JP4562944B2 - Search support system and search support method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a discovery support system for a child's lost child or a baby stroller on which the child is placed, and more particularly to a search support system and a search support method for early detection of a searched person such as a lost child inside or outside a specific area.
[0002]
[Background]
In very crowded areas such as amusement parks, young children often get lost away from their guardians, and many people are mobilized to search for lost children. It takes a lot of time. In particular, since many spectators including young children are concentrated in a specific area, it is difficult to find a lost child and finally confirm the child during the search. On the other hand, in the case of a lost child, both the guardian and the lost child are extremely mentally unstable. Therefore, it is required to find the lost child as soon as possible. In addition, criminal acts such as child abduction may be performed in an open place such as an amusement park. In such a case, a particularly quick response is required.
[0003]
In the conventional lost child search system or search method, based on the lost child search request, the lost child information is broadcasted in the hall or in a specific area to ask for the cooperation of the audience, and the employee searches for the lost child by hand. For this reason, it was necessary to invest a lot of personnel in order to conduct a quick search.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if a search person such as a lost child goes out of a specific area such as an amusement park for some reason, the search within the specific area cannot be found even though the search person cannot be found. It was difficult to determine whether the searcher went out of the specified area. For this reason, conventionally, a search outside the specific area is started when the search target cannot be found even if the search of the specific area is completed, and the search start outside the specific area has become very late. Cases where the sought person goes out of the specific area may be caused by a crime such as kidnapping as well as when the lost child goes out by himself. In the latter case in particular, an immediate response including a search request from the police is required.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a search support system or a search support method that enables an easy search based on a specific area.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a search support system or a search support method that makes it possible to quickly determine whether a search target exists in a specific area or outside a specific area, and to enable a quick and appropriate search. One of the purposes.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a search support system or a search support method capable of confirming whether or not a search requester is a true guardian.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the accurate current location of the search person is calculated based on the position information from the discovery support device, and it is determined whether the current location of the search person is within the specific area or outside the specific area. If it is outside the specific area, a search request is made to the search system having jurisdiction outside the specific area, and if it is within the specific area, the search is instructed to support quick and appropriate search. Also, by identifying and registering the identification information recorded on the identification information card possessed by the guardian and the identification information of the discovery support device possessed by the search target person, the information and discovery of the identification card possessed by the search requester It is possible to check the authenticity of the guardian by collating with the identification information of the support device.
[0007]
A search support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a discovery support apparatus possessed by a searcher and capable of acquiring and transmitting current position data in response to a request, and provided in a specific area. An input means for inputting the identification information and searchee information of the discovery support apparatus possessed by the device, a registration means for registering the input identification information and searchee information, and an area for controlling search processing in the specific area An information management system including an internal search control means, which reads out searchee information and identification information based on a search request and activates search processing, and is provided outside a specific area and is based on activation of search processing by the information management system A request for transmitting location information to the discovery support device, and a location acquisition means for calculating the current location information of the search target from the location data received from the discovery support device, and a search process outside the specific area are controlled. A search management system comprising an out-of-area search control means, and the information management system determines whether or not the current position information of the search target calculated by the position acquisition means is within the specific area, and the specific area A search is performed by a search means in the area when the area is inside, and a search is requested to the search management system when outside the specific area.
It is characterized by that.
[0008]
According to this aspect, an appropriate search area corresponding to the current position of the search target is quickly determined, and efficient and quick search is possible. The input means of the information management system can be configured as a reception device that is installed in a plurality of reception centers in a specific area and is composed of a PC or the like connected to the control unit of the information management system by a line such as a LAN. The search management system is preferably capable of monitoring and searching a wide area, and is often provided outside the specific area, but can also be provided within the specific area. It is also possible to register searchee information in the search management system.
[0009]
In the search support system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the information management system issues a guardian card on which the same barcode information as the unique barcode information attached to the discovery support device is printed. When the search is detected, the barcode information of the discovery support device possessed by the search target is collated with the barcode information possessed by the search requester.
[0010]
According to this aspect, since it is possible to confirm whether or not the person is a true guardian, crime can be prevented. Further, by requesting the presentation of an identification card at the time of a search request, human error can be reduced and an accurate and quick search can be performed. As the type of the identification card, various card formats such as a magnetic card, a memory card, and an IC card can be used in addition to a card displaying identification information by a barcode.
