Stay detection device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of determining an area in which a user stays. A staying determination device 1 is provided with: a storage unit 10 that stores user state information which is time-sequential information about a moving state of each user and a proximity state of each user to other users; a grouping unit 13 groups, on a time sequence, users who are estimated to be staying in the same area on the basis of the user state information stored in the storage unit 10; and a determination unit 14 that determines, when one user in a group formed by the grouping unit 13 is identified to have stayed in one area within the time sequence of the group, that the other users included in the group have stayed in the one area within said time sequence. The moving state may indicate whether the user is moving. The proximity state may indicate other users to whom the user is close.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a stay determination device that determines an area where a user stays.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, an application server control module is disclosed that can reveal a dynamic group related to a reference group of people by clustering the approach or face-to-face of proximity people to a reference person (paragraph 0143).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above application server control module reveals a dynamic group related to a reference group of people, but for example, it cannot determine the area where the reference person (user) stays. Therefore, it is desired to determine the area where the user stays.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The stay determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage unit that stores user state information, which is time-series information on the movement state of each user and the proximity state to other users; a grouping unit that groups users estimated to be staying in the same area in time series based on the user state information stored by the storage unit; and a determination unit that determines that other users included in the group also stayed in the one area in the time series when it is specified that one user included in the group grouped by the grouping unit stayed in the one area within the time series of the group.

[0006] In this respect, based on user status information, users who are presumed to be staying in the same area are grouped chronologically. If it is determined that one user in a group stayed in a particular area within that group's timeline, then it is determined that the other users in that group also stayed in the same area within that timeline. In other words, it is possible to determine the area where a user is staying. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to determine the area where the user is staying. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration of a stay determination system including a stay determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a usage scenario for the dwell time determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a scene where users are in close proximity to each other. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the dwell time determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a fence information table. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a table of BLE information. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a table for travel and accommodation information. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a table containing store visit result information. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a user status information table 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a formatted table (Example 1). [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the group number assignment process performed by the occupancy determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12]It is a diagram showing an example of a table of user state information 2. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of a formatted table 2. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of a grouped table 2. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of a table of user state information 3. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of a grouped table 3. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a grouped table of user state information 4. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart showing an example of a stay determination process executed by the stay determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer used in the stay determination device according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, the embodiments in the present disclosure in the following description are specific examples of the present invention, and are not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to particularly limit the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a stay determination system 3 including a stay determination device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the stay determination system 3 includes a stay determination device 1 and one or more mobile terminals 2 (collectively referred to as mobile terminal 2 as appropriate, such as mobile terminal 2a, mobile terminal 2b, mobile terminal 2c,...). The stay determination device 1 and each mobile terminal 2 are communicatively connected to each other by a network such as a mobile communication network, and can transmit and receive information to and from each other.

[0011] The stay determination device 1 is a computer device (server) that determines the area where the user stays. The user is a person who uses the functions or services provided by the stay determination device 1. Each user carries a mobile terminal 2. The area is a predetermined geographical range. In the present embodiment, a store (the geographical range within the store) is assumed as the area, but it is not limited thereto. The store is, for example, a building for selling goods, or a building or area for providing services. That the user stays in the area means that the user is located within the area and the user is not moving, hardly moving, stopped, or hardly stopped. Similarly, that the user stays in the store means that the user is located within the store and the user is not moving, hardly moving, stopped, or hardly stopped.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a usage scenario of the stay determination device 1. In the usage scenario shown in FIG. 2, department stores 1 and 2, which are commercial facilities, are included within a geofence 1 which is a geofence. The geofence is a geographical range surrounded by a virtual boundary line. In the geofence, it is possible to technically determine (for example, using BLE described later) that an object (for example, the mobile terminal 2) enters (fences in, checks in) and exits (fences out, checks out) the geofence, and perform some processing based on the determination. It is assumed that the geofence 1 is constructed by the stay determination device 1, but it is not limited thereto. That is, the stay determination device 1 has general functions related to the geofence. The geofence 1 has a geographical range of about 100 m, for example. Department store 1 includes stores 1, 2, and 3 and aisles, which are stores. Each user carrying the mobile terminal 2 visits, stays in, leaves, or walks through aisles in store 1, store 2, or store 3. In the usage scenario shown in FIG. 2, the stay determination device 1 determines, for example, which store among stores 1, 2, or 3 each user or the target user stays in at each point in time in the time series.

[0013] Details of the occupancy determination device 1 will be described later.

[0014] Mobile terminal 2 is a mobile communication terminal or a computer device such as a laptop computer that performs mobile communication. In this embodiment, mobile terminal 2 is assumed to be a smartphone, but is not limited to this. As described above, each user carries mobile terminal 2.

