JP2008022491A - Presence confirmation method and wireless apparatus utilizing the same and presence confirmation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that it is desired to adjust a distance for notification in accordance with the situation. <P>SOLUTION: A short-distance radio communication section 50 receives a radio signal including a request of presence confirmation from another wireless apparatus. A measuring section 52 estimates the distance to the other wireless apparatus based on the received radio signal. A determination section 54 compares the estimated distance with a predetermined threshold value and when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold value, authorizes presence confirmation. When the presence confirmation is authorized, the short-distance radio communication section 50 transmits a radio signal including a response of presence confirmation to the other wireless apparatus. When the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the determination section 54 further searches for the other wireless apparatus and acquires a threshold value for the relevant wireless apparatus and when a priority of the acquired threshold value is higher than that of the predetermined threshold value, performs authorization processing based on the estimated distance and the acquired threshold value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a presence confirmation technique, and more particularly to a presence confirmation method in which one wireless device confirms the presence of the other wireless device, and a wireless device and a presence confirmation system using the method.

In order to prevent misplacement of one of the two wireless devices that can communicate with each other (hereinafter referred to as “first device”) or loss such as theft, the following techniques have been proposed. The other of the two wireless devices (hereinafter referred to as “second device”) is carried by the user, and the second device receives a wireless signal from the first device. The second device measures the signal strength of the radio signal, and when the measured signal strength decreases, the second device notifies the user that the first device has been lost (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-42084

  If the user carrying the second device leaves the first device while the first device is left unattended, the second device notifies the user that it has been lost. At this time, if the first device is carried by the child and the second device is carried by the parent, the above-described operation can prevent the lost child. The distance that is assumed to be lost generally varies depending on the age of the child. In other words, the lower the age of the child, the shorter the distance that is assumed to be lost. Therefore, when each of a plurality of children carries a wireless device, the distance that is assumed to be lost is set to a different value for each wireless device depending on the age of the child. According to such a configuration, when children of different ages act together, notification is made at a distance corresponding to the youngest child among them. However, such notification is not necessary because younger children are acting with older children. That is, a function for adjusting the distance for notification according to the situation is required.

  The present invention has been made by recognizing such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a presence confirmation technique for changing a distance to be notified according to the situation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a wireless device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a wireless signal including a request for existence confirmation from another wireless device, and a wireless signal received by the receiving unit. In addition, the estimation unit that estimates the distance between the other radio signals, the distance estimated in the estimation unit and a predefined threshold value, and when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold value, A determination unit that certifies existence confirmation, and a transmission unit that transmits a wireless signal including a response of existence confirmation to another wireless device when the determination unit certifies existence confirmation. When the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the determination unit searches for another wireless device, acquires the threshold value in the wireless device, and the priority of the acquired threshold value is defined in advance. If it is higher than the priority of the threshold value, the authorization process is executed based on the distance estimated by the estimation unit and the acquired threshold value.

  In order to "estimate the distance between other radio signals", the signal strength of the radio signal may be measured, the distance may be calculated from the signal strength, and if a value corresponding to the distance is derived Good. When the “threshold value” corresponds to a threshold value with respect to the distance, such an increase in the threshold value corresponds to a decrease in the threshold value with respect to the reception strength. According to this aspect, even when the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value and the presence cannot be confirmed, the authentication process is executed using the threshold value in the other wireless device, so notification according to the situation You can change the distance that is made.

  In the determination unit, a higher priority may be given to a threshold corresponding to a long distance. In this case, a threshold corresponding to a long distance is preferentially used, so that the distance for notification can be increased.

  When another wireless device is detected as a result of the search, the determination unit displays a predetermined code, and after the code displayed on the display unit is further input to another wireless device, The receiving unit receiving the code from the wireless device, and when the code received at the receiving unit matches the code displayed on the display unit, the priority of the acquired threshold and the priority of the predetermined threshold And a comparison unit that performs the comparison. In this case, since the comparison between the threshold values is performed when the codes match, it is confirmed whether the presence of the user carrying the wireless device is recognized by the user carrying the other wireless device. it can.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a presence confirmation system. The presence confirmation system receives a first wireless device that transmits a wireless signal that includes a request for presence confirmation, and a wireless signal that includes a request for presence confirmation from the first wireless device. The wireless device includes a second wireless device that transmits a wireless signal including a presence confirmation response, and a third wireless device that can communicate with the second wireless device. The second radio apparatus compares the estimation unit for estimating the distance to the first radio apparatus based on the received radio signal, the distance estimated by the estimation unit and a predetermined threshold value. A determination unit that recognizes presence confirmation and generates a radio signal including a response of presence confirmation when the estimated distance is shorter than a threshold value. When the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the determination unit searches for the third wireless device, acquires the threshold value in the third wireless device, and the priority of the acquired threshold value is When the priority is higher than a predetermined threshold priority, the authorization process is executed based on the distance estimated by the estimation unit and the acquired threshold.