[0011]
The search support system according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes a plurality of search terminals including a wireless communication unit and a display unit capable of displaying the received current position information of the searched person and searched person information. The searchee information registered in the information management system includes image information including a face of the searchee and a photograph of clothes, and the search terminal displays the image information on a display unit. To do. As a result, the searcher can check the clothes and face of the searchee from the image information, and thus a more reliable search is possible.
[0012]
The search support method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes (a) identification information of a discovery support device that is lent to a searcher who enters a specific area, and the name, age, face, and clothes of the searchee. A step of registering searcher information including photograph information and other features and searcher's guardian information as search information in association with identification information; and (b) receiving a search request from a guardian. (C) in response to a search request, reading the identification information of the search target person and requesting the discovery support device corresponding to the identification information to transmit position information; and (d) from the discovery support device A step of calculating the current position information of the search person based on the received position information; and (e) determining whether the search person is within the specific area from the calculated current position. The search information for the search system to search And a step of transmitting a search request together with the information and transmitting a search instruction to a search terminal within a specific area. This aspect enables a quick, reliable and efficient search.
[0013]
The search support method according to the second aspect of the present invention further includes: (f) a unique barcode information attached to the lent discovery support device and a guardian of the search person when the search person is found. The method includes a step of collating the barcode information printed on the given guardian card. This enables a secure search and verification of the true guardian.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The “specific area” used in this specification includes a comparatively large-scale structure, an outdoor area such as an amusement park, etc., and hereinafter referred to as “specific area”. The explanation assumes a large-scale amusement park.
[0015]
(Overall structure of search support system)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a search support system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system according to the present invention, when entering a specific area, information on a child or the like (hereinafter referred to as “customer”) who may be a search target is registered. The customer stops at the reception center when entering. A reception device 20 is provided at the reception center, and customer information and the like are input by the reception device 20 and registered in the information management system 30. The customer information includes image information obtained by photographing a face and clothes as will be described later.
[0016]
A customer includes a searcher such as a child and a search requester who is a guardian such as a parent. The discovery support apparatus 10 is lent to the searcher, and a guardian card to be described later is lent to the searcher. . The discovery support apparatus 10 is provided with unique identification information, and customer information is stored in association with the unique identification information. The discovery support apparatus 10 acquires the current position information from the GPS satellite 90 and sends the position information to the search management system 50 via the PHS or mobile phone base station (amusement park base station 80, amusement park base station 82). Can be sent. Therefore, the discovery support apparatus 10 can transmit the position information regardless of whether the current location is inside or outside the amusement park.
[0017]
When a child gets lost, the guardian makes a search request at the reception center. When there is a search request, the information management system 30 makes a search request to the search management system 50 via the communication network 46 using identification information read from a guardian card described later. As the communication network 46, a telephone line network such as a dedicated line and a public line, a wireless communication network, and an Internet communication network can be used. However, when using the Internet, it is desirable to ensure security by encryption or the like. The search management system 50 transmits a position information transmission command to the discovery support apparatus 10 that is lent to the search requester who has requested the search. When receiving the position information transmission command, the discovery support apparatus 10 transmits the acquired position information to the search management system 50. It is also possible to calculate an accurate current location by using a satellite reference station, a position information center, or the like.
[0018]
The search management system 50 returns the positional information received from the discovery support apparatus 10 to the information management system 30 in association with the map information. In the information management system 30 that has received the position information, it is determined whether the discovery support device 10 carried by the searched person exists in the amusement park or outside the amusement park. If it is in the amusement park, a search instruction is issued to the search terminal 60 in the amusement park. In the amusement park, a plurality of staff members travel around carrying search terminals 60. At the same time when the search instruction is transmitted, the position information of the search target person, the customer information and the position information are also transmitted. The search terminal 60 displays the received position information as a position on the map in the park and also displays a photograph of the searched person and other customer information. With this information, the staff can easily find the person to be searched. In addition, since the customer information of the amusement park does not go outside and necessary information is provided only to the staff in the park, it is also desirable for secret management of customer information.
