JP7779059B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing program.

Patent Document 1 proposes a determination device that includes a risk-taker density calculation unit that calculates the density of mobile device users walking while using their smartphones within an area identified by each area ID stored in an area database; a countermeasure necessity determination unit that determines areas where countermeasures are required by comparing the density value calculated by the risk-taker density calculation unit with a predetermined threshold; and a countermeasure unit that sends warning information to mobile devices belonging to areas determined by the countermeasure necessity determination unit to require countermeasures.

Patent Document 2 proposes a printing system with the following functions: a function to notify a client of a print JOB ID, password, and required time; a function to display, call, or send the JOB ID during RIP processing to the client via email; a function to print only those JOBs for which a password has been entered among the JOBs whose JOB IDs are displayed; a function to insert a postponed JOB into an appropriate position in the queue and rearrange the JOB schedule; and a function to erase JOBs saved to the HDD at the appropriate time.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-157178 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-218732

When multiple people use a specific device, they may gather together and create a crowded environment, which may not be desirable.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program that can encourage behavior that avoids crowded situations.

To achieve the above objective, an information processing device according to a first aspect includes a processor that acquires detection results of people within a predetermined range of a predetermined device, detects a predetermined crowded state from the detection results, and, if the crowded state is detected, issues a notification to encourage resolution of the crowded state and performs processing to restrict the execution of a requested function.

In addition, the information processing device according to the second aspect is the information processing device according to the first aspect, wherein, if the processor detects the dense state before the function is executed, the processor restricts the execution of the function by prohibiting the start of execution of the function.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a third aspect, in the information processing device according to the second aspect, the processor performs processing to start execution of the function when it detects that the dense state has been resolved while start of execution of the function is prohibited.

Furthermore, in an information processing device according to a fourth aspect, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, if the processor detects the dense state while the function is being executed, the processor stops the execution of the function, thereby restricting the execution of the function.

In addition, an information processing device according to a fifth aspect is the information processing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the processor performs processing to resume execution of the function when it detects that the dense state has been resolved while the function is stopped.

Furthermore, in an information processing device according to a sixth aspect, in the information processing device according to the fifth aspect, if the processor detects the dense state after resuming execution of the function, it further performs processing to stop execution of the function and prompt the user to resolve the dense state.

Furthermore, in an information processing device according to a seventh aspect, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the processor further performs processing to identify people who are creating the crowded situation and notifies the identified people to encourage them to eliminate the crowded situation.

Furthermore, in an information processing device according to an eighth aspect, in the information processing device according to the seventh aspect, the processor further performs processing to suspend use of the device if the identified person forms the crowded state a predetermined number of times or more.

Furthermore, an information processing system according to a ninth aspect includes the above-mentioned information processing device and an information processing terminal that requests the information processing device to execute a function.

Furthermore, an information processing program according to a tenth aspect causes a computer to acquire detection results of people within a predetermined range of a predetermined device, detect a predetermined crowded state from the detection results, and, if the crowded state is detected, issue a notification to encourage the user to eliminate the crowded state and restrict the execution of a requested function.

According to the first aspect, an information processing device can be provided that can encourage actions to avoid crowded situations.

According to the second aspect, it is possible to encourage actions to avoid crowded situations before executing the function.

According to the third aspect, it is possible to start executing a function only after eliminating the dense state.

According to the fourth aspect, if a crowded situation occurs while a function is being executed, it is possible to encourage behavior to avoid the crowded situation.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to resume execution of the function after the dense state is resolved.

According to the sixth aspect, even if a crowded situation occurs after the execution of the function is resumed, it is possible to encourage behavior to avoid the crowded situation.

According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to more effectively encourage device users to take action to avoid crowded situations than if the device users were notified.

According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to restrict the use of the device by habitual users who create crowded conditions.

According to the ninth aspect, an information processing system can be provided that can encourage actions to avoid crowded situations.

According to the tenth aspect, an information processing program can be provided that can encourage actions to avoid crowded situations.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electrical system of an image forming apparatus in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of an electrical system of a client computer in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of monitoring by a monitoring unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an index for determining a crowded state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information for controlling the suspension and resumption of a job. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control before a job is started. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control during job execution.

