User management system in amusement facility

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a user management system that manages the entry / exit and usage status of users who use amusement facilities such as amusement parks and amusement parks.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In amusement parks, amusement parks, and other amusement facilities, for example, a card-type gate device is installed at the entrance / exit gate to manage the entrance / exit of the user, and the entrance card (magnetic card or IC card) purchased by the user. The information stored in the facility was read by a gate device to determine whether or not the user could enter the facility (see Patent Document 1).

【0003】

On the other hand, regarding the collection of fees when using a number of attractions installed in the amusement facility, for example, a method of making all attractions available as many times as necessary by presenting the admission card, or storing in the admission card. A method is adopted in which the usage fee is collected by having the gate device provided for each attraction read the fee information and rewrite the fee information.

【0004】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-57126 (Page 2, Fig. 3) [0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in a user management system using a card-type gate device as described above, the user must carry an admission card at all times, which is not only inconvenient for the user but also due to loss or theft. There was a risk of losing the admission card. Moreover, when the charge information is stored in the admission card, there is a risk that the lost admission card may be illegally used by a third party and suffer financial damage.

【0006】

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user management system in an amusement facility with improved usability and security for users.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

The invention of claim 1 is a user management system that manages the entry / exit and usage status of users who use a game facility in which one or more attractions are installed in order to achieve the above object, and is a game facility. A registration device that is installed at the entrance of the amusement facility and registers the authentication information of users who enter the amusement facility, a management server that manages the authentication information of the users registered by the registration device, and near each attraction in the amusement facility. It is equipped with an authentication device that provides the management server with the authentication information of the user who is installed and intends to use the attraction to request authentication, and the registration device is an image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information of the user's face and an image. The image processing means that extracts the user's facial features by image processing the image information acquired by the information acquisition means and the user's facial features extracted by the image processing means are notified to the management server as authentication information. The authentication device is provided with a notification means, and the authentication device extracts the features of the user's face by performing image processing on the image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information of the user's face and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means. The management server is provided with an image processing means for notifying the management server of the facial features of the user extracted by the image processing means as authentication information, and the management server stores the authentication information notified from the registration device. It is characterized by including a database, a collation means for collating the authentication information notified from the authentication device with the authentication information stored in the database, and a notification means for notifying the authentication device of the collation result by the collation means.

【0008】

In the invention of claim 2, the management server is provided with a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time while the user who has registered the authentication information by the registration device stays in the amusement facility in the invention of claim 1. The notification means of the management server is characterized in that if the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time limit, the authentication device is notified that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit together with the collation result.

【0009】

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the management server saves the usage status of each user's attraction in the database together with the authentication information, and the management server stores the usage status of each user in the database of the management server. It is characterized by being provided with an output device including a usage status acquisition means for acquiring the usage status of an attraction and a printing means for printing the usage status of the user acquired by the usage status acquisition means on a paper medium.

【0010】

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, 2 or 3, the management server stores the fee information regarding the fee to be paid by each user in the amusement facility together with the authentication information in the database.

【0011】

In the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, an authentication device is installed at a sales office that sells goods in the amusement facility, and information on the price of the goods purchased by the user is sent from the notification means of the authentication device to the management server. The management server is characterized in that the price information notified from the authentication device is stored in the database as charge information.

【0012】

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 2, the management server stores the specific information for identifying each user together with the authentication information in the database, and the elapsed time of each user measured by the management server is stored in the database. The elapsed time acquisition means acquired together with the specific information of each user stored in, and the elapsed time of each user acquired by the elapsed time acquisition means or the remaining time until the time limit are displayed in association with the specific information. It is characterized by being provided with a display device including an elapsed time display means.

【0013】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The amusement facility illustrated in this embodiment employs a method in which a plurality of attractions installed in the facility can be freely used within a time limit by paying a lump sum at the time of admission.