  According to this aspect, even when the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value of the second wireless device and the presence cannot be confirmed, the authentication process is executed using the threshold value of the third wireless device. Therefore, the distance to be notified can be changed according to the situation.

  The first wireless device estimates the positional relationship between the second wireless device and the third wireless device, and when the difference in positional relationship is large, the first wireless device is a third wireless device relative to the second wireless device. May be instructed not to use the threshold. In this case, it is assumed that the user carrying the second wireless device and the user carrying the third wireless device are acting differently, and thus are defined for each wireless device. By using the threshold, the presence of each wireless device can be accurately detected.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a presence confirmation method. The method includes a step of receiving a wireless signal including a request for existence confirmation from another wireless device, a step of estimating a distance from the other wireless signal based on the received wireless signal, Comparing the estimated distance with a pre-defined threshold and certifying existence confirmation when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold, and a presence confirmation response when certifying existence confirmation Transmitting the received wireless signal to another wireless device. In the step of certifying, when the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the wireless device searches for another wireless device and acquires the threshold value in the wireless device. When the priority is higher than the specified threshold, the authorization process is executed based on the estimated distance and the acquired threshold.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation obtained by converting the expression of the present invention between methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the distance to be notified can be changed according to the situation.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a communication system including a mobile terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “master terminal device”) and a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as “slave terminal device”). As a premise, the master terminal device and the base station device constitute a mobile phone system by communicating with the base station device. Here, apart from the terminal device mobile phone system, the master terminal device communicates with the slave terminal device. The master terminal device is carried by the parent, and the slave terminal device is carried by the child. When the parent leaves the child, the master terminal device transmits a request signal to the slave terminal device to determine whether the child is lost.

  The slave terminal apparatus estimates the distance from the master terminal apparatus based on the received request signal, and confirms the presence when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold value. Further, the slave terminal device confirms the absence when the estimated distance is not shorter than the threshold value. Further, the slave terminal device transmits a response signal to the master terminal device so that the confirmation result is included. The master terminal device notifies the parent according to the content included in the response signal.

  Under such circumstances, when an older child and a younger child carry their respective slave terminal devices, the distances for confirming the presence of the slave terminal devices are different. That is, in a slave terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “first slave terminal device”) carried by a younger child, a slave terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “second slave terminal device”) carried by an older child. Rather, the threshold value for confirming the presence is set to be shorter. Therefore, even if the younger child is acting with the older child, the absence of the first slave terminal device is confirmed first. In general, such notification is unnecessary for the parent.

  Therefore, the first slave terminal apparatus according to the present embodiment executes the following process. When the estimated distance is not shorter than the threshold value, the first slave terminal device searches for the presence of another slave terminal device without immediately confirming the absence. When the second slave terminal apparatus is detected, the first slave terminal apparatus acquires a threshold value in the second slave terminal apparatus. If the estimated distance is shorter than the acquired threshold value, the first slave terminal apparatus confirms the existence and transmits a response signal corresponding to the existence to the master terminal apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes a master terminal device 10, a first slave terminal device 12, a second slave terminal device 14, and a base station device 16. The master terminal device 10 includes a mobile phone antenna 18 and a short-range wireless antenna 22, the first slave terminal device 12 includes a short-range wireless antenna 24, and the second slave terminal device 14 includes a short-range wireless antenna 24. The base station apparatus 16 includes a mobile phone antenna 20.

