frequency of the sound wave, the higher the directivity, and the frequency of 16 kHz or higher is hardly audible to humans. Therefore, the sound wave is suitable for transmitting information such as a sound wave ID.

  In the present embodiment, a specific data transfer method using sound waves is not particularly limited. For example, a known modulation such as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) is applied to sound waves of a predetermined frequency. Information can be transmitted.

  As another example, at least a part of the processing of the sound wave control unit 605 may be realized by a program operating on the CPU 601.

  The speaker 606 converts the sound wave signal output from the sound wave control unit 605 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave.

  The RTC 607 has a clock function, and outputs time information such as the current time and date in response to a request from the CPU 601 or the like. The RTC 607 can generate an alarm interrupt or the like at a set time. A bus 608 is connected to each of the above-described components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Information terminal hardware configuration)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information terminal according to the embodiment. The information terminal 107 includes a general computer configuration. For example, the CPU 701, the RAM 702, the ROM 703, the storage unit 704, the communication I / F unit 705, the display input unit 706, the microphone unit 707, the speaker unit 708, the RTC 709, and the bus 710 etc.

  The CPU 701 is an arithmetic device that realizes each function of the information terminal 107 by reading a program and data stored in the ROM 703, the storage unit 704, and the like onto the RAM 702 and executing the processing. The RAM 702 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 701. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 704 is a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash ROM, and stores an OS, application programs, various data, and the like.

  The communication I / F unit 705 is a communication interface corresponding to a mobile communication network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or wireless communication such as a wireless LAN. The information terminal 107 can connect to the network 109 via the communication I / F unit 705 to perform communication.

  The display input unit 706 is a display input device such as a touch panel display, for example. The display input unit 706 displays a display screen by a program executed on the information terminal 107 and accepts an input operation by a user. The display input unit 706 may be provided with a display unit and an input unit separately.

  The microphone unit 707 converts sounds around the information terminal 107, user's voice, and the like into voice signals. The speaker unit 708 converts the sound signal into sound and outputs the sound.

  The RTC 709 has a clock function and outputs time information such as the current time and date in response to a request from the CPU 701 or the like. Further, the RTC 709 can generate an alarm interrupt or the like at a set time.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the attendance management system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of an attendance management system according to an embodiment. The attendance management system 100 includes a location information management server 101, an attendance management server 102, a content server 103, a gateway 104, an information terminal 107, and the like that can communicate via a network 109. In addition, the attendance management system 100 includes an output device 105 that can communicate with the location information management server 101 via the gateway 104. The management terminal 108 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a general-purpose PC that can use a web browser, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

(Functional configuration of location information management server)
The location information management server 101 includes an information management unit 801, an information reception unit 802, an output control unit 803, an information provision unit 804, a communication control unit 805, and a storage unit 806.

  The information management unit 801 stores and manages information on the location where one or more output devices 105 are installed in the output device information 807 of the storage unit 806. The information management unit 801 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  An example of the output device information 807 managed by the information management unit 801 is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9A, the output device information 807 corresponds to a plurality of output device IDs that are identification information of the output device 105 and location information that is information on a location where each output device 105 is installed. It is remembered. The output device information 807 illustrated in FIG. 9A indicates that, for example, the output device 105 with the output device ID “SP0001” is installed in the first classroom.

  Note that the output device information 807 in FIG. 9A is merely an example. For example, the location information of the output device information 807 is a location ID that is identification information of a location where the output device 105 is installed, position information (coordinate information, etc.) of the location where the output device 105 is installed, and the like. Also good.

  The information receiving unit 802 sends from the attendance management server 102 information on the attendance location 110 that is the subject of attendance management, and information on the time zone in which the output device 105 outputs sound waves at the attendance location 110, and sends the communication control unit 805 to it. Receive via. The information management unit 801 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  Based on the time zone information received from the attendance management server 102 and the information on the attendance location 110 by the information receiving unit 802, the output control unit 803 outputs the output device 105 installed in the attendance location 110 to the corresponding time zone. The sound wave including the designated output ID is output. The output control unit 803 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  For example, the output control unit 803 stores output management information 808 as illustrated in FIG. 9B in the storage unit 806 for management. In the example of FIG. 9B, the output control information 808 includes items of “location information”, “output device ID”, “time zone”, “date / time”, and “output ID”.

  “Location information” is information on the attendance location 110 received from the attendance management server 102 by the information receiving unit 802.

  The “output device ID” is the output device ID of the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110 corresponding to the “place information”, and for example, the output control unit 803 acquires from the output device information 807 shown in FIG. And remember.

  “Time zone” and “Date and time” are information on the time zone received from the attendance management server 102 by the information receiving unit 802.

  The “output device ID” is an output ID that the output control unit 803 causes the output device 105 to output. In the example of FIG. 9B, the output device 105 with the output device ID “SP0001” installed in the first classroom has the date “20xx.01.20 09: 0-090: 10” (first time zone). It is shown that a sound wave including the output ID “ID001” is output.

  For example, the output control unit 803 provides the output device 105 corresponding to the “output device ID” with information on one or more time zones (for example, “time zone” and “date and time”) and “output” for each time zone. Output control information including “device ID” is transmitted to the output device 105 and stored. The output device 105 stores in advance the output control information transmitted from the output control unit 803 to the own device, and executes a sound wave output process including the designated output ID when the stored time zone is reached.

  Further, as another example, the output control unit 803 outputs a “sound wave” to each output device 105 based on the output control information 808 as illustrated in FIG. A sound wave output start instruction and stop instruction including “output ID” may be transmitted.

  Further, the output control unit 803 may use the above two output control methods in combination.

