Travel history management device, travel history management method, and travel history management program

Abstract

To provide a technique for managing a movement history with a simple configuration. A movement-history management device according to the present invention is provided with: a position detection means for detecting the position of an RFID tag on the basis of a signal received from the RFID tag; a movement detection means for detecting the movement of the RFID tag on the basis of the history of the position of the RFID tag; and a management means for associating, as a group of movement histories, the history of the position of the RFID tag for which movement has been detected and the history of the position of another RFID tag for which movement similar to the detected movement of the aforementioned RFID tag has been detected.

Description

Travel history management device, travel history management method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a travel history management device, a travel history management method, and a recording medium.

[0002] There is a technology that identifies products that customers have picked up but not purchased in a store. For example, there is a technology that detects customers from video footage taken in a store, detects the customer's movement and where they stay, and identifies the products that the detected customers have picked up.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technology for estimating the products picked up by a customer by identifying products whose RFID tags are detected to have moved in a position close to the movement history of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags attached to baskets in which customers carry products, or the movement path of people detected from video footage taken in a store.

[0004] JP 2018-160033 A

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 requires detecting a person's movement path, which often imposes a high processing load and is costly.

[0006] An example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for managing movement history with a simple configuration.

[0007] A movement history management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a position detection means for detecting the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag, a movement detection means for detecting the movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag, and a management means for associating the position history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected with the position history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected as a group of movement histories.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a movement history management method includes a computer detecting the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag, detecting the movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag, and associating the position history of the RFID tag whose movement was detected with the position history of other RFID tags whose movement was detected similar to the RFID tag whose movement was detected as a group of movement histories.

[0009] A movement history management program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform a process of detecting the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag, detecting the movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag, and associating the position history of the RFID tag whose movement was detected with the position history of other RFID tags whose movement similar to the RFID tag whose movement was detected as a group of movement histories.

[0010] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0011] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is that movement history can be managed with a simple configuration.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a movement history management device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a movement history management device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group of movement histories. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a group of movement histories. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a movement history management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a movement history management device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a movement history management device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another application example of a movement history management device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration in which the movement history management device according to the present disclosure is realized by a computer device and its peripheral devices.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a technology for managing the location history of RFID tags attached to products in a store that sells the products. A movement history management device, a movement history management method, and a program according to the present disclosure associate the location history of RFID tags that move in a similar manner. The RFID tags attached to products are used for managing the products, etc. For example, the RFID tags attached to products are provided on price tags used for payment for the products. The RFID tags attached to products may also be used for managing the product's location, etc. The RFID tags attached to products contain information that identifies the products. Similar movements will be described later.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing an application example of a travel history management device according to the present disclosure. An example of customer behavior shown in FIG. 1 and an example of the operation of the travel history management device will be described.

[0015] At point A in Fig. 1, a customer enters a store. After entering the store, the customer moves around the store. The case where the customer is carrying an item with an RFID tag will be described later in another application example.

[0016] At point B in Fig. 1, the customer picks up product P1 that he or she wishes to purchase. In Fig. 1, the customer continues to move around the store while carrying product P1 that he or she wishes to purchase. As the customer carries product P1, the RFID tag of product P1 moves. Therefore, the movement history management device detects the movement of the RFID tag of product P1.

[0017] At point C in Figure 1, a customer picks up product P2 to purchase and moves around the store while carrying product P1 and product P2. At this time, the RFID tags of product P1 and product P2 move as the customer carries product P1 and product P2. At this time, the movement history management device detects the movement of the RFID tag of product P2 in addition to the movement of the RFID tag of product P1. Furthermore, the movement of the RFID tag of product P1 and the RFID tag of product P2 as the customer carries product P1 and product P2 is the same movement. The movement history management device associates the position history of the RFID tag of product P1 with the position history of the RFID tag of product P2, which is moving in a similar manner.

[0018] At point D in Figure 1, the customer lets go of product P2 that they were planning to purchase and moves around the store while carrying product P1. At this time, the customer lets go of product P2 and carries only product P1, leaving product P2 at point D. That is, the RFID tag of product P2 no longer moves in the same way as the RFID tag of product P1. Therefore, the movement history management device detects that the RFID tag of product P2 no longer moves in the same way as the RFID tag of product P1. In response to detecting that the RFID tag of product P2 no longer moves in the same way, the movement history management device may cancel the association between the position history of the RFID tag of product P1 and the position history of the RFID tag of product P2 from the time when it is no longer detected that the RFID tag of product P2 no longer moves in the same way.