  Master terminal apparatus 10 includes mobile phone antenna 18 and performs communication with base station apparatus 16 including mobile phone antenna 20. Here, the master terminal device 10 and the base station device 16 constitute a mobile phone system. Therefore, the base station device 16 is connected to a network (not shown). In addition, since the structure of the master terminal device 10 and the base station apparatus 16 as a mobile telephone system should just be comprised by a well-known technique, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The master terminal device 10 is also communicating with the first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14. In addition to these, the master terminal device 10 may execute communication with a slave terminal device (not shown). At that time, the short distance wireless antenna 22 of the master terminal device 10, the short distance wireless antenna 24 of the first slave terminal device 12, and the short distance wireless antenna 26 of the second slave terminal device 14 are used. Here, examples of the short-range wireless communication system include Zigbee (trademark), Bluetooth (trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication and protocol), and specific low-power wireless, but are not particularly limited here.

  Note that communication between the master terminal device 10 and the base station device 16 is voice communication or the like, whereas between the master terminal device 10 and the first slave terminal device 12 and between the master terminal device 10 and the first base station device 16. The communication with the two slave terminal devices 14 is a communication for confirming whether the first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14 are present in the vicinity of the master terminal device 10. The master terminal device 10 transmits a request signal to the first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14 while using the short-range wireless communication system. Here, the request signal is a radio signal including a request for existence confirmation. Further, the request signal may be transmitted at a predetermined time interval, or may be transmitted in accordance with an instruction from a user who operates the master terminal device 10. Here, in order to clarify the explanation, the case where the request signal is transmitted from the master terminal device 10 to the first slave terminal device 12 will be mainly described.

  The first slave terminal device 12 receives a request signal from the master terminal device 10. Further, the first slave terminal device 12 recognizes that the presence confirmation is requested based on the received request signal and estimates the distance to the master terminal device 10. The first slave terminal device 12 compares the estimated distance with a predetermined threshold value, and authorizes existence confirmation when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold value. Further, the first slave terminal apparatus 12 transmits a response signal to the master terminal apparatus 10. Here, the response signal is a radio signal including a presence confirmation response.

  On the other hand, when the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the first slave terminal apparatus 12 searches for another slave terminal apparatus. When the second slave terminal device 14 is detected as another slave terminal device, the first slave terminal device 12 acquires a threshold value from the second slave terminal device 14 while using the short-range wireless communication system. The acquired threshold value is a threshold value set from the beginning for the second slave terminal device 14. In addition, the first slave terminal device 12 compares the priority given to the acquired threshold value with the priority given to the predetermined threshold value, and estimates when the former is higher The authorization process is executed based on the distance and the acquired threshold value. Here, the priority is set to be higher than a threshold value that can realize a long distance. As a result of the authorization process, the first slave terminal device 12 generates a response signal including a presence confirmation response or a non-existence confirmation response, and transmits the response signal to the master terminal device 10.

  When the master terminal device 10 receives the response signal, the master terminal device 10 confirms the content and executes a notification according to the content. For example, when a presence confirmation response is included, the master terminal device 10 only displays that fact, but when a non-existence confirmation response is included, the master terminal device 10 generates a warning sound. Output. In the above description, the request signal and the response signal may be formed by packet signals.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the master terminal device 10. The master terminal device 10 includes a mobile phone antenna 18, a short-range wireless antenna 22, a mobile phone communication unit 30, a short-range wireless communication unit 32, a control unit 34, an input interface unit 36, an output interface unit 38, and a storage unit. 40 is included.

  The mobile phone communication unit 30 communicates with a base station device 16 (not shown) via the mobile phone antenna 18. In order to execute such communication, the mobile phone communication unit 30 executes transmission processing and reception processing, but as described above, any known technology may be used as the mobile phone communication system. Here, the description of the processing of the mobile phone communication unit 30 is omitted. The short-range wireless communication unit 32 transmits a request signal to the first slave terminal device 12 (not shown) via the short-range wireless antenna 22. In addition, after transmitting the request signal, the short-range wireless communication unit 32 receives the response signal.

  The input interface unit 36 includes, for example, a plurality of buttons and receives instructions from the user. The input interface unit 36 outputs the received instruction to the control unit 34, and the control unit 34 outputs the received instruction according to the content of the instruction. Further, the input interface unit 46 receives a request for confirming the presence of the first slave terminal device 12 (not shown) as an instruction from the user.

