JP2002271835A - Information providing method, communication system, wireless communication unit, communication unit, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect prowling of a ward such as an elderly person or a child and to make contact with the guardian such as the family of the ward about detailed information of the ward. SOLUTION: The wireless communication unit 10 provided with an inexpensive wireless interface with a low transmission output is used to make communication with a 1st communication unit 20 (1st mobile communication unit 20a) such as a mobile phone carried by a guardian 200 so as to discriminate the prowling of the ward on the basis of a communication state between the wireless communication unit 10 and the 1st communication unit 20, when prowling is discriminated, the communication unit 10 transmits carrier is information such as the name and the contact place for the ward 100 to an upspecified 2nd communication unit 50 located in the vicinity of the ward 100, and the 2nd communication unit 50 (2nd communication unit 50b with an instrument) provides the received state information such as the contact place, the position information and the time information to the guardian 200.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing method for providing information on a person carrying a portable wireless communication device, a communication system to which the method is applied, a wireless communication device and a communication device used in the system, and a communication device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information providing method, a communication system, a wireless communication device, a communication device, and a computer program that allow a family to grasp the state of a wandering elderly person by carrying the wandering elderly person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the aging society, elderly people who wander away from the protection of their families have become a social problem.
Therefore, as a system for the family to grasp the location of the wandering elderly, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), mobile phones, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and GPS (Global Positioning system) wireless communication devices are carried to the wandering elderly. Then, a communication system which detects the position of the wireless communication device and provides it to a family is being put to practical use.

For example, in a communication system using a PHS, a mobile phone, and a PDA, the position of a base station communicating with a wireless communication device carried by an elderly person is provided to a family as the position of a wandering elderly person. In a communication system using GPS,
Wireless communication device with GPS function and GP carried by elderly person
By communicating with the S satellite, the position of the wireless communication device is detected and provided to the family as the position of the wandering elderly. And such a communication system is applied to not only the wandering elderly but also the children.

[0004]

The object of the invention is to, however PHS,
In a communication system using a mobile phone and a PDA, there is a problem that accuracy is poor because the position of the base station is provided as the position of the wandering elderly.

A wireless communication device having a GPS function is
It becomes expensive and raises a cost problem.

[0006] Furthermore, the conventional communication system is a system for providing location information when a family member who recognizes that the location of the elderly person is unknown tries to actively receive location information. , There is a problem that location information will not be provided unless family members notice.
This makes it more likely that an elderly man who is wandering without his or her family knowing that it will be involved in a traffic accident, or that the body will be in a dangerous situation, such as being disturbed, and even in a dangerous situation However, the conventional communication system has a problem that it is difficult for a family to grasp the situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and uses an inexpensive wireless communication device having a wireless interface, such as Bluetooth, having a low transmission output as a device to be carried by an elderly person. Communicates with a first communication device such as a mobile phone carried by a guardian of the guardian and a gas meter installed at the old man's residence, and based on the communication status between the wireless communication device carried by the old man and the first communication device, the old man Is determined, and when it is determined that the user is wandering, the information of the carrier such as the name and contact information of the elderly person is transmitted to an unspecified second communication device located near the elderly person, and the second communication device is determined. By providing the family with reception status information indicating information such as contact information, location information, and time information, it is possible to contact the family with information indicating the detailed location and status of the wandering elderly,
Moreover, it is a main object to provide an inexpensive information providing method, a communication system to which the method is applied, a wireless communication device and a communication device used in the system, and a computer program for realizing the communication device.

[0008] Other With the mobile phone second communication device, to provide a communication device or the like capable of contacting the detailed status of the image and calls wandering old man families with imaging means such as CCD camera The purpose of.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method using a wireless communication device and a communication terminal device connected to a communication network to receive information on the wireless communication device. In the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device transmits the recorded carrier information when the wireless communication with the first communication device that communicates with the wireless communication device cannot be performed with a predetermined signal strength or more, and the wireless communication device A second communication device that communicates with the communication device and that is different from the first communication device, generates status information indicating a reception status of the received personal information, and transmits the generated status information to the communication terminal device. and it features.