[0019] At point E in Figure 1, a customer pays for product P1. If the payment for product P1 involves reading the RFID tag attached to product P1, the movement history management device may detect that payment for product P1 has been made based on the data read from the RFID tag by the payment device. In response to detecting that payment for product P1 has been made, the movement history management device may end management of the location history of the RFID tag of product P1. The end of management will be described later.

[0020] 1 , the customer leaves the store with the paid-for product P1. At this time, the RFID tag of product P1 can no longer be detected within the store. Therefore, the movement history management device may end management of the location history of the RFID tag of product P1 when the location of the RFID tag of product P1 can no longer be detected within the store.

[0021] As in the example described above, in response to the movement of products by customers, the movement history management device detects the position of the RFID tag attached to the product, detects the movement of the RFID tag attached to the product based on the RFID tag position history, and associates the position histories of RFID tags that move in a similar manner. This allows the movement history management device of the present disclosure to manage movement history with a simple configuration.

[0022] Next, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a movement history management device 100 according to a first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the movement history management device 100 includes a position detection unit 101, a movement detection unit 102, and a management unit 103.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the movement history management device 100 in the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0025] 2 , the position detection unit 101 is an example of a position detection means that detects the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag. For example, the position detection unit 101 acquires the strength of the received RFID tag signal and information identifying the antenna that received the RFID tag signal from an antenna that receives the RFID tag signal or from an edge terminal device that collects information from multiple antennas. Multiple antennas that receive RFID tag signals may be installed in the store so that the desired range for detecting the RFID tag position is covered. The position detection unit 101 detects the position of the RFID tag within the store based on the acquired signal strength and the antenna position identified from the information identifying the antenna that received the signal.

[0026] Alternatively, the position detection unit 101 may acquire the position of the RFID tag within the store detected by an antenna that receives the RFID tag signal or an edge terminal device that collects information from multiple antennas, based on the strength of the received RFID tag signal and information that identifies the antenna that received the RFID tag signal.

[0027] The position detection unit 101 may detect the positions of all RFID tags in the store. Alternatively, the position detection unit 101 may detect the positions of RFID tags within a predetermined range in the store. Furthermore, the position detection unit 101 may detect the positions of predetermined RFID tags in the store.

[0028] Furthermore, the position detection unit 101 may detect the position of the RFID tag at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval may be, for example, several seconds or several tens of seconds. The predetermined time interval at which the position detection unit 101 detects the position of the RFID tag is not limited to these examples and may be determined appropriately depending on the size of the store, the number of RFID tags whose positions are to be detected in the store, the number of customers in the store, etc.

[0029] The RFID tag whose position is detected by the position detection unit 101 is an RFID tag attached to a product. The RFID tag whose position is detected by the position detection unit 101 may also be an RFID tag attached to an item other than a product. An example in which the position detection unit 101 detects the position of an RFID tag attached to an item other than a product will be described in another application example.

[0030] The movement detection unit 102 is an example of a movement detection means that detects movement of an RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag. The movement detection unit 102 detects that an RFID tag has moved if the position of the RFID tag has changed based on the RFID tag position history stored in chronological order for each RFID tag whose position is detected by the position detection unit 101. The movement detection unit 102 may detect that an RFID tag has moved if the detected position of the RFID tag has changed for more than a certain period of time, more than a certain number of times, and more than a certain distance, based on the position history of the RFID tag detected at a predetermined time interval.

[0031] Furthermore, the movement detection unit 102 may detect that the RFID tag has not moved if the position of the RFID tag has not changed based on the history of RFID tag positions stored in chronological order.The movement detection unit 102 may detect that the RFID tag has not moved if the change in the detected position of the RFID tag is less than a certain time or less than a certain distance based on the history of RFID tag positions detected at predetermined time intervals.

[0032] The location history of the RFID tag may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). The movement detection unit 102 detects the movement of the RFID tag based on the location history of the RFID tag stored in the storage unit. The movement detection unit 102 may also delete the location history of RFID tags that have been detected as not having moved, excluding the number of location histories required to detect movement. This reduces the amount of data stored in the storage unit (not shown). Since an RFID tag that has been detected as having moved is presumed to have started to be carried by a customer, the movement detection unit 102 may store the location history of the RFID tag in the storage unit without deleting it. This makes it possible to record the movement history of an RFID tag that is presumed to have started to be carried by a customer. The movement history will be described in a second embodiment.

