JP2017097621A - Information distribution system and information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately notify a congestion state of a facility in real time.SOLUTION: A system to distribute information indicating a congestion state of a facility comprises: a probe request detection terminal (100) which detects a probe request transmitted from a portable terminal (400) and generates probe information including identification information specific to the portable terminal transmitting the probe request; and an information distribution device (200) which acquires the probe information from the probe request detection terminal, counts the number of the portable terminals on the basis of the probe information and distributes distribution information, indicating the congestion state of the facility according to the counted number of the portable terminals, to a distribution object terminal (500).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing various types of information according to the number of visitors at a facility (for example, a store such as a restaurant).

  Conventional techniques for displaying information on reservation status and vacant seat status of restaurants and the like on a website are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The user can grasp whether or not he / she can enter the store when he / she goes to the target store by browsing the above website using a smartphone or the like.

  By the way, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, it is assumed that a customer who wants to visit the store himself accesses the website and the like to grasp the congestion situation and make a reservation. It is difficult to accurately and in real-time notify the crowds that reflect the number of customers coming to the store.

JP 2005-332215 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution technology that can accurately notify in real time of a congestion situation in a facility.

  An information distribution system according to an aspect of the present invention is a system that distributes information indicating the congestion status of a facility, and (a) the portable device that detects a probe request transmitted from a portable terminal and transmits the probe request. A probe request detection terminal for generating probe information including identification information unique to the terminal; and (b) obtaining the probe information from the probe request detection terminal and counting the number of terminals of the portable terminal based on the probe information. An information distribution system including an information distribution apparatus that distributes distribution information indicating the congestion status of the facility according to the counted number of terminals toward a distribution target terminal.

  An information distribution method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of distributing information representing a congestion status of a facility, wherein (a) the first device detects a probe request transmitted from a mobile terminal and detects the probe request Generating probe information including identification information unique to the portable terminal that has transmitted the message, and (b) the second device acquires the probe information from the first device and based on the probe information, the portable terminal And distributing the distribution information indicating the congestion status of the facility according to the counted number of terminals toward the distribution target terminal.

  According to the above configuration, there is provided an information distribution technology that can accurately notify in real time of the congestion situation in the facility.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the probe request detection terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of the probe information. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the probe information management server that constitutes the information distribution apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution server that constitutes the information distribution apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the probe request detection terminal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the probe information management server. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the distribution server. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example based on distribution information.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information distribution system according to an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information distribution system includes a probe request detection terminal 100 installed in a facility such as a restaurant, an information distribution apparatus 200 installed in a location different from the probe request detection terminal 100, and information The information processing apparatus 300 is used to set information necessary for the operation of the distribution apparatus 200. The probe request detection terminal 100, the information distribution apparatus 200, and the information processing apparatus 300 are connected to each other via a communication network N so as to be able to communicate with each other. The probe request detection terminal 100 corresponds to the “first device”, and the information distribution device 200 corresponds to the “second device”.

  In the information distribution system of the present embodiment, the probe request detection terminal 100 detects a portable terminal 400 having a wireless LAN function (WiFi function) based on the WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) standard, and analyzes the detection result in the information distribution apparatus 200. By doing so, according to the number of visitors in the facility with which the probe request detection terminal 100 is associated, the information of the preset content is distributed to the distribution target terminal 500 owned by the user. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a predetermined percentage of the facility visitors have the portable terminal 400. This predetermined ratio can be determined empirically for each facility.

  The probe request detection terminal 100 is installed in a facility for detecting each portable terminal 400 existing in the facility, and is installed at a predetermined position in the facility (for example, a position that is substantially at the center of the facility). The probe request detection terminal 100 includes, for example, a small PC (Personal Computer), a WiFi module, a power supply, an external storage device (SD card or USB memory), and the like.

  The information distribution device 200 detects the number of visitors in the facility by analyzing the information transmitted from the probe request detection terminal 100, and distributes information set in advance according to the size of the number to the distribution target terminal 500 (Transmission), and includes a probe information management server 201, a probe information database (DB) 202, and a distribution server 203. The information distribution apparatus 200 is configured by, for example, a computer having high arithmetic processing capability, and is configured by executing a predetermined server program on the computer.

