JP4854699B2 - Wireless communication terminal, wireless positioning system, lighting system, air conditioning system, and parking lot management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal, a wireless positioning system, a lighting system, an air conditioning system, and a parking lot management system that obtain a distance between wireless communication terminals using a wireless signal.

Known methods for measuring the distance between wireless communication terminals using radio waves include those using the arrival time of radio waves and those using received radio wave intensity.
For example, “ranging and positioning using a packet transmission between a transmission source and a reception destination and a response procedure thereof. As a technology for the purpose, "When the wireless device 1 transmits a packet to the wireless device 2 that is the communication partner, the wireless device 2 always transmits a packet after an integral multiple of the unit time has elapsed since the packet was detected. To do. The wireless device 1 measures the time from when it transmits a packet until it detects the packet of the wireless device 2 with a counter, and measures the time from detection of the wireless device 2 to transmission and the processing time of the wireless device 1 itself. Ranging is realized by converting the time subtracted from the time into the propagation distance with the wireless device 2 as the communication partner. Is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, “in a multipath environment, the position of a moving object is detected efficiently and with high accuracy. As a technique for the purpose, "a mobile station including wireless communication means that can be transmitted and received at a plurality of different antenna positions, and a base station that performs wireless communication between the wireless communication means included in the mobile station, and A plurality of wireless reception devices that respectively receive a plurality of wireless signals that reciprocate between the wireless communication means and the base station; times related to the reception measured by the plurality of wireless reception devices; and A wireless position detection system comprising a server that detects the position of the mobile station from the position and the position of the base station. Is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-258209 A (summary) JP 2005-117440 A (summary)

  In general, when a ranging / positioning system that measures the distance between wireless communication terminals using radio waves is used in an environment with walls that reflect radio waves, such as indoors, direct waves transmitted and received directly between the radio communication terminals are used. In addition, there is a problem that the accuracy of the measured distance is deteriorated by receiving a radio wave called multipath that the radio wave wraps around due to reflection and arrives.

  For example, in the method of measuring the distance using the arrival time of the radio wave, if the direct wave cannot be received and only the multipath radio wave is received, the arrival time is delayed, so the measurement is longer than the actual distance. . Further, in the method of measuring the distance using the received radio wave intensity, the intensity is increased or decreased due to the interference of the direct wave and the multipath radio wave, so that the distance accuracy varies depending on the position.

As a method for reducing such multipath effects, for example, in the method of Patent Document 2 described above, by using a plurality of antennas and receiving signals having different multipath characteristics, the multipath effects are smoothed. It has become.
However, in a situation where multipath is likely to occur, there is a problem that the multipath has an influence on any antenna and the error is still large. Further, since a plurality of antennas and transmission / reception means are provided, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can reduce the influence of multipath and improve the ranging accuracy, a wireless communication terminal, a wireless positioning system, an illumination system, an air conditioning system, And a parking lot management system.

The wireless communication terminal according to the present invention includes a plurality of wireless communication terminals having a function of transmitting and receiving a wireless signal, and includes a time from transmission of the wireless signal to reception of a response of the wireless signal and a received radio wave intensity of the wireless signal. A wireless communication terminal in a wireless ranging system for obtaining a distance between the wireless communication terminals based on at least one of the above , having directivity for radiating radio waves on the front side, the back side, and the side surface, and having at least one direction Provided with a shielding member that shields radiation of radio waves to enhance directivity in a predetermined direction , and includes an antenna that transmits and receives the wireless signal, and the antenna is on a metal member constituting the wireless communication terminal or the wireless communication It is arranged on the metal member that constitutes the device on which the terminal is mounted, and the metal member is used as the shielding member, so that the electric power radiated to the metal member side can be obtained. There is shielded, in which directionality of no said metal member side is intensified.

  Since the present invention includes an antenna that has directivity in a predetermined direction and transmits / receives a radio signal, it is difficult for radio waves to be received by multipath, which causes a ranging error, and the ranging accuracy can be improved. it can.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication terminal according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the wireless communication terminal 101 includes a dielectric antenna 112 that transmits and receives wireless signals and wireless communication means 113. On the back side of the dielectric antenna 112, a metal sheet 114, which is a shielding member that shields radio waves, is provided.

  The dielectric antenna 112 has directivity for radiating radio waves on the front side, back side, and side surface side. The metal sheet 114 does not radiate radio waves to the metal sheet 114 side (rear side) of the dielectric antenna 112, but radiates radio waves to the front side without the metal sheet 114, and the front side direction of the dielectric antenna 112 of the wireless communication terminal 101. The directivity of will be strengthened. The metal sheet 114 may be any material as long as it can shield radio waves, and any material can be used without being limited to a metal member.

