JP2009257890A - Portable information terminal, detection device, position information management system, and positional information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal, detection device, positional information management system, and positional information management method, in which the entire device can be easily configured and position detection can be performed surely. <P>SOLUTION: The portable information terminal 100 comprises: a light transmission means 150 for transmitting the signals containing terminal identification information being specific identification information via a carrying medium; a receiving means for receiving the terminal identification information, detection device identification information, and a relative position of the portable information terminal 100 in a detection area; and a transmission means for transmitting the terminal identification information, the detection device identification information, and the relative positional information, to a positional information management device 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, a detection device, a location information management system, and a location information management method, and relates to a technique for notifying a communication device of location information using a portable information terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system that manages position information of a person or an object by detecting a wireless signal transmitted from the IC tag using an IC tag that is a wireless IC chip used for object identification is known. In recent years, an electronic tag that can perform data communication using radio waves in the UHF band performs a data communication with a communication device via an antenna disposed in a communication area, thereby providing a system that realizes object detection. (For example, Patent Document 1). According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the antenna is rotatably supported around the rotation shaft, and is installed at a plurality of locations in a space that is a communicable area. Therefore, by scanning the antenna in the communication area, data communication between all the electronic tags existing in the UHF area and the communication apparatus is possible, and position detection can be performed in real time.

JP 2005-193030 A

  However, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the electronic tag is configured to perform data communication using radio waves in the UHF band. For this reason, an antenna (reception device) comprising a rotating mechanism is arranged in the installation area, the inside of the communication area is scanned with the antenna, a tag existing in the communication area is detected, and the detection result is notified from the antenna to the communication apparatus. It is configured. However, if the antenna is a rotation mechanism, it is necessary to attach a reinforcing part or increase the plate thickness in order to ensure sufficient strength for the support member, and the configuration of the entire receiving apparatus may be complicated. . In addition, according to the configuration in which the detection result is notified from the antenna to the external device, there is a concern that the antenna may be complicated to install and manage, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and facilitates the configuration of the entire detection device, and is capable of reliably performing position detection without complicating installation and management, It is to provide a detection apparatus, a position information management system, and a position information management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a portable information terminal, and carries a signal including terminal identification information that is unique identification information of the portable information terminal. Transmitting means for transmitting via a medium, the terminal identification information, detection device identification information that is unique identification information of a detection device that detects the portable information terminal, and the detection device calculated by the detection device Receiving means for receiving relative position information, which is a relative position of the portable information terminal in the detection area, and receiving the terminal identification information, the detection device identification information, and the relative position information. Transmission means for transmitting to the position information management apparatus for managing the position information.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the portable information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the terminal identification information, wherein the transmission means is further received by the reception means. It is determined whether or not the terminal identification information and the terminal identification information stored in the storage unit match, and if they match, the received terminal identification information, the detection device identification information, and the relative position information Is transmitted to the position information management device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means includes a light emitting element that transmits an optical signal as the signal.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means includes an ultrasonic transmitting element that transmits an ultrasonic signal as the signal. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection device for detecting a portable information terminal, the receiving means for receiving a signal including terminal identification information that is unique identification information of the portable information terminal, and the signal The transmission position direction which is the direction of the position from which the signal is transmitted is determined based on the reception state of the signal, and the relative position which is the relative position of the portable information terminal in the detection area of the detection device is determined based on the transmission position direction. Position information calculating means for calculating position information, transmission means for transmitting the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and detection device identification information that is unique identification information of the detection device to the portable information terminal; It is provided with.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit has a light receiving region that receives an optical signal as the signal, and the position information calculating unit is the light receiving region. The incident direction which is the transmission position direction of the optical signal is determined based on the light receiving state of the optical signal in, and the relative position information is calculated based on the incident direction.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit has a light receiving region that receives an optical signal as the signal, and the position information calculating unit is the light receiving unit. The relative position information is calculated based on a light receiving range that is a range in which the optical signal is received in a region.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reception unit has a sound collection region for collecting an ultrasonic signal as the signal, and the position information calculation unit is The sound source direction of the ultrasonic signal is determined based on the reception state of the ultrasonic signal in the sound collection region, and the relative position information is calculated based on the sound source direction.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided location information comprising: a portable information terminal; a detection device that detects the portable information terminal; and a location information management device that manages location information of the portable information terminal. In the management system, the portable information terminal includes a transmission unit that transmits a signal including terminal identification information that is unique identification information of the portable information terminal, the terminal identification information, and the detection device unique Receiving means for receiving detection device identification information that is identification information, and relative position information that is calculated by the detection device and that is a relative position of the portable information terminal in a detection region of the detection device; and the received terminal Transmitting means for transmitting the identification information, the detection device identification information, and the relative position information to the position information management device, wherein the detection device receives a signal including the terminal identification information Determining a transmission position direction which is a direction of a position from which the signal is transmitted based on a communication means and a reception state of the signal, and based on the transmission position direction, the portable information terminal in the detection area of the detection device Position information calculating means for calculating relative position information, which is a relative position; transmission means for transmitting the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection device identification information to the portable information terminal; The location information management device stores a location information database that associates the detection device identification information with a location where the detection device is installed, the relative location information, the terminal identification information, and the detection Analyzing means for identifying the absolute position of the portable information terminal based on device identification information and the position information database.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a location information management comprising: a portable information terminal; a detection device that detects the portable information terminal; and a location information management device that manages location information of the portable information terminal. In the location information management method executed in the system, the portable information terminal transmits a signal including terminal identification information which is unique identification information; and the detection device transmits a signal including the terminal identification information. A reception step of receiving, and the detection device determines a transmission position direction which is a direction of a position from which the signal is transmitted based on a reception state of the signal, and detection of the detection device based on the transmission position direction A position information calculation step of calculating relative position information that is a relative position of the portable information terminal in a region, the detection device includes the relative position information, the terminal identification information, A transmission step of transmitting detection device identification information, which is unique identification information of the detection device, to the portable information terminal; the portable information terminal includes the relative position information; the terminal identification information; and the detection device. A reception step of receiving identification information; a transmission step of transmitting the received relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection apparatus identification information to the position information management apparatus; The position information management device is based on the position information database in which the detection device identification information and the location where the detection device is installed, the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection device identification information. And an analysis step for specifying an absolute position of the portable information terminal.

