JP2016046651A - Beacon detection and determination system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beacon detection and determination system capable of detecting unintended movement by a third party of a beacon transmission device, and an illicit act such as the duplication of a beacon by a third party.SOLUTION: A beacon detection and determination system consists essentially of: a beacon transmission device 10 for transmitting a beacon with a specific identifier added; a beacon management server 2 comprising a recording unit 7 in which an identifier and installation place information on the beacon transmission device 10 are recorded; and a receiver 20 comprising beacon detection means 21, positional information acquisition means 25, and communication means 26. The receiver 20 includes determination means that compares installation place information associated with a detected identifier with positional information on the receiver 20, and determines whether the installation place information and the positional information are in a prescribed range. If it is not determined the installation place information and the positional information are in the prescribed range, the communication means 26 gives notice of the determination result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a beacon detection / determination system suitable for use in a positioning system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various position positioning system technologies for detecting a current position using a receiver such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a dedicated terminal have been developed. For example, in GPS (global positioning system), position information of a receiver can be acquired by receiving predetermined radio waves transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites. As a result, the user can know the current position information.

  On the other hand, this GPS cannot measure the position of the receiver because it cannot receive a specific radio wave from an artificial satellite in a place where radio waves from outside such as indoors and underground are blocked. As a countermeasure for this, various positioning systems that can perform positioning even indoors or underground are provided. As one of the methods of the provided positioning system, a plurality of beacon transmission devices that transmit beacons in a predetermined area are installed, and the receiver receives the transmitted beacons, so that the position of the receiver There is a system to obtain information. In such a positioning system, there is no need to receive a specific radio wave from an artificial satellite, and the receiver is based on the received beacon information and the information on the known installation location of the beacon transmission device that has transmitted the beacon. The position information of itself can be acquired.

  As another method, there is a system for acquiring current position information using a receiver incorporating a sensor such as a gyroscope or a compass. In a system using a receiver with a built-in sensor such as a gyroscope or a compass, it is difficult to obtain absolute position information such as latitude and longitude, although the relative position information of the receiver can be obtained. It is common to use it together with a system using a beacon transmission device.

  In a position positioning system using a plurality of beacon transmitting apparatuses, transmitted beacons are used for providing services using the beacons in addition to position positioning. For example, when a receiver receives a beacon including specific information, a predetermined application installed in advance in the receiver is activated and used for a service in which specific information is provided. More specifically, when a beacon is received at a specific location, the corresponding application is launched to display route information according to that location, or to display advertisements, coupons, etc. of stores adjacent to that location It is used for services such as In a system using a plurality of beacon transmission devices, radio waves that satisfy standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark; similar hereinafter) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark; similar hereinafter), light such as infrared rays, and sound waves are beacons. It is mainly used as.

  In recent years, devices using the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard, which is one of the Bluetooth standards, have been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This BLE standard is intended for devices that require low power consumption, and is intended for devices that operate for a long time with one or more button-type batteries (see, for example, Patent Document 2). And a device with low power consumption conforming to such a standard is beginning to be used as a beacon transmission apparatus.

Special table 2011-524207 gazette Special table 2012-533958 gazette

  In the case of a positioning system using a plurality of beacon transmission devices, each beacon transmission device needs to be installed at a predetermined location in order to accurately perform the positioning and provide the above-mentioned service properly. is there. This is because when the receiver receives the beacon and calculates its own position information, it calculates its own position information based on the known installation location information of the beacon transmitting device that has transmitted the beacon. .

  However, since many devices using a beacon transmission device that conforms to the BLE standard are small in size, it is possible for a third party to easily move the beacon transmission device, and its installation location has been changed. There is a risk. In such a case, the receiver cannot acquire accurate position information, and further, the user cannot properly receive the service using the beacon. There is also a possibility that the transmitted beacon is illegally copied and misused by a third party.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a beacon detection / determination system capable of detecting fraud such as unintentional movement of a beacon transmission device by a third party and copying of a beacon by a third party. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The beacon detection / determination system of the present invention includes at least a beacon transmission device that transmits a beacon to which a unique identifier is assigned, and a recording unit that records the identifier and the location information of the beacon transmission device in association with each other. The reception mainly includes a beacon management server, a beacon detection unit that detects the beacon, a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information from the outside, and a communication unit that communicates with the beacon management server. The machine compares the installation location information associated with the identifier of the beacon detected by the beacon detection unit with the location information of the receiver acquired by the location information acquisition unit, and Determining means for determining whether the information and the position information are within a predetermined range; If the location information and the positional information is determined not within the predetermined, characterized in that said communication means notifies the determination result.

