Flow line evaluation method, program, and flow line evaluation system

Abstract

To provide a flow line evaluation method capable of improving the accuracy of evaluating a flow line.SOLUTION: A flow line evaluation method includes: Step S11 of creating an indoor space model in which a plurality of areas are set, the indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space; an acquisition step S12 of acquiring flow line information; a specifying step S13 of specifying stay areas in which a person has stayed, out of the areas; an aggregation step S14 of aggregating the number of movements between the stay areas, based on transition of the stay areas; a creation step S16 of creating a new indoor space model; and a calculation step S17 of calculating a moving distance of the person on the assumption that the layout has been changed in the real indoor space, on the basis of a result of the aggregation and distances between the stay areas in the new indoor space model.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow line evaluation method, a program, and a flow line evaluation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for analyzing human movement lines have been proposed for the purpose of improving work efficiency, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a simulation system capable of simulating the movement lines of people. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-154122 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above simulation system calculates the distance traveled by a person by counting the number of times the person moves from one area to another. There is a demand for improved accuracy in the calculation of the distance traveled by a person, i.e., in the evaluation of the flow line.

[0005] The present invention provides a flow line evaluation method and the like that can improve the evaluation accuracy of flow lines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A flow path evaluation method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a flow path evaluation method executed by a computer, and includes the steps of: creating an indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space, the indoor space model having a plurality of areas; an acquisition step of acquiring information on the flow path of people in the real indoor space measured by a positioning system; an identification step of identifying the stay area in which the person was staying from among the plurality of areas by comparing the flow path information with the indoor space model; an aggregation step of tallying up the number of times the person moved between the stay areas based on changes in the stay areas; a step of creating a new indoor space model by changing the arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model; and a calculation step of calculating the movement distance of the person assuming that a layout change was made in the real indoor space based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the aggregation.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the flow line evaluation method.

[0008] A movement path evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a creation unit that creates an indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space, the indoor space model having a plurality of areas set therein; an acquisition unit that acquires movement path information of people in the real indoor space measured by a positioning system; an identification unit that identifies the stay area in which the person was staying from among the plurality of areas by comparing the movement path information with the indoor space model; an aggregation unit that aggregates the number of times the person moved between the stay areas based on changes in the stay areas; and a calculation unit, wherein the creation unit creates a new indoor space model by changing the arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model, and the calculation unit calculates the movement distance of the person assuming that a layout change was made in the real indoor space based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the aggregation. Effect of the Invention

[0009] A flow line evaluation method according to one aspect of the present invention can improve the evaluation accuracy of a flow line. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a traffic line evaluation system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to be evaluated by the traffic line evaluation system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation example of the traffic line evaluation system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an indoor space model. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of area setting. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second example of area setting. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a count result of the number of movements between stay areas. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the total movement distance before and after the layout change. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen for changing the arrangement of areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0012] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the flow line evaluation system according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the flow line evaluation system according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to be evaluated by the flow line evaluation system according to the embodiment.

[0014] The traffic flow evaluation system 10 is a system that can evaluate (simulate) people's traffic flow when a layout change is made in an actual indoor space 50, based on time series data of people's positions in the actual indoor space 50 measured by a positioning system 30 (hereinafter also referred to as traffic flow information).

[0015] 2, an indoor space 50 is, for example, a space in a factory where parts are stored, and a layout change means changing the layout of at least one of the locations where the parts are placed and the shelves (furniture) on which the parts are placed or stored. The traffic line evaluation system 10 specifically includes an evaluation device 20 and a positioning system 30.

[0016] The evaluation device 20 performs information processing for evaluating the movement of people. The evaluation device 20 is realized by, for example, a personal computer or a tablet terminal on which a predetermined application program is installed. Specifically, the evaluation device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, an operation receiving unit 24, and a display unit 25.

