JP2007122123A - Stray being notification device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stray being notification device stepwise detecting a distance to a child, a demented person, a pet or the like, and detecting them by an alarm. <P>SOLUTION: A master unit having a first wireless communication device and a first alarm generation means 303, and a slave unit having a second wireless communication device and a second alarm generation means 304 communicate with each other, and the master unit measures a distance of the slave unit from a communication signal from the slave unit side, and changes an alarm type of 303 according to the distance to stepwise obtain the distance to a stray being. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lost child notification device and program using radio waves.

Conventionally, this kind of lost child notification device is used to identify the position of a child using a wireless transceiver provided between the child device and the parent device that the parent has, and if the child is separated by more than a predetermined distance There is a device that notifies the master device side, but since it is suddenly alarmed when it is more than a predetermined distance away, it is necessary to rush around.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-8160

  Since Patent Document 1 is suddenly notified when it is out of a certain range, it has been necessary to look around to find out where the dementia and the child are. In the meantime, if you are completely away from the communication range, you will not be able to find the search target. At times, a large alarm suddenly sounds from both wireless transceivers, causing annoyance to the surroundings, and there is a problem that it is difficult to use in a real life scene such as a relatively quiet department store or bookstore.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can be used in various places without causing trouble to the surroundings with a notification sound, and can perform notification that can obtain a sense of distance in order to eliminate oversight. It is an object to provide a lost child notification device.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a parent device including a first transmitter / receiver that detects a distance from the electric field strength of a received signal, first alarm generation means, and a child including a second transmitter / receiver Machine and
The first alarm generation means notifies stepwise in response to a change in the distance between the slave unit and the master unit by the first transceiver.

  This makes it possible to know the distance from a child, a demented person, or a pet carrying a child device in a stepwise manner, and the influence of the notification on the surroundings can be reduced without losing sight.

  The lost child notification device and program according to the present invention grasps the distance between the parent device and the child device step by step, and sounds different alarm types according to the distance, so the child can look around the distance from the child device, It can be used as an approximate guide to search for dementia or pets.

  Furthermore, since the alarm volume is controlled step by step according to the distance between the main unit and the sub unit, the influence on the surroundings can be minimized even in an actual life scene (for example, a relatively quiet department store or a library). A stepwise distance determination for providing a sense of distance can be realized with a simple configuration, and an easy and inexpensive lost child notification device can be provided.

1st invention is comprised with the main | base station provided with the 1st transmitter / receiver which detects a distance from the electric field strength of a received signal, the 1st alarm generation means, and the subunit | mobile_unit provided with the 2nd transmitter / receiver. In addition, the first alarm generation means is a lost child notification device that notifies the step by step in response to a change in the distance between the child device and the parent device by the first transceiver. Thus, the distance to the child can be known from the type of alarm on the parent device side.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, the second transceiver of the slave unit changes a plurality of transmission output strengths in stages, and the first transceiver of the master unit changes in stages from the second transceiver. This is a lost child notification device that receives a signal to measure the distance between the child device and the parent device. As a result, the distance can be measured simultaneously with the communication signal, so that the configuration is simple and inexpensive.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the master unit includes the slave unit calling unit, and the first transmitter / receiver sounds a second alarm generation unit of the slave unit by operating the slave unit call unit, And a lost child notification device that changes the volume of the second alarm generating means according to the distance between the slave units. For example, it is possible to obtain a sense of distance because the alarm volume is low at medium distances and high at long distances. As a result, there is little inconvenience to others even in a public institution like a quiet department store.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the transmitter / receiver is a lost child notification device that sounds the first alarm generation means when a change in distance from the child device at a predetermined time is significantly large. The amount of movement is detected by comparison with the position of the immediately preceding slave unit, and when the vehicle is moved, such as when a child is kidnapped, an emergency alarm notifies the master unit.

  A fifth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute at least one of the lost child notification devices according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. Since it is a program, a part or all of the lost child notification device of the present invention can be easily realized using a microcomputer or the like. In addition, it is possible to record the program in a storage medium or to distribute the program using a communication line, so that the program can be easily distributed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment includes a parent device including a first transmitter / receiver and first alarm means, and a child device including a second transmitter / receiver and second alarm generation means. The change in the distance between the master unit and the slave unit is measured by wireless communication between the slave units, and the change in the distance is reported step by step.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, the parent device 1002 is assumed to be possessed by a parent (guardian, hereinafter referred to as a parent), and the child device 2002 is assumed to be possessed by an infant, a demented person, and a pet (represented as a child hereinafter).

  When the power is turned on, the CPU 2 (320) of the slave unit controls the second transceiver 2000 at a predetermined interval to perform the distance measurement communication, and details of the distance measurement communication will be described separately.

