JP2021162514A - Location identification system, location identification method, and location identification program - Google Patents

Abstract

To identify the location of an electronic apparatus without modifying the electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: A location identification system includes a portable information device capable of changing a geographical location and a server. The portable information device includes: an apparatus location detection unit that detects the location of a mobile device at measurement time as an apparatus location; and a distance detection unit that detects distance information indicating distance at the measurement time from an electronic apparatus by wirelessly communicating with the electronic apparatus, which is a measurement target whose geographical location is fixed. A server 300 includes: a measurement information collection unit 351 that collects measurement information including the apparatus location and the distance information from the mobile device; and a location determination unit 353 that determines the location of the electronic apparatus based on the measurement information collected by the measurement information collection unit 351.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a locating system, a locating method and a locating program, and in particular, executes a locating system for locating an electronic device, a locating method executed by the locating system and the locating method on a computer. Regarding the location identification program to be made.

Conventionally, a plurality of electronic devices such as a multifunction device (hereinafter referred to as an MFP) and a printer may be arranged. These plurality of electronic devices may be connected to a network and controlled by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). It is necessary to set the PC in order to control the electronic device by the PC, and it is necessary to specify the electronic device to be controlled by the PC. In the PC, the network addresses of a plurality of electronic devices can be determined, but the user who operates the PC cannot identify the electronic device to be controlled from among the plurality of electronic devices only from the network address. On the other hand, if the positions of the plurality of electronic devices in the office are known, the user who operates the PC can select the target electronic device from the plurality of electronic devices.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-152565, the MFP acquires the position information of another electronic device by wireless communication, acquires the radio wave strength at the time of receiving the position information, and obtains the position information and the radio wave of the other electronic device. A technique for memorizing the position in association with the intensity and determining the position of the own device by a three-point survey method or the like from a combination of position information and radio wave intensity of a plurality of other electronic devices is described.

However, since the MFP described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-152565 determines the position of its own device by communicating with a plurality of other electronic devices, the MFP must be provided with the function. , There is a problem that the position of an existing MFP that does not have a function of determining the position of its own device cannot be specified.

JP-A-2015-152565

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a position identification system capable of specifying the position of an electronic device without modifying the electronic device. That is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a positioning method capable of locating an electronic device without modifying the electronic device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a location identification program capable of locating an electronic device without modifying the electronic device.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to an aspect of the present invention, the locating system is a locating system including a mobile device and a server whose geographical position can be changed, and the mobile device is a measurement time. Distance indicating the distance at the measurement time between the device position detecting means that detects the position of the mobile device in the above as the device position and the electronic device that is the measurement target having a fixed geographical position by wirelessly communicating with the electronic device. The server is provided with a distance detecting means for detecting information, and the server is based on the measurement information collecting means for collecting measurement information including the device position and the distance information from the mobile device and the measurement information collected by the measuring information collecting means. , A position determining means for determining the position of the electronic device, and the like.

According to this aspect, the mobile device detects the distance information indicating the position of the mobile device at the measurement time and the distance between the mobile device and the measurement object at the measurement time, and the server collects the measurement information from the mobile device. The position of the object to be measured is determined based on the measurement information. Therefore, in the server, the position of the measurement object is determined from the position of the mobile device detected in the mobile device and the distance between the mobile device and the measurement object. As a result, it is possible to provide a position identification system capable of specifying the position of the object to be measured without modifying the electronic device.

Preferably, the measurement information further includes device identification information for identifying the electronic device, and the positioning means is a plurality of measurement information having the same device identification information among the plurality of measurement information collected by the measurement information collecting means. Is used to identify the location of the electronic device identified by the device identification information.

According to this aspect, since the position of the electronic device is specified by using a plurality of measurement information having the same device identification information, the mobile device communicates with one electronic device multiple times to obtain the information of the electronic device. The position is specified. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying the position of the electronic device can be improved.

Preferably, the measurement information further includes the measurement time, and the positioning means electronically uses a plurality of measurement information including the measurement time within a predetermined period among the plurality of measurement information collected by the measurement information collecting means. Identify the location of the device.

According to this aspect, since the position of the electronic device is specified by using a plurality of measurement information including the measurement time within the predetermined period, the position of the electronic device existing in the predetermined period can be specified.

Preferably, the position determining means determines a candidate region determined by the range of the distance indicated by the distance information from the position indicated by the device position, and determines an overlapping region in which the plurality of candidate regions determined from the plurality of measurement information overlap each other. do.

According to this aspect, the position of the electronic device is accurately determined because the overlapping area in which a plurality of candidate areas determined by the range of the distance indicated by the distance information overlap from the position indicated by the device position is the position of the electronic device. Can be done.

Preferably, when there are a plurality of superposed regions, the positioning means selects the most superposed region having the largest number of overlapping multiple candidate regions, each of which is determined based on a plurality of measurement information, among the plurality of superposed regions. Determine the position.

According to this aspect, the position of the electronic device can be accurately determined.

Preferably, the mobile device detects the device position and distance information with the time point at which communication with the electronic device becomes possible as the measurement time.

According to this aspect, the time when the mobile device can communicate with the electronic device is set as the measurement time, so that the maximum distance that the mobile device can communicate with can be set as the distance to the electronic device.

Preferably, the server further comprises display information generating means that generates display information indicating the relative position of the electronic device identified by the positioning means relative to a predetermined fixed object.

According to this aspect, the position of the electronic device can be indicated with reference to the fixed object.

Preferably, the server further comprises display information generating means that generates display information indicating the relative positions of the plurality of electronic devices identified by the positioning means.

According to this aspect, the positions of the plurality of electronic devices can be indicated by the relative positions of the plurality of electronic devices.

Preferably, the display information generating means generates display information so as to indicate the position of the electronic device in a display mode corresponding to the number of a plurality of measurement information used for determining the position of the electronic device by the position determining means. do.

According to this aspect, since the position is shown in the display mode according to the number of the plurality of measurement information used for determining the position of the electronic device, it is possible to show the certainty of the position.

Preferably, the server further comprises an address acquisition means for acquiring the network address assigned in the network of the electronic device, and the display information generating means displays the display information so that the network address of the electronic device is displayed at the position of the electronic device. To generate.

According to this aspect, since the network address of the electronic device is displayed at the position of the electronic device, the position of the electronic device and the network address can be associated and displayed.

Preferably, the display information generating means deletes the electronic device from the display target in response to the inability to communicate with the electronic device via the network.

According to this aspect, the position of the electronic device that cannot communicate via the network is not displayed, so that the position of the electronic device that actually operates can be shown.

Preferably, the distance information is a reception intensity indicating the intensity of the radio wave received from the electronic device, and one of the server and the mobile device acquires the transmission intensity indicating the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the electronic device. The acquisition means includes a distance determining means for determining the distance between the mobile device and the electronic device based on the transmitting intensity and the receiving intensity which is the distance information.

