Information processing device, system, and information processing method

The system accurately determines elevator usage by synchronizing user and elevator movement data, addressing implementation and accuracy issues of existing technologies, and promoting health through personalized messages.

JP2025130346APending Publication Date: 2025-09-08OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024027460
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-27
Publication Date
2025-09-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing elevator usage detection technologies, such as those requiring button operation detection devices or barometric pressure sensors, face implementation challenges and accuracy issues due to high costs and sensitivity to climate changes.

Method used

A system that determines elevator usage by comparing the movement history of a user's mobile device with the movement history of an elevator, using short-range wireless communication to transmit identification information and acceleration data, allowing for accurate synchronization of user and elevator movements.

Benefits of technology

This system provides accurate detection of elevator usage, reducing installation costs and improving determination accuracy by synchronizing user and elevator movement data, enabling personalized health promotion messages.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a mechanism that makes it possible to more suitably determine the use of a mobile body by a user.SOLUTION: Provided is an information processing device including a control unit for checking the movement history of a mobile body that a user can get onboard against the movement history of a user terminal carried by the user so as to determine the use state of the mobile body by the user. The mobile body moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user can move during use of the mobile body, and the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the mobile body that is acquirable when having approached the mobile body. The control unit checks the movement history of the mobile body against a portion of the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with identification information of the mobile body and thereby determines the use state of the mobile body by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a system, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various efforts have been proposed to promote the health of users. For example, able-bodied people who have no difficulty walking are encouraged to use stairs instead of elevators in order to maintain and improve their health. Elevators are installed in office buildings, department stores, large commercial facilities, large apartment buildings, and other places with the aim of improving convenience and barrier-free access, and are used by many users.

[0003] Regarding elevator use, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology in which a button operation detection device is incorporated into an elevator to detect elevator use and encourage elevator users to use other means of transportation such as stairs. Also, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technology in which it is determined that a user has used an elevator to go up or down based on barometric pressure fluctuations detected by a barometric pressure sensor mounted on a smartphone carried by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6364366 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6965165 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a button operation detection device in the elevator, which can be difficult to implement. For example, installing the technology in an elevator in a building that has already been completed and is in operation is difficult due to the high cost involved. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 leaves room for improvement in the accuracy of the determination. This is because the barometric pressure sensor is affected by sudden climate changes and pressure adjustments inside the elevator.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can more appropriately determine the use of a mobile object by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device including a control unit that determines the usage status of a mobile body by a user by comparing the movement history of the mobile body that a user can ride with the movement history of a user terminal carried by the user, wherein the mobile body moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user may move while using the mobile body, and the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the mobile body that can be obtained when the user terminal is in proximity to the mobile body, and the control unit determines the usage status of the mobile body by comparing the movement history of the mobile body with a portion of the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with the identification information of the mobile body.

[0008] The movement history of the user terminal may include time series data of acceleration of the user terminal, and the movement history of the moving object may include time series data of acceleration of the moving object.

[0009] The control unit may determine that the user has used the mobile object when time series data of the acceleration of the user terminal during a period associated with the identification information of the mobile object in the movement history of the user terminal matches time series data of the acceleration of the mobile object during that period in the movement history of the mobile object.

[0010] The control unit may estimate the amount of movement of the moving body based on time series data of the acceleration of the moving body, estimate the amount of movement of the user terminal based on time series data of the acceleration of the user terminal, and determine the usage status of the moving body by the user by comparing the amount of movement of the moving body with the amount of movement of the user terminal.

[0011] The control unit may compare a movement history of the moving object with a movement history of the user terminal for a period in which walking of the user is not detected.

[0012] The control unit may control a process of sending a message to the user terminal based on a usage status of the mobile object by the user.

[0013] The identification information of the mobile body may be transmitted by a mobile terminal located at the mobile body and received by the user terminal.

[0014] The identification information of the mobile unit may be transmitted as a radio signal conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard.

[0015] The moving body may be an elevator.

[0016] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided, comprising: a user terminal carried by a user; an information processing device that determines the usage status of a mobile body by the user by comparing the movement history of a mobile body that the user can board with the movement history of the user terminal; and a mobile body terminal that is placed on the mobile body and transmits identification information of the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user may move while using the mobile body, the movement history of the user terminal includes the identification information of the mobile body received from the mobile terminal, and the information processing device determines the usage status of the mobile body by the user by comparing the movement history of the mobile body with the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with the identification information of the mobile body.

[0017] The mobile terminal may transmit identification information of the mobile unit while the mobile unit is in motion.

[0018] The mobile terminal may transmit the identification information of the mobile terminal as a radio signal conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard.

[0019] The mobile object may be an elevator, and the mobile terminal may be retrofitted to the elevator.

[0020] The user terminal may transition to a state in which it is able to receive identification information of the moving object while the user terminal is moving in a direction in which the moving object can move.

