JP5966720B2 - POSITION INFORMATION PROVIDING DEVICE AND POSITION INFORMATION SETTING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system.

  Various location information management systems have been proposed in order to grasp and manage the position of a wireless terminal or a person having a wireless terminal or an article in a facility where accurate positioning using GPS or the like is difficult.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system that reads a passive RF tag attached to a person with a fixed RF reader / writer and notifies the position to another wireless terminal or the like.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a system in which a wireless terminal specifies its own position by replacing an identifier wirelessly transmitted from a nearby transmitter with position specifying information.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a system in which a wireless terminal receives specific information transmitted from a lighting device, and transmits the specific information to a server to identify the position of the wireless terminal.

  However, in the system of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a large number of RF readers / writers in order to read passive RF tags having a narrow communication range, which may increase the cost of introducing infrastructure.

  Further, in the system of Patent Document 2, the power consumption of the wireless terminal may increase depending on the communication method between the wireless terminal and the server.

  Further, in the system of Patent Document 3, as in Patent Document 2, power consumption of the wireless terminal is not taken into consideration. In addition, in the server, in order to specify the position of the wireless terminal, it is necessary to search for a position associated with the unique information, which may increase the calculation cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently set position information in a communication apparatus when providing an efficient position information management system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose,
An apparatus for providing location information according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes:
A position information providing apparatus for providing position information,
Positioning means for positioning the position of the position information providing device based on a first positioning signal;
Position estimation means for estimating the position of the position information providing apparatus , starting from the position measured by the positioning means in accordance with the movement of the position information providing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving a signal from the communication device;
The position estimated by the position estimating means together with the identification information of the communication device when the second positioning signal from the communication device received by the receiving means does not include the position information of the communication device. information, which have a, and a control means for performing control to transmit to the management server for managing a location of the communication device.

  According to the embodiments of the disclosure, when providing a location information management system that efficiently manages location information, location information can be efficiently set in a communication device.

The figure showing the positional infomation management system in one Embodiment. The figure showing the network which comprises the positional infomation management system in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the radio | wireless terminal in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the management apparatus in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the management server in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the radio | wireless terminal in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the management apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the management server in one Embodiment. The figure showing an example of the information which the communication apparatus in one embodiment holds. The figure showing an example of the information which the wireless terminal in one embodiment holds. The figure showing an example of the format of the position information which the radio | wireless terminal in one Embodiment transmits. The figure showing an example of the information which the management server in one embodiment holds. The figure showing the operation sequence of the position information management system in one embodiment. The figure showing an example of the search screen of the management server in one Embodiment. The figure showing an example of the search result screen of the management server in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the positional information provision apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the positional information provision apparatus in one Embodiment. The figure which shows operation | movement of the positional information provision apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The figure which shows operation | movement of the positional information provision apparatus in one Embodiment. The figure which shows operation | movement of the positional information provision apparatus in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the mobile communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the mobile communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The figure which shows one Example of an IMES message. The figure which shows operation | movement of the mobile communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The figure which shows operation | movement of the mobile communication apparatus in one Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the mobile communication apparatus in one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. System 2. 2. Hardware configuration example Function 4. Operation sequence (1. System)
FIG. 1 shows a location information management system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 includes communication apparatuses 100, 102, 104, and 106, wireless terminals 120, 122, and 124, a management apparatus 140, a management server 160, and a network 180 and a network 190 that include the communication apparatus, the wireless terminal, and the management apparatus. . Here, the network 180 is a wireless network managed by the management device 140.

  FIG. 2 shows the communication devices 100, 102, 104, and 106, the wireless terminals 120, 122, and 124, and the management device 140 that constitute the wireless network in FIG.

  The communication devices 100, 102, 104, and 106 are fixed to, for example, a ceiling of a room, and position information (hereinafter referred to as “position information”) such as history information, the number of floors of a building, and a building number related to the fixed position. This is transmitted wirelessly continuously or intermittently. Each communication device has an independent casing and operates by being supplied with power from a previously installed power source, or is incorporated in a lighting fixture such as an LED fluorescent tube and operates with power supplied from the lighting fixture. Each of the communication devices 100, 102, 104, and 106 transmits position information held by each of the communication devices 100, 102, 104, and 106 to a predetermined range using a radio signal. The predetermined range is determined by the signal strength of the radio signal used. The communication device is arranged so as to cover an area that is a position management target, and is configured so that the respective areas do not overlap. Or even if it is a case where it overlaps, in the side which receives a positional information, it is comprised so that any one communication apparatus can be determined based on the intensity | strength of a received radio wave. In the example of FIG. 1, a conical dotted line shown below each communication device represents a predetermined range. As a communication method for transmitting position information, for example, a ground complementary signal (Indoor Messaging System; IMES) can be used.

  The wireless terminals 120, 122, and 124 can receive wireless signals transmitted by the nearest communication device among the communication devices 100, 102, 104, and 106. In the example of FIG. 1, each wireless terminal is attached to a rectangular parallelepiped management target that is a target whose position is to be managed. The wireless terminals 120, 122, and 124 are terminals that can transmit radio waves themselves, such as active tags. Hereinafter, the wireless terminal 120 will be described.

(Wireless terminal 120)
The wireless terminal 120 is within a range in which a wireless signal from the communication device 100 can be received, and receives position information of the communication device 100. The position information of the communication device 100 is received using, for example, IMES. The wireless terminal 120 transmits information including its own identification information such as a network address to the communication apparatus 100 together with the received position information. The transmission is performed through a network 180 by short-range wireless communication such as IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark). In this case, IEEE802.15.4 abbreviated address or IEEE extended (MAC) address can be used as identification information of the wireless terminal 120. The identification information and position information transmitted to the communication device 100 are then transmitted to the management device 140 via the adjacent communication device 102. The transmission / reception operation in the wireless terminal 120 is performed at a timing determined in advance in the wireless terminal 120 or at a timing when a change in acceleration by the acceleration sensor included in the wireless terminal 120 is detected.

  The management device 140 connects the network 180 and the network 190 to each other, and bridges data transmitted from the network 180 side to the network 190. The management device 140 is installed, for example, for each floor of a building or for each room partitioned by walls. When the network 180 is a PAN (Personal Area Network) based on IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) and the network 190 is a LAN based on the IEEE802.3 standard, the communication system is converted between them. If the identification information of the wireless terminal 120 is represented by an IEEE 802.15.4 abbreviated address, it is converted into an IEEE extended address based on the information at the time of PAN configuration and transmitted to the management server 160.

  The management server 160 records the identification information and position information received via the management apparatus 140 together with the reception date and time, and manages the position of the communication apparatus. In the management server 160, management objects related to wireless terminals are recorded in advance. Therefore, the location of the management target can be searched using these pieces of information.

  The network 180 connects the respective communication devices 100, 102, 104, 106, the wireless terminals 120, 122, 124, and the management device 140, for example, a PAN configured by IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards. It is. When the PAN is configured with IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards, the wireless terminal, communication device, and management device each have an end device function, a router function, and a coordinator function defined by the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard . Each communication device and wireless terminal enters the management of the management device at the time of activation, forms a PAN, and determines the minimum path to the management device.

  The network 190 is a network that connects the management apparatus 140 and the management server 160, and is, for example, a LAN defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

  As described above, in the position information management system 1 according to the embodiment, the wireless terminal can transmit the identification information and the position information to the management server using power that can be communicated with the nearest communication device. In addition, it is not necessary to install a new infrastructure for installing the communication device, and the introduction cost can be reduced.