[0019]
When it is determined that the search target person is outside the park, the search within the park is stopped, and a search request is sent from the information management system 30 to the search management system 50 having a system capable of performing a search in a wide area including the outside of the park. In the search management system 50, a search instruction is transmitted to the search terminal outside the amusement park, and the same search as in the park is executed. In this way, only when the sought person is outside the park, customer information that is necessary and sufficient for the search is sent to the external search system as search information. It becomes possible to suppress. In order to perform a search outside the park quickly, it is desirable that the search terminal 77 outside the park exists near the search target.
[0020]
(Discovery support device)
Next, the discovery support apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the discovery support apparatus 10. Reference numeral 11 denotes a power switch, which is always energized from the time when it is lent to a searched person. Reference numeral 17 denotes a battery such as a battery pack that supplies power to each unit of the discovery support apparatus 10. Various types of batteries that can supply predetermined power can be used. A storage unit 12 stores identification information, a control program, and the like. A control unit 13 can be configured by a CPU or the like. Reference numeral 14 denotes a wireless communication unit having an antenna 16 that can receive position information from the GPS satellite 90 and can communicate with a base station of a PHS or a mobile phone. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a display device such as a liquid crystal can be provided as necessary.
[0021]
When receiving the position information request signal from the search management system 50 via the communication network 46 and the base stations 80 and 82, the discovery support apparatus 10 acquires the position information from the GPS satellite 90 and uses the acquired position information as the search management system. 50. In addition, a sticker on which a barcode corresponding to assigned identification information (hereinafter referred to as “identification number”) is printed is attached to the discovery support apparatus 10.
[0022]
(Reception device)
Next, the reception device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment of the accepting device 20.
The receiving device 20 includes a data input means 21 composed of a keyboard and a mouse, an image input means 22 composed of a scanner and a digital camera, a barcode reading means 23 composed of a barcode reader that reads a barcode, customer information, a program, and the like. Storage means 25 composed of ROM / RAM for storing, display means 26 that is a display that displays various types of information to the operator so as to be visible, communication means 27 that performs LAN communication with the information management system 30, MPU that controls these, etc. The control means 24 is provided.
[0023]
The receiving device 20 displays customer information input from the data input means 21, the image input means 22, and the barcode reading means 23 on the display means 26, and registers customer information in the information management system 30 via the communication means 27. Do. This customer information becomes search information. In addition, the customer information is deleted and changed in the same manner, and when the search is required, the data input means 21 is used to request a search to the information management system. Processing such as displaying the position is performed.
[0024]
In the search support system 2 of the present invention, the information management system 30 stores, as customer information, an image, name, age, physical characteristics, etc. that can distinguish the searchee's face and clothes as data associated with the guardian information. . Therefore, the receiving device 20 requires image data as well as character data. In the figure, 21 is a data input means for inputting customer information, particularly information relating to a guardian and the name, age, characteristics, etc. of a search target person. Reference numeral 22 denotes an image input means. The person to be searched can be photographed by a digital camera and input as image data, or a photograph can be read by a scanner and input.
[0025]
The identification number of the discovery support device 10 is printed as a barcode and affixed to each discovery support device 10, and when the discovery support device 10 is lent, it is read by the barcode reader 23 so that the identification number can be entered incorrectly. Can be prevented. In addition, by lending a guardian card printed with the same barcode information as the identification number to the guardian, it is possible to confirm that the guardian is guardian at the time of the search request, and the discovery support device possessed by the searched person It becomes possible to prevent an input error of 10 identification numbers.
[0026]
In the search support system 2 of the present invention, it is possible to specify the search target by name or the like, but an identification number using a bar code or the like from the viewpoint of the necessity of confirmation by the guardian or deletion of an input error. Customer identification and customer information registration management is desirable. The management of the identification information that associates the customer with the discovery support apparatus 10 is not limited to the barcode, and an IC card, a magnetic card, or the like can be used. In addition, by using a two-dimensional barcode as a barcode, it is also possible to print a barcode in which the name, age, date of birth, etc. are printed and affixed to the discovery support apparatus 10 and the guardian card.
[0027]
(Information management system)
FIG. 4 describing the information management system 30 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the information management system 30.
