JP2006135544A - Management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system which is easily and reliably manage and lead children and persons requiring nursing care with reduced power. <P>SOLUTION: A master unit 1 changes a transmission output and transmits a calling signal to a slave unit 2 taken by children and persons requiring nursing care. When receiving the calling signal, the slave unit 2 transmits a response signal corresponding to the received calling signal to the master unit 1. The master unit 1 determines whether the slave unit 2 exists within a predetermined area according to a reception result of the response signal and controls the transmission output of the calling signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a management system including a parent device and a child device, and relates to a management system used for prevention of lost children of infants or care recipients, or for a lead in travel or the like.

  Conventionally, for example, in order to prevent infants and care recipients from getting lost, using a base unit and a slave unit capable of wireless communication, the slave unit can be carried by an infant or a person requiring care, and the parent unit can be carried by an infant or a person requiring care. A system has been devised in which an administrator manages an infant or a care recipient (for example, see Patent Document 1). This system uses the fact that the reception level of the radio signal decreases as the distance between the parent device and the child device increases. For example, if the reception level is smaller than the reference value determined according to the set distance between the parent device and the child device, and the state continues for a predetermined time, an alarm is generated in both the parent device and the child device, Attention is given to the administrator who carries the parent machine and the infant and the care recipient who carry the child machine.

Japanese Patent No. 3025679

  However, in the above-mentioned system, since the master unit and the slave unit measure the signal reception level to determine the distance, both the master unit and the slave unit are the same regardless of whether the distance between the master unit and the slave unit is long or short. Wireless signals had to be transmitted with a constant output, and power was wasted. In addition, since the set distance and duration must be set for both the master unit and the slave unit, if there are multiple slave units, an administrator who manages infants and care recipients sets one slave unit at a time. The need arises and the work is cumbersome.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional situations, and an object of the present invention is to provide a management system that can easily and reliably manage and lead an infant or a person requiring care with power saving. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a management system according to the present invention is a management system including one or more slave units and a master unit that manages the slave units. The master unit is called for each slave unit. Call signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal a predetermined number of times by changing the transmission output, response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from a slave unit responding to the call signal, and reception result of the response signal A slave unit information output unit for outputting slave unit information according to the control unit, and a control unit for controlling the transmission output in accordance with the reception result of the response signal, wherein the slave unit receives the call signal. Receiving means; response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal in response to the call signal received by the call signal receiving means; information output means for outputting warning information according to the reception result of the call signal; and the response signal Send It is characterized by comprising a transmission output control means for controlling the force.

  The management system according to the present invention communicates with one or more slave units, the slave units, a communication unit installed for each predetermined area, controls the communication unit, and manages the slave units. A management system comprising a management device, wherein the communication unit transmits a call signal transmitting means for transmitting a call signal, and a response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from a slave unit responding to the call signal And a notification means for notifying the management device of the reception result of the response signal, wherein the slave unit responds to the call signal received by the call signal receiving means and the call signal receiving means for receiving the call signal. Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal to be transmitted, and information output means for outputting information corresponding to the reception result of the call signal, wherein the management device includes a response signal notification result notified by the notification means. Child It is characterized in that it comprises a slave unit information output means for outputting information.

  Furthermore, the management device further includes position recognition means for recognizing the position of the slave unit according to the position of the communication unit that has received the response signal.

  Still further, the communication unit or the management device further includes control means for controlling the transmission output of the call signal according to the reception result of the response signal, and the call signal transmission means transmits the call signal a predetermined number of times. It is characterized in that the output is changed and transmitted for each slave unit.