  The distance measurement communication is performed by communicating with the CPU 1 (310) via the first transceiver 1000. Since transmission signal strength information for distance measurement is superimposed on the transmission signal from the CPU 2 (320), it is possible to measure the distance to the slave unit by evaluating the received signal.

Since the method for measuring the distance will be described separately, here, the operation after acquiring the distance information will be described.

  When the handset 2002 is at a short distance (within 50 cm), there is no need to worry about a lost child. Therefore, when the short distance is detected, the sound generator of the first alarm means 303 is sounded or a vibrator (FIG. It is not necessary to drive), and if it is displayed by a display lamp or the like that indicates that communication with the child device 2002 is being performed, it is possible to display that communication is being performed between them. Give users a sense of security.

  When the state changes and the handset 2002 is slightly separated to reach a middle distance, the CPU 1 (310) detects that the distance has been separated to the middle distance by communication with the handset 2002. Then, the first alarm means 303 is notified to the user by a predetermined type of alarm sound and vibration by a vibrator (one or both). At medium distances, the alarm sounds at a low volume rather than the maximum volume.

  As a result, the parent device 1002 can know that the child device 2002 is located at a distance up to a middle distance.

  Since it is still in the middle distance range, the alarm is sounded at the maximum volume so as not to disturb the surroundings. If the child's age is small, the parent can judge the surroundings immediately, or if the child is sufficiently old, the child can be left freely, not at a medium distance.

  When the parent wants to search for the child immediately, the second alarm generation unit 304 of the slave unit 2002 is driven by the communication of the alarm ringing request from the master unit to the slave unit by using the slave unit calling unit 306, At the same time, an alarm is sounded by the slave unit 2002. Similarly to the first alarm unit 303, the volume of the second alarm unit 304 that rings is varied depending on the distance. It is made to ring at a loud volume when it is far away.

  This makes it easy to find the child because it is a clue to know the direction of the child from the alarm sound.

  If you are not far away from the main unit (middle distance), the alarm is sounded with a low volume. If the distance is far (far), you can increase the alarm sound volume to The present invention realizes a lost child detection device that is in harmony with the environment without generating an alarm sound with a large volume around a relatively crowded place such as a parking lot of a station or a shopping center.

  Next, distance measurement will be described.

  The first method is to create signals having different transmission outputs during the distance measurement time.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal details by selecting only the first transmitter / receiver 1000 of the master unit and the second transmitter / receiver 2000 of the slave unit.

  The first transmitter / receiver 1000 and the second transmitter / receiver 2000 shown here are subsystems that control operations related to wireless communication. Antenna switching means 100 and 200 for switching antennas, attenuators 101 and 201, The first transmitter / receiver 1000 and the second transmitter / receiver 2000 are responsible for the control means 104 and 204 for controlling the attenuator, the transmission means 103 and 203, and the reception means 102 and 202, respectively.

  For example, regarding communication for distance measurement, it is the CPU 1 (310) on the parent device side and the CPU 2 (320) on the child device side that controls the entire system.

  Both the first transmitter / receiver (1000) and the second transmitter / receiver (2000) perform operations related to signal transmission / reception. Distance measurement using the received signal, alarm ringing control, slave unit calling means The CPU 1 (master unit), which is the main controller, is responsible for the operation detection, and the CPU 2 (slave unit) is responsible for transmission control for distance measurement.

  Therefore, the first control means performs the command level communication with the CPU 1 and the second control means respectively with the CPU 2, thereby controlling the first transceiver (1000) and the second transceiver (2000) to control the system. Cultivating the overall operation.

  First, the second control unit 204 of the second transceiver 2000 switches the antenna switching unit 200 to the ATT 201 side and activates the second transmission unit for a predetermined time (1 / 6T1 hour) with the attenuation rate of the ATT 201 set to 0 db. And communicate. Thereafter, transmission is suspended for a predetermined time (1 / 6T1 time).

  Next, the attenuation rate of the ATT 201 is set to −3 db, the second transmission unit 203 is activated, and transmission is performed for a predetermined time (1 / 6T1 hour). Thereafter, transmission is stopped for a predetermined time (1 / 6T1).

  Further, the attenuation rate of the ATT 201 is set to −20 db, the second transmission unit 203 is activated, and transmission is performed for a predetermined time (1 / 6T1 time). Thereafter, transmission is suspended for a predetermined time.

  Here, T1 is a unit time for outputting one cycle of radio waves having different intensities for distance measurement communication.

  With this series of operations, a signal whose transmission output intensity changes stepwise such as 0db (410), -3db (420), and -20db (430) like 401 in FIG. 3 is transmitted.

  FIG. 3 shows the signal intensity on the vertical axis and the passage of time on the horizontal axis. It shows how the transmission signal changes with time.

