STAY DETERMINATION DEVICE, STAY DETERMINATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

To provide a stay determination device, a stay determination method, and a computer program that is adapted to change in a radio wave reception state of a beacon signal when determining that a user terminal device receiving the beacon signal has stayed in a stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or more.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 1, a stay determination unit 41 of a potential determination server 4 compares an elapsed time from a log time of a latest beacon log 52 indicating an end of detection of a beacon signal be from a beacon transmission device to current time with a departure determination time. When the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time, it is determined that a user terminal device UE does not stay in a stay determination area "area" for the stay determination time or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stay determination device, a stay determination method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1, for example, is known as an advertising distribution technology for distributing advertisements to users. The technology described in Patent Document 1 determines whether a user terminal device is located in a notification target area by receiving a beacon signal from a beacon terminal device, and transmits an advertising notification message associated with the notification target area to the target user terminal. Because excessively frequent advertising notifications can be irritating to users, the technology is designed to transmit notifications only when notification permission conditions, including time-related condition elements, are met. For example, when a notification permission condition, including a time-related condition element, is met, such as when a certain notification waiting time has elapsed since the user terminal device entered the notification target area, the advertising notification message is transmitted to the user terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6623610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the user terminal device determines whether it is located in a notification target area by receiving a beacon signal from a beacon terminal device installed in the notification target area. Then, when a certain notification waiting time has elapsed since the user terminal device entered the notification target area, an advertisement notification message is transmitted to the user terminal device.

[0005] However, with this conventional technology, even if a user terminal device is present in a notification target area, if the user terminal device is unable to receive the beacon signal due to deterioration in the radio wave reception conditions of the beacon signal, it is not possible to detect this even if a certain notification waiting time has passed since the user terminal device entered the notification target area, and there is a possibility that the opportunity to send an advertising notification message to the user terminal device will be missed.

[0006] The present invention has been made taking these circumstances into consideration, and its purpose is to adapt to changes in the radio wave reception conditions of the beacon signal when determining that a user terminal device receiving a beacon signal has stayed in a stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or longer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a system including: a beacon log collection unit that collects a beacon log, which is a log related to a beacon signal received by a user terminal device from a beacon transmission device; 1 or more Associate with beacon transmitter hand a storage unit that stores the information associated with the stay determination area; 1 or more a stay determination unit that determines the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon log related to the beacon transmitting device, compares the elapsed time from the end of beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determines that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time. When a plurality of beacon transmitting devices are associated with the stay determination area, the stay determination unit determines that the detection of the beacon signal has ended when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmitting devices all indicate the end of the detection of the beacon signal. It is a stay determination device. (2) One aspect of the present invention is the stay determination unit determines that the detection of the beacon signal has ended when the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmitting devices is related to a beacon transmitting device provided outside the stay determination area, This is the stay determination device described in (1) above. (3) One aspect of the present invention is the stay determination device of (2) above, wherein the memory unit further stores information indicating that the beacon transmitting device is installed inside or outside the stay determination area at an entrance / exit of the stay determination area, and the stay determination unit determines, based on the information stored in the memory unit, whether the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmitting devices is related to a beacon transmitting device installed outside the stay determination area.

[0008] ( 4 One aspect of the present invention is a beacon log collection unit that collects beacon logs, which are logs related to beacon signals received by a user terminal device from a beacon transmission device, and stay determination area information that associates stay determination areas with beacon transmission devices. information indicating that the beacon transmitting device is installed inside or outside the stay determination area at an entrance or exit of the stay determination area,and a storage unit that stores the each Regarding beacon transmitters Latest Beacon Log is everything End of beacon signal detection Indication , And if the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to each beacon transmitting device is related to a beacon transmitting device installed outside the stay determination area, The end of beacon signal detection is determined, and the elapsed time from the end of beacon signal detection to the current time is compared with a predetermined departure determination time, and the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time. Time and a stay determination unit that determines that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area.

[0009] ( 5 In one aspect of the present invention, the stay determination device determines a stay determination area and 1 or more Associate with beacon transmitter hand a beacon log collection step in which the stay determination device collects a beacon log, which is a log related to a beacon signal received by a user terminal device from a beacon transmitting device; 1 or more a stay determination step of determining the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon log related to the beacon transmitting device, comparing the elapsed time from the end of beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determining that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time. and in the stay determination step, when a plurality of beacon transmission devices are associated with the stay determination area, the determination of the end of the beacon signal detection is made when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmission devices all indicate the end of the beacon signal detection. This is a method for determining stay.

