JP2014157600A - Current position specifying device and shoe mounting current position specifying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify a current position of a user.SOLUTION: A current position specifying device 100 includes present position detection means which detects a current position, power supply switching means which switches on/off status of a power supply on the basis of an operation from a user, and operating state switching means which switches an operating state of the current position specifying device to a sleep state in which electric current flow to each part is suppressed compared to a normal operation state when the power supply is switched to on by the power supply switching means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a current position specifying device and shoes equipped with the current position specifying device.

  The following deed location management systems are known. In the detected terminal used in this deaf person position management system, it is determined whether or not the deaf person is in a stopped state from the signal of the acceleration sensor unit, and is determined to be in a stopped state when not walking for a predetermined time or longer. And when it determines with a stop state, the power consumption of a positioning satellite radio | wireless receiving part is turned off, and it controls so that it may transfer to the power saving mode which makes the positioning process of a calculation process part a stop state, and power consumption is reduced. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-165300 A

  However, in the case of a terminal or device used to identify the position of the deaf person, such as the detected terminal in the conventional deaf person position management system, the user who wants to grasp the deaf person's position turns on the power in advance. It is necessary for the user to carry the terminal or device in the state or to attach it to his / her belongings. In this case, there is a high possibility that the unused state continues for a long time after the power is turned on, and the battery is consumed by the time of use, and the remaining capacity may be reduced. If the location target person is a person who is difficult to care about the remaining battery power, it may not be noticed even if the battery runs out, and the position of the deaf person cannot be determined. Could lead to. In contrast, in the conventional user location management system, control is performed so as to shift to the power saving mode when the user is in a stopped state, but what kind of control is performed when the detected terminal is turned on. There has been no disclosure, and no study has been made on a technology that enables long-time operation by suppressing battery consumption after the power is turned on.

A current position specifying device according to the present invention includes a current position detecting unit that detects a current position, a power switching unit that switches power on and off based on an operation from a user, and a power source that is switched on by the power switching unit. In some cases, the present invention includes an operation state switching unit that switches an operation state of the current position specifying device to a sleep state in which a current flowing through each unit is suppressed compared to a normal operation state.
A shoe equipped with a current position specifying device according to the present invention is equipped with the current position specifying device described above.

  According to the present invention, when the power of the current position determination device is turned on, it is possible to immediately shift to the sleep state, so that it is possible to operate for a long time while suppressing battery consumption from the stage when the power is turned on. Can be.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a current position specifying device 100. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of current position specifying processing executed by the current position specifying device 100. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of current position notification processing executed by the current position specifying device 100.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a current position specifying device in the present embodiment. The current position specifying device 100 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 101, an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) 102, a communication antenna 103, a power switch 104, a vibration switch 105, a switch control circuit 106, an LED display circuit. 107, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) circuit 108, a charging connector 109, a communication card connector 110, a fuse 111, a battery 112, and a communication module 113.

  The GPS antenna 101 is an antenna for communicating with GPS satellites and receiving GPS signals. The LNA 102 is a low noise amplifier for amplifying the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna 101. The communication antenna 103 is an antenna for performing wireless communication by connecting to an existing communication network. In this embodiment, the communication antenna 103 is used to connect to a mobile phone communication network provided by a mobile phone company so as to communicate with an external device or terminal (hereinafter referred to as “external device”).

  The power switch 104 is a switch for a user to operate to switch on / off the power of the current position specifying device 100. In the current position specifying device 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the user presses and holds down the power switch 104 when the power is turned off, the power is turned on, and when the user presses and holds the power switch 104 when the power is turned on, the power is turned off.

  The vibration switch 105 is a switch for detecting the vibration of the current position specifying device 100, and includes a vibration sensor and its peripheral circuits. The switch control circuit 106 is a circuit for performing control to switch on / off vibration detection by the vibration switch 105 based on an instruction from the communication module 114 described later.

  The LED display circuit 107 is a circuit for displaying the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 by turning off, turning on, and blinking the LED. The RTC circuit 108 is a circuit for measuring the internal time of the current position specifying device 100, and has a function of keeping the current time even when the power of the current position specifying device 100 is off.

