JP2002027527A - Positional information notifier, and method of notifying positional information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a searcher with information about relative position between a person to be searched and the searcher. SOLUTION: A searcher A calls a positional information administrator, and asks him for notification of the positional information of a person to be searched. The positional information notifier administrator specifies the position of the person to be searched A by the position searching method using a portable telephone base station. The positional information notifier administrator computes the azimuth (θa1) of the person to be searched viewed from the retriever A, and reports it to the searcher A. The azimuth reported to the searcher A is displayed on the portable apparatus of the searcher A. A retriever B performs the search activity at a place different from the searcher A, too, and the calls the positional information notifier administrator, and gets the azimuth θb1 of the person to be searched. The coordinate of the person to be searched can be obtained by finding the intersecting point of the extensions in each azimuth.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses communication between a mobile communication device and a base station or a global positioning system (GPS) to specify relative position information between a searcher and a search target,
The present invention relates to a position information notification method and a position information notification device in which a searcher finds a position of a search target by notifying a searcher of position information of the search target periodically or as needed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fox hunting has conventionally been a game in which a searcher searches for the position of a person to be searched to find the person to be searched. In this game, a searcher's receiver receives radio waves from the searcher's radio wave transmitter and measures the strength of the radio wave and the direction of the transmission source to determine the distance and direction to the searcher, In this game, the searcher searches for the position of the person to be searched.

[0003] However, the Fox hunting requires a radio transmitter and a receiver, and further requires a special receiver capable of measuring the azimuth of the transmission source. Further, when the output of the radio transmitter is small, there is a problem that the search can be performed only in a very narrow range.

Further, there is another problem that the arrival of radio waves is hindered by the influence of the shadows and terrain of the building, and it is difficult to accurately specify the distance and direction.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a searcher with relative position information between a search target person and a searcher without using a special device such as a radio transmitter or a receiver. This allows the position of the person to be searched to be found.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a position information notifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for specifying a person to be searched and position information of the person to be searched, and the position information notifying apparatus is configured to search the position information from the position information. A relative position relationship between a searcher and a searcher, and means for notifying the searcher of relative position information.

In the position information notifying device, the means for specifying the position information is a GPS (Gl) which is a global positioning system.
obal Positioning System).

In the position information notifying device, it is preferable that the means for specifying the position information uses a mobile phone base station.

In the position information notifying device, it is preferable that the relative position information is relative coordinates between a person to be searched and a searcher.

In the position information notifying device, it is preferable that the relative position information is a distance and an azimuth between the searched person and the searched person.

In the position information notifying device, it is preferable that the relative position information is a distance between a person to be searched and a searcher.

In the position information notifying device, it is preferable that the relative position information is an azimuth of the person to be searched as viewed from a searcher.

In the position information notifying device, the relative position information is preferably a hint and a mark for obtaining position information of the person to be searched.

In the position information notifying device, the means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information is preferably a mobile communication device.

In the position information notifying device, the means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information is preferably a portable device having a mobile communication function.

In the position information notifying apparatus, it is preferable that the means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information displays the relative position information on a liquid crystal display device of a portable device carried by the searcher.

Next, according to the position information notifying method of the present invention, a searcher applies for provision of relative position information to a position information notifying device manager, and a predetermined information providing start time or information from a person to be searched or a searcher. A position information notification device administrator specifies relative position information between a searcher and a person to be searched after a signal to start providing information, and provides the relative position information to the searcher.

In the position information notifying method, it is preferable that the application for providing relative position information is accompanied by notifying the position information notifying device manager of the searcher's telephone number.

Further, in the position information notification method,
The person to be searched applies for notification of relative position information to the position information notifying device manager, and the position information notifying device administrator recruits searchers, and the searcher who has applied for the relative position between the searcher and the searched person. Preferably, location information is specified and the relative location information is provided to a searcher.

Further, in the position information notifying method,
It is preferable that the application for the notification of the relative position information is accompanied by notifying the position information notification device manager of the telephone number or address of the person to be searched.

Further, in the position information notifying method,
After the searcher obtains the distance from the location information notification device manager to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or information on the direction of the search target as viewed from the searcher, the same one-dimensional information is obtained at different times. Preferably, information is obtained, and two-dimensional information that is the relative position coordinates of the person to be searched is obtained from each piece of one-dimensional information.

