Positioning data interpolation program, device, and method, and target number estimation program

Abstract

To provide a positioning data interpolation program, an interpolation device and a method that generate object positioning information that is a set of positioning information of an object by different positioning means, being such that an error resulting from the use of object positioning information decreases, and a program for estimating the number of objects.SOLUTION: A positioning data interpolation device performs interpolation processing on object positioning information that is a set of first positioning information by first positioning means that measures in units of area and second positioning information by second positioning means that derives a point in the area as a positioning result. The positioning data interpolation device includes: means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data that are included in the first positioning information and in which an interval of positioning times is larger than a prescribed interval and determining an interpolation time that is within the interval; and means for identifying second positioning data that is included in the second positioning information and that has a positioning time close to the determined interpolation time enough to satisfy a prescribed condition and generating first interpolation data that includes, as a positioning result at the interpolation time, an area that includes a point as a positioning result in the identified second positioning data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology that uses positioning data obtained by a predetermined positioning means, for example, a technology that uses the positioning data to estimate population distribution. [Background technology]

[0002] Understanding population distribution in a given area, or the flow of people in the sense of a distribution that changes over time, is extremely important for marketing, efficient operation of transportation networks (avoiding congestion, etc.), urban planning including the development of public facilities, and even infectious disease prevention measures.

[0003] Conventionally, people flow data services estimate people flow using the number of devices (number of users) observed by GPS (Global Positioning System) in each area (hereinafter referred to as a mesh) that makes up the area covered by a base station. In reality, not all people in this area own a device, and the number of users who provide GPS positioning information to the base station is limited, so the number of devices (number of users) observed in each area is expanded to estimate how many people are present in each area.

[0004] Meanwhile, location registration information (connection sector information) recorded by base stations as a result of communication connections with terminals, i.e., information about terminals (users) present within the base station area covered, naturally also includes information on the number of terminals (users) present within this area. Observations of terminals (users) using this location registration information are generally large-scale, making them suitable for estimating people flow. However, the intervals between base stations can be as long as several kilometers, and the location resolution of the observation results from base stations is generally low.

[0005] To address such problems with location registration information, for example, in the user number estimation process disclosed in Patent Document 1, the number of users is estimated using integrated positioning information including integrated positioning data in which acquired GPS positioning data and location registration data are linked by a user identifier (ID). Specifically, using such integrated positioning information as learning data, a probability map P(M|B) (distribution ratio of the number of terminals in mesh M) is constructed, which indicates the probability that a terminal observed in a sector (base station area) of base station B exists within mesh M, and this probability map P(M|B) is used to estimate the number of users (number of terminals) in each mesh.

[0006] For example, if base station B1 is observed 100 times and a user is observed 30 times in mesh M1, the probability (distribution ratio) P(M1|B1) is set to 0.3 (= 30 / 100). Here, if 500 users are observed at base station B1 at a certain time, it is possible to estimate that 150 (= 500 × 0.3) of them were present within mesh M1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-005167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the difference in the positioning time in the integrated positioning information in which the GPS positioning data and the location registration data are linked by the user ID further limits the number of pieces of data that can be linked, resulting in a problem of, for example, a large error in estimating the number of users.

[0009] In reality, the observation frequency of GPS positioning information and the observation frequency of location registration information are usually significantly different, and in most cases, even if the positioning data of both pieces of information are to be linked, it is necessary to link positioning data with different positioning times. In this case, the larger the difference between the positioning times of the linked positioning data, the larger the error will be in the positioning results of the linked positioning data. This error is likely to be significant, especially when the user is moving. Furthermore, if the positioning times of the positioning data of both pieces of information are separated by more than X minutes (a set threshold), the two pieces of positioning data cannot be linked in the first place.

[0010] Therefore, when such integrated positioning information is used, for example, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the error in the probability value (value of distribution ratio) indicated by the probability map (distribution ratio of the number of terminals) P(M|B) may become large, or that sufficient learning data for map construction may not be prepared in the first place. Furthermore, even if the integrated positioning information is used for purposes other than estimating the number of users, the problems with the integrated positioning information as described above may cause an increase in error in the results of its use.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a positioning data interpolation program, device, and method that can generate object positioning information, which is a set of object positioning information obtained by different positioning means, with reduced error in the results obtained by using the object positioning information, and to provide an object number estimation program that can estimate the number of objects with reduced estimation error using such object positioning information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a positioning data interpolation program for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, comprising: an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data pieces included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time point to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time point; A positioning data interpolation program is provided that causes a computer to function as a

[0013] As an embodiment of the positioning data interpolation program according to the present invention, the positioning data interpolation program a second interpolation data generation means for identifying two adjacent pieces of second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two pieces of second positioning data having positioning time points respectively before and after the positioning time point of a certain piece of first positioning data included in the first positioning information updated by inserting the first interpolation data, determining an interpolation point or interpolation area between two points or areas that are positioning results in the two identified second positioning data, the interpolation point or interpolation area being estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time point of the certain piece of first positioning data, and generating second interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time point of the certain piece of first positioning data; It is also preferable to have the computer further function as:

[0014] In the above embodiment, the positioning data interpolation program further causes the computer to function as movement determination means for determining whether the object is moving, using the second positioning data or the first positioning data, It is also preferable that the second interpolation data generating means identify, as the two pieces of second positioning data, two pieces of second positioning data that are included in a period during which it is determined that the target is moving.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the positioning data interpolation program further causes the computer to function as a moving speed estimation unit that estimates the moving speed of the object using the second positioning data or the first positioning data, It is also preferable that the second interpolation data generation means acquires two movement speeds for each of the two identified second positioning data, and determines the interpolation point or interpolation area using the two movement speeds as well.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is also preferable that the second interpolation data generation means uses map information including the travel route to determine a reference interpolation point or reference interpolation area as a result of linear interpolation between two points or areas that are the positioning results of the two identified second positioning data, identify an intersection between the reference interpolation point or reference interpolation area and a travel route included in the map information that satisfies a predetermined condition, and determine the point related to the identified intersection or the area including the intersection as the interpolation point or interpolation area.

