JP2019144952A - Location notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a location notification system capable of acquiring position information of an object with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A location notification system 1 is comprised of: a reading device 2 that can read an identification signal from a transmitter associated with an object L when the object L approaches within a predetermined distance; and a control unit 4 that can communicate with the reading device. The control unit 4 is configured to acquire position information of the reading device 2 and the identification signal read by the reading device 2; to generate object information related to the object L based on the position information and the identification signal; and to transmit the object information to the first external device 3 associated with a specific user associated with the object L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a location notification system.

  There is known a WIFI doorbell that includes a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and an operation unit and is capable of wirelessly communicating with a remotely arranged computing device (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

US Patent No. 9094584 U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,915 U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,318 US Pat. No. 8,144,183 U.S. Pat. No. 9432638 U.S. Pat. No. 9,485,478 U.S. Pat. No. 9516284

  In recent years, the number of nuclear families has increased, and it is said that the crime prevention power in the area has been weakened. Therefore, a service for guardians to watch over children and the elderly is required.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a location notification system that can acquire position information of an object with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the location notification system of the present invention provides:
A reader capable of reading an identification signal from a transmitter associated with the object when the object approaches within a predetermined distance;
A control unit capable of communicating with the reader;
A location notification system comprising:
The control unit obtains position information of the reading device and the identification signal read by the reading device, generates object information related to the object based on the position information and the identification signal, and The object information is configured to be transmitted to a first external device associated with a specific user associated with the object.

  According to the above configuration, with the simple configuration, for example, position information regarding the current position of the child or the elderly and the movement route can be generated and notified to the guardian as the object information.

In the location notification system,
The reading device may be mounted on at least one of a doorbell attached to a residence, vending machines and security poles installed in various places in the area, and portable information terminals carried by people.

  According to the above configuration, the object information can be easily generated by mounting the reading device on a device (a doorbell, a vending machine, a security pole, a smartphone, or the like) having a function capable of acquiring own position information. Can do.

In the location notification system,
The transmitter may include a portable tag having the identification signal or an information terminal in which the portable tag is incorporated.

  According to the said structure, object information can be easily produced | generated by making a target object carry a portable tag.

In the location notification system,
The portable tag may include at least one of a Bluetooth tag, an RFID tag, a WiFi tag, a ZigBee tag, and a cellular data tag.

  As the portable tag to be carried by the object, it is preferable to use the above-described one.

In the location notification system,
The object information may include at least one of a current position of the object, a movement path of the object, and a time when the object passes through the movement path.

  According to this configuration, since a specific user can recognize information related to the current position of the target object and the movement route, it is possible to support watching of the target object.

In the location notification system,
The first external device may be capable of displaying data in which the object information and map information are combined.

  According to this configuration, for example, by displaying the movement route and time of the object on the map displayed on the information device, the user can easily grasp information about the object.

In the location notification system,
The object may include at least one of a person, an animal and a delivery associated with the user.

  According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to easily monitor a child, an elderly person, a pet, etc., and track a delivery that has been stolen.

In the location notification system,
The reader is mounted on a plurality of doorbells attached to each residence,
When the object information satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit includes, on the second external device associated with the owner of the doorbell located within a predetermined range from the object among the plurality of doorbells, the object You may be comprised so that thing information may be transmitted.

In the location notification system,
The predetermined condition may include a case where the object does not pass through a preset route.

  According to these configurations, for example, when the object is not moving according to the determined route, it is possible to contribute to improvement of the crime prevention power by alerting the owner of the doorbell.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the location notification system which can acquire the positional information on a target object by simple structure can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the location notification system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the doorbell with which the location notification system of FIG. 1 is equipped, and a server. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information terminal with which the location notification system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the location notification function performed by the location notification system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the information terminal for displaying location notification information.

Hereinafter, an example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a location notification system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the location notification system 1 includes a plurality of doorbells 2-1 to 2-n, a plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n, a server 4, and an IC tag 5 (transmitter, mobile phone). An example of a tag). The plurality of doorbells 2-1 to 2-n and the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n can communicate with the server 4 on the external network via the network N. As a communication device that relays each doorbell 2-1 to 2-n and each information terminal 3-1 to 3-n and the network N, for example, a Wi-Fi router can be used. Hereinafter, the doorbell 2-1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the doorbell 2) among the plurality of doorbells 2-1 to 2-n will be described as a representative. The information terminal 3-1 (hereinafter also referred to as the information terminal 3) among the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n will be described as a representative.

