Visitor analysis system, visitor analysis method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To facilitate analysis of customers visiting a commercial facility or the like. [Solution] This visitor analysis system comprises: an access means capable of accessing an image recording device of an information system that includes a camera group, which is disposed in a distributed manner in a prescribed area and which is for imaging a vehicle traveling on a road in said area, and said image recording device, which stores data about the time at which the vehicle was imaged and data about the site at which the vehicle was imaged in association with each other; a vehicle identifying means for identifying a vehicle that has entered a prescribed region; and a start point identifying means for collating the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device, and identifying the start point of the vehicle on the basis of the data on the time and the data on the site that have been associated with the matching image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a visitor analysis system, a visitor analysis method, and a recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an information processing apparatus having a function of reading information on a vehicle number plate from an image of a vehicle entering a parking lot of a store and accumulating information on an area included in the read vehicle number plate information as vehicle information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, although it is described that regional trends of vehicles entering the parking lot are analyzed using information on an area included in the information on the vehicle number plate, there is a problem that it is impossible to analyze a business area by a region finer than the area information included in the information on the vehicle number plate.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a visitor analysis system, a visitor analysis method, and a recording medium that can facilitate analysis of customers who visit a commercial facility or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] From a first perspective, a visitor analysis system is provided, comprising: an information system including a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads of the area; an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data of the time the vehicle was photographed, and data of the location where the vehicle was photographed, linked together; access means that can access the image recording device; vehicle identification means that identifies vehicles that have entered a predetermined area; and departure point identification means that, for the identified vehicle, compares it with an image stored in the image recording device and identifies the vehicle's departure point based on the time data and location data linked to the matching image.

[0007] From a second perspective, a visitor analysis system is provided that includes: image access means that can access a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area and that photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area; vehicle identification means that identify vehicles that have left the predetermined area; and destination identification means that, for the identified vehicles, refer to images taken by the group of cameras and identify the destination of the vehicles.

[0008] From a third perspective, a visitor analysis method is provided in which a computer with access to the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data on the time the vehicle was photographed, and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, identifies a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area, compares the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device, and identifies the vehicle's place of origin based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image.

[0009] From a fourth perspective, a visitor analysis method is provided in which a computer, which has access to a group of cameras dispersed throughout a predetermined area and which photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, identifies vehicles that have left the predetermined area, and for the identified vehicles, refers to the images taken by the group of cameras to determine the destination of the vehicles.

[0010] According to a fifth perspective, a recording medium is provided that contains a program that causes a computer with access to the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, along with data on the time when the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, to perform the following processes: identify a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area; and, for the identified vehicle, compare it with an image stored in the image recording device and identify the vehicle's origin based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image.

[0011] According to the sixth perspective, a recording medium is provided which contains a program that causes a computer, which is distributed in a predetermined area and has access to a group of cameras that photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, to perform the following processes: identifying vehicles that have left the predetermined area, and, for the identified vehicles, referring to images taken by the group of cameras, identifying the destination of the vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This disclosure provides an object recognition system, an object recognition method, and a recording medium that can facilitate the analysis of customers visiting commercial facilities, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the customer analysis system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6]It is a diagram showing an example of visitor analysis information recorded in the visitor analysis information storage means of the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the aggregation operation of the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of visitor aggregation information by time zone aggregated by the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of visitor aggregation information by place of departure aggregated by the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the advertisement delivery conditions created by the visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer that can function as the object recognition system of the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The reference numerals in the drawings provided in this overview are for convenience and serve as examples to aid understanding; they are not intended to limit this disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and other references in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically represent the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectional communication. The program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, storage device, input device, communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. This computer device is also configured to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. While there are ports or interfaces at the input / output connection points of each block in the diagram, they are not shown in the illustration.

[0015] In one embodiment, this disclosure can be implemented in a visitor analysis system 10, as shown in Figure 1, which includes an access means 11, a vehicle identification means 12, and a departure point identification means 13.

