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

Visitor analysis system, visitor analysis method, and recording medium

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an information processing device that has the function of reading license plate information from images of vehicles entering a store's parking lot and storing regional information contained in the read license plate information as vehicle information.

[0003] JP 2008-003993 A

[0004] The information processing device in Patent Document 1 describes analyzing regional trends of vehicles entering a parking lot using regional information contained in the vehicle license plate information, but there is a problem in that it is not possible to analyze commercial areas based on regions that are more detailed than the regional information contained in the vehicle license plate information.

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

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a visitor analysis system comprising: an information system including a group of cameras that are distributed over a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area; and an image recording device that stores images captured by the group of cameras, linked to data on the time the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed; an access means that can access the image recording device; a vehicle identification means that identifies vehicles that have entered a predetermined area; and a departure point identification means that compares the identified vehicle with images stored in the image recording device and identifies the departure point of the vehicle based on the time data and location data linked to the matching image.

[0007] According to a second aspect, a visitor analysis system is provided that includes an image access means that can access a group of cameras that are distributed throughout a specified area and capture images of vehicles traveling on the roads in the area, a vehicle identification means that identifies vehicles that have left a specified area, and a destination identification means that refers to images taken by the group of cameras for the identified vehicles and identifies the destination of the vehicles.

[0008] According to a third aspect, there is provided a visitor analysis method in which an information system includes a group of cameras that are distributed over a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images captured by the group of cameras in association with data on the time the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, and a computer that can access the image recording device identifies vehicles that have entered a predetermined area, compares the identified vehicles with images stored in the image recording device, and identifies the departure point of the vehicles based on the time data and location data linked to the matching images.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, a visitor analysis method is provided in which a computer that has access to a group of cameras that are distributed throughout a specified area and that photograph vehicles traveling on roads in the area identifies vehicles that have left a specified area, and refers to images of the identified vehicles taken by the group of cameras to identify the destination of the vehicles.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer that can access the image recording device of an information system including a group of cameras that are distributed over a predetermined area and that photograph vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras in association with data on the time the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, to execute the following processes: identifying a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area; and comparing the identified vehicle with images stored in the image recording device, and identifying the departure point of the vehicle based on the time data and location data linked to the matching image.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer that can access a group of cameras that are distributed throughout a predetermined area and that photograph vehicles traveling on roads in the area to execute the following processes: identifying vehicles that have exited a predetermined area; and, for the identified vehicles, referring to images taken by the group of cameras, identifying the destination of the vehicles.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, an object recognition system, an object recognition method, and a recording medium are provided that can facilitate the analysis of customers who visit a commercial facility or the like.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of visitor analysis information recorded in a visitor analysis information storage means of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the aggregation operation of the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of visitor aggregation information by time period aggregated by the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of visitor aggregation information by departure place aggregated by the visitor analysis system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of advertisement delivery conditions created by the visitor analysis system of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the visitor analysis system of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system of a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a customer analysis system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a customer analysis system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer that can function as an object recognition system according to the present disclosure.

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in this overview are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. A program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. Furthermore, this computer device is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. Furthermore, ports or interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the drawings, but are not shown.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present disclosure can be realized in a visitor analysis system 10 including an access means 11, a vehicle identification means 12, and a departure point identification means 13, as shown in FIG.

[0016] More specifically, the access means 11 realizes access to the image recording device 30 of an information system including the image recording device 30 that stores images captured by 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 roads in the area.

[0017] The vehicle identification means 12 identifies a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area, such as a parking lot or a pickup-only area in a BOPIS (Buy Online Pickup In Store). The vehicle identification means 12 can identify a vehicle by using license plate information obtained by image recognition of an image of the license plate obtained from the parking lot entrance gate device 20. Instead of using license plate information, the vehicle can be identified by using characteristics of the vehicle's image (image) itself. Instead of using license plate information, the vehicle can be identified by linking a vehicle ID or the like obtained by communicating with the vehicle to the vehicle's image (image).