  According to the present invention, the portable information terminal transmits a signal including unique identification information to the detection device via the carrier medium regardless of the radio wave in the UHF band. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure the detection device as a rotation mechanism, and the configuration of the entire device can be facilitated. In addition, according to the present invention, the unique identification information of the portable information terminal, the unique identification information of the detection device, and the relative position information that is the relative position of the portable information terminal calculated by the detection device are detected. Receive from the device and transmit to the location information management device. Thus, since the information received from the detection device is directly transmitted from the portable information terminal to the position information management device, the position detection can be reliably performed without complicating the installation and management of the detection device. There is an effect that becomes possible.

  Exemplary embodiments of a portable information terminal, a detection device, a location information management system, and a location information management method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a location information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The location information management system 1 mainly includes an optical ID tag (portable information terminal) 100, a reader (detection device) 200, and a location information management server 300 (location information management device). An optical ID tag “Ir-ID” (Infrared-Identification Date) (portable information terminal) 100 is provided for each object. Here, the object includes not only an object but also a person. Thereby, for example, the optical ID tag 100 is held by a user, and the tag is detected in a manner such as being attached to an object held by the user and attached to a package to be carried in, and the processing described later can be performed. . In the first embodiment, the optical ID tag 100 is an optical communication module in which a light receiving element (photocell), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and a microcomputer are integrated, and an infrared ray using infrared light as a signal carrier medium. Communication is possible. The reader 200 is disposed on the ceiling in the installation area 10 and detects a signal transmitted from the optical ID tag 100. The location information management server 300 is installed so as to be communicable with the optical ID tag 100 via the network 70 at a location away from the installation area 10 of the reader 200.

  In the position information system in the first embodiment, the reader 200 receives the signal output from the optical ID tag 100 in the installation area 10 and calculates the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 based on the received signal. Transmit to the optical ID tag 100. Then, the optical ID tag 100 adds time information to the received information and transmits it to the location information management server 300 via the network 70 via the network 70. The position information management server 300 identifies the absolute position of the optical ID tag 100 based on the position information received from the optical ID tag 100.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the optical ID tag according to the first embodiment. The optical ID tag 100 mainly includes a reception unit 110 (reception unit), a transmission unit 120 (transmission unit), a timer 130, a storage unit 140 (storage unit), and an optical transmission unit 150 (transmission unit). I have.

  The storage unit 140 is a storage medium such as a memory. In the storage unit 140, a tag ID that is unique identification information of the optical ID tag 100 is stored in advance. When the relative position coordinates, tag ID, and reader ID in the installation area 10 (detection area) of the optical ID tag 100 are received from the reader 200, the relative position coordinates, tag ID, and reader ID are associated with each other in the storage unit 140. Remembered.

  The light transmitter 150 is a light transmitter that transmits a beacon signal as an optical signal including a tag ID to the reader 200 at a predetermined interval by using infrared light as a signal carrier medium. The light transmission part 150 is comprised by the LED module etc. which utilized LED light emission, for example. A configuration of an optical signal including a tag ID transmitted from the optical transmission unit 150 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a signal configuration of a beacon signal as an optical signal according to the first embodiment. The optical signal is composed of, for example, a preamble of a synchronization signal, a tag ID, a data signal, and a CR signal indicating the end of communication, and is modulated and transmitted by a method using an infrared communication method such as ASK or PPM (pulse position modulation method). Is done.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the receiving unit 110 is a receiving unit that receives the relative coordinates, the tag ID, and the reader ID transmitted from the reader 200 by short-range wireless communication such as the Bluetooth standard or the Zigbee standard. The timer 130 is a time measuring means for measuring the current time.

  The transmission unit 120 is a communication unit that associates the relative position coordinates of the tag ID 100 received from the reader 200, the tag ID, the reader ID, and the time information, and transmits them to the position information management server 300 via the network 70.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the reader according to the first embodiment. The reader 200 includes a light receiving unit 210 (reception unit), a transmission unit 220 (transmission unit), a control unit 230, a position information calculation unit 240 (position information calculation unit), a storage unit 250, and a demodulation unit 260. Mainly prepared.

  The control unit 230 includes a storage unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls various functions related to the relative position coordinate calculation process. The storage unit 250 is a storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). In the first embodiment, the storage unit 250 stores a reader ID that is unique identification information of the reader 200. The demodulator 260 is means for acquiring information such as a tag ID included in the beacon signal by amplifying and demodulating the received beacon signal.