  The wireless communication terminal 101 has a function of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. A plurality of wireless communication terminals 101 constitute a wireless ranging system. The wireless ranging system according to the first embodiment obtains the distance between the wireless communication terminals 101 based on the time from transmission of a wireless signal until reception of the response of the wireless signal.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the ranging terminal in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, in the distance-measured terminal 102 that is the wireless communication terminal 101 that is the object of distance measurement, the wireless communication means 113 includes a communication means 211 that performs wireless communication and a distance measurement request transmission that transmits a distance measurement request signal. Based on the response time, a means 214, a response time measuring means 213 for measuring a time (hereinafter referred to as “response time”) from when a distance measurement request signal is transmitted until a distance measurement response signal (described later) is received. A distance calculation unit 212 that calculates the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 (described later) that has transmitted the distance measurement response signal and the distance measured terminal 102 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the ranging terminal in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, in the distance measuring terminal 103 which is a wireless communication terminal 101 that transmits and receives a wireless signal for distance measurement, the wireless communication means 113 includes a communication means 311 that performs wireless communication and a distance measurement terminal 102. Ranging response transmitting means 312 for generating and transmitting a ranging response signal in response to the distance request signal.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the first embodiment.
Next, the distance measurement operation by the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the ranging terminal 102 starts ranging, the ranging request transmission unit 214 transmits a ranging request signal to the ranging terminal 103 (S401). When the ranging terminal 103 receives the ranging request signal, the ranging response transmission means 312 transmits a ranging response signal to the source ranging terminal 102 (S402). When the ranging terminal 102 receives the ranging response signal, the response time measuring unit 213 acquires the time (response time) from the transmission of the ranging request signal to the reception of the ranging response signal (S403). The response time is measured by, for example, starting time measurement by a counter when a distance measurement request signal is transmitted and reading a value measured by the counter when a distance measurement response signal is received.

When the distance measuring terminal 102 acquires the response time, the distance calculating unit 212 calculates the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 (S404).
The calculation of this distance can be obtained, for example, by subtracting the processing time at the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 from the response time and multiplying the subtracted value by the speed of light.

  Note that the processing times at the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102 may be obtained in advance by calibration and stored in the measured terminal 102, or the measured terminal 102 may measure the time so as not to include the processing time. The ranging terminal 103 may measure the processing time from the reception of the ranging request signal to the transmission of the ranging response signal, and the measured processing time may be separately transmitted to the ranging terminal 102.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the wireless ranging system that calculates the distance between the wireless communication terminals 101 based on the arrival time of the wireless signal (radio wave), the back side of the dielectric antenna 112 of the wireless communication terminal 101. Since the metal sheet 114 is provided with the metal sheet 114, the radio wave radiated to the metal sheet 114 side of the dielectric antenna 112 is reduced, the radio wave is radiated to the front side without the metal sheet 114, and the directivity of the dielectric antenna 112 is increased. Generation of reflected waves of radio waves radiated from the radio communication terminal 101 on the transmission side is suppressed, and reception of reflected waves is also suppressed in the radio communication terminal 101 on the reception side. As a result, in the transmission / reception of the distance measurement request signal and the distance measurement response signal, reception of radio waves delayed by multipath can be reduced, and the accuracy of distance measurement based on the arrival time of the radio signal can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The wireless communication terminal 101 in the second embodiment constitutes a wireless ranging system, and obtains the distance between the wireless communication terminals 101 based on the received radio wave intensity of the wireless signal. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the ranging terminal in the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, in the distance-measured terminal 102 according to the second embodiment, the wireless communication unit 113 acquires the received radio wave intensity of the distance measurement signal received from the communication unit 511 that performs wireless communication and the distance measurement terminal 103. A reception radio wave intensity measurement unit 513 and a distance calculation unit 512 that calculates a distance between the distance measurement terminal 103 that has transmitted the distance measurement signal based on the acquired reception radio wave intensity and the distance measurement terminal 102 are provided.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distance measuring terminal according to the second embodiment. 6, in the distance measuring terminal 103 according to the second embodiment, the wireless communication unit 113 includes a communication unit 611 that performs wireless communication and a distance measurement signal transmission unit 612 that transmits a distance measurement signal.

  The distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 according to the second embodiment also include a metal sheet 114 that is a shielding member that shields radio waves on the back side of the dielectric antenna 112 as in the first embodiment. Yes.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the second embodiment.
Next, the distance measuring operation by the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
The ranging terminal 103 transmits a ranging signal to the ranging terminal 102 (S701). When the ranging terminal 102 receives the ranging signal, the received radio field intensity measuring unit 513 acquires the received radio field intensity of the ranging signal (S702).

When the received radio wave intensity is acquired, the distance calculation unit 512 calculates the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 based on the acquired received radio wave intensity (S703).
This distance is calculated as the received radio wave strength decreases as the distance between the wireless communication terminals increases. Therefore, the correspondence between the received radio wave strength and the distance is obtained in advance, and the received radio wave strength is converted into distance. Obtainable. The distance calculation method is not limited to this, and can be obtained by an arbitrary calculation method using the received radio wave intensity.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the distance measuring system that calculates the distance between the wireless communication terminals 101 based on the received radio wave intensity of the wireless signal, the metal sheet is provided on the back side of the dielectric antenna 112 of the wireless communication terminal 101. Since the directivity on the front side of the dielectric antenna 112 is strengthened by providing 114, transmission / reception of reflected waves is suppressed in transmission / reception between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance-measured terminal 102 as in the first embodiment. be able to. As a result, the occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and the accuracy of distance measurement based on the received radio wave intensity can be improved.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The wireless communication terminal 101 according to the third embodiment constitutes a wireless ranging system, and wireless communication is performed based on at least one of the time from transmission of a wireless signal until reception of the response of the wireless signal and the received radio wave intensity of the wireless signal. The distance between the communication terminals 101 is obtained. Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part as the said Embodiment 1 or 2, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distance measuring terminal in the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, in the distance measuring terminal 102 according to the third embodiment, the wireless communication unit 113 includes a distance measurement response received from the distance measuring terminal 103 in addition to the configuration of the wireless communication unit 113 according to the first embodiment described above. Received radio wave intensity measuring means 815 for acquiring the received radio wave intensity of the signal is provided.
Then, the distance calculation unit 212 according to the third embodiment calculates the distance between the ranging terminal 103 that has transmitted the ranging response signal and the ranging terminal 102 based on at least one of the response time and the received radio wave intensity. Is.