[0010] ( 6 In one aspect of the present invention, a computer is configured to determine a stay determination area and 1 or more Associate with beacon transmitter hand a storage step of storing the beacon signal; a beacon log collection step of collecting a beacon log which is a log relating to the beacon signal received by the user terminal device from the beacon transmitting device; 1 or morea stay determination step of determining the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon log related to the beacon transmitting device, comparing the elapsed time from the end of beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determining that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time. In the stay determination step, when a plurality of beacon transmission devices are associated with the stay determination area, the end of the beacon signal detection is determined when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmission devices all indicate the end of the beacon signal detection. It is a computer program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when a user terminal device receiving a beacon signal determines that it has stayed in a stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or longer, it has the advantage of being able to adapt to changes in the radio wave reception conditions of the beacon signal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration of stay determination area information according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a beacon log according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a stay determination method according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a stay determination method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a method for installing a beacon transmitting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of another stay determination method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. In Fig. 1, a stay determination area (area) is an area for which it is determined whether a user terminal device UE has stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer. If the user terminal device UE has stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer, it can be estimated that a user U using the user terminal device UE has stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer. On the other hand, if the user terminal device UE has not stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer, it can be estimated that the user U using the user terminal device UE has not stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer.

[0014] In the stay determination area, for example, stores and public transportation routes (such as buses, taxis, and trains) exist. A user U who has stayed in the stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or more is a person to whom it is desirable to provide information (provided information) associated with the stay determination area. The provided information is, for example, advertisements and guides for stores present in the stay determination area, coupons and points that grant benefits that can be used at the stores, etc. The provided information is information that is expected to be used by a user U who has stayed in the stay determination area for the stay determination time or more. On the other hand, a user U who has not stayed in the stay determination area for the stay determination time or more is a person who is simply passing through the stay determination area and is therefore highly likely not to use the provided information even if it is provided to him / her.

[0015] The provided information may be information that is directly used by the user U, such as a store advertisement or a coupon, or information that is used by the user terminal device UE. For example, the provided information may be a parameter set in an application provided in the user terminal device UE, and may be a parameter specific to the stay determination area area.

[0016] One or more beacon transmission devices 2 are installed in the stay determination area (area). The beacon transmission devices 2 periodically transmit a beacon signal be. When the user terminal device UE enters the stay determination area (area), it receives the beacon signal be transmitted from the beacon transmission device 2.

[0017] The beacon transmitting device 2 periodically (at a period of about 100 ms to 1 second) transmits a beacon signal be, which is a wireless signal based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example. The beacon signal be stores identification information (beacon ID) that identifies the beacon transmitting device 2 that is the source of the beacon signal be. In BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), which is one of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards, the beacon signal be is identified by a set of three values, "UUID," "major," and "minor," as the beacon ID.

[0018] It is preferable that the beacon transmission device 2 controls the transmission of the beacon signal be so that the user terminal device UE can receive the beacon signal be within the stay determination area area, but cannot receive the beacon signal be outside the stay determination area area. This control of the transmission of the beacon signal be is performed by adjusting the transmission output of the beacon transmission device 2 and adjusting the installation location.

[0019] By installing multiple beacon transmitting devices 2 in the stay determination area, it is possible to expand the size of the stay determination area and to provide redundancy to deal with failures of the beacon transmitting devices 2.

[0020] The user terminal device UE is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer (tablet PC). The user terminal device UE receives a beacon signal be transmitted by a beacon transmission device 2. The user terminal device UE communicates with the stay determination server 4 and the information providing device 7 via a communication network NW. The user terminal device UE is connected to a mobile phone network or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as "Wi-Fi (registered trademark)."

[0021] The user terminal device UE transmits a beacon log 52, which is a log related to the beacon signal be received from the beacon transmitting device 2, to the stay determination server 4. The user terminal device UE transmits the beacon log 52 to the stay determination server 4 every time the start or end of detection of the beacon signal be is confirmed.

