JP4620410B2 - Position information system using RF tag - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a position information system using an RF tag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function generally receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite by the GPS function and measures the position of itself or the other party. Further, in mobile communication, the position of a mobile terminal is measured from the positional relationship with a base station. When communication is performed using a personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), the position of these devices is generally measured using a wireless LAN access point.

  However, with the prior art as described above, when the other party cannot use the mobile phone functions sufficiently, such as infants or the elderly, or when the GPS satellite signal cannot be received indoors, the other party goes out of range. The position of the other party cannot be grasped by these functions.

  An object of the present invention is to use RF tags to measure position information of a partner that cannot be communicated by a mobile terminal in a specific area and to provide the position information to the mobile terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RF tag readers / writers arranged in a facility and a carrier wave range attached to a first user and transmitted by the RF tag reader / writers are provided. The RF tag capable of performing wireless communication with the RF tag reader / writer and storing the first identification information, the plurality of RF tag reader / writers, and the guardian for the first user A position information system using an RF tag including a server capable of communicating with a mobile terminal possessed by a second user having the relationship
The plurality of RF tag reader / writers make a transmission request for the first identification information to the RF tag, and receives the first identification information transmitted from the RF tag in response to the transmission request. The first identification information is transmitted to the server together with the second identification information of its own RF tag reader / writer.
The server includes a first database that stores first identification information of the RF tag, second identification information of the RF tag reader / writer, and third identification information of the mobile terminal in association with each other, and the plurality of RF A second database that stores the second identification information of the tag reader / writer and the position information of the RF tag reader / writer in association with each other, and in response to a registration request from the mobile terminal, a third of the requesting mobile terminal The identification information and the first identification information of the RF tag are associated and registered in the first database. Further, each time the RF tag reader said first and second identification information from the writer is received, the identification information stored in said first database based on the first and second identification information the received Update the association. And when the request | requirement of a positional information is sent from the said mobile terminal, the 2nd identification information linked | related via the 3rd identification information and the 1st identification information of the said mobile terminal of the said request | requirement is said Read out from the first database, read out the position information of the RF tag reader / writer associated with the read out second identification information from the second database, and read out the read out position information of the RF tag reader / writer. It is configured to transmit to the requesting mobile terminal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the RF tag reader / writer further includes an audio output unit, and the audio output unit outputs a predetermined audio when wireless communication is performed with the RF tag. And
Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, the RF reader / writer is provided with an output device,
The server further stores image and audio information transmitted from the mobile terminal, identifies an RF tag reader / writer closest to the RF tag based on the position information of the RF tag reader / writer, and stores the RF tag reader / writer in the RF tag reader / writer. It is further characterized by further comprising means for outputting the image and audio information from an output device provided side by side.

  According to the present invention, the RF tag is used to measure the position information of the other party that cannot communicate with the mobile terminal within a specific area and to provide the position information to the mobile terminal. A location information system can be provided.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a position information system using an RF tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, in the facility 7 such as a department store or a theme park, RF tag readers / writers 2a to 2j are arranged at predetermined intervals. RF tag readers / writers 2 a to 2 j for performing wireless communication with the RF tag 1 can communicate with the server 3. The server 3 can communicate with a mobile terminal 6 such as a mobile phone via a communication network 4 or an exchange 5.

The position information system according to this embodiment measures the position information of a partner who cannot use a mobile phone in a specific facility 7, and is particularly assumed to search for a lost child in the specific facility 7. ing. In order to realize this, in the location information system according to this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the mobile terminal 6 and the RF tag 1 are associated with each other in advance and registered in the server 3, and a request from the mobile terminal 6 is received. In response, the server 3 notifies the mobile terminal 6 of the position of the RF tag reader / writer 2 that last recognized the RF tag 1 or the history information thereof. Since the position of the RF tag reader / writer 2 or the history information indicates the position of the lost child or the movement history of the RF tag 1, the parent of the mobile terminal 6 can quickly grasp the whereabouts of the lost child. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the RF tag 1.

The RF tag 1 includes an RF antenna unit 11, a modem unit 12, a control unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a power generation unit 15. The RF tag 1 receives the carrier wave modulated by the RF antenna unit 11, takes out the encoded data from the carrier wave by the modem unit 12, and obtains the demodulated data by decoding. This data is sent to the control unit 13. When the data is a read command, the control unit 13 reads out the corresponding data from the storage unit 14 and modulates the data by the modulation / demodulation unit 12 and transmits the modulated data to the RF tag reader / writer 2 as a carrier wave. When the data is a write command, the control unit 13 stores the data in the storage unit 14. The carrier wave transmitted from the RF tag reader / writer 2 is also used for power supply. That is, when an electromagnetic wave is received, power is supplied to each part from the power generation part 15 by the principle of electromagnetic induction. Here, the electromagnetic induction type RF tag 1 is taken as an example, but other methods such as a microwave method may be adopted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the RF tag reader / writer 2.

