Position estimation system including infrared sensor array and estimator for monitoring pixel temperature change, and method for the same

1 . A position estimation system comprising:

an infrared array sensor configured to capture thermal images;

a communication circuit that receives, by communicating with the infrared array sensor, a thermal image of a space in which a target object is located, the thermal image being generated by the infrared array sensor;

an estimator that estimates, by monitoring a temporal change in a pixel value of each of a plurality of pixels included in the thermal image received, coordinates of the target object in the space, based on a degree of the temporal change in the pixel value monitored;

a position information obtainer that obtains target position information that is position information of the target object from a positioning system that measures a position of an object located in the space based on a state of communication between a first communication device held by the object and a plurality of second communication devices disposed in the space; and

a controller that stores, onto storage, identification information of the target object in association with the coordinates estimated, the identification information being included in the target position information obtained.

2 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the position information obtainer:

obtains, from the positioning system, items of position information indicating positions of objects located in the space; and

regards, as the target object, an object located closest to the coordinates estimated and selects, as the target position information, one of the items of position information that indicates the object.

3 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the communication circuit receives the thermal image indicating a temperature distribution of the space in a top view of the space,

the estimator estimates the coordinates, based on the thermal image received, and

the coordinates are two-dimensional coordinates in the top view of the space.

4 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the positioning system measures the position of the object, based on a received signal strength indicator of a beacon signal transmitted by the first communication device, the received signal strength indicator being observed at each of the plurality of second communication devices.

5 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the positioning system measures the position of the object, based on a received signal strength indicator of a beacon signal transmitted by each of the plurality of second communication devices, the received signal strength indicator being observed at the first communication device.

6 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the target object is a person.

7 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the target object is an object other than a person.

8 . A position estimation method for implementation by a position estimation system, the position estimation system including:

at least one processor;

a memory connected to the at least one processor and configured to store a program executable by the at least one processor; and

an infrared array sensor configured to capture thermal images,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the program stored in the memory to perform the position estimation method, the position estimation method comprising:

receiving, by communicating with the infrared array sensor, a thermal image of a space in which a target object is located, the thermal image being generated by the infrared array sensor;

estimating, by monitoring a temporal change in a pixel value of each of a plurality of pixels included in the thermal image received, coordinates of the target object in the space, based on a degree of the temporal change in the pixel value monitored;

obtaining target position information that is position information of the target object from a positioning system that measures a position of an object located in the space based on a state of communication between a first communication device held by the object and a plurality of second communication devices disposed in the space; and

storing identification information of the target object in association with the coordinates estimated, the identification information being included in the target position information obtained.

9 . The position estimation system according to claim 1 , wherein

the infrared array sensor is connected to a lighting device disposed on a ceiling of the space and receives electricity supply from the lighting device, and

one of the plurality of second communication devices receives electricity supply from the lighting device.

10 . The position estimation method according to claim 8 , wherein

the infrared array sensor is connected to a lighting device disposed on a ceiling of the space and receives electricity supply from the lighting device, and

one of the plurality of second communication devices receives electricity supply from the lighting device.