JP2009204542A - Moving situation acquiring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving situation acquiring device that certainly acquires the moving situation of a moving object, inexpensively acquires the moving situation when data collection is not performed in real time, and effectively utilizes it. <P>SOLUTION: Place information is radiated by a light signal from light transmitting sections 12 and 13. The moving situation acquiring device 11 receives the reflected light of the light signal irregularly reflected on a floor surface 14 with a light receiving section 21, and acquires the place information transmitted from the light signal with an information acquiring section 22. For example, even when a shielding body exists between the light transmitting section 12 and the moving situation acquiring device 11, the reflected light irregularly reflected on the floor surface 14 can be received, the light signal is certainly and stably received, and the place information can be acquired. The moving situation of the moving object can be obtained from the acquired place information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a movement status acquisition apparatus that acquires position information of a moving body using optical wireless transmission and acquires the movement status of the moving body based on the position information.

  Conventionally, as a flow line survey method for acquiring the location of customers and patients at stores, hospitals, etc. and confirming the location and grasping the behavior, a method using a surveillance camera, a method of tracking by a supervisor, etc. have been performed . However, the above-described conventional method has been limitedly implemented due to various problems such as invasion of privacy, large labor and cost burden, and limited number of survey samples.

  On the other hand, there is a method disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a method of automatically acquiring a position without depending on a monitor. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a conventional system for acquiring a movement status, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the same configuration. In the figure, 110 is a base station, 120 is a position sensor unit, 130 is a carrying unit, 111 is a computer, 111a is a control unit, 111b is a display unit, 112 is a reception / transmission unit, 113 is an antenna, 121 is a reception unit, 122 Is a pyroelectric sensor, 123 is an infrared projector, 131 is an infrared receiver, and 132 is a transmitter. This conventional method includes a base station 110, a position sensor unit 120, and a carrying unit 130 that is attached to and held on the shoulder of a human body (subject). A large number of position sensor units 120 are arranged on the ceiling of the building with a pitch of about 2 m.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the base station 110 includes a computer 111 and a reception / transmission unit 112 that receives and transmits radio waves. 14 is provided in the reception / transmission unit 112. The computer 111 includes a control unit 111a and a display unit 111b.

  The position sensor unit 120 includes a radio wave receiving unit 121, a pyroelectric sensor 122 that detects a human body, and an infrared light projecting unit 123. The portable unit 130 includes an infrared light receiving unit 131 and a transmission unit 132 that transmits radio waves.

  In the system having such a configuration, when the pyroelectric sensor 122 detects a human body (subject) walking on the floor, the infrared light projector 123 transmits a position ID code to the carrying unit 130 by infrared light. Then, the carrying unit 130 receives this signal, and the carrying unit 130 transmits a composite signal obtained by adding the position ID code to the self ID data to the base station 110 by radio waves.

  The computer 111 of the base station 110 recognizes a human body based on the received data, calculates a flow line (human body movement), stores necessary data in a memory, and displays the data on the display unit 111b.

  According to such a conventional technique, position information can be automatically acquired without intervention of a person, and the problem of privacy is reduced. However, there are the following problems. That is, the carrying unit 30 that is attached to and held on the shoulder or the like of a human body (subject) is accompanied by a remarkable feeling of wearing. Furthermore, since it is the structure which receives infrared rays directly without obstruction | occlusion, it is requested | required that a posture and a mounting state should be maintained. Therefore, it has been impossible to operate regularly for a long time. Or, it may occur frequently when it cannot be received normally due to the shadow of the head.

  Further, in the conventional technology, a base station is provided and information is transmitted wirelessly to the base station in real time. However, there is a case where data may be analyzed later even if it is not necessarily centrally managed in real time. In such an application, a configuration in which a base station is provided and position information is transmitted to the base station wirelessly has a problem of causing a cost increase.

JP-A-10-293886

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is possible to reliably acquire a movement state without imposing a burden on a person such as a person who becomes a moving body or a user who uses the moving body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a moving status acquisition device that can be used. It is also intended to provide a movement status acquisition device that can cope with the case where data is not collected in real time, and in that case, acquires the movement status at a low cost and can be used effectively. is there.