  Preferably, the output control unit 803 changes the output ID to be output to the output device 105 according to the time zone. When there are a plurality of attendance places 110 (for example, classrooms), the output control unit 803 outputs different output IDs for each attendance place.

  The method for changing the output ID may be arbitrary, but for example, output IDs different from each other that are more than the number of attendance places may be prepared in advance. Alternatively, the output ID may be generated based on, for example, the output device ID using a different code (for example, an encryption key, a scramble code, etc.) depending on the time zone.

  When the communication control unit 805 receives the request information including the output ID included in the sound wave output from the output device 105 installed at the attendance place 110, the information providing unit 804 receives the request information of the attendance place 110 as the request information source. Provide information. The information providing unit 804 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  For example, when the information providing unit 804 receives request information requesting acquisition of the location information of the attendance location 110 corresponding to the output ID from the information terminal 107, the information providing unit 804 sends the request to the information terminal 107 based on the output control information 808. Information on the attendance place 110 (for example, the first classroom) is transmitted. Similarly, when the information providing unit 804 receives the request information from the attendance management server 102, the information provision unit 804 transmits information on the attendance place 110 to the attendance management server 102.

  The communication control unit 805 is a unit that communicates with the attendance management server 102, the gateway 104, the information terminal 107, and the like using the network I / F unit 405 in FIG. 4, and is realized by a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG. Is done.

  The storage unit 806 is means for storing the output device information 807, the output control information 808, and the like, and is realized by, for example, a program that operates in the storage unit 404, the RAM 402, and the CPU 401 in FIG.

(Function configuration of the attendance management server)
The attendance management server 102 includes a communication control unit 811, a lecture information management unit 812, a schedule information management unit 813, a schedule information notification unit 814, an attendance information management unit 815, a content information management unit 816, an attendance information reception unit 817, and completion information. A transmission unit 818, a storage unit 819, and the like are included.

  The communication control unit 811 is a unit that communicates with the location information management server 101, the content server 103, the information terminal 107, and the like using the network I / F unit 405 of FIG. 4, and operates, for example, by the CPU 401 of FIG. Realized by a program that

  The lecture information management unit 812 stores the lecture information 820 that is information related to the lecture held at the attendance place 110 in the storage unit 819 and manages it. The lecture information management unit 812 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of lecture information 820. In the example of FIG. 10A, the lecture information 820 includes “lecture”, “lecture ID”, “location”, “time”, “lecturer”, “student”, “student ID”, “application ID”. And the like.

  “Lecture” is the name of a lecture whose attendance management server 102 manages attendance. “Lecture ID” is identification information for identifying a lecture. The “place” is information on a place where the lecture is held (attendance place 110). “Time” is information of a time zone in which a lecture is held. “Lecturer” is information of a lecturer (for example, a lecturer's name, lecturer ID, etc.).

  “Student” is information of a student who is a participant 106 who is permitted to attend the lecture (for example, the name of the student). “Student ID” is identification information (for example, student ID, employee ID, attendance ID, etc.) for identifying a student. “App ID” is identification information for identifying the information terminal 107 of the student.

  The application ID is application identification information generated by the application when an application corresponding to the attendance management system 100 is installed in the information terminal 107, for example. An application that operates on the information terminal 107 can generate a unique application ID for each information terminal 107 based on identification information of the information terminal 107, for example, unique information such as IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). . By using such an application ID, the attendance management system 100 can identify the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 regardless of the personal information of the attendee 106.

  The application ID is an example of terminal identification information that identifies the information terminal 107. For example, the terminal identification information may be information such as identification information (device ID) unique to the information terminal 107, a telephone number, or a MAC address.

  When information necessary for creating the lecture information 820 is input by the administrator (for example, a lecturer) using the web browser of the management terminal 108 or the like, the lecture information management unit 812, as shown in FIG. Lecture information 820 is generated and stored in the storage unit 819.

  Based on the lecture information 820 stored in the storage unit 819, the schedule information management unit 813 is schedule information that is information on one or more time zones in which the output device 105 outputs a sound wave including an output ID at the attendance place 110. 821 is created and stored in the storage unit 819. The schedule information management unit 813 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  FIG. 10B shows an example of schedule information 821. In the example of FIG. 10B, the schedule information 821 includes items such as “location”, “time zone”, and “date and time”.

  “Location” is information on the attendance location 110 where the lecture is held.

  “Time zone” and “Date and time” are information on the time zone in which the sound wave including the output ID is output at the attendance place 110.

  Preferably, the schedule information 821 includes a plurality of time zones. The number of times, the length, and the like of the plurality of time zones may be specified by the administrator using the management terminal 108, or may be automatically generated by the schedule information management unit 813.

  For example, the schedule information management unit 813 sets the first period (for example, 10 minutes) from the start time of the lecture as the first time period, and the third period (for example, 10 minutes) before the end of the lecture as the third time period. In the course of the lecture, a second period (for example, 10 minutes) and a second time zone may be set. Alternatively, the schedule information management unit 813 may set more time zones.

  The schedule information notification unit 814 notifies the position information management server 101 and the information terminal 107 of the schedule information 821 created by the schedule information management unit 813 via the communication control unit 811. The schedule information notification unit 814 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  For example, when the schedule information 821 is updated, the schedule information notification unit 814 notifies the location information management server 101 of the updated schedule information 821.

  In addition, the schedule information notification unit 814 notifies the information terminal 107 of schedule information related to the lectures attended by the attendee 106 in response to a request for acquiring schedule information from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106. For example, in FIG. 10, when the schedule information notification unit 814 receives a request for acquiring schedule information from the information terminal 107 with the application ID “1000011,” the schedule of the first classroom in which the lecture 1 for the student A to attend is held. Information is notified to the requesting information terminal 107.

