JP2016090421A - Beacon signal reception system, terminal device, beacon signal reception method in beacon signal reception system and terminal device and program therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set identification information on a beacon signal targeted for processing in accordance with a position of a terminal device, and to suppress wasteful processing.SOLUTION: A server is configured to: refer to a beacon area database storing beacon identification information on a beacon device and beacon area information indicative of a reception area of a beacon signal to be transmitted from the beacon device in association of the identification information with the beacon area information when receiving a current position of a terminal device; extract the beacon device having the reception area in an area around the current position of the terminal device; and supply beacon identification information on an extracted beacon device and beacon area information thereon to the terminal device. The terminal device is configured to: select the prescribed number of beacon devices having the reception area in an area close to the current position of the terminal device on the basis of the beacon identification information and the beacon area information supplied from the server; and set the beacon devices as the beacon device of a standby object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a beacon signal receiving system, and in particular, receives a beacon signal transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information included in the beacon signal, a beacon signal receiving system, and these And a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  With the widespread use of terminal devices having communication functions, systems that connect terminal devices and electronic devices and transmit information from the electronic devices to the terminal devices are used. In particular, a system that transmits a beacon signal by proximity wireless communication from a beacon device and presents information using the beacon signal has attracted attention. For example, a data communication system is proposed that detects that a purchaser's device has approached a store using a beacon signal, starts communication between the seller's device and the purchaser's device, and performs product advertisements. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-134147 A

  When information presentation using a beacon signal transmitted from a beacon device is performed, processing corresponding to the identification information is performed by acquiring identification information included in the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device. Therefore, each time a terminal device receives a beacon signal, the terminal device needs to determine whether the received beacon signal is a processing target by reading and collating the identification information. Therefore, when the number of beacon devices that transmit beacon signals to be processed increases, the processing amount and processing time required for verification may increase. That is, if identification information of a beacon signal that is not expected to be received in the near future is set as a processing target, useless processing increases, leading to useless power consumption.

  The present invention has been created in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to suppress useless processing by setting identification information of a beacon signal to be processed according to the position of a terminal device. .

  This invention is made | formed in order to eliminate the above-mentioned problem, The 1st side surface receives the beacon signal transmitted from a some beacon apparatus, The said beacon apparatus contained in the said beacon signal is used. A beacon signal receiving system comprising a terminal device for acquiring beacon identification information for identification and a server accessed from the terminal device, wherein the server includes the beacon identification information of the beacon device and the beacon device. When a beacon area database that stores and stores beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal to be transmitted and a notification of the current position of the terminal device are received, the beacon area database is referred to and the terminal device Extract the beacon device having the reception area around the current position A communication unit that supplies the beacon identification information of the beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device to the terminal device, the terminal device acquiring a current position of the terminal device, and the server Server communication that receives from the server the beacon identification information of the beacon device having the reception area and the supply of the beacon area information of the beacon device around the current position indicated by the current position And a processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on beacon identification information and beacon area information supplied from the server and sets the beacon devices as standby targets. And any of the beacon devices set as the above standby targets. Beacon signal receiving system including a beacon signal receiving unit that receives the received beacon signal and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal, and a beacon signal receiving method in the beacon signal receiving system. This brings about the effect | action that a stand-by object is set from the beacon apparatus which has a reception area in the periphery of the present position of a terminal device.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals. A beacon area for storing the current position of the terminal device, the beacon identification information of the beacon device, and beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other Database communication that refers to the database, extracts the beacon device having the reception area around the current position of the terminal device, and acquires the beacon identification information of the extracted beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device And the reception area near the current position of the terminal device. A beacon transmitted from one of a processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices based on the acquired beacon identification information and beacon area information and sets the beacon device as a standby target, and a beacon device set as the standby target A terminal device including a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a signal and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal, a beacon signal receiving method in the terminal device, and a program thereof. This brings about the effect | action of setting the beacon apparatus made into a standby object from the beacon apparatuses which have a reception area in the periphery of the present position of the terminal device.