[0033] The management unit 103 is an example of a management means that associates the location history of an RFID tag whose movement has been detected with the location history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similarly to the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, and associates them as a group of movement histories. For example, the management unit 103 may assign a management number to the location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected in a storage unit (not shown) to create a group of movement histories, and further associate the location histories of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similarly with the group of movement histories. The management number may be character information that identifies the group of movement histories. Note that the number of location histories associated with a group of movement histories may be multiple.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the movement history of a group managed by the management unit 103. In Fig. 3, the movement history of a group includes a management number, the time when the position of the RFID tag was detected, the position where the RFID tag was detected (the "read point" in Fig. 3), and the identification information of the RFID tag associated with the RFID tag at the time when the RFID tag was detected (the "read tag" in Fig. 3). Also, in Fig. 3, tag 1 and tag 2 are examples of the identification information of RFID tags whose movement was detected.

[0035] 3, the location history of tag 1, whose movement was detected at point B, is recorded in association with management number 001 as the movement history of the group. Also in FIG. 3, in addition to the location history of tag 1, the location history of tag 2, whose movement similar to that of tag 1 was detected at point C, is associated with the movement history of the group of management number 001. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the location history of tag 1, which is moving, at points D and E is associated with the movement history of the group of management number 001. An example of recording the movement history of a group is not limited to this example.

[0036] Here, a method for detecting similar movements of RFID tags will be described. Based on the location history of multiple RFID tags whose movements are detected by the movement detection unit 102, the management unit 103 detects that RFID tags whose positions are detected within a predetermined distance for at least a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times as having similar movements. Within a predetermined distance may be considered to be detection at the same location. Furthermore, based on the location history of multiple RFID tags whose movements are detected by the movement detection unit 102, the management unit 103 may detect that RFID tags whose positions are detected within a predetermined distance for at least a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time as having similar movements. That is, even if there is a slight error in the positions of the detected RFID tags, the management unit 103 may detect that the movements are similar if the error is within the range of error observed when a customer carries a product. The predetermined time, predetermined number of times, and predetermined distance may be determined appropriately to an extent that it is possible to distinguish that a customer is carrying a product, depending on factors such as the size of the store, the number of RFID tags whose positions are detected in the store, the number of customers in the store, and the performance of the antenna receiving the RFID tag signals. The management unit 103 associates RFID tags detected to have been moved in the same manner as one group of movement histories.

[0037] Furthermore, the management unit 103 may cancel the association of the location history of an RFID tag for which movement similar to that of other RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories is no longer detected. As the process of canceling the association, the management unit 103 cancels the association of the location history of an RFID tag for which movement similar to that of other RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories is no longer detected after the time when similar movement is no longer detected.

[0038] For example, the management unit 103 disassociates the location history of an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or longer from a group of movement histories. For example, if a customer returns some of the products they are carrying to a shelf or the like, the RFID tags attached to the products the customer no longer carries will no longer move, and the management unit 103 disassociates the location history of the RFID tag. The predetermined time for which an RFID tag is considered to have stayed may be determined as appropriate. For example, the predetermined time for which an RFID tag is considered to have stayed may be set to be longer than the predetermined time used to detect movement. This is because customers may hesitate to purchase a product and stay with the product. Furthermore, the predetermined time for which an RFID tag is considered to have stayed may be set to differ depending on the location within the store. For example, in a clothing store, the predetermined time for which an RFID tag is considered to have stayed in front of a mirror, a fitting room, or other areas where customers often hesitate to purchase a product may be set to be longer than the predetermined time for other locations.

[0039] In this way, when the management unit 103 cancels the association of the location history of an RFID tag that has been left for more than a predetermined time, the product corresponding to the RFID tag for which the association has been canceled is a product that the customer picked up but then put away. Therefore, when the management unit 103 cancels the association of the location history of an RFID tag that has been left for more than a predetermined time, the movement history management device 100 can, with a simple configuration, record products that the customer picked up but did not purchase. Furthermore, the movement history management device 100 can record the time that the customer carried a product that the customer picked up but did not purchase, and the location at which the customer put it away, based on the time and location at which the RFID tag association was canceled.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, the management unit 103 cancels the association of the position history of an RFID tag whose position can no longer be detected from a group of movement histories. For example, if a customer hands over some of the multiple products he is carrying to a store clerk or the like, and the store clerk moves the products to a back room or the like that is out of the antenna reading range of the RFID tags, the positions of the RFID tags attached to the products that the customer no longer carries can no longer be detected, and therefore the management unit 103 cancels the association of the position history of the RFID tags.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, the management unit 103 may cancel the association of the position history of an RFID tag whose position was detected in a predetermined area among a group of movement histories. Here, the predetermined area is an area where products are collected if a customer does not purchase them. In a store selling clothing accessories, the predetermined area may be, for example, a counter in a fitting room. In a store selling clothing accessories, a customer may ask a store clerk at the counter in a fitting room to return products that they do not purchase. Therefore, the management unit 103 cancels the association of the position history of an RFID tag whose position was detected in the area that is the counter in a fitting room. In this case, the predetermined area may be any place where customers place products that they do not purchase, and may be, for example, the back of the store.