The information management system 30 includes a communication interface 31 that realizes LAN communication with the accepting device 20, a transmission / reception unit 32 for executing communication processing via the communication interface 31, a storage unit 34 that stores various programs, and a discovery support device 10. Search range determination means 35 for determining whether or not it is in the amusement park, in-area search control means 38 for performing a search instruction or search request to the search terminal device 60 or search management system 50 in the amusement park, and customer information is stored. A customer information database 36, an in-park map information database 37 for storing a detailed map in the amusement park, an external communication I / F 41 for performing communication using the communication network 46, a communication means 40 for performing communication processing in the external communication I / F 41, and It is comprised by the control means 33 which consists of MPU etc. which control these each means.
[0028]
In the information management system 30, when customer information is received from the accepting device 20 via the communication interface 31 and the transmission / reception means 32, it is registered in the customer information database. This registration procedure will be described later.
Further, when a request signal for customer information is received from the reception device 20 via the communication interface 31 and the transmission / reception means 32, the corresponding customer information is searched from the customer information database 36 based on the identification number included in the request signal, and the reception device 20 is transmitted.
[0029]
Further, when the information management system 30 similarly receives a search request signal from the accepting device 20, the information management system 30 includes the identification information of the corresponding discovery support device 10 from the communication means 40 / external communication I / F 41 to the search management system 50. A current position acquisition request signal is transmitted, and current position information is received from the search management system 50. Then, based on the received current position information, a detailed map including the corresponding part is searched from the park map information database 37, a mark is plotted on the corresponding part, and transmitted to the receiving device 20. If there is no map related to the outside of the amusement park in the map information database 37 and the position information is located outside the amusement park, the position where the mark of the current position received from the search management system 50 is plotted is transmitted. If it is difficult to construct the park map information database 37 in the information management system 10, only the map information received from the search management system 50 may be used.
[0030]
Along with the transmission to the reception device 20, it is determined whether or not the discovery support device 10 is in the park, and if it is in the park, the customer information and the current position are transmitted from the communication means 40 / external communication I / F 41 to the search terminal 60 in the park. Send the plotted map data. Based on this information, search activities in the amusement park are started.
On the other hand, if the discovery support apparatus 10 is in the park, a search request signal for requesting a search activity is transmitted to the search management system 50. The search request signal is generated including customer information and the current position.
[0031]
Here, a method for identifying the inside and outside of the park will be described. The park map information database 37 stores a digital map relating to the amusement park and its vicinity. In the digital map, a boundary line indicating the inside and outside of the amusement park is described, and an area partitioned by the boundary line is registered as a polygon. If there is a position coordinate of the discovery support apparatus 10 received from the search management system 50 inside this polygon, it is determined that it is in the park. On the other hand, if it is not at the position of the polygon, it is determined to be outside the park. However, if it is difficult to distinguish between the inside and outside of the garden based on the position error in terms of the accuracy of the position information, it is preferable to perform the search activities inside and outside the garden in parallel. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and the inside or outside of the park may be determined by other methods.
[0032]
In addition, when the information management system 30 receives the discovery information including the identification information of the discovery support device 10 from the reception device 20, the information management system 30 checks whether or not the identification signal of the discovery support device 10 currently being searched is matched. The corresponding customer information is transmitted to the reception device 20 and an end signal indicating the end of the search is transmitted to each search terminal 60. On the other hand, if they do not match, the periodic position acquisition process is continued.
As described above, the information management system 30 supports the discovery of the lost child in cooperation with the reception device 20, the search management system 50, and the search terminal device 60.
[0033]
(Search management system)
Next, the search management system 50 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the search management system 50. The search management system 50 is connected to the communication network 46 via the communication interface 51. The communication means 52 receives from the communication network 46 or transmits data to the communication network 46. The control means 53 controls the entire search management system 50. The storage means 54 stores various control programs. The out-of-area search control means 55 controls search processing procedures other than the amusement park when the search target discovery support apparatus 10 exists in an area other than the amusement park (outside the specific area).
[0034]
Reference numeral 56 denotes position calculation means for calculating current position information from the position information from the discovery support apparatus 10 based on error correction processing, position information of the PHS base stations 80 and 82, and the like. Furthermore, the search management system 50 is provided with a map information database 57, and the calculated position information can be associated with the map information. The position information associated with the map information is transmitted to the search terminal 77 when searching outside the amusement park. The search management system 50 can also be configured to transmit without providing the map information database in the information management system 30 or the like.