  The position information calculation unit 240 identifies the incident spot position that is the position of the beacon signal that has passed through the lens 60 and entered the light receiving region 30, and, as will be described later, based on the incident spot position in the detection area, the optical ID. The relative position coordinates of the tag 100 are calculated.

  The transmission unit 220 associates the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 in the detection area 50 calculated by the position information calculation unit 240 with the reader ID and the tag ID, and performs short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth standard or Zigbee standard. It is a transmission means for transmitting to the optical ID tag 100 in the broadcast mode by communication.

  The light receiving unit 210 is a light receiving unit that has a predetermined light receiving region and receives a beacon signal as an optical signal transmitted from the optical ID tag in the light receiving region. Details of the light receiving unit 210 will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a hardware configuration of the reader 200 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the light receiving unit 210 includes a light receiving region 30 installed on a ceiling portion of a living room that is an installation area 10 of the reader 200, and a lens that is a condensing unit disposed at a focal length from the ceiling. 60. Electrodes are provided on the four sides around the light receiving region 30, and a position detecting element 20 (Photodiode) having a uniform resistance is disposed in the light receiving region. Yes. The lens 60 is disposed by being supported by a frame or the like (not shown) at a focal length starting from the ceiling. By transmitting the beacon signal, which is infrared light, through the lens 60, it is possible to specify the incident direction, which is the direction of the position where the beacon signal is transmitted.

  The demodulator 260 includes an adder 260a, a BPF (Band-Pass Filter) 260b, and a modulator 260c. The adding unit 260a calculates the sum of the received light power output values based on the beacon signal received in the light receiving region 30. The BPF (Band-Pass Filter) 260b is a noise removing unit that allows a signal having a predetermined frequency to pass therethrough. The modulation unit 260c is a modulation unit that modulates a signal and obtains a tag ID after removing noise.

  The position information calculation unit 240 includes amplifiers 240a to 240d, BPFs (Band-Pass Filters) 240e to 240h, and an arithmetic circuit 240i. The amplifiers 240a to 240d are amplification means for amplifying the received light power output value. BPFs (Band-Pass Filters) 240e to 240h are noise removing means for passing a signal having a predetermined frequency for the received light power output value. The arithmetic circuit 240i is a circuit that calculates the incident spot position of the beacon signal corresponding to the incident direction.

  Next, the relative position coordinate calculation process in the IC tag detection area in the reader 200 having the above-described configuration will be described. The relative position coordinates are obtained from the incident direction vector v by obtaining the incident spot position a, calculating the incident direction vector v from the incident spot position a.

  The beacon signal transmitted from the optical ID tag 100 passes through the lens 60 and is received by the light receiving region 30. By transmitting the beacon signal, which is infrared light, through the lens 60 and condensing it in the light receiving region 30, it is possible to specify the incident direction, which is the direction of the position where the beacon signal is transmitted. As shown in FIG. 5, when a coordinate system with the light receiving surface center in the light receiving region 30 as the origin is considered, each light output current value of the beacon signal detected by the position detecting element 20 in the light receiving region 30 is amplifying means. After the amplification process by 240a to 240d and the noise removal process by BPF 240e to 240h, the incident spot position a is calculated by the analog arithmetic circuit 240i. More precisely, the voltage output proportional to the surface coordinates (x, y) with the center in the light receiving region 30 as the origin is AD converted to calculate the incident spot position a in the light receiving region 30. Then, based on the calculated incident spot position a and the distance between the light receiving area 30 and the lens 60 and the focal distance f from the center of the light receiving area 30 to the focal point, the incident spot position a and An incident direction vector v, which is a vector having the focal length f as each element value, is calculated.

When the coordinates of the spot position a in the light receiving area are (xp, yp) and the focal length is f, the incident direction vector v can be obtained as in the following equation (1).
v = (xp, yp, −f) (1)

  Next, a method for calculating the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a process of calculating relative position coordinates in the reader according to the first embodiment. Here, the relative position coordinates mean the position coordinates in the virtual orthogonal position coordinate system with the center of the detection area 50 as the origin in the detection area 50 that is a virtual plane parallel to the light receiving region 30. The position information calculation unit 240 is based on the calculated incident direction vector v, and the optical ID tag 100 in the detection area 50 that is a virtual plane parallel to the ceiling part c that exists at a position substantially equal to the height dimension of the optical ID tag 100. The relative position coordinates of are calculated. The position information calculation unit 240 uses the incident direction vector v and the vertical distance information d1 from the ceiling part c to the detection area 50 to determine the position in the detection area 50 from the intersection of the detection area 50 and the incident direction vector v. The relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 are calculated.

  The distance d1 in the vertical direction from the reader 200 to the virtual surface 50 can be used by storing distance information in the storage unit 250 in advance. For example, when the optical ID tag 100 is attached to a person, the difference in average distance between the average height data and the distance h between the ceiling part C and the floor part F in a normal building is stored as distance information. For example, a method for obtaining a measurement value by providing a distance sensor in the reader 200, a method for providing a distance selection means in the reader 200, and selecting and setting a predetermined distance appropriately at the time of installation, etc. May be used. Alternatively, the distance between the ceiling portion C and the light receiving region 30 may be h, the distance between the floor surface and the optical ID tag 100 may be d2, and d1 may be obtained by subtracting d1 from h. Since the height dimension of the reader 200 is shorter than the height from the floor surface to the ceiling, the distance between the floor surface and the ceiling may be used as it is as the distance h.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the location information management server according to the first embodiment. The location information management server 300 mainly includes a location information database 310, an analysis unit 320, and a communication unit 330. The communication unit 330 receives information from the optical ID tag 100 via the network. The communication unit 330 receives the relative position coordinates of the portable information terminal, the tag ID, and the reader ID transmitted from the optical ID tag 100 through the network.

