JP2006250918A - METHOD OF GROUPING PLURAL IDs HAVING LOCATION INFORMATION, AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING LINE OF FLOW FOR USE IN PREDICTION OR INTERPOLATION OF THE LINE OF FLOW - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem without losing real-time performance, wherein the failure or delay in acquisition of location information necessary in acquiring the location information, in a system for managing the line of flow due becoming a large number of ID tags and very large data traffic over a network. <P>SOLUTION: A method includes a means of comparing the moving speed and direction among ID tags with a specified range among the ID tags for use, in recognizing a group following the same line made to flow from among multiple ID tags existing with the radio range, determining the grouping and generating a group line of flow; a means for predicting the line of flow by an extrapolation method; a means of interpolating the line of flow by an interpolation method; and a means of controlling the interference to an inhibited area, when interpolating the prediction of the line of flow with external information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to position information collection processing and flow line predictive interpolation for the purpose of enabling traffic reduction while ensuring real-time performance in a flow line management system.

Conventionally, when acquiring position information in a flow line management system, information is uniformly acquired for all ID tags. For this reason, as the number of ID tags increases, the data traffic on the network also becomes enormous, resulting in a situation where acquisition of necessary information fails or is delayed.
In addition, it was possible to cope with the increase in data traffic on the network by reducing the frequency of collecting location information, but in this case, the accuracy (real-time property) of location information was sacrificed.
As for the increase in data traffic on the network, there is a method of applying data compression. However, it is necessary to apply lossless compression because position information needs to be transmitted accurately over the network. However, since the compression rate is limited in lossless compression, it has not improved the situation in which acquisition of necessary information fails or is delayed.

Challenges to be solved

According to the present invention, when acquiring location information in a flow line management system, the number of ID tags becomes large and the data traffic on the network becomes enormous, resulting in failure or delay in acquisition of necessary location information. The problem is to solve the problem that occurs without losing the real-time property.

Means for solving the problem

In a system for managing flow lines of ID tags using RFID, management information of a plurality of ID tags is identified by ID numbers of the respective ID tags (hereinafter referred to as identification IDs).
The identification ID, position information, and information acquisition time of the identification ID are recorded at regular intervals.
The flow line of the ID tag means to follow the moving speed and the traveling direction in time series, and the same applies to both a single and a plurality of ID tags. Grouping refers to a management method in which ID tags having the same flow line and existing within a specified range are handled as the same group.
In order to recognize an ID group moving in a group at a certain time from among a plurality of IDs existing in the response range of the RFID system, data on the moving speed and traveling direction between each ID tag is acquired, The group is determined by comparing the data with a specified distance. In addition, a representative ID is selected from the group determined above.
Note that the “representative ID” herein refers to an identification ID possessed by an ID tag representing a group. Since the flow line of the representative ID is managed as the flow line of the group, the representative ID has a special meaning for the group.

The flow line management of all ID tags belonging to the group is performed based on the flow line of the representative ID and the attribute information of the group.
A single dynamic identification ID, a dynamic plurality of identification IDs, and a dynamic single or multiple groups are added to the group determined by the above-described means.
After the grouping is performed, the identification IDs individually separated from the group are deregistered from the group IDs, that is, the identification IDs separated from the management of the attribute ID are released or deleted.
In the process of leaving the group from the group, the identification ID that leaves the group ID is always single, and the process of sequentially leaving follows.
If the application requirements for the grouping process are satisfied among a plurality of identification IDs after leaving the group, the representative ID of the new group is determined at the same time.

In addition, when managing a plurality of identification IDs in a group as a group attribute, the identification ID belonging to the group as an attribute is referred to as an “attribute ID”, and the attribute ID includes attributes including individual position information, sampling cycle information, and the like A mechanism with information is provided, and the representative ID selected among them is treated as the representative of the group.
As a method for selecting a group, a method of selecting a representative ID that is positioned at the head in the traveling direction in the group and positioned at the left end when the flow line management range is viewed from the top is considered.
Unlike the other attribute IDs, this representative ID may have information on the number of members of the attribute ID excluding the representative ID belonging to the group.
The attribute ID issued for the representative ID is fixed.
Further, the “attribute ID” here is an identifier issued to all identification IDs belonging to the group, and it is defined that a representative ID is always placed at the head of them.

