JP5817584B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, PROGRAM, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a program, and a communication method.

  In recent years, user terminals capable of communication such as mobile phone terminals have been widely used. For example, the mobile phone terminal can perform telephone calls, e-mail transmission / reception, and instant message transmission / reception using identification information such as a telephone number and a mail address fixedly provided by a communication carrier.

  Further, a technology is known that enables a single mobile phone terminal to use another phone number in addition to a phone number fixedly provided by a communication carrier. By using such a technique, the telephone number can be switched according to the position of the mobile phone terminal, or the telephone number can be switched according to the use of the user of the mobile phone terminal.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a mobile phone terminal transmits a request including its own machine number and an ID acquired from an IC tag in a specific area, to the machine number and the ID in advance. A technique for obtaining an associated additional telephone number is disclosed.

International Publication No. 2009/013808

  However, in these conventional techniques, a management apparatus for identification information (for example, an additional telephone number) recognizes a user terminal that has gone out of the area, that is, a user terminal that no longer uses identification information, and uses the identification information. For example, the user terminal frequently confirms the connection with the server. As a result, the power consumption of the user terminal is increased.

  Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mechanism that can suppress the power consumption of the user terminal while realizing a quick update of the usage status of identification information used in a predetermined area.

  According to the present invention, the communication device is a communication unit that receives identification information used in a predetermined area, the acquired area information regarding the predetermined area, and the communication apparatus obtained using a sensor. A determination unit that determines whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on a position where the communication device is present; and the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position When it is determined, a communication device is provided that includes a confirmation unit that confirms connection with the management device that manages the identification information.

  The area information includes information indicating the predetermined position, and the determination unit determines the direction from the existing position to the predetermined position and the existing position based on the predetermined position and a change in the existing position. A relative angle with respect to the moving direction of the communication device may be calculated, and based on the relative angle, it may be determined whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position.

  The determination unit may determine whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position based on a history of the relative angle including two or more of the relative angles.

  The determination unit determines that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position when the ratio of the relative angles included in the predetermined angle range is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in the history. Also good.

The area information further includes a movement pattern associated with the predetermined position,
The determination unit may determine that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position when a time-series appearance pattern of the relative angle included in the history matches the movement pattern. Good.

  The area information includes a condition regarding movement to the predetermined position for each position or area in the predetermined area, and the determination unit calculates a moving direction of the communication device from a change in the presence position, When the moving direction satisfies the condition corresponding to the presence position, it may be determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position.

  The area information includes information indicating the predetermined position, and the determination unit calculates a distance between the predetermined position and the presence position, and the communication device determines the distance based on the change in the distance. You may determine whether it is moving toward a predetermined position.

  The confirmation unit, as the connection confirmation, causes the communication unit to transmit a first signal addressed to the management device when it is determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position. When a predetermined condition is satisfied after the transmission of the first signal, the second signal addressed to the management device may be transmitted to the communication unit.

  The predetermined condition may be that a response signal to the first signal is received by the communication unit.

    The confirmation unit may cause the communication unit to retransmit the first signal up to a predetermined number of times when the response signal is not received as the connection confirmation.

  The confirmation unit may wait for a waiting time when the response signal is received, or may cause the determination unit to wait for the waiting time.

  The confirmation unit may change the waiting time depending on whether the response signal is received.

  The first signal may include information related to a timing at which the confirmation unit ends retransmission of the first signal.

  The predetermined condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the first signal.

  The sensor may include a sensor that detects movement of the communication device, and the presence position of the communication device may be obtained by estimation from the acquired initial position and the detected movement.

  The sensor may include a position sensor that detects position information, and the presence position of the communication device may be obtained from the detected position information.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a computer that controls a communication device including a communication unit that receives identification information used in a predetermined area can be obtained using the acquired area information about the predetermined area and a sensor. A determination unit that determines whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on a location of the communication device; and the communication device moves toward the predetermined position. A program for functioning as a confirmation unit that confirms connection with the management device that manages the identification information when it is determined that the identification information is managed is provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a communication method in a communication apparatus, which is obtained using a step of receiving identification information used in a predetermined area, the acquired area information regarding the predetermined area, and a sensor. Determining whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on the location of the communication device; and moving the communication device toward the predetermined position. A communication method including a step of confirming connection with a management device that manages the identification information when it is determined that the identification information is managed.

  As described above, according to the communication device, the program, and the communication method according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the user terminal while realizing the rapid update of the usage status of the identification information used in the predetermined area. It becomes.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the identification information used in a zone and the said zone. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the user terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the presence position of the user terminal obtained using the sensor. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the relative angle of the direction from the existing position of a user terminal to a target position, and the moving direction of the user terminal from the said existing position. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the angle range used for determination. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the relative angle contained in a relative angle log | history. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of server 200-1 concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the schematic flow of the communication process in the user apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the schematic flow of a connection confirmation process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the path | route to the target position in an area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the movement pattern linked | related with a target position. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the schematic flow of the communication process which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the user terminal 100-2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the moving direction of a user terminal. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the area | region where a movement condition is set in an area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of a movement condition. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the moving direction contained in a moving direction log | history. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the schematic flow of the communication process in the user apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the user terminal which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the distance of the presence position of a user terminal, and a target position. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of communication processing in a user apparatus according to a third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  Thereafter, <1. Introduction>, <2. First Embodiment>, <3. Second Embodiment>, <4. Third Embodiment> Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the order of “third embodiment>.

<1. Introduction>
First, an example of an area, identification information used in the area, and a technical problem of this embodiment will be described.

(Example of area and identification information used in the area)
An example of an area and identification information (hereinafter referred to as “area ID”) used in the area will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an area and an area ID used in the area. Referring to FIG. 1, an area 10, a user 20, a network 30, an installation device 40, a user terminal 100 and a server 200 are shown. Here, the area 10 is a shopping mall, for example. Moreover, the user 20 is the customer who visited the said shopping mall, and the staff of a shopping mall, for example.

  The network 30 is a wired or wireless network that can be connected within the area 10. The network 30 is a LAN including a wireless local area network (LAN) and a wired LAN, for example. The network 30 is connected to the user terminal 100 via a wireless LAN access point, for example. The network 30 is connected to the installation device 40 and the server 200.

  The installation device 40 is a device installed in the area 10. The installation device 40 has a short-range wireless communication function such as, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or the like. In this case, the installation device 40 communicates with the user terminal 100 by the short-range wireless communication.

  The installation apparatus 40 transmits the area ID to the user terminal 100, for example. More specifically, the installation device 40 requests the server 200 to issue a zone ID when communicating with the user terminal 100 using the short-range communication function. Thereafter, the installation apparatus 40 receives the area ID from the server 200 and transmits the area ID to the user terminal 100. In addition, the installation apparatus 40 receives area information about the area from the server 200 together with the area ID, and transmits the area information to the user terminal 100. Further, the installation apparatus 40 transmits information indicating the initial position to the user terminal 100. The initial position is, for example, a position where the installation device 40 exists.