【0014】

The user management system of the present embodiment is installed at the entrance of the amusement facility as shown in FIG. 1, and the registration device 1 for registering the authentication information of the user who enters the amusement facility and the use registered by the registration device 1. A management server 2 that manages a person's authentication information, an authentication device 3 that is installed near each attraction in the amusement facility and gives the management server 2 the authentication information of a user who intends to use the attraction, and requests authentication. An output device 4 installed at the exit of the amusement facility that outputs the usage status of the user's attractions, and the elapsed time after the user enters the amusement facility or the remaining time until the time limit is used as the user's specific information. It includes a display device 5 that displays in association with each other, and a hub 6 that connects the registration device 1, the authentication device 3, the output device 4, and the display device 5 to the management server 2 with a LAN cable. However, instead of configuring a wired LAN using a hub 6, it is also possible to configure a wireless LAN with a registration device 1, a management server 2, an authentication device 3, an output device 4, and a display device 5.

【0015】

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration device 1 is an image input unit 11 which is an image information acquisition means for acquiring image information of the user's face, and an image processing of the image information acquired by the image input unit 11 of the user. CPU 12 which is an image processing means for extracting facial features, communication I / F unit 13 which is a notification means for notifying the management server 2 of the user's facial features extracted by CPU 12 as authentication information, and a user or amusement facility. The operation input unit 14 consisting of a keyboard or the like for the staff (operator) to input the name of the user himself / herself, and the image information acquired by the image input unit 11 and the input information input from the operation input unit 14 are input. It includes an image display unit 15 for displaying. The image input unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera that captures a user's face and a video capture card that converts analog image information output from the CCD camera into digital image information. The CPU 12 performs image processing and control processing of each part, which will be described later, by executing a program stored in a memory (not shown). The communication I / F unit 13 is composed of a so-called network interface card. Further, the image display unit 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, or the like.

【0016】

As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 2 collates the database 21 that stores the authentication information notified from the registration device 1 with the authentication information notified from the authentication device 3 against the authentication information stored in the database 21. It includes a barrel control unit 22 and a communication I / F unit 23 which is a notification means for notifying the authentication device 3 of the collation result by the control unit 22. The control unit 22 has a CPU as a main component, and executes various processes including registration, retrieval, and collation of data in the database 21 by executing a program stored in a memory (not shown).

【0017】

As shown in FIG. 4, the authentication device 3 has almost the same configuration as the registration device 1, and includes an image input unit 31, a CPU 32, a communication I / F unit 33, an operation input unit 34, and an image output unit 35. doing.

【0018】

As shown in FIG. 5, the output device 4 has almost the same configuration as the registration device 1 and the authentication device 3, and has an image input unit 41, a CPU 42, a communication I / F unit 43, an operation input unit 44, and an image output. It includes a section 45 and a printing section 46. The printing unit 46 prints the usage status of the user on a paper medium, and is composed of, for example, an inkjet printer or a laser printer.

【0019】

As shown in FIG. 6, the display device 5 includes a communication I / F unit 51 for acquiring user names (specific information) and elapsed time information from the management server 2, a CPU 52, a liquid crystal display, and a CRT display. It is provided with a display unit 53 including.

【0020】

Here, the registration device 1, the authentication device 3, the output device 4, and the display device 5 all have an external structure as shown in FIG. 7, and the image input unit 11, A CCD camera of 31,41, a display screen 8 of image display units 15, 35, 45, a keyboard of operation input units 14, 34, 44, etc. are arranged.

【0021】

Next, the operation of the user management system of this embodiment will be described.

【0022】

First, when the user enters the amusement facility, the authentication information is registered by the registration device 1. That is, in the registration device 1, the image input unit 11 takes in the image information of the user's face and inputs it to the CPU 12, and the CPU 12 executes image processing on the input image information of the user's face. The facial features of the image are extracted and used as authentication information. Here, as the image processing by the CPU 12, for example, the image information input from the image input unit 11 is binarized to generate a binary image including the region of a specific part (for example, eyes) of the face, and the generated 2 Value There is a method of calculating the feature parameter value in each area in the image, but the image processing for extracting the feature from the image information of the object (in this case, the user's face) is well known in the past. A detailed description will be omitted from the above. In addition, the CPU 12 adds the user's name (nickname is also acceptable) and the current time (entrance time) entered by the user or staff using the operation input unit 14 to the authentication information from the communication I / F unit 13. Notify management server 2. When the management server 2 receives the authentication information transmitted from the registration device 1 by the communication I / F unit 23, the management server 2 registers (saves) the authentication information received by the control unit 22 in the database 21.

