Movement history management device and movement history management method

Abstract

To reduce an amount of stored data relevant to a targeted movement history.SOLUTION: A movement history management device 10 comprises a division processing unit 18B and a conversion unit 18D. The division processing unit 18B divides the target ID of a movable target P, the position coordinate of the target P, and multiple movement history information including time information about the position of the target P in the position coordinate into a movement history line group for each specified time period to which the target P and the time in the time information belong. The conversion unit 18D converts the belonging multiple movement history information into a movement history line record in which the position coordinate and the time information included in each of the multiple movement history information are coded for each movement history line group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a movement history management device and a movement history management method.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a system that collects and stores movement history information including position information represented by latitude and longitude and time information from a moving object. For example, there is disclosed a system that sequentially collects, in chronological order, position information and time information from a terminal that holds position information and time information of a point where an object exists, and stores a group of position information and time information represented by latitude and longitude as a log. Further, for example, there is disclosed a technique of storing position information represented by the latitude and longitude of an object when the amount of movement exceeds a threshold value.

[0003] However, in the prior art, position information represented by latitude and longitude received from an object and time information representing time are sequentially stored as they are without performing format changes or the like, and when storing daily movement history information of each of a plurality of objects, the amount of stored data may become enormous.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a movement history management device and a movement history management method capable of reducing the amount of stored data related to the movement history of an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The mobile history management device according to the embodiment includes a division processing unit and a conversion unit. The division processing unit divides a plurality of mobile history information including target identification information of a movable target, the position coordinates of the target, and time information when the target is located at the position coordinates, into mobile history series groups for each predetermined time period to which the time of the target and the time information belong. The conversion unit converts, for each of the mobile history series groups, the plurality of mobile history information belonging thereto into mobile history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the plurality of mobile history information.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the movement history management apparatus and the movement history management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the movement history management apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

[0010] The movement history management apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus for managing the movement history of each of a plurality of objects P existing in the real space.

[0011] The target P is a movable object. The target P is an object whose movement history is to be managed by the movement history management device 10. The target P is, for example, a user who is a human, an animal other than a human, a vehicle, a ship, a flying object, a robot, etc. The vehicle is, for example, a four-wheel automobile, a two-wheel motorcycle, etc. The flying object is, for example, a drone, an airplane, etc.

[0012] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the target P is a user. Also, the user is described as holding the mobile terminal 20. That is, the mobile terminal 20 is held by the target P and moves as the target P moves.

[0013] The mobile terminal 20 is an information processing device that can be carried by the user. The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The mobile terminal 20 is communicably connected to the movement history management device 10 via a network NW or the like.

[0014] The mobile terminal 20 is equipped with a position measurement device such as GPS (Global Positioning System) that measures position coordinates represented by the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal 20, and transmits movement history information to the movement history management device 10 every predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, 1 to 60 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, etc. In this embodiment, an example will be described assuming that the mobile terminal 20 transmits movement history information to the movement history management device 10 every 10 minutes. Note that the predetermined time may be less than 10 minutes or more than 10 minutes, and is not limited to 10 minutes.

[0015] The movement history information is information representing the movement history of the target P. The movement history information includes the target identification information of the target P (hereinafter referred to as target ID (Identification)), the position coordinates represented by the latitude and longitude, and the time information representing the time when the target P was located at the position coordinates. The movement history information may further include the section code of the section including the position coordinates. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the movement history information includes the section code. However, the section code may be calculated as needed, for example.

[0016] The section code is identification information for each section when the real space is divided into a plurality of sections according to a predetermined rule. Examples of the section code include a regional mesh code, a standard regional mesh code, etc. The regional mesh code is a unique code assigned to each area obtained by dividing the real space according to a standard, and is a code whose number of digits increases as the mesh becomes finer. The standard regional mesh code is a code defined for each section in Administrative Management Agency Notification No. 143, JIS C 6304, or JIS X 0410. In the present embodiment, the case where the section code is a standard regional mesh code will be described. Note that the section code only needs to be identification information for each section that is an area in the real space, and is not limited to the regional mesh code and the standard regional mesh code.

[0017] The movement history management device 10 receives movement history information at predetermined time intervals in chronological order from the mobile terminals 20 held by each of the plurality of targets P, and manages the movement history of the target P.

[0018] The movement history management device 10 includes a communication unit 12, a UI (user interface) unit 14, a storage unit 16, and a processing unit 18. The communication unit 12, the UI unit 14, and the storage unit 16 are communicably connected to the processing unit 18 via a bus or the like.

[0019] The communication unit 12 communicates with an external information processing device via a network NW or the like. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 receives movement history information from each of the plurality of mobile terminals 20 via a network NW or the like.

[0020] The UI unit 14 has an input function for receiving an operation input by a user and an output function for outputting various types of information. The input function is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard. The output function is a display for displaying various types of information, a speaker for outputting sound, and the like.

[0021] The storage unit 16 stores various types of information. The storage unit 16 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. Note that the storage unit 16 may be a storage device provided outside the movement history management device 10. Also, the storage unit 16 may be a storage medium. Specifically, the storage medium may be one that has downloaded and stored or temporarily stored a program and various types of information via a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc. Also, the storage medium may be either built-in or externally attached to the movement history management device 10. Also, the storage unit 16 may be composed of a plurality of storage media.

