JP6790381B2 - Information processing equipment, terminal equipment, information processing systems, information processing methods, and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a terminal device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

An information processing system that manages the position information of a terminal device outdoors or indoors is known.

Further, as a technology related to such an information processing system, for example, an information processing device that displays an indoor map and an outdoor map in an easy-to-read manner by using a terminal device capable of receiving an indoor positioning signal and an outdoor positioning signal. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the terminal device acquires the position information output from the positioning device installed indoors, and also acquires the indoor map information corresponding to the acquired position information from the map server or the like. By doing so, the detailed current position of the terminal device indoors is displayed. In such a system, for example, in an area where communication with a map server is not possible, it is difficult to acquire detailed information on the current position of the terminal device indoors.

Further, although it is conceivable to store the indoor map information in the terminal device in advance, it is not realistic to store the detailed indoor map information in the terminal device in advance at a plurality of bases.

As described above, in the conventional technique, it has been difficult to manage detailed indoor location information of the terminal device at a plurality of bases including an area that cannot be connected to the network.

An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and manages detailed indoor location information of a terminal device at a plurality of bases including an area that cannot be connected to a network. The purpose is to provide an information processing device capable of performing.

In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention communicates with a terminal device that receives a signal including identification information unique to the positioning device transmitted from the positioning device, and communicates with the terminal device. It is an information processing device that manages the position information of the device, and corresponds to the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base and the information of the place where the positioning device is installed for each of a plurality of bases. a device information management unit for managing the storage apparatus information in association, the terminal device-out based on the signal received from a positioning device of the positioning device, bases the one positioning device is installed An acquisition request for acquiring the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed and an acquisition request of the base where the one positioning device is installed, which are transmitted when it is determined that the base information is not possessed . In response to the information receiving unit that receives the registration request for registering the information of the current position of the terminal device when it is determined that the base information is possessed, and the acquisition request received by the information receiving unit. The information providing unit that transmits the base information including the device information of the base where the one positioning device is installed to the terminal device, and the base information in response to the registration request received by the information receiving unit. Has a position information management unit that registers information on the current position of the terminal device without transmitting the information to the terminal device .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device capable of managing detailed indoor location information of a terminal device at a plurality of bases including an area that cannot be connected to a network.

It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the position information management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the indoor facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the floor which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the area which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the positioning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the management server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the gateway which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the information terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the position information management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure (1) which shows the example of the information managed by the management server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure (2) which shows the example of the information managed by the management server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the map information managed by the information terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the acquisition process of the base information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the registration process of the position information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the position information management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the acquisition process of the base information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the registration process of the position information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a location information management system according to an embodiment. The location information management system 100 is an information processing system that manages location information indicating the location of the information terminal 114 and the wireless tag 124 by a management server 130 connected to the network 140.

(First configuration example)
In the first configuration example shown in the upper left of FIG. 1, a plurality of positioning devices 111-1, 111-2, ..., A wireless gateway 112, an external gateway 113, and the like are attached to an indoor facility 110 such as a building or a facility. is set up. In the following description, "positioning device 111" is used when indicating an arbitrary positioning device among a plurality of positioning devices 111-1, 111-2, .... Further, the number of positioning devices 111 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the number of positioning devices 111 may be another number.

The positioning device 111 uses a signal including identification information (hereinafter referred to as a position ID) unique to each positioning device 111 to be used for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as BLE). , A device that transmits signals such as sound waves. Further, the positioning device 111 can communicate with the wireless gateway 112 by a predetermined wireless communication.

Preferably, the signal output by the positioning device 111 includes, in addition to the position ID, access information (for example, encrypted URL information, etc.) for acquiring the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed. Is done. The base and base information will be described later.

The wireless gateway 112 is a relay device that is connected to the external gateway 113 and forms a wireless communication network together with a plurality of positioning devices 111 by predetermined wireless communication.

The external gateway 113 is a relay device connected to the network 140 by a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) such as 3G (3rd. Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The external gateway 113 is connected to one or more wireless gateways 112 by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

The wireless gateway 112 and the external gateway 113 relay communication between the plurality of positioning devices 111 and the management server 130. For example, the management server 130 can transmit information to a plurality of positioning devices 111 via the external gateway 113 and the wireless gateway 112. Further, the positioning device 111 can transmit information to the management server 130 via the wireless gateway 112 and the external gateway 113.

The information terminal (terminal device) 114 is an information terminal possessed by the user 115, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 114 can communicate with the management server 130 by connecting to the network 140 using, for example, a wireless WAN.

Further, the information terminal 114 executes an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an application) for the information terminal corresponding to the location information management system 100. The information terminal 114 receives the signal output by the positioning device 111 by the built-in BLE module, the microphone, or the like by executing the application for the information terminal, and the position ID, access information, etc. included in the received signal. Get information about.

When the information terminal 114 receives a signal from the positioning device 111-1, for example, the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID of the positioning device 111-1 included in the received signal and the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed. Acquire access information, etc. for

Further, the information terminal 114 determines whether or not the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed is stored in the storage unit based on the acquired information. For example, when the base information stored in the storage unit does not include the position ID acquired from the positioning device 111-1, the information terminal 114 holds the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed. Judge not to.

When it is determined that the information terminal 114 does not hold the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed, the information terminal 114 uses the access information or the like acquired from the positioning device 111-1 to send the positioning device to the management server 130. Request the acquisition of base information of the base where 111-1 is installed.

Preferably, in the access information acquired from the positioning device 111-1, information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for acquiring the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed is encrypted. Is stored.

The management server (information processing device) 130 is an information processing device having a server function, or a system including a plurality of information processing devices.

The management server 130 associates the position IDs of the plurality of positioning devices 111 installed at each site with the information of the location where each positioning device 111 is installed (for example, coordinate information) for each of the plurality of sites. It manages the stored device information. When the management server 130 receives an acquisition request from the information terminal 114 requesting the acquisition of the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed, the management server 130 informs the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed. It is transmitted to the terminal 114.

Preferably, the base information includes the position IDs of all the positioning devices 111 installed at the base where the positioning devices 111-1 are installed, and the coordinate information of the location where each positioning device 111 is installed. .. In addition, this base information includes detailed map information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed.

With this base information, the information terminal 114 can use the coordinate information of the positioning device 111 installed at the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed and the detailed map information. The information terminal 114 uses the coordinate information and the map information of the positioning device 111 installed at the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed to provide detailed position information at the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed. To get.

Further, when the information terminal 114 moves to another base, the information terminal 114 acquires the base information of the base based on the signal output from the positioning device 111 installed at the base. As a result, the information terminal 114 can acquire detailed position information at the base where the information terminal 114 is located at a plurality of bases.

The information terminal 114 transmits the acquired position information of the own device to the management server 130 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 second interval), and the management server 130 receives the position information of the information terminal 114 received from the information terminal 114. Memorize and manage.

(Second configuration example)
In the second configuration example shown in the lower left of FIG. 1, a plurality of positioning devices 121-1, 121-2, ..., a wireless gateway 112, an external gateway 113, and the like are attached to an indoor facility 120 such as a building or a facility. is set up. In the following description, "positioning device 121" is used when indicating an arbitrary positioning device among a plurality of positioning devices 121-1, 121-2, .... Further, the number of positioning devices 121 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the number of positioning devices 121 may be another number.

The positioning device 121 stores a unique position ID for each positioning device 121, and receives the tag ID transmitted from the wireless tag 124 possessed by the user 125. Further, the positioning device 121 is in a predetermined wireless communication and can communicate with the wireless gateway 112, and can communicate with the management server 130 via the wireless gateway 112 and the external gateway 113. When the positioning device 121 receives the tag ID from the wireless tag 124, the positioning device 121 transmits a registration request for position information including the received tag ID and the position ID of the own device to the management server 130.

