Position information management system, method, management device, and recording medium

Abstract

A location information management system, a location information management method, a location information management device, and a recording medium facilitate flexible use of attribute information of a moving body while considering privacy. A position information management system includes: a positioning device that detects position information of a moving body; a storage unit that associates and stores the attribute information and the position information of the moving body; a determination unit that determines, on the basis of the position information, whether each of one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be published; and an output unit that associates the location information with the attribute determined to be published and issues the associated information to an external system. The attribute information prescribes whether or not each attribute is a protected object attribute set as a privacy protected object. The determination unit determines that an attribute other than the protection object attribute among the one or more attributes can be published, determines that the protection object attribute cannot be published when the position of the moving body belongs to the privacy setting region, and determines that the protection object attribute can be published when the position of the moving body does not belong to the privacy setting region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a position information management system that manages position information of a mobile object. Background Art

[0002] There are known technologies for locating and utilizing the location information of people or objects. Patent document 1 discloses a technology for limiting information disclosure to mobile stations located in a specific range. In this technology, the location information of a mobile station is detected regularly, and information is disclosed to the mobile station only when the mobile station is within the disclosure range.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-328130

[0004] There is known a system that publishes the location information of mobile objects such as people or robots in a management area to an external system and utilizes it. In such a system, when the attribute information of a mobile object is unconditionally associated with the location information of the mobile object and published, it is considered that a problem may arise from the viewpoint of privacy. The technology of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes that the location information of a mobile station is periodically detected and sent to a server, but it does not determine whether the attribute information of the mobile station can be made public in consideration of privacy. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that is useful for realizing flexible use of attribute information of a mobile object while taking privacy into consideration.

[0006] The location information management system of the present invention comprises: a positioning device, which detects location information including the location of a moving body; a storage unit, which stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving body in association with the location information; a determination unit, which determines whether one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public based on the location information; and an output unit, which associates the location information with the attributes determined to be publicly available in the determination unit and publishes it to an external system.

[0007] In addition, the management device of the present invention comprises: an information acquisition unit, which acquires location information including the location of a moving body; a storage unit, which stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving body in association with the location information; a determination unit, which determines, based on the location information, whether one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; and an output unit, which associates the location information with the attributes determined to be publicly available in the determination unit and publishes it to an external system.

[0008] In addition, the location information management method of the present invention is a location information management method in which a computer manages the location information of a mobile body and publishes it to an external system, wherein the location information management method has the following steps: detecting location information including the location of the mobile body; associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the mobile body with the location information; determining, based on the location information, whether one or more attributes contained in the attribute information can be made public; and associating the location information with the attributes determined to be publicly available and publishing them to the external system.

[0009] Furthermore, the program of the present invention is a program that enables a computer to execute management of location information of a mobile body that is published to an external system, wherein the program is configured to enable a computer to execute the following processing: detecting location information including the location of the mobile body; associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the mobile body with the location information; determining, based on the location information, whether one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; and associating the location information with the attributes determined to be publicly available and publishing them to the external system.

[0010] According to the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that is useful for realizing flexible use of attribute information of a mobile object while taking privacy into consideration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the location information management system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location information management system according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 3 It is an example of various information of data stored in the memory.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of a natural person as a mobile object.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of a mobile robot as a mobile object.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a functional block diagram showing functions implemented by the processor of the management device executing the program.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a routine executed in the location information management system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a modified example of the hardware resources of the management device.

[0019] Fig. 9 This is a functional block diagram showing functions implemented by the processor of the management device executing the program.

[0020] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of natural persons managed in the location information management system according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of mobile robots managed in the position information management system according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig.12 This is a flowchart of a routine executed in the location information management system according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of the disclosure determination process executed in the location information management system of the second embodiment.

[0024] Fig.14 This is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a location information management system according to Embodiment 3.

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 10: Management device; 20: Processor; 21: Information acquisition unit; 22: Location / attribute information management unit; 23: Public disclosure determination unit; 24: External system output unit; 25: External information acquisition unit; 30: Memory; 32: Dedicated hardware; 34: Processing circuit; 40: Communication device; 50: Display device; 60: Positioning device; 70: Communication network; 80: External system; 90: Attribute information acquisition device; 100: Location information management system; 300: Program; 302: Data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to common elements in the drawings, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0028] Implementation Method 1

[0029] 1-1. Overview of the overall structure of the location information management system

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the location information management system of Embodiment 1. The location information management system 100 of Embodiment 1 is a system that associates and publishes attribute information including one or more attributes of a moving body with the location information of the moving body moving in a management area such as a facility. The moving body may be a natural person or a mobile robot using a facility. The mobile robot is not limited to a robot that can move autonomously, but includes a robot that moves under the control of an operator. Figure 1 , a case where a user A as a moving body moves within a facility is illustrated.