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

[0019] 2 is a flowchart showing a visitor analysis method. As shown in FIG. 2, the visitor analysis system 10 configured as described above first identifies vehicles that have 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 the departure point and outputs the association as vehicle information (step S003).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for identifying a vehicle's departure point by the departure point identification means 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, assume that the entrance of a vehicle is detected at the entrance gate device 20 of a parking lot. In this case, the departure point identification means 13 of the visitor analysis system 10 searches for an image of the detected vehicle from the images stored in the image recording device 30 and identifies the vehicle's departure point by tracing the image capture time and location. More specifically, the departure point identification means 13 compares the identified vehicle with images stored in the image recording device 30 and identifies the vehicle's departure point based on the time data and location data (x1, y1 to x4, y4) associated with the matching image. In the example of FIG. 3, the departure point identification means 13 identifies the departure point S from the location associated with the image by tracing the images captured by cameras 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, and 40-4. In the example of FIG. 3, images stored in camera 40-5 may be acquired, but because the images show a different vehicle, the departure point identification means 13 will reject these images. It is also possible that the actual departure point of the vehicle is outside the area where camera 40 is located. In that case, the first location captured by camera 40 in the vehicle's route can be considered the departure point. For example, the point at which the vehicle was photographed at the earliest time on the day the vehicle was detected is identified as the departure point. Furthermore, when tracing the vehicle's location, a limit may be placed on the time to go back. For example, if the time to go back is set to three hours in the example of FIG. 3, the point at which the vehicle was photographed at the earliest time between 8:01 a.m. and 11:01 a.m. is identified as the departure point.

[0021] The customer analysis system 10, which operates as described above, can collect statistical data indicating the origin of vehicles entering specific areas, such as parking lots or pickup areas. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the "predetermined area" where the cameras 40 are located can be divided into four districts, and the number of vehicles entering the store from each district can be determined. This statistical data can also be aggregated by time period. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the number of vehicles entering the store from district C between 12:00 and 14:00 suddenly decreased from five to one compared to the previous time period between 10:00 and 12:00. Based on these results, it becomes possible to hypothesize the reason for the decrease in customers, such as congestion on the roads on the route from district C or alleviating congestion in the parking lots of competing stores, and to take countermeasures.

[0022] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily analyze customers who visit a commercial facility or the like.

[0023] [First Embodiment] Next, a first embodiment that enables analysis of visitors to a commercial facility using a camera installed at a traffic light at an intersection will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 5, a visitor analysis system 100 is shown that includes an access unit 101, a vehicle identification unit 102, a departure point identification unit 103, and a recording unit 104.

[0024] The access means 101 acquires images taken by each camera from the image recording device 300, which records images taken by cameras installed at traffic lights at intersections. The position and orientation of the camera can be uniquely identified by the camera 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 parking lot of a commercial facility, and is equipped with a camera that takes images of license plates and vehicles, and uses this information to manage entry and exit.

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

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

[0028] When the departure location identification means 103 receives a request to identify a departure location from the vehicle identification means 102, it accesses the image recording device 300 via the access means 101 and identifies the past movements (visit route) of the vehicle for which the departure location identification request has been received. When the departure location identification means 103 has completed identifying the past movements (visit route) of the vehicle, it requests the recording means 104 to register the movement in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Note that the mechanism by which the departure location identification means 103 identifies and tracks the vehicle for which the departure location identification request has been received can be a technology for tracking the vehicle using at least one of the license plate and vehicle image features used in traffic volume surveys, parking lot entrance and exit management, etc.

[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 visitor analysis information. Note that in the example of FIG. 5 , the visitor analysis information storage means 105 is located outside the visitor analysis system 10 (such as in storage on a network), but the visitor analysis information storage means 105 may also be provided on the visitor analysis system 100 side.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of visitor analysis information recorded in the visitor analysis information storage means 105 of the visitor analysis system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6, information on the movement (visit route) identified for each vehicle entering the parking lot is registered. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, a vehicle (vehicle ID: Kawasaki XX AA-AA) that entered the parking lot at 11:01 AM on September 1, 2022 was detected on the west side of intersection A, and its movement (visit route) was identified as stopping at specialty store A and then entering the parking lot. Collecting such data about vehicles that entered the parking lot enables detailed analysis of customers who visited a commercial facility by car. Note that, while the example of FIG. 6 uses intersection information and store information to represent the vehicle's location, the representation of the vehicle's location is not limited to this. For example, a coordinate system such as latitude and longitude may be used to understand the vehicle's location and movement (visit route).

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

[0032] Next, the visitor analysis system 100 accesses the image recording device 300 and identifies the movement (visit route) of the vehicle that entered the parking lot (step S102).