[0015] Mobile terminal 2 is capable of short-range wireless communication using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), which is part of Bluetooth (registered trademark). When two mobile terminals 2 come within a certain distance of each other, they automatically exchange their own device identification information via short-range wireless communication without any user intervention. Coming within a certain distance is also referred to as contact or proximity. The exchange of their own device identification information indicates that each mobile terminal 2 has come into contact with the other mobile terminal 2, or that the user of one mobile terminal 2 has come into contact with the user of the other mobile terminal 2.

[0016] Mobile terminal 2 may collect contact data while conserving power and coordinating timing with other mobile terminals 2. For example, when fenced in, mobile terminal 2 (or the application running on it) communicates with the occupancy detection device 1 that has established a geofence and obtains an ID, which is identification information transmitted by the terminal, and a schedule for BLE transmission and reception. Mobile terminal 2 then transmits and receives the obtained ID via BLE according to the obtained schedule. For example, mobile terminal 2 transmits and receives for 30 seconds at 0, 5, 10, 15, ..., 55 minutes past the hour (where X is an integer from 0 to 23). When mobile terminal 2 receives an ID from another mobile terminal 2, i.e., detects another mobile terminal 2 via BLE, it records the ID (received result) and the time the ID was received, and uploads the recorded ID and time (or information based thereon) to the occupancy detection device 1 periodically (e.g., every minute) or at any time. The mobile terminal 2 may sequentially generate BLE information as described below based on BLE detection and upload the generated BLE information to the occupancy detection device 1 periodically (for example, every minute) or at any arbitrary time.

[0017] Figure 3 shows an example of a proximity scene between users. The proximity scene shown in Figure 3 depicts a situation where a user carrying mobile terminal 2a and a user carrying mobile terminal 2b are in close proximity. Mobile terminal 2a transmits ID "1" to mobile terminal 2b via BLE, and mobile terminal 2b transmits ID "2" to mobile terminal 2a via BLE, thereby exchanging identification information to identify their respective devices.

[0018] Mobile terminal 2 is equipped with general functions related to geofencing. These functions enable the geofencing determination and processing described above. Geofencing determination and processing are implemented using prior art, and are omitted from this description in this embodiment.

[0019] The mobile terminal 2 is equipped with an accelerometer and records acceleration information obtained by the accelerometer and the time at which the acceleration information was obtained. The mobile terminal 2 uploads the recorded acceleration information and time (or information based thereon) to the dwell time determination device 1 periodically (for example, every minute) or at any time. The mobile terminal 2 may sequentially generate the movement / dwell time information described below each time acceleration information is obtained, and upload the generated movement / dwell time information to the dwell time determination device 1 periodically (for example, every minute) or at any time.

[0020] Mobile terminal 2 may also be equipped with functions or sensors that are typical of a smartphone, such as radio wave positioning, GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning, or payment functions, and may transmit information acquired by these functions or sensors to the presence determination device 1.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the stay determination device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the stay determination device 1 is composed of a storage unit 10 (storage unit), an acquisition unit 11, a generation unit 12 (generation unit), a grouping unit 13 (grouping unit), a determination unit 14 (determination unit), and an output unit 15.

[0022] Each functional block of the occupancy determination device 1 is intended to function within the occupancy determination device 1, but is not limited to this. For example, some of the functional blocks of the occupancy determination device 1 may function in a computer device different from the occupancy determination device 1, within a computer device connected to the occupancy determination device 1 via a network, while appropriately sending and receiving information with the occupancy determination device 1. Furthermore, some functional blocks of the occupancy determination device 1 may be omitted, multiple functional blocks may be integrated into one functional block, or one functional block may be decomposed into multiple functional blocks.

[0023] The following describes each function of the dwell time determination device 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0024] The storage unit 10 stores arbitrary information used in calculations by the stay determination device 1, as well as the results of calculations by the stay determination device 1. The information stored in the storage unit 10 may be referenced as appropriate by each function of the stay determination device 1.

[0025] The storage unit 10 may store fence information relating to the geofence constructed by the stay determination device 1. Figure 5 shows an example of a fence information table. In the fence information shown in Figure 5, a user ID that identifies a user is associated with the date and time when the user fenced in or out of the geofence, a fence ID that identifies the geofence, and "In_or_Out" which indicates whether the user fenced in or out of the geofence at that date and time.

[0026] The storage unit 10 may store BLE information related to contact between users. Figure 6 shows an example of a BLE information table. In the BLE information shown in Figure 6, a user ID that identifies a user, the date and time when that user came into contact with another user, a contact user ID that identifies the other user, and a detection ID that uniquely indicates the contact are associated. The detection ID may be an ID that is unique to the contacting user and the date and time of contact. For example, if a user with user ID "001" and a contact user with contact user ID "002" came into contact on "April 1, 2022 at 9:00", the detection ID may be "2204010900001002". BLE information allows a user to identify other users in their vicinity.