  When receiving the information from the optical ID tag 100, the analysis unit 320 refers to the position information database 310 and acquires an installation area associated with the reader ID corresponding to the received reader ID. Then, the absolute position of the optical ID tag is specified based on the tag ID, the relative position coordinates, and the installation area. Here, the absolute position is indicated by the relative position coordinates of the installation area and the optical ID tag in the installation area. In addition, it is not limited to this, You may comprise so that an absolute position may be calculated as a unique position coordinate irrespective of an installation area.

  The position information database 310 is a database that accumulates the reader ID and installation area of the reader 200.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the position information database according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the position information database stores a reader ID, which is identification information unique to the reader 200, and an installation area where the reader 200 is installed in association with each other.

  Next, in the position information management system having the above configuration, a processing procedure from reception of a beacon signal in the reader 200 to transmission of relative position coordinates to the optical ID tag will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for calculating relative position coordinates in the reader according to the first embodiment.

  First, the light receiving unit 210 receives a beacon signal including the tag ID emitted from the optical ID tag 100 (step S900). Then, the position information calculation unit 240 calculates the incident spot position a in the light receiving region 30 from each light output current value of the beacon signal detected by the position detection element 20 in the light receiving region 30 (step S902). The demodulator 260 outputs the sum of the received light power output values of the electrodes, demodulates the optical signal (beacon signal) (step S904), and acquires information such as a tag ID (step S906). The position information calculation unit 240 calculates the incident direction vector v from the incident spot position a and the focal length f by the expression (1) (step S908). Then, the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 in the detection area 50 are calculated based on the calculated incident direction vector v and distance information (step S910). The transmission unit 220 associates the tag ID and the reader ID with the calculated relative position coordinates, and transmits them to the optical ID tag 100 (step S912).

  Next, a process from when the relative position coordinates, the tag ID, and the reader ID are received in the optical ID tag 100 to when the reception information is transmitted to the position information management server 300 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for transmitting a relative position coordinate, a reader ID, and a tag ID in the optical ID tag according to the first embodiment.

  The receiving unit 110 receives the relative position coordinates, the tag ID, and the reader ID transmitted from the reader 200 (step S1000). The receiving unit 110 refers to the tag ID included in the received information (step S1002), and determines whether or not it matches the own tag ID stored in the storage unit 140 (step S1004). If the received tag ID matches the stored tag ID (step S1004; Yes), the received relative position coordinates, reader ID, and tag ID are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 140 (step S1004). S1006). Then, the transmission unit 120 refers to the timer 130 and acquires the current time that is the reception time. Then, the transmission unit 120 associates the relative position coordinates, the reader ID, the tag ID, and the current time, and transmits them to the position information management server 300 through the network 70 (step S1008). On the other hand, if the received tag ID does not match the stored tag ID (step S1004; No), the process returns to step S1000.

  Next, the process from the reception of the relative position coordinate, the reader ID, and the tag ID to the identification of the absolute position of the optical ID tag 100 in the position information management server 300 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for specifying the absolute position of the optical ID tag in the position information management server according to the first embodiment.

  In the communication unit 330, the position information management server 300 receives the relative position coordinates, the reader ID, the tag ID, and the current time from the optical ID tag through the network (step S1100). The analysis unit 320 refers to the position information database 310 and acquires the installation area of the reader 200 corresponding to the received reader ID (step S1102). Then, the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 in the installation area of the reader 200 and the detection area 50 are specified as the absolute position of the optical ID tag 100 (step S1104).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the reader 200 transmits the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 in the detection area 50, the tag ID, and the reader ID to the optical ID tag 100, and from the optical ID tag. The relative position coordinates, the tag ID, and the reader ID are transmitted in association with the position information management apparatus 300. This eliminates the need to transmit position information from the reader 200 to the position information management server 300. Therefore, the structure of the reader 200 can be simplified, and installation and management can be facilitated.

  In the first embodiment, it is possible to transmit a signal including identification information to the reader using the optical ID tag as a portable information terminal and using light emitted from the light emitting element as a carrier medium. This eliminates the need to scan the tag by rotating the antenna within the installation area using radio waves and an antenna as in the configuration using the conventional RFID tag. Therefore, the structure of the detection device can be simplified, and installation and management can be facilitated.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment described above, the relative position coordinates of the optical ID tag 100 in the detection area are calculated using a virtual plane parallel to the ceiling portion existing at a position substantially equal to the height dimension of the optical ID tag 100 as a detection area. It was. However, it may be sufficient to detect that the optical ID tag 100 is located in a part of the detection area. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case where the position range of the optical ID tag in the detection area corresponding to the light receiving area is calculated as relative position information based on the light receiving area that is the range in which the beacon signal is received in the light receiving area. To do.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the optical ID tag according to the second embodiment. The optical ID tag 1100 according to the second embodiment mainly includes a reception unit 1110, a transmission unit 1120, a timer 130, a storage unit 140, and an optical transmission unit 150. The optical ID tag 1100 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the information received by the receiving unit 1110 and the information transmitted by the transmitting unit 1120. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The receiving unit 1110 is a receiving unit that receives relative position information that is a position range of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350, a tag ID, and a reader ID from the reader 1200.