  Note that the location information of the communication device may be provided through the network 180. This eliminates the need for transmission means for transmitting position information such as IMES.

  Further, the wireless terminal may transmit the identification information and the position information to the management apparatus 140 when the management apparatus is present in the vicinity of the communication apparatus that transmitted the position information. Thereby, identification information and position information can be transmitted to the management server by the shortest path.

  Further, the management server function may be integrated into the management server. This eliminates the need for a separate management device.

  The wireless terminal may be a wireless terminal having a function equivalent to an active tag, such as a smartphone, PDA, PC, or smart meter. As a result, it is possible to manage the position information of the existing wireless terminal without attaching a tag.

  Further, in addition to the above-described position information, information for specifying a finer position, such as information representing a section in the room, may be included. As a result, finer location management is possible.

  The location management target may be a person. Thereby, the location of a person can be managed by the system 1.

  The network 180 may be configured using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth LE, ANT, Z-Wave, and the like. This makes it possible to manage position information of various wireless terminals.

The network 190 may include a plurality of types of networks such as the Internet. This makes it possible to manage the location information of the wireless terminal regardless of the physical location between the network 180 and the management server 160.
(2. Hardware configuration example)
Next, the hardware configuration of the communication device 100, the wireless terminal 120, the management device 140, and the management server 160 included in the location information management system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. FIG.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware configuration of the communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The communication device 100 includes a CPU 200, a RAM 202, a ROM 204, a position signal transmission control unit 206, a position signal transmission unit 208, a wireless communication control unit 210, a wireless communication unit 212, and a bus 214.

  The CPU 200 executes a program that controls the operation of the communication device 100. The RAM 202 constitutes a work area of the CPU 200 and the like. The ROM 204 stores position information of the communication device 100 in addition to the program executed by the CPU 200. The position signal transmission control unit 206 executes processing for transmitting a positioning signal representing the position information of the communication device 100 via the position signal transmission unit 208. The position signal transmission unit 208 is a device including an antenna that transmits a positioning signal such as IMES. The wireless communication control unit 210 performs wireless communication processing via the wireless communication unit 212. The wireless communication unit 212 is a device that includes an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves conforming to the IEEE802.15.4 standard, for example. A bus 214 electrically connects the above devices.

  With the above configuration, the communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment transmits position information to the wireless terminal 120, receives identification information and position information from the wireless terminal 120, and sends these information to the management server via the management apparatus. Can be sent.

  As described above, when the position information is transmitted by wireless communication, the position signal transmission control unit 206 and the position signal transmission unit 208 are not necessary.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a hardware configuration of the wireless terminal 120 according to an embodiment. The wireless terminal 120 includes a CPU 220, a RAM 222, a ROM 224, a position signal reception control unit 226, a position signal reception unit 228, a wireless communication control unit 230, a wireless communication unit 232, an acceleration detection control unit 234, an acceleration detection unit 236, and a bus 238. .

  The CPU 220 executes a program that controls the operation of the wireless terminal 120. The RAM 222 constitutes a work area of the CPU 220 and the like. The ROM 224 stores identification information of the wireless terminal 120 and position information received from the communication device 100 in addition to the program executed by the CPU 220. The position signal reception control unit 226 performs processing for receiving a positioning signal representing position information via the position signal reception unit 228. The position signal receiving unit 228 is a device including an antenna that receives a positioning signal such as IMES. The wireless communication control unit 230 executes wireless communication processing via the wireless communication unit 232. The wireless communication unit 232 is a device that includes an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves conforming to, for example, IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The acceleration detection control unit 234 detects a change in acceleration via the acceleration detection unit 236. The acceleration detector 236 is, for example, an acceleration sensor or a motion sensor using inertial force or magnetism. A bus 238 electrically connects the above devices.

  With the above configuration, the wireless terminal 120 according to an embodiment can receive position information from the communication apparatus 100 and transmit its own identification information to the communication apparatus 100 together with the position information. In particular, identification information and position information can be efficiently transmitted by performing a transmission or reception operation at a timing when the wireless terminal is moved.

  In addition, when the wireless terminal 120 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or a PC, the wireless terminal 120 includes an input device such as a touch panel, a dial key, a keyboard, and a mouse and a corresponding input control unit that accepts input from the user. Also good. Furthermore, a display device such as a screen and a corresponding display control unit may be provided.

  In addition, when the wireless terminal 120 includes a GPS antenna and a corresponding control unit, it is possible to receive a positioning signal by IMES using the antenna, and it is possible to correspond to the position information management system 1 only by software modification.

  Further, the acceleration detection control unit 234 and the acceleration detection unit 236 are arbitrary components. When the acceleration detection control unit 234 and the acceleration detection unit 236 are not provided, the transmission or reception operation of the wireless terminal 120 is performed at a predetermined interval or time.

  Further, as described above, when the position information is received by wireless communication, the position signal reception control unit 226 and the position signal reception unit 228 are not necessary.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a hardware configuration of the management apparatus 140 according to an embodiment. The management device 140 includes a CPU 240, a RAM 242, a ROM 244, a wireless communication control unit 246, a wireless communication device 248, a wired communication control unit 250, a wired communication device 252, and a bus 254.

  The CPU 240 executes a program that controls the operation of the management apparatus 140. The RAM 242 constitutes a work area of the CPU 240 and the like. The ROM 244 stores programs executed by the CPU 240 and data used by the programs. The wireless communication control unit 246 executes wireless communication processing via the wireless communication device 248. The wireless communication device 248 is a device including an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves conforming to IEEE802.15.4 standard, for example. The wired communication control unit 250 executes wired communication processing via the wired communication device 252. The wired communication device 252 is a device having a network interface that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard. A bus 254 electrically connects the above devices.

  With the above configuration, the management apparatus 140 according to an embodiment can convert a signal from the network 180 including the communication apparatus 100 and the wireless terminal 120 into a network 190 including the management server 160. When the network 180 configuring the PAN is ZigBee (registered trademark), it can have a coordinator function for managing devices participating in the PAN.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a hardware configuration of the management server 160 according to an embodiment. The management server 160 includes a CPU 260, a RAM 262, a ROM 264, an HDD 266, a communication control unit 268, a communication unit 270, a display control unit 272, a display unit 274, an input control unit 276, an input unit 278, and a bus 280.

  The CPU 260 executes a program that controls the operation of the management server 160. The RAM 262 constitutes a work area for the CPU 260 and the like. The ROM 264 stores a program executed by the CPU 260 and data used by the program. The HDD 266 stores information for managing the position of the wireless terminal 120 used in the position information management system 1. The communication control unit 268 executes communication processing via the communication unit 270. The communication unit 270 is a device having a network interface that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard. The display control unit 272 controls the content displayed on the display unit 274 in accordance with the processing content of the location management program executed on the management server 160. The display unit 274 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. The input control unit 276 processes a signal from the input unit 278 such as a keyboard and a mouse that receives an input from the user. A bus 280 electrically connects the above devices.

  With the above configuration, the management server 160 in one embodiment can manage the location of the wireless terminal 120 and search for the location of the wireless terminal 120.

  The HDD 266 may be any storage device including a tape drive, or may be a storage area accessible via a network.

In addition, the management server 160 may include a wireless communication control unit and a wireless communication device included in the management device 140 described above, and may perform processing instead of the management device 140. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide the management device 140 separately.
(3. Function)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment includes a storage unit 300, a communication unit 304, and a control unit 312.