[0027] The storage unit 10 may store movement / stay information relating to the user's movement or stay. Figure 7 shows an example of a movement / stay information table. In the movement / stay information shown in Figure 7, a user ID that identifies the user, a date and time, and an estimated action, which is the estimated action of the user at that date and time, are associated. Regarding the date and time, a new log (row) may be generated when the estimated action changes. Regarding the estimated action, it may be an action estimation dependent on the mobile terminal 2 (operating system or application) (or the estimation result may be obtained as is). The movement / stay information makes it possible to determine whether or not the user is moving.

[0028] The storage unit 10 may store visit determination result information related to the determination result by the stay determination device 1. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a table of visit determination result information. In the visit determination result information shown in Figure 8, a user ID that identifies a user, a group ID that identifies the group (described later) to which the user belongs at a given time, group users (comma-separated if there are multiple users) which are the user IDs of other users included in the group at that time, and the date and time indicating that point in time are associated.

[0029] The storage unit 10 stores user status information, which is time-series information about each user's movement status and proximity status to other users. The movement status may indicate whether or not the user is moving. The proximity status may indicate other users that the user is in close proximity to. The storage unit 10 may also store user status information generated by the generation unit 12. Details of the user status information will be described later.

[0030] The acquisition unit 11 acquires arbitrary information from other devices via the network and stores the acquired information in the storage unit 10. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire fence information, BLE information, movement / stay information, or user status information. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire from the mobile terminal 2 carried by each user the ID and time (related to contact with other users), BLE information, geofencing information (e.g., information regarding fence-in or fence-out), acceleration information and time, movement / stay information, or other information acquired by the functions or sensors of the mobile terminal 2.

[0031] The generation unit 12 generates user status information based on information acquired from the mobile terminal 2 carried by each user. More specifically, the generation unit 12 generates user status information based on at least one of the various pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and stored by the storage unit 10.

[0032] Figure 9 shows an example of a user status information table 1. In the user status information shown in Figure 9, the time in the time series is associated with the movement and proximity status of each user. Each cell in the user status information shown in Figure 9 shows the movement and proximity status of the user corresponding to the time. Cells with a dot pattern in the background indicate that the user is moving (or is almost moving). On the other hand, cells without a dot pattern in the background indicate that the user is not moving (or is almost moving). The value of the cell is "Outside the geofence" if the user is outside the geofence, the identification information of the other user (the detected user) if the user is in contact with another user within the geofence (indicated by a slash if multiple users are in contact), and "null" if the user is not in contact with another user within the geofence.

[0033] Let's explain the user state information shown in Figure 9 in detail. The users are user a, user b, user c, and user d. We assume that users a, b, c, and d visit a restaurant (contact inside the restaurant, non-contact adjacent to it; for example, any of restaurant 1, 2, or 3 in Figure 2).

[0034] The following describes the experiences of users a and b in chronological order (from time 1 to time 18). At times 1-3, users a and b are playing with friends and moving around the facility (for example, department store 1 in Figure 2). At time 4, users a and b have entered a store and are seated. At time 5, user a goes to get self-service water. At times 6-9, users a and b are seated in the store. At time 10, user b goes to the restroom outside the store. At times 11-14, users a and b are seated in the store. At times 9-14, user a is in contact with user c, who has entered the same store (e.g., sitting together). At times 9 and 11-14, user b is in contact with user c, who has entered the same store (e.g., sitting together). At times 13 and 14, user b is in contact with user d, who has entered the same store (e.g., sitting together). Between 15 and 17, users a and b have left the store. At 18, users a and b have left the geofence (e.g., fence 1 in Figure 2).

[0035] Let's describe user c in chronological order. From time 1 to 5, user c is outside the geofence. From time 6 to 8, user c is inside the fence and moving around the facility. From time 9 to 18, user c is seated inside a store. From time 9 to 14, user c is in contact with user a, who is in the same store (e.g., sitting together). From time 9 and from 11 to 14, user c is in contact with user b, who is in the same store (e.g., sitting together). From time 12 to 18, user c is in contact with user d, who is in the same store (e.g., sitting together).

[0036] Let's describe user d in chronological order. From time 1 to 5, user d is moving around the facility alone. From time 6 to 11, user d is in a free space alone. At time 12, user d is moving around alone. From time 13 to 18, user d is in a store and seated. At times 13 and 14, user d is in contact with user b, who is in the same store (e.g., sitting together). From time 13 to 18, user d is in contact with user c, who is in the same store (e.g., sitting together).

[0037] The above is an explanation of Figure 9. The generation unit 12 generates user status information as shown in Figure 9, based on, for example, fence information, BLE information, and movement / stay information.