In the information providing method according to the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device having a wireless interface such as Bluetooth, which is inexpensive and has a low transmission output, is carried by a protected person such as an elderly person or a child who has a wandering habit. From the communication status between the wireless communication device and the first communication device such as a mobile phone carried by a guardian such as a family member who protects the person and a gas meter installed at the location of the guardian, If it is determined that the person is wandering, the information of the person to be protected, such as the name and contact information of the protected person, is transmitted, and the transmitted information of the carried person is unspecified, such as a gas meter or a mobile phone, located near the protected person. By receiving, directly or indirectly, the reception status information indicating the reception status of the carrier information from the second communication device to the communication terminal device when the second communication device receives the detailed position of the protected person And time To provide information of discripion is possible to provide to parents.

[0011] A communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising a portable wireless communication device and a communication terminal device connected to a communication network to receive information on the wireless communication device. a first communication apparatus including a wireless communication means for communicating, and a second communication apparatus including a communication network communication means for communicating with the wireless communication means and the communication terminal device communicating with the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device Comprises means for recording carrier information on the carrier, and means for transmitting a radio signal to the first communication device at a predetermined output intensity, wherein the first communication device transmits a radio signal by radio communication means. Means for detecting the strength of the received wireless signal when receiving, and when the strength of the detected wireless signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the wireless communication means Means for transmitting received information, the wireless communication apparatus further comprising: means for detecting whether or not received information has been received until a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the wireless signal, and detecting the reception of received information. Means for transmitting the recorded carrier information in the event that the
A communication unit configured to generate reception status information indicating a reception status of the received mobile information when the mobile information is received by the wireless communication unit, and to transmit the generated reception status information by the communication network communication unit; And means for performing the operation.

In the communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device having a wireless interface such as Bluetooth which is inexpensive and has a low transmission output is carried by a protected person such as an elderly person and a child who have a wandering habit. The protector is wandering in the wireless communication device according to the communication status between the wireless communication device and the first communication device such as the mobile phone carried by the protector and the gas meter installed at the location of the protector. When it is determined that the personal information such as the name and contact information of the protected person is transmitted, and when the unspecified second communication device located near the protected person receives the transmitted portable information, For example, by transmitting reception status information indicating the reception status of the carrier information to the communication terminal device managed by the guardian, the detailed position and time of the guardian indicated by the information such as the installation position of the second communication device Condition It is possible to provide reception status information such as information even if the guardian does not recognize wandering, thereby reducing the possibility that the protected person falls into a dangerous state, and constructing a system at low cost Is possible.

A communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the second aspect, further comprising a central unit connected to a communication network and providing information on the wireless communication device, wherein the central device is connected to the communication network by the second communication device. means for receiving the reception status information transmitted by the communication means, based on the reception status information received, means for generating information to be provided to the communication terminal device, the generated advertisement via said communication network Means for transmitting to the communication terminal device.

[0014] In the communication system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the reception status information transmitted from the second communication device is received by a central device such as a WWW server computer via a communication network such as the Internet, and based on the reception status information. By transmitting the provided information from the central device to the communication terminal device by a communication method such as a web page and e-mail, it is possible to provide the provided information such as the detailed position and time status of the protected person to the parent, Moreover, it is possible to build a system at a low cost. Furthermore, to the administrator of the second communication device, for the relay of information, discounts on public utilities such as gas and electricity, and the granting of member benefits for various services such as transportation such as airplanes and large stores are provided. By doing so, it is possible to establish a new commercial form.

[0015] A wireless communication apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is adapted to be carried and has means for recording carrier information including the carrier's name and contact information, and means for transmitting a radio signal at a predetermined output intensity. Means for detecting the presence or absence of a reception signal indicating that the transmitted wireless signal has been received at a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value until a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the wireless signal, and detecting the reception of the received signal. Means for transmitting the recorded carrier information when not performed.

In the wireless communication apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a family member or the like who protects the protected person is carried by an inexpensive wireless interface such as Bluetooth which is carried by a protected person such as an elderly person or a child who has a wandering habit and has a low transmission output. Communicates with a first communication device such as a mobile phone carried by the guardian and a gas meter installed at the guardian's residence, and determines that the guardian is wandering from the communication status with the first communication device. In this case, in order to transmit the personal information such as the name and contact information of the protected person to the guardian, an unspecified second device provided with means for transmitting information to the guardian located near the protected person. By transmitting the carrier information to the communication device,
It is possible to parents provided without aware of wandering, thereby it is possible to reduce the possibility that the parents fall into a dangerous condition.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the transmitting means transmits the radio signal intermittently at a predetermined cycle, and the detecting means operates continuously for a predetermined period. When the received signal is not received, it is determined that the received signal is not received.