[0021] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes determining a usage status of a mobile body by a user by comparing a movement history of the mobile body that a user can ride with a movement history of a user terminal carried by the user, wherein the mobile body moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user may move while using the mobile body, and the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the mobile body that can be obtained when the user comes close to the mobile body, and determining the usage status of the mobile body by the user includes determining a usage status of the mobile body by comparing the movement history of the mobile body with a portion of the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with the identification information of the mobile body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that can more appropriately determine whether a user is using a mobile object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a sequence illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a sequence illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a process for determining the usage status of an elevator by a user, which is executed by the management device 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0025] <1. Configuration example> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 according to this embodiment includes an elevator terminal 10, a user terminal 20, and a management device 30. The system 1 may include multiple elevator terminals 10 and / or multiple user terminals 20.

[0026] The elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, and the management device 30 can be communicatively connected to each other via a network 9. In particular, the management device 30 is communicatively connected to each of the elevator terminal 10 and the user terminal 20. The network 9 can be configured by any wired or wireless network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0027] (1) Elevator terminal 10 The elevator terminal 10 is a terminal device installed in an elevator car and is an example of a mobile terminal in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the elevator car will also be simply referred to as an elevator. An elevator is an example of a mobile body that a user can board. The elevator moves in a direction different from the direction in which a user using the elevator can move. That is, a user boarding the elevator can move horizontally within the elevator, while the elevator itself moves vertically.

[0028] If there are multiple elevators in a building, it is desirable that each elevator be provided with one elevator terminal 10. However, elevator terminals 10 may not be provided in elevators that are unlikely to be used (i.e., boarded) by users, such as freight elevators.

[0029] The elevator terminal 10 may be retrofitted to an elevator. For example, the elevator terminal 10 may be housed in a rectangular parallelepiped housing and attached to a wall inside the elevator. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the cost of introducing the elevator terminal 10 to an existing elevator compared to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1. This is because the elevator terminal 10 according to this embodiment does not need to acquire the operation details entered into the operation panel by the user, and does not require construction work to electrically connect the elevator terminal 10 to the operation panel.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, elevator terminal 10 includes identification information transmitting unit 11, acceleration sensor 12, storage unit 13, communication unit 14, and control unit 15.

[0031] (Identification information transmission unit 11) The identification information transmitting unit 11 has a function of transmitting the identification information of the elevator. In particular, the identification information transmitting unit 11 transmits the identification information of the elevator by a means that the user terminal 20 can acquire when it is in proximity to the elevator. The identification information of the elevator is information for uniquely identifying the elevator. The identification information of the elevator terminal 10 may be used as the identification information of the elevator. With this configuration, it becomes difficult for the user terminal 20 that is not in proximity to the elevator to acquire the identification information of the elevator, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the usage status of the elevator, which will be described later.

[0032] Specifically, the identification information transmission unit 11 transmits the elevator identification information as a wireless signal conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard. Examples of short-range wireless communication standards that can be adopted include Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), or NFC (Near field communication). It is particularly desirable to adopt a short-range wireless communication standard that can include the entire interior of the elevator within its receivable range. For example, the identification information transmission unit 11 constantly and periodically (e.g., at 0.1-second intervals) transmits a beacon signal storing the elevator identification information using BLE. This configuration allows the user terminal 20 carried by the user who uses the elevator to receive the elevator identification information.

[0033] (Acceleration sensor 12) Acceleration sensor 12 has a function of detecting acceleration. Acceleration sensor 12 detects the acceleration of elevator terminal 10, i.e., the acceleration of the elevator in which elevator terminal 10 is installed. Acceleration sensor 12 periodically detects acceleration and outputs time-series data of acceleration consisting of a combination of the detected acceleration and the detection time.

[0034] (Storage unit 13) The storage unit 13 has a function of storing information. The storage unit 13 temporarily stores information that has not yet been transmitted to the management device 30, for example.

[0035] (Communications Department 14) The communication unit 14 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices. For example, the communication unit 14 transmits information temporarily stored in the storage unit 13 to the management device 30.

[0036] (Control unit 15) The control unit 15 has a function of controlling all the processes executed by the elevator terminal 10. The transmission of identification information by the identification information transmission unit 11, the detection of acceleration by the acceleration sensor 12, the storage of information by the memory unit 13, and the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 14 are examples of the processes controlled by the control unit 15.

[0037] In particular, the control unit 15 controls the process of transmitting information indicating the movement history of the elevator terminal 10, i.e., the movement history of the elevator, to the management device 30. Such movement history is also referred to as an elevator movement log hereinafter. The elevator movement log includes time-series data of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 12. The elevator movement log may also include identification information of the elevator. The control unit 15 generates the elevator movement log and temporarily stores it in the memory unit 13. The control unit 15 then controls the communication unit 14 to transmit the elevator movement log temporarily stored in the memory unit 13 to the management device 30 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. One example of the predetermined condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission. Another example of the predetermined condition is that the elevator has stopped ascending or descending, estimated based on the acceleration.