[0016] More specifically, the access means 11 enables access to the image recording device 30 of an information system, which includes an image recording device 30 that stores images taken from the camera group 40 in association with data on the time the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed. The camera group 40 is distributed and arranged in a predetermined area, and is capable of photographing vehicles traveling on the roads in that area.

[0017] The vehicle identification means 12 identifies vehicles that have entered a predetermined area, such as a parking lot or a dedicated pickup area in a BOPIS (Buy Online Pickup In Store). The vehicle identification means 12 can identify vehicles by using license plate information obtained through image recognition of license plate images acquired from the parking lot entrance gate device 20. Alternatively, instead of using license plate information, the system can identify vehicles using the characteristics of the vehicle's image itself. Furthermore, instead of using license plate information, the system can identify vehicles by linking the vehicle's ID, obtained through communication with the vehicle, with the vehicle's image.

[0018] The departure point identification means 13 refers to the image stored in the image recording device 30 for the identified vehicle, identifies the vehicle's departure point within the area, and outputs it as vehicle information to a predetermined output destination.

[0019] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the visitor analysis method. As shown in Figure 2, the visitor analysis system 10 configured as described above first identifies a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area (step S001). Next, the visitor analysis system 10 accesses the image recording device 30 and identifies the departure point of the identified vehicle (step S002). Finally, the visitor analysis system 10 associates the vehicle with its departure point and outputs it as vehicle information (step S003).

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating how the origin of a vehicle is identified by the origin identification means 13. For example, as shown in Figure 3, suppose a vehicle is detected entering a parking lot via an entrance gate device 20. In this case, the origin identification means 13 of the visitor analysis system 10 identifies the origin of the vehicle by searching for images of the detected vehicle in the images stored in the image recording device 30 and tracing the time and location of the images. More specifically, the origin identification means 13 compares the identified vehicle with the images stored in the image recording device 30 and identifies the origin of the vehicle based on the time data and location data (x1, y1 to x4, y4) associated with the matching images. In the example in Figure 3, the origin identification means 13 identifies the origin S from the locations associated with the images by tracing the images captured by cameras 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, and 40-4. In the example shown in Figure 3, images stored in camera 40-5 may be acquired, but since the vehicle shown is different, the origin identification means 13 will discard these images. It is also conceivable that the actual origin of the vehicle may be outside the area where camera 40 is located. In that case, the origin can be determined by considering the location where the vehicle first appeared in the camera 40's view during its journey. For example, the origin can be determined by identifying the location where the vehicle was photographed at the earliest time on the day the vehicle was detected. Furthermore, a time limit may be set for tracing the vehicle's location. For example, if the time limit for tracing back is set to 3 hours in the example shown in Figure 3, the origin will be determined by identifying the location where the vehicle was photographed at the earliest time between 8:01 AM and 11:01 AM.

[0021] The customer analysis system 10, which operates as described above, can collect statistical data indicating where vehicles entering specific areas such as parking lots and pickup areas came from. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the "designated area" where the cameras 40 are located can be divided into four districts, and the number of vehicles arriving from each district can be determined. Furthermore, this statistical data can also be aggregated by time of day. For example, in the example in Figure 4, the number of vehicles arriving from district C between 12:00 and 14:00 decreased sharply from 5 to 1 compared to the previous time period between 10:00 and 12:00. By obtaining this result, it becomes possible to formulate hypotheses about the reasons for the decrease in visitors, such as traffic congestion on the route from district C or reduced congestion in the parking lots of competing stores, and to take countermeasures accordingly.

[0022] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to easily analyze customers who visit commercial facilities, etc.

[0023] [First Embodiment] Next, a first embodiment that enables analysis of visitors to a commercial facility using cameras installed on traffic signals at intersections will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 5, a visitor analysis system 100 is shown, comprising access means 101, vehicle identification means 102, origin identification means 103, and recording means 104.