The wireless tag 124 is an active RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that the user 125 carries or wears as, for example, an employee ID card, an ID card, or the like. The wireless tag 124 has a built-in battery, and for example, transmits radio waves including information (tag ID) recorded in the active tag at predetermined time intervals. The active RFID tag can operate for 5 years or more with one button battery, for example, by setting the beacon transmission interval to about 30 seconds.

The management server 130 manages device information stored in association with the position IDs of a plurality of positioning devices 121 installed at each base and information on the location where each positioning device 121 is installed (for example, coordinate information). doing. When the management server 130 receives the position information registration request from the positioning device 121, the management server 130 uses the stored device information to specify the coordinate information of the place where the positioning device 121 is installed, that is, the position information of the wireless tag 124. .. Further, the management server 130 stores and manages the position information of the wireless tag 124.

In the present embodiment, the first configuration example of the above two configuration examples will be mainly described.

(About the base)
The "base" according to the present embodiment is an area, area, etc. predetermined by a service provider or the like that operates the management server 130, and includes one or more indoor facilities such as a building or a facility. The base may be, for example, a base for transportation such as a station, an airport, or a port, or an area including the surrounding area, or an area including one or more commercial facilities. Further, the base may be one or more office buildings, a base of a company, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the base includes a plurality of indoor facilities, and the indoor facilities include a plurality of floors. The floor also includes multiple areas.

(About indoor facilities)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of an indoor facility according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 2, the indoor facility 200 is, for example, a building such as a building, and has three floors, floor A110-1, floor B110-2, and floor C110-3. As described above, each of the indoor facilities included in the base has one or more floors.

Further, a floor ID for identifying the floor is assigned to the floor. In the example of FIG. 2, the floor A110-1 is assigned the floor ID “FLR10001”, the floor B110-2 is assigned the floor ID “FLR10002”, and the floor B110-3 is assigned the floor ID “FLR1003”.

Further, a wireless gateway 112 and a plurality of positioning devices 111 are installed on each floor, respectively. For example, a wireless gateway 112-1 and a plurality of positioning devices 111-1a, 111-2a, 111-3a ... Are installed on the floor A110-1. Further, the place where each positioning device 111 is installed is managed by three-dimensional coordinate information including the height direction. This is because the positioning devices 111 arranged on different floors cannot be distinguished from each other only by the two-dimensional coordinate information.

Preferably, the coordinate information indicating the position where the positioning device 111 is installed is managed by absolute coordinates such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. As a result, information on a plurality of indoor facilities can be managed in one coordinate system.

As the coordinate information in the height direction, for example, information on the number of floors may be used, but here, it is assumed that the coordinate information in the height direction is, for example, an altitude in meters. By using altitude as coordinate information in the height direction, for example, indoor facilities with irregular floor configurations such as the mezzanine floor and multiple indoor facilities with different floor heights can be treated with one altitude information. You will be able to manage it.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless gateways 112-1, 112-2, 112-3 installed on each floor are connected to the management server 130 via, for example, the external gateway 113.

(About the floor)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image of a floor according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, on the floor A110-1, a plurality of shops A, B, C, a plurality of management spaces A, B, a plurality of offices A, B, C, a hot water supply room, and a WC (Water Closet) are provided. Etc. and common spaces are included.

Further, on the floor A110-1, three positioning devices 111-1, 111-2, and 111-3 are installed, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the positioning device 111-1 outputs a signal including the position ID of the positioning device 111-1 to the communication range 301-1 of the positioning device 111-1. Further, the positioning device 111-2 outputs a signal including the position ID of the positioning device 111-2 to the communication range 301-2 of the positioning device 111-2. Further, the positioning device 111-3 outputs a signal including the position ID of the positioning device 111-3 to the communication range 301-3 of the positioning device 111-3.

In FIG. 3, for example, it is assumed that the user 115 who possesses the information terminal 114 that stores the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed enters the floor A from the doorway 1. In this case, the information terminal 114 can specify the coordinate information of the current position of the information terminal 114 based on the position ID included in the signal output from the positioning device 111-1 and the base information stored in the information terminal 114. it can.

Further, the information terminal 114 is assumed to leave the communication range 301-1 of the positioning device 111-1 and move in the direction of the positioning device 111-2. In this case, the information terminal 114 uses, for example, an acceleration sensor of the information terminal 114 and a sensor such as a geomagnetic sensor to calculate the movement direction and the movement amount of the information terminal 114 to obtain the position information of the information terminal 114. Can be identified. Various methods are known as, for example, PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) as a method of calculating the movement amount of the information terminal 114 using the sensor. In the present embodiment, this PDR technique is used. , It is assumed that the movement amount of the information terminal 114 is calculated.

Further, when the information terminal 114 enters the communication range 301-2 of the positioning device 111-2, the position ID included in the signal output from the positioning device 111-2 and the base information stored in the information terminal 114 are used. The coordinate information of the current position of the information terminal 114 is specified. At this time, the information terminal 114 initializes the information of the movement amount calculated by the PDR.

As described above, in the present embodiment, if the positioning device 111 is installed at least at the entrance / exit of each floor, the information terminal 114 can be used even if the positioning device 111 is not installed so as to cover the entire floor. The position information of the own device can be acquired.

(About the area)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image of an area according to one embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4A, the floor A110-1 is divided into a plurality of areas, and each area is assigned an area ID (AREA001 to AREA014) for identifying the area.

Further, in each area, for example, area types such as aisle area 401, shop area 402, management area 403, common area 404, office area 405, and exclusion zone 406 are set.

The passage area 401 indicates that the passage is a passage that general users can freely pass through. The shop area 402 indicates that it is an area such as a shop that can be used by general users. The management area 403 is a management facility used by the manager or the like of the indoor facility, and indicates, for example, an area that is inaccessible to general users.

The common area 404 is, for example, a common space such as a toilet, and indicates that it is an area that can be used by general users, for example. The office area 405 indicates that the area is accessible to users who have been permitted to use the office in advance. The restricted area 406 indicates that it is an area that general users cannot enter due to, for example, construction.

Of the above area types, the aisle area 401, the shop area 402, and the common area 404 are examples of areas that general users can pass through. The management area 403, the office area 405, and the exclusion zone 406 are examples of areas that general users cannot pass through.

When the information terminal 114 uses the sensor of the information terminal 114 to calculate the current position information, the above area type is used to limit the area through which the user 115 can pass, for example, map matching and the like. Therefore, the accuracy of the calculated position information can be improved.

FIG. 4B shows an example of an area type in an underground facility 410 such as an underground passage. In underground facilities 410 such as underground passages, the area where people can pass is often limited. In such a case, the floor type of the floor of the underground facility 410 is managed as, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a passable area 411 that people can pass through and an impassable area 412 that people cannot pass through. You may. As a result, it becomes easy to calculate the position information by map matching or the like, and the area type can be managed by two values.

The indoor facility 200, floor 110-1, area, and area type shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are merely examples.

<Hardware configuration>
(Hardware configuration of positioning device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the positioning device according to the embodiment. The positioning device 111 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 502, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 503, a wireless communication unit 504, a short-range wireless communication unit 505, a bus 508, and the like. ..

Further, when the positioning device 111 uses sound waves to output a signal including the position ID of the positioning device 111, the positioning device 111 further includes a sound wave output unit 506 and a speaker 507.

