Measurement system, measurement method, and program

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to improve performance of detecting a person.SOLUTION: In a measurement system 1, a difference calculation unit 30 repeats processing for generating temperature difference data 22 corresponding to a difference between a plurality of pieces of temperature distribution data 21. The number-of-people estimating unit 40 repeats the process of estimating the positions and the number of people based on the result of the comparison between the temperature-difference values 22 and the thresholds Th1. The background acquisition unit 70 acquires background temperature data 24 indicating a background temperature. The determination unit 80 determines, based on the background temperature information 24, at least one of the number of pieces of the temperature distribution information 21 used by the difference calculation unit 30 to generate the temperature difference information 22 and the Th1 to be compared with the temperature difference information 22 by the person count estimation unit 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement system, a measurement method, and a program, and more particularly to a measurement system, a measurement method, and a program for detecting human movement. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting people in a space using temperature. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects people in a space based on the detected temperatures of each of a plurality of matrix-shaped detection grids. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-124833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a measurement system, a measurement method, and a program that can improve the performance of detecting people. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A measurement system according to one aspect of the present disclosure measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of the people is movement of the people between a first space and a second space. The measurement system includes a temperature acquisition unit, a difference calculation unit, a number of people estimation unit, a movement estimation unit, a movement detection unit, a background acquisition unit, and a determination unit. The temperature acquisition unit repeatedly acquires temperature distribution data. The temperature distribution data indicates the temperatures of multiple detection points arranged in a matrix in an area through which the person passes when performing the spatial movement. The difference calculation unit repeatedly generates temperature difference data corresponding to the difference between the multiple pieces of temperature distribution data. The number of people estimation unit repeatedly estimates the positions and number of the people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data and a threshold. The movement estimation unit estimates the movements of the people based on time-series changes in the positions and number of the people. The movement detection unit detects the number of people who have performed the spatial movement based on the positions and number of the people and the movements of the people. The background acquisition unit acquires background temperature data indicating a background temperature. The background temperature is the temperature of an area in the space including the first space and the second space where no people are present. The determination unit determines, based on the background temperature data, at least one of the number of pieces of temperature distribution data used by the difference calculation unit to generate the temperature difference data and the threshold value used by the number-of-people estimation unit to compare the temperature difference data.

[0006] A measurement method according to one aspect of the present disclosure measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of the people is movement of the people between a first space and a second space. The measurement method includes a temperature acquisition step, a difference calculation step, a number of people estimation step, a movement estimation step, a movement detection step, a background acquisition step, and a determination step. The temperature acquisition step repeatedly acquires temperature distribution data. The temperature distribution data indicates the temperatures of multiple detection points arranged in a matrix in an area through which the person passes when moving through the space. The difference calculation step repeatedly generates temperature difference data corresponding to the difference between the multiple temperature distribution data. The number of people estimation step repeatedly estimates the positions and number of the people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data and a threshold. The movement estimation step estimates the movements of the people based on time-series changes in the positions and number of the people. The movement detection step detects the number of people who have moved through the space based on the positions and number of the people and the movements of the people. The background acquisition step acquires background temperature data representing a background temperature. The background temperature is the temperature of the area where no one is present in the space including the first space and the second space. In the determining step, at least one of the number of the temperature distribution data used to generate the temperature difference data in the difference calculation step and the threshold value to be compared with the temperature difference data in the number-of-people estimation step is determined based on the background temperature data.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program readable by a computer system, causing one or more processors of the computer system to execute the measurement method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure has the advantage of improving the performance of detecting people. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a space to be measured by the measurement system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of temperature distribution measurement in the measurement system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the measurement system. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. Fig. 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a later time than Fig. 5(a). Fig. 5(c) is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a later time than Fig. 5(b). Fig. 5(d) is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a later time than Fig. 5(c). [Figure 6] Fig. 6(a) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of two people when they pass through a doorway of a space. Fig. 6(b) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a later time than Fig. 6(a). Fig. 6(c) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a later time than Fig. 6(b). Fig. 6(d) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a later time than Fig. 6(c). [Figure 7] (a) of Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. (b) of Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a time later than (a) of Fig. 7. (c) of Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a time later than (b) of Fig. 7. (d) of Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person at a time later than (c) of Fig. 7. [Figure 8] (a) of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of two people when they pass through a doorway of a space. (b) of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a time later than (a) of Fig. 8. (c) of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a time later than (b) of Fig. 8. (d) of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a time later than (c) of Fig. 8. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing the position of the person at a later time than Figure 9(a). [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of two people as they pass through a doorway of a space, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the people at a later time than Figure 10(a). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a temperature sensor installed in a space and a plurality of detection points. [Figure 12] Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing the time-series change in the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. Figure 12(b) is a schematic diagram showing the time-series change in the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. [Figure 13] Figure 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing the time-series change in the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. Figure 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing the time-series change in the position of a person when passing through a doorway of a space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following embodiments, the measurement system 1, measurement method, and program of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. The configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, the following embodiments, including modified examples, may be realized in appropriate combinations.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overall structure The measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment measures the spatial movement of a person. The spatial movement of a person is the movement of a person between a first space (space AR1) and a second space (space AR3). In other words, the spatial movement of a person is at least one of a person entering space AR1 (see FIG. 2) and a person exiting space AR1. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the spatial movement of a person refers to both a person entering space AR1 and a person exiting space AR1.

[0012] There may also be a plurality of second spaces. The measurement system 1 may detect people entering and exiting the first space (in other words, people entering and exiting the first space) by measuring the movement of people between the first space and each of the plurality of second spaces.

[0013] The measurement system 1 measures people entering and exiting the space AR1 by detecting the movement of people in an area AR2 (see FIG. 2) where people enter and exit the space AR1. The space AR1 is the space for which people entering and exiting are measured, and may be, for example, a part of a building. The space AR1 may be, for example, a single room in a building, multiple consecutive rooms in a building, a floor in a building, an open-air space, a rooftop, or an entire building. The space AR1 may also be part of an open space, such as a park or an outdoor stage.

[0014] The measurement system 1 is connected to one or more temperature sensors 2 (one in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the one or more temperature sensors 2 are installed in a one-to-one correspondence in an area AR2 through which people enter and exit the space AR1. The area AR2 is a space through which people pass to enter and exit the space AR1. The area AR2 includes a boundary B1. That is, the boundary B1 exists within the area AR2 when viewed from above (see FIG. 3). The boundary B1 separates the space AR1 from the space AR3. The boundary B1 is, for example, a door, but it may also be a gate that is always open without a door, or a virtual boundary surface with no physical entity. The area AR2 includes the boundary B1, a part of the space AR1 adjacent to the boundary B1, and a part of the space AR3.

[0015] It should be noted that there may be multiple areas AR2 for one space AR1. When multiple areas AR2 exist in one space AR1, at least one of the multiple areas AR2 may be a one-way area. Specifically, at least one of the multiple areas AR2 may be a one-way entrance where people can enter the space AR1 but cannot exit, or a one-way exit where people can exit the space AR1 but cannot enter.

[0016] Each of the one or more temperature sensors 2 measures the temperature distribution in the corresponding area AR2. The temperature sensors 2 are installed, for example, on the ceiling surface above the area AR2. The detection direction of the temperature sensors 2 is downward. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensors 2 detect the temperature of each of a plurality of detection points G1 arranged in a matrix (64 points in FIG. 3, 8 rows and 8 columns). The plurality of detection points G1 are arranged in the area AR2. The plurality of detection points G1 correspond one-to-one to a plurality of areas (64 points in 8 rows and 8 columns) (hereinafter referred to as small areas) within the area AR2. For the detection point G1, the temperature sensor 2 outputs, for example, the average temperature of the small area corresponding to the detection point G1 as the temperature of the detection point G1.

[0017] When there are a plurality of areas AR2, it is preferable that one or a plurality of temperature sensors 2 for measuring the temperature distribution in each area AR2 are installed.

[0018] The temperature sensor 2 includes, for example, an infrared sensor that measures temperature (radiation temperature) based on infrared rays. More specifically, the temperature sensor 2 includes, for example, an infrared sensor array having a plurality of infrared sensors. The plurality of detection points G1 are infrared detection areas that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of infrared sensors. The infrared sensor array has 64 infrared sensors arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns. Therefore, the temperature sensor 2 detects the temperature of each of the 64 detection points G1 (detection areas) arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns based on the output of each of the plurality of infrared sensors in the infrared sensor array. Each of the plurality of infrared sensors includes, for example, a thermopile. The temperature sensor 2 has a signal processing circuit that calculates the temperature of each detection point G1 (detection area) based on the output of each of the plurality of infrared sensors and the output of a thermistor.

[0019] The temperature sensor 2 measures the temperature based on infrared rays, and the measurement system 1 detects people based on the measurement results of the temperature sensor 2. Therefore, compared to when detecting people using a camera, people can be detected without being affected by changes in illuminance due to flickering lighting devices or sunlight, etc.

[0020] (2) Measurement system configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a temperature acquisition unit 10, a memory unit 20, a difference calculation unit 30, a number of people estimation unit 40, a movement estimation unit 50, a movement detection unit 60, a background acquisition unit 70, and a determination unit 80.

[0021] The measurement system 1 includes a computer system having one or more processors and a memory. At least some of the functions of the measurement system 1 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a memory card) that can be read by the computer system.

[0022] Each of the temperature acquisition unit 10, difference calculation unit 30, number of people estimation unit 40, movement estimation unit 50, movement detection unit 60, background acquisition unit 70, and determination unit 80 merely represents a function realized by a computer system and does not necessarily represent a physical configuration.

