JP4831034B2 - Location management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a location management system that can divide a predetermined space, such as a building, into a plurality of areas and detect who is in which area and which route has been moved.

A typical prior art of the location management system as described above is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the conventional technology, the terminal device periodically issues ID data of its own device, the receiver provided in each room receives it, and the reception result is collected by the host device, thereby As described above, it is possible to manage who is present in which area and on which route the movement has been made by the host device. This conventional technology is management for each room. For example, in an office where a salesperson does not predetermine each person's desk, but who uses a vacant desk, who is in which area in the room There is a desire to detect if it exists.
JP-A-5-54284

  In the above-described prior art, since the terminal device periodically reports its own ID data, the user does not need to detect (update) the location particularly when the user returns home or leaves the office. Even in a good case, it will be reported. For this reason, only a few of the notifications are used for effective position detection (update). On the other hand, a terminal device realized by an ID tag or the like uses a button battery as a power source, and it is desired to extend the battery life by reducing power consumption. However, if it is constantly issued as in the above-described prior art, it currently takes about one year, and it is desired to extend this to, for example, the terminal life, that is, about five years without battery replacement. Is done.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a location management system capable of reducing power consumption and extending the life of a power source (battery) built in a terminal.

  In the location management system according to the present invention, a first reading device is arranged in each of a plurality of divided areas, and a transmission signal including individual identification information from a terminal attached to a mobile body is read out from the first reading device. In the location management system that manages the location of the terminal device by receiving the device, the device is installed in the vicinity of the traffic part of the two spatial regions having at least one of the plurality of areas, and sends an inquiry signal to the terminal device , And a response signal corresponding thereto is received to detect the passage of the terminal in the traffic part, and the first reader receives the transmission signal. The terminal transmits a response signal to the second reading device, and then transmits a transmission signal to the first reading device. Wherein while the ACK signal is received continues transmission of the originating signal, characterized by having a communication control unit that the ACK signal is paused transmission of the originating signal and not received.

  According to said structure, the 1st reader used as a location management reader is arrange | positioned in each space divided | segmented into multiple, respectively, The terminal unit which becomes a radio | wireless active tag attached to a mobile body (user) is said 1st. By issuing a transmission signal including individual identification information (unique own ID) at a fixed time interval to one reading device, the movement of the terminal in each divided space and the current In the location management system for managing the position on the first reader side, a communication procedure different from that of the first reader is used in the vicinity of the traffic part of the two spatial areas having at least one of the plurality of divided spaces. And transmitting a question signal to the terminal and detecting a response signal to the terminal to detect passage of the terminal in the traffic part, and a second reader serving as an entrance / exit management leader. The location, the management of entry and exit. In this case, the first reader transmits an ACK signal when the outgoing signal is received, transmits a response signal to the second reader, and then transmits the response signal to the second reader. Communication that transmits a transmission signal to the first reader and continues transmission of the transmission signal while the ACK signal is received, and pauses transmission of the transmission signal when the ACK signal is not received A control unit is provided.

  Therefore, while the user enters the room and receives the ACK signal from the first reader, that is, while confirming the presence of the first reader (location management reader), the transmission of the transmission signal is continued, If the ACK signal is not received after leaving the room, that is, if the presence of the first reader (location management reader) is not confirmed, the transmission signal is issued only once and transmission is suspended. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced and the life of the power source (battery) built in the terminal can be extended. Even if the second reading device (entrance / exit management reader) cannot detect whether the user has entered the room or has left the room, the terminal device can transmit and transmit a transmission signal appropriately corresponding to the two space areas. A stop can be made.

  In the location management system of the present invention, the communication control unit transmits the transmission signal a predetermined number of times, and when the reception ratio of the ACK signal to the transmission signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the transmission control unit transmits the transmission signal. It is characterized by continuing.

  According to the above configuration, when communication with the first reading device (location management reader) fails once, transmission of a transmission signal is performed until the next passage through the second reading device (entrance / exit management reader). Is not suspended, but the transmission of the transmission signal is continued when the success probability of communication with the first reading device (location management reader) is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the stability against temporary deterioration of communication conditions such as passage of a shield.

