Device and method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and a method capable of performing appropriate analysis regarding shops and so forth that are to be evaluated.　According to the present invention, in an evaluation server 100, an evaluation unit 106 acquires evaluated shop information that is positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between a start point (e.g., home) that is a reference point, and each shop that is an evaluation point. The evaluation unit 106 then references the evaluated shop information, and evaluates a visited shop that a user visits, on the basis of a distance that is a traveling cost from the start point to the visited shop that is a point to be visited.

Description

Apparatus and method

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing location-based processing.

[0002] Businesses that operate brick-and-mortar stores and provide services, such as convenience stores and coffee shops, are adopting analytical methods to identify loyal customers who contribute the most to sales based on data on customer usage trends, and to consider and implement appropriate marketing strategies for each customer attribute. Existing analytical methods include decile analysis and RFM analysis, which estimate loyal customer segments based on payment frequency and payment amount information for each customer at a target store.

[0003] There is also a method for tabulating which of multiple stores in the same chain is most popular through questionnaire analysis, but this remains within the realm of microanalysis and lacks quantitative judgment as an analytical method from the perspective of each customer. For example, Patent Document 1 describes conducting a questionnaire to understand the degree of dependence on a store. Patent Document 2 describes identifying loyal customers.

[0004] JP 2000-163401 A JP 2003-132431 A

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it lacks quantitative judgment of the store, and Patent Document 2 has a problem in that it is not possible to analyze the store from the customer's perspective.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method that can perform appropriate analysis of evaluation targets such as stores.

[0007] The device of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between a reference point and a target point, and an evaluation unit that refers to the positional relationship information and evaluates the user's target point to be visited based on the travel cost from the reference point to the visited target point.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate analysis of the evaluation target.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a rating system including an rating server 100, which is a device of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a database stored in a travel behavior analysis server 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the rating server 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a target store information DB 102a. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a score DB 106a. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the procedure for acquiring target stores and rating them by the rating server 100 of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the process of listing target stores, which is a pre-operation of the rating method using the rating system. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the rating process by the rating server 100. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of adding up fan scores. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the rating server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of an evaluation system including an evaluation server 100, which is a device of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, this evaluation system includes the evaluation server 100 and a travel behavior analysis server 200. A user terminal 300 periodically provides location information to the travel behavior analysis server 200, which stores the location information for each user and generates travel behavior information based on changes in the location information. The evaluation server 100 evaluates the user's dependence or favorability toward a store according to their behavior based on the user's location information. In the present disclosure, the dependence or favorability toward a store is referred to as the degree of preference (fan level) for that store. Note that this is not limited to a store, and may also be a specific geographical location. For example, this may be applied to parks, shrines, temples, hospitals, government offices, etc.

[0012] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing specific examples of databases stored in the travel behavior analysis server 200. As shown in Fig. 2A, the travel behavior analysis server 200 stores terminal location information acquired from the user terminal 300. The terminal location information is information that associates the acquisition time and location information for each user ID.

[0013] 2(b), the travel behavior analysis server 200 stores, in association with each other, the travel start time, travel end time, travel start point, travel end point, means of travel, and travel distance for each user (each user ID) based on changes in the location information of the user terminal 300. This travel behavior information is information estimated by the travel behavior analysis server 200 based on the terminal location information.

[0014] The movement start time is the time when the movement starts from the movement start point. The movement end time is the time when the movement ends. The movement start point indicates the stay point before the movement starts, and indicates the point where the user stayed without moving for a predetermined time before the movement. For example, home, work, etc. are points where the user stays without moving for a predetermined time, and such points are considered to be the movement start point. However, this is not limited to these, and other points according to the above definition may also be used. The movement end point indicates the destination of the movement, for example, the location of a store. The transportation means is a means of transportation, such as walking or car. The transportation means is estimated based on the route and speed traveled by the user. This uses known means. The movement distance is from the movement start point to the movement end point. This movement distance is a distance based on the distance along the route, but does not actively exclude straight-line distance.

