JP2018142755A - Positional information management system, output device, sonic wave output control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the impact of a sonic wave on the periphery of an output device, in a positional information management system for managing the positional information of a terminal acquiring the sonic wave outputted from the output device.SOLUTION: The output device of a positional information management system has a sonic wave collection unit for collecting the sonic waves on the periphery of the output device, a sonic wave analysis unit for analyzing the frequency and the level of sonic waves on the periphery of the inaudible sound area of higher frequency than a prescribed frequency, by using the peripheral sonic waves collected by the sonic wave collection unit, an inaudible sound output unit for outputting sonic waves containing first identification information, corresponding to the position where the output device is installed out of the inaudible sound area, based on the analysis results of the sonic wave analysis unit, to an available frequency band where the level of the peripheral sonic waves is less than a threshold level, and an output control unit for transmitting status information, indicating that the inaudible sound area is not available for outputting the sonic waves containing the first identification information, when there is no available frequency band.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a position information management system, an output device, a sound wave output control method, and a program.

  A position information management system that uses a sound wave to provide position information for a terminal device to acquire a position is known.

  For example, a position information transmission system in which position information for a terminal device to acquire a position is distributed to a plurality of position information transmission devices (output devices) and the position information is transmitted as a sound wave signal from each of the position information transmission devices is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the position information management system that manages the position information of the terminal device that acquires the sound wave output from the output device as in the above-described system, for example, the terminal device is affected by the influence of sound waves around the output device such as noise and environmental sound. May not be able to acquire sound waves output from the output device.

  Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above problems, and in a position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output by an output device, sound waves around the output device The purpose is to reduce the influence of.

  In order to solve the above problems, a position information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of output devices that output sound waves, and an information processing device that controls sound waves output by the output devices, A position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output from an output device, the output device including a sound wave collection unit that collects sound waves around the output device, and the sound wave collection unit Using the collected surrounding sound waves, a sound wave analysis unit that analyzes the frequency and level of the surrounding sound waves in a non-audible sound region whose frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency, and based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, In the non-audible sound region, a sound wave including first identification information corresponding to a position where the output device is installed is output in an available frequency band where the level of the surrounding sound wave is less than a threshold value. A state information indicating that the non-audible sound region cannot be used for outputting a sound wave including the first identification information when the non-audible sound output unit and the frequency band that can be used are not present. An output control unit for transmission.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, in a position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output from an output device, the influence of sound waves around the output device can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the positional infomation management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the some area | region which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the embedding method of the identification information to the audible sound which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the management server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the gateway which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the information terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional lineblock diagram of an output device concerning one embodiment. It is a functional lineblock diagram of a position information management system concerning one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which the management server which concerns on one Embodiment manages. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the analysis result of the sound wave analysis part which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the process of the output device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of a process of the positional information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the output control of the sound wave which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of a process of the positional infomation management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the output control of the sound wave which concerns on one Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a location information management system according to an embodiment. The location information management system 100 includes a plurality of output devices 101-1, 101-2, 101-3,..., A management server 102, a gateway 103, an information terminal 104, and the like. In the following description, “output device 101” is used to indicate an arbitrary output device among the plurality of output devices 101-1, 101-2, 101-3,. In addition, the numbers of output devices 101, gateways 103, information terminals 104, and the like illustrated in FIG. 1 are examples.

  The plurality of output devices 101 are installed at different positions such as the ceiling of the building 107, for example, and output sound waves including identification information corresponding to the positions where the own device is installed to different regions. The plurality of output devices 101 form a predetermined wireless network with the gateway 103, and can communicate with the management server 102 via the gateway 103.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the output device 101-1 has three speakers, and the first speaker outputs a sound wave including a first speaker ID “SP0001N” that is identification information of the first speaker. Output for one area. Further, the second speaker outputs a sound wave including the second speaker ID “SP0001S”, which is identification information of the second speaker, to a second region different from the first region. Further, the third speaker transmits sound waves including the third speaker ID “SP0001K”, which is identification information of the third speaker, to the third region including, for example, the first region and the second region. Can be output.

  Note that the first speaker ID and the second speaker ID are examples of first identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed. Here, the following description will be made assuming that the number of sound waves including the first identification information output from the output device 101 is two, but this number of sound waves is an example. The output device 101 only needs to output a sound wave including at least one first identification information, and the number thereof may be one or more other numbers.

  Preferably, the first speaker and the second speaker are sound waves including the first speaker ID in a non-audible sound region (for example, 16 kHz to 20 kHz) whose frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency (for example, 16 kHz), and Each sound wave including the second speaker ID is output. The higher the frequency, the higher the directivity of the sound wave, and the frequency of 16 kHz or higher is hardly audible to humans. Therefore, the sound wave in the non-audible sound region is suitable for transmitting a speaker ID or the like toward a predetermined range.

  Further, the third speaker can output sound waves (for example, voice guidance, music, environmental sound, etc.) in which the third speaker ID is embedded in an audible sound region (for example, 100 Hz to 16 kHz) having a predetermined frequency or lower. It is. The third speaker ID is an example of second identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed.

  Preferably, in the sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded, the third speaker ID is embedded with an electronic watermark in an audible sound such as voice guidance, music, and environmental sound that can be heard by the human ear. In this case, the user 105 of the information terminal 104 can hear the sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded as normal voice guidance, music, environmental sound, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of regions according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the building 107 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from above. In FIG. 2, the first speaker of the output device 101-1 outputs a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the first speaker ID “SP0001” to the first region 202. Further, the second speaker outputs a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the second speaker ID “SP0001S” to the second region 203. Further, the third speaker of the output device 101-1 has a third speaker ID “SP0001K” in the audible sound region, compared to the third region 201 including the first region 202 and the second region 203. The embedded sound wave (audible sound) can be output.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the other output devices 101-2 and 101-3, like the output device 101-1, have a sound wave including the first speaker ID and a sound wave including the second speaker ID. Output. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the other output devices 101-2 and 101-3 can output a sound wave in which the third speaker ID is embedded, like the output device 101-1.

  Here, returning to FIG. 1, the description of the system configuration of the location information management system 100 will be continued.

  The management server (information processing apparatus) 102 includes, for example, an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to a network 106 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). System.

  The management server 102 can communicate with the plurality of output devices 101 via the network 106 and the gateway 103, and manages sound waves output from the plurality of output devices 101. For example, the management server 102 controls the sound wave output method, such as the output of the sound wave (audible sound) in which the speaker ID and sound volume output from each output device 101 and the third speaker ID are embedded.