[0017] In the embodiment using the map information, the positioning data interpolation program further causes the computer to function as a means of transportation estimation unit that estimates a type of means of transportation associated with the target using the second positioning data or the first positioning data, It is also preferable that the predetermined conditions that the travel route must satisfy include that the travel route is a travel route relating to a type of transportation means estimated at a time point relating to the reference interpolation point or reference interpolation area.

[0018] Furthermore, in the embodiment using the map information described above, the positioning data interpolation program further causes the computer to function as a moving speed estimation unit that estimates the moving speed of the object using the second positioning data or the first positioning data, It is also preferable that the second interpolation data generation means acquires two movement speeds for each of the two identified second positioning data, and determines the reference interpolation point or the reference interpolation area using the two movement speeds as well.

[0019] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment relating to movement determination, it is also preferable that the second interpolation data generation means calculates a center of gravity point or center of gravity area that is the center of gravity of at least one point or area that is the positioning result in at least one second positioning data included in the period in which it is determined that the object is not moving, identifies the positioning time in the first positioning data that has a positioning time that falls within the period in which it is determined that the object is not moving, and generates second interpolation data that includes the center of gravity point or center of gravity area as the positioning result at the identified positioning time.

[0020] Furthermore, in some embodiments according to the present invention, the subject is a user of a terminal; the first positioning means is a base station, and the area as a positioning result in the first positioning information is a base station area including the terminal connected to the base station for communication; It is also preferable that the second positioning means is a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning means installed in the terminal, and that the point or area as the positioning result in the second positioning information is a point or area determined as the location by the GPS positioning means.

[0021] According to the present invention, there is also provided a positioning data interpolation program for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, comprising: a second interpolation data generating means for identifying two adjacent second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two second positioning data having positioning times before and after the positioning time of a certain first positioning data, determining an interpolation point or interpolation area between two points or areas that are positioning results in the identified two second positioning data, the interpolation point or interpolation area being estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data, and generating second interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data; A positioning data interpolation program is provided that causes a computer to function as a

[0022] According to the present invention, further an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data included in the first positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of the object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, the two first positioning data having an interval between positioning times large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time; a target positioning information updating means for updating the target positioning information by adding the generated first interpolation data to the target positioning information; an object number determination means for determining the number of objects in the zone that is the estimation target from the number of observations of the objects in the area, using a probability map that is constructed using the updated object positioning information as training data and that indicates the probability that the object present in the area is present in each zone; A subject number estimation program is provided that causes a computer to function as follows.

[0023] As one embodiment of the object number estimation program according to the present invention, the object number estimation program further causes the computer to function as second interpolation data generation means that identifies two adjacent second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two second positioning data having positioning times that are before and after the positioning time of a certain first positioning data, determines an interpolation point or interpolation area that is between two points or areas that are positioning results in the two identified second positioning data, and is estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data, and generates second interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data, It is also preferable that the target positioning information update means updates the target positioning information by adding the generated second interpolated data to the target positioning information.

[0024] According to the present invention, there is also provided a positioning data interpolation device that interpolates positioning data included in object positioning information that is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means that uses an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means that uses a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data pieces included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time point to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time point; A positioning data interpolator is provided, comprising:

[0025] According to the present invention, there is further provided a positioning data interpolation method for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, comprising: identifying two adjacent first positioning data sets included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including the point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time; A computer-implemented method for interpolating positioning data is provided, comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The positioning data interpolation program, device, and method of the present invention can generate object positioning information, which is a set of object positioning information obtained by different positioning means, and can reduce errors in the results obtained by using the object positioning information. Furthermore, the object number estimation program of the present invention can use such object positioning information to estimate the number of objects with reduced estimation errors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a positioning data interpolation device and an object number estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4A and 4B are a schematic diagram and a table for explaining a specific example of a first interpolation data generation process according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are a table and a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of a second interpolation data generation process according to the present invention. [Figure 4]10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining a specific example of a second interpolation data generation process during a period in which a stay determination is made. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining a specific example of a second interpolation data generation process using map information. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining a specific example of a second interpolation data generation process that takes into account a moving speed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] [Positioning data interpolation device / system, Object number estimation device / system] 1 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a positioning data interpolation device and an object number estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in this functional block diagram, functional components that are not related to the positioning data interpolation process or the object number estimation process are omitted.

[0030] The communication equipment device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is of course an equipment that functions as communication equipment, for example, a relay function, but it also serves as an embodiment of a positioning data interpolation device and an object number estimation device according to the present invention.

[0031] That is, in this embodiment, the communication equipment 1 is (a) First positioning information (location registration information (connection sector information) in this embodiment) of a target (terminal 2 (user) in this embodiment) acquired by a first positioning means (base station 3 in this embodiment) using an area (base station area, sector in this embodiment) as a measurement position unit, and (b) Second positioning information (GPS positioning information in this embodiment) of the same object (terminal 2) as (a) above, acquired by a second positioning means (a GPS positioning unit built into terminal 2 in this embodiment) that measures a point (or a zone (e.g., a mesh)) within the area (base station area) as a positioning result. The positioning data interpolation device interpolates the positioning data included in the "target positioning information" which is a set of the above.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication equipment device 1 also functions as a target number estimation device that uses the interpolated and updated "target positioning information" of the positioning data to determine the number of targets (the number of people in this embodiment) in each of multiple areas (e.g., multiple meshes of 250 m (meters) square) that make up a specified region (e.g., all 47 prefectures) through extended estimation, estimates the population distribution in the specified region (nationwide), and outputs population distribution data (e.g., a population distribution graph or a population heat map) as the estimation result.