  According to the present invention, the slave unit is managed by changing the transmission output to transmit the call signal to the slave unit and receiving the response signal corresponding to the call signal, and according to the reception result of the response signal. By controlling the transmission output, it is possible to easily and reliably manage and lead an infant or a care recipient who carries a child device with low power consumption.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described. The management system shown as a specific example of the present invention is a system in which a child device is carried by an infant, a person who needs care, a person to be led in a trip, etc., and the child device is managed.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management system according to the first embodiment. The management system 10 includes a parent device 1 carried by an administrator and a child device 2 carried by an infant or a care recipient. In this management system 10, a configuration having a handset 2 ₁ to 2 ₅ five it is not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base unit 1 identifies a transmission unit 11 that transmits a signal, a reception unit 12 that receives a signal, a power source 13 that supplies power to each component unit, and the slave unit 2 and itself. For identification, a timer 15 for counting time, a call switch 16 for calling the handset 2, a warning device 17 for issuing a warning, a display device 18 for displaying the status of the handset 2, and the handset 2 and the like, and a control unit 20 that comprehensively controls each component.

  The transmission unit 11 modulates and transmits a signal to a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, and the reception unit 12 receives the carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, demodulates and extracts the signal. For this wireless communication, for example, a wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth can be used. The power supply 13 supplies power to each component, and is preferably a rechargeable battery excellent in portability. The identification memory 14 stores basic information such as ID (Identification) that is identification information of the parent device 1 and the child device 2, and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) is used. The timer 15 is used when recording the status of the slave unit 2 or for communication, and the call switch 16 is used when calling a desired slave unit 2. The warning device 17 includes, for example, a warning device that emits a warning sound such as a buzzer or a melody, a warning light such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the like, and alerts the administrator. The display device 18 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays information, date and time of the slave unit 2. The recording device 19 includes an external storage memory, and records information of the child device 2 for each event and time. The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and comprehensively controls each component. The base unit 1 may be reduced in size and weight using, for example, a battery, a screen, an operation key, or the like of a mobile phone terminal. Specifically, a device for realizing the above-described function is connected to the external connection terminal of the mobile phone terminal, or the above-described function is incorporated and integrated in the mobile phone terminal, and wireless communication specifications between the mobile phone terminals Use Bluetooth.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the subunit | mobile_unit 2 identifies the transmission part 21 which transmits a signal, the receiving part 22 which receives a signal, the power supply 23 which supplies electric power to each structure part, the main | base station 1, and self For identification, a timer 25 that counts time, a call switch 26 that calls the master unit 1, a warning device 27 that issues a warning, and a control unit 28 that controls each component centrally. Yes. This child device 2 has fewer components than the parent device 1 and is excellent in portability.

  The transmitting unit 21 modulates and transmits a signal to a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, and the receiving unit 22 receives the carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, demodulates it, and extracts the signal. For this wireless communication, for example, a wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth can be used. The power source 23 supplies power to each component, and is preferably a rechargeable battery having excellent portability. The identification memory 24 stores basic information such as an ID that is identification information of the parent device 1 and the child device 2, and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used. The timer 25 is used for recording the status of the slave unit 2 and for communication. The call switch 26 is used for calling the master unit 1. The warning device 27 includes, for example, a warning device that emits a warning sound such as a buzzer or a melody, a warning light such as an LED, and the like, and alerts an infant or a care recipient. The control unit 28 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls each component. In addition, this subunit | mobile_unit 2 may utilize the battery of a mobile telephone terminal, a screen, an operation key, etc., for example. Specifically, a device for realizing the above-described function is connected to the external connection terminal of the mobile phone terminal, or the above-described function is incorporated and integrated in the mobile phone terminal, and wireless communication specifications between the mobile phone terminals Use Bluetooth.

  Next, communication performed between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of a communication method when one master unit 1 communicates with a plurality of slave units 2. As shown in FIG. 4A, the parent device 1 sequentially calls the child devices 2 identified by the ID, and when the calling of all the child devices 2 is completed, the low power consumption mode state is set for all the child devices 2. A sleep command is issued. In the low power consumption mode, for example, power supply to the transmission unit 21 and the reception unit 22 is limited to suppress power consumption. In addition, after issuing the sleep command, the base unit 1 itself is set in the low power consumption mode state. As described above, the communication management unit time shown in FIG. 4A includes the communication time in which the parent device 1 and the child device 2 communicate and the sleep time in which the parent device 1 and the child device 2 are in the low power consumption mode state. And have.