[0017] The communication unit 21 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the evaluation device 20 to communicate with the positioning system 30. The communication performed by the communication unit 21 is, for example, wired communication, but may be wireless communication. There is also no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0018] The information processing unit 22 acquires movement line information (time series data of the positions of people in the indoor space 50) measured by the positioning system 30, and evaluates the movement line of people in the indoor space 50 based on the acquired movement line information. The information processing unit 22 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may be realized by a processor. The information processing unit 22 has a creation unit 22a, an acquisition unit 22b, an identification unit 22c, a counting unit 22d, a calculation unit 22e, and a display control unit 22f as functional components. The functions of the creation unit 22a, the acquisition unit 22b, the identification unit 22c, the counting unit 22d, the calculation unit 22e, and the display control unit 22f are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 23. The detailed functions of the creation unit 22a, the acquisition unit 22b, the identification unit 22c, the counting unit 22d, the calculation unit 22e, and the display control unit 22f will be described later.

[0019] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores information necessary for evaluating the flow line. The information necessary for evaluating the flow line includes a computer program (the above-mentioned predetermined application program) executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0020] The operation reception unit 24 receives a user's operation related to the evaluation of the flow line. The user is, for example, a manager of the indoor space 50 (such as a factory). The operation reception unit 24 is realized by at least one of devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0021] The display unit 25 displays a display screen related to the evaluation of the flow line. The display unit 25 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel.

[0022] The positioning system 30 measures the position of a first communication device 31 carried by a person, and provides time series data of the measured position to the evaluation device 20 as movement line information of the person located in the indoor space 50. Specifically, the positioning system 30 includes a plurality of first communication devices 31, a plurality of second communication devices 32, and a positioning server 33.

[0023] The first communication device 31 is a communication device carried by a person located in the indoor space 50. The first communication device 31 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0024] The first communication device 31 measures the current location of the first communication device 31 based on the received signal strength of the beacon signal received from each of the multiple second communication devices 32. For example, the first communication device 31 identifies the distance between each of the multiple second communication devices 32 and the first communication device 31 by converting the received signal strength into distance. The first communication device 31 manages the installation positions (coordinates in the indoor space 50) of each of the multiple second communication devices 32, and can measure the current location (coordinates in the indoor space 50) of the first communication device 31 based on the identified distance and the installation positions of each of the multiple second communication devices 32.

[0025] The second communication device 32 is a communication device that is distributed in the indoor space 50. The second communication device 32 is a device that functions as a transmitter of a beacon signal, and is, for example, a dedicated device for transmitting a beacon signal.

[0026] The second communication device 32 may be built in another device installed in the indoor space 50, and may be built in a lighting device installed on the ceiling of the indoor space 50, for example. Since the lighting devices are installed on the ceiling at approximately equal intervals, if the second communication device 32 (beacon transmitter) is built in the lighting device, the second communication device 32 is naturally arranged comprehensively. In addition, since the lighting device is installed on the ceiling where there are few obstacles, when the second communication device 32 is built in the lighting device, there is an advantage that there are few obstacles for the beacon signal (radio wave). In addition, when the second communication device 32 is installed separately from the lighting device, power supply (wiring of the power line) to the second communication device 32 may be an issue, but when the second communication device 32 is built in the lighting device, there is an advantage that there is no need to consider power supply.

[0027] The positioning server 33 periodically receives position information from each of the multiple first communication devices 31, and stores time-series data of the position indicated by the received position information as movement line information. Specifically, the positioning server 33 associates identification information of the first communication device 31 (or the person carrying the first communication device 31) that transmitted the position information with the movement line information and stores the information. In other words, the positioning server distinguishes between multiple people and stores the movement line information of each of the multiple people. The positioning server 33 may be an edge server installed in the indoor space 50 or in the vicinity of the indoor space 50, or may be a cloud server installed at a location away from the indoor space 50.

[0028] Note that there is no particular limitation on the specific aspect of the positioning system 30. For example, the positioning system 30 may include a plurality of first communication devices 31 each functioning as a beacon transmitter and carried by a person, a plurality of second communication devices 32 each functioning as a beacon receiver and distributed in an indoor space 50, and a positioning server 33. In other words, the positioning system 30 may have a configuration in which the relationship between the transmission and reception of beacon signals is reversed to that described above.