Further, in the position information notifying method,
After the searcher obtains the distance from the location information notification device administrator to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or the information of the direction of the search target as viewed from the searcher, the searcher moves to a spatially different place, and It is preferable to obtain one-dimensional information and obtain two-dimensional information that is the relative position coordinates of the person to be searched from each one-dimensional information.

Further, in the position information notifying method,
After the searcher obtains the distance from the manager of the position information notification device to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or information on the direction of the search target as viewed from the searcher, another search in a spatially different place It is preferable that similar one-dimensional information is obtained from the user, and two-dimensional information that is the relative position coordinates of the person to be searched is obtained from each piece of the one-dimensional information.

In the position information notifying method, the searcher obtains information on the distance from the manager of the position information notification device to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or the direction of the search target viewed from the searcher. Thereafter, it is preferable that similar one-dimensional information is obtained from another searcher located in a spatially different place, and two-dimensional information that is a relative position coordinate of the search target person is obtained from each one-dimensional information.

In the position information detection system,
A plurality of portable devices and a unit for detecting positions of the plurality of portable devices; and a unit for calculating a relative position between specific portable devices from position information of the portable device based on a position information search application from the portable device. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the calculated relative position information to the portable device.

The portable device to be used has means for issuing a relative position search application for the person to be searched and means for receiving relative position information, and means for indicating a relative position from the searcher to the person to be searched. It is preferred to have.

Further, the position information management device includes means for receiving a relative position search request to the person to be searched, and means for detecting the positions of the searcher and the person to be searched, and calculates the relative position from the position. And means for transmitting the relative position information to a searcher.

In the position information management device, the means for detecting the position of the person to be searched and the person to be searched includes means for detecting a position in the base station reception area and means for detecting base station position information. Is preferred.

Further, as the relay base station device, means for detecting position information of a plurality of portable devices, and the position information of the searcher and the person to be searched are transmitted to the position information management device by the relative position search application of the detector. Preferably, means are provided.

Further, the position information notification system includes a plurality of portable devices having a mechanism for applying for a relative position search of an arbitrary portable device, means for detecting the positions of the plurality of portable devices, and receiving the application. It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a management device for calculating relative position information from position information of the searcher and the person to be searched, and means for transmitting the calculated relative position information to the portable device.

In the position information notification system, it is preferable that the position detection is performed by a base station device.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a case where the location information notifying device manager calls the person to be searched and specifies the position of the person to be searched by the position search method using the existing mobile phone base station using the communication. It is a top view when the position of a to-be-retrieved person is digitized by longitude and latitude, respectively. In addition, FIG. 2 shows that the direction in which the searched person is transmitted to the searcher A is linked with a geomagnetic sensor built in the mobile terminal,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view when displayed on a liquid crystal display device of a portable device carried by a searcher A. FIG. 3 shows that the information obtained by the searcher A and the searcher B exchanges one-dimensional information called azimuth and obtains the intersection of the extension lines of the respective azimuths to obtain the two-dimensional information that is the coordinates of the searched person. It is a top view at the time of being obtained.
FIG. 4 shows that the position information notifying device administrator can determine the location information (Xc1, Yc1) of the searcher C from the location information (Xq1, Yq1) of the searchee C by using the searcher C and the searchee in accordance with Expression 3 described later. It is a top view at the time of calculating distance (rc1). FIG. 5 shows that the searcher C and the searcher D communicate with each other and exchange information, and obtain the intersection of circles having a radius of a distance, which is one-dimensional information obtained, to obtain the relative position of the position of the searched person. It is a top view at the time of having obtained two-dimensional information which is a coordinate. FIG. 6 shows that searcher E
Make a phone call to the location information notification device administrator, obtain the azimuth (θe1) of the person to be searched viewed from the searcher E, move to another location,
It is a top view when a call is again made to the position information notification device manager to obtain the azimuth (θe2) of the person to be searched. Also, FIG.
The searcher F obtains the distance (rf1) to the search target by voice and then moves to another location to obtain the distance (rf) to the search target.
2) and the distance (rf
FIG. 9 is a plan view when the position of the person to be searched is estimated from the intersection of circles having a radius of 3) and the store of the person to be searched is located.