  The call response with each child device 2 by the parent device 1 is performed k times within the time allotted to each child device 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the base unit 1 transmits a call signal to each handset 2 k times, and waits for a response signal from the handset 2 every transmission. When transmission of the call signal is completed k times, the base unit 1 starts transmission to the next handset 2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the call signal includes carrier code data, start code data, ID data, command / response data, output power data, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) data, Are multiplexed. Note that the response signal transmitted from the handset 2 has a similar data structure.

  The carrier code data includes information related to the carrier wave, and the start code data includes signal start information. The ID data includes identification information for identifying the communication partner. The command / response data includes control information related to the command. Examples of the command include a command for requesting a response from the slave unit 2 and a command for operating the warning device 27 of the desired slave unit 2. The output power data includes information related to the output when the signal is transmitted, and the CRC data includes information for detecting an error in the generated data.

  Next, the operation in which the parent device 1 monitors the child device 2 by the communication method described above will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the communication time with the child device 2 is reached, the parent device 1 sequentially communicates with the child device 2 in the order of ID numbers, for example. First, base unit 1 transmits a call signal in which a call command is added to the ID of desired mobile unit 2 to communicate with, to mobile unit 2 (step S51). At this time, during the previous communication time, transmission is performed using the smallest one of the transmission outputs in which communication with the handset 2 is established.

  In the case where there is no previous communication time, that is, in the first communication time, the minimum transmission output at which the parent device 1 can communicate with the child device 2 apart from the child device 2 by a preset distance for monitoring the child device 2 is obtained. Use to send. Further, it is desirable that this transmission output be determined in consideration of radio wave interference and the like.

  When the handset 2 receives the call signal from the base unit 1, it responds to its own ID using the same transmission output as the base station 1 based on the output power data included in the received call signal. A response signal to which is added is transmitted to base unit 1. After transmitting the response signal, handset 2 maintains the reception state until the next call signal is received.

  In this way, since the handset 2 transmits a response signal using the same transmission output as the transmission output used by the base unit 1, the handset 2 itself does not determine the distance and the base unit 1 from the base unit 1 at a predetermined time. Based on whether or not a call signal is received, it is determined whether it is located within the set distance or outside the set distance. For example, if no call signal is received from the parent device 1 during the communication time recognized by the timer 25, the child device 2 uses the warning device 27 to determine that the child device 2 is separated from the parent device 1 by a set distance or more. Call attention to care recipients.

  In step S52, it waits for the response signal of the subunit | mobile_unit 2 with respect to the calling signal transmitted by step S51 for the time allocated to the transmitted calling signal, and it is discriminate | determined whether the response signal was received. When the response signal is received, that is, when communication with the child device 2 is established, the parent device 1 lowers the transmission output of the call signal to be transmitted next (step S53). This transmission output control is performed based on the signal strength of receiving the response signal. Further, when the response signal is not received, that is, when communication with the handset 2 is not established, the base unit 1 increases the transmission output of the call signal to be transmitted next (step S54). Note that the upper limit value for increasing the transmission output is the minimum value at which the parent device 1 and the child device 2 can communicate with each other by a set distance.

  In step S55, when the parent device 1 has not transmitted the call signal to the desired child device 2 k times, the process returns to step S51 and the processing up to step S54 is performed. That is, when a response signal is received, the call signal is transmitted with an output smaller than the previous transmission output. When the response signal is not received, the call signal is transmitted with an output larger than the previous transmission output. To do. In step S55, when the call signal is transmitted k times to the desired handset 2, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, it is determined whether or not a response signal transmitted from the desired slave unit 2 has been received for the k call signals transmitted from the master unit 1 to the desired slave unit 2. If no response signal is received from the slave unit 2 among the k transmissions, the master unit 1 determines that the slave unit 2 does not exist within the set distance, and displays the ID of the slave unit 2 on the display device 18 or The name associated with the ID is displayed and the warning device 17 is activated to warn the administrator (step S57). At this time, the distance information with respect to the child device 2 may be indicated by the display device 18 or the warning device 17.