  According to the beacon detection / determination system of the present invention, the beacon transmission device transmits a beacon to which a unique identifier is assigned. The beacon identifier is recorded in the recording unit of the beacon management server in association with installation location information (information on the transmission position of the beacon) of the beacon transmission device that transmits the beacon. The beacon detection means of the receiver detects the transmitted beacon and acquires the identifier included in the beacon, and the position information acquisition means acquires the position information of the place where the receiver is located from the outside. Then, the determination means compares the installation location information of the beacon transmission device that transmitted the detected beacon with the position information of the receiver acquired by the position information acquisition means, and whether the position information is within a predetermined range. Determine whether. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that it is not within the predetermined range, the communication means notifies the determination result.

  In the above invention, the determination unit is based on the position information acquired most recently by the position information acquisition unit, the most recent time information acquired the position information, and the time information when performing the determination, It is preferable that position information of the receiver when performing the determination is calculated, and it is determined whether the installation location information and the position information are within a predetermined range.

  By doing so, the determination means of the receiver obtains the latest time information from which the position information was acquired, the time information at the time of determination, and the position information of the receiver at the time of determination from the most recently acquired position information. calculate. Then, the determination unit compares the calculated position information with the installation location information of the beacon transmission device that transmitted the beacon, and determines whether they are within a predetermined range.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, the receiver further includes a relative position calculation means for calculating a relative position between the receiver and the detected transmission position of the beacon from the signal strength of the detected beacon, When the beacon detection unit detects the beacon, the relative position calculation unit transmits the detected beacon to the first beacon transmission position, and the installation location information and the position information are within the predetermined range. The relative position information with respect to the second beacon transmission position that has already been determined to be in, is determined, the determination means determines whether the relative position information is within a predetermined allowable range, the relative position information, When it is determined that it is not within a predetermined allowable range, the communication means notifies that fraud has been detected, and the detected first beacon transmission position from the first beacon transmission position. It is preferable and notifies the identifier of the bacon.

  By doing in this way, the relative position calculation means of the receiver calculates the relative position information of the transmission position of the beacon that is the comparison target and the transmission position of the beacon that is the comparison target, based on the detected signal strength of the beacon. . When the determination means determines that the calculated relative position information is not within the predetermined allowable range, the determination result is notified by the communication means, and the identifier of the confirmation target beacon is invalid. It is notified as a beacon identifier.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, the beacon transmitting device transmits a plurality of different beacons, and the identifier of the beacon transmitted from within the predetermined allowable range is recorded as setting information in the beacon management server. The beacon detection means acquires the identifier included in the beacon detected within a predetermined time as detection information, and the determination means includes the identifier of the detected beacon. The setting information is compared with the detection information, and when the determination unit determines that the setting information is different from the detection information, the communication unit notifies that the fraud is detected, and the setting It is preferable that the identifier of the beacon determined to be different from the information is notified.

  In the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above, the beacon transmission device transmits a plurality of beacons having different identifiers, and the beacon identifier transmitted from within a predetermined allowable range is set as the setting information of the beacon management server. It is recorded in the recording part. On the other hand, the beacon detection means of the receiver acquires an identifier included in the beacon detected within a predetermined time as detection information. Then, the determination means of the receiver compares the detection information and the setting information. If the detection information and the setting information are different, the communication means notifies the fact and the beacon identifier determined to be different from the setting information. The

  Further, in the above invention, when the beacon detection unit acquires the beacon within the predetermined time and detects two or more beacons having the same identifier, the identifier of the identifier included in the setting information is detected. Among these, when the determination unit determines that any of the conditions when the beacon having any identifier cannot be detected and when the beacon having the identifier not included in the setting information is detected is satisfied. The communication means notifies that fraud has been detected, and the identifier of the beacon having the same identifier and the beacon not detected among the beacons having the identifier included in the setting information. The identifier of the beacon having the identifier or the identifier not included in the setting information It is preferable to, characterized in that the notification to.

  In the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above, the beacon detection unit of the receiver collects beacons within a predetermined time and acquires the identifier of each beacon as detection information. Then, the determination means compares the detection information with the setting information, and as a result (1) when two or more beacons having the same identifier are detected, (2) any of the identifiers included in the setting information When a beacon having an identifier cannot be detected, (3) in any case where a beacon having an identifier not included in the setting information is detected, it is determined that an illegal beacon has been detected. Then, by the communication means, the same identifier detected in the case of (1), the identifier that could not be detected in the case of (2), is included in the detected setting information in the case of (3). Identifiers that are not present are notified as illegal beacon identifiers.

  Further, in the above invention, the beacon management server changes the notified identifier to a different identifier when notified from the receiver that fraud has been detected. Is preferred.