In the wireless communication apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the reception signal is not received continuously for a predetermined period, it is determined that the reception signal has not been received. In this case, it is possible to prevent the carrier from erroneously recognizing that he is wandering.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising: a communication network communication means for connecting to a communication network; a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication without passing through the communication network; Means for generating reception status information indicating the reception status of the received communication target information when receiving the communication target information including the destination, and transmitting the generated reception status information to a predetermined transmission destination by the communication network communication means. Transmitting means.

In the communication device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the signal is transmitted from a wireless communication device carried by a protected person such as an elderly person or a child who has a wandering habit using a wireless interface such as Bluetooth which is inexpensive and has a low transmission output. When receiving the contact information such as personal information on the contact person of the protected person, etc., by directly or indirectly transmitting the information to the guardian protecting the protected person, the guardian can even not aware of the wandering it is possible to provide,
This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the protected person falls into a dangerous state.

The communication apparatus according to a seventh invention, in the sixth invention, means for recording identification information for identifying the wireless communication device for communicating with the wireless communication means, by the wireless communication means, a radio signal including the identification information means for receiving, detecting means for detecting the intensity of the received radio signal, the identification information included in the received radio signal, and collating means for collating the recorded and that the identification information, the radio signal detected by the detection means Means for transmitting reception information to a wireless communication device that is a source of a wireless signal, when the strength of the wireless communication device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the identification information matched by the matching means corresponds to the identification information. I do.

In the communication device according to the seventh invention, the communication device is used as a device for protecting a protected person by performing a collation process of a communication partner using identification information for identifying a specific wireless communication device. Is possible.

The communication device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the sixth or seventh aspect, further comprising means for recording contact information indicating contact information relating to the own device, wherein the generating means comprises the recorded contact information. None to produce a reception status information comprising and wherein the are.

[0024] In the communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the reception status information is provided directly or indirectly by including the contact information indicating the contact information of the administrator who manages the communication device in the reception status information. The guardian can contact the administrator to obtain detailed information about the guardian, thereby reducing the possibility of the guardian falling into a dangerous state.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the generation means generates reception status information including time information.

In the communication device according to the ninth aspect, by including the time information in the reception status information, the parent who has been provided with the reception status information can obtain detailed information on the protected person. is there.

A communication device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, further comprising: an imaging unit; and a unit configured to generate image information using the imaging unit. It is characterized in that reception status information including information is generated.

In the communication device according to the tenth aspect, by including the image information in the reception status information, the parent who has been provided with the reception status information can obtain detailed information on the protected person. is there.

A communication device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any of the sixth to ninth aspects, further comprising a measuring means for measuring a supply amount of the supply.

[0030] In the communication device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by using an installation type measuring instrument such as a gas meter, a tap water meter, and an electric meter for measuring the supply amounts of supplies such as gas, tap water, and electricity, Since the position of the protected person can be specified in detail and the existing infrastructure can be used for installation and communication of the device, a system can be constructed at low cost.

A communication device according to a twelfth aspect is the communication device according to any of the sixth to tenth aspects, wherein the communication device is portable.

In the communication device according to the twelfth aspect, a system can be constructed at low cost by using a portable device such as a PHS, a mobile phone, or a PDA, which has a high penetration rate.

A computer program according to a thirteenth invention is a computer program for causing a computer including a communication network communication means for connecting to a communication network and a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication not via the communication network to communicate with each other.
When the computer receives contact target information including the contact target name and contact information by the wireless communication means,
The method includes causing a computer to execute a procedure for generating reception status information indicating a reception status of the received contact target information and a procedure for causing a computer to transmit the generated reception status information to a predetermined destination by a communication network communication unit. And

[0034] In the computer program according to the thirteenth invention, using the JAVA (registered trademark) programming language program written in the, by executing at the mobile phone or the like of the computer, the management computer of the guardians The communication device operates as a communication device that can be transmitted to a person to be contacted, for example, a wireless communication device carried by a protected person such as an elderly person or a child who has a wandering habit.
When receiving the contact object information about the contact object which is transmitted using a wireless interface such as Uetooth, by transmitting directly or indirectly to the communication target parents, information about your subject, the guardian wandering It is possible to provide even if they do not recognize it, and thereby it is possible to reduce, for example, the possibility that a protected person falls into a dangerous state.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. . In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device 10 is carried by a protected person 100 such as an elderly person who has a wandering habit and a child who needs protection.