[0024] Access means 101 acquires images captured by each camera from an image recording device 300 that records images captured by cameras installed on traffic lights at intersections. The position and orientation of each camera can be uniquely identified from the camera's ID, etc., and the position of the subject can be determined from the image captured by any camera.

[0025] The entrance gate device 200 is a gate device installed at the entrance of a commercial facility's parking lot. It is equipped with a camera that photographs license plates and vehicle images, and uses this information to manage entry and exit.

[0026] The image recording device 300 is a device that temporarily records images captured by cameras connected to a network. These images can be those captured by cameras used for traffic control and traffic congestion analysis, such as those in a 5G signaling network (5GNW). The image recording device 300 may also manage images captured by cameras other than those in the 5G signaling network (5GNW). Examples of such cameras include security cameras installed on streets and cameras on multi-functional street terminals called smart poles.

[0027] When the vehicle identification means 102 receives the license plate and vehicle image of a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from the entrance gate device 200, it passes this information to the departure point identification means 103 and requests that the departure point be identified.

[0028] When the departure point identification means 103 receives a request to identify the departure point from the vehicle identification means 102, it accesses the image recording device 300 via the access means 101 and identifies the past movements (arrival route) of the vehicle that has requested the identification of its departure point. Once the identification of the vehicle's past movements (arrival route) is complete, the departure point identification means 103 requests the recording means 104 to register the information in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. As a mechanism for the departure point identification means 103 to identify and track the vehicle that has requested the identification of its departure point, it can use technology that tracks vehicles using at least one of the features of license plates or vehicle images, which are used in traffic volume surveys and parking lot entry / exit management.

[0029] The recording means 104 registers data on the past movements (routes) of vehicles that have entered the parking lot in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. The visitor analysis information storage means 105 stores the visitor analysis information. In the example in Figure 5, the visitor analysis information storage means 105 is located on the external side (such as network storage) of the visitor analysis system 10, but the visitor analysis information storage means 105 may also be located on the visitor analysis system 100 side.

[0030] Figure 6 shows an example of visitor analysis information recorded in the visitor analysis information storage means 105 of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of this disclosure. In the example in Figure 6, information on the movement (arrival route) identified for each vehicle that entered the parking lot is registered. For example, in the example in Figure 6, the movement (arrival route) identified is that a vehicle (vehicle ID: Kawasaki XX AA-AA) that entered the parking lot at 11:01 on September 1, 2022, was detected on the west side of intersection A, then stopped at specialty store A, and then arrived at the parking lot. By collecting such data for vehicles that entered the parking lot, it becomes possible to perform a detailed analysis of customers who visited the commercial facility by car. In the example in Figure 6, intersection information and store information are used as representations of the vehicle's location, but the representation of the vehicle's location is not limited to this. For example, it is certainly possible to grasp the vehicle's location and movement (arrival route) using a coordinate system such as latitude and longitude.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 7, first the visitor analysis system 100 identifies the vehicles that have entered the parking lot (step S101).

[0032] Next, the visitor analysis system 100 accesses the image recording device 300 to identify the movement (arrival route) of vehicles entering the parking lot (step S102).

[0033] Next, the visitor analysis system 100 identifies the departure point of vehicles entering the parking lot and the places the vehicles stopped at (if any) based on the identified movement (arrival route) (step S103).

[0034] Next, the visitor analysis system 100 registers the information including the identified vehicle's departure point and any stops it makes (if any) as visitor analysis information in the visitor analysis information storage means 105 (step S104). By performing the above processing, data as shown in Figure 6 is accumulated in the visitor analysis information storage means 105.

[0035] Subsequently, the visitor analysis system 100 performs an aggregation operation of the data stored in the visitor analysis information storage means 105 at predetermined triggers. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the aggregation operation of the visitor analysis system 100 in this embodiment.

