JP2017111535A - Traffic flow information providing apparatus, guidance system, traffic flow information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic flow information providing apparatus which can provide information for adjusting traffic flow in a route between sightseeing spots, a guidance system, a traffic flow information providing method, and a program.SOLUTION: A traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 includes: a use information recording unit 13a which collects and records position information of a user, stay time information of the user staying nodes which are set as use points in advance, and required time information of the user in a link set as a rout between the use points, by use of the nodes and links; and an evaluation index calculation unit 13b which calculates an evaluation index of the nodes on the basis of the stay time information, and calculates an evaluation index of the link on the basis of the required time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic flow information providing apparatus, a guidance system, a traffic flow information providing method, and a program.

  When traveling between tourist spots in a tourist area having a plurality of tourist spots such as shrines, castles, large commercial facilities, etc., a navigation apparatus equipped with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device can provide a vehicle having the navigation apparatus, It is known to guide a route from a pedestrian's current position to a destination tourist spot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in a tourist area having a plurality of tourist spots visited by a large number of tourists, there are cases where tourists concentrate on a specific tourist spot and the traffic flow in the tourist area is obstructed (traffic obstacles occur). For this reason, some navigation devices determine whether or not there is a traffic obstacle between the current position of the user and the destination with reference to the traffic information server, and from the current position to the destination so as to avoid the traffic obstacle. Is set (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-263835 A JP 2007-80215 A

  However, since the navigation device as described above is intended to guide the route from the current position of the user to the destination designated by the user, only the over-density of the traffic flow on the route is considered, The number of visitors to the tourist spot that is the destination and the staying time are not considered. For this reason, when the destination is a tourist spot visited by a large number of users, even if the destination can be reached smoothly, there may be a strong anxiety to the user due to congestion or waiting time at the destination. May be frustrated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a traffic flow information providing apparatus, a guidance system, a traffic flow information providing method, and a traffic flow information providing device capable of providing information that leads to adjustment of traffic flow in a route between sightseeing spots. Provide a program.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the traffic flow information providing device (13) uses a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points. A usage information recording unit (13a) that collects and records user location information, stay time information of the user at the node, and required time information of the user at the link, and the stay time information. And an evaluation index calculation unit (13b) that calculates the node evaluation index based on the required time information and calculates the link evaluation index based on the required time information.

  By doing in this way, the traffic flow information providing device collects the stay time information in each node of the user and the required time information in each link, and calculates the evaluation index of each node and the evaluation index of each link. Thus, the traffic flow information of each node and each link can be provided based on the evaluation index. Then, an administrator who manages and adjusts traffic flow in the tourist area having each node and each link, based on this traffic flow information, information that leads to appropriate traffic flow adjustment for each node and each link. Can be provided.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the evaluation index calculation unit is configured to determine whether or not the node is based on a relative amount between the stay time information and standard stay time information preset in a node corresponding to the stay time information. The attractiveness that is the evaluation index is calculated.

  By doing in this way, the evaluation index calculation unit calculates the attractiveness calculated based on the relative amount of the standard stay time information preset in each node and the stay time information in each node collected by the usage information recording unit Thus, it can be determined whether the stay time of the user in each node is long and the degree of attractiveness tends to be high, or whether the stay time of the user is short and the attractiveness tends to be low. Note that the standard staying time is the time that a user is expected to stay at each node for sightseeing, etc., and is set according to the area of each node, the services and facilities possessed by each node, and the like. For this reason, the evaluation index calculation unit sets the attractiveness of each node for the current user as an evaluation index common to each node even if each node has a different area, service, facility, etc. Can do. The administrator or the like can appropriately adjust the traffic flow such as suppressing congestion of each node based on the attractiveness level or attracting users.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the evaluation index calculation unit is configured to determine the link time based on a relative amount between the required time information and standard required time information preset in a link corresponding to the required time information. Calculate the degree of congestion, which is an evaluation index.

  By doing in this way, the evaluation index calculation unit is based on the degree of congestion calculated based on the relative amount of the standard required time information set for each link and the required time information for each link collected by the usage information recording unit. It can be determined whether the user's required time in each link is long and the degree of congestion tends to be high, or whether the user's required time is short and the degree of congestion tends to be low. The standard required time is a time that the user is assumed to move from the previous node to the next node in each link, and is set according to the distance of each link, the moving means, and the like. For this reason, the evaluation index calculation unit can clarify the degree of congestion in each link as an evaluation index common to each link even if each link has a different distance, moving means, or the like. By referring to the degree of congestion, the administrator or the like can perform appropriate traffic flow adjustment such as suppressing congestion of each link or promoting the use of the user.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the guidance system (1) provides the traffic flow information providing apparatus according to any one of the above aspects and the portable device carried by the user located in the vicinity of the node. A guidance server (10) for providing guidance information for guiding the user's behavior based on at least one of an evaluation index of a plurality of nodes and an evaluation index of the plurality of links.

  In this way, the guidance system provides the user with guidance information that suppresses congestion of traffic flow at each node and each link or promotes the use of each node and each link. be able to.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the guidance server provides the guidance information regarding a node having a relatively low evaluation index among the plurality of nodes.

  In this way, the guidance system can guide the user to a node having a relatively low evaluation index and suppress the concentration of the user to a node having a relatively high evaluation index. it can.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the guidance server provides the guidance information regarding a link having a relatively low evaluation index among the plurality of links.

  By doing in this way, a guidance system can control that a user concentrates on a link with a comparatively high evaluation index while guiding a user to a link with a comparatively low evaluation index.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the traffic flow information providing method uses a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points, and the position of the user. A usage information recording step for collecting and recording information, stay time information of the user at the node, and required time information of the user at the link, and evaluation of the node based on the stay time information And an evaluation index calculation step of calculating an index and calculating an evaluation index of the link based on the required time information.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a program uses a computer of a traffic flow information providing apparatus using a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points. A usage information recording unit that collects and records the user's location information, the stay time information of the user at the node, and the required time information of the user at the link, based on the stay time information An evaluation index calculating unit that calculates the evaluation index of the node and calculates the evaluation index of the link based on the required time information.

  According to the traffic flow information providing apparatus, the guidance system, the traffic flow information providing method, and the program according to the present invention, it is possible to provide information that leads to adjustment of traffic flow in a route between tourist spots.

It is a figure showing the outline of the guidance system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the whole guidance system composition concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the communication between each structure in the guidance system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the simple station which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the information station which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the external appearance of the station with a display concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the station with a display which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the beacon station concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the beacon prober which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the guidance server which concerns on 1st Embodiment, an operation support server, and a SNS subsystem server. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the beacon station which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the beacon station which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the beacon prober which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the beacon prober and beacon station which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the movement history information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the guidance information displayed on the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the guidance server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the beacon prober and beacon station which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the guidance system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the guidance system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the traffic flow information provision apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the utilization information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the total data of the usage information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function of the evaluation index calculating part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function of the evaluation index calculating part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function of the evaluation index calculating part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the traffic flow information provision apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the beacon station which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the guidance system which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a guidance system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a guidance system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the guidance system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of communication between the components in the guidance system according to the first embodiment.
The guidance system 1 in the present embodiment analyzes the usage status of the tourist area by a user in a tourist area having a plurality of tourist spots, and the traffic flow in the tourist area is smooth based on the usage status. It is a system for guiding the user to become. In the present embodiment, “the use situation of the tourist area by the user” means information such as the date and time when each user visits the tourist spot in the tourist area, the route for traveling around the tourist spot, and the required time. Indicates. “Guide users” means guidance information that introduces tourist spots recommended in the tourist area, recommended routes, services available in the tourist area, etc. for users visiting the tourist area. By presenting, it indicates guiding the user's destination, route or action.
In this embodiment, the tourist spot is, for example, a historical building such as a shrine or a castle, a restaurant, a large-scale commercial facility, a theme park, or the like, and is intended for use (tourism) by the user. It is a tourist spot. The tourist area is a specific area having many tourist spots, and corresponds to, for example, a municipality.
Further, in this embodiment, a tourist spot in a tourist area, a parking lot, a traffic node such as a station or a bus stop, etc. are points where a user stays or stops when traveling around the tourist area, and A point serving as a branch point when moving to a sightseeing spot or the like will be described as a node, and a route connecting each node will be described as a link.

As shown in FIG. 1, a station 200 is installed at each node. The station 200 is a point where the user X who uses each node is supposed to pass or reach at the node, and is installed at a predetermined point such as the vicinity of an entrance of a station or a roadside of a tourist spot, for example. .
The station 200 includes a beacon station 210 (a narrow area communication device) that performs narrow area communication in a communication area R1 within a certain range from a predetermined point. The beacon station 210 is attached on a building such as a streetlight or a store existing at a predetermined point.

2 and 3, the station 200 includes a simple station 200A having only a beacon station 210A, an information station 200B having a beacon station 210B and a message station 220 (wide area communication device), a beacon station 210C, And a station with display 200C having a guidance station 230 (wide area communication device).
The simple station 200A is a station for transmitting information (station ID) that can identify a predetermined point where the simple station 200A is installed and the current date and time.
The information station 200B transmits the station ID and the current date and time, collects the usage status of the tourist area by the user X who has visited the information station 200B, and sends the usage status to the guidance server 10 via the wide area network I. It is a station for transmitting. The information station 200B provides the user X with guidance information corresponding to a predetermined point where the information station 200B is installed.
The station with display 200C transmits the station ID and the current date and time, collects the usage status of the tourist area by the user X who has visited the station with display 200C, and transmits the usage status to the guidance server via the wide area communication network I. 10 is a station for transmitting to 10. The station with display 200C acquires guidance information corresponding to a predetermined point where the station with display 200C is installed from the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I such as the Internet, and provides it to the user X.
Specific functional configurations of the guidance server 10, the simple station 200A, the information station 200B, and the display-equipped station 200C will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a user X carries a beacon prober 100 (mobile communication device) and a mobile terminal 110 owned by the user X. The user X travels around each node in the sightseeing area by using moving means such as walking, vehicles such as bicycles and cars, and public transportation such as route buses and railways.