In the identification ID or group ID, a setting with a high priority according to the basic setting is normally set as the sampling interval, and for the attribute ID, the sampling interval is also set according to the basic setting, but the priority is low. It is conceivable to basically set the sampling interval.
Regarding the sampling interval at this time, a high priority means a short time, and a low priority means a longer time than the sampling interval when the priority is high.
The identification ID managed as a group attribute is intended to reduce traffic in the network, and can arbitrarily control the sampling interval of position information. The setting method is variable using an initial value or a file. Can be obtained from a functional block that performs operation control such as a GUI or GUI, and has a mechanism capable of operating a sampling interval of position information arbitrarily or dynamically, and an identification ID managed as each attribute It is possible to set individually.
As for the attributes in the group ID, it is not always necessary to transfer all data to the local server, and only the identification ID that becomes the representative ID always needs to be transferred.
Further, regarding other attribute IDs, it is conceivable that discrete / set occurs.
Transfer is performed only when the data in the group ID changes due to the above, or when each attribute information is updated according to the sampling interval.
However, even at this time, it is conceivable to transfer data only for attribute IDs in which differences have occurred.

Some of the local areas are overlapped with each other. This is intended to ensure the movement of the ID tag between areas. As long as the ID tag exists in the local area to which the ID tag belongs, management of the identification ID or group ID is performed by the local area to which the ID tag belongs. At this time, even if the above-described ID tag is detected in a partially overlapping new local area, this is invalidated.
The identification ID or group ID in the new local area is validated when the definition between the local areas in the adjacent local area is exceeded in the traveling direction. Also, if the ID is detected in the local area to which it previously belonged, this is invalidated.
A method of managing the movement of the identification ID or group ID by controlling the local PC that manages the local area defined above is called inter-local area definition.

In the above-described method of moving the control of identification IDs or group IDs between local areas, the movement history even when the identification ID or group ID that has completed the transfer of control reverses and moves to the local area of the movement source If not, the process of claim 5 is applied.

Also in the local server, duplication processing between local areas occurs in the same manner as between local areas. It is conceivable to cope with this by using the means of claim 5. For the effective data obtained as a result, the attribute ID belonging to each group ID and the position information of the attribute ID are extracted, the relative coordinates with the representative ID are calculated, and the absolute value coordinates are stored for the representative ID.

The flow line prediction method in the flow line management system of the present invention predicts a flow line by the extrapolation method shown in FIG. For a normal flow line, the traveling direction is determined by extending the nearest vector of the identification ID or group ID. The predicted position at this time is called a predicted point. In order to allow a certain amount of error, it is conceivable to have a range in the flow line prediction, but it is conceivable that the range is realized by a polygon or a circle and an ellipse represented by a triangle. . The distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID.

Regardless of indoors or outdoors, there is a prohibited area for flow line management within the range managed by the flow line management system of the present invention. The forbidden area refers to an area in which a person with an ID tag or a person other than a person is assumed not to enter. For the definition of prohibited areas, use file formats that can be expressed in 2D or 3D dimensions, such as DXF and IGES, or information in an equivalent information format. And manage ID tag interference to the forbidden area defined above.
Also, the flow line prediction method used near the prohibited area is to predict the flow line by an extrapolation method and an allowable range. The direction of the flow line of the ID tag approaching the forbidden area is determined by placing a right angle on the predicted point with the current location of the ID tag as a base point, based on the vector nearest to the identification ID or group ID.
The distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID and the sampling interval. The direction of the hypotenuse of the right triangle is determined by the distance from the prohibited area. At this time, the movement to the prediction point is monitored in real time, and if the corresponding identification ID or group ID is detected within the range of the right triangle arranged at the prediction point, it is determined that the prediction point is correct. When the current position of the ID is outside the right triangle arranged at the prediction point, the prediction is once canceled and a new flow line prediction is performed.
However, at the time of such cancellation, the distance is recalculated taking into account the passage of time to the predicted point. When the set time has passed without departing from the right triangle arranged toward the prediction point, the prediction point is updated based on the latest sampling result.

The flow line prediction is a process mainly intended to be performed for an identification ID or group ID whose priority of the sampling interval is lowered by the means of claim 4, and the flow line prediction is not always performed. By applying, it is possible to provide real-time information quality in the flow line. The combination with the grouping process contributes to traffic reduction on the network. However, this is not to be applied only to identification IDs or group IDs with low priority.