[0038] (2) User terminal 20 The user terminal 20 is a terminal device carried by a user. The user terminal 20 may be, for example, a smartphone or a smart watch.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 20 includes an identification information receiving unit 21, an acceleration sensor 22, a pedometer 23, a notification unit 24, a storage unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a control unit 27.

[0040] (Identification information receiving unit 21) The identification information receiving unit 21 has a function of acquiring the elevator's identification information when the user approaches the elevator, i.e., when the user terminal 20 approaches the elevator terminal 10. The identification information receiving unit 21 outputs time-series data consisting of a combination of the acquired elevator's identification information and the time when the elevator's identification information was acquired. "Proximity" here refers to, for example, the user using the elevator, i.e., the user terminal 20 being located inside the elevator. In another example, "proximity" refers to the user being outside the elevator door, i.e., the user terminal 20 being located outside the elevator door.

[0041] Specifically, the identification information receiving unit 21 receives the elevator identification information transmitted from the elevator terminal 10 when the user terminal 20 is located within a range where the identification information of the elevator transmitted from the elevator terminal 10 can be received. The identification information receiving unit 21 may have a receiving means corresponding to the transmitting means of the identification information transmitting unit 11. For example, the identification information receiving unit 21 is configured with a receiving device for wireless signals that conforms to the short-range wireless communication standard used by the identification information transmitting unit 11. For example, the identification information receiving unit 21 waits in a state where it can receive a beacon signal transmitted using BLE, and detects and receives the beacon signal transmitted from the identification information transmitting unit 11. Then, when the identification information receiving unit 21 receives the elevator identification information from the elevator terminal 10, it outputs time-series data consisting of a combination of the received elevator identification information and the reception time.

[0042] (Acceleration sensor 22) The acceleration sensor 22 has a function of detecting acceleration. The acceleration sensor 22 detects the acceleration of the user terminal 20, i.e., the acceleration of the user. The acceleration sensor 22 periodically detects acceleration and outputs acceleration time series data consisting of a combination of the detected acceleration and the detection time.

[0043] (pedometer 23) The pedometer 23 has a function of detecting the number of steps taken by the user. The pedometer 23 may be a pendulum type or a piezoelectric sensor type. The pedometer 23 periodically detects the number of steps and outputs time-series data of the number of steps, which is a combination of the detected number of steps and the time of detection.

[0044] (Notification Department 24) The notification unit 24 has a function of notifying the user of information. The notification unit 24 may output information to the user visually, audibly, or tactilely. For example, the notification unit 24 outputs a message received from the management device 30 to the user.

[0045] (Storage unit 25) The storage unit 25 has a function of storing information. The storage unit 25 temporarily stores information that has not yet been transmitted to the management device 30, for example.

[0046] (Communications Department 26) The communication unit 26 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices. For example, the communication unit 26 transmits information temporarily stored in the storage unit 25 to the management device 30. Furthermore, for example, the communication unit 26 receives a message from the management device 30.

[0047] (Control unit 27) The control unit 27 has a function of controlling all the processes executed by the user terminal 20. Examples of the processes controlled by the control unit 27 include reception of identification information by the identification information receiving unit 21, detection of acceleration by the acceleration sensor 22, detection of the number of steps by the pedometer 23, notification of information by the notification unit 24, storage of information by the memory unit 25, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 26.

[0048] In particular, the control unit 27 controls a process of transmitting information indicating the movement history of the user terminal 20, i.e., the user's movement history, to the management device 30. Such movement history is also referred to as a user movement log hereinafter. The user movement log includes time-series data of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 22, time-series data of the number of steps detected by the pedometer 23, and time-series data of the elevator identification information received by the identification information receiving unit 21. The control unit 27 generates a user movement log and temporarily stores it in the memory unit 25. The control unit 27 then controls the communication unit 26 to transmit the user movement log temporarily stored in the memory unit 25 to the management device 30 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. One example of the predetermined condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission. Another example of the predetermined condition is that the user's stopping of ascending or descending using the elevator is estimated based on the acceleration or the number of steps.

[0049] (3) Management device 30 The management device 30 is an information processing device that controls the overall operation of the system 1. The management device 30 may be located in the same building as the elevator in which the elevator terminal 10 is located. Alternatively, the management device 30 may be located on the cloud.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the management device 30 includes a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0051] (Storage unit 31) The storage unit 31 has a function of storing information. For example, the storage unit 31 stores elevator movement logs collected from the elevator terminal 10 and user movement logs collected from the user terminal 20. The storage unit 31 also stores the determination results of the elevator usage status by the user.

[0052] (Communication Department 32) The communication unit 32 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices. For example, the communication unit 32 receives a user movement log from the user terminal 20 and an elevator movement log from the elevator terminal 10. The communication unit 32 also transmits a message to the user terminal 20 according to the user's elevator usage status.