  The third aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of beacon devices that transmit a beacon signal including beacon identification information for identifying itself, and the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal after receiving the beacon signal. A beacon signal receiving system comprising: a terminal device that acquires a beacon; and a server accessed from the terminal device, wherein the server receives the beacon identification information of the beacon device and a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device. When receiving a beacon area database that associates and stores beacon area information indicating an area and a notification of the current position of the terminal device, the reception is performed around the current position of the terminal device with reference to the beacon area database. Extract the beacon device having an area and A communication unit that supplies beacon identification information and beacon area information of the beacon device to the terminal device, the terminal device acquiring a current position of the terminal device, and the current to the server A server communication unit for notifying the position and receiving from the server the beacon identification information of the beacon device having the reception area and the beacon area information of the beacon device around the current position indicated by the current position, and the terminal A processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the device based on the beacon identification information and the beacon area information supplied from the server and sets them as standby targets, and the standby targets Beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as Shin to a method of receiving a beacon signal in a beacon signal receiving system and a beacon signal receiving system and a beacon signal receiver for acquiring the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. This brings about the effect | action that the thing which has a receiving area in the periphery of the present position of a terminal device is set as a stand-by object among several beacon apparatuses contained in a beacon signal receiving system.

  According to the present invention, according to the position of a terminal device, the discernment information of the beacon signal used as a candidate for processing can be set up, and the outstanding effect that useless processing can be controlled can be produced.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the beacon signal reception system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the reception area of the beacon signal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the field structure of the beacon area database 320 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the field structure of the beacon area database 320 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the field structure of the waiting list 121 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a mode of the setting and update of the standby list 121 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the waiting object of the waiting list 121 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the calculation method of the distance of the terminal device 100 and the beacon apparatus 200 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence of the beacon signal reception system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the response process sequence of the server 300 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration update process sequence of the waiting list 121 of the terminal device 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the beacon signal reception processing procedure of the terminal device 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a coupling | bonding aspect of the receiving area in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a relationship between the service and reception area in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the field structure of the beacon area database 320 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration processing procedure of the beacon area database 320 of the server 300 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described.

<1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration of beacon signal receiving system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a beacon signal receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This beacon signal receiving system includes a plurality of beacon devices 200, a terminal device 100, and a server 300. Beacon device 200 and server 300 are connected via network 400 and access point 410. Here, although one terminal device 100 is shown, a plurality of terminal devices 100 may be provided.

  Each of the plurality of beacon devices 200 intermittently transmits a beacon signal by wireless transmission every predetermined period. The beacon device 200 holds beacon identification information for identifying the beacon device 200, and transmits the beacon signal including the beacon identification information.

  As a standard of wireless communication when a beacon signal is transmitted from the beacon device 200, for example, “Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy” (hereinafter referred to as “BLE”) optimized for ultra-low power consumption for short-range wireless communication. Is abbreviated.). In addition, as long as wireless transmission to the terminal device 100 is possible, the beacon signal may be wirelessly transmitted according to another communication standard such as the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.

  The terminal device 100 is a terminal carried by a user (for example, a customer). Examples of the terminal device 100 include a mobile terminal and a tablet personal computer. The terminal device 100 receives a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 200 and acquires beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. The terminal device 100 includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, a beacon receiving unit 150, a server communication unit 160, and a GPS receiving unit 170. These are connected to each other by a bus 190.

  The processing unit 110 is a processor that performs necessary processing in the terminal device 100. Specifically, the processing unit 110 controls reception of a beacon signal from the beacon device 200 in the beacon receiving unit 150, and acquires beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. In addition, the user interface in the input unit 130 and the output unit 140 is controlled.

  As will be described later, the processing unit 110 presets beacon identification information of a beacon signal that is a standby target, and acquires the beacon identification information using a beacon signal having the corresponding beacon identification information as a processing target. And this process part 110 performs a required process based on the acquired beacon identification information. For example, based on the beacon identification information, processing such as accessing another server and receiving information is performed.

  The storage unit 120 is a memory that stores data necessary for the processing of the processing unit 110. Specifically, the storage unit 120 stores a received beacon signal, beacon area information described later, and the like.

