JP6580230B2 - Search support apparatus and control program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a search support apparatus and a control program thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art A search support apparatus that supports searching for an article to which a wireless tag is attached by presenting a user with the position of a wireless tag such as an RFID tag detected using radio waves is already known.

  However, in the case of an RFID tag, the communicable distance is about 5 m. For this reason, the position of the article cannot be detected by the search support apparatus unless the search support apparatus is close to the article to be searched to some extent.

  Under such circumstances, it has been desired to be able to support searching for articles from outside the communication area of the wireless tag.

JP 2014-139553 A JP 2014-142721 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a search support apparatus capable of supporting the search for articles from outside the communication area of the wireless tag and a control program therefor.

The search support apparatus of the embodiment includes a first receiving unit, a second receiving unit, a setting unit, an obtaining unit, and a display unit. The first receiving means receives a tag identification code transmitted by the wireless tag. The second receiving means receives the radio station identification code transmitted by the radio station. The setting means sets a tag identification code for identifying a target wireless tag that is a search target. The acquisition unit acquires a radio station identification code associated with the tag identification code set by the setting unit. When the tag identification code set by the setting unit is included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving unit, the display unit includes first position information including at least one of a distance and a direction to the target wireless tag. The tag identification code set by the setting unit is not included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving unit, and the radio station identification code received by the second receiving unit is acquired by the acquiring unit. When the station identification code is not included, information for guiding the user to the vicinity of the communication area of the wireless station corresponding to the wireless station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed and received by the second receiving unit When the wireless station identification code includes the wireless station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit, second position information indicating the position of the wireless station corresponding to the wireless station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the search assistance apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the search assistance apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of location data. The figure which shows an example of correlation data. The flowchart of the control processing in 1st Embodiment by the processor provided in the portable information terminal in FIG. The flowchart of the control processing in 1st Embodiment by the processor provided in the portable information terminal in FIG. The figure which shows an example of a list display. The figure which shows an example of a 1st guidance display. The figure which shows an example of a 2nd guidance display. The figure which shows an example of a 3rd guidance display. The figure which shows an example of a 4th guidance display. The flowchart of the control processing in 1st Embodiment by the processor provided in the portable information terminal in FIG. The figure which shows an example of a 5th guidance display.

  Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a search support apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The search support apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 1 and a portable information terminal 2.

  The communication unit 1 includes a main body 1a, a holder 1b, and a grip 1c. The main body 1a accommodates many of the electrical components described later. The holder 1b holds the portable information terminal 2 in a detachable manner. The grip 1c is gripped by the user of the search support apparatus 100.

  The portable information terminal 2 performs information processing to be described later for search support while wirelessly communicating with the communication unit 1. As the portable information terminal 2, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the search support apparatus 100. 2, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The communication unit 1 performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 200 and the wireless station 300.

  The wireless tag 200 is attached to an article to be searched. Although only one wireless tag 200 is shown in FIG. 2, typically, a large number of wireless tags 200 are attached to a large number of articles, respectively. The wireless tag 200 may move as the article to which it is attached moves. The wireless tag 200 operates upon receiving a predetermined radio wave, and transmits a tag ID that is a unique identification code. As the wireless tag 200, various standards can be used as appropriate. The wireless tag 200 is typically an RFID (radio frequency identifier) tag.

The radio station 300 is installed in a space (hereinafter referred to as a search target area) in which an article is searched using the search support apparatus 100. Although only one radio station 300 is shown in FIG. 2, typically, a plurality of radio stations 300 are distributed and arranged in the search target area. The radio station 300 may be movable, but in principle, is operated in a fixed state.
The wireless station 300 wirelessly transmits a predetermined unique beacon signal. The beacon signal may include a unique radio station code for each radio station 300, or may have different attributes of the beacon signal itself such as frequency for each radio station 300. The plurality of radio stations 300 transmit beacon signals with substantially the same intensity. The transmission strength of the wireless station 300 is larger than the transmission strength of the wireless tag 200. That is, the communication area of the wireless station 300 is wider than the communication area of the wireless tag 200.

  The communication unit 1 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a transmission / reception circuit 13, a reception circuit 14, a measurement circuit 15, a communication circuit 16, and a system transmission path 17. The processor 11, the memory 12, the transmission / reception circuit 13, the reception circuit 14, the measurement circuit 15, and the communication circuit 16 are connected by a system transmission path 17. The system transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like.

  The processor 11 and the memory 12 constitute a computer for controlling the communication unit 1 by being connected by the system transmission path 17.

  The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part of the communication unit 1 so as to realize various functions as the communication unit 1 according to the operating system and application programs.

  The memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The memory 12 stores an operating system and application programs in a nonvolatile memory area. The memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The memory 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11. As the memory 12, a semiconductor memory is typically used. However, in addition to the semiconductor memory, other types of storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may be included.