[0015] Next, the evaluation server 100 will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the evaluation server 100. As shown in the figure, the evaluation server 100 includes a travel behavior information acquisition unit 101, a starting point estimation unit 102, a target store information management unit 103, a target store visit information acquisition unit 104, a travel start location extraction unit 105, an evaluation unit 106, a travel behavior information DB 101a, a target store information DB 102a, a setting information DB 103a, and a score DB 106a.

[0016] The travel behavior information acquisition unit 101 is a part that acquires travel behavior information from the travel behavior analysis server 200 .

[0017] The starting point estimation unit 102 is a part that estimates the starting point of each user based on the travel behavior information of each user. In the present disclosure, the starting point is a reference position for extracting target stores, and is assumed to be a home or workplace, but is of course not limited to this. The home or workplace is estimated based on pre-stored location information of the home or workplace. Furthermore, a place where the user is during the day may be estimated as a workplace, and a place where the user is at night may be estimated as a home.

[0018] The target store information management unit 103 is a part that acquires and lists stores within a predetermined radius from the starting point based on a store DB (not shown) that stores store genre and location information and each user's starting point, and stores the target store information in the target store information DB 102a.

[0019] In the present disclosure, setting information (genre and radius) is stored in the setting information DB 103a, and the target store information management unit 103 acquires target store information within a predetermined radius from the starting point based on the setting information. The target store information management unit 103 then acquires and lists target store information for each store genre and user. The target store information includes a user ID, starting point label (type of starting point, in the present disclosure, home or workplace), store, distance, and nearest flag. Details will be described later.

[0020] The target store visit information acquisition unit 104 is a part that acquires and stores target store visit information transmitted from the user terminal 300. This target store visit information is information transmitted from the user terminal 300 when the user visits a certain store, and includes the user ID and the store (visited store). Note that the target store visit information is not limited to information transmitted from the user terminal 300. For example, the evaluation server 100 may check the location information of the user terminal 300 one by one, and when the user is at a specific store, acquire target store visit information as if the user has visited that store. In this case, the evaluation server 100 stores the target store and its location information.

[0021] The movement start location extraction unit 105 is a part that, when target store visit information is acquired, extracts a movement start location based on the location information of the user's user terminal 300. This location information is acquired from the movement behavior analysis server 200, but other location information may also be used. For example, location information based on location registration stored by a communication carrier may also be used.

[0022] The movement start location extraction unit 105 can determine the movement and stop (stay) of the user based on changes in location information (log information), and extract the movement start location based on this. In the present disclosure, the movement start location extraction unit 105 references the location information and extracts the movement start location based on whether the user was at a starting location (home or workplace). If the movement start location extraction unit 105 determines that the user was at a location corresponding to home or workplace based on changes in location information, it extracts the home or workplace as the movement start location. If this is not the case, it extracts information indicating "other than home or workplace." It is assumed that the location information (coordinate information) of the home or workplace is stored in advance.

[0023] The evaluation unit 106 is a part that evaluates the store indicated in the target store visit information based on the combination of the movement start location and the target store visit information (visited store) and the target store information of the user (combination of the starting point label and the store) stored in the target store information DB 102a. This evaluation is performed by calculating a score. The evaluation unit 106 stores the scores of the user and the store in the score DB 106a together with the date and time of the user's visit. The evaluation unit 106 then calculates an overall score by adding up the scores for each user and each store for a specified period. This overall score is calculated based on instructions from an operator or the like. The evaluation unit 106 outputs the score, the overall score, or both to an operator or an external server in a presentable manner.

[0024] The travel behavior information DB 101a is a database that stores travel behavior information. As described above, FIG.