  The user terminal 100 is a communication device carried by the user 20. As an example, the user terminal 100 is a smartphone. For example, when the user terminal 100 receives an area ID from the installation apparatus 40, the user terminal 100 communicates a service provided in the area 10 using the area ID.

  The area ID is, for example, a temporary ID used in the area 10 by the user terminal 100, that is, a one-time ID. As an example, the user terminals 100a, 100b, 100c receive and use one-time IDs in the form of extension telephone numbers such as 00-815-1111, 00-831-2222, 00-0815-3333, for example, as area IDs. To do.

  In addition, as an example, the service provided in the area 10 is such that the user 20a who is a waiting customer can check the waiting situation at any time, and the user 20b who is a staff is a user 20a who is a waiting customer. It is a service that can be called. As another example, a user 20a who is a customer who has made a purchase in the shopping mall area 10 can use the user terminal 100a to call and talk to the users 20b and 20c who are shopping mall staff. It is a staff call service. As yet another example, the service provided in the area 10 is a coupon distribution service that distributes coupons at a specific time and place, or according to the staying time, travel distance, etc. of the user 20a as a customer. It is a point grant service that gives points. Such a service is provided by, for example, another server (not shown) connected to the network 30.

  The server 200 is a management device that manages the area ID used in the area 10. For example, the server 200 stores the usage status of the area ID. Further, the server 200 issues any unused area ID in response to the notification from the installation apparatus 40.

  Further, the server 200 recognizes whether the user terminal 100 exists in the area or goes out of the area, that is, whether the issued area ID is used or not, by confirming the connection with the user terminal 100. .

  Further, when the area ID is issued, the server 200 updates the usage status so as to indicate that the area ID is in use, and when the server 200 recognizes that the user terminal has gone out of the area 10, the area ID is Update usage to indicate that it is not being used.

(Technical issues)
Next, the technical problem of this embodiment will be described. That is, a technical problem related to quick update of the usage status of the area ID will be described.

  Usually, since there are a limited number of area IDs, if a different area ID is continuously issued to each of the user terminals 100 of these users 20 in the area 10 where many users 20 come and go, the area ID may be exhausted. There is. Therefore, it is desirable to reuse an area ID that is no longer used and to quickly update the usage status of the area ID for reuse. Also provided in the area 10 when the user terminal 100 that used the area ID has gone out of the area 10 and the usage status indicating that the area ID is in use is stored. May adversely affect the service being performed. As an example, in a service in which a user 20b who is a staff calls a user 20a who is a waiting customer, even if the user 20a has already gone out of the area 10, the user 20b cannot know it, It can be considered that extra effort is required for calling. Therefore, it is desirable to quickly update the usage status of the area ID from the viewpoint of service provision.

  As an effective method for quickly updating the usage status of the area ID, for example, there is a method of performing connection confirmation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200. For example, the user terminal 100 periodically transmits a keep alive signal (hereinafter referred to as “KA signal”) to the server 200. Alternatively, the user terminal 100 transmits a response signal in response to a periodic KA signal from the server 200. Instead of this method, an alternative method in which the user terminal 100 that has moved out of the area 10 transmits a notification signal to the server 200 via an external network is also conceivable, but there are some concerns. For example, when the user terminal 100 can connect to the network 30 but cannot connect to an external network (for example, when the user terminal has a wireless LAN communication function but does not have a third generation mobile communication function), The above alternative method cannot be used. In the first place, when the network 30 does not permit communication from the external network, the user terminal 100 cannot communicate with the server 200, and thus the above alternative method cannot be used. Therefore, it is desirable to use a method of confirming the connection between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 in order to quickly update the usage status of the area ID.

  However, when the user terminal 100 transmits a KA signal or a response signal as connection confirmation, the user terminal 100 frequently transmits the KA signal or the response signal in order to quickly update the usage status of the area ID. Become. As a result, the power consumption of the user terminal 100 increases.

  Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to suppress the power consumption of the user terminal 100 while realizing a quick update of the usage status of the area ID used in the area 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, by performing a connection check based on determination of whether the user terminal 100 is moving toward a predetermined position in the area 10, the area ID usage status can be quickly updated. The power consumption of the user terminal 100 can be suppressed. Thereafter, <2. First Embodiment>, <3. Second Embodiment> and <4. In the third embodiment, the specific contents will be described.

<2. First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the relative angle between the direction from the presence position of the user terminal 100 to a predetermined position in the zone 10 (hereinafter referred to as “target position”) and the moving direction of the user terminal 100 from the presence position. Based on the above, it is determined whether the user terminal 100 is moving toward the target position in the area 10.

  In the following, the first embodiment is described in <2-1. Configuration of user terminal>, <2-2. Server Configuration>, <2-3. Process flow>, <2-4. Modifications> will be described in the order.

<2-1. Configuration of user terminal>
With reference to FIGS. 2-6, an example of a structure of the user terminal 100-1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the user terminal 100-1 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the user terminal 100-1 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a sensor 130, a movement determination unit 140, and a connection confirmation unit 150.

(Communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 110 has communication functions of several communication methods. As an example, the communication unit has functions of short-range wireless communication and wireless LAN communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark).

  In particular, the communication unit 110 receives an area ID used in the area 10. More specifically, for example, the communication unit 110 is connected to the installation device 40 and then receives the area ID from the installation device 40 that has received the area ID from the server 200-1.

  In addition, the communication unit 110 receives area information regarding the area 10, for example. More specifically, for example, when receiving the area ID, the communication unit 110 also receives the area information from the installation device 40 that has received the area information from the server 200-1. The specific contents of the area information will be described in relation to the movement determination unit 140.

  Further, the communication unit 110 receives, for example, information indicating an initial position (hereinafter referred to as “initial position information”) from the installation device 40. The initial position is, for example, a position where the installation device 40 exists. In this case, the communication unit 110 receives information indicating the initial position from the installation device 40.

  Further, the communication unit 110 transmits and receives various signals related to connection confirmation in accordance with control by the connection confirmation unit 150.

  Note that the communication unit 110 causes the storage unit 120 to store, for example, the received area ID, area information, and initial position information.

(Storage unit 120)
The storage unit 120 stores information to be temporarily or permanently stored in the user device 100-1. More specifically, for example, the storage unit 120 stores the area ID received by the communication unit 110. In addition, the storage unit 120 stores area information and initial position information received by the communication unit 110. The storage unit 120 temporarily stores various types of information used for determination by the movement determination unit 140.

(Sensor 130)
The sensor 130 detects information for obtaining the location of the user terminal 100-1. For example, the sensor 130 includes a sensor that detects the movement of the user terminal 100-1. More specifically, the sensors that detect the movement of the user terminal 100-1 are, for example, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration and an angular velocity sensor that detects angular velocity. More specifically, for example, the acceleration sensor is a triaxial acceleration sensor that detects acceleration of two horizontal axes and one vertical axis, and the angular velocity sensor is a gyroscope. In this case, the sensor 130 detects the acceleration and the angular velocity at every predetermined time interval Δt, and outputs them to the movement determination unit 140.