  The transmission / reception circuit 13 emits radio waves for operating the wireless tag 200. The transmission / reception circuit 13 receives the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless tag 200. That is, the transmission / reception circuit 13 is an example of a communication device that communicates with the wireless tag 200. The transmission / reception circuit 13 extracts the tag ID from the received radio signal and notifies the measurement circuit 15 of the tag ID. The transmission / reception circuit 13 includes an antenna having directivity. The directivity described above has a characteristic that the gain in a certain reference direction is maximum, and the gain decreases as the angle with respect to the reference direction increases.

  The receiving circuit 14 receives a beacon signal transmitted from the wireless station 300. Based on the beacon signal, the reception circuit 14 determines a wireless station ID that is an identification code unique to the wireless station 300 that transmitted the beacon signal. The receiving circuit 14 notifies the measuring circuit 15 of the determined wireless station ID.

  The measurement circuit 15 measures the reception intensity when the transmission / reception circuit 13 receives a radio signal. The measurement circuit 15 measures the reception intensity when the reception circuit 14 receives a beacon signal. The measurement circuit 15 notifies the processor 11 of the measured reception intensity together with the tag ID or radio station ID obtained from the same signal.

The communication circuit 16 performs wireless data communication between the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2.
As the communication circuit 16, for example, an existing device compliant with bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi can be used.

  The portable information terminal 2 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a touch panel 23, a gyro sensor 24, a communication circuit 25, a communication circuit 26, and a system transmission path 27. The processor 21, the memory 22, the touch panel 23, the gyro sensor 24, the communication circuit 25, and the communication circuit 26 are connected by a system transmission path 27. The system transmission path 27 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like.

  The processor 21 and the memory 22 constitute a computer for controlling the portable information terminal 2 by being connected by a system transmission path 27.

  The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 21 controls each part of the portable information terminal 2 in order to realize various functions as the portable information terminal 2 according to the operating system and application programs.

  The memory 22 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The memory 22 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The memory 22 stores an operating system and application programs in a nonvolatile memory area. One of the application programs stored in the memory 22 is a control program for control processing described later. The memory 22 may store data necessary for the processor 21 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The memory 22 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 21. As the memory 22, a semiconductor memory is typically used. However, in addition to the semiconductor memory, other types of storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may be included.

  The touch panel 23 functions as an input device and a display device for the portable information terminal 2.

  The gyro sensor 24 detects the orientation of the portable information terminal 2. In a state where the portable information terminal 2 is attached to the communication unit 1, the relative relationship between the direction of the antenna provided in the transmission / reception circuit 13 and the direction of the portable information terminal 2 does not change. Therefore, the gyro sensor 24 detects the direction of the antenna provided in the transmission / reception circuit 13. That is, the gyro sensor 24 is an example of a detection unit.

The communication circuit 25 performs wireless data communication between the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2.
That is, the communication circuit 25 communicates with the communication circuit 16, and an existing device that conforms to the same standard that the communication circuit 16 conforms to can be used.

  The communication circuit 26 performs data communication via the communication network 400. The communication network 400 includes, for example, a mobile network. As the communication circuit 26, an existing device for communicating with a mobile network can be used. One of the partners that performs data communication via the communication network 400 by the communication circuit 26 is a server 500.

  The server 500 stores location data and association data in a built-in or external storage device. Then, the server 500 answers various inquiries from the portable information terminal 2 based on the location data and the association data.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of location data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the location data is a set of data records in which the radio station ID and the installation location are associated with each other.

  The installation location is data representing the location where the radio station 300 identified by the radio station ID associated with the same data record is installed in an expression format that the user can recognize. The location data is updated based on an operation by the operator or the like as part of the installation work of the radio station 300. Note that the representation format of the installation location shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the representation format of the installation location is arbitrary.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of association data.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the association data is a set of data records in which the tag ID and the radio station ID are associated. In principle, the data record of the association data includes a tag ID of a wireless tag attached to an article stored in the search area and a place where the article attached with the wireless tag identified by the tag ID is stored. The radio station ID of the nearest radio station 300 is described. However, when the storage location of the article is changed, a situation may occur where the description of the data record of the association data does not follow the above principle. The association data is updated by a process described later.

  By the way, the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2 may be assigned to the user as a set, or the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2 may be individually assigned to the user. The application program may be stored in the memories 12 and 22 at the time when the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2 are transferred to the user, or after the transfer of the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2 It may be written to the memories 12 and 22 under operation. In the latter case, the application program may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or transferred to the user by any method such as via a network.

  Next, the operation of the search support apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts of control processing by the processor 21. FIG.

  When execution of control processing for search support is instructed by an operation on the touch panel 23 by the user, the processor 21 starts the control processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the control program stored in the memory 22. Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be used as appropriate.

  In Act 1, the processor 21 starts home display on the touch panel 23. The home display displays an image that prompts the user to specify a process to be executed. The home display includes a GUI (graphical user interface) for accepting designation of the target wireless tag and a button for instructing the start of registration. The target wireless tag is a wireless tag 200 attached to an article to be searched. The GUI includes, for example, a tag ID input field and a determination button of the target wireless tag. Or said GUI is good also as what selects one tag ID from the list of tag IDs, for example.