  The charging connector 109 is a connector for supplying electric power for charging a battery 112 described later. For example, the battery 112 may be charged by mounting a micro USB connector as the charging connector 109 and connecting an AC adapter via the micro USB connector. Alternatively, the battery 112 may be charged by mounting a non-contact charging coil on the charging connector 109 and placing the current position specifying device 100 on a mat-shaped charging device.

  The communication card connector 110 is a connector for inserting a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module Card) for connection to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103 described above. A user can communicate via the communication antenna 103 by inserting a SIM card obtained by making a contract with a communication company that provides a mobile phone communication network in advance into the communication card connector 110.

  The fuse 111 is a short-circuit protection fuse for the battery 112, and is inserted in the plus line of the battery 112. The battery 112 is a battery for supplying electric power to each unit constituting the current position specifying device 100. As the battery 112, for example, a lithium polymer battery is used, and a battery capacity capable of driving the current position specifying device 100 for a long time is secured. Here, for example, a 250 mAh type lithium polymer battery is used. The battery 112 includes an overcharge prevention circuit and a short protection circuit.

  The communication module 113 is a module for controlling communication with a GPS satellite via the GPS antenna 101 and communication with an external device via the communication antenna 103, and also controls the entire current position specifying device 100. To do. For this purpose, the communication module 113 includes a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits. Note that the memory constituting the communication module 113 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as SDRAM and a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The volatile memory is used as a work memory for the CPU to expand the program when the program is executed and a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. In addition, in the nonvolatile memory, firmware for operating the current position specifying device 100 and software program data for operating various applications are recorded.

  The current position specifying device 100 in the present embodiment measures the current position based on the GPS signal received via the GPS antenna 101, and the measurement result is transmitted via the mobile phone communication network connected via the communication antenna 103. To an external device (hereinafter referred to as “report destination terminal”) that is set as a report destination in advance. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can specify the current position of the user who has the current position specifying device 100.

  The current position specifying device 100 in the present embodiment is housed in a shoe of a user who is desired to be able to confirm the location when going out, and is used to specify the current position of the user who goes out wearing the shoe. For this reason, the current position specifying device 100 is miniaturized to a size that can be stored in shoes. For example, if a space for storing the current position specifying device 100 is provided inside or under the insole of the shoe and the current position specifying device 100 is stored here, the user stores the current position specifying device 100 in the shoe. I will go out with my shoes. The space for storing the current position specifying device 100 is not limited to the bottom of the insole, and may be the upper surface, side surface, heel portion, toe portion, or the like of the shoe.

  As a user who is desired to be able to confirm the location when going out, for example, a person with dementia, a person at risk of hemorrhoids, an intellectually disabled person, an elderly person, a child, an infant, and the like are assumed. If the current position specifying device 100 is housed and mounted in the user's shoes, there is a merit that the user always wears the current position specifying device 100 when going out. That is, when the current position specifying device 100 is necklace-shaped and taken over the neck, or put in a pocket or bag, the user may forget the current position specifying device 100 and go out. However, since shoes are always worn when going out, if the current position specifying device 100 is mounted on the shoes, the user always wears the current position specifying device 100 and acts when going out.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the current position specifying process executed by the current position specifying device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The current position specifying process shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the communication module 113 as a program that is activated when the power switch 104 is long pressed by the user and the power of the current position specifying device 100 is turned on.

  In step S <b> 10, the communication module 113 controls the LED display circuit 107 to turn on the LED for a predetermined time, thereby notifying the user that the power of the current position specifying device 100 has been turned on. Then, it progresses to step S20.

  In step S <b> 20, the communication module 113 performs initial setting of each part of the current position specifying device 100 as a process at the time of activation when the current position specifying device 100 is turned on. For example, processing for enabling reception of a GPS signal from a GPS satellite via the GPS antenna 101 and processing for starting communication via a mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103 are executed. Then, it progresses to step S30.