  The input unit 130 is for receiving input from the user. For example, a touch panel tactile sensor is assumed as the input unit 130, but an externally connected keyboard or the like may be used. The output unit 140 is for outputting information to the user. As the output unit 140, for example, a display unit of a touch panel is assumed. Therefore, the input unit 130 and the output unit 140 can be realized as an integrated touch panel.

  The beacon receiving unit 150 receives a beacon signal from the beacon device 200. When the terminal device 100 enters the communication range of the beacon device 200, the beacon receiving unit 150 receives the transmitted beacon signal.

  The server communication unit 160 performs communication with the server 300. The contents of communication with the server 300 will be described later.

  The GPS receiver 170 receives a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal from the GPS satellite 500, and measures and acquires the current position of the terminal device 100 based on the GPS signal. Based on the current position acquired by the GPS receiver 170, the beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 to be a standby target in the beacon receiver 150 is set.

  The server 300 supplies information regarding the beacon device 200 with which the terminal device 100 can receive a beacon signal to the terminal device 100. The server 300 includes a processing unit 310, a beacon area database 320, and a communication unit 330.

  The beacon area database 320 is a database that stores beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 and beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 200 in association with each other.

  The processing unit 310 is a processor that performs necessary processing in the server 300. Specifically, the processing unit 310 refers to the beacon area database 320 and extracts the beacon device 200 having a beacon signal reception area around the current position of the terminal device 100. Then, the extracted beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 and the beacon area information of the beacon device are supplied to the terminal device 100 via the communication unit 330.

  The communication unit 330 communicates with the terminal device 100. The communication unit 330 is connected to the network 400. An access point 410 is connected to the network 400 and communicates with the server communication unit 160 of the terminal device 100 using the antenna 411 of the access point 410. Between the server communication unit 160 and the access point 410, for example, it is assumed that communication using a mobile communication (for example, 3G) or a wireless LAN according to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard is performed. Therefore, the access point 410 includes a base station in mobile communication such as a mobile phone and a communication interface for Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication.

[Beacon signal reception area]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the reception area of the beacon signal in the embodiment of the present invention. As indicated by a in the figure, a beacon signal reception area 201 is defined as a beacon signal reachable range centered on the beacon device 200.

  In general, the shape of the reception area is assumed to be a shape similar to a circle. On the other hand, in the following embodiment, in order to facilitate the handling when measuring the distance, it is grasped as a rectangular receiving area 202 including a circular receiving area 201 as shown in FIG. .

[Beacon Area Database]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a field configuration of the beacon area database 320 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The beacon area database 320 is a database that stores beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 and beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 200 in association with each other. The beacon identification information is identification information included in a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 200.

  The beacon area information indicates the reception area of the beacon signal transmitted from the corresponding beacon device 200. In this embodiment, the beacon area information indicates the positions of the four sides represented by the rectangular reception area described above. That is, in this embodiment, considering a rectangle including a circular reception area, four positions of the north limit, the south limit, the east limit, and the west limit at positions that are advanced by the receivable distance from the east, west, south, and north around the position of the beacon device Is represented by latitude or longitude.

  When the terminal device 100 notifies the server 300 of the current position, the server 300 extracts the beacon device 200 having a reception area around the current position of the terminal device 100, and extracts the beacon identification information and the beacon area of the extracted beacon device 200. Information is supplied to the terminal device 100. The terminal device 100 uses the supplied beacon identification information and beacon area information to set the beacon identification information that is acquired by the terminal device 100 as a standby target.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the field configuration of the beacon area database 320 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this modification, a position represented by the above-described circular reception area is shown. That is, in this modified example, the reception area is set from the latitude and longitude of the installation position of the beacon device 200 and the circular shape with the receivable distance as the radius around the beacon device 200.

  The receivable distance can be individually set for each beacon device 200, but the server 300 may be configured to collect this information. Further, the server 300 may set a provisional receivable distance and apply it uniformly. For example, for a beacon signal, a maximum reachable distance (for example, 50 meters) set according to specifications or the like is obtained, and a provisional receivable distance (for example, 100 meters) that can be applied uniformly by adding an error to the maximum reachable distance. You may ask for it.