  In Act2, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the target wireless tag is designated. If the processor 21 determines No because the designation is not made, the processor 21 proceeds to Act3.

  In Act 3, the processor 21 confirms whether or not a registration start is instructed. If the processor 21 determines No because the instruction has not been made, the processor 21 proceeds to Act4.

  In Act 4, the processor 21 confirms whether or not an instruction other than the designation of the target wireless tag and the instruction to start registration has been given. If the processor 21 determines No because the instruction is not made, the processor 21 returns to Act2.

  Thus, in Act2 to Act4, the processor 21 waits for any of the designation of the target wireless tag, the instruction to start registration, and other instructions. If the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 4 because another instruction is given by the user, the processor 21 proceeds to processing according to the instruction. A description of the processing in this case is omitted.

  When the user places a place in the search area as a new storage place for the article, the user touches a button for instructing the start of registration with the article with the wireless tag 200 attached to the place. When the touch is detected on the touch panel 23, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act3 and proceeds to Act5.

  In Act 5, the processor 21 scans the wireless tag 200 and the wireless station 300. Specifically, the processor 21 requests the processor 11 to scan the wireless tag 200 and the wireless station 300 via the communication circuits 25 and 16. In response to this request, the processor 11 drives the transmission / reception circuit 13 to scan all wireless tags 200 that can communicate. That is, the processor 11 collects tag IDs of all wireless tags 200 that can communicate. The scanning of the wireless tag 200 can be performed by the same operation as that performed in an existing wireless tag system. Further, the processor 11 collects the radio station ID from each of all the beacon signals received by the receiving circuit 14. The processor 11 notifies the processor 21 via the communication circuits 16 and 25 of the collected tag ID and radio station ID.

  In Act 6, the processor 21 starts list display on the touch panel 23 and accepts selection of a wireless tag to be associated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list display.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the list display includes guide text T11, list L11, and buttons B11 and B12.

  Specifically, the processor 21 selects the maximum value of the reception strengths measured by the measurement circuit 15 for the beacon signal. The radio station ID determined by the receiving circuit 14 from the beacon signal from which the maximum value has been measured is likely to be the nearest radio station 300 from the search support device 100 at the present time. Therefore, the processor 21 regards the corresponding wireless station ID as the ID of the nearest wireless station 300. Then, the processor 21 generates the guidance text T11 indicating that the wireless station 300 identified by the wireless station ID is nearest.

  The list L11 includes a selection cell, a registration cell, a tag ID cell, and a radio station ID cell in one row. The processor 21 represents each tag ID collected by the transmission / reception circuit 13 in a tag ID cell. Further, the processor 21 inquires of the server 500 whether or not each tag ID collected by the transmission / reception circuit 13 is included in the association data. The server 500 notifies the mobile information terminal 2 whether or not the corresponding tag ID is included in the association data. Based on such notification, the processor 21 represents “present” in the registered cells in the same row as the tag ID cell representing the tag ID included in the association data, and “none” in the other registered cells. . In addition, if the wireless station ID is associated with the corresponding tag ID, the server 500 notifies the mobile information terminal 2 of the wireless station ID. Based on such notification, the processor 21 represents the wireless station ID associated with the tag ID represented in the tag ID cell in the accompanying wireless station ID cell. Then, the processor 21 places check boxes in the selected cells of each row. The initial state of the check box may be either a checked state or an unchecked state.

  The user confirms the list display, and touches the check box to check the check box placed in the selected cell in the same row as the tag ID whose association in the association data is to be updated. If the touch on the check box is detected by the touch panel 23, the processor 21 inverts the state of the check box. A check mark is displayed over the check box in the checked state.

  In Act 7, the processor 21 confirms whether or not an end instruction has been issued. If the processor 21 determines No because the instruction has not been made, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 8.

  In Act 8, the processor 21 confirms whether or not a registration instruction has been given. If the processor 21 determines No because the instruction has not been made, the processor 21 returns to Act 7.

  Thus, in Act 7 and Act 8, the processor 21 waits for an end instruction or a registration instruction.

  The user touches the button B11 after checking all necessary check boxes. The button B11 is a button for instructing update execution of association. In response to the touch on the button B11 being detected on the touch panel 23, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 8, and proceeds to Act 9.

  In Act 9, the processor 21 updates the association data. Specifically, the processor 21 generates request data for requesting the update of the association data, and transmits the request data from the communication circuit 26 to the server 500 to the communication network 400. The processor 21 includes, in the request data, the tag ID represented in the tag ID cell in the same row as the selected cell in which the check box in the checked state is arranged. Further, the processor 21 includes the wireless station ID regarded as the ID of the nearest wireless station 300 in the request data as described above.

  When the request data is transmitted to the server 500 via the communication network 400, the server 500 updates the association data according to the request data. Specifically, if the tag ID included in the request data is already included in the association data, the server 500 includes the wireless station ID included in the same data record as the tag ID in the request data. Rewrite to wireless station ID. Further, if the tag ID included in the request data is not included in the association data, the server 500 adds a new data record describing the tag ID and the wireless station ID included in the request data to the association data. To do.