  In addition, the management server 102 manages a location (for example, coordinate information) where a plurality of output devices 101 are installed and an area (a floor name or the like) where the plurality of output devices 101 are installed, and the output device 101 outputs the information. The position information of the information terminal 104 that acquires sound waves to be managed is managed.

  The gateway 103 is connected to the management server 102 via the network 106, and forms a wireless network together with the plurality of output devices 101. The gateway 103 transfers (relays) data between the plurality of output devices 101 connected to the wireless network provided by the gateway 103 and the management server 102, and converts the communication protocol as necessary.

  The information terminal (terminal device) 104 is an information terminal possessed by the user 105, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal, and can communicate with the management server 102 by connecting to the network 106 by wireless communication. It is. Further, the information terminal 104 executes an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) for the information terminal 104 corresponding to the location information management system 100. When installed in the information terminal 104, the application for the information terminal 104 generates terminal identification information (hereinafter referred to as an application ID) for identifying the information terminal 104.

  The information terminal 104 executes an application for the information terminal 104 to acquire a sound wave output from the output device 101 using a built-in microphone or the like, and extracts a speaker ID included in the acquired sound wave.

  When the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID of the output device 101, the information terminal 104 transmits request information including the extracted speaker ID of the output device 101 and the application ID of the information terminal 104 to the management server 102.

  The application ID is an example of requesting terminal identification information for identifying the information terminal 104. By using the application ID, the location information management system 100 can identify the information terminal 104 without depending on personal information such as a telephone number or an e-mail address. However, this is merely an example, and the information terminal 104 may use individual identification information of the information terminal, user account information, or the like instead of the application ID.

  In the above configuration, the management server 102 receives the request information including the application ID of the information terminal and the speaker ID acquired by the information terminal 104, transmitted from the information terminal 104, and based on the received request information, the information terminal The position information indicating the position 104 is managed.

  The output device 101 has a microphone that collects sound waves around the output device 101, and outputs sound waves including first identification information based on the analysis result obtained by analyzing the frequency and level of the collected sound waves. Change the frequency band to be used. Thereby, the output device 101 can reduce the influence of sound waves around the output device 101.

  Further, the output device 101 uses the non-audible sound region for outputting the sound wave including the first identification information when there is no frequency band available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information in the non-audible sound region. Status information indicating that it is not possible is transmitted to the management server 102. Thereby, for example, when the output device 101-2 cannot output the sound wave including the first identification information due to the influence of the surrounding sound wave, the management server 102 outputs the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3. The sound wave output method can be changed.

  For example, in FIG. 1, the management server 102 cannot output the sound wave including the first speaker ID and the sound wave including the second speaker ID in the non-audible sound region from the output device 101-2. Assume that status information has been received. In this case, as an example, the management server 102 outputs sound waves (audible sound) including the third speaker ID to the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. The control information instructing is transmitted.

  At this time, since the sound wave including the third speaker ID is an audible sound, it is desirable that the audible sound output from the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 outputs the same audible sound at the same timing. For example, when audible sounds having different contents are output from a plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3, or audible sounds having different timings are output even with the same audible sound, This is because the person 105 is uncomfortable.

  Therefore, the management server 102 includes, for example, information on the start time for starting the output of the sound wave including the third speaker ID in the control information instructing the output of the sound wave (audible sound) including the third speaker ID. It is desirable to send.

  Note that the sound wave in which the third speaker ID according to the present embodiment is embedded is an audible sound, but it is assumed that the third speaker ID is embedded with a digital watermark in voice guidance, environmental sound, or the like. Therefore, the user 105 has a feature that it is difficult to recognize that the speaker ID is output from the output device 101.

(About digital watermark)
The method for transmitting identification information in a voice band includes a method for transmitting identification information in a non-audible sound region (for example, a frequency region higher than 16 kHz) close to an ultrasonic wave, and an audible sound region (for example, a frequency region of 20 Hz to 16 kHz). ) In which the identification information is embedded in the audio information (for example, digital watermark).

  The digital watermark used in the present embodiment embeds identification information in an audible sound area of audio information such as guidance sound for in-house broadcasting and environmental sound, for example, and a technique called steganography or the like is used. Use. Examples of methods for embedding the identification information in the audible sound region of the audio information include spread spectrum, echo, modulation method, etc., all of which embed the identification information in a certain frequency range.

  A plurality of fixed frequency ranges can be provided in the audible sound region. For example, among audible sound regions of about 20 Hz to 16 kHz, in a range of 100 Hz to 12 kHz that is a region in which sound is likely to spread by a general speaker, Multiple encoded frequency bands can be created.

  Note that the digital watermark according to the present embodiment embeds identification information by giving a minute change that cannot be identified by a person to the sound information itself, and simply transmits the identification information in a non-audible sound region. Is different.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for embedding identification information in an audible sound according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A shows an example of a frequency band in which identification information is embedded. A general speaker (for example, a third speaker) has a “sound frequency band between“ ultra low frequency ”and“ ultrasonic wave ”as shown in“ speaker reproduction range ”in FIG. ”Can be output.

  Of this audio frequency band, a frequency region higher than 12 kHz has a high sound wave linearity, and is not suitable for using a general speaker (for example, a third speaker) to reach a wide range of sound waves. Susceptible to metal sounds.

  In addition, a low frequency region (for example, a frequency region of less than 100 Hz) in the audio frequency band is, for example, vibration caused by operation of the information terminal 104 or walking by the user 105, sound when being put in and out of a pocket or a bag, etc. Susceptible to.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the digital watermark embedded in the audio information is embedded in a frequency region between about 100 Hz and about 12 kHz in the audio frequency band of the audio information. However, the frequency region of about 100 Hz to 1 kHz needs to be taken into consideration because it is easily affected by the voice.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is desirable to divide the frequency region of 100 Hz to 12 kHz of the audio information into a plurality of frequency bands and disperse the identification information into at least two or more frequency bands. . In the example of FIG. 3A, an example in which the frequency region of 100 Hz to 12 kHz is divided into four frequency bands f1 to f4 and identification information is embedded in each of the divided frequency bands is shown. Thereby, for example, even when the information of the frequency band “f2” is erased due to the influence of a loud voice or the like, the information terminal 104 acquires the identification information included in another frequency band (for example, f4). Will be able to.