  The configuration of the ranging terminal 103 in the third embodiment is the same as that of the ranging terminal 103 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the third embodiment.
Next, the distance measuring operation by the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the ranging terminal 102 starts ranging, the ranging request transmission unit 214 transmits a ranging request signal to the ranging terminal 103 (S901). When the ranging terminal 103 receives the ranging request signal, the ranging response transmission unit 312 transmits a ranging response signal to the source ranging terminal 102 (S902). When the ranging terminal 102 receives the ranging response signal, the response time measuring unit 213 acquires the time (response time) from the transmission of the ranging request signal to the reception of the ranging response signal (S903). The response time is measured by, for example, starting time measurement by a counter when a distance measurement request signal is transmitted and reading a value measured by the counter when a distance measurement response signal is received.
Then, the received radio wave intensity measuring means 815 measures the received radio wave intensity of the ranging response signal (S904).

When the distance measuring terminal 102 acquires the response time and the received radio wave intensity, the distance calculation unit 212 calculates the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 (S905).
This distance is calculated by, for example, combining the calculation based on the response time described in the first embodiment and the calculation based on the received radio wave intensity described in the second embodiment, and performing arithmetic averaging. Also, instead of the arithmetic average, the shorter distance may be used, or the calculation result based on the response time may be used. It may be adopted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the distance measuring system that calculates the distance between the radio communication terminals 101 based on at least one of the arrival time of the radio waves and the received radio wave intensity, the dielectric antenna 112 of the radio communication terminal 101 is used. Since the directivity on the front side of the dielectric antenna 112 is strengthened by providing the metal sheet 114 on the back side of the antenna, transmission / reception between the ranging terminal 103 and the ranging terminal 102 is performed as in the first and second embodiments. The transmission and reception of reflected waves can be suppressed. As a result, reception of radio waves delayed by multipath and occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and accuracy of distance measurement based on at least one of radio wave arrival time and received radio wave intensity can be improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the metal sheet 114 is provided on the back side of the dielectric antenna 112 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the metal member constituting the wireless communication terminal 101 is described. Alternatively, the dielectric antenna 112 may be disposed on a metal member that constitutes a device on which the wireless communication terminal 101 is mounted. As a result, radio waves radiated to the metal member side are shielded, radio waves are radiated to the front side without the metal member, and the directivity of the dielectric antenna 112 is strengthened. Therefore, the same effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained. Can do.

  In the first to third embodiments, the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 are both provided with the metal sheet 114. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In any case, the configuration may be such that either one of the terminals does not include the metal sheet 114. Even in such a configuration, since there is little transmission / reception of reflected waves in a terminal installed in an open space, if the antenna of the other wireless communication terminal 101 has directivity, both wireless communication terminals 101 are made of metal. The same effects as when the sheet 114 is provided can be obtained.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of the wireless communication terminals 101 of the first to third embodiments described above are provided, and the position of the ranging terminal 102 is determined based on the distance between the ranging terminal 103 and the ranging terminal 102. The desired wireless positioning system will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the wireless positioning system in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 10, the wireless positioning system includes two or more ranging terminals 103a to 103c, one or more ranging terminals 102, and one or more position calculation terminals 104. The ranging terminals 103a to 103c and the measured terminal 102 are any of the ranging terminals 103 and the measured terminals 102 described in the first to third embodiments. The position calculation terminal 104 corresponds to the position calculation device in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the position calculation terminal according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 11, the position calculation terminal 104 that is the wireless communication terminal 101 for obtaining the position of the distance measuring terminal 102 is a shielding member that shields radio waves behind the dielectric antenna 112 as in the first to third embodiments. The metal sheet 114 is provided.
The wireless communication unit 113 includes a communication unit 1011 that performs wireless communication, and a position calculation unit 1012 that calculates the position of the ranging terminal 102 based on the distance between the ranging terminal 102 and the ranging terminal 103. It is. Information for specifying the positions of the distance measuring terminals 103a to 103c is set in the position calculating unit 1012 in advance.

Next, the positioning operation of the wireless positioning system in the present embodiment will be described.
The distance measuring terminal 102 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 by any of the operations in the first to third embodiments. The distance-measured terminal 102 transmits the calculated distance data to the position calculation terminal 104.
The position calculation means 1012 of the position calculation terminal 104 calculates the position of the distance measuring terminal 102 based on the distance data and a preset position of the distance measuring terminal 103 by a method such as triangulation. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments, in the transmission / reception between the ranging terminals 103a to 103c and the ranging terminal 102, reception of radio waves delayed by multipaths, Alternatively, the occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and the ranging accuracy between the ranging terminals 103a to 103c and the ranging terminal 102 can be improved. Thereby, the positioning accuracy based on the distance between the terminal to be measured 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 can be improved.