[0025] The target store information DB 102a is a database that stores target store information acquired by the target store information management unit 103. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the target store information DB 102a. As shown in the diagram, a starting point label, a store, a distance, and a nearest flag are stored in association with each user ID. The starting point label indicates a reference location, which in the present disclosure is the home or workplace. A store is a store within a predetermined range from the starting point. The distance indicates the distance from the starting point to the store. The nearest flag is flag information assigned to the store closest to the reference location. In the present disclosure, a value of 1 is assigned to the store closest to the reference location.

[0026] The setting information DB 103a is a database that stores setting information for acquiring target store information. In the present disclosure, the setting information includes a radius and a store genre.

[0027] The score DB 106a is a database that stores the scores calculated for each user by the evaluation unit 106. FIG. 5 shows a specific example. As shown in the figure, stores and their scores are stored for each user. The evaluation unit 106 refers to this score DB 106a and calculates an overall score by adding up the scores for each store for each user during a specified period. This provides information for each user to decide which store they would prefer to visit.

[0028] 6 is a schematic diagram showing the procedure for acquiring target stores and performing evaluation processing by the evaluation server 100 of the present disclosure. The evaluation server 100 of the present disclosure performs the following operations: (1) Estimate the target user's starting point (home, workplace, etc.) from changes in terminal location information. (2) For each target user, list target stores by genre (convenience store, cafe, family restaurant) centered on each starting point, and calculate the distance from the starting point. (3) When it is detected from changes in terminal location information that the target user has visited a listed target store, scoring is performed based on the difference in distance from a store of the same genre that is flagged as the nearest store.

[0029] In FIG. 6, stores T1 to T3 (convenience stores) and stores T11 to T13 (hamburger restaurants) are located within a predetermined range from the starting point. User U is traveling from the starting point (home) to store T1. Store T1 is farther away than store T3. Therefore, it can be determined that store T1 is a favorite store for user U. On the other hand, store T11 is also nearby, but since it is a store of a different genre, it is not taken into consideration.

[0030] When a user makes the effort to go to a store far away, the evaluation server 100 of the present disclosure calculates a score that can be determined as a high level of fandom or preference for that store.

[0031] Next, detailed operation of the evaluation system of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the process of listing target stores, which is a preliminary operation of the evaluation method using the evaluation system. As shown in the figure, the user terminal 300 transmits terminal location information to the travel behavior analysis server 200 (S101). This process of transmitting terminal location information is performed periodically.

[0032] The travel behavior analysis server 200 associates the positioning time with the location information for each user ID and stores them (S102). The travel behavior analysis server 200 then estimates and stores travel behavior information (see FIG. 2(b)) based on the terminal location information (S103). The travel behavior analysis server 200 transmits the stored travel behavior information to the evaluation server 100 (S104). It is advisable to perform these steps S102 to S104 collectively after a certain amount of travel information has been stored, such as once a day.

[0033] Meanwhile, the evaluation server 100 performs a genre setting for the evaluation object as a pre-setting (S105) and also sets a threshold value for evaluation (S106). These genres and threshold values ​​are stored in the setting information DB 103a. The genre setting for the evaluation object is, for example, the genre of the store, and is a setting for the evaluation object such as a convenience store or a cafe. The threshold setting indicates a range from a starting point (a reference position such as a home or workplace), and in the present disclosure, a radius centered on the starting point is set. These pre-settings are performed by an operator of the evaluation server 100 operating the operation unit.

[0034] In the evaluation server 100 thus initialized, travel behavior information is transmitted from the travel behavior analysis server 200, and the travel behavior information acquisition unit 101 acquires the travel behavior information for each target user and stores it in the travel behavior information DB 101a (S107). The starting point estimation unit 102 estimates the user's starting point from changes in the terminal location information based on the travel behavior information (S108). As described above, the starting point is a place that is the starting point of the user's life, such as home or workplace, but points other than home and workplace are also possible. These points may be freely set by the operator.