[0036] Referring to Figure 8, first, when the aggregation period arrives, the visitor analysis system 100 uses the visitor analysis information to aggregate visitor data by time period (step S201). Figure 9 shows an example of time-based visitor aggregation information aggregated by the visitor analysis system 100. In the example in Figure 9, the movement (arrival route) of vehicles that entered the parking lot between 10:00 and 12:00 on September 1, 2022, is aggregated. By checking the origin field of such data, it is possible to understand the direction (region) from which customers who visited at a specific time on a given date and time came. In addition, by referring to the stopover field in Figure 9, it is possible to understand which facilities customers visited before coming to the commercial facility. For example, if many customers stopped by specialty store A as shown in Figure 9, it is possible that there are no specialty stores similar to specialty store A in the commercial facility. In such cases, it is possible to increase the number of visitors to the commercial facility or increase the length of customer stay by attracting new specialty stores or by holding events that regularly sell products equivalent to those of specialty store A.

[0037] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 8, the visitor analysis system 100 aggregates visitors by departure point after aggregating visitors by time of day (step S202). Figure 10 shows an example of visitor aggregation information by departure point aggregated by the visitor analysis system 100. In the example in Figure 10, vehicle movements (visit routes) are aggregated for each departure point such as "West side of Intersection A," "South side of Intersection B," and "North side of Intersection A." By checking the stopover field of this data, it is possible to understand the behavioral trends of customers by departure point. For example, in the example in Figure 10, many customers from the group departing from "West side of Intersection A" visit the commercial facility directly, while customers from other departure points tend to visit other facilities first. In such cases, for example, to enhance the attractiveness of the commercial facility for the group departing from "North side of Intersection A," it is possible to increase the number of visitors to the commercial facility or increase the length of stay by conducting a competitive analysis with Shopping Center B or distributing coupons to the group in question.

[0038] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to perform behavioral analysis of visitors to a commercial facility, including not only their departure points but also the places they visit. In the example shown in Figure 5, the visitor analysis system 100 and the image recording device 300 are separate, independent devices, but an integrated configuration of the visitor analysis system 100 and the image recording device 300 is also possible. In this case, the visitor analysis system 100 will directly acquire and record images from the camera for use in future analysis.

[0039] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment in which an advertising distribution function is added to the visitor analysis system will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system of the second embodiment of this disclosure. The differences from the first embodiment shown in Figure 5 are that an advertising distribution means 106 has been added to the visitor analysis system 100a and that the advertising distribution conditions held in the advertising distribution condition storage means 107 are accessible. The other configurations and operations are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0040] The advertising distribution means 106 creates advertising distribution conditions (distribution plan) based on the customer analysis information stored in the customer analysis information storage means 105 and registers them in the advertising distribution condition storage means 107. The advertising distribution means 106 then distributes the advertisement via the base station 500 of the mobile communication network based on the created distribution conditions (distribution plan). The advertising information (content) to be distributed may be video or still image content that can be displayed on in-vehicle terminals or mobile terminals of vehicle passengers, or it may be audio content that can be output from the vehicle's speakers, etc.

[0041] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating additional operations of the visitor analysis system in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 12, first, the visitor analysis system 100a creates advertising delivery conditions (delivery plan) based on the visitor analysis information (step S301).