  In the fourth embodiment, the case where the wireless positioning system is configured with the position calculation terminal 104 as an independent terminal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the position calculation terminal 104 is the distance measurement terminal 102. The distance measuring terminal 102 includes a position calculating unit 1012, and based on the distance data of each distance measuring terminal 103 and the position of the distance measuring terminal 103 set in advance, the distance measuring terminal 102 The position of the terminal 102 may be calculated. Further, any of the distance measuring terminals 103 may include the position calculating unit 1012, receive each distance data from the distance measuring terminal 102, and calculate the position of the distance measuring terminal 102.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of the wireless communication terminals 101 of the first to third embodiments described above are provided, and the position of the ranging terminal 103 is obtained based on the distance between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102. A wireless positioning system will be described. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part as the said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the wireless positioning system in the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 12, the wireless positioning system includes two or more ranging terminals 102 a to 102 c, one or more ranging terminals 103, and one or more position calculation terminals 104. The ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminals 102a to 102c are either the ranging terminal 103 or the measured terminal 102 described in the first to third embodiments.
The configuration of the position calculation terminal 104 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, but information for specifying the positions of the distance measuring terminals 102a to 102c is set in advance in the position calculation means 1012 in the fifth embodiment. ing.

Next, the operation of the wireless positioning system in this embodiment will be described.
Each of the distance measuring terminals 102a to 102c calculates the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 by the operation of any of the first to third embodiments. Then, each of the distance measuring terminals 102 a to 102 c transmits the calculated distance data to the position calculation terminal 104.
The position calculation means 1012 of the position calculation terminal 104 calculates the position of the distance measuring terminal 103 based on the distance data and a preset position of the distance measuring terminal 102 by a method such as triangulation. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments, in the transmission / reception between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminals 102a to 102c, reception of radio waves delayed by multipath, Alternatively, occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and ranging accuracy between the ranging terminal 103 and the ranging terminals 102a to 102c can be improved. Thereby, the positioning accuracy based on the distance between the terminal to be measured 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 can be improved.

  In the fifth embodiment, the case where the wireless positioning system is configured with the position calculation terminal 104 as an independent terminal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the position calculation terminal 104 is changed to the distance measurement terminal 103. The distance measuring terminal 103 may include a position calculating unit 1012, receive distance data from the distance measuring terminal 102, and calculate the position of the distance measuring terminal 103. Further, any of the distance measuring terminals 102 may include the position calculation unit 1012, receive distance data from each of the distance measuring terminals 102, and calculate the position of the distance measuring terminal 103.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the position calculation terminal 104 has been described as having the metal sheet 114 on the back side of the dielectric antenna 112. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position calculation terminal 104, the distance measurement terminal 102, In this communication, since the distance measurement is not affected even if multipath occurs, the position calculation terminal 104 may be configured not to be provided with the metal sheet 114. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the fourth or fifth embodiment can be obtained.

In the first to fifth embodiments, each of the ranging terminal 103 and the ranging terminal 102 has directivity of a dielectric antenna 112 (hereinafter simply referred to as “antenna”) having directivity by the metal sheet 114. May be installed to face each other. That is, the direction with respect to the wireless communication terminal 101 other than the wireless communication terminal 101 may be included in the directivity range of the antenna.
For example, when the area to be measured or the area to be measured is known in advance, the antenna directivity of the ranging terminal 103 is set to face the area, and the antenna directivity of the distance measuring terminal 102 is set. May be installed so as to face the distance measuring terminal 103. Further, for example, the metal sheet 114 that is a shielding member may be installed so as to shield radio waves radiating in a direction opposite to the direction with respect to the wireless communication terminal 101 that transmits and receives wireless signals.
In this way, by installing the antennas so that the directivity of the antennas face each other, it is possible to prevent communication from being easily lost due to the increased directivity, so that measurement failures can be reduced.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In this Embodiment 6, it has the lighting fixture which has a function which transmits / receives a radio signal, and the radio | wireless communication terminal 101 of Embodiment 1-3 mentioned above, Between a lighting fixture and the wireless communication terminal 101, and wireless communication A lighting system that determines the position of the lighting fixture and the wireless communication terminal 101 based on the distance between the terminals 101 will be described.

  In this embodiment, a case where there is one luminaire will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of luminaires may be provided to calculate the distance between the luminaires. Moreover, although the case where the position of both a lighting fixture and the wireless communication terminal 101 is calculated | required is demonstrated, not only this but a position may be calculated | required only in any one of a lighting fixture or the wireless communication terminal 101. FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the illumination system in the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 13, the lighting system includes a lighting fixture 1301 having a dielectric antenna 112 and wireless communication means 113, ranging terminals 103 a to 103 c, ranging terminal 102, and position calculation terminal 104.

  The ranging terminals 103a to 103c, the measured terminal 102, and the position calculation terminal 104 are the same as those described in the fourth embodiment.

The wireless communication means 113 provided in the lighting fixture 1301 is the same as the wireless communication means 113 of the distance measuring terminal 102 described in the first to third embodiments.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on a metal member (for example, a reflector) facing the room space side of the lighting fixture 1301. Thereby, the radio wave of the dielectric antenna 112 is not radiated to the metal member side of the lighting fixture 1301, and the radio wave is radiated to the room space side without the metal member, and the direction of the dielectric antenna 112 of the wireless communication terminal 101 toward the room space side. The directivity of will be strengthened. That is, in this embodiment, the directivity of the dielectric antenna 112 can be enhanced without providing the metal sheet 114 described above.
Note that the installation position of the wireless communication unit 113 provided in the lighting fixture 1301 is not particularly limited.