The beacon prober 100 is a device that performs narrow-area communication with the beacon station 210 and is a device for recording movement history information that records the usage status of the tourist area by the user X carrying the beacon prober 100. The movement history information is information that records the station ID that identifies the beacon station 210 that the user X carrying the beacon prober 100 has reached, the time when the user reaches the beacon station 210, and the time when the user exits the beacon station 210. It is. The beacon prober 100 does not record detailed personal information such as location information (latitude and longitude) of the user X at each time. Further, the beacon prober 100 does not record information for identifying the user X.
When the user X carrying the beacon prober 100 enters the range of the communication area R1 of the beacon station 210, the beacon station 210 records the station ID, the current date and time, etc. in the beacon prober 100 by transmitting to the beacon prober 100. Updated movement history information is updated.
Further, the beacon prober 100 is lent at the node (starting node) where the user X first arrives in the sightseeing area, and is collected at the node (end node) where the user X finally arrives in the sightseeing area. Is done. The starting node is, for example, a node including a station, a stop, or the like that is first visited in the tourist area when moving from outside the tourist area to the tourist area. The end node is, for example, a node including a station or a stop that is visited last in the tourist area when moving from the tourist area to the outside of the tourist area.
The beacon prober 100 may be attached to a bicycle lent by a rental bicycle service, an automobile lent by a rental car service, or the like. In this case, the starting point node is a node including a place where a bicycle or the like is lent, and the end point node is a node including a place where the bicycle or the like is returned.

  The mobile terminal 110 uses a GNSS device for a location information recording function, a video / music viewing function, a data communication function via a wide-area communication network such as wireless communication or a third-generation mobile communication system, and data communication via data communication. Is a multi-function terminal having a browser function for inquiring and displaying, a SNS (Social Networking Service) function using a Web service, and the like. The mobile terminal 110 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal owned by the user X. The mobile terminal 110 stores personal information such as user X's name, address, telephone number, user ID, and location information at each time recorded by the GNSS device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guidance system 1 in this embodiment has a plurality of users X (Xa, Xb, Xc...). Each user X (Xa, Xb, Xc...) Carries a beacon prober 100 (100a, 100b, 100c...) And a mobile terminal 110 (110a, 110b, 110c...).
The beacon prober 100 carried by the user X performs narrow-area communication with the beacon stations 210 (210A, 210B, and 210C) of each station 200 (the simple station 200A, the information station 200B, and the display-equipped station 200C).
Specific functional configurations of the beacon prober 100 and the mobile terminal 110 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guidance system 1 includes an operation support server 20 and an SNS subsystem server 30.
The operation support server 20 sends information corresponding to a predetermined point of each node via the wide area communication network I from an SNS subsystem server in which texts, images, and the like posted on SNS such as Facebook (registered trademark) are recorded. The acquired information is transmitted to the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I.
The guidance server 10 generates guidance information based on information transmitted from the operation support server 20 via the wide area network I. In the present embodiment, the guidance information includes one or more pieces of information such as recommended node information, link information indicating a route to the recommended node, and services received in the sightseeing area. In addition, the guidance information is presented to the user X in the form of, for example, a web page, an image, a video, or a sound.

(Station functional configuration)
Next, the functional configuration of the station 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the simple station according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the simple station 200A includes a beacon station 210A. The beacon station 210 </ b> A includes a narrow area communication I / F 211, a control unit 213, a recording unit 214, a radio clock 217, and a power supply unit 218.

  The narrow area communication I / F 211 performs narrow area communication with the beacon prober 100 that has entered the communication area R1 within a certain range from the predetermined point where the simple station 200A is installed. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which communication is performed using a wireless communication standard such as Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network). However, in other embodiments, if it is possible to perform narrow area communication within a certain range from a predetermined point (for example, within an area of a few meters to several kilometers around the predetermined point), Wi Other wireless communication standards such as -Fi may be used, and wired communication standards via electric wires or optical fibers may be used. In addition, a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) method may be used.

  The recording unit 214 records station attributes indicating whether the station 200 provided with each beacon station 210 is a simple station 200A, an information station 200B, or a display-equipped station 200C. The recording unit 214 records a station ID that can identify a predetermined point where each station 200 is installed.

  The radio clock 217 receives a standard radio wave including date and time information and automatically corrects an error, thereby outputting an accurate date and time. Therefore, a plurality of stations 200 (including a simple station 200A, an information station 200B and a display-equipped station 200C described later) installed in different nodes or sightseeing areas receive standard radio waves including the same date and time information. In this case, the radio clock 217 included in the beacon station 210 of each station 200 outputs the same date and time.

  The power supply unit 218 supplies power for operating the beacon station 210A. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 218 includes a solar panel (not shown) and a secondary battery (not shown). The power supply unit 218 stores the power generated by the solar panel by receiving sunlight, and stores the power in the secondary battery, and supplies the power stored in the secondary battery to the beacon station 210A. The power supply unit 218 may have any configuration as long as it can supply power to the beacon station 210A. For example, the power supply unit 218 may receive power transmitted from an electric power company via an electric wire or the like. .

The control unit 213 controls each function of the beacon station 210A. The control unit 213 includes a broadcast wave transmission unit 213a.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining functions of the beacon station according to the first embodiment.
The broadcast wave transmission unit 213a generates a broadcast wave W1 including the station attribute and station ID recorded in the recording unit 214 and the current date and time output from the radio clock 217. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a repeats the process of instructing the narrowband communication I / F 211 to transmit the broadcast wave W1 when a predetermined time Δt has elapsed. For example, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a sets the predetermined time Δt to 5 seconds.
The beacon station 210A periodically transmits the broadcast wave W1 in this way, and updates the movement history information recorded in the beacon prober 100 with the broadcast wave W1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the information station according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the information station 200B includes a beacon station 210B and a message station 220 connected to the beacon station 210B by a communication cable or the like.

Similar to the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A, the beacon station 210B includes a narrow area communication I / F 211, a control unit 213, a recording unit 214, a radio clock 217, and a power supply unit 218. The beacon station 210B further includes a wired communication I / F 212.
In other words, the beacon station 210B, like the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A, transmits to the beacon prober 100 entering the communication area R1 of the narrow area communication I / F 211 a broadcast wave including the station attribute, station ID, and current date and time. W1 is periodically transmitted, and the movement history information recorded in the beacon prober 100 is updated with the broadcast wave W1.
Only the configuration different from the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A will be described below.

  The wired communication I / F 212 transmits information to the message station 220 and receives information transmitted from the message station 220.

In addition to the station attribute and station ID of the information station 200B, the recording unit 214 records index information corresponding to a predetermined point where the information station 200B is installed.
The index information is, for example, a URL for accessing a web page including guidance information. The index information may be text information such as an emergency evacuation message, numerical information such as a telephone number indicating a contact address, a photograph, or the like.
The recording unit 214 records information transmitted and received by the beacon station 210B via the narrow area communication I / F 211 or the wired communication I / F 212.

The control unit 213 includes a broadcast wave transmission unit 213a, a specific wave transmission unit 213b, a response wave reception unit 213c, and a prober information transmission unit 213d.
The functional configuration of the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a is the same as that of the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A. When receiving the broadcast wave W1 from the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B, the beacon prober 100 transmits a response wave. Details of the response wave transmitted by the beacon prober 100 will be described later.

  The response wave receiving unit 213c receives the response wave transmitted from the beacon prober 100. The response wave includes prober information of each beacon prober. The prober information includes information for identifying the beacon prober 100 (prober ID) and movement history information recorded in the beacon prober 100. The response wave receiving unit 213c records the prober information received from the beacon prober 100 in the recording unit 214 and notifies the prober information transmission unit 213d that the response wave has been received.

  When the response wave receiving unit 213c receives the response wave from the beacon prober 100, the specific wave transmitting unit 213b generates a specific wave W2 including the station attribute and station ID recorded in the recording unit 214 and index information. Further, the specific wave transmitting unit 213b instructs the narrow area communication I / F 211 to transmit the specific wave W2. Note that the narrowband communication I / F 211 gives priority to the transmission of the broadcast wave W1 when the transmission of the broadcast wave W1 and the specific wave W2 overlap. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8B, the narrow area communication I / F 211 transmits the specific wave W2 during a period in which the broadcast wave W1 is not transmitted.

When notified that the response wave is received from the response wave receiving unit 213c, the prober information transmitting unit 213d reads the prober information recorded in the recording unit 214 and transmits the prober information to the wired communication I / F 212. Send instructions. The wired communication I / F 212 receives the prober information transmission instruction and transmits the prober information to the message station 220.
Note that the prober information transmission unit 213d of the present embodiment issues a prober information transmission instruction whenever it is notified that a response wave has been received from the response wave reception unit 213c, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the prober information transmission unit 213d may instruct transmission of a plurality of prober information recorded in the recording unit 214 at a predetermined timing (for example, every hour).
In the present embodiment, an example in which the response wave receiving unit 213c and the prober information transmitting unit 213d exchange prober information via the recording unit 214 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the response wave receiving unit 213c may transmit the prober information directly to the prober information transmitting unit 213d without recording the prober information in the recording unit 214.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the message station 220 includes a wired communication I / F 221, a wide area communication I / F 222, a control unit 223, and a recording unit 224.

  The wired communication I / F 221 transmits information to the beacon station 210B and receives information transmitted from the beacon station 210B.

  The wide area communication I / F 222 transmits / receives information via the wide area communication network I that connects various devices existing at remote locations using the Internet, base station communication of a data communication terminal (such as a mobile phone), and the like. The message station 220 communicates with the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I and the wide area communication I / F 222.

The control unit 223 includes a prober information reception unit 223a and a prober information transmission unit 223b.
The prober information receiving unit 223a receives the prober information transmitted by the beacon station 210B via the wired communication I / F 221. The prober information receiving unit 223a records the prober ID and the movement history information included in the received prober information in the recording unit 224 in association with each other. Further, when the prober information receiving unit 223a receives the prober information, the prober information receiving unit 223a notifies the prober information transmitting unit 223b.

When notified that the prober information is received from the prober information receiver 223a, the prober information transmitter 223b reads the prober ID recorded in the recorder 224 and the movement history information associated with the prober ID. . The prober information transmission unit 223b instructs the wide area communication I / F 222 to transmit the read prober ID and movement history information. In response to the transmission instruction from the prober information transmission unit 223b, the wide area communication I / F 222 transmits the prober ID and the movement history information to the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I.
When the prober information transmission unit 223b of the present embodiment is notified that the prober information is received from the prober information reception unit 223a, the prober ID and the movement history information are instructed to be transmitted to the wide area communication I / F 222 each time. However, it is not limited to this. In another embodiment, a plurality of prober IDs recorded in the recording unit 224 and movement history information associated with each prober ID at a predetermined timing (for example, every hour) by the prober information transmission unit 223b. And a plurality of prober IDs and movement history information transmission instructions may be issued to the wide area communication I / F 222.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the prober information reception unit 223a and the prober information transmission unit 223b pass the prober ID and the movement history information via the recording unit 224 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the prober information reception unit 223a may directly transmit the prober ID and the movement history information to the prober information transmission unit 223b without recording them in the recording unit 224.