  The sensor 130 further includes, for example, a geomagnetic sensor that detects a direction. In this case, the sensor 130 detects the direction every predetermined time interval Δt and outputs the detected direction to the movement determination unit 140.

  As another example, the sensor 130 may include a position sensor that detects position information. More specifically, for example, the position sensor may be a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.

(Movement determination unit 140)
The movement determination unit 140 moves the user terminal 100-1 toward the target position in the area 10 based on the acquired area information about the area 10 and the location of the user terminal 100-1 obtained using the sensor 130. To determine if it is moving. In particular, in the first embodiment, the area information includes information indicating a target position in the area 10. And the movement determination part 140 is based on the relative angle of the direction from the existing position of the user terminal 100 to the target position in the area 10 and the moving direction of the user terminal 100 from the existing position. It is determined whether it is moving toward the target position in the area 10. Here, the target position is, for example, the position of the exit of the area 10. The relative angle can also be said to be the moving direction of the user terminal 100-1 with respect to the direction of the target position. The movement determination unit 140 includes a position estimation unit 141, a relative angle calculation unit 143, and an analysis unit 145.

(Position estimation unit 141)
The position estimation unit 141 uses the sensor 130 to obtain the presence position of the user terminal 100-1. As an example, when the sensor 130 includes a sensor that detects the movement of the user terminal 100-1, the position estimation unit 141 performs the estimation of the user terminal 100-1 based on the acquired initial position and the detected movement. Get the location. Here, the position estimation unit 141 estimates the existence position P _t of the user terminal 100-1 for each time interval Δt. The following describes an example of a specific method of calculating the present position P _t. Incidentally, in this example, the location P _t of the user terminal 100-1 at time t, the coordinates on the horizontal plane is expressed as follows.

That is, px _t is a coordinate on a predetermined x axis at time t, and py _t is a coordinate on the y axis orthogonal to the x axis at time t. For example, the x-axis is the longitude axis and the y-axis is the latitude axis.

For example, first, the position estimating unit 141, from the acceleration output by the sensor 130, as described below, to calculate the acceleration a _t on the horizontal plane at time t.

Here, ax _t is the acceleration in the x-axis direction, and ay _t is the acceleration in the y-axis direction. More specifically, for example, the acceleration output by the sensor 130 is horizontal biaxial and vertical uniaxial acceleration, and the position estimating unit 141 extracts the horizontal biaxial acceleration of the acceleration. The horizontal biaxial acceleration is not the coordinates on the x axis and the coordinates on the y axis, but is the biaxial coordinates set in the user terminal 100-1. Therefore, the position estimating unit 141 converts the horizontal biaxial acceleration into the x-axis and y-axis accelerations based on, for example, the direction output by the geomagnetic sensor in the sensor 130. Instead of using the direction output by the geomagnetic sensor, for example, assuming that the user terminal 100-1 is carried in a specific location of the user 20 (for example, in a breast pocket), the specific location Based on the relationship between the orientation of a certain user terminal 100-1 and the orientation of the user 20 (for example, the front) and the actual orientation of the user 20 described later, And acceleration on the y-axis.

The position estimating unit 141, from the acceleration a _t, the following calculates the velocity v _t on the horizontal plane at time t.

Further, the position estimation unit 141 extracts the angular velocity ω _t on the horizontal plane at time t from the angular velocity output by the sensor 130. Here, the direction θ _t toward the user is expressed as follows using the angular velocity ω _t .

Then, the position estimating unit 141 rotates the speed v _t and the acceleration a _t in response to the angular velocity omega _t as follows. In addition, when the user 20 stops and changes the direction of travel while walking, the direction of acceleration that is currently traveling may change due to a change in angular velocity, so that the rotation reflects the change. belongs to.

Then, the presence position P _t of the user terminal 100-1 is calculated from the rotated speed v _t ′ and acceleration a _t ′ as follows.

Here, the initial position of the user terminal 100-1 at the time when the estimation of the location of the user terminal 100-1 is started is received by the communication unit 110 and stored in the storage unit 120, for example. In addition, the initial value of the direction in which the user is facing is also received by the communication unit 110 together with the initial position and stored in the storage unit 120, for example. Moreover, the initial speed v _t at the time when the estimation of the location of the user terminal 100-1 is started is, for example, 0 under the assumption that the user 20 is stopped.

As described above, the existence position P _t of the user terminal 100-1 at the time _t is estimated. Note that the above calculation method is an example, and the presence position P _t of the user terminal 100-1 is estimated by another method using information on the movement (for example, acceleration, angular acceleration, etc.) of the user terminal 100-1. May be.

  As described above, by using the movement information of the user terminal 100-1, it is possible to obtain a substantially correct position of the user terminal 100-1 even in an environment where the position information itself cannot be detected (for example, indoors).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an existing position of the user terminal 100-1 obtained using the sensor 130. Referring to FIG. 3, the time _T 1, _{T 2} and the location _P 1 of the user terminal 100-1 of _{T 3, P 2} and _{P 3} are shown. Here, the time T ₂ is a time that has passed from the time T ₁ by the time interval Δt, and the time T ₃ is a time that has passed from the time T ₂ by the time interval Δt. In this way, the location of the user terminal 100-1 is estimated for each time interval Δt.

  As another example, when the sensor 130 includes a position sensor that detects position information, the position estimation unit 141 may obtain the presence position of the user terminal 100-1 from the detected position information. By using such position information, it is possible to obtain a more accurate location of the user terminal 100-1.

(Relative angle calculation unit 143)
The relative angle calculation unit 143 calculates the relative angle between the direction from the existing position to the target position and the moving direction of the user terminal 100-1 from the existing position based on the change in the target position and the existing position of the user terminal 100-1. calculate. Hereinafter, this point will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a relative angle between the direction from the presence position of the user terminal 100-1 to the target position and the movement direction of the user terminal 100-1 from the presence position. Referring to FIG 4, similarly to FIG. 3, the time _T 1, _{T 2} and the location _P 1 of the user terminal 100-1 of _{T 3, P 2} and _{P 3} are shown. Further, the target position G is also shown. As described above, the target position G here is, for example, the position of the exit of the area 10. Further, the target position G is, for example, represented like the present position P _t as coordinates on a horizontal plane.

The relative angle calculating unit 143, for example, from the calculated present position P _1, the direction of the present position P ₂ calculated in the following, is regarded as the moving direction of the user terminal 100-1 from the present position P _1. Then, the relative angle calculating portion 143, the direction from the present position P ₁ to the target position G, the movement direction from the present position P _1, i.e. relative angle theta ₁ between the direction from the present position P ₁ to the present position P ₂ Is calculated. The relative angle calculation unit 143 calculates, for example, an angle formed by the vector P ₁ G and the vector P ₁ P ₂ as the relative angle. Similarly, the relative angle calculation unit 143 determines the direction from the calculated presence position P ₂ to the next calculated presence position P _{3 as} the moving direction of the user terminal 100-1 from the presence position P _2. It is considered. Then, the relative angle calculating portion 143, the direction from the present position P ₂ to the target position G, the movement direction from the present position P _2, i.e. the location relative angle theta ₂ between the direction from P ₂ to the location P ₃ Is calculated.

