JP6912271B2 - Device location management system and device location management server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device position management system and a device position management server that estimate the position of a mobile device.

For portable devices (portable devices) such as smartphones, tablets, and notebook PCs equipped with wireless LAN communication modules specified by IEEE 802.11, etc., a method of estimating the position of the device without using GPS is known. (For example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Specifically, the device that receives the wireless signal (radio wave) transmitted from the wireless LAN access point transmits the identifier of the access point (BSSID (MAC address), etc.) and the electric field strength of the received wireless signal to the server. do.

The server returns the device position information estimated using the location of the access point and the electric field strength of the radio signal to the device.

"About PlaceEngine", [online], [Search on April 28, 2017], Internet (URL: http://www.placeengine.com/show/about)

The device position estimation using the wireless LAN access point described above is basically based on the premise that the device can always communicate with the server via a mobile phone network or the like.

However, constant communication with the server may be difficult from the viewpoint of controlling the cost of the communication module for the mobile phone network (3G / 4G, etc.), battery consumption, and communication charges borne by the user. Furthermore, for mobile devices with limited functions and performance (such as watching devices for children), the memory capacity is small, and information on a sufficient number of access points should be stored in advance to estimate the position of the device. Is also difficult. In addition, it is not preferable to install a positioning module such as GPS because it causes an increase in cost.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even for a mobile device having limited functions and performance, the position of the mobile device can be determined with high accuracy by using the information of the access point. An object of the present invention is to provide a device location management system and a device location management server that can be estimated.

One aspect of the present invention is a portable device (portable device 200) including a wireless communication module according to a predetermined wireless communication system (wireless LAN), and access points (AP31 to 38) of the wireless communication system for the portable device. ) Is a device location management system (device location management system 10) including a device location management server (device location management server 100) that provides AP information including an identifier, and the device location management server is a mobile device. AP selection unit that selects an access point located within a predetermined range from the connected access point based on the request for providing the AP information transmitted via the connected access point (for example, AP31) which is the connected access point. (AP selection unit 120) and an AP information transmission unit (AP information transmission unit 130) that transmits selected AP information, which is AP information of the access point selected by the AP selection unit, to the mobile device. The portable device is a wireless device among an AP information receiving unit (AP information receiving unit 220) that receives the selected AP information transmitted by the device location management server and an access point included in the selected AP information. It includes a receiving AP recording unit (received AP recording unit 240) that records the identifier of the access point that received the signal.

One aspect of the present invention is a device location management server that provides AP information including an identifier of an access point of the wireless communication system to a mobile device including a wireless communication module according to a predetermined wireless communication system. An AP selection unit that selects an access point located within a predetermined range from the connection access point based on a request for providing the AP information transmitted via the connection access point that is the access point to which the mobile device is connected. It includes an AP information transmission unit that transmits selected AP information, which is AP information of the access point selected by the AP selection unit, to the mobile device.

According to the device location management system and the device location management server described above, the position of the mobile device can be estimated with high accuracy by using the information of the access point even for the mobile device having limited functions and performance.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a communication network including the device position management system 10. FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the device location management server 100. FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of the mobile device 200. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the mobile device 200 sequentially receives wireless signals of access points while moving and executes wireless communication at access points to which access is permitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow for selecting AP information (operation example 1) by the device position management server 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (operation example 1) of a set (AP list) of AP information held by the device location management server 100. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 1). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a selection operation flow (operation example 2) of AP information by the device position management server 100. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user behavior learning list held by the device location management server 100. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 2). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation flow for selecting AP information (operation example 3) by the device position management server 100. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example (operation example 3) of the AP list held by the device location management server 100. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 3). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a selection operation flow (operation example 4) of AP information by the device position management server 100. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example (operation example 4) of the AP list held by the device location management server 100. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device location management server 100 and the mobile device 200.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same functions and configurations are designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) Overall Schematic Configuration of Device Location Management System FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a communication network including the device location management system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the device location management system 10 is composed of a device location management server 100 and a mobile device 200. The device position management system 10 actually includes a large number of portable devices 200.