  The RF tag reader / writer 2 includes an RF antenna unit 21, a modem unit 22, a control unit 23, a storage unit 24, a communication control unit 25, and the like. The control unit 23 encodes data including a command for the RF tag 1 by the modulation / demodulation unit 22 and periodically transmits the data on the carrier wave from the RF antenna unit 21. When the carrier wave modulated by the RF antenna unit 21 is received, the modem unit 22 extracts the encoded data from the carrier wave and decodes it to obtain the demodulated data. This data includes data related to the identification number of the RF tag 1. This data is sent to the control unit 23, temporarily stored in the storage unit 24, periodically read out by the control unit 23, and transmitted to the server 3 via the communication control unit 25.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the server 3.

  The server 3 includes a communication control unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, and databases (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) 34 and 35. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the RF tag identification number, the mobile terminal identification number, the RF tag read time, and the RF tag reader / writer identification number are stored in the DB 34 in association with each other. The content of the RF tag read time is updated as appropriate, but a time-series change may be stored as a movement history. In the DB 35, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, an RF tag reader / writer identification number and its position information are stored in association with each other. Image (map) data corresponding to the position information may be stored together.

Data including the identification number of the RF tag 1 transmitted from the RF tag reader / writer 2 is received by the communication control unit 31 and sent to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 temporarily stores the information in the storage unit 33 and appropriately updates the contents of the DBs 34 and 35 with the contents of the data. Further, when a request for position information is made from the mobile terminal 6, the server 3 refers to the DB 34 and uses the RF tag reader / writer identification number read from the RF tag 1 stored in association with the mobile terminal identification number. Further, the position information corresponding to the RF tag reader / writer identification number is read from the DB 35, and the position information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 through the communication network 4 and the exchange 5.

  As the mobile terminal 6, although not particularly illustrated, for example, a mobile phone or a car phone can be adopted. The communication network of mobile phone carriers is a huge network composed of base stations, mobile communication exchanges, and the like. Recently, a gateway server or the like is further provided to connect to the Internet. If a predetermined program is executed on the mobile terminal 6 side, it can communicate with the predetermined server 3 via the gateway server.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation by the position information system using the RF tag having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

  In the “registration phase”, when a registration request is made from the mobile terminal 6 to the server 3, the server 3 sends the identification number of the RF tag 1 sent from the mobile terminal 6 and the identification number of the mobile terminal 6 (and / or / Or a telephone number) is registered in the DB 34 of the server 3 (steps S1 and S2). The above processing means that the owner (for example, parent) of the mobile terminal 6 and the wearer (for example, child) of the RF tag 1 are associated with each other and registered in advance. It is also possible to store the identification number of one mobile terminal 6 and the identification numbers of a plurality of RF tags 1 in association with each other.

  In the “position information update phase”, the RF tag reader / writer 2 transmits an electromagnetic wave (carrier wave) at a predetermined cycle (step S3), and the RF tag 1 transmits the electromagnetic wave (carrier wave) when entering the reachable range of the electromagnetic wave. The power is supplied to each unit from the power supply unit 15 based on the principle of electromagnetic induction (step S4). In the RF tag 1, the data demodulated by the modem unit 12 is extracted from the modulated carrier wave received by the RF antenna unit 11 and decoded to obtain demodulated data. This data is sent to the control unit 13. If the data is a read command, the control unit 13 reads its own identification number from the storage unit 14, modulates the modulation / demodulation circuit 12, and transmits the modulated carrier wave to the RF tag reader 2 (step S 5). When the RF tag reader / writer 2 receives the carrier wave from the RF tag 1, it further adds the time when the RF tag 1 is read and the identification number of the RF tag reader / writer 2 and sends it to the server 3 (step S6). When receiving data from the RF tag reader / writer 2 (step S7), the server 3 updates the contents of the DB 34 with the contents (step S8). The above processing means that the movement history of the wearer (for example, a child) of the RF tag 1 is monitored.