[0023] (2.1) Temperature acquisition section The temperature acquisition unit 10 acquires temperature distribution data 21 of the area AR2 from each of the one or more temperature sensors 2. More specifically, the temperature acquisition unit 10 periodically acquires the temperature distribution data 21 of the area AR2 from each of the one or more temperature sensors 2. The temperature acquisition unit 10 acquires the temperature distribution data 21 at a period of, for example, about 0.1 seconds. The temperature acquisition unit 10 stores the acquired temperature distribution data 21 in the storage unit 20 and also outputs it to the difference calculation unit 30.

[0024] (2.2) Storage section The storage unit 20 is a non-volatile storage device configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like. The storage unit 20 stores information. For example, the storage unit 20 stores a plurality of temperature distribution data 21. The storage unit 20 also stores a plurality of temperature difference data 22, person position data 23, background temperature data 24, a set number N1, and a threshold value Th1, which will be described later.

[0025] (2.3) Difference calculation part The difference calculation unit 30 acquires a plurality of pieces of temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to one area AR2 from the temperature acquisition unit 10 or the storage unit 20. The plurality of pieces of temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to one area AR2 are measured at different times.

[0026] The difference calculation unit 30 generates temperature difference data 22 from a plurality of temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to one area AR2. More specifically, when the temperature acquisition unit 10 outputs the temperature distribution data 21, the difference calculation unit 30 reads out, from the storage unit 20, one or more pieces of temperature distribution data 21 (hereinafter referred to as comparison temperature distribution data) that are chronologically earlier than the received temperature distribution data 21 (hereinafter referred to as target temperature distribution data). As will be described below, the difference calculation unit 30 generates temperature difference data 22 that corresponds to the difference between the target temperature distribution data and the one or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data.

[0027] The number of comparison temperature distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the set number N1 or the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data) that the difference calculation unit 30 reads from the storage unit 20 to generate the temperature difference data 22 is determined by the determination unit 80. Note that if multiple areas AR2 are provided, the set number N1 may be set for each area AR2, and therefore the set number N1 may differ for each area AR2.

[0028] When the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data is one, the difference calculation unit 30 calculates the difference (temperature difference) between the target temperature distribution data and the comparison temperature distribution data for each of the multiple detection points G1, maps it to the multiple detection points G1, and generates temperature difference data 22. The difference calculation unit 30 stores the generated temperature difference data 22 in the memory unit 20 and also outputs it to the number of people estimation unit 40 and the movement estimation unit 50. The difference calculation unit 30 periodically generates the temperature difference data 22, for example, in synchronization with the operation of the temperature acquisition unit 10 to output the temperature distribution data 21. The target temperature distribution data is, for example, the latest temperature distribution data 21 output by the temperature acquisition unit 10. The comparison temperature distribution data is, for example, the temperature distribution data 21 output immediately before the target temperature distribution data.

[0029] When the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data is two or more, the difference calculation unit 30 generates average data by averaging the two or more comparison temperature distribution data. Furthermore, the difference calculation unit 30 calculates the difference (temperature difference) between the target temperature distribution data and the average data for each of the multiple detection points G1, maps the calculated difference to the multiple detection points G1, and generates temperature difference data 22. The difference calculation unit 30 stores the generated temperature difference data 22 in the memory unit 20 and outputs it to the number of people estimation unit 40 and the movement estimation unit 50. For example, the difference calculation unit 30 periodically generates the temperature difference data 22 in synchronization with the operation of the temperature acquisition unit 10 to output the temperature distribution data 21. The target temperature distribution data is, for example, the latest temperature distribution data 21 output by the temperature acquisition unit 10. Each of the two or more comparison temperature distribution data is, for example, the temperature distribution data 21 output before the target temperature distribution data.

[0030] If the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data is M, the difference calculation unit 30 generates average data by averaging the comparison temperature distribution data that are one to M pieces before the target temperature distribution data in time series.

[0031] The difference calculation unit 30 selectively performs either simple average difference processing or weighted average difference processing to generate average data. The determination unit 80 determines whether the difference calculation unit 30 performs simple average difference processing or weighted average difference processing on two or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data corresponding to a certain region AR2.

[0032] (2.4) Number of people estimation section The number of people estimation unit 40 estimates the positions and number of people in an area AR2 based on the temperature difference data 22 corresponding to one area AR2. More specifically, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates the positions and number of people in an area AR2 based on the result of comparing the temperature difference data 22 with a threshold value Th1. The number of people estimation unit 40 estimates, for example, that a heat source indicated as an area with a larger temperature difference than the surrounding area in the temperature difference data 22 corresponds to one or more people. More specifically, if the temperature difference between a heat source and the surrounding area in the temperature difference data 22 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates that the heat source corresponds to one or more people.

[0033] Furthermore, the number-of-people estimation unit 40 estimates the number of people based on, for example, the temperature difference data 22 between the area that is the heat source and the surroundings, and the area of ​​the area that is the heat source.

[0034] If the temperature difference data 22 does not include a heat source, the number of people estimation unit 40 stores in the memory unit 20 person position data 23 indicating that there are no people in the area AR2. Furthermore, if the temperature difference data 22 includes one or more heat sources, the number of people estimation unit 40 stores in the memory unit 20 the positions and numbers of people corresponding to each heat source as person position data 23. Here, the person position is information that identifies the detection point G1, and is, for example, coordinates when the temperature distribution data 21 is treated as a two-dimensional image. Furthermore, the number of people estimation unit 40 outputs the person position data 23 stored in the memory unit 20 to the movement estimation unit 50.

[0035] (2.5) Movement estimation part The movement estimation unit 50 estimates the direction of movement of people based on time-series changes in the positions and number of people in one area AR2. When the number of people estimation unit 40 outputs person position data 23, the movement estimation unit 50 reads from the storage unit 20 the person position data 23 immediately before the person position data 23 output by the number of people estimation unit 40. The movement estimation unit 50 compares the latest person position data 23 output by the number of people estimation unit 40 with the immediately previous person position data 23 read from the storage unit 20 to detect the movement of people. If the positions of a person included in the latest person position data 23 and a person included in the immediately previous person position data 23 are the same or close to each other, the movement estimation unit 50 estimates that they are the same person and that the movement is that of that person. If a person whose movement has been detected is present, the movement estimation unit 50 adds a person correspondence to the person position data 23.

[0036] (2.6) Movement detection unit The movement detection unit 60 detects the number of people entering and exiting the space AR1 based on the person position data 23, and calculates the number of people in the space AR1. The movement detection unit 60 detects whether people are coming and going between the space AR1 and the space AR3 based on the person position data 23. For example, the movement detection unit 60 sets a detection area D1 (see FIG. 3) between one or more detection points G1 corresponding to the space AR1 and one or more detection points G1 corresponding to the space AR3 among the multiple detection points G1. Then, for example, when the position of a person moves from the detection point G1 corresponding to the space AR3 across the detection area D1 to the detection point G1 corresponding to the space AR1, the movement detection unit 60 detects that the person has entered the space AR1. Here, the detection area D1 does not necessarily need to coincide with the boundary B1, and as shown in FIG. 3, the boundary B1 and the detection area D1 do not necessarily need to correspond to each other. Furthermore, for example, when a person's position moves from detection point G1 corresponding to space AR1 to detection point G1 corresponding to space AR3 across detection area D1, the movement detection unit 60 detects that the person has left space AR1. The movement detection unit 60 adds the number of people who have entered space AR1 to the number of people in space AR1, and subtracts the number of people who have left space AR1 from the number of people in space AR1.

[0037] (2.7) Background acquisition part The background acquisition unit 70 acquires background temperature data 24 representing the background temperature. The background temperature is the temperature of an area where no one is present in a space (for example, area AR2) including a first space (space AR1) and a second space (space AR3).

[0038] Various means can be used to acquire the background temperature data 24. Examples of means for acquiring the background temperature data 24 are listed below.

[0039] (2.7.1) First example of obtaining background temperature data The background acquisition unit 70 determines a detection point G1 where no person is present among the multiple detection points G1 based on the positions of people estimated by the number of people estimation unit 40. Then, the background acquisition unit 70 outputs the temperature of the detection point G1 where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data 21, to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24. The temperature of the detection point G1 where no person is present corresponds to the temperature of the floor, the ground, etc.

[0040] For example, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates that there is no person at the detection point G1 in the third column from the left and the third row from the top, among the 64 detection points G1 arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns in Fig. 3. In this case, the background acquisition unit 70 extracts the temperature of the detection point G1 in the third column from the left and the third row from the top from the temperature distribution data 21, and outputs the extracted temperature to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0041] The background acquisition unit 70 may determine two or more detection points G1 where no people are present among the multiple detection points G1, based on the positions of people estimated by the number of people estimation unit 40. Thereafter, the background acquisition unit 70 may output the average value (e.g., simple average) of the temperatures of the two or more detection points G1 where no people are present, which are indicated by the temperature distribution data 21, to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0042] When there are multiple areas AR2 and the measurement system 1 measures the spatial movement of a person in a certain area AR2, the background acquisition unit 70 outputs the temperature of a detection point G1 in the certain area AR2 where no person is present as background temperature data 24 to the determination unit 80.