The CPU 501 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the positioning device 111 by executing a program for the positioning device 111 stored in the flash ROM 503 or the like. The RAM 502 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 501. The flash ROM 503 is a non-volatile memory that stores various information such as a program for the positioning device 111, a position ID, and access information.

The wireless communication unit 504 is a wireless communication device for communicating with the wireless gateway 112 by a predetermined wireless communication, and includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, and the like. The wireless communication unit 504 can use a wireless communication device of various wireless communication methods such as a wireless LAN, Zigbee (registered trademark), or a specific power saving radio (IEEE802.15.4g) in the 920 MHz band. Here, as an example, the following description will be given assuming that the wireless communication unit 1304 is a wireless communication device using a specific power saving radio in the 920 MHz band.

This 920MHz band specific power-saving wireless has a low transmission speed of about 200 Kbps compared to wireless LANs that use the 2.4 GHz band and wireless systems such as Zigbee, but data up to several hundred meters with a current consumption of several tens of mA. Transmission is possible.

The short-range wireless communication unit 505 is a wireless communication device that transmits radio waves including a position ID by short-range wireless communication such as BLE. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the short-range wireless communication unit 505 transmits a radio wave including a position ID using BLE communication.

BLE is one of the extended specifications of Bluetooth, which is a short-range wireless communication technology, and is a short-range wireless communication technology formulated as a part of the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. With BLE, it is possible to realize data communication by short-range wireless communication with lower power consumption than ordinary Bluetooth communication.

The BLE device (for example, the positioning device 111) can broadcast a packet called an advertisement packet for notifying the surroundings of the existence of the own device at a predetermined transmission interval (for example, 100 ms interval). This advertisement packet defines an information element (Manufacturer Specific Data) that can be used by the supplier of the BLE device by specifying a unique format. The positioning device 111 uses, for example, this advertisement packet to transmit a signal (radio wave) including a position ID and access information to the surroundings.

The sound wave output unit 506 converts sound wave data including a position ID, access information, and the like into a sound wave signal and outputs the sound wave data to the speaker 507 according to an instruction of a program or the like executed by the CPU 501.

The speaker 507 is an electroacoustic conversion element that converts a sound wave signal input from the sound wave output unit 506 into sound waves and outputs the sound waves.

The bus 508 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Hardware configuration of management server)
The management server 130 is composed of an information processing device having a general computer configuration or a plurality of information processing devices.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the management server according to the embodiment. The management server 130 includes, for example, a CPU 601, a RAM 602, a ROM 603, a storage unit 604, an external I / F (Interface), an input unit 606, a display unit 607, a network I / F 608, a bus 609, and the like.

The CPU 601 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the management server 130 by reading programs and data stored in the ROM 603, the storage unit 604, and the like on the RAM 602 and executing processing. The RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 601. The ROM 603 is a non-volatile memory that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off.

The storage unit 604 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores an OS (Operation System), an application program, various data, and the like.

The external I / F 605 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes, for example, a recording medium 610 and the like. For example, the management server 130 stores a predetermined program in the recording medium 610, and installs the program stored in the recording medium 610 in the management server 130 via the external I / F 605 to execute the predetermined program. It will be possible.

The input unit 606 is an input device such as a pointing device, a keyboard, or a touch panel for the user to perform an input operation on the management server 130.

The display unit 607 is a display device such as a display that displays a processing result or the like of the management server 130.

The network I / F608 is a communication interface such as a wired / wireless WAN for connecting the management server 130 to the network 140.

The bus 609 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Gateway hardware configuration example)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the gateway according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7A shows a hardware configuration example of the wireless gateway 112. In FIG. 7A, the gateway 112 includes, for example, a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, a communication I / F 704, a wireless communication unit 705, a bus 706, and the like.

The CPU 701 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the wireless gateway 112 by executing a program stored in the ROM 703 or the like. The RAM 702 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 701. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like of the wireless gateway 112. The ROM 703 may be, for example, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM.

The communication I / F 704 is an interface for communicating with the external gateway 113, and for example, an interface such as a wireless / wired LAN is used.

The wireless communication unit 705 is, for example, a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication by the same wireless communication method as the wireless communication unit 504 of the positioning device 111 shown in FIG. 5, and includes a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, and the like.

The bus 706 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

FIG. 7B shows a hardware configuration example of the external gateway 113. The external gateway 113 has a network I / F 711 instead of the wireless communication unit 705 of the wireless gateway 112 shown in FIG. 7A. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the wireless gateway shown in FIG. 7A, the description here will focus on the differences from the wireless gateway 112.

The network I / F 711 is a communication interface for connecting the external gateway 113 to the network 140 and communicating with the management server 130 and the like.

(Hardware configuration of information terminal)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information terminal according to the embodiment. The information terminal 114 includes a general computer configuration, for example, CPU801, RAM802, ROM803, storage unit 804, communication I / F unit 805, short-range wireless communication unit 806, display input unit 807, microphone 808, and sensor unit. It has 809, a bus 810, and the like.

The CPU 801 is an arithmetic unit that realizes each function of the information terminal 114 by reading a program or data stored in a ROM 803, a storage unit 804, or the like on the RAM 802 and executing processing. The RAM 802 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 801. The ROM 803 is a non-volatile memory that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off.

The storage unit 804 is, for example, a storage device such as an SSD or a flash ROM, and stores an OS, an application program, various data, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 805 is a communication interface that connects the information terminal 114 to the network 140 by, for example, wireless LAN or wireless communication such as LTE.

The short-range wireless communication unit 806 is a wireless communication device that receives radio waves transmitted by the short-range wireless communication unit 505 of the positioning device 111 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 806 will be described below assuming that BLE communication is performed.

The display input unit 807 includes, for example, a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an input element such as a touch panel, receives an input operation by a user, and displays by a program executed by an information terminal 114. Display the screen.

The microphone 808 is a sound collecting device including a sound collecting element such as a microphone. The microphone 808 converts the sound wave acquired by a microphone or the like into a sound wave signal, and further converts it into sound wave data in a predetermined format as needed.

The sensor unit 809 is a sensor device that acquires data for calculating the movement amount of the information terminal 114, such as an acceleration sensor and a geomagnetic sensor.

The bus 810 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

[First Embodiment]
<Functional configuration>
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of the location information management system according to the first embodiment. The position information management system 100 includes a plurality of positioning devices 111-1, 111-2, a wireless gateway 112, an external gateway 113, an information terminal 114, a management server 130, and the like.

(Functional configuration of management server)
The management server 130 includes a communication unit 911, a device information management unit 912, a map information management unit 913, an information receiving unit 914, a base information providing unit 915, a location information management unit 916, an equipment management unit 917, a storage unit 918, and the like. ..

The communication unit 911 is a means for connecting the management server 130 to the network 140 and communicating with the information terminal 114, the external gateway 113, and the like. The communication unit 911 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the network I / F 608 of FIG. 6 and the CPU 601 of FIG.

The device information management unit 912 associates the position ID, which is identification information unique to the positioning device 111 installed at each site, with the information of the location where each positioning device 111 is installed, for each of the plurality of sites. The device information 921 stored in the above is managed. The device information management unit 912 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG. An example of the device information 921 managed by the device information management unit 912 is shown in FIG. 10 (a).

In the example of FIG. 10A, the device information 921 includes "base", "device type", "device ID", "floor ID", "area ID", "installation position", "position ID", and " Information such as "access information" and "encryption key" is included.

The "base" is a name that identifies the base, identification information, or the like. The “device type” indicates, for example, the type of the positioning device, and the “BLE” indicates that the positioning device 111 outputs a signal including the position ID using BLE communication. The "device ID" is identification information for identifying the positioning device 111, and is a fixed ID that is not rewritten.