  Each information that the message station 220 transmits / receives via the wired communication I / F 221 or the wide area communication I / F 222 is recorded in the recording unit 224. The recording unit 224 records the same station attribute and station ID as those recorded in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the station with display according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the station with display according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the station with display 200C includes a beacon station 210C and a guidance station 230 connected to the beacon station 210C by a communication cable or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the beacon station 210C, like the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B, is a narrow area communication I / F 211, a wired communication I / F 212, a control unit 213, a recording unit 214, a radio wave clock, and the like. 217 and a power supply unit 218.
In other words, the beacon station 210C, like the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B, transmits to the beacon prober 100 entering the communication area R1 of the narrow area communication I / F 211 a broadcast wave including the station attribute, station ID, and current date and time. W1 is periodically transmitted, and the movement history information recorded in the beacon prober 100 is updated with the broadcast wave W1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the guidance station 230 includes a user interface unit 235 having a display unit 235a that is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like, and an operation unit 235b that is a touch sensor formed integrally with the display unit 235a. Prepare. The user X performs various operations through the operation unit 235b while visually recognizing the guidance information displayed on the display unit 235a.
As shown in FIG. 7, the guidance station 230 includes a wired communication I / F 231, a wide area communication I / F 232, a control unit 233, a recording unit 234, and a human sensor 236.

  The wired communication I / F 231 transmits information to the beacon station 210C and receives information transmitted from the beacon station 210C.

  The wide area communication I / F 232 transmits and receives information via a wide area communication network I such as the Internet. The guidance station 230 communicates with the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I and the wide area communication I / F 232.

  Each information that the guidance station 230 transmits / receives via the wired communication I / F 231 or the wide area communication I / F 232 is recorded in the recording unit 234. The recording unit 234 records the station attribute and station ID identical to the station attribute and station ID recorded in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210C.

The control unit 233 includes a prober information reception unit 233a, a prober information transmission unit 233b, and a guidance information acquisition unit 233c.
The prober information receiving unit 233a receives the prober information transmitted by the beacon station 210C via the wired communication I / F 231. The prober information receiving unit 233a records the received prober information in the recording unit 234. Further, when the prober information receiving unit 233a receives the prober information, the prober information receiving unit 233a notifies the prober information transmitting unit 233b and the guidance information acquiring unit 233c.

When notified that the prober information is received from the prober information receiver 233a, the prober information transmitter 233b reads the prober ID recorded in the recorder 234 and the movement history information associated with the prober ID. . The prober information transmission unit 233b instructs the wide area communication I / F 232 to transmit the read prober ID and movement history information. The wide area communication I / F 232 receives the transmission instruction from the prober information transmission unit 233b, and transmits the prober ID and the movement history information to the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I.
When the prober information transmission unit 233b of the present embodiment is notified that the prober information is received from the prober information reception unit 233a, the prober ID and movement history information transmission instruction is sent to the wide area communication I / F 232 each time. However, it is not limited to this. In another embodiment, a plurality of prober IDs recorded in the recording unit 234 and movement history information associated with each prober ID at a predetermined timing (for example, every hour) by the prober information transmission unit 233b. And a transmission instruction of a plurality of prober IDs and movement history information to the wide area communication I / F 232.
In this embodiment, an example in which the prober information receiving unit 233a and the prober information transmitting unit 233b pass the prober ID and the movement history information via the recording unit 234 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the prober information reception unit 233a may directly transmit the prober ID and the movement history information to the prober information transmission unit 233b without recording the prober ID and the movement history information in the recording unit 234.

When notified that the prober information has been received from the prober information receiving unit 233a, the guidance information acquiring unit 233c reads the prober ID recorded in the recording unit 234 and the station ID of the station 200C with display, and performs wide area communication. The I / F 232 requests the guidance server 10 for guidance information based on the prober ID and station ID via the wide area communication network I.
When the guidance information acquisition unit 233c receives guidance information from the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication I / F 232 and the wide area communication network I, the guidance information acquisition unit 233c displays the guidance information on the display unit 235a.
The guidance information acquisition unit 233c may request further guidance information from the guidance server 10 based on the operation of the user X received by the operation unit 235b.

The human sensor 236 detects the presence of the user X and outputs a detection signal when the user X approaches the predetermined distance range of the station 200C with display. The guidance information acquisition unit 233c according to the present embodiment uses the detection signal from the human sensor 236 as a trigger to turn on the display unit 235a and display guidance information. In this way, it is possible to save power while the station with display 200C is on standby.
In another embodiment, the human sensor 236 may not be provided, and notification may be received when prober information is received from the prober information receiver 233a. Then, the notification from the prober information receiving unit 233a may be used as a trigger to turn on the display unit 235a or display guidance information.

(Functional configuration of beacon prober)
Next, the functional configuration of the beacon prober 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the beacon prober according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the beacon prober 100 includes a narrow area communication I / F 101, a Bluetooth (registered trademark, hereinafter omitted) communication I / F 102, a control unit 103, a recording unit 104, and a power supply unit 108. .
The narrow area communication I / F 101 performs narrow area communication between the beacon station 210 and the beacon prober 100.

The Bluetooth communication I / F 102 performs communication using the Bluetooth with the mobile terminal 110 carried by the user X within a predetermined range (communication between mobile terminals, referred to as Bluetooth communication in the following description). Here, the predetermined range is a state where the user X separates the beacon prober 100 and the mobile terminal 110 (for example, the beacon prober 100 is attached to a bicycle used by the user X, and the mobile terminal 110 is connected to the user X The mobile phone is set in a range where Bluetooth communication can be performed when it is carried in a bag. The predetermined range is set to a range of about 10 m, for example.
In other embodiments, the mobile terminal 110 and the beacon prober 100 may perform communication using other communication standards such as Wi-Fi. Further, communication may be performed between the mobile terminal 110 and the beacon prober 100 via the narrow area communication I / F 101 without providing the Bluetooth communication I / F 102.

  In the recording unit 104, a prober ID that can identify each beacon prober 100 is recorded. In the recording unit 104, movement history information indicating a history of a movement route of the user X in the sightseeing area is recorded.

  The power supply unit 108 is a secondary battery that supplies power for operating the beacon prober 100.

  The control unit 103 includes a broadcast wave receiving unit 103a, a specific wave receiving unit 103b, a response wave transmitting unit 103c, and an index information transmitting unit 103d.

When receiving the broadcast wave W1 transmitted from the beacon station 210 via the narrow area communication I / F 101, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a refers to the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 and transmits a response wave. Judgment is necessary. When the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 is a station for which transmission of a response wave is required, that is, when the station attribute is the information station 200B or the display-equipped station 200C, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a Sends a response wave transmission instruction. On the other hand, if the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 is a station that does not require transmission of a response wave, that is, the simple station 200A, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a sends a response wave to the response wave transmitting unit 103c. Do not send instructions.
Also, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a acquires the station ID and the current date and time included in the broadcast wave W1, and adds and updates these information to the movement history information recorded in the recording unit 104.

When the specific wave receiving unit 103b receives the specific wave W2 transmitted from the beacon station 210 via the narrow area communication I / F 101, the specific wave receiving unit 103b acquires the index information included in the specific wave W2 and records it in the recording unit 104. Further, the specific wave receiving unit 103b notifies the index information transmitting unit 103d that the index information has been acquired.
The specific wave receiving unit 103b may transmit the acquired index information directly to the index information transmitting unit 103d without recording the acquired index information in the recording unit 104.

  When receiving a response wave transmission instruction from the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a, the response wave transmitting unit 103c generates a response wave including the prober ID recorded in the recording unit 104 and the movement history information. In addition, the response wave transmitting unit 103c transmits the generated response wave to the beacon station 210 via the narrow area communication I / F 101.

  When the index information transmitting unit 103d is notified that the index information is acquired from the specific wave receiving unit 103b, the index information transmitting unit 103d reads the index information from the recording unit 104, and the index information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 110 via the Bluetooth communication I / F 102. Send to.

(Functional configuration of mobile terminal)
Next, the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 110 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the mobile terminal 110 includes a Bluetooth communication I / F 111, a wide area communication I / F 112, a control unit 113, a recording unit 114, a user interface unit 115, and a power supply unit 118.

  The Bluetooth communication I / F 111 performs Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 carried by the user X within a predetermined range. In other embodiments, the mobile terminal 110 and the beacon prober 100 may perform communication using other communication standards such as Wi-Fi. Further, the mobile terminal 110 may include a narrow area communication I / F corresponding to a communication standard used in the narrow area communication between the beacon prober 100 and the beacon station 210 instead of the Bluetooth communication I / F 111. .

  The wide area communication I / F 112 transmits and receives information via the wide area communication network I by using a communication standard such as Wi-Fi or a third generation mobile communication system (4G). The mobile terminal 110 communicates with the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication network I and the wide area communication I / F 112.

  The user interface unit 115 includes a display unit 115a such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and a touch sensor formed integrally with the display unit 115a or an operation unit 115b provided in the mobile terminal 110. The user X performs various operations through the operation unit 115b while visually recognizing the guidance information displayed on the display unit 115a.

  The power supply unit 118 is a secondary battery that supplies power for operating the mobile terminal 110.

  The control unit 113 includes an index information reception unit 113a, a guidance information acquisition unit 113b, and a Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c.

The index information receiving unit 113a receives the index information transmitted from the beacon prober 100 via the Bluetooth communication I / F 111. The index information receiving unit 113a records the received index information in the recording unit 114.
Further, the index information receiving unit 113a analyzes the contents of the index information, and if the information included in the index information is text information such as an emergency evacuation message or image information such as a photo, the index information receiving unit 113a displays the URL on the display unit 115a. If so, processing such as notifying the guidance information acquisition unit 113b that the URL has been acquired is performed.

When the guidance information acquisition unit 113b is notified that the URL has been acquired from the index information reception unit 113a, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b acquires the index information (URL) from the recording unit 114, and via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I. The guidance server 10 is requested for guidance information based on the index information (data inquiry is performed). In the present embodiment, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b requests the guidance server 10 for a resource such as a Web page corresponding to the URL included in the index information.
When the guidance information acquisition unit 113b receives guidance information from the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b displays the guidance information on the display unit 115a.
Further, the guidance information may further include other index information. The guidance information acquisition unit 113b acquires index information included in the guidance information based on the operation of the user X received by the operation unit 115b, and requests further guidance information from the guidance server 10 based on the index information. May be.

The Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c monitors whether or not communication between the mobile terminal 110 and the beacon prober 100 is continued via the Bluetooth communication I / F 111. When the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c detects that the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 is disconnected, the Bluetooth communication abnormality information (communication abnormality information) indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 is displayed. The information is displayed on the unit 115a and notified to the user X. Note that a situation in which an abnormality occurs in Bluetooth communication may be a case where the beacon prober 100 moves away from a predetermined range where Bluetooth communication with the mobile terminal 110 is possible due to theft or loss of the beacon prober 100. In addition, it is possible that the beacon prober 100 can no longer communicate with the mobile terminal 110 due to a battery shortage or failure of the beacon prober 100. The Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c may display the Bluetooth communication abnormality information on the display unit 115a, and may output a voice to notify the user X.
Further, the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c may notify the guidance server 10 of the Bluetooth communication abnormality information via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I.

  Each information that the mobile terminal 110 transmits / receives via the Bluetooth communication I / F 111 or the wide area communication I / F 112 is recorded in the recording unit 114.

(Functional configuration of guidance server, operation support server, SNS subsystem server)
Next, functional configurations of the guidance server 10, the operation support server 20, and the SNS subsystem server 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the guidance server, the operation support server, and the SNS subsystem server according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the guidance server 10 includes a wide area communication I / F 11, a guidance information providing device 12, a traffic flow information providing device 13, and a recording unit 14.
The wide area communication I / F 11 transmits and receives information via a wide area communication network I such as the Internet. The guidance server 10 communicates with the mobile terminal 110, the message station 220, and the guidance station 230 via the wide area communication network I and the wide area communication I / F 11.

The recording unit 14 records nodes in the sightseeing area and links that are routes connecting the nodes. The recording unit 14 records guidance information associated with each node and link. Furthermore, index information (URL) is recorded in the recording unit 14 in association with part or all of the guidance information.
The recording unit 14 records prober information (prober ID and movement history information) received by the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 from the information station 200B and the display-equipped station 200C. Details of the prober information received by the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 will be described later.

The guidance information providing device 12 includes a guidance information providing unit 12a.
When guidance information based on the index information is requested from the mobile terminal 110, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads the guidance information corresponding to the index information from the recording unit 14 and generates guidance information that can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 110. To do. Then, the guidance information providing unit 12a transmits the read guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I.

  Further, when guidance information based on the prober ID and the station ID is requested from the guidance station 230 of the station 200C with display, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads the guidance information corresponding to the station ID from the recording unit 14. Specifically, guidance information regarding a plurality of other nodes accessible through a link is read from the recording unit 14 from the node where the station 200 identified by the station ID is installed. Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads movement history information corresponding to the prober ID from the recording unit 14. The guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only the guidance information related to the node that is not included in the movement history information read from the recording unit 14 from the guidance information read from the recording unit 14 as the recommended node, and the guidance information related to the recommended node is extracted. Combined and generated as one piece of guidance information. The guidance information providing unit 12a transmits the guidance information generated in this way via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I to the display-equipped station 200C that has requested the guidance information. As a result, the station with display 200C provides the user X with guidance information regarding a node (recommended node) that is accessible from the node where the station with display 200C is installed and the user X has not yet visited. Can be presented.

Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a requests the operation support server 20 for support information (described later) corresponding to each node via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I. The guidance information providing unit 12a updates the guidance information corresponding to each node based on the support information and records it in the recording unit 14.
In addition, the guidance information providing unit 12a updates the guidance information of each node based on the evaluation index (described later) of each node and each link recorded in the recording unit 14 by the traffic flow information providing device 13, and stores the information in the recording unit 14. Record.
The guidance information that the guidance information providing unit 12a generates upon request from the mobile terminal 110 and the display-equipped station 200C includes the guidance information updated in this way.

The traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 includes a usage information recording unit 13a and an evaluation index calculation unit 13b.
The usage information recording unit 13a receives prober information (prober ID and movement history information) collected from each beacon prober 100 by the information station 200B and the station with display 200C via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I. . Based on the received prober information, the usage information recording unit 13a identifies the prober ID for identifying the beacon prober 100, the node visited by the user X carrying the beacon prober 100 included in the movement history information, and the staying time (the relevant time) The time from reaching the node to leaving) and the link used to move between the nodes and the required time (time from leaving the previous node to reaching the next node) Recorded in the recording unit 14 as usage information.

Based on the tourist area usage information recorded in the recording unit 14, the evaluation index calculation unit 13 b totals the stay time at each node of the user X traveling around the tourist area and the required time at each link.
The evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the attractiveness of each node based on the standard stay time set for each node and the stay time accumulated in each node. The standard staying time is a time when the user X stays for sightseeing etc. at each node. Specifically, the average stay time of each node throughout the year, the average stay time by day of the week (for example, the average stay time of Monday), the average stay time by day of the week and the time (for example, the average of 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock on Monday) Stay time, average daily stay time in the data for the past several years (for example, average stay time on January 1 in the data for the past three years), etc. The standard stay time has the area of each node and each node has Any of the above average stay times is set in accordance with the data accumulation status, such as services and facilities.
The attractiveness is an evaluation index for indicating whether the user X feels attractive (high attractiveness) or not attractive (low attractiveness) for each node. For example, when the staying time of the user X for each node is longer than the standard staying time, it is indicated that the node is more attractive to the user X, and the staying time of the user X is longer than the standard staying time. If it is short, it is indicated that the node is less attractive to the user X. In the present embodiment, the aspect in which the evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the attractiveness based on the stay time at each node as the evaluation index will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b may further calculate the degree of convenience based on the presence / absence of a discount on the facility usage fee, the presence / absence of a period (time) limited privilege, and the like as the evaluation index.
Further, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the degree of congestion of each link based on the standard required time set for each link and the required time totalized for each link. The standard required time is the time that the user X is expected to move from the previous node to the next node in each link, and is set according to the distance of each link, the moving means, and the like. The degree of congestion is an evaluation index for indicating whether the traffic flow is smooth (the degree of congestion is low) or the traffic flow is stagnant (the degree of congestion is high) for each link. For example, if the required time of user X for each link is longer than the standard required time, it indicates that the link has a high degree of congestion, and if the required time of user X is shorter than the standard required time, the degree of congestion is Shown to be low link. In the present embodiment, the aspect in which the evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the congestion degree based on the required time of the link as the evaluation index will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b further calculates an inconvenience based on the amount of the usage fee on the toll road existing on the link, the narrowness of the road existing on the link, and the like as the evaluation index. Also good.
The evaluation index calculation unit 13b records the attractiveness of each node in the recording unit 14 as the evaluation index of each node, and records the degree of congestion of each link in the recording unit 14 as the evaluation index of each link.

The operation support server 20 includes a wide area communication I / F 21, a control unit 23, and a recording unit 24.
The operation support server 20 communicates with the guidance server 10 and the SNS subsystem server 30 via the wide area communication I / F 21 and the wide area communication network I.

The control unit 23 includes a remote support unit 23a and an operation support unit 23b. The remote support unit 23a and the operation support unit 23b collect support information corresponding to each node in the sightseeing area.
Here, the support information is service information of businesses in the sightseeing area, post information posted to the SNS by the user X who has visited the sightseeing area, and the like. Specifically, the service information is information such as service contents, nodes that can receive the service, the address of the service provider, the telephone number, and business hours. The posted information is specifically URL information for accessing text information such as photos, videos, comments, etc. posted to the SNS and articles posted to the SNS.

  The remote support unit 23a acquires information related to each node in the sightseeing area from the posted information posted to the SNS from the SNS subsystem server 30 via the wide area communication I / F 21 and the wide area communication network I. For example, the remote support unit 23 a acquires post information including the place name of each node and post information including position information (latitude and longitude) near each node from the SNS subsystem server 30. The remote support unit 23a records post information acquired from the SNS subsystem server 30 in the recording unit 24 in association with each node as support information.

  The operation support unit 23b registers or updates information about services received in the sightseeing area and records the information in the recording unit 24 as support information. Specifically, the operation support unit 23b records information such as service contents, nodes that can receive the service, the address of the operator, a telephone number, business hours, and the like in the recording unit 24 as support information.

  The recording unit 24 stores support information recorded by the remote support unit 23a and the operation support unit 23b in association with each node.

The SNS subsystem server 30 communicates with the operation support server 20 via the wide area communication I / F 31 and the wide area communication network I.
The SNS subsystem server 30 is a server that operates an existing SNS such as Facebook (registered trademark), for example.

(Guidance system processing flow)
Next, the flow of processing of the guidance system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the beacon station according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the beacon station according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the beacon station 210 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The processing flow shown in FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing performed by the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A. First, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a of the beacon station 210A generates the broadcast wave W1 based on the station attribute recorded in the recording unit 214, the station ID, and the current date and time output from the radio clock 217. (Step S101).

  In addition, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a instructs to transmit the broadcast wave W1 generated in the narrow area communication I / F 211. The narrow area communication I / F 211 receives the transmission instruction from the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a and transmits the broadcast wave W1 via the narrow area communication (step 102).

  Next, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the transmission instruction of the broadcast wave W1 has been issued (step S103). When the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission instruction of the broadcast wave W1 has been issued (step S103: YES), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a returns to step S101 and repeats a series of processes. On the other hand, if the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the transmission instruction of the broadcast wave W1 has been issued (step S103: NO), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a waits until the predetermined time elapses.

  The processing flow shown in FIG. 13 shows the flow of processing performed by the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B and the beacon station 210C of the station with display 200C. Hereinafter, the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B will be described as an example.

  First, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a of the beacon station 210B generates the broadcast wave W1 based on the station attribute recorded in the recording unit 214, the station ID, and the current date and time output from the radio clock 217. (Step S201).

  In addition, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a makes a transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 generated in the narrow area communication I / F 211. The narrow area communication I / F 211 receives the transmission request from the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a and transmits the broadcast wave W1 via the narrow area communication (step S202).

  Next, the response wave receiving unit 213c determines whether a response wave has been received from the beacon prober 100 (step S203). When the response wave receiving unit 213c receives a response wave from the beacon prober 100 (step S203: YES), the response wave receiving unit 213c records the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) included in the response wave in the recording unit 214 and the prober. The information transmission unit 213d is notified that the response wave has been received. On the other hand, when the response wave receiving unit 213c determines that the response wave is not received from the beacon prober 100 (step S203: NO), the response wave receiving unit 213c determines that the beacon prober 100 does not exist in the communication area of the beacon station 210B. The process proceeds to step S207.

  Next, when notified that the response wave is received from the response wave receiving unit 213c, the prober information transmitting unit 213d reads the prober information recorded in the recording unit 214 and transmits the prober information to the wired communication I / F 212. Sends prober information transmission instructions. The wired communication I / F 212 receives a transmission instruction from the prober information transmission unit 213d, and transmits the prober information to the message station 220 via wired communication (step S204).

