Information service system, and information service method

Abstract

To provide an information service system capable of providing information about the number of people staying in a given area in a space.SOLUTION: An information service system 10 includes: an acquisition unit 74 that acquires time series data of location information of multiple first communication units 20 measured based on the communication state of radio communication of multiple second communication units 30 installed in a space with multiple first communication units 20, each possessed by a person located in a space within the facility; a calculation unit 75 that calculates at least one of the number of people who stayed in a specific area in the space, and the proportion of people who visited the space who stayed in the specific area based on the acquired time series data; and an output unit 76 that outputs first information representing the results of the calculation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system and an information providing method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an advertisement display system capable of presenting advertisement content based on the position of a person in space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an information providing system and an information providing method capable of providing information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area within a space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information providing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires time-series data of position information of a plurality of first communication devices measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices each held by a person located in a space within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space, a calculation unit that calculates at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space and the ratio of the people who have visited the space and stayed in the predetermined area based on the acquired time-series data, and an output unit that outputs first information indicating the result of the calculation.

[0006] An information providing method according to an aspect of the present invention is an information providing method executed by a computer, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring time series data of position information of a plurality of first communication devices measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices each held by a person located in a space within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space, a calculation step of calculating at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space and the ratio of the number of people staying in the predetermined area among the people who visited the space based on the acquired time series data, and an output step of outputting first information indicating the result of the calculation.

[0007] A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the information providing method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The information providing system and the information providing method of the present invention can provide information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area within a space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. 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, the components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0011] Note that each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of the information providing system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information providing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the space to which the information providing system according to the embodiment is applied.

[0013] The information providing system 10 is a system that can measure the position of a person who has the first communication device 20 in the space 90 and provide behavior analysis information based on the change over time of the measured position of the person (that is, the movement line of the person). The position of the person who has the first communication device 20 is measured based on the communication state between the first communication device 20 and each of a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 90. The space 90 is, for example, a space in a commercial facility, but may also be an indoor space in other facilities. When the space 90 is a space in a commercial facility, the behavior analysis information is information obtained by analyzing behaviors related to the purchase of goods or services.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information providing system 10 includes a plurality of first communication devices 20, a plurality of second communication devices 30, a location information management system 40, a sales history information management system 50, an illumination control system 60, a behavior analysis system 70, and an information terminal 80. Each of the plurality of second communication devices 30 is provided in an illumination device 31, and it can be said that the information providing system 10 includes a plurality of illumination devices 31. Note that it is not essential for the information providing system 10 to include a plurality of first communication devices 20, and the information providing system 10 may include at least one first communication device 20.

[0015] The first communication device 20 is a beacon receiver (scanner) that receives beacon signals transmitted by each of the plurality of second communication devices 30 via radio wave communication. The frequency band of the beacon signal is, for example, the 2.4 GHz band, but is not particularly limited.

[0016] The first communication device 20 measures the received signal strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the received beacon signal, and measures the position of the first communication device 20 in the space 90 based on the measured received signal strength.

[0017] The first communication device 20 is, for example, a portable information terminal (a general-purpose terminal such as a smartphone) that can operate as a beacon receiver, but may also be a general-purpose terminal specialized for communication such as a wireless tag, or may be a dedicated terminal of the location information management system 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the first communication device 20 is held by a person located in the space 90.

[0018] Also, as the communication standard for radio wave communication between the first communication device 20 and the second communication device 30 for measuring the position of the first communication device 20, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) is assumed, but Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be used as the communication standard.

[0019] The second communication device 30 is a beacon transmitter that transmits a beacon signal by radio wave communication. The beacon signal includes second identification information of the second communication device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the second communication device 30 is built in, for example, a lighting device 31 installed on the ceiling of the space 90, but may be externally attached to the lighting device 31. The second communication device 30 may be provided in a device other than the lighting device 31, or may be directly fixed to the ceiling or wall of the space 90 without passing through a device. A part (at least one) of the plurality of second communication devices 30 may be provided in the lighting device 31, and the other part may be provided in other devices, or may be fixed to the ceiling or wall.