  FIG. 3B shows an example of timing for embedding identification information. In FIG. 3B, the audible sound is assumed to be, for example, voice guidance in the hall, music, or environmental sounds such as waterfall sounds and bird singing. Also, the time for embedding one piece of identification information with a digital watermark is, for example, about 1 second. In this case, for example, a plurality of pieces of identification information can be embedded in the audible sound as shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 3B, the audible sound has identification information (third speaker ID) embedded in the frequency band “f2” in the frequency band “f4” at a predetermined time interval from the time t1. The identification information is embedded at a predetermined time interval from time t2. Thereby, for example, even if a part of the audible sound or a part of the frequency band is lost due to the influence of noise, the information terminal 104 can extract the identification information from the remaining audible sound. .

  Note that identification information embedded in different frequency bands is preferably embedded at different positions in time (at different timings). For example, in the example of FIG. 3B, the time t2 at which the transmission of the identification information is started in the frequency band f2 is after the transmission of the identification information that has started transmission at the time t1 in the frequency band f4. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the information terminal 104 from simultaneously processing a plurality of frequency bands, and to reduce the voice processing load of the information terminal 104.

  The identification information embedding method shown in FIG. 3 is an example. In the sound wave in which the third speaker ID according to the present embodiment is embedded, it is desirable that the third speaker ID is embedded twice or more times with different start times or frequency bands.

  With the above configuration, according to the position information management system 100 according to the present embodiment, in the position information management system that manages the position information of the terminal device that acquires the sound wave output from the output device 101, the sound wave in the vicinity of the output device. The influence can be reduced.

  The system configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is merely an example, and the position information management system 100 can have various system configurations.

  For example, in the above description, the output device 101 has been described as outputting three sound waves, but the number of sound waves output by the output device 101 may be other numbers. For example, the number of sound waves output from the output device 101 in the non-audible sound region may be one or more other numbers.

  Further, the first to third speaker IDs output from the output device 101 may be identification information different from each other or the same identification information.

  Further, in the above description, the non-audible sound and the audible sound are output from different speakers. However, a single speaker may output the non-audible sound and the audible sound.

<Hardware configuration>
(Appearance of output device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the output device according to the embodiment. In the output device 101, two curved speakers 403 a and 403 b are attached to the base body 401.

  The speaker 403a corresponds to the first speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as “first speaker” in the following description. The speaker 403b corresponds to the second speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as a “second speaker” in the following description.

As described above, the output device 101 outputs sound waves including the first speaker ID using the speaker 403a and outputs sound waves including the second speaker ID using the speaker 403b in the non-audible sound region. As the frequency of the sound wave increases, the straightness of the sound wave increases, so in the output device 101 according to this embodiment, the sound wave output range is adjusted (for example, enlarged) by making the speakers 403a and 403b curved. Yes. The curved speakers 403a and 403b are a suitable example, and the speakers 403a and 403b may have any shape.
A microphone 404 and a speaker 402 are provided on the upper surface of the base body 401 of the output device 101. Note that the positions of the microphone 404 and the speaker 402 illustrated in FIG. 3 are examples.
The speaker 402 corresponds to the third speaker described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and may be referred to as a “third speaker” in the following description. As the speaker 402, for example, a general speaker used in in-house broadcasting or the like can be applied.

(Hardware configuration of output device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the output device according to the embodiment. The output device 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 502, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 503, a wireless communication unit 504, a sound wave processing unit 505, a microphone unit 506, and an amplification unit A507- 1, an amplification unit B507-2, a speaker A508-1, a speaker B508-2, an amplification unit C509, a speaker C510, a bus 511, and the like.

  The CPU 501 is an arithmetic device that realizes each function of the output device 101 by executing a program for the output device 101 stored in the flash ROM 503 or the like. A RAM 502 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 501. The flash ROM 503 is a non-volatile memory that stores various information such as a program for the output device 101, an output device ID that is identification information of the output device 101, and the first to third speaker IDs described above.

  The wireless communication unit 504 is a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the gateway 103, and includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, a control circuit, and the like. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 504 applies a wireless unit of various wireless communication methods such as a wireless LAN, Zigbee (registered trademark), or a specific power saving wireless (IEEE802.15.4g) in the 920 MHz band. be able to.

  The sound wave processing unit 505 performs various sound wave processes such as a process of generating a sound wave including a speaker ID and an analysis of a sound wave acquired by the microphone unit 506 according to the control of the CPU 501. For example, the sound wave processing unit 505 generates sound waves including the speaker ID in a non-audible sound region of, for example, 16 kHz or more in the sound frequency band according to control of the CPU 501.

  In the present embodiment, a specific data transfer method using sound waves is not particularly limited. For example, a known modulation such as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) is applied to sound waves of a predetermined frequency. Can be used to transmit information.

  Alternatively, the data transfer method using sound waves may be one that represents digital values “1” / “0” by turning on / off sound waves of a predetermined frequency (for example, 19 kHz). In this case, the information terminal 104 that has received the sound wave can acquire information included in the sound wave, for example, by determining the presence or absence of a predetermined frequency at a predetermined sampling rate.

  The sound wave processing unit 505 may be realized by an integrated circuit for voice processing or the like, or may be realized by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like. Alternatively, the sound wave processing unit 505 may be realized by a program executed by the CPU 501.

  The microphone unit 506 includes a sound collection element such as a microphone 404. The microphone unit 506 converts the sound wave acquired by the microphone 404 or the like into an electric signal.

  The amplification unit A507-1 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies a sound wave signal output to the speaker A 508-1. The amplification unit B507-2 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies the sound wave signal output to the speaker B508-2. In addition, the number of amplification part A507-1 and amplification part B507-2 is an example.

  The speaker A 508-1 is a speaker that converts the sound wave signal output from the amplification unit A 507-1 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave. Note that the speaker A 508-1 corresponds to the first speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 403a in FIG. 4, and may be referred to as a “first speaker” in the following description.

  The speaker B508-2 is a speaker that converts the sound wave signal output from the amplification unit B507-2 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave. The speaker B 508-2 corresponds to the second speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 403 b in FIG. 4, and may be referred to as “second speaker” in the following description.

  The amplification unit C509 is a sound wave amplifier that amplifies a sound wave signal output to the speaker C510. The speaker C510 is a speaker that converts the sound wave signal output from the amplification unit C509 into a sound wave and outputs the sound wave. Note that the speaker C510 corresponds to the third speaker described in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the speaker 402 in FIG. 4, and may be referred to as a “third speaker” in the following description.