  Further, when the handset 2 is not present within the set distance, the handset 2 does not receive the calling signal within a predetermined time, and thus the warning device 27 is activated. At this time, the slave unit 2 may indicate the distance information with respect to the master unit 1 by the warning device 27 by the flashing speed of the warning lamp, the volume of the warning sound, or the like.

  In step S56, when a response signal is received from the subunit | mobile_unit 2, it progresses to step S58 and communication with the desired subunit | mobile_unit 2 is complete | finished.

  In step S58, it is determined whether or not parent device 1 has transmitted a call signal to each child device 2 k times. In step S58, when the call signal is not transmitted k times to each slave unit 2, the process returns to step S51, the call signal is transmitted to the next slave unit 2, and steps S52 to S57 are repeated. Further, when the base unit 1 transmits a call signal k times to all the slave units 2, a command for switching to the low power consumption mode is transmitted to all the slave units 2. Then, base unit 1 itself switches to the low power consumption mode (step S59) and waits for the next communication time.

  In this way, base unit 1 transmits a call signal including the transmission output information using the minimum transmission output that can be communicated away from handset 2 by a set distance, and response corresponding to the call signal from handset 2 By receiving the signal, the handset 2 within the set distance can be reliably recognized. Moreover, since the subunit | mobile_unit 2 transmits with the transmission output of the main | base station 1, while the main | base station 1 controls transmission output according to the distance with the subunit | mobile_unit 2, the main | base station 1 also has the subunit | mobile_unit 2 at time other than communication time. Also, the power consumption can be suppressed by switching to the low power consumption mode.

  In step S52 to step S54, it is determined whether or not the response signal of the handset 2 with respect to the call signal transmitted in step 51 has been received, and the transmission output of the call signal to be transmitted next is increased or decreased according to the determination result. However, when the response signal of the handset 2 with respect to the call signal is received, the transmission output is lowered based on the reception strength of the response signal, and the communication of the call signal to the handset 2 is stopped when communication is not established. You may make it stop transmission. Such control of the transmission output can further reduce power consumption.

  Further, in the operation in which the parent device 1 monitors the child device 2, the upper limit value of the transmission output is set to the minimum value at which the parent device 1 and the child device 2 can communicate with each other by a set distance. It is also possible to transmit a call signal including a command that issues a warning with a large output, generate an alarm or the like in the slave unit 2, and confirm the presence by a response signal from the slave unit 2.

  Next, operations other than the operation in which the parent device 1 monitors the child device 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which the child device 2 forcibly calls the parent device 1. The operation for forcibly calling the base unit 1 is performed by transmitting a response signal including a base unit call command when the handset 2 transmits a response signal corresponding to the call signal received from the base unit 1. . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the slave unit 2 with ID number 32 calls the master unit 1, a master unit call command is added together with the slave unit ID to the call signal of the communication time allocated to the slave unit 2 The received response signal is transmitted to the base unit 1. When the base unit 1 receives a response signal including the base unit call command, the base unit 1 generates a warning sound by the warning device 17 such as a buzzer and transmits the call signal including the response command to the handset 2. The display device 18 displays the ID of the child device 2 that has called the parent device 2. The subunit | mobile_unit 2 emits warning sounds, such as a buzzer, by the warning device 27, for example according to whether the response command from the main | base station 1 was received. For example, when a response command is received from the base unit 1, a buzzer sounds that the calling of the base unit 1 is completed, and when no response command is received from the base unit 1, A buzzer sounds when the call fails.