[0042] 4 is a diagram showing another example of a group of movement histories managed by the management unit 103. In FIG. 4, the group of movement histories includes the management number, the time when the position of the RFID tag was detected, the position where the RFID tag was detected ("read point" in FIG. 4), identification information of the RFID tag associated at that time ("associated tag" in FIG. 4), identification information of the RFID tag newly associated at that time ("added tag" in FIG. 4), and identification information of the RFID tag whose association was released at that time ("deleted tag" in FIG. 4). Also, in FIG. 4, tag 1 and tag 2 are examples of identification information of RFID tags whose movement was detected.

[0043] 4, the location history of tag 1, whose movement was detected at point B, is recorded in association with management number 001 as the movement history of the group. Also in FIG. 4, in addition to the location history of tag 1, the location history of tag 2, whose movement similar to that of tag 1 was detected at point C, is associated with the movement history of the group of management number 001. Also, tag 2 is recorded in the movement history of the group of management number 001 as an RFID tag (added tag) added at this time. Also in FIG. 4, the location history of tag 1, which is moving at points D and E, is associated with the movement history of the group of management number 001. Also, at point D, tag 2 is recorded in the movement history of the group of management number 001 as an RFID tag (deleted tag) that has stopped moving in the same way at this time and whose association has been released. Also in FIG. 4, tag 1 is recorded in the movement history of the group of management number 001 as an RFID tag (deleted tag) whose position is no longer detected at point F at this time. At point F, the positions of all RFID tags included in the group of movement histories with management number 001 are no longer detected, so the management unit 103 ends the group of movement histories with management number 001. Recording examples of group movement histories are not limited to this example. Furthermore, the management unit 103 ends management of the group of movement histories at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing refers to when all RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories have remained for a predetermined period of time or when their positions are no longer detected, or when payment has been made for a product to which an RFID tag associated with the group of movement histories is attached. Ending management of the group of movement histories means ending a series of processes for the group of movement histories, such as detecting RFID tags that move in a similar manner to the group of movement histories and disassociating RFID tags that no longer move in a similar manner to the group of movement histories. As part of the process of ending management of the group of movement histories, the management unit 103 may further store the group of movement histories in a predetermined storage location, such as a memory unit.

[0044] If all of the RFID tags associated with a group of movement histories remain for a predetermined time or more or their locations are no longer detectable, it is assumed that the customer has returned all of the products they were carrying or has taken the products and left the store. Therefore, the management unit 103 ends management of the location history of the RFID tags associated with a group of movement histories.

[0045] Alternatively, when payment for products with RFID tags associated with a group of movement histories is made, it is estimated that the customer will pay for the products they were carrying and leave the store, and the management unit 103 will end management of the history of the locations of RFID tags associated with a group of movement histories. At this time, the management unit 103 may obtain, in the payment device, read information from the RFID tags used to pay for the products, and detect that payment for the products with RFID tags has been made.

[0046] In this way, when the management unit 103 acquires the read information of the RFID tag used to pay for the products corresponding to a group of movement histories, the movement history management device 100 can record products that the customer picked up but did not purchase, even if the above-mentioned process of canceling the association is not performed. For example, an RFID tag that is included in the information of the RFID tag associated with a group of movement histories but is not included in the read information of the RFID tag used to pay for the products is presumed to be a product that the customer picked up but did not purchase.

[0047] The management unit 103 may also associate customer membership information included in payment information for payments for products to which RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories are attached with the group of movement histories. In this case, the management unit 103 may associate the group of movement histories with customer membership information included in payment information for payments for products to which RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories are attached in a member information database provided externally or internally to the movement history management device. In this case, the management unit 103 may also rewrite the management number assigned to the group of movement histories with the customer membership information.

[0048] The operation of the movement history management device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, first, the position detection unit 101 detects the position of the RFID tag (step S101).