[0043] (2.7.2) Second example of obtaining background temperature data The measurement system 1 is connected to one or more human sensors 3 (one in FIG. 1) that detect the presence or absence of a person. The human sensor 3 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person in a detection target area based on, for example, light, ultrasound, or pressure. Alternatively, the human sensor 3 is a sensor that uses, for example, an LPS (Local Positioning System) that detects the position of a terminal carried by a person by communicating with the terminal. Since the position of the terminal coincides with the position of the person, if the position of the person is known, it is possible to identify the presence or absence of a person in a certain area.

[0044] The background acquisition unit 70 determines a detection point G1 where no person is present among the multiple detection points G1 based on the detection result of the human sensor 3. Then, the background acquisition unit 70 outputs the temperature of the detection point G1 where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data 21, to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0045] 3, the background acquisition unit 70 determines that there is no human at the detection point G1 in the third column from the left and the third row from the top. In this case, the background acquisition unit 70 extracts the temperature of the detection point G1 in the third column from the left and the third row from the top from the temperature distribution data 21, and outputs the extracted temperature to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0046] The background acquisition unit 70 may determine two or more detection points G1 where no people are present among the multiple detection points G1 based on the detection result of the human sensor 3. Thereafter, the background acquisition unit 70 may output the average value (e.g., simple average) of the temperatures of the two or more detection points G1 where no people are present, which are indicated by the temperature distribution data 21, to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0047] When there are multiple areas AR2, multiple human sensors 3 may be installed in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple areas AR2. When the measurement system 1 measures the spatial movement of people in a certain area AR2, the background acquisition unit 70 may obtain a detection point G1 where no people are present based on the detection result of the human sensor 3 corresponding to the certain area AR2.

[0048] (2.7.3) Third example of obtaining background temperature data The storage unit 20 stores relationship information 25 that indicates the relationship between at least one of date and time period and temperature. The storage unit 20 stores, for example, the relationship between at least one of date and time period and temperature as a data table. For example, the storage unit 20 stores relationship information 25 such that if the date is early July and the time period is 9:00 AM, the temperature is 28°C. The relationship information 25 is created, for example, based on meteorological information for the area where the facility (building, etc.) where the measurement system 1 measures the spatial movement of people is installed. The meteorological information can be public information from meteorological organizations or commercially available weather information.

[0049] The background acquisition unit 70 acquires a temperature corresponding to at least one of a target date and a target time period from the storage unit 20. The target date is, for example, the current date. The target time period is, for example, the current time period. Therefore, the background acquisition unit 70 acquires, for example, a temperature corresponding to the current date and time from the storage unit 20.

[0050] The background acquisition unit 70 outputs the temperature acquired from the storage unit 20 to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24 .

[0051] When there are multiple areas AR2, the relationship information 25 may be set for each area AR2. For example, the relationship information 25 may be different for a sunny area AR2 and a shady area AR2. When the measurement system 1 measures the spatial movement of a person in a certain area AR2, the background acquisition unit 70 may output the temperature acquired from the storage unit 20 based on the relationship information 25 corresponding to the certain area AR2 to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0052] (2.7.4) Fourth example of obtaining background temperature data The measurement system 1 is connected to a temperature sensor 4. The temperature sensor 4 measures the temperature of a space including a first space (space AR1) and a second space (space AR3). The temperature sensor 4 is installed in the space including the first space (space AR1) and the second space (space AR3).

[0053] Air temperature sensor 4 is a sensor provided separately from temperature sensor 2. Like temperature sensor 2, air temperature sensor 4 may be a sensor that includes an infrared sensor and measures temperature (radiation temperature) based on infrared rays. Alternatively, air temperature sensor 4 may be a sensor that includes a heat-sensitive element such as a thermistor or thermocouple and measures the air temperature using the heat-sensitive element.

[0054] The background acquisition unit 70 outputs the temperature measured by the air temperature sensor 4 to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0055] When there are multiple areas AR2, multiple temperature sensors 4 may be installed in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple areas AR2. When the measurement system 1 measures the spatial movement of a person in a certain area AR2, the background acquisition unit 70 may output the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 4 corresponding to the certain area AR2 to the determination unit 80 as background temperature data 24.

[0056] (2.8) Decision section The determination unit 80 determines at least one of the number of temperature distribution data 21 used by the difference calculation unit 30 to generate the temperature difference data 22 (the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data) and the threshold value Th1 used by the number-of-people estimation unit 40 to compare with the temperature difference data 22, according to the background temperature data 24 acquired by the background acquisition unit 70. Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given assuming that the determination unit 80 determines both the set number N1 and the threshold value Th1 according to the background temperature data 24. The determination unit 80 stores the determined set number N1 and threshold value Th1 in the storage unit 20.

[0057] (2.8.1) Determining the number of comparison temperature distribution data As described above, the difference calculation unit 30 generates temperature difference data 22 corresponding to the difference between the target temperature distribution data and one or more comparison temperature distribution data. When the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data is one, the difference calculation unit 30 generates the difference between the comparison temperature distribution data and the target temperature distribution data as the temperature difference data 22. When the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data is two or more, the difference calculation unit 30 generates the temperature difference data 22 as the difference between the target temperature distribution data and average data obtained by averaging two or more comparison temperature distribution data.

[0058] The determination unit 80 determines the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data in accordance with the background temperature data 24. Determining the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data corresponds to "determining the number of temperature distribution data 21 that the difference calculation unit 30 uses to generate the temperature difference data 22."

[0059] The higher the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24, the more the determination unit 80 sets the number of temperature distribution data 21 used by the difference calculation unit 30 to generate the temperature difference data 22. In other words, the higher the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24, the more the determination unit 80 sets the set number N1.

[0060] For example, if the background temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the determination unit 80 sets the set number N1 to a first value, and if the background temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the determination unit 80 sets the set number N1 to a second value. The second value is smaller than the first value. For example, the second value is 5, and the first value is 10. In this way, the determination unit 80 may change the set number N1 to two different values ​​in response to changes in the background temperature. Alternatively, the determination unit 80 may change the set number N1 to three or more different values ​​in response to changes in the background temperature.

[0061] The temperature distribution data 21, such as the comparative temperature distribution data, includes the temperature value of each detection point G1. In the temperature distribution data 21, the temperature value of each detection point G1 may increase or decrease due to noise caused by external factors or internal factors such as the temperature sensor 2. The larger the set number N1, the more noise can be reduced in the average data obtained by averaging the comparative temperature distribution data of the set number N1.

[0062] As described above, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates that a heat source corresponds to one or more people if the temperature difference between the surrounding area and a heat source indicated in the temperature difference data 22 as an area with a larger temperature difference than the surrounding area is equal to or greater than threshold value Th1. When the background temperature is high, the difference between the background temperature and the temperature of a person becomes small, making it difficult to accurately estimate whether the heat source is a person. Therefore, by increasing the set number N1 as the background temperature increases, noise is reduced, and it becomes possible to accurately estimate whether the heat source is a person even when the background temperature is high.

[0063] Conversely, when the background temperature is low, the set number N1 can be reduced to speed up the process by which the difference calculation unit 30 generates the temperature difference data 22.

[0064] (2.8.2) Determining the threshold The determining unit 80 sets a smaller threshold value Th1 that the number of people estimation unit 40 compares with the temperature difference data 22 as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 increases.

[0065] When the background temperature is high, the difference between the background temperature and the temperature of a person becomes small, making it difficult to accurately determine whether the heat source is a person. However, by setting the threshold value Th1 to a small value, it becomes easier to detect a person.

[0066] Conversely, when the background temperature is low, the possibility of erroneously detecting a heat source that is not a human as a human can be reduced by increasing the threshold value Th1.

[0067] (2.8.3) Determining the averaging process The determining section 80 determines whether the difference calculating section 30 will perform simple average difference processing or weighted average difference processing.

[0068] If the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the determination unit 80 causes the difference calculation unit 30 to perform simple average difference processing. On the other hand, if the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the determination unit 80 causes the difference calculation unit 30 to perform weighted average difference processing.

[0069] Therefore, when the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the difference calculation unit 30 performs simple average difference processing. On the other hand, when the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the difference calculation unit 30 performs weighted average difference processing.

[0070] In the simple average difference process, the difference calculation unit 30 generates average data by taking a simple average of two or more comparison temperature distribution data, and generates the difference between the average data and the target temperature distribution data as temperature difference data 22. Therefore, in the simple average difference process, the difference calculation unit 30 generates temperature difference data 22, which is difference data between simple average data obtained by taking a simple average of two or more temperature distribution data 21 (two or more comparison temperature distribution data) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data 21, and one temperature distribution data 21 (target temperature distribution data) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data 21.

[0071] In the weighted average difference process, the difference calculation unit 30 generates a weighted average of two or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data as average data, and generates the difference between the average data and the target temperature distribution data as temperature difference data 22. Therefore, in the weighted average difference process, the difference calculation unit 30 generates temperature difference data 22, which is difference data between weighted average data obtained by taking a weighted average of two or more pieces of temperature distribution data 21 (two or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data) out of the plurality of pieces of temperature distribution data 21, and one piece of temperature distribution data 21 (target temperature distribution data) out of the plurality of pieces of temperature distribution data 21.

[0072] Furthermore, in the weighted average difference process, the difference calculation unit 30 assigns a larger weight to the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to a later time among two or more pieces of temperature distribution data 21 (two or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data) in the weighted average. For example, three pieces of comparison temperature distribution data are referred to as first data, second data, and third data. The first data is the earliest data in the time series, the third data is the latest data in the time series, and the second data is data whose time series is later than the first data and earlier than the third data. If the weights of the first, second, and third data are W1, W2, and W3, respectively, then W1≦W2≦W3 holds.

