JP2009129216A - Warning device, warning system, warning method, warning program, and its recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly issue warning to a user when the ambient environment of a device moving with the user becomes undesired for the device with simple configurations. <P>SOLUTION: A warning device 200 mounted on a device 500 moving with a user transmits an operation power signal being the transmission guidance radio signal of identification information as a radio signal. An identification information transmission element 300j which has received the operation this power signal transmits identification information preset in the identification information transmission element 300j as a radio signal. On the basis of the reception result of the radio signal carrying the identification information, the warning device 200 estimates a distance between the device 500 on which the warning device 200 is mounted and a device 900j on which the identification information transmission element 300j is mounted. Then, the warning device compares the threshold distance predetermined according to the received identification information with an estimated distance, and when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold distance, the warning device 200 issues warning. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a warning device, a warning system, a warning method, a warning program, and a recording medium on which the warning program is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices that move with users such as mobile phone devices have been widely used. There has been proposed a technique for giving a warning to a user of such a device as needed based on a positional relationship with another device (see Patent Document 1; hereinafter, “conventional example”). ").

  In the technology of this conventional example, a radio signal is transmitted from one of a portable object such as a mobile phone device and a thing attached to the portable object such as a card type memory. Then, the other detects the reception intensity of the radio signal, and if the other is detected that the distance between the portable object and the wearing object is more than a predetermined distance based on the detection result, the other issues a warning. It is like that. For this reason, loss of a wearing thing can be avoided effectively.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-42084

  The above-described conventional technique is a technique that issues a warning when it is detected that the distance between the two apparatuses exceeds a predetermined distance when it is not preferable that one apparatus and the other apparatus are in a detached state. is there. However, the relationship between the device of interest and other devices is not limited to the case where it is not preferable to be in a detached state, but it is often preferable that the distance between the devices is a certain distance or more. For example, a device whose operation is easily affected by electromagnetic waves is preferably as far as possible from a device that generates electromagnetic waves such as a microwave oven, and a device that is vulnerable to getting wet with water is a device that uses water such as a washing machine. It is preferable that they are separated as much as possible. Moreover, it is preferable that a device that emits electromagnetic waves, such as a mobile phone device, be as far as possible from a cardiac pacemaker attached to a heart patient.

  By the way, in a device that can be moved together with a user such as a mobile phone device, it is possible to detect an approach to another device that is not desirable for the device, as well as to detect the removal of the attached object, or to approach the device. It is important to be able to detect undesired access to other devices. Furthermore, it is expected that not only the case determined by the relationship with other devices, but also that the device will approach a position where it is not desirable that the device approaches as the device moves.

  For this reason, there is a demand for a technology that can alert a user when a surrounding state becomes unfavorable for the device that moves with the user. Meeting this requirement is one of the problems to be solved by the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and appropriately issues a warning to a user when the surrounding environment of a device that moves with the user becomes undesirable for the device. An object is to provide a warning device, a warning system, and a warning method.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a warning device mounted on a device that moves with a user, wherein the identification is transmitted as a radio signal from identification information transmission means that has received a transmission-induced radio signal from the warning device. Storage means for storing identification information set in advance in the information transmission means and a threshold distance corresponding to the identification information; antenna means for transmitting / receiving a radio signal; and A transmission inducing means for transmitting a transmission inducing radio signal; and a radio signal from the identification information transmitting means when the antenna means receives the signal based on a reception result by the antenna means. A distance measuring means for estimating a distance; and whether the distance estimated by the distance measuring means is shorter than a threshold distance corresponding to the identification information stored in the storage means An alarm generation control means for issuing an alarm generation command when the determination result is affirmative; an alarm generation means for generating an alarm when receiving the alarm generation instruction; It is equipped with this.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information set in advance as a wireless signal when receiving the transmission-inducing wireless signal of the identification information; A warning system comprising: the warning device according to the item.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a warning method used in a warning device mounted on a device that moves together with a user, and a transmission step of transmitting a transmission-induced radio signal of identification information; Ranging step of estimating the distance from the identification information transmitting means based on the reception result of the identification information set in advance in the identification information transmitting means, which is transmitted as a wireless signal by the received identification information transmitting means And a determination step for determining whether or not the distance estimated in the distance measurement step is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance corresponding to the identification information; and the determination result in the determination step is positive An alarm generation step for generating an alarm when there is an alarm method.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning program that causes a calculation means to execute the warning method according to the ninth aspect.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which the warning program according to the tenth aspect is recorded in a readable manner on the calculation means.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description and drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a warning system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the warning system 100 includes a warning device 200 and identification information transmission elements 300 ₁ ,..., 300 _N as identification information transmission means. Here, the warning device 200 is mounted on a device 500 that can move with a user, such as a mobile phone device. The identification information transmitting element 300 _j (j = 1 to N) is attached to the device 900 _j .