  Here, 401 represents a transmission output signal. Reference numeral 402 denotes an output signal of a receiver that has received the transmission signal 401 at a short distance. Reference numeral 403 represents an output signal of a receiver that has received the transmission signal 401 at a medium distance. Reference numeral 404 represents an output signal of a receiver that has received the transmission signal 401 at a long distance.

  Next, the operation on the receiving side will be described.

  The transmitted transmission signal 401 is attenuated by distance during spatial propagation.

  As a result, the receiver at the short distance position can receive all the signals of -20db, -3db, and 0db, but cannot receive the signal of -20db when it is separated to the middle distance, and only the signals of -3db and 0db are received. become able to. At a long distance, the attenuation is further increased, and only a 0 db signal can be received.

  The reception operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of the first transceiver shown in FIG.

  The first control unit 104 switches the antenna switching unit 100 to the attenuator side and sets the attenuation of the attenuator 101 to 0 db for reception (that is, maximum sensitivity). The signal reaching the antenna is directly guided to the first receiving means 102, and the received and demodulated signal is passed to the first control means 104.

  Here, when a signal transmitted from a slave at a short distance, medium distance, and long distance is received, reception is performed as indicated by 402 (short distance), 403 (medium distance), and 404 (far distance) in FIG. Since the radio wave intensity that can be changed changes, it is possible to quickly determine which distance is transmitted from the slave unit by evaluating the signal received during T1 time.

  The transmission signals 410, 420, and 430 may be transmitted by including information on transmission outputs (−20db, −3db, and 0db) of the signals.

  In other words, if three signals 410, 420, and 430 can be received within a predetermined time (T1 time), short distance, and if 0db signal (410) and -3db signal (420) can be received, medium distance and only 0db signal (410) are received. If possible, the distance is determined by defining it as a long distance, and when no radio waves can be received, it is defined as out of service range.

  From now on, we will represent children as children on behalf of lost children, dementia and pets.

  The child follows the process of being close at first, away without knowing, and finally missing.

  First, we will explain from a short distance. At a distance (near distance) (˜50 cm) in which the parent device connects hands by communication with the child device, the output of the first transceiver 1000 receives a signal such as 402. If the CPU 1 can receive this signal, it can be seen that the distance from the child is within 50 cm.

  Here, the first alarm generation means 303 is driven to sound an alarm sound (short distance alarm). Alternatively, since the distance is close enough to hold hands, this distance may be without an alarm.

  From now on, let's say that the hand that was grasped was released, and the distance was increased to a medium distance of 3 m.

  At this point, it is informed that the distance from the child is more than 3 m. If you look around, you can still find this distance. Here, if not found, the parent having the parent device transmits an alarm signal to the child device 2002 using the child device calling means 306 in the parent device.

  Second transceiver 2000 receives the slave call signal from master 1002 and transmits it to CPU 2 (320). The CPU 2 (320) rings the second alarm generating means 304 at a low volume to notify the child that the child is away from the parent, and the alarm allows the parent device to know the approximate direction of the child. Is.

  For example, in a crowded situation, it is possible to say that another person was holding hands when they noticed. Sounding an alarm will also alert the child.

  Here, 3 m is a medium distance, and the alarm sound of the handset sounds at a low volume. If it's about 3m, you can get directions even at a small volume, so you can find a child in a relatively quiet department store or exhibition hall without disturbing others.

  Further, when the user is not aware of a distance (˜5 m) away, an alarm is sounded to notify the alarm generation means 303 of the parent device that the distance of the child device is 5 m away.

  In the master unit 1002, the slave unit calling unit 306 is operated in the same manner as described above to sound the alarm generation unit 304 of the slave unit 2002. This time, since the distance is longer than that at the middle distance, the volume of the alarm generation means 304 is increased. As a result, even if the distance is long, the child can be found by a sufficiently audible alarm sound.

  In other words, when the distance is about 3 m, the main unit 1002 is notified by an alarm that the distance is about a medium distance. First, look around to find a lost child. If the direction is not known, the handset calling means 306 is used to sound an alarm from the handset side to facilitate discovery.

  Further, when the distance is far away, the base unit 1002 sounds an alarm notifying that it has been far away (5 m or more) and looks around to find a lost child. If the direction is not known, the handset calling means 306 is used to sound an alarm from the handset side to facilitate discovery. This time, the alarm sound of the slave unit is larger than that at the middle distance, so the direction can be specified from a position 5 m or more away.

  In other words, if it can be found by looking around only by alarm notification of the parent device 1002 at a medium distance, the child is found without ringing the alarm on the child device side. If it is not found at a long distance, the alarm of the handset can be sounded at a volume at which the handset can be heard to facilitate the discovery. Therefore, it is possible to provide a lost child notification device that is less likely to disturb the surroundings due to crowds.