According to this aspect, the distance between the mobile device and the electronic device is determined based on the transmission intensity and the reception intensity, so that the distance can be accurately determined.

Preferably, the server is a user detection means that acquires user identification information for identifying a user detected by the user detection device when the user detection device that detects the user authenticates the user carrying the mobile device. The detection device position determining means for determining the position of the mobile device at the time when the user identification information is acquired by the user detection means at the position of the user detection device is provided.

According to this aspect, the position of the user detection device can be easily determined.

Preferably, when the server detects that the position of the mobile device at a predetermined time is within a predetermined range, the server determines the predetermined range to a unique position defined for the user carrying the mobile device. Further provided with a unique position determining means.

According to this aspect, the position where the user carrying the mobile device stays for a predetermined time can be determined to the user's unique position.

Preferably, the server further comprises a movement route determining means that determines the movement route of the mobile device based on the temporal change in the position of the mobile device.

According to this aspect, the movement route of the user carrying the mobile device can be determined.

Preferably, the mobile device is a server.

According to this aspect, the position of the electronic device can be specified only by the mobile device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the locating method is a locating method performed in a locating system that includes a mobile device and a server whose geographical location is variable, and the mobile device is provided with a measurement time. The distance indicating the distance at the measurement time between the device position detection step that detects the position of the mobile device in the above as the device position and the electronic device that is the measurement target having a fixed geographical position by wirelessly communicating with the electronic device. Based on the measurement information collection step that executes the distance detection step to detect the information and causes the server to collect the measurement information including the device position and the distance information from the mobile device, and the measurement information collected in the measurement information collection step. To execute the position determination step of determining the position of the electronic device.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a position specifying method capable of specifying the position of the electronic device without modifying the electronic device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the positioning program is a positioning program executed by a computer that controls a moving device whose geographical position can be changed, and the position of the moving device at a measurement time is set to the device position. A device position detection step for detecting as, and a distance detection step for detecting distance information indicating the distance between the electronic device and the electronic device at the measurement time by wirelessly communicating with the electronic device whose geographical position is a fixed measurement target. , The position of the electronic device based on the measurement information collection step that collects the device identification information for identifying the electronic device, the measurement information including the device position and the distance information, and the measurement information collected in the measurement information collection step. Let the computer perform the positioning steps to determine.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a position identification program capable of specifying the position of the electronic device without modifying the electronic device.

It is a figure which shows an example of the whole outline of the position identification system in one of the Embodiments of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of the hardware configuration of the portable information device in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function of the CPU provided in the mobile information device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function of the CPU provided in the server. It is a figure for demonstrating the superimposition area. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the association record. It is the first figure which shows an example of the display information. It is the 2nd figure which shows an example of the display information. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a device position determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of superimposition area determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the user detection device determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of display information generation processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of environment position determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a device update process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed explanations about them will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall outline of a position identification system according to one of the embodiments of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the location identification system 1 includes a server 300 and mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D.

The server 300 is a general computer. The mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D are computers that users carry and use, such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). When the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D are carried by the user, the geographical position changes together with the user. Since the hardware configurations and functions of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D are the same, the mobile information device 200 will be described as an example unless otherwise specified.

The server 300 and the radio stations 3 and 3A are connected to the network 2. The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. Further, the network 2 is not limited to the LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like. Radio stations 3 and 3A are access points for wireless communication. Wifi standard communication is used as wireless communication. The mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D can be connected to the network 2 by wirelessly communicating with the radio stations 3, 3A. Therefore, the server 300 and the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D can communicate with each other.

Further, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 100, 100A, 100B and a user detection device 400, 400A are connected to the network 2. The MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are examples of electronic devices, and are multifunction devices having a plurality of functions such as copying, a scanner, and a fax machine. The MFPs 100, 100A and 100B have a short-range wireless communication function. Near field communication is Wifi standard communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard communication. The distance that can be communicated by short-range wireless communication is several meters to ten and several meters. Since the basic hardware configurations and functions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are the same, the MFP100 will be described here as an example.

The user detection devices 400 and 400A are devices for detecting a user. The user detection devices 400 and 400A are arranged at the entrance and exit of the building in order to control the entry and exit of the user into and out of the building, which is a closed space. For example, when a user is detected by the user detection device 400 and the detected user is authenticated, the doorway of the building is unlocked and the room can be entered.

The user detection devices 400 and 400A detect a user carrying the terminal device of the communication partner by communicating with the terminal device carried by the user by short-range communication in which the communication distance is limited within a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is, for example, several centimeters. For example, the user detection devices 400 and 400A identify the user by communication using the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D carried by the user and the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. Further, instead of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, an electronic tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag may be carried by the user. Further, the user detection devices 400 and 400A may use a magnetic card reader here. The user detection devices 400 and 400A detect the user by reading the magnetic card carried by the user.

In the position identification system 1 of the present embodiment, each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D communicates with an electronic device whose position is to be measured by using a short-range wireless communication function. In the present embodiment, the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are electronic devices whose positions are to be measured. Since each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D is carried by the user, the geographical position of each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D changes with the movement of the user. Each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D can communicate with an electronic device existing within a predetermined distance from the own device. Therefore, for example, the mobile information device 200 may be able to communicate with at least one of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B at a certain position, but may not be able to communicate with the other. Specifically, the mobile information device 200 can communicate with the MFP 100 at the first position, but may not be able to communicate with the MFPs 100A and 100B, and can communicate with the MFP 100A at a second position different from the first position. However, it may not be possible to communicate with the MFPs 100 and 100B, and it may be possible to communicate with the MFP 100B at a third position different from the first position and the second position, but it may not be possible to communicate with the MFPs 100 and 100A. The server 300 collects measurement information from a device capable of communicating with any of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B among the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, and the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, respectively, based on the plurality of measurement information. To identify.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the server 300 makes the CPU 301 for controlling the entire server 300, the ROM 302 for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 301, the RAM 303 used as the work area of the CPU 301, and the data non-volatile. It includes an HDD 304 for storing data, a communication unit 305 for connecting the CPU 301 to the network 2, a display unit 306 for displaying information, an operation unit 307 for receiving input of a user's operation, and an external storage device 308.

The CPU 301 loads the program stored in the ROM 302 or the HDD 304 into the RAM 303 and executes the program. The external storage device 308 can be equipped with a CD-ROM 309 that stores the program. The CPU 301 can access the CD-ROM 309 via the external storage device 308. The CPU 301 can load the program recorded in the CD-ROM 309 into the RAM 303 and execute it.