  The attendance information management unit 815 manages attendance information of attendees based on the presence information transmitted from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 via the communication control unit 811. The attendance information management unit 815 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  The presence information transmitted from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 includes, for example, an application ID of the information terminal 107 and information for specifying the attendance place 110 where the information terminal 107 is located.

  The information for specifying the attendance place 110 is, for example, information on the attendance place 110 acquired by the information terminal 107 from the output device 105. Alternatively, the information identifying the attendance place 110 may be an output ID acquired from the output device 105 by the information terminal 107 at the attendance place 110.

  An example of attendance information 822 is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 11A, the attendance information 822 includes “lecture”, “lecture ID”, “time”, “student”, “student ID”, “application ID”, “first time zone”. ”To“ third time zone ”and“ attendance determination ”.

  Among these, the information of “lecture”, “lecture ID”, “time”, “student”, “student ID”, and “app ID” includes “lecture” included in the lecture information 820 in FIG. ”,“ Lecture ID ”,“ Time ”,“ Student ”,“ Student ID ”, and“ App ID ”.

  The information of “first time zone” to “third time zone” is information indicating whether the attendance of the attendee 106 has been confirmed by the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 in each time zone. . In the example of FIG. 11A, “Attendance” indicates that the attendance of the attendee 106 has been confirmed, and “Absence” indicates that the attendance of the attendee has not been confirmed. Yes.

  For example, the attendance information management unit 815 receives the application ID “1010001” and the location information “first classroom” of the attendance location 110 where the lecture 1 is held from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 during the first time period. It is assumed that the presence information including and is received. At this time, the attendance information management unit 815 verifies whether or not the received application ID “1010001” and the location information “first classroom” lecture information 820 of the attendance location 110 are included in the lecture information 820, for example. . If the received application ID and the location information of the attendance location 110 are included in the lecture information 820, the attendance information management unit 815 sets the “first time zone” of the app ID “1010001” as “present”. To do.

  The information on “attendance determination” indicates whether or not the attendee 106 participated in the lecture, which is determined by the attendance information management unit 815 based on the information of “first time zone” to “third time zone”. It is information to show. The attendance determination shown in FIG. 11A is an example, and the attendance determination method based on the information of “first time zone” to “third time zone” by the attendance information management unit 815 may be arbitrary.

  For example, the attendance information management unit 815 and “first time zone” to “third time zone” may be determined to be attended when all are present. Alternatively, the attendance information management unit 815 may determine that it is attended when “attended” more than once among “first time zone” to “third time zone”.

  FIG. 11B shows another example of the attendance information 822. In the example of FIG. 11B, the attendance information 822 includes “lecture ID”, “time”, “attendees in the first time zone” to “attendees in the third time zone”, and “ "Lecture attendees" etc. are included.

  Among these, “lecture ID” and “time” correspond to the information of “lecture ID” and “time” included in the lecture information 820 of FIG.

  In the information of “Attendees in the first time zone” to “Attendees in the third time zone”, the application ID of the information terminal 107 that has been confirmed to be present in each time zone is stored.

  Information on “attendance determination” participated in the lecture, which the attendance information management unit 815 determined based on the information of “the attendees in the first time zone” to “the attendees in the third time zone”. Or attendee's 106 student ID.

  For example, in this way, the attendance information management unit 815, based on a plurality of attendance information received from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 in a plurality of time zones, information related to attendance of the attendee 106 (for example, FIG. 11). "Attendance determination", "lecture attendee", etc.).

  The content information management unit 816 stores and manages content information 823 including content information such as document files used in the lecture and information for the attendee 106 to access the content in the storage unit 819. The content information management unit 816 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  For example, when the lecturer registers content such as a document file used in the lecture in the content server 103 using the management terminal 108, the content information management unit 816 displays content information 823 as shown in FIG. Create

  FIG. 11C shows an example of the content information 823. In the example of FIG. 11C, the content information 823 includes items such as “lecture ID”, “content ID”, “application ID”, and “access code”.

  “Lecture ID” is a lecture ID of a lecture corresponding to the content. “Content ID” is identification information for identifying content.

  The “application ID” and “access code” are access information for the attendee 106 to access the content. The access information is preferably different for each attendee 106 as shown in FIG. 11C, for example.

  The presence information receiving unit 817 receives the above-described presence information from the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 and notifies the attendance information management unit 815 of the received presence information. The presence information receiving unit 817 is realized by, for example, a program operating on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  The completion information transmission unit 818 transmits completion information indicating that registration of the presence information received by the presence information reception unit 817 to the attendance information 822 is completed to the information terminal 107 that is the transmission source of the presence information. In addition, the completion information transmission unit 818 notifies the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 of the result indicating whether or not the attendee 106 has been accepted to attend the lecture. The completion information transmission unit 818 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  The storage unit 819 is means for storing, for example, lecture information 820, schedule information 821, attendance information 822, content information 823, and the like, and operates, for example, with the storage unit 404, RAM 402 in FIG. 4, and CPU 401 in FIG. Realized by a program or the like.

(Functional configuration of information terminal)
The information terminal 107 includes a communication control unit 831, a sound wave acquisition unit 832, an information extraction unit 833, a display control unit 834, an operation reception unit 835, an activation control unit 836, a schedule information reception unit 837, a request information transmission unit 838, and presence information. A transmission unit 839, a content acquisition unit 840, a storage unit 841, and the like are included.