[0033] Here, the location registration information (first positioning information) includes information on the number of terminals 2 (users) within a base station area, and the scale of this number is usually quite large. However, the intervals between base stations 3 can be several kilometers, for example, and base station areas are generally quite large. As a result, the position resolution of terminals 2 (users) included in the location registration information is usually very low. On the other hand, GPS positioning information (second positioning information) is usually information with high position resolution. However, the scale of the number of observable GPS-licensed users (terminals 2) is generally quite small.

[0034] Therefore, in order to obtain a target number estimation result with a large number of users and high location resolution, the communication equipment 1 performs a target number estimation process using "target positioning information" that integrates both types of information. However, the observation frequency of the location registration information and the observation frequency of the GPS positioning information are usually significantly different, and even if the "target positioning information" is prepared by integrating both types of information, in most cases it is necessary to link positioning data from different positioning points in time.

[0035] In this case, the greater the difference between the time points of the linked positioning data, the greater the error that will be included in the positioning results. This error is likely to be significant, especially if the user is on the move. Furthermore, if the time points of the positioning data for both pieces of information are separated by more than X minutes (a set threshold), the two pieces of positioning data cannot be linked in the first place.

[0036] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the communication equipment device 1 interpolates the positioning data included in the "target positioning information." Specifically, (A) An interpolation time point determination unit 111 that identifies two adjacent location registration data (first positioning data) whose interval between positioning times included in the location registration information (first positioning information) is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition (for example, equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value), and determines at least one "interpolation time point" that falls within this interval; (B) a first interpolation data generation unit 112 that identifies GPS positioning data (second positioning data) having a positioning time that is close (for example, closest) to the determined “interpolation time point” included in the GPS positioning information (second positioning information) to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generates “position registration interpolation data” (first interpolation data) that includes a base station area including a point (or area) that is a positioning result in the identified GPS positioning data (second positioning data) as the positioning result at this “interpolation time point”; It has the following characteristics.

[0037] In this way, the communication equipment 1 can generate "position registration interpolation data" that includes a high-precision base station area determined from the high-precision positioning result in the identified GPS positioning data as a positioning result at an "interpolation time point" that is close enough (for example, closest) to the positioning time point of the GPS positioning data to satisfy a predetermined condition. As a result, it is possible to link two pieces of positioning data that have a small difference in positioning time point, and the number of positioning data increases, making it possible to generate updated "target positioning information" that reduces errors in the results using the positioning data.

[0038] As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the communication equipment 1 also generates GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) that includes the same positioning time as the positioning time of certain location registration data. This makes it possible to generate updated "target positioning information" that further reduces errors in the results obtained by using the data.

[0039] In this embodiment, the updated "target positioning information" described above is used later to estimate population distribution (people flow), but its use is of course not limited to this. Furthermore, the first positioning means and the second positioning means are not limited to the base station 3 and the GPS positioning unit (mounted in the terminal 2), respectively.

[0040] For example, it is possible to estimate the number and distribution of these moving objects by using updated "object positioning information" that integrates positioning information from a position sensor (first positioning means) installed on the ground and a position sensor (second positioning means) mounted on a moving object such as an automobile, autonomous robot, or drone. Here, assuming that the two position sensors are different from each other in terms of spatial resolution and temporal resolution, and that "objects (objects) linked by IDs have their positions in real space uniquely determined at a given time (they do not split, merge, create, or disappear)," the number and distribution of moving objects can be suitably estimated by generating and using updated "object positioning information" using the first interpolated data (and second interpolated data) according to the present invention as described above.

[0041] [Device functional configuration, positioning data interpolation program / method, target number estimation program / method] Similarly, according to the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the communication equipment device 1 as one embodiment of the positioning data interpolation device / object number estimation device according to the present invention has a communication interface unit 101, a location registration information storage unit 102, a GPS positioning information storage unit 103, a map information storage unit 104, an object positioning information storage unit 105, an object number estimation result storage unit 106, a user interface (UI) unit 107, and a processor / memory (a calculation processing system with a memory function).

[0042] Here, the processor memory stores an embodiment of a positioning data interpolation program according to the present invention, has computer functionality, and executes the positioning data interpolation program to perform positioning data interpolation processing. The processor memory also stores an embodiment of an object number estimation program that includes the positioning data interpolation program, and executes the object number estimation program to perform object number estimation processing. Therefore, the communication equipment device 1 may be a device that is not a communication equipment device and is dedicated to positioning data interpolation processing and object number estimation processing. Furthermore, it may be a cloud server, a non-cloud server, a personal computer (PC), a notebook or tablet computer, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone that is equipped with an object number estimation program that includes the positioning data interpolation program according to the present invention.

[0043] Furthermore, the processor / memory includes an interpolation time determination unit 111, a first interpolation data generation unit 112, a movement determination unit 113, a transportation mode estimation unit 114, a movement speed estimation unit 115, a second interpolation data generation unit 116, an object positioning information generation / update unit 117, an object number determination unit 118 including a training unit 118a, a communication control unit 121, and an input / output control unit 122. The functional components described above can be considered to be functions realized by executing an object number estimation program including a positioning data interpolation program stored in the processor / memory. The process flow shown by arrows connecting the functional components of the communication equipment 1 in FIG. 1 can also be understood as one embodiment of the object number estimation method according to the present invention.

[0044] Incidentally, (a) the first interpolation data generation unit 112, the movement determination unit 113, the transportation means estimation unit 114, the movement speed estimation unit 115, the second interpolation data generation unit 116, and the object positioning information generation / update unit 117, and (b) the object number determination unit 118 may be functional components of separate devices. In this case, a device including the functional components of (a) above is one embodiment of the positioning data interpolation device according to the present invention. Furthermore, these devices as a whole constitute the object number estimation system according to the present invention.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, target positioning information used to generate interpolation data, which will be described below, is generated by the target positioning information generating and updating unit 117. Specifically, the target positioning information generating and updating unit 117 extracts log data for the user ID of the target terminal 2 from each of the position registration log (position registration data) and the GPS positioning log (GPS positioning data) acquired over a predetermined period in the past (for example, three months), and links the extracted log data together by this user ID to generate target positioning information for this terminal 2 (the user thereof).