Warning device 200, based on the reception result of the identification information of the calling identification information transmission device 300 _j from the identification information transmitting device 300 _j as a radio signal of a predetermined frequency band, to generate an alarm. As shown in FIG. 2, the warning device 200 having such a function includes an antenna 210 as an antenna unit, a duplexer (DUP) 220, and an operating power signal generation unit 230 as a transmission inducing unit. The warning device 200 includes an alarm generation control unit 240 as a distance measuring unit and an alarm generation control unit, an alarm generation unit 250 as an alarm generation unit, and a threshold value input unit 260.

  Note that the warning device 200 is configured to operate upon receipt of operating power PWA from the power supply unit 510 in the device 500. For example, when the device 500 is a mobile phone device, the power supply unit 510 includes a rechargeable battery, and the operating power PWA is supplied from the battery to the warning device 200.

  The antenna 210 is connected to the DUP 220. Then, the signal output from the DUP 220 is transmitted from the antenna 210 to the outside. In addition, a signal received by the antenna 210 is sent to the DUP 220.

  Upon receiving the transmission power signal SPS from the operating power signal generation unit 230, the DUP 220 outputs the signal to the antenna 210. In addition, when receiving a signal from the antenna 210, the DUP 220 outputs the received signal RDS to the alarm generation control unit 240.

The operating power signal generation unit 230 generates an operating power signal SPS to be supplied to the identification information transmitting element 300 _j . The generated operating power signal SPS is output to the DUP 220. Note that the operating power signal generation unit 230 continuously generates the operating power signal SPS during the period when the operating power PWA is supplied from the power supply unit 510 to the warning device 200.

  The alarm generation control unit 240 controls the generation of an alarm based on the received signal from the DUP 220. The alarm generation control unit 240 will be described later.

  The alarm generation unit 250 generates an alarm according to the alarm generation command ALS from the alarm generation control unit 240. In the present embodiment, the alarm generation unit 250 has a buzzer device and generates a ringing sound in accordance with the alarm generation command ALS.

  Note that when the device 500 on which the warning device 200 is mounted includes a sound output unit having a speaker or the like, the sound output unit can be used as the alarm generation unit 250.

  The threshold value input unit 260 is input with the correspondence between the identification information and the threshold distance to be registered in the alarm generation control unit 240. The input result to the threshold input unit 260 is sent to the alarm generation control unit 240 as threshold setting data TSD.

  When the device 500 on which the warning device 200 is mounted includes an operation input unit having a keyboard or the like, the operation input unit can be used as the threshold value input unit 260.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the alarm generation control unit 240 includes a filter (FIL) 241, a demodulation unit 242, and a power detection unit 243 as a detection unit. The alarm generation control unit 240 includes a processing unit 245 that also functions as an estimation unit, and a storage unit 247 as a storage unit.

The storage unit 247 includes a nonvolatile storage element, and a threshold distance table 247T is stored in the nonvolatile area. In the threshold distance table 247T, as shown in FIG. 4, threshold distances corresponding to identification information ID ₁ , ID ₂ ,..., ID _M that may be transmitted from the identification information transmitting elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N. DT ₁ , DT ₂ ,..., DT _M are registered. Here, the threshold distance DT _k (k = 1 to M) is an apparatus 900 to which the identification information transmission element 300 _j (any _{one of the} identification information transmission elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N ) that transmits the identification information ID _k is attached. _{For j} , it is the lower limit of the distance that device 500 should keep.

  The registration contents in the threshold distance table 247T can be registered in advance when the warning device 200 is mounted on the apparatus 500, or newly registered by inputting new registration contents to the threshold input unit 260 by the user. You can also Furthermore, the registered content can be updated by the input of the updated content of the already registered content to the threshold value input unit 260 by the user.

Returning to FIG. 3, FIL 241 receives reception signal RDS from DUP 220. Then, the FIL 241 selectively passes a signal in a predetermined frequency band related to the signal transmitted from the identification information transmitting element 300 _j described above in the received signal RDS. The signal that has passed through the FIL 241 is output from the FIL to the demodulation unit 242 and the power detection unit 243 as the selection frequency signal FSS.

