JP2008226206A - Information tabulation providing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a store side to simply and easily tabulate information such as a congestion inexpensively in real time for distributing the information to a user and to allow a user side to easily acquire store information without needing any previous procedure such as user registration. <P>SOLUTION: A store 6 side distributes counting RF tags 14 to respective customers/groups. A store RF tag reader/writer 12 receives signals from the counting RF tags 14 to tabulate the number of customers/groups, and a store PC 11 transmits tabulation data of counted number of customers/groups to an information tabulation/provision management server 1. The server 1 generates store condition information showing a current congestion and the like of the store 6 from customer handling ability information previously registered by the store 6 and a calculation expression, and carries out update to an information providing site and transmission to the store 6. The user accesses the information providing site by means of a cellular phone terminal 4 or receives a signal of a store information distributing RF tag 13 by means of a cellular phone terminal 5 to obtain the store condition information of the store 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information totaling and providing method and an information totaling and providing system for providing a mobile information terminal with information such as congestion status and waiting time in various facilities such as stores.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-306933 (Patent Document 1), when a user accesses a store-side database using a mobile phone terminal, the store side preliminarily registers in the database and the expected congestion date and time. In addition, a technique has been disclosed in which store information such as a regular holiday is notified to the user's mobile phone terminal so that the user can be notified in advance of the congestion status of the store.

JP 2001-306933 A (FIG. 1)

  However, the congestion situation in a store is often fluid. Therefore, in order to provide store information such as a real-time congestion situation to a user using the technology described in Patent Document 1 described above, On the side, it is necessary to always count the number of visitors at the entrance of the store and at the same time update the count immediately. The counting operation and the updating operation of the counting number are very time-consuming and costly. Of course, if it is stopped to always count the number of visitors at the entrance of the store etc., it will be possible to reduce labor and cost, but in that case, it is possible to provide the user with a real-time congestion situation It becomes impossible.

  On the other hand, in order to acquire store information such as the congestion status of stores, the user side must perform user registration for receiving the store information providing service in advance. For this reason, for example, when comparing store information of a plurality of stores and selecting one of the stores, the user has registered in advance to receive the information providing service for each of those stores. Furthermore, when actually acquiring store information of each store, it is necessary to access each store, which is very time-consuming.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and stores can provide information such as congestion status in real time in a simple, easy and low-cost manner and provide it to the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information totaling and providing system and an information totaling and providing method that enable a user such as an information terminal to easily acquire store information without requiring prior procedures such as user registration.

  The information totaling and providing system of the present invention includes a totalizing radio signal transmission tag distributed to each facility visitor or each visitor group, and a totalization distributed to each facility visitor or each visitor group. A counting unit that receives the signal transmitted by the wireless signal transmission tag and counts the number of visitors or visitor groups in the facility approximately in real time, and registers in advance corresponding to the counted information and facility Based on at least the facility visitor response capability information that has been generated, a facility status information generation unit that generates predetermined facility status information representing the current status of the facility in substantially real time, and the generated predetermined facility status information The above-described problem is solved by having an information distribution unit that distributes.

  Also, the information tabulation providing method of the present invention receives a signal transmitted by a tabulation radio signal transmission tag distributed to each facility visitor or each visitor group and receives the number of visitors in the facility or The number of visitor groups is aggregated approximately in real time, and based on the aggregated information and at least facility visitor capability information registered in advance corresponding to the facility, a predetermined facility that represents the current status of the facility The above-described problem is solved by generating the situation information substantially in real time and distributing the predetermined facility situation information.

  That is, according to the present invention, the facility side can automatically count the number of visitors or the number of visitor groups by distributing the aggregation radio signal transmission tags for each visitor or each visitor group, and Based on the total information and facility visitor response capability information registered in advance corresponding to the facility, facility status information in the facility is generated substantially in real time and passed to the information distribution unit. Therefore, the user can know the current status of the facility only by receiving the distribution of the facility status information from the information distribution unit.

  In the present invention, the facility side such as a store distributes a radio signal transmission tag for aggregation to each visitor or each visitor group and receives a signal from the tag, so that it is simple and easy in real time and at low cost. The number of visitors or the number of visitor groups can be counted, and users such as portable information terminals can receive advance information such as user registration for each store (for each facility) by receiving distribution of facility status information from the information distribution unit. It is possible to easily know the vacant seats, congestion, etc. of the store.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, as an embodiment to which the information totaling and providing system and the information totaling and providing method of the present invention are applied, the information collecting provider side includes a store and the information totaling / providing management server, and the information acquiring side is a mobile phone. A system that is a user of a telephone terminal is cited. Of course, the content described here is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example.