  Next, the specific wave transmitting unit 213b generates a specific wave W2 including the station attribute, station ID, and index information recorded in the recording unit 214 (step S205).

  In addition, the specific wave transmission unit 213b instructs the narrowband communication I / F 211 to transmit the specific wave. The narrow area communication I / F 211 receives a transmission instruction from the specific wave transmission unit 213b and transmits the specific wave to the beacon prober 100 via the narrow area communication (step S206).

  Next, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 was made (step S207). When the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 has been made (step S207: YES), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a returns to step S201 and repeats a series of processes. On the other hand, if the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 has been made (step S207: NO), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a waits until the predetermined time elapses.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the beacon prober according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining functions of the beacon prober and the beacon station according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing movement history information according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the beacon prober 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The processing flow shown in FIG. 14 shows the flow of processing performed by the beacon prober 100 when the user X travels around the tourist area while carrying the beacon prober 100.
First, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a of the beacon prober 100 determines whether or not the broadcast wave W1 transmitted from the beacon station 210 has been received (step S301). When the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a receives the broadcast wave W1 (step S301: YES), the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a proceeds to the next step S302. On the other hand, if the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a has not received the broadcast wave W1 (step S301: NO), the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a waits until the broadcast wave W1 is received.

  Next, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a refers to the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1, and determines whether or not the station is the same as the station that transmitted the previous broadcast wave W1 (step S302). ). When the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a determines that the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1 is different from the station ID included in the previously received broadcast wave W1 (step S302: YES), the user X determines the previous time. It is determined that a station different from the station that transmitted the broadcast wave W1 has been reached, and the process proceeds to the next step S303. On the other hand, when the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a determines that the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1 is the same as the station ID included in the previously received broadcast wave W1 (step S302: NO), the use is made. It is determined that the person X has reached the same station as the station that previously transmitted the broadcast wave W1, and the process proceeds to step S306.

  Also, the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a refers to the station attribute included in the received broadcast wave W1, and determines whether or not the station is a station that requests transmission of a response wave (step S303). Specifically, when the station attribute included in the received broadcast wave W1 is the information station 200B or the station with display 200C (step S303: YES), the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a sends the response wave transmitting unit 103c to the response wave transmitting unit 103c. Sends a response wave transmission instruction. On the other hand, if the station attribute included in the received broadcast wave W1 is the simple station 200A (step S303: NO), the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a proceeds to step S306.

  Next, when receiving a response wave transmission instruction from the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a, the response wave transmitting unit 103c generates a response wave including the prober ID recorded in the recording unit 104 and the movement history information ( Step S304).

  In addition, the response wave transmission unit 103c transmits the generated response wave to the beacon station 210 via the narrow area communication I / F 101 (step S305).

  Next, the specific wave receiving unit 103b determines whether the specific wave W2 transmitted from the beacon station 210 has been received (step S306). When the specific wave receiving unit 103b receives the specific wave W2 (step S306: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S307. On the other hand, when the specific wave receiving unit 103b has not received the specific wave W2 (step S306: NO), the process proceeds to step S309.

  When the specific wave receiving unit 103b receives the specific wave W2 (step S306: YES), the specific wave receiving unit 103b determines whether or not the received specific wave W2 includes index information (step S307). When the received specific wave W2 includes index information (step S307: YES), the specific wave receiving unit 103b acquires the index information included in the specific wave W2 and records it in the recording unit 104. Further, the specific wave receiving unit 103b notifies the index information transmitting unit 103d that the index information has been acquired. On the other hand, if the received specific wave W2 does not include index information (step S307: NO), the specific wave receiving unit 103b proceeds to step S309.

  Next, when the index information transmitting unit 103d is notified that the index information is acquired from the specific wave receiving unit 103b, the index information transmitting unit 103d reads the index information from the recording unit 104, and transmits the index information via the Bluetooth communication I / F 102. It transmits to the mobile terminal 110 (step S308).

The broadcast wave receiving unit 103a updates the movement history information based on the received broadcast wave W1 (step S309).
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a user X moves from a station 200 installed at a starting node in a sightseeing area to a station 200 installed at an end node via the stations 200 installed at a plurality of nodes. Suppose that At this time, the broadcast receiving unit 103a of the beacon prober 100 carried by the user obtains the station ID included in the broadcast wave W1 received at each station 200 and the current date and time (the transmission date and time of the broadcast wave W1). The information is acquired and added to the movement history information recorded in the recording unit 104 to be updated.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the movement history information is recorded in association with the station ID and the current date and time included in the received broadcast wave W1 for each record address of the recording unit 104. The broadcast wave receiving unit 103a records the station ID and the current date and time included in the received broadcast wave W1 at a new record address, and updates the movement history information.

  When the broadcast wave receiving unit 103a receives the broadcast wave W1 for the same station ID a plurality of times in succession, the first (first) reception is performed at the current record address (eg, # 0000). Record. For the second and subsequent receptions, recording / overwriting to the next record address (eg, # 0001) is continued unless the station ID changes. In this way, the movement history information includes the arrival time (current date and time of movement history information recorded for the first time) at the station 200 (node) corresponding to a certain station ID and the exit time from the station 200. (The current date and time of the movement history information recorded and overwritten last) is recorded. Thereby, it is possible to calculate the stay time of the user X at the station 200.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing guidance information displayed on the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the mobile terminal 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The processing flow shown in FIG. 17 shows the processing flow when the mobile terminal 110 carried by the user X receives index information from the beacon prober 100 (when step S308 in FIG. 14 is executed). .

  First, the index information receiving unit 113a of the mobile terminal 110 receives index information from the beacon prober 100 via Bluetooth communication (step S401).

  Next, the index information receiving unit 113a records the received index information in the recording unit 114. Further, the index information receiving unit 113a analyzes the content of the received index information, and if the information included in the index information is text information such as an emergency evacuation message or image information such as a photo, the index information receiving unit 113a displays the information on the display unit 115a. (Step S402). On the other hand, if the information included in the index information is a URL, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b is notified that the URL has been acquired. When the information included in the index information is a URL, the index information receiving unit 113a may omit the process of displaying the index information on the display unit 115a (Step S402).

  Next, when notified that the URL has been acquired from the index information receiving unit 113a, the guidance information acquiring unit 113b acquires the index information from the recording unit 114, and via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I. The guidance server 10 requests guidance information based on the index information (data inquiry is performed). In the present embodiment, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b requests the guidance server 10 for a resource such as a Web page corresponding to the URL included in the index information (step S403).

  In addition, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b receives guidance information from the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I (step S404).

And the guidance information acquisition part 113b displays the guidance information received from the guidance server 10 on the display part 115a (step S405).
For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a web page including text, images, and the like regarding recommended nodes is displayed as guidance information on the display unit 115 a of the mobile terminal 110. Further, the guidance information may further include other index information. In the example of FIG. 18, other index information such as “call a bicycle mechanic (index information including telephone number information)” and “about this guide (index information including URL)” is included.
At this time, the guidance information acquisition unit 113b further acquires another index information included in the guidance information based on the operation of the user X received by the operation unit 115b (step S402), and the guidance based on the index information. The server 10 requests further guidance information (step S403), obtains another guidance information (step S404), and displays the obtained other guidance information on the display unit 115a (step S405). S402 to S405 may be repeated.

FIG. 19 shows a flow of the Bluetooth state monitoring process in the mobile terminal 110 when the user X carries the mobile terminal 110 and the beacon prober 100 and travels in the tourist area.
The Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c of the mobile terminal 110 constantly monitors the state of Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 (step S501).

  If the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c detects that the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 has been disconnected (step S502: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S503. On the other hand, if the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c has not detected that the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 has been disconnected (step S502: NO), the process returns to step S501 and continues to monitor the state of the Bluetooth communication.

If the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c detects that the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 has been disconnected (step S502: YES), the Bluetooth communication abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 is displayed. The information is displayed on the display unit 115a and notified to the user X (step S503). Further, the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c may display the Bluetooth communication abnormality information on the display unit 115a, and may output a sound to notify the user X.
Further, the Bluetooth state monitoring unit 113c may notify the guidance server 10 of the Bluetooth communication abnormality information via the wide area communication I / F 112 and the wide area communication network I.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the guidance server according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the guidance server 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing flow shown in FIG. 20 shows the processing flow of the guidance server 10 when a request for guidance information is received from the mobile terminal 110 carried by the user X (step S403 in FIG. 17).

  First, the guidance information providing unit 12a of the guidance server 10 receives a request for guidance information based on the index information from the mobile terminal 110 (step S601).

  Next, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads guidance information corresponding to the index information received from the mobile terminal 110 from the recording unit 14, and generates guidance information that can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 110 (step S602).

  Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a transmits the generated guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I (Step S603).

  When the guidance information providing unit 12a receives a request for guidance information based on the prober ID and the station ID from the guidance station 230 of the station 200C with display (step S601), the guidance information corresponding to the station ID is received from the recording unit 14. Then, the movement history information corresponding to the prober ID is read out. The guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only guidance information related to nodes not included in the movement history information read from the recording unit 14 from the guidance information read from the recording unit 14 as a recommended node, and generates guidance information ( Step S602). The guidance information providing unit 12a may transmit the guidance information generated in this way to the station with display 200C that has requested the guidance information (step S603).

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the functions of the beacon prober and the beacon station according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining functions of the guidance system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining functions of the guidance system according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow of each component of the guidance system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The diagram shown in FIG. 21 shows a flow of processing in the beacon prober 100 and the beacon station 210A of the simple station 200A when the user X carries the beacon prober 100 and visits the simple station 200A.
First, the beacon station 210A generates a broadcast wave W1 (step S101 in FIG. 12). Also, the beacon station 210A transmits the generated broadcast wave W1 to the beacon prober 100 via narrow area communication (step S102 in FIG. 12). The beacon station 210A repeats the process of generating the broadcast wave W1 (step S101 in FIG. 12) and the transmission of the broadcast wave (step S102 in FIG. 12) every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the broadcast wave W1. .

  When the beacon prober 100 receives the broadcast wave W1 from the beacon station 210A, the beacon prober 100 confirms the necessity of transmission of the response wave based on the station ID and the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 (step S302 in FIG. 14). And step S303). In the example of FIG. 21, the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1 is a station ID different from the previous one (step S302: YES in FIG. 14), but the station attribute is a simple station. For this reason, the beacon prober 100 determines that transmission of a response wave is unnecessary (step S303 in FIG. 14: NO). Then, the beacon prober 100 acquires the station ID and the current date and time included in the received broadcast wave, and adds and updates these information to the movement history information recorded in the recording unit 104 (step in FIG. 14). S309). Thereafter, when the beacon prober 100 receives the broadcast wave W1 from the beacon station 210A, the beacon prober 100 confirms whether or not to transmit a response wave (step S302 and step S303 in FIG. 14), and updates the movement history information (step S309 in FIG. 14). ) Is repeated.