[0022] The processing unit 18 is an arithmetic unit that executes information processing. The processing unit 18 includes an acquisition unit 18A, a division processing unit 18B, a deletion processing unit 18C, a conversion unit 18D, a storage processing unit 18E, a reception unit 18F, a first specifying unit 18G, a second specifying unit 18H, a decoding unit 18I, and an output control unit 18J.

[0023] At least one of the acquisition unit 18A, the division processing unit 18B, the deletion processing unit 18C, the conversion unit 18D, the storage processing unit 18E, the reception unit 18F, the first specifying unit 18G, the second specifying unit 18H, the decoding unit 18I, and the output control unit 18J is realized by, for example, one or a plurality of processors. For example, each of the above units may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software. Each of the above units may be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit), that is, by hardware. Each of the above units may be realized by using a combination of software and hardware. When using a plurality of processors, each processor may realize one of the units or two or more of the units.

[0024] Note that at least one of the above functional units included in the processing unit 18 and at least a part of the various types of information stored in the storage unit 16 may be configured to be mounted on an external information processing device or the like communicably connected to the movement history management device 10.

[0025] The acquisition unit 18A sequentially acquires movement history information from each of the plurality of mobile terminals 20 held by the plurality of targets P in the real space at predetermined time intervals along the time series. The processing unit 18 acquires the movement history information sequentially received by the communication unit 12 from the communication unit 12, thereby sequentially acquiring the movement history information from the mobile terminal 20 at predetermined time intervals along the time series.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of the movement history information 30 sequentially acquired by the acquisition unit 18A. As described above, the movement history information 30 includes a target ID, time information, position coordinates, and a section code. FIG. 2 shows, as an example, the movement history information 30 sequentially acquired from the mobile terminals 20 held by the respective targets P of the target ID "1" and the target ID "2" in time series.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0028] The division processing unit 18B divides the plurality of movement history information 30 into movement history series groups for each predetermined time period to which the target P and the time of the time information belong.

[0029] This will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The acquisition unit 18A sequentially stores the movement history information 30 sequentially received from the mobile terminals 20 of each of the plurality of targets P in a buffer, which is a temporary storage area.

[0030]

[0031] The predetermined time period T is a period for dividing the plurality of movement history information 30 in a predetermined time unit. The predetermined time period T may be any period as long as it includes the number of movement history information 30 that is the target to be stored with the data amount reduced by the conversion processing described later for the plurality of movement history information 30, and may be determined in advance according to the reception frequency of the movement history information 30 per unit time or the like.

[0032] In this embodiment, as an example, the movement history management device 10 receives movement history information 30 from the mobile terminal 20 of target P every 10 minutes, and the predetermined time period T is 1 hour. Therefore, the segmentation processing unit 18B identifies the movement history information 30 received during the predetermined time period T for each 1-hour predetermined time period T among the plurality of movement history information 30 stored in the buffer. Then, the segmentation processing unit 18B divides the plurality of movement history information 30 received within the predetermined time period T into movement history series groups for each same target ID for each predetermined time period T.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the segmentation process for the movement history series group G.

[0034] For example, assume a scenario where the segmentation processing unit 18B identifies a plurality of movement history information 30 including time information belonging to a 1-hour predetermined time period T from the time information "0:00" to the time information "0:50" shown in FIG. 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the segmentation processing unit 18B divides the plurality of movement history information 30 including time information belonging to the predetermined time period T into movement history series groups G for each same target ID (see FIG. 3).

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the movement history series group G of the movement history information 30 received from the mobile terminal 20 of target P identified by the target ID "1" during the predetermined time period T, and the movement history series group G of the movement history information 30 received from the mobile terminal 20 of target P identified by the target ID "2" during the predetermined time period T.

[0036] Similarly, the segmentation processing unit 18B also divides, in the same manner, the plurality of movement history information 30 including time information in the time zone after the time information "1:00" into movement history series groups G for each same target ID for each predetermined time period T.

[0037] Through these processes, the segmentation processing unit 18B segments the plurality of movement history information 30 sequentially acquired in time series from the mobile terminal 20 of the target P into movement history series groups G for each predetermined time period T to which the time of the target P and the time information included in the movement history information 30 belong.

[0038] Note that each of the predetermined time and the predetermined time period T is not limited to 10 minutes and 1 hour.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0040] The deletion processing unit 18C deletes at least one of at least a part of the plurality of movement history information 30 in the movement history series group G that represents a movement distance within a predetermined distance in a time series continuous among the plurality of movement history information 30, and at least a part of the movement history information 30 that includes position coordinates other than both ends of the movement trajectory among the plurality of position coordinates representing a linear movement trajectory.

[0041] For the movement distance within a predetermined distance, a distance that is regarded as the target P not moving may be determined in advance. The distance regarded as the target P not moving depends on the analysis purpose, but is, for example, within 10 m.

[0042] FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of an example of the deletion processing by the deletion processing unit 18C. FIG. 4A shows, as an example, a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G of the target ID "1" and the predetermined time period T of the time information "0:00" to "0:50" shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] The deletion processing unit 18C sorts the movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed in the order of time information, and calculates the movement distance of the position coordinates with the movement history information 30 of the next time in order from the movement history information 30 of the head time. Then, the deletion processing unit 18C determines whether or not the movement distance represented by the position coordinates of three or more consecutive movement history information 30 in the time series is within the predetermined distance.