[System configuration and operation]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an operation flow according to the present embodiment in the store PC (personal computer) 11 of the store 6, and FIG. 3 shows an operation flow in the information totaling / providing management server 1.

  In FIG. 1, a store 6 is an example of a facility according to the present invention. The store 6 includes a plurality of tabulation RF tags 14, a store RF tag reader / writer 12, a store PC (personal computer) 11, and store information. A distribution RF tag 13 is provided.

  The store PC 11 is an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is connectable to the information totaling / providing management server 1 as the facility status information generating unit according to the present invention via the Internet 2. The store 6 is registered in advance with respect to the information aggregation / provision management server 1. As will be described later, the store PC 11 may have a function as a facility status information generation unit according to the present invention.

  Further, from the store PC 11 of the store registered store 6, as shown in step S1 of FIG. 2, as an example, the number of customers that can be accommodated in the store 6, the average stay time per customer or per group, and the longest stay Depending on time, minimum stay time, average response time per customer or group, maximum response time, minimum response time, store 6 size and structure, product layout, table layout, etc. When the customer service time changes, various information such as a customer service time fluctuation parameter (facility visitor capability information according to the present invention, hereinafter referred to as customer service capability information), and the customer service capability information described above. Information of a calculation formula for calculating store status information (facility status information according to the present invention) such as vacant seat status and congestion status of the store 6 and expected waiting time using It is registered in the serial information compiled and provided management server 1. It should be noted that each of the information listed as the customer response capability information is merely an example, and the content and type of the customer response capability information sent to the information aggregation / providing management server 1 may vary depending on the type of business of the store and the products handled. Become. Similarly, the calculation formula varies depending on various factors such as the store's business type and handling products, the size of the store, the arrangement of the product, etc., the calculation result desired in the store, and in most cases it is unique to each store. Since a calculation formula is used and cannot be generalized and exemplified, a specific calculation formula will be omitted here.

  The tabulation RF tag 14 is a tabulation radio signal transmission tag according to the present invention that is distributed for each visitor (visitor) to the store 6 or for each group in a table unit, for example. As the wireless signal transmission tag, besides a general RF tag, a longer communication distance, for example, a so-called Bluetooth method (Bluetooth: registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wide Band) method, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) For example, a device that performs short-distance wireless communication can be used.

  The store RF tag reader / writer 12 is a counting unit according to the present invention, and is controlled by the store PC 11 and collectively reads signals transmitted wirelessly from the counting RF tag 14 and each counting RF that performs the wireless transmission. The number of tags 14 is counted. In other words, in this case, the store PC 11 controls the store RF tag reader / writer 12 so that each tabulation RF tag distributed to each visitor in the store 6 or a group in a table unit is processed as step S2 in FIG. 14, the signals wirelessly transmitted from 14 are collectively read substantially in real time, and further, as the processing of step S3 in FIG. 2, the number of RF tags 14 for aggregation, that is, the number of visitors in the store 6 (visitors) Number) or the number of groups in a table unit is aggregated substantially in real time, and the aggregated data is acquired.

  The store PC 11 that has acquired the aggregated data obtains the aggregated data obtained from the store RF tag reader / writer 12 with respect to the information aggregation / providing management server 1 connected via the Internet 2 as the process of step S4 in FIG. Is automatically transmitted substantially in real time or at regular intervals (for example, every few minutes).

  The information totaling / providing management server 1 receives the total data automatically transmitted from the store PCs 11 of the plurality of stores 6 having the above-described configuration as the process of step S11 in FIG. At this time, the information totaling / provision management server 1 checks whether or not the store PC 11 that has transmitted the total data is a pre-registered store 6 PC as the process of step S12 in FIG. (Authenticate the store).

  And if the said collation confirms that the said shop 6 is a pre-registered store by the said collation, the information totaling and provision management server 1 will carry out the received said total data, the said shop 6 as a process of step S13 of FIG. The vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6 are calculated using the visitor response capability information and the calculation formula registered in advance.

  Next, the information totaling / providing management server 1 returns the information of the calculation result to the store PC 11 as the process of step S14 in FIG. 3, and is provided on the Internet 1 as the process of step S15 in FIG. Update to the information providing site (not shown in FIG. 1). That is, at this time, the information sent back to the store PC 11 is information (facility status information) that represents the vacant seat status, the congestion status, the expected waiting time, etc. reflecting the congestion status etc. in the store 6 substantially in real time. In addition, the information updated to the information providing site is information (facility status information) indicating vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. reflecting the congestion status in a plurality of stores 6 in substantially real time. ing.