[0031] When the moving object is a natural person, the attribute information may include gender, identification information of the organization such as employee ID, name, age, and other physical characteristics. When the moving object is a mobile robot, the attribute information may include robot type, manufacturing number, manufacturer, size, function, and the like.

[0032] The position information management system 100 includes at least one positioning device 60 and a management device 10. The positioning device 60 is a device that functions as a position information detection unit that detects the position of a moving object. The position detected by the positioning device 60 is, for example, a coordinate of a three-dimensional absolute coordinate system. Figure 1 In the example, the positioning device 60 is configured as a part of the function of a portable terminal with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function held by a user A as a mobile body. As for the portable terminal, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, etc. can be exemplified. The positioning device 60 is configured to be able to communicate with the management device 10 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet. The location information of the user A detected by the positioning device 60 is sent to the management device 10 after being associated with the inherent identification ID for identifying the user A.

[0033] The management device 10 is, for example, a cloud server on the cloud. Alternatively, the management device 10 is a local server operated by the company. The management device 10 pre-stores a mobile body attribute table that corresponds attribute information to the inherent identification ID of the mobile body. In addition, the following classifications are stored in the mobile body attribute table: whether each attribute item of the attribute information is a protection object attribute that is set as a privacy protection object that should be restricted from being generally disclosed to the external system 80 according to the situation. Regarding the external system 80 here, there can be exemplified a system that manages building equipment such as elevators, a system that manages personnel of an organization, and the like. The management device 10 receives the location information sent from the positioning device 60, and uses the mobile body attribute table to generate and store a management table that associates the attribute information with the location information.

[0034] Here, the public information released from the location information management system 100 to the external system 80 is used, for example, to grasp the location of each employee in the management area of ​​a facility such as an office building. In such a case, it is required to also disclose the protected object attributes such as employee ID and name to the external system 80 in association with the location information. On the other hand, in areas where privacy should be considered in the management area, such as the vicinity of toilets, it is not preferable to disclose the protected object attributes that can identify individuals to the external system 80 in association with the location information. Therefore, in areas where privacy should be considered, it can be said that, for example, gender can be included as attribute information for grasping the congestion situation.

[0035] Therefore, in Figure 1 In the location information management system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 , the management device 10 pre-sets the privacy attribute of whether or not the area is an area in the management area where privacy should be considered. Figure 1 In the example shown, the bathroom and its surrounding area are set as a privacy setting area where privacy should be considered. When user A is located at position P1 in a privacy non-setting area that is not a privacy setting area, the management device 10 generates public information that includes the protection object attribute of the privacy protection object in the management table in the public item. On the other hand, when the user is located at position P2 in the privacy setting area, the management device 10 generates public information that excludes the protection object attribute of the privacy protection object in the management table from the public item. The management device 10 is configured to communicate with an external system 80 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet. The generated public information is released to the external system 80 via the communication network 70.

[0036] According to the operation of the location information management system 100 described above, the user's attribute information included in the public information released to the external system 80 can be selected according to the privacy attribute of the management area where the user is located. This makes it possible to utilize the attribute information while taking the user's privacy into consideration.

[0037] 1-2. Configuration Example of Position Information Management System 100

[0038] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the position information management system according to Embodiment 1. The position information management system 100 includes at least one positioning device 60 and the management device 10 described above.

[0039] The management device 10 has a function as a processing device of a computer. Typically, the management device 10 has at least one processor 20 and at least one memory 30. The memory 30 functions as a storage unit for storing various information. Examples of the memory 30 include a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. At least one program 300 executable by the processor 20 and various data 302 related thereto are stored in the memory 30. The processor 20 executes the program 300. The program 300 may also be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0040] Data 302 includes various information. Figure 3 The data 302 is an example of various information of data stored in the memory. The data 302 includes position information, a moving object attribute table, a management table, privacy attribute information, and public information.