  In step S30, the communication module 113 controls the switch control circuit 106 to turn on vibration detection by the vibration switch 105, thereby starting detection of vibration of the current position specifying device 100. Thereby, it becomes possible to detect the vibration of the current position specifying device 100 that occurs when the user goes out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 to a sleep state in which a current flowing to each unit is suppressed as compared with the normal operation state during the normal operation. For example, when the current position specifying device 100 is switched to a sleep state, the communication module 113 controls the current flowing from the battery 112 to each unit to be suppressed to about 1 mA. Thereby, after the power is turned on and the initial setting of each unit is completed, the current position specifying device 100 can be switched to the sleep state to suppress power consumption. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S <b> 50, the communication module 113 determines whether vibration of the current position specifying device 100 is detected based on the output from the vibration switch 105. If a positive determination is made in step S50, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the communication module 113 starts the standby mode. In the standby mode, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state, releases the restriction on the current flowing from the battery 112 to each part, and continues the vibration duration detected in step S50. Measure the time. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the communication module 113 determines whether vibration detection continues for a predetermined time. Note that the determination in step S70 may be such that an interrupt signal is generated at regular intervals by the RTC circuit 108 and an affirmative determination is made when the number of occurrences reaches the number corresponding to the predetermined time. For example, when the vibration detection is set to be affirmative when the detection continues for 5 minutes and the RTC circuit 108 generates an interrupt signal every minute, the communication module 113 determines that the number of occurrences of the interrupt signal is When it is five times, an affirmative determination may be made in step S70.

  If a negative determination is made in step S70, the process returns to step S40, the communication module 113 ends the standby mode, and switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 to the sleep state again. This is because if the detection of vibration does not continue for a predetermined time, the vibration of the current position specifying device 100 is temporary and not generated when the user goes out. This is to reduce power consumption.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S70, the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, since the detection of vibration has continued for a predetermined time, it can be determined that the user has gone out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100. Therefore, the communication module 113 determines the current position of the user who is out. Switch from standby mode to monitoring mode. In the monitoring mode, the communication module 113 ends the time measurement of the vibration duration detected in step S50. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, the communication module 113 stops the detection of vibration of the current position specifying device 100 by controlling the switch control circuit 106 and turning off the vibration detection by the vibration switch 105 in accordance with the shift to the monitoring mode. . This is because the detection of vibration is not necessary after going out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100, and there is no problem even if the vibration detection by the vibration switch 105 is turned off. Further, by turning off vibration detection by the vibration switch 105, it is possible to suppress power consumption after switching to the monitoring mode.

  Then, it progresses to step S100 and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the present position specific | specification apparatus 100 from a normal operation state to a sleep state. This is because the measurement of the current position after the user has gone out may be performed at a predetermined time interval set in advance, for example, at an interval of 1 minute. The purpose is that. Then, it progresses to step S110.

  In step S110, the communication module 113 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance, for example, 1 minute has elapsed since switching to the monitoring mode in step S80 or measuring the previous current position. Note that the communication module 113 may perform the determination in step S110 based on the number of interrupt signals generated by the RTC circuit 108 as in the above-described determination in step S70. If a positive determination is made in step S110, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 to the normal operation state described above, and enables the current position of the current position specifying device 100 to be detected. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S <b> 130, the communication module 113 detects the current position of the current position specifying device 100 based on the GPS signal received via the GPS antenna 101 and amplified by the LNA 102. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the communication module 113 uses information for specifying the current position of the current position specifying device 100 detected in step S130, for example, latitude / longitude information indicating the current position of the current position specifying device 100, and the detection time thereof. The current position information associated with the indicated information is recorded in the nonvolatile memory described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 to the sleep state described above, and suppresses power consumption of the current position specifying device 100. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user has returned home. In the present embodiment, the communication module 113 detects the return of the user when the current position of the current position specifying device 100 detected in step S130 is within a predetermined range from the pre-registered home position, for example, within 100 m. To do. It is assumed that the user's home position is registered in the memory in advance by the user or the operator of the report destination terminal. If a positive determination is made in step S160, the process proceeds to step S170.

  In step S170, the communication module 113 ends the monitoring mode started in step S80, and proceeds to step S180.