  The memory | storage part 40 memorize | stores the identification number etc. for identifying the 1st slave terminal device 12, the 2nd slave terminal device 14, and other slave terminal devices. For example, when transmitting a wireless signal such as a request signal to the first slave terminal device 12, the storage unit 40 outputs the identification number assigned to the first slave terminal device 12 to the control unit 34. Moreover, although the memory | storage part 40 memorize | stores data required for the communication in the communication part 30 for mobile phones, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The control unit 34 controls the overall operation of the master terminal device 10. The control unit 34 generates a request signal by arranging an identification number as a destination of the request signal in the front part of the packet signal and arranging an instruction for requesting existence confirmation in the center part of the packet signal. The control unit 34 outputs the generated request signal to the short-range wireless communication unit 32. In addition, the control unit 34 receives a response signal from the short-range wireless communication unit 32. The control unit 34 confirms the content included in the response signal and executes an operation corresponding to the content.

  The output interface unit 38 includes a display unit such as a display and a speaker, and executes a desired operation based on an instruction from the control unit 34. Here, when the confirmed content is a response of existence confirmation, the control unit 34 displays that fact on the display, and when the confirmed content is a response of non-existence confirmation, displays that fact on the display, A warning sound is output from the speaker.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of an arbitrary computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a communication function loaded in the memory. Describes functional blocks realized by collaboration. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the first slave terminal apparatus 12. The first slave terminal device 12 includes a short-range wireless antenna 24, a short-range wireless communication unit 50, a measurement unit 52, a determination unit 54, an inquiry unit 56, a storage unit 58, a control unit 66, an input interface unit 62, and an output. An interface unit 64 is included. The second slave terminal apparatus 14 also has the configuration of the first slave terminal apparatus 12.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 50 performs communication with a master terminal device 10 (not shown) via the short-range wireless antenna 24. The function of the short-range wireless communication unit 50 is the same as the function of the short-range wireless communication unit 32. Specifically, the short-range wireless communication unit 50 receives a request signal from the master terminal device 10 and transmits a response signal to the master terminal device 10. Although details will be described later, the short-range wireless communication unit 50 transmits an inquiry signal to a second slave terminal device 14 (not shown) and receives a response signal from the second slave terminal device 14.

  The measuring unit 52 measures the signal strength with respect to the request signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit 50. Note that the signal strength is associated with the distance from the master terminal device 10 by assuming a predetermined propagation model. Therefore, the measurement of the signal strength in the measurement unit 52 corresponds to the estimation of the distance from the master terminal device 10. Here, the measurement unit 52 may derive the distance from the signal intensity.

  The determination unit 54 compares the signal intensity measured by the measurement unit 52 with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 58, and recognizes presence confirmation when the signal intensity is greater than the threshold value. Thus, when the signal strength is derived in the measurement unit 52, the storage unit 58 stores a threshold value for the signal strength. However, as described above, the signal intensity and the distance are related. Therefore, when the distance is derived in the measurement unit 52, the storage unit 58 stores a threshold value for the distance. Here, if the threshold value for the signal strength decreases, the threshold value for the distance increases. Therefore, it can be said that the determination unit 54 compares the estimated distance with a predetermined threshold value, and recognizes the existence confirmation when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold value. In the following, for the sake of brevity, it is assumed that measurement unit 52 measures signal strength and the threshold value is a threshold value for signal strength.

  When the signal intensity measured by the measurement unit 52 is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 54 outputs that fact to the inquiry unit 56. The inquiry unit 56 transmits an inquiry signal via the short-range wireless communication unit 50. The inquiry signal is a signal that is transmitted to search for other slave terminal devices in the vicinity. The slave terminal device that has received the inquiry signal, for example, the second slave terminal device 14 transmits a response signal to the first slave terminal device 12. The response signal is a signal that is transmitted to inform the first slave terminal device 12 that it exists. Further, the response signal includes a threshold value defined in the second slave terminal device 14. The above processing is performed in the short-range wireless communication unit 50, the inquiry unit 56, and the storage unit 58 in the second slave terminal device 14. The inquiry unit 56 receives the response signal via the short-range wireless communication unit 50. When the response signal is received, the inquiry unit 56 outputs the threshold value included in the response signal and the identification number of the slave terminal device corresponding to the threshold value to the determination unit 54 and the storage unit 58.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the data stored in the storage unit 58. As shown, a slave terminal ID column 200 and a threshold column 202 are included. In the slave terminal device ID column 200, an identification number assigned to the slave terminal device is input, and in the threshold column 202, a threshold corresponding to the identification number is input. In the first row of the slave terminal device ID column 200, no identification number is input, but the threshold value “C1” corresponding to this is equivalent to the threshold value defined by the first slave terminal device 12. . Returning to FIG.