[0020] In addition, the following advantages can be cited as the advantages of using the lighting device 31 as a beacon transmitter. Since the lighting devices 31 are generally installed comprehensively at equal intervals on the ceiling, if the lighting device 31 is used as a beacon transmitter, there is an advantage that the beacon transmitters are automatically arranged comprehensively. In addition, since the lighting device 31 is installed on the ceiling with few obstacles, when the lighting device 31 is used as a beacon transmitter, there is an advantage that there are few obstacles to the beacon signal (radio wave). In addition, when a beacon transmitter is installed separately from the lighting device 31, power supply to the beacon transmitter (wiring of a power line) becomes an issue, but when the lighting device 31 is used as a beacon transmitter, there is an advantage that power supply does not need to be considered. In addition, when the second communication device 30 is attached to the existing lighting device 31, it is possible to omit construction such as making a new hole in the ceiling, etc., and there is an advantage that the construction is easy.

[0021] The location information management system 40 receives the location information of each of the plurality of first communication devices 20 from the respective first communication devices 20 and stores the received location information. The location information management system 40 acquires location information from one first communication device 20 at a predetermined time interval of about several seconds to several tens of seconds, and stores the time-series data of the acquired location information. That is, the location information management system 40 manages the time-series data of the location information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 (in other words, movement line information). The location information management system 40 is realized by one or more server devices. Each of the one or more server devices is, for example, a cloud computer provided outside the facility (building) constituting the space 90, but may also be an edge computer provided inside the facility.

[0022] The sales history information management system 50 stores (manages) the sales history information of products or services in the space 90. The sales history information management system 50 is, for example, a POS (Point of Sale) system or the like. The sales history information management system 50 is realized by one or more server devices. Each of the one or more server devices is, for example, a cloud computer provided outside the facility constituting the space 90, but may also be an edge computer provided inside the facility.

[0023] The lighting control system 60 controls a plurality of lighting devices 31 and stores (manages) lighting information indicating how the plurality of lighting devices 31 are controlled (that is, the light emission states of the plurality of lighting devices 31). The lighting control system 60 is realized by, for example, a lighting controller provided inside the facility constituting the space 90 and a cloud computer provided outside the facility.

[0024] The behavior analysis system 70 receives time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 from the position information management system 40, and based on the received time-series data of the position information, calculates at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area of the space 90 and the ratio of the people staying in the predetermined area among the people who visited the space 90. Further, the behavior analysis system 70 transmits the behavior analysis information, which is the calculation result, to the information terminal 80. The behavior analysis system 70 is realized by one or more server devices, and the components of the behavior analysis system 70 described below may be distributed among the one or more server devices in any manner. Each of the one or more server devices is, for example, a cloud computer provided outside the facility (building) constituting the space 90, but may be an edge computer provided inside the facility. The behavior analysis system 70 includes a communication unit 71, an information processing unit 72, and a storage unit 73.

[0025] The communication unit 71 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the behavior analysis system 70 to communicate with the position information management system 40, the sales history information management system 50, the lighting control system 60, the behavior analysis system 70, and the information terminal 80. The communication performed by the communication unit 71 may be wireless communication or wired communication. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited either.

[0026] The information processing unit 72 performs information processing for calculating the behavior analysis information. Specifically, the information processing unit 72 is realized by a processor or a microcomputer. The information processing unit 72 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 74, a calculation unit 75, and an output unit 76. The functions of the acquisition unit 74, the calculation unit 75, and the output unit 76 are realized by a processor or a microcomputer (hardware) constituting the information processing unit 72 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 73. Details of the functions of the acquisition unit 74, the calculation unit 75, and the output unit 76 will be described later.

[0027] The storage unit 73 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 72. Specifically, the storage unit 73 is realized by a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

[0028] The information terminal 80 receives behavior analysis information from the behavior analysis system 70 and displays (visualizes) the received behavior analysis information on the display unit 81. The information terminal 80 is a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer, but may also be a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 80 includes a display unit 81.

[0029] The behavior analysis information is displayed on the display unit 81. The display unit 81 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, for example.

[0030] [Initial setting operation] A person who possesses the first communication device 20 installs a predetermined application program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a predetermined app) for measuring the position of the first communication device 20 on the first communication device 20 and performs initial settings. Hereinafter, the operation of the information providing system 10 when such initial settings are performed will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the initial setting operation of the information providing system 10.