[0050] Next, the movement detection unit 102 detects that the RFID tag has moved based on the position of the RFID tag detected in step S101 (step S102). At this time, the management unit 103 may assign a management number to the position history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, and start managing the history.

[0051] Steps S101 and S102 may be performed continuously at predetermined time intervals.

[0052] Next, the management unit 103 detects other RFID tags that have moved in a similar manner to the RFID tag whose movement was detected in step S102 (step S103). If no other RFID tags that have moved in a similar manner are detected (step S103: No), the management unit 103 returns to the operation of step S102.

[0053] In step S103, if another RFID tag that has moved in a similar manner is detected (step S103: Yes), the management unit 103 associates the RFID tags that have moved in a similar manner as a group of movement histories (step S104). For example, if a management number is assigned to the location history of the RFID tag in step S102, the management number becomes the management number of the group of movement histories in step S104.

[0054] The management unit 103 detects RFID tags that have stayed for a predetermined time or longer or that have become undetectable based on the location history of the RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S105).

[0055] In step S105, if an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or more or an RFID tag whose position is no longer detectable is detected from the position history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S105: Yes), the management unit 103 cancels the association of the position history of that RFID tag (step S106).In step S105, if an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or more or an RFID tag whose position is no longer detectable is not detected from the position history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S105: No), the management unit 103 proceeds to the operation of step S107.

[0056] The management unit 103 detects whether all of the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have stayed for a predetermined time or longer, whether their positions are no longer detectable, or whether they have been settled (step S107). If the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have moved or have not been settled (step S107: No), the management unit 103 returns to the operation of step S102.

[0057] In step S107, if the management unit 103 detects that all RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have remained for a predetermined time or longer, their locations have become undetectable, or they have been paid for (step S107: Yes), the management unit 103 terminates management of the group of movement histories (step S108).

[0058] This completes the series of operations of the movement history management device 100. The movement history management device 100 may perform operations in parallel for multiple RFID tags and multiple groups of movement histories. Furthermore, the movement history management device 100 may perform the series of operations in real time or at a later time.

[0059] In the movement history management device 100 of the present embodiment described above, the management unit 103 associates, as a group of movement histories, the location history of an RFID tag whose movement has been detected and the location histories of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected. As a result, the movement history management device 100 of the present embodiment associates products that a customer has picked up and moved with a group of movement histories, making it possible to recognize products that the customer has carried around the store and that the customer has become interested in or intended to purchase, from the RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories.

[0060] As a result, the travel history management device 100 in this embodiment can manage travel history with a simple configuration.

[0061] In particular, in a store, an RFID tag may be attached to each product as a price tag for payment of the product. Furthermore, in a store, an antenna may be installed to read the RFID tag attached to each product for product management. In this case, the movement history management device 100 according to the present embodiment can manage movement history with a simple configuration by using the attached RFID tag and antenna.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, the movement history management device 100 in this embodiment can manage movement histories even when a customer does not carry a basket with an RFID tag attached thereto.

[0063] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The movement history management device 200 in the second embodiment is capable of recording the movement route of a customer carrying a product within a store. Below, to the extent that the description of this embodiment is not unclear, description of content that overlaps with the above description will be omitted.

[0064] 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a movement history management device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. A movement history management device 200 of the second embodiment includes a management unit 203 instead of the management unit 103 of the first embodiment.

[0065] In addition to the functions of the management unit 103, the management unit 203 continuously manages the movement history of a group based on the position history of the RFID tag associated with the movement history of the group. The position history of the RFID tag associated with the movement history of the group and continuously acquired can be estimated to be the movement history within the store of a customer carrying the product associated with the movement history of the group.

[0066] For example, the management unit 203 may generate a movement route of a customer associated with a group of movement histories based on the history of positions of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories that have been continuously detected. The movement route of a customer may be indicated by data associating a stay position and a stay time in the store with each other, or may be drawn by an arrow or the like on a map of the store, or may be indicated by products placed at each position on the movement route and the customer's stay time at each position. Furthermore, the management unit 203 may store in the memory unit, for an RFID tag that has been detected to have stopped moving in a similar manner in the group of movement histories, the position where the stop of the similar movement was detected and the product associated with the RFID tag.

[0067] The operation of the movement history management device 200 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the position detection unit 101 detects the position of the RFID tag (step S201).

[0069] Next, the movement detection unit 102 detects that the RFID tag has moved based on the position of the RFID tag detected in step S201 (step S202). At this time, the management unit 103 may assign a management number to the RFID tag whose movement has been detected and start managing it.