  In step S180, the communication module 113 controls the switch control circuit 106 to turn on vibration detection by the vibration switch 105, thereby starting detection of vibration of the current position specifying device 100. Thereby, after the user returns home, it is possible to detect vibrations that occur when going out with the shoes in which the current position specifying device 100 is stored again. Then, it returns to step S40.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S160, the process proceeds to step S190. In step S190, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user has pressed the power switch 104 for a long time to instruct power-off of the current position specifying device 100. If a negative determination is made in step S190, the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S190, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, the communication module 113 turns off the power of the current position specifying device 100. Thereafter, the process ends.

  Next, the flow of the current position notification process executed by the current position specifying device 100 in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. The current position specifying process shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the communication module 113 as a program that starts when the user presses the power switch 104 for a long time and the power of the current position specifying device 100 is turned on.

  In step S <b> 210, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user has gone out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100. Here, the home position of the user is registered in the memory in advance by the user or the operator of the report destination terminal, and the communication module 113 indicates that the current position of the current position specifying device 100 detected by the process described above with reference to FIG. It is determined that the user has gone out when the user is away from the registered home by a predetermined distance or more, for example, 100 m or more. If a positive determination is made in step S210, the process proceeds to step S290.

  The home position may be registered by a user or an operator of the report destination terminal by operating an input member (not shown) of the current position specifying device 100, or the current position specifying device 100 may be registered with an external device such as a personal computer. It may be connected to a device and registered from an external device. Or you may enable it for the operator of a report destination terminal to register by remote operation from a report destination terminal. The same applies to information that needs to be set or registered in advance in the processing of the present embodiment.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 connects to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and obtains the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. 2 and information indicating that the user has gone out. Send to the report destination terminal and report. Thus, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has gone out together with the current position of the user, and can pay attention to the user's behavior until the user's return is reported. . This notification may be performed using e-mail, a short message, or the like, and the same applies to the following processing.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S210, the process proceeds to step S220. In step S <b> 220, the communication module 113 determines whether or not a user who has gone out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100 has entered a preset danger area. Here, information indicating the danger area designated on the map by the user or the operator of the report destination terminal is registered in the memory, and the communication module 113 detects the current position specifying device detected by the processing described above with reference to FIG. When the current position of 100 is located in a danger area registered in advance, the user determines that the user has entered the danger area. In addition, as a dangerous area, for example, an area that is dangerous when a user generally enters such as a highway, a highway, and a river with a large traffic volume is assumed. If a positive determination is made in step S220, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and indicates the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. 2 and that the user has entered the danger area. Sends information to the report destination terminal for notification. Thus, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has entered the dangerous area together with the current position of the user. For this reason, in order to avoid danger to the user, it is possible to protect the user up to the current position of the notified user, or to request the protection of the user from the local police and acquaintances.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S220, the process proceeds to step S230. In step S230, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user who has gone out wearing the shoes storing the current position specifying device 100 has reached a point separated from the pre-registered home by a predetermined distance or more, for example, 2 km or more. . Here, the user's home position is registered in advance as described above, and the communication module 113 determines that the current position of the current position specifying device 100 detected by the processing described above with reference to FIG. When the position is a predetermined distance or more away, the user determines that the user has reached a point away from the home by a predetermined distance or more. If a positive determination is made in step S230, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. 2 and that the user is away from the home by a predetermined distance or more. The information indicating is sent to the report destination terminal and notified. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has reached a point far away from the home, together with the current position of the user. In this case, since the user may be jealous of a point far away from home or the return path may not be known, the operator of the report destination terminal must It is possible to go to protect the user or ask the local police and acquaintances to protect the user.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S230, the process proceeds to step S240. In step S240, the communication module 113 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance, for example, 1 hour or more has elapsed since detecting the user's going out. Here, the user or the operator of the notification destination terminal can set in advance the outing time for which notification is desired, and the communication module 113 sets in advance the time elapsed since the user's outing was detected in step S210. If the set out time is exceeded, an affirmative determination is made in step S240. If a positive determination is made in step S240, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. 2 and the user returns home for a predetermined time or more set in advance. Sends information indicating that it has not been sent to the reporting terminal. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has not gone out for a long time and has not come home together with the current position of the user. In this case, since the user may be hesitant about not knowing how to go home, or may be involved in an accident on the go, or may be getting sick on the go, the operator of the report destination terminal It is possible to go to protect the user before danger to the user, or ask the local police or acquaintance to protect the user.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S240, the process proceeds to step S250. In step S250, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user has returned home. Here, the communication module 113 determines that the current position of the current position specifying device 100 is within a predetermined range from the pre-registered home position, for example, within 100 m, as in the process of step S160 described above with reference to FIG. It is determined that the user has returned home. If a positive determination is made in step S250, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and reports the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the processing of FIG. 2 and information indicating that the user has returned home. Send to the terminal and report. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal can be assured that the user has safely returned home.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S250, the process proceeds to step S260. In step S260, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user's going out has not been detected even though the preset date and time of the user's going out has passed. Here, it is assumed that the user or the operator of the notification destination terminal can register the scheduled date and time of going out of the user in advance, and the communication module 113 is scheduled to go out of the user whose current date and time acquired from the RTC circuit 108 is registered in advance. Even if it is day and time, when it is not detected in step S210 that the user has gone out, an affirmative determination is made in step S260. If a positive determination is made in step S260, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. Sends information indicating that the message is not sent to the report destination terminal and reports it. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal may have forgotten that the user needs to go out, and can call the user or go to his / her home directly to prompt the user to go out. Further, since there is a possibility that the user may not be able to go out due to illness or injury, the user's safety can be confirmed using this notification.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S260, the process proceeds to step S270. In step S270, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the battery 112 has dropped below a predetermined value set in advance, for example, below 10% of the total capacity. If a positive determination is made in step S270, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 is connected to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. 2 and the remaining capacity of the battery 112 are reduced. The information indicating that is sent to the report destination terminal and notified. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal can know that the battery 112 needs to be charged. Therefore, the user can be contacted to prompt the user to charge the battery 112, or he can visit the current position of the user himself / herself. Can be charged.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and proceeds to step S320 described later.