The "floor ID" is identification information that identifies the floor on which the positioning device 111 is installed. The "area ID" is identification information that identifies the area in which the positioning device 111 is installed. The "installation position" is coordinate information of the place where the positioning device 111 is installed. In this embodiment, the coordinate information is represented by latitude, longitude, and altitude. The “floor ID”, “area ID”, and “installation position” are examples of information on the location where the positioning device 111 is installed.

The “position ID” is identification information unique to the positioning device 111 that the positioning device 111 transmits by including it in the advertisement packet of BLE communication.

Preferably, the position ID is changed by the device management unit 917, for example, at predetermined time intervals (every 24 hours, etc.).

The "access information" is access information for acquiring the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed, and is, for example, URL information for acquiring the base information. The encryption key is an encryption key that encrypts access information.

The device information management unit 912 stores, for example, the device information 921 as shown in FIG. 10A in the storage unit 918 and manages it. Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the functional configuration of the management server 130 will be continued.

The map information management unit 913 manages map information 922 including information related to the map of each base for each of the plurality of bases. The map information management unit 913 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an example of map information 922 managed by the map information management unit 913. In the example of FIG. 11, the map information 922 includes floor information 1101, area information 1102, map information 1103, and the like.

FIG. 11A shows an example of floor information 1101. The floor information 1101 is information on the floor included in each base. In the example of FIG. 11A, the floor information 1101 includes information such as "base", "floor ID", "floor name", "number of floors", and "altitude".

The "base" is a name that identifies the base, identification information, or the like. The "floor ID" is identification information of each floor included in the base. "Floor name" is the name of each floor. The "number of floors" is information indicating the number of floors of each floor. "Altitude" is information indicating the altitude of each floor, for example, in meters.

FIG. 11B shows an example of area information 1102. Area information 1102 is information on the area included in each floor. In the example of FIG. 11B, the area information 1102 includes information such as "floor ID", "area type", "map ID", and "area width x depth".

The "floor ID" is identification information of each floor. The "area ID" is identification information that identifies each area included in the floor. The "area type" is the type of each area described with reference to FIG. The "map ID" is identification information that identifies map data (for example, a map image file) corresponding to each area. "Area width x depth" is information indicating the size of the area.

FIG. 11C shows an example of map information. Map information 1103 is information on map data (map data) corresponding to each area. In the example of FIG. 11C, the map information 1103 includes "map ID", "image file URL", "reference point (latitude, longitude)", "relative position (X direction, Y direction)", and "scale". , "Rotation angle" and the like are included.

The "map ID" is identification information that identifies the map data. The "image file URL" is URL information for acquiring map data (an example of reference information). The "reference point (latitude, longitude)" is information indicating the reference point of the map data. The "relative position (x direction, y direction)" is information indicating the position of the map data with respect to the reference point. The "scale" is information indicating the scale of the map data. The "rotation angle" is information indicating the rotation angle of the map data.

The floor information 1101, the area information 1102, and the map information 1103 shown in FIG. 11 are examples of the map information 922 managed by the map information management unit 913. The map information 922 managed by the map information management unit 913 may be one map information 942, for example, the map information 942 managed by the information terminal 114 shown in FIG. Further, the "image file URL" of the map information 1103 may be one in which an image file is stored instead of the URL information.

When the acquisition destination of the image file indicated by the "image file URL" is the management server 130, the map information management unit 913 further stores and manages the image file of the map data in the storage unit 918.

Returning to FIG. 9 again, the description of the functional configuration of the management server 130 will be continued.

The information receiving unit 914 is a means for receiving information from the information terminal 114, and is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG. When, for example, the information receiving unit 914 determines that the information terminal 114 does not have the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed based on the signal output from the positioning device 111, the information receiving unit 914 determines from the information terminal 114. Receive the transmission request for acquisition of base information. In addition, the information receiving unit 914 receives a registration request requesting registration of location information from the information terminal 114.

The base information providing unit 915 transmits the base information of the corresponding base to the information terminal of the requesting source of the acquisition request in response to the base information acquisition request received by the information receiving unit 914. The base information providing unit 915 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG.

For example, it is assumed that the information terminal 114 has transmitted an acquisition request requesting acquisition of base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed. In this case, the base information providing unit 915 transmits the base information including the device information of the base (for example, the base A) in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed to the information terminal 114.

Preferably, at this time, in the base information provided by the base information providing unit 915, the position IDs of all the positioning devices 111 installed at the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed and each positioning device 111 are installed. Includes the coordinate information of the location.

Further, preferably, at this time, the base information provided by the base information providing unit 915 includes all the map information 922 related to the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed.

In response to the position information registration request received by the information receiving unit 914, the position information management unit 916 uses the position information of the information terminal 114, the application ID of the information terminal 114, and the time information (for example, the position information is positioned). It is stored in the position information 923 and managed in association with the positioning time, etc.). The position information management unit 916 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 of FIG.

An example of the position information 923 managed by the position information management unit 916 is shown in FIG. 10 (b). In the example of FIG. 10B, the position information 923 includes "app ID", "positioning time", "coordinate information", "floor ID", "area ID", "direction", "movement speed", and the like. Contains information.

The “application ID” is an example of identification information that identifies the information terminal 114. When installing an application corresponding to the location information management system 100 on the information terminal 114, the application generates an application ID which is unique identification information for each application. By using this application ID, the location information management system 100 can identify the information terminal 114 and the user 115 of the information terminal 114, regardless of personal information such as a telephone number or an email address, for example. However, this is a preferable example, and the information terminal 114 may use the identification information of the information terminal 114, the identification information of the user, or the like instead of the application ID.

The "positioning time" is information indicating the time when the "coordinate information" is positioned. The "coordinate information" is coordinate information indicating the position of the information terminal 114, and is represented by, for example, longitude, latitude, and altitude. The "floor ID" is a floor ID of the floor corresponding to the "coordinate information" positioned by the information terminal 114. The "area ID" is an area ID of an area corresponding to the "coordinate information" positioned by the information terminal 114.

The "direction" is information indicating the direction measured by the information terminal 114, and is represented by, for example, an angle with respect to the north. The "moving speed" is information on the moving speed measured by the information terminal 114, and is represented by, for example, the number of meters per second.

The position information management unit 916 stores, for example, the position information 923 as shown in FIG. 10B in the storage unit 918 and manages it.

Returning to FIG. 9 again, the description of the functional configuration of the management server 130 will be further continued.

The device management unit 917 is a means for managing a plurality of positioning devices 111 included in the position information management system 100, and is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601 in FIG.

The device management unit 917 changes the position ID of the device information 921 shown in FIG. 10A at a predetermined time interval (for example, a 24-hour interval, etc.), and sets the changed position ID to each positioning device 111. Notify to.

As another example, the device management unit 917 changes the encryption key for encrypting the position ID instead of changing the position ID, and notifies each positioning device 111 of the changed encryption key. There may be.

The storage unit 918 is, for example, a means for storing the above-mentioned device information 921, map information 922, position information 923, etc., and is, for example, by a program executed by the storage unit 604 of FIG. 6 and the CPU 601 of FIG. It will be realized. The configuration of the management server 130 shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and each component included in the management server 130 may be distributed and provided in a plurality of information processing devices.

(Functional configuration of positioning device)
The positioning device 111 (positioning devices 111-1, 111-2) includes a communication unit 951, a device information storage unit 952, a beacon transmission unit 953, and the like.

The communication unit 951 is a means for communicating with the management server 130 via, for example, a wireless gateway 112, an external gateway 113, or the like. The communication unit 951 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the wireless communication unit 504 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG.