  The storage unit 300 stores the position information 302 of the communication device 100. An example of a table for storing the position information 302 is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 includes items of floor number, latitude, longitude, and building number. The floor number represents the floor number of the building where the communication device 100 is installed. The latitude and longitude represent the latitude and longitude of the position where the communication device 100 is located. The building number represents the building number of the building where the communication device 100 is installed. In the example of FIG. 11, the communication device 100 is located on the 16th floor of a building C of a certain building, and is located at a point where the latitude is 35.459555 and the longitude is 139.3387110.

  The communication unit 304 includes a position information transmission unit 306, a terminal information reception unit 308, and a terminal information transmission unit 310.

  The position information transmitting unit 306 wirelessly transmits the position information 302 including information such as the history information, the number of floors of the building, and the building number continuously or intermittently to the wireless terminal 120 within a predetermined range. The position information 302 is transmitted using, for example, a format defined in IMES.

  The terminal information receiving unit 308 receives identification information and position information transmitted from the wireless terminal 120.

  The terminal information transmission unit 310 transmits the identification information and position information transmitted from the wireless terminal 120 to the management server 160 via the management device 140. When the network 180 is made using the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard, the transmission is performed using routing information held by the communication apparatus 100.

  The control unit 312 controls the operation of the communication device 100. When the communication apparatus 100 configures a PAN using the wireless terminal 120 and the management apparatus 140 and ZigBee (registered trademark), the communication apparatus 100 is controlled to provide a router function.

  With the above configuration, the communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment holds the position information 302, transmits the position information 302 to the wireless terminal 120, receives the identification information and the position information of the wireless terminal 120, and receives the identification information. It can be transmitted to the management server through the management device 140.

  Note that the position information 302 may include additional information such as the name of the building where the communication apparatus 100 is installed and information indicating a section in the room. As a result, finer location management is possible.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the wireless terminal 120 according to an embodiment. The wireless terminal 120 in one embodiment includes a storage unit 320, a communication unit 326, an acceleration detection unit 332, and a control unit 334.

  The storage unit 320 includes identification information 322 and position information 324. The identification information 322 includes information such as the network address of the wireless terminal 120 that can identify the wireless terminal 120 on the location information management system 1. For example, when the network 180 is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards, an IEEE 802.15.4 abbreviated address or an IEEE extended (MAC) address can be used. The position information 324 is the position information 302 transmitted from the communication apparatus 100. An example of a table for storing the position information 324 is shown in FIG. The configuration is the same as in FIG.

  The communication unit 326 includes a position information receiving unit 328 and an identification information transmitting unit 330.

  The position information receiving unit 328 receives the position information 302 transmitted from the communication device 100. The received position information 302 is held in the storage unit 320 of the wireless terminal 120.

  The identification information transmitting unit 330 transmits the position information 324 together with the identification information 322 of the wireless terminal 120 to the communication device 100. The position information 302 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 120 in a format as shown in FIG. 12, for example. In the format of FIG. 12, the floor, latitude, longitude, and building number fields are represented by 9 bits, 21 bits, 21 bits, and 8 bits, respectively, and the corresponding fields of the message received according to the IMES standard are connected. . The representation format of each field conforms to the IMES standard. Actually, in addition to this format, a header and checksum information defined by the communication method are added and transmitted. As a communication method, for example, IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards are used.

  The acceleration detection unit 332 detects a change in acceleration of the wireless terminal 120. The change in acceleration is detected, for example, when the wireless terminal 120 starts moving, when the movement stops, or when a tilt is detected. The detected change in acceleration is used to determine the timing of the transmission or reception operation of the wireless terminal 120. The acceleration detection means 332 is an arbitrary component.

  The control unit 334 controls the reception timing of the position information by the position information reception unit 238 and the transmission timing of the identification information 322 and the position information 324 by the identification information transmission unit 330. The transmission / reception timing is determined based on the detection of a change in acceleration by the acceleration detection means 332. Alternatively, it may be determined based on an interval or time preset in the wireless terminal 120. Also, transmission and reception timings may be determined independently of each other. Furthermore, when the wireless terminal 120 configures a PAN with ZigBee (registered trademark) together with the communication device 100 and the management device 140, the control unit 334 controls the wireless terminal 120 to provide an endpoint function.

  With the above configuration, the wireless terminal 120 according to an embodiment can efficiently receive position information from the communication apparatus and efficiently transmit the position information together with the position information to the identification information communication apparatus.

  When the wireless terminal 120 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or a PC, an input unit that receives an input from the user or a display unit that presents information to the user may be provided. As a result, it is possible to present identification information or position information to the user and to input or modify identification information or position information from the user.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the management apparatus 140 according to an embodiment. The management apparatus 140 according to an embodiment includes a communication unit 340, a conversion unit 346, and a control unit 348.

  The communication unit 340 includes a reception unit 342 and a transmission unit 344. The receiving unit 342 receives data transmitted from a communication device or a wireless terminal belonging to the network 180. The transmission unit 344 transmits the data converted by the management apparatus 140 to the management server 160 belonging to the network 190. The network 180 is a PAN based on IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards, for example. The network 190 is a LAN based on the IEEE802.3 standard, for example.

  The converting unit 346 converts the data received by the receiving unit 342 from the network 180 into a format compatible with the network 190. The converted data is transmitted to the management server 160 via the network 190 by the transmission unit 344. Here, when the identification information of the wireless terminal 120 included in the data is represented by an IEEE 802.15.4 abbreviated address, it is converted into an IEEE extended address based on the information at the time of PAN configuration.

  The control unit 348 controls the operation of the management device 140. When the management device 140 configures a PAN according to the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard together with the communication device 100 and the wireless terminal 120, the management device 140 is controlled to provide a coordinator function.

  With the above configuration, the management apparatus 140 according to an embodiment can bridge communication between the network 180 to which the communication apparatus 100 and the wireless terminal 120 belong and the network 190 to which the management server belongs.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the management server 160 according to an embodiment. The management server 160 according to an embodiment includes a communication unit 360, a storage unit 366, an input unit 370, a display unit 372, and a control unit 374.

  The communication unit 360 includes a reception unit 362 and a transmission unit 364. The receiving unit 362 receives the identification information and the position information transmitted from the wireless terminal through the management device 140. The received identification information and position information are stored in the storage means 366. When the transmission unit 364 is requested to provide location information to an external server or the like, the transmission unit 364 transmits the location information to the external server or the like.

  The storage unit 366 has location management information 368. The location management information 368 is information obtained by adding management information such as a reception time to the identification information and location information received from the wireless terminal 120. An example of a table storing the information is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 includes items of identification information, device name, owned department, latitude, longitude, floor number, building, and reception date and time. The identification information is information such as an IEEE extended address of the wireless terminal 120 that has transmitted the identification information. The latitude, longitude, number of floors, and building correspond to the positional information received together with the identification information. The reception date and time is the date and time when the management server 160 received the information. The device name is the name of the management target to which the wireless terminal 120 that transmitted the information is attached or the device name of the wireless terminal 120. The owned department is a department name that owns the wireless terminal 120 that has transmitted the information. Information on the device name and the owned department is associated with identification information by the management server 160 in advance.

  The input unit 370 accepts an input from the user so that the user searches for position information.