[0038] The grouping unit 13 groups users who are estimated to be staying in the same area in chronological order, based on the user status information stored by the storage unit 10. The grouping unit 13 may also group users based on the user status information, specifically the states where the user is not moving and where users are in close proximity to each other.

[0039] The grouping unit 13 may group users by adding users who have not moved to a group during the period they have not moved, and by adding users who are close to each other to the same group during the period they are close together. The grouping unit 13 may create a group and add the user to the group if the user is not close to any other users when the user stops moving, and may create a group and add the user and the other users to the group if the other users who are close to the user are not included in any group when the user stops moving. The grouping unit 13 may remove a user from a group when the user included in the group moves, and may delete the group when the group no longer contains any users.

[0040] The number of areas in which a user's presence is determined is predetermined, and the grouping unit 13 may group the users so that the number of groups existing at a given point in time is less than or equal to the number of areas.

[0041] The following describes the processing performed by the grouping unit 13 in more detail.

[0042] The grouping unit 13 may perform formatting processing (log formatting processing) of user status information. Specifically, the grouping unit 13 may consider users a and b as a group if contact is confirmed for a predetermined percentage (X% or more) of the total measured time. The grouping unit 13 may group a group as one user. For example, in the user status information shown in Figure 9, the grouping unit 13 may add users other than user a who were not in contact with user a but were in contact with user b to the record, based on user a. For each user, the grouping unit 13 may exclude those who are moving and focus only on those who are not moving. In the user status information shown in Figure 9, the grouping unit 13 may consider users as not moving if movement is enclosed by one time period and non-movement is present before and after, as in user a's time 5, and consider times 4 to 14 as non-movement (= staying in the store).

[0043] Figure 10 shows an example of a formatted table 1. Specifically, it is the result of the grouping unit 13 performing a formatting process on the example of a user status information table 1 shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 10, users a and b are considered a companion group and are grouped together as one user, with contact with user d added at that time. In addition, the data is filtered to include non-movements, and movements enclosed within non-movements are considered non-movements.

[0044] The grouping by the grouping unit 13 (state transition determination process) will be explained. The grouping unit 13 processes in chronological order. The basic rule is that the grouping unit 13 sets up a group for all non-moving time (=staying). If the grouping unit 13 has confirmed contact with a user, it adds that user to the same group. For example, in the formatted user state information shown in Figure 10, user a joins the companion group (Gr[1]) at time 4. Following contact between users, user c is added at time 9, and user d is added to the companion group (Gr[1]) at time 13. However, additional conditions may be added, such as if 3 time intervals have passed since the start of contact. If there is no further contact between users within the same group, the grouping unit 13 considers that any users who were in a moving state at that time have left the group, and any users who were in a non-moving state remain in the same group. As shown in Figure 13 below, the formatted user status information indicates that users a and b and user d2 do not have direct contact with each other, and their visits to the store do not overlap, yet they are still linked as belonging to the same group.

[0045] In the grouping of the formatted user status information shown in Figure 10, as described above, group Gr[1] is created at time 4, user c is added to group Gr[1] at time 9, and user d is added to group Gr[1] at time 13. Alternatively, user d from time 6 to 11 could be set as a separate group Gr[2].

[0046] The grouping unit 13 may manage the group numbers to be created. The grouping unit 13 manages the number of existing groups so that it does not exceed U, where U is the upper limit of facilities within the target fence. The grouping unit 13 creates a list of existing group numbers at each time. The grouping unit 13 adds a group to the list when it is created at a given time and removes it from the list when it is gone. At time 0, no groups exist, and the grouping unit 13 assigns the created groups in ascending order (assuming there are no plazas, waiting areas, etc., or by separating them based on the duration of stay or the number of people who passed each other in the generated BLE information (BLE logs). The maximum number may also be determined from logs over a certain period). The grouping unit 13 assumes that the number of groups in the list is k. The grouping unit 13 assumes that at time t, one group (group number i) disappears from the state k=U and is deleted. At this time, the grouping unit 13 temporarily stores group number i. If the group state transition after deletion is a new addition, the grouping unit 13 sets the group number to i. If the group state transition is further deletion, group number i will be deleted.

[0047] Referring to Figure 11, an example of the group number assignment process performed by the occupancy determination device 1 will be explained. Figure 11 is a flowchart of an example of the group number assignment process performed by the occupancy determination device 1. The group number assignment process is performed when group determination is made, and the process is looped until the determination is completed. First, the grouping unit 13 acquires BLE and acceleration sensor information (BLE information and movement / occupancy information) (step S1). Next, the grouping unit 13 determines whether the target user is stationary or not (step S2). If it is determined in S2 that the user is not stationary (S2: NO), the process proceeds to the next loop (returns to S1). On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the user is stationary (S2: YES), the grouping unit 13 determines whether the target user is in contact with someone (step S3). If it is determined in S3 that the user is not in contact with someone (S3: NO), the process proceeds to the next loop (returns to S1). On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 that the user is in contact with someone (S3: YES), the grouping unit 13 determines whether the contacting user had a group number immediately before (step S4). If it is determined in S4 that the user does not have the item (S4:NO), the grouping unit 13 assigns a new group number (step S5). On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that the user does have the item (S4:YES), the grouping unit 13 assigns the same group number to the target user as to the contacted user (step S6). Following S6, the process proceeds to the next loop.