[0041] The position information is information that associates the identification ID of the moving object with information indicating the position of the moving object obtained from the information input from the positioning device 60. The moving object attribute table is information that associates the attributes of the moving object with the identification ID of the moving object. The moving object attribute table is stored in the memory 30 in advance.

[0042] The management table is a table that associates attribute information of a moving object with position information of the moving object at each time. Figure 4 : is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of a natural person as a mobile body. Figure 5 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a specific example of a management table of a mobile robot as a mobile body. As shown in these diagrams, the management table stores the identification ID, position information, movement distance, and attribute information of the mobile body at each moment. The management table is generated by the information management process described later based on the position information and the mobile body attribute table.

[0043] The privacy attribute information is map information that classifies the management area into a privacy setting area and a privacy non-setting area on a map. The privacy attribute information is stored in the memory 30 in advance.

[0044] The public information is information obtained by extracting information disclosed to the external system 80 from the information stored in the management table. The public information is generated by the disclosure determination process described later.

[0045] Return again Figure 2 The communication device 40 is a functional block having the following functions: transmitting and receiving data with the positioning device 60 or the external system 80 via the communication network 70, and storing the received data in the memory 30. Typically, the communication device 40 receives location information from the positioning device 60 and stores it in the memory 30. In addition, the communication device 40 transmits public information to the external system 80 via the communication network 70.

[0046] The display device 50 is a display that displays various information. The display device 50 displays, for example, position information received from the positioning device 60 via the communication network 70 .

[0047] The processor 20 executes the program 300 to implement various processes of the processor 20 . Figure 6 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions implemented by the processor of the management device executing the program. Figure 6 As shown, the processor 20 includes an information acquisition unit 21, a position / attribute information management unit 22, a disclosure determination unit 23, and an external system output unit 24. Figure 1 to Figure 5 , taking the case where the management device 10 generates public information and publishes it to the external system 80 as an example, the function of the processor 20 is explained.

[0048] The information acquisition unit 21 is a functional block for executing a process of acquiring position information from the positioning device 60 . Hereinafter, this process is referred to as “information acquisition process.” The position information acquired by the information acquisition process is stored in the memory 30 .

[0049] The position / attribute information management unit 22 is a functional block for executing information management processing for managing a management table that associates attribute information with position information for each identification ID of the mobile body. In the information management processing, the position / attribute information management unit 22 stores the management table in the memory 30 that associates the corresponding attribute information with the identification ID of the position information.

[0050] The disclosure determination unit 23 is a functional block for executing a process for determining whether each item of attribute information stored in the management table can be disclosed. Hereinafter, this process is referred to as "disclosure determination process". In the disclosure determination process, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines whether each item of attribute information can be disclosed based on the position information and privacy attribute information of the moving object. Typically, when the position of the moving object determined based on the position information belongs to the privacy setting area, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines that the protection object attribute of the privacy protection object cannot be disclosed. On the other hand, when the position of the moving object determined based on the position information does not belong to the privacy setting area, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines that the protection object attribute of the privacy protection object can be disclosed. Then, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates public information based on the determination result of the disclosure determination process.

[0051] The external system output unit 24 is a functional block for executing an output process of outputting public information to the external system 80. In the output process, the external system output unit 24 distributes the public information to the external system 80 via the communication network 70.

[0052] 1-3. Specific Processing Executed in the Location Information Management System of Embodiment 1

[0053] Next, the processing executed in each functional block of the processor 20 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart. Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a routine executed in the location information management system according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 The routine shown is repeatedly executed according to a control cycle predetermined in the processor 20. Figure 7 The processing of the illustrated routine represents a part of a position information management method for managing the position information of a mobile object.

[0054] In step S10, information acquisition processing is executed in the information acquisition unit 21 of the processor 20. Typically, in step S100, the information acquisition unit 21 determines whether the position information output from the positioning device 60 is received. As a result, if it is not confirmed that the determination is successful, the processing of this routine ends, and if it is confirmed that the determination is successful, the processing proceeds to step S12.

