JP2006211288A - Position confirmation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To be able to quickly and certainly check safety of disaster victims by the family or acquaintances, etc. , and reduce burden of the disaster victim side as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: The system is provided with a plurality of fixed point terminals which mount IC chips memorizing identification information of the user, are installed in various places with IC cards which have a communication function, memorize their installation position information, and can read the identification information; and a server which is connected to each of the plurality of the fixed point terminals through a network, and has a user database which stores information regarding to each user. If each of the plurality of the fixed point terminals reads the identification information, it uploads a time when the identification information is read and installation position information of the terminal with the identification information. The server memorizes the uploaded each information in the user database as information regarding to the user so as to be read when an external device accesses. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a position confirmation system for confirming the position of a user, and more particularly to a position confirmation system useful for confirming the safety of a victim in an emergency such as a disaster.

Examples of methods for confirming the safety of family members and acquaintances in an emergency such as the occurrence of a disaster are provided by telephone contact between the victim and their family members, acquaintances, etc. A method for confirming safety information (for example, character information) is widely known. With the recent popularization of mobile phones, safety confirmation systems using the mobile phones have been proposed and put into practical use (for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-254197 A NTT DoCoMo, Inc. [Search January 2005], Internet <http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/info/dengon/home.html>

  However, in the safety confirmation method by telephone communication, since many telephone communications and inquiries are concentrated in the disaster occurrence area and it becomes difficult to make a call, it may be difficult to confirm the safety promptly and reliably.

  In addition, in the safety confirmation method using the television broadcast etc., the disaster victim information that can be provided from the broadcasting station is enormous. Therefore, as in the case of the telephone contact, the safety information such as family and acquaintances required by the user can be quickly obtained. And it can be difficult to find out reliably.

  In addition, in a safety confirmation system using a mobile phone, it is necessary to access content and contact information for safety confirmation and further input some message there. That is, the user must perform a complicated operation of operating the mobile phone and inputting his / her safety information in an uneasy state such as when a disaster occurs.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is a position confirmation system useful for confirming the safety of a victim in an emergency such as a disaster, and a family, an acquaintance, etc. can quickly and reliably confirm the safety of the victim. It is an object of the present invention to provide a position confirmation system that can be confirmed easily and that reduces the burden on the victim as much as possible.

  A position confirmation system for confirming the position of a user according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes an IC card having an IC chip storing a user's identification information and having a communication function. A plurality of fixed terminals that are installed at various locations, store the position information, and can read the identification information; and a user database that is connected to each of the plurality of fixed terminals via a network and accumulates information about each user When each of the plurality of fixed terminals reads the identification information, the time of reading the identification information and its installation position information are uploaded to the server. Each uploaded information is stored in the user database as information related to the user so that it can be viewed when accessed from an external device.

  Note that the IC card and each of the plurality of fixed terminals may be able to communicate in a contactless manner. Further, the IC card may be Suica (registered trademark).

  In the position confirmation system according to the present invention, the communication situation does not deteriorate due to congestion, so that the family and acquaintances can quickly and surely grasp the user's safety and the approximate current position. In addition, a user who can be a disaster victim can convey his / her safety and situation without taking any action (mainly communication using a communication means) to a family member or acquaintance. Extremely mitigated and able to pay maximum attention to disasters.

  Hereinafter, a position confirmation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a position confirmation system 100 according to the present embodiment. The position confirmation system 100 according to the present embodiment can be used to the maximum extent in an emergency such as a disaster, for example, and includes a server 10, a communication network 50, a plurality of IC cards C1 to Cm, and a plurality of fixed terminals T1. To Tn and a plurality of terminals PC1 to PCz.

  The server 10 is connected to a network and can execute a service for disclosing the location information of the user who is the owner of the IC cards C1 to Cm to others. Then, the control unit 11 that performs overall control of the server 10, the memory 12 that stores programs executed by the control unit 11 and other various data, and the location confirmation service provided in the present embodiment are used. It has a user database 13 for storing information about users. Assuming that a disaster occurs in the area where the server 10 is installed, a mirror server that accumulates data in synchronization with the server 10 may be installed in a remote place or overseas.

  The communication network 50 is a network that can achieve connection between the server 10 and various communication devices (including fixed terminals T1 to Tn and terminals PC1 to PCz). The service may be provided free of charge or may be provided for a fee.

  In the present embodiment, the IC cards C1 to Cm are Suica (registered trademark) provided by, for example, East Japan Railway Company. As disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-042874, Suica incorporates an IC chip that stores information about the user, and can communicate with an automatic ticket gate in a station without contact. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2002-109570 and 2003-123149, it can also be used as a credit card or a debit card. The locations where Suica can be used are not limited to stations, but are gradually expanding to various convenience stores and various retail stores such as bookstores (East Japan Railway Company, [Search January 2005], Internet <See http://www.jreast.co.jp/suica/>). In addition, as the information regarding the user stored in the IC chip, for example, a user name, information as a commuter pass, information on a charged amount, information as a credit card, and the like are assumed.