The diagram shown in FIG. 22 shows the flow of processing in each configuration of the guidance system 1 when the user X carries the beacon prober 100 and visits the information station 200B or the station with display 200C. Hereinafter, although the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B will be described as an example, the same processing is performed in the beacon station 210C of the station with display 200C.
First, the beacon station 210B generates a broadcast wave W1 (step S201 in FIG. 13). In addition, the beacon station 210B transmits the generated broadcast wave W1 to the beacon prober 100 via the narrow area communication (step S202 in FIG. 13). The beacon station 210B performs the processing of the generation of the broadcast wave W1 (step S201 in FIG. 13) and the transmission of the broadcast wave W1 (step S202 in FIG. 13) every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the broadcast wave W1. repeat.

  Next, when the beacon prober 100 receives the broadcast wave W1 from the beacon station 210B, the beacon prober 100 confirms the necessity of transmission of the response wave based on the station ID and the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 (FIG. 14). Step S302 and Step S303). In the example of FIG. 22, the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1 is a station ID different from the previous one, and the station attribute is an information station. For this reason, the beacon prober 100 determines that transmission of a response wave is necessary (step S302: YES and step S303: YES in FIG. 14). The beacon prober 100 generates a response wave including the prober ID recorded in the recording unit 104 and the movement history information (step S304 in FIG. 14), and the generated response wave is transmitted to the beacon station via the narrow area communication. It transmits to 210B (step S305 of FIG. 14).

Next, when the beacon station 210B receives the response wave from the beacon prober 100, the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) included in the response wave is recorded in the recording unit 214, and the prober information is transmitted via wired communication. To the message station 220 (step S204 in FIG. 13).
When the message station 220 receives the prober information from the beacon station 210B, the message station 220 transmits the prober information to the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication.

  Further, the beacon station 210B generates a specific wave W2 including the station attribute, the station ID, and the index information recorded in the recording unit 214 (step S205 in FIG. 13). Then, the beacon station 210B transmits the generated specific wave W2 to the beacon prober 100 via narrow area communication (step S206 in FIG. 13).

  Next, the beacon prober 100 receives the specific wave W2 transmitted from the beacon station 210B, and if the specific wave W2 includes index information, the beacon prober 100 transmits the index information to the mobile terminal 110 via Bluetooth communication. Transmit (step S308 in FIG. 14). Further, the beacon prober 100 updates the movement history information based on the received broadcast wave W1 (step S309 in FIG. 14).

Next, when the mobile terminal 110 receives the index information from the beacon prober 100, the mobile terminal 110 analyzes the content of the received index information, and the information included in the index information is text information such as an emergency evacuation message or image information such as a photograph. If so, it is displayed on the display unit 115a (step S402 in FIG. 17). On the other hand, if the information included in the index information is a URL, the guidance server 10 requests guidance information based on the index information via the wide area communication network I (step S403 in FIG. 17).
When guidance information is requested from the mobile terminal 110, the guidance server 10 reads guidance information corresponding to the index information received from the mobile terminal 110 from the recording unit 14, and generates guidance information that can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 110. (Step S602 in FIG. 20). Then, the guidance server 10 transmits the generated guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 via the wide area communication network I (step S603 in FIG. 20).
When receiving the guidance information from the guidance server 10, the mobile terminal 110 displays the guidance information on the display unit 115a (step S405 in FIG. 17).

The figure shown in FIG. 23 shows the flow of the Bluetooth state monitoring process in the mobile terminal 110 when the user X carries the beacon prober 100 and the mobile terminal 110 and travels within the tourist area.
The mobile terminal 110 constantly monitors the state of Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 (step S501 in FIG. 19).
When the mobile terminal 110 detects that the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 has been disconnected (step S502 in FIG. 19: YES), an abnormality has occurred in the Bluetooth communication with the beacon prober 100 on the display unit 115a of the mobile terminal 110. The Bluetooth communication abnormality information indicating that it has been displayed is displayed and notified to the user X (step S503 in FIG. 19). In addition, the mobile terminal 110 may notify the guidance server 10 of the Bluetooth communication abnormality information via the wide area communication network I.

(Function of the traffic flow information providing device)
Next, the traffic flow information providing device 13 of the guidance server 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining functions of the traffic flow information providing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The recording unit 14 of the guidance server 10 records nodes in the sightseeing area and links that are paths connecting the nodes.
As shown in FIG. 24, each node is assigned a point number. In the present embodiment, the point number is represented by the station ID of the station 200 installed at a predetermined point. Further, in the example of FIG. 24, nine nodes P01 to P09 are included in a certain tourist area, and the node having the point number P04 moves outside the tourist area (another adjacent tourist area). Is possible.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing usage information according to the first embodiment.
The usage information recording unit 13a of the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 receives the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) received from the information station 200B and the display-equipped station 200C via the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I. Receive.
As shown in FIG. 25, the usage information recording unit 13a aggregates usage information based on the prober ID included in the received prober information and the movement history information (FIG. 16), and assigns a serial number to each information. Records in the recording unit 14. Specifically, the usage information recording unit 13a aggregates the prober ID, the collection date, the start time, the end time, and the route as usage information of the tourist area and records them in the recording unit 14.
The usage information recording unit 13a acquires the time when the beacon prober 100 first communicated with the station 200 installed at the starting node in the movement history information (FIG. 16), and records it as the starting time. Further, the usage information recording unit 13a acquires the time when the beacon prober 100 last communicated with the station 200 installed at the end point node in the movement history information (FIG. 16), and records it as the end point time. Further, the usage information recording unit 13a obtains the point number (station ID) of each node visited by the beacon prober 100 from the station ID of the movement history information (FIG. 16), and the time when the node reached and the time when it exited. To do. For example, the movement history information in FIG. 16 records that the user X reaches a certain node (station ID: P04) at 14:20 and leaves at 14:30. Therefore, the usage information recording unit 13a records that the user X has stayed at the node (station ID: P04) for 10 minutes in addition to the usage information path. In addition, in the movement history information of FIG. 16, the user X leaves a certain node (station ID: P04) at 14:30 and reaches the next node (station ID: P01) at 14:39. It is recorded. For this reason, the usage information recording unit 13a moves using the link connecting the node (station ID: P04) where the user X is located and the next node (station ID: P01). The fact that the time was 9 minutes is added to the usage information path and recorded. As described above, the usage information recording unit 13a records the usage information of each node and link of each beacon prober 100 in the recording unit 14 based on the movement history information.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing total data of usage information according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the function of the evaluation index calculation unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a function of the evaluation index calculation unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a function of the evaluation index calculation unit according to the first embodiment.
The evaluation index calculation unit 13b of the traffic flow information providing device 13 totals the staying time at each node of the user X traveling around the sightseeing area based on the usage information of the sightseeing area recorded in the recording unit 14. Aggregate the time required for the link.
In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, the evaluation index calculating unit 13b extracts the required time corresponding to the same link from a plurality of pieces of usage information (FIG. 25), and tabulates it by time zone. Similarly, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b extracts stay times corresponding to the same node from a plurality of pieces of usage information (FIG. 25), and tabulates them by time zone.

Next, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the attractiveness of each node based on the stay time distribution in each node that is tabulated for each time zone.
For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b counts the number of visitors (the number of users X using the node) at a certain node in a certain time zone by staying time. The horizontal axis of FIG. 27 shows the stay time distribution at the node, and the vertical axis shows the number of visitors by stay time.
Each node is set with a standard stay time, which is a time at which the user X is expected to stay for sightseeing or the like at each node.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b uses a user X who stayed longer than the standard stay time set in the node stayed shorter than the standard stay time. If there are more than the user X, the node is determined to be a place where the user X wants to stay for a long time and has a high attractiveness. In addition, for example, as shown in FIGS. 27C and 27D, the user X who required a longer stay time than the standard stay time set in the node and the stay time shorter than the standard stay time were required. If the user X is the same level, it is determined that the node is a place where some users X want to stay for a long time and the attractiveness is standard. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 27 (e), a user X that requires a stay time shorter than the standard stay time set in the node is more than a user X that requires a stay time longer than the standard stay time. If there are too many, it is determined that the node is not a place where the user X wants to stay for a long time, but is a node with low attractiveness.
The evaluation index calculation unit 13b records the attractiveness thus obtained in the recording unit 14 as the evaluation index of each node.

Furthermore, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b obtains the degree of congestion of each link based on the distribution of the required time of each link that is tabulated for each time zone.
For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b counts the number of visitors (the number of users X using the node) in a certain time zone for each required time. The horizontal axis of FIG. 28 shows the distribution of required time in the link, and the vertical axis shows the number of visitors for each required time.
In each link, a standard stay time is set, which is a time that the user X is expected to travel from the previous node to the next node in each link. In the evaluation index calculation unit 13b, for example, as shown in FIGS. 28 (a) and 28 (b), the user X that required a longer time than the standard time set for the link is shorter than the standard time required. If there are more users than the user X that required the required time, it is determined that the link is a link that takes more time to travel than the assumed standard required time and has a high degree of congestion. Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 28C and 28D, the user X that required a longer time than the standard time set for the link and a shorter time than the standard time required. If the user X is at the same level, it is determined that the link is a link that may temporarily be congested, and the degree of congestion is standard. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 28 (e), a user X that required a shorter time than the standard time set for the link is more than a user X that required a longer time than the standard time. If there are too many, it is determined that the link is a link with a smooth traffic flow and a link with a low degree of congestion.
The evaluation index calculation unit 13b records the congestion degree thus determined in the recording unit 14 as an evaluation index for each link.

  Further, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b may visually represent the attractiveness of each node and the congestion of each link as shown in FIG. For example, the attractiveness is classified into three types: high, standard, and low. For nodes classified as high in attractiveness, the nodes are represented large, and for nodes classified as low in attractiveness, nodes are represented. May be expressed smaller. In addition, for example, the congestion level is classified into three types: high, standard, and low. For links classified as high, the link is expressed thickly, and for links classified as low congestion. May be used to express links finely.