[0029] The positioning system 30 may also measure the time-series data (traffic line information) of the position using other positioning calculation methods. Examples of other positioning calculation methods include a method using the angle of arrival of a wireless communication signal to a receiver, such as AoA (Angle of Arrival) or AoD (Angle of Departure), and a method using the time difference of arrival of a wireless communication signal to a receiver, such as ToA (Time of Arrival) or TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival). In this way, the traffic line information may be actually measured based on the communication between the first communication device 31 carried by a person located in the indoor space 50 and the second communication device 32 installed in the indoor space 50, and the specific positioning calculation method for obtaining the traffic line information is not particularly limited.

[0030] [Example] Next, a description will be given of an operation example 1 of the flow line evaluation system 10. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the operation example 1 of the flow line evaluation system 10. Note that in the following operation example, an example will be described in which a plurality of workers perform a part picking operation in an indoor space 50 in a factory.

[0031] The creation unit 22a of the evaluation device 20 creates an indoor space model corresponding to the real indoor space 50, in which a plurality of areas and a movement route model are set (S11). Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the indoor space model. More specifically, Fig. 4 shows an editing screen of the indoor space model displayed on the display unit 25 of the evaluation device 20 by the display control unit 22f.

[0032] The indoor space model is a model corresponding to a plan view (top view) of the indoor space 50. For example, the user inputs drawing data (map) of the indoor space 50 into the evaluation device 20 by performing a predetermined operation on the operation receiving unit 24. As a result, the creation unit 22a obtains an indoor space model corresponding to the actual indoor space 50, in which shelves on which parts are placed or stored are installed in the layout of the indoor space 50. The shelves correspond to the hatched area in FIG. 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the user sets areas (dashed frames in FIG. 4) and movement route models (lines connected by nodes (circles) drawn on the passages in FIG. 4) in this indoor space model by performing a predetermined setting operation on the operation reception unit 24. This enables the creation unit 22a to create an indoor space model in which multiple areas and movement route models are set.

[0034] The movement route model is a model that indicates a movement route in the indoor space 50. For example, the user comprehensively sets all possible movement routes in the indoor space 50 in the indoor space model.

[0035] The area is set at a place where a worker is likely to stay in order to take out a part from a shelf. Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of setting the area. Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams corresponding to a part of an indoor space model. That is, Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views (top views) of an indoor space 50.

[0036] 5, when part A is located on one side of the shelf, area A corresponding to part A is set to a predetermined range including the side of the shelf where a worker will be staying to take part A out of the shelf. When part B is located on the other side of the shelf, area B corresponding to part B is set to a predetermined range including the other side of the shelf.

[0037] Ideally, the areas are set so that they do not overlap with each other, as shown in Fig. 5. However, in consideration of the accuracy of the flow line information provided by the positioning server 33, there may be cases where, even though a worker is taking out part A from one side of the shelf, the flow line information indicates that the worker is located on the other side of the shelf. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, the areas may be set broad and overlap with other areas.

[0038] 4 to 6, the shape of the area set in the indoor space model is rectangular, but it may be another polygon such as a triangle. The shape of the area may be a circle, an ellipse, a racetrack, or the like.

[0039] After step S11, the acquisition unit 22b communicates with the positioning system 30 using the communication unit 21 to acquire information on the movement of people in the indoor space 50 measured by the positioning system 30 (S12). The acquisition unit 22b acquires the movement information for a predetermined period of time for multiple workers. The predetermined period is, for example, one day or one week.

[0040] Next, the identification unit 22c compares the movement line information acquired in step S12 with the indoor space model created in step S11 to identify, for each of the multiple workers, the transition of areas in which the worker stays (S13). For example, the identification unit 22c applies the movement line information (actual movement history of the worker) of worker A to the indoor space model, and identifies the transition of areas such as worker A working in area A (picking parts), then moving to area B to work there, then moving to area C, and so on.