  It can be said that the relative angle calculated in this way is information indicating in which direction the user terminal 100-1 is moving compared to the direction of the target position. That is, by calculating the relative angle as described above, it is possible to know in which direction the user terminal 100-1 moves relative to the direction of the target position at each time interval.

(Analysis unit 145)
Based on the calculated relative angle, the analysis unit 145 determines whether the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position. For example, the analysis unit 145 determines whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position based on a history of relative angles including two or more relative angles (hereinafter referred to as “relative angle history”). Determine. The relative angle history here is, for example, a history including a relative angle calculated during the most recent predetermined time.

  More specifically, the analysis unit 145 moves the user terminal 100-1 toward the target position when the ratio of the relative angles included in the predetermined angle range is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in the relative angle history. It is determined that Hereinafter, this point will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an angle range used for determination. Referring to FIG. 5, the angular range from -α to α is shown. For example, the analysis unit 145 calculates the ratio of the relative angle θ included in the angle range from −α to α among the relative angles θ included in the relative angle history. In other words, the analysis unit 145 calculates the ratio of the relative angle θ that has an absolute value equal to or less than α out of the relative angles θ included in the relative angle history. If the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the analysis unit 145 determines that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position; otherwise, the user terminal 100-1 It determines with not moving toward the object position.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the relative angle θ included in the relative angle history. Referring to FIG. 6, a histogram of absolute values of the relative angle θ included in the relative angle history is shown. First, in 6a, the relative angle θ included in the relative angle history appears without being biased to a specific angle range. Therefore, the ratio of the relative angle θ having an absolute value of α or less in the relative angle history does not exceed a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, the analysis unit 145 determines that the user terminal 100-1 has not moved toward the target position. On the other hand, in 6b, the relative angle θ included in the relative angle history is biased in the range of −α to α. Therefore, the ratio of the relative angle θ having an absolute value of α or less in the relative angle history is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, the analysis unit 145 determines that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position.

  As described above, it is determined whether the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position. As described above, since the relative angle history is used not for each individual relative angle, the determination is made accurately based on the movement tendency in a certain amount of time without being influenced by the instantaneous movement of the user terminal 100-1. it can. Further, as described above, when the user terminal 100-1 moves in the direction of the target position by the determination based on the ratio of the relative angle included in the predetermined angle range, the user terminal 100-1 moves toward the target position. It can be determined that it is moving. In addition, since the determination is performed using the relative angle and the predetermined angle range, the approximate location of the user terminal 100-1 can be obtained even if the exact location of the user terminal 100-1 is not obtained. Thus, it can be determined with high accuracy. That is, it is possible to recognize that the user terminal 100-1 is going out of the area 10 even in a situation where the GPS receiver cannot be used, such as indoors.

  Note that, as a typical example, the target position is described as the position of the exit of the area 10, but the target position is any passing position that may pass before reaching the exit of the area 10. There may be. If the target position is the passing position, even when the route to the exit of the zone 10 is not linear, it is determined whether the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the passing position, thereby determining the user terminal 100- It is possible to indirectly determine whether 1 is moving toward the exit position. Also, the target position may be two or more positions (two or more exit positions, two or more passage positions, etc.). In this case, the movement determination unit 140 performs determination for each target position. In addition, the target position may be set from among a plurality of target position candidates according to the presence position of the user terminal 100-1 obtained by the position estimation unit 141. For example, a target position candidate that exists within a predetermined distance from the existing position may be set as the target position.

(Connection confirmation unit 150)
When it is determined that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position, the connection confirmation unit 150 performs connection confirmation with the server 200-1 that manages the area ID. As described above, when the determination is made as a condition for connection confirmation, when the user 20 is about to go out of the area 10, the connection confirmation is performed. Therefore, the server 200-1 can quickly recognize that the user terminal 100-1 has left the area 10, and thus can quickly recognize the area ID that is no longer used. Therefore, the server 200-1 can quickly update the usage status of the area ID. In addition, since the connection confirmation is performed only when it is determined that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position, the power consumption is suppressed as compared with the case where the regular connection is performed. Hereinafter, a specific method of connection confirmation will be described.

  More specifically, for example, when the connection confirmation unit 150 determines that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position as the connection confirmation, the first signal addressed to the server 200-1 is used. (Hereinafter, referred to as “first notification signal”) is transmitted to the communication unit 110. Then, when the predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as “signal transmission condition”) is satisfied after the transmission of the first notification signal, the connection confirmation unit 150 performs a second signal addressed to the server 200-1 (hereinafter referred to as “the first signal”). 2 communication signal ”). The server 200-1 can recognize that the user terminal 100-1 may go out of the area 10 by receiving the first notification signal. Then, after receiving the first notification signal, the server 200-1 determines that the user terminal 100-1 has moved out of the area 10 or the user terminal 100-1 has moved to the area 10 depending on whether or not the second notification signal has been received. You can recognize if you are inside. That is, if the second notification signal is received, the server 200-1 can recognize that the user terminal 100-1 is in the area 10, and if the second notification signal is not received, the user terminal 100-1 10 can be recognized as going out. As described above, the server 200-1 can quickly recognize the departure of the user terminal 100-1 from the area 10 even when the connection confirmation is performed irregularly. Note that the first notification signal and the second notification signal include, for example, the area ID of the user terminal 100-1.

  The signal transmission condition is, for example, that the communication unit 110 receives a response signal for the first notification signal. In this case, for example, after receiving the first notification signal, the server 200-1 transmits a response signal addressed to the user terminal 100-1. From such a response signal from the server, the user terminal 100-1 can recognize whether the own device has moved out of the area 10 or whether the own device is in the area 10 depending on whether or not the response signal has been received. . Therefore, the user terminal 100-1 (connection confirmation unit 150) can stop the operation of the sensor 130 and the movement determination unit 140 when recognizing that the own device has moved out of the area 10, and thus further reduces power consumption. Can be suppressed. For example, when the connection confirmation unit 150 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has left the area 10, the connection confirmation unit 150 deletes the area ID stored in the storage unit 120.

  When the above signal transmission / reception is performed, the first notification signal is a trigger signal for starting connection confirmation, the response signal is a KA signal, and the second notification signal is a KA signal. It can be said that it is a response signal.

  Further, for example, as a connection confirmation, the connection confirmation unit 150 causes the communication unit 110 to retransmit the first notification signal up to a predetermined number n when a response signal to the first notification signal is not received. By such retransmission, the possibility that the first notification signal is not received by the server 200-1 can be reduced. Therefore, it can be avoided that the server 200-1 erroneously recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has moved out of the area 10, and as a result, the usage status of the area ID of the user terminal 100-1 is updated. it can.