  The information providing site is one of information distribution units that distribute facility status information according to the present invention. The information providing site may be a site managed by the information totaling / providing management server 1 or may be a site provided separately.

  Further, the information providing site is a site opened on the Internet, and can be freely accessed by the user of the mobile phone terminal. Note that users who can access the site may be limited to registered users only. Furthermore, in the information providing site, as an example, the information of each store is classified by the unit for each store genre, the unit for each region, the unit for each building, the unit for each facility, etc., and is registered within each unit. It also has a function of providing the user with information such as the vacant seat status and congestion status of the stores being used, and an expected waiting time, and a store search function using a search word.

  The store PC 11 that has received the information of the calculation result (information indicating vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc.) from the information totaling / providing management server 1 immediately sends the information to the store RF tag reader / writer 12. Then, the store RF tag reader / writer 12 immediately writes the information to the store information distribution RF tag 13.

  The store information distribution RF tag 13 is one of information distribution units that distribute facility status information according to the present invention. The store information distribution RF tag 13 is provided, for example, near the entrance of the store 6, for example, a Bluetooth system, a UWB system, a wireless LAN, or the like. As a result of short-range wireless communication by means of non-contact communication used in, for example, so-called RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) and non-contact type IC cards, The store status information can be distributed to the user.

[Providing users with information such as store availability]
Here, in the system of the present embodiment, when the user of the mobile phone terminal wants to know the vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6, the user accesses the information providing site on the Internet, for example. Or by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the store information delivery RF tag 13 provided at the entrance of the store 6 or the like, the availability of the seats can be checked.

  First, when accessing an information providing site on the Internet, the user connects to the information providing site via the mobile phone line 3 and the Internet 2 using, for example, a mobile phone terminal 4 as shown in FIG. .

  As described above, the information providing site includes the vacancy status and congestion status of each store classified by store genre, unit by region, unit by building, unit by facility, etc. It has a function to provide information and a store search function using a search word. Therefore, when the user selects a desired classification unit or inputs a search word through the mobile phone terminal 4, the information providing site lists, for example, a plurality of stores registered in the selected classification unit. Returned information or information listing a plurality of stores hit by the search word is returned to the mobile phone terminal 4. In addition, the list at this time may be a list of only the store names, or may be a list of vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. for each store. The latter list is more desirable in order to reduce labor. In the present embodiment, the latter list is sent to the mobile phone terminal 4.

  The mobile phone terminal 4 that has received the information such as the vacant seat status, the congestion status, and the expected waiting time for each store listed above displays the listed information on a display, for example. As a result, the user of the mobile phone terminal 4 can know in real time the real-time vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of each store. In this case, since the user can know in real time the vacant seat status and congestion status of multiple stores in real time, for example, it becomes possible to collectively select the multiple stores, Effective use of time becomes possible.

  In this example, since information on a plurality of stores in the list is distributed from the information providing site on the Internet, the user registers in advance in the database for each store or performs authentication for each store. There is no need to do so, and thus information can be easily obtained.

  Further, in this example, since the user accesses the information providing site through the Internet, the user can obtain information about the desired store even if the user can connect to the Internet, even if the user is away from the store, for example. It becomes possible to do.

  Next, when obtaining information from the store information distribution RF tag 13, the user goes to the vicinity of the entrance of the store 6 as shown in FIG. 1.

  Note that the user's cellular phone terminal 5 in this example includes a receiving device for receiving a transmission radio wave from the RF tag.

  At this time, the store information delivery RF tag 13 is written with information indicating the vacant seat status, the congestion status, the expected waiting time, etc. reflecting the congestion status in the store 6 in substantially real time as described above. The store information delivery RF tag 13 transmits the information to the surroundings by radio waves.

  Therefore, by receiving the radio wave transmitted from the store information distribution RF tag 13 at the mobile phone terminal 5, the user can obtain the current real-time vacancy status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6. You will be able to know.

  In the case of this example, if the user is in the vicinity of the store 6, for example, even if the mobile phone terminal 5 cannot be connected to the Internet, the current vacant seat status and congestion status of the store 6, the expected waiting time, etc. It becomes possible to know without actually entering the store 6.