[0046] In this embodiment, the location registration log (location registration data) and the GPS positioning log (GPS positioning data) are received as needed from the base station 3 (via the communication interface unit 101 and the communication control unit 121), and are stored and managed in the location registration information storage unit 102 and the GPS positioning information storage unit 103, respectively. Moreover, the target positioning information generated by the target positioning information generation / update unit 117 is stored and managed in the target positioning information storage unit 105, and is read out and used as needed.

[0047] <Interpolation time point determination means> Hereinafter, we will omit a description of the communication control function (e.g., relay function) in the communication equipment 1 and only explain the positioning data interpolation processing function and target number estimation processing function according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the interpolation time point determination unit 111, also shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 1, identifies "two adjacent location registration data" (two first positioning data) included in the location registration information (first positioning information) and whose positioning time interval is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 90 minutes), and determines at least one interpolation time point that falls within this interval.

[0048] In this embodiment, the interpolation time point is determined to be a single time point that is the midpoint between the positioning times in the identified "two location registration data," as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later. This makes it possible to efficiently reduce or eliminate sparse portions of the location registration data in the location registration information. As a modified example, the interpolation time point may be determined to be the exact positioning time point of one piece of GPS positioning data (second positioning data) that has a positioning time point that is between the positioning times in the identified "two location registration data." This makes it possible to increase the number of both sets of positioning data that can be linked at the same positioning time point.

[0049] As a further modification, N equally divided points (equally divided time points) that divide the gap between the positioning time points in the identified "two location registration data" into (N+1) equal parts (N is an integer of 2 or greater) may be used as the N interpolation time points. Furthermore, the N positioning time points of the N GPS positioning data having positioning time points that fall between the positioning time points in the identified "two location registration data" may be used as the N interpolation time points. Here, it is also preferable that the maximum value N can take is limited to a number that prevents subsequently generated location registration interpolation data from being considered noise data or redundant data, such as 2 or 3.

[0050] <First interpolation data generating means> Similarly, the first interpolation data generation unit 112 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1 performs the following in this embodiment: (a) Identifying GPS positioning data (second positioning data) that is included in the GPS positioning information (second positioning information) and has a positioning time that is close (e.g., closest) to the determined interpolation time point so as to satisfy a predetermined condition; (b) Generate location registration interpolated data (first interpolated data) that includes the base station area including the point (or mesh) that is the positioning result in the identified GPS positioning data (second positioning data) as the positioning result at the time of this interpolation.

[0051] As described above, when the interpolation time point determination unit 111 determines N interpolation time points that are equal division points, it is possible to identify GPS positioning data (second positioning data) having a positioning time point that is close enough (for example, closest) to each interpolation time point to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generate a total of N position registration interpolation data that includes base station areas that include points (or meshes) that are positioning results in the identified GPS positioning data as positioning results at each interpolation time point.

[0052] Furthermore, when the interpolation time point determination unit 111 determines N interpolation time points from the positioning time points of N GPS positioning data, it becomes possible to generate a total of N position registration interpolation data that includes the base station area including the point (or mesh) that is the positioning result of each of these N GPS positioning data as the positioning result at each interpolation time point.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram and a table for explaining a specific example of the first interpolation data generation process according to the present invention.

[0054] In the specific example shown in Fig. 2, terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) moves from base station area (sector) A of base station 3A, through base station area (sector) C of base station 3C, to base station area (sector) B of base station 3B. Here, terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) is connected to base station 3A and base station 3B, but is not connected to base station 3C. As a result, the location registration information of terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) includes location registration data for connecting sector A and connecting sector B, but does not include location registration data for connecting sector C.

[0055] Therefore, in this specific example, the interpolation time point determination unit 111 confirms that the time interval between the positioning time (18 (hour): 00 (minute): 36 (second)) in the location registration data of connecting sector A and the positioning time (20:51:00) in the location registration data of connecting sector B exceeds the predetermined threshold of 90 minutes, and then determines the midpoint of both positioning times (19:25:48) as the interpolation time.

[0056] Next, the first interpolation data generation unit 112 identifies GPS positioning data having the positioning time (18:07:12) closest to the determined interpolation time (19:25:48) from the GPS positioning information of terminal 2 (user ID: 10001), and generates location registration interpolation data including base station area (sector) C including the point (latitude: 35.702981, longitude: 139.556396) that is the positioning result of the identified GPS positioning data as the positioning result at the determined interpolation time (19:25:48). Note that the configuration may be such that location registration interpolation data is generated that includes base station area (sector) C including mesh ID (533944442) that is the positioning result of the identified GPS positioning data (as the positioning result at the interpolation time (19:25:48)).

[0057] The position registration interpolation data generated in this manner is added to the position registration information of the terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) in a form of interpolation in the target positioning information generating and updating unit 117 described later.

[0058] The generation of position registration interpolated data (first interpolated data) has been described above, and the generation of GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) will be described below. In this embodiment, first, movement of the terminal 2 (target) is determined, and then a process for generating GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) is performed. In this regard, in any of the embodiments shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 6 described later, the interpolated data generation process is performed using GPS positioning data during the period in which movement was determined.

[0059] The GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) generation process described below is performed on the assumption that the above-mentioned location registration interpolated data (first interpolated data) generation process has been completed in advance. For example, the process is performed on the assumption that, in the acquired location registration information for a predetermined period, location registration interpolated data is generated and inserted between all adjacent "two location registration data" whose interval between positioning times is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 90 minutes), thereby completing the update of the location registration information. However, as an alternative embodiment to this, it is also possible to generate GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) as described below without performing the location registration interpolated data (first interpolated data) generation process in advance. In other words, the GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data) generation process may be performed using the original location registration information that has not been updated.