[0053] (Control unit 33) The control unit 33 has a function of controlling all the processes executed by the management device 30. The storage of information by the memory unit 31 and the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 32 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 33.

[0054] In addition, the control unit 33 controls various processes related to the usage status of the elevator by the user, which will be described in detail below.

[0055] (Determining elevator usage status by users) The control unit 33 determines the user's elevator usage status by comparing the elevator movement log with the user movement log. Here, the user movement log includes the identification information of the elevator, which can be acquired when the user terminal 20 approaches the elevator terminal 10. Therefore, the inclusion of the elevator identification information in the user movement log means that there is a high possibility that the user has used the elevator.

[0056] Therefore, the control unit 33 determines the user's elevator usage status by comparing the elevator movement log with the portion of the user movement log that is associated with the elevator identification information. Specifically, the control unit 33 determines whether the user used the elevator only during the period of the user movement log that is associated with the elevator identification information. On the other hand, the control unit 33 determines that the user did not use the elevator during the period of the user movement log that is not associated with the elevator identification information. This configuration makes it possible to accurately determine the user's elevator usage status.

[0057] More specifically, when the time series data of the acceleration of the user terminal 20 during a period associated with the elevator identification information in the user movement log matches the time series data of the acceleration of the elevator during that period in the elevator movement log, the control unit 33 determines that the user has used the elevator. On the other hand, when these time series data of acceleration do not match, the control unit 33 determines that the user has not used the elevator.

[0058] Matching of acceleration time series data means that the manner of time-series changes in acceleration is synchronized. In other words, matching of acceleration time series means that the timings at which identical or similar time-series changes in acceleration occurred match or approximately match. The timing at which a change in the user's acceleration occurred may be the timing at which the user started or stopped ascending or descending using the elevator, walking, using the stairs, etc., and may include the timing at which the user is estimated to have started or stopped moving using the elevator. The timing at which a change in elevator acceleration occurred is the timing at which the elevator is estimated to have started or stopped moving, such as the timing at which the elevator started or stopped ascending or descending.

[0059] Therefore, the control unit 33 determines that the user has used the elevator if the user and the elevator simultaneously ascend and stop or descend and stop around the time when the user terminal 20 received the elevator identification information. On the other hand, the control unit 33 determines that the user has not used the elevator if the user and the elevator do not simultaneously ascend or descend around the time when the user terminal 20 received the elevator identification information. This configuration makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status.

[0060] For example, when using air pressure as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status may be affected by sudden climate changes or adjustments to the air pressure inside the elevator, which can degrade the accuracy. In this regard, the above configuration makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status by referring to acceleration.

[0061] Furthermore, if the determination is based solely on the user's acceleration without reference to the elevator's acceleration, it may be erroneously determined that the user used the elevator to ascend or descend when they sit down or stand up while holding the user terminal 20. In this regard, the above configuration makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status by comparing the user's acceleration with the elevator's acceleration.

[0062] Furthermore, if the user's acceleration is compared with the elevator's acceleration without referencing the elevator's identification information, and if the user's acceleration and the elevator's acceleration happen to be synchronized even though the user is not using the elevator, it may be erroneously determined that the user used the elevator to go up or down. In this regard, with the above configuration, by referencing the elevator's identification information, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the elevator's usage status.

[0063] Here, the timing at which a change in the user's step count occurs may include the timing at which the user stops walking to use the elevator or starts walking after using the elevator, walking, using the stairs, etc., and may include the timing at which the user is estimated to have started or stopped moving using the elevator. Therefore, the control unit 33 may compare the elevator movement log with the user movement log for periods when the user's walking is not detected. In other words, the control unit 33 may determine that the user is not using the elevator during periods when the user's walking is detected. This configuration makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status.

[0064] The control unit 33 stores the determination result of the elevator usage status by the user in the storage unit 31. For example, the control unit 33 may store information indicating the time when it is determined that the user used the elevator in the storage unit 31. With this configuration, the date and time of the user's elevator usage can be recorded.

[0065] (Message notification to users) The control unit 33 may control the process of sending messages to the user terminal 20 based on the user's elevator usage status. The control unit 33 may control at least either the content or the frequency of sending messages based on the date and time of the user's elevator usage stored in the storage unit 31. These messages are output to the user by the user terminal 20.

[0066] For example, if the frequency of elevator use has been decreasing in the most recent predetermined period, the control unit 33 may transmit a message praising the user to the user terminal 20. On the other hand, if the frequency of elevator use has not changed or has been increasing in the most recent predetermined period, the control unit 33 may transmit a message urging the user to use the stairs instead of the elevator to the user terminal 20.

[0067] As another example, the control unit 33 may transmit a message once a week to the user terminal 20 of a user who uses the elevator infrequently, while the control unit 33 may transmit a message once a day to the user terminal 20 of a user who uses the elevator frequently.