[0033] Next, based on the identified movement (visit route), the visitor analysis system 100 identifies the departure point of the vehicle that entered the parking lot and the stopover points (if any) where the vehicle stopped (step S103).

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

[0035] Thereafter, at a predetermined opportunity, the visitor analysis system 100 performs an operation of aggregating the data accumulated in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the aggregating operation of the visitor analysis system 100 of this embodiment.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 8 , first, when the tallying time period arrives, the visitor analysis system 100 uses the visitor analysis information to tally visitors by time period (step S201). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of time-period visitor tally information compiled by the visitor analysis system 100. In the example of FIG. 9 , the movement of vehicles (visit routes) entering the parking lot between 10:00 and 12:00 on September 1, 2022, is tallying. By checking the departure location field of such data, it is possible to understand the direction (region) from which customers who visited during a specific time period on a certain date and time came. Furthermore, by referring to the stop location field in FIG. 9 , it is possible to understand the facilities that customers who visited the commercial facility stopped by before visiting the commercial facility. For example, if a large number of customers stopped by specialty store A as shown in FIG. 9 , it is possible that there are no specialty stores similar to specialty store A in the commercial facility. In such cases, attracting a new specialty store or periodically holding an event selling products similar to specialty store A can increase the number of visitors to the commercial facility and increase the length of time customers stay there.

[0037] In the example of FIG. 8 , the visitor analysis system 100 tally visitors by time period and then tally visitors by departure location (step S202). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of visitor tally information by departure location compiled by the visitor analysis system 100. In the example of FIG. 10 , vehicle movements (visit routes) are tally-upon for each departure location, such as "West Side of Intersection A," "South Side of Intersection B," and "North Side of Intersection A." By checking the stop-off location field of such data, it is possible to understand customer behavior trends by departure location. For example, in the example of FIG. 10 , many customers in the group departing from "West Side of Intersection A" visit the commercial facility directly, while those in the other departure locations tend to visit other facilities first. In such a case, for example, to increase the attractiveness of the commercial facility for the group departing from "North Side of Intersection A," a competitive analysis with Shopping Center B or coupons can be conducted, thereby increasing the number of visitors to the commercial facility and increasing the length of time customers stay there.

[0038] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to analyze the behavior of visitors to a commercial facility, including not only their departure points but also their stopover points. While the example in Fig. 5 shows the visitor analysis system 100 and the image recording device 300 as separate, independent devices, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the visitor analysis system 100 and the image recording device 300 are integrated. In this case, the visitor analysis system 100 acquires and records images directly from the camera for use in future analysis.

[0039] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment in which an advertisement distribution function is added to a visitor analysis system will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is that an advertisement distribution means 106 is added to the visitor analysis system 100a, and that advertisement distribution conditions stored in an advertisement distribution condition storage means 107 can be accessed. The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The advertisement distribution means 106 creates advertisement distribution conditions (distribution plan) based on the visitor analysis information accumulated in the visitor analysis information storage means 105, and registers the same in the advertisement distribution condition storage means 107. Furthermore, the advertisement distribution means 106 distributes advertisements via the base station 500 of the mobile communication network based on the created distribution conditions (distribution plan). The advertisement information (content) to be distributed may be video or still image content that can be displayed on an in-vehicle terminal or a mobile terminal of a vehicle passenger, or may be audio content that can be output from a speaker or the like of the vehicle.

[0041] 12 is a flowchart illustrating an additional operation of the visitor analysis system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12, the visitor analysis system 100a first creates advertisement distribution conditions (distribution plan) based on visitor analysis information (step S301).

[0042] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of advertisement distribution conditions (distribution plan) created by the visitor analysis system 100a of this embodiment. For example, the visitor analysis system 100a may note that specialty store A is frequently found in the stopover locations in the visitor analysis information, and create a distribution plan to distribute advertising content for a new specialty store B in a commercial facility with a parking lot. In the example of FIG. 13, a distribution plan is created to distribute advertising content for specialty store B to passenger cars at intersection A between 9:00 and 20:00. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 13, a distribution plan is created to distribute advertising content for supermarket C in the commercial facility at intersection A to all vehicles between 9:00 and 18:00. Note that such a distribution plan may be created by the visitor analysis system 100a, or may be created manually by a manager of the commercial facility, etc., by referring to the tabulation results shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0043] Next, the visitor analysis system 100a distributes advertising information in accordance with the created advertisement distribution conditions (distribution plan) (step S302). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement distribution operation by the visitor analysis system 100a. For example, the visitor analysis system 100a distributes an advertisement to vehicle BB-BB, which starts on the south side of intersection B, stops at specialty store A, and then heads toward the parking lot of a commercial facility. Specifically, the visitor analysis system 100a distributes advertising content for specialty store B to vehicle BB-BB, which is approaching intersection A during the time period specified in the advertisement distribution conditions. This makes it possible to motivate the occupants of vehicle BB-BB to head to specialty store B in the commercial facility instead of specialty store A.