[0042] Figure 13 shows an example of advertising delivery conditions (delivery plan) created by the customer analysis system 100a of this embodiment. For example, the customer analysis system 100a focuses on the fact that specialty store A is frequently visited among the customer analysis information and creates a delivery plan to deliver advertising content for a new specialty store B located within a commercial facility with a parking lot. In the example in Figure 13, a delivery plan is created to deliver advertising content for specialty store B at intersection A, for passenger cars, during the time period from 9:00 to 20:00. Similarly, in the example in Figure 13, a delivery plan is created to deliver advertising content for supermarket C within the commercial facility at intersection A, for all vehicles, during the time period from 9:00 to 18:00. Note that such a delivery plan may be created by the customer analysis system 100a, but it may also be created manually by the manager of the commercial facility, etc., by referring to the aggregated results shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0043] Next, the customer analysis system 100a delivers advertising information according to the created advertising delivery conditions (delivery plan) (step S302). Figure 14 shows an example of the advertising delivery operation by the customer analysis system 100a. For example, the customer analysis system 100a delivers an advertisement to vehicle BB-BB, which departs from the south side of intersection B, stops at specialty store A, and then heads towards the commercial facility's parking lot. Specifically, the customer analysis system 100a delivers advertising content for specialty store B to vehicle BB-BB as it approaches intersection A during the time specified in the advertising delivery conditions. This makes it possible to motivate the occupants of vehicle BB-BB to go to specialty store B inside the commercial facility instead of specialty store A.

[0044] Furthermore, the customer analysis system 100a can use location information of terminals (vehicles) managed by the mobile communication network to deliver advertisements to vehicles at the intended locations. In addition, a more desirable configuration would allow the customer analysis system 100a to specify the direction of movement of the terminals (vehicles) when delivering advertising information. This would enable the accurate delivery of advertising information to terminals (vehicles) moving towards the commercial facility.

[0045] As explained above, this embodiment makes it possible to deliver advertisements based on the departure point and stops of vehicles entering the parking lot.

[0046] [Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments described above, the visitor analysis system was described as identifying the movement (arrival route) of a vehicle that entered the parking lot upon entry. However, it is also possible to identify the movement (arrival route) of a vehicle upon exiting the parking lot. Below, a third embodiment in which the movement (arrival route) of a vehicle is identified upon exiting the parking lot will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments, the origin was determined by identifying the past movements (arrival routes) of vehicles that entered the parking lot. However, assuming that vehicles that leave the parking lot return to their origin, the origin can also be estimated by tracking vehicles that leave the parking lot. The visitor analysis system of the third embodiment estimates the origin by tracking vehicles that leave the parking lot, based on this assumption.

[0048] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system 100b according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. The difference from the second embodiment shown in Figure 11 is that when the vehicle identification means 102b receives the license plate and vehicle image of a vehicle that has left the parking lot from the exit gate device 200b, it passes this information to the departure point identification means 103b and requests that the departure point be identified.

[0049] When the departure point identification means 103b receives a request from the vehicle identification means 102b to identify the departure point, it accesses the image recording device 300 via the image access means 101, monitors the past movements (arrival route) of the vehicle that has requested the identification of its departure point, and identifies its destination and places of interest. More specifically, the departure point identification means 103b compares the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification means 102b with the images stored in the image recording device 300. Next, it identifies the destination based on the time data and location data stored in association with the matching images. For example, it identifies the destination as the location where the vehicle was photographed at the latest time on the day it left the parking lot. It is also possible to set a time limit for tracking the vehicle's location. Once the identification of the vehicle's destination and places of interest is complete, the departure point identification means 103b requests the recording means 104b to register the information in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Therefore, the departure point identification means 103b is responsible for identifying the destination of the identified vehicle by referring to images taken by the camera group.

[0050] The recording means 104b registers data on the departure point and destination of vehicles that have left the parking lot in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Here, the recording means 104b uses the destination of the vehicle, which is obtained by accessing the image recording device 300 and monitoring the movement of the vehicle, as the departure point of the vehicle to be registered in the visitor analysis information storage means 105.

[0051] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system of the third embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 16, first the visitor analysis system 100b identifies vehicles that have left the parking lot (step S101b).

[0052] Next, the visitor analysis system 100b accesses the image recording device 300 to track vehicles that have left the parking lot (step S102b).

[0053] Next, the visitor analysis system 100b estimates the departure point and any stops (if any) of vehicles that have left the parking lot, based on the tracked vehicle movements (return route) (step S103b).