  Further, for example, when the response signal is received, the connection confirmation unit 150 waits for the waiting time or causes the movement determination unit 140 to wait for the waiting time. The waiting time is, for example, any time between 10 seconds and several minutes. Due to such standby, it can be avoided that the first notification signal is frequently transmitted to increase power consumption.

  For example, the connection confirmation unit 150 changes the standby time according to whether a response signal is received. More specifically, for example, when a response signal is received, the connection confirmation unit 150 increases the standby time with a predetermined upper limit time as a limit. Thereby, since the transmission interval of the first notification signal is widened, the power consumption can be further suppressed. In addition, when the response signal is not received, the connection confirmation unit 150 reduces the standby time with a predetermined lower limit time as a limit. This makes it possible to adjust the standby time that has become too long due to the increase. Note that the connection confirmation unit 150, for example, increases the waiting time by a factor of two or decreases it by a factor of two.

  As described above, when the standby time is changed, the connection confirmation unit 150 may include information (hereinafter referred to as “retransmission end information”) regarding the timing at which the retransmission of the first communication signal ends. This timing can also be said to be a timing at which the usage status of the area ID may be updated on the server 200-1 side. The retransmission end information is, for example, the time until the end of retransmission calculated from the latest standby time and the above number n. Alternatively, the retransmission end information may be the retransmission end time (for example, the current time + the time until the retransmission ends), or the latest waiting time itself. If the retransmission end information is the latest standby time, the server 200-1 calculates the time until the end of the retransmission. As described above, the server 200-1 can update the use status of the area ID more quickly by transmitting the retransmission end information. The time E until the end of retransmission is calculated from the latest waiting time w and the number of times n as follows.

  The signal transmission condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the first notification signal. In this case, since the user terminal 100-1 does not need to receive a response signal from the server 200-1, the power required for reception can be reduced.

<2-2. Server configuration>
An example of the configuration of the server 200-1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server 200-1 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the server 200-1 includes an ID management unit 210, a zone information providing unit 220, and a communication unit 230.

(ID management unit 210)
The ID management unit 210 manages the area ID used in the area 10. For example, the ID management unit 210 stores the usage status of the area ID. More specifically, the ID management unit 210 uses all the area IDs used in the area 10 and the status for each area ID (for example, “in use” or “not used”) as the usage status of the area ID. ) Is stored.

  Further, the ID management unit 210 issues any unused area ID to the user terminal 100-1. For example, in response to a request from the installation device 40, the ID management unit 210 issues any unused area ID, and causes the communication unit 230 to transmit the area ID to the installation device 40.

  Further, the ID management unit 210 performs connection confirmation with the user terminal 100-1. More specifically, for example, when the communication unit 230 receives the first notification signal from the user terminal 100-1, the ID management unit 210 transmits a response signal to the first notification signal. Further, for example, the ID management unit 210 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has left the area 10 when the second notification signal is not received after the response signal is transmitted. When the first notification signal includes retransmission end information, the ID management unit 210 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has moved out of the area 10 at a timing based on the retransmission end information. Good.

  Further, the ID management unit 210 updates the usage status of the area ID. More specifically, for example, when the area ID is issued, the ID management unit 210 updates the status of the area ID from “not used” to “in use”. When the ID management unit 210 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has gone out of the area 10 as a result of the connection confirmation, the ID management unit 210 sets the status of the area ID issued to the user terminal 100-1 to “in use”. Update from "not used" to.

(Area information provider 220)
The area information providing unit 220 provides area information of the area 10. For example, the area information includes information indicating the target position. For example, when the area ID is issued, the area information providing unit 220 causes the communication unit 230 to transmit the area information to the installation apparatus 40.

(Communication unit 230)
The communication unit 230 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 230 transmits the area ID according to control by the ID management unit 210. The communication unit 230 transmits and receives various signals related to connection confirmation in accordance with control by the ID management unit 210. Further, the communication unit 230 transmits the zone information in accordance with the control by the zone information providing unit 220.

<2-3. Process flow>
Next, an example of communication processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of communication processing in the user apparatus 100-1 according to the first embodiment.

  First, in step S301, the communication unit 110 receives an area ID. In step S303, the movement determination unit 140 acquires area information.

  In step S <b> 305, the position estimation unit 141 obtains the presence position of the user terminal 100-1 using the sensor 130. Next, in step S307, the relative angle calculation unit 143 determines the direction from the existing position to the target position and the user terminal 100-1 from the existing position based on the change in the target position and the existing position of the user terminal 100-1. A relative angle θ with respect to the moving direction is calculated. If acquisition of the existing position and calculation of the relative angle have been repeated m times in step S309, the process proceeds to step S311. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  In step S311, the analysis unit 145 calculates the ratio of the relative angle θ included in the predetermined angle range in the relative angle history. In step S313, the analysis unit 145 compares the ratio with a threshold value. If the ratio is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process proceeds to step S400. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  In step S400, the connection confirmation unit 150 confirms connection with the server 200-1 that manages the area ID. The connection confirmation process will be described later.

  If the user terminal 100-1 is out of the area 10 in step S315, the process proceeds to step S317. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  In step S317, the connection confirmation unit 150 deletes the area ID stored in the storage unit 120. Then, the process ends.

(Connection confirmation process)
Next, the connection confirmation process in step S400 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a schematic flow of the connection confirmation process.

  First, in step S401, the connection confirmation unit 150 causes the communication unit 110 to transmit a first notification signal to the server 200-1. Next, in step S <b> 403, the connection confirmation unit 150 determines whether a response signal to the first notification signal has been received by the communication unit 110. If a response signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S405. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S413.

  In step S <b> 405, the connection confirmation unit 150 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 exists in the area 10. Then, in step S407, the connection confirmation unit 150 causes the communication unit 110 to transmit the second notification signal to the server 200-1. Next, in step S409, the connection confirmation unit 150 waits for the waiting time or causes the movement determination unit 140 to wait for the waiting time. In step S411, the connection confirmation unit 150 increases the standby time. Then, the connection confirmation process ends.

  In step S413, the connection confirmation unit 150 determines whether transmission of the first notification signal has been repeated n times. If the transmission has been repeated n times, the process proceeds to step S415. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S417.

  In step S415, the connection confirmation unit 150 recognizes that the user terminal 100-1 has gone out of the area 10. Then, the connection confirmation process ends.

  In step S417, the connection confirmation unit 150 waits for the waiting time or causes the movement determination unit 140 to wait for the waiting time. In step S419, the connection confirmation unit 150 decreases the standby time.

<2-4. Modification>
Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the modification, the analysis unit 145 of the movement determination unit 140 is based on the appearance pattern of the relative angle in time series, not the ratio of the relative angle included in the predetermined angle range in the relative angle history. It is determined whether -1 is moving toward the target position. Further, the area information includes not only information indicating the target position but also a movement pattern associated with the target position.