An example of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an information processing system will be described as an example in which an image forming device as an example of an information processing device and a client computer as an example of an information processing terminal are connected to each other via communication lines such as various networks. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general configuration of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment includes an image forming device 12 and a client computer 14. The image forming device 12 and the client computer 14 are connected to each other via a communication line 18, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or an intranet. The image forming device 12 and the client computer 14 are capable of transmitting and receiving various data to each other via the communication line 18. In this embodiment, the client computer 14 issues a print instruction to the image forming device 12, causing the image forming device 12 to form an image in accordance with the print instruction. While FIG. 1 shows one image forming device 12 and one client computer 14, there may be multiple of each, or multiple of either one. While this embodiment describes an example in which a print instruction is issued from the client computer 14, a print instruction may also be issued from a mobile terminal device 16 via the communication line 18, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a print instruction may be sent directly from the mobile terminal device 16 to the image forming device 12 via short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, a server 11 may be further provided, and an image formation request may be sent to the image forming device 12 via the server 11 from at least one of the client computer 14 and the mobile terminal device 16.

The image forming device 12 according to this embodiment has multiple functions, including an image forming function that receives various data via a communication line 18 and performs image formation processing based on the received data, a reading function that reads an original document to obtain image information representing the original document, a copying function that copies an image recorded on the original document onto paper, a facsimile function that sends and receives various data via a telephone line (not shown), a transfer function that transfers document information such as image information read by the reading function, etc., and a storage function that stores document information such as read image information.

In the following description, a process or group of processes executed by the image forming device 12 to achieve a predetermined function is referred to as a job.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment is equipped with a control unit 20 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C. The CPU 20A controls the overall operation of the image forming device 12. The RAM 20C is used as a work area when the CPU 20A executes various programs. The ROM 20B stores various control programs, parameters, and the like in advance. In the image forming device 12, the various components of the control unit 20 are electrically connected via a system bus 42.

On the other hand, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) 26 that stores various data, application programs, etc. The image forming device 12 is also equipped with a display control unit 28 that is connected to a user interface 22 and controls the display of various operation screens, etc. on the display of the user interface 22. The image forming device 12 is also equipped with an operation input detection unit 30 that is connected to the user interface 22 and detects operation instructions input via the user interface 22. In the image forming device 12, the HDD 26, display control unit 28, and operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. Note that while the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment uses an HDD 26 as the storage unit, this is not limiting and a non-volatile storage unit such as flash memory may also be used.

The image forming device 12 according to this embodiment also includes a reading control unit 32 that controls the optical image reading operation by the document reading unit 44 and the document feeding operation by the document transport unit, and an image forming control unit 34 that controls the image formation process by the image forming unit 24 and the transport of paper to the image forming unit 24 by the transport unit 25. The image forming device 12 also includes a communication line I/F (interface) unit 36 that is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives communication data with other external devices, such as a client computer 14, connected to the communication line 18. The image forming device 12 also includes a facsimile I/F (interface) unit 38 that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and transmits and receives facsimile data with a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The image forming device 12 also includes a transmission/reception control unit 40 that controls the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I/F unit 38. The image forming device 12 also includes a human presence sensor 46 that detects people around the device. In the image forming device 12, the transmission/reception control unit 40, reading control unit 32, image formation control unit 34, communication line I/F unit 36, facsimile I/F unit 38, and human presence sensor 46 are electrically connected to the system bus 42. Note that while one human presence sensor 46 is shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment is equipped with multiple human presence sensors 46, making it possible to measure the distance and time that constitutes a close-contact state between two or more people. Depending on the type of human presence sensor 46 and the analysis method, a single human presence sensor 46 may be used.

With the above configuration, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 20A to access the RAM 20C, ROM 20B, and HDD 26. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the display of information such as operation screens and various messages on the display of the user interface 22 via the display control unit 28. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the document reading unit 44 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the image formation control unit 34, and to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I/F unit 36. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I/F unit 38 via the transmission and reception control unit 40. Furthermore, the image forming device 12 uses the CPU 20A to determine the operation content of the user interface 22 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 30, and executes various controls based on this operation content.

Next, we will explain the main configuration of the electrical system of the client computer according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the client computer 14 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the client computer 14 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 14A as an example of a processor, a ROM 14B, a RAM 14C, storage 14D, an operation unit 14E, a display unit 14F, and a communication line I/F (interface) unit 14G. The CPU 14A controls the overall operation of the client computer 14. The ROM 14B stores various control programs and parameters in advance. The RAM 14C is used as a work area when the CPU 14A executes various programs. The storage 14D stores various data and application programs. The operation unit 14E is used to input various information. The display unit 14F is used to display various information. The communication line I/F unit 14G is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the communication line 18. The communication line I/F unit 14G may also be configured to communicate directly with each device using various well-known wireless communications. The above components of the client computer 14 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 14I. In this embodiment, the client computer 14 uses storage 14D as a memory unit, but examples of storage include non-volatile memory units such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) and flash memory.