  The transmission unit 1120 transmits the tag ID relative position information, the tag ID, the reader ID, and the time information received from the reader 1200 to the position information management server 1300 via the network 70 in association with each other. It is.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a reader installation area according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the living room 1 is set as the installation area 10 of the reader 1200, and a plurality of readers 1200 having reader IDs 1 to 5 are installed in the installation area 10. In the installation area 10 according to the second embodiment, the floor is a detection area 1350. The light receiving area is an area for receiving a beacon. Then, in order to calculate the position range of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 corresponding to the light receiving area as a relative position area, the light receiving area is divided into a plurality of areas, and the detection area is associated with the divided areas. 1350 is divided into a plurality of detection areas A to E. A reader 1200 is installed in each detection area. Specifically, the detection areas A to E are divided into a plurality of relative position areas a to d so as to correspond to the light receiving areas a to d in the light receiving area 530.

  In the installation area 10 configured as described above, the optical ID tag 1100 is moved in advance according to the procedure shown by the arrow in FIG. 13 to acquire the relative position range at each position in the detection area 1350, and the detection areas 1350A to E, relative A calibration process stored in the position information management server 1300 is performed in association with the position areas a to d and the position ranges of the relative position areas. By performing this calibration process in advance before the operation of the position information management system, the reader 1200 can specify the position range in the detection area and efficiently acquire the position information without calculating the relative position coordinates. Is possible.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the reader according to the second embodiment. The reader 1200 mainly includes a light receiving unit 1210, a transmission unit 1220, a control unit 1230, a position information calculation unit 1240, a storage unit 250, and a demodulation unit 260. Functions and configurations other than the light receiving unit 1210, the transmission unit 1220, the control unit 1230, and the position information calculation unit 1240 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 230 includes a storage unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and various functions related to the calculation of the relative position region of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350. To control.

  The transmission unit 1220 associates the relative position region of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 calculated by the position information calculation unit 1240 and the reader ID with the tag ID, and performs short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth standard or Zigbee standard. This is transmission means for transmitting to the optical ID tag 1100 in broadcast mode by communication.

  The light receiving unit 1210 is a light receiving unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted from the optical ID tag 1100 in a predetermined light receiving region 530. In the second embodiment, the light receiving unit 1210 includes a plurality of divided light receiving areas corresponding to the relative position regions of the detection area 1350, as will be described later.

  The position information calculation unit 1240 identifies which range of the light receiving areas a to d of the light receiving area 530 the beacon signal that has passed through the lens 60 and entered the light receiving area 530 is. Then, the relative position areas a to d of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 are specified from the specified light receiving areas a to d, and acquired as relative position information.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a hardware configuration of the reader 1200 according to the second embodiment. The light receiving unit 1210 includes a light receiving region 530 that is installed on the ceiling of the living room 1 that is the installation area 10 and a lens 560 that is a light collecting unit disposed at a focal length starting from the ceiling. . In the second embodiment, the light receiving area 530 is divided into a plurality of light receiving areas a to d corresponding to the relative position areas a to d of the detection area 1350. Other functions and configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The position information calculation unit 1240 includes amplifiers 1240a to 1240d, BPFs (Band-Pass Filters) 1240e to 1240h, and an arithmetic circuit 1240i. The arithmetic circuit 1240i calculates the position range of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 as relative position information based on the light receiving areas a to d that receive the beacon signal in the light receiving area 530.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a process of specifying the position range of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 in the reader according to the second embodiment.

  The beacon signal transmitted from the light transmitter 150 of the optical ID tag 1100 passes through the lens 560 and reaches the light receiving region 530. Then, each optical output current value of the beacon signal is detected by the position detection element 20 in the light receiving region 530, subjected to amplification processing by the amplification units 1240a to 1240d, and subjected to noise removal processing by the BPFs 1240e to 1240h, and then analog processing circuit 1240i. Thus, the light receiving area 530c in the light receiving area 530 and the relative position area 1350c of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 are specified.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the location information management server according to the second embodiment. The location information management server 1300 mainly includes a location information database 1310, an analysis unit 1320, and a communication unit 1330. The communication unit 1330 receives the relative position area of the optical ID tag 1100, the tag ID, the reader ID, and the time information from the optical ID tag 1100 through the network 70.

  The position information database 1310 is a database for accumulating the reader ID of the reader 1200, the installation area, the detection area, the relative position area, and the coordinates of the relative position area.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the position information database according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the position information database is defined by a reader ID that is unique identification information of the reader 200, an installation area, a detection area, a relative position area, and a position range of the relative position area (position 1 to position 2). Are stored in association with each other.

  When the analysis unit 1320 receives the relative position area, the tag ID, the reader ID, and the time information of the optical ID tag 1100 from the optical ID tag 1100, the analysis unit 1320 refers to the positional information database 1310 and associates the received ID with the received reader ID. Installation area, detection area, relative position area, and relative position coordinates of each relative position area are acquired. Then, the position range of the optical ID tag 1100 is calculated based on the tag ID, the relative position information, the installation area, the detection area, the relative position area, and the position range of the relative position area.

  Next, a processing procedure from when the reader 200 in the position information management system having the above configuration receives a beacon signal until it transmits a relative position region or the like to the optical ID tag will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a relative position area calculation process procedure in the reader according to the second embodiment.