[0048] To elaborate on S5, the grouping unit 13 sets the facility limit to U, prepares Gr1 to GrU, and maintains them in a stack structure. When assigning a new group number, the grouping unit 13 uses an unused number from the top. For example, if Gr1 and Gr2 are in use and the stack is {Gr3, Gr4, ..., GrU}, Gr3 will be used. The grouping unit 13 also reverts unused numbers back to their original state. For example, if Gr1 becomes empty, the stack becomes {Gr1, Gr4, ..., GrU}.

[0049] For another concrete example of user status information, see Figures 12 to 16. Figure 12 shows Example Table 2 of user status information. Figure 13 shows Example Table 2 after formatting. Figures 12 and 13 are the same as Figures 9 and 10, respectively, so their explanations are omitted. Figure 14 shows Example Table 2 in group notation. Specifically, the example table shown in Figure 14 associates the group numbers assigned when the grouping unit 13 grouped the formatted user status information shown in Figure 13 with each cell in the time series. It should be noted that at time 12, user c2 is the only user included in group number Gr2 (users a2 and b2 are removed from group number Gr2, leaving user c2).

[0050] Figure 15 shows an example table 3 of user status information. Figure 16 shows an example table 3 in group notation. Figures 15 and 16 are the same as Figures 13 and 14, respectively, so their explanations are omitted. In the example table 3 of user status information shown in Figure 15, if the maximum number of stores is 3, the grouping unit 13 includes user d at times 6-8 in group number Gr3, as shown in the example table 3 in group notation shown in Figure 16 (because the maximum number of groups is 3, and at time 6, the only remaining available group is group number Gr3). In other words, although user d is not chronologically linked to user c, it can be identified as being included in group number Gr3.

[0051] If the determination unit 14 determines that one user included in a group grouped by the grouping unit 13 stayed in a particular area within the time series of that group, it determines that other users included in that group also stayed in that particular area within the time series. The determination unit 14 may store the determination result in the storage unit 10 or output it to the output unit 15.

[0052] Identifying that a particular user stayed in a particular area within a group's timeline is done by linking it to data from existing methods. For example, it may be identified from the payment history showing that user b1 made a payment at store 1 at a specific point in time. However, it is not limited to payments; other existing identification (determination) methods are also acceptable. Identification may be performed by the stay determination device 1. Alternatively, identification may be performed by another device connected to the stay determination device 1 via a network, and the identification result may be transmitted to the stay determination device 1, allowing the stay determination device 1 to detect the identification.

[0053] The areas in which a user's presence is determined are predetermined, and the determination unit 14 may determine that a user who is included in a group whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit 13 has stayed in an area if, at a point in time within the time series of that group, there is one predetermined area in which the user's presence has not been determined.

[0054] The areas in which a user's presence is determined are predetermined, and the determination unit 14 may estimate that, for users included in groups whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit 13, at a point in time within the time series of those groups, the user was present in one of the predetermined areas where their presence had not been determined.

[0055] The processing performed by the determination unit 14 will be explained in more detail below.

[0056] In the example table 2 with group notation shown in Figure 14, if it is determined from the payment information history (log) that user b1 used store 1 at time 14 and user d2 used store 2 at time 14, the determination unit 14 determines that the group with group number Gr1 is store 1 (users included in the group with group number Gr1 visited store 1 in that time series) and that the group with group number Gr2 is store 2 (users included in the group with group number Gr2 visited store 2 in that time series).

[0057] From here on, the following assumptions (correct scenario) will be made: Users a1, b1, c1, and d1 visit store 1, and users a2, b2, c2, and d2 visit store 2. Also, user d1 visits the plaza before visiting store 1, and user d2 visits the plaza before visiting store 2. Furthermore, this geofence (location) will contain only three areas (places where users can stay): store 1, store 2, and the plaza.

[0058] In the example table 2 with group notation shown in Figure 14, suppose that at time 13, a payment history by user b1 at store 1 is identified, and at time 10, a payment history by user d1 at store 2 is identified. In this case, the determination unit 14 determines that group number Gr1 is store 1, group number Gr3 is store 2, and group number Gr2 is determined (estimated) to be the remaining location, the plaza. On the other hand, suppose that at time 13, a payment history by user b1 at store 1 is identified, and at time 18, a payment history by user d2 at store 2 is identified. In this case, the determination unit 14 determines that group number Gr1 is store 1, group number Gr2 is store 2, and group number Gr3 is determined (estimated) to be the plaza.