  The display unit 372 displays on the screen a GUI related to a search screen for the user to search for position information. An example of the search screen is shown in FIG. In the “location search system” shown in FIG. 16, based on the information stored in the storage unit 366, the owned department and device name related to the wireless terminal are displayed in a list on the screen. When the user selects a check box of a device to be searched through the input unit 370, a check mark is added. When all the devices to be searched are checked and the “Execute Search” button is selected, the search is executed and the screen is switched to a result display screen. In the example of FIG. 16, an example is shown in which the user performs a search for a device “UCS P3000” owned by “Sales Section 1”. FIG. 17 shows an example of the search result screen. When the “execute search” button is selected, the display unit 372 displays a floor plan of “A building 4th floor” where “UCS P3000” is located based on the data stored in the storage unit 366, the device name, Displays the reception date and time.

  The control unit 374 controls the operation of the management server.

  With the above configuration, the management server 160 in one embodiment can manage the location of the wireless terminal and search for the location. In particular, information representing the position of the wireless terminal itself can be directly received and managed, and the amount of calculation for searching for the position can be reduced.

  The management server 160 has the same functions as the conversion unit 346, the control unit 348, and the reception unit 342 included in the management device 160, and may have the same functions as the management device 160. This eliminates the need to provide the management device 160 individually.

  Further, the location management information 368 stored by the management server 160 includes the date and time when the wireless terminal transmits the information together with the information shown in FIG. Information including time taken for arrival of information or electric field strength may be stored. Thereby, position information can be managed under more detailed conditions.

In addition, the management server 160 may record past location information of the wireless terminal. Thereby, the movement of the wireless terminal can be tracked.
(4. Operation sequence)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of the location information management system 1 according to the embodiment in the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 15, when a change in acceleration is detected, the communication apparatus 100 that receives position information and transmits identification information, the wireless terminal 120 that transmits position information to an area to which the communication apparatus 100 belongs, and PAN (IEEE802.15.4 and An example of a management apparatus 140 that bridges ZigBee (registered trademark) and a LAN (IEEE802.3) and a management server 160 will be described. It is assumed that the PAN among the communication device 100, the wireless terminal 120, and the management device 140 has already been established.

  In step S800, the communication apparatus 100 transmits the position information continuously or intermittently using IMES or the like.

  In step S802, the wireless terminal 120 detects a change in acceleration.

  In step S804, the wireless terminal 120 receives the position information transmitted from the communication device 100.

  In step S806, the wireless terminal 120 stores the received position information.

  In step S808, the wireless terminal 120 transmits identification information and position information to the communication apparatus 100.

  In step S810, the communication apparatus 100 transmits the identification information and the position information received from the wireless terminal 120 to the management apparatus through the minimum path.

  In step S812, the management apparatus 140 converts the data transmitted from the network 180 including the identification information and the position information received from the communication apparatus 100 into a format compatible with the network 190.

  In step S <b> 814, the management apparatus 140 transmits the identification information and position information converted into a format compatible with the network 190 to the management server 160.

  In step S816, the management server 160 registers the identification information and the position information received from the management device together with information on the wireless terminal corresponding to the identification information.

  Through the above procedure, the location information management system 1 according to the embodiment can suppress the power consumption of the wireless terminal by efficiently transmitting the identification information and the location information to the nearest communication device. it can.

  As described above, the management server 160 may execute the functions of the management apparatus 140 in an integrated manner. In this case, it is not necessary to install a separate management device 140.

  If the wireless terminal does not include the acceleration detection unit 332, step S802 is not executed, and the reception of the position information in step S804 can be performed at a predetermined time or at a predetermined interval. The subsequent processing is the same as steps S806 to S816.

  In the position information management system 1 according to the embodiment, the communication device 100 is installed at a specific indoor location, and the wireless terminal 120 performs absolute positioning based on the position information transmitted from the communication device 100. When such a range-free positioning system is employed, the position information is set in the communication device 100 that transmits the position information.

  The setting of position information may be performed by an administrator. The administrator refers to known indoor map information and the like, and investigates the latitude, longitude, floor information, and the like of the point where the communication device 100 is installed. The administrator sets the position determined from the investigation result in the communication device 100.

  In this case, since the position is determined based on the indoor map information, the position cannot be set in the communication apparatus 100 when there is no indoor map information. In addition, when the indoor map information includes an error, the authenticity of the position set in the communication device 100 may be impaired.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the position information management system 1, a position information providing apparatus 400 that creates indoor map information is provided. The position information providing apparatus 400 autonomously creates indoor map information. The position information providing apparatus 400 associates the indoor map information with the absolute position information, and estimates the position of the transmission apparatus 100.

  FIG. 18 illustrates a hardware configuration of the position information providing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment. The position information providing apparatus 400 includes a CPU 402, a RAM 404, a ROM 406, a positioning signal reception control unit 408, a positioning signal reception unit 410, a wireless communication control unit 412, a wireless communication unit 414, a positioning control unit 416, a GPS receiving unit 418, and a relative positioning control. Unit 420, sensor 422, movement control unit 424, wheel 426, visible light communication control unit 428, and visible light communication unit 430.

  The CPU 402 executes a program that controls the operation of the position information providing apparatus 400. The RAM 404 constitutes a work area of the CPU 402 and the like. The ROM 406 stores a program executed by the CPU 402. The positioning signal reception control unit 408 executes processing for receiving a positioning signal including position information via the positioning signal receiving unit 410. The positioning signal receiving unit 410 is a device including an antenna that receives a positioning signal such as IMES.

  The wireless communication control unit 412 performs wireless communication processing via the wireless communication unit 414. The wireless communication unit 414 is a device that includes an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves conforming to standards such as IEEE802.15.4 and IEEE802.11.

  The positioning control unit 416 measures the position of the position information providing device 400 via the GPS receiving unit 418. The GPS receiver 418 receives a positioning signal transmitted by a GPS satellite (not shown).

  The relative positioning control unit 420 estimates the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 via the sensor 422. For example, the relative positioning control unit 420 estimates the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 based on the position detected by the positioning control unit 416 based on the information detected by the sensor 422. The relative positioning control unit 420 may estimate the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 using an odometry or dead reckoning function. When the odometry function is used, the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 may be estimated based on encoder information attached to the wheel 426. Further, the relative positioning control unit 420 may estimate the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 by SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). By using the SLAM, it is possible to estimate the environment map and the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 almost simultaneously based on the sensor information.

  The sensor 422 includes, for example, an acceleration sensor or a motion sensor using inertial force or magnetism. The sensor 422 may include a laser range finder (LRF), an ultrasonic sensor, a distance measuring sensor such as an infrared sensor, a camera, a 3D sensor, and the like. Further, the sensor 422 may include a geomagnetic sensor or the like.

  The movement control unit 424 drives the wheel 426 and controls the movement of the position information providing apparatus 400. The movement control unit 424 may be moved according to a predetermined route, or may be moved in a direction in which it can travel. The wheel 426 moves the position information providing apparatus 400. In the embodiment of the position information providing apparatus 400, the case of moving by the wheel 426 will be described. However, the position information providing apparatus 400 is not limited to the wheel, and may be moved by other moving means.

  The visible light communication control unit 428 executes processing for detecting visible light via the visible light communication unit 430. Visible light is emitted from, for example, LED lighting equipped with the communication device 100. The visible light communication unit 430 is a device that detects visible light, such as a photodiode.

  The bus 432 electrically connects the above parts.