[Standby list]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a field configuration of the standby list 121 in the embodiment of the present invention. The standby list 121 sets beacon identification information to be acquired by the terminal device 100 and is stored in the storage unit 120. The standby list 121 includes beacon identification information of a beacon device 200 having a reception area near the current position of the terminal device 100. When the terminal device 100 receives the beacon signal, the terminal device 100 reads the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal and collates whether or not it is a standby target in the standby list 121. And when it is a standby object, the beacon identification information is formally acquired.

  The standby list 121 holds beacon identification information, beacon area information, and standby target information in association with each other in order of proximity to the terminal device 100. The beacon identification information and the beacon area information are the same as the beacon area database 320. The standby target information indicates whether or not the corresponding beacon identification information is a standby target. All the beacon identification information held in the standby list 121 can be acquired without providing this standby target information. In this embodiment, by providing standby target information, control is performed so as to suppress access to the server 300 as follows.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of how the standby list 121 is set and updated in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The GPS receiving unit 170 of the terminal device 100 acquires the current position at a predetermined cycle. When the change between the current position newly acquired by the GPS receiver 170 and the current position acquired last time exceeds a predetermined distance, the server communication unit 160 notifies the server 300 of the newly acquired current position. To do. As the predetermined distance in this case, for example, about half of the range in which the beacon area information of the beacon device 200 is acquired is assumed.

  Since the current position is not acquired immediately after starting the terminal device 100, the server communication unit 160 notifies the server 300 of the current position as soon as the GPS receiving unit 170 acquires the current position. On the other hand, when the change between the current position newly acquired by the GPS receiver 170 and the current position acquired last time does not exceed the predetermined distance, the server 300 is not notified. Thereby, it is possible to avoid accessing the server 300 more than necessary.

  When the server 300 receives the notification of the current position from the terminal device 100, the communication unit 330 refers to the beacon area database 320 and extracts the beacon device 200 having a reception area around the current position of the terminal device 100. Then, the communication unit 330 supplies the extracted beacon identification information and beacon area information of the beacon device 200 to the terminal device 100.

  When the processing unit 110 receives supply of the beacon identification information and the beacon area information from the server 300, the processing unit 110 temporarily holds the information in the standby list 121. Then, a predetermined number of beacon devices 200 having a reception area near the current position of the terminal device 100 are selected, and the standby target information in the standby list 121 is set as a standby target.

  The setting content of the standby target information can be updated every time the GPS receiving unit 170 acquires the current position. That is, by updating the standby target information every time the GPS receiving unit 170 acquires the current position in a predetermined cycle, when the terminal device 100 moves, the beacon device 200 having a reception area nearby is set as the standby target. can do. Further, when the terminal device 100 moves greatly, the current position is notified from the GPS receiving unit 170 to the server 300, and the beacon identification information and the beacon area information of the beacon device 200 having a reception area in the vicinity are transmitted from the server 300 to the terminal device. 100.

  For example, 100 beacon identification information and beacon area information are supplied from the server 300 to the terminal device 100 when the GPS receiver 170 notifies the server 300 of the current position. The processing unit 110 temporarily holds the 100 cases in the standby list 121. Then, the processing unit 110 selects 20 beacon devices 200 having reception areas in the vicinity of the current position of the terminal device 100 among the 100 items, in order of proximity, and is a standby target in the standby target information of the standby list 121. Set the effect. Until the current position of the terminal device 100 exceeds a predetermined distance, 100 items in the standby list 121 are held as they are, and 20 items of standby target information are updated in order of proximity every time the GPS receiving unit 170 acquires the current position in a predetermined cycle. Is done. When the current position of the terminal device 100 exceeds a predetermined distance, 100 items in the standby list 121 are newly supplied from the server 300.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change example of the standby target of the standby list 121 according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the terminal device 100 is located near the beacon device 200 having the beacon identification information # 001, # 002, # 003, the beacon identification information # 001, # 002, # 003 is included in the standby target information of the standby list 121. The fact that it is a standby target is set. Therefore, in that case, the terminal device 100 acquires the beacon identification information using the beacon signal having the beacon identification information # 001, # 002, and # 003 as a processing target.