  Still further, in the location management system of the present invention, the transmission signal is composed of a pilot signal of a small bit and a main body signal including the identification information, and the communication control unit transmits the pilot signal, whereby the first When the pilot response signal from the reader is received, the main body signal is transmitted.

  According to the above configuration, even if communication with the second reading device (entrance / exit management reader) is possible, communication with the first reading device (location management reader) is not possible, and thus the long main body including the identification information Since no signal is transmitted, waste of power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated.

  In the location management system of the present invention, the first reading device generates a timing pulse at a predetermined cycle, and the communication control unit transmits the transmission signal in response to the timing pulse. It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, even if communication with the second reading device (entrance / exit management leader) can be performed, timing pulses from the first reading device (location management leader) cannot be received, and the first reading device can be received. When it is unlikely that communication with the apparatus is possible, the transmission signal including the identification information is not transmitted, so that waste of power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the location management system of the present invention, the terminal unit includes the built-in battery, an LF antenna and an LF receiving circuit that receive an interrogation signal from the second reading device, and the built-in battery as a power source. An RF transmission / reception circuit and an RF antenna for transmitting a response signal to the second reader and transmitting an outgoing signal to the first reader and receiving an ACK signal from the first reader; and the LF antenna; In response to the interrogation signal received by the LF reception circuit and the ACK signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transmission / reception circuit, a response signal and a transmission signal including the unique identification information set in advance are generated. A control unit for supplying to the RF transmission / reception circuit and the RF antenna, wherein the first reader receives the transmission signal, and the A An RF antenna and an RF transceiver circuit for transmitting a K signal, and a location management of the terminal based on a transmission signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transceiver circuit, and creating the ACK signal to create the RF transceiver circuit And a location management circuit applied to the RF antenna, wherein the second reader is configured to receive the response signal, the RF antenna and the RF reception circuit, and the controller that generates the interrogation signal and processes the response signal. And an LF transmitting circuit and an LF antenna that superimpose the interrogation signal on the signal component of the induced magnetic field and transmit the signal to the terminal.

  According to said structure, the terminal device, 1st reader, and 2nd reader which implement | achieve the above-mentioned location management system can be comprised.

  In the location management system of the present invention, as described above, the first reader serving as the location management reader is arranged in each of the divided spaces, and is attached to the mobile body (user). The terminal device in each space divided into a plurality of spaces by issuing a transmission signal including individual identification information (unique own ID) to the first reading device at a fixed time interval. In the location management system that allows the first reader to manage the transition of the current position and the current position, an interrogation signal is sent to the terminal near the traffic part of the two space areas having at least one of the divided spaces. And a response signal is received to detect the passage of the terminal unit in the traffic part, and a second reading device serving as an entrance / exit management leader is installed, and the first reading device is installed. When the transmission signal is received, an ACK signal is transmitted to the terminal. A response signal is transmitted to the terminal device to the second reading device and then transmitted to the first reading device. A communication control unit is provided that transmits a signal and continues transmission of the transmission signal while the ACK signal is received, and pauses transmission of the transmission signal when the ACK signal is not received.

  Therefore, the transmission signal continues to be transmitted while the user enters the room and receives the ACK signal from the first reader. When the user leaves the room and the ACK signal is not received, the transmission signal is transmitted once. Since the transmission is paused and transmission is suspended, the power consumption can be reduced and the life of the power source (battery) built in the terminal can be extended.

  In addition, as described above, the location management system of the present invention, when communication with the first reading device (location management reader) fails once, next, the second reading device (entrance / exit management leader). The transmission of the transmission signal is not suspended until it passes through, but when the success probability of communication with the first reading device (location management reader) is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, Continue sending.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the stability against a temporary deterioration of the communication state such as the passage of the shielding object.

  Furthermore, in the location management system of the present invention, as described above, the transmission signal is composed of a small bit pilot signal and a main body signal including the identification information, and the terminal transmits the pilot signal. When the pilot response signal from the first reader is received, the main body signal is transmitted.

  Therefore, even if communication with the second reader (entrance / exit management reader) is possible, a long body signal including the identification information is not transmitted when communication with the first reader (location management reader) is unlikely. Therefore, waste of power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated.