The method for predicting the flow line used in the vicinity of a special prohibited area is based on the method described in claim 8, but the obstacle in the prohibited area is an angle represented by a columnar shape, a convex shape, or a right angle. It is assumed that the movement path of the ID tag wraps around an arc avoiding the prohibited area. In this case, it is conceivable to use a circle in addition to the right triangle defined in the eighth aspect.
Therefore, according to the above-described means, the predicted point calculated according to the latest flow line vector of the ID tag has a locus that draws a semicircle with respect to the direction in which the prohibited area is to be avoided.
The direction of the semicircle is determined by the degree of interference with the prohibited area.
After the prediction point is determined, the movement of the identification ID or group ID to the prediction point is monitored in real time.
At this time, if the above-mentioned ID is detected within the range of the flow line prediction, it is determined that the prediction point is correct.
When the current position of the ID tag is outside the range of the flow line prediction, the prediction is once canceled and a new flow line prediction is performed. However, in the case of such cancellation, the distance is recalculated taking into account the passage of time to the predicted point.
When the set time has passed without the current position of the ID tag being out of the flow line prediction range, the prediction point is updated based on the latest sampling result.
(As an example, a method for predicting a flow line in a semicircle has been described, but the method is not limited to this.)
In addition, when the above-mentioned trajectory tendency is predicted in advance, it may be possible to provide a mechanism that enables the flow line prediction by setting an arbitrary angle by setting from the outside. In addition, it is conceivable that the setting of an arbitrary angle can be set individually for each prohibited area, or can be set collectively. In addition, these individual settings and overall settings may overlap and have priority.

As for the prediction of the flow line that the ID tag tries to avoid the prohibited area, a means for setting the avoidance prediction method for each prohibited area in advance can be considered. In this case, it is conceivable to set a prediction area for avoidance along the prohibited area, and predict a locus for avoiding the prohibited area with an angle of incidence on the prediction area.
In addition, for approaching a prohibited area, a method of grasping a prohibited area prepared in advance and performing a flow line prediction and a function of confirming interference between the ID movement locus and the prohibited area after calculation of a predicted point are provided.
The above-mentioned definition of “interference between an ID movement locus and a prohibited region” in the present invention is an interference between a direct interference with the boundary of the prohibited region and a boundary with a margin of an arbitrary distance from the prohibited region.
When the interference with the prohibited area defined above is detected, the flow line prediction based on the straight line vector is canceled and the function of avoiding by diffraction or semicircle depending on the shape of the obstacle in the prohibited area is provided.

The flow line interpolation according to the present invention is a means particularly effective for setting a low sampling interval defined by claim 4. This is because real-time display is performed for the ID group having the shortest sampling interval among the displayed identification IDs or group ID groups, but the other ID groups do not have real-time properties.
The determination of the flow line complementation target is intentionally performed using a preset identifier.
The “target ID” for flow line complementation of the present invention indicates ID data to be displayed, such as an identification ID or a group ID.
The display process is synchronized with the shortest sampling interval by the flow line interpolation. At this time, for the target ID, data for tracing the flow line of the target ID is generated by interpolation processing.
The position information possessed by the target ID described above naturally indicates a predicted point, and the current position is obtained based on the predicted point. For this reason, each target ID includes position information, velocity information, and direction information, and a process for realizing the flow line complementation by comparing the identifier of the flow line complementation target and the actual sampling interval and the shortest sampling interval. To tell.

The following two methods can be considered for the interference with the flow line supplement prohibited region. One is a method having a shape such as a semicircle, a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. The other is a method of performing interpolation by presetting avoidance tendency information of prohibited areas.
Flow line interpolation is performed using the coordinate data of the current position, predicted position, and prohibited area, and if the area between the current position and the prohibited area falls within the specified range, or if it falls into the prohibited area, avoidance processing is performed. . In the avoidance process, the distance between the predicted position and the current position is measured, and the semicircular locus is set as the diameter value of the semicircle used for avoiding diffraction based on the measurement result. This is referred to as a route for the flow line interpolation.
By using this method, it is possible to realize a flow line at a constant interval on the display by using the speed data for the above-described target ID.