【0023】

On the other hand, when a user who has registered the authentication information by the registration device 1 uses the attraction installed in the amusement facility, the authentication device 3 installed in the vicinity of the attraction (for example, the entrance to the attraction) is used. It is necessary to receive authentication (personal authentication). That is, the authentication device 3 takes in the image information of the user's face by the image input unit 31 and inputs it to the CPU 32, and performs the same image processing as the registration device 1 on the image information of the user's face input by the CPU 32. By executing this, the facial features of the user are extracted and the communication I / F unit 33 notifies the management server 2 as authentication information. When the management server 2 receives the authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 3 in the communication I / F unit 23, the management server 2 collates the authentication information received by the control unit 22 with the authentication information registered in the database 21 and collates the authentication information. The result is returned from the communication I / F unit 23 to the authentication device 3. Here, in the above collation by the control unit 22, the authentication information matching the authentication information transmitted from the authentication device 3 is searched from the authentication information registered in the database 21, and the matching authentication information is registered in the database 21. If it is, it can be authenticated, and if it is not registered, it cannot be authenticated. Then, when the collation result can be authenticated, the control unit 22 of the management server 2 exceeds the predetermined time limit for the name of the user and the elapsed time (stay time) from the admission time to the current time. In addition to the judgment result of the staying time indicating whether or not it is present, if this judgment result is acceptable, the remaining time for the time limit is added to the verification result (authentication possible) and returned to the authentication device 3, and the verification result is If authentication is not possible, only the verification result (authentication is not possible) is returned to the authentication device 3. It should be noted that the determination of matching / mismatching of the two authentication information can be realized by a conventionally known method such as pattern matching, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the control unit 22 registers information (for example, a network address) that identifies the authentication device 3 that has notified the authentication information in the database 21 as information regarding the usage status of the user.

【0024】

The CPU 32 of the authentication device 3 can use the attraction together with the name of the user if the verification result received from the management server 2 can be authenticated and the judgment result of the stay time is possible (the stay time is less than the time limit). The image display unit 35 displays that there is something and the remaining time, and if the verification result cannot be authenticated, the image display unit 35 displays that the attraction cannot be used. Also, if the verification result can be authenticated but the staying time judgment result is not possible (staying time is longer than the time limit), the CPU32 indicates that the staying time has already exceeded the time limit for the user. The indicated message is displayed on the image display unit 35 to prompt the user to leave the venue promptly. That is, if it is determined that authentication is possible based on the collation result and the staying time is less than the time limit, the user is permitted to use the attraction. However, the staying time may be determined not by the management server 2 but by each authentication device 3.

【0025】

Then, when the user leaves the amusement facility, a printed matter printed with his / her usage status is output from the output device 4 installed at the exit. That is, in the output device 4, the image information of the user's face is taken in by the image input unit 41 and input to the CPU 42, and the image information of the user's face input by the CPU 42 is the same as the registration device 1 and the authentication device 3. By executing the image processing of, the feature of the user's face is extracted and the communication I / F unit 43 notifies the management server 2 as authentication information. When the management server 2 receives the authentication information transmitted from the output device 4 in the communication I / F unit 23, the management server 2 collates the authentication information received by the control unit 22 with the authentication information registered in the database 21 and collates the authentication information. The communication I / F unit 23 returns the user's name and usage status together with the result (authentication possible or authentication impossible) to the output device 4. If the collation result received from the management server 2 can be authenticated, the CPU 42 of the output device 4 outputs the user's name and usage status data to the printing unit 46, and the printing unit 46 prints the user on a predetermined sheet of paper. Print out the name and usage status of the server (such as the name of the attraction used). The printed matter printed in this way is a record and a souvenir of the user entering the amusement facility and using the attraction. When the notification of the collation result to the output device 4 is completed, the control unit 22 of the management server 2 deletes the authentication information that matches the authentication information notified from the output device 4 from the database 21.