With the above configuration, the client computer 14 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 14A to access the ROM 14B, RAM 14C, and storage 14D, acquire various data via the operation unit 14E, and display various information on the display unit 14F. The client computer 14 also uses the CPU 14A to control the sending and receiving of communication data via the communication line I/F unit 14G.

The mobile terminal device 16 basically has a general computer configuration, and like the client computer in Figure 3, includes a CPU 16A, ROM 16B, RAM 16C, etc., so a detailed description will be omitted. Examples of components not found in the client computer 14 include a position detection unit 16H that detects the position of the mobile terminal device 16 using a GPS (Global Positioning System), etc., and a photographing unit such as a camera (not shown).

Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the image forming device 12. Figure 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment.

When using the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment, multiple people may gather together, creating a crowded environment. However, this may not be desirable from the standpoint of hygiene, operability, information leakage, etc.

The image forming device 12 according to this embodiment therefore performs processing that can encourage behavior that avoids crowded situations. In particular, the control unit 20 has the functions of a monitoring unit 50, crowded situation determination unit 52, crowded situation definition unit 54, warning notification unit 56, execution control unit 58, stop specification definition unit 60, and execution unit 62, as a result of the CPU 20A executing a program stored in ROM 20B. These functions then acquire the results of detection of people within a predetermined range of the image forming device 12, detect a predetermined crowded situation from the detection results, and, if a crowded situation is detected, issue a notification to encourage resolution of the crowded situation and perform processing to restrict the execution of the requested function.

The monitoring unit 50 monitors the status of people around the image forming device 12. In this embodiment, the information required for monitoring is the detection results of the human presence sensors 46 provided in the image forming device 12. The monitoring unit 50 uses N human presence sensors 46 to measure the distance and time during which two or more people are in a close-contact state. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, human presence sensors 46 with different sensing ranges are used to measure the distance and time during which two or more people are in a close-contact state. In the example of FIG. 5, the sensing ranges of two human presence sensors 46 are designated as human presence sensor ranges A and B, and the sensing ranges of the human presence sensors 46 are derived as distances to measure the detection times. Note that the human presence sensors 46 also include camera-based analysis. Furthermore, if the information processing system 10 includes a mobile terminal device 16, the status of surrounding people may be monitored using position information detected by the position detection unit 16H of the mobile terminal device 16 or short-range wireless communication.

The density state determination unit 52 analyzes the monitoring results of the monitoring unit 50 to determine a predetermined density state. The index for determining the density state is defined by the density state definition unit 54, and the density state determination unit 52 determines the density state using the index defined by the density state definition unit 54.

The dense state definition unit 54 defines a predetermined index for determining a dense state. The index for determining a dense state is, for example, input by the administrator using the user interface 22 and stored in the HDD 26. Examples of management-side input information input by the administrator include the distance that constitutes dense, the time that constitutes dense, and the sampling time. In addition, if the direction of a person can be detected by a human presence sensor 46 or the like, the direction of the person can also be used as an index for determining the direction of the person. Examples of indices defined by the dense state definition unit 54 include a human detection distance of 1.5 m or less, a residence time of 1 minute or more, a sampling time of 1 second, and a body orientation of 90 degrees or less, as shown in Figure 6.

When the crowded state determination unit 52 determines that a crowded state exists, the warning notification unit 56 issues a warning using various means to encourage resolution of the crowded state. Furthermore, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4, a challenge confirmation unit 64 may be further provided to identify people who are creating a crowded state and issue a warning by name. In this case, if a predetermined number of warnings have been received, i.e., if a crowded state has been created more than a predetermined number of times, a notification to that effect may be issued, and in some cases, device use may be temporarily frozen. The challenge confirmation unit 64 may, for example, use information from the mobile terminal device 16 to identify people who are creating a crowded state.

The execution control unit 58 controls the execution unit 62, which executes jobs, based on the judgment result of the density state judgment unit 52, to stop and start the jobs. If the density state judgment unit 52 judges that a high-density state exists, the execution control unit 58 controls the execution unit 62 to restrict job execution. Specifically, if a job is being executed when the density state is judged, the execution control unit 58 controls the job to stop. Furthermore, if the job has not yet started when the density state is judged, the execution control unit 58 extends the time until the job starts and restricts the start of the job until the high-density state is resolved. The execution control unit 58 controls the execution unit 62 in accordance with the information defined by the stop specification definition unit 60, to control the process from stopping to restarting the job.