  Thus, the association data associates the wireless station ID of the wireless station 300 that transmits a beacon that can be received with the highest reception strength in a situation where the tag ID of the wireless tag 200 can be received for each wireless tag 200. It will be a thing.

  Based on the association data and the location data as described above, it is possible to specify which wireless station 300 is located in the vicinity of each communication area of the wireless tag 200. Therefore, the wireless station ID in the association data is an example of information for specifying the position of the communication area of the wireless tag 200.

  In Act 10, the processor 21 updates the list display to reflect the update result of the association data. Then, the processor 21 returns to the standby state for Act7 and Act8.

  If the user confirms the list display and determines that there is no need to update the association data, the user touches the button B12. The button B12 is a button for instructing the end of the update of the association data. In response to the touch on the button B12 being detected by the touch panel 23, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 7 and returns to Act 1.

  When the user wants to search for an article, when the search support apparatus 100 is in the home display state, the user inputs the tag ID of the target wireless tag in the input field and then touches the determination button. The processor 21 determines Yes in Act 2 in response to the touch on the decision button being detected by the touch panel 23, and proceeds to Act 11 in FIG. 6. In the subsequent processing, the processor 21 sets the tag ID input in the input field as the target ID. The target wireless tag identified by this target ID is a search target. Thus, when the processor 21 executes control processing based on the control program, the computer having the processor 21 as a central part functions as a setting unit.

  In Act 11, the processor 21 starts the first guidance display on the touch panel 23.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first guidance display.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first guidance display includes guidance text T21 and a button B21.

  The guidance text T21 informs the user that the target wireless tag is being searched. The button B21 is a button for instructing the end of the search.

  In Act 12, the processor 21 confirms whether the end of the search is instructed. If the processor 21 determines No because the instruction is not given, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 13.

  In Act 13, the processor 21 scans the wireless tag 200. Specifically, the processor 21 requests the processor 11 to scan the wireless tag 200 via the communication circuits 25 and 16. In response to this request, the processor 11 drives the transmission / reception circuit 13 to scan all wireless tags 200 that can communicate. That is, the processor 11 collects tag IDs of all wireless tags 200 that can communicate. The scanning of the wireless tag 200 can be performed by the same operation as that performed in an existing wireless tag system.

  In Act 14, the processor 21 confirms whether or not even one tag ID is obtained by the above scan. If the processor 21 determines No because no tag ID has been obtained, the processor 21 returns to Act 12.

  Thus, in Act 12 to Act 14, the processor 21 repeats scanning of the wireless tag 200 until the end of the search is instructed or the tag ID is obtained. If the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 14 because the tag ID has been received, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 15.

  In Act 15, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the target ID is included in the obtained tag ID. If the processor 21 determines No because there is no target ID, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 16.

  In Act 16, the processor 21 confirms whether or not there is an association of the wireless station ID with the target ID in the association data.

  Specifically, the processor 21 generates inquiry data including the target ID, and transmits the inquiry data to the communication network 400 from the communication circuit 26 to the server 500.

  When the inquiry data is transmitted to the server 500 via the communication network 400, the server 500 extracts the wireless station ID associated with the target ID included in the inquiry data from the association data. Subsequently, the server 500 determines the installation location described in the data record including the extracted wireless station ID from the location data. Server 500 transmits notification data for notifying the determined installation location to communication network 400 addressed to portable information terminal 2. However, the wireless station ID may not be associated with the target ID. In addition, the wireless station ID associated with the target ID may not be described in the location data. In these cases, the processor 21 transmits notification data for notifying that the installation location is unknown to the communication network 400 to the portable information terminal 2.

  When the notification data is transmitted to the portable information terminal 2 via the communication network 400, the communication circuit 26 receives this notification data and gives it to the processor 21. If the installation location is indicated in the notification data, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 16 and proceeds to Act 17.

  In Act 17, the processor 21 starts the second guidance display on the touch panel 23. If the second guidance display has already been performed before this, the processor 21 continues it. If the processor 21 has previously performed a guidance display other than the second guidance display, the guidance display ends.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second guidance display.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the second guidance display includes guidance texts T31 and T32 and a button B31.

  The guidance text T31 informs the user that the target wireless tag is outside the search range. The guidance text T32 informs the user where to move to search for the target wireless tag. The processor 21 generates the guidance text T32 including the installation location indicated in the notification data. The button B31 is a button for instructing the end of the search.

  The user views the second guidance display and moves to the installation location indicated by the guidance text T32. This installation location is an installation location of the radio station 300, and is not a storage location of the search target article. However, since it is the installation location of the wireless station 300 that is considered to be closest to the target wireless tag, there is a high possibility that it is close to the storage location of the article to be searched. For this reason, if the user arbitrarily moves around the place, there is a high possibility that the search support device 100 enters the communication area of the target wireless tag.

