JP3409705B2 - Behavior support system for sending and receiving location information of moving objects - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small terminal for transmitting and receiving position information using a PHS system, and a terminal and system which eliminates a possibility that a malicious third party may violate personal privacy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, from the viewpoint of behavior support during movement, or from the viewpoint of transportation or storage management of things, PHS
The location information providing service using is attracting attention. The location information providing service focuses on the fact that the PHS terminal constantly communicates with the nearest base station and holds nearby base station information, estimates the location of the terminal from this base station information, and It is a service provided as. It can be said to be a kind of navigation system. For general PHS information, regarding PHS, see, for example, "Telecommunication Association, NTT R & D, Vol.44, pp.71.
5-786, 1995 "and regarding car navigation which is a precedent case of navigation," Japanese Patent Application, Vehicle Map Display Device, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-30759 ".
5, “December 12, 1994 application”, and therefore, in the present specification, only technically relevant points will be described.
Regarding the location information service technology of PHS, which is a major constituent of the present invention, for example, “Hagino, Sakurai, Nara,“ Card type terminal applied to location search system for wandering elderly people in Sakata City ”, incorporated association Japan Industrial Technology Promotion Association Next Generation Telemetry Control Research Committee Presentation (1
998.1) ”, only the general description and explanation will be briefly described.

A schematic configuration of the PHS telephone system is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since the shapes in the figures are expressed by giving priority to the intelligibility, it goes without saying that there is no problem in using other notations and configurations.

In this figure, what constitutes a system is a terminal 1, a base station (abbreviated as CS) 2, a client terminal 3 for instructing a search for a terminal position, data of position information, and data from the client. A location information database terminal that interprets an instruction and provides a service (also called a server terminal because it has a server function) 4,
The CS interface unit 6 is in charge of the network 5 for connecting these and the interfaces of 5 and 2.

In the PHS service, ISDN is mainly used as a so-called network, and it is general that a plurality of the above-mentioned constituent elements naturally exist. For example, so-called base stations 21, 22, 23, etc., and effective ranges of radio waves of base stations called cells corresponding to these (cell 1, cell 2, ... Cell x, cell y, etc. in FIG. 4). display),
And the terminal 1 (121, 122, etc.) of the user,
(Not shown) constitutes a system, and enjoys a μ-wave band wireless communication service (hereinafter, referred to as PHS service) described below. Of course, not only the communication service between PHSs, but also connection with other networks such as PSTN or the Internet, or connection with them, and communication with general home telephones are also possible.

[0006] The PHS service uses radio waves in the 1.9 GHz band and transmits radio waves of 10 mW or less (hereinafter, RF) from terminals.
500m from the public base station side (21, 22 etc.)
Up to 384 kbit / s (transmission speed will be increased to about double in the near future, with output below W (controlling output value according to intended coverage of base station). In this case, it will be necessary to read the following values) Is a communication service for personal use that sends and receives voice or digital data. In the PHS system, TDMA / TDD
Transmission / reception time slots (625 μs / slot) are allocated within a unit time of 5 ms called a frame, and voice channels of three terminals are provided for one base station. In addition, a channel for controlling this voice channel: a control channel is provided between one base station and three terminals.

The PHS service is used for moving terminals (generally 3
0 km / h or less, but because it depends on the cell size,
There are some sizes for each company that provides PHS services.
In the following description, since the PHS allowable predetermined speed) is allowed, it is necessary for the system side to always store the position of the user's terminal. The mechanism will be briefly described. The receivable range of the radio waves emitted by the base stations 21, 22, 23, etc. is respectively cell 1 (211), cell 2 (212), and cell 3
(213) and so on. Stay in cell 1, then cell 2
It is assumed that there is a terminal 1 (121) that has moved to (shown by 1'in FIG. 4). Apart from this, there are a terminal 2 (122: not shown), a terminal 3 (123: not shown), and the like. For the work of identifying and recording the positions of these many terminals (referred to as position registration), registering an available base station each time movement causes radio wave congestion. Through a procedure called "Pump". The paging is a location registration area (for example, the location registration area 1 is formed by the cell 1 and the cell 2) by gathering a plurality of public base stations, and the location registration area of the PHS terminal is not changed for each public base station. Only when the location is registered, and when receiving an incoming call, each of the plurality of public base stations in the location registration area where PHS may exist calls the PHS terminal, and the public base station to which the PHS terminal responds Only the PHS terminal makes an incoming call. These are performed by a single exchange because real-time processing is required and the processing amount is large.