  With the above configuration, the position information providing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment can receive a positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100. Further, the position information providing apparatus 400 sends the position information providing apparatus together with the identification information of the communication apparatus 100 to the management server 160 when the position information is not included in the positioning signal or when the position information is incorrect. 400 estimated positions can be transmitted.

  The position information providing apparatus 400 may include an input device that accepts input from the user, such as a touch panel, a dial key, a keyboard, and a mouse, and a corresponding input control unit. Furthermore, a display device such as a screen and a corresponding display control unit may be provided.

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of the position information providing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment. The position information providing apparatus 400 in one embodiment includes a storage unit 502, a communication unit 508, a position information determination unit 514, an indoor map information creation unit 515, a control unit 516, and a position information estimation unit 518.

  The storage unit 502 includes identification information 504 and position information 506. The identification information 504 includes information such as the network address of the position information providing apparatus 400 that can identify the position information providing apparatus 400 on the position information management system 1. For example, when the network 180 is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards, an IEEE 802.15.4 abbreviated address or an IEEE extended (MAC) address can be used. The position information 506 is position information included in the positioning signal transmitted from the communication device 100. An example of a table for storing the position information 506 is shown in FIG. The configuration is the same as in FIG.

  The communication unit 508 includes a positioning signal receiving unit 510 and a position information transmitting unit 512.

  The positioning signal receiving unit 510 receives the positioning signal transmitted from the communication device 100. When the received positioning signal includes the position information 302, the position information may be held in the storage unit 502 of the position information providing apparatus 400.

  The position information transmission unit 512 transmits the estimated position of the communication device 100 together with the identification information of the communication device 100 when the position information is not included in the positioning signal from the communication device 100. Here, the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 is the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 estimated by the relative positioning control unit 420 when a positioning signal is received from the communication apparatus 100. Further, the position information transmission unit 512 may transmit the estimated position of the communication device 100 together with the identification information of the communication device 100 when the position information included in the positioning signal from the communication device 100 is incorrect. Good. Here, the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 is the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 estimated by the relative positioning control unit 420 when a positioning signal is received from the communication apparatus 100. That is, the estimated position of the position information providing apparatus 400 is regarded as the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100.

  The identification information of the communication apparatus 100 and the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 transmitted from the wireless communication unit 414 under the control of the position information transmission unit 512 are transmitted to the management server 160 via the management apparatus 140. The management server 160 sets the identification information of the communication device 100 from the management device 140 and the estimated position of the communication device 100 in the corresponding communication device 100. Specifically, the management server 160 transmits the estimated position of the communication device 100 using the identification information of the communication device 100 from the management device 140 as a destination. The estimated position is transmitted from the communication unit 270 of the management server 160 to the management device 140. The management device 140 wirelessly transmits the estimated position of the communication device 100 from the management server 160. For example, the estimated position of the communication device 100 from the management server 160 is received by the wired communication unit 252 and transmitted from the wireless communication unit 248. The estimated position is received by the corresponding communication device 100. The estimated position of the communication device 100 is transmitted to the communication device 100 in a format as shown in FIG. 12, for example. In the format of FIG. 12, the floor, latitude, longitude, and building number fields are represented by 9 bits, 21 bits, 21 bits, and 8 bits, respectively, and the corresponding fields of the message received according to the IMES standard are connected. . The representation format of each field conforms to the IMES standard. Here, the position information providing apparatus 400 may include the floor number and ridge number held in advance in the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 and transmit the information to the management server 160. Actually, in addition to this format, a header and checksum information defined by the communication method are added and transmitted. As a communication method, for example, IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards are used.

  The position information determination unit 514 determines whether or not the position information is included in the positioning signal received by the positioning signal reception unit 510. Further, the position information determination unit 514 may determine whether or not the position information is correct even if the position information is included in the positioning signal received by the positioning signal reception unit 510. The position information determining unit 514 determines based on the position estimated by the position information estimating unit 518 when determining whether or not the position information included in the positioning signal received by the positioning signal receiving unit 510 is correct. It may be.

  The indoor map information creation unit 515 creates an indoor map based on the information detected by the sensor 422. For example, the indoor map information creating unit 515 may recognize the space by combining information detected by the distance measuring sensor and information acquired by the camera. Examples of the distance measuring sensor include a laser range finder, an ultrasonic sensor, and an infrared sensor. The indoor map information creating unit 515 may create an indoor map based on the result of space recognition and the estimated position by the position information estimating unit 518. Furthermore, the indoor map information creating unit 515 may register the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 in the indoor map. For example, the indoor map information creating unit 515 may estimate the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 by SLAM. By using the SLAM, it is possible to estimate the environment map and the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 almost simultaneously based on the sensor information.

  The indoor map information creating means 515 may reflect the radio wave intensity of the positioning signal measured by the positioning signal receiving unit 410 on the indoor map to determine whether the radio wave distribution is optimal. For example, the indoor map information creating means 515 determines whether or not the radio wave distribution is optimal by comparing with the result of the optimization simulation by the electromagnetic field analysis of the positioning signal by the FDTD method (Finite-difference time-domain method). When it is determined that the radio wave distribution is not optimal, the indoor map information creating unit 515 proposes a new installation position of the transmission device 100 so that the radio wave distribution is optimal according to the radio wave distribution based on the optimization simulation result, You may propose the position which moves the transmission apparatus 100, or the proposal which changes the output strength of the positioning signal transmitted from the transmission apparatus 100. FIG. Further, the indoor map information creating unit 515 may transmit a command for changing the output intensity to the management server 160 via the management device 140. A command for changing the output intensity is transmitted from the management server 160 to the corresponding communication device 100. The communication device 100 that has received the command to change the output intensity changes the output intensity.

  Further, the indoor map information creating unit 515 may acquire position information of the LED illumination that emits visible light detected by the visible light communication unit 430 from the visible light communication control unit 428, and may reflect the position information in the indoor map information. .

  FIG. 20 shows an example of the operation of the position information providing apparatus 400. FIG. 20 shows an operation when the location information providing apparatus 400 creates indoor map information.

  The position information providing apparatus 400 moves indoors. In the example illustrated in FIG. 20, the position information providing apparatus 400 moves from position (1) to position (3) via position (2) along a path indicated by a dashed line.

At position (1), position information providing apparatus 400 executes positioning based on a positioning signal from GPS satellite 800 _l (l is an integer of l> 2) received by GPS receiving unit 418, The (absolute) position of the position information providing apparatus 400 is obtained. In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, outdoors, the position information providing apparatus 400 performs positioning based on a positioning signal from the GPS satellite 800 _l received by the GPS receiving unit 418 and provides the position information. The position of the device 400 may be obtained.

  At the position (2) and the position (3), the position information providing apparatus 400 receives a positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, but position information is set in the communication apparatus 100. Since position information is included in the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, the position information providing apparatus 400 does not transmit the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100.

  The position information providing apparatus 400 moves indoors and creates indoor map information. The position information providing apparatus 400 determines whether or not the radio wave distribution is optimal based on the indoor map information using a solver function. For example, the position information providing apparatus 400 may determine whether or not an area covered by the position information included in the positioning signal is missing from the entire floor and there is no leakage. In this case, the determination may be made based on the coverage on the floor surface. When it is determined that the radio wave distribution is not optimal, the position information providing apparatus 400 newly proposes an installation position of the transmission device 100 so that the radio wave distribution is optimal based on the radio wave distribution on the indoor map. For example, in FIG. 20, the position information providing apparatus 400 proposes to install the communication apparatus 100 at the position represented by “(A)”. This is because the region represented by “(A)” is not covered by the positioning signal from the communication device 100.