  A bus 511 is connected to each of the above components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Management server hardware configuration)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server according to the embodiment. The management server 102 has a general computer configuration. For example, the CPU 601, RAM 602, ROM 603, storage unit 604, external I / F (Interface) unit 605, input unit 606, display unit 607, network I / O An F unit 608, a bus 609, and the like are included.

  The CPU 601 is an arithmetic device that implements each function of the management server 102 by reading a program or data stored in the ROM 603, the storage unit 604, or the like onto the RAM 602 and executing processing. A RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 601. The ROM 603 is a nonvolatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off.

  The storage unit 604 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores an OS (Operation System), application programs, various data, and the like.

  The external I / F unit 605 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes, for example, a recording medium 610 and the like. The management server 102 can read and / or write the recording medium 610 via the external I / F unit 605. The recording medium 610 includes, for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a memory card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and the like. In addition, the management server 102 stores a predetermined program in the recording medium 610 and installs the program stored in the recording medium 610 in the management server 102 via the external I / F unit 605. Can be executed.

  The input unit 606 is an input device used to input each operation signal to the management server 102 such as a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard. A display unit 607 is a display device such as a display that displays a processing result or the like by the management server 102.

  The network I / F unit 608 is a communication interface such as a wired / wireless LAN for connecting the management server 102 to the network 106. The management server 102 can perform data communication with other devices via the network 106 via the network I / F unit 608.

  A bus 609 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Gateway hardware configuration example)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a gateway according to an embodiment. The gateway 103 includes, for example, a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, a wireless communication unit 704, a network I / F unit 705, and a bus 706.

  The CPU 701 is an arithmetic device that implements each function of the gateway 103 by executing a program stored in the ROM 703 or the like. The RAM 702 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 701. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program of the gateway 103 and the like. The ROM 703 may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM or an EEPROM.

  The wireless communication unit 704 is a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication by the same wireless communication method as the wireless communication unit 504 of the output device 101 described above, and includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, a control circuit, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 705 is a communication interface such as a wireless / wired LAN that connects the gateway 103 to the network 106.

  The bus 706 is connected to each of the above components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Information terminal hardware configuration)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information terminal according to the embodiment. The information terminal 104 has a general computer configuration. For example, the CPU 801, the RAM 802, the ROM 803, the storage unit 804, the communication I / F unit 805, the microphone unit 806, the speaker unit 807, the display input unit 808, and the like. Includes bus 809 and the like.

  The CPU 801 is an arithmetic device that implements each function of the information terminal 104 by reading a program or data stored in the ROM 803, the storage unit 804, or the like onto the RAM 802 and executing processing. A RAM 802 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 801. The ROM 803 is a nonvolatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off.

  The storage unit 804 is a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash ROM, and stores an OS, application programs, various data, and the like.

  The communication I / F unit 805 is a communication interface corresponding to a mobile communication network such as 3G (3rd. Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution), or a communication method such as a wireless LAN. The information terminal 104 connects to the network 106 via the communication I / F unit 805 and performs data communication with the management server 102 and the like.

  The microphone unit 806 includes a sound collection element such as a microphone. The microphone unit 806 converts sound waves acquired by a microphone or the like into sound wave signals. A microphone provided in a recent smartphone or the like can collect a sound wave of about 20 kHz, and more preferably about 24 kHz. Therefore, the microphone unit 806 can preferably acquire a non-audible sound having a high frequency of, for example, 16 kHz or more, which is included in the sound wave output from the output device 101.

  The speaker unit 807 includes a sound wave output element such as a speaker. The speaker unit 807 converts a sound wave signal into a sound wave by a speaker or the like and outputs the sound wave.

  The display input unit 808 includes, for example, a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an input element such as a touch panel. The display input unit 808 accepts an input operation by a user and displays by a program executed on the information terminal 104. Display the screen.

  A bus 809 is connected to each of the above components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

<Functional configuration>
(Functional configuration of output device)
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of an output device according to an embodiment. In FIG. 9, the output devices 101-2 and 101-3 have the same functional configuration as that of the output device 101-1.

  The output device 101 includes a communication unit 901, a non-audible sound output unit 902, a sound wave collection unit 903, a sound wave analysis unit 904, a determination unit 905, a detection unit 906, an output control unit 907, an audible sound output unit 908, a storage unit 909, and the like. Have

  The communication unit 901 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the wireless communication unit 504 in FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 in FIG. 5, and is connected to a wireless network provided by the gateway 103 and is connected to the management server via the gateway 103. Communicate with 102.

  The non-audible sound output unit 902 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 in FIG. 5, a sound wave processing unit 505, an amplification unit A507-1, an amplification unit B507-2, a speaker A508-1, a speaker B508-2, and the like. The The non-audible sound output unit 902 transmits a sound wave including the first identification information corresponding to the position where the output device 101 is installed to a predetermined frequency band of a non-audible sound region whose frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency (for example, 16 kHz). To output.

  For example, the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the first speaker ID using the first speaker (speaker A 508-1) and a sound wave including the second speaker ID ( Non-audible sound) is output using the second speaker (speaker A508-2).

  The non-audible sound output unit 902 only needs to output at least one sound wave including the first identification information (for example, a sound wave including the first speaker ID). The sound wave including the identification information (for example, the sound wave including the second speaker ID) is optional.

  The sound wave collection unit 903 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the microphone unit 506 in FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 in FIG. 5, and collects sound waves around the output device 101 using the microphone unit 506.

  Preferably, the sound wave collection unit 903 collects sound waves around the output device 101 when the non-audible sound output unit 902 does not output a sound wave including the first identification information. For example, when the non-audible sound output unit 902 intermittently transmits a sound wave including the first identification information at a predetermined period, the sound wave collection unit 903 is a period in which the sound wave including the first identification information is not output. In addition, sound waves around the output device 101 are collected. Alternatively, when the non-audible sound output unit 902 continuously transmits the sound wave including the first identification information, the sound wave collection unit 903 temporarily stops the sound wave including the first identification information, Sound waves around the output device 101 are collected.

  The sound wave analysis unit 904 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the sound wave processing unit 505 in FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 in FIG. 5, and uses sound waves collected by the sound wave collection unit 903 to generate sound waves in a non-audible sound region. Analyze frequency and level. For example, the sound wave analysis unit 904 performs FFT (First Fourier Transform) analysis on the sound wave collected by the sound wave collection unit 903. From this analysis result, for example, the sound wave level around the output device 101 at each frequency in the non-audible sound region can be determined.