【0026】

Here, the control unit 22 of the management server 2 monitors the staying time of each user from the admission time stored in the database 21, and the difference (remaining time) between the staying time and the time limit is a predetermined value (for example,). When it is less than 10 minutes), the name of the user and the staying time (or remaining time) are transmitted from the communication I / F unit 23 to the display device 5. Then, in the display device 5, the CPU 52 causes the display unit 53 to display the information of the user's name and the staying time or the remaining time received by the communication I / F unit 51. As a result, not only the user himself / herself can know the elapsed time (or the remaining time) from the display of the display device 5, but also, for example, the guardian of the user (child) who is using the amusement facility can display the display device 5. From the displayed elapsed time (or remaining time) and the child's name, it is possible to grasp how much time is left for one's child.

【0027】

Further, the control unit 22 of the management server 2 notifies the registration device 1 of the number of users whose authentication information is stored in the database 21, that is, the number of residents in the amusement facility at that time, and the CPU 12 of the registration device 1. If the image display unit 15 displays the number of resident people, there is an advantage that the current degree of congestion can be notified to the user who is going to enter the amusement facility or the staff of the amusement facility.

【0028】

The user management system of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and in order to authenticate the individual user by the features extracted from the image of the user's face, the face to the authentication device 3 is used when using the attraction. Personal authentication can be performed simply by showing the user, and the user does not need to carry an authentication member such as an admission card. Therefore, there is no risk of the admission card being lost or stolen, and the usability and security for the user will be improved. Moreover, as illustrated in the present embodiment, when a time limit is set for the user to use the attraction in the amusement facility, the time (elapsed time) for each user to stay in the amusement facility. By centrally managing the above on the management server 2, the elapsed time can be easily managed, and when the elapsed time exceeds the time limit, a message is displayed on the image display unit 35 of the authentication device 3 to display the user. By notifying the user, it is possible to reliably notify the user that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit.

【0029】

By the way, the amusement facility illustrated in this embodiment has adopted a fee system in which if a fee is paid at the time of admission, there is no need to pay a fee when using each attraction. In some cases, a fee system is adopted in which a fee (usage fee) is paid individually when using each attraction. When such a fee system is adopted, the fee information regarding the fee to be paid by each user in the amusement facility may be stored in the database 21 of the management server 2 together with the authentication information. That is, the attraction usage fee is stored in the database 21 as fee information in association with the user's authentication information authenticated when the user uses the attraction, and based on the fee information when leaving the amusement facility. If the usage fee is settled, the user can save the trouble of paying the fee each time he / she uses the attraction and improve the convenience. In addition, the authentication device 3 is installed at the sales office where the goods are sold in the amusement facility, and the information on the price of the goods purchased by the user is notified from the notification I / F section 33 of the authentication device 3 to the management server 2 for management. If the server 2 stores the price information notified from the authentication device 3 as charge information in the database 21, not only the attraction usage fee but also the price of food and drink sold in the amusement facility can be stored in the amusement facility. It is possible to settle the payment at once when leaving the venue, which further improves convenience for the user.

【0030】

If the amusement facility is a pool, or if the pool is set up as an attraction in the amusement facility, the entrance fee to the pool, the usage fee for attractions in the pool (so-called water slider, etc.), and the inside of the pool If the information on the purchase price of goods at the restaurant is stored in the database 21 as price information and these charges are settled in a lump when leaving the venue, the band worn by the user as before. Compared to the system that manages the charge with the bar code, the band with the bar code is not required, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

【0031】

By the way, by using the facial features of the user as authentication information, when the child who is the user gets lost in the amusement facility, the staff of the facility authenticates the lost child (user) with the authentication device 3. Since you can know the name instantly with, there is an advantage that it is easier for the guardian of the lost child to find it. In addition, if not only the facial features of the user but also the image of the face before image processing is saved in the database 21 of the management server 2, for example, when a guardian searches for a lost child, the name of the child is stored in the database 21. The stored face image can be read out, which makes it easier for the staff to search for the lost child, or the output device 4 can print the user's face image on the printed matter.