The position information notifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for specifying the positions of the person to be searched and the searcher, means for specifying the relative position between the person to be searched and the searcher, and the relative position relation information to the searcher. It consists of means for notifying.

A means for specifying the position information of the person to be searched and the searcher is a global positioning system GPS (Global Positioning System) disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-210559.
tem) or a mobile phone base station can be used.

The GPS is a method of searching for latitude / longitude by emitting a plurality of radio waves from a plurality of satellites installed high above the sky and receiving these radio waves on the ground or the like.
In order to specify position information by this method, the searcher or the searcher must bring an antenna for receiving radio waves from a satellite and a position analyzer for analyzing the latitude / longitude of the moving object. No.

On the other hand, the position information specifying means using the base station of the mobile phone first makes a special connection request for a location search different from the connection request of a general telephone from a simple mobile phone. The exchange that has received such a special connection request activates a location search processing program inside the exchange.
The location search processing program activates a plurality of base station apparatuses, receives a radio wave emitted by the portable cellular phone, and measures the electric field strength. Then, the position of the portable cellular phone is specified based on the position information of the base station device that receives the strongest electric field strength.

If the person to be searched is immobile, such as at a store, location information can be specified from the address.

The means for specifying the relative positional relationship between the person to be searched and the searcher refers to a calculation formula and a computer for calculating relative position information by a certain calculation formula from the position information of the person to be searched and the searcher.

The relative position information includes the relative coordinates of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher, the azimuth of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher, the distance between the searcher and the person to be searched, and the position information of the person to be searched. There are hints and landmarks.

Next, a calculation formula for calculating the relative position information will be shown.

The position of the person to be searched is (Xq1, Yq1) in longitude and latitude, and the position of searcher A is (Xa1, Ya1) in longitude and latitude, respectively.

The relative coordinates of the person to be searched from the viewpoint of the searcher are as follows:
(Xq1-Xa1, Yq1-Ya1). This means that the person to be searched is located at a position advanced by Xq1-Xa1 in the east direction and Yq1-Ya1 in the north direction from the searcher's place.

Assuming that the azimuth of the person to be searched from the viewpoint of the searcher is θa1, it is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0044]

(Equation 1)

This means that, as viewed from the searcher, the search target person is in a direction rotated by θa1 clockwise from the north direction.

Assuming that the distance between the searcher and the person to be searched is ra1, it can be expressed by Equation 2.

[0047]

(Equation 2)

2 which is the position information of the searcher and the searched person
According to the above formula, the coordinate information of the dimension is two-dimensional information when the relative position information is relative coordinates, but becomes one-dimensional information when the relative position information is an azimuth or a distance, and only one piece of information is obtained. In this case, it is difficult to specify the position of the person to be searched, and the game characteristics are increased.

As a hint and a mark for obtaining the position information of the person to be searched, information obtained as a result of the position search of the person to be searched is compared with an existing map, and the distance between the person to be searched and the searcher is determined. If the game is extremely far away from the game time, the location information of the nearest station, etc. of the person to be searched, if necessary, and the public facilities / buildings closest to the person to be searched and registered large-scale stores And the like may be used as relative information. Further, information of hints and landmarks may be provided from the person to be searched.

As means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information, a mobile communication device or a portable device having a mobile communication function can be used.

As the mobile communication device, existing communication devices such as a mobile phone, a personal handyphone (PHS), and a pager (registered trademark) can be used.

As a portable device having a mobile communication function, a notebook personal computer, a pocket board, a car navigator, or the like, which is connected to the above mobile communication device or has a mobile communication function, can be used.

As a method of notifying the searcher of the relative position information, there are an image notification and a sound notification.

The notification method using an image is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a portable device carried by the searcher. The display information may be a numerical value, but, for example, when displaying the azimuth, the display information is linked with a geomagnetic sensor built in the mobile terminal,
An arrow indicating the direction in which the person to be searched is located can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device (FIG. 2).