  In the location management system of the present invention, as described above, the first reading device generates a timing pulse at a predetermined cycle, and the terminal unit outputs the transmission signal in response to the timing pulse. Send.

  Therefore, even if communication with the second reading device (entrance / exit management reader) is possible, timing pulses from the first reading device (location management reader) cannot be received and communication with the first reading device can be performed. Otherwise, the transmission signal including the identification information is not transmitted, so that power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the location management system according to the present invention, as described above, the terminal includes the built-in battery, the LF antenna and the LF receiving circuit that receive the interrogation signal from the second reader, and the built-in battery. An RF transmission / reception circuit and an RF antenna for transmitting a response signal to the second reader as a power source, transmitting a transmission signal to the first reader, and receiving an ACK signal from the first reader; In response to the interrogation signal received by the LF antenna and the LF reception circuit and the ACK signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transmission / reception circuit, a response signal including the unique identification information set in advance is provided. And a control unit that generates a signal and applies it to the RF transceiver circuit and the RF antenna, and the first reader receives the transmission signal. And managing the location of the terminal based on an RF antenna and an RF transceiver circuit for transmitting the ACK signal, and a transmission signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transceiver circuit, and creating the ACK signal to generate the ACK signal. An RF transmission / reception circuit and a location management circuit applied to the RF antenna, wherein the second reading device generates the interrogation signal and processes the response signal, the RF antenna and the RF reception circuit receiving the response signal And an LF transmitting circuit and an LF antenna for superimposing the interrogation signal on the signal component of the induced magnetic field and transmitting the signal to the terminal.

  Therefore, it is possible to configure the terminal, the first reading device, and the second reading device that realize the above-described location management system.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a location management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The present location management system divides a building into a first space region A that is a location management area such as an office and a second space region B that is a non-management area such as a corridor, and travels between them. Although the example connected by the part C (door) is shown, the 2nd space area B may also be a location management area. The first space area A is divided into a plurality of areas A1 to A12 (generally referred to as reference numeral A), which are location management units, and each area A is a location that is a first reader. The management reader 1 is installed, attached to the mobile body, the location management reader 1 receives a transmission signal including individual identification information (ID) from the wireless active tag 2 which is a terminal, and the reception result is not shown. By collecting by the host device, the location of the wireless active tag 2 is managed by the host device. It should be noted that in the present invention, in such a location management system, an entrance / exit management reader 3 as a second reader is installed in the vicinity of the traffic part C, and a detection area 3a of the entrance / exit management reader 3 is provided. The wireless active tag 2 communicates with the entrance / exit management reader 3 and then controls transmission of the outgoing signal according to the communication result with the location management reader 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the location management system. In the entrance / exit management reader 3, the control unit 31 generates a question signal including unique identification information (ID) preset in itself, and superimposes and amplifies it on the signal component of the induced magnetic field in the LF transmission circuit 32. Then, the LF antenna 33 is transmitted toward the wireless active tag 2 by the first wireless communication method (LF). Accordingly, the detection area 3a is formed around the entrance / exit management reader 3, and the wireless active tag 2 possessed by the user who has entered the detection area 3a is operated by the power of the built-in battery 24, After the interrogation signal is received by the X, Y, and Z triaxial LF antennas 21, the LF receiving circuit 22 activates the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 includes the identification information of the entrance / exit management reader 3. A response signal including unique identification information (ID) set in advance in itself is generated, and the UHF band (ultra-high frequency band: (300 MHz to 3 GHz).

  The response signal is received by the RF transmission / reception circuit 35 from the RF antenna 34 of the entrance / exit management reader 3 and input to the control unit 31 to identify the responding wireless active tag 2. If the identified wireless active tag 2 has pre-registered identification information, the control unit 31 uses the second wireless communication method (UHF) from the RF transceiver circuit 35 via the RF antenna 34. The identification information of the wireless active tag 2 that has been authenticated is transmitted as an ACK signal. When the ACK signal is received from the RF antenna 26 by the RF transmission / reception circuit 25, the control unit 23 ends the transmission of the response signal.

  Further, when the authentication is completed, the control unit 31 indicates the completion of the authentication with the display unit 36 and the buzzer 37 and simultaneously unlocks the door. In addition, the host device to which the entrance / exit management reader 3 is connected can manage which user has entered and exited from the authentication result of the control unit 31.