The protector 100 is a protector 200 such as a family member.
The guardian 200 manages the portable first communication device 20a such as the PHS, the mobile phone, and the PDA, and the guardian 100 and the guardian 200
A first communication device 20b with a measuring instrument such as a gas meter, a tap water meter, and an electric meter for measuring a supply amount of supplies such as gas, tap water, and electricity is provided.

Furthermore guardian 200 manages the communication terminal apparatus 30 using a personal computer, using the communication terminal device 30, various relay device, and a communication line, and transmission media such as a carrier wave Internet It is possible to connect to a central device 40 using a WWW server computer via a communication network NW such as a web server, and use communication services such as web pages and e-mail provided by the central device 40.

In addition to the guardian 200, the central device 40
An unspecified number of managers using the communication service of the first type are provided with the portable first communication device 20a and the first communication device with measuring device 20b.
And a portable second communication device 50a and a second communication device with measuring device 50b having the same functions as the above.

When the first communication device with measuring device 20b and the second communication device with measuring device 50b are used, a device such as a gas meter, a tap water meter, and an electric meter is provided with automatic meter reading and / or security. By using the communication function, the device can be diverted without adding a new communication function.

The wireless communication apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11 for controlling the entire apparatus, a recording means 12 for recording information such as a control program executed by the CPU 11 and various data, a RAM 13 for recording various data used when executing the control program, Biological information detecting means 14 such as a heart rate monitor and an acceleration sensor, and a low-cost and low-transmission-output Bluetooth
wireless communication means 15 for performing communication by using a wireless interface such as the wireless interface.

The recording means 12 includes the radio communication device 10
And identification information for identifying, and mobile phone's information such as contacts, as well as features such as the name of the guardian 100, address and telephone number,
The biological information such as the heart rate and the acceleration detected by the biological information detecting means 14 are recorded. Note that the identification information is device-specific information recorded at the time of manufacturing the wireless communication means 10, the carrier information is information input by the guardian 200, and the biological information is detected by the biological information detecting means 14 at a predetermined period. It is information updated in.

The portable first communication device 20a uses a computer for communication such as a PHS, a mobile phone, and a PDA. The CPU 21a controls various processes such as a communication process and a voice process, and is necessary for various processes. Means 22a for recording various programs and information such as various data, and a RAM 23a. The recording means 22a includes various programs such as software programs for sending and receiving e-mail, and the wireless communication device 10 carried by the protected person 100.
And various information such as contact information indicating the contact information of the guardian 200 are recorded.

The CPU 21a controls a first communication means 24a which is a wireless interface for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10, and the first communication means 24a has a first communication means.
Antenna A1 is connected. And the CPU 21a
It is controlling the communication control section 25a for controlling the input and output and transmission and reception of voice signals, the communication control unit 25a stores information such as a digital audio signal and the electronic mail, via the communication network NW from the second antenna A2 Second communication means 2 for transmitting and receiving
6a and an audio processing unit 27a that converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, outputs the analog audio signal from the speaker S, and converts an analog audio signal input from the microphone MK into a digital audio signal. The CPU 21a further includes a date / time instruction circuit 28a indicating date and time and a CCD (Charg
imaging means 29 using an imaging device such as an e-coupled device)
a, and receives necessary information from a key means K for keying in a telephone number and various instructions, and displays necessary information on a display means D for displaying various information such as keyed-in information and information to be transmitted / received. Let it. When the portable first communication device 20a is used in the dual mode using the PHS, the first communication means 24a and the second communication means 26a
May be one communication means.

The first communication device with measuring device 20b uses a measuring device provided with measuring means MS for measuring the supply amount of the supply as a computer, and controls the entire device.
PU 21b, recording means 22b for recording information such as programs and various data necessary for various processes, and RAM 2
3b. Further, the recording unit 22b includes identification information of the wireless communication device 10 carried by the protector 100, contact information indicating a contact address of the protector 200, and a first measurement device.
Position information indicating the position where the communication device 20b is installed is recorded. The first communication device with measuring device 20b is
A first communication unit 24b for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10, an antenna A, and a second wire connection to a communication network NW.
A communication unit 26b and a date / time instruction circuit 28b are provided.