Personnel fluidity, such as turning a certain narrow road, a turning angle with a representative angle at right angles, etc., or narrowing the distance between attribute IDs belonging to a group when the group passes through them Process according to. This also has information on the prohibited area data, and corresponds to the flow line of the target ID with correction coefficients for both the distance between the ID tags and the specified range in the traveling direction and the horizontal direction. is there. Therefore, the above-mentioned means copes with the crowding to the narrow road or the corner.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a simple configuration of a flow line management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The flow line management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is composed of an interrogator, a local area, a local PC, a local server area, a local server, and a GUI PC.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical relationship and components of the flow line management system according to the embodiment of this invention.
The ID tag acquisition data transferred from the interrogator managed in each local area is once collected in the local PC and then moved to the local server. It also indicates that input / output is performed on the GUI PC.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overlap between the local area and the adjacent area according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, a part is overlapped between adjacent local areas.
Next, the position information is acquired and generated from the interrogator and transmitted to the local PC. In the local PC, the information of each interrogator is organized, and after duplication is confirmed by the definition between the local PCs, the position is calculated from the distance information in three directions for the same ID tag, and converted into position information as two-dimensional information. Use later. Regarding the moving speed and the moving direction, after further acquiring information between two points in time series, the speed is calculated from the moving distance, and the direction is calculated from the difference between the moved coordinates. In this manner, the position information, the traveling direction, and the moving speed information for each ID tag are acquired.
The above is one of the embodiments, and for each process, the process hierarchy may be shifted to an arbitrary hierarchy depending on the situation and environment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the flow line prediction interpolation in the straight line according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This is a part of the process of predicting a flow line by extrapolation, and indicates that the distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a flow line predictive interpolation having an allowable error according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This is a method for predicting a flow line that is used near the prohibited area by a right triangle. Due to the extrapolation method and tolerance, the flow line of the ID tag approaching the forbidden area is determined by setting the direction perpendicular to the predicted point based on the current location of the ID tag by the nearest vector of the identification ID or group ID. Indicates. The distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID and the sampling interval. The direction of the hypotenuse of the right triangle is determined by the distance from the prohibited area.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a flow line predictive interpolation using a semicircle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic process flow diagram from ID detection to display according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The processing order displayed on the flow line GUI PC after the ID tag detection, the grouping process, the flow line prediction process, and the flow line complement process is shown.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic process flow diagram of the grouping process of the embodiment of the present invention.
A processing order in which processing is performed in the order of ID detection, group detection, and grouping after the position information sampling is shown.
If ID detection is YES, the process proceeds to group detection. If the group detection is NG, it is determined that the group does not exist. If YES, the grouping process is performed.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic process flow diagram of the flow line prediction process of the embodiment of the present invention.
When the shortest sampling interval in the ID group is NO, the flow line prediction flag is turned ON, and it is determined whether or not it interferes with the prohibited area. If the above determination is YES, the process moves to the determination of whether or not to perform a (diffraction) flow line that bypasses the prohibited area, and depending on the situation, the triangle prediction process shown in FIG. 5 or the semicircle shown in FIG. A prediction process is selected.
Further, when the above determination is NO, the prediction process is selected.

FIG. 10 is a schematic process flow diagram of the flow line interpolation process of the embodiment of the present invention.
In the case of a group, the attribute information is expanded and a prediction flag is detected. Next, it is a processing flow for determining an interference method with the prohibited area and performing an appropriate process. In the case of a single identification ID, the attribute expansion process is omitted.

FIG. 11 shows the group structure of the embodiment of the present invention.
As for the group configuration method, the group (7) is composed of one representative ID (5) as a base point of the group and one or more other IDs (6) belonging to the group.
As described above, by grouping identification IDs, the movement of identification IDs belonging to a group can be approximated by the movement of the group. Therefore, if the frequency of collecting position information for only the representative ID is increased for the group movement, the increase in traffic can be reduced without degrading the accuracy of the position information even if the frequency of collecting position information for other identification IDs is lowered. Is possible.

12-14 is a figure which shows the process until it comprises the group of the Example of this invention.

FIG. 12 shows the start of grouping. A representative ID is selected from the IDs for grouping.
Here, the representative ID selection method is defined as being at the beginning and the left end in the traveling direction. This method arbitrarily corresponds to the installation requirements of each system, and it is desirable that it can be changed by initial setting or the like. In addition, even if the setting condition is deviated in the advancing direction and the lateral direction after selection, it functions as a representative ID. Among identification IDs that are not representative and are not associated with each other at regular intervals, the distance between tags is within the specified range, both the traveling direction and the moving speed are equal, and are associated with other representative IDs If there is an identification ID that satisfies those conditions, it is associated (8). Here, a supplementary description will be given of the designated range in the fixed period and the distance between the tags. This may be an arbitrarily variable initial setting or direct designation by a user interface such as a GUI. Subsequent expressions that have the same meaning have the same meaning. The association at this point indicates that the representative ID is under monitoring for the purpose of determining whether or not other identification IDs can be grouped, and at this point, each ID does not belong to a group It is.

FIG. 13 shows a state in the middle of grouping. For the identification ID associated with the representative ID, the distance from the representative ID is obtained every specified time thereafter, and the association is canceled if the distance is out of the specified range.

FIG. 14 shows the completion of grouping. When the association between the identification ID and the identification ID associated with the representative ID is maintained for a specified time or more, the associated identification ID belongs to the group of representative IDs. At this point, grouping is complete.
Therefore, in a situation where the association is merely performed, each identification ID is independent and performs independent processing.
Information management starts as a group when grouping is completed.