  If a negative determination is made in step S270, the process proceeds to step S280. In step S280, the communication module 113 determines whether there is an inquiry about the current position from the report destination terminal. If a positive determination is made in step S280, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the sleep state to the normal operation state in order to report to the report destination terminal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the communication module 113 connects to the mobile phone communication network via the communication antenna 103, and transmits the latest current position information recorded in the memory in the process of FIG. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal can always check and confirm the current position of the user.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the communication module 113 switches the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 from the normal operation state to the sleep state, and then proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the communication module 113 determines whether or not the user has pressed the power switch 104 for a long time to instruct power-off of the current position specifying device 100. If a negative determination is made in step S320, the process returns to step S210. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S320, the process proceeds to step S330.

  In step S330, the communication module 113 turns off the power of the current position specifying device 100. Thereafter, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When the communication module 113 performs initial setting of each part constituting the current position specifying device 100 as a process at startup when the power is switched on based on the operation of the power switch 104 by the user, The operation state of the current position specifying device 100 is switched to the sleep state in which the current flowing to each part is suppressed as compared with the normal operation. Thus, after the power is turned on and the initial setting of each unit is completed, the current position specifying device 100 can be put into the sleep state until the user goes out, thereby suppressing power consumption. Further, by suppressing power consumption, power supply from the battery 112 can be maintained for a long time, and the charging interval of the battery 112 can be lengthened.

(2) When the communication module 113 detects vibration based on the output from the vibration switch 105 when the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 is the sleep state, the communication module 113 sets the operation state of the current position specifying device 100. Changed from sleep to normal operation. As a result, when there is a possibility that the user has gone out with the shoes in which the current position specifying device 100 is stored, the operating state of the current position specifying device 100 can be switched to the normal operating state to prepare for the user's going out. .

(3) After switching the operation state to the normal operation state, the communication module 113 sleeps the operation state when the vibration detection is not continued for a predetermined time, that is, when the vibration detection is stopped in less than the predetermined time. Return to the state. As a result, if the detection of vibration does not continue for a predetermined time, the vibration of the current position specifying device 100 is temporary and is not caused by the user's going out, and again enters the sleep state. The power consumption can be reduced by returning to

(4) If the vibration detection continues for a predetermined time or longer after switching the operation state to the normal operation state, the communication module 113 stops the vibration detection by the vibration switch 105 and sets the operation state to the sleep state. I tried to return it. As a result, after the user goes out wearing shoes containing the current position specifying device 100, it is not necessary to detect vibration for the purpose of detecting going out. Power consumption after switching to the mode can be suppressed.