[0070] Steps S201 and S202 may be performed continuously at predetermined time intervals.

[0071] The management unit 203 continues to manage the location history of the RFID tag whose movement was detected in step S202 as a group of movement histories (step S203). For example, the management unit 203 continuously stores the location history of the RFID tag whose movement was detected in step S202 as a group of movement histories in the storage unit.

[0072] Next, the management unit 203 detects other RFID tags that have moved in a similar manner to the RFID tag whose movement was detected in step S202 (step S204). If no other RFID tags that have moved in a similar manner are detected (step S204: No), the management unit 203 returns to the operation of step S202.

[0073] In step S204, if another RFID tag that moves in a similar manner is detected (step S204: Yes), the management unit 203 associates the RFID tags that move in a similar manner as a group of movement histories (step S205). As described in step S203, the management unit 203 continues to manage the position histories of the associated RFID tags as a group of movement histories.

[0074] The management unit 203 detects RFID tags that have stayed for a predetermined time or longer or that have become undetectable based on the location history of the RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S206).

[0075] In step S206, if an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or more or an RFID tag whose position is no longer detectable is detected from the position history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S206: Yes), the management unit 203 cancels the association of the position history of that RFID tag (step S207).In step S206, if an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or more or an RFID tag whose position is no longer detectable is not detected from the position history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories (step S206: No), the management unit 203 proceeds to the operation of step S208.

[0076] The management unit 203 detects whether all of the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have stayed for a predetermined time or longer, whether their positions are no longer detectable, or whether they have been settled (step S208). If the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have moved or have not been settled (step S208: No), the management unit 203 returns to the operation of step S202.

[0077] In step S208, if the management unit 203 detects that all of the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have stayed for a predetermined time or more, that their positions are no longer detected, or that payment has been made (step S208: Yes), the management unit 203 ends management of the group of movement histories (step S209). For example, when the management unit 203 generates a movement route related to a group of movement histories, the management unit 203 generates a movement route related to the group of movement histories up to the time when it is detected that all of the RFID tags associated as a group of movement histories have stayed for a predetermined time or more, that their positions are no longer detected, or that payment has been made.

[0078] This completes the series of operations of the movement history management device 200. The movement history management device 200 may perform operations in parallel for multiple RFID tags and multiple groups of movement histories. Furthermore, the movement history management device 200 may perform the series of operations in real time or at a later time.

[0079] In the movement history management device 200 of the present embodiment described above, the management unit 203 associates, as a group of movement histories, the location history of an RFID tag whose movement has been detected and the location histories of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected. As a result, the movement history management device 200 of the present embodiment associates products that a customer has picked up and moved with a group of movement histories, making it possible to recognize products that the customer has carried around the store and that the customer has become interested in or intended to purchase, from the RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories.

[0080] As a result, the travel history management device 200 in this embodiment can manage travel history with a simple configuration.

[0081] Furthermore, in the movement history management device 200 in the above-described embodiment, the management unit 203 continuously manages a group of movement histories based on the history of the positions of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories.

[0082] As a result, the movement history management device 200 in this embodiment can record the movement history of a customer with a simple configuration. In particular, the movement history management device 200 in this embodiment can record the movement history of a customer with a simple configuration without detecting the customer's movement line by analyzing video or using an RFID tag attached to a basket or the like carried by the customer.

[0083] [Modifications] The movement history management device in each embodiment may be modified as follows. Note that the following modifications and application examples will be described using the movement history management device 100 in the first embodiment as an example, but similar modifications can also be applied to the movement history management device 200 in the second embodiment.

[0084] If a certain area is included in the location history of the RFID tag associated with a group of movement histories, the management unit 103 may associate information about customer behavior in that area with the group of movement histories.

[0085] For example, in a store that sells clothing and accessories, if the location history of RFID tags associated with a group of movement histories includes an area that is a fitting room, the management unit 103 may associate information indicating that trying on clothes has occurred with the group of movement histories. Furthermore, for example, if the location history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories detects that a person has stayed in an area that is a fitting room for a predetermined period of time or more, the management unit 103 may associate information indicating that trying on clothes has occurred with the group of movement histories. In this case, if the location history of RFID tags associated with the group of movement histories detects that a person has stayed in an area that is a fitting room for a predetermined period of time or more in front of a mirror in addition to the area that is a fitting room, the management unit 103 may also associate information indicating that trying on clothes has occurred with the group of movement histories.