[0060] (movement judgment) Returning to the functional block diagram of Fig. 1, the movement determination unit 113 determines whether or not the terminal 2 (target) is moving by using the GPS positioning data (second positioning data). Specifically, in this embodiment, the movement determination is performed after performing a process of removing noise points from the GPS positioning data by known machine learning.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second interpolated data generating unit 116, which will be described later, identifies two pieces of GPS positioning data included in the period during which it is determined that the terminal 2 (target) is moving, and generates GPS positioning interpolated data (second interpolated data). This is a measure to avoid a situation in which, even though the terminal 2 (user) is staying at a certain location, residual noise or error in the GPS positioning results is picked up and interpolated data including a location different from the certain location is generated.

[0062] The above-mentioned determination of the movement of the terminal 2 (target) can be performed using a known method. For example, see non-patent literature: Ryoji Ishii, Hiroshi Suenari, Kengo Ochi, Nobuo Seki, Kenta Otsuka, Yukiteru Sakai, Yuma Aida, and Atsunobu Minamigawa, "Verification of Reliability of Mobile Phone GPS Big Data for Use in the Urban Transportation Field," Civil Engineering Planning Research and Lecture Collection, Vol. 58, CD-ROM,<https: / / jglobal.jst.go.jp / en / detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201902291149555895> The movement and stay determination method disclosed in 2018 is now available.

[0063] As a modification, the movement determination unit 113 can also determine whether the terminal 2 (target) is moving by using the location registration data (first positioning data). This movement determination can also be performed using a known method, and for example, the movement / stay determination method disclosed in non-patent document: Kobayashi Nao, Ishizuka Hiroki, Minamigawa Atsunobu, Muramatsu Shigeki, Ono Tomohiro, "Proposal of a Movement / Stay State Estimation Method Suitable for Mobile Phone Communication History," Information Processing Society of Japan Transactions on Database (TOD), Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 13-23, 2017, may be used.

[0064] <Second interpolation data generating means> Similarly, the second interpolation data generating unit 116 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1 performs the following in this embodiment: (a) Identifying two adjacent GPS positioning data (two second positioning data) included in the GPS positioning information (second positioning information), which have positioning times that are respectively before and after the positioning time of a certain location registration data included in the updated location registration information (first positioning information) (by inserting the generated location registration interpolation data); (b) Determine an interpolation point (or interpolation mesh) between the two points (or meshes) that are the positioning results in the identified "two second positioning data," which is estimated to be the position of terminal 2 (target) at the time of positioning of the above-mentioned "certain location registration data," and generate GPS positioning interpolation data (second interpolation data) that includes the determined interpolation point (or interpolation mesh) as the positioning result at the time of positioning of the above-mentioned "certain location registration data."

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the "two GPS positioning data" in (a) above are identified from the GPS positioning data within the period in which it is determined that the terminal 2 (target) is moving.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a table and a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the second interpolation data generation process according to the present invention.

[0067] According to Figure 3(A), in this specific example, the second interpolation data generation unit 116 first identifies, from the GPS positioning data of terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) within the period in which movement was determined, two GPS positioning data having positioning times before and after the positioning time (18:00:36) of ``certain location registration data'' (the data in the first row of the location registration information in Figure 3(A)) of terminal 2 (user ID: 10001), i.e., in Figure 3(A), two GPS positioning data having positioning times (17:54:15) and (18:07:12), respectively.

[0068] Next, the second interpolation data generating unit 116, as shown in FIG. 3(B), (a) The identified one of the GPS positioning data is set as O (starting point) data indicating that the vehicle is at position p (latitude: 35.665937, longitude: 139.403827) at time t (17:54:15), and the other GPS positioning data is set as D (arrival point) data indicating that the vehicle is at position p (latitude: 35.702981, longitude: 139.556396) at time t (18:07:12), (b) Linear interpolation is performed between the above OD data to calculate the intermediate position pIN at the positioning time tIN (18:00:36) of the above "certain location registration data" (the data in the first line of the location registration information), (c) Interpolated GPS positioning data is generated that includes the calculated intermediate position pIN (latitude: 35.682535, longitude: 139.472032) as the positioning result at the positioning time tIN (18:00:36).

[0069] In this case, the intermediate position pIN (latitude lat, longitude lon) is calculated by the following equation using the starting point O (latitude latO, longitude lonO) and the arrival point D (latitude latD, longitude lonD): (1) lat=(latO×dtID+latD×dtOI) / dtOD lon=(lonO×dtID+lonD×dtOI) / dtOD where dtID=tD-tIN, dtOI=tIN-tO, dtOD=tD-tO It is calculated as follows.

[0070] The GPS positioning interpolation data generated in this manner is added to the GPS positioning information of terminal 2 (user ID: 10001) in a data interpolation manner in a target positioning information generating and updating unit 117 described later.

[0071] (Generation of second interpolated data during the period when the stay was determined) The generation of second interpolation data during a period in which movement is determined has been described above, but the generation of second interpolation data during a period in which stay is determined will be described below. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the second interpolation data generation process during a period in which stay is determined. Incidentally, this embodiment can also be configured to perform the second interpolation data generation process during a period in which it is determined that terminal 2 (target) is not moving (a period in which non-movement is determined).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, in this specific example, the second interpolation data generating unit 116 (a) Identifying at least one (four in FIG. 4 ) consecutive GPS positioning data included in a period in which it is determined that the terminal 2 (target) is staying (not moving); (b) Calculating the centroid point (or centroid mesh) that is the center of gravity of the four points (or meshes) that are the positioning results of the four identified GPS positioning data; (c) Identifying (at least one) positioning time point in (at least one) location registration data having a positioning time point within the same period as (a) above, and generating (at least one) GPS positioning interpolation data including the calculated center of gravity point (or center of gravity mesh) as the positioning result at the identified positioning time point.