The notification method by voice is to read out a numerical value such as a distance and a direction by voice from a portable device carried by the searcher. In addition, when indicating the direction, the sound is output only when the mobile terminal indicates the direction in which the search target is located, or the sound becomes louder as the direction is turned, in conjunction with the geomagnetic sensor built in the mobile terminal. The orientation can be indicated by the method.

The first position information notification method of the present invention is used when the person to be searched and the searcher are acquaintances and the number of searchers is known in advance. This method
The searcher applies for the provision of relative position information to the location information notification device administrator, and the location information notification device administrator determines the information provision start time at a predetermined time or after a signal to start providing information from the searched person or the searcher. It specifies relative position information between a searcher and a person to be searched, and provides the relative position information to the searcher.

The searcher may be a single person or a plurality of persons, but it is desirable to perform the search with a plurality of persons in order to improve the search efficiency. In the case of a plurality of persons, they may be acquaintances or strangers gathered by open call for participants.

The location information notifying device manager specifies the location of the person to be searched and the person to be searched using a mobile communication system such as a cellular phone or PHS, or a GPS system, and calculates relative position information thereof. Take the role of telling searchers.

By notifying the location information notifying device administrator of the searcher's telephone number when applying for the provision of relative location information, the location information notifying device administrator can obtain the location information of the searcher using the mobile phone base station. The identification by the identification system and the provision of the relative position information can be performed smoothly.

The second position information notification method of the present invention is used when the person to be searched and the searcher are not acquaintances and the number of searchers is not known. In this method, a search target person applies for the disclosure of relative position information to a position information notification device manager, the position information notification device manager recruits searchers, and the searcher who has applied for the searcher and the searcher It specifies relative position information with respect to a searcher and provides the relative position information to a searcher.

According to this method, it can be used when the person to be searched wants to gather many people at a store or an event.

When the relative position information obtained by the searcher from the manager of the position information notifying device is one-dimensional information, it is difficult for the searcher to find the person to be searched without obtaining the two-dimensional information by some method. Here, the one-dimensional information indicates the distance to the search target or the direction of the search target viewed from the searcher.

The two-dimensional information indicates the coordinates of the person to be searched or the distance and direction to the person to be searched.

A method for obtaining two-dimensional information from one-dimensional information is as follows.
There are three ways:

In a first method, after a searcher obtains one-dimensional information, similar one-dimensional information is obtained at different times in time, and the relative position coordinates of the searched person are obtained from each one-dimensional information. This is a method for obtaining two-dimensional information. This is an effective method when the person to be searched is moving in a certain direction.

In the second method, after a searcher obtains one-dimensional information, the searcher moves to a spatially different place to obtain similar one-dimensional information, and obtains the two-dimensional information of the person to be searched from each one-dimensional information. It is a way to get information. This is an effective method when the searcher performs a search alone.

In the third method, after a searcher obtains one-dimensional information, similar one-dimensional information is obtained from other searchers in spatially different places, and a search target person is obtained from each one-dimensional information. This is a method for obtaining two-dimensional information. This is an effective method when a plurality of searchers perform a search in cooperation.

Of course, the above three methods can be used in appropriate combinations.

When the person to be searched changes its position every moment, it is necessary for the searcher to also obtain relative position information every moment and conduct search activities.

To obtain these temporally different location information,
The searcher may make an inquiry to the location information management holder at an arbitrary time, or may notify the searcher every time the location information management holder is determined.

For example, these methods, devices, and systems may be used for lost child search and the like.

At this time, it is more convenient to show relative coordinates than to show absolute coordinates of a lost child in terms of advancing search activity.

(Embodiment 1) A case will be described in which a person to be searched and a searcher having a portable terminal are acquaintances, and the searcher performs a game in which the searcher searches for the searcher while the searcher and the searcher move together. I do. The type of relative position information transmitted by the position information notification device administrator can be selected from azimuth and distance,
In Example 1, the direction was set as the direction.

The person to be searched informs the manager of the location information notifying device that he or she is going to participate in the game to be searched for, and tells the start and end times of the game, and at the same time, his own telephone number.

Similarly, the searcher gives his / her telephone number to the location information device possession manager, and applies for participation in the search game. Although one searcher may be used, a plurality of searchers can obtain a plurality of pieces of relative position information, so that the position of the search target person can be easily specified. In the first embodiment, two searchers are referred to as a searcher A and a searcher B.