[0022] The information provision system 1 includes a stay determination server 4 (stay determination device) and an information provision device 7. The stay determination server 4 and the information provision device 7 communicate with each other via a communication network NW.

[0023] [Stay determination server] The stay determination server 4 includes a beacon log collection unit 40, a stay determination unit 41, and a database 42 (storage unit).

[0024] Each function of the stay determination server 4 is realized by the stay determination server 4 including computer hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the CPU executing a computer program stored in the memory. The stay determination server 4 may be configured using a general-purpose computer device, or may be configured as a dedicated hardware device. For example, the stay determination server 4 may be configured using a server computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet. Each function of the stay determination server 4 may be realized by cloud computing. The stay determination server 4 may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by distributing the functions of the stay determination server 4 across multiple computers.

[0025] The beacon log collection unit 40 collects a beacon log 52, which is a log related to the beacon signal be received by the user terminal UE from the beacon transmission device 2. The beacon log collection unit 40 stores the beacon log 52 received from the user terminal UE in the database 42.

[0026] The database 42 stores stay determination area information 51 and a beacon log 52. The stay determination area information 51 is stored in advance in the database 42. The stay determination area information 51 is information that associates the stay determination area with the beacon transmitting device 2.

[0027] The stay determination unit 41 executes stay determination processing to determine whether the user terminal apparatus UE has stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer, based on the beacon log 52 and stay determination area information 51 stored in the database 42. The stay determination unit 41 also executes non-stay determination processing based on the beacon log 52 and stay determination area information 51 stored in the database 42. The non-stay determination processing is processing to determine whether the user terminal apparatus UE has not stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined stay determination time or longer.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of stay determination area information according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the stay determination area information 51 stores, for each stay determination area, identification information (stay determination area ID) of the stay determination area and a beacon list in association with each other. The beacon list for a certain stay determination area is a list listing the beacon IDs of all beacon transmission devices 2 installed in the stay determination area. For example, in the case of a beacon signal be based on BLE, the beacon list stores a set of "UUID," "major," and "minor" for each of all beacon transmission devices 2 installed in the stay determination area.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beacon log according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the beacon log 52 stores identification information of the beacon log (beacon log ID), identification information of the user terminal device UE (user ID), the date and time of the log (log time), a region IN / OUT flag, and a beacon ID in association with each other. The region IN / OUT flag is set to "1: region IN" when detection of the beacon signal be of the beacon ID starts, and is set to "2: region OUT" when detection of the beacon signal be of the beacon ID ends.

[0030] When the user terminal device UE starts detecting a beacon signal be of a certain beacon ID, it creates a beacon log 52 of that beacon ID in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "1: area IN" and transmits it to the stay determination server 4. After a beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "1: area IN" is created for a certain beacon ID, no subsequent beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "1: area IN" is created. When the user terminal device UE starts detecting a beacon signal be of a certain beacon ID and then finishes detecting the beacon signal be of that beacon ID, it creates a beacon log 52 of that beacon ID in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "2: area OUT" and transmits it to the stay determination server 4. Therefore, for one beacon ID, a beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "1: area IN" and a beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "2: area OUT" are paired.

[0031] [Information providing device] The information providing device 7 includes an information providing unit 71 and an information providing control unit 72. Each function of the information providing device 7 is realized by the information providing device 7 including computer hardware such as a CPU and memory, and the CPU executing a computer program stored in the memory. The information providing device 7 may be configured using a general-purpose computer device or a dedicated hardware device. For example, the information providing device 7 may be configured using a server computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet. Each function of the information providing device 7 may be realized by cloud computing. The information providing device 7 may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by distributing the functions of the information providing device 7 across multiple computers. The information providing device 7 may also be configured to set up a website using, for example, a WWW system.

[0032] The information providing unit 71 provides information (provided information) associated with a stay determination area to a user terminal device UE that has been determined by the stay determination server 4 to have stayed in the stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or more. On the other hand, the information providing unit 71 does not provide the provided information associated with the stay determination area to a user terminal device UE that has been determined by the stay determination server 4 to have not stayed in the stay determination area for a predetermined stay determination time or more.