  The communication control unit 831 connects the information terminal 107 to the network 109 using, for example, the communication I / F unit 705 of FIG. 7, and communicates with the location information management server 101, the attendance management server 102, the content server 103, and the like. Do. The communication control unit 831 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The sound wave acquisition unit 832 is means for acquiring sound waves around the information terminal 107 using, for example, the microphone unit 707 of FIG. 7, and is realized by, for example, a program operating on the CPU 701 of FIG.

  The information extraction unit 833 is a unit that extracts an output ID included in the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 832 and is realized by, for example, a program operating on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The display control unit 834 is, for example, means for displaying various information on the display input unit 706 in FIG. 7, and is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The operation accepting unit 835 is a unit that accepts an input operation of the attendee 106 with respect to the display input unit 706 in FIG.

  The activation control unit 836 is a means for activating the application during a time zone in which sound waves are output at the attendance place 110 based on the schedule information acquired from the attendance management server 102. For example, the RTC 709 in FIG. This is realized by a program or the like that operates on the CPU 701.

  The schedule information receiving unit 837 receives schedule information including information on the time at which sound waves are output at the attendance place 110 from the attendance management server 102, and stores the received schedule information in the storage unit 841. The schedule information receiving unit 837 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The request information transmission unit 838 is a unit that transmits the request information including the sound wave ID extracted by the information extraction unit 833 to the location information management server 101 and requests acquisition of information on the attendance place 110. For example, the CPU 701 in FIG. Realized by a program that runs on

  The attendance information transmission unit 839 transmits attendance information including the application ID of the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 and the information of the attendance place 110 acquired from the location information management server 101 to the attendance management server 102, and attendance management is performed. The server 102 is requested to register presence information. The presence information transmission unit 839 is realized by, for example, a program operating on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The content acquisition unit 840 acquires or browses content registered in the content server 103 using, for example, the content ID notified from the attendance management server 102 and the access information. The content acquisition unit 840 is realized by, for example, a program that operates on the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The storage unit 841 is means for storing, for example, the application ID of the information terminal 107, the schedule information received by the schedule information receiving unit 837, the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 840, and the like. The storage unit 841 is realized by, for example, the storage unit 704 in FIG. 7, the RAM 702, and a program that operates on the CPU 701 in FIG. 7.

(Functional configuration of content server)
The content server 103 includes, for example, a content registration unit 851, a content providing unit 852, a communication control unit 853, a storage unit 854, and the like.

  For example, the content registration unit 851 stores and manages the content 855 requested from the attendance management server 102, the management terminal 108, or the like in the storage unit 854. The content registration unit 851 is realized by, for example, a program that runs on the CPU 401 in FIG.

  The content may be, for example, a document file, or content such as a web page, sound, or image.

  Preferably, the content registration unit 851 stores the content, the content ID, and the access information for the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 to access the content in the storage unit 854 in association with each other.

  In response to a request from the information terminal 107, the content providing unit 852 provides the content terminal 855 stored in the storage unit 854 to the information terminal.

  Preferably, the content providing unit 852 provides the content 855 to the information terminal 107 when the access information stored in the storage unit 854 is included in the request from the information terminal 107.

  The communication control unit 853 is a unit that communicates with the attendance management server 102, the information terminal 107, and the like using the network I / F unit 405 in FIG. 4, and is realized by, for example, a program operating on the CPU 401 in FIG. The

  The storage unit 854 is means for storing the content 855 and the like, and is realized by, for example, a program that operates in the storage unit 404 in FIG. 4 and the CPU 401 in FIG.

(Functional configuration of output device)
The output device 105 includes, for example, a sound wave output unit 861 and an output control information storage unit 862.

  The sound wave output unit 861 is a unit that outputs a sound wave including a specified sound wave ID in accordance with control from the position information management server 101. For example, the sound wave control unit 605, the speaker 606, and This is realized by a program operating on the CPU 601.

  For example, the sound wave output unit 861 stores in the output control information storage unit 862 the information on the time zone for outputting the sound wave notified from the output control unit 803 of the position information management server 101 and the output ID. The sound wave including the designated output ID is output during the specified time zone.

  The sound wave output unit 861 starts and stops the output of sound waves including the designated output ID based on the control information instructed to output and stop sound waves received from the position information management server 101.

  The output control information storage unit 862 is a unit that stores information on a time zone for outputting a sound wave notified from the output control unit 803 of the position information management server 101 and an output ID. This is realized by a program or the like that operates on the CPU 601 in FIG.

<Process flow>
Next, the process flow of the attendance management method and information providing method of the attendance management system 100 will be described.

[First Embodiment]
(Lecture information registration process)
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a lecture information registration process according to the first embodiment.

  In step S <b> 1201, the lecturer who registers lecture information inputs lecture information (for example, information such as the lecture name, location, lecturer, and time) on the lecture information registration screen of the management terminal 108. For example, the lecturer accesses the web server provided by the lecture information management unit 812 of the attendance management server 102 using the web browser of the management terminal 108, and inputs the lecture information on the displayed lecture information registration screen. .

  In step S1202, the management terminal 108 requests the attendance management server 102 to register the lecture information input in step S1201. For example, the web server of the management terminal 108 transmits the lecture information input in step S1201 to the attendance management server 102.

  In step S1203, the lecture information management unit 812 of the attendance management server 102 creates lecture information 820 as shown in FIG. 10A based on the lecture information received from the management terminal 108 in step S1202, for example. Store in the storage unit 819.

  In step S1204, the schedule information management unit 813 of the attendance management server 102 creates schedule information 821 as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, based on the lecture information 820 created in step S1203, and the storage unit 819. To remember.