  The present invention is a movement status acquisition device that receives at least an optical signal and acquires the movement status of a moving body, and includes a light receiving unit that receives the optical signal and information transmitted from the optical signal received by the light receiving unit. The optical signal transmits location information, and the light receiving means is provided at a lower part of the moving body, receives reflected light of the optical signal from a floor surface, and The location information is obtained by an information acquisition means.

  As described above, in the present invention, since the reflected light from the floor surface is received, the light transmitting device that emits the optical signal is not limited to the upper position such as the ceiling, and for example, the lower position near the floor or the upper position and the lower position. Can be installed in both. The light transmitting device provided at the upper position can also be used as illumination, and the light transmitting device provided at the lower position can be configured by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a straight line.

  The location information acquired along with the movement of the moving body can be sequentially stored in the storage means. At this time, it is preferable to acquire time information from the clock means and store the location information together with the time information. Furthermore, a series of place information, or time information and place information can be associated with ID information that identifies a moving object such as a person or object that is moving as a movement situation. The ID information is also received by an optical signal, and the acquisition of the movement status may be started by receiving the ID information, or the acquisition may be terminated. The start or end of the acquisition of the movement status can be performed by acquiring other predetermined location information, and in particular, by acquiring predetermined location information indicating the accommodation location of the mobile object.

  When the movement status is associated with the ID information, it is further associated with the time information, and based on this time information, the information held by the transmission source of the ID information can be associated with the movement status.

  According to the present invention, by receiving an optical signal from a light transmitting device by reflection of a floor surface, it is possible to perform stable reception with high resistance to a shielding object while reducing the burden of mounting the device on a moving body. In addition, the light transmission device can be installed at a ceiling position or a position near the floor surface, so that the degree of freedom is increased in the installation of the light transmission device, and a highly flexible communication environment can be set. Furthermore, since the movement status can be stored in the apparatus, it is not necessary to provide a base station, and the movement status can be automatically acquired at a low cost. Furthermore, by associating the acquired movement status with ID information and time information, it is possible to link these ID information, time information and external information, and to effectively use the acquired movement information. it can.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a movement status acquisition device, 12 and 13 are light transmission units, 14 is a floor surface, 21 is a light receiving unit, and 22 is an information acquisition unit. The light transmitters 12 and 13 emit light modulated by information to be transmitted. A plurality of light transmitters are provided, and here, it is assumed that the information to be transmitted includes a light transmitter that transmits location information. Of course, there may be a light transmitter that transmits information other than the location information. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the light transmission part 12 shows the example which irradiates light from upper positions, such as a ceiling, For example, it serves as an illumination means and modulates illumination light with the information which should be transmitted, Good. Moreover, the light transmission part 13 shows the example which irradiates light from the downward position of the floor vicinity, For example, it is good to comprise by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements linearly. Of course, it may also be used as a footlight. Any one of these light transmitters 12 and 13 may be provided, and both of them may be installed. In some cases, the light transmitting unit 12 and the light transmitting unit 13 may be disposed at an intermediate position.

  The movement status acquisition device 11 is provided in the moving body, receives an optical signal transmitted from the light transmitting unit 12 or 13, and acquires the movement status of the moving body. The moving body is, for example, a person or an animal, or an object moving with a person, an animal, or other power. The movement status acquisition device 11 includes at least a light receiving unit 21 and an information acquisition unit 22.

  The light receiving unit 21 receives the optical signal emitted from the light transmitting unit 12 or 13 and diffusely reflected on the floor surface 14 and converts it into an electrical signal. In order to receive the reflected light from the floor surface 14, the light receiving unit 21 is provided below the moving body.

  The information acquisition unit 22 acquires transmitted information from the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 21. For example, the location information sent from the light transmitters 12 and 13 can be acquired. Of course, other information may be acquired.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram outlining operations in one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 31 is an irradiation range, 32 is reflected light, 33 is a shield, and 34 is a shadow area. FIG. 2 shows an example in which an optical signal from the light transmitter 12 is received by the movement status acquisition device 11.

  The light from the light transmission unit 12 is irradiated with a predetermined directivity, and the region of the irradiation range 31 is irradiated with light. This light reaches the floor surface 14 and is generally irregularly reflected. In the present invention, the irregularly reflected light 32 is received by the light receiving unit 21 of the movement status acquisition device 11.