  First, the light receiving unit 1210 receives a beacon signal including a tag ID from the optical ID tag 1100 (step S1900). Then, the position information calculation unit 1240 identifies the light receiving area in the light receiving region 530 from each light output current value of the beacon signal detected by the position detection element 20 in the light receiving region 530 (step S1902). The demodulator 260 outputs the sum of the received light output values of the electrodes, demodulates the optical signal (beacon signal) (step S1904), and acquires information such as the tag ID (step S1906). The position information calculation unit 1240 identifies the relative position area of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area corresponding to the light receiving area (step S1908). Then, the relative position area, the tag ID, and the reader ID are transmitted to the optical ID tag 1100 (step S1910).

  Next, a process from when the relative position area, the tag ID, and the reader ID are received in the optical ID tag to when the received information is transmitted to the position information management server 1300 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for transmitting the relative position area, the reader ID, and the tag ID in the optical ID tag according to the second embodiment.

  The receiving unit 1110 receives the relative position area, the tag ID, and the reader ID transmitted from the reader 1200 (step S2000). The receiving unit 1110 refers to the tag ID included in the received information (step S2002), and determines whether or not it matches the tag ID stored in the storage unit 250 (step S2004). If the received tag ID matches the stored tag ID (step S2004; Yes), the received relative position area, reader ID, and tag ID are associated with each other and registered in the storage unit 250 (step). S2006). The transmission unit 1220 refers to the timer 130 and acquires the current time that is the reception time. Then, the transmission unit 1220 associates the relative position area, the reader ID, the tag ID, and the current time, and transmits them to the position information management server 1300 through the network 70 (step S2008). On the other hand, if the received tag ID does not match the stored tag ID (step S2004; No), the process returns to step S2000.

  Next, processing from the reception of the relative position area, the reader ID, the tag ID, and the time information in the position information management server 1300 until the absolute position of the optical ID tag 1100 is specified will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a process procedure for specifying the position information of the optical ID tag in the position information management server according to the second embodiment.

  The position information management server 1300 receives the relative position area, the reader ID, the tag ID, and the current time from the optical ID tag 1100 in the communication unit 1330 (step S2100). The analysis unit 1320 refers to the position information database 1310, and acquires the installation area, detection area, relative position area, and position range of the relative position area corresponding to the received reader ID (step S2102). . Then, the received relative position area in the detection area 50, reader installation area, detection area, relative position area, position range of the relative position area, and position range of the absolute position of the optical ID tag 1100 are specified (step) S2104).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the position information calculation unit 1240 acquires the position range of the optical ID tag in the detection area 1350 corresponding to each area of the light receiving area 530 as the relative information. The presence / absence of the optical ID tag 1100 in the desired area in 1350 can be quickly detected, and the position information can be identified efficiently.

  In the second embodiment, the optical ID tag 1100 is moved in advance in the installation area, and the position coordinates at each position in the detection area 1350 are acquired. The detection areas 1350A to E, the relative position areas a to d, and the relative positions are obtained. The information is stored in the position information management server 1300 in association with the position coordinates of the position area. Therefore, the reader 1200 only needs to specify the position range in the detection area 1350, the structure of the reader 1200 can be further facilitated, and the processing efficiency for specifying the position information can be improved.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment described above, the relative of the optical ID tag in the detection area corresponding to the light receiving area is based on the light receiving range that is the range in which the optical signal (beacon signal) emitted from the optical ID tag 1100 is received in the light receiving area. The position area was specified as relative position information. However, a signal transmitted from the tag may not depend on an optical signal such as a radio wave signal, an ultrasonic wave, or an optical signal (beacon signal). Therefore, in Embodiment 3, a case will be described in which a tag transmits a signal including identification information as an ultrasonic signal using ultrasonic waves as a carrier medium. In Embodiment 3, the reader 2300 is provided with microphones arranged in an array in a predetermined sound collection area 80, and the propagation direction is determined from the difference in arrival time of ultrasonic waves to each microphone using the microphones as receiving elements. And the position of the IC tag in the detection area is calculated. In the third embodiment, even if the position coordinates of the IC tag are calculated by the method described in the first embodiment, the beacon signal is received in the sound collection area 80 as described in the second embodiment. The relative position area of the tag in the detection area corresponding to the sound collection area that is the range may be calculated as relative position information. In the following, the case where the relative position area of the tag in the detection area is calculated by the method described in the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the IC tag 2200 according to the third embodiment. The IC tag 2200 according to Embodiment 3 mainly includes a reception unit 2210, a transmission unit 2220, a timer 130, a storage unit 140, and an ultrasonic transmission unit 2250. The IC tag 2200 in the third embodiment is different from that in the second embodiment in a signal emitted from the ultrasonic transmission unit 2250, information received by the reception unit 2210, and information transmitted by the transmission unit 2220. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The ultrasonic transmitter 2250 transmits a beacon signal including a tag ID to the reader 2300 at predetermined intervals by using ultrasonic waves as a signal carrier medium. The configuration of the optical signal (beacon signal) including the tag ID transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 2250 is the same as that in FIG.

  The receiving unit 2210 is a receiving unit that receives the relative position area of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area, the tag ID, and the reader ID from the reader 2300.