  Further, for example, in FIG. 20, the position information providing apparatus 400 moves the communication apparatus 100 installed at the position represented by “(B)” to the position represented by “(B ′)”. Propose. The coverage area of the positioning signal from the communication device 100 represented by “(B)” has many portions that overlap with the coverage area of the positioning signal from the other communication device 100. Therefore, by moving the communication device 100 to the position represented by “(B ′)”, a portion that overlaps the coverage area of the positioning signal from another communication device 100 is reduced.

  For example, in FIG. 20, the position information providing apparatus 400 proposes that the communication apparatus 100 installed at the position represented by “(C)” increase the radio wave intensity. Since the radio wave intensity of the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100 represented by “(C)” is weak, there is an area where the positioning signal is not transmitted in the area around the communication apparatus 100 represented by “(C)”. doing. For this reason, the area | region where a positioning signal is not transmitted is reduced by increasing the electromagnetic wave intensity of the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100 represented by "(C)".

  Whether the communication apparatus 100 is newly installed, the installation position of the communication apparatus 100 is moved, or the radio wave intensity of the communication apparatus 100 is adjusted so that the radio wave distribution is optimal may be set in advance. It may be selected by a predetermined algorithm.

  The indoor map information creating means 515 may acquire geomagnetic information from the sensor 422 and create a spatial map of the geomagnetism and the environmental field.

  With the above configuration, the position information providing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment can create an indoor map based on the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100. In addition, the position information providing apparatus 400 can propose the installation position of the communication apparatus 100 and the movement of the communication apparatus 100 in order to optimize the radio wave distribution based on the indoor map.

  The control unit 514 controls the timing of receiving the positioning signal by the positioning signal receiving unit 510 and the timing of transmitting the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 by the position information transmitting unit 512. The transmission / reception timing may be determined based on an interval or time preset in the position information providing apparatus 400. Also, transmission and reception timings may be determined independently of each other.

  With the above configuration, the position information providing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment can efficiently receive a positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100. Further, since the position information providing apparatus 400 can estimate the position of the communication apparatus 100, even if the position information is not included in the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, the communication apparatus 100 includes the communication apparatus 100. The estimated position can be notified.

  The position information estimation means 518 is positioned by the relative positioning control unit 420 based on the position measured by the positioning control unit 416 based on the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 418 and the information detected by the relative positioning unit 422. Based on the determined position, the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 is estimated. For example, the position information estimation unit 518 uses the position measured based on the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 418 as a base point, and based on the information detected by the relative positioning unit 422, the position information providing device 400 Estimate the position. The relative positioning unit 420 detects the position where the electric field strength of the positioning signal from the communication device 100 is assumed to be maximum, and obtains the position. The estimated position is converted into latitude and longitude as necessary, and is transmitted to the management server 160 via the management device 140 under the control of the position information transmission unit 512.

  Note that the position information providing apparatus 400 may include an input unit that receives input from the user and a display unit that presents the estimated position. Thereby, it is possible to present the estimated position to the user and to input or modify the estimated position from the user.

  FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the communication apparatus 100 is substantially the same as that in FIG.

  A communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment is configured such that the communication apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a position information receiving unit 307 and a position information setting unit 314.

  The position information receiving unit 307 receives position information from the management apparatus 104. For example, the position information receiving unit 307 receives the position information by controlling the wireless communication unit 212.

  The position information setting unit 314 sets the position information received by the position information receiving unit 307. For example, the position information setting unit 314 may store the position information in the storage unit 300. Further, the position information setting unit 314 may update the position information 302 stored in the storage unit 300.

  With the above configuration, the communication device 100 according to an embodiment can receive the position information transmitted from the management server 160 via the management device 140. Further, the communication device 100 can set the position information from the management server 160 as the position information of the communication device 100.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of the operation of the position information providing apparatus 400.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the position information providing apparatus 400 moves indoors. In the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the position information providing apparatus 400 moves from position (1) to position (3) via position (2) along a path indicated by a dashed line.

At the position (1), the position information providing apparatus 400 measures the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 based on the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 418. In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, outdoors, the position information providing device 400 performs positioning based on a positioning signal from the GPS satellite 800 _l received by the GPS receiving unit 418 and provides the position information. The position of the device 400 may be obtained.

  At the position (2), the position information providing apparatus 400 receives a positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, but position information is set in the communication apparatus 100. Since position information is included in the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, the position information providing apparatus 400 does not transmit the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100.

  At the position (3), the position information providing apparatus 400 receives a positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100. No position information is set in the communication device 100. Since position information is not included in the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100, the position information providing apparatus 400 transmits the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of the operation of the position information providing apparatus 400.

  In step S2302, the communication apparatus 100 transmits a positioning signal. The positioning signal includes ID information unique to the communication device 100. The positioning signal may be an IMES message.

  In step S2304, position information providing apparatus 400 receives a positioning signal from communication apparatus 100. The position information providing apparatus 400 determines whether or not position information is included in the positioning signal. Here, position information providing apparatus 400 determines that position information is not included in the positioning signal.

  In step S2306, the position information providing apparatus 400 estimates the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 and converts it into latitude / longitude information. For example, the position information providing apparatus 400 may estimate the position of the position information providing apparatus 400 by odometry positioning or the like.

  In step S2308, the position information providing apparatus 400 transmits the ID unique to the communication apparatus 100 and the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 to the management server 160. The estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 is position information obtained by relative positioning of the position information providing apparatus 400. For example, the position information providing apparatus 400 transmits an ID unique to the communication apparatus 100 and an estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 from the wireless communication unit 414. The ID unique to the communication device 100 and the estimated position of the communication device 100 are transmitted to the management server 160 via the management device 140.

  In step S <b> 2310, the management server 160 transmits the estimated position of the communication device 100 to the communication device 100 based on the ID unique to the communication device 100 from the position information providing device 400.

  In step S2312, the communication apparatus 100 sets the estimated position of the communication apparatus 100 from the management server 160.

In one embodiment of the position information management system 1, the position information providing apparatus 400 includes position information included in the positioning signal from the communication apparatus 100 instead of the position information obtained by positioning based on the positioning signal from the GPS satellite 800 _l. May be used. Here, it is necessary that correct position information is set in the communication device 100. By doing so, the position information providing apparatus 400 does not need to include the positioning control unit 416 and the GPS receiving unit 418.

  According to one embodiment of the position information management system 1, position information can be set by the position information providing apparatus 400 when position information is not set in the communication apparatus 100. Further, although position information is set in the communication device 100, the position information can be set by the position information providing device 400 even when the position is incorrect. Since the position information is set in the communication apparatus 100 as necessary by the position information providing apparatus 400, the troublesome setting by the administrator can be reduced.

  In one embodiment of the position information management system 1, the communication device 100 is installed at a specific indoor location, and the wireless terminal 120 performs absolute positioning based on the position information from the communication device 100. That is, when the wireless terminal 120 enters the cover area of the position information from the communication device 100, the wireless terminal 120 can receive the position information and perform positioning.