  In the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above, the beacon management server that has been notified that fraud has been detected is notified by the receiver as an illegal beacon identifier among the information recorded in the recording unit. Change the identifier to another available identifier.

  Further, in the above invention, the beacon transmission device is configured by a plurality of beacon modules that transmit beacons having different identifiers, and the beacon management server is detected to be fraudulent from the receiver. When notified, it is preferable that the notified identifier is changed to a different identifier.

  In the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above, the beacon transmission device includes a plurality of beacon modules. The beacon management server that has been notified that fraud has been detected uses the identifier that has been notified as the fraudulent beacon identifier from the information recorded in the recording unit as another available identifier. change.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, the beacon transmitting device further transmits a spare beacon, and the spare beacon is different from the identifiers of other beacons transmitted by the beacon transmitting device, It is preferable that the management server changes the notified identifier to the identifier of the spare beacon when the receiver is notified of fraud.

  In the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above, when the beacon management server is notified that fraud has been detected, the notified identifier is changed to the identifier of the spare beacon.

  According to the beacon detection / determination system of the present invention, whether or not the beacon transmission device is installed at a predetermined location is determined by comparing the installation location information of the beacon device, which is known information, with the location information of the receiver. It becomes possible to confirm. For this reason, even if it does not provide additional functions, such as a position detection function, in a beacon transmission device itself, it can be detected at any time whether the said beacon transmission device exists in the original installation place. In addition, when the beacon transmission device is not within the predetermined range, the receiver has a function of notifying the determination result, so it is possible to receive the notification and take a quick response. . In addition, the receiver has a function of calculating the position information of the receiver at the time of determination based on the position information acquired most recently by the position information acquisition means and the time information when the position information is acquired. Therefore, even if the beacon transmitter is installed in a place where the receiver location information acquisition means cannot be used, such as underground, it is possible to make an accurate determination.

1 is an overall view showing an entire beacon detection / determination system according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a beacon transmission device of a beacon detection / determination system according to the present invention. FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the user terminal of the beacon detection / determination system according to the present invention. FIG. 2C is a block diagram of a beacon management server of the beacon detection / determination system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the user terminal of the beacon detection / determination system by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the beacon management server of the beacon detection / determination system by this invention. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for calculating the movable range of the user terminal in the beacon detection / determination system according to the present invention. FIG.5 (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the calculation method of the relative position between beacon transmission positions in the beacon detection / determination system by this invention.

A beacon detection / determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
A beacon detection / determination system 1 according to the present embodiment is mainly configured by a beacon management server 2, a beacon transmission device 10, and a user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 can communicate with the beacon management server 2 via the Internet line 4. The beacon transmitting device 10 is installed in public facilities such as a station or commercial facilities such as a shopping mall.

  The beacon transmission device 10 is a device compliant with the BLE standard that transmits a beacon using radio waves. A maximum of seven beacons can be transmitted, and is mainly composed of a plurality of beacon identifier management function unit 11 and beacon identifier transmission function unit 12. Here, a beacon identifier is a unique identifier that identifies a beacon. The beacon transmission device 10 transmits a maximum of seven beacons in a predetermined order. Since it has a timer processing function, it is possible to transmit each beacon at a predetermined interval according to the user's application. In the present embodiment, the number of beacons transmitted by the beacon transmission device 10 is seven, and one of them is described as an example in which it is used as a spare beacon described later. Note that the number of beacons transmitted by the beacon transmission device 10 is not limited to seven, and the number of beacons transmitted may be eight or more or less than seven. In addition, a plurality of beacons may be used as spare beacons depending on applications, or spare beacons may not be set.

  The user terminal 20 mainly includes a beacon detection function unit 21, a beacon data update function unit 22, an unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23, an unauthorized beacon report function unit 24, a GPS function unit 25, and a communication function unit 26. Further, the user terminal 20 includes a CPU and a memory unit (storage device unit) not shown. In addition, an application for providing information or the like to the user is installed in the user terminal 20 in correspondence with the beacon identifier included in each beacon. This application is activated when the user terminal 20 detects corresponding beacon identification information, displays information according to the detected beacon identifier, and provides a service to the user. Selected and pre-installed.

  The beacon detection function unit 21 is a part that detects a transmitted beacon, and calculates a distance from the beacon transmission device 10 that transmitted the beacon and a direction thereof from a detected beacon radio wave intensity and the like. Also have. Note that this relative position calculation function may be provided by another part of the user terminal 20.