Although the program recorded in the ROM 302, HDD 304 or CD-ROM 309 has been described as the program executed by the CPU 301, a program in which another computer connected to the network 2 or the Internet rewrites the program stored in the HDD 304. Alternatively, it may be a new program additionally written. Further, the server 300 may be a program downloaded from network 2 or another computer connected to the Internet. The program referred to here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 301, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 301 is not limited to the CD-ROM309, but is an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versailles Disc)), an IC card, an optical card, and the like. It may be a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or an EPROM (Erasable Program ROM).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of the hardware configuration of the portable information device according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, the portable information device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 201 for controlling the entire portable information device 200, a camera 202, a flash memory 203 for non-volatilely storing data, and a communication unit. A wireless communication unit 204 connected to 205, a display unit 206 for displaying information, an operation unit 207 for receiving user operations, a wireless LANI / F208, a short-range communication unit 209, a GPS reception unit 210, and an external device. The storage device 211 and the like are included.

The display unit 206 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 207 includes a main key 207A and a touch panel 207B. When the user instructs the display surface of the display unit 206, the operation unit 207 outputs the position of the display surface detected by the touch panel 207B to the CPU 201. The CPU 201 detects a position designated by the user on the screen displayed on the display unit 206 based on the position detected by the touch panel 207B. The CPU 201 accepts various instructions, characters, numbers, and other data input by the user's operation based on the screen displayed on the display unit 206 and the position detected by the touch panel 207B. For example, when a screen including an image of the numeric keypad is displayed on the display unit 206, a number corresponding to the key displayed at the position detected by the touch panel 207B is accepted.

The camera 202 includes a lens and a photoelectric conversion element, and the light collected by the lens is imaged on the photoelectric conversion element, and the photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically converts the received light and outputs image data to the CPU 201. The photoelectric conversion element is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Sensor) sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, or the like.

The wireless communication unit 204 wirelessly communicates with a mobile phone base station connected to the telephone communication network. The wireless communication unit 204 connects the mobile information device 200 to the telephone communication network and enables a telephone call using the communication unit 205. The wireless communication unit 204 decodes the voice signal obtained by demodulating the wireless signal received from the mobile phone base station and outputs it to the communication unit 205. Further, the wireless communication unit 204 encodes the voice input from the communication unit 205 and transmits it to the mobile phone base station. The call unit 205 includes a microphone and a speaker, outputs the sound input from the wireless communication unit 204 from the speaker, and outputs the sound input from the microphone to the wireless communication unit 204. Further, the wireless communication unit 204 is controlled by the CPU 201, connects the mobile information device 200 to the e-mail server, and transmits / receives e-mail.

The wireless LANI / F208 is an interface for communicating with the radio stations 3 and 3A connected to the network 2 and connecting the mobile information device 200 to the network 2. By registering the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the server 300 in the mobile information device 200, the mobile information device 200 can communicate with the server 300 and can transmit and receive data.

The short-range communication unit 209 wirelessly communicates with another device, for example, MFP100, 100A, 100B, based on GAP or the like of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. The short-range communication unit 209 communicates with the MFP 100, for example, when the distance between the short-range communication unit 209 and the MFP 100 is less than or equal to the communicable distance. The distance that the short-range communication unit 209 can communicate with is several meters.

The GPS receiving unit 210 receives a signal transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and detects the current position based on the received signal. The current position is, for example, latitude and longitude. The GPS receiving unit 210 outputs the detected current position to the CPU 201.

The flash memory 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 or data necessary for executing the program. The CPU 201 loads the program recorded in the flash memory 203 into the RAM included in the CPU 201 and executes the program.

The external storage device 211 is removable from the mobile information device 200, and a CD-ROM 211A storing a program can be attached to the external storage device 211. The CPU 201 can access the CD-ROM 211A via the external storage device 211. The CPU 201 can load the program recorded in the CD-ROM 211A mounted on the external storage device 211 into the RAM included in the CPU 201 and execute the program.

Although the program recorded in the flash memory 203 or the CD-ROM211A has been described as the program executed by the CPU 201, another computer connected to the network rewrites the program stored in the flash memory 203, or a program. , It may be a new program additionally written. Further, the mobile information device 200 may be a program downloaded from another computer connected to the network. The program referred to here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 201, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 201 is not limited to the CD-ROM211A, but may be a semiconductor memory such as an optical disk (MO / MD / DVD), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, or an EPROM.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. With reference to FIG. 4, the MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a post-processing unit 155, a display unit 161 and an operation unit 163. include.

The main circuit 110 is equipped with a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a large-capacity storage device, a facsimile unit 116, and a CD-ROM 118. The external storage device 117 and the short-range communication unit 119 are included. The CPU 111 is connected to a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a display unit 161 and a touch panel 165, and controls the entire MFP 100.

The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. Further, the RAM 114 temporarily stores the reading data (image data) continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

The communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to the network. The CPU 111 communicates with the mobile information devices 200A and 200B to 200D via the communication I / F unit 112, and transmits / receives data. Further, the communication I / F unit 112 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via a wireless base station and a network.

The short-range communication unit 119 wirelessly communicates with the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard GAP or the like. The short-range communication unit 119 communicates with the mobile information device 200, for example, when the distance between the short-range communication unit 119 and the mobile information device 200 is equal to or less than a communicable distance. The distance that the short-range communication unit 119 can communicate with is several meters.

The facsimile unit 116 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to or receives facsimile data from PSTN. The facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 115 or outputs the received facsimile data to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 116 on paper. Further, the facsimile unit 116 converts the data stored in the HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits the data to the facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

A CD-ROM 118 is attached to the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 118 via the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded in the CD-ROM 118 mounted on the external storage device 117 into the RAM 114 and executes the program. The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 118, and may be a semiconductor memory such as an optical disk (MO / MD / DVD), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, or an EPROM.

Further, the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded in the CD-ROM 118, and the program stored in the HDD 115 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network 2 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 115 of the MFP 100, or add a new program and write it. Further, the MFP 100 may download the program from another computer connected to the network 2 and store the program in the HDD 115. The program referred to here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 111, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a CPU function included in the mobile information device. The function shown in FIG. 5 is a function realized by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the mobile information device 200 executes a program stored in the flash memory 203 and the CD-ROM211A. With reference to FIG. 5, the CPU 201 includes a device position detection unit 251, a short distance control unit 253, a distance detection unit 255, a measurement information transmission unit 257, and a position information transmission unit 259.

The device position detection unit 251 acquires the current position of the portable information device 200 and outputs the current position to the measurement information transmission unit 257 and the position information transmission unit 259. The current position is the absolute position indicated by latitude and longitude. The device position detection unit 251 acquires the current position at predetermined time intervals.

The device position detection unit 251 includes a beacon signal reception unit 261 and a GPS signal reception unit 263. The device position detection unit 251 enables either the beacon signal reception unit 261 or the GPS signal reception unit 263. For example, the device position detection unit 251 enables the GPS reception unit 210 when the GPS signal can be received, and enables the beacon signal reception unit 261 when the GPS signal cannot be received.

