JP6389451B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a wireless communication apparatus and a program.

  With the spread of notebook personal computers, smartphones, and the like, the scene in which wireless communication such as wireless LAN is used is increasing. For example, in stores such as supermarkets, wireless communication is increasingly used for communication between POS terminals and communication between POS terminals and peripheral devices. In recent years, it has been promoted to supply power without a cable by realizing a non-contact power transmission technique. For example, in wireless communication devices, an increasing number of cases where non-contact power feeding technology is adopted to realize a complete cable-less device.

  By the way, the wireless communication apparatus made cableless has an advantage that it can be used at a relatively free position because there is no cable. However, due to its advantages, there is a concern that it may be inadvertently moved out of an area where wireless communication is possible or taken out of the store due to theft. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that can perform notification when the radio field intensity of the wireless communication device is reduced.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a program capable of performing notification according to the state of radio field intensity.

The wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment includes a communication unit, a measurement unit, a power reception unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The communication means performs wireless communication with an external device. The measuring means measures the radio field intensity related to the wireless communication. The power receiving unit receives power supplied from the non-contact power supply apparatus. The determination unit determines whether the state of the radio wave intensity measured by the measurement unit satisfies a predetermined first condition , and determines whether the power reception state of the power reception unit corresponds to a predetermined second condition . The notification means performs notification by switching the notification method according to a combination result of the first condition and the second condition determined to be applicable to the determination means.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a store system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of notification processing executed by the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of notification processing executed by the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a wireless communication device and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment of a wireless communication device and a program, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, and the like. The present embodiment is an application example to a store system provided in a store such as a supermarket.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a store system according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the store system 1 includes a POS terminal 10, a peripheral device 20, and an access point AP. Here, the access point AP is a wireless LAN access point.

  The POS terminal 10 executes merchandise sales data processing related to merchandise registration and settlement. The POS terminal 10 performs wireless communication with other POS terminals 10 via the access point AP. Note that the POS terminal 10 may be a stationary device installed in, for example, an accounting area in a store, or a portable device such as a tablet terminal.

  The peripheral device 20 is a device that operates in association with the POS terminal 10 such as a keyboard, a display, a code scanner, or a printer. The peripheral device 20 is connected to the POS terminal 10 by radio. The connection between the POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20 may be performed via the access point AP. Alternatively, the POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20 may be directly connected by using a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Zigbee (registered trademark).

  In the above configuration, the POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20 include a functional configuration related to wireless communication (see FIG. 2). That is, each of the POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20 has a function as a wireless communication device.

  In addition, the number of each apparatus which comprises the shop system 1 shall not be limited to the example of FIG. Further, any or all of the POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20 may be configured to receive power supply wirelessly by the non-contact power transmission technology described in the second embodiment.

  Next, a functional configuration related to wireless communication provided in the above-described wireless communication device (POS terminal 10 and peripheral device 20) will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication apparatus includes an antenna 31, a communication unit 32, a radio wave intensity measurement unit 33, a determination processing unit 34, and a notification unit 35. These functional units may have a hardware configuration realized by a dedicated circuit or the like, or may have a software configuration realized by cooperation of a processor and a program. For example, some or all of the communication unit 32, the radio wave intensity measurement unit 33, the determination processing unit 34, and the notification unit 35 cooperate with a processor (not shown) and a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). May be realized.

  The antenna 31 and the communication unit 32 are devices for performing wireless communication with an external device. Note that the frequency and communication method used for wireless communication are not particularly limited. For example, when the communication destination is a wireless LAN device, it is assumed that the antenna 31 and the communication unit 32 conforming to a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE 802.11n are used. The radio wave intensity measurement unit 33 measures the intensity of the radio wave (signal) received by the communication unit 32. For example, the radio wave intensity measuring unit 33 measures RSSI (received signal intensity). The communication unit 32 may have the function of the radio wave intensity measurement unit 33.

  The determination processing unit 34 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring unit 33 corresponds to a predetermined notification target condition (notification condition). If the determination processing unit 34 determines that the notification condition is satisfied, the determination processing unit 34 performs notification by cooperating with the notification unit 35. The notification condition can be arbitrarily set, but it is preferable to set a condition (state) in which a decrease in radio wave intensity can be detected. Note that the notification conditions are stored in a storage medium (not shown) such as a ROM.

  For example, a radio wave intensity threshold (lower limit) may be set as the notification condition. In this case, the determination processing unit 34 determines that the notification condition is satisfied when the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measurement unit 33 is less than the threshold value. Moreover, you may set the change pattern of electromagnetic wave intensity as other alerting | reporting conditions. For example, by setting a change pattern in which one or a plurality of change amounts per unit time are combined, it is possible to detect a state in which the radio wave intensity suddenly decreases or gradually decreases. In this case, the determination processing unit 34 determines that the notification condition is met when the change pattern of the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measurement unit 33 matches the change pattern of the notification condition.