(5) After switching to the monitoring mode, the communication module 113 switches the operation state to the normal operation state at predetermined time intervals set in advance, and receives the GPS signal received via the GPS antenna 101 and amplified by the LNA 102. Based on the above, the current position of the current position specifying device 100 is detected. Then, after the detection of the current position is completed, the operation state is returned to the sleep state again. As a result, the current position specifying device 100 is returned from the sleep state at a predetermined time interval to detect the current position, and after the detection of the current position is completed, the current position specifying device 100 can be returned to the sleep state again to reduce power consumption. .

(6) When the current position of the current position specifying device 100 is within a predetermined range from the user's home position set in advance, the communication module 113 determines that the user has returned home, and sets the switch control circuit 106 The vibration detection by the vibration switch 105 is turned on. Thus, after the user returns home, the vibration detection of the current position specifying device 100 can be started in preparation for going out by wearing the shoes in which the current position specifying device 100 is stored again.

(7) The communication module 113 transmits the current position information of the current position specifying device 100 to the report destination terminal when receiving an inquiry about the current position from the report destination terminal. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can confirm the current position of the user at any time.

(8) When the communication module 113 detects that the user having the current position specifying device 100 has gone out, the communication module 113 sends the current position information of the current position specifying device 100 to the report destination terminal and information indicating that the user has gone out. Was sent. Thus, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has gone out together with the current position of the user, and can pay attention to the user's behavior until the user's return is reported. .

(9) When the communication module 113 detects the return of the user, the communication module 113 transmits the current position information of the current position specifying device 100 and information indicating that the user has returned to the reporting destination terminal. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal can be assured that the user has safely returned home.

(10) The communication module 113 detects the current location information of the current location specifying device 100 and the user when the user does not return home even after a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the user's going out. Is transmitted with information indicating that has not returned home for a predetermined time set in advance. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has not gone out for a long time and has not come home together with the current position of the user. In this case, since the user may be hesitant about not knowing how to go home, or may be involved in an accident on the go, or may be getting sick on the go, the operator of the report destination terminal It is possible to go to protect the user before danger to the user, or ask the local police or acquaintance to protect the user.

(11) When the communication module 113 has not detected the user's going out despite the user's going out date and time set in advance, the communication module 113 sends the current location information of the current location specifying device 100 and the user to the reporting destination terminal. Added information indicating that will not go out even after the scheduled date and time of going out. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal may have forgotten that the user needs to go out, and can call the user or go to his / her home directly to prompt the user to go out. Further, since there is a possibility that the user may not be able to go out due to illness or injury, the user's safety can be confirmed using this notification.

(12) When the current position of the current position specifying device 100 is a position away from a preset home position by a predetermined distance or more, the communication module 113 transmits the current position information of the current position specifying device 100 to the report destination terminal. , Information indicating that the user is away from the home by a predetermined distance or more is transmitted. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has reached a point far away from the home, together with the current position of the user. In addition, the operator of the report destination terminal may have ridiculed the user before the user is at risk because the user may be jealous of a point far from home or the return path may be lost. You can go to protect it or ask the local police and acquaintances to protect you.

(13) The communication module 113 determines that the user has entered the dangerous area when the current position of the current position specifying device 100 is located in a preset dangerous area, The current position information of the position specifying device 100 and information indicating that the user has entered the danger area are transmitted. Thus, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has entered the dangerous area together with the current position of the user. For this reason, in order to avoid danger to the user, it is possible to protect the user up to the current position of the notified user, or to request the protection of the user from the local police and acquaintances.

(14) When the remaining amount of the battery 112 decreases to a predetermined value or less, the communication module 113 reduces the current position information of the current position specifying device 100 and the remaining capacity of the battery 112 to the report destination terminal. Information indicating that it has been sent. As a result, the operator of the report destination terminal can know that the battery 112 needs to be charged. Therefore, the user can be contacted to prompt the user to charge the battery 112, or he can visit the current position of the user himself / herself. Can be charged.