  After that, when the terminal device 100 moves and comes to be located near the beacon device 200 having the beacon identification information # 004, # 005, # 006, the standby target information in the standby list 121 includes beacon identification information. It is set that # 004, # 005, and # 006 are standby targets. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device 100 acquires the beacon identification information using the beacon signal having the beacon identification information # 004, # 005, and # 006 as a processing target.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating the distance between the terminal device 100 and the beacon device 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. In the following, it is assumed that the current position of the terminal device 100 is the position 11.

  When the beacon device 200 is installed in a certain rectangular area 21 including the position 11, all the distances L11 are calculated as “0”. When the beacon device 200 is installed at the position 12 in the region 22 perpendicular to each side of the rectangular region 21, the distance from the position 12 to the closest side of the rectangular region 21 is the terminal device 100 and the beacon device 200. And the distance. When the beacon device 200 is installed at the position 13 in the region 23 that is not perpendicular to each side of the rectangular region 21, the distance from the position 13 to the nearest vertex of the rectangular region 21 is equal to the terminal device 100 and the beacon device. The distance is 200.

[Operation]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence of the beacon signal receiving system in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as pre-processing, beacon identification information and installation position information are input to the server 300 for each of the plurality of beacon devices 200 in the beacon signal receiving system (step S911). And beacon area information is calculated based on the installation position information of beacon device 200 and the transmission range of a beacon signal (Step S912). The calculated beacon area information is registered in the beacon area database 320 together with the beacon identification information (step S913).

  Next, registration processing of the standby list 121 is performed. The terminal device 100 acquires the current position by the GPS receiving unit 170 and notifies the server 300 (step S914). Receiving the notification of the current position, the server 300 searches the beacon area database 320, extracts the beacon device 200 having a reception area around the current position of the terminal device 100 (step S915), and extracts the extracted beacon device 200. The beacon identification information and the beacon area information are supplied to the terminal device 100 (step S916). Upon receiving the supply of the beacon identification information and the beacon area information, the terminal device 100 temporarily holds them in the standby list 121 and selects a predetermined number of beacon devices 200 having a reception area near the current position of the terminal device 100 from among them. Then, the standby target information in the standby list 121 is set to the standby target information (step S917).

  When the registration process of the standby list 121 is completed, the terminal device 100 enters a normal state in which a beacon signal is received. The beacon device 200 intermittently transmits a beacon signal including beacon identification information (step S921). The terminal device 100 that has received the beacon signal reads the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal and collates it with the beacon identification information that is the standby target in the standby list 121 (step S922). If it is a standby target, a predetermined process is executed using the beacon identification information (step S923).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a response processing procedure of the server 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the current position is notified from the terminal apparatus 100 (step S971), the server 300 refers to the beacon area database 320, and the beacon is set within a radius R (for example, 1 km) from the current position of the terminal apparatus 100. The beacon area information of the device 200 is acquired (step S972). And when the number of acquired beacon area information does not exceed a predetermined number (for example, 100) (step S973: No), the radius R is increased (step S975), and the processing after step S972 is performed. repeat.

  On the other hand, when the number of acquired beacon area information exceeds the predetermined number (step S973: Yes), if there is a previous result (step S974: Yes), that beacon is set as the final result. The area information is supplied to the terminal device 100 together with the beacon identification information (step S977). If there is no previous result (step S974: No), the radius R is decreased (step S976), and the processing after step S972 is repeated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration update processing procedure of the standby list 121 of the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The terminal device 100 acquires the current position of the terminal device 100 by the GPS receiver 170 (step S931), and notifies the server 300 of the current position (step S932). Then, when the beacon identification information and the beacon area information are supplied as a response from the server 300 to this notification, the information is temporarily held in the standby list 121 (step S933). Then, a predetermined number of beacon devices 200 having reception areas in the vicinity of the current position of the terminal device 100 are selected from the standby list 121, and the standby target information in the standby list 121 is set as a standby target (step S934). ).