  The communication network N includes a communication network capable of mutual information communication among the probe request detection terminal 100, the information distribution device 200, and the information processing device 300. The communication network N may be any of, for example, the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated line, a telephone line, a corporate network, a mobile communication network, Bluetooth, WiFi, other communication lines, combinations thereof, and the like, and is wired. Or wireless.

  The information processing apparatus 300 is capable of receiving various information and displaying the contents, and transmitting information input using the operation unit to the outside. As such an information processing apparatus, for example, a general personal computer or a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer can be used. This information processing apparatus 300 is owned by a facility owner or administrator, and is used to set information necessary for the operation of the information distribution apparatus 200.

  The plurality of portable terminals 400 are possessed by customers of the facility, and have a WiFi function for performing wireless communication via an access point (AP) (not shown) or the like. In this embodiment, a smartphone is assumed as the mobile terminal 400, but any terminal having a WiFi function such as a mobile phone, a PHS, a personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a home game machine may be used. Applicable.

  The distribution target terminal 500 is for receiving and displaying information distributed from the information distribution apparatus 200, and is possessed by a potential customer who may come to the store or a staff of the facility. Examples of the distribution target terminal 500 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a home game machine equipped with a web browser, e-mail processing software, and the like. Etc.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the probe request detection terminal. As illustrated, the probe request detection terminal 100 includes a control unit 111, an input unit 112, a display unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, and a wifi communication unit 116.

  The control unit 111 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a probe request detection unit 121 and a probe information generation unit 122 as functional blocks. Have.

  The input unit 112 is an input unit such as a keyboard connected to the control unit 111, and is used to input various types of information. The display unit 113 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel connected to the control unit 111, for example, and displays various image displays. The storage unit 114 is a storage unit such as a hard disk device connected to the control unit 111, and stores an operation program executed by the control unit 111 and various data.

  The communication unit 114 is connected to the control unit 111 and performs processing related to information communication with the information distribution apparatus 200. The wifi communication unit 116 performs processing related to information communication with each portable terminal 400.

  The probe request detection unit 121 detects a probe request that each mobile terminal 400 periodically broadcasts (broadcasts) to search for an access point. This probe request is received via the wifi communication unit 116.

  The probe information generation unit 122 generates probe information including terminal address information that is information for identifying the portable terminal 400 that has detected the probe request. The generated probe information is transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 200 via the communication unit 115.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of the probe information. As shown in FIG. 3, the probe information includes “terminal address information (MAC address)” that is information for identifying each portable terminal 400 detected by the probe request detection terminal 100, and each portable terminal 400 when making a probe request. "Radio wave intensity information" which is information indicating the intensity of radio waves emitted from the mobile phone, "time information" which is information indicating the time when a probe request from each portable terminal 400 is detected, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the probe information management server that constitutes the information distribution apparatus. The probe information management server 201 manages probe information transmitted from the probe request detection terminal 100, and includes a control unit 211, a communication processing unit 212, an input unit (not shown), a display unit, and the like.

  The control unit 211 is configured by causing a predetermined operation program to be executed in a computer system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and has a probe information storage unit 213 as a functional block. The communication unit 212 is connected to the control unit 211 and performs processing related to information communication with the probe request detection terminal 100.

  The probe information storage unit 213 performs processing for storing probe information transmitted from the probe request detection terminal 100 and received via the communication unit 212 in the probe information DB 202 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution server that constitutes the information distribution apparatus. The distribution server 203 detects the number of visitors in the facility based on the probe information stored in the probe information DB 202, and distributes information according to the size of the visitor. The control unit 221, the communication processing unit 222, and the figure The input part, the display part, etc. which are not included are comprised.

  The control unit 221 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a terminal number counting unit 223 as a functional block, a distribution content setting unit 224, A distribution processing unit 225 is included. The communication unit 222 is connected to the control unit 221 and performs processing related to information communication with the information processing apparatus 300 and processing related to information communication necessary for information distribution to the distribution target terminal 500.

  The terminal number counting unit 223 reads the probe information stored in the probe information DB 202, and counts the number of mobile terminals 400 (number of terminals) in which the probe request is detected by the probe request detection terminal 100 based on the probe information. To do. The number of terminals counted here reflects the number of visitors to the facility.