[0041] At this time, a time requirement is set to distinguish whether the worker stayed in an area (did work) or passed through the area (did not work). Specifically, the identification unit 22c determines that the worker stayed in the area (did work) if the worker was located in the area for a first predetermined time or more continuously, and determines that the worker did not stay in the area (did not work) if the worker was not located in the area for a first predetermined time or more continuously. An area where it is determined that the worker stayed (stay area) is included in the area transition, and an area where it is determined that the worker did not stay (non-stay area) is excluded from the area transition. That is, in step S13, the stay area where the worker stayed and the transition of the stay area are identified. The transition of the stay area is an example of a movement pattern of the worker between multiple areas.

[0042] The length of the first predetermined time can be changed by the user, but may be automatically changed by the determination unit 22c. For example, the length of the first predetermined time may be changed according to the size of the area. Since the larger the area, the longer it takes to pass through the area, the determination unit 22c determines (determines) the first predetermined time to be a longer time as the area becomes larger. Specifically, when the shape of the area is a polygon, the determination unit 22c determines the time obtained by dividing the length of the longest diagonal line among the diagonals in the polygon by the standard moving speed of a person (hereinafter also referred to as the standard moving speed) to be the first predetermined time. The determination unit 22c may determine the first predetermined time by regarding the area area as the size of the area.

[0043] 6, there may be cases where two areas overlap and the worker is located in the overlapping area. In such a case, the identification unit 22c selects one of the two areas based on a predetermined algorithm that takes into consideration the location of the worker just before or just after the worker is located in the overlapping area, and performs the process of step S13 by assuming that the worker is located in the selected area.

[0044] Next, the counting unit 22d counts the number of times of movement between the stay areas based on the transition of the stay areas identified in step S13 (S14). Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the counting result of the number of times of movement between the stay areas. For example, the number of times that multiple workers stayed in area A, then moved to area B and stayed in area B is 65 times, which is shown in the field where the column of area A on the FROM side intersects with the row of area B on the TO side. The counting unit 22d counts the number of times of movement for all the fields in Fig. 7.

[0045] Here, if the time it takes to move from one area to another is long, it is assumed that the worker has taken a break or gone outside, and it is not appropriate to count it as one movement. Therefore, in step S14, a movement between stay areas that took more than the second predetermined time may be excluded from the count. In other words, the counting unit 22d may not count a movement between stay areas that took more than the second predetermined time as one. The length of the second predetermined time is, for example, a fixed length determined by the designer of the movement line evaluation system 10, but may be changeable by the user.

[0046] Next, the calculation unit 22e calculates the total movement distance (estimated value) of the multiple workers in the actual indoor space 50 based on the distance between the stay areas in the indoor space model and the result of the compilation in step S14 (S15).

[0047] First, the calculation unit 22e determines the distance between the stay areas based on the movement route model set in the indoor space model. As described above, the movement route model is a model that comprehensively indicates possible movement routes in the indoor space 50. For example, the calculation unit 22e determines the distance from area A to area B to be the distance of the shortest movement route among the movement routes from area A to area B indicated by the movement route model.

[0048] Next, the calculation unit 22e multiplies the number of movements in each column of FIG. 7 by the distance corresponding to that column (the distance determined as described above), and calculates the total movement distance of the multiple workers by summing up the multiplication results.

[0049] Next, the creation unit 22a creates a new interior space model by changing the arrangement of the multiple areas in the interior space model (S16). When the interior space model is displayed on the display unit 25 as in Fig. 4, the user can change the arrangement of the areas by performing a predetermined operation on the displayed interior space model.

[0050] When a new interior space model is created, there are three cases: the positions of shelves are changed, the positions of parts are changed while the positions of shelves remain the same, and both the positions of shelves and parts are changed. In any case, the layout of multiple areas is changed as a result.

[0051] In step S16, if the position of the shelf is not changed, the movement path model set in the original interior space model can be used in the new interior space model. If the position of the shelf is changed, the movement path model is reset by the user or automatically reset by the creation unit 22a.