[0059] Figure 17 shows an example table 4 of user status information represented by groups. Since Figure 17 is the same as Figure 14, no explanation is given. In the example table 4 of group representation shown in Figure 17, user c2 arrived late and could not be grouped with users a2 and b2. In the example table 4 of group representation shown in Figure 17, suppose that a payment history by user b1 at store 1 is identified at time 13, and a payment history by user d1 at store 2 is identified at time 10. In this case, the determination unit 14 determines that group number Gr1 is store 1 and group number Gr3 is store 2. Also, based on user a2 at times 6-10, group number Gr2 is determined (estimated) to be the remaining location, the plaza. However, it is not possible to determine whether group number Gr4 is store 2 or the plaza.

[0060] In the example table 4 with group notation shown in Figure 17, suppose a payment history by user b1 at store 1 is identified at time 13, and a payment history by user d2 at store 2 is identified at time 18. In this case, the determination unit 14 determines that group number Gr1 is store 1 and group number Gr4 is store 2. However, it is not possible to determine (estimate) whether group numbers Gr2 and Gr3 are store 2 or the plaza.

[0061] If the determination unit 14 is unable to make a determination as described above, it may create additional information. For example, the determination unit 14 concludes that group numbers Gr2 and Gr3 are exclusively either store 2 or the plaza (users included in group numbers Gr2 and Gr3 visited either store 2 or the plaza in that time series). Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may narrow down the candidates to the final ones using probabilistic estimation as follows. That is, it may estimate the store from the perspective of preferences by statistically analyzing the user's attribute information, or it may estimate the store from log statistics such as average stay time, attribute information, and the maximum number of people in the group.

[0062] The output unit 15 may output the determination result from the determination unit 14 stored in the storage unit 10, or the determination result input from the determination unit 14. The output may be displayed on a display, which is one of the output devices 1006 described later, or transmitted to another device via the communication device 1004 described later.

[0063] Next, we will explain an example of the process performed by the occupancy determination device 1, referring to Figure 18. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the occupancy determination process performed by the occupancy determination device 1.

[0064] First, the storage unit 10 stores user status information, which is time-series information on each user's movement status and proximity status to other users (step S10, storage step). Next, the grouping unit 13 groups users who are estimated to be staying in the same area in time series based on the user status information stored by the storage unit 10 in S10 (step S11, grouping step). Next, the determination unit 14 determines that if it is determined that one user included in the group grouped in S11 stayed in a certain area within the time series of that group, then the other users included in that group also stayed in that certain area within the time series (step S12, determination step).

[0065] Next, the effects and benefits of the stay determination device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0066] The dwell time determination device 1 includes a storage unit 10 that stores user status information, which is time-series information on each user's movement status and proximity status to other users; a grouping unit 13 that groups users who are estimated to be staying in the same area in time series based on the user status information stored in the storage unit 10; and a determination unit 14 that, if it is determined that one user included in the group grouped by the grouping unit 13 stayed in a particular area within the time series of that group, determines that the other users included in that group also stayed in that particular area within the time series. With this configuration, users who are estimated to be staying in the same area are grouped in time series based on user status information, and if it is determined that one user included in the group stayed in a particular area within the time series of that group, it is determined that the other users included in that group also stayed in that particular area within the time series. In other words, it is possible to determine the area in which a user is staying.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the presence determination device 1, the movement state may indicate whether the user is moving or not, and the proximity state may indicate other users who are nearby. With this configuration, user state information can be prepared easily and at low cost using existing technologies (such as acceleration sensors and BLE).

[0068] Furthermore, the dwell time determination device 1 may further include a generation unit 12 that generates user status information based on information acquired from a mobile terminal 2 carried by each user, and the storage unit 10 may store the user status information generated by the generation unit 12. This configuration allows for more reliable preparation of user status information.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the grouping unit 13 may group users based on the user status information, specifically the state where the user is not moving and the state where users are in close proximity to each other. This configuration allows for more reliable grouping of users staying in close proximity to each other.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the grouping unit 13 may group users who are not moving during periods when they are not moving, and users who are in close proximity to each other during periods when they are in close proximity. This configuration makes it possible to more reliably group users who are staying in close proximity to each other.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the grouping unit 13 may create a group and add the user to it if the user is not in close proximity to other users when the user stops moving, or if the group is not included in any other users who are in close proximity to the user when the user stops moving, and add the user and the other users to it. This configuration makes it possible to more reliably group users who are staying in close proximity to each other.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the grouping unit 13 may remove a user from a group when that user moves, and delete the group when it no longer contains any users. This configuration makes it possible to more reliably group users who are staying in close proximity to each other.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the number of areas in which a user's stay is determined is predetermined, and the grouping unit 13 may group users so that the number of groups existing at a given point in time is within the number of areas. This configuration allows for more reliable grouping of users staying in close proximity, for example, according to a predetermined number of areas.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the areas in which a user's stay is determined are predetermined, and the determination unit 14 may determine that a user who is included in a group of groups grouped by the grouping unit 13 and whose stay has not yet been determined has stayed in an area if, at a point in time within the time series of that group, there is one predetermined area in which the user's stay has not yet been determined. This configuration allows for more reliable determination of a user's stay.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the stay determination device 1, the areas in which a user's stay is determined are predetermined, and the determination unit 14 may estimate that, for users included in a group whose stay has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit 13, the user stayed in an area within the predetermined area where their stay has not been determined at a certain point in time within the time series of that group. This configuration allows for more reliable determination of a user's stay.