  In step S1205, the schedule information notification unit 814 of the attendance management server 102 requests the location information management server 101 to register the schedule information 821 created in step S1204. This registration request includes at least information on the attendance place 110 where the lecture is held and information on one or more time zones in which sound waves including an output ID are output.

  In step S1206, the information receiving unit 802 of the location information management server 101 receives the registration request transmitted from the information terminal 107, and based on the received information, for example, output control as illustrated in FIG. Information 808 is created and stored in the storage unit 806.

  Subsequently, in steps S1207 and S1209, the output control unit 803 of the location information management server 101 requests the output device 105 to set output control information based on the output control information 808 created in step S1208.

  For example, in step S <b> 1207, the output control unit 803 sends, to the output device 105-1 having the output device ID “SP0001”, a setting request including information on a plurality of time zones for outputting sound waves and output ID information for each time zone. Send.

  In step S1208, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105-1 stores, in the output control information storage unit 862, information on a plurality of time zones requested to be set and the output ID for each time zone.

  In step S1209, the output control unit 803 transmits a setting request including information on a plurality of time zones for outputting sound waves and information on the output ID for each time zone to the output device 105-2 with the output device ID “SP0002”. To do.

  In step S1210, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105-1 stores, in the output control information storage unit 862, information on a plurality of time zones requested to be set and the output ID for each time zone.

  Through the above process, information on a plurality of time zones for outputting sound waves including output IDs at the attendance place 110 where the lecture is held is output installed in the attendance management server 102, the location information management server 101, and the attendance place 110. It is stored in the device 105. In addition, information on the output ID included in the sound wave output by the output device 105 in each time zone is stored in the position information management server 101 and the output device 105.

  The example of FIG. 12 is an example of a lecture information registration process. For example, the location information management server 101 transmits a sound wave output request and a stop request to the output device 105 according to the time zone information stored in the output control information 808 without performing the processing of steps S1207 and S1209. It may be a thing.

(Information terminal processing)
When the attendee 106 activates an application for the attendance management system 100 installed in the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 before the lecture starts, the information terminal 107 executes the process shown in FIG. 13, for example.

  In step S1301, the activation control unit 836 of the information terminal 107 corrects the time information of the information terminal 107 by using, for example, an automatic date and time setting function provided in the OS.

  In step S <b> 1302, the schedule information receiving unit 837 of the information terminal 107 acquires schedule information including information on a time zone in which sound waves are output at the attendance place 110 from the attendance management server 102.

  In step S1303, the activation control unit 836 of the information terminal 107 sets an activation schedule so that the information terminal 107 and the application are activated in one or more time zones included in the schedule information received by the schedule information receiving unit 837. Set.

  In step S1304, when the scheduled start time of the startup schedule set in step S1303 is reached, the information terminal 107 executes the processing from step S1305.

  In step S1305, the activation control unit 836 of the information terminal 107 activates the information terminal 107 and the application at the scheduled activation time using, for example, an alarm interrupt of the RTC 709 or the like.

  In step S1306, the sound wave acquisition unit 832 of the information terminal 107 acquires sound waves around the information terminal 107 using the microphone unit 707, and the information extraction unit 833 acquires the output ID included in the acquired sound wave.

  In step S1307, the request information transmission unit 838 of the information terminal 107 transmits the request information including the output ID acquired in step S1306 to the location information management server 101, and the information on the attendance place 110 provided from the location information management server 101. Get (location information).

  In step S1308, the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 includes the acquired information on the attendance place 110, the application ID of the information terminal 107, and time information (for example, information on the time at which the output ID was acquired). A seat information registration request is transmitted to the attendance management server 102.

  In step S 1309, when receiving a registration result indicating that presence information has been registered from the attendance management server 102, the display control unit 834 displays the received registration result on the display input unit 706.

  In step S1310, the activation control unit 836 of the information terminal 107 determines whether there is a next activation schedule. If there is a next activation schedule, the information terminal 107 shifts the process to step S1304 and repeats the same process. On the other hand, when there is no next activation schedule, the information terminal 107 ends the process.

  Based on the schedule information acquired from the attendance management server 102, the information terminal 107 is activated in the time zone where the sound wave is output at the attendance place 110, and the presence registration process (the processes in steps S1306 to S1309) is performed. ) Can be performed.

(Attendance information registration process)
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of presence information registration processing according to the first embodiment. The attendance management system 100 executes a presence information registration process as shown in FIG. 14, for example, when a predetermined time period comes based on preset schedule information.

  In step S1401, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105 installed at the attendance place 110 corresponds to the time zone when the start time of the sound wave output time period stored in the output control information storage unit 862 is reached. Output of sound waves including the output ID is started.

  In step S1402, the activation control unit 836 of the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 automatically activates the app for the attendance management system 100 at the start time based on the activation schedule set in step S1303 of FIG. .

  In step S1403, the sound wave acquisition unit 832 of the information terminal 107 acquires sound waves output from the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110.

  In step S1404, the information extraction unit 833 of the information terminal 107 extracts the output ID included in the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 832.

  In step S <b> 1405, the request information transmission unit 838 of the information terminal 107 transmits request information including the application ID of the information terminal 107 and the output ID extracted by the information extraction unit 833 to the location information management server 101. It is assumed that the destination information of the location information management server 101 is set in advance in the application of the information terminal 107.

  In step S1406, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 that has received the request information transmitted from the information terminal 107 corresponds to the output ID from the output control information 808 as shown in FIG. 9B, for example. Extract location information. For example, in the output control information 808 shown in FIG. 9B, when the output ID received at the date “20xx.01.20 9: 00-9: 10” is “ID001”, the extracted location information is “ First classroom ".