  The determination unit 905 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 in FIG. The determination unit 905 has a predetermined frequency band (hereinafter referred to as a first frequency band) in which the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information based on the analysis result by the sound wave analysis unit 904. , It is determined whether it can be used to output a sound wave including the first identification information.

  For example, the determination unit 905 has a sound wave equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (first sound wave level) within a first frequency band in which the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information. Is included, it is determined that the first frequency band is not available.

  The detection unit 906 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 in FIG. When the determination unit 905 determines that the first frequency band is not usable, the detection unit 906 includes first identification information in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result by the sound wave analysis unit 904. A second frequency band that can be used for sound wave output is detected.

  For example, the detection unit 906 detects a frequency band that does not include a sound wave equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (second sound wave level) in the non-audible sound region, and sets it as the second frequency band. The first sound wave level and the second sound wave level may be the same sound wave level or different sound wave levels. Here, the following description will be made assuming that the first sound wave level and the second sound wave level are the same sound wave level.

  The output control unit 907 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 501 in FIG. When the detection unit 906 detects the second frequency band, the output control unit 907 causes the non-audible sound output unit 902 to output a sound wave including the first identification information in the detected second frequency band.

  Accordingly, the non-audible sound output unit 902 can use the available frequency band in which the sound wave level around the output device 101 is less than the threshold in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit 904. In addition, a sound wave including the first identification information can be output.

  On the other hand, when the second frequency band is not detected by the detection unit 906, the output control unit 907 manages state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available for output of sound waves including the first identification information. Send to server 102. Thereby, the management server 102 recognizes that the sound wave including the first identification information cannot be output in the non-audible sound region, and can change the sound wave output method by the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3. it can.

  The audible sound output unit 908 is realized by, for example, the program executed by the amplification unit C509, the speaker C510 in FIG. 5, and the CPU 501 in FIG. 5, and outputs a sound wave in which the second information is embedded in the audible sound region. . For example, the audible sound output unit 908 outputs, from the third speaker, a sound wave (audible sound) in which the third speaker ID (second identification information) is embedded in the audible sound region in accordance with an instruction from the output control unit 907. To do.

  The storage unit 909 includes, for example, an output device ID for identifying the output device 101, first to third speaker IDs, and an audible sound in which the third speaker ID is embedded in the audible sound region output by the audible sound output unit 908. The data etc. are memorized. The storage unit 909 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the flash ROM 503 in FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 in FIG.

(Functional configuration of location information management system)
FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of the location information management system according to the first embodiment. The configuration diagram of the location information management system 100 in FIG. 10 shows the minimum configuration of the output device 101, the management server 102, the gateway 103, and the information terminal 104.

(Functional configuration of the management server)
The management server (information processing apparatus) 102 includes a communication unit 1001, a status information receiving unit 1002, an output device control unit 1003, an output device information management unit 1004, a location information management unit 1005, a storage unit 1006, and the like.

  The communication unit 1001 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the network I / F unit 608 in FIG. 6 and the CPU 601 in FIG. A communication unit 1001 connects the management server 102 to the network 106, communicates with a plurality of output devices 101 via the gateway 103, and communicates with the information terminal 104 and the like.

  The state information receiving unit 1002 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. 6, and the non-audible sound region transmitted from the information terminal 104 is not available for output of sound waves including the first identification information. Is received via the communication unit 1001.

  The output device control unit 1003 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. The output device control unit 1003 outputs a sound wave output from the output device 101 to at least some of the output devices 101 among the plurality of output devices 101 in accordance with the state information received by the state information receiving unit 1002. The control information instructing the change is transmitted. An example of instruction contents of control information transmitted by the output device control unit 1003 will be described later.

  The output device information management unit 1004 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. 6. For example, output device information 1011 as illustrated in FIG. 11A is stored in the storage unit 1006 and managed.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of output device information 1011 managed by the output device information management unit 1004. The output device information 1011 illustrated in FIG. 11A includes information such as “output device ID”, “speaker ID”, “direction”, “position coordinates”, and “area information”.

  The “output device ID” is identification information for identifying the output device 101.

  “Speaker ID” is the first speaker ID included in the sound wave output from the first speaker by the output device 101, the second speaker ID included in the sound wave output from the second speaker, and the third speaker. Is information of the third speaker ID embedded in the sound wave output.

  “Direction” is information indicating the direction (direction) in which the first speaker and the second speaker output sound waves. For example, when the output device 101 is installed, an installation person who installed the output device 101 or the like. Registered by The “direction” information is not essential. Further, the “direction” information may be information such as an azimuth angle represented by an angle with respect to the north.

  “Position coordinates” is coordinate information (for example, three-dimensional coordinate information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) indicating the location where each output device 101 is installed. The information of “position coordinates” is determined and registered by the person in charge of installation of the output device 101 when the output device 101 is installed, for example. For example, in “position coordinates”, the position coordinates of a predetermined installation location are measured by the device, and the measured values are registered.

  “Area information” is information indicating an area where a plurality of output devices 101 are installed, for example. The area is an area where one or more output devices 101 are installed, such as one floor, one sales floor, one room, and the like. Using this “area information”, for example, the management server 102 can cause the plurality of output devices 101 included in the same area to output the same audible sound at the same timing.

  Now, returning to FIG. 10, the description of the functional configuration of the management server 102 will be continued.

  The location information management unit 1005 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. For example, the position information management unit 1005 receives request information (for example, a position information acquisition request) that is transmitted from the information terminal 104 that has acquired the speaker ID from the output device 101 and includes the acquired speaker ID and application ID. . Further, the location information management unit 1005 stores, for example, the location information 1012 as shown in FIG. 11B based on the received request information and the output device information 1011 stored in the storage unit 1008. To remember and manage.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of position information 1012 managed by the position information management unit 1005. The position information 1012 illustrated in FIG. 11B includes information such as “information terminal identification information”, “speaker ID”, “output device ID”, “acquisition date”, “position coordinates”, “direction”, and the like. It is.

  The “information terminal identification information” is identification information (for example, an application ID) for identifying the information terminal 104, and is obtained from the request information received from the information terminal 104.

  The “speaker ID” is a speaker ID (for example, the first speaker ID, the second speaker ID, or the third speaker ID) included in the sound wave acquired by the information terminal 104 and received from the information terminal 104. Obtained from the requested information.

  The “output device ID” is the output device ID of the output device 101 that has output the sound wave acquired by the information terminal 104 and is specified by the “speaker ID” and the output device information 1011 illustrated in FIG.