  Therefore, when the wireless terminal 120 is located outside the coverage area of the position information from the communication device 100, the wireless terminal 120 cannot receive the position information and cannot perform positioning. For example, when the wireless terminal 120 moves identification information and position information to the management server 160 and then moves outside the coverage area of the position information from the communication device 100, the position of the wireless terminal 120 is changed even though the position is changed. In addition, the location information is not transmitted from the wireless terminal 120 to the management server 160. In such a case, the location management information managed by the management server 160 is different from the actual situation. That is, the reliability of the location management information managed by the management server 160 may be impaired.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the location information management system 1, the mobile communication device 600 that provides location information to the wireless terminal 120 is provided. The mobile communication device 600 recognizes the position of the mobile communication device based on the positioning signal from the communication device 100. The mobile communication device 600 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600 using relative positioning means. The mobile communication device 600 converts the position estimated by the relative positioning means into longitude / latitude information using the position recognized based on the positioning signal as a base point. The mobile communication device 600 transmits the position information converted into longitude / latitude information. That is, the mobile communication device 600 interpolates the movement from the reception position of the position information from the communication device 100 and transmits it.

  FIG. 24 illustrates a hardware configuration of the mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment. The mobile communication device 600 includes a CPU 602, a RAM 604, a ROM 606, a positioning signal reception control unit 608, a positioning signal reception unit 610, a wireless communication control unit 612, a wireless communication unit 614, a position signal transmission control unit 616, a positioning signal transmission unit 618, It has a positioning control unit 620, a sensor 622, a movement control unit 624, and wheels 626.

  The CPU 602 executes a program that controls the operation of the mobile communication device 600. The RAM 604 constitutes a work area for the CPU 602 and the like. The ROM 606 stores a program executed by the CPU 602.

  The positioning signal reception control unit 608 performs processing for receiving a positioning signal including position information via the positioning signal receiving unit 610. The positioning signal receiving unit 610 is a device including an antenna that receives a positioning signal such as IMES.

  The wireless communication control unit 612 executes wireless communication processing via the wireless communication unit 614. The wireless communication unit 614 is a device including an antenna that can transmit and receive radio waves conforming to, for example, the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.

  The position signal transmission control unit 616 performs processing for transmitting a positioning signal including estimated position information of the mobile communication device 600 via the position signal transmission unit 618. The position signal transmission unit 618 is a device including an antenna that transmits a positioning signal such as IMES.

  The relative positioning control unit 620 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600 via the sensor 622. For example, the relative positioning control unit 620 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600 based on the position received by the positioning signal reception control unit 608 based on the information detected by the sensor 622. The relative positioning control unit 620 may estimate the position of the mobile communication device 600 using an odometry or dead reckoning function. Examples of the sensor 622 include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a motion sensor using inertial force or geomagnetism. Further, the sensor 622 may include a laser range finder (LRF), a distance measuring sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor, a camera, a 3D sensor, and the like.

  The movement control unit 624 drives the wheel 626 and controls the movement of the mobile communication device 600. The movement control unit 624 may be moved according to a predetermined route, or may be moved in a direction in which it can travel. The direction in which the vehicle can travel may be determined by giving priority to the unacquired region direction based on the acquired map information. The wheel 626 moves the mobile communication device 600. In an embodiment of the mobile communication device 600, the case of moving by the wheel 626 will be described. However, the mobile communication device 600 is not limited to the wheel, and may be moved by other moving means.

  A bus 628 electrically connects the above-described units.

  With the above configuration, the mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment can receive a positioning signal from the communication device 100. In addition, the mobile communication device 600 can transmit a position estimated according to the movement of the mobile communication device 600.

  The mobile communication device 600 may include a GPS receiver (not shown) that receives a positioning signal from a GPS satellite. The relative positioning control unit 620 may estimate the position of the mobile communication device 600 based on the position detected by the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit based on the information detected by the sensor 622. .

  Note that the mobile communication device 600 may include an input device such as a touch panel, a dial key, a keyboard, and a mouse and a corresponding input control unit that accepts input from the user. Furthermore, a display device such as a screen and a corresponding display control unit may be provided.

  FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram of the mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment. The mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment includes a storage unit 702, a communication unit 708, a control unit 718, and a position information estimation unit 720.

  The storage unit 702 includes identification information 704 and position information 706. The identification information 704 includes information such as the network address of the mobile communication device 600 that can identify the mobile communication device 600 on the location information management system 1. For example, when the network 180 is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards, an IEEE 802.15.4 abbreviated address or an IEEE extended (MAC) address can be used. The position information 706 is position information included in the positioning signal transmitted from the communication device 100. An example of a table for storing the position information 706 is shown in FIG. The configuration is the same as in FIG.

  The communication unit 708 includes a positioning signal receiving unit 710, a position information transmitting unit 712, a terminal information receiving unit 714, and a terminal information transmitting unit 716.

  The positioning signal receiving unit 710 receives a positioning signal from the communication device 100. When the position information 302 is included in the received positioning signal, the position information may be held in the storage unit 702 of the mobile communication device 600.

  The position information transmission unit 712 transmits the estimated position of the mobile communication device 600. The estimated position of the mobile communication device 600 is transmitted from the mobile communication device 600 in a format as shown in FIG. 12, for example. In the format of FIG. 12, the floor, latitude, longitude, and building number fields are represented by 9 bits, 21 bits, 21 bits, and 8 bits, respectively, and the corresponding fields of the message received according to the IMES standard are connected. . The representation format of each field conforms to the IMES standard. Here, the mobile communication device 600 may include the number of floors and the ridge number held in advance in the estimated position of the mobile communication device 600 and transmit it. Actually, in addition to this format, a header and checksum information defined by the communication method are added and transmitted. As a communication method, for example, IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark) standards are used.

  The terminal information receiving unit 714 receives identification information and position information transmitted from the wireless terminal 120.

  The terminal information transmission unit 716 transmits the identification information and position information transmitted from the wireless terminal 120 to the management server 160 via the management device 140. When the network 180 is made using the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard, the transmission is performed using routing information held by the communication apparatus 100.

  The control unit 718 controls the timing of receiving position information by the positioning signal receiving unit 710 and the timing of transmitting the estimated position of the mobile communication device 600 by the position information transmitting unit 712. The transmission / reception timing may be determined based on an interval or time set in advance in the mobile communication device 600. Also, transmission and reception timings may be determined independently of each other.

  With the above configuration, the mobile communication device 600 in one embodiment can efficiently receive a positioning signal from the communication device 100. Further, since the mobile communication device 600 can estimate the position of the mobile communication device 600 even when it moves, it can notify the wireless terminal 120 of the estimated location.

  The position information estimation means 720 is based on the position indicated by the position information included in the positioning signal received by the positioning signal reception control unit 608 via the positioning signal receiving unit 610 and the information detected by the sensor 622. Based on the position measured by the relative positioning control unit 620, the position of the mobile communication device 600 is estimated. For example, the position information estimation unit 720 uses the position indicated by the position information included in the positioning signal received by the positioning signal reception control unit 608 as a base point, and based on the information detected by the sensor 622, the mobile communication device 600 Is estimated. The estimated position is converted into latitude and longitude as necessary, and is transmitted from the position signal transmission unit 618 under the control of the position information transmission unit 720. The position information estimation unit 720 may obtain a positioning error when estimating the position of the mobile communication device 600. The position information estimation unit 720 may convert a positioning error into accuracy information. The accuracy information may be transmitted to the wireless terminal 120 together with the estimated position. In this case, the position information transmitting means may store the accuracy information in the reserve bit of the IMES message and transmit it together with the position information.