[0044] Then, the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as deletion targets, the movement history information 30 other than the movement history information 30 including the earliest (the most past) time information and the movement history information 30 including the latest (the most future-side) time information among the plurality of movement history information 30 of three or more points for which it is determined that the movement distance is within a predetermined distance.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the three pieces of movement history information 30 that are consecutive in time series and each include time information "0:00", "0:10", and "0:20" as time information have the same position coordinates. Therefore, the deletion processing unit 18C deletes a part of these three pieces of movement history information 30. For example, the deletion processing unit 18C identifies the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:10" as a deletion target.

[0046] Note that it is preferable that the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as deletion targets, the movement history information 30 other than the movement history information 30 including the earliest (the most past) time information among the plurality of movement history information 30 of three or more points for which it is determined that the movement distance is within a predetermined distance. Also, it is preferable that the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as deletion targets, the movement history information 30 other than the movement history information 30 including the earliest (the most past) time information and the movement history information 30 including the latest (the most future-side) time information among the plurality of movement history information 30 of three or more points for which it is determined that the movement distance is within a predetermined distance. By this identification process, the deletion processing unit 18C can identify, as non-deletion targets, the information that can calculate the stay time of the target P at that position. Also, in the analysis of the movement history information, since the stay time information indicating how long the target stayed at a certain point is an analysis target, it is preferable to retain the stay time information even if the data volume is reduced. As a method of expressing the stay time information, in addition to leaving two points of the earliest time and the latest time as in this embodiment, a method of recording one point of the earliest time and the stay time can also be considered.

[0047] Further, the deletion processing unit 18C sorts the movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed in the order of time information, and from the movement history information 30 at the earliest time in order, the position represented by the position coordinates of the movement history information 30 at the time to be processed and the position represented by the position coordinates of the movement history information 30 at the next time are sequentially connected to generate a movement trajectory. Then, when the movement trajectory represented by the position coordinates of the movement history information 30 of three or more points continuously in time series is linear, the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as deletion targets, the movement history information 30 other than the movement history information 30 constituting each of the two ends of the movement trajectory. In this case, it is preferable not to delete the movement history information 30 for calculating the stay time specified above.

[0048] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the movement trajectory of the position movement represented by three movement history information 30 that are continuous in time series and each include the time information "0:20", "0:30", and "0:40" as time information respectively is a linear movement trajectory with the position coordinates represented by the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:20" and the time information "0:40" at both ends. Therefore, the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as deletion targets, the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:30" other than the two ends among these three movement history information 30.

[0049] Then, the deletion processing unit 18C identifies, as non-deletion targets, the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:20", which is the movement history information 30 constituting both ends of the linear movement trajectory, among the movement history information 30 identified as deletion targets.

[0050] Then, the deletion processing unit 18C finally deletes the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:10" and "0:30" respectively identified as deletion targets from the movement history series group G (see FIG. 4B).

[0051] Due to the deletion processing by the deletion processing unit 18C, some of the movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G is deleted, and some of the movement history information 30 is thinned out.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0053] The conversion unit 18D converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into movement history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the conversion unit 18D converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into movement history series records after the deletion process of the movement history information 30 by the deletion processing unit 18C.

[0055] Specifically, the conversion unit 18D converts the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into difference information. By this conversion process to the difference information, for each movement history series group G, a plurality of movement history information 30 are converted into movement history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30. The difference information includes difference position coordinates and difference time information. These details will be described later.

[0056] Furthermore, the conversion unit 18D may convert the difference information into binary data described in a variable-length numerical representation, and further convert the binary data into encoded data represented by a character string, thereby converting the position coordinates and the time information included in the plurality of movement history information 30 into movement history series records.

[0057] In the present embodiment, a form will be described in which the conversion unit 18D converts the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into difference information, and further converts the difference information into encoded data represented by a character string after converting it into binary data, thereby converting the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each other into one movement history series record.

[0058] FIGS. 5A to 5F are explanatory diagrams of an example of conversion into the movement history series record 31.

[0059] For example, assume a scenario where the movement history series group G shown in FIG. 5A is generated by the division processing unit 18B and the deletion processing unit 18C.

[0060] First, the conversion unit 18D converts the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed into difference information D (see FIGS. 5B and 5C).

[0061] The difference information D is information including difference position coordinates and difference time information obtained by expressing, with respect to the position coordinates and time information included in each of the position coordinates and time information included in a reference movement history information, which is one of the plurality of movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G to be processed, and the position coordinates and time information included in the movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information, as differences with respect to the position coordinates and time information included in the reference movement history information or other movement history information 30.

[0062] In the case of the movement history series group G shown in FIG. 5A, the conversion unit 18D identifies, as the reference movement history information 30A, movement history information 30 including time information "0:00" representing the earliest (past) time among the plurality of movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G. Note that the conversion unit 18D only needs to identify one piece of movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G as the reference movement history information 30A, and is not limited to the form of identifying the movement history information 30 including time information representing the earliest time as the reference movement history information 30A.

[0063] Then, the conversion unit 18D represents the position coordinates and time information of each of the plurality of movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G as difference position coordinates and difference time information with respect to the position coordinates and time information included in other movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G.