At a predetermined time, the manager of the position information notifying device notifies the searcher / searched person of the start of the game.

The person to be searched changes the location every moment so that the person to be searched cannot find it.

The searcher A makes a telephone call to the position information notifying device manager, and requests notification of the position information of the person to be searched. Using the communication at this time, the manager of the position information notification device specifies the position of the searcher A by a position search method using an existing mobile phone base station. At this time, the position of the searcher A was digitized by longitude and latitude, and was (Xa1, Ya1).

The location information notifying device administrator makes a call to the person to be searched, and specifies the position of the person to be searched by the position search method using the existing mobile phone base station using the communication. At this time, the position of the person to be searched was digitized by longitude and latitude, and was (Xq1, Yq1) (FIG. 1).

The position information (Xa1, Ya1), (Xq1, Yq
From 1), the location information notification device administrator calculates the azimuth (θa1) of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher A according to Equation 1, and
Tell A.

The direction given to the searcher A is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a portable device carried by the searcher A. The displayed azimuth may be a numerical value, but here, an arrow indicating the direction in which the person to be searched is located is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel in conjunction with a geomagnetic sensor built in the portable terminal (FIG. 2).

Similarly, the searcher B also conducted a search activity in a place spatially different from the searcher A, and called the manager of the position information notifying device to obtain the position information of the searched person. Assuming that the position of the searcher B is (Xb1, Yb1), the azimuth of the searcher viewed from the searcher B is θb1.

Searchers A and B can search for a person to be searched by moving independently in the direction of the arrow on the liquid crystal display panel. However, searchers A and B contact each other. By exchanging information, it is easy to specify the position of the person to be searched. That is, the obtained information is one-dimensional information of the azimuth, but by obtaining the intersection of the extension lines of the respective azimuths, the two-dimensional information of the coordinates of the person to be searched can be obtained (FIG. 3).

Of course, the person to be searched also changes the position every moment. Therefore, the searchers A and B periodically call the manager of the position information notifying device to obtain the position information of the person to be searched every moment.

When the searched person is found by at least one of the searchers, the game is ended by notifying the manager of the position information notifying device that the game has ended. If the search target person is not found by the predetermined game end time, the game is ended by notifying the search target person and the searcher of the game end from the location information notification device manager.

(Embodiment 2) A game in which the searcher and the searcher who have the portable terminal are acquaintances as in the first embodiment, and the searcher searches for the searcher while the searcher and the searcher move together. Will be described. The type of the relative position information transmitted by the position information notification device manager can be selected from the azimuth and the distance. In the second embodiment, the distance is set as the distance.

As means for specifying the position of the person to be searched and the searcher, a GPS carried by the person to be searched and the searcher
The system was used.

As in the first embodiment, the person to be searched notifies the manager of the position information notifying device, that he / she will participate in the game for searching for the person to be searched, the start and end times of the game, and his / her telephone number.

Similarly, the searcher gives his telephone number,
Apply to participate in the search game. In the second embodiment, two searchers are referred to as a searcher C and a searcher D.

At a predetermined time, the manager of the position information notification device notifies the searcher / searched person of the start of the game.

The person to be searched changes the location every moment so that the person to be searched cannot find it.

The searcher C makes a telephone call to the manager of the location information notifying device and requests the location information notification of the searched person. At the same time, their location is identified using the GPS system, and the location information notification device manager is notified. The location information notification device administrator
Call the person to be searched and ask for the position of the person to be searched using the GPS system. The position of searcher C at this time is longitude,
The latitude was (Xc1, Yc1) and the position of the person to be searched was longitude and latitude (Xq1, Yq1).

The position information (Xc1, Yc1), (Xq1, Yc
From q1), the administrator of the position information notifying device calculates the distance (rc1) between the searcher C and the searched person according to Equation 3, and obtains the searcher C
(Fig. 4).

[0094]

(Equation 3)

Searcher C uses the mobile phone to retrieve distance information (r
c1) was obtained by voice.