[0073] As described above, when the background temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, weighted average difference processing is performed. That is, when the background temperature is high, the difference calculation unit 30 generates average data by taking the weighted average of two or more pieces of comparison temperature distribution data, and generates the difference between the average data and the target temperature distribution data as temperature difference data 22. Then, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates the positions and number of people based on the comparison result between the temperature difference data 22 and the threshold value Th1, and the movement estimation unit 50 estimates the movement of people based on the time-series changes in the positions and number of people.

[0074] Since the weighted average weights the comparison temperature distribution data corresponding to later times, the temperature difference data 22, which is the difference between the average data and the target temperature distribution data, is data that emphasizes temperature changes over a short period of time. Therefore, when the background temperature is above a predetermined temperature and weighted average difference processing is performed, it is possible to estimate the movement of people over a short period of time.

[0075] (3) Operation (3.1) Overview of operation Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the measurement system 1 according to embodiment 1. Note that Fig. 4 merely shows an example of the operation, and the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0076] The background acquisition unit 70 of the measurement system 1 acquires the background temperature data 24 (step S1). The background acquisition unit 70 acquires, for example, temperatures measured by one or more air temperature sensors 4 as the background temperature data 24 and outputs it to the determination unit 80.

[0077] Next, the determination unit 80 of the measurement system 1 determines at least one (for example, both) of the number of temperature distribution data 21 used by the difference calculation unit 30 to generate the temperature difference data 22 (the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data) and the threshold value Th1 used by the number of people estimation unit 40 to compare with the temperature difference data 22, according to the background temperature data 24 (step S2). For example, the determination unit 80 increases the set number N1 and decreases the threshold value Th1 as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data 24 increases.

[0078] Next, the temperature acquisition unit 10 of the measurement system 1 acquires the temperature distribution data 21 (step S3). The temperature acquisition unit 10 acquires the temperature distribution data 21 from each of the one or more temperature sensors 2, and outputs the data to the storage unit 20 and the difference calculation unit 30.

[0079] Next, the difference calculation unit 30 of the measurement system 1 calculates the temperature difference and generates temperature difference data 22 (step S4). The difference calculation unit 30 reads out the temperature distribution data 21 immediately before the latest one from the storage unit 20. The difference calculation unit 30 calculates the temperature difference for each of the multiple detection points G1 using the temperature distribution data 21 output by the temperature acquisition unit 10 in step S3 and the temperature distribution data 21 read out from the storage unit 20, and generates matrix-like temperature difference data 22. The temperature difference data 22 includes the temperature difference for each of the multiple detection points G1. The difference calculation unit 30 stores the temperature difference data 22 in the storage unit 20 and outputs it to the number of people estimation unit 40.

[0080] Next, the number of people estimation unit 40 of the measurement system 1 detects the positions and number of people based on the temperature difference data 22 (step S5). The number of people estimation unit 40 identifies detection points G1 corresponding to people based on the temperature difference data 22 and detects the positions and number of people. The number of people estimation unit 40, for example, extracts detection points G1 where the temperature difference value is equal to or greater than a threshold Th1, and detects each of the extracted detection points G1 or each cluster of multiple detection points G1 as a heat source corresponding to one or more people. The threshold Th1 is, for example, 1 K (Kelvin) (1°C). Here, multiple heat sources are not in contact with each other in the temperature difference data 22. The number of people estimation unit 40 detects the position and number of people for each heat source. The number of people estimation unit 40 stores the positions and number of people as person position data 23 in the memory unit 20 and outputs it to the movement estimation unit 50.

[0081] Next, the movement estimation unit 50 of the measurement system 1 estimates the movement of people based on the multiple person position data 23 (step S6). The movement estimation unit 50 reads out the person position data 23 immediately before the latest one from the storage unit 20. The movement estimation unit 50 determines whether the person positions are close to each other between the person position data 23 generated by the number of people estimation unit 40 in step S5 and the person position data 23 read out from the storage unit 20, and estimates whether the people are the same person. If there is a person who can be estimated to be the same person, the movement estimation unit 50 adds the movement direction to the person position data 23. The movement estimation unit 50 stores the person position data 23 in the storage unit 20 and outputs it to the movement detection unit 60.

[0082] Next, the movement detection unit 60 of the measurement system 1 counts the number of people in the space AR1 based on the person position data 23 (step S7). Based on the multiple detection points G1, the movement detection unit 60 sets an area A1 (see FIG. 5(a)) corresponding to the space AR1, an area A3 (see FIG. 5(a)) corresponding to the space AR3, and a detection area D1 that separates the areas A1 and A3. If a person's position after moving is in the area A1 and their position before moving is in the area A3, the movement detection unit 60 detects that the person has entered the space AR1. Furthermore, if a person's position after moving is in the area A3 and their position before moving is in the area A1, the movement detection unit 60 detects that the person has left the space AR1. The movement detection unit 60 counts the number of people entering and leaving the space AR1.

[0083] (3.2) Specific examples 5(a) to 5(d) are schematic diagrams showing the positions of a person as he or she enters space AR1 in chronological order. The entire area of ​​each of FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d) is an area AR2 containing multiple detection points G1. In FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d), position P1 indicates the person's location, and the arrow at position P1 indicates the direction of the person's movement. In the temperature distribution data 21, position P1 is the center of an area with a higher temperature than the surrounding area. The measurement system 1 detects whether a person moves between area A1, which corresponds to the space AR1 and contains 6 × 3 detection points G1, and area A3, which corresponds to the space AR3 and contains 6 × 3 detection points G1. Detection area D1 is the boundary between area A1 and area A3. In other words, when the measurement system 1 detects that person's position P1 has crossed the linear detection area D1, which is the boundary between area A1 and area A3, it determines that a person has entered or exited space AR1.

[0084] When a person passes through area AR2 from space AR3 to space AR1, person position P1 approaches area A3 as shown in Fig. 5(a), and then moves into area A3 as shown in Fig. 5(b). Then, person position P1 moves into area A1 across detection area D1 as shown in Fig. 5(c), and then moves out of area A1 as shown in Fig. 5(d). In this case, the measurement system 1 determines that the person corresponding to person position P1 has entered space AR1 in the state shown in Fig. 5(c).

[0085] 6(a) to 6(d) are schematic diagrams showing the positions of two people as they enter space AR1 in chronological order. The entire area of ​​each of FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) is an area AR2 that includes multiple detection points G1. In FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d), positions P2 and P3 indicate the positions of the people, and the arrows at positions P2 and P3 indicate the direction of the people's movement. In the temperature distribution data 21, the positions P2 and P3 of the people are each in an area with a higher temperature than the surrounding area. In this case, the position P3 of one of the two people approaches area A3 as shown in FIG. 6(a), and then enters area A3 as shown in FIG. 6(b). Furthermore, the position P3 of the person moves across the detection area D1 into area A1 as shown in FIG. 6(c), and then moves out of area A1 as shown in FIG. 6(d). Meanwhile, the position P2 of the other of the two people approaches area A3 as shown in (a) of Fig. 6, and then enters area A3 as shown in (b) of Fig. 6. After that, the position P2 of the person remains in area A3 as shown in (c) of Fig. 6, and then moves across the detection area D1 into area A1 as shown in (d) of Fig. 6.

[0086] In this case, the measurement system 1 compares the positions P2 and P3 of the two people in Figure 6(b) with the positions P2 and P3 of the two people in Figure 6(a), and infers that the position P2 of the two people corresponds to one person and the position P3 of the two people corresponds to another person. Similarly, the measurement system 1 compares the positions P2 and P3 of the two people between Figure 6(b) and Figure 6(c) and between Figure 6(c) and Figure 6(d), and infers that the position P2 of the two people corresponds to one person and the position P3 of the two people corresponds to another person. For example, if the difference between the moving speed of the position P2 and the moving speed of the position P3 is greater than a predetermined speed, the measurement system 1 infers that the position P2 of the two people corresponds to one person and the position P3 of the two people corresponds to the other person. Furthermore, for example, if the distance between position P2 and position P3 is longer than a predetermined distance at least at some time points (for example, time point (d) in FIG. 6), the measurement system 1 infers that person position P2 corresponds to one person and person position P3 corresponds to another person. Then, in the state shown in (c) in FIG. 6, the measurement system 1 determines that the person corresponding to person position P3 has entered space AR1. In addition, in the state shown in (d) in FIG. 6, the measurement system 1 determines that the person corresponding to person position P2 has entered space AR1.

[0087] (4) Effects A measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of people is movement of people between a first space (space AR1) and a second space (space AR3). The measurement system 1 includes a temperature acquisition unit 10, a difference calculation unit 30, a number of people estimation unit 40, a movement estimation unit 50, a movement detection unit 60, a background acquisition unit 70, and a determination unit 80. The temperature acquisition unit 10 repeatedly acquires temperature distribution data 21. The temperature distribution data 21 indicates the temperatures of multiple detection points G1 arranged in a matrix in an area AR2 through which people pass when moving through the space. The difference calculation unit 30 repeatedly generates temperature difference data 22 corresponding to the difference between the multiple temperature distribution data 21. The number of people estimation unit 40 repeatedly estimates the positions and number of people based on the results of comparing the temperature difference data 22 with a threshold Th1. The movement estimation unit 50 estimates the movements of people based on time-series changes in the positions and number of people. The movement detection unit 60 detects the number of people who have moved through space based on the positions and number of people and their movements. The background acquisition unit 70 acquires background temperature data 24 representing the background temperature. The background temperature is the temperature of an area where no people are present in a space (e.g., area AR2) including the first space and the second space. The determination unit 80 determines, in accordance with the background temperature data 24, at least one of the number of temperature distribution data 21 (the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data) used by the difference calculation unit 30 to generate the temperature difference data 22 and the threshold value Th1 used by the number of people estimation unit 40 to compare with the temperature difference data 22.