[0064] For example, for each of a plurality of pieces of movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G, the conversion unit 18D calculates, for the time information and the position coordinates of the movement history information 30 including the previous time information, the differences between the time information and the position information included in the movement history information 30 including the next time information of the movement history information 30 as the differential time information and the differential position information of the movement history information 30 including the time information.

[0065] Specifically, in the case of the examples shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the conversion unit 18D calculates, for each of the time information and the position coordinates included in the reference movement history information 30A including the specified time information "0:00", the differences between the time information and the position coordinates included in the movement history information 30 including the next time information "0:20" of the time information as the differential time information and the differential position coordinates of the time information "0:20". Further, the conversion unit 18D calculates, for each of the time information and the position coordinates included in the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:20", the differences between the time information and the position coordinates included in the movement history information 30 including the next time information "0:40" of the time information as the differential time information and the differences of the differential position coordinates of the time information "0:40". Further, the conversion unit 18D calculates, for each of the time information and the position coordinates included in the movement history information 30 including the time information "0:40", the differences between the time information and the position coordinates included in the movement history information 30 including the next time information "0:50" of the time information as the differential time information and the differential position coordinates of the time information "0:50".

[0066] Note that the conversion unit 18D may calculate, for each of the time information and the position coordinates of the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G, the differences between the time information and the position coordinates included in each of the plurality of pieces of movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G as the differential time information and the differential position coordinates of each of the other reference movement history information 30A.

[0067] Then, the conversion unit 18D calculates the difference information D from the time information and position coordinates of the reference movement history information 30A, and the calculated difference time information and difference position information of each of the movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G.

[0068] Then, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the conversion unit 18D generates difference information D including the position coordinates and time information included in the reference movement history information 30A included in the movement history series group G to be processed, and the difference position coordinates and difference time information included in each of the movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A belonging to the movement history series group G. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5C, the difference information D may further include the number of movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G used for calculating the difference information D. FIG. 5C shows, as an example, a form in which the difference information D includes the number "04" of the movement history information 30 included in the movement history series group G used for calculating the difference information D (refer to the first two numerical characters in FIG. 5C).

[0069] Then, the conversion unit 18D converts the difference information D into binary data B described in variable-length numerical representation, and converts the binary data B represented by a numerical sequence into encoded data EC represented by a character string.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5D, the conversion unit 18D converts the difference information D into binary data B, which is a binary numerical sequence described in variable-length numerical representation. The conversion unit 18D converts the difference information D into binary data B by binarizing the difference information D into a variable length of 1 to 9 bytes.

[0071] Then, as shown in FIG. 5E, the conversion unit 18D converts the binary data B into encoded data EC represented by a character string. The conversion unit 18D may generate the encoded data EC represented by a character string by converting the binary data B into a character string using a known algorithm. The character string is represented by, for example, ASCII.

[0072] Then, as shown in FIG. 5F, the conversion unit 18D generates a movement history series record 31 including the target ID included in the movement history series group G of the processing target, the time period identification information which is the identification information of the time included in the predetermined time period T of the movement history series group G, and the generated encoded data EC.

[0073] The time period identification information may be any information that can identify the time included in the predetermined time period T of the movement history series group G of the processing target. In the present embodiment, as an example of the form of using the time period identification information, the earliest (oldest) time in the time period represented by the predetermined time period T of the movement history series group G of the processing target is used as the time period identification information.

[0074] Through these processes, the conversion unit 18D converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into one movement history series record 31. That is, the conversion unit 18D converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G into one movement history series record 31 with a reduced data amount compared to the total data amount of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G.

[0075] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0076] The storage processing unit 18E stores the movement history series record 31. For example, the storage processing unit 18E stores the movement history series record 31 and the record ID in the storage unit 16 in association with each other.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of the movement history management DB 40.

[0078] The movement history management DB 40 is a database that associates the record ID with the movement history series record 31. The data format of the movement history management DB 40 is not limited to a database.

[0079] The record ID is an example of record identification information and is the identification information of the movement history series record 31. Each time the movement history series record 31 is generated by the conversion unit 18D, the memory processing unit 18E assigns a record ID to the generated movement history series record 31, associates them, and registers them in the movement history management DB 40 for storage in the storage unit 16.

[0080] Also, each time the memory processing unit 18E stores the movement history series record 31 in the storage unit 16, it deletes the movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G used for generating the stored movement history series record 31 from the buffer.

[0081] Furthermore, the memory processing unit 18E stores in the storage unit 16 index information in which the record ID of the movement history series record 31 is associated with the section code included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 used for generating the movement history series record 31.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of the index information 42. The memory processing unit 18E associates the record ID of the movement history series record 31 with the section code included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G of the movement history series record 31 identified by the record ID, and registers them in the index information 42.

[0083] Through these processes, in the storage unit 16, there are stored a movement history management DB 40 in which the movement history series record 31 obtained by converting a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G into one movement history series record 31 is associated with the record ID, and index information 42 in which the record ID is associated with the section code.