By utilizing the characteristics of the PHS service as described above, a service for providing position information has been created. This is to send the number of a base station (so-called CS-ID) that can be transmitted and received by the PHS terminal to the network side, to determine the position of the base station from the CS-ID at the network side database terminal 4, and to determine the vicinity of that base station. The location information database terminal 4, which is a service for notifying that there is the terminal, stores a table for converting the base station number (ID) into latitude and longitude information that is the location information of the base station. The terminal position information can be easily read. As a matter of course, since a person cannot immediately recognize the latitude / longitude information by replacing it with the actual map, the client terminal 3 serving as a user interface stores the map information separately, and displays the map together with the latitude information. / It is preferable for the user to superimpose and display the approximate position indicated by the longitude information.

As described above, the system which can provide the position information easily is known, but it is not well known that the system includes extremely dangerous elements. As is well known, PHS
Since the terminal can send and receive position information with a transmission output of several tens of mW, the terminal itself can be manufactured in a very small size. For example, the inventors have described a wristwatch-type PHS telephone in 1998.
It was provided to the venue management of the Nagano Olympic Games held from February 7, 2016, but the physical value of the terminal is: 45
g, volume: 31 cc. Although it is not possible to obtain the merit of obtaining location information with such a small terminal, on the other hand, it is conceivable that a PHS terminal compatible with the location information service may be slipped into the belongings without the user's intention. When such a situation occurs, it becomes possible for another person to monitor the behavior of the individual, which may impair the privacy of the individual. For this reason, in providing this kind of service, there is a need for a method that does not violate privacy in terms of social agreement and system.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a completely new system that can enjoy the advantages brought by the location information service without damaging the privacy of individuals and a method for realizing the system.

[0011]

The present invention monitors the distance between a terminal and a starting point of position information or a base station, or the moving distance of a terminal, and checks whether the moving distance exceeds a set threshold value. Whether or not the location information of the terminal exceeding the threshold is provided is not provided. The base station is a base station corresponding to a place where the terminal is registered (for example, home) and / or a base station corresponding to a place where the terminal currently exists. Alternatively,
It is characterized by setting a combination of a specific base station and a terminal and supporting provision of position information only within the range of the combination.

First, the main application range of the present invention will be clarified. Considering the protection of privacy as the first priority, it is not a good idea to provide location information. On the other hand, if the location information can be easily used, there is a usage form in which many users approve. A typical example of this is a service that monitors the position of pets or infants. It is known that some pets were found after traveling hundreds of kilometers,
In the present invention, these are not the main applications. The main application target of the present invention is that the first is a service of the positional information of infants in a crowded amusement park or a theme park, and the second is a monitor of positional information of pets such as cats. In addition, by changing the setting of the threshold value described later, it was possible to include dogs and the like having a wider range of action than cats. A feature common to these is that the moving distance may be considered to be within several km in a normal case. For example, it is said that cats move within a range of several hundred meters, and theme parks that want to monitor the behavior of children so that they do not get lost are within a circle with a radius of about 1 km (that is, the movement distance to be monitored is at most 2 km). Of course, if a large theme park is constructed in the future, this number should be set to a large value according to the substance). In addition, even dogs whose bodies are large and have a long travel distance are at most several kilometers. In this way, the range or distance to be monitored so that the positions of children and pets do not get lost can be regarded as several kilometers. On the other hand, the distance traveled by a person whose privacy should be protected is roughly 1
It is clear from the experience of ego that it exceeds 0 km. For example, it is said that the average commuting time of a salaried worker in the metropolitan area exceeds 1.5 hours, and it can be calculated from the average speed of a commuter train or car that the distance traveled during this time does not fall below 30 km.

A first feature of the present invention is to set a service threshold value focusing on the above distance value so that the provision of an inexpensive and convenient position information service does not violate the privacy of an individual. Specifically, the location or area of the terminal for which the location information is to be searched is mainly arranged and the base station to which the terminal belongs should be designated, or the location information of the terminal should be mainly located (the nearest base station). The station ID, or the latitude / longitude of the user's home, or the latitude / longitude where the theme park is located, etc.) are designated. These designations are exchanged with the user in writing, etc., but in actual operation, the terminal 1, base station 2, client terminal 3, position information database server 4, shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 above, Alternatively, it is stored in any one of the parts (not shown) for storing and processing this kind of data provided in a part of the network, or is stored in a plurality of these and the processing described below is performed.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a case of a small PHS terminal attached to a cat will be described. The terminal used in the experiment is an antenna 11 for transmitting and receiving PHS radio waves, an electronic circuit or IC module 12 for processing position information service and PHS information, and a battery 13 for supplying power to these. It is composed of other electronic circuit components and a casing (noted in the figure with a part removed) 14 enclosing them. Unlike ordinary PHS telephone terminals, this device not only achieves weight and size reduction by eliminating the call function part, but also replaces batteries for 10 days despite using general batteries. I was able to continue to monitor the cat's position without any trouble.