The communication terminal device 30 is connected to a CPU 31 for controlling the entire device, recording means 32 such as a hard disk for recording information such as programs and data, a RAM 33 for storing information when various programs are executed, and a communication network NW. Communication means 34, input means 35 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and output means 36 such as a monitor and a printer
In the recording means 32, software programs such as a mailer and a browser are recorded, and by executing these software programs, communication processing such as transmission / reception of an e-mail and browsing of a web page can be performed.

The central unit 40 includes a CPU 41, a recording unit 4
2, a RAM 43, and a communication unit 44;
The 2, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) such as a Web page, which is described in a page description language has been recorded.

The portable second communication device 50a uses a communication computer such as a PHS, a mobile phone, and a PDA, and includes a CPU 51a, a recording unit 52a, and a RAM.
53a, first communication means 54a, communication control means 55a, second communication means 56a, voice processing means 57a, date and time instruction circuit 58a, imaging means 59a, first antenna A1, second antenna A2, speaker S, microphone MK, key Means K, display means D, and J recorded on the recording means 52a.
Reads information such as the program and data of the present invention described in a programming language such as AVA and the like.
By performing the CPU51a and stored in a, the computer for communication, portable second communication device of the present invention 50
It operates as a.

The information such as the program and the data of the present invention recorded in the recording unit 52a, for example the central unit 40
Information such as programs and data recorded in a programming language such as JAVA recorded in the communication network N
Obtained by taking in through W. Alternatively, information such as a program and data may be read from a recording medium such as a memory card on which information such as the program and data of the present invention has been recorded, and recorded in the recording means 52a.

The second communication device with measuring instrument 50b uses a measuring instrument having a measuring means MS for measuring the supply amount of the supply as a computer, and includes a CPU 51b, a recording means 52b, a RAM 53b, and a first communication means 54b. , A second communication means 56b, a date and time indicating circuit 58b, an antenna A, and a measuring means MS, and reads information such as a program and data of the present invention recorded in a recording means 52b.
The computer using the measuring instrument operates as the second communication device with a measuring instrument 50b of the present invention by storing it in the AM 53b and executing the program by the CPU 51b.

Next, wandering detection processing of the wireless communication device 10 and the first communication device 20 used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the first communication device 20 is used as a generic term for the portable first communication device 20a and the first communication device with measuring device 20b, and the portable second communication device 50a and The second communication device 50 is used as a generic term for the second communication device with a measuring device 50b, and components having the same name and the same function provided in each device are denoted by a or b in the reference numerals.
It is shown by the code excluding.

The wireless communication device 10 intermittently transmits a wireless signal having a predetermined output intensity including the identification information recorded in the recording means 12 to the first communication device 20 at a predetermined cycle (S101). The first communication device 20 is waiting in a state of waiting for reception of a wireless signal (S102), and when the first communication unit 24, which is a wireless communication unit, receives a wireless signal (S103), the first communication device 20 includes the wireless signal in the received wireless signal. The identified identification information is compared with the identification information recorded in the recording unit 22 (S104), and when the identification information corresponds (S105:
Y) Further, the strength of the received wireless signal is detected (S10).
6) When the detected intensity is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (S10)
7: Y), a reception signal indicating that the wireless signal has been received is transmitted to the wireless communication device 10 (S108).

That is, since the identification information corresponds in step S 105, the wireless communication device 10 that is the transmission source of the wireless signal allows the protected person 100 under the protection of the guardian 200 managing the first communication device 20. Wireless communication device 10 carried by
When the first communication device 20 is the portable first communication device 20a, since the strength of the wireless signal is equal to or more than the predetermined value in step S107, the protected person 100 and the guardian 200 If the first communication device is within a certain distance and the first communication device is the first communication device with a measuring device 20b, the protected person 100 is located in or near the residence, and both are under the protection of the guardian 200. It is determined that a certain protected person 100 is not in a wandering state. Note that the predetermined value serving as the reference for the determination in step S107 may be different between the portable first communication device 20a and the first communication device with measuring device 20b,
In particular, it is preferable to increase the predetermined value of the portable first communication device 20a, reduce the frequency of transmission to the wireless communication device 10, and prevent battery consumption.

If the identification information does not correspond according to the collation in step S104 (S105: N), the wireless communication device 10, which is the transmission source of the wireless signal, is under the protection of the guardian 200 managing the first communication device 20. It is determined that the person 100 is not the wireless communication device 10 carried by the protected person 100, and the process proceeds to step S1.
Returning to 02, the apparatus enters a wireless signal reception waiting state. Step S
If the strength of the wireless signal detected at 106 is less than the predetermined value (S107: N), it is determined that it is unknown whether the protected person 100 is in a wandering state, and the process returns to step S102 to receive the wireless signal. It goes into a waiting state. The wireless communication device 10 receives the received signal (S109), and proceeds to step S101.
Then, after a predetermined period elapses, the next wireless signal is transmitted.