[0068] According to this configuration, it is possible to maintain or improve the user's motivation to walk depending on the user's use of the elevator, and to promote the user's behavioral change, thereby promoting the user's health.

[0069] The timing of sending the message is arbitrary. As one example, the control unit 33 may send the message when the user is walking. In particular, it is desirable that a message praising the user be sent when the user is walking. As another example, the control unit 33 may send the message when the user is using an elevator. In particular, it is desirable that a message urging the user to use the stairs instead of the elevator be sent when the user is using the elevator. This configuration can further improve the effectiveness of the message.

[0070] <2. Operation processing> (When the user is not using the elevator) 2 is a sequence showing an example of a processing flow executed by the system 1 according to this embodiment. This sequence involves the elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, and the management device 30. The processing according to this sequence is executed when a user is not using the elevator.

[0071] 2, first, the elevator terminal 10 transmits identification information (step S102). For example, the elevator terminal 10 periodically transmits the identification information using a BLE beacon signal. However, it is assumed that a user is not using the elevator and the user terminal 20 has not received the identification information of the elevator terminal 10.

[0072] Next, the elevator terminal 10 measures the acceleration and stores an elevator movement log including time-series data of the acceleration (step S104). The elevator terminal 10 may store the acceleration and the time in association with each other at the timing when a change in the acceleration occurs. The timing when a change in the acceleration of the elevator occurs is the timing when it is estimated that the elevator has started or stopped moving.

[0073] Then, the elevator terminal 10 transmits the elevator movement log to the management device 30 (step S106). For example, the elevator terminal 10 may transmit the elevator movement log at the timing when it is estimated that the elevator has stopped moving. The management device 30 stores the elevator movement log received from the elevator terminal 10.

[0074] The processes of steps S102 to S106 may be repeatedly executed.

[0075] On the other hand, the user terminal 20 measures the acceleration and the number of steps, and stores a user movement log including time-series data of the acceleration and the number of steps (step S108). The user terminal 20 may store the acceleration, the number of steps, and the time when a change in the acceleration or the number of steps occurs, in association with each other. The time when a change in the user's acceleration or the number of steps occurs may include the time when the user is estimated to have started or stopped moving using an elevator.

[0076] Then, the user terminal 20 transmits the user movement log to the management device 30 (step S110). For example, the user terminal 20 may transmit the user movement log at the timing when it is estimated that the user has stopped moving using the elevator. The management device 30 stores the user movement log received from the user terminal 20.

[0077] The processes of steps S108 to S110 may be repeatedly executed.

[0078] Thereafter, the management device 30 compares the elevator movement log received and stored in step S106 with the user movement log received and stored in step S110. Here, even if the timing of ascent or descent is synchronized between the elevator movement log and the user movement log, the user movement log does not include elevator identification information. Therefore, the management device 30 determines that the user is not using the elevator.

[0079] (When the user uses the elevator) 3 is a sequence showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the system 1 according to this embodiment. This sequence involves the elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, and the management device 30. The processing according to this sequence is executed when a user uses the elevator.

[0080] 3, first, the elevator terminal 10 transmits identification information (step S202). The processing content is as described above for step S102. However, it is assumed that a user is using the elevator and the user terminal 20 has received the identification information of the elevator terminal 10.

[0081] Next, the elevator terminal 10 measures the acceleration and stores an elevator movement log including time-series data of the acceleration (step S204). The processing content is as described above with respect to step S104.

[0082] Then, the elevator terminal 10 transmits the elevator movement log to the management device 30 (step S206). The processing content is as described above with respect to step S106.

[0083] The processes of steps S202 to S206 may be repeatedly executed.

[0084] On the other hand, the user terminal 20 measures acceleration and the number of steps, and stores a user movement log including time-series data of acceleration and the number of steps. The processing content is as described above with respect to step S108. However, the user terminal 20 stores a user movement log including the elevator identification information received in step S202 (step S208). In detail, the user terminal 20 stores information associating the received elevator identification information with the time of reception, in the user movement log.

[0085] Then, the user terminal 20 transmits the user movement log to the management device 30 (step S210). The processing content is as described above with respect to step S110.

[0086] The processes of steps S208 to S210 may be repeatedly executed.

[0087] Then, the management device 30 compares the elevator movement log received and stored in step S206 with the user movement log received and stored in step S210 (step S212). Here, the timing of ascent or descent is synchronized between the elevator movement log and the user movement log, and the user movement log contains elevator identification information at the synchronized time. Therefore, the management device 30 determines that the user used the elevator.

[0088] Then, the management device 30 records the use of the elevator by the user (step S214). For example, the management device 30 stores the time when the user used the elevator.

[0089] <3. Specific Examples> A specific example of the process for determining the usage status of an elevator by a user will be described with reference to FIG.