  Further, the fixed terminals T1 to Tn are devices installed in an automatic ticket gate, a convenience store, a bookstore, etc. in a station where the IC cards C1 to Cm can be used, and information related to the user stored in the IC cards C1 to Cm. Is provided with a reader unit 21, a control unit 22 that performs overall control of the fixed terminal, and a memory 23 that stores programs executed by the control unit 22 and other various data.

  The terminals PC1 to PCz are terminals such as a well-known personal computer installed in the user's home, for example.

  For the user to use the location confirmation service of the present embodiment, for example, it is necessary to perform a registration process and acquire a user ID and a password. Various types of registration processes may be used. For example, the registration process may be performed on the web by accessing the website of a company that provides the service, the company or its affiliated store, or the service. It is envisaged that an application for registration is made at an agency that handles

  Next, the flow of the location confirmation service executed by the location confirmation system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user who owns the IC card C1 uses the IC card at the fixed terminal T1, which is an automatic ticket gate, the fixed terminal T1 reads the information related to the user name and the fare stored in the IC chip with the reader unit 21, It is temporarily stored in the memory 23. Then, the user name, own installation position information (for example, station name), and the time when the information is read are transmitted to the server 10 via the communication network 50.

  Based on the user name transmitted from the fixed terminal T1, the control unit 10 of the server 10 specifies that the received data is information related to the user of the IC card C1, and uses the installation position information as information related to the user of the IC card C1. And the reading time are stored in the user database 13.

  Further, for example, when the same user who owns the IC card C1 uses an IC card for shopping at the fixed terminal Tn which is a convenience store, the fixed terminal Tn has information related to the user name and electronic money stored in the IC chip. And the like are read by the reader unit 21, an arithmetic process (for information related to electronic money) is performed, and temporarily stored in the memory 23. Then, the user name, own installation position information (for example, store name), and the time when the information is read are transmitted to the server 10 via the communication network 50. The control unit 10 of the server 10 specifies that the received data is information related to the user of the IC card C1 based on the user name transmitted from the fixed terminal Tn, as described above, and relates to the user of the IC card C1. As the information, the installation position information and the reading time are stored in the user database 13.

  When the user uses the IC card in this way, the use location and use time are sequentially stored in the user database 13 of the server 10. That is, in the user database 13, for example, an accurate information such as “a user took a train from what station at what hour and what time, got off at what station at what hour and what time, and then shopping where and when at what hour” The movement history of the user including the time is accumulated.

  Here, for example, when a disaster occurs, it is known as a well-known fact that a line that is useful for position confirmation of a mobile phone or the like becomes congested due to an excessive communication request and becomes extremely difficult to connect. In this case, family members and acquaintances cannot immediately grasp the situation of the victims. However, the location confirmation system 100 provided in the present embodiment does not function in the congestion state as described above. Therefore, the family and acquaintances of the users of the IC cards C1 to Cm can quickly and surely grasp the user's safety and the general location where the user is present.

  In order for family members and acquaintances to grasp the status of IC card users, the user ID and the user ID obtained at the time of registration are accessed by accessing the site of this service with terminals PC1 to PCz or mobile phones that can be installed at home or Internet cafes. Just enter your password. For example, when the user ID and password of the IC card C1 are entered, the movement history of the user stored in the user database 13 is displayed on the screen of the terminal or mobile phone. By referring to the history and the update status of the subsequent history, the family and acquaintances can quickly and surely grasp the user's safety and the approximate current position. In addition, a user who can be a disaster victim can convey his / her safety and situation without taking any action (mainly communication using a communication means is assumed) to a family member or an acquaintance. Therefore, the burden is greatly reduced, and it is possible to pay maximum attention to disasters.

  Note that the movement histories (current positions) of a large number of users stored in the user database 13 may be configured to be publicly broadcast in cooperation with a television station, a radio station, or the like.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A deformation | transformation is possible in various ranges.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the position confirmation system 100 of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Server 13 User database 50 Communication network C1-Cm IC card T1-Tn Fixed terminal PC1-PCm Terminal 100 Location confirmation system

Claims (3)

In the position confirmation system for confirming the user's position,
An IC card equipped with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip storing user identification information and having a communication function;
A plurality of fixed terminals that are installed at various locations, store the installation position information, and can read the identification information;
A server having a user database connected to each of the plurality of fixed terminals via a network and storing information on each user, and
When each of the plurality of fixed terminals reads the identification information, it uploads the identification information along with the time of reading the identification information and its installation position information to the server,
The position confirmation system characterized in that the server stores each uploaded information in the user database as information about the user so that it can be browsed when accessed from an external device.   The position confirmation system according to claim 1, wherein the IC card and each of the plurality of fixed terminals can communicate with each other without contact.   The position confirmation system according to claim 1, wherein the IC card is Suica (registered trademark).

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