(Analysis unit 145)
The analysis unit 145 determines that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position when the appearance pattern in the time series of the relative angle included in the relative angle history matches the movement pattern. Hereinafter, this point will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a route to the target position G in the zone 10. Referring to FIG. 10, an area 10 and a target position G within the area 10 are shown. In this example, a route R ₁ including a right turn, a straight route R ₂ , and a route R ₃ including a left turn exist as routes toward the target position G. For example, explaining how relative angle θ how the changes when the user 20 (and the user terminal 100-1) is proceed routes R _1. First, as the user 20 approaches the target position G before the right turn, the relative angle θ gradually increases. And relative angle (theta) becomes a value of 90 degree | times when the user 20 approaches the angle which should turn right. Thereafter, since the user 20 turns right, the relative angle θ decreases rapidly to near 0 °. And even if the user 20 approaches the target position G after a right turn, the relative angle θ remains around 0 °. Thus, it is assumed that the relative angle θ changes. On the other hand, for example, when the user 20 advances the route R _2, the user 20 can be approached to the target position G, is assumed the relative angle θ remains in the vicinity of 0 °. In addition, when the user 20 travels along the route R ₃ , the relative angle θ is assumed to change according to the progress of the user 20 as in the case where the user 20 travels along the route R ₁ .

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a movement pattern associated with the target position G. Referring to FIG. 11, in 11a, example of the moving pattern is shown relating to the route R ₁ shown in FIG. 10. As described with reference to FIG. 10, as the user approaches the target position G on the route R ₁ (that is, time elapses), the relative angle θ increases to near 90 °, and reaches 0 at some point. It is assumed that it decreases rapidly to around 0 ° and then remains at around 0 °. Therefore, as the movement pattern for the route R _1, for example, a pattern such as 11a is prepared in advance. Further, 11b, an example of the movement pattern is shown relating to the route R ₂ shown in Figure 10. As described with reference to FIG. 10, even if the user approaches the target position G on the route R ₂ (that is, time elapses), it is assumed that the relative angle θ remains around 0 °. . Therefore, as the movement pattern for the route R _2, for example, a pattern such as 11b are prepared in advance.

  For example, the analysis unit 145 compares the movement pattern as shown in FIG. 11 with the appearance pattern of the relative angle included in the relative angle history in time series, and calculates the similarity as the comparison result. Then, the analysis unit 145 compares the similarity with a predetermined threshold value to evaluate whether the appearance pattern of the relative angle matches the movement pattern. If the appearance pattern matches the movement pattern, the analysis unit 145 determines that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position. For calculating the similarity between patterns, any method for calculating the similarity between time-series data can be used. As an example, “AMSS: Efficient similarity measurement method for time-series data Authors Nakamura, Tetsuya / Satoshi, Keishi / Nomiya, Hiroki / Uehara, Kuniaki IEICE Transactions 2008-11 Vol. J91-D No. 11 p2579-2588 ”can be used.

  Thus, according to the comparison between the appearance pattern of the relative angle in time series and the movement pattern prepared in advance, even when the route to the exit of the area 10 is not linear, the user terminal 100-1 Whether it is moving toward the position can be determined.

  The movement pattern may be a pattern related to a part of the route R, not a pattern related to the entire route R. For example, the movement pattern may be a pattern related to a portion of the route R from the first passage position to the second passage position. Two or more movement patterns may be prepared for each route R. For example, a first movement pattern related to a portion of the path R from the first passage position to the second passage position, and a second movement of the portion of the path R from the third passage position to the fourth passage position. A pattern may be prepared.

(Process flow)
Next, an example of communication processing according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of communication processing according to a modification of the first embodiment. Here, only steps S321 and S323, which are differences between the example of the communication process according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 and the example of the communication process according to the modification, will be described.

  In step S321, the analysis unit 145 compares the appearance pattern and the movement pattern of the relative angle θ included in the relative angle history with the time series, and calculates the degree of similarity between them. In step S323, the analysis unit 145 evaluates whether the appearance pattern of the relative angle θ matches the movement pattern by comparing the similarity with the threshold value. If the appearance pattern matches the movement pattern, the process proceeds to step S400. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  As mentioned above, although 1st Embodiment was described, according to the said 1st Embodiment, the direction from the presence position of the user terminal 100-1 to a target position, and the moving direction of the user terminal 100 from the said presence position Based on the relative angle, it is determined whether the user terminal 100 is moving toward the target position in the area 10. And according to the result of the determination, the connection confirmation between the user terminal 100-1 and the server 200-1 is performed. Thereby, the power consumption of the user terminal 100 can be suppressed while the usage status of the area ID used in the area 10 is quickly updated.

<3. Second Embodiment>
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, it is determined that the user terminal 100 is moving toward the target position in the area 10 when the moving direction of the user terminal 100 satisfies the condition regarding the movement to the target position.

  In the following, the second embodiment is described in <3-1. Configuration of user terminal>, <3-2. Server Configuration>, <3-3. The process will be described in the order of process flow>.

<3-1. Configuration of user terminal>
An example of the configuration of the user terminal 100-2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the user terminal 100-2 according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the user terminal 100-2 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a sensor 130, a connection confirmation unit 150, and a movement determination unit 160.

  Here, with respect to the communication unit 110, the storage unit 120, the sensor 130, and the connection confirmation unit 150, there is no difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Therefore, here, regarding the movement determination unit 160, more specifically, among the components in the movement determination unit 160, the movement direction calculation unit 163 and the analysis unit 165 that are different from the first embodiment. explain.

(Movement direction calculation unit 163)
The movement direction calculation unit 163 calculates the movement direction of the user terminal 100-2 from the change in the location of the user terminal 100-2. Hereinafter, this point will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the moving direction of the user terminal. Referring to FIG. 14, similarly to FIG. 3, the time _T 1, _{T 2} and the location _P 1 of the user terminal 100-2 of _{T 3, P 2} and _{P 3} are shown. Further, the absolute direction N at each existence position is shown. The absolute direction N is, for example, the north direction.

For example, the movement direction calculation unit 163 regards the direction from the calculated presence position P ₁ to the next calculated presence position P ₂ as the movement direction of the user terminal 100-2 from the presence position P ₁ . That is, the movement direction calculation unit 163 calculates an angle φ ₁ between the direction from the existence position P ₁ to the existence position P ₂ and the absolute direction N as the movement direction from the existence position P ₁ . Similarly, the movement direction calculation unit 163 calculates an angle φ ₂ between the direction from the existence position P ₂ to the existence position P ₃ and the absolute direction N as the movement direction from the existence position P ₂ .

(Analysis unit 165)
First, as a premise, in the second embodiment, the area information is a condition (hereinafter referred to as “movement condition”) for moving to the target position for each position or area in the area 10 instead of or in combination with the target position. "). Then, when the moving direction of the user terminal 100-2 satisfies the moving condition corresponding to the location of the user terminal 100-2, the analysis unit 165 indicates that the user terminal 100-2 is moving toward the target position. judge.