The beacon signal receiving unit 261 controls the wireless LANI / F208, detects the beacon output by the wireless stations 3 and 3A, and determines the position of its own device. Since the beacons output from each of the radio stations 3 and 3A include the position information of each of the radio stations 3 and 3A, the position of the own device is determined by calculating the distance from the radio wave strength of the beacon signal to the radio stations 3 and 3A. do.

The GPS signal receiving unit 263 controls the GPS receiving unit 210 to receive a signal transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and determines the position of its own device based on the received signal.

When the position is input from the device position detection unit 251, the position information transmission unit 259 transmits the position information including the time and the position at that time to the server 300.

The short-range control unit 253 controls the short-range communication unit 209 and communicates with any of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, which are objects for specifying the position. Each of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B outputs a beacon. The beacon output by each of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B includes device identification information for identifying the own device. Here, a case where the short-range communication unit 209 can communicate with the MFP 100 will be described as an example. When the mobile information device 200 approaches the MFP 100 within the range in which the short-range communication unit 209 can communicate with the MFP 100, the short-range communication unit 209 receives the beacon output from the MFP 100. The short-range control unit 253 determines the time when the short-range communication unit 209 receives the beacon from the MFP 100 as the measurement time.

The short-distance control unit 253 includes a received radio wave strength acquisition unit 271 and a transmission radio wave strength acquisition unit 273. The received radio wave strength acquisition unit 271 sets the measurement time, the device identification information of the MFP 100, and the transmitted radio wave strength to the distance detection unit 255, using the strength of the beacon radio wave received from the MFP 100 by the short-range communication unit 209 as the received radio wave strength. Output.

The transmitted radio wave strength acquisition unit 273 communicates with the MFP 100 and acquires the strength of the radio wave transmitted by the MFP 100 from the MFP 100. The transmission radio wave strength acquisition unit 273 outputs the device identification information of the MFP 100 and the transmission radio wave strength to the distance detection unit 255, using the strength of the radio wave transmitted by the MFP 100 as the transmission radio wave strength.

The distance detection unit 255 determines the distance between the mobile information device 200 and the MFP 100 from the transmitted radio wave strength and the received radio wave strength. The distance determined by the distance detection unit 255 has a predetermined range. The distance determined by the distance detection unit 255 is a value between the minimum distance and the maximum distance. The distance detection unit 255 outputs the measurement time, the device identification information of the MFP 100 which is the measurement target, and the distance between the portable information device 200 and the MFP 100 to the measurement information transmission unit 257.

The measurement information transmission unit 257 receives position information from the device position detection unit 251 at predetermined time intervals. The measurement information transmission unit 257 measures in response to input from the distance detection unit 255 of the measurement time, the device identification information of the MFP 100 which is the measurement target, and the distance between the mobile information device 200 and the MFP 100. Determine the location information including the time. In other words, at the measurement time when the distance between the own device and the MFP 100 is determined by the short-distance control unit 253, the position of the own device determined by the device position detection unit 251 is determined. As a result, the set of the distance between the own device and the MFP 100 determined by the short-range control unit 253 at the measurement time and the position of the own device determined by the device position detection unit 251 at the measurement time is determined.

The measurement information transmission unit 257 controls the wireless LANI / F208 and transmits the measurement information to the server 300. The measurement information includes the measurement time, the device identification information for identifying the electronic device to be measured, the device position, and the distance information. The device position is a position at the measurement time of the portable information device 200 acquired at the measurement time by the device position detection unit 251. The distance information is the distance between the portable information device 200 and the MFP 100 to be measured at the measurement time determined by the distance detection unit 255 at the measurement time. The distance information may be the received radio wave intensity. The measurement information may include at least the device position and the distance information. Further, the measurement information may include device identification information of an electronic device, device position, and distance information. Further, the measurement information may include the measurement time, the device position, and the distance information.

The mobile information device 200 moves as the user moves. The timing at which the mobile information device 200 transmits the measurement information can be arbitrarily determined. For example, the mobile information device 200 may transmit measurement information to the server 300 when the short-range communication unit 209 can communicate with any of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. Further, the portable information device 200 may transmit measurement information corresponding to the device capable of communicating among the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B at that time at predetermined time intervals.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a CPU function provided in the server. The function shown in FIG. 6 is a function realized by the CPU 301 when the CPU 301 included in the server 300 executes a position specifying program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the CD-ROM 309. With reference to FIG. 6, the CPU 301 included in the server 300 includes a measurement information collection unit 351, a position determination unit 353, a display information generation unit 355, an environment position determination unit 357, a search unit 359, and an association unit 361. And the elimination unit 363, the user detection unit 365, and the position acquisition unit 367.

The measurement information collection unit 351 collects measurement information from each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D. When the communication unit 305 receives the measurement information from any of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, the measurement information collection unit 351 acquires the received measurement information. The measurement information collection unit 351 outputs the measurement information received from any of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D to the position determination unit 353.

The position determination unit 353 determines the position of the electronic device as the measurement target based on the measurement information collected by the measurement information collection unit 351. The position determination unit 353 includes a candidate area determination unit 375 and a superimposition area determination unit 377.

The candidate area determination unit 375 determines a candidate area corresponding to the device identification information included in the measurement information from the device position and the distance information included in one measurement information. The position indicated by the distance information includes the minimum distance and the maximum distance. Therefore, the candidate region is an annular region from the position specified by the device position to the maximum distance from the position separated by the minimum distance indicated by the distance information. The candidate area determination unit 375 outputs a set of the measurement time, the device identification information, and the candidate area to the superimposed area determination unit 377.

The superimposition area determination unit 377 determines the superimposition area in which the measurement time is included within a predetermined period and a plurality of candidate areas for the same device identification information overlap at the position of the electronic device. By using only the measurement information including the measurement time within the predetermined period, the position of the electronic device to be measured within the predetermined period can be specified. For example, when the position of the electronic device before the predetermined period and the position of the electronic device in the predetermined period are different, the position of the electronic device in the predetermined period can be determined.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a superposed region. FIG. 7 shows an example in which each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D transmits measurement information based on a beacon output from the MFP 100. With reference to FIG. 7, the candidate area 500 determined based on the measurement information transmitted by the mobile information device 200, the candidate area 500A determined based on the measurement information transmitted by the mobile information device 200A, and the mobile information device 200B transmit. Candidate area 500B, which is determined based on the measurement information, is shown. A superimposed region 501 that overlaps all of the candidate regions 500, 500A, and 500B is defined as the position of the MFP 100.

Returning to FIG. 6, the superposed region is a region where a plurality of candidate regions overlap, and the superposed region is determined from a plurality of measurement information. Here, the number of a plurality of measurement information used to determine the superposed region is referred to as the number of measurement information. When a plurality of superimposed regions are determined for one device identification information, the superimposed region determination unit 377 has the maximum number of a plurality of candidate regions including the superimposed region, in other words, the number of a plurality of measurement information. The most superimposed region may be determined at the position of the electronic device specified by the device identification information. The position determination unit 353 outputs a set of device identification information of the electronic device, the position of the electronic device, and the number of measurement information to the display information generation unit 355 and the association unit 361.