  In step S1407, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 notifies the information terminal 107 that requested the request information of the location information extracted in step S1406 (information on the attendance location 110).

  In step S1408, the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 includes the application ID of the information terminal 107, the information on the attendance place 110 received from the location information management server 101, and the time information at which the output ID is acquired. The seat information is transmitted to the attendance management server 102.

  In step S1409, the attendance management server 102, when the application ID included in the presence information and the attendance place 110 are registered in the lecture information 820, and the time information matches the date and time of the schedule information 821, The attendance information received is registered in attendance information 822.

  In step S1410, the completion information transmission unit 818 of the attendance management server 102 notifies the information terminal 107 that is the presence information transmission source of a registration completion notification indicating that the presence information has been registered.

  In step S1411, the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 displays the registration result on the display input unit 706. If the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 cannot receive the registration completion notification for the presence information transmitted in step S1408, for example, the processing in step S1408 or the processing after step S1403 is executed again. It is desirable to do.

  In step S1412, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110 stops outputting sound waves when the stop time of the time zone for outputting sound waves stored in the output control information storage unit 862 is reached. .

  With the above process, the attendance management system 100 automatically executes the presence information registration process as shown in FIG. 14 when a predetermined time zone is reached based on the preset schedule information. Thereby, it becomes possible to confirm that the attendee 106 possessing the information terminal 107 is present at the attendance place 110 during a predetermined time period.

  Note that the processing in FIG. 14 is an example, and the presence information registration processing in the attendance management system 100 can be variously applied and modified.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of presence information registration processing according to the first modification. In FIG. 15, the processing of steps S1401 to S1407 is the same as the presence information registration processing shown in FIG.

  In step S1501, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 starts a request information receiving process (or a process for providing information on the attendance place 110) at the start time of the time zone stored in the output control information 808. .

  In step S1502, the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 sends presence information including the application ID of the information terminal 107 and the information on the attendance place 110 received from the location information management server 101 to the attendance management server 102. Send.

  In step S1503, the attendance information management unit 815 of the attendance management server 102, when the application ID included in the attendance information and the attendance place 110 are registered in the lecture information 820, the attendance information 822 is received. Register with.

  In step S1504, the completion information transmission unit 818 of the attendance management server 102 notifies the information terminal 107 that is the presence information transmission source of a registration completion notification indicating that the presence information has been registered.

  In step S1505, the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 displays the registration result on the display input unit 706.

  In step S <b> 1506, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110 stops outputting sound waves when the stop time of the sound wave output time period stored in the output control information storage unit 862 comes. .

  In step S1507, when the stop time of the time zone set in advance in the schedule information is reached, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 stops the request information receiving process (or the attending place 110 information providing process). .

  In the first modification, the information terminal 107 can acquire the information on the attendance place 110 from the location information management server 101 only during a predetermined time period, so the output ID included in the presence information in the process of FIG. 14 is acquired. Management of time information can be omitted. Moreover, since the reception time of request information is limited, for example, impersonation due to recording or the like can be reduced.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a presence information registration process according to the second modification. In the presence information registration process shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the information terminal 107 acquires the attendance location 110 information from the location information management server 101. In the second modification, the attendance management server 102 acquires information on the attendance place 110 from the location information management server 101 using the output ID acquired by the information terminal 107. The processing in steps S1401 to S1404 in FIG. 16 is the same as the presence information registration processing shown in FIG.

  In step S1601, the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 displays presence information including the application ID of the information terminal 107, the output ID acquired from the output device 105, and the time information at which the output ID was acquired. To the attendance management server 102.

  In step S1602, the attendance information management unit 815 that has received presence information from the information terminal 107 transmits request information including the received output ID to the location information management server 101.

  In step S1603, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 extracts location information (information on the attendance location 110) corresponding to the received request information.

  In step S1604, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 transmits the information on the attendance place 110 extracted in step S1603 to the attendance management server 102 that requested the request information.

  In step S1605, the attendance management server 102, when the app ID included in the presence information and the acquired attendance location 110 are registered in the lecture information 820, and the time information matches the date and time of the schedule information 821, The attendance information received is registered in attendance information 822.

  In step S1606, the completion information transmission unit 818 of the attendance management server 102 notifies the information terminal 107 that is the presence information transmission source of a registration completion notification indicating that the presence information has been registered.

  In step S1607, the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 displays the registration result on the display input unit 706.

  In step S <b> 1608, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105 installed in the attendance place 110 stops outputting sound waves when the stop time of the sound wave output time period stored in the output control information storage unit 862 is reached. .

  By the above processing, the attendance management server 102 can omit the second and subsequent request information transmission processing when the output IDs received from the plurality of information terminals 107 are the same in one time zone. Thereby, the load of the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 can be reduced. Further, since the output ID included in the presence information transmitted by the information terminal 107 is information that can be acquired only by the information terminal 107 at the attendance place 110 in a predetermined time period, it is possible to reduce unauthorized impersonation.

<Example of display screen>
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the information terminal according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17A shows an example of a display screen displayed by the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 in step S1411 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 17A, for example, in the operation schedule shown in FIG. 2, an example of a display screen that is displayed when the attendance confirmation process of Lecture 1 at 9:00 to 9:10 is completed is shown. ing.

  In FIG. 17A, the display screen 1701 of the information terminal 107 has a pop-up 1705 including a message 1702 indicating that registration of presence information is completed, information 1703 regarding registered presence information, a confirmation button 1704, and the like. Is displayed. When the confirmation button 1704 is selected, the information terminal 107 closes the pop-up 1705 and displays, for example, an application menu screen on the display screen 1701. Note that the pop-up 1705 is an example of a display method indicating that registration of presence information has been completed.