[0090] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the process of determining the usage status of an elevator by a user, which is executed by the management device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0091] The left side of Fig. 4 shows table T1 generated based on the elevator movement log for elevator A. Table T1 includes the movement type of elevator A (i.e., ascending, stopping, or descending) and the time when the movement type was detected. For example, the control unit 33 detects the time when a change in acceleration occurs based on the time-series data of the acceleration of elevator A, and determines the movement type corresponding to the change. Then, the control unit 33 generates table T1 by associating the time with the determined movement type.

[0092] The right side of Fig. 4 shows table T2 generated based on the user movement log. Table T2 includes the user's movement type (i.e., walking, walking and stopping, ascending, stopping, or descending), received elevator identification information (ID: Identifier), and the time when the movement type was detected or the elevator identification information was received. For example, the control unit 33 detects the time when a change occurred in acceleration or step count based on time-series data of the user's acceleration and step count, and determines the movement type corresponding to such change. Then, the control unit 33 generates table T2 by associating the determined movement type with the time and further associating the elevator identification information received around the time.

[0093] The control unit 33 determines the user's usage of elevator A by comparing records for the same time between table T1 and table T2. Specifically, the control unit 33 determines that the user has used elevator A when the user's movement type and the movement type of elevator A are synchronized and the user terminal 20 receives the identification information "A" of elevator A during or before and after the synchronized period. On the other hand, the control unit 33 determines that the user has not used elevator A when the user's movement type and the movement type of elevator A are not synchronized or the user terminal 20 does not receive the identification information "A" of elevator A during or before and after the synchronized period.

[0094] Specifically, as shown in matching example M1, the user terminal 20 receives the ID "A" of elevator A at time 8:20. Then, immediately thereafter, between times 8:21 and 8:22, the user terminal 20 ascends and stops in the same manner as elevator A corresponding to the received ID "A." The user then stops walking just before this series of movements, and starts walking again just after. Therefore, the control unit 33 determines that the user used elevator A between times 8:21 and 8:22.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in matching example M2, the user terminal 20 descends and stops in the same manner as elevator A between 8:25 and 8:26. However, the user terminal 20 does not receive elevator A's ID "A" during that period or before or after that period. Therefore, the control unit 33 determines that the user did not use elevator A between 8:25 and 8:26. Such an event may occur, for example, if the user descends the stairs or bends and stretches at the same time as elevator A descends.

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in matching example M3, the user terminal 20 receives the ID "A" of elevator A at time 12:05. However, the user is walking at that time, and the user terminal 20 does not rise at the same time as elevator A. Therefore, the control unit 33 determines that the user is not using elevator A at time 12:05. Such an event may occur, for example, when the user walks past the elevator hall of elevator A.

[0097] In the above-described matching example M1, the user terminal 20 receives the ID "A" of elevator A before the user uses elevator A, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The user terminal 20 only needs to receive the ID "A" of elevator A during the use of elevator A and during a predetermined period including before and after the use.

[0098] In the above specific example, the tables T1 and T2 are generated in units of minutes, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The tables T1 and T2 may be generated in units of seconds. Furthermore, the control unit 33 may allow a difference of several seconds or several minutes when comparing the user movement log with the elevator movement log. This configuration makes it possible to prevent erroneous determinations due to differences in the accuracy and detection cycles of the acceleration sensors 12 and 22.

[0099] <4. Hardware configuration example> Next, the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. Note that the information processing device 900 shown in Fig. 5 can realize, for example, the elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, or the management device 30 shown in Fig. 1. Information processing by the elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, or the management device 30 according to this embodiment is realized by cooperation between software and hardware described below.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing device 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a host bus 904, a bridge 905, an external bus 906, an interface 907, an input device 908, an output device 909, a storage device 910, and a communication device 911.

[0101] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 900 in accordance with various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs used by the CPU 901, calculation parameters, etc. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901, and parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. These are interconnected by a host bus 904 that is composed of a CPU bus, etc. The CPU 901 may form, for example, the control unit 15, control unit 27, or control unit 33 shown in FIG. 1.

[0102] The host bus 904 is connected to an external bus 906, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 905. It is not necessary to configure the host bus 904, bridge 905, and external bus 906 separately, and these functions may be implemented on a single bus.

[0103] The input device 908 is composed of input means for a user to input information, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, microphone, switch, or lever, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on the user's input and outputs it to the CPU 901. A user operating the information processing device 900 can input various data to the information processing device 900 or instruct the information processing device 900 to perform processing operations by operating the input device 908. The input device 908 may also include a device that detects information related to the information processing device 900. For example, the input device 908 may include various sensors such as a depth sensor (e.g., a stereo camera), an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a biosensor, a distance sensor, and a force sensor. The input device 908 may also acquire information related to the status of the information processing device 900 itself, such as the attitude and movement speed of the information processing device 900, and information related to the surrounding environment of the information processing device 900, such as the brightness and noise around the information processing device 900. The input device 908 may also include a GNSS module that receives GNSS signals from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites (e.g., GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites) to measure location information including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the device. The input device 908 may form, for example, the acceleration sensor 12, the acceleration sensor 22, or the pedometer 23 shown in FIG. 1 .