The user detection unit 365 controls the user detection devices 400 and 400A to detect the user. When a user is detected by any of the user detection devices 400 and 400A, the user detection unit 365 includes device identification information for identifying the device that detected the user among the user detection devices 400 and 400A, and the detected user. The user identification information for identifying the above is output to the environment positioning unit 357. Although the user detection unit 365 has shown an example of controlling the user detection devices 400 and 400A to detect the user, the user who operates the MFPs 100, 100A and 100B may be authenticated. In this case, the user detection unit 365 outputs the device identification information for identifying the device that detected the user among the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B and the user identification information of the detected user to the environment position determination unit 357.

The position acquisition unit 367 acquires position information from each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D. When the communication unit 305 receives the position information from any of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, the position acquisition unit 367 receives the date and time when the position information is received, the device identification information of the device that has transmitted the position information, and the device identification information. The set with the position information is stored in the HDD 304. Since each of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D transmits position information at predetermined time intervals, the HDD 304 stores the position information at predetermined time intervals for each device.

The environment position determination unit 357 includes a detection device position determination unit 383, a unique position determination unit 385, and a passage determination unit 387. The detection device position determination unit 383 receives user identification information and device identification information of any of the user detection devices 400 and 400A from the user detection unit 365. When the user identification information is input from the user detection unit 365, the detection device position determination unit 383 determines the user's position of the user identification information, and the determined position is input from the user detection unit 365. Determine the location of the device identified by. Specifically, when the user identification information is input from the user detection unit 365, the detection device positioning unit 383 identifies the device carried by the user of the user identification information from the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D. do. A table corresponding to each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D and the user who carries the device may be prepared in advance. Specifically, the table associates user identification information with device identification information. The detection device position determination unit 383 uses the device identification information input from the user detection unit 365 to determine the position specified by the position information received from the specified device among the position information input from the position acquisition unit 367. Determine the same position as the identified device. The detection device position determination unit 383 outputs the user detection device position information including the set of the device identification information and the position to the display information generation unit 355 for each of the user detection devices 400 and 400A.

For example, a case where the mobile information device 200 is associated with the user A and the user A is detected by the user detection device 400 will be described. In this case, the detection device positioning unit 383 inputs the user identification information of the user A and the device identification information of the user detection device 400 from the user detection unit 365. Then, the detection device position determination unit 383 identifies the position information received from the mobile information device 200 associated with the user A from the position information input from the position acquisition unit 367. Then, the detection device position determination unit 383 determines the position of the user detection device 400 at the same position as the position of the mobile information device 200.

The unique position determination unit 385 determines a position unique to the user by using the position information acquired from each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D by the position acquisition unit 367. For example, when the mobile information device 200 is associated with the user A, the position information of the mobile information device 200 can be changed with time by arranging the position information acquired from the mobile information device 200 in chronological order. When the position of the mobile information device 200 indicates the same position or within a predetermined range for a predetermined time or longer, the unique position determination unit 385 determines the position or range to a position unique to the user A. The position peculiar to the user A is, for example, the position where the user's desk is arranged. For each of the mobile information devices 200A to 200D, a position within a predetermined range without moving for a predetermined time or longer is determined as a position unique to the user associated with each of the mobile information devices 200A to 200D. The unique position determination unit 385 outputs the unique position for each user of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D to the display information generation unit 355.

The passage determination unit 387 obtains a movement route indicating a temporal change in the position of each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, and sets a portion where a predetermined number or more of the movement routes of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D overlap as a passage. decide. The passage determination unit 387 outputs the passage information indicating the passage to the display information generation unit 355.

The search unit 359 searches for a device connected to the network 2, and outputs a set of the device identification information and the network address of the device detected by the search to the association unit 361 and the resolution unit 363.

The association unit 361 associates the position of the electronic device determined by the position determination unit 353 with the network address of the electronic device detected by the search unit 359. Specifically, the association unit 361 includes device identification information of the electronic device input from the position determination unit 353, the position of the electronic device, the number of measurement information, and the network address of the electronic device input from the search unit 359. The related record including and is generated, and the generated related record is added to the related table stored in the HDD 304.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the associated record. With reference to FIG. 8, the associated record includes a device identification information item, a location information item, a measurement information number item, and a network address item. In the device identification information item, the device identification information of the electronic device that is the measurement target is set. The position of the superposed area with respect to the electronic device is set in the item of position information. In the item of the number of measurement information, the number of measurement information used to determine the superposed region is set. In the network address item, the network address assigned to the electronic device is set.

Returning to FIG. 6, the association unit 361 is set to the association record when the association record including the device identification information of the electronic device whose position is determined by the position determination unit 353 is included in the association table. Update the location of your electronic device. As a result, it is possible to update to the latest state when the position of the electronic device is changed. When the association record including the device identification information of the electronic device detected by the search unit 359 is included in the association table, the association unit 361 updates the network address of the association record. As a result, when the network address of the electronic device is changed, it can be updated to the latest state.

If there is an electronic device registered in the association table that is not detected by the search unit 359, the resolution unit 363 deletes the association record of the electronic device from the association table. This makes it possible to hide electronic devices that are no longer in use.

The display information generation unit 355 generates display information indicating the position of the electronic device. The display information is, for example, information indicating the relative positions of a plurality of electronic devices. The display information generation unit 355 generates display information indicating the relative position of the electronic device registered in the association table. The display information generation unit 355 inputs a set of device identification information of the electronic device, the position of the electronic device, and the number of measurement information from the position determination unit 353. Here, since the electronic devices to be measured are the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, a set of device identification information, a position, and the number of measurement information is input for each of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. The display information generation unit 355 generates display information in which overlapping regions indicating the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are arranged. In addition, instead of the superimposing area, a circular area surrounding the superimposing area may be arranged. The display information generation unit 355 generates display information in which the network addresses of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are arranged side by side on the image showing the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, respectively. As a result, display information indicating the relative positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B is generated.

Further, the display information generation unit 355 may generate display information in which the device identification information and the network address of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are arranged at the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, respectively. The display information generation unit 355 may generate display information in which the device identification information of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B is arranged at the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B.

In addition, the display information generation unit 355 generates display information indicating the relative position of the electronic device with respect to the fixed object whose geographical position is fixed in advance. In the present embodiment, the fixed objects are the user detection devices 400 and 400A, the user's desk, and the passage. The display information generation unit 355 includes the positions of the user detection devices 400 and 400A determined by the detection device position determination unit 383, the position of the user's desk determined by the unique position determination unit 385, and the passage determined by the passage determination unit 387. Display information is generated in which an image showing the user detection devices 400 and 400A, an image of the user's desk determined by the unique position determination unit 385, and an image of the passage determined by the passage determination unit 387 are arranged at the position of. Specifically, the display information generation unit 355 identifies the position of the desk based on the unique position input from the unique position determination unit 385, and determines the position of the passage based on the aisle information input from the aisle determination unit 387. Identify. As a result, display information indicating the relative positions of the user detection devices 400, 400A, the user's desk, and the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B with respect to the passage is generated.