[0073] This makes it possible to generate interpolated GPS positioning data that suppresses the effects of residual noise and errors contained in the GPS positioning results and that can be linked to location registration data with the same positioning time. Although different from the interpolation process, it is also preferable to correct the positioning results (positioning points) of the four GPS positioning data included in the stay determination period to the center of gravity. This makes it possible to update the GPS positioning data included in the stay determination period to data in which the residual noise and errors have been reduced or eliminated.

[0074] (Generation of second interpolation data using map information) Another embodiment of the second interpolation data generation will be described below. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the second interpolation data generation process using map information.

[0075] 5(A) and (B), in this embodiment, the second interpolation data generation unit 116 reads out "map information including a travel route" received from, for example, an external map information management server and stored and managed in the map information storage unit 104, for use in generating GPS positioning interpolation data. Then, the second interpolation data generation unit 116 reads out the "map information including a travel route" received from, for example, an external map information management server and stored and managed in the map information storage unit 104, for use in generating GPS positioning interpolation data. (a) Determine a reference interpolation point (or reference interpolation mesh) P as the result of linear interpolation between two points (or meshes) O and D, which are the positioning results in the identified "two GPS positioning data" (from the GPS positioning information for the period in which movement was determined); (b) Identifying the intersections (p, q, r, s) between the determined reference interpolation point (or reference interpolation mesh) P, which is a perpendicular line to the line segment OD connecting the two points (or meshes) O and D in (a) above, and the travel routes included in the "map information" (in Figure 5(B) , road A, railway A, road B, road C), and the travel routes that satisfy the "predetermined conditions", and determining the point (or mesh including this intersection) related to the identified intersection as the interpolation point (or interpolation mesh); (c) Generate GPS positioning interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point (or interpolation mesh) as the positioning result at this "positioning time" of the above-mentioned "certain location registration data" (where the positioning times of the "two GPS positioning data" are before and after the "positioning time" respectively).

[0076] Here, the intersection with the travel route that satisfies the "predetermined condition" in (b) above may be set to, for example, the intersection "closest to the reference interpolation point P" (with the travel route). In this case, in FIG. 5(B), the interpolation point is determined to be q (the intersection with railway A). It is also possible to set it to the intersection "closest to the reference interpolation point P and at a distance from P equal to or less than a predetermined threshold" (with the travel route).

[0077] Furthermore, it is also preferable that the intersection point with the travel route that satisfies the "predetermined condition" in (b) above is set to an intersection point "with a travel route related to a predetermined type of travel means" or "among intersection points with travel routes related to a predetermined type of travel means, the intersection point that is closest to the reference interpolation point P." In this case, in FIG. 5(B), if the "travel route related to a predetermined type of travel means" is a road, the interpolation point is determined to be r (the intersection point with road B). Also, if the "travel route related to a predetermined type of travel means" is a railway, the interpolation point is determined to be q (the intersection point with railway A).

[0078] The "predetermined type of transportation" may be set in advance, or may be estimated by the transportation estimation unit 114 (FIGS. 1 and 5). The transportation estimation unit 114 uses the GPS positioning data or location registration data of the terminal 2 (target) to estimate the type of transportation (automobile, train (vehicle), pedestrian, etc.) of the terminal 2 (target) at the reference interpolation point (or the time point related to the reference interpolation mesh) by a "well-known method." This makes it possible to determine an interpolation point (or an interpolation mesh) that is in line with the actual movement mode of the terminal 2 (target).

[0079] Here, as a "publicly known method" for estimating the mode of transportation, for example, the method disclosed in Patent Document JP 2017-143472 A may be used. As will be described later, it is also possible to determine the average movement speed of the terminal 2 (target) before and after the reference interpolation point using, for example, GPS positioning data, and estimate the mode of transportation from the determined movement speed using a table in which the type of mode of transportation and the average movement speed range are previously associated.

[0080] (Generation of second interpolation data taking into account movement speed) Further, another embodiment of the second interpolation data generation will be described below. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the second interpolation data generation process that takes the moving speed into consideration.

[0081] Here, also in this embodiment, the second interpolation data generation unit 116 first identifies two adjacent GPS positioning data having positioning times before and after the positioning time of "certain location registration data", and as shown in FIG. 6, (a) One of the identified GPS positioning data is set as O data indicating that the vehicle is at position pO at time tO, and the other GPS positioning data is set as D data indicating that the vehicle is at position pD at time tD.

[0082] Next, the second interpolation data generation unit 116 does not perform linear interpolation between the above-mentioned OD data, but instead acquires two movement speeds (vO, vD) for each of the two identified GPS positioning data (O data and D data), as shown in FIG. 6, and determines an interpolation point (or interpolation mesh) using these two movement speeds (vO, vD).

[0083] Specifically, the second interpolation data generation unit 116: (b) In a graph with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the latitude component of the position, the estimated (future) "straight line route" of terminal 2 (target) is extended from the starting point O in the direction of time passage, which is related to the latitude component vO_lat of the moving speed (vector) vO at the starting point O, and the estimated (past) "straight line route" of terminal 2 (target) is extended from the arrival point D in the direction going back in time, which is opposite to the direction related to the latitude component vD_lat of the moving speed vD at the arrival point D, (c) Set a "broken line route" from the starting point O to the destination point D via the intersection point X of both "straight line routes" (d) The position corresponding to the interpolation time point tIN on the set "broken line route" is set as the latitude component pIN1_lat of the interpolation point, (e) In the same manner as described above, the longitude component pIN1_lon of the interpolation point is also determined, thereby determining the interpolation point P1 (latitude: pIN1_lat, longitude: pIN1_lon).

[0084] Incidentally, the method described above is effective when the difference between vD and vO (degree of change in moving speed) is smaller than a predetermined value, that is, when terminal 2 (target) is moving without significant changes in moving speed.