  Moreover, the main | base station 1 can also call the subunit | mobile_unit 2 separately. In this case, the base unit 1 adds a handset call command to the call signal together with the ID of the handset 2 to be called, and transmits the call signal at the time allocated to the handset 2. The handset 2 that has received this signal, for example, emits a warning sound by a warning device 27 such as a buzzer and transmits a response signal to the base unit 1. Then, depending on whether or not the response signal from the slave unit 2 has been received, the master unit 1 displays it on the display device 18 and emits a warning sound such as a buzzer by the warning device 17. For example, when a response command is received from the slave unit 2, a buzzer sounds that the calling of the desired slave unit 2 is completed, and when no response command is received from the desired slave unit 2, A buzzer sounds that the calling of the desired handset 2 has failed.

  Further, the slave units 2 managed by the master unit 1 can be called all at once. In this case, the above-described operation of individually calling the slave units 2 is performed for all the slave units 2. Then, the base unit 1 notifies the reception state of the response signal from each slave unit 2 using the warning device 17 and the display device 18. For example, the ID of the handset 2 that has not responded or the name associated with the ID is displayed on the display device 18, and a warning sound such as a buzzer is emitted by the warning device 17.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the parent device 1 and the child device 2 use the warning devices 17 and 27 when the distance between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 becomes long and communication is not established. Since attention can be urged to the manager and the infant, for example, it is possible to prevent the missing person from being led by a leader such as a trip, or to prevent the caregiver or the infant from getting lost by a family member. Moreover, since it can call from both the main | base station 1 and the subunit | mobile_unit 2, for example, an administrator, an infant, etc. can be called without being noticed by others.

  In addition, by attaching the child device 2 to a bag and carrying the parent device 1 by the owner of the bag, it can be applied to prevent theft or misplacement of the bag or the like. Further, when the parent device 1 calls the child device 2, for example, a bag equipped with the child device 2 can be found using a buzzer sound.

(Embodiment 2)
In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the main | base station 1 provided with the transmission part 11 and the receiving part 12 was set as the structure which monitors a some subunit | mobile_unit, using the some transmission part 11 and the receiving part 12, A plurality of slave units 2 may be monitored. For example, as the management system 70 shown in FIG. 7, by installing a communication unit ₇₁ 1 to 71 ₅ with a transmitter and receiver for each predetermined region, by managing the handset ₇₂ 1-72 _5, e.g. can be within the facility, to grasp the care recipient and toddlers position carrying the handset 72 _{1-72 5.} In this management system 70, a configuration having the five base unit ₇₁ 1 to 71 ₅ and five slave units ₇₂ 1 to 72 ₅ it is not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each communication unit 71 includes a transmission unit 81 that transmits a signal, a reception unit 82 that receives a signal, a communication control unit 83 that controls transmission and reception in the transmission unit 81 and the reception unit 82, and input / output An interface 84 and a power supply 85 that supplies power to each component are provided.

  The transmission unit 81 modulates and transmits a signal to a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, and the reception unit 82 receives the carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, demodulates it, and extracts the signal. For this wireless communication, for example, a wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth can be used. For example, the communication control unit 83 controls the transmission output of the signal transmitted from the transmission unit 81. The input / output interface 84 is connected to a local area network (LAN), for example, and can transfer a signal transmission / reception result.

  Since the subunit | mobile_unit 72 is the same as that of the structure of the subunit | mobile_unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 in 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 9, the management device 73 that controls each communication unit 71 includes communication units 71 _{1 to} 71 _n , an input / output interface 90, a power supply 93 that supplies power to each component, a slave unit 72, and itself. An identification memory 94 for identification; a timer 95 for counting time; a call switch 96 for calling the slave unit 72; a warning device 97 for issuing a warning; a display device 98 for displaying the status of the slave unit 72; The recording apparatus 99 which records the condition of the subunit | mobile_unit 72, etc. and the control part 100 which controls each structure part collectively are provided.

  That is, the management device 73 shown in FIG. 9 includes an input / output interface 90 connected to a LAN or the like for having a plurality of transmission units 11 and reception units 12 in the base unit 1 shown in FIG.