The display information generation unit 355 includes a display mode determination unit 381. The display mode determination unit 381 determines the display mode according to the number of measurement information for each electronic device. The display mode is such that the larger the number of measurement information, the higher the degree of certainty of the position. The display mode is represented by brightness. For example, the display mode determining unit 381 determines the brightness as the number of measurement information increases with respect to the electronic device. The display information generation unit 355 determines the brightness of the superimposed region indicating the position of each of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B to the brightness determined by the display mode determination unit 381. The display mode may be hue. Further, the display mode may be the size of a circular region centered on the superposed region.

FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of display information. With reference to FIG. 9, as fixed objects, a square mark indicating the user detection devices 400 and 400A and a round mark indicating the radio stations 3 and 3A are arranged at their respective positions. The positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are indicated by circular regions 420, 420A, 420B indicating overlapping regions. The brightness of the regions 420, 420A, 420B indicates the certainty of the position. Here, an example is shown in which the brightness of the overlapping region of the MFP 100 is made higher than the brightness of the overlapping region of the MFPs 100A and 100B. Further, IP addresses are arranged side by side on the areas 420, 420A, and 420B. In addition, marks indicating the seats of the user A who carries the mobile information device 200, the user B who carries the mobile information device 200A, and the user C who carries the mobile information device 200B are arranged. Further, passages 410, 411, 412 are indicated by hatched bands.

FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of display information. FIG. 10 is a view in which a plan view of the building is added to the display information shown in FIG. Further, figures imitating the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B are added to the areas 420, 420A, 420B.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the device position determination process. The device position determination process is a process executed by the CPU 301 when the CPU 301 included in the server 300 executes a position identification program stored in the ROM 302, HDD 304, and CD-ROM 309. With reference to FIG. 11, the CPU 301 included in the server 300 determines whether or not the measurement information has been acquired (step S01). When the communication unit 305 receives the measurement information from any of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, the measurement information is acquired. If the measurement information is acquired, the process proceeds to step S02, otherwise the process proceeds to step S08. In step S02, the acquired measurement information is stored in the HDD 304, and the process proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, the measurement information for a predetermined period is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S04. From the measurement information stored in the HDD 304, the measurement information whose measurement time is included in the predetermined period is extracted. This makes it possible to specify the position of the object to be measured in a predetermined period. In step S04, one of the extracted measurement information is selected as the processing target, and the processing proceeds to step S05. In step S05, the measurement information of the same device as the selected measurement information is extracted. Specifically, the measurement information extracted in step S03, in which the measurement information selected as the processing target in step S04 and the device identification information are the same, is extracted.

Then, the superimposed region determination process is executed with the extracted measurement information as the processing target (step 06), and the process proceeds to step S07. The details of the superimposed region determination process will be described later, but it is a process of determining the position of the device specified by the device identification information extracted in step S05. In step S07, it is determined whether or not there is measurement information that has not been selected as the processing target. If the unselected device information exists, the process returns to step S04, but if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, the detection device determination process is executed, and the process returns to step S01. The details of the detection device determination process will be described later.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the superimposed area determination process. The superimposition area determination process is a process executed in step S06 of the device position determination process. Before the superposition area determination process is executed, the measurement information including the device identification information of the electronic device to be processed is selected as the processing target while the measurement time is included in the predetermined period. With reference to FIG. 12, in step S11, one of the measurement information to be processed is selected, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the candidate area is determined, and the process proceeds to step S13. An annular region separated from the position specified by the position information included in the measurement information by the distance specified by the distance information is determined as the candidate region. In step S13, it is determined whether or not there is unselected measurement information. If the unselected measurement information exists, the process returns to step S11, but if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S14.

Before the process proceeds to step S14, a plurality of candidate regions corresponding to the plurality of measurement information are determined. In step S14, a superposed area where a plurality of candidate areas overlap is determined, and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of overlapping regions. If there are a plurality of overlapping regions, the process proceeds to step S16, otherwise the process proceeds to step S17. In step S16, the overlapping region having the maximum number of overlapping candidate regions is determined, and the process proceeds to step S17.

When the process proceeds to step S17, one overlapping region is determined. In step S17, the associated record is generated, and the process proceeds to step S18. An association including device identification information of an electronic device determined to be processed in a stage before the superimposed area determination process is executed, the superimposed area determined in step S14 or step S16, and a network address of the electronic device. Attached record is generated. The network address is acquired by transmitting a search command to network 2 and receiving a response from an electronic device. In the next step S18, the association record is added to the association table, and the process returns to the device position determination process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the detection device determination process. The detection device determination process is a process executed in step S08 of the device position determination process. With reference to FIG. 13, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the user is detected by any of the user detection devices 400 and 400A. The user identification information for identifying the user detected from the device that detected the user among the user detection devices 400 and 400A is acquired. If the user is detected, the process proceeds to step S22, otherwise the process returns to the device positioning process.

In step S22, the mobile information device carried by the user detected in step S21 is specified. The mobile information device is identified by referring to the table in which the user is associated with the mobile information device. Here, a case where the user A is detected by the user detection device 400 in step S21 and the mobile information device 200 is associated with the user A will be described as an example.

In step S23, the position of the mobile information device 200 associated with the user A is determined, and the process proceeds to step S24. Since the mobile information device 200 transmits the position of its own device to the server 300 at predetermined time intervals, the position of the mobile information device 200 received immediately before the user A is detected is determined. The position of the mobile information device 200 may be acquired from the mobile information device 200 by the server 300 communicating with the mobile information device 200.

In step S24, the position of the user detection device 400 that detected the user A in step S21 is determined, and the process returns to the device position determination process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the display information generation process. The display information generation process is a process executed by the CPU 301 when the CPU 301 included in the server 300 executes a position identification program stored in the ROM 302, HDD 304, and CD-ROM 309. Here, the display information is a two-dimensional image.

With reference to FIG. 14, the environment positioning process is executed (step S31), and the process proceeds to step S32. The details of the environment position determination process will be described later, but it is a process for determining the position of a fixed object. The fixed object is the user's desk or aisle.

In step S32, the user detection certificate device and the fixed object are arranged. The positions of the user detection devices 400 and 400A are determined by the user detection device determination process described above. The position of the fixed object is determined by the environment position determination process executed in step S31. An image showing the user detection device is placed at a position corresponding to the position of the user detection device in the display information. Further, an image showing the fixed object is arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the fixed object in the display information.

In step S33, the device update process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S34. The details of the device update process will be described later, but it is a process that reflects the latest state of the electronic device to be measured, and specifically, is a process that updates the association table.