Similarly, the searcher D also conducts a search activity in a place spatially different from the searcher C, makes a call to the manager of the position information notifying device, and obtains the distance (rd1) from the searcher.

The searcher C and the searcher D communicate with each other to exchange information, and obtain the intersection of circles having a radius of a distance, which is one-dimensional information obtained, to obtain relative position coordinates of the position of the searched person. Was obtained.

At this time, since there are two intersections,
C finds the other person by searching for the other person, and finds the person to be searched (FIG. 5).

In the present embodiment, the searcher searches for two intersections by hand, but the searcher moves and obtains distance information from another location to the search target to reduce the number of intersections to one. Squeezed. Or, if there are three or more searchers, they can exchange information with each other to narrow the intersection to one.

(Embodiment 3) A case will be described in which a searcher plays a game in a store where the searcher is immovable, with a plurality of persons having mobile terminals to which the searcher has generally applied.

The position of the person to be searched was specified by an address, and the position of the searcher was specified by a position search method using a mobile phone base station, as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the person to be searched informs the manager of the position information notifying device that he / she will participate in the game for searching for the person to be searched.
At the same time as notifying the game start and end times, the position information notification device manager registers his / her own position and PR information by notifying the store address and merits of visiting the store.

The location information notifying device manager recruits searchers by posting them on the Internet, a leaflet, a magazine, or the like, if necessary, at the request of the person to be searched.

At the time of recruitment, only the game period, the merits of visiting the store, the type of business and the area where the store is located, etc. are disclosed.
It is good to hide information that is a clue for searching for a store name, a store location, and the like to enhance the game characteristics.

As in the first embodiment, the searcher applies for the search game participation to the manager of the position information notifying device and gives the telephone number.

[0106] Two searchers who have applied for participation in the game started on the same day are called searcher E and searcher F.

Each of the searcher E and the searcher F selects the type of information obtained from the manager of the position information notifying device from the direction and the distance. In the third embodiment, the searcher E selects the direction and the searcher F
Selected the distance.

The position information notification device manager notifies the searcher's portable terminal of the start of the game.

The searcher E made a telephone call to the manager of the position information notifying device to obtain the azimuth (θe1) of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher E, and displayed it on the liquid crystal display device of the portable terminal.

The searcher E moves to another place, calls the manager of the position information notification device again, and checks the direction (θe
2) was obtained (FIG. 6).

The searcher E estimated the position of the person to be searched from θe1 and θe2, and found the store of the person to be searched.

Further, the searcher F made a telephone call to the manager of the position information notifying device, and obtained the distance (rf1) to the search target person by voice. The searcher F moves to another location, calls the location information notification device manager again, and sets the distance (rf) to the search target person.
2) got. Further, the searcher F moved to another place and again called the manager of the position information notification device to obtain the distance (rf3) to the search target person.

Searcher F estimated the position of the person to be searched from the intersections of circles having radii rf1, rf2 and rf3, and found the store of the person to be searched (FIG. 7).

In the third embodiment, the searcher E and the searcher F continue searching separately. However, when the searcher E and the searcher F are acquaintances,
By exchanging information with each other, it is possible to more efficiently find the person to be searched.

(Embodiment 4) An example of a lost child search in which a searcher and a searcher having a portable terminal are acquaintances and the searcher searches for the searcher while the searcher and the searcher move together will be described. . The type of relative position information transmitted by the position information notification device manager can be selected from the azimuth and the distance.
So I got it both at the same time.

[0116] The person to be searched informs the manager of the location information notifying device that he or she is going to search for the person to be searched, his or her own telephone number and the telephone number of the searcher, and starts the search activity. At this time, the searcher is called G.

The searcher G makes a telephone call to the manager of the location information notifying device, and requests notification of the location information of the person to be searched. Using the communication at this time, the manager of the position information notification device specifies the position of the searcher G by a position search method using an existing mobile phone base station. At this time, the position of the searcher G was digitized by longitude and latitude, and was (Xg1, Yg1).

The location information notification device administrator makes a call to the person to be searched and specifies the position of the person to be searched by the position search method using the existing mobile phone base station using the communication. At this time, the position of the person to be searched was digitized by longitude and latitude, and was (Xq1, Yq1).