  FIG. 26 shows an example of the IMES message. FIG. 26 shows “word1”-“word4”. “Word1” includes a reserve bit of 4 bits in total from the 21st bit to the 24th bit. “Word4” includes a reserved bit of 2 bits in total from the 16th bit to the 17th bit. The position information transmission means 712 stores accuracy information in a total of 6 bits reserved bits.

  Note that the mobile communication device 600 may include an input unit that receives an input from a user and a display unit that presents an estimated position. Thereby, it is possible to present the estimated position to the user and to input or modify the estimated position from the user.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of the operation of the mobile communication device 600.

  In step S2702, the communication apparatus 100 transmits a positioning signal. The positioning signal includes position information of the communication device 100. The position information includes, for example, longitude / latitude information, floor information, and the like. The positioning signal may be an IMES message.

  In step S2704, the mobile communication device 600 stores the position information included in the positioning signal from the communication device 100 as the initial position information.

  In step S2706, the mobile communication device 600 moves.

  In step S2708, the mobile communication device 600 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600. For example, the mobile communication device 600 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600 by odometry positioning or the like. The mobile communication device 600 reflects the estimated position in the position information to be transmitted.

  In step S2710, mobile communication device 600 transmits a positioning signal. The positioning signal includes estimated position information. The positioning signal may be an IMES message.

  The mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment can cause the wireless terminal 120 existing in an area where the positioning signal from the communication device 100 does not reach to receive the positioning signal of the mobile communication device 600.

  FIG. 28 shows an example of the operation of the mobile communication device 600.

  In the example shown in FIG. 28, the mobile communication device 600 moves indoors. In the example shown in FIG. 28, mobile communication apparatus 600 moves from position (1) to position (3) via position (2) along a path indicated by a dashed line.

  At the position (1) and the position (2), the mobile communication device 600 determines the position of the mobile communication device 600 based on the position recognized based on the positioning signal from the communication device 100 and the position estimated by the relative positioning means. Estimate the position. The mobile communication device 600 transmits a positioning signal. The positioning signal includes estimated position information of the mobile communication device 600. The wireless terminal 120 does not exist in the area covered by the positioning signal from the mobile communication device 600.

  At the position (3), the mobile communication device 600 estimates the position of the mobile communication device 600 based on the position recognized based on the positioning signal from the communication device 100 and the position estimated by the relative positioning means. The mobile communication device 600 transmits a positioning signal. The positioning signal includes estimated position information of the mobile communication device 600. The wireless terminal 120 exists in an area covered by the positioning signal from the mobile communication device 600. The range of the estimated position information of the mobile communication device 600 transmitted by the mobile communication device 600 is desirably narrow enough to recognize the position of the wireless terminal 120 that has received the estimated position information.

  The wireless terminal 120 receives a positioning signal from the mobile communication device 600. The radio terminal 120 transmits information including the estimated position included in the positioning signal from the mobile communication device 600 and the identification information of the radio terminal 120 to the mobile communication device 600. The transmission is performed through a network 180 by short-range wireless communication such as IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee (registered trademark). In this case, IEEE802.15.4 abbreviated address or IEEE extended (MAC) address can be used as identification information of the wireless terminal 120.

  The identification information and the position information transmitted to the mobile communication device 600 are transmitted to the management device 140 via another mobile communication device or communication device located in a communicable range.

  FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram of the mobile communication device 600 according to an embodiment. The mobile communication apparatus 600 according to an embodiment includes a storage unit 702, a communication unit 708, a wireless terminal information acquisition unit 722, a wireless terminal positioning request unit 724, a space map creation unit 726, a control unit 718, and a location information estimation unit 720. .

  The mobile communication device 600 is configured to include a wireless terminal information acquisition unit 722, a wireless terminal positioning request unit 724, and a space map creation unit 726 in the mobile communication device described with reference to FIG.

  The wireless terminal information acquisition unit 722 acquires from the management server 160 the identification information, location information, and reception date / time of the wireless terminal 120 recorded in the management server 160.

  The wireless terminal positioning request unit 724 refers to the reception date and time among the information acquired by the wireless terminal information acquisition unit 722, and searches for a wireless terminal that has not transmitted identification information and position information for a preset period. . The wireless terminal positioning request unit 724 controls to move to the position based on the position information from the wireless terminal 120 obtained as a result of the search. The wireless terminal positioning request unit 724 controls to transmit a positioning signal at the position of the position information from the wireless terminal 120.

  The wireless terminal 120 that has passed for a long time after transmitting the identification information and the position information is assumed to exist in an area where the positioning signal from the transmission device 100 cannot be received. Finally, the mobile communication device 600 moves to a position corresponding to the position information received from the wireless terminal, and transmits a positioning signal. By doing so, it is possible to prompt the wireless terminal 120 to perform positioning and to transmit information including the identification information of the wireless terminal 120 and the position information.

  The space map creating means 726 creates a map of the electric field strength of the radio wave from the communication device 100 based on the received electric field strength of the positioning signal measured by the positioning signal receiving unit 610. By referring to the map of the electric field intensity of the radio wave from the communication device 100, it is possible to know an area not covered by the positioning signal from the communication device 100.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments and examples. However, the embodiments and examples are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications, modifications, alternatives, and substitutions. You will understand examples. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

100, 102, 104, 106 Communication device 120, 122, 124 Wireless terminal 140 Management device 160 Management server 180 Network 190 Network

Japanese Patent No. 4620410 JP 2010-159980 A International Publication No. 2005/086375

Claims (10)

A position information providing apparatus for providing position information,
Positioning means for positioning the position of the position information providing device based on a first positioning signal;
Position estimation means for estimating the position of the position information providing apparatus , starting from the position measured by the positioning means in accordance with the movement of the position information providing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving a signal from the communication device;
The position estimated by the position estimating means together with the identification information of the communication device when the second positioning signal from the communication device received by the receiving means does not include the position information of the communication device. Control means for executing control to transmit information to a management server that manages the position of the communication device ;
To have a position information providing apparatus.   The position information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning signal includes a positioning signal from a GPS satellite and a positioning signal from the communication device. Location information from the location information providing device is notified from the management server to the communication device,
The position information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus sets position information from the management server as a position of the communication apparatus. Ranging sensor,
Imaging means;
And a map creating means for creating a map in a predetermined space based on information detected by the distance measuring sensor, information acquired by the imaging means, and a position estimated by the position estimating means. Item 4. The position information providing device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The position information providing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the map creating unit reflects the received electric field strength of the signal from the communication device measured by the receiving unit in the map. The position information providing apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising: an optimization unit that makes a proposal for optimizing the distribution of the received electric field intensity in the predetermined space based on the map. Having light detection means or visible light communication means,
The position information providing device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the map creating unit reflects the position of the communication device in the map based on the visible light detected by the light detecting unit. . Have a geomagnetic sensor,
The position information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the map creating unit reflects the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetic sensor in the map. A position information setting method in a position information providing apparatus that provides position information,
Based on the first positioning signal, the position of the position information providing device is measured ,
In response to the movement of the position information providing device, the position of the position information providing device is estimated from the measured position as a starting point ,
When the second positioning signal from the communication device does not include the position information of the communication device, management for managing the position of the communication device using the estimated position information together with the identification information of the communication device Location information setting method to be sent to the server. Location information from the location information providing device is notified from the management server to the communication device,
The position information setting method according to claim 9, wherein the communication apparatus sets position information from the management server as a position of the communication apparatus.

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