[0076] The dwell time detection device 1 is a store visit detection system that utilizes BLR (Blockchain Laser Recognition).

[0077] Existing methods for determining store visits have several drawbacks, particularly regarding their cost and accuracy, when it comes to determining visits to commercial facilities. For example, with radio wave positioning (Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®) and BLE (beacon, etc.) detection, geographical and spatial coordinate information for the installation location must be manually created. Furthermore, the installation cost is high when applied to all stores. GPS, for instance, is unsuitable indoors and in densely populated areas. Also, payment-related systems cannot be used if they are operated by another company.

[0078] According to the dwell time detection device 1, it utilizes the BLE function of end-user terminals (smartphones, etc.) and, based on contact information with individuals identified as having visited stores using existing methods, determines whether individuals who could not be identified using existing methods have visited the store. According to the dwell time detection device 1, it also utilizes an acceleration sensor to primarily determine whether individuals are staying at a location, excluding those who are moving.

[0079] According to the stay determination device 1, even if identified users are not present at the same time, a chain of estimations can be made based on time-series group determination. For example, suppose the stays of users 1 to 3 at the store are as follows: User 1 stays from 10:00 to 11:00 (payment log at 11:00), User 2 stays from 10:00 to 13:00 (no payment log), and User 3 stays from 12:00 to 14:00 (no payment log). In this case, due to time-series grouping, users 1 to 3 all belong to the same group. Although user 3 has no direct contact with user 1, the stay determination device 1 can determine that user 3 visited the same store as user 1.

[0080] The dwell time detection device 1 is a server that performs BLE data collection and analysis for store visit detection. The processing performed by the dwell time detection device 1 is a detection method that utilizes BLE (also utilizing store visit detection results from existing methods). The algorithm for processing by the dwell time detection device 1 is a time-series management algorithm that creates dwell time groups from contact information.

[0081] The dwell time determination device 1 may also receive data such as payment-related information, Wi-Fi® positioning information, beacon detection information, and POI information from an external server.

[0082] The processing performed by the presence detection device 1 is a store visit detection method that uses BLE to estimate accompanying persons. The presence detection device 1 collects BLE information and acceleration sensor information (while controlling the necessary frequency in the necessary area), estimates the state transitions of presence and contact, identifies the correct user (organizing people who were able to be determined to have visited the store using existing methods), and determines that users associated with the correct user have visited the store based on the state transitions of presence and contact.

[0083] The Stay Detection Device 1 has a contact detection function that utilizes BLE and a conventional store visit detection (location positioning) function, and is a system that estimates a user's store visit behavior by utilizing data from other users. The algorithm used by Stay Detection Device 1 groups time-series contact information into stay groups, matches the stay groups with store visit information, links the stay groups to stores, identifies the stores visited by the users, and further estimates which store belongs to stay groups that could not be linked, provided certain conditions are met.

[0084] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 may not be a smartphone, but rather an IoT device such as a beacon that the user always carries with them. Furthermore, contact detection methods other than BLE may be used. Also, simulation methods other than multi-agent simulation (MAS) may be used.

[0085] The dwell time determination device 1 of this disclosure may have the following configuration.

[0086] [1] A storage unit that stores user status information, which is time-series information on each user's movement status and proximity status to other users, A grouping unit that groups users who are estimated to be staying in the same area in chronological order based on the user status information stored by the storage unit, A determination unit determines that if it is determined that one user included in a group grouped by the grouping unit stayed in a certain area within the time series of that group, then other users included in that group also stayed in that same area within the time series. A device for determining the presence of a person.

[0087] [2] The movement status indicates whether the user is moving or not. The proximity status indicates other users that are nearby to a user. [1] The device for determining the presence of a person.

[0088] [3] The system further includes a generation unit that generates user status information based on information acquired from the mobile device carried by each user. The storage unit stores the user state information generated by the generation unit. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person as described in [1] or [2].