  Regarding the number of terminals, for example, based on the time information included in the probe information, the mobile terminal 400 detected within that time every predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) from the current time. The number is counted. In addition, when there are a plurality of probe information including the same terminal address information, it is preferable to count the number of portable terminals 400 corresponding to the terminal address information as one. Thereby, the counting accuracy of the number of terminals is improved. It is also preferable to refer to the radio wave intensity information included in the probe information so that the probe information whose radio wave intensity is lower than a predetermined reference value is excluded from the number of terminals counted. Thereby, for example, the portable terminal 400 possessed by a person who is not a visitor, such as a person who simply passes outside the facility, can be excluded from the number of terminals to be counted.

  The distribution content setting unit 224 sets the content of information to be distributed to the outside and the distribution destination based on the number of terminals counted by the terminal number counting unit 223. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that information of contents corresponding to the number of terminals and a distribution destination thereof are prepared in advance, and contents are selected and distributed according to the number of terminals.

  For example, when the number of terminals exceeds a certain number (first threshold value), it means that the facility is congested, and therefore, information indicating that “I do not recommend visiting now” is distributed. be able to. In addition, when the number of terminals is smaller than a certain number (second threshold), it means that the facility is vacant, so that it is possible to distribute the information “Recommend to visit”. . Or, if the number of terminals exceeds a certain number (first threshold), it is expected that the facility staff will be insufficient, so temporary work for facility staff (those who are not scheduled to work) It is also possible to distribute information on the content of requesting.

  As a distribution destination of information, a social networking service (SNS: Social Networking Service) can be used. Here, as the SNS assumed in the present embodiment, for example, an information distribution service that distributes a short sentence within a predetermined limited number of characters and can be shared among registered users, and distributes articles to its own dedicated page or timeline Information distribution services that can be shared among registered users and information distribution services that can send and receive short messages and stamp images directly between pre-registered users. It is not something. An electronic mail can also be used as the information delivery destination. Furthermore, application software (application) installed in advance on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone can be used as the information distribution destination. In this case, it is more preferable to use push notification.

  The distribution processing unit 225 generates distribution information based on the information set by the distribution content setting unit 224 and its distribution destination, and performs processing for distributing to the distribution destination. For example, if the above SNS is a distribution destination, the distribution processing unit 225 logs in to the target SNS with an account registered in advance, and writes or transmits the distribution information as an article or the like. Process. In addition, if the e-mail is a distribution destination, the distribution processing unit 225 generates an e-mail including distribution information and performs a process of transmitting the e-mail to a preset e-mail address. .

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the probe request detection terminal.

  The probe request detection unit 121 of the probe request detection terminal 100 determines whether a probe request from the mobile terminal 400 existing in the vicinity has been received by the wifi communication unit 116 (step S11). Until the probe request is received (step S11; NO), the process of step S11 is repeated. Each mobile terminal 400 periodically broadcasts a probe request in order to search for a connectable access point.

  When the probe request is received (step S11; YES), the probe request detection unit 121 acquires terminal address information included in the probe request (step S12) and is issued by the mobile terminal 400 that has transmitted the probe request. Radio wave intensity information indicating the radio wave intensity is acquired from the wifi communication unit 116 (step S13).

  Next, the probe information generation unit 122 includes “terminal address information”, “radio wave intensity information” of the detected mobile terminal 400, and “time information” indicating the time when the probe request from the mobile terminal 400 is detected. Probe information is generated (step S14). This probe information is transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 200 via the communication unit 115 (step S15).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the probe information management server.

  The probe information storage unit 213 of the probe information management server 201 receives the probe information transmitted from the probe request detection terminal 100 via the communication unit 212 (step S21).

  Next, the probe information storage unit 213 stores the received probe information in the probe information DB 202 (step S22). The probe information is stored in the probe information DB 202 in time series, for example.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the distribution server.

  Based on the probe information stored in the probe information DB 202, the terminal number counting unit 223 counts the number of portable terminals 400 that have detected a probe request by the probe request detection terminal 100 (step S31). As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of mobile terminals 400 detected within a certain time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) retroactively from the current time is counted. Further, based on the radio wave intensity information, probe information whose radio wave intensity is lower than a predetermined reference value is excluded from the number of terminals counted.