  The determination unit 54 compares the threshold priority acquired in the inquiry unit 56 with a predetermined threshold priority. The priority may be given according to an arbitrary rule, but here, a threshold corresponding to a long distance, that is, a threshold having a smaller value is given a higher priority. When the priority of the acquired threshold is higher than the priority of the predetermined threshold, that is, when the acquired threshold is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the determination unit 54 The certification process is executed based on the signal intensity measured in step 1 and the acquired threshold value. Therefore, if the signal strength is larger than the threshold value, the presence confirmation is recognized as described above.

  On the other hand, if the signal strength is smaller than the threshold value, the absence confirmation is recognized. In addition, when a plurality of slave terminal devices are detected in the inquiry unit 56, the above process may be repeatedly executed. Finally, the determination unit 54 generates a response signal including a presence confirmation response or a non-existence confirmation response. The short-range wireless communication unit 50 transmits the response signal generated by the determination unit 54 to the master terminal device 10. The control unit 66 controls the timing of the entire first slave terminal device 12, and the input interface unit 62 and the output interface unit 64 correspond to the input interface unit 36 and the output interface unit 38 (not shown), respectively.

  The operation of the communication system 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of existence confirmation in the communication system 100. The master terminal device 10 generates a request signal (S10), and transmits the generated request signal to the first slave terminal device 12 (S12). The first slave terminal apparatus 12 receives the request signal (S14) and measures the signal strength (S16). In addition, the first slave terminal device 12 executes the threshold value confirmation process (S18), then executes the comparison process (S20), and generates an inquiry signal (S22). The inquiry signal is transmitted from the first slave terminal apparatus 12 to the second slave terminal apparatus 14 (S24), and the second slave terminal apparatus 14 receives the inquiry signal (S26).

  The second slave terminal device 14 generates a response signal (S28) and transmits the generated response signal (S30). The first slave terminal device 12 receives the response signal (S32) and executes the comparison process again (S34). The first slave terminal device 12 generates a response signal (S36) and transmits the generated response signal (S38). The master terminal device 10 receives the response signal (S40), and executes notification based on the received response signal (S42).

  The operation of the first slave terminal apparatus 12 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of threshold value confirmation processing in the first slave terminal device 12. FIG. 6 corresponds to step 18 in FIG. If the set threshold value (hereinafter referred to as “set value”) is not equal to the default value (N in S60), the determination unit 54 causes the inquiry unit 56 to confirm the presence of another slave device. (S62). Here, the default value is a threshold value defined in advance for the first slave terminal device 12. Further, in order to confirm the existence, the above-described inquiry signal and response signal may be used. If there is no other slave terminal device (N in S64), the determination unit 54 returns the setting value to the default value (S66). On the other hand, when there is another slave terminal device (Y in S64) and when the set value is a default value (Y in S60), the determination unit 54 ends the process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a response signal generation procedure in the first slave terminal apparatus 12. FIG. 7 corresponds to step 20 to step 36 in the processing in the first slave terminal apparatus 12 of FIG. If the signal strength is larger than the set value in the determination unit 54 (Y in S80), the determination unit 54 generates a response signal including presence confirmation (S92). If the signal strength is not greater than the set value in the determination unit 54 (N in S80), the inquiry unit 56 confirms the presence of another slave terminal device (S82). If another slave terminal exists (Y in S84) and the threshold value of the other terminal device is smaller (Y in S86), the determination unit 54 sets the threshold value of the other slave terminal device to the set value. Substitute (S88).

  If the signal strength is larger than the set value (Y in S90), the determination unit 54 generates a response signal including the presence confirmation (S92). On the other hand, there is no other slave terminal (N in S84), the threshold value of the other terminal device is not smaller (N in S86), or the signal strength is not larger than the set value (in S90). N), the determination unit 54 generates a response signal including the absence confirmation (S94).

  Hereinafter, modified examples will be described. In the embodiment, the first slave terminal device 12 uses the threshold value defined for the second slave terminal device 14 when the signal strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. In the modification, even if the signal strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the first slave terminal device 12 does not use the threshold value specified for the second slave terminal device 14. The master terminal device 10 estimates the positional relationship between the first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14. For example, the master terminal apparatus 10 includes a plurality of sector antennas having different antenna directivities. In each sector antenna, the signal strength of the received signal from the first slave terminal apparatus 12 and the second slave terminal apparatus 14 Measure the signal strength of the received signal from. When the sector antenna that maximizes the signal strength of the received signal from the first slave terminal device 12 and the sector antenna that maximizes the signal strength of the received signal from the second slave terminal device 14 are different, 10 determines that the difference in the positional relationship between the two is large.