  The demodulator 242 receives the selection frequency signal FSS from the FIL 241. Then, the demodulation unit 242 performs demodulation processing on the selected frequency signal FSS. The result of this demodulation processing is output from the demodulator 242 to the processor 245 as a demodulated signal DMD.

Here, if the selected frequency signal FSS bears identification information from any of the identification information transmission elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N and has a signal power of a certain level or more, the demodulated signal DMD is transmitted from the identification information transmission element. The signal significantly reflects the identification information. When the signal power of the selection frequency signal FSS is small, the demodulated signal DMD cannot be said to be a signal reflecting the identification signal.

The power detection unit 243 detects the signal level of the selection frequency signal FSS. If the demodulated signal DMD significantly reflects the identification information from any _{one of the} identification information transmission elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N , the detection result by the power detection unit 243 indicates that the transmission signal of the identification information transmission element is It can be said that the electric field intensity at the position of the antenna 210. The detection result by the power detection unit 243 is output from the power detection unit 243 to the processing unit 245 as a detection result signal EFI.

  The processing unit 245 receives the demodulated signal DMD from the demodulation unit 242 and the detection result signal EFI from the power detection unit 243. Then, when the demodulated signal DMD includes the identification information significantly, the processing unit 245 transmits the identification signal based on the signal power value of the selection frequency signal FSS obtained as the detection result signal EFI. The distance to the device 500 is estimated. Such distance estimation is performed based on the relationship between the signal power value of the selected frequency signal FSS and the inter-device distance obtained in advance based on experiments, simulations, and the like.

  When the estimation of the inter-device distance is completed, the processing unit 245 uses the identification information received as the demodulated signal DMD as a key, and sets the threshold distance corresponding to the identification information from the threshold distance table 247T in the storage unit 247 to the memory read data MRD. Read as. Then, the processing unit 245 outputs an alarm generation command ALS to the alarm generation unit 250 when the estimated distance is read and the threshold distance is also short. Upon receiving this alarm generation command ALS, the alarm generation unit 250 generates a ringing sound as an alarm.

  Further, the processing unit 245 receives the threshold setting data TSD from the threshold input unit 260. Receiving the threshold setting data TSD, the processing unit 245 sends the correspondence between the identification information specified by the threshold setting data TSD and the threshold distance to the storage unit 247 as memory write data MWD. As a result, the registered content in the threshold distance table 247T is updated.

When each of the identification information transmitting elements 300 _j (j = 1 to N) receives the operating power signal, the identification information given to the identification information transmitting element 300 _j is transmitted as a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. To do. As shown in FIG. 5, the identification information transmitting element 300 _j having such a function includes an antenna 310, a duplexer (DUP) 320, an operating power generation unit 330, and an identification information transmission unit 340. In the present embodiment, the identification information transmitting element 300 _j is configured as a so-called one IC chip.

  The antenna 310 is connected to the DUP 320. Then, the signal output from the DUP 320 is transmitted from the antenna 310 to the outside. In addition, a signal received by the antenna 310 is sent to the DUP 320.

  Upon receiving a signal from the antenna 310, the DUP 320 outputs the received power signal RPS toward the operating power generation unit 330. When receiving the transmission signal SDS from the identification information transmission unit 340, it outputs it toward the antenna 310.

  The operating power generation unit 330 uses the received power signal RPS from the DUP 320 to generate operating power PWB having a predetermined voltage. The generated operating power PWB is supplied to the identification information transmission unit 340.

  When the signal power of the received power signal RPS is small because the distance to the device 500 is long, the operating power PWB generated by the operating power generation unit 330 does not reach the predetermined voltage and transmits the identification information. Unit 340 does not operate. Then, when the device 500 approaches and the signal power of the received power signal RPS increases to a certain degree or more, the operating power PWB generated by the operating power generation unit 330 becomes the above-mentioned predetermined voltage, and the identification information transmission unit 340 starts operating. ing.

The identification information transmission unit 340 includes a modulation unit (not shown) and the like, and stores previously assigned identification information ID _j . The identification information transmission unit 340 repeats the operation of automatically outputting the transmission signal SDS carrying the identification information ID _j to the DUP 320 when the operating power PWB having a predetermined voltage is supplied.