[0084] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the movement trajectory L of the target P represented by the movement history management DB 40 and the index information 42. As shown in FIG. 8, the movement trajectory L (L1 to L3) of the target P that moves within and between each of the plurality of section codes in the real space is stored in the storage unit 16 by the movement history management DB 40 and the index information 42. The movement trajectory L1 is an example of the movement trajectory L of the target P identified by the target ID "1" included in the movement history series record 31 identified by the record ID "1001" in FIG. 6. The movement trajectory L2 is an example of the movement trajectory L of the target P identified by the target ID "58" included in the movement history series record 31 identified by the record ID "1002" in FIG. 6. The movement trajectory L3 is an example of the movement trajectory L of the target P identified by the target ID "197" included in the movement history series record 31 identified by the record ID "1003" in FIG. 6.

[0085] As described above, the conversion unit 18D converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G into one movement history series record 31 with a reduced data amount compared to the total data amount of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G.

[0086] Therefore, the storage unit 16 stores the movement history series record 31 with a reduced data amount compared to the case where the plurality of movement history information 30 is stored in the storage unit 16 as it is.

[0087] Also, as described above, each time the storage processing unit 18E stores the movement history series record 31 in the storage unit 16, the movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G used to generate the stored movement history series record 31 is deleted from the buffer.

[0088] Therefore, the processing unit 18 can reduce the storage data amount regarding the movement history of the target P.

[0089] The movement history series record 31 stored in the storage unit 16 is used for analyzing the movement history of the target P and the like.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0091] The reception unit 18F receives search request information. The search request information is information representing a search request for movement history information 30 that satisfies specific conditions. The search request information is input, for example, by an operation instruction of the UI unit 14 by the user or the like. For example, the reception unit 18F displays a search request input screen for receiving the input of the search request information on the UI unit 14, and receives the search request information input via the search request input screen.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an example of the search request input screen 50.

[0093] The search request input screen 50 includes, for example, a message such as "Please input search request information including at least one of the object to be searched, time, and location", and an input field 50A for the search request information.

[0094] The user inputs the search request information into the input field 50A by operating the UI unit 14 while viewing the search request input screen 50.

[0095] Note that the search request input screen 50 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 9. For example, the search request input screen 50 may be provided with input fields for each item of the object ID of the searchable object P, the attribute of the object P, time, and location. In this case, the user may input the search request information corresponding to each item into these input fields by operating the UI unit 14 while viewing the search request input screen 50.

[0096] Also, for example, the search request input screen 50 may be provided with selection fields for each item of the object ID of the searchable object P, the attribute of the object P, time, and location. In this case, the user may input the search request information corresponding to each item by selecting the options displayed in the selection fields of these items by operating the UI unit 14 while viewing the search request input screen 50.

[0097] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0098] The first specifying unit 18G specifies a search narrowing condition including at least one of a section code, a target ID, time period identification information for identifying a time belonging to a predetermined time period T, and position coordinates, according to the search request information received by the reception unit 18F.

[0099] The first specifying unit 18G specifies a search narrowing condition including at least one of a section code, a target ID, and time period identification information for identifying a time belonging to a predetermined time period T, represented by the search status information, by analyzing the search request information using a known analysis technique.

[0100] For example, assume that the search request information is "Search for the number of students passing through area A during the one-hour period from 0:00 am to 1:00 am". In this case, the first specifying unit 18G specifies the section code of area A. The first specifying unit 18G may previously store in the storage unit 16 a section DB that associates area identification information with section codes, and specify the section code of area A from the section DB. Alternatively, the first specifying unit 18G may use an external server or the like that stores the section DB to specify the section code corresponding to area A.

[0101] Also, the first specifying unit 18G specifies the target ID of the target P associated with the attribute "student". The first specifying unit 18G may previously store in the storage unit 16 an attribute DB that associates attributes with target IDs, and specify the target ID associated with the attribute "student" from the attribute DB. Alternatively, the first specifying unit 18G may use an external server or the like that stores the attribute DB to specify the target ID corresponding to the attribute "student". Further, the first specifying unit 18G specifies the time period identification information representing the period from 0:00 am to 1:00 am included in the search request information. Then, the first specifying unit 18G specifies the specified section code, target ID, and time period identification information as search narrowing conditions.

[0102] Note that the first specifying unit 18G may execute the above process of specifying the search narrowing-down conditions from the search request information by a dedicated application installed in the movement history management device 10 or a dedicated application installed in an information processing device external to the movement history management device 10. In this case, the first specifying unit 18G may specify the search narrowing-down conditions by acquiring the specifying result by the dedicated application. Further, the first specifying unit 18G may receive an input of the search narrowing-down conditions based on an operation instruction of the UI unit 14 by the user or the like, and specify the search narrowing-down conditions by acquiring the received search narrowing-down conditions.

[0103] Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

[0104] The second specifying unit 18H specifies the movement history series records 31 that satisfy the specified search narrowing-down conditions from the movement history series records 31 stored in the storage unit 16 using the specified search narrowing-down conditions. The decoding unit 18I decodes the encoded data included in the specified movement history series records 31. The output control unit 18J outputs, as search results, a plurality of movement history information 30 including the position coordinates and time information obtained by decoding, which are included in the movement history series records 31.

[0105] FIGS. 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams of an example of a series of processes related to the movement history information 30 by the reception unit 18F, the first specifying unit 18G, the second specifying unit 18H, the decoding unit 18I, and the output control unit 18J.

[0106] The second specifying unit 18H specifies the movement history series records 31 that satisfy the search narrowing-down conditions specified by the first specifying unit 18G.