Next, the positioning operation of the illumination system in the present embodiment will be described.
The distance measuring terminal 102 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 by any of the operations of the first to third embodiments, and positions the calculated distance data. Transmit to the calculation terminal 104.
In addition, the wireless communication unit 113 provided in the lighting fixture 1301 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the lighting fixture 1301 by the operation of any of the first to third embodiments, and calculates Each distance data thus transmitted is transmitted to the position calculation terminal 104.
As in the fourth embodiment, the position calculation means 1012 of the position calculation terminal 104 uses the distance data and a preset position of the distance measuring terminal 103, for example, by a method such as triangulation. The position of the ranging terminal 102 and the position of the lighting fixture 1301 are calculated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the transmission / reception between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102 and between the luminaire 1301 and the measured terminal 102, Similarly, reception of radio waves delayed by multipath, or occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and the distance between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102 and the lighting fixture 1301 and the measured terminal 102 can be reduced. Ranging accuracy can be improved. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the distance-measured terminal 102 and the lighting fixture 1301 can be improved.

  Moreover, since the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the metal member of the lighting fixture 1301, the directivity of the antenna can be improved without attaching the metal sheet 114 to the back surface as compared with the first to fifth embodiments. become. Thereby, cost reduction can be aimed at.

  Further, by using a lighting system having a positioning function as in this embodiment, when a plurality of lighting fixtures 1301 are installed, the position of each lighting fixture 1301 is detected and automatically matched to the position. An identifier or a communication address can be set for each lighting fixture 1301, or the installation position of the lighting fixture 1301 can be displayed on a display unit using a GUI or the like, so that the installation work can be simplified.

  In addition, by using an illumination system having a positioning function as in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the distance-measured terminal 102 has entered an area within a certain range from the illumination fixture 1301, the illumination fixture 1301 It is possible to perform control such as turning on the illumination.

Further, by using an illumination system having a positioning function as in the present embodiment, for example, by providing a sensor such as an illuminance sensor with the function of the distance measuring terminal 102, the luminaire 1301 determines the position of the sensor. It is possible to detect and control the lighting fixture 1301 based on the output of the sensor and the detection position of the sensor. Further, for example, when a person has the distance measuring terminal 102, the illumination can be controlled according to the position of the person.
Thus, energy consumption can be reduced by detecting the position of a sensor or a person and performing optimal control according to the position.

  In the sixth embodiment, the luminaire 1301 is used as the distance measurement terminal 102 and the distance measurement terminal 103 and the position calculation terminal 104 are installed independently. However, the luminaire 1301 is used as the distance measurement terminal 103 and other distance measurement objects are used. The position of the terminal 102 may be calculated. Further, the lighting fixture 1301 may be configured to have the function of the position calculation terminal 104. Further, the same effect can be obtained even when the functions of the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 are switched as shown in the fifth embodiment.

  In the sixth embodiment, the position calculation terminal 104 calculates the positions of the luminaire 1301 and the distance measuring terminal 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this and includes the position calculation terminal 104. The distance between the lighting fixture 1301 and the distance measuring terminal 102 or between the lighting fixture 1301 and the distance measuring terminal 103 is calculated by the distance measuring function of the first to third embodiments described above. The lighting fixture 1301 may be controlled according to the calculated distance. For example, when the calculated distance becomes shorter than a preset distance, the lighting fixture 1301 may be turned on.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
The seventh embodiment includes an air conditioner having a function of transmitting / receiving a radio signal and the wireless communication terminal 101 of the first to third embodiments described above, and between the air conditioner and the wireless communication terminal 101 and wireless communication. An air conditioning system that determines the positions of the air conditioner and the wireless communication terminal 101 based on the distance between the terminals 101 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a case where there is one air conditioner will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of air conditioners may be provided to calculate the distance between each air conditioner. Moreover, although the case where the position of both an air conditioner and the wireless communication terminal 101 is calculated | required is demonstrated, not only this but a position may be calculated | required only in any one of an air conditioner or the wireless communication terminal 101. FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system in the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 14, the air conditioning system includes an air conditioner 1401 having a dielectric antenna 112 and wireless communication means 113, ranging terminals 103 a to 103 c, ranging terminals 102, and position calculation terminals 104.

  The ranging terminals 103a to 103c, the measured terminal 102, and the position calculation terminal 104 are the same as those described in the fourth embodiment.

The wireless communication means 113 provided in the air conditioner 1401 is the same as the wireless communication means 113 of the distance measuring terminal 102 described in the first to third embodiments.
Moreover, the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the metal member which faces the room space side of the air conditioner 1401 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the radio wave of the dielectric antenna 112 is not radiated to the metal member side of the air conditioner 1401, and the radio wave is radiated to the room space side without the metal member, and the direction of the dielectric antenna 112 of the wireless communication terminal 101 toward the room space side. The directivity of will be strengthened. That is, in this embodiment, the directivity of the dielectric antenna 112 can be enhanced without providing the metal sheet 114 described above.
Note that the installation position of the wireless communication unit 113 provided in the air conditioner 1401 is not particularly limited.

