Information service system, and information service method

Abstract

To provide an information service system capable of providing information based on the paths of movement of people within a space.SOLUTION: An information service system 10 includes: an acquisition unit 54 that acquires a piece of time series data of location information of first communication units 20 measured based on the communication state of a radio communication between first communication units 20 owned by people located in a space 60 within a facility and multiple second communication units 30 installed in the space 60; and an output unit 55 that outputs a piece of action-promoting information to encourage people to take action based on the acquired time series data.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 based on the movement route of a person in 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 first communication device measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between a first communication device possessed by a person located in a space within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space, and an output unit that outputs action promotion information for prompting the person to take an action based on the acquired time-series data.

[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 first communication device held by a person located in a space within a facility based on a communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space, and an output step of outputting action promotion information for prompting the person to take an action based on the acquired time-series data.

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

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The information providing system and the information providing method of the present invention can provide information based on the movement route of a person in a space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that all 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 figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations 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 holds the first communication device 20 in the space 60 and provide advertisement information to the person 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 holds the first communication device 20 is measured based on the communication state between the first communication device 20 and each of the plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 60. The space 60 is, for example, a space in a commercial facility, but may also be an indoor space in other facilities.

[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, and an advertisement distribution system 50. Each of the plurality of second communication devices 30 is provided in a lighting device 31, and it can be said that the information providing system 10 includes a plurality of lighting 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 through 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 60 based on the measured received signal strength.

[0017] The first communication device 20 is, for example, a portable information terminal (such as a smartphone) that can operate as a beacon receiver. As shown in FIG. 2, the first communication device 20 is held by a person located in the space 60.

[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, for example, built in a lighting device 31 installed on the ceiling of the space 60, 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 60 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 another device, or may be fixed to the ceiling or wall or the like.

[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 a problem, 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, construction such as making a new hole in the ceiling or the like can be omitted, and there is an advantage that construction is easy.

[0021] The location information management system 40 receives the location information of each of the plurality of 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, the 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 60, but may also be an edge computer provided inside the facility.

[0022] The advertisement distribution system 50 receives the time-series data of the location information of the first communication device 20 from the location information management system 40, and distributes advertisement information to the first communication device 20 based on the received time-series data of the location information. The advertisement distribution system 50 is realized by one or more server devices, and the components of the advertisement distribution system 50 described below may be allocated to 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 60, but may also be an edge computer provided inside the facility. The advertisement distribution system 50 includes a communication unit 51, an information processing unit 52, and a storage unit 53.

[0023] The communication unit 51 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the advertisement distribution system 50 to communicate with the plurality of first communication devices 20 and the location information management system 40. The communication unit 51, for example, receives the time-series data of the location information of the first communication device 20 from the location information management system 40 and distributes advertisement information to the first communication device 20. The communication performed by the communication unit 51 may be wireless communication or wired communication. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited either.

[0024] The information processing unit 52 performs information processing for distributing advertisement information to the first communication device 20. Specifically, the information processing unit 52 is realized by a processor or a microcomputer. The information processing unit 52 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 54 and an output unit 55. The functions of the acquisition unit 54 and the output unit 55 are realized by a processor or a microcomputer (hardware) constituting the information processing unit 52 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 53. Details of the functions of the acquisition unit 54 and the output unit 55 will be described later.

[0025] The storage unit 53 is a storage device that stores advertisement information to be distributed and a computer program executed by the information processing unit 52. Specifically, the storage unit 53 is realized by a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

[0026] [Initial setting operation] A person who possesses the first communication device 20 (hereinafter also referred to as a user) installs a predetermined application program (hereinafter also simply referred to as a predetermined app) on the first communication device 20 and performs initial settings in order to receive advertisement information from the advertisement distribution system 50. 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.

[0027] The user performs an initial setting operation on the first communication device 20 while the above-mentioned predetermined app is being executed, 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 user's name, address, gender, age, family composition, or occupation.

[0028] When the initial setting operation is completed, the first communication device 20 transmits an initial setting request to the advertisement distribution system 50 (S12). The initial setting request includes the ID of the predetermined application (an example of first identification information for identifying the first communication device 20 and other first communication devices) and attribute information.