The position information (Xg1, Yg1), (Xq1, Yq
1) From 1), the manager of the position information notifying device calculates the azimuth (θg1) of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher G according to Expression 1, and notifies the searcher G.

[0120] The azimuth transmitted to the searcher G is displayed on a liquid crystal display device of a portable device carried by the searcher G. Although the displayed azimuth may be a numerical value, as in the first embodiment, an arrow indicating the direction in which the person to be searched is present is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel in conjunction with a geomagnetic sensor built in the portable terminal.

At the same time, the searcher G requests the position information notification device manager to notify the position information of the searched person. The location information notification device administrator calls the person to be searched and hears the position of the person to be searched specified using the GPS system. At this time, the position of the searcher G was (Xg1, Yg1) in longitude and latitude, and the position of the searched person was (Xq1, Yq1) in longitude and latitude.

The position information (Xg1, Yg1), (Xq1, Y
From q1), the location information notification device administrator calculates the distance (rg1) between the searcher G and the searched person according to Equation 3, and notifies the searcher G of the distance.

The transmission means may make a voice notification to the G portable terminal, or display an arrow indicating the direction in which the searched person is located on the liquid crystal display panel of the G portable terminal.

By the combination of the two pieces of relative position information, the searcher G can obtain the relative position information of the distance and the azimuth of the searched person and the searcher G, and accordingly, the lost G
Was able to be searched.

[0125]

According to the present invention, it is possible to construct a system in which a searcher searches for a person to be searched without using a special radio wave transmitter or receiver.

Further, by providing the position information provided to the searcher as one-dimensional information of only the distance and the azimuth, a game property is provided, and the searcher moves spatially to collect position information,
By exchanging information with an acquaintance, a new game for finding the position of the person to be searched can be constructed.

The game described above can be used not only as a new means of communication using a mobile phone or a mobile terminal, but also for PR at stores and events.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view when the position of a person to be searched when the position of the person to be searched is specified is quantified by longitude and latitude.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a direction in which a search target person is located is displayed on a searcher's mobile device in association with a geomagnetic sensor built into a mobile terminal.

FIG. 3 is a plan view when coordinates of a person to be searched are obtained by obtaining an intersection of an extension line of a direction;

FIG. 4 is a plan view when calculating the distance between the searcher and the search target based on the position information of the searcher and the position information of the search target;

FIG. 5 is a plan view when two-dimensional information that is relative position coordinates of a position of a searched person is obtained based on distance information obtained by a searcher.

FIG. 6: Obtains the direction of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher, moves to another location, calls the location information notification device manager again,
Plan view when the direction of the person to be searched is obtained

FIG. 7 is a table showing a search target based on the distance to the search target obtained by moving to another place after obtaining the distance to the search target by voice and the distance to the search target obtained by further moving; View when finding the store of the elderly

[Explanation of symbols]

1 orientation of the person to be searched as viewed from searcher A (θa1) 2 portable device of searcher A 3 liquid crystal panel of mobile device of searcher A 4 direction of searcher as viewed from searcher B (θb1) 5 A circle whose radius is the distance (rcl) between the searcher C and the person to be searched 6 A circle whose radius is the distance (rdl) between the searcher D and the person to be searched 7 The distance (rcl) between the person C and the person to be searched ) And the intersection point of the circle having the radius (rdl) between the searcher D and the searched person 8 as the radius 8 The direction (θe1) of the searched person viewed from the searcher E 9 After the searcher E moves The direction of the person to be searched (θe
2) 10 Example of travel route of searcher E 11 Distance (rf) between searcher F and store to be searched
l) 12 Distance (rf) between the searcher F and the store that is the searched person
1) A circle having a radius of 13 13 Distance (rf2) from the store to be searched after the searcher F has moved 14 Distance (rf2) from the store to be searched after the searcher F has moved The circle as the radius 15 The distance (rf3) between the searcher F and the store as the searched person after moving again 16 The distance (rf3) from the store as the searched person after the searcher F moves again as the radius Circle

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Nakao 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) FF25 HH21 JJ52 JJ56