  The beacon data update function unit 22 is a part that acquires beacon data from the beacon management server 2 and updates the acquired beacon data. Here, the beacon data is recorded in association with beacon information such as a beacon identifier assigned to the beacon and installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that transmits the beacon (transmission position information of the beacon). It is what. The user terminal 20 communicates with the beacon management server 2 at a predetermined timing, and updates the acquired beacon data so that it is always in the latest state.

  The illegal beacon detection function unit 23 is information such as the beacon identifier of the beacon detected by the beacon detection function unit 21, the beacon data acquired from the beacon management server 2, and the location information of the user terminal 20 acquired by the GPS function unit 25 described later. This is a part for determining whether or not the detected beacon is appropriate. The unauthorized beacon reporting function unit 24 is a part that notifies the beacon management server 2 of the beacon identifier determined to be an unauthorized beacon by the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 by the communication function unit 26 described later.

  The GPS function unit 25 has a function of detecting a specific radio wave transmitted from an artificial satellite and acquiring position information (latitude, longitude information, etc.) of the user terminal 20. The communication function unit 26 is a part that communicates with the beacon management server 2 through the Internet line 4.

  Each unit described above of the user terminal 20 may be configured by dedicated hardware having these functions, or may be configured by software installed in the user terminal 20 and hardware such as a CPU. For example, dedicated software may be installed in a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone, and hardware such as a CPU of the smartphone may realize the functions of each unit in cooperation with the software. Moreover, each part of the user terminal 20 may be comprised by the part comprised by the hardware for exclusive use, and the part comprised by the combination of the software installed in the user terminal 20, and hardware.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal 20 is a receiver in claims, the beacon detection function unit 21 is a beacon detection unit, and the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 is a determination unit. Further, the GPS function unit 25 is the position information acquisition means in the claims, and the communication function unit 26 is the communication means.

  The beacon management server 2 mainly includes a beacon data distribution function unit 5, an unauthorized beacon deletion function unit 6, and a beacon data recording unit 7. A beacon data management terminal 3 that mainly manages beacon data is connected to the beacon management server 2.

  The beacon data distribution function unit 5 is a part that distributes beacon data to the user terminal 20. The unauthorized beacon deletion function unit 6 is a part that, when an unauthorized beacon is notified from the user terminal 20, deletes the beacon identifier of the notified beacon from the beacon data or changes the beacon identifier to a different beacon identifier and updates the beacon data It is. The beacon data recording unit 7 is a part for recording beacon data.

Each part of the beacon management server 2 may be configured by dedicated hardware, or each part is configured by software installed in a computer terminal or the like and hardware of the computer terminal. May be. Moreover, those combinations may be sufficient. Further, the beacon management server 2 may be configured by a single terminal or a plurality of terminals connected by a network or the like. The beacon data recording unit 7 may be built in the beacon management server 2 or may be externally attached, or may be a hard disk drive or another known rewritable medium.
In the present embodiment, the beacon data recording unit 7 is a recording unit in the claims.

Next, the operation of the beacon detection / determination system configured as described above will be described.
Each beacon transmitted by the beacon transmission device 10 is given a unique beacon identifier different from each other. This beacon identifier is mainly composed of a UUID consisting of 32 alphanumeric characters, a Major ID consisting of 5 digits (0 to 65535), and a Minor ID consisting of 5 digits (0 to 65535). The ID system of this beacon identifier is in accordance with the standard specification of BLE Beacon.

  The UUID is an ID that identifies a business operator or the like (beacon owner or the like) previously assigned as a beacon user, and further identifies a corresponding application installed in the user terminal 20. Since the beacon transmitting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can transmit a maximum of seven different beacons, if each UUID is assigned to a different business operator, a maximum of 7 business operators can provide services using the beacon. It is also possible to provide. Further, Major ID and Minor ID are IDs that can be assigned and used mainly in places and areas. For example, when this system is used for a subway station, it is assumed that each station is assigned a different Major ID, and a Minor ID is assigned to each ticket gate of each station. Suppose that each is placed at a place to do. In this case, when the user terminal 20 passes a ticket gate of a predetermined station and receives a transmitted beacon, an application corresponding to the UUID of the beacon identifier is activated, and information corresponding to the Major ID and Minor ID is provided. . For this reason, the user of the user terminal 20 can recognize at which ticket gate of which station he / she is currently, and can obtain information corresponding to the place. Further, in a usage form in a commercial facility, a Major ID can be assigned to a predetermined area of a store, and a Minor ID can be assigned to a predetermined display shelf in the area. The identifier system may be another different known identifier system as long as the transmitted beacon can be identified uniquely. In the present embodiment, the beacon identifier is the identifier in the claims.