Next, the positioning operation of the air conditioning system in the present embodiment will be described.
The distance measuring terminal 102 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 by any of the operations of the first to third embodiments, and positions the calculated distance data. Transmit to the calculation terminal 104.
Further, the wireless communication means 113 provided in the air conditioner 1401 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the air conditioner 1401 by the operation of any of the first to third embodiments. Each distance data thus transmitted is transmitted to the position calculation terminal 104.
As in the fourth embodiment, the position calculation means 1012 of the position calculation terminal 104 uses the distance data and a preset position of the distance measuring terminal 103, for example, by a method such as triangulation. The position of the ranging terminal 102 and the position of the air conditioner 1401 are calculated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the transmission and reception between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102 and between the air conditioner 1401 and the measured terminal 102, Similarly, reception of radio waves delayed by multipath, or occurrence of interference due to multipath can be reduced, and between the ranging terminal 103 and the measured terminal 102 and between the air conditioner 1401 and the measured terminal 102. Ranging accuracy can be improved. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the to-be-measured terminal 102 and the air conditioner 1401 can be improved.

  Moreover, since the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the metal member of the air conditioner 1401, the antenna directivity can be improved without attaching the metal sheet 114 to the back surface as compared with the first to fifth embodiments. become. Thereby, cost reduction can be aimed at.

  In addition, by using an air conditioning system having a positioning function as in the present embodiment, when a plurality of air conditioners 1401 are installed, the position of each air conditioner 1401 is detected and automatically matched to the position. An identifier or a communication address can be set for each air conditioner 1401 or the installation position of the air conditioner 1401 can be displayed on a display unit using a GUI or the like, so that the installation work can be simplified.

  In addition, by using an air conditioning system having a positioning function as in the present embodiment, air conditioning is operated when the distance measuring terminal 102 determines that an area within a certain range from the air conditioner 1401 has been entered. It is possible to perform such control.

Further, by using an air conditioning system having a positioning function as in this embodiment, for example, by providing a sensor such as a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor with the function of the distance-measured terminal 102, the air conditioner 1401 has the sensor It is possible to detect the position of the air conditioner and to control the set temperature, the wind direction, and the like of the air conditioner 1401 based on the output of the sensor and the detection position of the sensor. For example, when a person has the distance measuring terminal 102, the air conditioner 1401 can be controlled according to the position of the person.
Thus, the energy consumption of the whole equipment can be reduced by detecting the position of a sensor or a person and performing optimal control according to the position.

  In the seventh embodiment, the air conditioner 1401 is the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 and the position calculation terminal 104 are installed independently. However, the air conditioner 1401 is the distance measuring terminal 103 and other distance measuring objects are used. The position of the terminal 102 may be calculated. Further, the air conditioner 1401 may be configured to have the function of the position calculation terminal 104. Further, the same effect can be obtained even when the functions of the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 are switched as shown in the fifth embodiment.

  Moreover, although the case where the position calculation terminal 104 calculates the positions of the air conditioner 1401 and the distance measuring terminal 102 has been described in the seventh embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and includes the position calculation terminal 104. The distance between the air conditioner 1401 and the distance measuring terminal 102 or the distance between the air conditioner 1401 and the distance measuring terminal 103 is calculated by the distance measuring function of the first to third embodiments described above. The air conditioner 1401 may be controlled according to the calculated distance. For example, the air conditioner 1401 may be operated when the calculated distance becomes shorter than a preset distance.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In the eighth embodiment, a plurality of the wireless communication terminals 101 of the first to third embodiments described above are provided, and at least one of the wireless communication terminals 101 is mounted on the vehicle, and based on the distance between the wireless communication terminals 101. A parking lot management system for determining the position of a vehicle equipped with the wireless communication terminal 101 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the parking lot management system in the eighth embodiment. In FIG. 15, the parking lot management system includes a vehicle 1501 on which a distance measuring terminal 102 is mounted and a position detection target vehicle 1501, distance measuring terminals 103 a to 103 c, and a position calculation terminal 104. In FIG. 15, only one vehicle 1501 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of vehicles 1501 may be provided and the position of each vehicle 1501 may be calculated.

  The ranging terminals 103a to 103c and the position calculation terminal 104 are the same as those described in the fourth embodiment.

A distance measuring terminal 102 mounted on a vehicle 1501 includes a dielectric antenna 112 and a wireless communication unit 113.
The wireless communication means 113 is the same as the wireless communication means 113 of the distance measuring terminal 102 described in the first to third embodiments.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the vehicle exterior space side (for example, a bonnet, a roof, etc., a metal part facing the upper surface, etc.) on a metal member constituting the vehicle 1501. As a result, the radio wave of the dielectric antenna 112 is not radiated to the metal member side of the vehicle 1501, and the radio wave is radiated to the outside space side without the metal member. Directivity will be strengthened. That is, in this embodiment, the directivity of the dielectric antenna 112 can be enhanced without providing the metal sheet 114 described above.
Note that the installation position of the wireless communication means 113 provided in the vehicle 1501 is not particularly limited.

  Further, the ranging terminal 103 is installed at a position where the parking lot management system can communicate with the vehicle 1501 for determining the position by direct waves. For example, the antenna 150 is installed at a height that allows the vehicle 1501 to be parked so that the antenna directivity faces the parking lot.