  Further, for example, the master terminal device 10 includes an adaptive array antenna, and the correlation value between the weight vector for the first slave terminal device 12 and the weight vector for the second slave terminal device 14 is smaller than a threshold value. In addition, it is determined that the difference in the positional relationship between the two is large. The master terminal device 10 instructs the first slave terminal device 12 not to use the threshold defined in the second slave terminal device 14 when the difference in positional relationship is large. This instruction may be included in the request signal. This is because it is assumed that the child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 and the child carrying the second slave terminal device 14 are acting separately under the above situation.

  In addition, when the difference in the positional relationship is large, the master terminal device 10 transmits a threshold value that is larger than both threshold values to the first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14. May be. That is, the master terminal apparatus 10 transmits a threshold value that makes the distance for which existence is confirmed shorter than the present time. The first slave terminal device 12 and the second slave terminal device 14 use threshold values from the master terminal device 10 and do not use each other's threshold values. Under the circumstances as described above, the user who carries the master terminal device 10 needs to search for a child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 and a child carrying the second slave terminal device 14, so that the user exists in advance. Keep the distance where the is confirmed short.

  Another modification will be described. Even if a child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 and a child carrying the second slave terminal device 14 are close to each other, it is not clear whether they recognize each other. In other words, they are not necessarily acting together. In such a situation, if the threshold is changed to match the other party, the possibility of getting lost increases. In the modification, a function for confirming whether children recognize each other will be described. As a result of the search by the inquiry unit 56, when the second slave terminal device 14 is detected, the control unit 66 generates a random code. Since a known technique may be used for generating a random code, the description thereof is omitted here. The display unit included in the output interface unit 64 displays the code generated by the control unit 66.

  A child carrying the second slave terminal device 14 inputs the code displayed on the display unit of the first slave terminal device 12 to the input interface unit 62 of the second slave terminal device 14. The short-range wireless communication unit 50 of the second slave terminal device 14 transmits the input code to the first slave terminal device 12. The short-range wireless communication unit 50 of the first slave terminal device 12 receives the code from the second slave terminal device 14. When the code received in the short-range wireless communication unit 50 matches the code displayed on the display unit, the inquiry unit 56 obtains the priority of the acquired threshold and the priority of the predetermined threshold. Perform a comparison with. Subsequent processing is the same as that described above, and thus description thereof is omitted here. On the other hand, if they are different, the inquiry unit 56 stops the comparison processing of the priorities of the two.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a confirmation procedure of the second slave terminal device in the first slave terminal device 12. The sequence diagram of FIG. 8 is arranged between step 32 and step 34 of FIG. When detecting the second slave terminal device 14 (S110), the first slave terminal device 12 randomly generates a code (S112) and displays the generated code on the display unit (S114). A code is input to the second slave terminal device 14 (S116). The second slave terminal device 14 transmits the code (S118, S120). The first slave terminal device 12 compares the received code with the generated code (S122), and if they are the same, compares the threshold values (S124).

  In yet another modification, the child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 and the child carrying the second slave terminal device 14 are acting separately, and the parent carrying the master terminal device 10 On the other hand, for example, it is assumed that a child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 is being searched. In such a situation, the parent acts without worrying about the position of the child carrying the second slave terminal device 14. Therefore, the distance between the master terminal device 10 and the second slave terminal device 14 also increases, and the master terminal device 10 issues a warning from the second slave terminal device 14. However, the parent searching for the child carrying the first slave terminal device 12 may want to ignore the warning from the second slave terminal device 14.

  The parent carrying the master terminal device 10 instructs the control unit 34 via the input interface unit 36 that the first slave terminal device 12 is being used. The control unit 34 stops transmitting the request signal to the second slave terminal device 14. Alternatively, even when the short-range wireless communication unit 32 receives the response signal from the second slave terminal device 14 and the response signal includes the absence confirmation, the control unit 34 Cancel the output of. As a result, unnecessary warning output can be suppressed.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, even when the measured reception strength is smaller than the threshold value and the existence cannot be confirmed, the authentication process is executed using the threshold value in another slave terminal device. Therefore, the distance to be notified can be changed according to the situation. In addition, since the distance to be notified is changed according to the situation, unnecessary notification can be avoided. Further, since the threshold corresponding to the long distance is used preferentially, the distance for which the notification is made can be increased. In addition, since the distance for notification becomes long, unnecessary notification can be avoided. In addition, since the comparison between the threshold values is executed when the codes match, whether the user carrying the first slave terminal device is recognized by the user carrying the second slave terminal device is checked. I can confirm.