[0055] In step S12, the information management process is executed in the position / attribute information management unit 22 of the processor 20. Typically, in step S120, the position / attribute information management unit 22 generates a management table that associates the attribute information of the moving object attribute table with the position information acquired through the information acquisition process, and stores it in the data 302 of the memory 30. When the process of step S12 is completed, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0056] In step S14, the publicability determination unit 23 of the processor 20 performs a publicability determination process. Typically, in step S140, the publicability determination unit 23 determines whether the position information of the mobile object obtained by the information acquisition process belongs to the privacy setting area. As a result, if the determination is not confirmed to be established, it is not necessary to consider the privacy of the attribute information, and the protected object attribute of the privacy protection object is determined to be public, and the process proceeds to step S142. In step S142, the publicability determination unit 23 generates public information that sets the protected object attribute set as the privacy protection object in the management table as public.

[0057] On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the judgment of step S140 is established, it is necessary to consider the privacy of the attribute information, and the protected object attribute of the privacy protection object is determined to be non-disclosed, and the processing proceeds to step S144. In step S144, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates public information that sets the protected object attribute set as the privacy protection object in the management table as non-disclosed. The public information generated in the disclosure determination processing is stored in the data 302 of the memory 30. When the processing of step S14 is completed, the processing proceeds to step S16.

[0058] In step S16, the output process is executed in the external system output unit 24 of the processor 20. Typically, the external system output unit 24 distributes the public information generated in the disclosure determination process to the external system 80 via the communication network 70.

[0059] According to the position information management system 100 described above, it is possible to determine whether to disclose attribute information that should be considered for privacy based on the position information of the moving object. Thus, the attribute information of the moving object can be disclosed and used while considering privacy.

[0060] In addition, when the moving object is a mobile robot, it is possible to determine whether to disclose attribute information that should be considered private based on the location information of the mobile robot. Thus, for example, when mobile robots from multiple manufacturers coexist, it is possible to conceal attribute information corresponding to the area where the mobile robot moves.

[0061] 1-4. Modifications

[0062] The position information management system 100 of the embodiment can also be applied to the following modified forms. In addition, the following modified examples can also be applied to the position information management system of other embodiments described later.

[0063] 1-4-1. Positioning device 60

[0064] The positioning device 60 may also be configured as a device that uses short-range wireless communication such as UWB (Ultra Wide Band) to detect the position of a mobile body within a fixed range. In this case, the positioning device 60 includes a UWB terminal that sends UWB signals, a dedicated receiving tag that receives UWB signals, and an information processing function that detects the position of the mobile body based on the UWB signal received by the dedicated receiving tag. A plurality of UWB terminals of the positioning device 60 are arranged at intervals in the management area. The information processing function is implemented, for example, by the processor 20 of the management device 10 executing a program. As a result, when a mobile body holding a dedicated receiving tag moves in the management area, the position of the mobile body can be located with high precision. In addition, in addition to UWB, short-range wireless communication may also be a beacon device using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a device using RFID. In addition, as in the positioning device 60 of this modified example, when the information input from the positioning device 60 to the management device 10 in the information acquisition process is information such as radio wave intensity, distance measurement / angle measurement value, etc. for estimating the position of the mobile body, rather than the position of the mobile body itself, the management device 10 detects the position information of the mobile body from the input information by implementing the information processing function. Then, in step S120, the position / attribute information management unit 22 generates a management table that associates the attribute information of the mobile body attribute table with the position information detected by the information acquisition process, and stores it in the data 302 of the memory 30.

[0065] Alternatively, the positioning device 60 may also be configured as a card reader. The card reader is, for example, a contactless card reader that detects that an ID card held by a specific mobile body such as an employee or a robot has approached, and communicates with the detected ID card in a wireless manner. Through communication with the ID card, the card reader can send and receive data with the ID card. For example, the card reader is set on the wall surface of the entrance for entering a divided area divided in the management area, and is a fixed-set card reader for authentication when entering the divided area. Before entering, the mobile body entering the divided area brings the ID card close to the card reader. The card reader reads the inherent identification ID stored in the card memory of the ID card. When the identification ID is read in the card reader, it can be determined that the mobile body with the identification ID is located at the setting position of the card reader.

[0066] Alternatively, the positioning device 60 may be a device that analyzes an image from a camera installed in a facility to detect the position of a moving object.

[0067] In addition, when the positioning device 60 is configured as a portable terminal, the positioning device 60 may also include sensors such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor to improve positioning accuracy. In addition, the positioning device 60 may also include a display for displaying the located position information.