  Even in a configuration in which direct light from the light transmitting unit 12 is received, an optical signal can be received within the irradiation range 31. However, when the shielding object 33 exists between the light transmitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 21, a shadow region 34 is generated. When this shadow region 34 covers the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21, it becomes impossible to receive an optical signal. As described above, the method of receiving the direct light from the light transmitting unit 12 has a vulnerability in which communication is disabled only by a small shield entering between transmission and reception.

  In the configuration in which the reflected light 32 irregularly reflected by the floor surface 14 is received as in the present invention, the reflected light 32 irregularly reflected by the floor surface 14 around the outside of the shadow region 34 can be received even if the shadow region 34 exists. Therefore, the resistance to the shielding object is remarkably improved as compared with the method of receiving direct light. Moreover, the difference in the light intensity of the reflected light 32 irregularly reflected by the floor surface 14 is small in both the shadow region 34 and the other irradiation range 31, and stable reception performance can be obtained. Further, since the light receiving unit 21 can be installed, for example, in the lower part of the moving body, the upper part can be used effectively and can be used without being aware of the installation of the light receiving unit 21.

  In addition, also in the case of irradiating light from the lower position in the vicinity of the floor surface 14 as in the light transmitting unit 13, the reflected light 32 that is irregularly reflected on the floor surface 14 is basically received. Of course, direct light may be received. When installed at a lower position in the vicinity of the floor surface 14 as in the light transmitting section 13, the influence of the shielding is less than in the case of irradiating light from the upper position as in the light transmitting section 12, and the light receiving section 21. It is expected that the distance will be shortened, so that more stable communication is possible. A light transmission unit may be provided near the ceiling or floor according to the situation, and a flexible transmission environment can be set.

  Several application examples will be described below. First, an example in which the present invention is applied to a system for managing the position of a care recipient in a care house or the like will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first application example of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a movement status acquisition device and a center device in the first application example of the present invention. In the figure, 41 is a power line, 42 is a light transmitter, 43 is a location information generator, 44 is a modulator, 45 is an illumination light source, 46 is illumination light, 47 is a cared person, 48 is shoes, and 23 is a transmitter. , 51 is a center device, 52 is a receiving unit, 53 is a control unit, and 54 is a display unit. A plurality of light transmitters 42 are connected to a power line 41 on the ceiling of the care house. The light transmitter 42 corresponds to the light transmitter 12 in FIG. 1 and includes a location information generator 43, a modulator 44, and an illumination light source 45. The location information generation unit 43 generates location information indicating the location where each light transmission unit 12 is installed. The modulation unit 44 modulates the power supplied from the power supply line 41 with the location information generated by the location information generation unit 43 and, as an example, supplies it to the illumination light source 45 as an AM signal with a carrier frequency of 38 kHz. The illumination light source 45 is composed of, for example, a white LED or the like that can blink or control the amount of light as a light emitting element, and emits and emits light modulated by the modulation unit 44. As an example, illumination light 46 whose intensity is modulated by the AM signal is irradiated.

  The cared person 47 is made to wear shoes 48 prepared in the care house. In the shoe 48, the movement status acquisition device 11 is incorporated in the shoe sole, and the light receiving direction of the light receiving unit 21 is directed to the floor surface. When the cared person 47 enters the region irradiated with the illumination light 46 and a certain distance occurs between the shoe 48 and the floor surface as the user walks, the illumination light 46 reflected and scattered on the floor surface enters the light receiving unit 21. To do. Alternatively, the illumination light 46 reflected and scattered by the floor surface around the shoe 48 may be received by the light receiving unit 21.

  The movement status acquisition apparatus 11 is basically the one shown in FIG. 1, but here a transmission unit 23 is added as shown in FIG. When the illumination light 46 enters the light receiving unit 21, the light receiving unit 21 converts the illumination light 46 into an electrical signal, and the information acquisition unit 22 acquires location information. The information acquisition unit 22 sends the acquired location information and the shoe ID assigned to each shoe together to the transmission unit 23. The transmitter 23 sends location information and a shoe ID as radio signals to the center device 51 by radio waves such as a wireless LAN.

  The center device 51 includes a receiving unit 52, a control unit 53, a display unit 54, and the like. The receiving unit 52 receives the radio wave transmitted from the transmission unit 23 of the movement status acquisition device 11 and sends the location information and the shoe ID to the control unit 53. The control unit 53 is provided with memory means (not shown), and the received location information and shoe ID are stored in the memory means. Further, the control unit 53 causes the display unit 54 to display the location of the care recipient 47 as text or image information based on the acquired location information and shoe ID.