  The IC tag 5 is an electronic tag carried by a specific passerby among passers-by passing near the doorbell 2. A specific passerby refers to a target person (hereinafter referred to as a target passerby L) that needs to be watched over, such as a child or an elderly person. The IC tag 5 is incorporated in, for example, an IC card, clothes, a mobile phone, etc. carried by the target passerby L. The IC tag 5 includes, for example, any one of a Bluetooth (registered trademark) tag, an RFID tag, a WiFi tag, a ZigBee tag, a cellular data tag, and the like. Unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as tag ID information) is embedded in the IC tag 5, and the tag ID is used in short-range wireless communication (several centimeters to several meters) using an electromagnetic field or a radio wave. Information can be transmitted to a reader (in this example, doorbell 2).

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing configurations of the doorbell 2 and the server 4.
The doorbell 2 is used when a visitor calls a resident to make a call, and is installed, for example, at the entrance of each building (such as a detached house). In this example, it is assumed that the plurality of doorbells 2-1 to 2-n are installed at the entrance of each building in a certain predetermined range (predetermined area). Each doorbell 2 is electrically connected to a power system of a building to which the doorbell 2 is attached by a predetermined wiring, so that power is supplied from the power system. The doorbell 2 may include a battery for backup and / or primary power.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the doorbell 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a microphone 23, a speaker 24, a human sensor 25, a camera 26, an image processing unit 27, and a position information acquisition unit 28. And a tag information reading unit 29 and an interface circuit (hereinafter, the interface circuit is referred to as “I / F”) 30.

  The control unit 21 is a control unit for controlling the operation of each part of the doorbell 2, and includes at least one microcontroller including one or more processors and one or more memories, and other elements including active elements and passive elements such as transistors. An electronic circuit may be included. The processor may be configured to read a designated program from the doorbell control program stored in the memory and execute various processes in cooperation with the memory.

  The operation unit 22 is a call button for accepting various input operations by visitors, for example. The various input operations include, for example, a call of a resident. The microphone 23 and the speaker 24 send voice data such as a visitor's message to a terminal owned by the resident, for example, an information terminal 3-1 owned by a resident of the building where the doorbell 2 is installed. A call unit for outputting voice data such as a resident's message to a visitor is configured.

  The human sensor 25 is a sensor for detecting a person in front of the doorbell 2, and is configured by an infrared sensor, for example. The human sensor 25 is connected to the camera 26 via the control unit 21. The human sensor 25 outputs a detection signal notifying that a person has been detected to the camera 26. The camera 26 is an imaging device for imaging a person such as a visitor. The camera 26 may be configured as a video camera that is a web camera. For example, the camera 26 is activated based on the detection signal output from the human sensor 25. An image captured by the camera 26 is output to the image processing unit 27. The image processing unit 27 includes, for example, a processor and a memory, and transmits image data acquired from the camera 26 to the server 4 via the I / F 30 based on a control signal from the control unit 21.

  The position information acquisition unit 28 is configured to acquire position information of the doorbell 2. The position information is acquired using, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). Note that the position information of the doorbell 2 may be registered in advance in the position information acquisition unit 28 by the resident at the time of initial setting when the doorbell 2 is installed in the building. The control unit 21 is configured to transmit the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 28 to the server 4. When the position information of the doorbell 2 is updated, the control unit 21 can transmit the updated position information to the server 4.

  The tag information reading unit 29 is configured to be able to read the tag ID information of the IC tag 5 located within a predetermined range from the doorbell 2. The tag information reading unit 29 includes, for example, an antenna for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, RFID, WiFi, ZigBee, and cellular data. The control unit 21 is configured to transmit the tag ID information read by the tag information reading unit 29 to the server 4.