The stop specification definition unit 60 defines information for controlling the stop and restart of jobs. Information for controlling the stop and restart of jobs is, for example, entered by an administrator using the user interface 22 and stored in the HDD 26. Examples of management-side input information entered by the administrator include the time until stop, the restart time after congestion is resolved, and the sampling time. An example of information defined by the stop specification definition unit 60 is a settings table, as shown in Figure 7, where the time until stop is 5 seconds, the restart time after congestion is resolved is 10 seconds, and the sampling time is 1 second.

Next, we will explain the specific processing performed by the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the processing in Figure 8 starts, for example, when the image forming device 12 is powered on and ends when the power is turned off.

In step 100, the CPU 20A monitors people near the device and proceeds to step 102. That is, the monitoring unit 50 monitors the status of people around the image forming device 12 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 46. Note that the status of people around the image forming device 12 may be monitored using short-range communication with the mobile terminal device 16, or information about people around the image forming device 12 may be monitored in conjunction with the human presence sensor 46.

In step 102, the CPU 20A determines whether two or more people have been detected near the device. This determination determines whether the monitoring unit 50 has detected two or more people. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104; if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 108.

In step 104, CPU 20A determines whether a warning is being issued. This determination determines whether step 114, described below, is already being executed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and the above-described process is repeated.

In step 106, the CPU 20A cancels the warning and returns to step 100 to repeat the above-described process. In other words, the warning notification unit 56 stops the warning.

On the other hand, in step 108, the CPU 20A reads the dense state determination definition and proceeds to step 110. That is, the dense state definition unit 54 reads the indicators for determining the dense state shown in Figure 6, which were entered by the administrator through the user interface 22 and stored on the HDD 26.

In step 110, the CPU 20A determines the dense state and proceeds to step 112. That is, the dense state determination unit 52 determines the dense state using the index defined by the dense state definition unit 54.

In step 112, the CPU 20A determines whether a dense state has been formed. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104 described above; if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 114.

In step 114, the CPU 20A issues a warning notification and proceeds to step 116. That is, the warning notification unit 56 issues a warning using various means to encourage resolution of the crowded state. For example, the fact that a crowded state has occurred may be displayed on the display of the user interface 22, or an audio notification may be given. Alternatively, if the information processing system 10 includes a mobile terminal device 16, the mobile terminal device 16 of nearby people may be notified of the crowded state.

In step 116, CPU 20A determines whether the job has not yet started. This determination is made by the execution control unit 58 determining whether the execution unit 62 has not yet executed the job. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 118; if the determination is negative and the job is currently being executed, the process proceeds to step 120.

In step 118, CPU 20A performs pre-job execution control, then returns to step 100 and repeats the above-described process. Details of pre-job execution control will be described later.

In step 120, CPU 20A performs job execution control, then returns to step 100 and repeats the above-described process. Details of job execution control will be described later.

Here, we will explain in detail the pre-job start control in step 118 mentioned above. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the pre-job start control flow.

In step 200, CPU 20A issues a job start/stop instruction and proceeds to step 202. That is, the execution control unit 58 restricts the start of a job by issuing a job start/stop instruction to the execution unit 62. By restricting the start of a job, the device user can encourage people who are creating a crowded situation around the device to take action to eliminate the crowded situation in order to start the job, thereby avoiding the crowded situation.

In step 202, the CPU 20A determines whether the crowded state has been resolved. This determination is made by the crowded state determination unit 52 determining whether the crowded state has been resolved based on the monitoring results of the monitoring unit 50. The CPU 20A waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 204.

In step 204, the CPU 20A cancels the warning and proceeds to step 206. That is, the warning by the warning notification unit 56 ends.

In step 206, CPU 20A starts and executes the job, then returns to the process in Figure 8 and proceeds to step 100. That is, the execution control unit 58 controls the execution unit 62 to start the job. In other words, job execution is prohibited until the dense state is resolved.

Next, we will explain in detail the control during job execution in step 120 mentioned above. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control during job execution.

In step 300, the CPU 20A reads the settings table and proceeds to step 302. That is, the stop specification definition unit 60 reads the settings table, which is information for controlling the stop and restart of jobs shown in Figure 7 and which was entered by the administrator through the user interface 22 and stored on the HDD 26.

In step 302, CPU 20A determines whether the dense state has been resolved. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 304; if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 308.

In step 304, CPU 20A determines whether the stop time has arrived. This determines whether the time until stop in the read setting table has elapsed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 306; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 302 and the above-described process is repeated.

In step 306, CPU 20A stops job execution in accordance with the settings table and returns to step 302 to repeat the above process. In other words, if a crowded situation occurs during job execution, execution control unit 58 controls execution unit 62 to stop job execution, and job execution is restricted. In this way, by restricting job execution, the device user can avoid the crowded situation by encouraging people who are creating a crowded situation around the device to take action to eliminate the crowded situation in order to resume the job.