  Thereafter, the terminal device 100 acquires the current position at a predetermined cycle by the GPS receiver 170 (step S935). When the change between the current position newly acquired by the GPS receiving unit 170 and the current position acquired last time exceeds a predetermined distance (step S936: Yes), the server 300 is notified of the newly acquired current position. (Step S937). As a response from the server 300 to this notification, when receiving the supply of the beacon identification information and the beacon area information, the terminal device 100 temporarily holds it in the standby list 121 (step S938). On the other hand, when the change between the current position newly acquired by the GPS receiver 170 and the current position acquired last time does not exceed the predetermined distance (step S936: No), the processes of steps S937 and S938 are not executed. In any case, the terminal device 100 reselects a predetermined number of beacon devices 200 having reception areas near the new current position of the terminal device 100 from the waiting list 121, and waits for the waiting list 121. The target information is updated so as to set that it is a standby target (step S939).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a beacon signal reception process procedure of the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When receiving the beacon signal (step S951), the terminal device 100 reads the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal (step S952). Then, referring to standby list 121 (step S953), it is determined whether or not the read beacon identification information is a standby target (step S954).

  If the beacon identification information is a standby target (step S954: Yes), the beacon identification information is formally acquired and a predetermined process is executed (step S955). On the other hand, when the beacon identification information is not the standby target (step S954: No), the beacon identification information is not acquired and the predetermined process is not executed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, useless processing can be suppressed by updating the standby target information in the standby list 121 according to the current position of the terminal device 100.

  In the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 100 has received the GPS signal from the GPS satellite 500 by the GPS receiving unit 170 to determine the current position of the terminal device 100. The current position of the device 100 may be acquired. For example, the current position may be acquired by positioning using radio waves emitted from the beacon device 200, a wireless LAN access point, a telephone base station, or the like.

<2. Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the beacon device 200 itself is identified by the beacon identification information on the assumption that each beacon device 200 provides a unique service. However, in a service spanning a plurality of beacon devices 200, there are cases where it is desired to identify not only individual beacon devices 200 but also the entire service. Therefore, in this second embodiment, the beacon identification information includes service identification information and device identification information. The service identification information is information that identifies a service common to a plurality of beacon devices 200. The device identification information is information that uniquely identifies each beacon device 200. Therefore, identifying the beacon device 200 with the beacon identification information is identifying a service associated with the beacon device 200 and includes indirectly identifying the beacon device 200. It also includes physically or directly identifying the beacon device 200 as hardware.

  The terminal device 100 holds the service identification information in the standby list 121 according to the beacon area information, and performs standby for each service. When the service identification information of the received beacon identification information is included in the standby list 121, processing according to the beacon identification information including the device identification information is performed.

  For example, beacon devices 200 are arranged in a plurality of stores in a commercial facility, service identification information is specified as common for the entire commercial facility, and individual device identification information is set for each store. When the terminal device 100 approaches the commercial facility, all the beacon devices 200 in the commercial facility become standby targets. For example, even when the scale of the commercial facility is sufficiently larger than the reception area of the beacon signal, the standby list 121 is not updated sequentially by movement within the facility.

  Here, when the format of the beacon identification information is (M, mmm), M is service identification information and mmm is device identification information. The service identification information is a common value “1” for specifying a commercial facility, and the apparatus identification information is an individual value “001 to 004” for each store. Therefore, in order to express each individual, it is represented as (1,001), (1,002), (1,003), (1,004),.

  Thus, when setting beacon identification information, it is not necessary to input apparatus identification information into the waiting list 121. For example, beacon identification information such as (1, *) may be inserted using a wild card (*). In this case, since the service identification information is “1” in the beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 in the commercial facility, all the beacon devices 200 in the commercial facility become standby targets.

  In the case of a service that spans a plurality of beacon devices 200, as will be described later, the beacon area information is a large one in which reception areas of a plurality of beacon devices are connected.

  In addition, beacon identification information of a plurality of beacon devices 200 can be individually registered without using a wild card (*). However, in that case, a plurality of frames of the standby list 121 are required.