[0068] 1-4-2. Hardware resources of management device 10

[0069] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a modified example of the hardware resources of the management device 10. Figure 8 In the example shown, the management device 10 has a processing circuit 34 including a processor 20 , a memory 30 , and dedicated hardware 32 , for example. Figure 8 The example in which a part of the functions of the management device 10 is implemented by the dedicated hardware 32 is shown. All the functions of the management device 10 may be implemented by the dedicated hardware 32. The dedicated hardware 32 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0070] 1-4-3. Disclosure determination process

[0071] From the perspective of privacy, it is also necessary to consider the situation where the position information of the mobile body included in the public information does not want to include accurate position coordinates. Therefore, in the public determination processing executed in the public determination unit 23, the range obtained by including the surroundings in the position coordinates can also be used as the position information of the mobile body. As such a range, for example, a range predetermined with the position coordinates as the center can be exemplified. In addition, regarding the selection of whether to use the position coordinates as the position range of the position information included in the public information, it can be configured to be selected individually for each mobile body in the mobile body attribute table, or it can be determined uniformly for all mobile bodies. According to such a public determination processing, the privacy of the mobile body can be further considered.

[0072] 2. Implementation Method 2

[0073] The location information management system of the second embodiment is characterized by a function of adjusting public information according to the state of the external system 80. In the location information management system of the second embodiment, aspects different from the example disclosed in the first embodiment are described in detail below. With respect to features not described in the second embodiment, any features of the example disclosed in the first embodiment may be adopted.

[0074] 2-1. Functions of location information management system according to Embodiment 2

[0075] Fig. 9 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions implemented by the processor of the management device executing the program. Fig. 9 As shown, the processor 20 Figure 6In addition to the functions shown, the external information acquisition unit 25 is also provided. The external information acquisition unit 25 is a functional block for executing a process of acquiring external system information from the external system 80. Hereinafter, this process is referred to as "external system information acquisition process". The external system information here includes destination information and status information of the external system 80 of the delivery destination. The status information indicates whether the external system 80 is in a normal state during operation, an abnormal state due to system shutdown, etc., and an emergency state such as a disaster. The external system information acquired by the external system information acquisition process is stored in the memory 30.

[0076] In the information management process, the position / attribute information management unit 22 stores a management table in the memory 30 that associates the corresponding attribute information and external system information with the identification ID of the position information. Fig.10 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of natural persons managed in the location information management system according to Embodiment 2. Fig.11 This is a diagram showing a specific example of a management table of a mobile robot managed in the position information management system of Embodiment 2. These management tables store the destination and status of the external system at each time in addition to the identification ID, position information, movement distance, and attribute information of the mobile body.

[0077] The disclosure determination unit 23 determines whether each item of the attribute information can be disclosed based on the position information of the moving body and the external system information in the disclosure determination process. Typically, when the position of the moving body determined based on the position information belongs to the privacy setting area, and when the state information of the external system information is an emergency state, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines that it can be disclosed even if it is a protected object attribute of a privacy protection object. Thus, for example, when the external system 80 is a management system of an elevator, etc., personal information in a disaster such as being trapped in an elevator can be determined. Thus, it is easy to flexibly use it in a relief application such as a human position utilization application in an emergency state.

[0078] Alternatively, when the position of the moving object determined based on the position information belongs to the privacy setting area and the status information of the external system information is abnormal, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates invalid disclosure information to stop the disclosure of information to the external system 80 .

[0079] 2-2. Specific Processing Executed in the Location Information Management System of Embodiment 2

[0080] Next, the processing executed in each functional block of the processor 20 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart. Fig.12 This is a flowchart of a routine executed in the location information management system according to the second embodiment. Fig.12The routine shown is repeatedly executed according to a control cycle predetermined in the processor 20. Fig.12 The processing of the illustrated routine represents a part of a position information management method for managing the position information of a mobile object.

[0081] In step S20, the information acquisition process is executed in the information acquisition unit 21 of the processor 20. Typically, in step S200, the information acquisition unit 21 determines whether the position information output from the positioning device 60 is received. As a result, if it is not confirmed that the determination is successful, the process of this routine ends, and if it is confirmed that the determination is successful, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0082] In step S22, the external system information acquisition process is executed in the external information acquisition unit 25 of the processor 20. Typically, in step S22, the external information acquisition unit 25 acquires the external system information from the external system 80. When the process of step S22 is completed, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0083] In step S24, information management processing is performed in the position / attribute information management unit 22 of the processor 20. Typically, the position / attribute information management unit 22 generates a management table that associates the attribute information of the mobile body attribute table and the external system information acquired by the external system information acquisition processing of step S22 with the position information acquired by the information acquisition processing of step S20, and stores it in the data 302 of the memory 30. When the processing of step S24 is completed, the processing proceeds to step S26.