[0033] The information provision control unit 72 controls the provision of information by the information provision unit 71 in accordance with the number of stay determinations made by the stay determination server 4. The number of stay determinations is the number of times the stay determination process is executed by the stay determination server 4. For example, the information provision control unit 72 determines whether the stay determination area "area" is congested with user terminal apparatuses UE based on the number of stay determinations made in a certain period of time, and suppresses the provision of information by the information provision unit 71 if the result of the determination indicates congestion. This is because, when the number of stay determinations is high, it is considered that a large number of user terminal apparatuses UE have entered the stay determination area, and so the information provision control unit 72 determines that the stay determination area "area" is congested with user terminal apparatuses UE and suppresses the provision of information to contribute to alleviating congestion in the stay determination area.

[0034] [Stay determination method] The stay determination method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the stay determination method according to this embodiment.

[0035] When the user terminal device UE detects for the first time a beacon signal be transmitted from a beacon transmitting device 2 installed in the stay determination area (area), it creates a beacon log 52 for the beacon ID of the beacon signal be, in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "1: area IN", and transmits this to the stay determination server 4. This beacon log 52 is a beacon log 52 that indicates the start of detection of the beacon signal be of the beacon ID. Furthermore, when the beacon signal be of the beacon ID is no longer detected, the user terminal device UE creates a beacon log 52 for the beacon ID of the beacon signal be, in which the area IN / OUT flag is set to "2: area OUT", and transmits this to the stay determination server 4. This beacon log 52 is a beacon log 52 that indicates the end of detection of the beacon signal be of the beacon ID.

[0036] A "stay determination time," a "leave determination time," and a "standby time" are set in advance in the stay determination unit 41. The stay determination time is a threshold for determining that the user terminal apparatus UE has stayed in the stay determination area (area) for a predetermined time or more. The leave determination time is a threshold for determining that the user terminal apparatus UE has left the stay determination area (area). The leave determination time according to this embodiment is set so that stay determination can be correctly performed even in cases where the radio wave reception condition of the beacon signal be in the stay determination area (area) is poor and the beacon signal be is received intermittently even though the user terminal apparatus UE is within the stay determination area (area). The standby time is a time during which the processing in FIG. 4 is temporarily interrupted and the processing waits.

[0037] The stay determination unit 41 starts the process in Figure 4 when the first beacon log 52 after initialization of the process in Figure 4 is stored in the database 42 for each stay determination area and for each user terminal device UE. The stay determination unit 41 records the time at which the process in Figure 4 is started (stay determination start time) each time the process in Figure 4 is started. After initialization of the process in Figure 4, the first beacon log 52 of a certain user terminal device UE related to a certain stay determination area is a beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN".

[0038] The beacon log 52 in each step of Figure 4 is a beacon log 52 stored in the database 42, and is a beacon log 52 related to the beacon signal be transmitted from a beacon transmitting device 2 installed in the stay determination area (area) to be determined, and is a beacon log 52 created by the user terminal device UE to be determined.

[0039] (Step S1) The stay determination unit 41 determines whether there is a beacon log 52 of each beacon transmitting device 2 (beacon ID) that has the latest log time and whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN". If this determination result shows that there is a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN", it means that the beacon signal be of the beacon ID related to the beacon log 52 is continuously detected by the user terminal device UE. If there is a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN" (step S1, YES), the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise (step S1, NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0040] (Step S2) The stay determination unit 41 determines whether the elapsed time from the current stay determination start time to the current time has exceeded the “stay determination time.” If the result of this determination is that the elapsed time has exceeded the “stay determination time” (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3; otherwise (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0041] (Step S3) The stay determination unit 41 determines that the user terminal device UE has stayed ("stay") in the stay determination area (area) for the "stay determination time" or more. After this, the processing in FIG. 4 is ended, and initialization of the processing in FIG. 4 is executed.

[0042] (Step S4) The stay determination unit 41 compares the elapsed time from the log time of the beacon log 52 of each beacon transmitting device 2 (beacon ID) in which the log time is the most recent and the area IN / OUT flag is "2: area OUT" to the current time with the "leave determination time". If the result of this comparison shows that the elapsed time exceeds the "leave determination time" (step S4, YES), the process proceeds to step S5, and if not (step S4, NO), the process proceeds to step S6. If the elapsed time exceeds the "leave determination time", the user terminal device UE has not received beacon signals be transmitted from all beacon transmitting devices 2 installed in the stay determination area for a period of time equal to or longer than the "leave determination time".