[0054] Next, the visitor analysis system 100b registers the estimated vehicle departure point and information including any stops (if any) as visitor analysis information in the visitor analysis information storage means 105 (step S104b). By performing the above processing, the visitor analysis system 100b of this embodiment can also obtain data as shown in Figure 6.

[0055] The subsequent operations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, so we will omit the explanation. As described above, this embodiment has the advantage that the vehicle's departure point can be estimated even when the image storage period in the image recording device 300 is short. The reason for this is that the visitor analysis system 100b does not look back at past images, but instead adopts a configuration that estimates the departure point by tracking vehicles that have left the parking lot.

[0056] In the description of the third embodiment above, the visitor analysis system 100b was described as having an advertising distribution function, similar to the second embodiment. However, similar to the first embodiment, it is also possible to change the configuration so that the visitor analysis system 100b does not have an advertising distribution function.

[0057] [Fourth Embodiment] Although not specifically mentioned in the first to third embodiments of the visitor analysis system described above, it is also possible to perform more advanced analysis by extracting desired information from the visitor analysis information. Below, a third embodiment, in which an information extraction means 108 is added to the visitor analysis system, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the visitor analysis system 100c of the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that an information extraction means 108 has been added to the visitor analysis system 100c, enabling the external analysis terminal 109 to narrow down the visitor analysis information, etc. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, so the following will focus on explaining the differences.

[0058] The information extraction means 108 extracts information on vehicles that meet predetermined conditions and transmits it to the analysis terminal 109. These predetermined conditions can include, for example, extracting vehicles that frequently enter the parking lot.

[0059] This allows the analysis terminal 109 to perform customer analysis that is narrowed down by predetermined conditions such as vehicle type, color, and license plate region information.

[0060] For example, by selecting vehicles that frequently visit commercial facilities, it becomes possible to analyze in detail the behavior of user segments that frequently visit commercial facilities. For instance, by analyzing the origins and stops of such user segments, it becomes possible to devise effective measures to improve user satisfaction and effective advertising methods.

[0061] Similarly, by selecting vehicles that visit commercial facilities infrequently, it becomes possible to analyze in detail the behavior of user segments that visit commercial facilities less frequently. Furthermore, by narrowing down customer analysis information using factors such as vehicle type and license plate region information in addition to the frequency of visits to commercial facilities, it becomes possible to conduct even more detailed analysis.

[0062] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to analyze customer information in more detail. In particular, this embodiment makes it possible to identify the departure point of any vehicle by setting arbitrary search conditions from the analysis terminal 109 and querying the information extraction means 108. For example, by specifying a particular license plate (suspicious vehicle or rental car) and querying it, information on its departure point and places it stopped at can be obtained. Thus, this disclosure can be used not only for marketing but also for security purposes.

[0063] (Regarding hardware configuration) In each embodiment of this disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional unit block. Some or all of each component of each device is realized by any combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in Figure 18. Figure 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 that realizes each component of each device. The information processing device 900 includes, as an example, the following configuration. ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)901 • ROM (Read Only Memory) 902 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)903 Program 904 is loaded into RAM903. • Storage device 905 for storing program 904 • Drive device 907 for reading and writing recording medium 906 • Communication interface 908 connected to communication network 909 • Input / output interface 910 for data input and output. • Bus 911 connecting each component

[0064] Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 901 acquiring and executing a program 904 that realizes these functions. That is, the CPU 901 in Figure 18 accesses the image recording device 300, executes a program to identify the vehicle's departure point, and a program to construct customer analysis information using the results, and performs update processing of each calculation parameter held in RAM 903, storage device 905, etc. The program 904 that realizes the functions of each component of each device is, for example, stored in advance in storage device 905 or ROM 902, and read by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via a communication network 909, or it may be stored in advance in a recording medium 906, and the drive device 907 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 901.