  FIG. 17B shows another example of the display screen of the information terminal 107. In the example of FIG. 17B, for example, in the operation schedule shown in FIG. 2, an example of a display screen displayed when the attendance confirmation process at the end of the lecture 1 is completed is shown.

In FIG. 17B, a message 1712 indicating that registration of presence information is completed, a message 1713 regarding a plurality of registered presence information, and attendance of lecture 1 are registered on the display screen 1711 of the information terminal 107. A message 1714 indicating the result is displayed.
With this display screen 1711, the attendee 106 can confirm that the attendance registration for the lecture 1 has been made. In addition, when the confirmation button 1715 is selected, the information terminal 107 displays, for example, an application menu screen on the display screen 1711 of the information terminal 107.

  In the example of FIG. 17, the registration result of presence information is displayed as a character string, but the display method of the registration result may be based on an image, sound, vibration, or the like. For example, the information terminal 107 displays the pie chart divided into a plurality of areas corresponding to a plurality of time zones, and when the presence information registration for each time zone is completed, the corresponding areas are sequentially filled. Such a display method may be used. Further, the information terminal 107 may be one that notifies the attendee 106 that the registration of presence information has succeeded or the registration of presence information has failed due to a difference in the vibration pattern of the vibrator.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, content registration processing and provision processing will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of an example of content information registration processing. With the processing in FIG. 18, for example, the lecturer can register content used in the lecture in the content server 103.

  In step S <b> 1801, the lecturer who registers the content performs an operation of registering content information (for example, lecture ID) and content (for example, a document file) on the content registration screen of the management terminal 108. For example, the lecturer accesses the web server provided by the content information management unit 816 of the attendance management server 102 using the web browser of the management terminal 108, inputs the lecture ID on the displayed content registration screen, Specify the document file to be registered.

  In step S1802, the management terminal 108 transmits to the attendance management server 102 a content registration request including the document file specified in step S1801, the lecture ID, and the like.

  In step S1803, the content information management unit 816 of the attendance management server 102 acquires the student application ID corresponding to the lecture ID based on the student information in the lecture information 820. Further, an access code corresponding to the acquired application ID of each student is created, and for example, content information 823 as shown in FIG. 11B is created.

  In step S1804, the content information management unit 816 of the attendance management server 102 transmits a registration request including the document file received from the management terminal 108 and the access code created in step S1803 to the content server 103.

  In step S1805, the content registration unit 851 of the content server 103 stores the received document file and the access code in association with each other in the storage unit 854, and assigns a content ID to the stored content.

  In step S1806, the content registration unit 851 of the content server 103 transmits a registration completion notification indicating that the content registration has been completed to the attendance management server 102 that requested the registration request. This registration completion notification includes, for example, a content ID corresponding to a registered document file or the like.

  In step S1807, the content information management unit 816 of the attendance management server 102 stores the lecture ID, the content ID, and the access code in the content information 823 of the storage unit 819 in association with each other.

  For example, by the above processing, the lecturer can register the content used in the lecture in the content server 103 and register the registered content information (content information 823) in the attendance management server 102. .

  The process of FIG. 18 is an example of a content registration process. For example, the lecturer requests content registration from the content server 103 using the management terminal 108, and the content server 103 notifies the attendance management server 102 of the content ID, access code, etc. of the registered content. Also good.

(Content distribution process)
FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of content distribution and presence information registration processing according to the second embodiment. For example, when a content distribution operation is performed on the management terminal 108 by a lecturer during a lecture in which content is registered by the processing of FIG. 18, the content distribution processing shown in FIG. 19 is executed.

  When the management terminal 108 accepts a content distribution operation in step S1901, the management terminal 108 transmits a content distribution request for requesting content distribution to the attendance management server 102 in step S1902. This content distribution request includes, for example, a lecture ID and a content ID.

  In step S 1903, the schedule information notification unit 814 of the attendance management server 102 that has received the content distribution request transmits a sound wave output request to the position information management server 101. This sound wave output request includes information on the location corresponding to the lecture ID and information on the sound wave output time (for example, 10 minutes).

  In step S1904, the output control unit 803 of the location information management server 101 transmits a sound wave output start instruction to the output device 105 of the attendance place 110 corresponding to the place information received in step S1903. This sound wave output start instruction includes an output ID.

  In step S1905, the output device 105 at the attendance place 110 starts outputting sound waves including the designated output ID.

  In step S1906, the attendee 106 manually activates the application of the information terminal 107 in accordance with, for example, a content distribution instruction from the lecturer. Alternatively, the information terminal 107 may activate the application in response to a mail received from the management terminal 108 that requests activation of the application.

  In step S1907, the information terminal 107 performs an output ID acquisition process. This process corresponds to, for example, the processes of steps S1403 and S1402 in FIG.

  In step S1908, the request information transmission unit 838 of the information terminal 107 transmits request information including the application ID of the information terminal 107 and the acquired output ID to the location information management server 101.

  In step S1909, the information providing unit 804 of the location information management server 101 transmits the location information corresponding to the output ID (information on the attendance location 110) to the information terminal 107 that requested the request information.

  In step S1910, the presence information transmission unit 839 of the information terminal 107 displays the presence information including the application ID of the information terminal 107, the information about the attendance place 110, and the information about the time when the output ID was acquired. Send to.

  In step S1911, the content information management unit 816 of the attendance management server 102 transmits content information including a content ID and an access code for accessing the content to the information terminal 107 that is the transmission source of presence information.

  In step S1912, for example, when the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 displays a confirmation screen for content acquisition on the display input unit 706, and the operation reception unit 835 receives a content access operation, the processing after step S1913 is performed. Execute.