The guidance information providing unit 12a of the guidance server 10 records in the recording unit 14 based on the attractiveness of each node and the congestion degree of each link recorded in the recording unit 14 by the evaluation index calculation unit 13b of the traffic flow information providing device 13. Updated guidance information.
The guidance information providing unit 12a refers to the attractiveness of each node recorded in the recording unit 14, and adds information to the guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 so as to promote the use of a node having a standard or low attractiveness. Add and update.
Specifically, the guidance information providing unit 12a updates the guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 with information such as a place with excellent scenery and a recommended store for nodes having a standard or low attractiveness. . User X who visits the tourist area does not have enough knowledge about a node with a standard or low degree of attractiveness, may move without using (tourist) the node, or other nodes without stopping at the node There is a possibility to move to. However, it is possible to promote the user X to use the node (stay for a long time) by adding guidance information to the node with the standard or low attractiveness as described above to enrich the node.
In addition, when the guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only the guidance information related to some of the plurality of nodes and transmits the extracted information to the mobile terminal 110 or the display-equipped station 200C, the guidance information related to the node having the standard or low attractiveness is obtained. A priority may be given to each guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 so as to be transmitted with priority over guidance information related to other nodes.

Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a refers to the degree of congestion of each link recorded in the recording unit 14 so as to reduce the use of a link with a high degree of congestion and to promote the use of a link with a low degree of congestion. The guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 is added and updated.
Specifically, when the guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only guidance information related to some of the plurality of nodes and transmits the extracted guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 or the display-equipped station 200C, the node using a link with a low congestion degree A priority may be given to each piece of guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 so that the guidance information related to other nodes is transmitted with priority over the guidance information related to other nodes. Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a increases the priority of the guidance information related to the node using the link in a time zone where the congestion degree is high, and the degree of congestion is high in a time zone where the congestion degree is low. You may make it lower the priority of the guidance information regarding the node which uses the said link in a time slot | zone.

(Processing flow of the traffic flow information provision device)
Next, the process flow of the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 of the guidance server 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the traffic flow information providing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  First, the usage information recording unit 13a of the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 receives the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) received from the information station 200B and the display-equipped station 200C, the wide area communication I / F 11 and the wide area communication network I. Receive via. For each received prober information, the usage information recording unit 13a aggregates the prober ID, the collection date, the start time, the end time, and the route as usage information of the tourist area and records them in the recording unit 14 (Step S701).

Next, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the evaluation index of each node and each link from the plurality of pieces of usage information recorded in the recording unit 14 (step S702).
Specifically, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b determines whether each node has a standard stay time set in each node and a stay time distribution of each node that is aggregated for each time zone from a plurality of usage information. When the stay time of the user X is longer than the standard stay time, it is determined that the attractiveness is high, and when the stay time of the user X at each node is shorter than the standard stay time, it is determined that the attractiveness is low. The evaluation index calculation unit 13b classifies the attractiveness of each node obtained in this way into, for example, three types of high, standard, and low, and records the evaluation index of each node in the recording unit 14.
In addition, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b determines the user X in each link based on the standard required time set for each link and the distribution of the required time for each link aggregated for each time zone from a plurality of usage information. When the required time is longer than the standard required time, it is determined that the degree of congestion is high, and when the required time of the user X in each link is shorter than the standard required time, it is determined that the degree of congestion is low. The evaluation index calculation unit 13b classifies the degree of congestion of each link obtained in this way into three types, for example, high, standard, and low, and records them in the recording unit 14 as evaluation indexes for each link.

(Function and effect)
According to the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 described above, the usage information recording unit 13a displays the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) recorded in the beacon prober 100 carried by each user X with the information station 200B and the display. Collected via the station 200C and recorded as usage information in the recording unit 14 of the guidance server 10. In addition, the evaluation index calculation unit 13b of the traffic flow information providing device 13 determines the stay time (stay time information) at each node of each user X and the required time (required time) at each link from the use information recorded in the recording unit 14. Information) and the evaluation index of each node and the evaluation index of each link are calculated. The traffic flow information providing device 13 can provide the traffic flow information of each node and each link based on the evaluation index. Administrators who manage and adjust the traffic flow in the tourist area having each node and each link should appropriately apply to each node and each link based on the traffic flow information of each node and each link thus determined. It is possible to provide information that leads to the adjustment of traffic flow.

Further, according to the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 described above, the evaluation index calculating unit 13b extracts the stay time at each node from the use information collected by the use information recording unit 13a, and the number of visitors (nodes) by stay time. Total number of users X who used). The evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the attractiveness based on the difference from the standard stay time (standard stay time information) preset in each node based on the usage information tabulated in this way. The standard staying time is a time that the user X is expected to stay for sightseeing etc. at each node, and is set according to the area of each node, the service and facility possessed by each node, and the like. For this reason, even if each node has a different area, service, facility, etc., the evaluation index calculation unit 13b clarifies the attractiveness of each node with respect to the current user X as an evaluation index common to each node. Can be
Specifically, when the stay time of the user X is longer than the standard stay time preset in each node (there are many users X who stay longer), the node Can be judged to be highly attractive. On the other hand, when there is a tendency that the stay time of the user X is shorter than the standard stay time set in each node (there are many users X who stay short), the node is attractive to the user X. Can be judged low. The evaluation index calculation unit 13b can clarify the presence or absence of congestion in each node by calculating the attractiveness in this way.
By referring to the attractiveness level, the administrator or the like can appropriately adjust the traffic flow such as suppressing congestion of each node or attracting the user X.

Further, according to the traffic flow information providing apparatus 13 described above, the evaluation index calculating unit 13b extracts the required time for the link from the usage information collected by the usage information recording unit 13a, and the number of visitors (using the nodes by the required time). The number of the user X) The evaluation index calculation unit 13b calculates the degree of congestion based on the relative amount with the standard required time (standard required time information) preset for each link, based on the usage information tabulated in this way. The standard required time is a time that the user X is expected to move from the previous node to the next node in each link, and is set according to the distance of each link, the moving means, and the like. For this reason, even if each link has a different distance, a moving means, etc., the evaluation index calculation part 13b can clarify the congestion degree in each link as an evaluation index common to each link.
Specifically, when the required time of the user X is longer than the standard required time set in advance for each link (the number of users X requiring a long required time) tends to be high, the link is Can be determined to be high. On the other hand, if there is a tendency that the required time of the user X is shorter than the standard required time set for each link (many users X require a short required time), it is determined that the link is low in congestion. can do. The evaluation index calculation unit 13b can clarify the presence or absence of congestion in each link by calculating the degree of congestion in this way.
By referring to the degree of congestion, the administrator or the like can perform appropriate traffic flow adjustments such as suppressing congestion of each link or guiding the user X.

Moreover, according to the above-described guidance system 1, the evaluation index calculation unit 13 b of the traffic flow information providing device 13 records the calculated attractiveness of each node and the congestion level of each link in the recording unit 14 of the guidance server 10. In addition, the guidance server 10 uses the guidance information providing unit 12a of the guidance information providing device 12 to guide the guidance recorded in the recording unit 14 based on the attractiveness of each node and the degree of congestion of each link recorded in the recording unit 14. The information is updated, and the guidance information is provided to the user X.
In this way, the guidance system 1 provides the user with guidance information that suppresses congestion of traffic flow at each node and each link or promotes the use of each node and each link. can do.

In addition, according to the guidance system 1 described above, the guidance information providing unit 12a refers to the attractiveness of each node recorded in the recording unit 14, and records so as to promote the use of a node having a standard or low attractiveness. Information is added to the guidance information recorded in the unit 14 and updated.
Specifically, the guidance information providing unit 12a updates the guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 with information such as a place with excellent scenery and a recommended store for nodes having a standard or low attractiveness. . User X who visits the tourist area does not have enough knowledge about a node with a standard or low degree of attractiveness, may move without using (tourist) the node, or other nodes without stopping at the node There is a possibility to move to. However, it is possible to promote the user X to use the node (stay for a long time) by adding guidance information to the node with the standard or low attractiveness as described above to enrich the node.
By doing in this way, the guidance system 1 can guide the user X to a node having a relatively low evaluation index and suppresses the concentration of the user X at a node having a relatively high evaluation index. can do.

Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a refers to the degree of congestion of each link recorded in the recording unit 14 so as to reduce the use of a link with a high degree of congestion and to promote the use of a link with a low degree of congestion. The guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 is added and updated.
Specifically, when the guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only guidance information related to some of the plurality of nodes and transmits the extracted guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 or the display-equipped station 200C, the node using a link with a low congestion degree A priority may be given to each piece of guidance information recorded in the recording unit 14 so that the guidance information related to other nodes is transmitted with priority over the guidance information related to other nodes. Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a increases the priority of the guidance information related to the node using the link in a time zone where the congestion degree is high, and the degree of congestion is high in a time zone where the congestion degree is low. You may make it lower the priority of the guidance information regarding the node which uses the said link in a time slot | zone.
By doing in this way, the guidance system 1 can guide the user X to a link with a relatively low evaluation index and suppress the concentration of the user X on a link with a relatively high evaluation index. it can.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
As described above, the first embodiment has been described in detail. However, the specific mode of the guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above-described one, and may be variously within a range not departing from the gist. It is possible to add design changes.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 110 acquires the index information included in the specific wave W2 transmitted from the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B via the beacon prober 100, and based on the index information. Although the example which requests | requires guidance information with respect to the guidance server 10 was demonstrated, in this modification, it is not limited to this aspect.
Hereinafter, the process flow of the guidance system 1 according to the present modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a beacon station according to a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining functions of a guidance system according to a modification of the first embodiment.
The processing flow shown in FIG. 31 shows the flow of processing performed by the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B or the beacon station 210C of the station with display 200C. Hereinafter, although the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B will be described as an example, the same processing is performed in the beacon station 210C of the station with display 200C.
First, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a of the beacon station 210B generates the broadcast wave W1 based on the station attribute recorded in the recording unit 214, the station ID, and the current date and time output from the radio clock 217. (Step S801).

  In addition, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a makes a transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 generated in the narrow area communication I / F 211. The narrow area communication I / F 211 receives the transmission request from the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a and transmits the broadcast wave W1 via the narrow band communication (step 802).

  Next, the response wave receiving unit 213c determines whether a response wave is received from the beacon prober 100 (step S803). When the response wave receiving unit 213c receives a response wave from the beacon prober 100 (step S803: YES), the response wave receiving unit 213c records the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) included in the response wave in the recording unit 214 and the prober. The information transmission unit 213d is notified that the response wave has been received. On the other hand, when the response wave receiving unit 213c determines that the response wave is not received from the beacon prober 100 (step S803: NO), the response wave receiving unit 213c determines that the beacon prober 100 does not exist in the communication area of the beacon station 210B. The process proceeds to step S805.