  By using the configuration of an RFID (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) system in which the wireless active tag 2 is activated by the activation signal of the LF band and the control unit 23 returns the response signal of the UHF band to the RF transmission / reception circuit 25 as described above, It is easy to use (the direction is not chosen), and the detection area 3a can be accurately defined within a relatively narrow range of 1.5 to 2 m. Further, while the power consumption of the RF transmission / reception circuit 25 in the UHF band is as large as 10 to 20 mA, the LF reception circuit 22 in the LF band is activated with a weak power of several μA, so that the RF transmission / reception circuit 25 is in a standby state. By not using, the power consumption of the built-in battery 24 is suppressed, and the life of the wireless active tag 2 is extended.

  On the other hand, the control unit 23 of the wireless active tag 2 operates at a constant time interval by the power of the built-in battery 24 to generate a transmission signal including its own identification information (ID). The information is transmitted to the location management reader 1 via the RF antenna 26. The location management reader 1 receives the transmission signal from the RF antenna 11 by the RF transmission / reception circuit 12, and gives it to the control unit 13. The detection result of the control unit 13 which is a location management circuit is given to the host device, and thus the host device can manage the transition of the movement of the user and the current position in each area A.

  Also, it should be noted that in the present embodiment, when the outgoing signal is received, the control unit 13 of the location management reader 1 is shown in FIG. 3 via the RF antenna 11 from the RF transceiver circuit 12. As shown in FIG. That is, the location management reader 1 and the wireless active tag 2 are capable of bidirectional communication. Utilizing this, the control unit 23 of the wireless active tag 2 starts the count operation of the timer 27 when the transmission signal is transmitted, and the ACK signal is received from the RF antenna 26 via the RF transmission / reception circuit 25. During this time, the control unit 23 determines that the wireless active tag 2 is present in the first space area A, which is a location management area, and at every predetermined time T counted by the timer 27. If transmission of the transmission signal is continued and the ACK signal is not received, the control unit 23 determines that the wireless active tag 2 exists in the second space region B which is an unmanaged area, and the transmission It is to stop transmission of signals. FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation in the location management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Therefore, the wireless active tag 2 is used while the ACK signal is received from the location management reader 1 after the user enters the first space area A, which is the location management area, that is, the location management reader 1 While confirming the existence, the transmission of the transmission signal is continued, the user leaves the room and the ACK signal is not received. That is, if the presence management reader 1 is not confirmed, the transmission signal is issued and transmitted only once. To pause. As a result, power consumption can be reduced and the life of the battery 24 built in the wireless active tag 2 can be extended. Even if the entrance / exit management reader 3 cannot detect whether the room has entered or exited, the wireless active tag 2 transmits and stops the transmission signal corresponding to the two space areas A and B appropriately. It can be performed.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation in the location management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The location management system of the present embodiment can use the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and the operation of the control unit 23 of the wireless active tag 2 is the same as in FIG. 3 and FIG. It is only different. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the control unit 23 transmits the transmission signal a predetermined number of times, and when the reception ratio of the ACK signal with respect to the transmission signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, It is to continue transmission. In FIG. 4, a plurality of the transmission signals (three in the example of FIG. 4) are transmitted over a predetermined period T0, and when an ACK signal is received for one or two of the transmission signals, Continue sending. The reception ratio may be appropriately determined in consideration of location management accuracy and power consumption.

  Therefore, if the communication with the location management reader 1 fails once, the control unit 23a does not pause the transmission of the outgoing signal until it passes the next entrance / exit management reader 3, but does not stop the transmission with the location management reader 1. If the success probability of the communication between them is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the transmission of the transmission signal is continued. This improves the stability against temporary deterioration of communication conditions such as passage of a shielding object, or when communication cannot be performed normally due to signal collision or error, and the first space area A, which is a location management area, is improved. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is, and it is possible to prevent the location management from being maintained despite being in the first space area A.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a location management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation thereof. This location management system is similar to the location management system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described above, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission signal is composed of a pilot signal composed of a short-time pulse and a main body signal including the identification information (ID), and the wireless active tag 2a. The control unit 23a transmits the pilot signal after passing through the entrance / exit management reader 3, and transmits the main body signal when a pilot response signal is received from the control unit 13a of the location management reader 1a. It is to be.