[0052] Next, the calculation unit 22e calculates the total moving distance (estimated value) of the multiple workers on the assumption that the same layout change as that in the new interior space model has been made in the actual interior space 50 (S17).

[0053] When the same layout change as that of the new interior space model is made to the actual interior space 50, if there are no changes to the work process (work procedures), etc., it is expected that the same number of movements between areas as shown in Figure 7 will occur even after the layout change.

[0054] Therefore, in step S17, the calculation unit 22e determines the distance between the stay areas based on the movement route model set in the new indoor space model, and multiplies the number of movements in each column in Fig. 7 by the distance corresponding to that column (the distance determined as described above). The calculation unit 22e calculates the total movement distance of the multiple workers by adding up the results of the multiplication.

[0055] In this way, the calculation unit 22e can calculate the total travel distance of multiple workers assuming that the same layout changes as in the new indoor space model are made in the actual indoor space 50, based on the distance between the staying areas in the new indoor space model created in step S16 and the results of the aggregation in step S14.

[0056] Next, the display control unit 22f displays the evaluation result of the flow line (S18). Specifically, the display control unit 22f displays the total movement distance before the layout change calculated in step S15 and the total movement distance after the layout change calculated in step S17 on the display unit 25. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the total movement distance before and after the layout change.

[0057] 8, in addition to the total movement distance of multiple workers (middle row), the total movement distance of multiple workers individually (lower row) is also displayed. The total movement distance of an individual can be calculated by performing the processing of step S13 and subsequent steps on the movement line information of a specific worker that is the processing target among the movement line information acquired in step S12.

[0058] As described above, the flow line evaluation system 10 (evaluation device 20) can calculate the travel distance of a worker when it is assumed that a layout change is made in the actual indoor space 50. When there are multiple layout change proposals, the process of steps S16 to S18 can be repeated for each layout change proposal, so that the user can relatively easily evaluate the flow line of each of the multiple layout proposals. The flow line evaluation system 10 is suitable for evaluating flow lines in facilities where layout changes are frequently considered.

[0059] Furthermore, the flow line evaluation system 10 determines whether the worker stayed in a certain area in step S13, and calculates the movement distance by excluding areas that the worker simply passed through from the total. This makes it possible to calculate the movement distance that is highly related to the work. In other words, the flow line evaluation system 10 can perform a more accurate flow line evaluation.

[0060] [Operations for changing area placement] When the user needs to edit the area correspondence table to create a new indoor space model (change the arrangement of areas in the indoor space model), editing errors are likely to occur, which is very time-consuming.

[0061] In contrast, in the traffic line evaluation system 10, the user can change the arrangement of areas by performing a predetermined operation on the indoor space model while the indoor space model is displayed on the display unit 25. In other words, the user can change the arrangement of areas in a simple manner that is less likely to result in input errors, and can easily consider layout changes.

[0062] A specific example of a predetermined operation performed on the indoor space model will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen displayed on the display unit 25 for changing the arrangement of areas.

[0063] In step S16 of the above operation example, if the user wants to change the position of the part while leaving the position of the shelf as it is, the user performs an operation to change the areas corresponding to the positions of the parts (hereinafter, also referred to as a change operation). For example, when changing the area A-1 and the area B-1, the user performs an operation to select the area A-1 (one of the dashed frames in FIG. 9) visualized on the map of the indoor space 50 on the editing screen of FIG. 9, and then performs an operation to select the area B-1 (the other one of the dashed frames in FIG. 9) visualized on the map. When such an operation is accepted by the operation acceptance unit 24, the creation unit 22a changes the position of the area A-1 and the position of the area B-1. In this way, the change of the part (change of the area) can be performed relatively easily by two click operations (tap operations).

[0064] The swapping operation is not limited to such an operation of selecting one of the two areas and selecting the other of the two areas. For example, the user may select area A-1, drag area A-1, and drop it at the position of area B-1. The creation unit 22a may swap area A-1 and area B-1 by such an operation.