According to the result of monitoring the behavior of a cat kept in one house of the inventor, the range of action of the cat stays within the neighborhood town, and there is only one place that crosses the road. there were. From this, it was found that the range of the distance that should be monitored so that the cat does not get lost is about 1 km at most. In another example, dog behavior was monitored. In this case, a PHS terminal having a position information service function and no call function was attached to a dog, and the dog was allowed to freely move and observed. It is worth noting that in the experiment, we took all possible measures to prevent harm to others. According to this result, the range of motion of dogs is different from that of cats,
It became clear that it covers a wide range. However, the range was generally within a few km and never exceeded 10 km.

In addition, although there is no example, considering that most of the theme parks of a behavior monitor for infants in a theme park or the like, which is an effective application site, fit in a circle of several kilometers,
The range or distance to be monitored does not exceed 10 km.

Based on the above experiment and consideration, the present invention makes the following settings. Although the description will be given with reference to FIG. 2, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to this figure. In a system capable of providing position information of the terminal 1 by using a radio signal of PHS specification, a starting point of position information display or a base station mainly transmitting / receiving a signal is defined as 21, and a distance from the starting point or the base station is a predetermined value. If it exceeds the limit, the client terminal 3 or the server terminal 4 that can acquire position information
Add a function to stop providing location information to. Specifically, the origin of the position information or the installation position of the base station that mainly transmits and receives signals and the installation position of the nearest base station where the terminal exists are represented by latitude and longitude information. next,
From the respective latitude and longitude information, the distance at which the terminal is separated from the starting point of the position information or the base station transmitting and receiving the main signal is calculated. As for this method, some expedients are known, but if we show an example of a simple method for finding the distance between two points, point P (latitude a1, longitude b1) and point Q (latitude a)
2, the distance value L of longitude b2) is L = √ ((π (a1-a2) × 12756/360) ↑ 2 + (π (b1-b2) × 1271
4/360) ↑ 2) can be calculated by the following formula. Here, the major axis of the earth is 6378 km and the minor axis is 6357 km,
It is apparent that performing similar calculations using known latitude and longitude separation values per unit in the area to which the present invention is applied leads to an increase in accuracy of the threshold used in the present invention. For example, the mobile terminal is provided with the function of stopping the calculation of the distance and the provision of the position information when the distance exceeds a predetermined value.

As another calculation method, a matrix table of base stations and base stations is created so that the fare of two Shinkansen stations can be easily read and A method of reading the distance from the nearest base station to the location is also possible. Although printing on paper results in a large matrix table that cannot be realized, it is clear that in an electronic circuit / LSI that can use abundant storage areas, it is only a problem that the amount of memory used increases. FIG. 2 will be described as a typical example. Here, the distance between each base station is represented by the following matrix table, and the unit is 100 m. Base station ID 2i 21 22 23 24 2x 2i − − − − − − 21 2 − − − − − 22 3 2 − − − − 23 4 3 2 − − − 24 4 5 4 3 2 − − 2x st wx y z

In this table, if it is determined that a distance exceeding 400 m is a risk of abuse such as privacy infringement, the threshold value is set to 400 m. In that case, the information providing service is stopped when the terminal moves to the cell 4 in FIG. Of course, if the abuse is clearly denied, this suspension can be canceled under the agreement between the system operating company and the user. It is worth noting that the numerical value of 400 m mentioned here has no special meaning.

As described above, the method for preventing malicious third parties from invading the privacy, which is the shadow part of the present invention, provides the position information by the magnitude of the value of L. It is realized by distinguishing the case and the case not. When the calculated value for L exceeds a predetermined value, for example, 10 km, the system or the terminal is provided with the function of stopping the provision of the position information to the client terminal or the terminal capable of acquiring the position information. This type of calculation, whether using the above formula or reading from a matrix table, is a digital signal processor (DSP).
Or PH that always contains a kind of microprocessor
It can be easily calculated in the S terminal. In other words, it is a very easy calculation and can be judged in 3 or 4 which is a kind of computer.

Next, another application example of the present invention will be described.
In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the position of a vehicle that regularly patrols is monitored. It is assumed that the vehicle is operated from cell 1 to cell 2, then cell 3, and returning to the same route. The position information to be monitored in this case is cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3, and registration using these as a set is shown in FIG.
To the system shown in. Then, in response to the search request from the client terminal 3, the terminal 1 uses the cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3
It is a service that returns the location information only when it exists. Such limited location information is extremely effective for buses or cash transport vehicles that have a determined route of operation. On the other hand, even if the terminal used for that purpose is stolen, the system side Since it is impossible to change the set information, there is almost no fear of misuse.