Next, the operation of the user terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the communication function unit 26 of the user terminal 20 communicates with the beacon management server 2 and acquires beacon data. And the beacon data update function part 21 updates the beacon data currently recorded on the memory part of the user terminal 20 which is not illustrated (S100). Next, when the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 of the user terminal 20 acquires the latest position information (latitude, longitude information, etc.) acquired by the GPS function unit 25 and the position information from the GPS function unit 25. Is acquired (S110). Then, the moving distance of the user terminal 20 between the current time information and the time information obtained when the latest position information is acquired and the predetermined moving distance per unit time of the user terminal 20 are calculated. A movable range is calculated by adding a distance range due to an allowable error, which will be described later, to the calculated movement distance of the user terminal 20, and a movable range is calculated (S120).

  This movable range is a circular inner range (including a region on the circumference) centered on the latest position information acquired by the GPS function unit 25 and having a movable distance as a radius. This is a position range in which the user terminal 20 can be located (see FIG. 5A). That is, the position of the user terminal 20 at the time of determination is included inside this movable range. The above-mentioned distance range by the allowable error is a distance of an error caused by an error such as a measurement error by the beacon detection function unit 21 or the GPS function unit 25, and is a maximum allowable value.

  In addition, when the user terminal 20 is in a place where radio waves from an artificial satellite can be received and the GPS function unit 25 acquires position information at the time of determination, time information at the time of determination and time information at the time of acquiring position information Will be the same. At this time, since the difference in time information is zero, the above-mentioned movable distance is a value of a distance range due to an allowable error. The movable range at this time is a circular inner range having a radius of a distance range due to an allowable error with the current position information acquired by the GPS function unit 25 as a center. In addition, when the difference between the time information at the time of determination and the time information at the time of acquiring the position information is less than or equal to a predetermined value when performing the determination, the inner range of the circle whose radius is the distance range due to tolerance May be set to be regarded as a movable range. In the present embodiment, the movable range described above is a predetermined range in the claims.

  Next, the user terminal 20 detects a beacon by the beacon detection function unit 21 (S130), and when one or more beacons are detected, a beacon to be confirmed is selected from the detected beacons ( S140). Then, the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 acquires the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that has transmitted the beacon selected with reference to the beacon data, and compares the installation location information with the aforementioned movable range (S150). ), It is determined whether the installation location information is included in the movable range (S160). If the installation location information is included in the movable range, it is determined that the selected beacon is an appropriate beacon, and it is confirmed whether all detected beacons have been determined (S170). If there is a beacon that has not been determined as a result of the confirmation, the process returns to S140 to select a beacon that has not been determined and repeat the same process.

  In addition, in the above-described S160 in which it is determined whether or not the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that has transmitted the selected beacon is included in the predetermined range, the installation location information is not included in the movable range. If so, follow the procedure below.

  First, the beacon detection function unit 21 obtains a relative position A between the transmission position of the detected beacon and the transmission position of another beacon. Specifically, the beacon detection function unit 21 uses the relative position calculation function to determine the relative position B between the user terminal 20 and the transmission position of the beacon that is the confirmation target (the confirmation target viewed from the user terminal 20). The direction and distance of the transmission position of the beacon that is present. Similarly, the relative position C between the transmission position of another beacon to be compared and the user terminal 20 is also calculated. Here, the transmission position of the beacon refers to the position information (the position information of the beacon transmission device 10 that transmitted the beacon) where the beacon is transmitted. The other beacon to be compared is a beacon whose transmission position is already determined to be appropriate by the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23.

  From the relative position B and the relative position C calculated in this way, the relative position A between the transmission position of the beacon to be confirmed and the transmission position of the beacon to be compared is calculated. The relative position A is the relative position information in the claims.

  When the relative position A is calculated, the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 compares the relative position A with a predetermined allowable range (S161). Then, it is determined whether the relative position A is within a predetermined allowable range (S162). If the relative position A is within the predetermined allowable range, it is determined that the beacon is an appropriate beacon. Confirm whether or not the above judgment has been made. If the relative position A is not within the predetermined allowable range, it is determined that an unauthorized beacon has been detected, and the communication function unit 26 notifies the beacon management server 2 that an unauthorized beacon has been detected and the unauthorized beacon identifier. Then, the process proceeds to S170. In addition, when an unauthorized beacon is detected, the communication function unit 26 may notify the other server or the beacon management server 2 other than the beacon management server 2 such as the management company of the beacon transmission device 10 at the same time. . Further, the fraudulent beacon reporting function unit 24 may notify that the fraudulent beacon has been detected and notify the fraudulent beacon identifier.

  The predetermined allowable range is an error range in which the beacon detection function unit 21 can properly detect a beacon, a distance range in which the relative position can be calculated by the relative position calculation function of the beacon detection function unit 21, or an error range of the accuracy thereof. This is an allowable range error range determined from the above. The predetermined allowable range may be a range determined from other factors that affect the accuracy of determination.