[0107] For example, assume a case where the first specifying unit 18G specifies search narrowing-down conditions including the section code "533946", the target ID "1", and the time period identification information "00:00". In this case, the second specifying unit 18H uses the movement history management DB 40 and the index information 42 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) to specify, as the movement history series record 31 that satisfies the search narrowing-down conditions, the movement history series record 31 corresponding to the record ID "1001" shown in FIG. 10A (see FIGS. 6 and 10A).

[0108] The decoding unit 18I decodes the encoded data EC included in the specified movement history series record 31.

[0109] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the decoding unit 18I converts the encoded data EC represented by a character string and included in the specified movement history series record 31 into binary data B. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the decoding unit 18I converts the binary data B into difference information D. Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the decoding unit 18I converts the difference information D into a group of time information and position information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30. And further, the decoding unit 18I associates the target ID included in the movement history series record 31 specified by the first specifying unit 18G with the converted time information and position information.

[0110] Through these processes, the decoding unit 18I decodes the movement history series record 31 that satisfies the search narrowing-down conditions specified by the first specifying unit 18G into a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G represented by the movement history series record 31.

[0111] The output control unit 18J outputs, as search results, the plurality of movement history information 30 including the position coordinates and time information obtained by decoding. For example, the output control unit 18J outputs the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G shown in FIG. 10D to the UI unit 14 as search results.

[0112] Next, an example of the flow of information processing executed by the processing unit 18 of the movement history management apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0113] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the storage process of the movement history information 30 executed by the processing unit 18 of the movement history management apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

[0114] The acquisition unit 18A acquires the movement history information 30 from the mobile terminal 20 of the target P (step S100). The acquisition unit 18A stores the acquired movement history information 30 in a buffer.

[0115] The division processing unit 18B determines whether or not a predetermined time period T has elapsed since the acquisition of the movement history information 30 for the previous predetermined time period T (step S102). For example, the division processing unit 18B determines whether or not a predetermined time period T of one hour has elapsed since the acquisition of the movement history information 30 for the previous predetermined time period T of one hour. If a negative determination is made in step S102 (step S102: No), the process returns to step S100 above. If an affirmative determination is made in step S102 (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0116] In step S104, the division processing unit 18B sorts the acquired movement history information 30 for the predetermined time period T in chronological order for each target ID (step S104).

[0117] Then, the division processing unit 18B divides the sorted plurality of movement history information 30 into a plurality of movement history series groups G for each of the acquired predetermined time period T and target ID (step S106).

[0118] Then, the deletion processing unit 18C, the conversion unit 18D, and the storage processing unit 18E execute the processes of steps S108 to S120 for each of the movement history series groups G divided in step S106.

[0119] Specifically, the deletion processing unit 18C executes a deletion process of deleting some of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed (step S108). The deletion processing unit 18C deletes at least one of at least a part of the plurality of movement history information 30 that are consecutive in time series representing movement distances within a predetermined distance among the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed, and at least a part of the movement history information 30 including position coordinates other than both ends of the movement trajectory among the plurality of position coordinates representing a linear movement trajectory.

[0120] The conversion unit 18D converts the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G to be processed into difference information D (step S110).

[0121] The conversion unit 18D converts the difference information D generated in step S110 into binary data B (step S112). Then, the conversion unit 18D converts the binary data B generated in step S112 into encoded data EC represented by a character string (step S114).

[0122] Then, the conversion unit 18D generates a movement history series record 31 associating the target ID included in the movement history series group G to be processed, the time period identification information which is the identification information of the time included in the predetermined time period T of the movement history series group G, and the generated encoded data EC (step S116).

[0123] The storage processing unit 18E stores the movement history series record 31 generated in step S116 in association with the record ID in the storage unit 16 (step S118).

[0124] Further, the memory processing unit 18E identifies the section codes included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G of the movement history series record 31 stored in step S118 (step S120). Then, the memory processing unit 18E associates the section code with the record ID of the movement history series record 31 and registers them in the index information 42 (step S122).

[0125] Then, the memory processing unit 18E deletes the movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G used to generate the stored movement history series record 31 from the buffer (step S124).

[0126] When the processes of steps S108 to S124 are executed for each movement history series group G divided in step S106, the processing unit 18 determines whether to end the division into the movement history series group G and the storage process of the movement history series record 31 (step S126). For example, the processing unit 18 makes the determination in step S126 by determining whether an end instruction signal has been received based on an operation instruction of the UI unit 14 by the user or the like. If the determination in step S126 is negative (step S126: No), the process returns to step S100 above. If the determination in step S126 is affirmative (step S126: Yes), this routine ends.

[0127] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process executed by the processing unit 18 of the movement history management device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0128] The reception unit 18F receives search request information (step S200). For example, the reception unit 18F receives search request information input based on an operation instruction of the UI unit 14 by the user or the like.

[0129] The first specifying unit 18G specifies a search narrowing condition including at least one of a section code, a target ID, and time period identification information for identifying a time belonging to a predetermined time period T according to the search request information received in step S200 (step S202).

[0130] The second specific part 18H specifies the movement history series records 31 that satisfy the search narrowing-down conditions specified in step S202 (step S204).