[0065] Furthermore, this program 904 can display its processing results, including intermediate states, step by step via a display device, or communicate with the outside world via a communication interface, as needed. This program 904 can also be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transitive) storage medium.

[0066] There are various variations in how each device is implemented. For example, each device may be implemented by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Alternatively, the multiple components of each device may be implemented by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. That is, these devices can be implemented by a computer program that causes the processor mounted on these devices, as shown in the first to fourth embodiments above, to execute the above-described processes using its hardware.

[0067] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device are realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or combinations thereof. These may be made up of a single chip or multiple chips connected via a bus.

[0068] Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the circuits and programs described above.

[0069] When some or all of the components of each device are implemented by multiple information processing devices or circuits, these multiple information processing devices or circuits may be centrally located or distributed. For example, the information processing devices or circuits may be implemented in a form in which each is connected via a communication network, such as a client-and-server system or a cloud computing system.

[0070] The embodiments described above are preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not limit the scope of this disclosure to these embodiments alone. That is, a person skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiments described above to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0071] For example, in the embodiment described above, the mechanism for tracking vehicles was explained as using technology used in traffic volume surveys and parking lot entry / exit management, but the method of tracking vehicles is not limited to this method. For example, if the visitor analysis system described above can obtain license plate information of vehicles passing through the "designated area", it can adopt a method of tracking vehicles using license plate information. Alternatively, from a privacy standpoint, the visitor analysis system may choose not to use license plate information and instead adopt a method of tracking vehicles using images of the vehicles.

[0072] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to these.

[0073] [Note 1] An information system including a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads of the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data of the time the vehicle was photographed, and data of the location where the vehicle was photographed, linked together and stored the image recording device, and access means that can access the image recording device of the information system, A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has entered a designated area, A means for identifying the origin of a vehicle, which, with respect to the identified vehicle, compares it with an image stored in the image recording device and identifies the origin of the vehicle based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image, A visitor analysis system equipped with the following features. [Note 2] The customer analysis system described above may further be configured to include a storage means for recording customer analysis information by associating the vehicle with the vehicle's place of origin. [Note 3] The departure point identification means of the customer analysis system described above can be configured to identify the departure point of the vehicle by tracing the time data and location data associated with the images stored in the image recording device. [Note 4] The departure point identification means of the customer analysis system described above can be configured to identify the departure point of the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle that was first photographed between the time the vehicle entered the predetermined area and a predetermined time prior to that time. [Note 5] The departure point identification means of the customer analysis system described above further includes a function to identify the places the vehicle stopped at by referring to images stored in the image recording device. The recording means may be configured to further record the locations visited by the vehicle in addition to the visitor analysis information. [Note 6] The customer analysis system described above may further be configured to include information extraction means that extract information on vehicles that meet predetermined conditions, or information on vehicles that frequently enter the area, based on the customer analysis information. [Note 7] The customer analysis system described above is Based on the locations visited by the vehicle, as included in the customer analysis information, the system can be configured to transmit advertising information to the vehicle. [Note 8] Image access means that can access a group of cameras dispersed and arranged in a predetermined area, which photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the said area, A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has left a designated area, A destination identification means that identifies the destination of the identified vehicle by referring to the images taken by the camera group, A visitor analysis system equipped with the following features. [Note 9] A computer that can access the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data of the time the vehicle was photographed, and data of the location where the vehicle was photographed, is included. Identify vehicles that have entered a designated area, The identified vehicle is compared with an image stored in the image recording device, and the vehicle's departure point is determined based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image. Visitor analysis method. [Note 10] A computer that can access a group of cameras dispersed throughout a designated area, which photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in that area, Identify vehicles that have left the designated area, For the identified vehicle, the destination of the vehicle is determined by referring to the images taken by the camera group. Visitor analysis method. [Note 11] A computer that can access the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data on the time the vehicle was photographed, and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, The process of identifying vehicles that have entered a designated area, The process involves comparing the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device, and determining the vehicle's departure point based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image. A recording medium that contains a program to execute [something]. [Note 12] A computer that has access to a group of cameras dispersed throughout a designated area, which photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in that area, A process to identify vehicles that have left a designated area, The process involves referring to the images captured by the aforementioned camera group to determine the destination of the identified vehicle, A recording medium that contains a program to execute [something]. Furthermore, the forms described in appendices 9 to 12 above can be expanded into the forms described in appendices 2 to 8, similar to appendice 1.