[0085] As a modification, the second interpolation data generating unit 116 may use the following instead of the above-mentioned "broken line route" in a graph in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the latitude component of the position: A "quadratic curve route" connecting O and D, whose derivative at the starting point O is the latitude component vO_lat of the moving speed vO, and whose derivative at the arrival point D is the latitude component vD_lat of the moving speed vD. The position corresponding to the interpolation time point tIN on the set "quadratic curve path" may be set as the latitude component pIN2_lat of the interpolation point, and similarly, the longitude component pIN2_lon of the interpolation point may be determined, thereby determining the interpolation point P2 (latitude: pIN2_lat, longitude: pIN2_lon).

[0086] In any case, by determining the interpolation point taking into consideration the moving speed as described above, it becomes possible to generate GPS positioning interpolation data that is more suited to the moving manner of the terminal 2 (target). Note that the above two moving speeds (vO, vD) can be determined by known methods, but in this embodiment, those estimated by the moving speed estimation unit 115 (FIGS. 1 and 6) are used.

[0087] Here, in this embodiment, the movement speed estimation unit 115 uses the GPS positioning data of the terminal 2 (target) during the period in which movement was determined, calculates the movement speed between adjacent GPS positioning data in the GPS positioning data included in the time interval from a time point that is a predetermined short time in the past from the time point of the O data to this time point of the O data, and can determine the average value of the movement speeds calculated in that time interval as the movement speed vO in the O data. Also, it may calculate the movement speed between adjacent GPS positioning data in the GPS positioning data included in the time interval from the time point of the D data to a time point that is a predetermined short time in the future from this time point, and determine the average value of the movement speeds calculated in that time interval as the movement speed vD in the D data.

[0088] The second interpolation data generation process taking into consideration the moving speed has been described above, but such a process can also be implemented in the second interpolation data generation process using map information, which has been described with reference to FIG. (a) Instead of the "line segment OD" in Figure 5(A), the above-mentioned "broken line path" or "quadratic curve path" is adopted, taking into account the moving speeds vO and vD at the starting point O and the arrival point D, and "interpolation point P1" or "interpolation point P2" is adopted as the reference interpolation point; (b) Instead of the perpendicular line at the reference interpolation point P of the "line segment OD" in Figure 5(B), the perpendicular line at the reference interpolation point P1 of the above-mentioned "broken line path" or the perpendicular line at the reference interpolation point P2 of the above-mentioned "quadratic curve path" is adopted, After that, the final interpolation point may be determined by the same process as that explained with reference to FIG. 5(B).

[0089] <Target positioning information update means> Returning to the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the target positioning information generating and updating unit 117 (a) As described above, by linking the location registration log (location registration data) and the GPS positioning log (GPS positioning data) with the user ID of the terminal 2 (target), the target positioning information of the terminal 2 (target) is generated and stored and managed in the target positioning information storage unit 105, and further, (b) The target positioning information of the terminal 2 (target) read from the target positioning information storage unit 105 is updated by adding (b1) the location registration interpolation data generated by the first interpolation data generation unit 112 and (b2) the GPS positioning interpolation data generated by the second interpolation data generation unit 116 to the target positioning information of the terminal 2 (target), and the updated target positioning information is stored and managed in the target positioning information storage unit 105.

[0090] <Method for determining the number of subjects> 1 , in this embodiment, the target number determination unit 118, also shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 1 , performs processing similar to the user number estimation processing disclosed in Patent Document 1, using updated target positioning information read from the target positioning information storage unit 105, and estimates the number of users (terminals 2) present in each mesh in each base station area. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an expanded estimation is performed on this estimation result to estimate the population distribution in a predetermined area (for example, nationwide), and population distribution data (for example, a population distribution graph or a population heat map) is generated as the estimation result, which is stored and managed in the target number estimation result storage unit 106.

[0091] More specifically, the training unit 118a of the target number determination unit 118 uses the updated target positioning information of a large number of terminals 2 (targets) as training data to construct a probability map (distribution ratio of the number of terminals 2 in mesh M) P(M|B) consisting of the probability that terminals 2 observed in the base station area (sector) of base station B exist within mesh M. Next, the target number determination unit 118 uses this constructed probability map (distribution ratio) P(M|B) to estimate the number of terminals 2 existing within mesh M from the number of terminals 2 observed by base station 3.

[0092] Here, the updated target positioning information used as training data contains more linked location registration data and GPS positioning data with the same or small difference in positioning time compared to the original target positioning information, and the number of linked data is also larger. Therefore, the probability map P(M|B) is trained with a sufficient amount of training data with reduced inherent error, and can present a more accurate probability value. As a result, the target number determination unit 118 can perform target number estimation processing with reduced estimation error.

[0093] The population distribution data (e.g., a population distribution graph or a population heat map) as a population distribution estimation result generated by the object number determination unit 118 and the updated object positioning information generated by the object positioning information generation / update unit 117 may be transmitted to an external information processing device via the communication control unit 121 and the communication interface unit 101 and used in the device. Also, they may be output to the UI unit 107 equipped with a display via the input / output control unit 122 and displayed there.

[0094] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in target positioning information including first positioning information including first positioning data and second positioning information including second positioning data, positioning data having the same positioning time or a small difference therebetween can be linked together, thereby making it possible to generate updated target positioning information that reduces errors in the results of using it.

[0095] Furthermore, the subject population estimation method of the present invention can be applied to accurately and precisely predict people flow and even travel behavior in urban areas, thereby enabling the development of resilient transportation infrastructure and efficient urban planning to address challenges posed by urbanization. Furthermore, the predicted people flow information can be used to implement effective infectious disease countermeasures tailored to each region and area. In other words, the present invention can contribute to the achievement of Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation," Goal 11, "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable," and Goal 3, "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages."