The identification information ID _j stored in the identification information transmitting unit 340 of the identification information transmission device 300 _j is not limited to be specific to the identification information transmission device 300 _j. That is, the identification information ID _j may or may in the identification information transmission device 300 _j is a specific content, the mounting identification information transmission identification information transmission device 300 _j is attached to unit 900 _j same type to be mounted In some cases, it is common with the element. In any case, by identifying the identification information ID _j , it is possible to determine the attribute of the device to which the identification information transmitting element that transmits the identification information ID _j is attached.

[Operation]
Next, the alarm generation operation in the warning system 100 configured as described above will be described mainly focusing on the processing in the warning device 200.

As a premise, the threshold distance table 247T in the warning device 200 includes the threshold distances corresponding to the identification information ID ₁ , ID ₂ ,..., ID _M that may be transmitted from the identification information transmission elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N. It is assumed that DT ₁ , DT ₂ ,..., DT _M are already registered (see FIG. 4). Further, it is assumed that the warning device 200 is supplied with the operating power PWA from the power supply unit 510, and the operating power signal is transmitted from the antenna 210 of the warning device 200 (see FIG. 2).

In the warning device 200, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S11, the processing unit 245 in the alarm generation control unit 240 determines whether or not the identification information is received by the demodulated signal DMD. When distance between apparatus 500 and apparatus 900 _j (j = 1 to N) is long, identification information is not received by demodulated signal DMD, and the determination result in step S11 is negative (step In S11: N), the process of step S11 is repeated.

After that, when the device 500 moves and any of the device 500 and the device 900 _j (j = 1 to N) (hereinafter described as the device 900 ₁ ) approaches, the identification by the identification information transmitting element 300 ₁ is performed. Transmission of a radio signal carrying information is started. Then, the radio signal carrying the identification information is received by the warning device 200, demodulated by the demodulator 242 via the DUP 220 and the FIL 241, and the identification information is notified to the processing unit 245 as the demodulated signal DMD. The result of determination in S11 is affirmative (step S11: Y), and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the processing unit 245 reads the detection result signal EFI output from the power detection unit 243. As a result, the processing unit 245 acquires the electric field strength at the position of the antenna 210 of the transmission signal of the identification information transmission element 300 ₁ . Subsequently, in step S13, the processing unit 245, based on the obtained electric field intensity, to estimate the distance between the device 500 and the device 900 _1.

  Next, in step S14, the processing unit 245 determines whether or not the distance estimated in step S13 is less than a threshold distance. In making this determination, the processing unit 245 first accesses the threshold distance table 247T using the identification information received as the demodulated signal DMD as a key, and acquires threshold information corresponding to the identification information. Then, the processing unit 245 compares the acquired threshold distance with the estimated distance.

  If the result of the determination in step S14 is negative (step S14: N), the process returns to step S11. Thereafter, the processes of steps S11 to S14 described above are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S14 is affirmative (step S14: Y), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the processing unit 245 outputs an alarm generation command ALS toward the alarm generation unit 250. As a result, an alarm is generated from the alarm generation unit 250 as a ringing sound.

  When the alarm generation in step S15 ends, the process returns to step S11. Thereafter, the processes of steps S11 to S15 described above are repeated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the warning device 200 mounted on the device 500 that moves with the user transmits an operating power signal, which is a transmission-induced radio signal of identification information, as a radio signal. The identification information transmitting element 300 _j (any _{one of the} identification information transmitting elements 300 _{1 to} 300 _N ) that has received this operating power signal transmits the identification information preset in the identification information transmitting element 300 _j as a radio signal. Based on the reception result of the radio signal carrying the identification information, the warning device 200 is a distance between the device 500 on which the warning device 200 is mounted and the device 900 _j on which the identification information transmitting element 300 _j is mounted. Is estimated. Then, the warning device 200 compares a predetermined threshold distance corresponding to the received identification information with the estimated distance, and issues an alarm generation command ALS when the estimated distance is shorter than the threshold distance. Trigger an alarm.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the surrounding environment of the device 500 that moves with the user becomes unfavorable for the device with a simple configuration, an alarm can be appropriately issued to the user. .

[Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the operating power signal is used as the transmission inducing radio signal to the identification information transmitting element, but a so-called polling signal or the like can also be used.

  In the above embodiment, in the above embodiment, the alarm generation unit 250 includes a buzzer and generates a ringing sound as an alarm. However, the alarm generation unit is configured to have a sound output function, and the alarm is generated. A warning sound may be generated.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in the above embodiment, the sound that appeals to the auditory sense is generated as an alarm. However, the alarm generation unit is configured to include a vibrator so that vibration that appeals to the tactile sense is generated as an alarm. It may be.