  Thus, the second guidance display is an example of a second guidance operation for guiding the user to the vicinity of the communication area of the target wireless tag based on the information associated with the identification code of the target wireless tag. When the processor 21 executes a control process based on the control program, the computer having the processor 21 as a central part functions as a second guiding unit.

  Note that the second guidance display may include a sketch representing the installation location of the wireless station 300 in place of or in addition to the guidance text T32.

  On the other hand, if the notification data indicates that the installation location is unknown, the processor 21 determines No in Act 16 and proceeds to Act 18.

  In Act 18, the processor 21 starts the third guidance display on the touch panel 23. If the third guidance display has already been performed before this, the processor 21 continues it. If the processor 21 has previously performed a guidance display other than the third guidance display, the guidance display ends.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the third guidance display.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the third guidance display includes guidance texts T41 and T42 and a button B41.

  The guidance text T41 notifies the user that the target wireless tag is outside the search range. The guidance text T42 informs the user that the article to be searched should be moved to the vicinity of the place where the article is stored. The button B41 is a button for instructing the end of the search.

  When the user visually observes the third guidance display, the user moves to the vicinity of the place where the article to be searched is stored, depending on the knowledge of the user himself or using an arbitrary method.

  If the target ID is received because the search support apparatus 100 is located within the communication area of the target wireless tag, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 15 and proceeds to Act 19.

  In Act 19, the processor 21 estimates the distance and direction. Here, the distance estimated by the processor 21 is a distance from the search support apparatus 100 to the target wireless tag. The direction estimated by the processor 21 is the direction of the location of the target wireless tag with respect to the current location of the search support apparatus 100. In this estimation, the processor 21 refers to the reception intensity measured by the measurement circuit 15 when the target ID is received and the direction of the search support device 100 detected by the gyro sensor 24 when the target ID is received. To do. For the estimation of the distance and the direction here, for example, the methods described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2014-139753 and 2014-142721, or other known methods can be used. Thus, when the processor 21 executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the processor 21 as a central part functions as an estimation means.

  In Act 20, the processor 21 starts the fourth guidance display on the touch panel 23. If the fourth guidance display has already been performed before this, the processor 21 continues it. If the processor 21 has previously performed any guidance display other than the fourth guidance display, the guidance display ends.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth guidance display.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the fourth guidance display includes a chart C51 and a button B51.

  The processor 21 generates a chart C51 so that the relative position of the target wireless tag is expressed by a PPI (plan position indicator) method with the current position of the search support device 100 as the center. A black dot in chart C51 represents the position of the target wireless tag. When the fourth guidance display is continued as described above, the position of the black spot on the chart C51 changes as the search support apparatus 100 moves. The button B51 is a button for instructing the end of the search.

  Thus, the fourth guidance display is an example of a first guidance operation for guiding the position of the target wireless tag estimated based on the communication status with the target wireless tag to the user. When the processor 21 executes control processing based on the control program, the computer having the processor 21 as a central part functions as first guiding means.

  In Act 21, the processor 21 checks whether or not the tag ID obtained in Act 13 includes a tag ID other than the target ID. If the processor 21 determines No because no tag ID other than the target ID is obtained, the processor 21 returns to the standby state of Act12 to Act14. However, if a tag ID other than the target ID is obtained, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 22. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 22 after starting the second or third guidance display at Act 17 or Act 18.

  In Act 22, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the learning function is set to be valid. The learning function is set to be valid / invalid according to an instruction from the administrator of the search support apparatus 100 or the like in a separate setting process by the processor 21. If the processor 21 determines Yes because the learning function is enabled, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 23.

  In Act 23, the processor 21 searches for a nearby radio station 300 at the current position of the search support apparatus 100. Specifically, the processor 21 requests the processor 11 to scan the wireless station 300 via the communication circuits 25 and 16. In response to this request, the processor 11 collects the radio station ID from each of all the beacon signals received by the receiving circuit 14. Then, the processor 11 notifies the collected radio station ID to the processor 21 via the communication circuits 16 and 25. Then, the processor 21 selects the maximum value of the reception strengths measured by the measurement circuit 15 for each beacon signal. The processor 21 sets the wireless station ID determined by the receiving circuit 14 from the beacon signal whose maximum value is measured as the wireless station ID of the nearby wireless station 300.

  In Act 24, the processor 21 confirms whether there is a neighboring radio station 300 or not. If the processor 21 determines Yes because it has determined the wireless station ID of the neighboring wireless station 300, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 25.

  In Act 25, the processor 21 performs an association data update process. Specifically, the processor 21 generates request data including each tag ID other than the target ID among the tag IDs obtained in Act 13 and the radio station ID of the neighboring radio station 300, and generates the request data using the communication circuit 26. To the server 500 to the communication network 400.

  When the request data is transmitted to the server 500 via the communication network 400, the server 500 updates the association data as described above according to the request data.

  Thus, the association data is updated based on the reception status of the tag ID of the wireless tag 200 that is not the search target in the search process and the reception status of the beacon signal.