  When confirmation of all detected beacons is completed (S170), the user terminal 20 confirms whether or not an unauthorized beacon is detected (S180), and all detected beacons are appropriate. If it is detected, the application corresponding to the beacon identifier assigned to the detected beacon is activated to provide the service (S190). If even one illegal beacon is detected, the beacon management server 2 is accessed again without starting the application, and the beacon data is updated (S100). Thereafter, the same process is repeated until no illegal beacon is detected.

  In this way, if the detected beacon is confirmed, if an illegal beacon that is illegally copied by a third party is detected, the corresponding application is not started and the service is not started. For this reason, the application installed in the user terminal 20 is started unintentionally, the user receives a disadvantage, or the beacon owner has an opportunity to provide an appropriate service. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the beacon transmission device 10 is in a place where the GPS function unit 25 of the user terminal 20 cannot be used, such as underground, the position information of the user terminal 20 cannot be acquired. In this case, the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that transmitted the detected beacon is compared with the current location information of the user terminal 20 acquired by the GPS function unit 25, and the current location of the beacon transmission device 10 is compared. Cannot be accurately determined. However, as in this embodiment, from the latest position information (latitude and longitude information) acquired by the GPS function unit 25, the time information acquired from the position information, and a predetermined movement distance per predetermined unit time, If the position information (movable range) of the user terminal 20 at the time of determination is calculated, the determination can be performed accurately even in places where the GPS function unit 25 cannot be used such as underground.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether the transmission position of the beacon that is the confirmation target is appropriate, the transmission position of the beacon that is the confirmation target, and that the transmission position is already appropriate. Since it is further provided with a means for determining from the relative position information with respect to the transmission position of the beacon that has been made, for example, there is a possibility that the accurate movable range of the user terminal 20 may not be calculated due to staying in the basement for a long time, for example Even so, more accurate determination can be performed.

  In addition, the method of determination whether the installation location information of the beacon transmission apparatus 10 which transmitted the selected beacon is included in the predetermined range (S160) may use any of the following methods in addition to the above. Is possible. For example, the user terminal 20 further includes a known sensor such as a gyroscope or a compass, calculates the position information of the user terminal 20 with reference to information from the known sensor, and installs the calculated position information and the beacon transmission device 10. It may be determined whether the location information is within a predetermined range. Also, the position information of the user terminal 20 at the time of determination is calculated from the relative position information with the other beacon transmission apparatuses 10, and whether the calculated position information and the installation location information of the beacon transmission apparatus 10 are within a predetermined range. The determination may be made.

Next, the operation of the beacon management server 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
If the beacon management server 2 is notified from any of the user terminals 20 that an unauthorized beacon has been detected (S200), the beacon management server 2 changes the notified beacon identifier to a spare beacon identifier (S210). Then, the beacon data recorded in the beacon data recording unit 7 is updated (S220). Here, the spare beacon identifier is a beacon identifier assigned to a beacon assigned as a spare among the seven beacons transmitted by the beacon transmitting device 10 described above.

  In this way, if an unauthorized beacon identifier is changed to a spare beacon identifier, the unauthorized beacon identifier is deleted from the beacon data, so the application is launched unintentionally and responds appropriately. Information that is not displayed on the user terminal 20 can be prevented. In addition, by switching to a spare beacon, the same service can be continuously provided without being affected by the unauthorized beacon.

  An unauthorized beacon identifier may be changed to a beacon identifier other than a spare beacon identifier. For example, an unauthorized beacon identifier may be changed to a beacon identifier of a beacon that is not used, or may be changed to a beacon identifier of a beacon intended to provide low priority information. Further, the beacon data may be updated by deleting the illegal beacon identifier without changing the beacon identifier.

  In addition to the above, as a method for detecting an unauthorized beacon, a method of comparing a group of beacon identifiers included in each detected beacon with a group of beacon identifiers of a kite originally detected may be used. . Hereinafter, the details of the method will be described.

  In the following description, a group of beacon identifiers of a plurality of beacons detected by the user terminal 20 within a predetermined time is referred to as a detected beacon identifier set. A group of beacon identifiers of beacons transmitted from within a predetermined allowable range is described as a reference beacon identifier set. The beacon identifier group of beacons transmitted from within the predetermined allowable range is associated with the installation location information of the beacon transmitting apparatus 10 that transmits the beacon or the transmission position information of the beacon, and the beacon management server 2 Is recorded. Here, the predetermined permissible range is intended to be the above-described predetermined permissible range that is compared with the relative distance A when determining whether the detected transmission position of the beacon is appropriate. Instead of this, a range determined by other factors such as the above-described movable range and a distance range obtained from an allowable error may be used.