In step S34, the related record to be processed is selected from the plurality of related records included in the related table, and the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the display mode is determined. The display mode is determined according to the number of measurement information set in the item of the number of measurement information of the related record. Here, the display mode is set to brightness, and the larger the number of measurement information, the larger the brightness is determined.

In step S36, the measurement target device is arranged, and the process proceeds to step S37. Specifically, an image showing a superposed area indicating the position of the device specified by the device identification information set in the associated record is arranged in the display information. The brightness of the image showing the superimposed region is the brightness determined in step S35. Further, the character string of the network address set in the associated record is arranged so as to be arranged above the image showing the super-quantity area.

In step S37, it is determined whether or not there is an unselected related record. If there is an unselected associated record, the process returns to step S34, otherwise the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the floor plan of the building is added to the display information, and the process proceeds to step S39. In step S39, it is determined whether or not the display information is requested. When the display information is requested (NO in step S39) and the display information is requested (YES in step S39), the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the display information is transmitted to the device requesting the display information, and the process ends. For example, display information is requested from a personal computer connected to the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, and the network 2. For example, when a user sets a printer on a PC, the PC can know the network addresses of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, but cannot know the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. When the display information acquired from the server 300 is displayed in this state, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B and the network address are indicated. Therefore, the user can select an appropriate device from the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B and set it on the PC.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the environment position determination process. The environment position determination process is a process executed in step S31 of the display information generation process. With reference to FIG. 15, the mobile device is selected (step S41) and the process proceeds to step S42. One of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D to be processed is selected as the mobile device.

In step S42, the position information of the mobile device stored in the HDD 304 is extracted. The position information is stored in association with the device identification information and the date and time when the position information was received. Therefore, the position information associated with the device identification information of the mobile device is extracted. In the next step S43, the extracted plurality of position information is rearranged in chronological order.
Then, in the next step S44, the route of the mobile device is specified. By connecting vectors determined from a plurality of position information, the route traveled by the mobile device is specified.

In the next step S45, it is determined whether or not there is a position where the vehicle stays for a predetermined time. If the position indicated by the position information exists within the predetermined range during the predetermined time, the position existing within the predetermined range is determined as the stagnant position, and the process proceeds to step S46, but otherwise the process proceeds. Proceeds to step S47. In step S46, the stagnation position is determined to the position of the desk assigned to the user associated with the mobile device, and the process proceeds to step S47.

In step S47, it is determined whether or not there is an unselected mobile device. If there is an unselected mobile device, the process returns to step S41, otherwise the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S48, it is determined whether or not there is a route in which a plurality of the routes specified in step S44 overlap. If there is a path to be superimposed, the process proceeds to step S49, but if not, the process returns to the display information generation process. In step S49, a path on which a plurality of layers are superimposed is determined in the passage, and the process returns to the display information generation process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the device update process. The device update process is a process executed in step S33 of the display information generation process. With reference to FIG. 16, in step S51, the associated record is selected as the processing target, and the processing proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the device specified by the device identification information of the associated record is searched for. Then, as a result of the search, it is determined whether or not the device has been detected (step S53). If the device is detected, the process proceeds to step S55, otherwise the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the association record is deleted from the association table, and the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not there is an unselected related record. If there is an unselected related record, the process returns to step S51, but if it does not exist, the process returns to the display information generation process.

As described above, the position identification system 1 that can go to the present embodiment includes the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D and the server 300 whose geographical position can be changed, and the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D. Each detects the position of the device at the measurement time as the device position, and wirelessly communicates with any of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, which is the measurement target having a fixed geographical position, to measure the measurement time with the device that communicates wirelessly. The server 300 detects the distance information indicating the distance in the above, collects the measurement information including the device position and the distance information from any of the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D, and based on the collected measurement information, the MFP 100 , 100A, 100B respectively determine the position. Therefore, in the server 300, the position of the own device detected in each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D and the distance between the own device and any one of the MFP 100, 100A, 100B, for example, the MFP 100, are used to determine the MFP 100. The position is determined. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be specified without modifying the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B.

Further, the measurement information further includes device identification information for identifying an electronic device, and the server 300 uses a plurality of measurement information having the same device identification information among the plurality of collected measurement information, and the MFP 100, 100A , 100B, the position of the device identified by the device identification information is specified. Therefore, the position of the MFP 100 is specified from the information obtained by the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D communicating with one of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, for example, the MFP 100 a plurality of times. Therefore, the accuracy of specifying the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be improved.

Further, the measurement information further includes the measurement time, and the server 300 uses the plurality of measurement information including the measurement time within a predetermined period among the plurality of collected measurement information to determine the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. Identify. Therefore, the position of the electronic device existing in a predetermined period can be specified.

Further, the server 300 determines a candidate area determined by the range of the distance indicated by the distance information from the position indicated by the device position, and determines an overlapping region in which the plurality of candidate areas determined from the plurality of measurement information are overlapped. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be accurately determined.

Further, when the server 300 has a plurality of superimposed regions, the MFP 100, 100A, 100B has the largest number of overlapping candidate regions determined based on a plurality of measurement information among the plurality of superimposed regions. Determine the position of. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be accurately determined.

Further, the portable information devices 200, 200A to 200D detect the device position and the distance information by setting the measurement time at any one of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, for example, the time when communication with the MFP100 becomes possible. Therefore, the maximum distance that the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D can communicate with can be set as the distance to the MFP 100.

Further, the server 300 generates display information indicating the relative positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B with respect to the fixed object. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be indicated with reference to the fixed object.

Further, the server 300 generates display information indicating the relative positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A and 100B can be indicated by the relative positions of the MFPs 100, 100A and 100B.

Further, the server 300 generates display information so as to indicate the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B in a display mode according to the number of the plurality of measurement information used for determining the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B. .. Therefore, it is possible to show the certainty of the position.

Further, the server 300 generates display information so that the network addresses of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are displayed. Therefore, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B can be displayed in association with the network address.

Further, the server 300 deletes the electronic devices that cannot communicate with the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B from the display target in response to the inability to communicate with the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B via the network. Therefore, it is possible to indicate the position of the electronic device that actually operates among the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B.

Further, the distance information is a reception strength indicating the strength of the radio wave received from the electronic device, and one of the server and the portable information device 200, 200A to 200D determines the strength of the radio wave transmitted by the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B. The indicated transmission intensity is acquired, and the distance between the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B is determined based on the transmission intensity and the reception intensity which is the distance information. Therefore, the distance can be accurately determined.

Further, the server 300 acquires the user identification information for identifying the user detected by the user detection device 400 when the user detection device 400 authenticates the user A, for example, the user detection device 400 or 400A. Then, the position of the portable information device 200 at the time when the user identification information is acquired is determined to be the position of the user detection device 400. Therefore, the positions of the user detection devices 400 and 400A can be easily determined.