[0084] In step S26 , the disclosure permission determination unit 23 of the processor 20 executes disclosure permission determination processing. Fig.13 2 is a flowchart of the disclosure determination process executed in the location information management system of Embodiment 2. In the disclosure determination process, in step S260, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines whether the status information of the external system 80 is in an abnormal state. As a result, if it is confirmed that the determination is established, it is determined that the information disclosure to the external system 80 should be stopped, and the process proceeds to step S262. In step S262, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates invalid disclosure information.

[0085] On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the determination is successful in step S260, the process proceeds to step S264. In step S264, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines whether the state information of the external system 80 is an emergency state. As a result, if it is confirmed that the determination is successful, the process proceeds to step S266. In step S266, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates public information that sets the protection object attribute set as the privacy protection object in the management table as non-disclosure.

[0086] On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the determination is successful in step S264, the process proceeds to step S268. In step S268, the disclosure determination unit 23 determines whether the position information of the moving object obtained by the information acquisition process is within the privacy setting area. As a result, if it is confirmed that the determination is successful, it is determined that the privacy of the attribute information does not need to be considered, and the process proceeds to step S270. In step S270, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates public information that sets the items of the protection target attributes set as the privacy protection target in the management table as public.

[0087] On the other hand, if the determination in step S268 is confirmed to be established, it is determined that the privacy of the attribute information needs to be considered, and the process proceeds to step S272. In step S272, the disclosure determination unit 23 generates disclosure information that sets the protected attribute set as the privacy protection target in the management table as non-discloseable.

[0088] Return again Fig.12 In step S28, the output process is performed in the external system output unit 24 of the processor 20. Typically, the external system output unit 24 publishes the public information generated in the disclosure determination process to the external system 80 via the communication network 70. At this time, if the public information is invalid public information generated in step S262, the public information is not published in the output process.

[0089] According to the position information management system 100 of the second embodiment described above, whether or not to disclose attribute information that should be considered private can be determined based on the state of the external system 80. Thus, the publicly available information in the attribute information of the mobile object can be managed while considering the state of the external system 80.

[0090] 3. Implementation Method 3

[0091] In the location information management system 100 of the first embodiment, the attribute information of the moving object is pre-stored in the moving object attribute table of the memory 30. Here, the information such as gender and age in the attribute information of the moving object that can be judged based on the appearance can be estimated based on the camera image captured by the camera, and does not necessarily need to be pre-stored in the moving object attribute table.

[0092] The location information management system of the third embodiment is characterized by a structure that obtains at least a part of the attribute information of the mobile object from an external device. In the location information management system of the third embodiment, aspects different from the example disclosed in the first embodiment are described in detail below. With respect to features not described in the third embodiment, any features of the example disclosed in the first embodiment may be adopted.

[0093] 3-1. Features of location information management system according to Embodiment 3

[0094] Fig.14 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a location information management system according to Embodiment 3. The location information management system 100 has at least one attribute information acquisition device 90 in addition to at least one positioning device 60 and a management device 10. The attribute information acquisition device 90 identifies a moving body moving in a management area and acquires a portion of the attribute information of the moving body. Typically, the attribute information acquisition device 90 is a camera device disposed in the management area, and performs a known image analysis on the captured camera image, thereby identifying the moving body and acquiring attribute information such as gender and age. Alternatively, the attribute information acquisition device 90 is configured as a part of the function of a portable terminal held by the moving body. In this case, the attribute information acquisition device 90 acquires at least a portion of the attribute information of the moving body stored in the portable terminal. Alternatively, in the case where the moving body is a mobile robot, the attribute information acquisition device 90 is configured as a part of the function of the mobile robot. In this case, the attribute information acquisition device 90 acquires at least a portion of the attribute information of the moving body stored in the mobile robot.