  The power source 93, the identification memory 94, the timer 95, the call switch 96, the warning device 97, the display device 98, the recording device 99, and the control unit 100 are configured according to the configuration of the parent device 1 shown in FIG. The description thereof will be omitted. Further, the communication method between the communication unit 71 and the slave unit 72 is also the same as the communication method described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the operation of the management apparatus 73 for monitoring the slave unit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the communication time with the handset 72 is reached, the control unit 100 sequentially communicates with the handset 72 in the order of ID numbers, for example. First, the control unit 100 transmits a call signal in which a call command is added to a desired slave unit ID from all the communication units 71 (step S101). As the transmission output at this time, the smallest one of the transmission outputs in which communication with the slave unit 72 is established in the previous communication time is used.

  In the case where there is no previous communication time, that is, in the first communication time, the minimum transmission output that allows the communication unit 71 to communicate away from the slave unit 72 by a preset distance for monitoring the slave unit 72 is set. Use to send. Further, it is desirable that this transmission output be determined in consideration of radio wave interference and the like.

  When receiving the call signal from communication unit 71, handset 72 responds to its own ID using the same transmission output as the transmission output used by communication unit 71 based on the output power data included in the received call signal. A response signal to which is added is transmitted to the communication unit 71. After transmitting the response signal, handset 72 holds the reception state until the next call signal is received.

  As described above, since the handset 72 transmits the response signal using the same transmission output as the transmission output used by the communication unit 71, the handset 72 itself does not determine the distance, and the communication unit 71 from the communication unit 71 at a predetermined time. Based on whether or not a call signal is received, it is determined whether it is located within the set distance or outside the set distance. For example, when the call signal is not received from the communication unit 71 even once during the communication time recognized by the timer 25, the child device 72 uses the warning device 27 to determine that the child device 72 is separated from the parent device 1 by a set distance or more. Call attention to. At this time, for example, the warning device 27 may indicate the distance information to the communication unit 71 by a blinking speed of a warning light, a volume of a warning sound, or the like.

  In step S102, the response signal of the handset 72 for the call signal transmitted in step S101 is waited for the time allocated to the transmitted call signal, and it is determined whether or not the response signal has been received. When the response signal is received, that is, when communication with the handset 72 is established, the communication unit 71 lowers the transmission output of the call signal to be transmitted next (step S103). This transmission output control is performed based on the signal strength of receiving the response signal. When the response signal is not received, that is, when communication with the handset 72 is not established, the communication unit 71 increases the transmission output of the call signal to be transmitted next (step S104). Note that the upper limit value for increasing the transmission output is the minimum value at which the communication unit 71 and the slave unit 72 can communicate with each other by a set distance. Such control may be performed by either the communication unit 71 or the management device 73.

  In step S105, when the communication unit 71 has not transmitted the call signal to the desired slave unit 72 k times, the process returns to step S101, the call signal is transmitted with an output larger than the previous transmission output, and the processing up to step S104 is performed. I do. If the call signal is transmitted k times to the desired slave unit 2 in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not a response signal transmitted from the desired slave unit 72 has been received with respect to the k call signals transmitted from the communication unit 71 to the desired slave unit 72, and the reception result is managed by the management device 73. Notify Of the transmissions from the k communication units 71, if no response signal has been received from the slave unit 72, the control unit 100 sets the setting area of the communication unit 71 to which the desired slave unit 72 has transmitted the call signal The display device 98 displays the ID of the slave unit 72 or the name associated with the ID on the display device 98, and the warning device 97 is activated to warn the administrator (step S107). At this time, the distance information with respect to the child device 2 may be indicated by the display device 18 or the warning device 17. Moreover, the area | region where communication was established in the last communication time with the subunit | mobile_unit 72 which did not receive a response signal once may be shown, and it may be made to show in which area | region where it disappeared.