  The I / F 30 can communicate with the server 4 via the network N. Specifically, the I / F 30 can communicate with the server 4 by network communication means such as a wireless local area network (LAN), radio, cellular, Internet, Bluetooth, electromagnetic waves, infrared light, sound waves, and microwaves. . In this way, the doorbell 2 transmits predetermined data (for example, voice data and image data) to the server 4, and the visitor and the user of the information terminal 3-1 (the residence of the residence where the doorbell 2 is installed). Communication via a two-way voice call or the like can be started. In addition, I / F30 of the doorbell 2 may be comprised so that direct communication with the information terminals 3-1 to 3-n is possible.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the information terminal 3-1 that is a terminal owned by a resident of a residence where the doorbell 2 is installed among the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n.
For example, the information terminal 3-1 is a device used for a resident of a residence in which the doorbell 2 is installed to respond to a call from the doorbell 2. The information terminal 3-1 includes, for example, a smartphone owned by a resident, a tablet computer, and other portable information terminals. The doorbell 2 and the information terminal 3-1 can communicate via the server 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information terminal 3-1 includes a display unit 31 that can display a predetermined user interface 32. The display unit 31 is a touch screen type display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and is configured to display an image (operation image or the like). The information terminal 3-1 executes predetermined computer software (for example, application software for voice call and image display) based on the data transmitted from the doorbell 2. For example, the information terminal 3-1 can execute predetermined application software based on an input to the user interface 32 displayed on the display unit 31. The user interface 32 includes an image display unit 34 on which a display image of a still image or a moving image is displayed based on image data of a front area captured by the camera 26 provided in the doorbell 2. In addition, the user interface 32 includes a response permission receiving unit 36 for allowing the user to respond to a visitor's call. When the user touches the response permission receiving unit 36, two-way voice communication is started in order to respond to the visitor's call. In addition, the user interface 32 includes a recording reception unit 38 for allowing the user to select recording of the display image displayed on the image display unit 34. When the user touches the recording reception unit 38, the display image displayed on the image display unit 34 can be recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server 4 includes a storage unit 40 and a control unit 42. The storage unit 40 is constituted by a memory including a ROM and a RAM, for example. The control unit 42 includes, for example, at least one microcontroller including one or more processors and one or more memories, and other electronic circuits including active elements such as transistors and passive elements. The control unit 42 may be configured by an integrated circuit (hardware resource), or may be configured by a combination of at least one microcontroller and an integrated circuit.

  The control unit 42 can store data (image data and audio data) transmitted from the doorbell 2 in the storage unit 40 and can transmit the data to the information terminal 3-1. Further, the control unit 42 can store the data transmitted from the information terminal 3-1 in the storage unit 40 and can transmit the data to the doorbell 2. In this manner, the server 4 transmits and receives predetermined data (for example, audio data and image data) between the doorbell 2 and the information terminal 3-1, so that the visitor to the building where the doorbell 2 is installed Communication with the user of the information terminal 3-1 by a two-way voice call or the like can be started. As described above, data may be directly transmitted and received between the doorbell 2 and the information terminal 3-1 without using the server 4.

  In addition, the control part 42 can transmit the data (image data and audio | voice data) transmitted from the doorbell 2 also to the information terminal 3-2. In this example, the information terminal 3-2 is a terminal device owned by a user associated with the target passerby L who carries the IC tag 5 (for example, a child carrying the IC tag 5 or a guardian of the elderly). is there.

  Further, in the storage unit 40 of the server 4, the tag ID information of the IC tag 5, the doorbell ID information of the doorbell 2 that has read the tag ID information, the position information of the doorbell 2, and the reading time of the tag ID information by the doorbell 2 The information table (refer FIG. 5) which has the information regarding is stored. The control unit 42 is configured to update an information table stored in the storage unit 40 based on data received from the doorbell 2 and to generate location notification information described later.

Next, the operation of the location notification function executed by the location notification system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 21 of the doorbell 2 determines whether the tag information reading unit 29 has read the tag ID information of the IC tag 5 carried by the target passerby L within a predetermined distance from the doorbell 2. judge. When it is determined that the tag information reading unit 29 has read the tag ID information (Yes in step S1), in step S2, the control unit 21 stores the time when the tag ID information is read.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 21 acquires the read tag ID information from the tag ID information reading time, the identification information of the doorbell 2 (hereinafter referred to as doorbell ID information), and the position information acquisition unit 28 of the doorbell 2. Along with the position information thus transmitted, it is transmitted to the server 4 via the I / F 30.

  In step S <b> 4, the control unit 42 of the server 4 updates the information table stored in the storage unit 40 based on the tag ID information, the tag reading time, the doorbell ID information, and the doorbell position information received from the doorbell 2. Specifically, doorbell ID information, doorbell position information, tag ID information, and tag reading time are written in the information table shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 5, the control unit 42 generates location notification information (an example of target information) indicating information regarding the location of the target passerby L associated with the tag ID information, based on the updated information table. This location notification information includes the current position of the target passer-by L, the travel route of the target passer-by L, the time when the target passer-by L has passed on the travel route, and the like. The location notification information only needs to include at least one of these pieces of information.

  In step S <b> 6, the control unit 42 of the server 4 is a user associated with the target passerby L among the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n connected to be communicable via the network N based on the tag ID information. For example, the information terminal 3-2 is specified as the information terminal 3 (an example of the first external device) owned by the (specific user). As described above, the user associated with the target passerby L is, for example, a guardian of the target passerby L. The control unit 42 collates the tag ID information received from the doorbell 2 with information on the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n stored in advance in the storage unit 40, thereby identifying a specific user (tag ID information). The information terminal 3-2 owned by the guardian of the associated passerby L) can be identified.