Next, the wandering situation detecting process of the wireless communication device 10 and the second communication device 50 used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the wireless communication device 10, step S1
01, the time after the transmission of the radio signal is counted, the presence or absence of reception of the reception information is detected until a predetermined time elapses after the transmission of the radio signal (S201), and the reception signal is detected until the predetermined time elapses. Is not detected (S
202: N), the protected person 1 recorded in the recording means 12
The mobile terminal transmits the personal information such as the name, contact information, and characteristics of the user 00, and the biological information such as heart rate and acceleration that are detected and updated at a predetermined cycle (S20).
3). In step S202, when the reception of the reception information is detected before the predetermined time elapses (S202:
Y), the process of step S109 is performed. Note that the detection of the presence or absence of a received signal performed in step S202
When the received signal for the continuous predetermined period is not received, it is determined that the received signal is not received,
For example, if communication is temporarily disabled due to obstacles,
This prevents the non-protector 100 from erroneously recognizing that it is wandering.

In the second communication device 50 located around the wireless communication device 10, the first communication means 54, which is a wireless communication means,
As a result, the mobile device information transmitted from the wireless communication device 10 is received (S204). The second communication device 50, if the portable is a second communication device 50a, and displays the wearer information received from the display unit D (S205). And portable type 2
The administrator carrying the communication device 50a confirms the corresponding protected person 100 based on the displayed personal information, and performs an imaging input for operating the imaging unit 59a to image the protected person 100. Thus, the portable-type second communication device 50a
Receives the image capturing input (S206), and
Operates the a (S207), generates image information based on signals obtained by the imaging (S208). Then, the second communication device 50 generates the reception status information including the contact information, the position information, the time information indicating the reception time of the reception information, and the image information generated in step S208, which are recorded in the recording unit 52. (S209) The generated reception status information is transmitted by the second communication means 56 to a predetermined destination set in advance, that is, the central device 40 via the communication network NW (S210).

If the second communication device 50 is the second communication device with measuring device 50b, the steps S206 to S2 are performed.
08 is not performed, and therefore the image information is not used for generating the reception status information. The portable second communication device 50
Even in the case of a, the processing of steps S206 to S208 may not be performed, and the occurrence of human and mechanical loads such as various operations, processing loads, and communication loads may be suppressed. In the case of the installation-type second communication device with measuring instrument 50b, the position information uses the recorded installation position,
In the case of the portable second communication device 50a, position information obtained by communication with the nearest base station is used.

Next, the communication terminal device 30 and the central device 40 used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The information providing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The central device 40 receives the reception status information transmitted from the second communication device 50 (S301), and converts the provided information converted into a format that can be provided to the communication terminal device 30 based on the received reception status information. Generated (S30
2) The generated provision information is transmitted to the communication terminal device 30 (S303).

The communication terminal device 30 receives the provided information (S304) and outputs the received provided information (S30).
5). Then, the guardian 200 confirms the provided information that has been output, and performs actions such as contacting the administrator of the second communication device 50 and reporting to the confirmed police and hospital. The provided information is provided in various formats such as e-mails and web pages,
It is desirable to use it together with a push-type email that is forcibly transmitted from the central device 40 to the communication terminal device 30,
In addition, CGI (Common
Using interface Gateway Interface) or the like, may be provided information about a particular aided person 100 from the database based on the received status information recorded in the central unit 40 can be freely extracted.

[0059] In the above embodiment, although the first communication device 20 and the second communication device 50 as a different device, effectively a same device, when communicating with the wireless communication apparatus 10 as a communication partner In addition, we perform collation based on identification information,
If they correspond, they function as the first communication device 20;

In carrying out the service according to the present invention, it is desirable to make a registration system as to whether or not to allow the managed communication device to be used as the second communication device 50. If you cooperate with the service by using it, it is desirable to develop a new business model that gives incentives such as discounting gas rates, and for incentives, simply provide information, actually confirm safety, The amount and content of the incentive may be changed according to the status of information transmission or the like. In this case, the business entity managed by the central device 40 becomes a service form in which a fee is collected from the guardian 200, but the guardian 200 does not continuously make a contract and continuously pay the fee, but actually receives the fee. it means that pay a fee only if the guardian 100 is in the wandering state, it is possible to reduce the expense.