[0044] The visitor analysis system 100a can deliver advertisements to vehicles at the intended locations by using location information of the terminals (vehicles) managed by the mobile communication network. A more desirable configuration is one in which the visitor analysis system 100a can specify the direction of movement of the terminals (vehicles) when delivering advertisement information. This allows advertisement information to be accurately delivered to terminals (vehicles) moving toward the commercial facility.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to deliver advertisements based on the departure point or stopover point of a vehicle entering a parking lot.

[0046] In the first and second embodiments described above, the visitor analysis system identifies the movement of a vehicle that has entered the parking lot (visit route) when the vehicle enters the parking lot. However, the visitor analysis system can also identify the movement of a vehicle (visit route) when the vehicle leaves the parking lot. A third embodiment in which the movement of a vehicle (visit route) when the vehicle leaves the parking lot will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments, the departure point was identified by identifying the past movements (visit route) of the vehicle that entered the parking lot, but if it is assumed that the vehicle that leaves the parking lot returns to the departure point, the departure point can also be estimated by tracking the vehicle that leaves the parking lot. Based on this assumption, the visitor analysis system of the third embodiment also estimates the departure point by tracking the vehicle that leaves the parking lot.

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

[0049] When the departure location identification means 103b receives a request to identify a departure location from the vehicle identification means 102b, it accesses the image recording device 300 via the image access means 101, monitors the past movements (visit route) of the vehicle for which the departure location identification request was received, and identifies its destination and stopovers. More specifically, the departure location identification means 103b compares the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification means 102b with images stored in the image recording device 300. Next, the departure location identification means 103b identifies the destination based on the time data and location data associated with the image that matches the comparison result. For example, the destination may be identified as the location photographed latest on the day the vehicle left the parking lot. Furthermore, a tracking time limit may be set when tracing the vehicle's location. Once the departure location identification means 103b has completed identifying the vehicle's destination and stopovers, it requests the recording means 104b to register the information in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Therefore, the departure point identification means 103b functions as a destination identification means that refers to images taken by the camera group of the identified vehicle and identifies the destination of the vehicle.

[0050] The recording means 104b registers data on the departure point and stopover points of a vehicle that has exited a parking lot in the visitor analysis information storage means 105. Here, the recording means 104b uses the destination of the vehicle 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. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the visitor analysis system of the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 16, first, the visitor analysis system 100b identifies vehicles that have exited the parking lot (step S101b).

[0052] Next, the visitor analysis system 100b accesses the image recording device 300 and tracks the vehicle that has left the parking lot (step S102b).

[0053] Next, the visitor analysis system 100b estimates the departure point and stopover points (if any) of the vehicle that left the parking lot based on the tracked vehicle movement (return journey) (step S103b).

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

[0055] The subsequent operations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and therefore will not be described further. As described above, this embodiment has the advantage of being able to estimate the departure point of a vehicle even if the image storage period in the image recording device 300 is short. This is because the visitor analysis system 100b employs a configuration in which the departure point is estimated by tracking a vehicle that has left a parking lot, rather than by looking back at past images.

[0056] In the above description of the third embodiment, the visitor analysis system 100b is described as having an advertising distribution function, as in the second embodiment. However, as in 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 visitor analysis systems of the first to third embodiments described above, more advanced analysis can be performed by extracting desired information from visitor analysis information. A third embodiment, in which an information extraction unit 108 is added to the visitor analysis system, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a visitor analysis system 100c according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that an information extraction unit 108 has been added to the visitor analysis system 100c, enabling an external analysis terminal 109 to narrow down the visitor analysis information. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0058] The information extraction means 108 extracts information about vehicles that meet predetermined conditions and transmits it to the analysis terminal 109. As the predetermined conditions, it is possible to set a condition such as extracting vehicles that frequently enter the parking lot.