  In step S7, the control unit 42 transmits the location notification information generated in step S5 to the user information terminal 3-2 specified in step S6.

  In step S8, the information terminal 3-2 that has received the location notification information from the control unit 42 of the server 4 uses the predetermined application software to combine the location notification information and the map information to relate to the location of the target passerby L. Data (hereinafter referred to as location data) is generated.

  In step S <b> 9, the information terminal 3-2 displays the location data on the display unit 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the location data includes the current position CP of the target passerby L, the travel route TP of the target passerby L, and the time at which the target passerby L moves each point on the travel route TP on the map data. This is data in which T1, T2, etc. are superimposed. By looking at the location data, the guardian of the target passerby L who is the owner of the information terminal 3-2 can grasp the position information of the target passerby L.

  Returning to the processing of the server 4, in step S10, the control unit 42 of the server 4 determines whether or not the target passerby L passes through a preset route (hereinafter referred to as a set route) based on the location notification information. Determine. When it is determined that the target passerby L has passed the set route (Yes in Step S10), the control unit 42 does not perform Step S10 until it is determined that the target passerby L has not passed the set route. Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the target passerby L does not pass through the set route, that is, is moving on a route other than the set route (No in step S10), in step S11, the control unit 42 Generate alert information. The alert information includes information indicating that the target passerby L does not pass through the set route. The alert information may include tag ID information of the target passerby L.

  In step S12, the control unit 42 is the owner of the doorbell 2 (hereinafter referred to as a neighboring doorbell owner) located within a predetermined range from the current position of the target passerby L among the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n. .) Is specified as an information terminal (an example of a second external device). In this example, it is assumed that the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 among the plurality of information terminals 3-1 to 3-n illustrated in FIG. 1 are located within a predetermined range from the current position of the target passerby L.

  In step S13, the control unit 42 transmits alert information to the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 identified in step S12.

  In step S <b> 14, the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 display the alert information received from the control unit 42 of the server 4 on the display unit 31. The alert information displayed on the display unit 31 of the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 may be the same as the location data displayed on the display unit 31 of the information terminal 3-2 as shown in FIG. By looking at the location data displayed on the display unit 31, the neighboring residents who are the owners of the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 can grasp the position information of the target passerby L. Note that the alert information displayed on the display unit 31 of the information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 is different from the location data shown in FIG. 6 and alert information indicating that the target passerby L does not pass through the set route. (For example, a message such as “the target passerby L does not pass through the set route. If you see it, please contact the following contact information”) may be included.

  As described above, the location notification system 1 according to the present embodiment, from the IC tag 5 (an example of a transmitter) associated with the target passer-by L when the target passer-by L approaches within a predetermined distance. The doorbell 2 provided with the tag information reading part 29 which can read the identification signal relevant to tag ID information, and the server 4 which can communicate with the doorbell 2 are provided. The server 4 acquires the position information of the doorbell 2 and the tag ID information read by the tag information reading unit 29, generates location notification information related to the target passerby L based on the doorbell position information and the tag ID information, The location notification information is configured to be transmitted to the information terminal 3-2 associated with a specific user who is a guardian of the target passerby L. As a result, based on the location notification information of the target passerby L, for example, location data relating to the current position and movement route of the child or the elderly can be generated and notified to the guardian, thereby improving the crime prevention power. Can contribute.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the IC tag 5 is carried by the target passer-by L, and the tag ID information of the IC tag 5 is read by the tag information reading unit 29 of the doorbell 2 to easily generate the location notification information. can do.

  Further, the location notification information may include at least one of the current position of the target passer-by L, the target passer-by L travel route, and the time when the target passer-by L passes the travel route. Thereby, since the guardian can recognize the information regarding the current position and the movement route of the target passer-by L, it is possible to support the watching of the target passer-by L.

  Further, the information terminal 3 (for example, the information terminal 3-2) possessed by the guardian may be able to display data in which the location notification information and the map information are combined. For example, the guardian can easily grasp information about the target passerby L by displaying the travel route and the passage time of the target passerby L on the map displayed on the display unit 31 of the information terminal 3-2. it can.