[0131] The decoding unit 18I decodes the encoded data included in the movement history series record 31 specified in step S204 (step S206). The decoding unit 18I converts the encoded data EC included in the movement history series record 31 specified in step S204 into binary data B. Then, the decoding unit 18I converts the binary data B into difference information D. Then, the decoding unit 18I converts the difference information D into a group of time information and position information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30. Further, the decoding unit 18I associates the converted time information and position information with the target ID included in the movement history series record 31 specified in step S204. By these processes, the decoding unit 18I decodes the movement history series record 31 that satisfies the search narrowing-down conditions specified in step S204 into a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G represented by the movement history series record 31.

[0132] The output control unit 18J outputs the plurality of movement history information 30 decoded in step S206 to the UI unit 14 as search results (step S208).

[0133] Then, this routine ends.

[0134] As described above, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment includes a division processing unit 18B and a conversion unit 18D. The division processing unit 18B divides a plurality of movement history information 30 including the target ID of the movable target P, the position coordinates of the target P, and the time information when the target P is located at the position coordinates, into movement history series groups G for each predetermined time period T to which the target P and the time of the time information belong. The conversion unit 18D converts, for each movement history series group G, the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging thereto into movement history series records 31 obtained by encoding the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30.

[0135] In this way, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment converts a plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G into movement history series records 31 with a reduced data amount compared to the total data amount of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G.

[0136] Therefore, the storage unit 16 stores movement history series records 31 with a reduced data amount compared to the case where a plurality of movement history information 30 is stored in the storage unit 16 as it is.

[0137] Therefore, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment can reduce the storage data amount regarding the movement history of the target P.

[0138] Also, the deletion processing unit 18C of the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment deletes at least one of a part of a plurality of movement history information 30 that are consecutive in time series representing movement distances within a predetermined distance among the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to the movement history series group G, and at least a part of the movement history information 30 including position coordinates other than both ends of the movement trajectory among the plurality of position coordinates representing a linear movement trajectory. Then, the conversion unit 18D converts the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging to each movement history series group G after the deletion processing into movement history series records 31.

[0139] Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment can further reduce the storage data amount regarding the movement history of the target P. The storage data amount is the data amount stored in the storage unit 16.

[0140] Also, the conversion unit 18D of the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment converts, for each movement history series group G, the position coordinates and time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 belonging thereto into difference information D including the position coordinates and time information included in the reference movement history information 30A serving as a reference, and the difference position coordinates and difference time information expressed by the differences between the position coordinates and time information included in the movement history information 30 other than the reference movement history information 30A and each of the position coordinates and time information included in the reference movement history information 30A.

[0141] Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment can further reduce the amount of storage data regarding the movement history of the target P.

[0142] Also, the conversion unit 18D of the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment converts the difference information D into binary data B described in variable-length numerical representation, and further converts the binary data B into encoded data EC represented by a character string.

[0143] Since the conversion unit 18D converts the binary data B into encoded data EC represented by a character string, when handling the movement history series record 31 including the encoded data EC with a general RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) or the like, it is possible to facilitate the storage and retrieval of the movement history series record 31. Also, the movement history series record 31 can be managed in a form that is easy to handle with a database.

[0144] Also, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment stores the movement history series record 31 in association with the record ID, and stores index information 42 that associates the record ID with the section code included in each of the plurality of movement history information 30 used to generate the movement history series record 31.

[0145] Then, the movement history management device 10 of the present embodiment specifies the movement history series record 31 that satisfies the search request information according to a search narrowing condition including at least one of a section code, a target ID, and time period identification information in the search request information, and outputs, as a search result, a plurality of movement history information 30 obtained by decoding the encoded data included in the movement history series record 31.

[0146] Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the movement history management device 10 of this embodiment can efficiently narrow down and identify the movement history information 30 that satisfies the request represented by the search request information without searching each of the plurality of movement history information 30 acquired from the target P, and output it as a search result. In addition, the movement history management device 10 of this embodiment can improve the search speed and analysis speed of the movement history information 30 that satisfies the request represented by the search request information.

[0147] In addition, by the movement history management device 10 storing the index information 42, it becomes possible to easily manage whether or not the movement history series record 31 is the target of analysis or search. That is, the movement history management device 10 can easily identify the movement history series record 31 corresponding to the search request information by using the index information 42.

[0148] Note that the movement history information 30 may further include movement means information including the movement means of the target P. The movement means information is, for example, information representing movement means such as taxis, trains, subways, buses, etc. Further, the movement means information may include more detailed information such as the type of taxi and the route names of each of the train, subway, and bus. In this case, by the movement history management device 10 generating a movement history series record R further including the movement means information, it becomes possible to output the movement means of the target P to be searched as a search result.

[0149] Similarly, the movement history information 30 may further include other additional information such as altitude information of the target P. In this case, by the movement history management device 10 generating a movement history series record R further including the other additional information, it becomes possible to output the other additional information of the target P to be searched as a search result.

[0150] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0151] FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above embodiment.

[0152] In the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above-described embodiment, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83, a communication I / F 84, etc. are mutually connected by a bus 85, and it has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

[0153] The CPU 81 is an arithmetic unit that controls the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above-described embodiment. The ROM 82 stores programs and the like for realizing various processes by the CPU 81. Although the CPU is used for the explanation here, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) may be used as the arithmetic unit that controls the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20. The RAM 83 stores data necessary for various processes by the CPU 81. The communication I / F 84 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data.

[0154] In the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above-described embodiment, each of the above functions is realized on a computer by the CPU 81 reading a program from the ROM 82 and executing it on the RAM 83.