  If the learning function is set to be invalid and the processor 21 determines No in Act 22, the processor 21 passes the update process in Act 25 and returns to the standby state of Act 12 to Act 14. Even when the processor 21 determines No in Act 24 because the neighboring radio station 300 was not found, the processor 21 passes the update process in Act 25 and returns to the standby state of Act 12 to Act 14. If the selected maximum value is less than the predetermined limit value, the processor 21 may determine that there is no neighboring radio station 300 and determine No in Act 24.

  When the user ends the search, the user touches any of the buttons B12, B21, B31, B41, and B51 included in the guidance display at that time. When the touch is detected by the touch panel 23, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 12, and returns to Act 1 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the search support device 100 of the first embodiment, the second guidance display guides the place to move to search for the target wireless tag. The guidance based on the second guidance display is performed when the search support device 100 is located outside the communication area of the target wireless tag and has been associated with the association data of the target ID. With this guidance, the user can recognize where to move in order to receive guidance based on the fourth guidance display.

  If the search support apparatus 100 is located within the communication area of the target wireless tag, the relative position of the target wireless tag with respect to the current position of the search support apparatus 100 is guided by the fourth guidance display. With this guidance, the user can intuitively recognize the position of the target wireless tag, that is, the position of the search target article.

  If the communication area of the wireless tag 200 has a radius of 5 m, the communication area of the wireless tag 200 is an extremely small range in, for example, a large factory site. However, according to the search support apparatus 100, the user may first move to the X block of the A warehouse according to the second guidance display shown in FIG. Thereafter, the user moves in the vicinity until the fourth guidance display is started. When the fourth guidance display is started, the user can specify the position of the article to be searched according to the fourth guidance display.

  In this way, the search support device 100 can support searching for articles from outside the communication area of the wireless tag 200.

  Further, according to the search support apparatus 100, when the process for registration is activated, the association data can be updated so as to associate the tag ID and the radio station ID that can be acquired at the same place. it can. As a result, when the article with the wireless tag 200 is newly added as a search support target, or when the storage location of the article with the wireless tag 200 is changed, the burden on the user related to updating the association data is reduced. Can be small.

  In addition, the search support apparatus 100 may receive a tag ID other than the target ID while executing processing for search support for the target wireless tag. And tag IDs other than the target ID and the radio station ID corresponding to the beacon signal that can be received at that time may not be correctly associated in the association data. In this case, the search support apparatus 100 can update the association data so as to describe the association. As a result, even if the association data is not properly updated by the process for registration, the association registration / correction for the newly stored article or the article whose storage location has been changed is automatically performed. Done.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment can be realized by the search support apparatus 100 having the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment.

  However, in the second embodiment, the control program stored in the memory 22 is different from that in the first embodiment. As a result, the control process executed by the processor 21 is partially different from that of the first embodiment in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of control processing by the processor 21 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, only the parts different from the first embodiment are shown, and illustration of other common processing is omitted. In FIG. 12, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  If the result of the determination in Act 16 is Yes, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 31.

  In Act 31, the processor 21 attempts to receive a beacon signal (hereinafter referred to as a target signal) corresponding to the wireless station ID associated with the target ID using the association data. Specifically, the processor 21 notifies the processor 11 of the corresponding wireless station ID via the communication circuits 25 and 16 and requests reception of a beacon signal corresponding thereto. In response to this request, the processor 11 checks whether or not the notified wireless station ID is included in the wireless station IDs obtained from all of the beacon signals received by the receiving circuit 14. Alternatively, the processor 11 causes the reception circuit 14 to receive a beacon signal corresponding to the notified wireless station ID. The processor 11 notifies the processor 21 via the communication circuits 16 and 25 of notification data that at least indicates whether or not the target signal has been received. If the target signal can be received, the processor 11 indicates the reception intensity and direction in the notification data. The reception intensity is, for example, the reception intensity measured by the measurement circuit 15 with respect to the target signal. The direction is the direction of the search support apparatus 100 detected by the gyro sensor 24 at the time when the reception intensity is obtained.

  In Act 32, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the target signal has been received based on the notification data. If the result of the determination is No because the target signal has not been received, the processor 21 proceeds to Act17. In this case, the processor 21 thereafter performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. However, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 33 if it determines Yes in Act 32 because it has received the target signal.

In Act 33, the processor 21 estimates the distance and the direction. Here, the distance estimated by the processor 21 is the distance from the search support device 100 to the wireless station 300 identified by the wireless station ID associated with the target ID by the association data. The direction estimated by the processor 21 is the direction relative to the current position of the search support apparatus 100 with respect to the installation position of the wireless station 300 described above. In this estimation, the processor 21 refers to the reception intensity and direction indicated in the notification data. For the estimation of the distance and the direction here, for example, the methods described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2014-139753 and 2014-142721 can be used. In Act 34, the processor 21 starts the fifth guidance display. If the fifth guidance display has already been performed before this, the processor 21 continues it. If the processor 21 has previously performed any guidance display other than the fifth guidance display, the guidance display ends.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fifth guidance display.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the fifth guidance display includes a chart C61, guidance text T61, and a button B61.