  More specifically, for example, in the movement condition, in a movement direction history including two or more movement directions (hereinafter referred to as “movement direction history”), a ratio of movement directions included in a predetermined angle range is predetermined. It is that it is more than the threshold value. The moving direction history here is, for example, a history including the moving direction calculated during the most recent predetermined time. The analysis unit 165 verifies whether the moving direction of the user terminal 100-2 satisfies such a moving condition. Hereinafter, the determination based on the movement condition will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a region in which a movement condition is set in the zone 10. Referring to FIG. 15, the area 10 and the target position G are shown as in FIG. 10. For example, movement conditions for each of the areas A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ , A ₅ in the area 10 are prepared in advance.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the movement condition. Referring to FIG. 16, the angle range, i.e. the angular range from β to γ are shown in the movement conditions of the area A _4. For example, analysis unit 165, if the location of the user terminal 100-2 is included in the area A _4, it calculates the ratio of the moving direction φ contained in the moving direction history. If the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the analysis unit 165 determines that the user terminal 100-2 is moving toward the target position G, and otherwise, the user terminal 100-2. Is determined not to move toward the target position G.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the movement direction φ included in the movement direction history. Referring to FIG. 17, a histogram of the movement direction φ included in the movement direction history is shown. In this example, the moving direction φ included in the moving direction history is biased to a range of β to γ. Therefore, the ratio of the movement direction φ within the range of β to γ in the movement direction history is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the analysis unit 165 determines that the user terminal 100-2 is moving toward the target position G.

  As described above, it is determined whether the user terminal 100-2 is moving toward the target position. As described above, since the movement direction history is used instead of each movement direction, it is determined accurately based on the movement tendency in a certain time without being influenced by the instantaneous movement of the user terminal 100-2. it can. Moreover, when the user terminal 100-2 moves on the route toward the target position, it can be determined that the user terminal 100-1 is moving toward the target position by the determination under the moving condition. In addition, since the determination is performed using the moving direction and the predetermined angle range, the approximate location of the user terminal 100-1 can be obtained even if the exact location of the user terminal 100-1 is not obtained. Thus, it can be determined with high accuracy. That is, it is possible to recognize that the user terminal 100-1 is going out of the area 10 even in a situation where the GPS receiver cannot be used, such as indoors.

  Note that the movement condition is that the user terminal 100-2 moves toward the target position when the time-series application pattern in the movement direction φ included in the movement direction history matches the movement pattern associated with the target position. It may be determined that In this case, although there is a difference between the relative angle and the movement angle, the same technique as that of the modification of the first embodiment can be used.

<3-2. Server configuration>
With reference to FIG. 18, an example of a configuration of the server 200-2 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server 200-2 according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 18, the server 200-2 includes an ID management unit 210, a communication unit 230, and an area information providing unit 240.

  Here, there is no difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment regarding the ID management unit 210 and the communication unit 230. Therefore, here, the area information providing unit 240 will be described.

(Area information provider 240)
The area information providing unit 240 provides area information of the area 10. For example, the area information includes conditions regarding movement to the target position for each position or area of the area 10, that is, movement conditions. The area information providing unit 240 causes the communication unit 230 to transmit the area information to the installation device 40 when the area ID is issued.

<3-3. Process flow>
Next, an example of communication processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of communication processing in the user device 100-2 according to the second embodiment.

  Here, steps S325, S327, S329, and S331 are differences between the example of the communication process according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 and the example of the communication process according to the second embodiment. I will explain only.

  In step S325, the movement direction calculation unit 163 calculates the movement direction φ of the user terminal 100-2 from the change in the location of the user terminal 100-2.

  In step S327, the analysis unit 165 identifies a movement condition corresponding to the location of the user terminal 100-2 among the movement conditions. Thereby, for example, a predetermined angle range in the determination is specified. Next, in step S329, the analysis unit 165 calculates the ratio of the movement direction φ included in the angle range in the movement direction history. In step S331, the analysis unit 165 compares the ratio with a threshold value. If the ratio is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process proceeds to step S400. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  Although the second embodiment has been described above, according to the second embodiment, based on the movement direction of the user terminal 100-2 and the movement condition corresponding to the location of the user terminal 100-2, It is determined whether the user terminal 100 is moving toward the target position in the area 10. Then, according to the result of the determination, connection confirmation between the user terminal 100-2 and the server 200-2 is performed. Thereby, the power consumption of the user terminal 100 can be suppressed while the usage status of the area ID used in the area 10 is quickly updated.

<4. Third Embodiment>
Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, it is determined whether the user terminal 100 is moving toward the target position in the area 10 based on a change in the distance between the target position and the presence position of the user terminal 100-3. .

  In the following, the third embodiment is described in <4-1. Configuration of user terminal>, <4-2. The process will be described in the order of process flow>. The configuration of the server 200-3 according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the server 200-1 according to the first embodiment.

<4-1. Configuration of user terminal>
With reference to FIG.20 and FIG.21, an example of a structure of the user terminal 100-3 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the user terminal 100-3 according to the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 20, the user terminal 100-3 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a sensor 130, a connection confirmation unit 150, and a movement determination unit 170.

  Here, with respect to the communication unit 110, the storage unit 120, the sensor 130, and the connection confirmation unit 150, there is no difference between the first embodiment and the third embodiment. Therefore, here, the movement determination unit 170, more specifically, the distance calculation unit 173 and the analysis unit 175 that are different from the first embodiment among the components in the movement determination unit 170 will be described. To do.

(Distance calculation unit 173)
The distance calculation unit 173 calculates the distance between the target position and the position where the user terminal 100-3 is present. Hereinafter, this point will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the distance between the presence position of the user terminal 100-3 and the target position. Referring to FIG. 21, similarly to FIG. 3, the time _T 1, _{T 2} and the location _P 1 of the user terminal 100-3 of _{T 3, P 2} and _{P 3} are shown. A target position G is also shown. The distance calculation unit 173 calculates, for example, distances D ₁ , D ₂ , and D ₃ between the target position G and each of the existing positions P ₁ , P ₂ , and P ₃ .

  It can be said that the time-series change in the distance calculated in this way is information indicating whether the user terminal 100-1 is approaching the target position through any route. That is, by calculating such a distance, it can be seen whether the user terminal 100-1 is approaching the target position at each time interval.

(Analysis unit 175)
The analysis unit 175 determines whether the user terminal 100-3 is moving toward the target position based on a change in the distance between the target position and the presence position of the user terminal 100-3. For example, the analysis unit 175 determines that the user terminal 100-3 is moving toward the target position when the distance tends to decrease. For example, in the history of distance including two or more distances (hereinafter referred to as “distance history”), the ratio of the distance that is smaller than the previous distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. It is.

More specifically, for example, the analysis unit 175, a change in the distance, each distance in the distance record, the difference between the distance and the previously calculated distance _{(e.g., D 2 -D 1, D 3} -D 2 ) Is calculated. Then, the analysis unit 175 calculates the ratio of the decreased distance D in the distance history. If the ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the analysis unit 175 determines that the user terminal 100-3 is moving toward the target position.