[0059] This allows the analysis terminal 109 to perform visitor analysis narrowed down by predetermined conditions such as vehicle type, color, and area information on license plates.

[0060] For example, by selecting vehicles that frequently visit a commercial facility, it becomes possible to analyze in detail the behavior of users who frequently visit the commercial facility. For example, by analyzing the departure points and stopover points of such users, it becomes possible to devise effective measures to improve user satisfaction and effective advertising methods.

[0061] Similarly, by selecting vehicles that visit the commercial facility infrequently, it is possible to analyze in detail the behavior of users who visit the commercial facility infrequently.In addition, more detailed analysis can be performed by narrowing down the visitor analysis information using regional information such as vehicle type and license plate number in addition to the frequency of visits to the commercial facility.

[0062] As described above, this embodiment enables more detailed analysis of visitor analysis information. In particular, this embodiment enables specifying the departure point of any vehicle by setting any search conditions from the analysis terminal 109 and querying the information extraction means 108. For example, by specifying a specific license plate number (suspicious vehicle or rental car) and querying, information on the departure point and stopover points can be obtained. In this way, the present disclosure can be used not only for marketing purposes but also for security purposes.

[0063] (Hardware Configuration) In each embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional unit block. Some or all of the components of each device are realized by an arbitrary combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in FIG. 18 . FIG. 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 loaded into RAM 903 - Storage device 905 that stores the program 904 - Drive device 907 that reads and writes to a recording medium 906 - Communication interface 908 that connects to a communication network 909 - Input / output interface 910 that inputs and outputs data - Bus 911 that connects 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 the function. That is, the CPU 901 in FIG. 18 accesses the image recording device 300, executes a program that identifies the vehicle's departure point, and a program that uses the results to configure visitor analysis information, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the RAM 903, storage device 905, etc. The program 904 that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 905 or ROM 902 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909, or may be stored in advance on the 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 the processing results, including intermediate states, at each stage as necessary on a display device, or can communicate with the outside via a communication interface. Furthermore, this program 904 can be recorded in a computer-readable (non-transitive) storage medium.

[0066] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. That is, the first to fourth embodiments described above can be realized by a computer program that causes the processors installed in these devices to execute the above-described processes using their hardware.

[0067] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus.

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

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

[0070] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the above-described embodiments to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0071] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle tracking mechanism is described as using technology used in traffic volume surveys, parking lot entrance / exit management, etc., but the vehicle tracking method is not limited to this method. For example, if the above-described visitor analysis system can obtain license plate information of vehicles passing through the "predetermined area," it can adopt a method of tracking vehicles using the license plate information. Furthermore, from the perspective of privacy, the above-described visitor analysis system can adopt a method of tracking vehicles using vehicle images (images) without using license plate information.

[0072] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0073] [Supplementary Note 1] A visitor analysis system comprising: an information system including a group of cameras distributed throughout a predetermined area that capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area; and an image recording device that stores images captured by the cameras, linked to data on the time the images of the vehicles were captured and data on the location where the images were captured; access means for accessing the image recording device; vehicle identification means for identifying vehicles that have entered a predetermined area; and departure location identification means for comparing the identified vehicles with images stored in the image recording device and identifying the departure location of the vehicles based on the time data and location data associated with the matching images. [Supplementary Note 2] The visitor analysis system may further include a storage means for correlating the vehicles with their departure locations and recording them as visitor analysis information. [Supplementary Note 3] The departure location identification means of the visitor analysis system may be configured to identify the departure location of the vehicles by tracing the time data and location data associated with the images stored in the image recording device. [Supplementary Note 4] The departure location identification means of the above-mentioned visitor analysis system may be configured to identify the departure location of the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle first photographed between the time the vehicle entered the specified area and a specified time prior. [Supplementary Note 5] The departure location identification means of the above-mentioned visitor analysis system may further have a function of identifying places where the vehicle has stopped by referring to images stored in the image recording device, and the recording means may further record the places where the vehicle has stopped in the visitor analysis information. [Supplementary Note 6] The above-mentioned visitor analysis system may further have an information extraction means for extracting information on vehicles that meet specified conditions or information on vehicles that frequently enter the area based on the visitor analysis information. [Supplementary Note 7] The above-mentioned visitor analysis system may be configured to transmit advertising information to the vehicle based on the places where the vehicle has stopped by, which are included in the visitor analysis information.[Supplementary Note 8] A visitor analysis system comprising: an image access means capable of accessing a group of cameras that are distributed throughout a predetermined area and that take pictures of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, a vehicle identification means that identifies vehicles that have left the predetermined area, and a destination identification means that identifies the destination of the identified vehicle by referring to images taken by the group of cameras. [Supplementary Note 9] A visitor analysis method, comprising: a computer that can access an image recording device of an information system that includes a group of cameras that are distributed throughout a predetermined area and that take pictures of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras in association with data on the time when the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, identifies a vehicle that has entered the predetermined area, and compares the identified vehicle with images stored in the image recording device, and identifies the departure point of the vehicle based on the time data and the location data linked to the matching image. [Supplementary Note 10] A customer analysis method, in which a computer that can access a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and that take pictures of vehicles traveling on roads in the area identifies vehicles that have left the predetermined area, and identifies the destination of the identified vehicle by referring to images taken by the group of cameras. [Supplementary Note 11] A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer that can access an image recording device of an information system that includes a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and that take pictures of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images taken by the group of cameras in association with data on the time when the vehicle was photographed and data on the location where the vehicle was photographed, to execute the following processes on the computer that can access the image recording device:[Supplementary Note 12] A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer that can access a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and that capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area to execute the following processes: Identifying vehicles that have left a predetermined area; and Identifying the destination of the identified vehicle by referring to images taken by the group of cameras. Note that the forms of Supplementary Note 9 to Supplementary Note 12 can be expanded into the forms of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 8, similar to Supplementary Note 1.