[0086] [Other Application Examples] In each embodiment described above, the movement history management device 100 has performed processing related to RFID tags attached to merchandise. However, the movement history management device 100 may perform processing using RFID tags attached to items other than merchandise in a store.

[0087] <Example 1: Using an RFID tag attached to an item carried by a customer> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another application example of the movement history management device 100 according to the present disclosure, which is an application example of using an RFID tag attached to an item carried by a customer. Here, the parts of the other application example shown in Fig. 8 that differ from the application example shown in Fig. 1 will be described.

[0088] At point A in FIG. 8 , a customer enters a store. The customer who enters the store carries a basket with an RFID tag attached. Here, the basket is an example of an item that a customer carries. In addition to the basket, the item that the customer carries with an RFID tag attached may also be a customer membership card, wristband, coupon paper, etc. that is taken out of a bag, wallet, etc. The RFID tag attached to the item that the customer carries may contain information that indicates that it is an item that the customer is carrying, rather than a product. For example, the RFID tag attached to the basket may contain information that indicates that it is a basket.

[0089] At this time, since the customer carries an RFID tag, the position detection unit 101 can detect the position of the RFID tag attached to the basket. Then, the movement detection unit 102 can detect the movement of the RFID tag attached to the basket based on the position history of the RFID tag attached to the basket. Therefore, the management unit 103 of the movement history management device 100 can manage the movement history of the customer even before the customer picks up the product. For example, in the example of FIG. 8 , the management unit 103 of the movement history management device 100 can manage the movement history of the customer from point A to point B. In this case, the management unit 103 of the movement history management device 100 can treat RFID tags whose movement has been detected as a group of movement histories and associate RFID tags whose similar movement has been detected with the group of movement histories.

[0090] Furthermore, when RFID tags attached to items carried by customers are used, the movement history of a group may be managed using information read from the RFID tags attached to the items carried by customers, instead of the management number described in the first embodiment.

[0091] <Example 2: Using an RFID tag attached to an item carried by an employee> In each movement history management device 100, the position detection unit 101 may detect the position of an RFID tag attached to an item carried by an employee based on a signal received from the RFID tag. An item carried by an employee to which an RFID tag is attached may be, for example, an employee name tag, an employee uniform, an employee ID card, or a terminal device used by an employee. An RFID tag attached to an item carried by an employee may include information indicating that the item is an employee's item, rather than an item carried by a product or a customer. For example, an RFID tag attached to an employee's employee ID card may include information indicating that the item is an employee's employee ID card.

[0092] In this case, the management unit 103 does not need to perform the series of operations described in the embodiment for RFID tags attached to products that move in the same way as RFID tags attached to items carried by employees, or RFID tags attached to items that move in the same way as RFID tags attached to items carried by employees. This makes it possible for the movement history management device 100 to record behaviors such as customers carrying and moving products in the store, excluding the movement of products, baskets, and other items by employees within the store.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, the management unit 103 may also perform the processing described in each embodiment on RFID tags attached to items carried by employees. In this case, the management unit may manage a group of movement histories associated with RFID tags attached to items carried by employees separately from other groups of movement histories. This allows the movement history management device 100 to manage the locations of products and items moved by employees within the store.

[0094] [Variation 2] The management unit 103 of the movement history management device in each embodiment and variation may associate a group of movement histories with another group of movement histories. That is, a plurality of associated groups of movement histories may be managed as a group movement history. For example, when a group of customers visit a store, they may act separately. For example, the management unit 103 may associate groups of movement histories in which the same movement has been detected with each other. Furthermore, for example, the management unit 103 may associate groups of movement histories in which payments have been made together, which are separate groups of movement histories.

[0095] [Hardware Configuration] Some or all of the components of each device or system in each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 9. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0096] - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 - Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 - Storage device 1005 for storing program 1004 - Drive device 1007 for reading and writing from and to recording medium 1006 - Communication I / F 1008 for connecting to communication network 1009 - Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data - Bus 1011 for connecting each component. Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0097] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes the function of that component. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 1001 as needed. The program 1004 may be supplied to the CPU 1001 via a communication network, or may be stored in the recording medium 1006 in advance, and the drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 1001.

[0098] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device or system may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0099] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device or system may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits (circuitry) including a processor or the like, or a combination of these. Examples of circuits include a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing LSI (Large Scale Integration). These may be configured by a single chip or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0100] When some or all of the components of each device or system 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 which they are connected via a communication network.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0102] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a sequential order in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0103] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0104] [Supplementary Note 1] A movement history management device comprising: a position detection means for detecting the position of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag; a movement detection means for detecting movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag; and a management means for associating, as a group of movement histories, the position history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected and the position histories of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected.