【0032】

[Effect of the invention]

The invention of claim 1 is a user management system that manages the entry / exit and usage status of users who use a game facility in which one or more attractions are installed, and is installed at the entrance of the game facility and is a game facility. A registration device that registers the authentication information of users who enter the venue, a management server that manages the authentication information of users registered by the registration device, and an attempt to use the attractions installed near each attraction in the amusement facility. It is equipped with an authentication device that gives authentication information of the user to the management server and requests authentication, and the registration device includes an image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information of the user's face and an image information acquired by the image information acquisition means. It is provided with an image processing means for extracting the facial features of the user by performing image processing and a notification means for notifying the management server of the facial features of the user extracted by the image processing means as authentication information. The device includes an image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information of the user's face, an image processing means for extracting the features of the user's face by image processing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means, and an image processing. It is provided with a notification means for notifying the management server of the facial features of the user extracted by the means as authentication information, and the management server is notified by the database and the authentication device for storing the authentication information notified from the registration device. It is characterized by having a verification means for collating the authentication information with the authentication information stored in the database and a notification means for notifying the authentication device of the verification result by the verification means, and a feature extracted from the image of the user's face. Since the individual user is authenticated by the user, personal authentication can be performed simply by showing the face to the authentication device when using the attraction, and the user does not need to carry an authentication member such as an admission card. Therefore, there is no risk of the admission card being lost or stolen, and the usability and security for the user are improved.

【0033】

In the invention of claim 2, the management server is provided with a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time while the user who has registered the authentication information by the registration device stays in the amusement facility in the invention of claim 1. The notification means of the management server is characterized in that if the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time limit, the authentication device is notified that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit together with the collation result. This is because the management server centrally manages the time (elapsed time) of each user staying in the amusement facility when there is a time limit for the user to use the attractions in the facility. The elapsed time can be easily managed, and when the elapsed time exceeds the time limit, the user is notified through the authentication device, so that the user can be surely notified that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit. it can.

【0034】

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the management server stores the usage status of each user's attraction in the database together with the authentication information, and each user's database stored in the database of the management server. It is characterized by being equipped with an output device including a usage status acquisition means for acquiring the usage status of the attraction and a printing means for printing the usage status of the user acquired by the usage status acquisition means on a paper medium. By printing the usage status of the attractions on a paper medium with an output device, it is possible to keep a record of the attractions used by the user.

【0035】

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, 2 or 3, the management server stores the fee information regarding the fee to be paid by each user in the amusement facility together with the authentication information in the database, for example. , If the usage fee of the attraction is saved as the fee information in the database and the usage fee is settled based on the fee information when leaving the amusement facility, the user will have to pay the fee each time the attraction is used. It can be omitted and convenience can be improved.

【0036】

In the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, an authentication device is installed at a sales office that sells goods in the amusement facility, and information on the price of the goods purchased by the user is sent from the notification means of the authentication device to the management server. The feature is that the management server saves the price information notified from the authentication device as price information in the database, and not only the usage fee of the attraction but also the price of food and drink sold in the amusement facility is played. When leaving the facility, payment can be made in a lump sum, which can further improve convenience for users.

【0037】

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 2, the management server stores the specific information for identifying each user together with the authentication information in the database, and the elapsed time of each user measured by the management server is stored in the database. The elapsed time acquisition means acquired together with the specific information of each user stored in, and the elapsed time of each user acquired by the elapsed time acquisition means or the remaining time until the time limit are displayed in association with the specific information. It is characterized by being equipped with a display device provided with an elapsed time display means, and not only the user himself / herself can know the elapsed time, but also, for example, a guardian of a user (child) who is using an amusement facility. It is possible to grasp how much time is left for one's child from the elapsed time displayed on the display device and specific information (child's name, etc.).

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the registration device in the above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the management server in the above.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the authentication device in the above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the output device in the above.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the display device in the above.

FIG. 7 is an external view of the registration device, the authentication device, the output device, and the display device as described above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Registration device 2 Management server 3 Authentication device 4 Output device 5 Display device 6 Hub