-Modification-
Note that the current position specifying device 100 of the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which communication is performed with an external device or terminal by connecting to a mobile phone communication network provided by a mobile phone company via the communication antenna 103. However, the communication network used for communication is not limited to this, and may be connected to a wireless LAN via the communication antenna 103 so as to be able to communicate with an external device or terminal via the Internet.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the communication module 113 detects the current position of the current position specifying device 100 based on the GPS signal received via the GPS antenna 101 and amplified by the LNA 102 has been described. . However, if the detection of the current position is not completed even after a preset timeout period has elapsed, the communication module 113 ends the detection of the current position and sets the operation state of the current position specifying device 100 to the sleep state. You may make it return. As a result, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to continuous detection of the current position for a long time when communication with a GPS satellite is not possible.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the communication module 113 determines that the current position of the current position specifying device 100 detected in step S130 is within a predetermined range from the pre-registered home position, for example, within 100 m. An example of detecting the return home has been described. However, the method for determining whether the user has returned home is not limited to this. For example, the communication module 113 may determine that the user has returned when the detected current position of the current position specifying device 100 is a position corresponding to a pre-registered home position. Alternatively, an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration is mounted in the current position specifying device 100, and the communication module 113 has a detected current position within a predetermined range from the pre-registered home position, for example, within 100 m, and acceleration. When the state where the acceleration detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or more, it may be determined that the user has returned home. According to this, since it can be determined that the user has returned home when the user has arrived near the home and the acceleration has decreased due to taking off his shoes at home, the user can return home when the user is lost near the home. It is possible to prevent erroneous determination.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, when the communication module 113 makes an affirmative determination in steps S210 to S280 in FIG. 3, it determines that the notification condition for the notification destination terminal is satisfied, and the current location to the notification destination terminal. An example of making a report was explained. However, the report condition is not limited to this, and other conditions that need to specify the current position of the user can be set. For example, if the user does not go out even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time, the user is notified of the fact that there is a possibility that the user cannot go out, such as illness. You may do it. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp that the user has not gone out for a long time and can confirm the safety of the user.

  The communication module 113 may determine that the notification condition is satisfied when charging of the battery 112 is started or when charging of the battery is completed. Thereby, the operator of the report destination terminal can grasp the timing when the charging of the battery 112 is started and the timing when the charging of the battery is finished. In addition, the communication module 113 may determine that the notification condition is satisfied when the current position specifying device 100 is removed from the charger. For example, as described above, when the micro USB connector is mounted as the charging connector 109 and the battery 112 is charged by connecting the AC adapter via the micro USB connector, the communication module 113 is connected to the micro USB connector. What is necessary is just to determine with the present location specific apparatus 100 having been removed from the charger, when an AC adapter is removed. Thereby, the operator of the reporting destination terminal can grasp the timing when the current position specifying device 100 is removed from the charger.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned embodiment and a some modification.

100 current position specifying device 101 GPS antenna 102 LNA
103 Communication Antenna 104 Power Switch 105 Vibration Switch 106 Switch Control Circuit 107 LED Display Circuit 108 RTC Circuit 109 Charging Connector 110 Communication Card Connector 111 Fuse 112 Battery 113 Communication Module

Claims (24)