[0035] The target store information management unit 103 creates a list of target store information for each target user and stores it in the target store information DB 102a (S109). That is, for each target user, the target store information management unit 103 creates a list of target store information within a radius x (m) from the starting point and the distance from the starting point to the target store, and stores this. The threshold value for this radius may be freely set by the operator. In addition, in the present disclosure, convenience stores, cafes, etc. are created as examples of target store information, but the target stores and their range may be freely set by the operator.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of the evaluation process of the evaluation server 100. FIG.

[0037] When a user visits a target store, the user terminal 300 transmits target store visit information to the evaluation server 100 (S201). The evaluation server 100 detects that the user terminal 300 has visited the target store (visited store) based on a change in terminal location information, etc., and then requests the user terminal 300 to transmit target store visit information upon detection of the visit. Note that a visit may also be determined based on connection to a Wi-Fi router or Beacon terminal installed in the store. Furthermore, the evaluation server 100 may determine a visit to a target store (visited store) by periodically checking the location information of each user terminal 300, without requesting the user terminal 300 to transmit target store visit information.

[0038] In the evaluation server 100, the target store visit information acquisition unit 104 acquires target store visit information (S202). The target store visit information is information indicating the user (user ID) who visited the target store and the store that the user visited.

[0039] The movement start location extraction unit 105 extracts the movement start location of the user who visited the target store. That is, the movement start location extraction unit 105 extracts the movement start location based on changes in the location information (log information) of the user terminal 300 (S203).

[0040] The evaluation unit 106 compares the combination of the visited store and the movement start location included in the target store information with the combination of the visited store and the corresponding starting point label stored in the target store information DB 102a (S204). That is, the evaluation unit 106 determines whether the movement start location and the visited store based on the target store visit information match the target store information (starting point label and store). Note that this determination is made within the same genre. That is, if the visited store is a convenience store, the determination is made based on the target store information of the convenience store in FIG. 4(a).

[0041] If the evaluation unit 106 determines that there is no match, it ends the process. If the evaluation unit 106 determines that there is a match, it calculates a score value for each user based on the following calculation formula and stores it in the score DB 106a (S205).

[0042] {(distance from the target starting point to the visited store) - (distance to the target store with the nearest flag set to 1)} x α + β ... (1) α and β are weighting coefficients, which may be freely set by the operator of the evaluation server 100 (or by instructions from the business operator).

[0043] For example, a specific example will be shown with reference to Figure 4. Here, α = 0.1 and β = 50. When user aaa visits convenience store B, the evaluation unit 106 calculates the fan score as (800 - 300) x 0.1 + 50 = 100. Note that although a formula using the distance to the nearest target store is applied here, a predetermined distance or the distance between predetermined stores may be used instead.

[0044] The evaluation unit 106 calculates the fan score of the user for the target store (visited store) each time the user visits the target store and stores the calculated fan score in the score DB 106 a. The score DB 106 a stores the score for each user and each visited store.

[0045] 9 is a flowchart showing the fan score summation process. As shown in the figure, the evaluation unit 106 acquires scores for each user and store from the score DB 106a in accordance with instructions from the operator, a predetermined timing, or other defined conditions (S301). The evaluation unit 106 then sums up the scores for each store for each user during the target period (S302). Using these scores, the operator of the evaluation server 100 can compare the scores by genre and store and determine how much the user likes the target store.

[0046] The effects of the evaluation server 100 of the present disclosure configured as described above will be described below. In the evaluation server 100, the evaluation unit 106 acquires target store information (location relationship information) indicating the location relationship between a starting point (a reference point, such as a home) and each predetermined store (target point). Then, the evaluation unit 106 refers to the target store information (location relationship information) and evaluates the visited store (visited target point) based on the distance (travel cost) from the starting point to the visited store (visited target point).

[0047] This allows us to determine that if a user visits a store despite the high travel costs, that store is one that the user likes and has a high level of fandom. This allows us to determine the degree of a user's preference for a store (fandom level), enabling appropriate evaluation.