  “Acquisition date / time” is information indicating the date / time when the information terminal 104 acquired the speaker ID, or the date / time when the management server 102 received the request information from the information terminal 104.

  “Position coordinates” is coordinate information corresponding to the place where the output device 101 that outputs the speaker ID is specified based on the “speaker ID” and the output device information 1011 shown in FIG. (For example, latitude, longitude altitude, etc.).

  The “direction” is information that is specified based on the “speaker ID” and the output device information 1011 illustrated in FIG. 11A and indicates the direction in which the information terminal 104 is located with respect to the “position coordinates”. The “direction” information is not essential.

  The position information 1012 is updated or added every time the position information management unit 1005 receives request information from the information terminal 104, and the position information 1012 indicates the position at which the information terminal 104 last acquired the speaker ID. Coordinates can be managed.

  Further, the position information management unit 1005 provides (transmits), for example, position coordinates indicating the position of the information terminal 104 to the requesting information terminal 104 that has transmitted the position information acquisition request.

  The storage unit 1006 is realized by, for example, the storage unit 604 in FIG. 6, the RAM 602, and a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. 6, and stores the above-described output device information 1011, position information 1012, and the like.

(Functional configuration of information terminal)
The information terminal 104 includes a sound wave acquisition unit 1021, an information extraction unit 1022, an identification information transmission unit 1023, a communication unit 1024, a display control unit 1025, an operation reception unit 1026, a storage unit 1027, and the like.

  For example, the information terminal 104 implements the above-described components by executing an application (for example, the route guidance application 1031) corresponding to the location information management system 100 stored in the storage unit 1027.

  The sound wave acquisition unit 1021 is realized by, for example, a program (application) executed by the microphone unit 806 in FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 in FIG. 8, and outputs sound waves (non-audible sound and audible sound) output from the output device 101. get.

  The information extraction unit 1022 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 in FIG. 8 and extracts the speaker ID included in the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

  The identification information transmission unit 1023 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 in FIG. 8, and receives request information including the speaker ID of the output device 101 extracted by the information extraction unit 1022 and the application ID of the information terminal 104. To the management server 102.

  The communication unit 1024 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the communication I / F unit 805 in FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 in FIG. 8, and connects the information terminal 104 to the network 106 to communicate with the management server 102 and the like. Do.

  The display control unit 1025 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 in FIG. 8 and displays a display screen by the route guidance application 1031 or the like on the display input unit 808 or the like in FIG.

  The operation reception unit 1026 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 in FIG. 8 and receives an input operation of the user 105 with respect to the route guidance application 1031 and the like.

  The storage unit 1027 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage unit 804, the RAM 802 in FIG. 8, and the CPU 801 in FIG. 8, and stores an application such as the route guidance application 1031.

<Process flow>
Next, processing of the sound wave output control method in the position information management system 100 will be described.

(Output device output control processing)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the output device 101 according to an embodiment. This process shows an example of a sound wave output control process executed by each output device 101. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 generates a sound wave (non-audible sound) including first identification information for identifying the position where the output device 101 is installed. It is assumed that the signal is output in the first frequency band of the non-audible sound region.

  Further, the number of sound waves including the first identification information output from the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 may be two or more, but here, in order to facilitate explanation, the non-audible sound output unit The following description will be given on the assumption that the number of sound waves including the first identification information output by 902 is one.

  In step S <b> 1201, the sound wave collection unit 903 of the output device 101 collects sound waves around the output device 101 using the microphone unit 806.

  Preferably, the sound wave collection unit 903 collects sound waves around the output device 101 during a period in which the non-audible sound output unit 902 does not output a sound wave including the first identification information.

  In step S1202, the sound wave analysis unit 904 of the output device 101 analyzes the frequency and level of the sound wave in the non-audible sound region using the surrounding sound wave collected by the sound wave collection unit 903. At this time, an image of an analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904 is shown in FIG.

  In the graph shown in FIG. 13A, the horizontal axis indicates the frequency, the vertical axis indicates the sound wave level, and the sound wave level 1311 acquired by the sound wave collection unit 903 is shown for each frequency. In FIG. 13A, the first frequency band 1312 in which the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information is assumed to be in the range from the frequency f1 to the frequency f3.

  In step S <b> 1203, the determination unit 905 of the output device 101 can use the first frequency band 1312 for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information based on the analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904. Judging. For example, in FIG. 13A, the determination unit 905 determines the first frequency when the first frequency band 1312 does not include a sound wave equal to or higher than the threshold 1313 (a predetermined first level). It is determined that the band 1312 is available. On the other hand, the determination unit 905 determines that the first frequency band 1312 is not usable when the first frequency band 1312 includes a sound wave having a threshold value 1313 or higher.

  In the example of FIG. 13A, since the frequency f3 in the first frequency band 1312 includes a sound wave having a threshold value 1313 or more, the determination unit 905 cannot use the first frequency band 1312. Judge.

  When it is determined that the first frequency band 1312 is available, the determination unit 905 causes the process to proceed to step S1204. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first frequency band 1312 is not usable, the determination unit 905 shifts the processing to step S1205.

  In step S1204, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 outputs a sound wave including the first identification information. For example, when a sound wave including the first identification information has already been output at the start of the process illustrated in FIG. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 continues to output the sound wave including the first identification information. In addition, when the output of the sound wave including the first identification information is stopped (or stopped) at the start of the process illustrated in FIG. 12, the non-audible sound output unit 902 outputs the sound wave including the first identification information. Resume output.

  When the process proceeds to step S1205, the detection unit 906 of the output device 101 is based on the analysis result analyzed by the sound wave analysis unit 904, and can be used to output a sound wave including the first identification information in the non-audible sound region. 2 frequency bands are detected. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the detection unit 906 does not include a sound wave having a threshold value 1322 (a predetermined second level) or higher within a predetermined band, and includes a frequency f4 to a frequency f5. A second frequency band 1321 that is a range is detected.

  In step S1296, the output control unit 907 of the output device 101 branches the process depending on whether or not the second frequency band is detected. When the second frequency band is detected, the output control unit 907 shifts the process to step S1207. on the other hand. When the second frequency band is not detected, the output control unit 907 causes the process to proceed to step S1208.

  In step S1207, the output control unit 907 causes the non-audible sound output unit 902 to output a sound wave including the first identification information in the detected second frequency band.

  In step S1208, the output control unit 907 transmits, via the communication unit 901, status information indicating that the non-audible sound area around the output device 101 is not available for output of sound waves including the speaker ID via the management unit 901. 102.