[Other system configuration examples and operations]
In the system configuration example of FIG. 1 described above, a store information distribution RF provided at the entrance of the store 6 or the like as a specific example of knowing the vacant seat situation, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6 without using the Internet. Although the case where information is obtained from the tag 13 has been described, as another system example of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of stores 6 are provided at, for example, the first floor entrance of a building 7 containing tenants. A system is also conceivable in which the real-time vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, and the like of a plurality of stores 6 in the building 7 can be collectively acquired from the entrance RF tag 22 for store information distribution in the building. In the example of FIG. 4, components that are substantially the same as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the system configuration example of FIG. 4, each store information distribution entrance RF tag 22 in the building is provided at the first floor entrance of the building 7 in which a plurality of stores 6 are included as tenants. The entrance RF tag 22 is used, for example, in the near field communication, RFID, non-contact type IC card, etc. by the Bluetooth method, the UWB method, the wireless LAN, etc., like the store information distribution RF tag 13 in FIG. It has a function to perform non-contact communication.

  The entrance RF tag reader / writer 21 is controlled by the building PC 20 and writes information into the store RF information entrance RF tag 22 in the building.

  The building PC 20 acquires information on the vacancy status, the congestion status, and the expected waiting time of each store 6 in the building 7 from the information totaling / providing management server 1 or the information providing site, and the vacancy status of each store 6 Information on the congestion status and expected waiting time is written in the entrance RF tag 22 for distributing store information in each building through the entrance RF tag reader / writer 21. In the example of FIG. 4, an example is given in which each store 6 is connected to the Internet 2 via the building PC 20, but each store 6 is independently connected to the Internet 2 as in the example of FIG. 1. May be.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the user receives the radio wave transmitted from the store RF information entrance 22 for each store information in the building by the mobile phone terminal 5, and collects the information of each store in the building 7. Get. Therefore, the user can know the real-time vacant seat status, the congestion status, the expected waiting time, etc. of the plurality of stores 6 in the building 7 at a time.

  In this example, if the user is in the vicinity of the entrance of the building 7, for example, even if the mobile phone terminal 5 cannot be connected to the Internet, or the user does not actually go to the store 6, It becomes possible to know the current vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of each store 6 in the building 7.

[Other examples of information acquisition in mobile phone terminals]
In addition, in the present invention, the user's mobile phone terminal may actively acquire the store 6 information as described above, for example, by setting delivery information reception permission, for example, as follows: It is also possible to automatically receive service information distribution.

  That is, for example, when delivery information reception permission setting is performed, the mobile phone terminal can be used for information such as congestion level information of additional restaurants, amusement facilities, etc. (art museums, libraries, department stores, etc.), additional service information, and parking lots. It is possible to automatically receive information on the degree of congestion for each of the trains, station toilets, trains, service items such as shopping streets, and time sale information.

  Also, tag information corresponding to the type can be attached to the information to be distributed. In this case, the mobile phone terminal permits distribution reception for each type based on the tag information when setting distribution information reception permission. Once set, distribution of only the information that you want to receive can be permitted. As an example of distribution permission for each type, if it is a restaurant district, setting to receive distribution of congestion level, recommended menu, etc., if waiting for a train, which vehicle on the arriving train is free If you are searching for a parking lot or if you are looking for a parking lot, you can list the setting to receive a vacant situation in the surrounding parking lot. In addition, in this way, when the setting for permitting delivery reception is performed for each type, unnecessary information can be eliminated.

[Summary]
As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, the information totaling / providing management server 1 on the Internet calculates the visitor capacity information of the store 6, the vacant seat status, the congestion status, the expected waiting time, and the like. In the store 6, the RF tag for aggregation 14 is distributed for each visitor to the store 6 or for each group in a table unit, and the distributed RF for aggregation is registered in advance. The number of visitors in the store 6 or the number of groups in a table unit is totaled in real time by a signal from the tag 14 and sent to the information totaling / providing management server 1, and the information totaling / providing management server 1 calculates the above data from the totaling data. To calculate the vacant seat status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6 and to provide the calculation result to the user's mobile phone terminal through the store 6 and the information providing server. Ri, the user of the mobile phone terminal, seat availability and congestion status of the six stores even without prior user registration and authentication, it is possible to know the expected wait time and the like.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when acquiring information such as the vacant seat status, the congestion status, and the expected waiting time of the store 6 from the information providing server, the user can store the mobile phone terminal in an environment where the Internet connection is possible. In addition to being able to know the vacancy status, congestion status, expected waiting time, etc. of the store 6 even at a location away from the store, and a plurality of stores in the desired genre, region, etc., are listed by batch search. It becomes possible to check the information of stores.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the user can acquire the vacancy status, congestion status, expected waiting time, and the like of the store through the store information distribution RF tag 13 and the like. If it is within the range that can receive radio waves from, etc., it is not necessary to access the Internet site, and even if it is not possible to connect to the Internet or before entering the store, the vacancy status and congestion of the store can be easily done You can know the situation, expected waiting time, etc.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, for example, all operations such as counting the number of customers in the store, summing up the data, and updating the data are automatically performed. It becomes possible to reduce labor and cost.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, if the user avoids a crowded store, the number of visitors to each store will be dispersed, and in a building where a plurality of stores enter, the efficiency of each store Operation becomes possible.