  Further, when the handset 72 does not exist within the set distance, the handset 72 does not receive the calling signal within a predetermined time, and thus the warning device 27 is activated. At this time, the slave unit 72 may indicate the distance information to the communication unit 71 by the warning device 27 by the blinking speed of the warning lamp, the volume of the warning sound, or the like.

  In step S106, when a response signal is received from the slave unit 72, the management apparatus 73 is notified of the position information of the area to which the slave unit 73 belongs, and the process proceeds to step S108, where the communication with the desired slave unit 72 is terminated.

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the call signal has been transmitted k times to each slave unit 72. In step S108, when the call signal is not transmitted k times to each slave unit 2, the process returns to step S101, and the call signal is transmitted from all the communication units 71 to the slave unit 2 to be communicated next. Repeat step S107. When the call signal is transmitted k times to all the slave units 72, the control unit 100 transmits a command for switching to the low power consumption mode to all the slave units 2. Then, the management device 73 itself switches to the low power consumption mode (step S109) and waits until the next communication time.

  In this way, the communication unit 71 installed for each predetermined area transmits a call signal including the transmission output information using the minimum transmission output that can be communicated away from the handset 72 by a set distance. By receiving the response signal corresponding to the calling signal, the handset 72 within the set distance can be reliably recognized. In addition, the control unit 100 acquires information such as a reception result of the response signal from each slave unit 72 and an area based on the communication unit 71 that communicates with the slave unit 72, so that each slave unit 72 exists in which region. Can be determined. Further, the distance from the communication unit 71 in the area can be determined based on the transmission output in which communication is established between the communication unit 71 and the slave unit 72. Further, the movement of the slave unit 72 can be determined based on the progress information of the communication unit 71 that establishes communication with the slave unit 72. Further, by providing the slave unit 72 with a pedometer function and acquiring the information by the management device 73, for example, the amount of exercise of a care recipient can be managed.

  In step S101, the call signal is transmitted from all the communication units 71 to the desired slave unit 72. However, the call signal may be transmitted only from the communication unit 71 in a predetermined area where the desired slave unit 72 exists. Good. For example, when a call signal is transmitted from all the communication units 71 and a transmission signal corresponding to the call signal is received, the next call signal may not be transmitted from other than the received communication unit 71. Further, even if transmission is performed from the communication unit 71 established in the previous communication time with the desired slave unit 72 and the transmission output is increased to the upper limit value, communication between the communication unit 71 and the desired slave unit 72 is established. If not, the control unit 100 may transmit a call signal from the communication unit 71 in an area adjacent to the area of the communication unit 71.

  As an application example of the management system in the second embodiment, for example, a care system in a facility such as a hospital can be cited. This care system installs the communication part 71 for every predetermined area | region in a facility, and makes a care recipient carry the subunit | mobile_unit 72. FIG. Then, the manager of the care recipient can grasp the position of the care recipient by the management device 73 that manages the child device 72. The management device 73 is composed of, for example, a computer device, and records the amount of movement of each child device 72 and the like. Thereby, the amount of exercise and the behavior pattern of the care recipient in the facility can be grasped.

  Further, an ASP (Application Service Provider) may be constructed by connecting the management device 73 to the Internet. As a result, information on care recipients such as behavior, amount of exercise, going out, and returning home can be distributed to a remote family by e-mail or the like. In addition, for example, by installing the communication unit 71 in the living space and connecting to the management device 73 via the Internet, it is possible to confirm from the outside whether or not the person carrying the handset 72 is in the living space. it can. Thereby, for example, a family or the like can check whether an elderly person living alone has come home.

  In the second embodiment, the communication unit 71 is installed in, for example, a facility. However, for example, an organizer in a trip or the like carries a parent device including the communication unit 71 and the child device of the parent device. You may make it manage a subunit | mobile_unit by acquiring information.