  In the above embodiment, the mobile phone device is exemplified as the device that moves with the user. However, the warning device of the present invention may be mounted on a portable device other than the mobile phone device such as a portable audio device. Good. Furthermore, you may make it mount the warning device of this invention in the vehicle etc. which are not portable.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the identification information transmitting element is mounted on the apparatus, but the identification information transmitting element may be mounted on a road or a building. For example, an identification information transmitting element is arranged somewhere in a parking prohibited area of a road, and an alarm is generated by a warning device mounted on the vehicle when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance of the area. You can also.

  Further, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the identification information transmitting element is attached to a fixedly arranged device. However, along with the movement of a user such as a device that can be moved by itself or a cardiac pacemaker. It is also possible to attach the identification information transmitting element to the moving device.

  In the above embodiment, the identification information transmitting element configured as one IC chip is adopted as the identification information transmitting means. However, if the configuration operates in the same manner as the identification information transmitting element of the above embodiment, Any configuration may be adopted.

  The warning device of the above embodiment is configured as a computer system including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the function of the warning device of the above embodiment is also realized by executing a program. Can do. These programs may be acquired in the form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be acquired in the form of delivery via a network such as the Internet. Good.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the warning system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the warning device of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the alarm generation control unit of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content of the threshold distance table of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the identification information transmission element of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the warning device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Warning system 200 ... Warning apparatus 210 ... Antenna (antenna means)
230 ... Operating power signal generation unit (transmission induction means)
240 ... Alarm generation control unit (ranging means and alarm generation control means)
243 ... Power detection unit (detection means)
245 ... Processing unit (estimating means)
247 ... Storage section (storage means)
250 ... Alarm generating unit (alarm generating means)
300 _{1 to} 300 _N ... Identification information transmitting element (identification information transmitting means)

Claims (11)

A warning device mounted on a device that moves with the user,
Identification information preset in the identification information transmission means transmitted as a wireless signal from the identification information transmission means that has received the transmission-induced radio signal from the warning device is associated with a threshold distance corresponding to the identification information. Storage means stored in memory;
Antenna means for transmitting and receiving radio signals;
Transmission inducing means for transmitting the transmission inducing radio signal via the antenna means;
A distance measuring means for estimating a distance to the identification information transmitting means based on a reception result by the antenna means when a radio signal from the identification information transmitting means is received by the antenna means;
It is determined whether the distance estimated by the distance measuring unit is shorter than a threshold distance corresponding to the identification information stored in the storage unit, and when the result of the determination is affirmative, An alarm generation control means for issuing an alarm generation command;
Alarm generating means for generating an alarm when receiving the alarm generation command;
A warning device comprising:   The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission inducing radio signal is an operating power supply signal that supplies operating power to the identification information transmitting means. The distance measuring means includes
Detecting means for detecting the reception intensity of the radio signal from the identification information transmitting means;
Estimating means for estimating a distance to the identification information transmitting means based on a detection result by the detecting means;
The warning device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information is set uniquely for each of the identification information transmission means.   The warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information is set corresponding to an attribute of a device to which the identification information transmission unit is attached.   The warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information is set corresponding to an attribute of a position where the identification information transmission unit is disposed.   The warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the warning generation unit generates the warning in a manner that appeals to at least one of a user's auditory sense and tactile sense. Identification information transmission means for transmitting identification information set in advance as a wireless signal when receiving a transmission-induced wireless signal of identification information;
A warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
A warning system comprising: A warning method used in a warning device mounted on a device that moves with a user,
A transmission step of transmitting a transmission-induced radio signal of identification information;
Based on the reception result of the identification information set in advance in the identification information transmitting means, which is transmitted as a wireless signal by the identification information transmitting means that has received the transmission inducing radio signal, the distance from the identification information transmitting means is determined. A ranging process to be estimated;
A determination step of determining whether or not the distance estimated in the distance measurement step is shorter than a threshold distance determined in advance corresponding to the identification information;
An alarm generation step for generating an alarm when a result of the determination in the determination step is positive;
A warning method comprising:   A warning program for causing a calculation means to execute the warning method according to claim 9.   11. A recording medium, wherein the warning program according to claim 10 is recorded in a readable manner on the arithmetic means.

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