As for the method of canceling the group, the attribute ID belonging to the group obtains the distance from the representative ID every time the position information is collected, and if the distance is out of the specified range, the association with the group is canceled.
For the designated range in this case, an arbitrarily variable initial setting or the like or direct designation by a user interface such as a GUI can be considered, and when the same expression is performed thereafter, it has the same meaning. In addition, it is desirable that the setting items be different from the specified range in the above grouping. This is because it is possible to easily change the strength of the connection once grouped. In addition, it is conceivable to add a determination process such as waiting for return. The representative ID is released from the representative ID of the group when there is no identification ID that is neither representative nor associated within the specified distance. When the representative ID is released, the group is released.

15 to 17 illustrate a process of performing flow line management by grouping the embodiments of the present invention.
For collection of position information of IDs belonging to a group, a collection interval with accuracy (real-time property) required for only representative IDs among IDs belonging to the group is set. For identification IDs other than the representative ID, after collecting the position information collection interval so far, a collection interval longer than the representative ID is newly set. As a result, the number of times position information is collected can be reduced. For points other than the representative ID, the points during the actual position collection shown in FIG. 15 can be approximated by the interpolated position (10) shown in FIG. 17 from the group movement (position) shown in FIG. Therefore, the accuracy of the entire position information can be maintained.
However, it goes without saying that a position information collection interval can be varied for each group ID.

When the representative ID itself is released from the group, the same process as the attribute ID releasing method is performed. However, when the representative ID is absent, it is necessary to select the next representative ID. In this case, the representative ID selection method includes a method of selecting the above-described representative ID without canceling the group, a method of selecting the representative ID after canceling the group once, and a method of selecting the representative ID by a simple agreement. Conceivable. These methods are referred to as representative ID replacement methods.

There is no specific upper limit for group members. For example, it is conceivable that people line up across the width of a road or passage. A situation that satisfies the requirements for establishing a group having the same identity in the same distance, speed, and direction can be easily assumed by assuming the beginning of the New Year or leaving the concert hall. In such a case, setting the grouping member upper limit should depend on the system configuration requirements, and there is no need to set the upper limit here. This is because the grouping process of the present system can flexibly cope with the state by combining the grouping cancellation or representative ID replacement methods.

As for the approach between groups at different moving speeds, the grouping process does not occur because the requirements for establishment of grouping are not satisfied due to differences in moving speeds.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating coupling between groups according to the embodiment of this invention.
In the case of merging between groups, the group ID is determined if the moving speed, the traveling direction, and the specified range are the same, as in the case where a single identification ID performs grouping processing with the group ID. Will be applied. At this time, even if each group stops during merging, if the establishment requirement is satisfied, it is assumed that there is no problem.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating departure from a group according to an embodiment of this invention.
Even in the case where a single group and discrete groups occur, each phenomenon is decomposed into a method for releasing each identification ID, and parallel processing is executed.

Regarding the designated range of grouping, it is conceivable to apply the method for fixing to a representative ID and for each attribute ID.

The GUI part of the flow line management system according to the present invention may be a stand-alone display in a single environment or a method of displaying in a plurality of environments using a display function of a browser or the like via a LAN. .

20-22 show the case where opposing groups of the embodiment of the present invention intersect.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the case where the groups are approaching and crossing 22 from the opposite direction, the grouping process is not performed due to the difference in the moving direction. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with the movement of the attribute ID that occurs at the time of intersection by adjusting the release designated distance and installing special conditions.

In the case where the moving speed has changed regardless of whether it is single or plural in a part of the group, it is considered that the group is not released within the range of the group release designated distance. However, it is also possible to actively cancel the group as necessary.

The prediction range having a right triangle in the flow line prediction / complementation is not limited to a right triangle, and a regular triangle, an isosceles triangle, etc. can be flexibly handled if necessary. In addition, about the setting of a prediction range, it can also consider performing a shape and range setting by an initial setting previously.

In the flow line prediction, it is easy to imagine a case where the prediction point is not reached in a state where the prediction range is maintained, or a case where the prediction point is exceeded when the sampling interval is reached. In this case, the difference is absorbed in the next flow line prediction.

The invention's effect

By using the present invention, data traffic on the network can be greatly reduced without deteriorating the position accuracy of the ID tag. Accordingly, it is possible to process a large amount of flow lines that could not be achieved by the conventional technology with the same system configuration.
The present invention is a technique that can be applied regardless of the use of a conventional technique (such as a data compression technique). Rather, the effect can be further expanded by using the technique together.
By using the present invention, it is possible to acquire a large amount of flow line information having high real-time characteristics for a person having an ID tag.

For example, it is conceivable to investigate the flow of people in a place where a large amount of people gather, such as a station passage or an airport lobby. At that time, it can be estimated that detailed data maintaining the real-time property can be obtained in the same manner as the characteristics of the flow line.
In addition, group information can be used as significant information for management and marketing by using it together with position information and flow line information. For example, in an amusement park, etc., it has been necessary to explicitly perform the analysis of attractions and courses that tend to be frequently used by families and groups of friends. It becomes possible to collect information automatically.