[0035]
(Search terminal)
The search terminal will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the search terminals 60 and 77. The search terminal 60 includes an RF unit 61 having an antenna unit 64, an operation unit 62, a geomagnetic sensor 69, a storage unit 65, a notification unit 66, a display unit 67, a control unit 68, and a power supply unit 69. The control unit 68 controls each unit of the search terminals 60 and 77 based on the control unit stored in the storage unit 65. The power supply unit 69 supplies power to each unit.
[0036]
When the RF unit 61 receives the search instruction, the customer information report, and the position information signal of the search target from the information management system 30 or the search management system 50, the RF unit 61 outputs these data to the control unit 68. The control unit 68 temporarily stores the received customer information and position information in the storage unit 65 and activates the notification unit 66. Based on the reception of the search signal, the notification unit 66 notifies the staff carrying the search terminals 60 and 77 that the search instruction signal has been received by vibration, voice, light, or the like, or a combination thereof. .
[0037]
The staff who notices the notification operates the operation unit 62 to display the customer information and the position information on the display unit 66. In the search terminal 60 in the amusement park, it is desirable that the map information in the park is stored in the storage unit 65, and the received position information and the map information are combined and displayed. By configuring in this way, the position of the person to be searched becomes obvious and the search becomes very easy. It is also possible to transmit both position information and map information from the information management system 30. In this case, there is an advantage that the capacity of the storage unit 65 can be reduced, but there is a disadvantage that the amount of communication data increases and it takes time to transmit. Reference numeral 63 denotes a geomagnetic sensor, which makes it possible to always display a map in accordance with an actual direction.
[0038]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which map information or the like is displayed on the search terminal 60 or 77 according to an embodiment. The search terminal 60 shown in FIG. 7 includes an operation unit 62 and a display screen 70. The display screen 70 includes a map 71 representing position information, a photograph image 72 of a searched person, and a name in customer information. Is displayed. Although not shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to provide a notification unit 66 (FIG. 6) such as an LED or other light emitting element, a vibration device, or a buzzer.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the map 71 of FIG. 80 indicates a boundary line of the amusement park, and whether the search in the park or the search outside the park is determined depending on whether or not the search support device 10 for the search target exists in 80. 20a to 20f indicate the location of the receiving device 20, and 60a to 60i indicate the location of the search terminal 60. 74 is a mark indicating the location of the searcher's discovery support apparatus 10 displayed based on the position information, and a broken line 75 indicates a range that can be enlarged and displayed by operating the operation unit 62 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Show. After approaching the search target, zoom in and check the exact position. 74 ′ and 75 ′ indicate displays when the search target discovery support apparatus 10 exists outside the amusement park. Even if there is a person to be searched outside the amusement park, it is desirable to search using the search terminal 60 in the amusement park or the search terminals 60 and 77 in and outside the amusement park when it is near the boundary 80. .
[0040]
(Search procedure)
Next, the overall operation of the discovery support system will be described.
As a premise, in the discovery support system, a plurality of discovery support devices 10 that are distinguished by identification numbers are registered in the wide area search management system 50, and a search system for a wide area as well as an amusement park is constructed. . In addition, although the amusement park name is described in the user detailed information of the discovery support apparatus 10 registered for use in discovery support in a specific area, it is recorded as registration information of other discovery support apparatuses 10. Information for identifying a customer is not stored.
[0041]
Here, we describe the case where parents and children who come to play at an amusement park use the discovery support system.
First, the parent and child perform usage registration at the reception center where the reception device 20 in the amusement park is located. Specifically, the name / age / gender / license number / children's name / age / gender etc. of the guardian of the customer are input from the data input means of the reception device 20, and the parent and child are shown together from the image input means 22. Enter the photographic image data. Further, the barcode attached to the lent discovery support apparatus 10 is read from the barcode reading means 23.
The customer information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 25 and displayed on the display unit 26 to be confirmed by the parent and child. Then, the data input means 21 of the receiving device 20 is operated to make a registration request to the information management system 30. That is, a registration request command is transmitted from the communication unit 27 to the information management system 30.