[0029] The communication unit 51 of the advertisement distribution system 50 receives the initial setting request. The information processing unit 52 stores the ID of the predetermined application and the attribute information included in the received initial setting request in the storage unit 53 as initial setting information (S13). Thereby, the initial setting is completed.

[0030] [Location Information Management Operation] Next, the location information management operation of the information providing system 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the location information management operation of the information providing system 10. The user moves in the space 60 while holding the first communication device 20 in which the predetermined application is being executed. The first communication device 20 receives a beacon signal from one or more second communication devices 30 (S21) and measures the received signal strength of the received beacon signal (S22). Further, the first communication device 20 measures the position (coordinates in the space 60) of the first communication device 20 in the space 60 based on the measured received signal strength (S23).

[0031] Specifically, the first communication device 20 measures its position in the space 60 by converting the received 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 60, 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.

[0032] Note that, in addition to the received signal strength, the first communication device 20 may measure its own position using the received 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 changes 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 its own position based on UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The position information management system 40 receives the position information and stores it (S25). The processes of steps S23 to S25 are performed at a predetermined time interval of 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.

[0035] [Advertising Distribution Operation] Next, the advertising distribution operation of the information providing system 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the advertising distribution operation of the information providing system 10.

[0036] The user moves in space 60 while holding the first communication device 20 while the above-mentioned predetermined application is being executed. The first communication device 20 transmits an advertisement delivery request to the advertisement delivery system 50 in parallel with the processing of steps S21 to S24 (S31). The transmission of the advertisement delivery request is performed at a predetermined time interval of several minutes to several tens of minutes. That is, the transmission of the advertisement delivery request is performed at a longer time interval than the transmission of the position information.

[0037] The communication unit 51 of the advertisement delivery system 50 receives the advertisement delivery request. The acquisition unit 54 uses the communication unit 51 to transmit a position information provision request for receiving the position information of the first communication device 20 to the position information management system 40 (S32). The advertisement delivery request received in step S31 includes the ID of a predetermined application, and the acquisition unit 54 can request the provision of the position information of the first communication device 20 that is the transmission source of the advertisement delivery request by specifying the ID of the predetermined application in the position information provision request.

[0038] The communication unit 51 receives the time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 from the position information management system 40 in response to the position information provision request, and the acquisition unit 54 acquires the time-series data of the position information (S33). The acquired time-series data of the position information is, for example, the time-series data of the position information in the most recent predetermined period (about 30 minutes to several hours).

[0039] Next, the output unit 55 determines whether or not the acquired time-series data satisfies a predetermined requirement (S34). For example, the storage unit 53 stores distribution use information in which a predetermined requirement for the time-series data is associated with advertisement information to be distributed when the predetermined requirement is satisfied. The output unit 55 can determine whether or not the acquired time-series data satisfies a predetermined requirement by referring to the distribution use information, and can specify the advertisement information to be distributed when the predetermined requirement is satisfied. A plurality of types of predetermined requirements may be stored. In this case, in the distribution use information, for each of the plurality of types of predetermined requirements, the advertisement information to be distributed when the predetermined requirement is satisfied is associated.

[0040] Although not shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that a predetermined requirement is not satisfied, the output unit 55 uses the communication unit 51 to output (transmit) notification information indicating that there is no advertisement to be distributed to the first communication device 20. On the other hand, when it is determined that a predetermined requirement is satisfied, the output unit 55 uses the communication unit 51 to output advertisement information to the first communication device 20 (S35). The advertisement information is, for example, push-notified to the first communication device 20.

[0041] The first communication device 20 receives the advertisement information and displays (visualizes) the received advertisement information (S36).

[0042] As described above, the information providing system 10 acquires time-series data of position information indicating the position of the first communication device 20 measured based on the communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device 20 held by a person located in the space 60 within the facility and a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 60, and outputs (distributes) advertisement information based on the acquired time-series data. The time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 can be considered as time-series data (travel route) of the position information of the person holding the first communication device 20. Therefore, the information providing system 10 can provide advertisement information to the person based on the travel route of the person.