It goes without saying that the invention of the present invention can be used not only for ID tags held by people but also for logistics management such as SCM. The same applies to the management of flow lines for things that flow.

The figure which shows the simple structure of the flow line management system of this invention. The figure which shows the component and hierarchy relationship of the flow line management system of this invention. The figure which shows duplication with the local area and adjacent area of this invention. It is a graph which shows the flow line prediction interpolation in the straight line of this invention. It is a graph which shows the flow line prediction interpolation with the tolerance of this invention. The figure which shows the flow line prediction interpolation by the semicircle of this invention. The schematic process flow figure from ID tag detection to display of the present invention of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic process flow diagram of grouping processing of the present invention. The schematic process flow figure of the flow line prediction process of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic process flow diagram of flow line interpolation processing of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the group of this invention. The figure which shows the process until it comprises the group of this invention. The figure which shows the process until it comprises the group of this invention. The figure which shows the process until it comprises the group of this invention. The figure which shows the process of performing position interpolation, reducing data traffic by grouping of this invention. The figure which shows the process of performing position interpolation, reducing data traffic by grouping of this invention. The figure which shows the process of performing position interpolation, reducing data traffic by grouping of this invention. The figure which shows the coupling | bonding of the groups of this invention. The figure which shows the detachment | leave from the group of this invention. The figure which shows the crossing of the group which opposes this invention. The figure which shows the crossing of the group which opposes this invention. The figure which shows the crossing of the group which opposes this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Interrogator area 2 Local area 3 Local server area 4 Local area redundant part 5 Representative ID
ID belonging to 6 groups
7 Group 8 Association state 9 Distance between tags 10 ID position interpolated from group movement

Claims (15)