[0061] Also in the central unit 40, inferred and recorded wandering route reception status information may be provided to the guardian 200.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. . The second embodiment is a mode in which the reception status information is transmitted from the second communication device 50 to the communication terminal device 20 without using the central device 40 in the first embodiment, except that the central device 40 is not used. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Since the wandering detection processing in the second embodiment is the same as the wandering detection processing in the first embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 5 and the description thereof in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the wandering detection process and the information providing process of the communication terminal device 30 and the second communication device 50 used in the communication system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, steps S201 to S201 of the wandering detection process according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
The same processing as 208 is performed by the wireless communication device 10 and the second communication device 50. And the reception status information generated in step S208, the second communication unit 56, based on contact such as e-mail addresses included in the form's information,
The information is transmitted to the communication terminal device 30 (S401). At this time, a method may be adopted in which a telephone number is included in the contact information, and an administrator managing the second communication means 56 contacts the guardian 200.

The communication terminal device 30 receives the reception status information (S402), and outputs the received reception status information (S403). Then, the guardian 200 confirms the provided information that has been output, and performs actions such as contacting the administrator of the second communication device 50 and reporting to the confirmed police and hospital.

In the first and second embodiments, the form in which the information about the wandering of the elderly and children is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and animals such as domestic dogs and domestic cats, automobiles and valuables are provided. An object such as an article may be considered as a contact object that requires information to be communicated, and a form may be provided in which the behavior tracking of the animal contact object or the information about the theft of the object contact object is provided.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the form in which Bluetooth is used as the wireless communication means 15 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless communication means 15 may use a wireless interface such as a specific low-power wireless communication and infrared light. Is also good.

Then, as the communication terminal device 30, the communication network N
PHS, mobile phone, and PD that can explain W
A wireless communication device such as A may be used, and as the first communication device and the second communication device, an installation type communication device having no measuring means MS, for example, a door phone, a gate light, a mail box installed at an entrance of a house. Alternatively, a telephone line protector may be used.

[0069]

As described above in detail, in the information providing method, the communication system, the wireless communication device, the communication device, and the program according to the present invention, Bluetooth is inexpensive and has low transmission output.
h, a wireless communication device having a wireless interface,
A first communication device such as a mobile phone carried by a guardian such as a family member who protects the guardian and a gas meter installed at the guardian's residence; When it is determined from the communication status with the wireless communication device that the protected person is wandering in the wireless communication device, the information of the protected person is transmitted and the transmitted personal information such as the name and contact information of the protected person is transmitted. When the information is received by an unspecified second communication device such as a gas meter and a mobile phone located near the protected person,
By providing reception status information indicating the reception status of the carrier information directly or indirectly from the second communication device via a communication network such as the Internet to the guardian, the detailed position and time status of the guardian can be provided. It is possible to provide information such as information provided to the guardian, and to construct a system at low cost.

Further, in the present invention, the contact status information indicating the contact address of the administrator who manages the second communication device is included in the reception status information, so that the guardian who has received the reception status information directly or indirectly is provided. However, it is possible to contact the administrator to obtain detailed information about the protected person, thereby reducing the possibility of the protected person falling into a dangerous state. It works.

Further, according to the present invention, by including various information such as time information and image information in the reception status information, the guardian who has been provided with the reception status information can obtain detailed information on the protected person. And excellent effects such as being possible.

In the present invention, as the second communication device,
It is possible to specify the position of the protected person in detail by using a stationary meter such as a gas meter, a tap water meter, and an electric meter that measures the supply amount of supplies such as gas, tap water, and electricity. Since it is possible and the existing infrastructure can be used in the installation and communication of the device, excellent effects can be achieved, such as a low-cost system construction.