[0043] (Step S5) The stay determination unit 41 determines that the user terminal device UE has not stayed in the stay determination area (area) for the "stay determination time" or longer ("non-stay"). After this, the processing in FIG. 4 is ended, and initialization of the processing in FIG. 4 is executed.

[0044] (Step S6) The stay determination unit 41 waits for the "waiting time." After the waiting time has elapsed, the process returns to step S1 and resumes the process from step S1 again.

[0045] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the stay determination method according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 shows two pairs (first and second pairs) of a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN" and a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "2: area OUT." In the example of FIG. 5, when the beacon log 52 of the first pair whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN" is stored in the database 42, the processing of FIG. 4 starts. In addition, the log time of the beacon log 52 of the second pair whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN" is the time before the "leave determination time" has elapsed from the log time of the beacon log 52 of the first pair whose area IN / OUT flag is "2: area OUT." Hereinafter, a pair of a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "1: area IN" and a beacon log 52 whose area IN / OUT flag is "2: area OUT" will be referred to as a "pair of beacon logs 52."

[0046] FIG. 5 shows four examples of "stay determination time": (a), (b), (c), and (d).

[0047] In the case of example (a) of the "stay determination time," a "stay" is determined when the time elapsed from the stay determination start time during the period of the first beacon log 52 pair exceeds the "stay determination time."

[0048] In the case of example (b) of the "stay determination time," the time elapsed from the stay determination start time does not exceed the "stay determination time" in the period of the first pair of beacon logs 52, so it is not determined as a "stay." After that, the time elapsed from the stay determination start time exceeds the "stay determination time" in the beacon log 52 of the pair of first beacon logs 52, so it is determined as a "stay."

[0049] In the case of example (c) of the "stay determination time," the time elapsed from the stay determination start time does not exceed the "stay determination time" for either the period of the first pair of beacon logs 52 or the period of the second pair of beacon logs 52, so the person is not determined to be a "stay." Then, when the "leave determination time" has elapsed from the log time of the beacon log 52 for which the area IN / OUT flag of the second pair of beacon logs 52 is "2: Area OUT," the person is determined to be a "non-stay."

[0050] In the case of example (d) of the "stay determination time," similarly to example (c) above, the time elapsed from the stay determination start time does not exceed the "stay determination time" for either the period of the first pair of beacon logs 52 or the period of the second pair of beacon logs 52, so the person is not determined to be a "stay." Then, when the "leave determination time" has elapsed from the log time of the beacon log 52 for which the area IN / OUT flag of the second pair of beacon logs 52 is "2: Area OUT," the person is determined to be a "non-stay."

[0051] According to this embodiment, even if the beacon log 52 in which the area IN / OUT flag is "2: Area OUT" is created because the beacon signal be temporarily not received despite the user terminal device UE being in the stay determination area due to the non-stay determination process using the "leave determination time" described above, it is possible to proceed to step S6 and execute the stay determination process again using the "stay determination time." This makes it possible to correctly determine "stay" even in cases where the radio wave reception status of the beacon signal be is poor in the stay determination area and the beacon signal be is received intermittently despite the user terminal device UE being in the stay determination area. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect of being able to adapt to changes in the radio wave reception status of the beacon signal be when determining that the user terminal device UE receiving the beacon signal be has stayed in the stay determination area for the "stay determination time" or longer.

[0052] [Other stay determination methods] Another stay determination method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. This other stay determination method is particularly suitable when the stay determination area is large and a large number of beacon transmitting devices 2 must be installed within the stay determination area in order for the beacon signal be to reach the entire stay determination area.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows an example of a method for installing a beacon transmitting device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, beacon transmitting devices 2 (2_in, 2_out) are installed inside and outside the stay determination area areaA at the entrances and exits of the stay determination area areaA. The database 42 (storage unit) further stores information indicating that the beacon transmitting device 2 is installed inside or outside the stay determination area areaA at the entrances and exits of the stay determination area areaA.