[0043] [Specific Example 1 of Advertisement Distribution] Hereinafter, specific examples of what advertisement information is distributed when what predetermined requirements are satisfied will be described.

[0044] For example, in the storage unit 53 of the advertisement distribution system 50, map information of the space 60 in which coordinate axes corresponding to the positions (coordinates) indicated by the position information are set is stored, and a plurality of areas are set in the map information. When the space 60 corresponds to a large-scale commercial facility, each of the plurality of areas corresponds to, for example, a store. When the space 60 corresponds to a store, each of the plurality of areas corresponds to a sales floor within the store.

[0045] In such a case, the predetermined requirement is, for example, a requirement regarding the staying time in the area, and the output unit 55 outputs advertisement information based on, for example, the staying time of a person in the area.

[0046] For example, in step S33 above, when the output unit 55 collates the time-series data and the map information and determines that the user has stayed in a certain area for a predetermined time or more (and is still staying), the output unit 55 outputs advertisement information including coupon information available in that area to the first communication device 20. For example, a certain area is a café, and the coupon information is coupon information that can be used to receive a discount privilege for beverages or foods that can be purchased at the café by presenting it to the café staff. The length of the predetermined time may be determined empirically or experimentally by the designers of the information providing system 10 or the like, and is not particularly limited.

[0047] In this way, when the staying time of a person in a predetermined area is a predetermined time or more, the information providing system 10 can encourage the user to stay in the predetermined area by providing coupon information that can be used in the predetermined area. When the predetermined area is a store or a sales floor, the information providing system 10 can encourage the user to purchase goods or services in the store or the sales floor.

[0048] In step S33 above, when the output unit 55 collates the time-series data and the map information and determines that the user has stayed in a certain area for a predetermined time or more (and is still staying), the output unit 55 may output advertisement information including coupon information available in another area different from that area to the first communication device 20. For example, a certain area is a café, and the coupon information is coupon information that can be used to receive a discount privilege for goods or services in stores other than the café.

[0049] In this way, when the staying time of a person in a predetermined area is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the information providing system 10 can prompt the user to move from the predetermined area by providing coupon information that can be used in an area other than the predetermined area. Thereby, the information providing system 10 can alleviate the congestion in the predetermined area.

[0050] [Specific Example 2 of Advertisement Distribution] In the above map information, the type (attribute) of each of a plurality of areas is set. When each of the plurality of areas corresponds to a store, the type means, for example, the type of the store (for example, the business type such as a clothing store). Therefore, in step S33 above, the output unit 55 may make a determination in consideration of the type of the area. That is, the predetermined requirement may be a requirement in consideration of the type of the area.

[0051] For example, when the user has visited a clothing store a plurality of times, it is considered that the user is considering purchasing clothing. Therefore, when the output unit 55 collates the time-series data and the map information and determines that a plurality of areas of the same type have been visited, the output unit 55 outputs advertisement information including coupon information that can be used in areas of the same type (which may be areas that the user has visited or areas that have not been visited) to the first communication device 20. Thereby, the information providing system 10 can prompt the user to purchase a product or service.

[0052] Note that whether the user has visited a certain area or has simply passed through it is determined, for example, by whether the staying time in the area is equal to or longer than a threshold value. The threshold value may be determined empirically or experimentally by the designer or the like of the information providing system 10 and is not particularly limited. Also, in the determination, continuity may be a requirement. Specifically, it may be a predetermined requirement that a plurality of areas of the same type have been visited continuously.

[0053] In addition, upper categories and lower categories may be set for the areas. The upper category is, for example, clothing, etc., and the lower category is, for example, a clothing store, a hat store, or a shoe store, etc. In this case, when the output unit 55 collates the time-series data and the map information and determines that a plurality of areas of the same upper category have been visited, the output unit 55 may output to the first communication device 20 advertisement information including coupon information that can be used in areas with different lower categories but the same upper category. Specifically, when it is determined that a clothing store and a shoe store have been visited, the output unit 55 may provide coupon information that can be used with coupons of a hat store.

[0054] Note that, in the determination, continuity may be a requirement. Specifically, it may be a predetermined requirement that a plurality of areas of the same upper category are continuously visited.