  The body signal is, for example, 100 msec long, while the pilot signal is, for example, 1 msec long. In this way, by first confirming the presence of the location management reader 1a by exchanging a pulse signal much shorter than its own ID, it is possible to communicate with the location management reader 1a even if the location management reader 3 can communicate. Otherwise, a long main body signal is not transmitted, and waste of power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a location management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation thereof. This location management system is similar to the location management system shown in FIG. 5 described above, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. It should be noted that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 13b of the location management reader 1b generates timing pulses at a predetermined cycle T10, and the control unit 23b of the wireless active tag 2b The transmission signal is transmitted in response to the timing pulse after passing through the entry / exit management reader 3.

  With this configuration, even if communication with the entrance / exit management reader 3 is possible, timing signals from the location management reader 1b cannot be received and communication with the location management reader 1b is unlikely to occur. Is not transmitted, waste of power consumption due to communication failure can be eliminated. Further, compared to FIG. 6, the power consumption can be reduced and the communication time can be shortened because the pilot signal is not transmitted.

It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of the location management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the location management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation | movement in the location management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement in the location management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the location management system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation | movement in the location management system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the location management system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation | movement in the location management system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b Location management reader 2, 2a, 2b Wireless active tag 3 Entrance / exit management reader 3a Detection areas 11, 26, 34 RF antennas 12, 25, 35 RF transceiver circuits 13, 13a, 13b; 23, 23a, 23b 31 Control unit 21, 33 LF antenna 22 LF reception circuit 24 Built-in battery 32 LF transmission circuit 36 Display unit 37 Buzzer A 1st space area A1-A12 area B 2nd space area C Traffic part

Claims (5)

The first reader is arranged in each of the divided areas, and the first reader receives a transmission signal including individual identification information from a terminal attached to the mobile body. In the location management system that manages the location of the terminal,
Installed in the vicinity of the traffic part of the two spatial regions having at least one of the plurality of areas, transmits an interrogation signal to the terminal, and receives a response signal thereto, so that the terminal passes through the traffic part. A second reader for detecting
The first reader transmits an ACK signal when the outgoing signal is received,
The terminal transmits a response signal to the second reading device, and then transmits a transmission signal to the first reading device. Accordingly, while the ACK signal is received, A location management system comprising a communication control unit that continues transmission and pauses transmission of the outgoing signal when the ACK signal is not received.   The communication control unit transmits the transmission signal a predetermined number of times, and continues the transmission of the transmission signal when a reception ratio of the ACK signal with respect to the transmission signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The location management system according to 1. The transmission signal is composed of a pilot signal of a small bit and a main body signal including the identification information,
3. The location according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit transmits the pilot signal, and transmits the main body signal when a pilot response signal is received from the first reader. Management system. The first reader generates timing pulses at a predetermined period;
The location management system according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit transmits the transmission signal in response to the timing pulse. The terminal is
Built-in battery,
An LF antenna and an LF receiving circuit for receiving an interrogation signal from the second reader;
RF transmitter / receiver circuit that uses the internal battery as a power source and transmits a response signal to the second reader, transmits a transmission signal to the first reader, and receives an ACK signal from the first reader And an RF antenna;
In response to the interrogation signal received by the LF antenna and the LF reception circuit and the ACK signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transmission / reception circuit, a response signal and a transmission signal including the unique identification information set in advance And a control unit that generates and applies to the RF transceiver circuit and the RF antenna,
The first reader is
An RF antenna and an RF transceiver circuit for receiving the outgoing signal and transmitting the ACK signal;
A location management circuit for performing location management of the terminal based on a transmission signal received by the RF antenna and the RF transmission / reception circuit, and generating the ACK signal and supplying the ACK signal to the RF transmission / reception circuit and the RF antenna;
The second reader is
An RF antenna and an RF receiving circuit for receiving the response signal;
A controller that generates the interrogation signal and processes the response signal;
The location management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an LF transmission circuit and an LF antenna that superimposes the interrogation signal on a signal component of an induced magnetic field and transmits the signal to the terminal.

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