  The beacon transmitted from within the predetermined allowable range is a beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting device 10 installed within the predetermined allowable range at a specific location, or the transmission position information of the beacon is the predetermined allowable range. Means a beacon contained within. The beacon transmission device 10 installed within a predetermined allowable range includes a case where a plurality of beacon transmission devices 10 are installed within the range.

  The beacon detection function unit 21 of the user terminal 20 detects a beacon within a predetermined time, and acquires a beacon identifier included in the detected beacon as a detected beacon identifier set. Further, the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 of the user terminal 20 acquires a reference beacon identifier set including the beacon identifier of the detected beacon. Specifically, the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that transmitted the beacon is acquired by referring to the beacon data using the beacon identifier of the detected beacon. Furthermore, other beacon transmission devices 10 that are installed within a predetermined allowable range centering on the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10 that transmitted the beacon are specified. And the beacon identifier of all the beacons which the beacon transmitter 10 which transmitted the said detected beacon and the specified beacon transmitter 10 transmits is acquired as a reference beacon set.

  The unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 compares the reference beacon identifier set with the detected beacon identifier set. If the detected beacon identifier set matches the reference beacon identifier set, the detected beacon is determined to be an appropriate beacon. To do. On the other hand, if there is a difference between the detected beacon identifier set and the reference beacon identifier set, it is determined that an unauthorized beacon is detected.

  For example, when two or more beacons having the same beacon identifier are detected, the unauthorized beacon detection function unit 23 determines that either one is an illegally copied beacon. Further, when any of the beacon identifiers cannot be detected in the reference beacon identifier set, it is determined that the beacon transmitting apparatus 10 that transmits the beacon is illegal or defective. When a beacon identifier that is not in the reference beacon identifier set is detected, it is determined that an inappropriate beacon exists.

  When it is determined that an unauthorized beacon is detected, the communication function unit 26 notifies the beacon management server 2 that an unauthorized beacon has been detected and a beacon identifier determined to be different. This notification may be configured to be performed by the unauthorized beacon reporting function unit 24. Receiving this notification, the beacon management server 2 changes the notified illegal beacon identifier to a spare beacon identifier or the like. If the notified beacon identifier is a beacon identifier not included in the reference beacon identifier set, the beacon management server 2 does not have to update the beacon data. Or you may change beforehand the beacon identifier which may be influenced by the said unauthorized beacon identifier among the beacon identifiers contained in beacon data.

  If such a method for detecting an unauthorized beacon is used, an unauthorized beacon can be detected simply by comparing the detected beacon identifier set with the reference beacon identifier set. Even when the functional unit 25 is in a place where it cannot be used, accurate determination can be performed. Further, when a beacon that is illegally copied by a third party is transmitted, this can be easily detected. Further, even when a plurality of beacon transmission devices 10 are installed in a predetermined area (predetermined allowable range), it is possible to make the determination at the same time.

  The reference beacon identifier set may be a collection of beacon identifiers of beacons transmitted by the beacon identifier 10 installed within a predetermined allowable range centered on the location information of the user terminal 20. Or the beacon identifier of the beacon which the beacon identifier 10 installed in the specific area in which the position information of the user terminal 20 is included may be collected, and one beacon transmission device 10 may transmit. A set of beacon identifiers to be used may be used as a reference beacon identifier set. Further, the beacon identifiers may be collected based on the information on the beacon transmission position instead of the installation location information of the beacon transmission device 10.

In the above, the detection beacon identifier set is the detection information in the claims, and the reference beacon identifier set is the setting information in the claims.
The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, description has been made by applying the beacon to a radio wave that conforms to the standard specification of BLE Beacon as a beacon. However, the radio wave conforms to other Bluetooth standards or conforms to the Wi-Fi standard. Radio waves may be used. Alternatively, light such as infrared rays or sound waves may be used as a beacon.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although one beacon transmission apparatus 10 applied and demonstrated to the apparatus which transmits seven beacons, the beacon transmission apparatus 10 transmits the beacon module which transmits one or more beacons. You may be comprised from what combined two or more. If the beacon transmission device 10 is configured in such a manner, beacon modules can be arranged at a plurality of locations within a predetermined area. For example, a beacon cannot be received at the installation location of the beacon transmission device 10. The beacon module is arranged so as to eliminate the area and the beacon transmission apparatus 10 is installed, or the beacon module is arranged in a plurality of areas through which a target user passes more and the beacon transmission apparatus 10 is installed. It becomes possible to do. Furthermore, even if this beacon module transmits a plurality of beacons in conjunction with each other, each beacon module may independently transmit a beacon. Also, one of the beacon modules may transmit a spare beacon.