[0054] The beacon transmitting device 2_in is installed inside the stay determination area areaA at the entrance / exit of the stay determination area areaA. The beacon signal be transmitted from the beacon transmitting device 2_in can be received by the user terminal device UE in the reception area Ca_in. The beacon signal be transmitted from the beacon transmitting device 2_out is installed outside the stay determination area areaA at the entrance / exit of the stay determination area areaA. The beacon signal be transmitted from the beacon transmitting device 2_out can be received by the user terminal device UE in the reception area Ca_out. In the example of FIG. 6, the sizes of the reception area Ca_in and the reception area Ca_out are set to be approximately the same.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of another stay determination method according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 7, a stay determination method for a user terminal device UE in a stay determination area areaA in which a beacon transmitting device 2 is installed as exemplified in Fig. 6 will be described. In Fig. 7, parts corresponding to the steps in Fig. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0056] The only difference between the process in Fig. 7 and the process in Fig. 4 is step S1A, with the other steps being the same as those in Fig. 4.

[0057] The beacon log 52 in each step of Figure 7 is a beacon log 52 stored in the database 42, and is a beacon log 52 related to the beacon signal be transmitted from the beacon transmitting device 2 (2_in, 2_out) installed in the stay determination area area A to be determined, and is a beacon log 52 created by the user terminal device UE to be determined.

[0058] (Step S1A) The stay determination unit 41 determines whether or not the following is true regarding the beacon logs 52 of each beacon transmitter 2 (beacon ID): "All of the beacon logs 52 of the latest log times of each beacon transmitter 2 indicate the end of beacon signal detection (the area IN / OUT flag is "2: area OUT")" and "among the beacon logs 52 of the latest log times of each beacon transmitter 2, the beacon log 52 of the latest log time is the beacon log 52 of a beacon transmitter 2_out that is provided outside the stay determination area areaA." If the result of this determination is true (step S1A, YES), the process proceeds to step S4, where the stay determination unit 41 executes non-stay determination processing using the "leave determination time." On the other hand, if the result of this determination is false (step S1A, NO), the process proceeds to step S2.

[0059] Note that the stay determination area areaA may be provided with beacon transmission devices 2 inside the stay determination area areaA as exemplified in Fig. 1 in addition to the beacon transmission devices 2 (2_in, 2_out) at the entrances and exits as exemplified in Fig. 6, and the above-described processing of Fig. 4 and the processing of Fig. 7 may be combined and applied. For example, within the stay determination area areaA, beacon transmission devices 2 may be provided only in areas where it is particularly desired to detect user terminal devices UE. As an example of a combination of the processing of Fig. 4 and the processing of Fig. 7, stay determination may first be performed for a wide area by the processing of Fig. 7, and then stay determination for a narrower area within that area may be performed by the processing of Fig. 4.

[0060] In the example of Figure 6, the stay determination area areaA has an entrance and exit, but if a one-way entrance and exit are provided instead of an entrance and exit, only a beacon transmitter 2_in can be provided inside the stay determination area areaA at the entrance, and only a beacon transmitter 2_out can be provided outside the stay determination area areaA at the exit.

[0061] According to the other stay determination method described above, in cases where the stay determination area (area) is large and a large number of beacon transmitting devices 2 must be installed within the stay determination area (area) in order for the beacon signal (be) to reach the entire stay determination area (area), it is possible to reduce the number of installed beacon transmitting devices 2 and perform efficient stay determination.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, when determining that a user terminal device UE receiving a beacon signal be has stayed in a stay determination area area for more than the “stay determination time”, it is possible to obtain the effect of being able to adapt to changes in the radio wave reception conditions of the beacon signal be.

[0063] As a result, even if the user terminal device UE is present in an area subject to notification of, for example, advertisements, coupons, etc., and the user terminal device UE is unable to receive the beacon signal be due to deterioration in the radio wave reception conditions for the beacon signal be, it is possible to detect that the stay determination time has elapsed since the user terminal device UE entered the area subject to notification, thereby making it possible to reliably seize opportunities to send advertisements, coupons, etc. to the user terminal device UE.

[0064] For example, by distributing coupons that grant benefits that can be used at stores or public transportation to user terminal devices UE that are determined to be "staying" in a stay determination area where stores and public transportation (such as buses, taxis, and trains) routes are located, the effect of encouraging use of those stores and public transportation can be achieved.