  In this application example, since the movement status acquisition device 11 of the present invention is incorporated in a shoe sole or the like, the care receiver 47 is completely unaware of wearing the movement status acquisition device 11, so that the psychological pressure of the care receiver 47 is reduced. Will disappear. Further, as described above, the optical signal for acquiring the location information is achieved not by direct light reception but by floor reflection, so that the location information can be stably acquired without being influenced by the posture of the care recipient 47. can do.

  Here, an example in which the movement status acquisition device 11 is incorporated into the shoe 48 has been shown, but it can be incorporated into various things worn by the care recipient 47 such as trousers, belts, and waist pouches.

  In addition to attaching the movement status acquisition device 11 to the body of the cared person 47, in the care house, the movement status acquisition device 11 can be installed in the lower part of the wheelchair. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting on a wheelchair. In the figure, 49 is a wheelchair. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, at least the light receiving unit 21 of the movement status acquisition device 11 is installed on the back side of the footrest step of the wheelchair 49. Of course, it is possible to install the light receiving unit 21 at a place where the reflected light from the floor can be received even at a step other than the footrest step.

  In this example, for example, when trying to receive direct light, a light receiver must be provided on the upper part of the handrail or on the upper part of the rear handle, which may interfere with the use of the wheelchair 49, or depending on the body of the care recipient or caregiver. Shielding frequently occurs, and location information cannot be acquired. On the other hand, in the method of receiving reflected light from the floor as in the present invention, the shielding by the human body can be almost eliminated, and the light receiving unit 21 can be installed in an inconspicuous place without being obstructed. Can solve pleasure.

  In addition to wheelchairs, the movement status acquisition device 11 of the present invention can be incorporated into various tools used in nursing homes, and may be incorporated into, for example, canes and rehabilitation tools. Furthermore, in addition to a care house, the present invention can be applied to various uses such as managing patients in a hospital, such as centralized management of movement status.

  Next, an example applied to a flow line survey in a supermarket store will be described below. When conducting a flow line survey in a store, it is not necessary to manage in real time by the center as in the above-mentioned care house, and data may be collected and analyzed later. Here, it demonstrates as an application example to such a use.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the arrangement of the merchandise display shelf and the light transmission unit in the store, FIG. 6 (A) is a plan view, and FIG. 6 (B) is a perspective view. In the figure, 61 and 62 are display shelves, and 63 and 64 are light irradiation areas. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, a merchandise display shelf in a store is generally composed of a display shelf 61 installed on the outer periphery and a shelf 62 arranged side by side.

  Under such circumstances, the light transmitter 12 that emits light from an upper position such as a ceiling and the light transmitter 13 that emits light from a lower position near the floor are used separately. The light transmission unit 12 is disposed so as to irradiate light to a light irradiation region 63 that covers a passage floor formed between a display shelf 61 installed on the outer periphery and a display shelf 62 arranged side by side. ing. Moreover, the light transmission part 13 is installed in the center part etc. of the display shelf 62 arrange | positioned along with inner side.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a specific example of the light transmitting unit 13. In the figure, 71 is a light emitting element, and 72 is a case. As the light transmission unit 13 installed on the display shelf 62, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of light emitting elements 71 are linearly attached to a rod-like case 72 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used. By using such a light transmitter 13, the problem of light being blocked by other customers in the passage is avoided. Since the light from the light transmission part 13 is radiated | emitted toward a channel | path, it irradiates the light irradiation area | region 64 which covers the channel | floor floor surface between the display shelves shielded by the opposite display shelf. In addition, you may comprise the light transmission part 12 which irradiates light from upper positions, such as a ceiling, by the structure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the movement status acquisition device is attached to a shopping cart. In the figure, 81 is a shopping cart. In the flow line survey in the store, it is preferable to attach the movement status acquisition device to the shopping cart 81. In this case, there is no burden on the customer because the customer does not have to wear it.

  In particular, in the present invention, the light receiving unit 21 of the movement status acquisition device 11 is provided in a lower portion such as the bottom of the shopping cart 81, for example, and is reflected from the light transmitting unit 12 or the light transmitting unit 13 and irregularly reflected on the floor surface. Light is received by the light receiving unit 21. For example, in the method of receiving direct light from a light source installed on the ceiling, the light receiving unit 21 must be provided on the top of the shopping cart 81 and may be covered by the customer's body, purchased products, or the like. However, in the system of the present invention that receives the reflected light from the floor surface, the light receiving unit 21 can be provided below the shopping cart 81, so that light reception is hardly hindered.