[0031] The person performs an initial setting operation on the first communication device 20 while the above-mentioned predetermined app is running, and the first communication device 20 accepts the initial setting operation (S11). The initial setting operation includes an input operation of the user's attribute information. The attribute information includes the name, address, gender, age, family composition, or occupation of the person who possesses the first communication device 20.

[0032] When the initial setting operation is completed, the first communication device 20 sends an initial setting request to the behavior analysis system 70 (S12). The initial setting request includes the ID of the above-mentioned predetermined app (an example of the first identification information for identifying the first communication device 20 from other first communication devices) and the attribute information.

[0033] The communication unit 71 of the behavior analysis system 70 receives an initial setting request. The information processing unit 72 stores, in the storage unit 73 as initial setting information, the ID of a predetermined application and the attribute information included in the received initial setting request (S13). Thereby, the initial setting is completed.

[0034] [Position Information Management Operation] Next, the position information management operation of the information providing system 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the position information management operation of the information providing system 10.

[0035] A person who holds the first communication device 20 while executing the above-mentioned predetermined application moves in the space 90. The first communication device 20 receives a beacon signal from one or more second communication devices 30 (S21), and measures the reception signal strength of the received beacon signal (S22). Further, the first communication device 20 measures the position (coordinates in the space 90) of the first communication device 20 in the space 90 based on the measured reception signal strength (S23).

[0036] Specifically, the first communication device 20 measures its position in the space 90 by converting the reception signal strength of each of the plurality of beacon signals into the distance to the plurality of second communication devices 30. The first communication device 20 stores arrangement information indicating the arrangement (installation positions) of the plurality of second communication devices 30 in the space 90, and this arrangement information is used for position measurement. The second communication device 30 that is the source of the beacon signal can be identified by the second identification information included in the beacon signal. Note that any existing algorithm may be used for the method of measuring the position. The algorithm is, for example, three-point positioning or the like.

[0037] In addition to the received signal strength, the first communication device 20 may measure the position of the first communication device 20 using the reception angle (AoA: Angle of Arrival) of the beacon signal. The first communication device 20 may combine a positioning method using the beacon signal with a positioning method called PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) using a sensor such as an acceleration sensor provided in the first communication device 20 (a sensor that detects a change in the position of the first communication device 20) to measure the position of the first communication device 20. Further, the first communication device 20 may measure the position of the first communication device 20 based on UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication.

[0038] After step S23, the first communication device 20 transmits, for example, position information indicating the position measured in step S23 to the position information management system 40 (S24). The position information includes the measured position (coordinates) and the ID of the predetermined application. The ID of the predetermined application is an example of first identification information for distinguishing the first communication device 20 from other first communication devices 20.

[0039] The position information management system 40 receives the position information and stores the position information (S25). The processes of steps S23 to S25 are performed at a predetermined time interval of about several seconds to several tens of seconds. As a result, time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 is stored in the position information management system 40. That is, the position information management system 40 can manage the time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20.

[0040] Each of the plurality of first communication devices 20 included in the information providing system 10 can perform the same operations as the first communication device 20 shown in FIG. 4. That is, the position information management system 40 can manage the time-series data of the position information of each of the plurality of first communication devices 20.

[0041] [Behavior analysis operation] Next, the behavior analysis operation of the information providing system 10 (behavior analysis system 70) will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the behavior analysis operation of the information providing system 10.

[0042] For example, the user tries to guide people to a predetermined area in advance by holding a sales promotion event in a predetermined area which is a part of the space 90, or by performing a lighting show using one or more lighting devices 31 in the predetermined area. At a later date, the user performs an operation on the information terminal 80 to instruct an analysis of how many people could be guided to the predetermined area (that is, whether customers could be attracted). In response to such an operation, the information terminal 80 sends an analysis request to the behavior analysis system 70 (S31).

[0043] The communication unit 71 of the behavior analysis system 70 receives the analysis request. The acquisition unit 74 communicates with the location information management system 40 using the communication unit 71 to acquire time-series data of the location information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 from the location information management system 40 (S32). The acquired time-series data of the location information is, for example, the time-series data of the location information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 during a predetermined period specified by the user. The predetermined period is, for example, the period during which the facility is open on a certain day.