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A means for specifying positional information of a person to be searched and a searcher, a relative positional relationship between the person to be searched and the searcher is specified from the position information, and the relative position information is notified to the searcher. A position information notification device comprising means for performing 2. The position information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the means for specifying the position information uses GPS (Global Positioning System), which is a global positioning system. 3. The position information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the means for specifying the position information uses a mobile phone base station. 4. The position information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position information is a relative coordinate between the person to be searched and the searcher. 5. The position information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position information is a distance and an azimuth between the searched person and the searched person. 6. The position information notifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative position information is a distance between a person to be searched and a searcher. 7. The position information notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position information is a direction of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher. 8. The position information notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position information is a hint and a mark for obtaining position information of the person to be searched. 9. A position information notifying device, wherein a means for notifying a searcher of relative position information is a mobile communication device. 10. The position information notifying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information is a portable device having a mobile communication function. 11. The position information notification according to claim 9, wherein the means for notifying the searcher of the relative position information displays the relative position information on a liquid crystal display device of a portable device carried by the searcher. apparatus. 12. A searcher applies for provision of relative position information to a position information notification device manager, and the position information is provided at a predetermined information provision start time or after a signal to start information provision from the searched person or the searcher. A position information notifying method in which a notifying device administrator specifies relative position information between a searcher and a person to be searched, and provides the relative position information to the searcher. 13. The position information notification method according to claim 12, wherein the application for providing the relative position information involves notifying the position information notification device administrator of a specific number of the searcher. 14. A person to be searched applies for notification of relative position information to a position information notifying device manager, and the position information notifying device administrator recruits searchers, and the searcher who has applied for the searcher and the person to be searched for. A position information notification method for specifying relative position information with a searcher and providing the relative position information to the searcher. 15. The position according to claim 14, wherein the application for the notification of the relative position information involves notifying the position information notification device manager of the specific number or address of the person to be searched. Information notification method. 16. The location information notification method according to claim 13, wherein the specific number is a telephone number. 17. After a searcher obtains information on the distance from the manager of the position information notification device to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or the azimuth of the search target as viewed from the searcher, after a lapse of time, A position information notification method, wherein similar one-dimensional information is obtained, and two-dimensional information, which is the relative position coordinates of the person to be searched, is obtained from each one-dimensional information. 18. The searcher obtains the distance from the manager of the position information notifying device to the person to be searched, which is one-dimensional information, or the information of the direction of the person to be searched as viewed from the searcher. And obtaining the same one-dimensional information, and obtaining two-dimensional information that is the relative position coordinates of the person to be searched from each one-dimensional information. 19. The searcher obtains the distance from the manager of the position information notification device to the search target, which is one-dimensional information, or the information of the direction of the search target as viewed from the searcher, and then obtains spatially different locations. Get similar one-dimensional information from other searchers in
A position information notification method characterized by obtaining two-dimensional information, which is relative position coordinates of a person to be searched, from each piece of one-dimensional information. 20. A mobile device comprising: a plurality of mobile devices; and means for detecting positions of the plurality of mobile devices, and calculating a relative position between specific mobile devices from mobile position information based on a position information search application from the mobile device. And a means for transmitting the calculated relative position information to the portable device. 21. A portable device comprising: means for issuing a relative position search request for a person to be searched; means for receiving relative position information; and means for indicating a relative position from the searcher to the person to be searched. machine. 22. A means for receiving a relative position search application to the person to be searched, means for detecting the position of the person to be searched and the position of the person to be searched, means for calculating a relative position from the position, A position information management device comprising means for transmitting information to a searcher. 23. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the means for detecting the position of the person to be searched and the position of the searcher include means for detecting a position in a base station reception area, and means for detecting base station position information. Item 22: Location information management device 24. A system comprising: means for detecting position information of a plurality of portable devices; and means for transmitting position information of a searcher and a person to be searched to a position information management device in response to an application for relative position search of a detector. Relay base station device. 25. A plurality of portable devices having a mechanism for applying for a relative position search of an arbitrary portable device, means for detecting the positions of the plurality of portable devices, and a searcher and a searched person receiving the application. A position information notification system comprising: a management device that calculates relative position information from the position information; and a unit that transmits the calculated relative position information to a portable device. 26. A location information notification system, wherein the location detection is performed by a base station apparatus.