[0096] Those skilled in the art can easily make various changes, modifications, and omissions to the various embodiments of the present invention described above within the scope of the technical idea and perspective of the present invention. The above description is merely an example of an embodiment and does not impose unnecessary restrictions. The present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Communication equipment (positioning data interpolation equipment, target number estimation equipment) 101 Communication interface unit 102 Location registration information storage unit 103 GPS positioning information storage unit 104 Map Information Storage Unit 105 Target positioning information storage unit 106 Target number estimation result storage unit 107 User Interface (UI) Section 111 Interpolation time point determination unit 112 First interpolation data generation unit 113 Movement determination section 114 Transportation means estimation section 115 Movement speed estimation section 116 Second interpolation data generation unit 117 Target positioning information generation and update unit 118 Target Number Determination Department 118a Training Department 121 Communication control unit 122 Input / Output Control Unit 2. Terminal 3 base station

Claims

1. A positioning data interpolation program for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data pieces included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time point to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time point; A positioning data interpolation program for causing a computer to function as described above.

2. 2. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 1, further causing a computer to function as second interpolation data generation means for: identifying two adjacent second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two second positioning data having positioning times that are respectively before and after the positioning time of a certain first positioning data included in the first positioning information updated by inserting the generated first interpolation data; determining an interpolation point or interpolation area between two points or areas that are positioning results in the two identified second positioning data, the interpolation point or interpolation area being estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data; and generating second interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data.

3. causing the computer to further function as a movement determination means for determining whether the target is moving, using the second positioning data or the first positioning data; The second interpolation data generating means identifies, as the two pieces of second positioning data, two pieces of second positioning data included in a period during which it is determined that the target is moving.

3. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 2.

4. causing the computer to further function as a moving speed estimating means for estimating a moving speed of the object using the second positioning data or the first positioning data; The second interpolation data generation means acquires two moving speeds in the two identified second positioning data, and determines the interpolation point or the interpolation area using the two moving speeds.

4. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 2 or 3.

5. 4. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 2, wherein the second interpolation data generation means uses map information including a travel route to determine a reference interpolation point or reference interpolation area as a result of linearly interpolating between two points or areas that are positioning results in the two identified second positioning data, identifies an intersection between the reference interpolation point or reference interpolation area and a travel route included in the map information that satisfies a predetermined condition, and determines the point related to the identified intersection or the area including the intersection as the interpolation point or interpolation area.

6. causing the computer to further function as a means of transportation estimation means for estimating a type of means of transportation related to the target using the second positioning data or the first positioning data; The predetermined condition that the travel route must satisfy includes that the travel route is a travel route relating to a type of travel means estimated at a time point relating to the reference interpolation point or the reference interpolation area.

6. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 5,

7. causing the computer to further function as a moving speed estimating means for estimating a moving speed of the object using the second positioning data or the first positioning data; The second interpolation data generation means acquires two moving speeds in the two identified second positioning data, and determines the reference interpolation point or the reference interpolation area using the two moving speeds.

6. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 5,

8. 4. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 3, wherein the second interpolation data generation means calculates a center of gravity point or center of gravity area that is the center of gravity of at least one point or area that is the positioning result in at least one second positioning data included in a period in which it is determined that the object is not moving, identifies the positioning time point in the first positioning data that has a positioning time point that falls within the period in which it is determined that the object is not moving, and generates second interpolation data that includes the center of gravity point or center of gravity area as the positioning result at the identified positioning time point.

9. The subject in question is the user of the terminal, the first positioning means is a base station, and the area as a positioning result in the first positioning information is a base station area including the terminal connected to the base station for communication; The second positioning means is a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning means mounted on the terminal, and the location or area as a positioning result in the second positioning information is a location or area determined as a location by the GPS positioning means.

4. The positioning data interpolation program according to claim 1, wherein the positioning data interpolation program is a program for interpolating positioning data based on the positioning data.

10. A positioning data interpolation program for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, a second interpolation data generating means for identifying two adjacent second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two second positioning data having positioning times respectively before and after the positioning time of a certain first positioning data, determining an interpolation point or interpolation area between two points or areas that are positioning results in the identified two second positioning data, the interpolation point or interpolation area being estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data, and generating second interpolation data including the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data; A positioning data interpolation program that causes a computer to function as a positioning data interpolation program.

11. an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data included in the first positioning information, the two first positioning data being a pair of first positioning information of the object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, the two first positioning data being such that the interval between the positioning times satisfies a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time; a target positioning information updating means for updating the target positioning information by adding the generated first interpolation data to the target positioning information; an object number determination means for determining the number of objects in the zone that is the estimation target from the number of observations of the objects in the area, using a probability map that is constructed using the updated object positioning information as training data and that indicates the probability that the object present in the area is present in each zone; A target number estimation program characterized by causing a computer to function as follows.

12. and causing the computer to further function as second interpolation data generating means for identifying two adjacent second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the two second positioning data having positioning times that are respectively before and after the positioning time of a certain first positioning data, determining an interpolation point or interpolation area that is between two points or areas that are positioning results in the identified two second positioning data, and that is estimated to be the position of the object at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data, and generating second interpolation data that includes the determined interpolation point or interpolation area as the positioning result at the positioning time of the certain first positioning data; The target positioning information updating means adds the generated second interpolation data to the target positioning information, thereby updating the target positioning information. The object number estimation program according to claim 11 .

13. A positioning data interpolation device that interpolates positioning data included in object positioning information that is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means that uses an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means that uses a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, an interpolation time point determination means for identifying two adjacent first positioning data pieces included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; a first interpolation data generation means for identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time point to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including a point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time point; A positioning data interpolation device comprising:

14. A positioning data interpolation method for interpolating positioning data included in object positioning information, which is a set of first positioning information of an object acquired by a first positioning means using an area as a measurement position unit, and second positioning information of the object acquired by a second positioning means using a point or zone within the area as a positioning result, comprising: identifying two adjacent first positioning data sets included in the first positioning information, the interval between the positioning times of which is large enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining at least one interpolation time point within the interval; identifying second positioning data included in the second positioning information, the second positioning data having a positioning time that is close enough to the determined interpolation time to satisfy a predetermined condition, and generating first interpolation data including an area including the point or zone that is the positioning result in the identified second positioning data as the positioning result at the interpolation time; 1. A computer-implemented method for interpolating positioning data, comprising:

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