[0044] The calculation unit 75 calculates the number of people who stayed in the predetermined area during the predetermined period (S33). For example, the calculation unit 75 refers to the time-series data of the location information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 acquired in step S33, and can calculate the number of people located in the predetermined area by counting the number of first communication devices 20 whose indicated location has entered the coordinate range indicating the predetermined area at least once. Hereinafter, the number of people located in the predetermined area is also referred to as the number of customers attracted.

[0045] Incidentally, the calculation unit 75 may calculate the number of people located in the predetermined area by counting the number of first communication devices 20 that have been located in the predetermined area for a predetermined time or longer (for example, one minute or longer) within a predetermined period. In other words, the calculation unit 75 may determine that a person who possesses a first communication device 20 located in the predetermined area for a predetermined time or longer is a person who has stayed in the predetermined area. That is, for a person who has been located in the predetermined area for less than the predetermined time (a short time), the calculation unit 75 may not consider the person to have stayed in the predetermined area and may not count the person.

[0046] Here, the calculation unit 75 can distinguish a plurality of first communication devices 20 by the first identification information (the ID of the predetermined application) included in the location information, and determine that the same first communication device 20 has been located in the predetermined area multiple times. Instead of counting that multiple people have stayed, it can count that one person has stayed. That is, the calculation unit 75 can count the actual number of people located in the predetermined area, rather than the total number of people located in the predetermined area. Incidentally, the calculation unit 75 may calculate the total number of people instead of the actual number, or may calculate both the actual number and the total number of people.

[0047] Next, the calculation unit 75 calculates the ratio of the number of people who have stayed in the predetermined area among the people who have visited the space 90 (S34). For example, the calculation unit 75 refers to the time-series data of the location information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 acquired in step S33, and calculates the number of people who have visited the space 90 within a predetermined period (the total number of the plurality of first communication devices 20 for which location information has been obtained within the predetermined period). The calculation unit 75 can calculate the above ratio by dividing the number of people who have stayed in the predetermined area, calculated in step S33, by the number of people who have visited the space 90. Hereinafter, this ratio is also referred to as the customer attraction rate.

[0048] Next, the acquisition unit 74 communicates with the sales history information management system 50 using the communication unit 71 to obtain, from the sales history information management system 50, sales history information of products or services in a predetermined area, which indicates the sales history of products or services during the predetermined period (S35). The sales history information includes information such as the content, amount, and time of products or services sold using the registers installed in the predetermined area during the predetermined period.

[0049] Next, the calculation unit 75 calculates the number of people who purchased products or services in the predetermined area among those who stayed in the predetermined area (S36). For example, the calculation unit 75 collates the time-series data acquired in step S33 with the sales history information acquired in step S35, and identifies the first communication device 20 located near the register at the time when the product or service was sold. The calculation unit 75 can calculate the number of people who purchased the product or service by considering the person holding the identified first communication device 20 as the person who purchased the product or service. Hereinafter, the number of people who purchased the product or service is also referred to as the number of purchasers.

[0050] Here, since the calculation unit 75 can distinguish a plurality of first communication devices 20 by the first identification information (the ID of the predetermined application) included in the location information, it can count the actual number of purchasers instead of the total number of purchasers. Note that the calculation unit 75 may calculate the total number instead of the actual number, or may calculate both the actual number and the total number.

[0051] Next, the calculation unit 75 calculates the ratio of the number of people who purchased products or services in the predetermined area among those who stayed in the predetermined area (S37). The calculation unit 75 can calculate the above ratio by dividing the number of people who purchased the product or service calculated in step S36 by the number of people who stayed in the predetermined area calculated in step S33. Hereinafter, this ratio is also referred to as the customer acquisition and purchase rate.

[0052] Next, the acquisition unit 74 communicates with the lighting control system 60 using the communication unit 71, and acquires lighting information indicating the light emission state of one or more lighting devices 31 installed in the predetermined area during the predetermined period from the lighting control system 60 (S38). The light emission state of the lighting device 31 indicated by the lighting information includes, for example, the emission color of the lighting device 31 and the brightness (dimming rate).

[0053] Next, the output unit 76 generates behavior analysis information (S39), and outputs (transmits) the generated behavior analysis information to the information terminal 80 using the communication unit 71 (S40). The behavior analysis information includes information indicating the calculation result of the number of customers gathered in step S33, information indicating the calculation result of the customer gathering rate in step S34, information indicating the calculation result of the number of purchasers in step S36, and information indicating the calculation result of the customer gathering and purchasing rate in step S37, and the lighting information acquired in step S38 is associated with these pieces of information.