Further, in the present invention, as the second communication device,
By using a portable device such as a PHS, a mobile phone, and a PDA with a high penetration rate, an excellent effect is obtained, such as a system can be constructed at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a concept of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a wandering detection process of the wireless communication device and the first communication device used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a wandering situation detection process of the wireless communication device and the second communication device used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing process of a communication terminal device and a central device used in the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a concept of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a wandering detection process and an information providing process of a communication terminal device and a second communication device used in the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 wireless communication device 20 first communication device 20a portable first communication device 20b first communication device with measuring device 30 communication terminal device 40 central device 50 second communication device 50a portable second communication device 50b second communication with measuring device Device Protected person 100 Protector 200 Network communication network

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Gen Fujii 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. 5C086 AA22 BA30 CA06 CA25 CA28 DA14 DA16 EA45 5K067 BB04 BB21 DD17 DD52 EE02 EE10 EE16 EE25 EE35 FF02 FF05 GG01 GG02 GG11 HH05 HH22 HH23 HH24 KK13 KK15

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information providing method using a wireless communication device and a communication terminal device connected to a communication network to receive provision of information on the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device communicates with the wireless communication device. When the first communication device that performs wireless communication at a predetermined signal strength or higher is not available, the recorded communication information is transmitted, and the first communication device communicates with the first communication device. (2) An information providing method, wherein the communication device generates status information indicating a reception status of the received carrier information, and transmits the generated status information to the communication terminal device. 2. A portable radio communication apparatus in a communication system and a communication terminal apparatus connected to a communication network to receive information about the wireless communication device, a wireless communication means for communicating with the wireless communication device First
A communication device, and a second communication device including a wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless communication device and a communication network communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal device, wherein the wireless communication device records carrier information regarding a carrier. means for, said the first communication device and means for transmitting a radio signal at a predetermined output intensity, the first communication device, the wireless communication means, when receiving a radio signal, the received radio signals Means for detecting the strength, and means for transmitting reception information to the wireless communication device by wireless communication means when the strength of the detected wireless signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises: Means for detecting the presence or absence of reception of the reception information until a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the radio signal, and means for transmitting the recorded carrier information when the reception of the reception information is not detected The second communication device comprises: means for generating reception status information indicating a reception status of the received personal information when wireless information is received by the wireless communication means; Communication means for transmitting by a communication network communication means. 3. A central device connected to a communication network for providing information on the wireless communication device, wherein the central device receives reception status information transmitted by the second communication device by communication network communication means. And a means for generating provision information to be provided to the communication terminal device based on the received reception status information; and a means for transmitting the generated provision information to the communication terminal device via a communication network. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: 4. Yes forms in order to mobile, and means for recording the wearer information including mobile's name and contact information, and transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal at a predetermined output intensity, and transmits a radio signal A detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a reception signal indicating that the transmitted wireless signal has been received at a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined value until a predetermined time has elapsed; and Means for transmitting the recorded carrier information. 5. The transmitting means is adapted to transmit a radio signal intermittently at a predetermined cycle, and the detecting means, when not receiving a received signal for a continuous predetermined cycle, receiving a radio signal. 5. The wireless communication device according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to determine that the communication has not been received. 6. A communication network communication means for connecting to a communication network, a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication without passing through the communication network, and a communication target information including a name of a communication target and a contact address by the wireless communication means. When receiving, generating means for generating reception status information indicating the reception status of the received contact information, and means for transmitting the generated reception status information to a predetermined destination by a communication network communication means A communication device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. A means for recording identification information for identifying a wireless communication device communicating with the wireless communication means, a means for receiving a wireless signal containing identification information by the wireless communication means, and an intensity of the received wireless signal. Detection means for detecting the identification information included in the received wireless signal with the recorded identification information; and the strength of the wireless signal detected by the detection means is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and the matching means 7. The communication device according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that transmits reception information to a wireless communication device that has transmitted a wireless signal by a wireless communication unit when the matched identification information corresponds. 8. A recording apparatus, comprising: means for recording contact information indicating contact information relating to the own device; and wherein the generating means is adapted to generate reception status information including the recorded contact information. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication device performs the communication. 9. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said generating means generates reception status information including time information. 10. An image processing apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a unit configured to generate image information using the imaging unit, wherein the generation unit is configured to generate reception status information including the image information. Claims 6 to 9
The communication device according to any one of the above. 11. The communication device according to claim 6, further comprising a measuring unit that measures a supply amount of the supply. 12. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication device is portable. 13. A computer program for causing a computer having a communication network communication means for connecting to a communication network and a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication not via said communication network to communicate with each other, comprising: If you receive contact information including the name and contact information of
Causing the computer to execute a procedure for generating reception status information indicating a reception status of the received contact target information and a procedure for causing the computer to transmit the generated reception status information to a predetermined destination by a communication network communication unit. And a computer program.