The processor 21 generates the chart C61 so that the relative position of the wireless station 300 identified by the wireless station ID associated with the target ID by the association data is expressed by the PPI method with the current position of the search support device 100 as the center. To do. Note that the star in the chart C61 represents the position of the corresponding radio station 300. When the fifth guidance display is continued as described above, the position of the star in the chart C61 changes as the search support apparatus 100 moves.
The guidance text T61 informs the user where to move to search for the target wireless tag. The button B61 is a button for instructing the end of the search.

  Then, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 22, and thereafter performs the same processing as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the search support device 100 in the second embodiment, if the search support device 100 is located within the communication area of the target wireless tag, the fourth is the same as in the first embodiment. Search support can be performed with the guidance display.

  And in the search assistance apparatus 100 in 2nd Embodiment, the 5th guidance containing the chart C61 showing the relative relationship between the position of the radio station 300 estimated from the reception condition of the beacon signal and the position of the search assistance apparatus 100 is provided. Search support by display. The search support by the fifth guidance display is performed because the beacon from the radio station 300 is located outside the communication area of the target wireless tag that has been associated with the association data and is associated with the target wireless tag. This is a case where a signal can be received. With this fifth guidance display, the user can intuitively recognize in which direction the user should move in order to receive search assistance based on the fourth guidance display.

  In addition, in the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  In each of the embodiments, the search support apparatus 100 is formed by combining the communication unit 1 and the portable information terminal 2 that are independent of each other. However, the search support device may be configured as an integrated device, or may be configured by a combination of three or more units.

  In each of the above embodiments, at least one of location data and association data may be stored inside the search support apparatus 100. In this case, either one of the memories 12 and 22 may be used to store the corresponding data, or another memory may be provided to store the corresponding data.

  In each of the above embodiments, the information for specifying the position of the communication area of the wireless tag 200 may be data in which the tag ID and the installation location of the wireless station 300 are associated with each other. However, in this case, the processing shown in the first embodiment cannot be applied to the registration and update of the information, and an operator must perform an operation for specifically instructing data update.

  In each of the embodiments, the location data may represent an installation location of an object other than the radio station 300. For example, a warehouse in which a shelf for storing an article to which the wireless tag 200 is attached may be described in the location data. In this case, in the association data, the shelf identification code is associated with the tag ID. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to obtain the shelf identification code by reading a barcode attached to the shelf with a barcode reader. That is, the method of acquiring the identification code associated with the tag ID in the association data is not limited to the method based on reception of the beacon signal, and can be replaced by any other method.

  In the fifth guidance display in the second embodiment, the guidance text T61 may not include a specific place notation such as [A warehouse B block], or may not include the guidance text T61. May be. In the second embodiment, a third guidance display may be performed instead of the second guidance display. When both of these two modifications are applied, location data can be made unnecessary.