[0054] The information terminal 80 receives the behavior analysis information, and displays the received behavior analysis information on the display unit 81 (S41). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the behavior analysis information displayed on the display unit 81.

[0055] As described above, the information providing system 10 (behavior analysis system 70) can calculate the number of people staying in a predetermined area in the space based on the time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices 20, and output behavior analysis information indicating the calculation result. The user can grasp the customer gathering effect of an event or the like held in a predetermined area based on the behavior analysis information. In addition, since the lighting information is included in the behavior analysis information, the relationship between the light emission state of the lighting device 31 and customer gathering can be grasped.

[0056] Note that it is not essential for the behavior analysis information to include all of the information indicating the calculation result of the number of customers attracted in step S33, the information indicating the calculation result of the customer attraction rate in step S34, the information indicating the calculation result of the number of purchasers in step S36, and the information indicating the calculation result of the customer attraction and purchase rate in step S37. It is sufficient if at least one piece of information is included. Further, it is not essential for lighting information to be associated with this information, and the lighting information may be omitted.

[0057] [Modification Example] The calculation unit 75 of the behavior analysis system 70 may calculate at least one of the number of customers attracted and the number of purchasers for each attribute based on the attribute information stored in the storage unit 73 by the above-described initial setting operation.

[0058] For example, if the behavior analysis information including the information indicating the number of customers attracted and the number of purchasers for each attribute is output by the output unit 76, the information terminal 80 can display the number of customers attracted or the number of purchasers for each attribute on the display unit 81 based on the received behavior analysis information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the number of customers attracted and the number of purchasers for each attribute displayed on the display unit 81. In the example of FIG. 7, the number of customers attracted and the number of purchasers for each age are displayed, but the number of customers attracted and the number of purchasers for other attributes such as gender may also be displayed.

[0059] Further, the method for measuring the position of the user is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment. The measurement of the position of the user may be realized, for example, by a plurality of first communication devices 20 each of which functions as a beacon transmitter and is carried by a person, and a plurality of second communication devices 30 each of which functions as a beacon receiver and is distributed in the space 90. That is, the measurement of the position of the user may be realized by a configuration in which the relationship between the above description and the transmission and reception of beacon signals is reversed.

[0060] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, the invention obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be exemplified, and the effects and the like obtained from the invention will be described.

[0061] The invention 1 is an information providing system 10 including an acquisition unit 74 that acquires time-series data of position information of a plurality of first communication devices 20 measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices 20 each held by a person located in a space 90 within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 90, a calculation unit 75 that calculates at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space 90 and the ratio of the people staying in the predetermined area among the people who visited the space 90 based on the acquired time-series data, and an output unit 76 that outputs first information indicating the result of the calculation.

[0062] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area. If measures (such as holding an event) to guide people to the predetermined area in advance are taken, the user can grasp the effect of the measures.

[0063] In the invention 2, the calculation unit 75 determines, based on the acquired time-series data, that a person holding the first communication device 20 located in the predetermined area for a predetermined time or more is a person staying in the predetermined area, and it is the information providing system 10 of the invention 1.

[0064] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information regarding the number of people who are considered to have consciously stayed in the predetermined area by excluding people who were located in the predetermined area for only a short time from the people who stayed. If measures to guide people to the predetermined area in advance are taken, the user can more accurately grasp the effect of the measures.

[0065] In the invention 3, the acquisition unit 74 further acquires sales history information of products or services in the predetermined area, and the calculation unit 75 further calculates at least one of the number of people who purchased products or services in the predetermined area and the ratio of the people who purchased products or services in the predetermined area among the people who stayed in the predetermined area based on the acquired time-series data and the acquired sales history information, and the output unit 76 further outputs second information indicating the result of the calculation, and it is the information providing system 10 of the invention 1 or 2.

[0066] Such an information providing system 10 can output information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area and purchasing a product or service in the predetermined area. If measures have been taken in advance to promote the sale of products or services in the predetermined area, the user can grasp the effect of the measures.