  Further, the CPU 1 (310) temporarily stores the distance measurement data measured immediately before in the storage means 311 in the CPU 1, and the result of the distance measurement changes significantly from the previous distance measurement data (for example, from the short distance to the outside / inside detection range). When it is out of the detection range), an alarm notifying the emergency is sounded to the first alarm generation means 303 of the master unit.

  For example, when moving at a remarkably high speed compared to the walking distance, for example, kidnapping and taking away by car in a parking lot can be detected early.

  In general, the movement speed of a child in a crowd such as a department store, a station, or a shopping center is 1 to 3 km / h or less. In contrast, when moving in a car park in a supermarket or restaurant, the moving speed is usually much higher (30-60 km / h). By paying attention to this point, it is possible to detect an amount of movement by comparison with the position of the immediately preceding slave unit and prevent accidents such as child kidnapping.

  Since the slave unit performs distance measurement communication at a predetermined interval, a case where distance measurement is performed in units of 10 seconds will be described as an example for easy understanding.

  In general, the movement speed of a child in a crowd such as a department store, a station, or a shopping center is 1 to 3 km / h or less. When this is converted into a minute speed, it becomes 16 to 50 m / min. Therefore, when the distance measurement interval is 10 seconds, the difference between the distance measurement data at the Nth distance measurement timing and the N + 1th distance measurement timing is 2.7 m to 8.3 m / 10 seconds. In the case of movement in a car, even if the speed of the car is calculated as 30 km / h, it is 83 m / 10 seconds, which is 10 times or more faster than walking.

  This is detected from distance measurement data to detect early kidnapping and removal by car in the parking lot.

  For example, if the result of the distance measurement at the Nth measurement is a short distance, the child is at least within a 50 cm range from the parent at the Nth measurement. Since the measurement result of the N + 1th time (distance measurement after 10 seconds) has only passed 10 seconds from the measurement result of the Nth time, the maximum value (50 cm) of the short-range measurement range is 2.7 m to 8.3 m. It becomes the range (within the range from 3.2 m to 8.8 m).

  Therefore, when the N-th distance measurement result and the N + 1-th distance measurement result are significantly different from the moving speed of the child, for example, the N + 1-th distance measurement is a long distance, even though the N-th measurement result is a short distance, or If it is outside the service area, it can be estimated that it is not the walking speed, so it is judged that the vehicle has been moved by means other than walking, such as a car, and an alarm is generated on the master unit side. .

  The means described in the above embodiment cooperates hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electric / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. You may implement with the form of a program. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, the lost child notification device and the program according to the present invention grasp the distance between the parent device and the child device step by step, and sound different alarm types according to the distance. You can look around and use it as a rough guide to search for children, dementia or pets.

  Furthermore, since the alarm volume is controlled step by step according to the distance between the main unit and the sub unit, the influence on the surroundings can be minimized even in an actual life scene (for example, a relatively quiet department store or a library). A stepwise distance determination for providing a sense of distance can be realized with a simple configuration, and an easy and inexpensive lost child notification device can be provided.

  It is effective not only for getting lost but also for putting on a bag or wallet.

Overall block configuration diagram of lost child notification device of the present invention The block block diagram showing the structure of the 1st transmitter / receiver which implement | achieves the distance detection means of the lost child notification apparatus of this invention, and a 2nd transmitter / receiver Transmission / reception signal schematic diagram for explaining the distance detection means of the lost child notification device according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

303 First alarm generating means 304 Second alarm generating means 306 Child machine calling means 310 CPU 1 of parent machine
311 Storage means 320 Slave unit CPU 2
401 Distance measurement transmission signal 402 Short-distance reception signal 403 Medium-distance reception signal 404 Long-distance reception signal 1000 First transmitter / receiver 1002 Master unit 2000 Second transmitter / receiver 2002 Slave unit

Claims (5)

A first transmitter / receiver that detects the distance from the electric field strength of the received signal, a parent device including the first alarm generation means, and a slave device including the second transmitter / receiver;
A lost child notification device in which the first alarm generation means notifies in stages in response to a change in the distance between the child device and the parent device by the first transceiver. The second transmitter / receiver of the slave unit changes a plurality of transmission output strengths in stages, and the first transmitter / receiver of the master unit receives a step-change signal from the second transmitter / receiver. The lost child notification device according to claim 1, wherein the distance measurement between the child device and the parent device is performed. The master unit includes the slave unit calling unit, and the first transmitter / receiver sounds a second alarm generation unit of the slave unit by operation of the slave unit call unit, and between the master unit and the slave unit The lost child notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the second alarm generation unit is changed according to a distance. 2. The lost child notification device according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitter / receiver rings the first alarm generation unit when a change in distance from the child device at a predetermined time is remarkably large. The program for making a computer perform at least 1 of the lost child notification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4.

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