[0074] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention, as necessary. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), and further based on the basic technical concepts thereof. Furthermore, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of the various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure and technical concepts, including the claims. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges described herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically described, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application.

[0075] 10, 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Visitor analysis system 11, 101 Access means 12, 102, 102b Vehicle identification means 13, 103, 103b Departure point identification means 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 Advertisement distribution means 107 Advertisement distribution condition storage means 108 Information extraction means 109 Analysis terminal 500 Base station 900 Information processing device 901 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording medium 907 Drive device 908 Communication interface 909 Communication network 910 Input / output interface 911 Bus V1, V2 Vehicle

Claims

1. an information system including a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images captured by the group of cameras in association with data of the time the images of the vehicles were captured and data of the location where the images of the vehicles were captured; and an access means that can access the image recording device. A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area; a departure point identification means for identifying the departure point of the vehicle based on the time data and the location data associated with the image that matches the identified vehicle and an image stored in the image recording device; A visitor analysis system equipped with

2. The visitor analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising a recording means for recording the vehicle and the departure point of the vehicle as visitor analysis information in association with each other.

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

4. The visitor 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 specified area and a time preceding the specified time.

5. The departure point identification means further includes a function of identifying a place where the vehicle has stopped by by referring to the image stored in the image recording device; The recording means further records the places where the vehicle stopped in the visitor analysis information. The visitor analysis system of claim 2.

6. moreover, An information extraction means for extracting information on vehicles that meet a predetermined condition or information on vehicles that frequently enter the area based on the visitor analysis information, The visitor analysis system of claim 2.

7. Transmitting advertising information to the vehicle based on the places where the vehicle stopped, which are included in the visitor analysis information; The visitor analysis system according to claim 5.

8. an image access means for accessing a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area; A vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has exited a predetermined area; a destination identification means for identifying a destination of the identified vehicle by referring to images captured by the camera group; A visitor analysis system equipped with

9. An information system including a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images captured by the group of cameras in association with data of the time the images of the vehicles were captured and data of the location where the images of the vehicles were captured, said information system including a computer that can access the image recording device, Identifying vehicles that enter a specified area; The identified vehicle is compared with an image stored in the image recording device, and the departure point of the vehicle is identified based on the time data and the location data associated with the matched image. Visitor analysis method.

10. An information system including a group of cameras that are distributed in a predetermined area and capture images of vehicles traveling on roads in the area, and an image recording device that stores images captured by the group of cameras in association with data of the time when the vehicle was captured and data of the location where the vehicle was captured, the information system being provided to a computer that can access the image recording device, A process of identifying a vehicle that has entered a predetermined area; A process of comparing the identified vehicle with an image stored in the image recording device and identifying the departure point of the vehicle based on the time data and the location data associated with the matching image; A program that executes the following.