In a system for managing flow lines of ID tags using RFID, management information of a plurality of ID tags is identified by ID numbers of the respective ID tags (hereinafter referred to as identification IDs).
The identification ID, position information, and information acquisition time of the identification ID are recorded at regular intervals.
The flow line of the ID tag means to follow the moving speed and the traveling direction in time series, and the same applies to both a single and a plurality of ID tags. Grouping refers to a management method in which ID tags having the same flow line and existing within a specified range are handled as the same group.
In order to recognize an ID group moving in a group at a certain time from among a plurality of IDs existing in the response range of the RFID system, data on the moving speed and traveling direction between each ID tag is acquired, The group is determined by comparing the data with a specified distance. In addition, a representative ID is selected from the group determined above.
Note that the “representative ID” herein refers to an identification ID possessed by an ID tag representing a group. Since the flow line of the representative ID is managed as the flow line of the group, the representative ID has a special meaning for the group.
A grouping processing method characterized by the above-mentioned means. The flow line management of all ID tags belonging to the group is performed based on the flow line of the representative ID and the attribute information of the group.
A single dynamic identification ID, a dynamic plurality of identification IDs, and a dynamic single or multiple groups are added to the group determined by the above-described means.
After the grouping is performed, the identification IDs individually separated from the group are deregistered from the group IDs, that is, the identification IDs separated from the management of the attribute ID are released or deleted.
In the process of leaving the group from the group, the identification ID that leaves the group ID is always single, and the process of sequentially leaving follows.
If the application requirements for the grouping process are satisfied among a plurality of identification IDs after leaving the group, the representative ID of the new group is determined at the same time.
A grouping processing method characterized by the above-mentioned means. In addition, when managing a plurality of identification IDs in a group as a group attribute, the identification ID belonging to the group as an attribute is referred to as an “attribute ID”, and the attribute ID includes attributes including individual position information, sampling cycle information, and the like A mechanism with information is provided, and the representative ID selected among them is treated as the representative of the group.
As a method for selecting a group, a method of selecting a representative ID that is positioned at the head in the traveling direction in the group and positioned at the left end when the flow line management range is viewed from the top is considered.
Unlike the other attribute IDs, this representative ID may have information on the number of members of the attribute ID excluding the representative ID belonging to the group.
The attribute ID issued for the representative ID is fixed.
Further, the “attribute ID” here is an identifier issued to all identification IDs belonging to the group, and it is defined that a representative ID is always placed at the head of them.
A grouping process characterized by the above-mentioned means. In the identification ID or group ID, a setting with a high priority according to the basic setting is normally set as the sampling interval, and for the attribute ID, the sampling interval is also set according to the basic setting, but the priority is low. It is conceivable to basically set the sampling interval.
Regarding the sampling interval at this time, a high priority means a short time, and a low priority means a longer time than the sampling interval when the priority is high.
The identification ID managed as a group attribute is intended to reduce traffic in the network, and can arbitrarily control the sampling interval of position information. The setting method is variable using an initial value or a file. Can be obtained from a functional block that performs operation control such as a GUI or GUI, and has a mechanism capable of operating a sampling interval of position information arbitrarily or dynamically, and an identification ID managed as each attribute It is possible to set individually.
As for the attributes in the group ID, it is not always necessary to transfer all data to the local server, and only the identification ID that becomes the representative ID always needs to be transferred.
Further, regarding other attribute IDs, it is conceivable that discrete / set occurs.
Transfer is performed only when the data in the group ID changes due to the above, or when each attribute information is updated according to the sampling interval.
However, even at this time, it is conceivable to transfer data only for attribute IDs in which differences have occurred.
A grouping processing method characterized by the above-mentioned means. Some of the local areas are overlapped with each other. This is intended to ensure the movement of the ID tag between areas. As long as the ID tag exists in the local area to which the ID tag belongs, management of the identification ID or group ID is performed by the local area to which the ID tag belongs. At this time, even if the above-described ID tag is detected in a partially overlapping new local area, this is invalidated.
The identification ID or group ID in the new local area is validated when the definition between the local areas in the adjacent local area is exceeded in the traveling direction. Also, if the ID is detected in the local area to which it previously belonged, this is invalidated.
A method of managing the movement of the identification ID or group ID by controlling the local PC that manages the local area defined above is called inter-local area definition. A flow line management system characterized by the above-mentioned means. In the above-described method of moving the control of identification IDs or group IDs between local areas, the movement history even when the identification ID or group ID that has completed the transfer of control reverses and moves to the local area of the movement source again. If not, the process of claim 5 is applied.
A flow line management system characterized by the above-mentioned means. Also in the local server, duplication processing between local areas occurs in the same manner as between local areas. It is conceivable to cope with this by using the means of claim 5. For the effective data obtained as a result, the attribute ID belonging to each group ID and the position information of the attribute ID are extracted, the relative coordinates with the representative ID are calculated, and the absolute value coordinates are stored for the representative ID.
A flow line management system characterized by the above-mentioned means. The flow line prediction method in the flow line management system of the present invention predicts a flow line by extrapolation. For a normal flow line, the traveling direction is determined by extending the nearest vector of the identification ID or group ID. The predicted position at this time is called a predicted point. In order to allow a certain amount of error, it is conceivable to have a range in the flow line prediction, but it is conceivable that the range is realized by a polygon or a circle and an ellipse represented by a triangle. . The distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID.
Flow line prediction characterized by the above-mentioned means. Regardless of indoors or outdoors, there is a prohibited area for flow line management within the range managed by the flow line management system of the present invention. The forbidden area refers to an area in which a person with an ID tag or a person other than a person is assumed not to enter. For the definition of prohibited areas, use file formats that can be expressed in 2D or 3D dimensions, such as DXF and IGES, or information in an equivalent information format. And manage ID tag interference to the forbidden area defined above.
Also, the flow line prediction method used near the prohibited area is to predict the flow line by an extrapolation method and an allowable range. The direction of the flow line of the ID tag approaching the forbidden area is determined by placing a right angle on the predicted point with the current location of the ID tag as a base point, based on the vector nearest to the identification ID or group ID.