[0065] [Variations] In the above operation example, the total moving distance is used as the evaluation index of the flow line. Here, instead of the total moving distance or in addition to the total moving distance, the total moving time may be used as the evaluation index. For example, the calculation unit 22e may calculate the total moving time by dividing the total moving distance by the standard moving speed, and the display control unit 22f may display the total moving time on the display unit 25 as the evaluation result.

[0066] In the above operation example, the flow line evaluation (calculation of travel distance) in a factory has been described, but the flow line evaluation system 10 can also be applied to flow line evaluation in other facilities such as logistics warehouses and stores. Users of the flow line evaluation system 10 are assumed to be managers or administrators of various facilities such as factories, logistics warehouses, and stores.

[0067] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified inventions will be described.

[0068] Invention 1 is a flow line evaluation method executed by a computer such as an evaluation device 20, the flow line evaluation method including a step S11 of creating an indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space 50, in which a plurality of areas are set; an acquisition step S12 of acquiring information on people's flow lines in the real indoor space 50 measured by a positioning system 30; an identification step S13 of identifying a stay area in which a person stayed among the plurality of areas by comparing the flow line information with the indoor space model; an aggregation step S14 of tallying up the number of times people moved between the stay areas based on changes in the stay areas; a step S16 of creating a new indoor space model by changing the arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model; and a calculation step S17 of calculating the movement distance of people assuming that a layout change was made in the real indoor space 50, based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the aggregation.

[0069] This type of flow line evaluation method identifies the area of ​​stay, and calculates the movement distance by excluding areas that a person simply passed through from the calculation, thereby enabling a more accurate flow line evaluation.

[0070] Invention 2 is a traffic flow evaluation method of Invention 1, in which in the identification step S13, an area among multiple areas in which the person has been located continuously for more than a first predetermined time is identified as the stay area by comparing the acquired traffic flow information with an indoor space model.

[0071] Such a flow line evaluation method can identify a stay area based on time requirements.

[0072] A third aspect of the present invention is the flow line evaluation method according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the first predetermined time period is changed depending on the size of the stay area.

[0073] Such a flow line evaluation method can automatically and appropriately determine the first predetermined time for identifying the stay area.

[0074] Invention 4 is a traffic flow evaluation method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, further including a step S15 of calculating the movement distance of people in the actual indoor space 50 before the layout change based on the distance between stay areas in the indoor space model and the aggregation results.

[0075] If such a flow line evaluation method is used to display the movement distance before and after the layout change, the user can easily understand the movement distance due to the layout change.

[0076] Invention 5 is the flow line evaluation method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, in which a movement route model is set in the new indoor space model, and the distance between the stay areas is determined based on the movement route model.

[0077] This flow line evaluation method is a relatively simple calculation method and can perform highly accurate flow line evaluation.

[0078] Invention 6 is the flow line evaluation method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein in the counting step S14, movement between stay areas that takes more than the second predetermined time is excluded from the counting.

[0079] This type of flow-line evaluation method can perform more accurate flow-line evaluation by excluding movements between stay areas that occur during breaks such as lunch breaks from the calculation.

[0080] Invention 7 is a flow line evaluation method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 6, in which in an acquisition step S12, flow line information of a plurality of people is acquired, and in a calculation step S17, a travel distance for each of the plurality of people is calculated assuming that a layout change is made in the actual indoor space 50.

[0081] According to such a flow line evaluation method, the user can easily grasp the individual difference in the movement distance. If the user can grasp the individual difference in the movement distance, the user can aim to equalize the movement distance.

[0082] Invention 8 is a program for causing a computer to execute the flow line evaluation method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 7.

[0083] According to such a program, the computer can specify the area of ​​stay and calculate the distance traveled by excluding areas that a person simply passed through from the calculation, thereby enabling a more accurate evaluation of the movement line.