  As the customer moves in the store together with the shopping cart 81, the customer passes through the light irradiation area 63 or 64 of the light transmitter 12 or the light transmitter 13 shown in FIG. In that case, each location information sent from the light transmission part 12 or the light transmission part 13 can be received and acquired sequentially.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the movement status acquisition apparatus in the second application example of the present invention. In the figure, 24 is a memory, 25 is a clock unit, and 26 is an output unit. The movement status acquisition apparatus 11 used in this application example includes a memory 24, a clock unit 25, an output unit 26, and the like in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. Time information is provided from the clock unit 25. The output unit 26 outputs the location information and time information stored in the memory 24 to the outside, and the use thereof will be described later.

  The information acquisition unit 22 acquires location information from the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 21, further acquires time information from the clock unit 25, and stores the location information and time information in the memory 24 in combination. Accompanying the movement of the shopping cart 81, each time passing through the light irradiation area 63 or 64 of the light transmitting section 12 or 13 provided on the ceiling of the sales floor or on the side of the passage, the respective location information is sequentially acquired, together with the time information. The data is accumulated in the memory 24. As a result, a pair of location information and time information is accumulated in the memory 24.

  When the customer finishes shopping, the customer pays the fee at the cash register. FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of a store including a cash register, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a positional relationship when the shopping cart passes the cash register. In the figure, 82 is a cash register, 83 is a cash register ID transmitter, and 84 is a customer card. In this application example, the cash register 82 is also provided with a cash register ID transmitter 83 similar to the light transmitter 13. However, the register ID transmission unit 83 transmits a specific register ID, which is different from the light transmission units 12 and 13 installed in the sales floor, by an optical signal. The cash register ID transmission unit 83 is provided in the lower part on the passage side of the table on which the cash register 82 is installed.

  When the customer pays at the cash register, the shopping cart 81 moves closer to the cash register ID transmission unit 83 by going through the cash register passage. At that time, the light receiving unit 21 of the movement status acquisition device 11 attached to the shopping cart 81 receives the optical signal from the cash register ID transmission unit 83 and acquires a specific cash register ID corresponding to the cash register 82. The information acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired cash register ID and the time information acquired from the clock unit 25 in the memory 24 in association with each other. A pair of location information and time information until this cash register ID is acquired is defined as a movement situation in which one customer has moved in the store. It may be considered that the customer's shopping is ended by passing the cash register, and from this point, the data of the movement status can be set by the time when the cash register ID is acquired.

  By the way, in a store such as a supermarket, a customer card system that is used for purchase status analysis and customer service by reading a customer card 84 and acquiring a purchase history of a customer when paying for a purchase at the cash register 82 is widely introduced. . At least a customer ID unique to each customer is stored in the customer card, and by reading at the cash register, the purchased items, the purchase date and time of each customer are sent to the host computer via the card reader and stored.

  As described above, the movement status acquisition apparatus 11 stores in the memory 65 a pair of the register ID acquired when passing the register 82 and the time information passing through the register. By comparing the time information associated with the cash register ID with the purchase date data acquired by the customer card system, the data of the movement status acquired by the mobile status acquisition device 11 based on the cash register passing time and the customer card system. Can be associated with the acquired data.

  Here, the movement status data and the customer card system acquisition data are associated with each other based on the time information. However, for example, a uniquely assigned receipt number is sent as an optical signal instead of the cash register ID or together with the cash register ID. Alternatively, it may be acquired by the movement status acquisition device 11 and used as a delimiter for the movement status data so far. In this case, the association with the customer card system can be uniquely performed by the receipt number or the like.

  In addition, when paying at the cash register, for customers who are shopping with multiple people, such as families, only the shopping cart from the shopping cart is placed at the cash register, and the shopping cart is returned to the shopping cart storage area without passing through the cash register. Sometimes. In that case, the cash register ID cannot be acquired, and the movement status data cannot be divided, and the movement status of the next customer is continuously treated as one customer flow line information. In order to cope with such a situation, a place ID transmitting unit for sending a special ID dedicated to the storage place is installed in the shopping cart place, and when the place ID is acquired, the data of the movement status up to that point is collected. May be. Furthermore, the acquisition of the next customer's movement status may be started by acquiring the cash register ID at the cash register 82 or acquiring the ID at the cart storage area.