[0055] In this way, based on the types (attributes) of a plurality of predetermined areas in the space 60 visited by the user, which are determined based on the acquired time-series data, the information providing system 10 can provide advertisement information to the user.

[0056] [Specific Example 3 of Advertisement Distribution] In addition, regardless of the visit to the area, the information providing system 10 may provide an advertisement to the user according to the moving distance or moving time of the user. For example, after the user arrives at a facility (space 60) determined based on the time-series data, when the total moving distance per unit time reaches a predetermined distance, the output unit 55 outputs (distributes) advertisement information that encourages the user to take a break to the user. That is, the predetermined requirement may be that the total moving distance per unit time reaches a predetermined distance. The length of the unit time and the length of the predetermined distance may be determined empirically or experimentally by the designer or the like of the information providing system 10 and are not particularly limited.

[0057] In addition, after the user arrives at the facility (space 60) determined based on the time-series data, the output unit 55 may output (distribute) advertisement information that encourages the user to take a break when the total moving time per unit time reaches a predetermined time. That is, the predetermined requirement may be that the total moving time per unit time has reached a predetermined distance. The total moving time is the time obtained by accumulating the time when the user is not stationary. The length of the unit time and the length of the predetermined time may be determined empirically or experimentally by the designer or the like of the information providing system 10, and are not particularly limited.

[0058] The advertisement information that encourages the user to take a break is, for example, coupon information that can be used at a café provided in the space 60, and is coupon information that can receive a discount privilege for beverages or foods that can be purchased at the café.

[0059] In this way, the information providing system 10 can provide advertisement information to the user based on the moving time or moving distance of the user determined based on the acquired time-series data.

[0060] [Specific Example 4 of Advertisement Distribution] In addition, the information providing system 10 can acquire (receive) the time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices 20 corresponding to a plurality of users from the position information management system 40. That is, the information providing system 10 can acquire the time-series data of the position information of a plurality of users.

[0061] Therefore, the information providing system 10 may provide advertisement information to the first communication devices 20 of one or more users based on the time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices 20. Thereby, the information providing system 10 can grasp the moving tendencies of a plurality of users and more effectively guide one or more users.

[0062] For example, in step S33, the acquisition unit 54 acquires time-series data of the position information of a plurality of first communication devices 20, and the output unit 55 determines whether the current congestion level in a certain area is equal to or higher than a predetermined congestion level (= congested) based on the acquired time-series data of the position information of the first communication device 20. The current congestion level in a certain area is determined based on, for example, the number of first communication devices 20 located in a certain area (in other words, the number of people staying in a certain area).

[0063] When the output unit 55 determines that the current congestion level is equal to or higher than the predetermined congestion level, the output unit 55 identifies one or more first communication devices 20 among the plurality of first communication devices 20 whose stay time in the area is equal to or longer than a threshold value. Note that when the output unit 55 determines that the current congestion level is less than the predetermined congestion level, such processing is not performed.

[0064] Then, the output unit 55 outputs advertisement information including coupon information that can be used in an area different from the said area to the identified one or more first communication devices 20. That is, when a certain area is congested, the output unit 55 provides coupon information that can be used in an area other than the said area to a user who has stayed in the said area for a relatively long time.

[0065] In this way, the information providing system 10 can prompt the user to move from the said area by providing coupon information that can be used in an area other than the said area to a user who has stayed in a certain area for a relatively long time. That is, the information providing system 10 can alleviate the congestion in the said area.

[0066] [Advertising Distribution Based on Attribute Information] In the distribution information stored in the storage unit 53 of the advertisement distribution system 50, a plurality of types of advertisement information may be associated with one predetermined requirement. In this case, the output unit 55 randomly selects which advertisement information among the plurality of types of advertisement information to output, but may select based on the user's attribute information by referring to the initial setting information stored in the storage unit 53 in the initial setting operation. For example, in the distribution information, if the attribute information and the advertisement information to be provided to the user having the attribute information are associated, the output unit 55 can select the advertisement information based on the user's attribute information. If appropriate advertisement information is distributed according to the attribute information, the sales of products or services will be promoted.