  In the location notification system 1, a tag information reading unit (an example of a reading device) is mounted on each doorbell 2 attached to each residence, and the control unit 42 of the server 4 determines that the location notification information has a predetermined condition. Information terminals 3-1 and 3-3 (an example of a second external device) associated with the owner of the doorbell 2 located within a predetermined range from the target passerby L among the plurality of doorbells 2 , Alert information (an example of object information) may be transmitted. According to this configuration, the location notification information can be easily obtained by mounting the reading device capable of reading the tag ID information of the IC tag 5 on a device such as the doorbell 2 having a function capable of acquiring its own position information. Can be generated. Moreover, when the target passerby L is not moving along the set route, it is possible to contribute to improvement of crime prevention power by alerting the owner of the neighboring doorbell 2.

  The tag ID information reader need only be mounted on a device having a function capable of acquiring its own position information. In addition to the doorbell 2, the tag ID information reader is mounted on a vending machine, a security pole, a smartphone, or the like. Also good.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A deformation | transformation, improvement, etc. are possible suitably. In addition, the material, shape, dimension, numerical value, form, number, location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the tag ID information has been read in Step S1, the control unit 21 of the doorbell 2 stores the reading time of the tag ID information in Step S2, and the tag ID information in Step S3. Although it is the flow of transmitting to the server 4 together with the reading time, doorbell ID information, and position information, it is not limited to this example. For example, when it is determined that the tag ID information has been read, the control unit 21 of the doorbell 2 starts imaging the front area of the doorbell 2 (specifically, the target passer-by L) with the camera 26, and the image is captured. The image data may be transmitted to the server 4 via the I / F 30 together with tag ID information and doorbell ID information. Thereby, the server 4 can generate more advanced location data and transmit the location data to the specific information terminal 3.

  Further, the target object of the location data is not limited to the target passerby L such as a child or an elderly person, and may include a delivery item or the like. In order to reduce the number of re-delivery man-hours and costs, a service has been started in which a delivery item is placed at a front door of a delivery destination house or the like when a customer is absent (so-called “placement service”). However, in this “placement” service, there is a risk of delivery theft or loss. Therefore, by using this example to generate delivery location data for grasping the location of delivery, for example, a stolen or lost delivery can be easily tracked. Further, an animal (such as a pet) may be included as a location object.

  In the location notification system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the information terminal 3 associated with the guardian of the target passerby L and the resident of the residence where the doorbell is installed is exemplified as the external device, and the doorbell 2 is Although configured as a WiFi doorbell capable of wireless communication with the information terminal 3, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the external device may include a living room base unit provided in the living room of the house where the doorbell 2 is installed. That is, the doorbell 2 may be configured as a doorbell that can communicate with the living room base unit, for example, or via an interphone line.

1: location notification system, 2: doorbell, 3: information terminal (example of first external device, second external device), 4: server, 5: IC tag (example of transmitter), 21: control unit, 22: Operation unit, 23: microphone, 24: speaker, 25: human sensor, 26: camera, 27: image processing unit, 28: position information acquisition unit, 29: tag information reading unit (an example of a reading device), 30: interface Circuit: 31: Display unit, 32: User interface, 34: Image display unit, 36: Response permission reception unit, 38: Recording reception unit, 40: Storage unit, 42: Control unit, N: Network, L: Target traffic Person (an example of the target person), CP: Current position of the target passerby, TP: Travel path of the target passerby, T1, T2: Passing time of each point of the travel path

Claims (9)

A reader capable of reading an identification signal from a transmitter associated with the object when the object approaches within a predetermined distance;
A control unit capable of communicating with the reader;
A location notification system comprising:
The control unit obtains position information of the reading device and the identification signal read by the reading device, generates object information related to the object based on the position information and the identification signal, and A location notification system configured to transmit object information to a first external device associated with a particular user associated with the object.   2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is mounted on at least one of a doorbell attached to a residence, vending machines and security poles installed in various places in the area, and a portable information terminal carried by people. Location notification system.   The location notification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitter includes a portable tag having the identification signal or an information terminal in which the portable tag is incorporated.   The location notification system according to claim 3, wherein the portable tag includes at least one of a Bluetooth tag, an RFID tag, a WiFi tag, a ZigBee tag, and a cellular data tag.   5. The object information according to claim 1, wherein the object information includes at least one of a current position of the object, a movement path of the object, and a time when the object passes through the movement path. Location notification system.   The location notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first external device is capable of displaying data in which the object information and map information are combined.   The location notification system according to claim 1, wherein the object includes at least one of a person, an animal, and a delivery object associated with the user. The reader is mounted on a plurality of doorbells attached to each residence,
When the object information satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit includes, on the second external device associated with the owner of the doorbell located within a predetermined range from the object among the plurality of doorbells, the object The location notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the location notification system is configured to transmit physical information. The location notification system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition includes a case where the object does not pass through a preset route.

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