  Next, in the “location information providing phase”, when a location information request is made from the registered mobile terminal 6 (step S9), the server 3 refers to the DB 34 and refers to the RF tag 1 corresponding to the identification number of the mobile terminal 6 concerned. The position number corresponding to the identification number of the RF tag reader / writer 2 is read with reference to the DB 35, and the position information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 (step S10, S11). The mobile terminal 6 receives and displays the latest position information (step S12). At this time, for example, the position information can be displayed superimposed on the map. The above processing means that the latest position information of the wearer (for example, a child) of the RF tag 1 is provided in response to a request from the owner (for example, a parent) of the mobile terminal 6.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain position information by positioning position information of a partner who cannot use a mobile phone in a specific area using an RF tag. It becomes. That is, for example, if the identification number of the mobile phone owned by the parent and the identification number of the RF tag attached to the child are associated and registered in the server, even if the child gets lost in the facility, Since the position information of the RF tag is regularly updated, the position of the RF tag, that is, the latest position information of the lost child can be quickly provided in response to the inquiry. Moreover, since the map information of the facility can be distributed together with the position information, the parent who is the owner of the mobile phone can easily find the child who has lost.

  In addition, although one Embodiment of this invention was illustrated and demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, A various improvement and change are possible. For example, it is possible to provide a function that motivates the user to cause the RF tag reader / writer to recognize the RF tag. That is, if the RF tag reader / writer recognizes the RF tag, it can be expected that the other party will advance and take action to hold the RF tag over the RF tag reader / writer. The location information can be understood more clearly on the server side.

  Further, when a camera-equipped mobile phone is used as a mobile terminal, an RF card that is considered to be closest to the location where the RF tag is located on the server side is transmitted in response to a request for location information, and a video that asks a lost child is transmitted. By displaying the moving image on the display unit provided in the reader / writer, the lost child is further prevented from moving, and an early search can be achieved.

  In addition to the above, in the above-described embodiment, an example of adopting a so-called passive type as an RF tag has been shown, but it is needless to say that a so-called active type may be used.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a position information system using an RF tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detailed block diagram of RF tag 1. FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of an RF tag reader / writer 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the server 3. The figure which shows the detailed structural example of DB34. The figure which shows the detailed structural example of DB35. The flowchart explaining the operation | movement by the positional information system using the RF tag of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... RF tag, 2 ... RF tag reader, 3 ... Server, 4 ... Network, 5 ... Switching office, 6 ... Mobile terminal, 7 ... Facility.

Claims (3)

A plurality of RF tag readers / writers arranged in the facility;
It is possible to perform wireless communication with the RF tag reader / writer within the reach range of the carrier wave attached to the first user and transmitted by the RF tag reader / writer, and the first identification information is stored. An RF tag;
A server capable of communicating with each of the plurality of RF tag readers / writers and with a mobile terminal possessed by a second user who is in a guardian relationship with the first user. A position information system using an RF tag,
The plurality of RF tag reader / writers are:
Means for requesting transmission of the first identification information to the RF tag, and receiving the first identification information transmitted from the RF tag in response to the transmission request;
Means for transmitting the received first identification information to the server together with the second identification information of its own RF tag reader / writer,
The server
A first database for storing the first identification information of the RF tag, the second identification information of the RF tag reader / writer, and the third identification information of the mobile terminal in association with each other;
A second database that stores second identification information of the plurality of RF tag reader / writers and position information of the RF tag reader / writers in association with each other;
Means for associating and registering in the first database the third identification information of the requesting mobile terminal and the first identification information of the RF tag in response to a registration request from the mobile terminal;
Means for receiving first and second identification information transmitted from the RF tag reader / writer;
Means for updating the association of the identification information stored in the first database based on the received first and second identification information each time the first and second identification information is received; ,
When a request for location information is sent from the mobile terminal, the third identification information is associated with the third identification information via the first identification information based on the third identification information of the requesting mobile terminal. Reading out the second identification information being read from the first database, and further reading out the position information of the RF tag reader / writer associated with the read second identification information from the second database;
A position information system using an RF tag, comprising: means for transmitting the read position information of the RF tag reader / writer to the requesting mobile terminal. The RF tag reader / writer further includes an audio output unit,
The position information system according to claim 1, wherein the voice output unit outputs a predetermined voice when wireless communication with the RF tag is performed. The RF reader / writer is equipped with an output device.
The server further stores image and audio information transmitted from the mobile terminal, identifies an RF tag reader / writer closest to the RF tag based on the position information of the RF tag reader / writer, and stores the RF tag reader / writer in the RF tag reader / writer. The position information system according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting the image and audio information from an output device provided side by side.

Images