[0048] In the present disclosure, the evaluation unit 106 performs evaluation by comparing the distance (travel cost) from the starting point (reference point) to a store (another target point, a store flagged as nearest in the present disclosure). That is, evaluation is performed by comparing the first point (visited store) with the second point (nearest store). Also, instead of the nearest store, comparison may be performed with a predetermined store.

[0049] This allows the customer to evaluate the store they visited in comparison with other stores. In particular, if the other store is considered the nearest store, and the customer chooses to go to a store that is farther away (higher travel costs), it can be determined that the customer has a strong preference for that store.

[0050] In the present disclosure, the target store information (location relationship information) of the starting point (home, workplace, etc.) and the target store is based on the target stores within a range determined based on the starting point. The target store information (location relationship information) indicates the so-called distance (high or low travel cost). In the present disclosure, for example, a store (other store) marked with a nearest flag is the store that is the shortest distance from the starting point. Note that other travel costs, such as geographical accessibility, may also be considered in addition to distance.

[0051] The evaluation server 100 of the present disclosure includes a target store visit information acquisition unit 104 that functions as a recognition unit that recognizes that a user has visited a target store (visited store: visited target location). This target store visit information acquisition unit 104 may acquire the target store visit information from the user terminal 300, or the evaluation server 100 or another device may determine that the user has visited the target store based on the location information of the user terminal 300, and acquire or recognize the information.

[0052] Then, the movement start location extraction unit 105 acquires the movement start location of the user when the user visits (recognizes) the target store (visited store: visit target location).

[0053] The evaluation unit 106 performs an evaluation when it determines whether the visit originated from the origin based on the movement start location and the starting point. That is, the evaluation unit 106 determines that the visit originated from the origin when the movement start location and the starting point match. This process makes it possible to determine whether the visit originated from the starting point and evaluate the degree of preference for the target store.

[0054] Furthermore, if the user is in a location that satisfies a condition based on the user's movement history, the movement start location extraction unit 105 acquires that location as the movement start location. This movement history is made up of multiple pieces of location information from the user terminal 300, and the location that satisfies the condition means the location information of the home or workplace that has been stored in advance. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the user has visited the target store from the home or workplace.

[0055] The evaluation unit 106 acquires target store information from a target store information DB 102a that stores target store information, which is management information consisting of a starting point for each user, a target store, the distance between the starting point and the target store (travel cost), and a nearest flag (specific flag).

[0056] Here, the nearest flag is a flag attached to the store that is closest to the starting point, but it may also be attached to any other store that has been specified in advance.

[0057] Then, based on the target store information, the evaluation unit 106 evaluates the target store when the target store without the nearest flag is visited, based on the distance between the target store with the nearest flag and the starting point and the distance between the starting point and the target store without the nearest flag.

[0058] The evaluation unit 106 accumulates (sums up scores) the evaluations of target stores visited by the user during a target period. The target period is set in advance by an operator of the evaluation server 100, etc. The target stores are stores in the same genre, and evaluations are performed between stores in the same genre. This makes it possible to determine the user's fan level for the target store.

[0059] The apparatus and method of the present invention have the following configuration.

[0060] [1] A device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between a reference point and a target point; and an evaluation unit that refers to the positional relationship information and evaluates the target point to be visited by a user based on a travel cost from the reference point to the visited target point.

[0061] [2] The device according to [1], wherein the evaluation unit performs evaluation by comparing with a travel cost from the reference point to another target point.

[0062] [3] The device according to [2], wherein the other target point is a point with the smallest travel cost from the reference point.

[0063] [4] The device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the positional relationship information between the reference point and the target point is based on target points within a range determined based on the reference point.

[0064] [5] The device described in any one of [1] to [4], comprising: a recognition unit that recognizes that the user has visited the target visit location; and a movement start location extraction unit that acquires the movement start location of the user when the user visits the target visit location, wherein the evaluation unit performs the evaluation when it determines, based on the movement start location and the reference location, that the visit started from the reference location.