The distance to the prediction point is determined by the speed of the identification ID or group ID and the sampling interval. The direction of the hypotenuse of the right triangle is determined by the distance from the prohibited area. At this time, the movement to the prediction point is monitored in real time, and if the corresponding identification ID or group ID is detected within the range of the right triangle arranged at the prediction point, it is determined that the prediction point is correct. When the current position of the ID is outside the right triangle arranged at the prediction point, the prediction is once canceled and a new flow line prediction is performed.
However, at the time of such cancellation, the distance is recalculated taking into account the passage of time to the predicted point. When the set time has passed without departing from the right triangle arranged toward the prediction point, the prediction point is updated based on the latest sampling result.
A flow line prediction system characterized by the above-mentioned means. The flow line prediction is a process mainly intended to be performed for an identification ID or group ID whose priority of the sampling interval is lowered by the means of claim 4, and the flow line prediction is not always performed. By applying, it is possible to provide real-time information quality in the flow line. The combination with the grouping process contributes to traffic reduction on the network. However, this is not to be applied only to identification IDs or group IDs with low priority.
A flow line prediction system characterized by the above-mentioned means. The method for predicting the flow line used in the vicinity of a special prohibited area is based on the method described in claim 8, but the obstacle in the prohibited area is an angle represented by a columnar shape, a convex shape, or a right angle. It is assumed that the movement path of the ID tag wraps around an arc avoiding the prohibited area. In this case, it is conceivable to use a circle in addition to the right triangle defined in the eighth aspect.
Therefore, according to the above-described means, the predicted point calculated according to the latest flow line vector of the ID tag has a locus that draws a semicircle with respect to the direction in which the prohibited area is to be avoided.
The direction of the semicircle is determined by the degree of interference with the prohibited area.
After the prediction point is determined, the movement of the identification ID or group ID to the prediction point is monitored in real time.
At this time, if the above-mentioned ID is detected within the range of the flow line prediction, it is determined that the prediction point is correct.
When the current position of the ID tag is outside the range of the flow line prediction, the prediction is once canceled and a new flow line prediction is performed. However, in the case of such cancellation, the distance is recalculated taking into account the passage of time to the predicted point.
When the set time has passed without the current position of the ID tag being out of the flow line prediction range, the prediction point is updated based on the latest sampling result.
(As an example, a method for predicting a flow line in a semicircle has been described, but the method is not limited to this.)
In addition, when the above-mentioned trajectory tendency is predicted in advance, it may be possible to provide a mechanism that enables the flow line prediction by setting an arbitrary angle by setting from the outside. In addition, it is conceivable that the setting of an arbitrary angle can be set individually for each prohibited area, or can be set collectively. In addition, these individual settings and overall settings may overlap and have priority.
Flow line prediction characterized by the above-mentioned means. As for the prediction of the flow line that the ID tag tries to avoid the prohibited area, a means for setting the avoidance prediction method for each prohibited area in advance can be considered. In this case, it is conceivable to set a prediction area for avoidance along the prohibited area, and predict a locus for avoiding the prohibited area with an angle of incidence on the prediction area.
In addition, for approaching a prohibited area, a method of grasping a prohibited area prepared in advance and performing a flow line prediction and a function of confirming interference between the ID movement locus and the prohibited area after calculation of a predicted point are provided.
The above-mentioned definition of “interference between an ID movement locus and a prohibited region” in the present invention is an interference between a direct interference with the boundary of the prohibited region and a boundary with a margin of an arbitrary distance from the prohibited region.
When the interference with the prohibited area defined above is detected, the flow line prediction based on the straight line vector is canceled and the function of avoiding by diffraction or semicircle depending on the shape of the obstacle in the prohibited area is provided.
Flow line prediction characterized by the above-mentioned means. The flow line interpolation according to the present invention is a means particularly effective for setting a low sampling interval defined by claim 4. This is because real-time display is performed for the ID group having the shortest sampling interval among the displayed identification IDs or group ID groups, but the other ID groups do not have real-time properties.
The determination of the flow line complementation target is intentionally performed using a preset identifier.
The “target ID” for flow line complementation of the present invention indicates ID data to be displayed, such as an identification ID or a group ID.
The display process is synchronized with the shortest sampling interval by the flow line interpolation. At this time, for the target ID, data for tracing the flow line of the target ID is generated by interpolation processing.
The position information possessed by the target ID described above naturally indicates a predicted point, and the current position is obtained based on the predicted point. For this reason, each target ID includes position information, velocity information, and direction information, and a process for realizing the flow line complementation by comparing the identifier of the flow line complementation target and the actual sampling interval and the shortest sampling interval. To tell.
Flow line completion characterized by the above-mentioned means. The following two methods can be considered for the interference with the flow line supplement prohibited region. One is a method having a shape such as a semicircle, a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. The other is a method of performing interpolation by presetting avoidance tendency information of prohibited areas.
Flow line interpolation is performed using the coordinate data of the current position, predicted position, and prohibited area, and if the area between the current position and the prohibited area falls within the specified range, or if it falls into the prohibited area, avoidance processing is performed. . In the avoidance process, the distance between the predicted position and the current position is measured, and the semicircular locus is set as the diameter value of the semicircle used for avoiding diffraction based on the measurement result. This is referred to as a route for the flow line interpolation.
By using this method, it is possible to realize a flow line at a constant interval on the display by using the speed data for the above-described target ID.
Flow line completion characterized by the above-mentioned means. Personnel fluidity, such as turning a certain narrow road, a turning angle with a representative angle at right angles, etc., or narrowing the distance between attribute IDs belonging to a group when the group passes through them Process according to. This also has information on the prohibited area data, and corresponds to the flow line of the target ID with correction coefficients for both the distance between the ID tags and the specified range in the traveling direction and the horizontal direction. is there. Therefore, the above-mentioned means copes with the crowding to the narrow road or the corner.
Flow line completion characterized by the above-mentioned means.

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