The configuration in which the communication unit 951 communicates with the management server 130 via the wireless gateway 112 and the external gateway 113 is an example, and the communication unit 951 has another configuration if it can communicate with the management server 130. It may be.

The device information storage unit 952 is a means for storing information (for example, location ID, access information, etc.) notified from the management server 130, and is, for example, a program executed by the flash ROM 503 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG. It is realized by such as.

For example, the information notified from the management server 130 has a format corresponding to the advertisement packet of BLE communication, and contains the position ID unique to the positioning device 111 and the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed. Includes access information for acquisition. This access information includes, for example, encrypted URL information. The information notified from the management server 130 may be in a format other than the advertisement packet.

The beacon transmission unit 953 transmits radio waves (hereinafter, referred to as beacons) including information (for example, position ID, access information) stored in the device information storage unit 952 by short-range wireless communication such as BLE communication. The beacon transmission unit 953 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the short-range wireless communication unit 505 of FIG. 5 and the CPU 501 of FIG.

For example, the beacon transmission unit 953 intermittently transmits an advertisement packet including a position ID that identifies the positioning device 111 and access information by BLE communication at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 ms interval).

(Functional configuration of information terminal)
The information terminal 114 includes a beacon receiving unit 931, a communication unit 932, a request information transmitting unit 933, a base information receiving unit 934, a coordinate conversion unit 935, a position information calculation unit 936, a position information transmitting unit 937, a display input control unit 938, and the like. It has a storage unit 939 and the like.

Each of the above components is realized in the information terminal 114, for example, by executing an application for the information terminal corresponding to the location information management system 100.

Beacon receiving unit (an example of acquisition unit) 931 receives a beacon (radio wave) transmitted from the positioning device 111, and acquires information (for example, position ID, access information, etc.) included in the received beacon. The beacon receiving unit 931 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the short-range wireless communication unit 806 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG.

The communication unit 932 is a means for connecting the information terminal 114 to the network 140 and communicating with the management server 130 and the like. The communication unit 1642 is realized by, for example, the communication I / F unit 805 of FIG. 8 and the program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG.

The request information transmission unit 933 requests acquisition of the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed when the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 that transmitted the beacon is installed is not stored in the storage unit 939. The request is sent to the management server 130. The request information transmission unit 933 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG.

For example, when the beacon receiving unit 931 receives the beacon from the positioning device 111-1 in the request information transmitting unit 933, whether or not the device information 941 including the position ID included in the received beacon is stored in the storage unit 939. To judge. When the device information 941 including the position ID included in the received beacon is not stored in the storage unit 939, the request information transmission unit 933 stores the base information of the base where the positioning device 111-1 is installed in the storage unit 939. Can be determined that is not remembered.

Further, the request information transmission unit 933 decodes the encrypted access information included in the received beacon, for example, and uses the decrypted access information to provide the base information in which the positioning device 111 is installed on the management server 130. Send an acquisition request to request the acquisition of.

The base information receiving unit 934 receives the base information of the base where the positioning device 111 is installed, which is transmitted from the management server 130, in response to the acquisition request transmitted by the request information transmitting unit 933, and stores it in the storage unit 939. .. The base information receiving unit 934 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG.

The base information transmitted from the management server 130 includes, for example, the device information of the base (for example, base A) in which the positioning device 111 that transmitted the beacon is installed among the device information 921 shown in FIG. 10A. included.

Preferably, the device information of the base (for example, base A) where the positioning device 111 that transmitted the beacon is installed includes the position IDs of all the positioning devices 111 installed at the base A where the positioning device 111 is installed. And information on the location where each positioning device 111 is installed. The base information receiving unit 934 stores the device information included in the base information received from the management server 130 in the device information 941 of the storage unit 939.

Further, the base information transmitted from the management server 130 includes map information including, for example, floor information 1101, area information 1102, map information 1103, etc. shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C. The base information receiving unit 934 stores the map information included in the base information received from the management server 130 in the map information 942 of the storage unit 939. At this time, an example of the map information 942 stored in the storage unit 939 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of map information managed by the information terminal according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, the map information 942 includes "base", "floor ID", "floor name", "number of floors", "altitude", "area ID", "area type", and "map image file". Items such as "reference point", "relative position", "scale", and "rotation angle" are included. Of these, the items other than the "map image file" are the same as the items described with reference to FIG.

As the "map image file", for example, the image file acquired by the base information receiving unit 934 is stored by using the "image file URL" of the map information 1103 shown in FIG. 11C.

As described above, in the base information received from the management server 130 by the base information receiving unit 934, for example, in the base where the positioning device 111 that transmitted the beacon is installed, the information terminal 114 identifies the current position of the own device. Contains the necessary information.

The coordinate conversion unit 935 is a means for converting the position ID included in the beacon received by the beacon reception unit 931 into coordinate information by using the device information 941 stored in the storage unit 939. For example, the CPU 801 in FIG. 8 It is realized by the program to be executed.

For example, it is assumed that the device information 941 of the storage unit 939 of the information terminal 114 stores the information of the base A among the device information 921 shown in FIG. 10 (a). In this case, if the position ID included in the beacon received by the beacon receiving unit 931 is "BLE1001", the coordinate conversion unit 935 determines the "installation position (latitude, longitude, altitude) corresponding to the position ID" BLE1001 ". Extract as coordinate information.

The position information calculation unit 936 calculates the coordinate information of the current position of the information terminal 114 by the PDR described above, starting from the coordinates extracted by the coordinate conversion unit 935. The position information calculation unit 936 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the sensor unit 809 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG.

For example, the position information calculation unit 936 calculates the movement direction and the movement amount of the information terminal 114 by using the sensor units 809 such as an acceleration sensor and a geomagnetic sensor, starting from the coordinates extracted by the coordinate conversion unit 935, and provides information. Calculate the current position of the terminal 114.

Further, when the coordinate conversion unit 935 extracts new coordinate information from the beacon received by the beacon receiving unit 931, the position information calculation unit 936 initializes the calculated movement amount, and the PDR is again started from the extracted coordinates. To calculate the current position of the information terminal 114.

The position information transmission unit 937 manages a registration request requesting registration of coordinate information (hereinafter referred to as position information) indicating the current position of the information terminal 114 specified by the coordinate conversion unit 935 and the position information calculation unit 936. Send to server 130. The position information transmission unit 937 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG.

The display input control unit 938 displays the display screen of the application (for example, a map screen showing the current position of the information terminal 114) on the display input unit 807 of FIG. 8, and also performs a user input operation on the display input unit 807. Accept. The display input control unit 938 is realized by, for example, a display input unit 807 of FIG. 8 and a program executed by the CPU 801 of FIG.

The storage unit 939 is a storage means for storing information such as the above-mentioned device information 941 and map information 942, for example. The storage unit 939 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the storage unit 804 and RAM 802 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG.

Since the functions of the external gateway 113 and the wireless gateway 112 only relay the communication between the management server 130 and the positioning device 111 and do not have any special function, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

<Processing flow>
Subsequently, the processing flow of the information processing method by the position information management system 100 will be described.

(Acquisition process of base information)
When the user 115 who owns the information terminal 114 moves to a new base and the information terminal 114 receives the beacon transmitted from the positioning device 111, the location information management system 100 performs the base information acquisition process shown in FIG. Will be executed.

Further, for example, even when the position ID of the positioning device 111 is updated by the device management unit 917 of the management server 130, the position information management system 100 executes the base information acquisition process shown in FIG.

In steps S1301 and S1302, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 obtain the position ID for identifying the own device and the access information for acquiring the base information of the base (for example, the base A) where the own device is installed. It is assumed that the beacon including the beacon is transmitted.