  In the fifth guidance display in the second embodiment, the guidance content may be changed stepwise in accordance with each of a plurality of position detection methods with different accuracy. For example, it is assumed that a portable information terminal including a positioning circuit using a GPS (global positioning system) is used, and guidance using the positioning result in the positioning circuit is added. As an example, when the communication area of the radio station 300 is set to a radius of 10 m, guidance until the search support apparatus 100 enters from the radio station 300 within a range of about 10 m radius is performed based on the positioning result in the positioning circuit. . When the search support apparatus 100 is ready to receive a beacon signal from the wireless station 300, guidance based on the reception status of the beacon signal is performed as described above.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes 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.
The invention described in the scope of the original claims of the present application will be added below.
[Supplementary Note 1] A search support apparatus capable of accessing a storage device that stores information for specifying a position of a communication area of a wireless tag in association with an identification code of the wireless tag,
Setting means for setting a target wireless tag to be searched;
When communication with the target wireless tag can be performed, a first guidance operation is performed to guide a user to the position of the target wireless tag estimated based on the communication status with the target wireless tag. Guidance means;
When communication with the target wireless tag cannot be performed, the user is placed in the vicinity of the communication area of the target wireless tag based on the information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code of the target wireless tag. Second guiding means for performing a second guiding operation for guiding;
A search support apparatus comprising:
[Supplementary Note 2] The information represents an identification code for identifying an article different from the wireless tag present in the vicinity of the communication area,
The second guiding means performs an operation of guiding the user on an installation position of the article previously associated with the identification code as the second guiding operation.
The search support apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein:
[Supplementary Note 3] The information represents an identification code of a wireless station that wirelessly transmits a beacon signal so as to be received in the vicinity of the communication area.
The second guidance means executes, as a second guidance operation, an operation for guiding the position of the wireless station estimated according to the reception status of the beacon signal to the user.
The search support apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein:
[Supplementary Note 4] A search support apparatus capable of accessing a storage device that stores information for specifying a position of a communication area of a wireless tag in association with an identification code of the wireless tag,
A communication device including an antenna having directivity and communicating with the wireless tag;
Detection means for detecting the orientation of the antenna;
Setting means for setting a target wireless tag to be searched;
The distance from the search support device to the target wireless tag and the search to the target wireless tag based on the reception intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the target wireless tag in the communication device and the direction detected by the detection means An estimation means for estimating a direction from the support device;
First guidance means for performing a first guidance operation for guiding the distance and the direction estimated by the estimation means to a user when the estimation means can estimate the distance and the direction;
When the estimation means cannot estimate the distance and the direction, the use is performed in the vicinity of the communication area of the target wireless tag based on the information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code of the target wireless tag. Second guiding means for performing a second guiding operation for guiding a person;
A search support apparatus comprising:
[Supplementary Note 5] A portable information terminal, and a communication unit that is detachable from the portable information terminal and can communicate with the portable information terminal,
The communication device is provided in the communication unit;
The detecting means, the setting means, the estimating means, the first guiding means and the second guiding means are provided in the portable information terminal;
The search support apparatus according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein
[Supplementary Note 6] A computer that controls a search support apparatus that can access a storage device that stores information for specifying the position of a communication area of a wireless tag in association with an identification code of the wireless tag.
Setting means for setting a target wireless tag to be searched;
When communication with the target wireless tag can be performed, a first guidance operation is performed to guide a user to the position of the target wireless tag estimated based on the communication status with the target wireless tag. Guidance means;
When communication with the target wireless tag cannot be performed, the user is placed in the vicinity of the communication area of the target wireless tag based on the information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code of the target wireless tag. Second guiding means for performing a second guiding operation for guiding;
Control program to function.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication unit, 2 ... Portable information terminal, 11 ... Processor, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Transmission / reception circuit, 14 ... Reception circuit, 15 ... Measurement circuit, 16 ... Communication circuit, 17 ... System transmission line, 21 ... Processor, 22 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Memory 23 ... Touch panel 24 ... Gyro sensor 25 ... Communication circuit 26 ... Communication circuit 27 ... System transmission path 100 ... Search support device 200 ... Wireless tag 300 ... Wireless station 400 ... Communication network 500 …server.

Claims (6)

First receiving means for receiving a tag identification code transmitted by the wireless tag;
Second receiving means for receiving a radio station identification code transmitted by the radio station;
Setting means for setting a tag identification code for identifying a target wireless tag to be searched;
Obtaining means for obtaining a radio station identification code associated with the tag identification code set by the setting means;
First position information including at least one of the distance and the direction to the target wireless tag when the tag identification code set by the setting unit is included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving unit To display
The tag identification code set by the setting means is not included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving means, and the radio station identification code received by the second receiving means is acquired by the acquiring means When the wireless station identification code is not included, information for guiding the user to the vicinity of the communication area of the wireless station corresponding to the wireless station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed.
The radio station corresponding to the radio station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit when the radio station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is included in the radio station identification code received by the second reception unit Display second position information representing the position of
Display means;
A search support apparatus comprising: The wireless tag wirelessly transmits the tag identification code,
The search support device further includes first determination means for determining at least one of the distance and the direction to the wireless tag based on the reception status of the tag identification code by the first reception means,
The display means includes in the first position information at least one of a distance and an orientation determined by the first determination means;
The search support apparatus according to claim 1.   The display means includes, in the second position information, at least one of a distance and a direction to the radio station identified by the radio station identification code acquired by the acquisition means.
  The search support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The wireless station wirelessly transmits the wireless station identification code,
  The search support apparatus further includes second determination means for determining at least one of the distance and the direction to the radio station based on the reception status of the radio station identification code by the second reception means,
  The display means includes at least one of the distance and orientation determined by the second determination means in the second position information;
  The search support device according to claim 3. A portable information terminal, a detachable portable information terminal, and a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal,
The first receiving means and the second receiving means are provided in the communication unit;
Before Symbol setting means, said acquisition means and the display means is provided in the portable information terminal,
The search support apparatus according to claim 1 . A computer for controlling a search support apparatus, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a tag identification code transmitted by a wireless tag; a second receiving means for receiving a wireless station identification code transmitted by a wireless station; and a display device. The
Setting means for setting a tag identification code for identifying a target wireless tag to be searched;
Obtaining means for obtaining a radio station identification code associated with the tag identification code set by the setting means;
First position information including at least one of the distance and the direction to the target wireless tag when the tag identification code set by the setting unit is included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving unit To display
The tag identification code set by the setting means is not included in the tag identification code received by the first receiving means, and the radio station identification code received by the second receiving means is acquired by the acquiring means When the wireless station identification code is not included, information for guiding the user to the vicinity of the communication area of the wireless station corresponding to the wireless station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed.
The radio station corresponding to the radio station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit when the radio station identification code acquired by the acquisition unit is included in the radio station identification code received by the second reception unit Display second position information representing the position of
Control means for controlling the display device,
Control program to function.