  In the above embodiment, the beacon transmission device 10 transmits a plurality of different beacons in a predetermined order. However, the beacon transmission device 10 may transmit a plurality of different beacons simultaneously. You may transmit at random. Moreover, although one beacon of the seven beacons transmitted by the beacon transmission device 10 is a spare beacon, two or more beacons may be assigned as spare beacons.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when at least one illegal beacon is detected, the user terminal 20 does not provide the service, but only the application corresponding to the beacon determined to be appropriate is activated. Service may be provided. At this time, the user terminal 20 may give a warning to the user that an unauthorized beacon has been detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beacon detection and determination system 2 Beacon management server 3 Beacon data management terminal 4 Internet line 5 Beacon data distribution function part 6 Unauthorized beacon deletion function part 7 Beacon data recording part 10 Beacon transmission apparatus 11 Multiple beacon identifier management function part 12 Beacon identifier transmission Function unit 20 User terminal 21 Beacon detection function unit 22 Beacon data update function unit 23 Unauthorized beacon detection function unit 24 Unauthorized beacon report function unit 25 GPS function unit 26 Communication function unit A relative position B relative position C relative position

Claims (8)

A beacon transmitting device that transmits a beacon with a unique identifier;
A beacon management server comprising at least a recording unit in which the identifier and the location information of the beacon transmission device are recorded in association with each other;
Consists mainly of a beacon detection means for detecting the beacon, a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information from the outside, and a receiver having at least a communication means for communicating with the beacon management server,
The receiver compares the installation location information associated with the identifier of the beacon detected by the beacon detection unit with the location information of the receiver acquired by the location information acquisition unit, and Determining means for determining whether the installation location information and the position information are within a predetermined range;
The beacon detection / determination system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the installation location information and the position information are not within the predetermined range, the communication unit notifies the determination result. The position information acquired by the determination means most recently by the position information acquisition means;
The latest time information from which the position information was acquired;
Based on the time information at the time of the determination, the position information of the receiver at the time of the determination is calculated, and it is determined whether the installation location information and the position information are within the predetermined range. The beacon detection / determination system according to claim 1. The receiver further has a relative position calculation means for calculating a relative position between the receiver and the detected transmission position of the beacon from the detected signal strength of the beacon.
When the beacon detection means detects the beacon,
A first beacon transmission position at which the relative position calculation means transmits the detected beacon, and a second beacon transmission position that has already been determined that the installation location information and the position information are within the predetermined range. Find the relative position information with
The determination unit determines whether the relative position information is within a predetermined allowable range;
When it is determined that the relative position information is not within the predetermined allowable range, the communication means notifies that fraud has been detected, and from the detected first beacon transmission position. The beacon detection / determination system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identifier of the beacon is notified. The beacon transmission device transmits a plurality of different beacons,
The identifier of the beacon transmitted from within the predetermined allowable range is recorded in the recording unit of the beacon management server as setting information,
The beacon detection means acquires the identifier included in the beacon detected within a predetermined time as detection information,
The determination means compares the detection information with the setting information including the identifier of the detected beacon,
When the determination unit determines that the setting information is different from the detection information, the communication unit notifies that the fraud is detected, and notifies the beacon identifier determined to be different from the setting information. The beacon detection / determination system according to claim 3. When the beacon detection means acquires the beacon within the predetermined time,
If two or more of the beacons having the same identifier are detected,
When the beacon having any one of the identifiers included in the setting information cannot be detected, and
When detecting the beacon having the identifier not included in the setting information,
When the determination means determines that any one of the above conditions is satisfied, the communication means notifies that fraud has been detected, and is included in the identifier and the setting information of the beacon having the same identifier 5. The beacon having the identifier is notified of the identifier of the beacon not detected or the identifier of the beacon having the identifier not included in the setting information. Beacon detection / judgment system. When the beacon management server is notified from the receiver that fraud has been detected,
The beacon detection / determination system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the notified identifier is changed to a different identifier. The beacon transmitting device is composed of a plurality of beacon modules that transmit beacons having different identifiers,
When the beacon management server is notified from the receiver that fraud has been detected,
The beacon detection / determination system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the notified identifier is changed to a different identifier. The beacon transmitting device further transmits a spare beacon,
The spare beacon is different from the identifier of other beacons transmitted by the beacon transmitting device,
The said beacon management server changes the said identifier notified to the said identifier of the said spare beacon when fraud is notified from the said receiver, The Claim 6 or Claim 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Beacon detection and judgment system.

Images