[0065] Furthermore, the information provision control unit 72 of the information providing device 7 controls the provision of information by the information providing unit 71 in accordance with the number of stay determinations made by the stay determination server 4, thereby realizing dynamic adjustment of the distribution amount of coupons in accordance with the degree of congestion of user terminal devices UE (users U) in the stay determination area. This makes it possible, for example, to reduce the distribution amount of coupons when the stay determination area becomes congested after coupon distribution has started to attract customers, thereby alleviating the congestion.

[0066] This will enable improvements in overall service quality in stores and public transportation, for example, and contribute to Goal 8 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all."

[0067] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0068] In addition, a computer program for realizing the functions of each of the above-described devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read and executed by a computer system. Note that the "computer system" here may also include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, if a WWW system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment). In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, optical magnetic disk, ROM, or flash memory, portable media such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system.

[0069] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes those that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...information provision system, 2...beacon transmission device, 4...stay determination server, 40...beacon log collection unit, 41...stay determination unit, 42...database, 7...information provision device, 71...information provision unit, 72...information provision control unit, UE...user terminal device, NW...communication network, area...stay determination area, be...beacon signal

Claims

1. a beacon log collection unit that collects a beacon log, which is a log related to beacon signals received by a user terminal device from a beacon transmission device; a storage unit that stores stay determination areas and one or more beacon transmitting devices in association with each other; a stay determination unit that determines the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon logs related to one or more beacon transmitting devices associated with the stay determination area, compares the elapsed time from the end of the beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determines that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time; Equipped with When a plurality of beacon transmission devices are associated with the stay determination area, the stay determination unit determines that the detection of the beacon signal has ended when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmission devices all indicate the end of the detection of the beacon signal. Stay determination device.

2. The stay determination unit determines that the detection of the beacon signal has ended if the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmitting devices is related to a beacon transmitting device located outside the stay determination area. The stay determination device according to claim 1 .

3. The storage unit further stores information indicating that the beacon transmitting device is installed inside or outside the stay determination area at an entrance or exit of the stay determination area, the stay determination unit determines, based on the information stored in the storage unit, whether the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmitting devices is related to a beacon transmitting device provided outside the stay determination area. The stay determination device according to claim 2 .

4. a beacon log collection unit that collects a beacon log, which is a log related to beacon signals received by a user terminal device from a beacon transmission device; a storage unit that stores stay determination area information that associates stay determination areas with beacon transmission devices, the stay determination area information indicating that the beacon transmission device is installed inside or outside the stay determination area at an entrance or exit of the stay determination area; a stay determination unit that determines the end of beacon signal detection when all of the latest beacon logs related to each beacon transmitting device associated with the stay determination area indicate the end of beacon signal detection and the latest beacon log among the latest beacon logs related to each beacon transmitting device is related to a beacon transmitting device installed outside the stay determination area, compares an elapsed time from the end of beacon signal detection to a current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determines that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area when the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time, Stay determination device.

5. a storage step in which the stay determination device stores the stay determination area and one or more beacon transmitting devices in association with each other; a beacon log collection step in which the stay determination device collects a beacon log, which is a log related to beacon signals received by the user terminal device from a beacon transmission device; a stay determination step in which the stay determination device determines the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon logs related to one or more beacon transmitting devices associated with the stay determination area, compares the elapsed time from the end of the beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determines that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time; Including, In the stay determination step, when a plurality of beacon transmission devices are associated with the stay determination area, the determination of the end of the beacon signal detection is made when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmission devices all indicate the end of the beacon signal detection. Stay determination method.

6. On the computer, a storage step of storing the stay determination area and one or more beacon transmitting devices in association with each other; a beacon log collection step of collecting a beacon log, which is a log related to beacon signals received by the user terminal device from the beacon transmission device; a stay determination step of determining the end of beacon signal detection based on the beacon logs related to one or more beacon transmitting devices associated with the stay determination area, comparing the elapsed time from the end of the beacon signal detection to the current time with a predetermined departure determination time, and determining that the user terminal device has left the stay determination area if the elapsed time exceeds the departure determination time; Execute In the stay determination step, when a plurality of beacon transmission devices are associated with the stay determination area, the determination of the end of the beacon signal detection is made when the latest beacon logs related to the plurality of beacon transmission devices all indicate the end of the beacon signal detection. Computer program.

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