On the other hand, in step 308, the CPU 20A cancels the warning and proceeds to step 310. In other words, the warning by the warning notification unit 56 ends.

In step 310, the CPU 20A resumes job execution in accordance with the setting table and proceeds to step 312. That is, the execution control unit 58 controls the execution unit 62 to resume job execution.

In step 312, CPU 20A determines whether the job has ended. This determination is made by the execution control unit 58 monitoring the execution status of the execution unit 62 to determine whether the job has ended. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 314; if the determination is positive, the series of processes ends, and the process returns to the process of Figure 8 and proceeds to step 100.

In step 314, the CPU 20A performs a crowded state determination process and then proceeds to step 316. Similar to steps 100-110 described above, the crowded state determination process monitors people near the device and determines the crowded state.

In step 316, CPU 20A determines whether a dense state has been formed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 302 and repeats the above-described process; if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 318.

In step 318, the CPU 20A issues a warning notification and returns to step 302 to repeat the above-described process. That is, the warning notification unit 56 issues a warning using various means to encourage resolution of the crowded state. For example, the fact that a crowded state has occurred may be displayed on the display of the user interface 22, or an audio notification may be issued. Alternatively, if the information processing system 10 includes a mobile terminal device 16, the fact that a crowded state has occurred may be notified to the mobile terminal devices 16 of nearby people.

In the above embodiment, the image forming device 12 has been described as an example of an information processing device, but this is not limiting. For example, an image reading device such as a scanner may be used as an information processing device, or a device in which multiple users may be present around the device, such as a gaming machine, an automated teller machine, or a vending machine for drinks or tickets, may also be used as an information processing device.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the image forming device 12 has been described as an example of an information processing device, but this is not limited to this. For example, the server 11, client computer 14, or mobile terminal device 16 may function as an information processing device, obtain from the image forming device 12 the detection results of people within a predetermined range of the image forming device 12, detect a predetermined crowded state from the detection results, and, if a crowded state is detected, output instructions to the image forming device 12 to notify the user to eliminate the crowded state and perform processing to restrict the execution of the requested function.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a CPU was described as an example of a processor, but the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPUs: Graphics Processing Units, ASICs: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays, programmable logic devices, etc.).

Furthermore, the processor operations in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

Furthermore, the processing performed by the control unit 20 according to the above embodiment may be performed by software, by hardware, or a combination of both. Furthermore, the processing performed by the control unit 20 may be stored as a program on a storage medium and distributed.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

10 Information processing system 12 Image forming device 14 Client computer 16 Portable terminal device 18 Communication line 20 Control unit 20A CPU
22 User interface 46 Human presence sensor 50 Monitoring unit 52 Dense state determination unit 54 Dense state definition unit 56 Warning notification unit 58 Execution control unit 60 Stop specification definition unit 62 Execution unit 64 Challenge confirmation unit

Claims (8)

a processor, the processor comprising:
Obtaining a detection result of a person within a predetermined range of a predetermined device;
detecting a predetermined dense state from the detection result;
When the dense state is detected, a notification is given to prompt the user to eliminate the dense state, and processing is performed to restrict the execution of the requested function;
The information processing device further performs a process to identify people who are creating the crowded state, notifies the identified people to encourage them to eliminate the crowded state, and if the identified people create the crowded state more than a predetermined number of times, stops the use of the device . The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor, if detecting the dense state before execution of the function, restricts the execution of the function by prohibiting the start of execution of the function. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the processor performs processing to start execution of the function when it detects that the dense state has been resolved while the start of execution of the function is prohibited. The information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor, if detecting the dense state during execution of the function, restricts execution of the function by stopping the execution of the function. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the processor performs processing to resume execution of the function when it detects that the dense state has been resolved while the function is stopped. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein the processor further performs processing to stop execution of the function and prompt the user to resolve the dense state if the dense state is detected after resuming execution of the function. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ;
an information processing terminal that requests the information processing device to execute a function;
An information processing system including: On the computer,
Obtaining a detection result of a person within a predetermined range of a predetermined device;
detecting a predetermined dense state from the detection result;
a process of issuing a notification to prompt the user to eliminate the dense state and restricting the execution of the requested function when the dense state is detected ;
An information processing program for executing a process that further identifies people who are in the crowded state, notifies the identified people to encourage them to eliminate the crowded state, and stops the use of the device if the identified people have been in the crowded state a predetermined number of times or more .