  The movement status data stored in the memory 24 in the movement status acquisition apparatus 11 can be taken out via the output unit 26 and can be linked with, for example, the customer card system as described above. For example, a signal line can be connected to a connector provided in the output unit 26, and communication with the outside can be performed to transfer movement status data.

  On the other hand, since the movement status acquisition device 11 is attached to the shopping cart 81, it cannot be connected to the power line during operation and is driven by a battery. Accordingly, since the battery is consumed as the customer uses the shopping cart 81, it is necessary to charge the battery at predetermined intervals.

  An example of transferring the data of the movement status along with the charging of the battery is shown. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the charge concentrator. In the figure, 91 is a charging concentrator, 92 is an insertion slot, 93 is a data connector, 94 is a power connector, 95 is a battery charger, 96 is a hub, and 97 is a SW power source. For example, the movement status acquisition device 11 is detached from the shopping cart 81 every predetermined period, such as every day or every week after the store opening hours, and is inserted into the insertion slot 92 of the charging concentrator 91 shown in FIG. To charge the built-in battery and transfer data of movement status. The charging concentrator 91 is provided with a large number of insertion slots 92, and charging and data transfer of the plurality of movement status acquisition devices 11 can be performed collectively.

  The charge concentrator 91 can be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the movement status acquisition apparatus 11 is inserted into the insertion slot 92. The insertion slot is provided with a power connector 94 for charging and a data connector 93 for transferring movement status data. By inserting the movement status acquisition device 11 into the insertion slot 92, it is connected to the charging concentrator 91 through both connectors. The data connector 93 and the power connector 94 may be configured to perform charging and data transfer with a single connector.

  Each power connector 94 is connected to a battery charger 95, and a built-in battery of the movement status acquisition device 11 (not shown) is charged. The battery charger 95 is supplied with power by the SW power source 97. Each data connector 93 is connected to, for example, a hub 96, and the movement status data stored in the movement status acquisition device 11 is transferred to a host computer or the like via the hub 96. The interface for data transfer is arbitrary, but USB or the like can be used, for example.

  After transferring the movement status data to the host computer, the flow line analysis can be performed based on the transferred movement status data. The movement status data transferred to the host computer is managed in a database, for example. Then, according to the situation to be analyzed, it is possible to narrow down under various conditions such as date, day of the week, time, and apparatus number of the movement status acquisition apparatus 11. In this way, the movement status data is sorted based on the device number, date, time, etc. when it is retrieved from the database, so there is no need to arrange them in chronological order at the time of registration. Increased flexibility in how data is collected.

  The movement status data extracted from the database is divided as a flow line for each customer based on the cash register ID or storage location information. At this time, based on the merchandise information associated with the passage time of the cash register ID and the location information of each sales floor, the data on the movement status can be linked with the customer information. Further, the purchase information and the flow line information can be correlated and analyzed by associating the residence time calculated based on the elapsed time from the purchased product and the location information of the sales floor to the location information of the next sales floor.

  Of course, it is possible to aggregate multiple flow line information and analyze it as flow line information for the entire customer, or display it in an intuitively easy-to-understand state by plotting it by color-coded according to the number of passes and movement speed on the store layout Is possible.

  In the above-described example, the acquired location information is accumulated in the memory 24 of the movement status acquisition device 11, and the movement status acquisition device 11 is periodically removed and set in the charging concentrator 91 to read the data and collect it in the host computer. Explained as what to do. In this case, the movement status acquisition device 11 can be configured without providing wireless data transfer means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement status acquisition apparatus 11 may be provided with wireless transmission means, and the movement status data stored in the memory 24 may be transferred to the outside through the transmission means.

  FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of performing data transfer by wireless. In the figure, reference numerals 101 and 102 denote wireless transmission / reception units. For example, a wireless transmission / reception unit 101 such as IrDA is provided in the vicinity of the registration ID transmission unit 83 of the cash register 82, and a similar wireless transmission / reception unit 102 is also provided in the shopping cart 81. May be configured to be transferred to the cash register 82 side.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned example demonstrated based on the example which attached the movement condition acquisition apparatus 11 to the shopping cart 81, you may attach not only to a shopping cart but to the bottom face of a shopping cart.