It is a figure which shows an example of the management system in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a main machine typically. It is a block diagram which shows a subunit | mobile_unit typically. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication method between a main | base station and a subunit | mobile_unit. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which a main | base station monitors a subunit | mobile_unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which a subunit | mobile_unit calls a main | base station. It is a figure which shows the management system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a communication part typically. It is a block diagram which shows a management apparatus typically. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which a management apparatus monitors a subunit | mobile_unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 parent machine, 2 child machine, 10 management system, 11 transmission unit, 12 reception unit, 13 power supply, 14 identification memory, 15 timer, 16 call switch, 17 warning device, 18 display device, 19 recording device, 20 control device , 21 transmitting unit, 22 receiving unit, 23 power source, 24 identification memory, 25 timer, 26 call switch, 27 warning device, 28 control unit

Claims (13)

In a management system consisting of one or more slave units and a master unit that manages the slave units,
The above base unit is
Call signal transmission means for transmitting a call signal for each slave unit by changing the transmission output a predetermined number of times,
Response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the slave unit responding to the call signal;
Handset information output means for outputting handset information according to the reception result of the response signal;
Control means for controlling the transmission output according to the reception result of the response signal,
The above handset is
Call signal receiving means for receiving the call signal;
Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal in response to the call signal received by the call signal receiving means;
Information output means for outputting information corresponding to the reception result of the call signal;
And a transmission output control means for controlling the transmission output of the response signal. The call signal includes transmission output information when transmitting the call signal,
2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission output control means controls transmission output of a response signal responding to the call signal according to the transmission output information.   The slave unit information output means displays the identification information of the slave unit when the response signal transmitted from the slave unit responding to the call signal has not been received once in the predetermined number of times. The management system according to claim 1, wherein:   2. A management system according to claim 1, wherein said information output means outputs warning information when said call signal has not been received even once during a time for transmitting said call signal a predetermined number of times for each of said slave units. .   2. The parent device calls the desired child device by transmitting a call signal to which a command for outputting call information together with an ID of the desired child device is added by the call signal transmitting means. The management system described.   2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit calls the master unit by transmitting a response signal to which a command for outputting slave unit information is added by the response signal transmitting unit. In the master unit that manages one or more slave units,
Call signal transmission means for transmitting a call signal by changing the transmission output a predetermined number of times for each slave unit;
Response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the slave unit responding to the call signal;
Handset information output means for outputting handset information according to the reception result of the response signal;
And a control unit that controls the transmission output in accordance with the reception result of the response signal. In a slave unit managed within a predetermined area by the master unit,
Call signal receiving means for receiving a call signal;
Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal in response to the call signal received by the call signal receiving means;
Information output means for outputting information corresponding to the reception result of the call signal;
And a transmission output control means for controlling the transmission output of the response signal. A management system comprising one or more slave units, a communication unit that communicates with the slave units, is installed in each predetermined area, and controls the communication unit and manages the slave units. ,
The communication part
Call signal transmitting means for transmitting a call signal;
Response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the slave unit responding to the call signal;
Notification means for notifying the management device of the reception result of the response signal,
The above handset is
Call signal receiving means for receiving the call signal;
Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal in response to the call signal received by the call signal receiving means;
Information output means for outputting information corresponding to the reception result of the call signal,
The management device is
A management system comprising: handset information output means for outputting handset information corresponding to the reception result of the response signal notified by the notification means.   The management system according to claim 9, wherein the management device further includes position recognition means for recognizing the position of the slave unit according to the position of the communication unit that has received the response signal. The communication unit or the management device further includes control means for controlling the transmission output of the call signal according to the reception result of the response signal,
10. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the call signal transmitting means transmits the call signal for each slave unit by changing the transmission output a predetermined number of times. The call signal includes transmission output information when transmitting the call signal,
The management system according to claim 9, wherein the slave unit further includes transmission output control means for controlling a transmission output of a response signal responding to the call signal according to the transmission output information. The above handset is carried by a care recipient and / or a lead person,
The management system according to claim 9, wherein the management device manages the amount of exercise and behavior of the care recipient and / or the lead person based on position information of the slave unit.

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