Further, when it is detected that the positions of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D at a predetermined time are within the predetermined range, the server 300 carries the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D, respectively, in the predetermined range. Determine the unique position specified for the user. Therefore, the position of the desk on which the user carrying the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D stays for a predetermined time can be determined to the user's unique position.

Further, the server 300 determines the movement route of the mobile information device 200, 200A to 200D based on the temporal change of the position of the mobile information device 200, 200A to 200D. Therefore, it is possible to determine the movement route of the user who carries each of the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D.

<Modification example>
In the above-described embodiment, the location identification system includes the mobile information devices 200, 200A to 200D and the server 300, but the mobile information device 200 may be used. In this case, since the mobile information device 200 executes the function of the server 300, the positions of the MFPs 100, 100A to 100D can be specified only by the mobile information device 200.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

<Additional notes>
(1) The position identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the device position detecting means includes a GPS signal receiving means.
(2) The position identification system according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the device position detecting means detects a position by using the intensity of radio waves received from a plurality of radio wave transmitters whose positions are predetermined.

1 Positioning system, 2 networks, 3,3A radio station, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F section, 119 short-range communication section, 130 document reading section, 140 image forming section, 150 feeding section, 155 Post-processing unit, 161 display unit, 163 operation unit, 165 touch panel, 200, 200A to 200D mobile information device, 201 CPU, 202 camera, 203 flash memory, 204 wireless communication unit, 205 call unit, 206 display unit, 207 operation unit , 207A main key, 207B touch panel, 208 wireless LANI / F, 209 short-range communication unit, 210 GPS receiver, 211 external storage device, 300 server, 301 CPU, 305 communication unit, 306 display unit, 307 operation unit, 308 external Storage device, 251 device position acquisition unit, 253 short-range control unit, 255 distance determination unit, 257 measurement information transmission unit, 259 position information transmission unit, 261 beacon signal reception unit, 263 GPS signal reception unit, 271 reception radio strength acquisition unit , 273 Transmitted radio field strength acquisition unit, 351 measurement information collection unit, 353 position determination unit, 355 display information generation unit, 357 environment position determination unit, 359 search unit, 361 related unit, 363 elimination unit, 365 user detection unit, 376 Position acquisition unit, 375 candidate area determination unit, 377 superimposition area determination unit, 381 display mode determination unit, 383 detection device position determination unit, 385 unique position determination unit, 387 passage determination unit, 400, 400A user detection device, 410, 411 Passage, 420 area, 500, 500A, 500B candidate area, 501 superimposition area.

Claims (18)

A location-specific system that includes mobile devices and servers with variable geographic location.
The moving device includes a device position detecting means for detecting the position of the moving device as a device position at a measurement time, and a device position detecting means.
It is provided with a distance detecting means for detecting distance information indicating a distance between the electronic device and the electronic device at the measurement time by wirelessly communicating with an electronic device whose geographical position is a fixed measurement target.
The server is a measurement information collecting means that collects measurement information including the device position and the distance information from the mobile device.
A position identification system including a position determining means for determining the position of the electronic device based on the measurement information collected by the measurement information collecting means. The measurement information further includes device identification information for identifying the electronic device.
The position determining means of the electronic device identified by the device identification information by using the plurality of measurement information having the same device identification information among the plurality of measurement information collected by the measurement information collecting means. The position identification system according to claim 1, wherein the position is specified. The measurement information further includes the measurement time.
The position determining means identifies the position of the electronic device by using the plurality of measurement information including the measurement time within a predetermined period among the plurality of measurement information collected by the measurement information collecting means. The location identification system according to claim 1 or 2. The position determining means determines a candidate region determined within the range of the distance indicated by the distance information from the position indicated by the device position.
The position identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a superposed region in which a plurality of the candidate regions, each of which is determined from the plurality of measurement information, overlaps is determined. When there are a plurality of the superimposed regions, the position determining means selects the most superimposed region having the maximum number of overlappings of the plurality of candidate regions determined based on the plurality of measurement information among the plurality of the superimposed regions. The position identification system according to claim 4, wherein the position of the electronic device is determined. The position identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mobile device detects the device position and the distance information with a time point at which communication with the electronic device becomes possible as the measurement time. One of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server further includes display information generating means for generating display information indicating a relative position of the electronic device with respect to a predetermined fixed object specified by the positioning means. Positioning system described in. The position identification according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the server further includes display information generation means for generating display information indicating the relative positions of the plurality of electronic devices specified by the position determination means. system. The display information generating means displays the electronic device so as to indicate the position of the electronic device in a display mode corresponding to the number of a plurality of measurement information used for determining the position of the electronic device by the position determining means. The location identification system according to claim 7 or 8, which generates information. The server further comprises an address acquisition means for acquiring a network address assigned in the network of the electronic device.
The position identification system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the display information generating means generates the display information so that the network address of the electronic device is displayed at the position of the electronic device. The position identification system according to claim 10, wherein the display information generating means deletes the electronic device from the display target in response to the inability to communicate with the electronic device via the network. The distance information is a reception intensity indicating the intensity of radio waves received from the electronic device.
Either the server or the mobile device
Transmission strength acquisition means for acquiring transmission strength indicating the strength of radio waves transmitted by the electronic device, and
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a distance determining means for determining a distance between the mobile device and the electronic device based on the transmitting intensity and the receiving intensity which is the distance information. Positioning system. The server includes a user detection means for acquiring user identification information for identifying a user detected by the user detection device when the user detection device for detecting the user authenticates a user carrying the mobile device.
7. Positioning system. When the server detects that the position of the mobile device is within a predetermined range at a predetermined time, the server determines the predetermined range to a unique position determined for the user carrying the mobile device. The position identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a unique position determining means. The position identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the server further includes a movement route determining means for determining a movement route of the mobile device based on a change in the position of the mobile device over time. The location identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the mobile device is the server. A locating method performed in a locating system that includes mobile devices and servers with variable geographic location.
The mobile device has a device position detection step for detecting the position of the mobile device at the measurement time as a device position.
A distance detection step of detecting distance information indicating the distance between the electronic device and the electronic device at the measurement time by wirelessly communicating with the electronic device whose geographical position is a fixed measurement target is executed.
A measurement information collection step of collecting measurement information including the device position and the distance information from the mobile device on the server.
A position specifying method for executing a position determination step of determining the position of the electronic device based on the measurement information collected in the measurement information collection step. A location program run on a computer that controls a mobile device with variable geographic location.
A device position detection step that detects the position of the moving device as a device position at the measurement time, and
A distance detection step of detecting distance information indicating the distance between the electronic device and the electronic device at the measurement time by wirelessly communicating with the electronic device whose geographical position is a fixed measurement target.
A measurement information collection step for collecting measurement information including the device position and the distance information,
A position identification program that causes the computer to execute a position determination step for determining the position of the electronic device based on the measurement information collected in the measurement information collection step.

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