[0042]
In the information management system 30, when the registration request command is received by the transmission / reception means 32 via the communication interface 31, a registration permission signal is transmitted to the accepting device 10 and the registration process is started. When receiving the registration permission signal, the reception device 20 transmits the above-described customer information to the information management system 30. Upon receiving such customer information, the information management system 30 registers at least in the customer information database 36 so that it can be searched by the identification number, and notifies the reception device 20 that registration is complete. When the registration is completed, the reception device 20 deletes the customer information stored in the storage unit 25 and sets the standby state. Here, a guardian card is lent to a parent who is a guardian, and a discovery support device 10 is lent to a child. Such a guardian card and the discovery support apparatus 10 are affixed with a sticker on which a barcode indicating the same identification signal is printed or printed.
The search processing procedure will be described below using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0043]
In the following flowchart, the process number used represents the process of the accepting device when the hundreds place is “1”, the information processing system when “2”, and the search management system when “3”. , “4” represents the process of the search terminal.
[0044]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a search processing procedure from the start to the end of the search. When there is a search request from a guardian or the like, the identification number is read from the barcode attached to the guardian card by the receiving device 20 (S121). The accepting device 20 requests the information management system 30 to transmit customer information based on the read identification number (122). When receiving the request, the information management system 30 reads the customer information from the identification number and transmits it to the accepting device 20 (S221). When receiving the customer information, the accepting device 20 displays the customer information on the display unit (S123). When the displayed information is confirmed by the customer, a search request is output from the receiving device 20 to the information management system 30 (S124).
Upon receiving the search request, the information management system starts the current position acquisition process, and executes the in-park search process or the out-of-park search process based on the acquired current position information.
[0045]
(Current position acquisition processing)
First, the current position acquisition process indicated by a broken line in FIG. 9 will be described.
When receiving the search request from the accepting device 20, the information management system 30 requests the position calculation means 56 of the search management system 50 to acquire the current position of the search target person (S222). The position calculation means 56 of the search management system 50 requests the discovery support apparatus 10 to transmit positioning data, and executes position acquisition processing for calculating current position information based on the received positioning data (S321). The current position information (including map information and information indicating the current position) acquired by the position acquisition process (S321) is transmitted to the information management system 30 (S322). The information management system 30 stores the received current position information and transmits it to the accepting device 20 (S223). The receiving device 20 plots and displays the received position information on a map (S125). As a result, the customer can confirm the current position of the searched person on the map, and the current position acquisition process is completed.
[0046]
Next, the information management system 30 determines whether the searched person is inside or outside the park based on the current position information (S224). If it is determined that the search target person is in the park (S224; Yes), the search process in the park (S225) is executed, and if it is determined that the search person is outside the park, the search management system is requested to search outside the park. Is transmitted (S224; No). In the case of an out-of-park search request, customer information necessary for the search is transmitted to the search management system 50 together with the search request. The search management system 50 is capable of searching a wide area not limited to a specific area such as a park, and executes a park search process (S323) upon receiving a park search request.
[0047]
In addition, since the position acquisition process (S321) of the search management system 50 is repeatedly executed in order to acquire the latest current position information of the search target person in the garden search process and the park search process, the park search process Prior to the description of the out-of-park search process, the position acquisition process (S329) will be described in more detail.
[0048]
When receiving the current position acquisition request and the identification number from the information management system 30, the search management system 50 requests the discovery support apparatus 10 corresponding to the identification number to transmit positioning data. Based on this, the discovery support apparatus 10 transmits positioning data to the search management system 50. The search management system 50 calculates an accurate current position from the received positioning data. The calculation of the current position is a process for acquiring accurate position information, a calculation process for correcting an error in received positioning data, and a PHS base station when positioning data cannot be acquired from three GPS satellites. Calculation processing such as determining an accurate position based on the position data is performed. If high accuracy is not required for the current position information, the received positioning data may be used as it is as the current position without performing the current position information calculation process.