  Through the above processing, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 can be used based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit 904 and the level of the surrounding sound wave is less than the threshold 1322 in the non-audible sound region. A sound wave including the first identification information can be output in the nominal frequency band.

  Further, the output device 101 transmits state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available to the management server 102 when the second frequency band in which there is no sound wave equal to or higher than the second sound wave level is not detected.

  Accordingly, the management server 102 recognizes that the information terminal 104 cannot acquire the first identification information at the position where the output device 101 is installed, and changes the sound wave output method by the plurality of output devices 101, for example. Will be able to.

  When there are a plurality of sound waves including the first identification information output from the non-audible sound output unit 902, the output device 101 performs steps S1203 to S1208 in FIG. 12 for each sound wave including the first identification information, for example. The process shown is executed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing of the output device according to the embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 14, the process of step S1401 is added to the process of the output device shown in FIG. The other processes are the same as the processes in steps S1201 to S1208 described with reference to FIG. 12, and therefore, here, the description will focus on differences from the process illustrated in FIG.

  If the second frequency band is not detected in step S1206, the output control unit 907 shifts the process to step S1401.

  In step S1401, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101 stops (or stops) the output of the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID output in the first frequency band.

  The output control unit 907 of the output device executes the process of step S1208 after step S1401 (or before step S1401).

  With the above processing, the output device 101 stops the output of the non-audible sound when the sound wave including the speaker ID in the non-audible sound region (non-audible sound) cannot be output, so that the power consumption can be reduced. become.

(Processing of location information management system)
Next, processing of the entire position information management system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing of the location information management system according to an embodiment. This processing is performed when the location information management system 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a disturbing sound wave 1607 in the non-audible sound region around the output device 101-2 as shown in FIG. An example of processing is shown.

  In steps S1501 to S1503, the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 execute, for example, output control processing of the output device 101 illustrated in FIG. Note that the processing in steps S1501 to S1503 may be executed at the same time or may be executed at different times.

  When the process of step S1501 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is no disturbing sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-1, the output device 101-1 has the first frequency. Continue to output sound waves including the speaker ID in the band.

  Similarly, when the process of step S1503 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is no disturbing sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-3, the output device 101-3 The output of the sound wave including the speaker ID is continued in the frequency band of 1.

  On the other hand, when the process of step S1502 is executed, as shown in FIG. 16A, since there is a disturbing sound wave 1607 around the output device 101-3, the output device 101-3 is not allowed. It is determined that the listening area cannot be used for outputting sound waves including the speaker ID.

  Thereby, in step S1504, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-2 stops outputting the sound wave including the speaker ID in the non-audible sound region.

  In step S <b> 1505, the output control unit 907 of the output device 101 sends status information indicating that the non-audible sound area around the output device 101 is not available for output of sound waves including the speaker ID to the management server 102. Send. This state information includes, for example, the output device ID of the output device 101-2 or the speaker ID included in the sound wave output by the output device 101-2.

  In step S1506, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 is installed adjacent to the output device 101-2 using the status information transmitted from the output device 101-2 and the output device information 1011. The output devices 101-1 and 101-3 are specified. For example, the output device control unit 1003 uses the “speaker ID”, “direction”, and “position coordinates” of the output device information 1011 illustrated in FIG. -1, 101-3 and their speaker IDs (or output device IDs).

  Preferably, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 specifies the speaker ID “SP0001S” in the area adjacent to the output device 101-2 when there are two sound waves including the speaker ID output by the output device 101-1. To do. Similarly, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 specifies the speaker ID “SP0003N” in the area adjacent to the output device 101-2 when there are two sound waves including the speaker ID output by the output device 101-3. To do.

  In step S1507, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 instructs the output device 101-3 to increase (change) the output level of the sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID “SP0003N”, for example. Send.

  In step S1508, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-3 increases the output level of the sound wave including the speaker ID “SP0003N” based on the control information transmitted from the management server 102.

  In step S1509, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 gives control information that instructs the output device 101-1 to increase (change) the level of sound waves (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID “SP0001S”, for example. Send.

  In step S <b> 1510, the non-audible sound output unit 902 of the output device 101-1 increases the level of sound waves including the speaker ID “SP0001S” based on the control information transmitted from the management server 102.

  Accordingly, in step S1511, the information terminal 104 can acquire a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID “SP0003N” output from the output device 101-3.

  In step S <b> 1512, the information extraction unit 1022 of the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID “SP0003N” from the sound wave acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

  In step S <b> 1513, the identification information transmission unit 1023 of the information terminal 104 sends a position information acquisition request (an example of request information) including the application ID of the information terminal 104 and the extracted speaker ID “SP0003N” to the management server 102. Send to.

  In step S <b> 1514, the location information management unit 1005 of the management server 102 stores the location information acquisition request transmitted from the information terminal 104 and the output device information 1011 stored in the storage unit 1006 in the storage unit 1006. The position information 1012 is updated.

  In step S1515, the location information management unit 1005 of the management server 102 transmits the updated location information of the information terminal 104 to the requesting information terminal 104.

  In step S <b> 1516, the information terminal 104 acquires the position information of the information terminal 104 transmitted from the management server 102.

  For example, in the state shown in FIG. 16A, when the output device 101-2 detects the disturbing sound wave 1607 and stops outputting sound waves including the speaker IDs “SP0002N” and “SP0002S”, the information terminal 104 Position information cannot be detected.

  However, in the present embodiment, the processing of steps S1505 to S1510, for example, as shown in FIG. The output range 1603 is expanded.

  As a result, the information terminal 104 can acquire a sound wave (non-audible sound) including the speaker ID “SP0003N” output from the output device 101-3. Therefore, the location information management system 100 can detect that the information terminal 104 is on the north side of the output device 101-3.

  The process illustrated in FIG. 15 is an example of a sound wave output control method for controlling sound waves of the plurality of output devices 101 in the position information management system 100.

(Another example of processing of the location information management system)
FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the process of the location information management system according to the embodiment. This process is another example of sound wave output control for controlling sound waves of the plurality of output devices 101 in the position information management system 100. Note that the processing in steps S1501 to S1505 in FIG. 17 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 15, and here, the description will focus on the differences from the processing shown in FIG. 5.

  In step S1701, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 is installed in the same area as the output device 101-2 using the status information transmitted from the output device 101-2 and the output device information 1011. The output devices 101-1 and 101-3 are identified. For example, the output device control unit 1003 uses the “speaker ID” and “area information” of the output device information 1011 illustrated in FIG. 11A to output the output device installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. 101-1, 101-3, and the output device ID are specified.