  Next, the distribution content setting unit 224 sets the content of information to be distributed to the outside and the distribution destination based on the number of terminals counted by the terminal number counting unit 223 (step S32). As described above, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the content information corresponding to the number of terminals and the distribution destination are selected from those prepared in advance.

  Next, the distribution processing unit 225 generates distribution information based on the information set by the distribution content setting unit 224 and its distribution destination, and performs processing for distributing to the distribution destination specified by the distribution content setting unit 224. This is performed (step S33). This distribution information is distributed to the distribution target terminal 500 via the communication network N and an SNS server (not shown), and is displayed on the display unit of the distribution target terminal 500.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example based on the notification information. FIG. 9A is an example of distribution information that does not recommend visiting the store, and is distributed when the number of terminals exceeds a certain number. FIG. 9B is an example of distribution information indicating that a store visit is recommended, and is distributed when the number of terminals is less than a certain number. In any case, the distribution destination is addressed to various SNSs, applications (particularly push notifications), or predetermined e-mail addresses. FIG. 9C is an example of distribution information in which the staff of the facility is requested to temporarily attend work, and is distributed when the number of terminals exceeds a certain number. The distribution destination is basically an e-mail address. However, a group dedicated to the staff in various SNSs may be set and distributed to the group all at once. It may be installed in a terminal or the like and a push notification may be sent using the application.

  According to the embodiment as described above, it is possible to accurately grasp the congestion situation in the facility by detecting a probe request by the mobile terminal possessed by the visitor, and to notify the information of the content according to it in real time. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For this reason, the said embodiment is only a mere illustration in all points, and is not interpreted limitedly. For example, the content of the distribution information in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and may be any content as long as it corresponds to the congestion situation grasped according to the number of terminals. Further, by setting threshold values (first and second threshold values) for each time zone and day of the week, the distribution conditions may be changed depending on the time zone and day of the week. In the above-described embodiment, a store such as a restaurant is cited as an example of the facility, but the type of facility to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied by capturing a predetermined area as a facility.

100: probe request detection terminal 111: control unit 112: input unit 113: display unit 114: storage unit 115: communication unit 116: wifi communication unit 121: probe request detection unit 122: probe information generation unit 200: information distribution device 201: Probe information management server 202: Probe information database 203: Distribution server 211: Control unit 212: Communication unit 213: Probe information storage unit 221: Control unit 222: Communication unit 223: Terminal number counting unit 224: Distribution content setting unit 225: Distribution Processing unit 300: Information processing device 400: Mobile terminal 500: Distribution target terminal

Claims (6)

A system that distributes information indicating the congestion status of facilities,
A probe request detection terminal that detects probe requests sent from a mobile terminal and generates probe information including identification information unique to the mobile terminal that sent the probe request;
Obtaining the probe information from the probe request detection terminal, counting the number of terminals of the mobile terminal based on the probe information, and distributing information representing the congestion status of the facility according to the counted number of terminals An information delivery device for delivery to the terminal;
Including information distribution system. The information distribution device distributes, as the distribution information, first distribution information indicating that the facility is congested when the number of terminals exceeds a first threshold, and the number of terminals is a second threshold. Deliver second distribution information as the distribution information indicating that the facility is vacant when the value is below,
The information distribution system according to claim 1. The information distribution device distributes the distribution information to the distribution target terminal via a social networking service;
The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2. The probe request detection terminal generates the probe information including time information indicating the time when the probe request is detected,
The information distribution device counts the number of terminals within a predetermined time based on the time information;
The information delivery system of any one of Claims 1-3. The probe request detection terminal generates the probe information including radio wave intensity information indicating radio wave intensity when the probe request is issued,
The information distribution device counts the number of terminals using the probe information corresponding to the probe request having the radio field intensity larger than a reference value based on the radio field intensity information.
The information delivery system of any one of Claims 1-4. A method for delivering information indicating the congestion status of a facility,
The first device detects a probe request sent from the mobile terminal and generates probe information including identification information unique to the mobile terminal that sent the probe request;
The second device acquires the probe information from the first device, counts the number of mobile terminals based on the probe information, and distributes the congestion status of the facility according to the counted number of terminals Delivering information to the delivery target device;
Including information delivery method.

Images