[0049]
(Park search process)
The garden search process will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 10 shows the inside of the park Search process (Fig. 9 It is a flowchart which shows the search processing procedure of process S225). When it is determined in step S224 in FIG. 9 that the search target is in the park, the search target information and the current position information are transmitted to the related search terminal 60 in the park together with the search instruction signal (S231). When receiving the search instruction signal and information, the search terminal 60 displays the search person information including the map information indicating the current position of the search person and the image information on the display screen 70 (S431). Searchers such as staff in the park continue searching until they find a searchee based on this display.
[0050]
On the other hand, since it is conceivable that the searcher moves during the search, it is necessary to regularly update the current location information of the searchee to the latest information. Therefore, after transmitting information such as a search instruction to the search terminal 60, the information management system 30 makes a request for transmission of current location information every time a predetermined time elapses (in the following description, a case of updating at intervals of 5 minutes is exemplified). ). Therefore, first, it is confirmed whether or not five minutes have passed since the search signal was transmitted (S232). If 5 minutes have not passed (S232; No), it is confirmed whether or not discovery information has been received (S235). If it has not been discovered yet (S235; No), whether or not 5 minutes have passed again is determined. Confirmed (S232).
[0051]
When the latest current location information has been transmitted for 5 minutes (S232; Yes), the current location acquisition process described above and surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 9 is executed again to acquire the latest current location information of the search target person. (S233). The acquired latest current position information is transferred to the accepting device 20 (FIG. 9, S125) and transmitted to the search terminal 60 (S431), and the latest current location information is sent to both the search requester and the searcher. Provided.
As a result, the searcher can search based on the latest location information.
[0052]
When the searcher finds the person to be searched, the searcher goes to the reception center where the receiving device 20 is installed, and the barcode reading device 23 generates the barcode data (identification number) from the barcode attached to the discovery support device 10. Let me read. The read barcode data is transmitted together with the discovery information from the reception device 20 to the information management system 30 (S131). When the search target is found (S235; Yes), the received barcode data is collated with the search requester's barcode data (S237). If they do not match as a result of the collation (S237; No), the searcher is not the desired searcher, and the process returns to step S232 to continue searching.
[0053]
If the two barcode data match (S237; Yes), the corresponding customer information is transmitted to the receiving device 20 (S238), and a search end signal is transmitted to the other search terminals 60 (S239).
The accepting device 20 displays the received customer information on the display means 26 (S132). As a result, it is possible to confirm the image information of the sought person and the found sought person, the final confirmation of the guardian, and the like. Further, the search terminal 60 continues the search until the end signal is received (S432; No), and stops the search when receiving the end signal (S432; Yes).
[0054]
(Outside garden search process)
Next, we will explain the out-of-park search. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the search processing procedure of the out-of-park search processing (S323 in FIG. 9). The out-of-park search process is controlled by an out-of-area search control means (wide area search means) 55 of the search management system 50. The out-of-park search process is greatly different from the in-park search process in that the search range is wide and the search activity is performed by the out-of-park search terminal 77, and the search management system 50 is the system that manages the search process. The basic procedure and contents of the search process are almost the same as in the park search.
[0055]
If it is determined in step S224 of FIG. 9 that the person to be searched is outside the park, an out-of-park search request is transmitted to the search management system 50, and the out-of-park search process (FIG. 9; S323) is started. When receiving search request information and searcher information necessary for the search, that is, search information, the search management system 50 stores the searcher information (S341). Next, a search instruction signal, search target information, and current position information are transmitted to the search terminal (S342). In the search terminal 77, the customer information and the position information are displayed on the display screen 70 of the display unit 67 as in the case of the search in the park, and the search is continued until the search target is found (SS441, S442). .
[0056]
The search management system 50 continues processing for acquiring new current position information every predetermined time (for example, every 5 minutes) until the person to be searched is found, like the information management apparatus in the case of the garden search ( S343 to S446). When the search target is found, the discovery information from the outside searcher is input to the search management system 50. When it is confirmed that the search target has been found (S347; Yes), a search end signal is transmitted to the information management system 30 and the search terminal 77 outside the park (S347). When the information management system 30 and the search terminal 77 receive the search end signal (S241; YES, S432; Yes), the search process ends.