Further, the user 115 of the information terminal 114 enters the floor A110-1 from the entrance 1 of FIG. 3, for example, and the beacon receiving unit 931 of the information terminal 114 receives the beacon transmitted from the positioning device 111-1. And.

In step 1303, the beacon receiving unit 931 of the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID and access information included in the beacon received from the positioning device 111-1. Further, in the request information transmitting unit 933 of the information terminal 114, is the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed stored in the storage unit 939 based on the position ID acquired by the beacon receiving unit 931? Check if it is not.

For example, in the request information transmission unit 933, when the device information 941 stored in the storage unit 939 does not include the position ID of the positioning device 111-1, the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed is stored. , It can be determined that it is not stored in the storage unit 939. Here, assuming that the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed is not stored in the storage unit 939, the following description will be given.

In step S1304, the request information transmission unit 933 of the information terminal 114 uses the access information acquired by the beacon reception unit 931 to acquire the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed on the management server 130. Send the requested acquisition request.

In step S1305, when the information receiving unit 914 of the management server 130 receives the base information acquisition request from the information terminal 114, the information receiving unit 914 notifies the base information providing unit 915 of the received base information acquisition request.

In steps S1306 and S1307, the base information providing unit 915 of the management server 130 acquires the device information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed from the device information management unit 912 in response to the notified acquisition request. .. At this time, the device information acquired from the device information management unit 912 includes, for example, information corresponding to the base A among the device information 921 shown in FIG. 10A.

In steps S1308 and S1309, the base information providing unit 915 of the management server 130 acquires the map information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed from the map information management unit 913. At this time, the map information acquired from the map information management unit 913 includes, for example, information corresponding to the base A among the floor information 1101, the area information 1102, and the map information 1103 shown in FIG. Further, the map information may include map data (image file).

In step S1310, the base information providing unit 915 transmits the base information of the base A where the positioning device 111-1 is installed, including the device information acquired in steps S1306 to S1309 and the map information, to the information terminal 114.

In step S1311, the base information receiving unit 934 of the information terminal 114 receives the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed from the management server 130, and receives the device information and the map information included in the base information. It is stored in the storage unit 939.

At this time, if the base information received by the base information receiving unit 934 does not include the map data (image file) of the base A but includes the reference information (URL or the like) for acquiring the map data, steps S1312 to S1314. Processing is executed.

In step S1312, the base information receiving unit 934 of the information terminal 114 requests, for example, the management server 130 to acquire the map data of the base A based on the "image file URL" included in the map information received from the management server 130. To send.

In step S1313, when the information receiving unit 914 of the management server 130 receives the map data acquisition request from the information terminal 114, the information receiving unit 914 notifies, for example, the map information management unit 913 of the received map data acquisition request.

In step S1314, the map information management unit 913 of the management server 130 transmits the requested map data of the base A to the requesting information terminal 114.

The map information management unit 913 is an example of a map data acquisition destination based on the “URL of the image file”. The map data may be provided by a management unit different from the map information management unit 913.

In step S1315, the information receiving unit 914 of the information terminal 114 receives the map data from the management server 130, and stores the received map data in the map information 942 of the storage unit 939. As a result, for example, map information 942 as shown in FIG. 12 is stored in the storage unit 939 of the information terminal 114.

(Location information registration process)
When the information terminal 114 acquires the base information of the base A by the base information acquisition process of FIG. 13, the location information management system 100 executes the location information registration process as shown in FIG. 14 at the base A.

In steps S1401 and S1402, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 obtain the position ID for identifying the own device and the access information for acquiring the base information of the base (for example, the base A) where the own device is installed. Sending beacons that include.

Further, the information terminal 114 for which the base information of the base A has been acquired receives the beacon transmitted from the positioning device 111-1 within the communication range 301-1 of the positioning device 111-1 in FIG. 3, for example. It shall be.

In step 1403, the beacon receiving unit 931 of the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID and access information included in the beacon received from the positioning device 111-1. Further, in the request information transmitting unit 933 of the information terminal 114, is the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed stored in the storage unit 939 based on the position ID acquired by the beacon receiving unit 931? Check if it is not. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed is stored in the storage unit 939.

In step S1404, the coordinate conversion unit 935 of the information terminal 114 uses the position ID included in the beacon received by the beacon receiving unit 931 and the device information 941 stored in the storage unit 939 to coordinate the positioning device 111-1. Identify the information. Further, the position information transmission unit 937 of the information terminal 114 requests the management server 130 to register the position information including the coordinate information specified by the coordinate conversion unit 935, the application ID for identifying the information terminal 114, and the positioning time. Send to. The positioning time may be, for example, the time when the beacon receiving unit 931 receives the beacon, the time when the coordinate conversion unit 935 specifies the coordinate information, or the position information transmitting unit 937 requesting registration of the position information. It may be the time to send.

In step S1405, when the information receiving unit 914 of the management server 130 receives the location information registration request from the information terminal 114, the information receiving unit 914 notifies the location information management unit 916 of the received location information registration request.

In step S1406, the position information management unit 916 of the management server 130 associates the requested position information of the information terminal 114 with the application ID of the information terminal 114 and the positioning time, and is shown in FIG. 10 (c), for example. It is stored in such position information 923.

The information terminal 114, for example, repeatedly executes such a location registration registration process at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 second intervals).

In steps S1407 and S1408, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 transmit a beacon including a position ID for identifying the own device and access information for acquiring the base information of the base A where the own device is installed. ing.

Further, the user 115 of the information terminal 114, for example, exits the communication range 301-1 of the positioning device 111-1 in FIG. 3 and walks in the direction of the positioning device 111-2. It is assumed that the beacon transmitted from 111-2 cannot be received.

In step S1409, the position information calculation unit 936 of the information terminal 114 that cannot receive the beacon acquires sensor information from the sensor units 809 such as the acceleration sensor and the geomagnetic sensor.

In step S1410, the position information calculation unit 936 calculates the coordinate information of the current position of the information terminal 114 by the PDR described above, starting from the position information of the point where the beacon is received in step S1401.

For example, the position information calculation unit 936 calculates the movement amount of the information terminal 114 using the sensor information acquired from the sensor unit 809. Further, the position information calculation unit 936 performs map matching and the like using, for example, the map information 942 stored in the storage unit 939, starting from the position information of the point where the beacon is received in step S1401, and the current information terminal 114 is present. Calculate the coordinate information (position information) indicating the position. Any PDR technique can be applied to the position information calculation process by the position information calculation unit 936.

In step S1411, the position information transmission unit 937 of the information terminal 114 requests registration of position information including the coordinate information calculated by the position information calculation unit 936, the application ID for identifying the information terminal 114, and the positioning time. Send to the management server 130.

In step S1412, when the information receiving unit 914 of the management server 130 receives the location information registration request from the information terminal 114, the information receiving unit 914 notifies the location information management unit 916 of the received location information registration request.

In step S1413, the location information management unit 916 of the management server 130 stores the requested location information of the information terminal 114 in the location information 923 in association with the application ID of the information terminal 114 and the positioning time.

In steps S1414 and S1415, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 transmit a beacon including a position ID for identifying the own device and access information for acquiring the base information of the base A where the own device is installed. ing.

Further, it is assumed that the user 115 of the information terminal 114 moves to the communication range 301-2 of the positioning device 111-2 of FIG. 3 and receives the beacon transmitted from the positioning device 111-2, for example.

In step 1416, the beacon receiving unit 931 of the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID and access information included in the beacon received from the positioning device 111-1. Further, the request information transmitting unit 933 of the information terminal 114 stores the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed in the storage unit 939 based on the position ID acquired by the beacon receiving unit 931. Make sure that.