[0067] [Advertisement Distribution Based on Purchase History Information] In the distribution information, when a plurality of types of advertisement information are associated with one predetermined requirement, the output unit 55 may select which advertisement information among the plurality of types of advertisement information to output based on the user's purchase history information. The purchase history information is provided from another system that manages the purchase history information or from the first communication device 20 to the advertisement distribution system 50 and is stored in the storage unit 53 in advance. The purchase history information is the purchase history information of the user's products or services in the facilities constituting the space 60, but may also be the purchase history information of the user's products or services in other facilities.

[0068] For example, in the distribution information, if the type information of the product or service and the advertisement information to be provided to the user who has purchased the product or service corresponding to the type information are associated, the output unit 55 can select the advertisement information based on the user's purchase history information. If appropriate advertisement information is distributed according to the purchase history information, the sales of products or services will be promoted.

[0069] Note that the selection of advertisement information may be performed not by the advertisement distribution system 50 (output unit 55) but by the first communication device 20 (predetermined application). That is, when a predetermined requirement is satisfied, the output unit 55 outputs a plurality of types of advertisement information to the first communication device 20, and the first communication device 20 may select the advertisement information to be provided to the user from among the plurality of types of advertisement information based on the purchase history information stored in the first communication device 20 or the purchase history information that can be obtained from another system by the first communication device 20 accessing the other system.

[0070] [Modification Example] In the above embodiment, the first communication device 20 performs both measurement of the user's position and display of advertisement information. Here, the first communication device 20 only needs to be used at least for measurement of the user's position, and the display of advertisement information may be executed by another communication device. For example, the first communication device 20 may be a communication device specialized for measurement of the user's position, and the other communication device may be a smartphone or a tablet terminal, etc. In this case, the first communication device 20 and the other communication device are associated with each other at the time of initial setting or the like.

[0071] Also, the method for measuring the user's position is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment. The measurement of the user's position may be realized, for example, by a plurality of first communication devices 20 each functioning as a beacon transmitter and held by a person, and a plurality of second communication devices 30 each functioning as a beacon receiver and distributed in the space 60. That is, the measurement of the user's position may be realized by a configuration in which the relationship between the above description and the transmission and reception of beacon signals is reversed.

[0072] In addition, the advertising information described in the above embodiment is an example of action promotion information for prompting a user (person) to take action. The information providing system 10 may provide the user with information that does not include advertisements instead of the advertising information. For example, the first communication device 20 may display message information that does not include advertisements, such as "Please move to the area" or "Please take a break". In other words, the information providing system 10 (output unit 55) may output action promotion information for prompting the user to take action.

[0073] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, the invention obtained from the disclosure content of this specification will be exemplified, and the effects and the like obtained from the invention will be described.

[0074] The first invention is an information providing system 10 including an acquisition unit 54 that acquires time-series data of position information of the first communication device 20 measured based on a communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device 20 held by a person located in the space 60 within the facility and a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 60, and an output unit 55 that outputs action promotion information for prompting the person to take action based on the acquired time-series data.

[0075] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information (action promotion information) based on the movement route of a person in the space 60.

[0076] The second invention is the information providing system 10 according to the first invention, wherein the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the stay time of a person in a predetermined area provided in the space 60, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data.

[0077] Such an information providing system 10 can control the stay time of a person in a predetermined area.

[0078] The third invention is the information providing system 10 according to the second invention, wherein the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information for prompting staying in a predetermined area when the stay time of a person in the predetermined area is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0079] Such an information providing system 10 can encourage people's stay (extension of stay time) in a predetermined area.

[0080] Invention 4 is the information providing system 10 of Invention 2, in which the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information for encouraging movement to another area different from the predetermined area when the stay time of a person in the predetermined area is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0081] Such an information providing system 10 can encourage movement (shortening of stay time) from a predetermined area to another area.

[0082] Invention 5 is the information providing system 10 of Invention 1, in which the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the types of a plurality of predetermined areas in the space 60 visited by a person, which are determined based on the acquired time-series data.

[0083] Such an information providing system 10 can encourage a person to take action based on what type of area the person has visited.