  The above description of the embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made according to the design or the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated.

  In the present embodiment, an example of distributing information such as the vacancy status of the store, the congestion status, and the expected waiting time has been given, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, according to the number of customers at each store You may perform distribution of ranking information, for example, discount information or coupon information for attracting customers to stores with a small number of visitors.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to visitors to stores, but also to visitors to amusement facilities (art museums, libraries, department stores, theme parks, etc.), visitors to exhibitions, and company facilities. It can also be applied to the counting of visitors.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the information totaling and provision management server 1 produces | generates the store status information (facility status information) of the store 6, and gives the example updated to an information provision site, or returning to the store PC of the said store 6. However, in the store PC 11 of the store 6, by using the aggregated data of the store RF tag reader / writer 12, the visitor capability information of the store 6 and the information of the calculation formula, the vacant seat status, the congestion status, the expected waiting time, etc. It is also possible to calculate information (facility status information) to be expressed and update the information directly to the information providing site or write it to the store information distribution RF tag 13. That is, in this case, the store PC 11 has a function as a facility status information generation unit according to the present invention. In particular, since the store information distribution RF tag 13 is a tag for distributing only information such as vacant seat status, congestion status, and expected waiting time of the store 6, information written in the store information distribution RF tag 13 If the information indicating the vacant seat situation, the congestion situation, the expected waiting time, etc. calculated by the store PC 11 is written, processing such as transmission to the information totaling / providing management server 1 and reception of the reply information thereof This makes it possible to provide the user with information such as the vacant seat status, the congestion status, and the expected waiting time more quickly.

  In addition, for example, a mobile phone terminal of a user who accesses an information providing site on the Internet not only displays a list of vacant seats, congestion, and expected waiting time of each store, but also any of the lists in the list When a store is selected, a function of sending a reservation mail to the store may be provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the system of embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of shop PC. It is an operation | movement flowchart of an information totaling / provision management server. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the other system of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 information totaling / providing management server, 2 internet, 3 mobile phone lines, 4, 5 user mobile phone terminals, 6 stores, 7 buildings, 11 store PCs, 12 store RF tag reader / writers, 13 store information distribution RF tags, 14 Total RF tag, 20 building PC, 21 entrance RF tag reader / writer, 22 entrance RF tag for store information distribution in the building

Claims (7)

Radio signal transmission tags for aggregation distributed to each visitor or group of visitors to the facility,
Receiving signals sent by the aggregated radio signal transmission tags distributed to each visitor or visitor group to the facility, and counting the number of visitors or visitor groups in the facility approximately in real time An aggregation section to
Based on the information on the number of visitors or the number of visitor groups in the facility, which is counted by the counting unit, and at least facility visitor capability information registered in advance corresponding to the facility, A facility status information generating unit that generates predetermined facility status information representing the status of
An information distribution unit that distributes the predetermined facility status information generated by the facility status information generation unit;
An information aggregation and provision system characterized by this.   The facility status information generation unit uses the information on the number of visitors or the number of visitor groups in the facility and the facility visitor capability information, and performs calculation using a calculation formula registered in advance for the facility. The system for generating and providing information according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined facility status information is generated. The facility status information generation unit is an information totaling / providing management server provided on a predetermined network,
A server connection unit that transmits information on the number of visitors or the number of visitor groups in the facility that is aggregated by the aggregation unit to the information aggregation / providing management server through the predetermined network. Item 1. The information aggregation providing system according to item 1.   The information total provision system according to claim 1, wherein the facility status information generation unit is an information processing apparatus provided in the facility.   2. The information totaling and providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution unit is an information providing site provided on the Internet.   2. The information totaling and providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution unit is a wireless signal transmission tag for information distribution provided in the vicinity of the facility. The counting section receives the signal transmitted by the counting wireless signal transmission tag distributed to each facility visitor or each visitor group, and roughly indicates the number of visitors or visitor groups in the facility. A step of counting in real time;
Facility status information generation based on information on the number of visitors or number of visitor groups in the facility counted by the counting unit and at least facility visitor capability information registered in advance corresponding to the facility Generating a predetermined facility status information representing the current status of the facility in substantially real time;
The information distribution unit distributes the predetermined facility status information generated by the facility status information generation unit;
An information aggregation providing method characterized by that.

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