  The notification unit 35 performs notification when the determination processing unit 34 determines that the notification condition is satisfied. The notification method is not particularly limited, and various methods can be used. For example, when the wireless communication device includes a sound output device such as a buzzer or a speaker, the notification unit 35 may perform notification using the sound output device. Further, when the wireless communication device includes a display device such as a display, the notification unit 35 may perform notification using this display device. When the wireless communication device includes a notification device such as an indicator lamp or a vibrator, the notification unit 35 may perform notification using this notification device. Further, the notification unit 35 may perform notification by notifying a message or the like to an external device via the communication unit 32. In addition, the notification unit 35 may perform notification by combining any or all of the above-described notification methods.

  Note that the notification unit 35 may switch the notification method (tone color, display content, light emission / vibration pattern, notification destination device, etc.) according to the applicable notification condition. For example, when the radio wave intensity suddenly decreases, there is a possibility that a failure has occurred in the network in the store, such as a failure in an external device (such as an access point AP). In such a case, the alerting | reporting part 35 is good also as a structure which alert | reports using other alerting | reporting methods, such as an audio | voice output, without alerting | reporting to an external device. On the other hand, when the radio field intensity gradually decreases, there is a possibility that the own apparatus is moving while the connection (communication) with the external apparatus is maintained. For this reason, it is preferable that the notification unit 35 notifies the external device and uses other notification methods such as voice output.

  Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of notification processing executed by the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  First, the radio field intensity measurement unit 33 measures the radio field intensity received by the communication unit 32 (step S11). Next, the determination processing unit 34 determines whether or not the state of the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring unit 33 corresponds to the notification condition (step S12). If it is determined that the notification condition is not met (step S12; No), the process returns to step S11.

  On the other hand, when it determines with it being applicable to alerting | reporting conditions by step S12 (step S12; Yes), the determination process part 34 alert | reports by cooperating with the alerting | reporting part 35 (step S13), and complete | finishes this process.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device of the present embodiment, notification is performed when the state of radio wave intensity of wireless communication corresponds to a predetermined notification condition. Thereby, it is possible to notify when the wireless communication apparatus moves or moves to a non-target area for wireless communication. In addition, it is possible to notify when the radio field intensity of the wireless communication device is reduced or when communication with the external device is cut off, thereby preventing the offline state or prompting the return from the offline state. it can. Moreover, since it can alert | report when a radio | wireless communication apparatus is taken out of a store, a theft can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
2nd Embodiment demonstrates the structure which includes the state of the electric power transmission by non-contact in the determination element of alerting | reporting conditions. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wireless communication device includes an antenna 31, a communication unit 32, a radio wave intensity measurement unit 33, a notification unit 35, a power reception unit 41, a battery 42, and a determination processing unit 43.

  The power receiving unit 41 is a functional unit that receives power supplied from a non-contact power supply type power supply device (not shown). The power receiving unit 41 supplies the received power to each unit of the wireless communication device and the battery 42. The battery 42 supplies the charged power to each unit of the wireless communication device. The non-contact power feeding method is not particularly limited, and for example, an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, a radio wave method, or the like may be used.

  The determination processing unit 43 determines whether or not the state of the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measurement unit 33 and the power reception state of the power reception unit 41 satisfy a predetermined notification condition.

  Here, as for the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring unit 33, the threshold value (lower limit value) and the change pattern of the radio wave intensity can be set as the first condition, as in the first embodiment. For the power receiving state of the power receiving unit 41, for example, a state where the power receiving unit 41 is not receiving power is set as the second condition. And the combination condition (AND condition) which prescribed | regulated that both 1st conditions and 2nd conditions correspond is set as alerting | reporting conditions. Note that the method for determining the power receiving state is not particularly limited. For example, the determination processing unit 43 may determine based on the amount of power supplied from the power receiving unit 41 to the battery 42 or the like, or may determine based on the radio wave intensity received by the power receiving unit 41 from the power feeding device.

  And when it determines with the determination process part 43 being applicable to alerting | reporting conditions (1st condition and 2nd condition), it alert | reports by cooperating with the alerting | reporting part 35. FIG. When the above notification condition is adopted, the notification unit 35 is configured such that the state of the radio wave intensity corresponds to the first condition and the power reception state of the power reception unit 41 corresponds to the second condition, that is, the power reception state of the power reception unit 41 is not. Notification is given when power reception is indicated. Thereby, it is possible to notify when the wireless communication apparatus has moved to a non-target area for wireless communication and non-contact power feeding (power transmission). Therefore, for example, since a wireless communication device such as the POS terminal 10 or the peripheral device 20 can be notified when it is taken out of the store, theft or the like can be prevented.