Further, the coordinate conversion unit 935 of the information terminal 114 uses the position ID included in the beacon received by the beacon receiving unit 931 and the device information 941 stored in the storage unit 939 to obtain the coordinate information of the positioning device 111-1. Identify.

In step S1417, the position information calculation unit 936 of the information terminal 114 initializes the movement information, and the coordinate information specified by the coordinate conversion unit 935 is set as the current position of the information terminal 114.

In step S1418, the position information transmission unit 937 of the information terminal 114 manages the registration request of the position information including the coordinate information specified by the coordinate conversion unit 935, the application ID for identifying the information terminal 114, and the positioning time. Send to server 130.

In step S1419, when the information receiving unit 914 of the management server 130 receives the location information registration request from the information terminal 114, the information receiving unit 914 notifies the location information management unit 916 of the received location information registration request.

In step S1420, the location information management unit 916 of the management server 130 stores the requested location information of the information terminal 114 in the location information 923 in association with the application ID of the information terminal 114 and the positioning time.

Through the above processing, the management server 130 can acquire and manage detailed position information of the information terminal 114 at the base A at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 second interval).

The location information of the information terminal 114 managed by the management server 130 can be suitably used, for example, for a flow line visualization service of the user 115 who owns the information terminal 114.

Further, since the information terminal 114 has already acquired all the information necessary for the PDR that calculates the position information of the information terminal 114 by the base information acquisition process shown in FIG. 13, for example, even if the communication with the management server 130 is interrupted, The location information calculation process can be continued.

The position information acquired by the information terminal 114 can be used, for example, by displaying the current position of the information terminal 114 on a floor map as shown in FIG. 3 and providing detailed position information to the user 115. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the positioning device 111 has been described as transmitting a signal including a position ID and access information by using a beacon by short-range wireless communication such as BLE. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the positioning device 111 transmits a signal including a position ID and access information by using sound waves in addition to a beacon by short-range wireless communication such as BLE.

According to the present embodiment, for example, even when the information terminal 114 is not provided with the short-range wireless communication unit 806, or when the function of the short-range wireless communication unit 806 is disabled, the information terminal 114 You will be able to manage location information.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 15 is a functional configuration diagram of the location information management system according to the second embodiment. The position information management system 1500 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of positioning devices 111-1, 111-2, a wireless gateway 112, an external gateway 113, and an information terminal 114, similarly to the position information management system 100 according to the first embodiment. , And a management server 130 and the like.

(Functional configuration of positioning device)
The positioning device 111 (positioning devices 111-1, 111-2) according to the present embodiment has a sound wave transmission unit 1501 in addition to the functional configuration of the positioning device 111 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. There is. Since the other configuration of the positioning device 111 is the same as the configuration of the positioning device 111 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described here.

The sound wave transmission unit 1501 transmits sound waves including information (for example, position ID, access information) stored in the device information storage unit 952. The sound wave transmission unit 1501 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the sound wave output unit 506 of FIG. 5, the speaker 507, and the CPU 501 of FIG.

For example, the sound wave transmission unit 1501 outputs a sound wave including a position ID and access information at a high frequency of, for example, 16 kHz or more in the voice frequency band. The higher the frequency of the sound wave, the higher the directivity, and the frequency of 16 kHz or higher is almost inaudible to humans, so that it is suitable for transmitting information such as a speaker ID.

In the present embodiment, the specific data transfer method using sound waves is not particularly limited, but for example, known modulation such as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) is performed on sound waves of a predetermined frequency. Information can be transmitted by multiplying.

Alternatively, the data transfer method using sound waves may be one that represents a digital value of "1" / "0" by turning on / off a sound wave of a predetermined frequency (for example, 19 kHz). In this case, the information terminal 114 that has received the sound wave can acquire the information included in the sound wave by, for example, determining the presence or absence of a predetermined frequency at a predetermined sampling rate.

(Functional configuration of information terminal)
The information terminal 114 according to the present embodiment has a sound wave receiving unit 1502 in place of (or in addition to) the beacon receiving unit 931 of the information terminal 114 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Since the other configurations of the information terminal 114 are the same as the configurations of the information terminal 114 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described here.

The sound wave receiving unit 1502 receives the sound wave transmitted from the positioning device 111 and acquires information (for example, position ID, access information, etc.) included in the received sound wave. The sound wave receiving unit 1502 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the microphone 808 of FIG. 8 and the CPU 801 of FIG.

The microphone 808 provided in recent smartphones and the like can pick up sound waves up to 20 kHz, and more preferably about 24 kHz. The sound wave receiving unit 1502 can preferably acquire information contained in the sound wave output from the positioning device 111 and converted to a high frequency of, for example, 16 kHz or more.

Note that, in FIG. 15, the functional configurations other than the positioning device 111 and the information terminal 114 are the same as the configuration of the position information management system 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, so the description thereof will be omitted.

<Processing flow>
(Acquisition process of base information)
FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the base information acquisition process according to the second embodiment. Note that, in FIG. 16, the processes of steps S1304 to S1315 are the same as the process of acquiring the base information according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13, so here, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. I do.

In steps S1701 and S1702, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 transmit a beacon containing the position ID and the access information and a sound wave including the position ID and the access information. Assuming that the position ID included in the beacon transmitted by the positioning device 111 and the position ID included in the sound wave have the same value, the following description will be given, but the position ID included in the beacon and the position included in the sound wave will be described. The value may be different from the ID.

Further, it is assumed that the sound wave receiving unit 1502 of the information terminal 931 receives the sound wave transmitted from the positioning device 111-1.

In step S1703, the sound wave receiving unit 1502 of the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID and access information included in the sound wave received from the positioning device 111-1. Further, in the request information transmitting unit 933 of the information terminal 114, is the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed stored in the storage unit 939 based on the position ID acquired by the sound wave receiving unit 1502? Check if it is not.

Subsequent processing is the same as the base information acquisition processing according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

By the above processing, the information terminal 114 is positioned even when the information terminal 114 is not provided with the short-range wireless communication unit 806 or the function of the short-range wireless communication unit 806 is disabled. It is possible to acquire the base information of the base A in which -1 is installed.

(Location information registration process)
FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the location information registration process according to the second embodiment. Note that, in FIG. 17, the processes of steps S1404 to S1406 are the same as the process of registering the position information according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and therefore, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described here. I do.

In steps S1801 and S1802, the positioning devices 111-1 and 111-2 transmit a beacon containing the position ID and access information, and a sound wave including the position ID and access information.

Further, it is assumed that the sound wave receiving unit 1502 of the information terminal 114 that has acquired the base information of the base A receives the sound wave transmitted from the positioning device 111-1.

In step S1803, the sound wave receiving unit 1502 of the information terminal 114 acquires the position ID and access information included in the sound wave received from the positioning device 111-1. Further, in the request information transmitting unit 933 of the information terminal 114, is the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed stored in the storage unit 939 based on the position ID acquired by the sound wave receiving unit 1502? Check if it is not. Here, since the base information of the base A in which the positioning device 111-1 is installed is stored in the storage unit 939, the processes of steps S1404 to S1406 are executed.

The process of steps S1404 to S1406 is the same as the process of registration process of position information according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14 S1404 to S1406.

As described above, according to the position information management system 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the information terminal 114 cannot receive the beacon, the same processing as that of the first embodiment can be executed by using the sound wave.