[0088] The measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment has the above-described configuration and can measure the number of people entering and exiting the space AR1 by detecting the number of people passing through the area AR2 where people enter and exit the space AR1. Therefore, the measurement system 1 does not need to detect the number of people in the entire space AR1. Therefore, the measurement system 1 can easily measure the number of people entering and exiting the space AR1.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the measurement system 1 of embodiment 1, by appropriately increasing the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data, the noise contained in the temperature difference data 22 can be reduced, and by appropriately reducing the number, the process of generating the temperature difference data 22 can be sped up.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the measurement system 1 of the first embodiment, erroneous detection of people can be suppressed by appropriately increasing the threshold value Th1 that the number-of-people estimation unit 40 compares with the temperature difference data 22. Furthermore, by appropriately decreasing the threshold value Th1, people can be more easily detected.

[0091] That is, the measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment can improve the performance of detecting a person.

[0092] In the measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment, the temperature distribution data 21 is temperature data corresponding to each of a plurality of detection points G1 arranged in a matrix. When a person passes through a detection area D1 based on the plurality of detection points G1, the movement detection unit 60 determines that the person has moved through space (i.e., the person has left or entered the space AR1). As a result, the measurement system 1 detects the position of the person based on the coordinates in the temperature distribution data 21, making it possible to detect the entry and exit of a person into the space AR1 through simple processing.

[0093] Note that functions similar to those of the measurement system 1 can be realized by a measurement method. The measurement method of this embodiment measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of people is movement of people between a first space (space AR1) and a second space (space AR3). The measurement method includes a temperature acquisition step, a difference calculation step, a number of people estimation step, a movement estimation step, a movement detection step, a background acquisition step, and a determination step. In the temperature acquisition step, temperature distribution data 21 is repeatedly acquired. The temperature distribution data 21 indicates the temperatures of multiple detection points G1 arranged in a matrix in an area AR2 through which people pass when moving through space. In the difference calculation step, a process is repeated to generate temperature difference data 22 corresponding to the difference between the multiple temperature distribution data 21. In the number of people estimation step, a process is repeated to estimate the positions and number of people based on the results of comparing the temperature difference data 22 with a threshold Th1. In the movement estimation step, the movements of people are estimated based on time-series changes in the positions and number of people. In the movement detection step, the number of people who have moved through space is detected based on the positions and number of people and their movements. In the background acquisition step, background temperature data 24 representing the background temperature is acquired. The background temperature is the temperature of an area where no people are present in a space including the first space and the second space (for example, area AR2). In the determination step, at least one of the number of temperature distribution data 21 used to generate temperature difference data 22 in the difference calculation step (the set number N1 of comparison temperature distribution data) and the threshold value Th1 used to compare with the temperature difference data 22 in the number of people estimation step is determined according to the background temperature data 24.

[0094] The measurement method can be realized as a program. The program of this embodiment is a program readable by a computer system and causes one or more processors of the computer system to execute the measurement method. The program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system.

[0095] The entity that executes the measurement system 1 or measurement method of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. At least a portion of the functions of the entity that executes the measurement system 1 or measurement method of the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-stored in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided by being stored on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits, such as ICs and LSIs, are referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, very large-scale integrations (VLSIs), or ultra-large-scale integrations (ULSIs). Furthermore, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are programmable after the LSI is manufactured, or logic devices that allow the reconfiguration of internal connections or circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used as processors. The electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The chips may be integrated into one device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0096] Furthermore, it is not essential for the measurement system 1 that multiple functions are concentrated in one housing, and multiple components of the measurement system 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the measurement system 1 may be realized by a server, the cloud (cloud computing), or the like.

[0097] Conversely, in the embodiment, multiple functions that are distributed across multiple housings may be integrated into one housing. For example, the temperature sensor 2 may be held in the housing of the measurement system 1.

[0098] (Embodiment 2) (1) Composition In the measurement system 1 according to the second embodiment, the number-of-people estimation unit 40 detects the number of people based on the temperature difference data 22 as follows.

[0099] The number of people estimation unit 40 determines whether one heat source indicated by the temperature difference data 22 corresponds to multiple people based on the time-series changes in the temperature difference data 22. More specifically, the number of people estimation unit 40 detects how many people actually occupy the positions indicated as high-temperature areas in the temperature distribution data 21, depending on whether the temperature difference from the surrounding area is large.

[0100] 7(a) to 7(d) are schematic diagrams showing the position P4 of a person as he or she enters the space AR1 in chronological order. The entire area of ​​each of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) is an area AR2 that includes multiple detection points G1. In FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d), position P4 indicates the position of the person, and the direction of the arrow shown at position P4 indicates the direction of movement of the person. In the temperature distribution data 21, the position P4 of the person is shown as an area with a higher temperature than the surrounding area.

[0101] In the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (a) of Figure 7, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 present in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. Note that in the table below, the nth row (n is a natural number) refers to the first row at the top and the eighth row at the bottom in (a) of Figure 7. That is, the temperature of detection point G1 in the eighth row, which is person position P4, is 25°C.

[0102] [Table 1]

[0103] In addition, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 in the fourth column from the left in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (b) of Figure 7 are shown in the table below. That is, the temperature at detection point G1 in the fifth row, which is the position P4 of the person, has changed to 25°C, and the temperature at detection point G1 in the eighth row, which was the position P4 of the person in (a) of Figure 7, has changed to 22°C.

[0104] [Table 2]

[0105] In addition, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (c) of Figure 7, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 present in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. That is, the temperature at detection point G1 in the third row, which is the position P4 of the person, has changed to 25°C, and the temperature at detection point G1 in the fifth row, which was the position P4 of the person in (b) of Figure 7, has changed to 22°C.

[0106] [Table 3]

[0107] In addition, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (d) of Figure 7, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 present in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. That is, the temperature of detection point G1 in the first row, which is the position P4 of the person, has changed to 25°C, and the temperature of detection point G1 in the third row, which was the position P4 of the person in (c) of Figure 7, has changed to 23°C.

[0108] [Table 4]

[0109] On the other hand, Figures 8(a) to 8(d) are schematic diagrams showing positions P5 and P6 of two people standing side by side in chronological order as they enter space AR1. The entire area of ​​each of Figures 8(a) to 8(d) is an area AR2 that includes multiple detection points G1. In Figures 8(a) to 8(d), positions P5 and P6 each indicate the position of a person, and the direction of the arrows shown at positions P5 and P6 indicates the direction of movement of the person. In the temperature distribution data 21, person positions P5 and P6 are shown as areas with a higher temperature than the surrounding area, and are in the same area or adjacent areas, so they cannot be distinguished, as will be described later.

[0110] In the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (a) of FIG. 8, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. The temperature of detection point G1 in the eighth row, which corresponds to person positions P5 and P6, is 26°C. Here, person positions P5 and P6 cannot be distinguished in the temperature distribution data 21 and the temperature difference data 22, but in the area corresponding to detection point G1 at person positions P5 and P6, the proportion of people occupying the area is greater than when there is only one person. The temperature of a single detection point G1 in the temperature distribution data 21 is the average temperature of the area corresponding to that detection point G1. Therefore, the temperature of detection point G1 at person positions P5 and P6 is higher than when there is only one person.

[0111] [Table 5]

[0112] Similarly, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (b) of Figure 8, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. The temperature at detection point G1 in the fifth row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people, has changed to 26°C, and the temperature at detection point G1 in the eighth row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people in (a) of Figure 8, has changed to 25°C.

[0113] [Table 6]

[0114] Similarly, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (c) of Figure 8, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. The temperature at detection point G1 in the third row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people, has changed to 26°C, and the temperature at detection point G1 in the fifth row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people in (b) of Figure 8, has changed to 24°C.

[0115] [Table 7]

[0116] Similarly, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (d) of Figure 8, the temperatures at the multiple detection points G1 in the fourth column from the left are shown in the table below. The temperature at detection point G1 in the first row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people, has changed to 27°C, and the temperature at detection point G1 in the third row, which corresponds to positions P5 and P6 of people in (c) of Figure 8, has changed to 23°C.

[0117] [Table 8]

[0118] As described above, when multiple people pass through the area AR2, if the distance between people is small compared to the size of the area corresponding to each of the multiple detection points G1, the people may become a single heat source that is inseparable in the temperature distribution data 21 and the temperature difference data 22. On the other hand, the more people there are corresponding to a single heat source, the higher the temperature detected in the temperature distribution data 21, and the temperature of the detection point G1 where the heat source was most recently located may remain high. Therefore, if the heat source has a large maximum temperature difference in the temperature difference data 22, the number of people estimation unit 40 infers that the number of people is large in accordance with the maximum temperature difference. More specifically, the number of people estimation unit 40 infers that the larger the maximum temperature difference for a certain detection point G1 in the temperature difference data 22, the greater the number of people at that detection point G1.

[0119] (2) Effects In the measurement system 1 according to the second embodiment, the number-of-people estimation unit 40 determines whether one heat source corresponds to multiple people based on the time-series changes in the temperature difference data 22. This enables the measurement system 1 to accurately estimate the number of people even if multiple people enter and exit the space AR1 while being close to each other.

[0120] (Embodiment 3) In the measurement system 1 according to the third embodiment, the number-of-people estimation unit 40 detects the number of people based on the temperature difference data 22 as follows.