  Moreover, since the presence of the user carrying the first slave terminal device can be confirmed by the user carrying the second slave terminal device, the situation for both can be confirmed. Moreover, since it is assumed that the child carrying the first slave terminal device and the child carrying the second slave terminal device are acting separately, it is defined for each slave terminal device. By using the threshold value, the presence of each slave terminal device can be accurately detected. Further, since the existence of each slave terminal device is accurately detected, the probability that a child using both of them will get lost can be reduced.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the master terminal device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st slave terminal device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of presence confirmation in the communication system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the threshold value confirmation process in the 1st slave terminal device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation procedure of the response signal in the 1st slave terminal device of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the confirmation procedure of the 2nd slave terminal device in the 1st slave terminal device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Master terminal device, 12 1st slave terminal device, 14 2nd slave terminal device, 16 Base station apparatus, 30 Communication part for mobile telephones, 32 Communication part for short-distance radio, 34 Control part, 36 Input interface part, 38 Output Interface unit, 40 storage unit, 50 short-range wireless communication unit, 52 measurement unit, 54 determination unit, 56 inquiry unit, 58 storage unit, 62 input interface unit, 64 output interface unit, 66 control unit, 100 communication system.

Claims (6)

A receiving unit that receives a wireless signal including a request for existence confirmation from another wireless device;
An estimation unit that estimates a distance between the other radio signal based on the radio signal received by the reception unit;
Comparing the estimated distance in the estimation unit with a predefined threshold, and determining the presence confirmation when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold;
A transmission unit that transmits a wireless signal including a response of presence confirmation to the other wireless device when the determination unit determines presence confirmation;
When the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the determination unit searches for another wireless device, acquires the threshold value in the wireless device, and the priority of the acquired threshold value is determined in advance. A radio apparatus that executes a qualification process based on a distance estimated by the estimation unit and an acquired threshold when the priority is higher than a prescribed threshold.   The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a higher priority is given to a threshold corresponding to a longer distance in the determination unit. The determination unit is
As a result of the search, when the still another wireless device is detected, a display unit that displays a predetermined code;
After the code displayed on the display unit is input to the still another wireless device, a receiving unit that receives the code from the further wireless device;
A comparison unit that performs a comparison between the acquired priority of the threshold value and a predetermined threshold value priority when the code received in the reception unit and the code displayed in the display unit match;
The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first wireless device that transmits a wireless signal including a request for existence confirmation;
A second wireless device that receives a wireless signal including a presence confirmation request from the first wireless device and transmits a wireless signal including a presence confirmation response to the first wireless device;
A third wireless device capable of communicating with the second wireless device;
The second wireless device is
An estimation unit that estimates a distance to the first wireless device based on a received wireless signal;
Compares the distance estimated by the estimation unit with a predetermined threshold, and if the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold, recognizes presence confirmation and generates a radio signal including a presence confirmation response And a determination unit to
The determining unit searches for the third wireless device when the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, acquires a threshold value in the third wireless device, When the priority is higher than a predetermined threshold priority, the presence confirmation system is configured to execute a certification process based on the distance estimated by the estimation unit and the acquired threshold. .   The first wireless device estimates a positional relationship between the second wireless device and the third wireless device, and when the difference in positional relationship is large, the first wireless device The presence confirmation system according to claim 4, wherein an instruction not to use the threshold value in the wireless device of 3 is used. Receiving a wireless signal including a request for existence confirmation from another wireless device;
Estimating a distance from the other radio signal based on the received radio signal;
Comparing the estimated distance with a predefined threshold and authorizing presence confirmation if the estimated distance is less than the threshold;
Transmitting a wireless signal including a response of presence confirmation to the other wireless device when the presence confirmation is authorized,
When the estimated distance is longer than the threshold value, the certifying step further searches for another wireless device, acquires the threshold value in the wireless device, and the priority of the acquired threshold value is A presence confirmation method, wherein a recognition process is executed based on an estimated distance and an acquired threshold when the priority is higher than a predetermined threshold priority.

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