[0065] [6] The device according to [5], wherein the movement start location extraction unit acquires, when the user is in a location that satisfies a condition based on the user's movement history, the location as the movement start location.

[0066] [7] The device described in any one of [1] to [6], wherein the evaluation unit acquires the management information from a storage unit that stores management information consisting of a reference point, a target point, a travel cost between the reference point and the target point, and a specific flag for each user, and evaluates the target point that does not have the specific flag when the user visits the target point based on the travel cost between the target point with the specific flag and the reference point and the travel cost between the reference point and the target point that does not have the specific flag, based on the management information.

[0067] [8] The device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the evaluation unit accumulates evaluations of target points visited by the user during a target period.

[0068] [9] The device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the target points are stores of the same genre.

[0069]

[10] A method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between a reference point and a target point; and an evaluation step of evaluating the user's visit target point based on a travel cost from the reference point to the visited target point, with reference to the positional relationship information.

[0070] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (e.g., via wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0071] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0072] For example, the evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as computers that perform processing of the evaluation method of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 described above may be physically configured as computer devices including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0073] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0074] Each function of the evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and a memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0075] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned starting point estimation unit 102, target store information management unit 103, movement start location extraction unit 105, evaluation unit 106, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0076] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used may be programs that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the starting point estimation unit 102, the target store information management unit 103, the movement start location extraction unit 105, and the evaluation unit 106 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similarly may be implemented for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by a single processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0077] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing an evaluation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0079] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned travel behavior information acquisition unit 101, target store visit information acquisition unit 104, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The communication device 1004 may be implemented with a transmitter and a receiver that are physically or logically separated from each other.

[0080] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0081] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0082] The evaluation server 100 and the travel behavior analysis server 200 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0083] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0084] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0085] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0086] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0087] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0088] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0089] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0090] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0091] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0092] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0093] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0094] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0095] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0096] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0097] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0098] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0099] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0100] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0101] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0102] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0103] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0104] 100...Evaluation server, 200...Travel behavior analysis server, 300...User terminal, 101...Travel behavior information acquisition unit, 102...Starting point estimation unit, 103...Target store information management unit, 104...Target store visit information acquisition unit, 105...Travel start location extraction unit, 106...Evaluation unit, 101a...Travel behavior information DB, 102a...Target store information DB, 103a...Setting information DB, 106a...Score DB.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires position relationship information indicating the position relationship between a reference point and a target point; and an evaluation unit that, with reference to the position relationship information, evaluates the user's visit to the target point based on the moving cost from the reference point to the visited target point.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit performs the evaluation in comparison with the moving cost from the reference point to another target point.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other target point is a point with the minimum moving cost from the reference point.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position relationship information between the reference point and the target point is based on target points within a range defined based on the reference point.

5. An apparatus comprising: a recognition unit that recognizes that the user has visited the target point; and a moving start location extraction unit that acquires the moving start location of the user when the user visits the target point, wherein the evaluation unit performs the evaluation when it is determined, based on the moving start location and the reference point, that the visit is from the reference point.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the moving start location extraction unit acquires, as the moving start location, a location where the user was when the location satisfied a condition, based on the user's movement history.

7. The evaluation unit acquires the management information from a storage unit that stores management information including a reference point for each user, a target point, the moving cost between the reference point and the target point, and a specific flag, and based on the management information, evaluates the target point when the target point without the specific flag is visited, based on the moving cost between the target point with the specific flag and the reference point and the moving cost between the reference point and the target point without the specific flag.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit accumulatively processes the evaluation of the target points visited by the user during a target period.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target point is a store of the same genre.

10. An acquisition step of acquiring position relationship information indicating the positional relationship between a reference point and a target point; and an evaluation step of evaluating the user's evaluation of the target point to be visited based on the movement cost from the reference point to the target point to be visited with reference to the position relationship information. A method comprising:

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