[0121] The number of people estimation unit 40 determines whether one heat source corresponds to multiple people based on the temperature difference data 22. More specifically, the number of people estimation unit 40 determines whether an image of a person (heat source) shown as a high-temperature area in the temperature distribution data 21 is an image of one person or multiple people based on the temperature difference between the heat source and its surroundings.

[0122] 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic diagrams showing the position P7 of a person as he or she enters space AR1 in chronological order. The entire area of ​​each of FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) is an area AR2 that includes multiple detection points G1. In FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), position P7 indicates the position of the person, and the direction of the arrow shown at position P7 indicates the direction of movement of the person. In temperature distribution data 21, position P7 of the person is shown as the center of an area that is warmer than the surrounding area.

[0123] The temperatures in the third to fifth columns from the left in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (a) of FIG. 9 are shown in the table below. Note that in the table below, the leftmost column of the table corresponds to the third column from the left in (a) of FIG. 9, the center column corresponds to the fourth column from the left in (a) of FIG. 9, and the rightmost column of the table corresponds to the fifth column from the left in (a) of FIG. 9. That is, the bottom row of the center column of the table corresponds to the person's position P7, and the temperature is 25°C. Here, the only detection point G1 whose temperature is higher than the surrounding area is the detection point G1 at the person's position P7.

[0124] [Table 9]

[0125] In addition, the temperatures in the third to fifth columns from the left in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (b) of Figure 9 are shown in the table below. That is, the fifth row from the top in the center column of the table corresponds to the person's position P7, and the temperature is 25°C. Here, the only detection point G1 whose temperature is higher than the surrounding area is the detection point G1 corresponding to the person's position P7.

[0126] [Table 10]

[0127] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing positions P8 and P9 of two people in chronological order as they enter space AR1. The entire area of ​​each of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) is an area AR2 that includes multiple detection points G1. In FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), positions P8 and P9 indicate the positions of the people, and the arrows at positions P8 and P9 indicate the direction of movement of the people. In the temperature distribution data 21, positions P8 and P9 of the people are shown as a single area with a higher temperature than the surrounding area.

[0128] The temperatures in the third to fifth columns from the left in the temperature distribution data 21 shown in FIG. 10(a) are shown in the table below. Note that in the table below, the leftmost column of the table corresponds to the third column from the left in FIG. 10(a), the center column corresponds to the fourth column from the left in FIG. 10(a), and the rightmost column of the table corresponds to the fifth column from the left in FIG. 10(a). That is, the bottom row of the center column of the table corresponds to person positions P8 and P9, and the temperature is 26°C. Here, the only detection point G1 whose temperature is higher than the surrounding area is the detection point G1 corresponding to person positions P8 and P9.

[0129] [Table 11]

[0130] In addition, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (b) of Figure 10, the temperatures in the third to fifth columns from the left are shown in the table below. That is, the fifth row from the top in the center column of the table corresponds to the positions P8 and P9 of people, and the temperature is 26°C. Here, the detection point G1 that has a higher temperature than the surrounding area is not only the detection point G1 corresponding to the positions P8 and P9 of people, but also the detection points G1 adjacent to it in the left and right directions.

[0131] [Table 12]

[0132] Here, when a heat source, which is a high-temperature region in the temperature difference data 22, includes multiple detection points G1, the number of people estimation unit 40 calculates the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the heat source as follows: For the detection point G1 with the largest temperature difference from the surroundings (hereinafter referred to as the "central detection point"), the number of people estimation unit 40 determines that the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the central detection point is 1. The central detection point corresponds to the position of a person. Furthermore, the number of people estimation unit 40 detects the maximum temperature difference from the surroundings for eight detection points G1 adjacent to the central detection point (hereinafter referred to as the "peripheral detection point group"), and determines the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the peripheral detection point group by dividing the maximum temperature difference by the temperature difference of the central detection point. That is, in the temperature distribution data 21 corresponding to (b) of FIG. 10, the detection point G1 in the fourth column from the left and the fifth row from the top, which corresponds to the positions P8 and P9 of people, is the central detection point, and its temperature difference is 3 K. The number of people estimation unit 40 determines that the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the central detection point is 1. 10(b), the maximum temperature value for the eight detection points G1 corresponding to the peripheral detection point group is 24°C, and therefore the maximum temperature difference is 1K. Therefore, the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the peripheral detection point group is 1 / 3, which is the value obtained by dividing 1K, the maximum temperature difference, by 3K, the temperature difference of the central detection point. In other words, the number of people estimation unit 40 determines that the number of detection points G1 corresponding to person positions P8 and P9 is 4 / 3.

[0133] As described above, when multiple people pass through area AR2, if the distance between the people is small compared to the size of the space corresponding to each of the multiple detection points G1, they may form a single inseparable heat source in the temperature distribution data 21 and the temperature difference data 22. On the other hand, the greater the number of people corresponding to one heat source, the greater the spatial extent of the area where high temperatures are detected in the temperature difference data 22. Therefore, when the temperature difference data 22 contains a large number of detection points G1 corresponding to a heat source, the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates that the number of people is large in accordance with that value. More specifically, the greater the number of detection points G1 corresponding to a heat source in the temperature difference data 22, the greater the number of people estimation unit 40 estimates that the greater the number of people corresponding to the heat source.

[0134] (2) Effects In the measurement system 1 according to the third embodiment, the number of people estimation unit 40 determines the number of people corresponding to the heat sources based on the number of detection points G1 corresponding to the heat sources among the multiple detection points G1 indicated in the temperature difference data 22. This enables the measurement system 1 to accurately estimate the number of people even when multiple people enter and exit the space AR1 while in close proximity to each other. In other words, the measurement system 1 can estimate the number of people even when the resolution of the temperature sensor 2 is so low that it is impossible to distinguish whether there is one person or multiple people. Therefore, the measurement system 1 can estimate the number of people even when the resolution of the temperature sensor 2 cannot be improved, for example, when the resolution of the temperature sensor 2 cannot be increased enough to distinguish the gender or body shape of each person for privacy reasons.

[0135] (Embodiment 4) (1) Composition In the measurement system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the determining unit 80 determines the threshold value Th1 that the number-of-people estimation unit 40 compares with the temperature difference data 22 based on the temperature difference data 22.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 11, each of the multiple detection points G1 corresponds to a quadrangular pyramid-shaped region with the sensor position of the temperature sensor 2 as its vertex. Therefore, when the same temperature sensor 2 is used, the volume of the region corresponding to the detection point G1 increases as the height H1 of the temperature sensor 2 from the floor or ground increases. Furthermore, the temperature corresponding to each of the multiple detection points G1 is a representative value of the temperatures of multiple objects present in the region corresponding to the detection point G1. Therefore, even if the size, body temperature, and clothing of a person PS1 passing through the region AR2 are the same, the lower the height H1 of the temperature sensor 2, the greater the temperature difference due to the greater influence of the person PS1's body temperature. Conversely, the higher the height H1 of the temperature sensor 2, the smaller the temperature difference due to the less influence of the person PS1's body temperature.

[0137] Therefore, in the measurement system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the determination unit 80 determines the threshold value Th1 for detecting the presence or absence of a person based on the temperature difference data 22. The determination unit 80 changes the threshold value Th1 of the temperature difference for estimating a person based on, for example, the value of the temperature difference of a heat source corresponding to a person. For example, if the minimum value of the temperature difference (from the background temperature) of a heat source corresponding to a person is 2 K, the determination unit 80 changes the threshold value Th1 of the temperature difference for detecting a heat source corresponding to a person to 2 K. This makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of overcounting the number of people because the threshold value Th1 is too small, or of failing to detect human movement because the threshold value Th1 is too large, etc.

[0138] Furthermore, in the measurement system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the threshold value Th1 may be changed depending on the season, for example. Depending on the installation location of the temperature sensor 2, the temperature in the area AR2 may fluctuate depending on the season. In contrast, the body temperatures of people passing through the area AR2 do not fluctuate as much as the air temperature. Therefore, the temperature difference between the detection point G1 where a person is present and the detection point G1 where no person is present changes depending on the season. Specifically, even if the number of people is the same, if the temperature in the area AR2 is high, the temperature difference between the heat sources corresponding to the people will be small, and if the temperature in the area AR2 is low, the temperature difference between the heat sources corresponding to the people will be large. Therefore, the determination unit 80 changes the threshold value Th1 of the temperature difference for estimating a person based on, for example, the average temperature in the area AR2. Here, the determination unit 80 may change the threshold value Th1 of the temperature difference for estimating a person based on, for example, the value of the temperature difference (from the background temperature) of the heat source corresponding to the person. More specifically, the determination unit 80 may increase the threshold value Th1 of the temperature difference for estimating a person based on, for example, the value of the temperature difference (from the background temperature) of the heat source corresponding to the person. Furthermore, the determination unit 80 may set the threshold value Th1 equal to the temperature difference (with respect to the background temperature) of the heat source corresponding to the person, or may set the threshold value Th1 equal to a value obtained by correcting the temperature difference (for example, by adding a predetermined value to the temperature difference). This is because the lower the air temperature in the area AR2, the greater the temperature difference of the heat source corresponding to the person.

[0139] (2) Effects In the measurement system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the determination unit 80 changes the threshold value Th1 for detecting the presence or absence of a person based on the temperature difference data 22. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of the distance between the person and the temperature sensor 2 or the average temperature of the area AR2 on the person detection accuracy.