Next, another application example of the present invention will be described. When the terminal of the present invention is worn by a wandering elderly person, it is possible to provide the location information service by distinguishing between when the user is in the city and when not. In this case, it is possible to start the position information when the distance from the designated position becomes large, and the location is confirmed in a strange city or out of town. In the description before this, the mechanism for stopping the provision of the position information when the separation distance becomes large is explained, but this section is a complementary example thereof. Also in this case, it is obvious that the invasion of privacy will be stopped because the location information in the city center is not provided.

Although the method described above is the determination method based on the position information of the position information service, the same effect can be obtained by another method of the present invention. This is realized by incorporating an acceleration sensor in the terminal 1. Of course, this acceleration sensor outputs the magnitude and direction on the assumption of the XY plane regarding horizontal acceleration. This output value is defined as positive in a specific direction and negative in the opposite direction, and the output value is integrated as the travel distance per unit time, and the cumulative value of travel distance values considering the sign has begun to be calculated. It is the distance traveled from the point. It is possible to use this moving distance instead of the above L. As described above, the terminal 1 having the built-in acceleration sensor has an advantage that it does not need to change the main program of the existing position information service, while including a factor of a slight cost increase.

As a matter of course, a pet such as a dog or a cat does not use the call function provided by the PHS telephone system, and the call function of the terminal used in the system is deleted to remove the PHS terminal. It has all the advantages of cost, size and weight, and the continuous operation time can be extended.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the conventional configuration, the location information service system of the PHS system and the terminal used therefor are incorporated.
It was shown that the problem of "abuse for privacy invasion" can be overcome without major modification of the system or terminal or addition of programs. Also, P
It has a form of a terminal specialized for the location information service of HS, and has reduced power consumption by reducing dial buttons and call functions.
Alternatively, it has shown the advantage that it can be made compact and lightweight, or can be operated for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram when providing a location information service according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 121, 122 terminal 2, 21, 22, 23 base station 3 client terminal 4 for instructing terminal location search 4 location information database terminal 5 network 6 CS interface section 211 cell 1 212 cell 2 213 cell 3 11 PHS radio wave Antenna 12 for transmission and reception Electronic circuit or IC module 13 for processing position information service and PHS information 13 Battery 14 for supplying power Case (shown partially broken)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Yutaka Nishino Yutaka Nishino 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) Reference JP-A-8-47030 (JP, A) Kaihei 8-223637 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04B ^7/ 24-7/26 102 H04Q ^7/ 00-7/38

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a system capable of providing position information of a PHS terminal by using a radio signal of PHS specification, at least one base station transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a starting point of position information display or the PHS terminal is defined, When the distance from the starting point or the PHS terminal from the base station exceeds a predetermined value, it has a function of stopping the provision of position information to a client terminal or a terminal that can acquire position information. system. 2. A system capable of providing position information of a PHS terminal by using a radio signal of PHS specification, wherein at least one base station transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a starting point of position information display or the PHS terminal is defined, If the distance from the starting point or the PHS terminal from the base station does not exceed a predetermined value, it has a function of stopping providing position information to a client terminal or a terminal capable of acquiring position information. system. 3. The action support system according to claim 1, wherein the base station is a base station corresponding to a location where the PHS terminal is registered. 4. The behavior support system according to claim 1, wherein the base station is a base station corresponding to a location where the PHS terminal is present at the time of starting the position information providing service. 5. A system capable of providing position information of a PHS terminal by using a radio signal of PHS specifications, wherein a combination of a plurality of base stations involved in transmission / reception of position information and the PHS terminal is formed, and any one of the base stations is connected. In addition, the behavior support system has a function of stopping the provision of the position information to the client terminal or the terminal capable of acquiring the position information when the distance from the PHS terminal exceeds a predetermined value. 6. A system capable of providing position information of a PHS terminal by using a radio signal of PHS specifications, wherein a combination of a plurality of base stations involved in transmission / reception of position information and the PHS terminal is created, and one of the bases is connected. An action support system having a function of stopping provision of position information to a client terminal or a terminal capable of acquiring position information when the distance from the station to the PHS terminal does not exceed a predetermined value. 7. The action support system according to claim 1, wherein the installation position of the base station is represented by latitude and longitude, and the separation distance is calculated from the latitude and longitude. 8. The behavior support system according to claim 1, wherein the PHS terminal does not have a call function.