Next, the positioning operation of the parking lot management system in the present embodiment will be described.
Further, the wireless communication means 113 provided in the vehicle 1501 calculates the distance between each distance measuring terminal 103 and the vehicle 1501 by any one of the operations in the first to third embodiments, and calculates each calculated The distance data is transmitted to the position calculation terminal 104.
As in the fourth embodiment, the position calculation means 1012 of the position calculation terminal 104 uses the distance data and the position of the distance measuring terminal 103 set in advance, for example, by a method such as triangulation. The position 1501 is calculated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the vehicle exterior space side on the metal member constituting the vehicle 1501, such as the bonnet, roof, etc. of the vehicle 1501, such as the metal part facing the upper surface. In the transmission / reception between the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 installed in 1501, the reception of radio waves delayed by multipath or the occurrence of interference by multipath is the same as in the first to fifth embodiments. The distance measurement accuracy between the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 can be improved. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the vehicle 1501 can be improved.

  In addition, since dielectric antenna 112 is installed on the metal member of vehicle 1501, it is possible to increase the directivity of the antenna without attaching metal sheet 114 to the back surface as compared with the first to fifth embodiments. Become. Thereby, cost reduction can be aimed at.

  In addition, by using a parking lot management system having a positioning function as in the present embodiment, the position of each vehicle 1501 is automatically detected, and based on this detected position, guidance for an empty parking space and parking position It is possible to provide guidance.

  In the sixth to eighth embodiments, the application example of the wireless positioning system including the wireless communication terminal 101 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above system, and similarly, the installation target of the wireless communication terminal 101 is also described. By installing the device or the device having the wireless communication unit 113 so that the back surface of the dielectric antenna 112 is a metal part of the device, the same effect can be obtained in other wireless positioning systems.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the case where the wireless communication terminal 101 includes the dielectric antenna 112 having directivity by the metal sheet 114 or the metal member has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any type of antenna having directivity in a predetermined direction may be used.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
In addition to the configurations of the first to eighth embodiments, the wireless communication terminal 101 according to the ninth embodiment switches between a directional antenna and an omnidirectional antenna (described later) and transmits / receives a radio signal.

  FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication terminal according to the ninth embodiment. In FIG. 16, the wireless communication terminal 101 according to the ninth embodiment includes a directional antenna 1602, an omnidirectional antenna 1603, an antenna changeover switch 1604 that switches between the directional antenna 1602 and the omnidirectional antenna, and the wireless communication unit 113. It is configured. The wireless communication unit 113 includes a communication unit 1611 that performs wireless communication and an antenna switching unit 1612 that operates the antenna switch 1604 in addition to the configuration (not shown) described in any of the first to eighth embodiments. Prepare.

The directional antenna 1602 is configured by the dielectric antenna 112 having directivity by the metal sheet 114 or the metal member described in the first to eighth embodiments, for example. The directional antenna 1602 is not limited to this, and any type of antenna having directivity in a predetermined direction can be used.
The omnidirectional antenna 1603 is an antenna having a wider directional range than at least the directional antenna 1602, and any type of antenna can be used.
The directional antenna 1602 corresponds to the antenna in the present invention. The antenna changeover switch 1604 and the antenna changeover means 1612 correspond to the antenna changeover means in the present invention.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described in the case where the configuration of the wireless communication terminal 101 in the ninth embodiment is applied to the distance measuring system in the first embodiment.

  The ranging terminal 102 and the ranging terminal 103 set the antenna switching switch 1604 to the omnidirectional antenna 1603 by the antenna switching unit 1612 in a state before starting the ranging. That is, when a radio signal other than a radio signal related to distance measurement such as a distance measurement request signal or a distance measurement response signal is transmitted / received, the radio signal is transmitted / received by the omnidirectional antenna 1603.

  When the ranging terminal 102 starts ranging, the ranging terminal 102 performs broadcast communication using the omnidirectional antenna 1603 to all the wireless communication terminals 101, and transmits a transition signal to the ranging state. The wireless communication terminal 101 that has received the signal for shifting to the distance measurement state sets the antenna switch 1604 to the directional antenna 1602 by the antenna switching unit 1612. In addition, the terminal to be measured 102 also sets the antenna switching switch 1604 to the directional antenna 1602 by the antenna switching unit 1612 of its own terminal.

The distance-measured terminal 102 starts distance measurement after shifting to the distance measurement state, and transmits a distance measurement request signal to the distance measurement terminal 103 through the directional antenna 1602. When the ranging terminal 103 receives the ranging request signal through the directional antenna 1602, the ranging terminal 103 transmits the ranging response signal through the directional antenna 1602. When the ranging terminal 102 receives the ranging response signal with the directional antenna 1602, the ranging terminal 102 acquires the time (response time) from the transmission of the ranging request signal to the reception of the ranging response signal. Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the distance between the distance measuring terminal 103 and the distance measuring terminal 102 is calculated based on the response time.
Thus, the antenna switching means transmits and receives radio signals by the directional antenna 1602 when transmitting and receiving radio signals related to ranging such as ranging request signals and ranging response signals.

  Then, the distance measuring terminal 102 and the distance measuring terminal 103 transmit the antenna state changing signal 1612 after a sufficient time (a sufficient time for completing the distance measurement) has elapsed since the transmission or reception of the signal for shifting to the distance measuring state. Thus, the antenna changeover switch 1604 is set to the omnidirectional antenna 1603.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when transmitting and receiving a radio signal related to distance measurement, the directional antenna 1602 transmits and receives a radio signal, and when transmitting and receiving a radio signal other than a radio signal related to distance measurement and the omnidirectional antenna 1603. By transmitting and receiving wireless signals, the omnidirectional antenna 1603 is used for normal communication other than distance measurement to perform communication with higher communication reliability, and the directional antenna 1602 is used for distance measurement. It is possible to switch so as to perform communication with high ranging accuracy while suppressing the influence of the path.