[0140] (Embodiment 5) (1) Composition In the measurement system 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the movement detection unit 60 detects movement using detection points G1 in four or more rows and four or more columns. That is, the area AR2 includes detection points G1 in four or more rows and four or more columns.

[0141] FIG. 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a person's position when a person moves through area AR2 at high speed, with position P10 indicating the person's position. More specifically, FIG. 12(a) corresponds to two consecutive acquisitions of temperature distribution data 21, with person position P10a corresponding to the first acquisition and person position P10b corresponding to the second acquisition. On the other hand, FIG. 12(b) is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a person's position when a person moves through area AR2 at low speed, with position P11 indicating the person's position. More specifically, FIG. 12(b) corresponds to four consecutive acquisitions of temperature distribution data 21, with person position P11a corresponding to the first acquisition, person position P11b corresponding to the second acquisition, person position P11c corresponding to the third acquisition, and person position P11d corresponding to the fourth acquisition.

[0142] As shown in (b) of Figure 12, when the change in person's position P11 is small compared to the interval between detection points G1 (for example, within several times the interval between detection points G1), it is possible to detect the movement of the person using only the detection points G1 around the detection area D1. On the other hand, as shown in (a) of Figure 12, when the change in person's position P10 is large compared to the interval between detection points G1, if an attempt is made to detect the movement of the person using only the detection points G1 around the detection area D1, the person's position may cross the detection area D1 without being detected near the detection area D1. In other words, for example, if the areas of area A1 and area A3 are each reduced, it may not be possible to detect the state in which the person has entered area A1 or area A3, and it may not be possible to detect that the person has crossed the detection area D1.

[0143] In contrast, in the measurement system 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the movement detection unit 60 detects human movement using areas A1 and A3 in which the detection points G1 are arranged in four or more rows and four or more columns. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of detecting human movement even when a person passes through area AR2 at high speed or when the temperature sensor 2 is close to the person.

[0144] (2) Effects In the measurement system 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the movement detection unit 60 detects human movement using areas A1 and A3 where the detection points G1 are arranged in four or more rows and four or more columns among the multiple detection points G1. This allows the measurement system 1 to improve the accuracy of detecting human movement even when a person passes through the area AR2 at high speed or when the temperature sensor 2 is close to the person.

[0145] (Embodiment 6) (1) Composition In the measurement system 1 according to the sixth embodiment, the movement detection unit 60 uses a detection area DA1 including one or more rows of detection points G1, instead of the detection area D1 of the first embodiment.

[0146] FIG. 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a person's position when a person moves through area AR2 at high speed, with position P12 indicating the person's position. More specifically, FIG. 13(a) corresponds to two consecutive acquisitions of temperature distribution data 21, with person position P12a corresponding to the first acquisition and person position P12b corresponding to the second acquisition. On the other hand, FIG. 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a person's position when a person moves through area AR2 at low speed, with position P13 indicating the person's position. More specifically, FIG. 13(b) corresponds to four consecutive acquisitions of temperature distribution data 21, with person position P13a corresponding to the first acquisition, person position P13b corresponding to the second acquisition, person position P13c corresponding to the third acquisition, and person position P13d corresponding to the fourth acquisition.

[0147] 13(b), when the change in person position P13 is small compared to the interval between detection points G1 (for example, within several times the interval between detection points G1), it is highly likely that person position P13 is adjacent to detection area D1, and it is therefore possible to detect that the person has crossed over detection area D1. On the other hand, when the change in person position P12 is large compared to the interval between detection points G1, as shown in FIG. 13(a), it may be difficult to determine whether person has crossed over detection area D1, as person position P12 may not be adjacent to detection area D1.

[0148] In contrast, in the measurement system 1 according to the sixth embodiment, the detection area DA1 includes two or more detection points G1 arranged in one or more rows (more preferably, multiple rows). This makes it easier to detect whether a person has crossed the detection area DA1, even when the person passes through the area AR2 at high speed or when the temperature sensor 2 is close to the person, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the movement of the person. In (a) and (b) of Figure 13, the detection area DA1 includes the fourth and fifth rows from the top.

[0149] (2) Effects In the measurement system 1 according to the sixth embodiment, the detection area DA1 includes a plurality of detection points G1 arranged in one or more rows. This makes it easy to detect whether a person has crossed the detection area DA1, even when the person passes through the area AR2 at high speed or when the temperature sensor 2 is close to the person, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the movement of the person.

[0150] (Aspect) The above-described embodiments and the like disclose the following aspects.

[0151] A measurement system (1) according to a first aspect measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of people is movement of people between a first space and a second space. The measurement system (1) includes a temperature acquisition unit (10), a difference calculation unit (30), a number of people estimation unit (40), a movement estimation unit (50), a movement detection unit (60), a background acquisition unit (70), and a determination unit (80). The temperature acquisition unit (10) repeatedly acquires temperature distribution data (21). The temperature distribution data (21) indicates the temperatures of multiple detection points (G1) arranged in a matrix in an area (AR2) through which people pass when they move through the space. The difference calculation unit (30) repeatedly generates temperature difference data (22) corresponding to the difference between the multiple pieces of temperature distribution data (21). The number of people estimation unit (40) repeatedly estimates the positions and number of people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data (22) and a threshold value (Th1). The movement estimation unit (50) estimates the movement of people based on time-series changes in the positions and number of people. The movement detection unit (60) detects the number of people who have moved through space based on the positions and number of people and the movement of people. The background acquisition unit (70) acquires background temperature data (24) representing the background temperature. The background temperature is the temperature of an area in a space including a first space and a second space where no people are present. The determination unit (80) determines, in accordance with the background temperature data (24), at least one of the number of temperature distribution data (21) used by the difference calculation unit (30) to generate temperature difference data (22) and a threshold value (Th1) with which the number of people estimation unit (40) compares the temperature difference data (22).

[0152] According to the first aspect, by appropriately increasing the number of pieces of temperature distribution data (21) used by the difference calculation unit (30) to generate the temperature difference data (22), it is possible to reduce noise contained in the temperature difference data (22), and by appropriately reducing the number, it is possible to speed up the process of generating the temperature difference data (22). For example, when the background temperature is high and the difference between the background temperature and the temperature of a person is small, by increasing the number, it is possible to reduce noise, thereby making it easier to distinguish between the background temperature and the temperature of a person.

[0153] Furthermore, according to the first aspect, by appropriately increasing the threshold value (Th1) that the number-of-people estimation unit (40) compares with the temperature difference data (22), it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneously detecting a heat source that is not a person as a person. Furthermore, by appropriately decreasing the threshold value (Th1), it becomes easier to detect a person. For example, when the background temperature is high and the difference between the background temperature and the temperature of a person is small, it is possible to make it easier to detect a person by decreasing the threshold value (Th1).

[0154] That is, the first aspect can improve the performance of detecting a person.

[0155] In the measurement system (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the background acquisition unit (70) determines a detection point (G1) where no person is present among the plurality of detection points (G1) based on the position of a person. The background acquisition unit (70) outputs the temperature of the detection point (G1) where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data (21), to the determination unit (80) as background temperature data (24).

[0156] According to the above configuration, the background temperature data (24) can be extracted from the temperature distribution data (21) without providing an additional sensor, thereby reducing costs.

[0157] In the measurement system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first aspect, the background acquisition unit (70) determines a detection point (G1) where no person is present among the plurality of detection points (G1) based on a detection result of a human sensor (3) that detects the presence or absence of a person. The background acquisition unit (70) outputs the temperature of the detection point (G1) where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data (21), to the determination unit (80) as background temperature data (24).

[0158] According to the above configuration, the presence or absence of a person can be detected with high accuracy by using the human sensor (3).

[0159] In the measurement system (1) according to the fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the background acquisition unit (70) acquires a temperature corresponding to at least one of a target date and a target time period from a storage unit (20) that stores relationship information (25) representing a relationship between at least one of a date and a time period and a temperature. The background acquisition unit (70) outputs the temperature acquired from the storage unit (20) to the determination unit (80) as background temperature data (24).

[0160] According to the above configuration, the background temperature data (24) can be acquired from the storage unit (20) without providing an additional sensor, thereby reducing costs.

[0161] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to the fifth aspect, in the first aspect, the background acquisition unit (70) outputs the temperature measured by the air temperature sensor (4) that measures the air temperature of the space including the first space and the second space to the determination unit (80) as background temperature data (24).

[0162] According to the above configuration, the background temperature can be easily detected by using the air temperature sensor (4).

[0163] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the determining unit (80) increases the number of temperature distribution data (21) used by the difference calculating unit (30) to generate the temperature difference data (22) as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data (24) increases.

[0164] According to the above configuration, when the background temperature is high, noise contained in the temperature difference data (22) can be reduced, thereby making it easier to distinguish between the background temperature and the temperature of a person.

[0165] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the determining unit (80) reduces the threshold value (Th1) that the number-of-people estimation unit (40) compares with the temperature difference data (22) as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data (24) increases.

[0166] According to the above configuration, when the background temperature is high, the threshold value (Th1) is set to a small value, making it easier to detect a person.

[0167] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the background temperature represented by the background temperature data (24) is lower than a predetermined temperature, the difference calculation unit (30) performs simple average difference processing to generate temperature difference data (22) which is difference data between simple average data obtained by simply averaging two or more pieces of temperature distribution data (21) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data (21) and one piece of temperature distribution data (21) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data (21).When the background temperature represented by the background temperature data (24) is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the difference calculation unit (30) performs weighted average difference processing to generate temperature difference data (22) which is difference data between weighted average data obtained by weighting two or more pieces of temperature distribution data (21) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data (21) and one piece of temperature distribution data (21) out of the plurality of temperature distribution data (21).