A current position specifying device for specifying a user's current position,
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
Power switching means for switching power on and off based on a user operation;
And an operation state switching unit that switches an operation state of the current position specifying device to a sleep state in which a current flowing to each unit is suppressed compared to a normal operation state when the power source is switched on by the power source switching unit. The current position identification device. In the present position specifying device according to claim 1,
When the power source is switched on by the power source switching means, further comprising a start time process execution means for executing a start time process for operating the current position specifying device,
The current position specifying device, wherein the operation state switching unit switches the operation state to the sleep state after the start-up processing by the start-up process execution unit is completed. In the present position specifying device according to claim 1 or 2,
It further comprises vibration detection means for detecting vibration,
The operation state switching unit switches the operation state to the normal operation state when vibration is detected by the vibration detection unit when the operation state of the current position specifying device is the sleep state. The current position identification device. In the present position specifying device according to claim 3,
The operation state switching means returns the operation state to the sleep state when the detection of vibration by the vibration detection means stops after a predetermined time after switching the operation state to the normal operation state. A current location device characterized. In the present position specifying device according to claim 3 or 4,
The operation state switching means stops the detection by the vibration detection means when the vibration detection by the vibration detection means continues for a predetermined time or more after switching the operation state to the normal operation state, and A current position specifying device which returns an operation state to the sleep state. In the present position specifying device according to claim 5,
The operation state switching means switches the operation state to the normal operation state at predetermined time intervals when the operation state of the current position specifying device is the sleep state, and a current position by the current position detection means. After the detection of the current position is completed, the current position specifying device returns the operation state to a sleep state. In the present position specifying device according to claim 6,
The operation state switching means detects the current position by the current position detection means if the detection of the current position by the current position detection means does not complete for a predetermined time after switching the operation state to the normal operation state. The current position specifying device is characterized in that the operation state is terminated and the operation state is returned to the sleep state. In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The operation state switching means starts the detection by the vibration detecting means when the current position detected by the current position detecting means is within a predetermined range from the preset home position of the user. A current location device characterized. In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
An acceleration detection sensor for detecting acceleration;
The operation state switching means is in a state where the current position detected by the current position detection means is within a predetermined range from a preset point, and the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means is less than or equal to a predetermined value. A current position specifying device, wherein the detection by the vibration detecting means is started when it continues for a predetermined time or more. In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
When a preset notification condition is satisfied, the information processing device further includes notification means for transmitting information for specifying the current position detected by the current position detection means to the notification destination terminal via a communication line. A current location device characterized by that. In the present position specifying device according to claim 10,
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when an inquiry about the current position is received from the notification destination terminal. In the present position specifying device according to claim 10 or 11,
Based on the current position detected by the current position detection means and a preset home position, further comprising an outing detection means for detecting that the user who owns the current position specifying device has gone out,
The current position specifying device, wherein the reporting unit determines that the reporting condition is satisfied when the outing detecting unit detects that the user has gone out. In the present position specifying device according to claim 12,
After the user's going out is detected by the outing detecting means, the user who owns the current position specifying device returns based on the current position detected by the current position detecting means and a preset home position. And a return home detecting means for detecting
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the return home detection means detects the return home of the user. In the present position specifying device according to claim 13,
The notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the return home detection means does not detect the return home of the user even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the outing detection means is detected by the outing detection means. A current location device characterized by that. In the present position specific | specification apparatus as described in any one of Claims 12-14,
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the user's outing is not detected by the outing detection means even after a preset outing time has passed. In the present position specific | specification apparatus as described in any one of Claims 12-15,
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the outing detection means does not detect the user's going out for a predetermined time or more. In the present position specific | specification apparatus as described in any one of Claims 10-16,
The notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the current position detected by the current position detection means is a position that is a predetermined distance or more away from a preset home position. Positioning device. In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 10 to 17,
The notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the current position detected by the current position detection means is located in a preset danger area. . In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 10 to 18,
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when a remaining battery level for supplying power to the current position specifying device decreases to a predetermined value or less. In the present position specifying device according to any one of claims 10 to 19,
The current position specifying device, wherein the notification means determines that the notification condition is satisfied when charging of a battery for supplying power to the current position specifying device is started.   A shoe equipped with the current position specifying device according to claim 1. In a shoe equipped with the current position specifying device according to claim 21,
The current position specifying device is mounted by being stored in a storage space provided in an insole, and is equipped with a current position specifying device. In a shoe equipped with the current position specifying device according to claim 21,
The current position specifying device is mounted by being housed in a storage space provided under an insole, and is equipped with a current position specifying device. In a shoe equipped with the current position specifying device according to claim 21,
The shoe equipped with the current position specifying device, wherein the current position specifying device is mounted by being housed in a storage space provided on any one of an upper surface, a side surface, a heel portion, and a toe portion of the shoe.

Images