The device location management server 100 is connected to the communication network 20. The communication network 20 is typically a wired network (partially wireless) that supports IP (Internet Protocol) and may include the Internet. That is, the device location management server 100 can be accessed via the Internet.

Further, a plurality of access points (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as AP) that provide wireless LAN services are connected to the communication network 20. Specifically, in FIG. 1, the access point 31 (hereinafter, AP31) to the access point 38 (hereinafter, AP38) are connected to the communication network 20.

AP31 to AP38 comply with the wireless LAN standard specified by IEEE 802.11 and so on. AP31 to AP38 transmit and receive radio signals in a predetermined assigned frequency band (2.4GHz, 5GHz). The wireless LAN standard to which AP31 to AP38 comply may be called Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The wireless LAN service provided by AP31 to AP38 may be a public wireless LAN service or a private service dedicated to a specific user. In addition, the service may be paid or free of charge.

In this embodiment, AP31 is installed in store 71 (convenience store in this embodiment), and AP36 is installed in store 72 (convenience store). AP38 is installed at home 80 of user 50.

Note that # 1 to # 8 described together with AP31 to AP38 mean an identifier (BSSID, MAC address, etc.) that identifies the AP. The reach (distance) of the radio signals (radio waves) transmitted by AP31 to AP38 may differ depending on the frequency band, the structure of the building at the installation location, the set transmission power, and the like.

The portable device 200 includes a wireless communication module according to a wireless LAN (predetermined wireless communication method). That is, the mobile device 200 can receive the radio signal transmitted from AP31 to AP38. Specifically, the mobile device 200 can receive radio signals transmitted from AP31 to AP38 and acquire an identifier of the AP. Further, the portable device 200 may be able to measure the electric field strength (received power value) of the received wireless signal.

On the other hand, whether or not the mobile device 200 can execute two-way wireless communication via the AP depends on the form of provision of the AP (paid or free, etc.) as described above. In the present embodiment, the mobile device 200 has access to AP31 (# 1), AP36 (# 6), and AP38 (# 8) (indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 1).

Further, in the present embodiment, the mobile device 200 is a communication device (so-called watching device for children) possessed by the user 50 (assuming a child of elementary school age or younger). The mobile device 200 is a communication device that does not have a positioning function such as GPS and has a limited function and performance with a minimum memory capacity.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user 50 makes a daily round trip from school 60 to home 80 along the road R.

The device location management server 100 provides the mobile device 200 with AP information including the identifiers of AP31 to AP38 of the wireless LAN described above.

(2) Functional block configuration of the device location management system Next, the functional block configuration of the device location management system 10 will be described. Specifically, the functional block configuration of the device location management server 100 and the mobile device 200 will be described.

(2.1) Device location management server 100
FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the device location management server 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the device location management server 100 includes a network interface unit 110, an AP selection unit 120, an AP information transmission unit 130, an AP information storage unit 140, a received AP information acquisition unit 150, and a position estimation unit 160.

As shown in FIG. 2, each functional block of the device location management server 100 is on a server computer composed of hardware elements including a processor (CPU), a functional module (input / output, peripheral device connection, etc.), a disk, and a power supply. It is realized by running the software in. The specific hardware configuration will be described later.

The network interface unit 110 provides an interface for connecting to the communication network 20 (see FIG. 1). The network interface unit 110 is typically composed of a network interface card or the like that supports a wired LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and supports a protocol such as TCP / IP.

The AP selection unit 120 selects the AP information provided to the mobile device 200. Specifically, the AP selection unit 120 selects AP information based on a request for providing AP information transmitted via a connection access point (for example, AP31) which is an access point to which the mobile device 200 is connected. .. That is, the connection access point is one of the access points to which the mobile device 200 is permitted to access.