[0095] The attribute information acquisition device 90 transmits data in which the identification ID of the moving object and the acquired attribute information are associated to the management device 10 via the communication network 70 .

[0096] The management device 10 acquires the attribute information transmitted from the attribute information acquisition device 90 in the information acquisition process executed by the information acquisition unit 21. The acquired attribute information is reflected in the moving object attribute table by associating the identification ID.

[0097] According to the processing of the position information management system as described above, a part of the attribute information of the mobile object can be acquired from the external device. This can save the labor of maintenance management of the management device 10 and improve the expandability.

[0098] 4. Others

[0099] Although preferred embodiments and the like have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments and the like without departing from the scope described in the claims.

[0100] Hereinafter, various aspects of the present invention will be summarized and described as supplementary notes.

[0101] (Note 1)

[0102] A location information management system, wherein the location information management system has:

[0103] a positioning device that detects position information including the position of the moving object;

[0104] a storage unit that stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object in association with the position information;

[0105] a determination unit that determines, based on the location information, whether each of the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; and

[0106] An output unit is configured to associate the location information with the attribute determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and publish the associated location information to an external system.

[0107] (Note 2)

[0108] According to the location information management system described in Supplement 1,

[0109] The location information management system is composed of:

[0110] The storage unit stores in advance a classification of whether each of the one or more attributes in the attribute information is a protection target attribute set as a privacy protection target,

[0111] When the position of the moving object included in the position information belongs to a privacy setting area, the determination unit determines that the protection target attribute is not open.

[0112] (Note 3)

[0113] According to the location information management system described in Supplement 2,

[0114] The location information management system is composed of:

[0115] The determination unit determines that attributes other than the protected attribute among the one or more attributes can be disclosed,

[0116] When the position of the moving object included in the position information does not belong to the privacy setting area, the determination unit determines that the protection target attribute is openable.

[0117] (Note 4)

[0118] The location information management system according to any one of Annexes 1 to 3, wherein:

[0119] The mobile object includes a person or a mobile robot.

[0120] (Note 5)

[0121] The location information management system according to Appendix 2 or 3, wherein:

[0122] The location information management system is composed of:

[0123] The location information management system includes an external information acquisition unit that acquires external system information including a state of the external system.

[0124] The determination unit determines whether each of the one or more attributes can be disclosed based on the external system information.

[0125] (Note 6)

[0126] According to the location information management system described in Supplement 5,

[0127] The location information management system is composed of:

[0128] When the external system information includes information indicating an emergency state of the external system, the determination unit determines that the protected object attribute is openable.

[0129] (Note 7)

[0130] According to the location information management system described in Supplement 5,

[0131] The location information management system is composed of:

[0132] When the external system information includes information indicating an abnormal state of the external system, the determination unit determines that all of the one or more attributes cannot be disclosed.

[0133] (Note 8)

[0134] The location information management system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein:

[0135] The location information management system is composed of:

[0136] The location information management system further comprises an attribute information acquisition device, the attribute information acquisition device acquiring at least a part of the one or more attributes of the mobile object.

[0137] The storage unit stores the position information in association with the attribute information including the attributes acquired by the attribute information acquisition device.

[0138] (Note 9)

[0139] According to the location information management system described in Supplementary Note 8, wherein:

[0140] The location information management system is composed of:

[0141] The attribute information acquisition device includes a camera device that captures an image of the moving object, and acquires the attribute of the moving object based on a camera image of the moving object captured by the camera device.

[0142] (Note 10)

[0143] According to the location information management system described in Supplementary Note 8, wherein:

[0144] The location information management system is composed of:

[0145] The mobile object is a person holding a portable terminal or a mobile robot.

[0146] The attribute information acquisition device acquires at least a part of the one or more attributes from the portable terminal or the mobile robot.

[0147] (Note 11)

[0148] The location information management system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 10, wherein:

[0149] The location information management system is composed of:

[0150] The output unit associates the position information of a range including the position of the moving object and its surroundings with the attribute information determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and distributes it to the external system.

[0151] (Note 12)

[0152] A management device, wherein the management device has:

[0153] an information acquisition unit that acquires position information including the position of the moving object;

[0154] a storage unit that stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object in association with the position information;

[0155] a determination unit that determines, based on the location information, whether each of the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; and

[0156] An output unit is configured to associate the location information with the attribute determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and publish the associated location information to an external system.