[0104] The output device 909 includes, for example, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device, a lamp, etc., and an audio output device such as a speaker, etc. The output device 909 may form, for example, the notification unit 24 shown in FIG.

[0105] The storage device 910 is a device for storing data. The storage device 910 may include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data on the storage medium, a reading device for reading data from the storage medium, and a deleting device for deleting data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 910 is configured, for example, with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). This storage device 910 drives a hard disk and stores programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data. The storage device 910 may form, for example, the storage unit 13, the storage unit 25, or the storage unit 31 shown in FIG. 1.

[0106] The communication device 911 is, for example, a communication interface configured with a communication device for connecting to a network. The communication device 911 may support either wireless communication or wired communication. The communication device 911 may form, for example, the identification information transmitting unit 11, the communication unit 14, the identification information receiving unit 21, the communication unit 26, or the communication unit 32 shown in FIG. 1.

[0107] The above describes an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the functions of the information processing device 900 according to this embodiment. Each of the above components may be realized using general-purpose components, or may be realized by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration used can be changed as appropriate depending on the technical level at the time of implementing this embodiment.

[0108] <5. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0109] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a user's elevator usage status is determined by comparing the time-series change in the elevator's acceleration with the time-series change in the user's acceleration. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. In addition to or instead of the time-series change in the acceleration, a user's elevator usage status may also be determined based on the amount of movement. Specifically, the control unit 33 may estimate the elevator's movement amount based on the time-series acceleration data of the elevator terminal 10. The control unit 33 may also estimate the user's movement amount based on the time-series acceleration data of the user terminal 20. The control unit 33 may then determine the user's elevator usage status by comparing the elevator's movement amount with the user's movement amount. For example, the control unit 33 may determine that the user has used the elevator if the user and the elevator simultaneously ascended or descended the same number of floors around the time the user terminal 20 received the elevator's identification information. This configuration further improves the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status.

[0110] Although the above describes an example in which elevator terminal 10 constantly and periodically transmits elevator identification information, the present invention is not limited to such an example. Elevator terminal 10 may transmit elevator identification information while the elevator is moving. That is, elevator terminal 10 may transmit elevator identification information only while the elevator is ascending or descending, and stop transmission at other times. This configuration can prevent a situation in which user terminal 20 receives elevator identification information simply because a user walks past a stopped elevator, thereby further improving the accuracy of determining elevator usage status. Furthermore, this configuration can reduce power consumption of elevator terminal 10.

[0111] Similarly, although the above describes an example in which the user terminal 20 maintains a state in which it is always able to receive elevator identification information, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The user terminal 20 may transition to a state in which it is able to receive elevator identification information while the user terminal 20 is moving in a direction in which the elevator can move. That is, the user terminal 20 may maintain a state in which it is able to receive elevator identification information only while the user terminal 20 is ascending or descending, and may cancel the state in which it is able to receive information during other periods. This configuration can further improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status for the same reasons as above. Furthermore, this configuration can reduce the power consumption of the user terminal 20.

[0112] Although the above describes an example in which the management device 30 generates time-series data on elevator movement types, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The elevator terminal 10 may generate time-series data on elevator movement types and transmit it to the management device 30 as an elevator movement log. That is, the elevator terminal 10 may generate table T1 shown in FIG. 4 and transmit it to the management device 30 as an elevator movement log.

[0113] Similarly, although an example has been described above in which the management device 30 generates time-series data on the user's movement type, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The user terminal 20 may generate time-series data on the user's movement type and transmit it to the management device 30 as a user movement log. That is, the user terminal 20 may generate table T2 shown in FIG. 4 and transmit it to the management device 30 as a user movement log.

[0114] Although the above describes an example in which the elevator terminal 10 transmits the elevator identification information as a wireless signal, the present invention is not limited to such an example. As an example, the elevator terminal 10 may transmit the elevator identification information as a magnetic signal. As another example, the elevator terminal 10 may transmit the elevator identification information optically, such as by blinking an LED (Light Emitting Diode) in a predetermined pattern.

[0115] Although the example in which the elevator terminal 10 transmits the elevator identification information and the user terminal 20 receives it has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this example. The user terminal 20 may transmit the user identification information and the elevator terminal 10 may receive it. This configuration also makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the elevator usage status.

[0116] The present invention is applicable to any mobile body that can be boarded by a user and that moves in a direction different from the direction in which the user can move while using the mobile body. For example, the present invention may be applied to a mobile body that makes it difficult for the user to move within the mobile body while using the mobile body. Although an elevator is given above as an example of a mobile body that can be boarded by a user, the present invention is not limited to such an example. As an example, the present invention may be applied to a lift, a gondola, a car, an electric kick scooter, or a bicycle as the mobile body.