[0084] Invention 6 is the information providing system 10 of Invention 1, in which the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the moving distance of a person, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data.

[0085] Such an information providing system 10 can encourage a person to take action based on the moving distance of the person.

[0086] Invention 7 is the information providing system 10 of Invention 1, in which the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the moving time of a person, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data.

[0087] Such an information providing system 10 can encourage a person to take action based on the moving time of the person.

[0088] Invention 8 is the information providing system 10 of Invention 1, wherein the acquisition unit 54 acquires time-series data of the position information of a plurality of first communication devices 20 including the first communication device 20, and the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices 20.

[0089] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information based on the movement routes of a plurality of people in the space 60.

[0090] Invention 9 is the information providing system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 8, wherein the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data and the attribute information of a person.

[0091] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information based on the movement route of a person in the space 60 and the attribute information of the person.

[0092] Invention 10 is the information providing system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 8, wherein the output unit 55 outputs action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data and the purchase history information of a person.

[0093] Such an information providing system 10 can provide information based on the movement route of a person in the space 60 and the purchase history information of the person.

[0094] Invention 11 is the information providing system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of second communication devices 30 is provided in the lighting device 31.

[0095] 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.

[0096] Invention 12 is the information providing system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 11, wherein the action promotion information is advertisement information.

[0097] Such an information providing system 10 can provide advertisement information based on the movement route of a person in the space 60.

[0098] Invention 13 is an information providing method executed by a computer, including an acquisition step S33 of acquiring time series data of the position information of the first communication device 20 measured based on the communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device 20 held by a person located in the space 60 within the facility and a plurality of second communication devices 30 installed in the space 60, and an output step S35 of outputting action promotion information for prompting a person to take action based on the acquired time series data.

[0099] Such an information providing method can provide information based on the movement route of a person in the space 60.

[0100] Invention 14 is a program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method of Invention 13.

[0101] According to such a program, the computer can provide information based on the movement route of a person in the space 60.

[0102] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the information providing system and the information providing method according to the embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0103] In addition, 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.

[0104] In addition, 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.

[0105] In addition, 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] Furthermore, 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, it may be realized by an arbitrary combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0110] 10 Information providing system 20 First communication device 30 Second communication device 31 Lighting device 40 Location information management system 50 Advertising distribution system 51 Communication unit 52 Information processing unit 53 Memory unit 54 Acquisition unit 55 Output unit 60 Space

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires time-series data of position information of the first communication device possessed by a person located in a space within a facility based on a communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space; and an output unit that outputs action promotion information for prompting the person to take an action based on the acquired time-series data. An information providing system.

2. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the staying time of the person in a predetermined area provided in the space, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data. The information providing system according to Claim 1.

3. The output unit outputs the action promotion information for prompting staying in the predetermined area when the staying time of the person in the predetermined area is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The information providing system according to Claim 2.

4. The output unit outputs the action promotion information for prompting movement to another area different from the predetermined area when the staying time of the person in the predetermined area is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The information providing system according to Claim 2.

5. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the types (attributes) of a plurality of predetermined areas in the space that the person has visited, which are determined based on the acquired time-series data. The information providing system according to Claim 1.

6. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the moving distance of the person, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data. The information providing system according to Claim 1.

7. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the moving time of the person, which is determined based on the acquired time-series data. The information providing system according to Claim 1.

8. The acquisition unit acquires time-series data of position information of a plurality of first communication devices including the first communication device, and the output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data of the position information of the plurality of first communication devices. The information providing system according to Claim 1.

9. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data and the attribute information of the person. The information providing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. The output unit outputs the action promotion information based on the acquired time-series data and the purchase history information of the person. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. At least one of the plurality of second communication devices is provided in a lighting device The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The action promotion information is advertisement information The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. An information providing method executed by a computer, An acquisition step of acquiring time-series data of the position information of the first communication device measured based on the communication state of wireless communication between the first communication device possessed by a person located in a space within a facility and a plurality of second communication devices installed in the space; An output step of outputting action promotion information for prompting the person to take an action based on the acquired time-series data. Information providing method.

14. A program for causing the computer to execute the information providing method according to claim 13.

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