100, 1500 Location information management system (information processing system)
111 Positioning device 114 Information terminal (terminal device)
912 Equipment information management department 913 Map information management department 914 Information reception department 915 Base information provision department (information provision department)
916 Location information management unit 931 Beacon reception unit (example of acquisition unit)
933 Request information transmission unit 934 Base information reception unit 936 Location information calculation unit 1502 Sound wave reception unit (another example of acquisition unit)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-590203

Claims (20)

An information processing device that communicates with a terminal device that receives a signal including identification information unique to the positioning device transmitted from the positioning device and manages information on the current position of the terminal device.
A device information management unit that manages device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base and the information of the location where the positioning device is installed for each of a plurality of bases. ,
The terminal apparatus transmits when it is determined that the-out based on the signal received from a positioning device of the positioning device, does not possess base information of the site in which the one positioning device is installed When it is determined that the acquisition request for the acquisition of the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed and the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed are possessed, the terminal A registration request that requests registration of information on the current position of the device, an information receiver that receives the registration request, and
An information providing unit that transmits the base information including the device information of the base where the one positioning device is installed to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request received by the information receiving unit.
In response to the registration request received by the information receiving unit, a position information management unit that registers information on the current position of the terminal device without transmitting the base information to the terminal device.
Information processing device with. The base information is
The information processing device according to claim 1, which includes identification information of all the positioning devices installed at a base where the positioning device is installed and coordinate information of a place where the positioning device is installed. The coordinate information is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, which is three-dimensional coordinate information including information in the height direction. The coordinate information is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, which includes information on latitude, longitude, and altitude. It has a map information management unit that manages map information of the plurality of bases.
The base information is
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which includes the map information of the base where the one positioning device is installed. The map information is
The information processing device according to claim 5, which includes map data of a base where the one positioning device is installed or reference information for acquiring the map data. The map information is
The information processing device according to claim 5 or 6, which includes information on a plurality of floors included in the base where the one positioning device is installed. The map information is
The information processing device according to claim 6 or 7, which includes information on an area that the user can pass through. The map information is
The information processing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which includes information on an area that the user cannot pass through. The information on the current position of the terminal device is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising three-dimensional coordinate information including information in the height direction and time information corresponding to the coordinate information. A program installed in a terminal device that communicates with a positioning device that transmits a signal containing identification information unique to its own device.
The terminal device
An acquisition unit that acquires the signal transmitted from one positioning device ,
When it is determined that the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed is not possessed based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit, the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed is determined. When an acquisition request is sent to the information processing device and it is determined that the base information is possessed, a registration request requesting registration of information on the current position of the terminal device is sent to the information processing device. From the request information transmission unit to be transmitted and the information processing device, the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base where the one positioning device is installed corresponds to the information of the place where the positioning device is installed. A base information receiver that receives the above-mentioned base information including the device information stored in the attachment ,
A program to function as. The signal includes access information which is information for acquiring the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed.
The request information transmission unit
The program according to claim 11 , wherein the acquisition request is transmitted to the information processing apparatus based on the access information. 11. Or 12 for making the terminal device function as a coordinate conversion unit that extracts the coordinate information of the one positioning device from the base information by using the identification information of the one positioning device included in the signal. The program described in. Position information for calculating the coordinate information of the terminal device by using the coordinate information of the one positioning device extracted by the coordinate conversion unit and the movement information of the terminal device acquired by using the sensor of the terminal device. Calculation part and
A position information transmission unit that transmits information on the current position of the terminal device calculated by the position information calculation unit to the information processing device, and
The program according to claim 13 , wherein the terminal device functions as a device. The position information calculation unit
The program according to claim 14 , wherein when the acquisition unit acquires the signal, the information on the current position of the terminal device is updated by using the coordinate information of the one positioning device extracted by the coordinate conversion unit. A terminal device that communicates with a positioning device that transmits a signal containing identification information unique to its own device.
An acquisition unit that acquires the signal transmitted from one positioning device, and
When it is determined that the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed is not possessed based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit, the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed is determined. When an acquisition request is sent to the information processing device and it is determined that the base information is possessed, a registration request requesting registration of information on the current position of the terminal device is sent to the information processing device. Request information transmitter to send and
The information processing device includes device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base where the one positioning device is installed and the information of the place where the positioning device is installed. The base information receiving unit that receives the base information and
Terminal devices including. A storage unit that stores the identification information of the own device, and an output unit that outputs a signal including the identification information stored in the storage unit.
Positioning device equipped with
A terminal device that communicates with the positioning device
An acquisition unit that acquires a signal including the identification information of the positioning device transmitted from the positioning device.
When it is determined that the base information of the base where the positioning device is installed is not possessed based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit, the acquisition of the base information of the base where the positioning device is installed is requested. When the acquisition request is transmitted to the information processing device and it is determined that the base information is possessed, the request information transmission for transmitting the registration request requesting the registration of the information of the current position of the terminal device to the information processing device is transmitted. The device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base where the positioning device is installed and the information of the place where the positioning device is installed is stored from the unit and the information processing device. Base information receiver that receives base information including
With a program to function as
A device information management unit that manages device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base and the information of the location where the positioning device is installed for each of a plurality of bases.
Acquiring the terminal device,-out based on the signal, transmitted when it is determined that the positioning device does not have the location information of the installed base, the base information of the site in which the positioning device is installed Information to receive the acquisition request requesting the registration of the current position information of the terminal device when it is determined that the position information of the base where the positioning device is installed is possessed. Receiver ,
An information providing unit that transmits the base information including the device information of the base where the positioning device is installed to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request received by the information receiving unit, and
A location information management unit that registers information on the current position of the terminal device without transmitting the base information to the terminal device in response to the registration request received by the information receiving unit.
Information processing device with
Information processing system including. The program
A position information calculation unit that calculates the current position of the terminal device at a base where the positioning device is installed, based on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit and the base information received by the base information receiving unit.
The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein the terminal device functions as an information processing system. An information processing device that communicates with a terminal device that receives a signal including identification information unique to the positioning device transmitted from the positioning device.
A device information management unit that manages device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device installed at the base and the information of the location where the positioning device is installed for each of a plurality of bases .
The terminal device,-out based on the signal received from a positioning device of said positioning apparatus, transmitted when it is determined that the positioning device does not have the location information of the installed base, the When it is determined that the acquisition request for the acquisition of the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed and the base information of the base where the one positioning device is installed are possessed, the terminal device information receiving unit for receiving a registration request for requesting registration of the information of the current position, and
An information providing unit that transmits the base information including the device information of the base where the positioning device is installed to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request received by the information receiving unit , and
A location information management unit that registers information on the current position of the terminal device in response to the registration request received by the information receiving unit without transmitting the base information to the terminal device.
A program to function as. The positioning device, the terminal device communicating with the positioning device, and the device information stored in association with the identification information of the positioning device and the information of the place where the positioning device is installed are managed for each of a plurality of bases. It is an information processing method by an information processing system including an information processing device.
A step in which the positioning device outputs a signal including identification information unique to the positioning device.
A step in which the terminal device acquires the signal transmitted from the positioning device,
An acquisition request for requesting acquisition of the base information of the base, which is transmitted when the terminal device does not store the base information of the base where the positioning device that transmitted the signal is installed, and the positioning device are installed. A step of transmitting a registration request requesting registration of information on the current position of the terminal device to the information processing device when it is determined that the base information of the base is possessed .
A step in which the information processing device receives the acquisition request transmitted from the terminal device, and
A step in which the information processing device transmits the base information including the device information of the base where the positioning device is installed to the terminal device in response to the received acquisition request.
A step in which the information processing device registers information on the current position of the terminal device in response to the received registration request without transmitting the base information to the terminal device.
Information processing methods including.

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