  The present invention is not limited to each application example described above, and can be used for various purposes for grasping the position and movement state of a moving object.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 1st application example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the movement condition acquisition apparatus and center apparatus in the 1st application example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example of mounting | wearing to a wheelchair. It is explanatory drawing of an example of arrangement | positioning of the merchandise display shelf and light transmission part in a store. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a specific example of a light transmission unit 13. It is explanatory drawing of an example which attached the movement condition acquisition apparatus to the shopping cart. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the movement condition acquisition apparatus in the 2nd application example of this invention. It is a top view of an example of a store containing a cash register. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the positional relationship at the time of cash register pass of a shopping cart. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a charging concentrator. It is a block diagram which shows an example in the case of performing data transfer by radio | wireless. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the system which acquires the conventional movement condition. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the system which acquires the conventional movement condition.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Movement condition acquisition apparatus, 12, 13 ... Light transmission part, 14 ... Floor surface, 21 ... Light receiving part, 22 ... Information acquisition part, 23 ... Transmission part, 24 ... Memory, 25 ... Clock part, 26 ... Output part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Irradiation range, 32 ... Reflected light, 33 ... Shielding object, 34 ... Shadow area, 41 ... Power supply line, 42 ... Light transmission part, 43 ... Location information generation part, 44 ... Modulation part, 45 ... Illumination light source, 46 ... Illumination light, 47: cared person, 48 ... shoes, 49 ... wheelchair, 51 ... center device, 52 ... receiving unit, 53 ... control unit, 54 ... display unit, 61, 62 ... display shelf, 63, 64 ... light irradiation Area 71 ... light emitting element 72 ... case 81 ... shopping cart 82 ... cash register 83 ... cash register ID transmission unit 84 ... customer card 91 ... charging concentrator 92 ... insertion slot 93 ... data connector 94 ... Power connector, 95 ... Battery charger, 96 ... Hub, 9 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... SW power supply, 101, 102 ... Wireless transmission / reception part, 110 ... Base station, 120 ... Position sensor unit, 130 ... Portable unit, 111 ... Computer, 111a ... Control part, 111b ... Display part, 112 ... Reception / transmission part, 113 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Antenna, 121 ... Reception part, 122 ... Pyroelectric sensor, 123 ... Infrared light projection part, 131 ... Infrared light reception part, 132 ... Transmission part.

Claims (11)

  A movement status acquisition device that receives at least an optical signal and acquires the movement status of a moving body, and receives information from the light receiving means that receives the optical signal and information received from the optical signal received by the light receiving means. The optical signal transmits location information, and the light receiving unit is provided at a lower part of the moving body, receives reflected light of the optical signal from a floor surface, and is received by the information acquiring unit. A movement status acquisition apparatus characterized in that the location information is obtained.   The movement status acquisition according to claim 1, wherein the optical signal is emitted from a light transmitting device installed at an upper position such as a ceiling, a lower position near the floor, or both an upper position and a lower position. apparatus.   The movement status acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light transmission device also serves as an illumination unit.   The movement status acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light transmitting device installed at a lower position near the floor is configured by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a straight line.   The movement status acquisition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information acquisition means recognizes the end or start of acquisition of the movement status by acquiring predetermined location information. apparatus.   The information acquisition means recognizes the end or start of acquisition of the movement status by acquiring predetermined location information transmitted by light emitted from a light transmitting device installed at a storage location of the moving body. The movement status acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The movement status acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the location information acquired by the information acquisition unit.   The information acquisition unit further includes time information acquired from the clock unit, and the time information is stored in the storage unit in association with the location information. The movement status acquisition apparatus according to claim 7.   The information acquisition means, when predetermined ID information is acquired from the optical signal, associates the movement status including the series of location information stored in the storage means with the ID information. The movement status acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   When the information acquisition means acquires predetermined ID information from the optical signal, the movement status including the series of location information stored in the storage means, the ID information, and time information acquired from the clock means The movement status acquisition apparatus according to claim 8, wherein information held by a transmission source of the ID information is associated with the movement status based on the time information.   The movement status according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the information acquisition means recognizes the end of acquisition of the movement status and the start of acquisition of the next movement status by acquiring the ID information. Acquisition device.

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