[0155] Note that the programs for executing the respective processes executed by the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above-described embodiment may be stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Also, the programs for executing the respective processes executed by the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above-described embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM 82.

[0156] In addition, a program for executing the above-described processing executed by the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above embodiment may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), flexible disk (FD), etc. in an installable format or an executable format file, and provided as a computer program product. Further, a program for executing the above-described processing executed by the movement history management device 10 and the mobile terminal 20 of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by allowing it to be downloaded via the network. Further, a program for executing the above-described processing executed by the movement history management device 10 of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0157] Note that although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0158] 10 Movement history management device 18B Division processing unit 18C Deletion processing unit 18D Conversion unit 18E Storage processing unit 18F Reception unit 18G First specifying unit 18H Second specifying unit 18I Decryption unit 18J Output control unit 20 Mobile terminal P Target

Claims

1. A splitting processing unit that splits a plurality of movement history information including target identification information of a movable target, position coordinates of the target, and time information when the target is located at the position coordinates, for each predetermined time period to which the target and the time of the time information belong, into movement history series groups; A conversion unit that converts, for each of the movement history series groups, the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto into movement history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information; A movement history management device comprising the above.

2. The conversion unit: Converts, for each of the movement history series groups, the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto into one movement history series record. The movement history management device according to Claim 1.

3. A deletion processing unit that deletes at least one of at least a part of a plurality of the movement history information that are consecutive in a time series representing a movement distance within a predetermined distance among the plurality of movement history information belonging to the movement history series group, and at least a part of the movement history information including the position coordinates other than both ends of the movement trajectory among the plurality of position coordinates representing a linear movement trajectory; The conversion unit: Converts, for each of the movement history series groups after the deletion processing, the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto into the movement history series records. The movement history management device according to Claim 1.

4. The conversion unit: For each of the movement history series groups, By converting the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto into difference information including the position coordinates and the time information included in one piece of reference movement history information that is a reference among the plurality of movement history information, and difference position coordinates and difference time information expressed by differences with respect to the position coordinates and the time information included in the movement history information other than the reference movement history information, with respect to the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the position coordinates and the time information included in the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto, Converts the movement history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and the time information included in the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto. The movement history management device according to Claim 1.

5. The conversion unit: Converts the difference information into binary data described in a variable-length numerical representation, and further converts the binary data into encoded data represented by a character string. Converting the position coordinates and the time information included in the plurality of the movement history information into the movement history series records encoded. The movement history management device according to claim 4.

6. A storage processing unit that stores the movement history series records. The movement history management device according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The storage processing unit stores index information in which the record identification information of the movement history series record is associated with the section code of the section including the position coordinates, which is included in each of the plurality of the movement history information used for generating the movement history series record. The movement history management device according to claim 6.

8. A first specifying unit that specifies a search narrowing-down condition including at least one of the target identification information, time period identification information for identifying a time belonging to the predetermined time period, the position coordinates, and the section code of the section including the position coordinates, in response to search request information; A second specifying unit that specifies the movement history series records that satisfy the search narrowing-down condition from the movement history series records stored in the storage unit; A decoding unit that decodes the encoded data included in the specified movement history series records; An output control unit that outputs, as a search result, a plurality of the movement history information including the position coordinates and the time information obtained by decoding, which are included in the movement history series records. The movement history management device according to claim 6, comprising:

9. A movement history management method executed by a movement history management device, the method including: dividing a plurality of movement history information including target identification information of a movable target, the position coordinates of the target, and time information indicating a time when the target is located at the position coordinates, into movement history series groups for each predetermined time period to which the target and the time of the time information belong; for each of the movement history series groups, converting the plurality of the movement history information belonging thereto into movement history series records obtained by encoding the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the plurality of the movement history information. A movement history management method including:

10. A movement history management method executed by a movement history management device, the method including: specifying a search narrowing-down condition including at least one of target identification information of a movable target, time period identification information for identifying a time belonging to a predetermined time period, the position coordinates of the target, and the section code of the section including the position coordinates, in response to search request information. Identifying movement history series records that meet the search narrowing-down conditions from the movement history series records stored in the memory unit; Decoding the encoded data included in the identified movement history series records; Outputting, as search results, a plurality of movement history information including the position coordinates and time information obtained by decoding, which are included in the movement history series records; A movement history management method including the above.

11. A movement history management method executed by a movement history management device, Dividing a plurality of movement history information including the target identification information of a movable target, the position coordinates of the target, and the time information when the target is located at the position coordinates, into movement history series groups for each predetermined time period to which the time of the target and the time information belong; For each of the movement history series groups, converting the plurality of movement history information belonging thereto into movement history series records in which the position coordinates and the time information included in each of the plurality of movement history information are encoded; Storing the movement history series records in a memory unit; Identifying a search narrowing-down condition including at least one of the target identification information, time period identification information for identifying the time belonging to the predetermined time period, the position coordinates, and the section code of the section including the position coordinates, in response to search request information; Identifying the movement history series records that meet the search narrowing-down condition from the movement history series records stored in the memory unit; Decoding the encoded data included in the identified movement history series records; Outputting, as search results, a plurality of the movement history information including the position coordinates and the time information obtained by decoding, which are included in the movement history series records; A movement history management method including the above.

Images