[0084] Invention 9 is a flow line evaluation system 10 comprising a creation unit 22a that creates an indoor space model corresponding to an actual indoor space and in which a plurality of areas are set, an acquisition unit 22b that acquires information on people's flow lines in the actual indoor space 50 measured by a positioning system 30, an identification unit 22c that identifies a stay area in which a person stayed from a plurality of areas by comparing the flow line information with the indoor space model, a compilation unit 22d that compiles the number of times people moved between the stay areas based on changes in the stay areas, and a calculation unit 22e, in which the creation unit 22a creates a new indoor space model by changing the arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model, and the calculation unit 22e calculates the movement distance of people assuming that a layout change has been made in the actual indoor space 50, based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the compilation.

[0085] Such a flow line evaluation system 10 can perform a more accurate flow line evaluation by identifying the stay area and calculating the movement distance while excluding areas that a person simply passed through from the calculation.

[0086] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0087] For example, in the above embodiment, the traffic line evaluation system is realized by multiple devices. In this case, the components (particularly functional components) of the traffic line evaluation system may be distributed in any way among the multiple devices. For example, the traffic line evaluation system may further include a cloud server for traffic line evaluation, and some of the components of the evaluation device may be provided by the evaluation cloud server. In other words, some of the processing described as being executed by the evaluation device in the above embodiment may be executed by the evaluation cloud server.

[0088] Furthermore, the flow line evaluation system may be realized as a single device. For example, the flow line evaluation system may be realized as a single device corresponding to the evaluation device.

[0089] The order of the processes described in the above embodiment is merely an example. The order of the processes may be changed, or the processes may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the processes executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit.

[0090] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. The present invention may be realized by a program execution unit such as the one described above reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0091] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0092] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0093] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a flow line evaluation method executed by a computer such as a flow line evaluation system (evaluation device), or may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a flow line evaluation method. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0094] The program of the present invention includes a dedicated application program for operating a general-purpose information terminal as the evaluation device of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0095] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Traffic flow evaluation system 22a Creation Department 22b Acquisition part 22c Specific part 22d Counting Department 22e Calculation part 30 Positioning System 50 Indoor space

Claims

1. A flow line evaluation method executed by a computer, comprising: creating an indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space and having a plurality of areas set therein; An acquisition step of acquiring information on movement lines of people in the actual indoor space measured by a positioning system; a step of identifying an area in which the person stayed among the plurality of areas by comparing the traffic line information with the indoor space model; a counting step of counting the number of times of movement between the stay areas based on the transition of the stay areas; creating a new indoor space model by changing the arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model; and calculating a moving distance of the person when it is assumed that a layout change has been made in the actual indoor space based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the aggregation. Traffic flow evaluation method.

2. In the identifying step, an area in which the person has been continuously located for a first predetermined time or more among the plurality of areas is identified as the staying area by comparing the acquired movement line information with the indoor space model. The flow line evaluation method according to claim 1 .

3. The first predetermined time is changed depending on the size of the stay area. The flow line evaluation method according to claim 2 .

4. The method further includes a step of calculating a moving distance of the person in the actual indoor space before the layout change based on the distance between the stay areas in the indoor space model and the result of the aggregation. The flow line evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A travel route model is set in the new indoor space model, The distance between the stay areas is determined based on the movement route model. The flow line evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. In the counting step, any movement between the stay areas that takes more than a second predetermined time is excluded from the counting. The flow line evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. In the acquiring step, information on the movement of a plurality of people is acquired, In the calculation step, a moving distance of each of the plurality of people is calculated when a layout change is made in the actual indoor space. The flow line evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A program for causing the computer to execute the flow line evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. a creating unit that creates an indoor space model corresponding to a real indoor space and having a plurality of areas set therein; an acquisition unit that acquires information on movement lines of people in the actual indoor space measured by a positioning system; an identification unit that identifies a stay area in which the person stayed among the plurality of areas by comparing the flow line information with the indoor space model; A counting unit that counts the number of times of movement between the stay areas based on the transition of the stay areas; A calculation unit, the creation unit creates a new indoor space model by changing an arrangement of the plurality of areas in the indoor space model; The calculation unit calculates a moving distance of the person when it is assumed that a layout change is made in the actual indoor space, based on the distance between the stay areas in the new indoor space model and the result of the aggregation. Traffic flow evaluation system.

Images