[Combine receiving areas]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of how reception areas are combined in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, since a service spanning a plurality of beacon devices 200 is assumed, as shown in a in FIG. 5, beacon devices 200 that provide the same service are adjacent to each other, and reception areas overlap. There may be cases.

  In this case, as shown by b in the figure, a reception area as a service is newly defined assuming a rectangular shape including the reception areas of a plurality of beacon devices 200. Therefore, by using the wild card (*) described above, it is possible to efficiently represent a service that spans a plurality of beacon devices 200.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship example between a service and a reception area according to the second embodiment of this invention. In this example, since (4,001) and (4,002) of the beacon device 200 belong to the same service and the reception areas overlap, the beacon area of the service (4, ***) As information, information obtained by combining the reception areas (4,001) and (4,002) is registered.

  On the other hand, although (5,001) and (5,002) of the beacon device 200 belong to the same service, since the reception areas do not overlap, the reception areas are not combined. As the beacon area information of the service (5, ***), the reception areas (5, 001) and (5, 002) are respectively registered.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field configuration of the beacon area database 320 according to the second embodiment of this invention. The beacon area database 320 in the second embodiment is the first in that the beacon identification information of the beacon device 200 and the beacon area information indicating the reception area of the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 200 are stored in association with each other. This is the same as the first embodiment. On the other hand, the beacon identification information includes service identification information and device identification information.

  The beacon area database 320 shown in the figure shows the example of FIG. 14, and the beacon area information of the service (4, ***) includes (4,001) and (4,002) of the beacon device 200. A combination of reception areas is registered. On the other hand, (5001) and (5,002) of the beacon device 200 are not overlapped with each other, so that the reception areas are not combined, and (5001) and (5,5) of the beacon device 200 are not combined. 002) are registered as respective areas.

[Operation]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration processing procedure of the beacon area database 320 of the server 300 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  The server 300 acquires beacon identification information and installation position information for each of the plurality of beacon devices 200 in the beacon signal receiving system (step S961). Then, the server 300 calculates beacon area information based on the installation position information of the beacon device 200 and the transmission range of the beacon signal (step S962).

  Here, when there are overlapping reception areas (step S963: Yes), the overlapping reception areas are combined (step S964), and the processes after step S961 are repeated. On the other hand, when there are no overlapping reception areas (step S963: No), beacon identification information and installation position information are registered in the beacon area database 320 (step S965).

  Thus, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the reception areas of the beacon devices 200 belonging to the same service overlap, by combining the reception areas and registering them in the beacon area database 320, Services can be identified efficiently.

  Note that the above-described embodiment shows an example for embodying the present invention, and the matters in the embodiment and the invention-specific matters in the claims have a corresponding relationship. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims and the matters in the embodiment of the present invention having the same names as the claims have a corresponding relationship. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be embodied by making various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Further, the processing procedure described in the above embodiment may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, and a program for causing a computer to execute these series of procedures or a recording medium storing the program. You may catch it. As this recording medium, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, a Blu-ray disc (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), or the like can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Terminal device 110 Processing part 120 Storage part 121 Standby list 130 Input part 140 Output part 150 Beacon receiving part 160 Server communication part 170 GPS receiving part 190 Bus 200 Beacon apparatus 300 Server 310 Processing part 320 Beacon area database 330 Communication part 400 Network 410 Access point 411 Antenna 500 GPS satellite

Claims (9)