[0057]
As described above, in the present invention, the search processing in a specific area is controlled by the information management system for each specific area in order to smoothly and quickly advance the search activity in the specific area. For example, in the search management system 50 capable of performing a wide-area search with the search range of the Kanto region or the whole of Japan, dozens or hundreds of lost children occur frequently in one area per day. If search management of a lost child in a specific area such as a possible amusement park is performed, the load of the search management system becomes enormous. The present invention is configured such that a specific area is searched by an information processing system for each area, thereby reducing the addition of a search management system for managing and controlling a wide-area search activity and enabling a quick search process.
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, the position acquisition process from the discovery support apparatus 10 is performed by the position calculation unit 56 of the search management system 50. However, the search management system 50 is provided by a positioning system provided separately. The current position information may be calculated.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention calculates an accurate current location of a searchee based on position information from a discovery support device, and an appropriate search system depending on whether the searchee's current location is within a specific area or outside a specific area And instructing the search of the selected search range to support a quick and appropriate search, which makes it very easy to find a non-searcher. In addition, by registering the identification number recorded on the guardian card held by the guardian and the identification number of the discovery support device held by the searched person, information on the guardian card held by the search requester and It is possible to check the authenticity of the guardian by checking the identification number of the discovery support device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a search support system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a discovery support apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a reception device.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information management system.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of an information management system.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a search terminal.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which map information or the like is displayed on a search terminal.
8 is an enlarged view of the map 71 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a search processing procedure from the start to the end of search.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a search processing procedure in the garden search process (step S225 in FIG. 9).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a search process procedure in an out-of-park search process (S323 in FIG. 9).
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Search support system
10 Discovery support device
20 Reception device
30 Information management system
35 Search range judging means
36 Customer information database
37 Park map information database
38 Area search control means
46 Communication network
50 Search management system
55 Out-of-region search control means
56 Position calculation means
60 Terminal for searching within specific area (amusement park)
62 Operation unit
63 Geomagnetic sensor
66 Notification unit
67 Display part of search terminal
70 Display screen
71 Map and position display part
72 Photo information display part
73 Customer information (character information) display part
74 Current position mark
75 Extended range mark
76 Orientation mark
77 Search terminal outside specified area
90 GPS satellite

Claims (5)

A discovery support device possessed by the searcher and capable of acquiring and transmitting current location data upon request;
Input means for inputting identification information and searchee information of the discovery support device provided in the specific area and possessed by the searchee, and registration means for registering the input identification information and searchee information An information management system comprising an area search control means for controlling a search process in the specific area, and starting the search process by reading the search target information and the identification information based on a search request;
Provided outside the specific area, based on the start of search processing by the information management system, makes a transmission request for position information to the discovery support apparatus, and from the position data received from the discovery support apparatus, the current search target person A search management system comprising position acquisition means for calculating position information and out-of-area search control means for controlling search processing outside the specific area;
The information management system determines whether or not the current position information of the search target calculated by the position acquisition unit is within the specific area, and performs a search by the intra-area search unit when in the specific area, A search support system which requests a search to the search management system when outside the specific area. The information management system issues a guardian card on which the same barcode information as the unique barcode information attached to the discovery support device is printed, and when the searchee is found, The search support system according to claim 1, wherein the barcode information of the discovery support device possessed is collated with the barcode information possessed by the search requester. Furthermore, a plurality of search terminals including a wireless communication unit and a display unit capable of displaying the received current position information and searcher information of the searcher,
The search target information registered in the information management system includes image information including an image of the search target's face and clothes, and the search terminal displays the image information on the display unit. The search support system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A search support method comprising the following steps.
(a) Searcher information including identification information of a discovery support device lent to a searcher entering a specific area, image information of the searcher's name, age, face and clothes, and other characteristics And registering the searchee's guardian information as search information in association with the identification information;
(b) receiving a search request from the guardian;
(c) in response to the search request, reading the identification information of the search target and requesting the discovery support device corresponding to the identification information to transmit position information;
(d) calculating the current position information of the search target based on the position information received from the discovery support device;
(e) It is determined whether or not the search target person is within the specific area from the calculated current position. If the search person is outside the specific area, a search request is made together with the search information to the search system that controls the outside of the specific area. Transmitting and transmitting a search instruction to a search terminal if within a specific area. further,
(f) unique bar code information incidental to the lent discovery support device and bar code information printed on a guardian card given to a guardian of the searcher when the searchee is found; The search support method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of collating.

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