  Further, when the wireless communication device is carried in a store and used (first condition: applicable, second condition: not applicable), unnecessary notification may be suppressed because the notification condition is not satisfied. it can. Furthermore, even when a failure occurs in the network in the store (first condition: not applicable, second condition: applicable), since the notification condition is not met, unnecessary notification can be suppressed.

  In addition, it is good also as a structure which switches an alerting | reporting method according to the combination result of a 1st condition and a 2nd condition. For example, when either one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the notification may be performed by a different notification method from that when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. In addition, when one of the first condition and the second condition is met, the notification method may be switched according to the condition of the corresponding condition.

  Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of notification processing executed by the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  First, the radio field intensity measurement unit 33 measures the radio field intensity received by the communication unit 32 (step S21). Next, the determination processing unit 43 determines whether or not the state of the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measurement unit 33 satisfies the first condition (step S22). If it is determined that the first condition is not met (step S22; No), the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, when it determines with satisfy | filling 1st conditions (step S22; Yes), the determination process part 43 discriminate | determines the power receiving state of the power receiving part 41 (step S23). Next, the determination processing unit 43 determines whether or not the power receiving state of the power receiving unit 41 satisfies the second condition (step S24). If it is determined that the second condition is not met (step S24; No), the process returns to step S21.

  When it determines with satisfy | filling 2nd conditions by step S24 (step S24; Yes), the determination process part 43 alert | reports by cooperating with the alerting | reporting part 35 (step S25), and complete | finishes this process.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device of the present embodiment, notification is performed when the radio wave intensity of wireless communication and the state of non-contact power supply meet predetermined notification conditions. Thereby, it is possible to notify when the wireless communication apparatus moves to or moves to a non-target area for wireless communication and non-contact power feeding. In addition, it is possible to notify when the radio field intensity of the wireless communication device is reduced or when communication with an external device is cut off, so that the offline state is prevented or the return from the offline state is urged. be able to. Moreover, since it can alert | report when a radio | wireless communication apparatus is taken out of a store, a theft can be prevented.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a star network that performs communication centering on the access point AP or the like is used. However, the form of the network is not limited to this. For example, a mesh network in which wireless communication devices communicate with each other may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless communication device (POS terminal 10 and the peripheral device 20) includes the battery 42 has been described. However, in the first embodiment, the wireless communication device includes the battery 42. May be. In this case, the battery 42 accumulates electric power supplied from a commercial power source or the like, and supplies electric power to each unit of the wireless communication apparatus when the supply of the electric power is cut off. The battery 42 may be configured to supply power to the components related to wireless communication shown in FIG. Thereby, even if it is a case where the power supply to the POS terminal 10 or the peripheral device 20 is cut | disconnected, the above-mentioned alerting | reporting process can be performed.

  The program executed in each device of the above embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a storage medium included in each device, but is not limited thereto, and is a CD-ROM in an installable or executable format file. The recording medium may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium that downloads and stores or temporarily stores a program transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, or the like.

  Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network and provided by being downloaded via the network, or provided via a network such as the Internet. It may be configured to be distributed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Store system 10 POS terminal 20 Peripheral device AP Access point 31 Antenna 32 Communication part 33 Electric wave intensity measurement part 34 Judgment processing part 35 Notification part 41 Power receiving part 42 Battery 43 Judgment processing part

JP 2010-93366 A

Claims (5)

A communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
Measuring means for measuring radio field intensity according to the wireless communication;
Power receiving means for receiving power supplied from the non-contact power supply device;
A determination unit that determines whether the state of the radio field intensity measured by the measurement unit corresponds to a predetermined first condition , and determines whether the power reception state of the power reception unit corresponds to a predetermined second condition ;
Informing means for performing notification by switching a notification method according to a combination result of the first condition and the second condition determined to be applicable to the determination means;
A wireless communication device comprising: The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the first condition is met when a radio wave intensity measured by the measurement unit is less than a threshold set as the first condition . It said determination means changes the pattern of the radio wave intensities said measuring means has measured said if it matches the set change pattern as the first condition, according to claim 1 or 2 is determined to correspond to the first condition Wireless communication device. It said determining means, receiving state of the receiving means, to indicate non-powered set as the second condition, according to the any one of determining claims 1-3 and corresponds to the second condition Wireless communication device. A wireless communication device computer,
A communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
Measuring means for measuring radio field intensity according to the wireless communication;
Power receiving means for receiving power supplied from the non-contact power supply device;
A determination unit that determines whether the state of the radio field intensity measured by the measurement unit corresponds to a predetermined first condition , and determines whether the power reception state of the power reception unit corresponds to a predetermined second condition ;
Informing means for performing notification by switching a notification method according to a combination result of the first condition and the second condition determined to be applicable to the determination means;
Program to make it function.

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