A beacon comprising: a terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals; and a server accessed from the terminal devices A signal receiving system,
The server
A beacon area database for storing the beacon identification information of the beacon device and beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other;
Upon receiving the notification of the current position of the terminal device, the beacon device having the reception area is extracted around the current position of the terminal device with reference to the beacon area database, and the beacon of the extracted beacon device is extracted. A communication unit that supplies identification information and beacon area information of the beacon device to the terminal device;
The terminal device
A position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the terminal device;
The server is notified of the current position, and the beacon identification information of the beacon device having the reception area around the current position indicated by the current position and the supply of beacon area information of the beacon device are received from the server. A server communication unit;
A processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the beacon identification information and beacon area information supplied from the server and sets them as standby targets;
A beacon signal receiving system comprising: a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as the standby target and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. The position acquisition unit acquires the current position at a predetermined cycle,
The beacon signal receiving system according to claim 1, wherein when the position acquisition unit acquires the current position, the processing unit performs the selection and updates the setting of the standby target. The server communication unit, when a change between the current position newly acquired by the position acquisition unit and the current position acquired last time exceeds a predetermined distance, the newly acquired current to the server The beacon signal receiving system according to claim 1 which notifies a position. The beacon identification information consists of a first part and a second part,
The beacon signal receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing unit sets the standby target based on the first portion of the beacon identification information corresponding to the current position. A beacon comprising: a terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals; and a server accessed from the terminal devices A method for receiving a beacon signal in a signal receiving system, comprising:
A procedure in which the terminal device notifies the current position of the terminal device to the server;
When the server receives a notification of the current position of the terminal device, the beacon stores the beacon identification information of the beacon device in association with beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device. With reference to an area database, the beacon device having the reception area in the vicinity of the current position of the terminal device is extracted, and the beacon identification information of the extracted beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device are extracted from the terminal device. The procedure to supply to
The terminal device selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the beacon identification information and the beacon area information supplied from the server and sets the beacon devices as standby targets. Procedure and
The terminal device receives a beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as the standby target and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. . A terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals,
A position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the terminal device;
With reference to the beacon area database that stores the beacon identification information of the beacon device and the beacon area information indicating the reception area of the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other, around the current position of the terminal device A database communication unit that extracts the beacon device having the reception area and acquires the beacon identification information of the extracted beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device;
A processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the acquired beacon identification information and beacon area information and sets as a standby target;
A terminal device comprising: a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as the standby target and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. A method for receiving a beacon signal in a terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals,
A procedure for the position acquisition unit to acquire the current position of the terminal device;
The database communication unit refers to the beacon area database that stores the beacon identification information of the beacon device and the beacon area information indicating the reception area of the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other. A procedure for extracting the beacon device having the reception area around the current position and obtaining the beacon identification information of the extracted beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device;
A procedure in which the processing unit selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the acquired beacon identification information and beacon area information, and sets the beacon device as a standby target;
Receiving a beacon signal, wherein the beacon signal receiving unit receives a beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as the standby target and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal. Method. In a terminal device that receives beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices and acquires beacon identification information for identifying the beacon devices included in the beacon signals,
A procedure for obtaining the current position of the terminal device;
With reference to the beacon area database that stores the beacon identification information of the beacon device and the beacon area information indicating the reception area of the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other, around the current position of the terminal device A procedure for extracting the beacon device having the reception area and obtaining the beacon identification information of the extracted beacon device and the beacon area information of the beacon device;
A procedure of selecting a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the acquired beacon identification information and beacon area information and setting them as standby targets;
The program which makes the computer of a terminal device perform the procedure which receives the beacon signal transmitted from either of the beacon apparatuses set as the said waiting | standby object, and acquires the said beacon identification information contained in the said beacon signal. From a plurality of beacon devices that transmit a beacon signal including beacon identification information for identifying itself, a terminal device that receives the beacon signal and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal, and the terminal device A beacon signal receiving system comprising a server to be accessed,
The server
A beacon area database for storing the beacon identification information of the beacon device and beacon area information indicating a reception area of a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device in association with each other;
Upon receiving the notification of the current position of the terminal device, the beacon device having the reception area is extracted around the current position of the terminal device with reference to the beacon area database, and the beacon of the extracted beacon device is extracted. A communication unit that supplies identification information and beacon area information of the beacon device to the terminal device;
The terminal device
A position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the terminal device;
The server is notified of the current position, and the beacon identification information of the beacon device having the reception area around the current position indicated by the current position and the supply of beacon area information of the beacon device are received from the server. A server communication unit;
A processing unit that selects a predetermined number of the beacon devices having the reception area near the current position of the terminal device based on the beacon identification information and beacon area information supplied from the server and sets them as standby targets;
A beacon signal receiving system comprising: a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted from any of the beacon devices set as the standby target and acquires the beacon identification information included in the beacon signal.

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