[0157] (Note 13)

[0158] A method for managing location information, in which a computer manages location information of a mobile object published to an external system, wherein the method for managing location information comprises the following steps:

[0159] detecting position information including the position of the moving object;

[0160] associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object with the position information;

[0161] Determining, based on the location information, whether the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be disclosed; and

[0162] The location information is associated with the attributes determined to be publicly available and published to an external system.

[0163] (Note 14)

[0164] A program that causes a computer to execute management of location information of a mobile object published to an external system, wherein the program is configured to cause the computer to execute the following processing:

[0165] detecting position information including the position of the moving object;

[0166] associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object with the position information;

[0167] Determining, based on the location information, whether the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be disclosed; and

[0168] The location information is associated with the attributes determined to be publicly available and published to an external system.

[0169] (Note 15)

[0170] A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program causing the computer to execute a process of managing position information of a mobile object published to an external system, wherein the program is configured to cause the computer to execute the following process:

[0171] detecting position information including the position of the moving object;

[0172] associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object with the position information;

[0173] Determining, based on the location information, whether the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be disclosed; and

[0174] The location information is associated with the attributes determined to be publicly available and published to an external system.

Claims

1. A location information management system, wherein: The location information management system has: a positioning device that detects position information including the position of the moving object; a storage unit that stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object in association with the position information; a determination unit that determines, based on the location information, whether each of the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; as well as An output unit is configured to associate the location information with the attribute determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and publish the associated location information to an external system.

2. The location information management system according to claim 1, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The storage unit stores in advance a classification of whether each of the one or more attributes in the attribute information is a protection target attribute set as a privacy protection target, When the position of the moving object included in the position information belongs to a privacy setting area, the determination unit determines that the protection target attribute is not open.

3. The location information management system according to claim 2, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The determination unit determines that attributes other than the protected attribute among the one or more attributes can be disclosed, When the position of the moving object included in the position information does not belong to the privacy setting area, the determination unit determines that the protection target attribute is openable.

4. The location information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The mobile object includes a person or a mobile robot.

5. The location information management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The location information management system includes an external information acquisition unit that acquires external system information including a state of the external system. The determination unit determines whether each of the one or more attributes can be disclosed based on the external system information.

6. The location information management system according to claim 5, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: When the external system information includes information indicating an emergency state of the external system, the determination unit determines that the protected object attribute is openable.

7. The location information management system according to claim 5, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: When the external system information includes information indicating an abnormal state of the external system, the determination unit determines that all of the one or more attributes cannot be disclosed.

8. The location information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The location information management system further comprises an attribute information acquisition device, the attribute information acquisition device acquiring at least a part of the one or more attributes of the mobile object. The storage unit stores the position information in association with the attribute information including the attributes acquired by the attribute information acquisition device.

9. The location information management system according to claim 8, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The attribute information acquisition device includes a camera device that captures an image of the moving object, and acquires the attribute of the moving object based on a camera image of the moving object captured by the camera device.

10. The location information management system according to claim 8, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The mobile object is a person holding a portable terminal or a mobile robot. The attribute information acquisition device acquires at least a part of the one or more attributes from the portable terminal or the mobile robot.

11. The location information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The location information management system is composed of: The output unit associates the position information of a range including the position of the moving object and its surroundings with the attribute information determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and publishes it to the external system.

12. A management device, wherein: The management device has: an information acquisition unit that acquires position information including the position of the moving object; a storage unit that stores attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object in association with the position information; a determination unit that determines, based on the location information, whether each of the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be made public; as well as An output unit is configured to associate the location information with the attribute determined to be publicly available by the determination unit and publish the associated location information to an external system.

13. A method for managing location information, wherein a computer manages location information of a mobile object published to an external system, wherein: The location information management method comprises the following steps: detecting position information including the position of the moving object; associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object with the position information; Determining, based on the location information, whether the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be disclosed; and The location information is associated with the attributes determined to be publicly available and published to an external system.

14. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program causing the computer to execute a process for managing position information of a mobile object published to an external system, wherein: The program is configured to cause a computer to execute the following processing: detecting position information including the position of the moving object; associating attribute information including one or more attributes of the moving object with the position information; Determining, based on the location information, whether the one or more attributes included in the attribute information can be disclosed; and The location information is associated with the attributes determined to be publicly available and published to an external system.

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