  The transmission unit 2220 is a transmission unit that associates the relative position area of the IC tag 2200 received from the reader 2300, the tag ID, the reader ID, and time information, and transmits the information to the position information management server 1300 via the network 70.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a main functional configuration of the reader according to the third embodiment. The reader 2300 mainly includes a sound collection unit 2310, a transmission unit 2320, a control unit 2330, a position information calculation unit 2340, a storage unit 250, and a demodulation unit 260. Functions and configurations other than the sound collection unit 2310, the transmission unit 2320, the control unit 2330, and the position information calculation unit 2340 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The control unit 2330 includes a storage unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM), and controls various functions for calculating the relative position area of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area 2350. .

  The transmission unit 2320 is a transmission unit that associates the relative position area of the IC tag 2200, the reader ID, and the tag ID, and transmits to the IC tag 2200 by short-range wireless communication such as the Bluetooth standard or the Zigbee standard.

  The sound collection unit 2310 is a reception unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted from the IC tag 2200 in a predetermined sound collection region 80. Details of the configuration of the sound collection unit 2310 will be described later.

  The position information calculation unit 2340 identifies which one of 80a to 80d is the sound collection area of the beacon signal in the sound collection area 80. Then, the relative position areas 2350a to 2350d in the detection area 2350 corresponding to the specified sound collection areas 80a to 80d are specified as the relative position information of the IC tag 2200.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a hardware configuration of the reader 2300 according to the third embodiment. The sound collection unit 2310 includes microphones 2310 a to 2310 d arranged in an array on the ceiling of the living room 1 that is the installation area 10. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, in order to specify the sound collection range in which the beacon signal is collected in the sound collection region 80, the sound collection region 80 includes four areas corresponding to the detection area 2350. It is divided into ad. The sound collection areas 80a to 80d in the sound collection region 80 correspond to the microphones 2310a to 2310d, respectively. Other functions and configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The position information calculation unit 2340 includes amplifiers 2340a to 2340d, BPFs (Band-Pass Filters) 2340e to 2340h, and an arithmetic circuit 2340i. The arithmetic circuit 2340i calculates the relative position area of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area 2350 as relative position information based on the sound collection areas 80a to 80d indicating the range in which the beacon signal is received in the sound collection area 80.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a process of specifying the relative position area of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area 2350 in the reader 2300 according to the third embodiment.

  The beacon signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transmission unit 2250 of the IC tag 2200 reaches the sound collection area 80 and is detected by the microphones 2310a to 2310d installed in the sound collection areas 80a to 80d in the sound collection area 80. The sound collection areas 80a to 80d and the microphones 2310a to 2310d are associated with each other. The position detection element 20 in the sound collection region 80 specifies the sound collection region 80 corresponding to the microphone 2310 that has received the signal. Specifically, each optical output current value of the beacon signal is detected by the position detection element 20, undergoes amplification processing by the amplifying units 2340 a to 2340 d, undergoes noise removal processing by the BPF 2340 e to 2340 h, and then performed by the analog arithmetic circuit 2340 i The sound collection area 80c in the sound collection area 80 and the relative position area 2350c of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area 2350 are specified as relative position information.

  The function and configuration of the position information management server, the IC tag position range specifying method, and the reader installation area are the same as in the second embodiment.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the position information calculation unit 2340 uses the microphones arranged in an array in the predetermined sound collection region 80 as reception elements, and determines the arrival time of ultrasonic waves to each microphone. The propagation direction is calculated from the difference, and the position of the IC tag 2200 in the detection area 2350 is calculated. Therefore, the presence / absence of the IC tag 2200 in a desired area in the detection area 2350 can be quickly detected by the ultrasonic signal, and the position information can be calculated efficiently.

  A hardware configuration of a PC that executes a program for realizing the functions of the location information management servers 300 and 1300 according to the above-described embodiments will be described. The location information management servers 300 and 1300 of the present embodiment include a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD, a CD drive device, and the like. The external storage device, a display device such as a display device, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The location information management program executed by the location information management servers 300 and 1300 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disk).

  In addition, the location information management program executed by the location information management servers 300 and 1300 of the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. Further, the location information management program executed by the location information management servers 300 and 1300 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the position information management program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The location information management program executed by the location information management servers 300 and 1300 according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (analysis unit, communication unit, and location information database). The CPU (processor) reads the location information management program from the storage medium and executes it, so that each unit is loaded onto the main storage device, and the analysis unit and the communication unit are generated on the main storage device. Yes.

  As described above, the portable information terminal, the detection device, the position information management system, and the position information management method according to the present invention are useful for the technology for managing the received tag position information and the like, and in particular, the portable information terminal. It is suitable for the technology which notifies position information to a position information management server.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a location information management system according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the optical ID tag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an optical signal (beacon signal) according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a reader according to the first embodiment. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a reader according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process of calculating relative position coordinates in the reader according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a location information management server according to the first exemplary embodiment; It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of the positional information database concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of relative position coordinate calculation in the reader according to the first exemplary embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for transmitting a relative position coordinate, a reader ID, and a tag ID in the optical ID tag according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for specifying the absolute position of an optical ID tag in the position information management server in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of an optical ID tag according to a second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation area of the leader concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of the reader concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a reader according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of specifying the position range of the optical ID tag 1100 in the detection area 1350 in the reader according to the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of the positional infomation management server concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the positional infomation database concerning Embodiment 2. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for calculating relative position information in the reader according to the second exemplary embodiment; 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for transmitting relative position information, a reader ID, and a tag ID in the optical ID tag according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for specifying position information of an optical ID tag in a position information management server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of an IC tag according to a third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of the reader concerning Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a reader according to a third embodiment. In Embodiment 3, it is explanatory drawing which shows the process of the relative position area | region specification of the optical ID tag 2200 in the detection area 2350.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Position information management system 10 Installation area 20 Photodiode 30, 530 Light-receiving area 40 Relative position area 50, 1350, 2350 Detection area (virtual surface)
60, 560 Lens 70 Network 80 Sound collection area 100, 1100 Optical ID tag 110, 1110, 2210 Receiver 120, 1120, 2220 Transmitter 130 Timer 140 Storage unit 150 Light transmitter 200, 1200, 2300 Reader 210, 1210 Light receiver 220, 1220, 2320 Transmission unit 230, 1230, 2330 Control unit 240, 1240, 2340 Location information calculation unit 250 Storage unit 260 Demodulation unit 300, 1300 Location information management server 310, 1310 Location information database 320, 1320 Analysis unit 330 Communication unit 2200 IC tag 2250 Ultrasonic transmission unit 2310 Sound collection unit a Incident spot position v Incident direction vector C Ceiling F Floor