[0089] [4] The grouping unit groups users based on the user status information, specifically the state in which the user is not moving and the state in which users are in close proximity to each other. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [3].

[0090] [5] The grouping unit groups users who are not moving by adding them to a group during the period they are not moving, and users who are in close proximity to each other by adding them to the same group during the period they are in close proximity. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [4].

[0091] [6] The grouping unit creates a group and adds the user to the group if the user is not in close proximity to other users when the user stops moving, and creates a group and adds the user and the other users to the group if the other users in close proximity to the user are not included in any group when the user stops moving. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [5].

[0092] [7] The grouping unit removes a user from a group when that user moves, and deletes the group when it no longer contains any users. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [6].

[0093] [8] The number of areas in which a user's presence is determined is predetermined. The grouping unit groups the groups such that the number of groups existing at a given point in time is within the number of areas. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [7].

[0094] [9] The areas where a user's presence is detected are predetermined. The determination unit determines that, for a user included in a group whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit, if, at a point in time within the time series of that group, there is one predetermined area where the user's presence has not been determined, the user has stayed in that area. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [8].

[0095]

[10] The areas where a user's presence is detected are predetermined. The determination unit estimates that, for users included in a group whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit, at a certain point in time within the time series of that group, the user was present in a predetermined area where the user's presence had not been determined. A stay determination device as described in any one of items [1] to [9].

[0096] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0097] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0098] For example, the occupancy determination device 1 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the occupancy determination method of the present disclosure. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the occupancy determination device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The occupancy determination device 1 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc.

[0099] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the occupancy determination device 1 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0100] Each function in the occupancy determination device 1 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0101] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the acquisition unit 11, generation unit 12, grouping unit 13, determination unit 14, and output unit 15 described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0102] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the acquisition unit 11, generation unit 12, grouping unit 13, determination unit 14, and output unit 15 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and other functional blocks may be implemented similarly. The above-described various processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, but they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0103] Memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for carrying out a wireless communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0105] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include high-frequency switches, duplexers, filters, frequency synthesizers, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the acquisition unit 11, generation unit 12, grouping unit 13, determination unit 14, and output unit 15 described above may be implemented by the communication device 1004.

[0106] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0107] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0108] Furthermore, the occupancy determination device 1 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0109] The notification of information is not limited to the manner / embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means.

[0110] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following systems: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0111] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0112] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0113] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0114] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0115] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0116] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0117] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0118] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0119] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meaning.

[0120] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0121] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0122] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure.

[0123] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0124] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0125] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0126] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0127] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0128] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0129] In this disclosure, if articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0130] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1... Stay detection device, 2... Mobile terminal, 3... Stay detection system, 10... Storage unit, 11... Acquisition unit, 12... Generation unit, 13... Grouping unit, 14... Determination unit, 15... Output unit, 1001... Processor, 1002... Memory, 1003... Storage, 1004... Communication device, 1005... Input device, 1006... Output device, 1007... Bus.

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores user status information, which is time-series information on each user's movement status and proximity status to other users, A grouping unit that groups users who are estimated to be staying in the same area in chronological order based on the user status information stored by the storage unit, A determination unit determines that if it is determined that one user included in a group grouped by the grouping unit stayed in a certain area within the time series of that group, then other users included in that group also stayed in that same area within the time series. A device for determining the presence of a person.

2. The movement status indicates whether the user is moving or not. The proximity status indicates other users that are nearby to a user. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a generation unit that generates user status information based on information acquired from the mobile device carried by each user. The storage unit stores the user state information generated by the generation unit. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

4. The grouping unit groups users based on the user status information, specifically the state in which the user is not moving and the state in which users are in close proximity to each other. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

5. The grouping unit groups users who are not moving by adding them to a group during the period when they are not moving, and users who are in close proximity to each other by adding them to the same group during the period when they are in close proximity. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

6. The grouping unit creates a group and adds the user to the group if the user is not in close proximity to other users when the user stops moving, and creates a group and adds the user and the other users to the group if the other users in close proximity to the user are not included in any group when the user stops moving. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

7. The grouping unit removes a user from a group when that user moves, and deletes the group when it no longer contains any users. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person according to claim 1 or 6.

8. The number of areas in which a user's presence is determined is predetermined. The grouping unit groups the groups such that the number of groups existing at a given point in time is within the number of areas. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

9. The areas where a user's presence is detected are predetermined. The determination unit determines that, for a user included in a group whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit, if, at a point in time within the time series of that group, there is one predetermined area where the user's presence has not been determined, the user has stayed in that area. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

10. The areas where a user's presence is detected are predetermined. The determination unit estimates that, for users included in a group whose presence has not been determined among the groups grouped by the grouping unit, the user was present in a predetermined area whose presence has not been determined at a specific point in time within the time series of that group. The device for determining the presence of a person or a person, according to claim 1.

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