  Next, when notified that the response wave is received from the response wave receiving unit 213c, the prober information transmitting unit 213d reads the prober information recorded in the recording unit 214 and transmits the prober information to the wired communication I / F 212. Sends prober information transmission instructions. The wired communication I / F 212 receives the transmission instruction from the prober information transmission unit 213d, and transmits the prober information to the message station 220 via the wired communication (step S804).

In this modification, there is an information station 200B in which no index information is recorded in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210B. In such an information station 200B, unlike the above-described embodiment, the specific wave transmission unit 213b does not perform the process of transmitting the specific wave W2 to the beacon prober 100. In other embodiments, there may be both an information station 200B in which index information is recorded in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210B and an information station 200B in which no index information is recorded. In this case, depending on whether or not the index information is recorded in the recording unit 214, it may be determined whether or not the specific wave transmission unit 213b performs a process of transmitting the specific wave W2 to the beacon prober 100. .
Further, in the present modification, information that associates the prober ID of the beacon prober 100 carried by the same user with the mobile terminal 110 is recorded in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210B. For this reason, in the recording unit 114 of the mobile terminal 110, information that does not specify the individual of the user X and is information that specifies the control unit 113 of the mobile terminal 110 (for example, identification on the mobile terminal) A unique ID indicating the application) is recorded. When the beacon prober 100 is lent at the origin node, the user X obtains the prober ID of the beacon prober 100 and the mobile terminal side ID of the mobile terminal 110 owned by the same user X by the mobile terminal 110. The information is input through the operation unit 115 b and transmitted to the guidance server 10 through the wide area communication network I. Note that the operator or user X of the guidance system 1 inputs the prober ID and the mobile terminal side ID through a computer (not shown) provided at the origin node, and transmits it to the guidance server 10 via the wide area network I. You may do it. The guidance server 10 records the transmitted prober ID and the mobile terminal side ID in the recording unit 14 in association with each other.

  Next, the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 was made (step S805). If the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 has been made (step S805: YES), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a returns to step S801 and repeats a series of processes. On the other hand, if the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the transmission request for the broadcast wave W1 has been made (step S805: NO), the broadcast wave transmission unit 213a waits until the predetermined time elapses.

32 shows the flow of processing in each configuration of the guidance system 1 when the user X carries the beacon prober 100 and visits the information station 200B or the display-equipped station 200C. Hereinafter, although the beacon station 210B of the information station 200B will be described as an example, the same processing is performed in the beacon station 210C of the station with display 200C.
First, beacon station 210B generates broadcast wave W1 (step S801 in FIG. 31). In addition, the beacon station 210B transmits the generated broadcast wave W1 to the beacon prober 100 via narrow area communication (step S802 in FIG. 31). The beacon station 210B performs the processing of the generation of the broadcast wave W1 (step S801 in FIG. 31) and the transmission of the broadcast wave W1 (step S802 in FIG. 31) every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the broadcast wave W1. repeat.

  Next, when the beacon prober 100 receives the broadcast wave W1 from the beacon station 210B, the beacon prober 100 confirms the necessity of transmission of the response wave based on the station ID and the station attribute included in the broadcast wave W1 (FIG. 14). Step S302 and Step S303). In the example of FIG. 32, the station ID included in the received broadcast wave W1 is a station ID different from the previous one, and the station attribute is an information station. For this reason, the beacon prober 100 determines that transmission of a response wave is necessary (step S302: YES and step S303: YES in FIG. 14). The beacon prober 100 generates a response wave including the prober ID recorded in the recording unit 104 and the movement history information (step S304 in FIG. 14), and the generated response wave is transmitted to the beacon station via the narrow area communication. It transmits to 210B (step S305 of FIG. 14).

Next, when the beacon station 210B receives the response wave from the beacon prober 100, the prober information (prober ID and movement history information) included in the response wave is recorded in the recording unit 214, and the prober information is transmitted via wired communication. To the message station 220 (step S804 in FIG. 31).
When the message station 220 receives the prober information from the beacon station 210B, the message station 220 transmits the prober information and the station ID of the message station 220 (information station 200B) to the guidance server 10 via the wide area communication.

  Next, the beacon prober 100 updates the movement history information based on the received broadcast wave W1 (step S309 in FIG. 14).

Next, when receiving the station ID and the prober information from the message station 220, the usage information recording unit 13a of the guidance server 10 acquires the prober ID and the movement history information included in the prober information and records them as usage information. Part 14 is recorded. Further, the usage information recording unit 13a notifies the guidance information providing unit 12a that the prober information has been received. Note that the guidance information providing unit 12a may receive a station ID and prober information from the message station 220.
The guidance information providing unit 12a reads guidance information corresponding to the acquired station ID from the recording unit 14. Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads movement history information corresponding to the prober ID from the recording unit 14. The guidance information providing unit 12a extracts only guidance information related to nodes not included in the movement history information read from the recording unit 14 from the guidance information read from the recording unit 14 as a recommended node, and generates guidance information ( Step S602 in FIG. 20).

  Further, the guidance information providing unit 12a reads the mobile terminal side ID corresponding to the prober ID recorded in the acquired recording unit 14. Based on the mobile terminal side ID read from the recording unit 14, the guidance information providing unit 12a transmits the generated guidance information to the mobile terminal 110 via the wide area communication network I (step S603 in FIG. 20).

Thus, when the guidance server 10 receives the station ID and the prober information from the information station 200B, the mobile terminal 110 does not request guidance information from the guidance server 10 based on the index information. By transmitting the guidance information directly to the mobile terminal 110, the user X can easily use the guidance information without operating the mobile terminal 110.
In this modification, the mobile terminal-side ID recorded in the recording unit 14 of the guidance server 10 is recorded in the recording unit 114 of the mobile terminal 110 as information different from personal information that identifies the user X. . For this reason, also in this modification, the user X can use the guidance information corresponding to each node while protecting privacy.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, a program for realizing various functions of the beacon station 210, the message station 220, the guidance station 230, the beacon prober 100, the mobile terminal 110, the guidance server 10, and the operation support server 20 is provided. Various processes are performed by recording the program on a computer-readable recording medium, reading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system, and executing the program. Here, various processes of the beacon station 210, the message station 220, the guidance station 230, the beacon prober 100, the mobile terminal 110, the guidance server 10 and the operation support server 20 described above are computer-readable recording media in the form of programs. The above-described various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.
In addition, various functions of the beacon station 210, the message station 220, the guidance station 230, the beacon prober 100, the mobile terminal 110, the guidance server 10, and the operation support server 20 are provided over a plurality of devices connected via a network. It may be.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof, as long as they are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, the mode in which the index information is recorded in advance in the recording unit 214 of the beacon station 210 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the index information is recorded in the recording unit 14 of the guidance server 10, and the guidance server 10 performs wide area communication periodically or in response to a request from the station 200 (information station 200B or display-equipped station 200C). It may be distributed to the station 200 via the network I.

1 Guidance System 10 Guidance Server 11 Wide Area Communication I / F
12 Guidance Information Providing Device 12a Guidance Information Providing Unit 13 Traffic Flow Information Providing Device 13a Usage Information Recording Unit 13b Evaluation Index Calculation Unit 14 Recording Unit 20 Operation Support Server 21 Wide Area Communication I / F
23 Control Unit 23a Remote Support Unit 23b Operation Support Unit 24 Recording Unit 30 SNS Subsystem Server 31 Wide Area Communication I / F
100 Beacon prober (mobile communication device)
101 Narrow area communication I / F
102 Bluetooth communication I / F
103 Control unit 103a Broadcast wave receiving unit 103b Specific wave receiving unit 103c Response wave transmitting unit 103d Index information transmitting unit 104 Recording unit 108 Power source unit 110 Mobile terminal 111 Bluetooth communication I / F
112 Wide area communication I / F
113 Control unit 113a Index information reception unit 113b Guidance information acquisition unit 113c Bluetooth state monitoring unit 115 User interface unit 115a Display unit 115b Operation unit 118 Power supply unit 200 Station 200A Simple station 200B Information station 200C Stations with display 210, 210A, 210B, 210C Beacon station (narrow area communication device)
211 Narrow area communication I / F
212 Wired communication I / F
213 Control unit 213a Broadcast wave transmission unit 213b Specific wave transmission unit 213c Response wave reception unit 213d Prober information transmission unit 214 Recording unit 217 Radio clock 218 Power supply unit 220 Message station (wide area communication device)
221 Wired communication I / F
222 Wide Area Communication I / F
223 control unit 223a prober information receiving unit 223b prober information transmitting unit 224 recording unit 230 guidance station (wide area communication device)
231 Wired communication I / F
232 Wide Area Communication I / F
233 Control unit 233a Prober information reception unit 233b Prober information transmission unit 233c Guidance information acquisition unit 234 Recording unit 235 User interface unit 235a Display unit 235b Operation unit 236 Human sensor I Wide area communication network W1 Broadcast wave W2 Specific wave X User

Claims (8)

Using a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points, the user's location information, the staying time information of the user at the node, and A usage information recording unit that collects and records time information on the link of the user;
An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index of the node based on the stay time information, and calculates an evaluation index of the link based on the required time information;
A traffic flow information providing apparatus comprising: The evaluation index calculation unit calculates an attractiveness that is an evaluation index of the node based on a relative amount between the stay time information and standard stay time information preset in a node corresponding to the stay time information. ,
The traffic flow information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The evaluation index calculation unit calculates a degree of congestion that is an evaluation index of the link based on a relative amount between the required time information and standard required time information preset in a link corresponding to the required time information. ,
The traffic flow information providing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The traffic flow information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Guidance for guiding the user's behavior based on at least one of the evaluation indexes of the plurality of nodes and the evaluation indexes of the plurality of links to the portable device carried by the user located near the node A guidance server that provides information;
A guidance system comprising: The guidance server provides the guidance information related to a node having a relatively low evaluation index among the plurality of nodes.
The guidance system according to claim 4. The guidance server provides the guidance information regarding a link having a relatively low evaluation index among the plurality of links.
The guidance system according to claim 4 or 5. Using a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points, the user's location information, the staying time information of the user at the node, and A usage information recording step for collecting and recording time information on the link of the user;
An evaluation index calculation step of calculating an evaluation index of the node based on the stay time information and calculating an evaluation index of the link based on the required time information;
A method for providing traffic flow information. The computer of the traffic flow information providing device,
Using a plurality of nodes set in advance as a plurality of usage points and links set as routes between the usage points, the user's location information, the staying time information of the user at the node, and A usage information recording unit that collects and records time information on the link of the user;
An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index of the node based on the stay time information and calculates an evaluation index of the link based on the required time information;
Program to function as.

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