  In step S <b> 1913, the content acquisition unit 840 of the information terminal 107 transmits a content request for requesting content acquisition to the content server 103. This content request includes, for example, information such as the content ID and access code notified from the attendance management server 102 in step S1911, and the application ID of the information terminal 107.

  In step S1914, the content providing unit 852 of the content server 103 verifies the access code included in the content request. When the verification is permitted, the processing from step S1915 is executed.

  In step S1915, the content providing unit 852 of the content server 103 notifies the information terminal 107 of a permission notification indicating that access to the content is permitted. As a result, the information terminal 107 can browse (or obtain) the content registered in the content server 103 (step S1916).

  In step S1917, the content acquisition unit 840 of the information terminal 107 transmits an access report indicating that the access to the content has been successful to the attendance management server 102. This access report includes, for example, the application ID of the information terminal 107.

  In step S 1918, the attendance information management unit 815 of the attendance management server 102 receives the access report from the information terminal 107 and registers the presence information received in step S 1910 in the attendance information 822.

  In step S1919, the completion information transmission unit 818 of the attendance management server 102 transmits a registration completion notification indicating that registration of presence information has been completed to the information terminal 107.

  In step S1920, the display control unit 834 of the information terminal 107 causes the display input unit 706 to display the presence information registration result.

  In step S1921, the output control unit 803 of the location information management server 101 instructs the output device 105 to stop sound wave output when the output time received in step S1903 has elapsed, for example.

  In step S1922, the sound wave output unit 861 of the output device 105 stops outputting sound waves.

  Through the above processing, the lecturer can distribute the content used in the lecture to the information terminal 107 of the attendee 106 at an arbitrary timing. Also, for example, content acquisition is one of the attendance conditions, and attendance confirmation of the attendee 106 can be performed at an arbitrary timing.

100 Attendance Management System 101 Location Information Management Server (Location Information Management Device)
102 Attendance Management Server (Attendance Management Device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Content server 105 Output device 107 Information terminal 801 Information management part 802 Information reception part 803 Output control part 805 Communication control part 814 Schedule information notification part 815 Attendance information management part

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-128885

Claims (10)

Information about attendance of the attendee at the attendance location based on the predetermined identification information acquired by the attendee's information terminal from an output device installed at the attendance location that outputs sound waves including the predetermined identification information A location information management device connected via a network to an attendance management device for managing
An information management unit for managing information of a place where the output device is installed;
An information receiving unit for receiving information on the attendance location and information on a time zone in which the output device outputs the sound wave at the attendance location from the attendance management device;
An output control unit for outputting a sound wave including the predetermined identification information to the output device installed at the attendance place in a time zone for outputting the sound wave;
An information providing unit that provides information on the attendance location to a request source of the request information when receiving the request information including the predetermined identification information included in the sound wave output from the output device installed at the attendance location; ,
A location information management device. The time zone information includes a plurality of time zones,
The output control unit
The position information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined identification information is changed according to the time zone. The output control unit
The position information management device according to claim 1, wherein a code for generating the predetermined identification information is changed according to the time zone.   The position information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sound wave output from the output control unit to the output device is a non-audible sound including the predetermined identification information.   The position information management device according to claim 4, wherein the non-audible sound is a sound wave having a frequency of 16 kHz or more. An attendance management system comprising the location information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and an attendance management device connected to the location information management device via a network,
The attendance management device includes:
A schedule information notifying unit for notifying the attendee's information terminal and the location information management device of information on a time zone in which the output device outputs a sound wave including predetermined identification information at the attendance place;
The information identifying the information terminal received from the information terminal of the attendee and the predetermined identification information acquired by the information terminal from the output device installed at the attendance place in the time period, or the predetermined An attendance information management unit for managing information related to attendance of the attendee based on presence information including information on the attendance location acquired from the location information management device based on identification information;
Having attendance management system. The time zone information includes a plurality of time zones,
The attendance information management department
The attendance management system according to claim 6, wherein the attendance of the attendee at the attendance location is determined based on the plurality of presence information received from the information terminal during the plurality of time periods. The information terminal
The attendance management system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a process of extracting the predetermined identification information included in sound waves around the information terminal is executed during a time period notified from the attendance management apparatus. Information about attendance of the attendee at the attendance location based on the predetermined identification information acquired by the attendee's information terminal from an output device installed at the attendance location that outputs sound waves including the predetermined identification information A computer connected via a network with an attendance management device that manages
An information management unit for managing information of a place where the output device is installed;
An information receiving unit for receiving information on the attendance location and information on a time zone in which the output device outputs the sound wave at the attendance location from the attendance management device;
An output control unit for outputting a sound wave including the predetermined identification information to the output device installed at the attendance place in a time zone for outputting the sound wave;
An information providing unit that provides information on the attendance location to a request source of the request information when receiving the request information including the predetermined identification information included in the sound wave output from the output device installed at the attendance location; ,
Program to function as. Information about attendance of the attendee at the attendance location based on the predetermined identification information acquired by the attendee's information terminal from an output device installed at the attendance location that outputs sound waves including the predetermined identification information An information providing method using a computer connected via a network to an attendance management device for managing
The computer is
Managing information on the location where the output device is installed;
From the attendance management device, information on the attendance location and information on a time zone during which the output device outputs the sound wave at the attendance location,
In the time zone for outputting the sound wave, the sound output including the predetermined identification information is output to the output device installed at the attendance place,
When the request information including the predetermined identification information included in the sound wave output from the output device installed at the attendance place is received, the attendance place information is provided to a request source of the request information. How to provide information.

Images