[0168] According to the above configuration, it is possible to use different processes depending on the background temperature.

[0169] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the difference calculation unit (30) in the weighted average difference process assigns a larger weight to the temperature distribution data (21) corresponding to a later time among two or more pieces of temperature distribution data (21) in the weighted average.

[0170] According to the above configuration, when the difference calculation section (30) performs the weighted average difference process, the movement estimation section (50) can estimate the movement of a person in a short period of time.

[0171] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the movement detection unit (60) determines that a person has moved through space when the person passes through a detection area (D1; DA1) based on a plurality of detection points (G1).

[0172] According to the above configuration, the position of a person is detected based on the coordinates on the temperature distribution data (21), so that the movement of a person in space can be detected by simple processing.

[0173] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to the eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the detection area (DA1) includes two or more detection points (G1) among the multiple detection points (G1) arranged in one or more rows.

[0174] According to the above configuration, even when a person passes through the area (AR2) at high speed or when the temperature sensor (2) is close to the person, it becomes easy to detect whether the person has crossed the detection area (DA1), thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the person's spatial movement.

[0175] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to a twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the number-of-people estimation unit (40) determines whether or not one heat source indicated by the temperature difference data (22) corresponds to multiple people, based on a time-series change in the temperature difference data (22).

[0176] According to the above configuration, even if a plurality of people move through space while being close to each other, it is possible to accurately estimate the number of people who have moved through space.

[0177] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to the thirteenth aspect, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the number of people estimation unit (40) determines the number of people based on the number of detection points (G1) corresponding to heat sources among the multiple detection points (G1) indicated by the temperature difference data (22).

[0178] According to the above configuration, even if a plurality of people move through space while being close to each other, it is possible to accurately estimate the number of people who have moved through space.

[0179] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to a fourteenth aspect, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the determination unit (80) determines, based on the temperature difference data (22), a threshold value (Th1) that the number-of-people estimation unit (40) compares with the temperature difference data (22).

[0180] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the influence of the distance between the person and the temperature sensor (2) or the average temperature of the area (AR2) on the accuracy of human detection.

[0181] In addition, in the measurement system (1) according to a fifteenth aspect, in any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the plurality of detection points (G1) are arranged in four or more rows and four or more columns.

[0182] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the spatial movement of a person even when the person passes through the area (AR2) at high speed or when the temperature sensor (2) is close to the person.

[0183] The configurations other than those of the first aspect are not essential for the measurement system (1) and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0184] A measurement method according to a sixteenth aspect measures the spatial movement of people. The spatial movement of people is movement of people between a first space and a second space. The measurement method includes a temperature acquisition step, a difference calculation step, a number of people estimation step, a movement estimation step, a movement detection step, a background acquisition step, and a determination step. In the temperature acquisition step, temperature distribution data (21) is repeatedly acquired. The temperature distribution data (21) indicates the temperature of each of a plurality of detection points (G1) arranged in a matrix in an area (AR2) through which people pass when moving through the space. In the difference calculation step, a process is repeated to generate temperature difference data (22) corresponding to the difference between the plurality of temperature distribution data (21). In the number of people estimation step, a process is repeated to estimate the positions and number of people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data (22) and a threshold (Th1). In the movement estimation step, the movements of people are estimated based on time-series changes in the positions and number of people. In the movement detection step, the number of people who have moved through the space is detected based on the positions and number of people and the movements of people. In the background acquisition step, background temperature data (24) representing a background temperature is acquired. The background temperature is the temperature of an area in a space including the first space and the second space where no people are present. In the determination step, at least one of the number of temperature distribution data (21) used to generate temperature difference data (22) in the difference calculation step and a threshold (Th1) to be compared with the temperature difference data (22) in the number of people estimation step is determined according to the background temperature data (24).

[0185] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the performance of detecting a person.

[0186] A program according to a seventeenth aspect is a program readable by a computer system, and is a program for causing one or more processors of the computer system to execute the measurement method according to the sixteenth aspect.

[0187] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the performance of detecting a person.

[0188] Not limited to the above-described aspects, various configurations (including modified examples) of the measurement system (1) according to the embodiment can be realized as a measurement method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0189] 1. Measurement system 3 people sensors 4. Air temperature sensor 10 Temperature acquisition section 20 Memory section 21 Temperature distribution data 22 Temperature differential data 24 Background temperature data 25 Related Information 30 Difference calculation part 40 Number of people estimation part 50 Movement estimation part 60 Movement detection unit 70 Background acquisition part 80 Decision Section AR2 area D1;DA1 detection area G1 detection point Th1 threshold

Claims

1. A measurement system for measuring spatial movement of a person, the movement of the person between a first space and a second space, a temperature acquisition unit that repeatedly acquires temperature distribution data indicating temperatures at each of a plurality of detection points arranged in a matrix in an area through which the person passes when the person moves through the space; and a difference calculation unit that repeats a process of generating temperature difference data corresponding to a difference between a plurality of pieces of the temperature distribution data; a number-of-people estimation unit that repeats a process of estimating the positions and number of people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data and a threshold value; a movement estimation unit that estimates the movement of the person based on time-series changes in the position and number of the person; a movement detection unit that detects the number of people who have moved through the space based on the positions and number of people and the movements of the people; a background acquisition unit that acquires background temperature data representing a background temperature that is a temperature in an area where no person is present in a space including the first space and the second space; a determination unit that determines at least one of the number of pieces of temperature distribution data used by the difference calculation unit to generate the temperature difference data and the threshold value that the number-of-people estimation unit compares with the temperature difference data, according to the background temperature data. Measurement system.

2. The background acquisition unit determining a detection point where no person is present among the plurality of detection points based on the position of the person; outputting the temperature at the detection point where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data, to the determination unit as the background temperature data; The measurement system of claim 1 .

3. The background acquisition unit determining a detection point where no person is present among the plurality of detection points based on a detection result of a human sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person; outputting the temperature at the detection point where no person is present, which is indicated by the temperature distribution data, to the determination unit as the background temperature data; The measurement system of claim 1 .

4. The background acquisition unit acquiring a temperature corresponding to at least one of a target date and a target time period from a storage unit that stores relationship information representing a relationship between at least one of a date and a time period and a temperature; outputting the temperature acquired from the storage unit to the determination unit as the background temperature data; The measurement system of claim 1 .

5. the background acquisition unit outputs, to the determination unit, temperatures measured by an air temperature sensor that measures air temperatures in the spaces including the first space and the second space, as the background temperature data; The measurement system of claim 1 .

6. the determination unit increases the number of the temperature distribution data used by the difference calculation unit to generate the temperature difference data as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data increases; The measurement system of claim 1 .

7. the determination unit reduces the threshold value that the number-of-people estimation unit compares with the temperature difference data as the background temperature represented by the background temperature data increases; The measurement system of claim 1 .

8. The difference calculation unit When the background temperature represented by the background temperature data is lower than a predetermined temperature, a simple average difference process is performed to generate the temperature difference data, which is difference data between simple average data obtained by simply averaging two or more of the plurality of temperature distribution data and one of the plurality of temperature distribution data, and When the background temperature represented by the background temperature data is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, a weighted average difference process is performed to generate the temperature difference data, which is difference data between weighted average data obtained by weighting two or more of the plurality of temperature distribution data and one of the plurality of temperature distribution data. The measurement system of claim 1 .

9. In the weighted average difference process, the difference calculation unit assigns a larger weight to the temperature distribution data corresponding to a later time among the two or more temperature distribution data. The measurement system of claim 8 .

10. the movement detection unit determines that the person has moved through the space when the person passes through a detection area based on the plurality of detection points; The measurement system of claim 1 .

11. The detection area includes two or more of the plurality of detection points arranged in one row or multiple rows. The measurement system of claim 10.

12. the number-of-people estimation unit determines whether one heat source indicated by the temperature difference data corresponds to a plurality of people, based on a time-series change in the temperature difference data. The measurement system of claim 1 .

13. the number-of-people estimation unit determines the number of people based on the number of detection points corresponding to heat sources among the plurality of detection points indicated by the temperature difference data. The measurement system of claim 1 .

14. The determination unit determines the threshold value that the number-of-people estimation unit compares with the temperature difference data based on the temperature difference data. The measurement system of claim 1 .

15. The plurality of detection points are arranged in four or more rows and four or more columns. The measurement system of claim 1 .

16. A measurement method for measuring spatial movement of a person, the movement of the person between a first space and a second space, comprising: a temperature acquisition step of repeatedly acquiring temperature distribution data indicating temperatures at each of a plurality of detection points arranged in a matrix in an area through which the person passes when the person moves through the space; a difference calculation step of repeating a process of generating temperature difference data corresponding to a difference between a plurality of pieces of the temperature distribution data; a number-of-people estimation step of repeating a process of estimating the positions and number of people based on a comparison result between the temperature difference data and a threshold value; a movement estimation step of estimating the movement of the person based on time-series changes in the positions and number of the people; a movement detection step of detecting the number of people who have made the spatial movement based on the positions and number of people and the movements of the people; a background acquisition step of acquiring background temperature data representing a background temperature, which is a temperature of an area in a space including the first space and the second space where no person is present; a determining step of determining, in accordance with the background temperature data, at least one of the number of pieces of temperature distribution data used to generate the temperature difference data in the difference calculation step and the threshold value to be compared with the temperature difference data in the number-of-people estimation step. Measurement method.

17. A computer system readable program, 17. A method for causing one or more processors of the computer system to execute the measurement method according to claim 16, program.

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