  In steps S <b> 1702 to S <b> 1704, the output device control unit 1003 of the management server 102 generates sound waves in which speaker IDs are embedded in a plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 installed in the same area as the output device 101-2. Control information that instructs output is transmitted.

  Preferably, the control information instructing the output of the audible sound includes information on a start time that is a time at which the output of the audible sound is started.

  In steps S1705 to S1707, when the output control units 907 of the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 detect that the start time indicated by the control information has been reached, the processes after steps S1708 to S1710 are executed. .

  In steps S1708 to S1710, the output control units 907 of the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3 cause the audible sound output unit 908 to start outputting sound waves (audible sounds) in which speaker IDs are embedded.

  Thereby, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the output device 101-1 outputs an audible sound to a predetermined output range 1801. Similarly, the output device 101-2 outputs an audible sound to a predetermined output range 1802, and the output device 101-3 outputs an audible sound to a predetermined output range 1803.

  In step S1711, the sound wave acquisition unit 1021 of the information terminal 104 acquires the sound wave (audible sound) output from the output device 101-2 and in which the speaker ID “SP0002K” is embedded in the audible sound region.

  In step S1712, the information extraction unit 1022 of the information terminal 104 extracts the speaker ID embedded in the audible sound acquired by the sound wave acquisition unit 1021.

  In step S1713, for example, position information acquisition processing shown in steps S1513 to S1516 in FIG. 15 is executed.

  With the above processing, in the position information management system 100, for example, when the output device 101-2 shown in FIG. 18 cannot output a sound wave including the speaker ID in the non-audible sound region, a plurality of output devices 101 installed in the same area. -1 to 101-3 start outputting an audible sound.

  At this time, the plurality of output devices 101-1 to 101-3, for example, output the sound waves in which the speaker IDs of the output devices 101 are embedded in the same audible sound such as voice guidance, music, and environmental sound at the same timing. To output.

  Thereby, the positional information management system 100 can notify the information terminal 104 of the speaker ID using an audible sound without giving the user 105 a sense of incongruity. That is, the position information management system 100 can reduce the influence of sound waves in the audible sound region around the output device 101.

100 position information management system 101 output device 102 management server (information processing device)
104 Information terminal (terminal equipment)
902 Non-audible sound output unit 903 Sound wave collection unit 904 Sound wave analysis unit 905 Judgment unit 906 Detection unit 907 Output control unit 908 Audible sound output unit 1002 Status information reception unit 1003 Output device control unit 1004 Output device information management unit

JP-A-2006-34126

Claims (10)

A position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output from the output device, including a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls sound waves output from the output devices Because
The output device is
A sound wave collection unit for collecting sound waves around the output device;
A sound wave analyzing unit that analyzes the frequency and level of the surrounding sound wave in a non-audible sound region having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency, using the surrounding sound wave collected by the sound wave collecting unit;
Based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, in the non-audible sound region, the peripheral sound wave level corresponds to a position where the output device is installed in an available frequency band in which the sound wave level is less than a threshold value. A non-audible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave including the first identification information;
An output control unit that transmits state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available for output of sound waves including the first identification information to the information processing device when there is no usable frequency band;
A location information management system.   The position information management system according to claim 1, wherein the non-audible sound output unit stops outputting a sound wave including the first identification information when there is no usable frequency band. The output device is
A determination unit that determines whether the first frequency band in which the non-audible sound output unit outputs a sound wave including the first identification information is available based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit;
When it is determined that the first frequency band is not usable, it can be used to output a sound wave including the first identification information in the non-audible sound region based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit. A detection unit for detecting a second frequency band;
Have
The non-audible sound output unit outputs a sound wave including the first identification information in the second frequency band detected by the detection unit when it is determined that the first frequency band is not usable. The position information management system according to claim 1 or 2.   When the determination unit includes a sound wave having a predetermined sound wave level or higher that is different from the sound wave output from the non-audible sound output unit in the first frequency band, the first frequency band The position information management system according to claim 3, wherein the position information management system determines that the frequency band is not available.   The position information management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the detection unit detects the second frequency band that does not include a sound wave having a predetermined second sound wave level or higher in the non-audible sound region. . The information processing apparatus includes:
An output device information management unit for managing information on a place where the plurality of output devices are installed;
In response to the state information transmitted from the output device, the first identification information output by the output device is output to one or more output devices installed adjacent to the output device that transmitted the state information. An output device controller that transmits control information for instructing a change in the output level of the sound wave including the sound wave;
The position information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The output device has an audible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave in which second identification information corresponding to a position where the output device is installed in an audible sound region having a frequency lower than that of the non-audible sound region,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An output device information management unit for managing information on an area where the plurality of output devices are installed;
Output of sound waves in which the second identification information is embedded in one or more output devices installed in the same area as the output device that transmitted the state information in accordance with the state information transmitted from the output device The position information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein control information for instructing is transmitted. A position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output from the output device, including a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls sound waves output from the output devices The output device of
A sound wave collection unit for collecting sound waves around the output device;
A sound wave analyzing unit that analyzes the frequency and level of the surrounding sound wave in a non-audible sound region having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency, using the surrounding sound wave collected by the sound wave collecting unit;
Based on the analysis result of the sound wave analysis unit, in the non-audible sound region, the peripheral sound wave level corresponds to a position where the output device is installed in an available frequency band in which the sound wave level is less than a threshold value. A non-audible sound output unit that outputs a sound wave including the first identification information;
An output control unit that transmits state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available for output of sound waves including the first identification information to the information processing device when there is no usable frequency band;
An output device. A position information management system that manages position information of a terminal device that acquires sound waves output from the output device, including a plurality of output devices that output sound waves and an information processing device that controls sound waves output from the output devices A sound wave output control method in
The output device is
Collecting sound waves around the output device;
Analyzing the frequency and level of the surrounding sound waves in a non-audible sound region having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency using the collected surrounding sound waves;
Based on the analyzed result, if there is an available frequency band in the non-audible sound region where the level of the surrounding sound wave is less than a threshold value, the output device uses the available frequency band. Outputting a sound wave including first identification information corresponding to the installed position;
Transmitting the state information indicating that the non-audible sound region is not available for the output of the sound wave including the first identification information to the information processing device when there is no usable frequency band;
A method for controlling the output of sound waves.   A program for causing an output device to execute the sound wave output control method according to claim 9.

Images