[0117] The user terminal 20 does not need to have the storage unit 25. In other words, the user terminal 20 may constantly transmit the user movement log to the management device 30 every time it is generated, without temporarily storing it. When the user terminal 20 temporarily stores the user movement log, it is possible to reduce traffic compared to when the user terminal 20 constantly transmits the log without temporarily storing it. The same applies to the storage unit 13 of the elevator terminal 10.

[0118] If it is not necessary to notify the user of a message for behavioral change, the user terminal 20 does not need to have the notification unit 24. For example, the user terminal 20 may be a wearable sensor.

[0119] At least some of the components included in the elevator terminal 10, the user terminal 20, or the management device 30 described above may be implemented by software or may be divided and implemented on multiple devices. In this case, the connections between the divided components may be realized by any network.

[0120] Although the above description omits initialization processing such as user registration and elevator identification information registration, abnormality processing, and error processing, it goes without saying that these processes may be implemented in the present invention.

[0121] The series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The software programs may be stored in advance, for example, on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) internal or external to each device. Each program is loaded into a random access memory (RAM) and executed by a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU). The recording medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium. The computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general-purpose processor that executes functions by loading a software program, or a computer on a server used in cloud computing. The series of processes performed by each device described herein may be centrally processed by a single computer or distributed across multiple computers. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, two or more communication means present in one device may be physically implemented on a single medium.

[0122] Furthermore, the processes described herein using flowcharts or sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown. Some process steps may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, additional process steps may be employed, and some process steps may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 System 10 Elevator terminal 11 Identification information transmission unit 12 Acceleration sensor 13 Storage section 14 Communications Department 15 Control Unit 20 User terminal 21 Identification information receiving unit 22 Acceleration sensor 23 Pedometer 24 Notification Department 25 Memory section 26 Communications Department 27 Control Unit 30 Management device 31 Storage section 32 Communications Department 33 Control Unit 9 Network

Claims

1. a control unit that determines a usage status of a mobile object by a user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object that the user can board with a movement history of a user terminal carried by the user; Equipped with the moving object moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user using the moving object can move, the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the moving object that can be acquired when the user terminal approaches the moving object; the control unit determines a usage status of the mobile object by the user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object with a portion of the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with identification information of the mobile object. Information processing device.

2. the movement history of the user terminal includes time-series data of acceleration of the user terminal; The movement history of the moving object includes time series data of acceleration of the moving object. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit determines that the user has used the mobile object when time series data of acceleration of the user terminal during a period associated with identification information of the mobile object in the movement history of the user terminal matches time series data of acceleration of the mobile object during the period in the movement history of the mobile object. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the control unit estimates a movement amount of the moving body based on time series data of acceleration of the moving body, estimates a movement amount of the user terminal based on time series data of acceleration of the user terminal, and determines a usage status of the moving body by the user by comparing the movement amount of the moving body with the movement amount of the user terminal. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

5. the control unit compares a movement history of the moving object with a movement history of the user terminal for a period in which walking of the user is not detected; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the control unit controls a process of sending a message to the user terminal based on a usage status of the mobile object by the user. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The identification information of the mobile unit is transmitted by a mobile terminal located at the mobile unit and received by the user terminal. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The identification information of the mobile unit is transmitted as a wireless signal conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard. The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. The moving body is an elevator. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. a user terminal carried by a user; an information processing device that determines a usage status of the mobile object by the user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object that the user can board with a movement history of the user terminal; a mobile terminal that is disposed in the mobile body and transmits identification information of the mobile body; Equipped with the moving object moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user using the moving object can move, the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the moving object received from the mobile terminal; the information processing device determines a usage status of the mobile object by the user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object with a movement history of the user terminal that is associated with identification information of the mobile object; system.

11. the mobile terminal transmits identification information of the mobile unit while the mobile unit is moving; The system of claim 10.

12. The mobile terminal transmits the identification information of the mobile terminal as a wireless signal conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard. The system of claim 11.

13. the moving body is an elevator, The mobile terminal is retrofitted to the elevator. The system of claim 10.

14. the user terminal transitions to a state in which it is able to receive identification information of the moving object while the user terminal is moving in a direction in which the moving object is able to move; The system of claim 10.

15. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: determining a usage status of a mobile object by a user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object that the user can board with a movement history of a user terminal carried by the user; Including, the moving object moves in a direction different from a direction in which the user using the moving object can move, the movement history of the user terminal includes identification information of the moving object that can be acquired when the user terminal approaches the moving object; Determining the usage status of the mobile object by the user includes determining the usage status of the mobile object by the user by comparing a movement history of the mobile object with a portion of the movement history of the user terminal that is associated with identification information of the mobile object. Information processing methods.

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