  In the description of the distance measuring operation according to the ninth embodiment, the distance measuring operation based on the configuration and the arrival time of the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above embodiment is described. This configuration can be applied to any one of systems 1 to 8 and ranging or positioning operation.

  In the above description, the switching to the omnidirectional antenna 1603 is performed after a sufficient time has elapsed since the transmission or reception of the transition signal to the ranging state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A transition signal to normal communication, a distance measurement completion signal, or the like may be transmitted from the calculation terminal 104 or the like, and the omnidirectional antenna 1603 may be set when the signal is received.

3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication terminal in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a distance measuring terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a distance measuring terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the first embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a distance measuring terminal according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a distance measuring terminal according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a distance measuring terminal according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a distance measuring operation in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a wireless positioning system in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a position calculation terminal in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a wireless positioning system in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an illumination system in a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system in a seventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a parking lot management system in an eighth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication terminal in a ninth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  101 wireless communication terminal, 1011 communication means, 1012 position calculation means, 102 distance measurement terminal, 102a distance measurement terminal, 102b distance measurement terminal, 102c distance measurement terminal, 103 distance measurement terminal, 103a distance measurement terminal, 103b measurement Distance terminal, 103c Distance measurement terminal, 104 Position calculation terminal, 112 Dielectric antenna, 113 Wireless communication means, 114 Metal sheet, 211 Communication means, 212 Distance calculation means, 213 Response time measurement means, 214 Distance measurement request transmission means, 311 Communication means, 312 Ranging response transmission means, 511 Communication means, 512 Distance calculation means, 513 Received radio wave intensity measurement means, 611 Communication means, 612 Ranging signal transmission means, 815 Received radio wave intensity measurement means, 1301 Lighting equipment, 1401 Air conditioning Machine, 1501 vehicle, 1602 directional antenna, 1603 Omnidirectional antenna, 1604 antenna changeover switch, 1611 communication means, 1612 antenna changeover means.

Claims (11)

Consists of a plurality of wireless communication terminals having a function of transmitting and receiving a radio signal , based on at least one of a time from transmission of the radio signal to reception of a response of the radio signal and a received radio wave intensity of the radio signal , A wireless communication terminal in a wireless ranging system for obtaining a distance between wireless communication terminals,
An antenna that transmits and receives the radio signal by providing a directivity for radiating radio waves on the front side, the back side, and the side surface, and strengthening the directivity in a predetermined direction by providing a shielding member that shields radiation of radio waves in at least one direction. equipped with a,
The antenna is
Radio waves radiated to the metal member side by being arranged on a metal member constituting the wireless communication terminal or a metal member constituting a device on which the wireless communication terminal is mounted and using the metal member as the shielding member A radio communication terminal characterized in that the directivity on the side without the metal member is enhanced . A ranging request transmitting means for transmitting a ranging request signal;
Response time measuring means for measuring a response time from transmission of the ranging request signal to reception of a ranging response signal;
A received radio field intensity measuring means for acquiring a received radio field intensity of the ranging response signal;
The distance calculating means for obtaining a distance between the wireless communication terminal that has transmitted the ranging response signal and the wireless communication terminal based on at least one of the response time and the received radio wave intensity. The wireless communication terminal according to 1 . The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a distance measurement response transmission unit that transmits a distance measurement response signal corresponding to the distance measurement request signal when the distance measurement request signal is received. The antenna is
Among the plurality of wireless communication terminals, direction with respect to at least one of said wireless communication terminal other than the wireless communication terminal, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that included in the directional range of the antenna Wireless communication terminal. An omnidirectional antenna,
An antenna switching means for switching between the antenna and the omnidirectional antenna;
The antenna switching means is
When transmitting and receiving the wireless signal related to the calculation of the distance between the wireless communication terminals, switch to the antenna,
Wherein when sending and receiving radio signals other than the radio signal relating to the calculation of the distance between the wireless communication terminals, wireless communication terminal according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that switching to the omni-directional antenna. A wireless positioning system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminals according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The wireless positioning system according to claim 6, further comprising a position calculation device that obtains a position of at least one wireless communication terminal among the plurality of wireless communication terminals based on a distance between the wireless communication terminals. The wireless positioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the position calculation device is built in the wireless communication terminal. A wireless communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A lighting system including a lighting fixture equipped with the wireless communication terminal ,
The antenna of the wireless communication terminal is disposed on a metal member facing the room space that constitutes the lighting fixture, and the metal member is used as the shielding member, thereby shielding radio waves radiated to the metal member side. The lighting system is characterized in that the directivity in the direction of the room space increases . A wireless communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An air conditioning system comprising an air conditioner equipped with the wireless communication terminal ,
The antenna of the wireless communication terminal is disposed on a metal member facing the room space that constitutes the air conditioner, and by using the metal member as the shielding member, radio waves radiated to the metal member side are shielded. The air conditioning system is characterized by enhanced directivity in the direction of the room space . A wireless communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The wireless communication terminal is mounted on a vehicle , and is a parking lot management system for determining the position of the vehicle,
The antenna of the wireless communication terminal is disposed on the vehicle exterior space side on the metal member constituting the vehicle, and by using the metal member as the shielding member, radio waves radiated to the metal member side are shielded, and the vehicle exterior space Parking lot management system characterized by enhanced directivity in the lateral direction .

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