  The above-described determination method is an example of a method for determining a decreasing tendency of the distance, and another method may be used as a method for determining the decreasing tendency of the distance. For example, when a time-series change in distance in the distance history satisfies a predetermined condition, it may be determined that the user terminal 100-3 is moving toward the target position.

  As described above, it is determined whether the user terminal 100-3 is moving toward the target position. As described above, since the distance history is used instead of each individual distance, it can be accurately determined based on the movement tendency in a certain time without being influenced by the instantaneous movement of the user terminal 100-3. In addition, as described above, when the user terminal 100-3 approaches the target position based on a change in the distance between the target position and the position where the user terminal 100-3 exists, the user terminal 100-3 is moved to the target position. It can be determined that it is moving toward. Further, the determination can be easily performed regardless of the number of routes to the exit of the area 10 and the complexity of the routes. Further, since the determination is performed using the change in the distance, even if the accurate location of the user terminal 100-3 is not obtained, the determination is performed accurately if the approximate location of the user terminal 100-3 is obtained. be able to. That is, it is possible to recognize that the user terminal 100-3 is going out of the area 10 even in a situation where the GPS receiver cannot be used, such as indoors.

  Note that the target position in the third embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment. For example, the position of the exit of the area 10 may be sufficient, and any passing position which may pass by the time it reaches the exit of the area 10 may be sufficient. Further, the target position may be two or more positions.

<4-2. Process flow>
Next, an example of communication processing according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic flow of communication processing in the user apparatus 100-3 according to the third embodiment.

  Here, steps S333, S335, S337, and S339 are differences between the example of the communication process according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 and the example of the communication process according to the third embodiment. I will explain only.

  In step S333, the distance calculation unit 173 calculates a distance D between the target position and the position where the user terminal 100-3 exists.

In step S335, the analysis unit 175 calculates the difference between the distance and the previously calculated distance (for example, D ₂ -D ₁ , D ₃ -D ₂ ) for each distance in the distance history as a change in distance. . Next, in step S337, the analysis unit 175 calculates the ratio of the decreased distance D in the distance history. In step S339, the analysis unit 175 compares the ratio with a threshold value. If the ratio is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process proceeds to step S400. Otherwise, the process returns to step S305.

  Although the third embodiment has been described above, according to the third embodiment, the user terminal 100 is located in the area 10 based on the distance between the target position and the presence position of the user terminal 100-3. It is determined whether it is moving toward. Then, according to the result of the determination, connection confirmation between the user terminal 100-2 and the server 200-2 is performed. Thereby, the power consumption of the user terminal 100 can be suppressed while the usage status of the area ID used in the area 10 is quickly updated.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, the sensor may not be built in the user terminal and may be externally attached to the user terminal.

  In addition, the server that is a management device that manages the area ID includes at least a function of confirming the connection of the ID management unit, and the remaining functions of the ID management unit and the functions of the area information providing unit are the same as the server. May be provided by another device.

  Further, the installation device may be installed outside the area instead of being installed in the area.

  Further, the user terminal may receive the zone ID, zone information, or initial position from other than the installation device. For example, the user terminal may receive the area ID, area information, or initial position via the network. Further, the user terminal may store the area information and the initial position in the storage unit in advance, and acquire these information from the storage unit.

  Further, the processing steps in the communication processing of this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in time series in the order described in the flowchart. For example, the processing steps in the communication process may be executed in an order different from the order described in the flowchart, or may be executed in parallel.

  It is also possible to create a computer program for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM incorporated in the communication device to exhibit functions equivalent to those of the components of the communication device. A storage medium storing the computer program is also provided.

10 area 20 user 30 network 100 user terminal 110 communication unit 120 storage unit 130 sensor 140 movement determination unit 141 position estimation unit 143 relative angle calculation unit 145, 165, 175 analysis unit 163 movement direction calculation unit 173 distance calculation unit 200 server 210 ID Management unit 220, 240 Area information providing unit 230 Communication unit

Claims (18)

A communication device,
A communication unit for receiving identification information used in a predetermined area;
Whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on the acquired area information on the predetermined area and the presence position of the communication apparatus obtained using a sensor. A determination unit for determining;
A confirmation unit that performs connection confirmation with a management device that manages the identification information when it is determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position;
A communication device comprising: The area information includes information indicating the predetermined position,
The determination unit calculates a relative angle between a direction from the presence position to the predetermined position and a movement direction of the communication device from the presence position based on the change in the predetermined position and the presence position, and Determining whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position based on a relative angle;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1.   The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position based on a history of the relative angle including two or more relative angles. .   The determination unit determines that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position when the ratio of the relative angles included in the predetermined angle range is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in the history. The communication apparatus according to claim 3. The area information further includes a movement pattern associated with the predetermined position,
The determination unit determines that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position when a time-series appearance pattern of the relative angles included in the history matches the movement pattern.
The communication apparatus according to claim 3. The area information includes a condition regarding movement to the predetermined position for each position or area in the predetermined area,
The determination unit calculates a movement direction of the communication device from a change in the presence position, and the communication device moves toward the predetermined position when the movement direction satisfies the condition corresponding to the presence position. It is determined that
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The area information includes information indicating the predetermined position,
The determination unit calculates a distance between the predetermined position and the presence position, and determines whether the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position based on a change in the distance.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1.   The confirmation unit, as the connection confirmation, causes the communication unit to transmit a first signal addressed to the management device when it is determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a second signal addressed to the management device is transmitted to the communication unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the transmission of the first signal.   The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is that a response signal to the first signal is received by the communication unit.   The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the confirmation unit causes the communication unit to retransmit the first signal up to a predetermined number of times when the response signal is not received as the connection confirmation.   The communication device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein when the response signal is received, the confirmation unit waits for a waiting time or causes the determination unit to wait for the waiting time.   The communication device according to claim 11, wherein the confirmation unit changes the waiting time according to whether or not the response signal is received.   The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the first signal includes information regarding a timing at which the confirmation unit ends retransmission of the first signal.   The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the first signal. The sensor includes a sensor that detects movement of the communication device;
The presence position of the communication device is obtained by estimation from the acquired initial position and the detected motion.
The communication apparatus of any one of Claims 1-14. The sensor includes a position sensor that detects position information;
The presence position of the communication device is obtained from the detected position information.
The communication apparatus of any one of Claims 1-14. A computer that controls a communication device including a communication unit that receives identification information used in a predetermined area;
Whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on the acquired area information on the predetermined area and the presence position of the communication apparatus obtained using a sensor. A determination unit for determining;
A confirmation unit that performs connection confirmation with a management device that manages the identification information when it is determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position;
Program to function as. A communication method in a communication device,
Receiving identification information for use within a given area;
Whether the communication device is moving toward a predetermined position in the predetermined area based on the acquired area information on the predetermined area and the presence position of the communication apparatus obtained using a sensor. A determining step;
When it is determined that the communication device is moving toward the predetermined position, a step of confirming connection with a management device that manages the identification information;
Including a communication method.

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