[0074] Furthermore, each disclosure in the above-mentioned patent documents is incorporated into this document by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the basic technical concept. Also, within the framework of the disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. Furthermore, each disclosure in the above-mentioned cited documents may, as necessary, be used in part or in whole as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, and this is also considered to be included in the disclosure of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10, 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Visitor Analysis System 11, 101 Access Methods 12, 102, 102b Vehicle Identification Means 13, 103, 103b Means of identifying the departure point 104, 104b Recording means 105 Visitor analysis information storage means 20, 200, 200a Entrance gate device 200b Exit gate device 30,300 Image recording device 40 camera group 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, 40-4 Camera 106 Advertising Delivery Methods 107 Advertising delivery condition storage means 108 Information extraction means 109 Analysis terminal 500 base stations 900 Information Processing Equipment 901 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording media 907 Drive unit 908 Communication Interface 909 Communication Network 910 Input / Output Interface 911 Bus V1, V2 vehicles

Claims

1. An information system including a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads of the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data of the time the vehicle was photographed, and data of the location where the vehicle was photographed, linked together and stored the image recording device, and access means that can access the image recording device of the information system, A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has entered a designated area, A means for identifying the origin of a vehicle, which compares the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device and identifies the origin of the vehicle based on the data of the time associated with the matching image, A visitor analysis system equipped with the following features.

2. The customer analysis system according to claim 1, further comprising recording means for associating the vehicle with the vehicle's place of origin and recording it as customer analysis information.

3. The departure location identification means identifies the departure location of the vehicle by tracing the time data and location data associated with the images stored in the image recording device. The customer analysis system according to claim 1.

4. The customer analysis system according to claim 3, wherein the departure point identification means identifies the departure point of the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle that was first photographed between the time the vehicle entered the predetermined area and a predetermined time prior to that time.

5. The departure point identification means further includes a function to identify places the vehicle has visited by referring to images stored in the image recording device. The recording means further records the locations visited by the vehicle in addition to the visitor analysis information. The customer analysis system according to claim 2.

6. moreover, Based on the aforementioned visitor analysis information, the system includes an information extraction means for extracting information on vehicles that meet predetermined conditions, or information on vehicles that frequently enter the area. The customer analysis system according to claim 2.

7. Based on the locations visited by the vehicle, as included in the customer analysis information, advertising information is transmitted to the vehicle. The customer analysis system according to claim 5.

8. Image access means that can access an image recording device that stores images taken from a group of cameras dispersed throughout a predetermined area, which photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, along with data on the time the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed. A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has left a designated area, A destination identification means that, with respect to the identified vehicle, refers to images taken by the camera group and identifies the destination of the vehicle based on the location where the latest time was captured on the day the vehicle left the parking lot after it had left the parking lot, A visitor analysis system equipped with the following features.

9. A computer that can access the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data of the time the vehicle was photographed, and data of the location where the vehicle was photographed, is included. Identify vehicles that have entered a designated area, The identified vehicle is compared with an image stored in the image recording device, and the vehicle's departure point is determined based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image. Visitor analysis method.

10. A computer that can access the image recording device of an information system, which includes a group of cameras dispersed in a predetermined area to photograph vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras, data on the time the vehicle was photographed, and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, The process of identifying vehicles that have entered a designated area, The process involves comparing the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device, and determining the vehicle's departure point based on the time data and location data associated with the matching image. A program that executes the command.

Images