[0105] [Supplementary Note 2] The movement history management device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the management means continuously manages the movement history of the group based on the location history of an RFID tag whose location history is associated with the movement history of the group.

[0106] [Supplementary Note 3] The movement history management device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the management means disassociates the position history of an RFID tag, among the position histories of the RFID tags included in the group of movement histories, for which movement similar to that of other RFID tags has no longer been detected.

[0107] [Supplementary Note 4] The movement history management device according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the management means disassociates the location history of an RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or longer from among the location histories of RFID tags included in the group of movement histories.

[0108] [Supplementary Note 5] The movement history management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4, wherein the management means disassociates the location history of an RFID tag whose location is no longer detected from among the location histories of RFID tags included in the group of movement histories.

[0109] [Supplementary Note 6] The movement history management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5, wherein the management means disassociates the location history of an RFID tag whose location has been detected in a predetermined area from the location histories of RFID tags included in the group of movement histories.

[0110] [Supplementary Note 7] The movement history management device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the management means terminates management of the group of movement histories when all of the RFID tags whose location histories are associated with the group of movement histories remain there for a predetermined period of time or when their locations are no longer detected.

[0111] [Supplementary Note 8] The movement history management device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the management means associates the location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, the location history of other RFID tags whose locations have been detected at the same location a predetermined number of times or more, and the location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, as a group of movement histories.

[0112] [Supplementary Note 9] The movement history management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, wherein the management means terminates management of the movement history of the group when payment is made for a product to which an RFID tag associated with the group of movement histories is attached.

[0113] [Supplementary Note 10] The movement history management device described in Supplementary Note 9, wherein the management means associates customer membership information included in payment information for payment of a product to which an RFID tag having a location history associated with the group of movement histories is attached.

[0114] [Supplementary Note 11] A movement history management method in which a computer detects the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag, detects movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag, and associates the position history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected with the position history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, as a group of movement histories.

[0115] [Supplementary Note 12] A recording medium for recording a movement history management program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: detect the position of an RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag; detect movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag; and associate the position history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected with the position history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, as a group of movement histories.

[0116] P1, P2 Product 100, 200 Movement history management device 101 Position detection unit 102 Movement detection unit 103, 203 Management unit 200 Movement history management device 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording medium 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication network 1010 Input / output I / F 1011 Bus

Claims

1. a position detection means for detecting the position of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag; a movement detection means for detecting movement of the RFID tag based on the position history of the RFID tag; a management means for associating, as a group of movement histories, a location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected and a location history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected; A movement history management device comprising:

2. The management means continuously manages the movement history of the group based on the position history of the RFID tag, the position history of which is associated with the movement history of the group. The movement history management device according to claim 1 .

3. The management means cancels the association of the location history of an RFID tag whose movement similar to that of other RFID tags is no longer detected among the location histories of the RFID tags included in the group of movement histories. The movement history management device according to claim 2 .

4. The management means cancels the association of the location history of the RFID tag that has stayed for a predetermined time or more among the location history of the RFID tag included in the group of movement histories. The movement history management device according to claim 2 .

5. The management means cancels the association of the location history of an RFID tag whose location is no longer detected among the location histories of the RFID tags included in the group of movement histories. The movement history management device according to claim 2 .

6. The management means terminates management of the group of movement histories when all of the RFID tags whose location histories are associated with the group of movement histories remain there for a predetermined time or more or when their locations are no longer detected. The movement history management device according to claim 1 .

7. The management means associates, as a group of movement histories, the location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, the location histories of other RFID tags whose positions have been detected at the same location a predetermined number of times or more. The movement history management device according to claim 1 .

8. The management means ends management of the movement history of the group when payment is made for the products to which the RFID tags associated with the movement history of the group are attached. The movement history management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The computer Detecting the location of the RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag; Detecting movement of the RFID tag based on the location history of the RFID tag; The location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected is associated with the location history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, as a group of movement histories. How to manage movement history.

10. Detecting the location of the RFID tag based on a signal received from the RFID tag; Detecting movement of the RFID tag based on the location history of the RFID tag; The location history of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected is associated with the location history of other RFID tags whose movement has been detected similar to that of the RFID tag whose movement has been detected, as a group of movement histories. A movement history management program that causes a computer to execute processing.