[0067] In Invention 4, in a predetermined area, one or more lighting devices 31 are installed, the first information is information indicating at least one of the number of people staying in the predetermined area within the space 90 and the ratio of the people staying in the predetermined area among the people who visited the space 90 during a predetermined period, the acquisition unit 74 further acquires lighting information indicating the light emission state of one or more lighting devices 31 during the predetermined period, and the output unit 76 outputs the first information in association with the lighting information. It is the information providing system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 3.

[0068] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area in association with information indicating the light emission state of one or more lighting devices 31 installed in the predetermined area. If measures (such as lighting up products) related to the light emission state of the lighting device 31 have been taken in advance, the user can grasp the effect of the measures.

[0069] In Invention 5, at least one of the plurality of second communication devices 30 is provided in the lighting device 31. It is the information providing system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 4.

[0070] Such an information providing system 10 can acquire time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 measured based on the communication state of the wireless communication between the first communication device 20 and the lighting device 31.

[0071] The invention 6 is an information providing method executed by a computer, including: an acquisition step S32 of acquiring time-series data of position information of a plurality of first communication devices 20 measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices 20 each held by a person located in a space 90 within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 90; calculation steps S33 and S34 of calculating at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space 90 and the ratio of the people staying in the predetermined area among the people who visited the space 90 based on the acquired time-series data; and an output step S40 of outputting first information indicating the result of the calculation.

[0072] Such an information providing method can provide information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area. If measures are taken in advance to guide people to the predetermined area, the user can grasp the effect of such measures.

[0073] The invention 7 is a program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method of the invention 6.

[0074] According to such a program, the computer can provide information regarding the number of people staying in a predetermined area. If measures are taken in advance to guide people to the predetermined area, the user can grasp the effect of such measures.

[0075] (Other embodiments) The information providing system and the information providing method according to the embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0076] Also, in the above embodiments, the information providing system is realized by a plurality of devices. In this case, each component included in the information providing system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner. Also, the information providing system may be realized as a single device. For example, the information providing system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server device included in an advertisement distribution system.

[0077] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of a plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0078] Also, in the above-described embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0079] Also, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits respectively. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0080] Also, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized by a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, the present invention may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0081] For example, the present invention may be realized as an information providing method executed by a computer such as an information providing system. Also, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method, or may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing such a program.

[0082] In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art to each embodiment, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Description of Symbols

[0083] 10 Information providing system 20 First communication device 30 Second communication device 31 Lighting device 40 Location information management system 50 Sales history information management system 60 Lighting control system 70 Behavior analysis system 71 Communication unit 72 Information processing unit 73 Memory unit 74 Acquisition unit 75 Calculation unit 76 Output unit 80 Information terminal 81 Display unit 90 Space

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices measured based on the communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices each held by a person located in a space within the facility and the plurality of second communication devices installed in the space; A calculation unit that calculates at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space and the ratio of the people who visited the space and stayed in the predetermined area based on the acquired time-series data; An output unit that outputs first information indicating the result of the calculation. An information providing system.

2. The calculation unit determines, based on the acquired time-series data, that a person holding the first communication device located in the predetermined area for a predetermined time or more is a person staying in the predetermined area. The information providing system according to claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit further acquires sales history information of products or services in the predetermined area. The calculation unit further calculates at least one of the number of people who purchased a product or service in the predetermined area and the ratio of the people who stayed in the predetermined area and purchased a product or service in the predetermined area based on the acquired time-series data and the acquired sales history information. The output unit further outputs second information indicating the result of the calculation. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. One or more lighting devices are installed in the predetermined area. The first information is information indicating at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space and the ratio of the people who visited the space and stayed in the predetermined area during a predetermined period. The acquisition unit further acquires lighting information indicating the light emission state of the one or more lighting devices during the predetermined period. The output unit outputs the lighting information in association with the first information. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. At least one of the plurality of second communication devices is provided in a lighting device. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. An information providing method executed by a computer, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices measured based on the communication state of wireless communication between the plurality of first communication devices each held by a person located in a space within the facility and the plurality of second communication devices installed in the space; Based on the obtained time-series data, a calculation step of calculating at least one of the number of people staying in a predetermined area within the space and the ratio of the people who visited the space and stayed in the predetermined area; an output step of outputting first information indicating the result of the calculation. An information providing method.

7. A program for causing the computer to execute the information providing method according to claim 6.

Images