Claims (10)

A portable information terminal,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal including terminal identification information which is unique identification information of the portable information terminal via a carrier medium;
The terminal identification information, detection device identification information that is unique identification information of a detection device that detects the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal in the detection area of the detection device that is calculated by the detection device Receiving means for receiving relative position information which is a relative position;
Transmitting means for transmitting the received terminal identification information, the detection apparatus identification information, and the relative position information to a position information management apparatus that manages position information of the portable information terminal;
A portable information terminal comprising: A storage means for storing the terminal identification information;
The transmission means further determines whether or not the terminal identification information received by the reception means matches the terminal identification information stored in the storage means, and if they match, the received terminal identification The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the information, the detection device identification information, and the relative position information are transmitted to the position information management device.   The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a light emitting element that transmits an optical signal as the signal.   The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit includes an ultrasonic transmission element that transmits an ultrasonic signal as the signal. A detection device for detecting a portable information terminal,
Receiving means for receiving a signal including terminal identification information which is unique identification information of the portable information terminal;
Based on a reception state of the signal, a transmission position direction which is a direction of a position where the signal is transmitted is determined, and based on the transmission position direction, a relative position of the portable information terminal in a detection area of the detection device is determined. Position information calculating means for calculating certain relative position information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and detection device identification information that is unique identification information of the detection device to the portable information terminal;
A detection device comprising: The receiving means has a light receiving region for receiving an optical signal as the signal,
The position information calculation means determines an incident direction that is the transmission position direction of the optical signal based on a light receiving state of the optical signal in the light receiving region, and calculates the relative position information based on the incident direction. ,
The detection device according to claim 5. The receiving means has a light receiving region for receiving an optical signal as the signal,
The position information calculating means calculates the relative position information based on a light receiving range that is a range in which the optical signal is received in the light receiving region;
The detection device according to claim 5. The receiving means has a sound collection area for collecting an ultrasonic signal as the signal,
The position information calculating means determines a sound source direction of the ultrasonic signal based on a reception state of the ultrasonic signal in the sound collection region, and calculates the relative position information based on the sound source direction;
The detection device according to claim 5. A position information management system comprising a portable information terminal, a detection device that detects the portable information terminal, and a position information management device that manages position information of the portable information terminal,
The portable information terminal is
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal including terminal identification information which is unique identification information of the portable information terminal;
The terminal identification information, the detection apparatus identification information that is unique identification information of the detection apparatus, and the relative position information that is calculated by the detection apparatus and that is the relative position of the portable information terminal in the detection area of the detection apparatus Receiving means for receiving
Transmission means for transmitting the received terminal identification information, the detection apparatus identification information, and the relative position information to the position information management apparatus,
The detection device includes:
Receiving means for receiving a signal including the terminal identification information; determining a transmission position direction which is a direction of a position from which the signal is transmitted based on a reception state of the signal; and detecting the detection apparatus based on the transmission position direction Position information calculating means for calculating relative position information which is a relative position of the portable information terminal in the detection area;
Transmission means for transmitting the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection device identification information to the portable information terminal,
The location information management device includes:
Storage means for storing a position information database in which the detection device identification information is associated with a place where the detection device is installed;
Analysis means for specifying an absolute position of the portable information terminal based on the relative position information, the terminal identification information, the detection device identification information, and the position information database;
A location information management system comprising: In a location information management method executed by a location information management system comprising: a portable information terminal; a detection device that detects the portable information terminal; and a location information management device that manages location information of the portable information terminal. ,
A transmitting step in which the portable information terminal transmits a signal including terminal identification information which is unique identification information;
A receiving step in which the detection device receives a signal including the terminal identification information;
The detection device determines a transmission position direction that is a direction of a position from which the signal is transmitted based on a reception state of the signal, and the portable information in a detection region of the detection device based on the transmission position direction. A position information calculating step for calculating relative position information which is a relative position of the terminal;
A transmission step in which the detection device transmits the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and detection device identification information that is unique identification information of the detection device to the portable information terminal;
A receiving step in which the portable information terminal receives the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection device identification information;
A transmitting step in which the portable information terminal transmits the received relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection apparatus identification information to the position information management apparatus;
The position information management device is based on a position information database in which the detection device identification information is associated with a place where the detection device is installed, the relative position information, the terminal identification information, and the detection device identification information. Analyzing step of identifying the absolute position of the portable information terminal;
A location information management method characterized by comprising:

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