More specifically, the AP selection unit 120 acquires the latitude and longitude of the connection access point based on the connection access point identifier (BSSID, MAC address, etc.) included in the provision request.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 may acquire the distance between two adjacent connection access points. As a result, it is possible to recognize how far the access points permitted to access the mobile device 200 are, and thus it is possible to determine the geographical range of AP information to be provided to the mobile device 200.

The AP selection unit 120 selects an access point located within a predetermined range from the connection access point. Specifically, the AP selection unit 120 can select an access point located within a predetermined geographical range from the connection access point. The geographical range simply means that the linear distance from the connection access point is within a predetermined range, but as described later, the movement history, movement direction, or geographical range of the mobile device 200. Features (classification by prefecture and zip code, or unique geographical conditions such as in front of a station) may be added.

For example, if the connecting access point is AP31, AP32, 33, 34, 35 located within a predetermined distance range from AP31 are selected. The set of APs (AP31 to 35) selected by the AP selection unit 120 in this way is called selected AP information. Selected AP information consists of information about one or more APs.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 can determine the number of AP information included in the selected AP information based on the size of the AP information allowed by the mobile device 200. As described above, the memory capacity of the mobile device 200 is the minimum, and the size of AP information that can be held (stored) by the mobile device 200 is limited.

The size of AP information allowed by the mobile device 200 may be specified by default. For example, the default size is specified according to the model of the mobile device 200. Alternatively, the AP selection unit 120 may acquire the size from the mobile device 200 directly via the communication network 20, or obtains the size by inquiring to another information providing server (not shown). May be good.

The AP selection unit 120 generates selected AP information in response to a request for providing AP information received from the mobile device 200 via the connection access point.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 can select the access point included in the selected AP information based on the information of the access point to which the mobile device 200 has received the radio signal in the past. That is, the AP selection unit 120 can learn the connection record of the mobile device 200 to the past access point and reflect the learning result in the selected AP information.

Specifically, the AP selection unit 120 calculates the distance between accessible access points (for example, between AP31 and AP36) based on the connection record to the past access points of the mobile device 200, and selects AP information. Determine the number and location of APs to include in. In addition, the connection record may include a time zone, a day of the week, and the like. As a result, the AP selection unit 120 can include, for example, the information (AP information) of the access point connected in the past week in the selected AP information.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 can give a priority (extraction priority) to the AP information included in the selected AP information. Specifically, the simplest priority is to increase the selected priority as the access point is closer to the connected access point.

Further, when the priority of the distance reference is given, the priority may be different inside or outside the predetermined area.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 can estimate the moving direction of the mobile device 200 based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device 200 has received the radio signal in the past. That is, the AP selection unit 120 estimates the moving direction (traveling direction) of the mobile device 200 by using the time when the mobile device 200 receives the radio signals from the plurality of access points and the identifier of the access point.

For example, when the mobile device 200 moves from the school 60 to the home 80, the mobile device 200 receives the radio signal from the AP in the order of AP 31, 32, 33, and so on, and the timing (time) at which the radio signal is received is received. ) Is recorded. The AP selection unit 120 estimates the moving direction of the mobile device 200 based on such information (received AP information).

The AP selection unit 120 includes the access point located in front of the moving direction in the selected AP information.

Further, the AP selection unit 120 can also estimate the means of transportation of the mobile device 200 based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device 200 has received the radio signal in the past. That is, the AP selection unit 120 estimates the means of transportation (eg, walking, car or train) based on the received AP information provided by the mobile device 200 as described above.

Specifically, the AP selection unit 120 estimates the movement route and movement speed of the mobile device 200 based on the position of the access point included in the received AP information and the reception timing of the radio signal from the access point. Select the moving means associated with the moving route and the moving speed. More specifically, the relationship between the train route and road map information (latitude and longitude, etc.) and the moving speed is associated, and the AP selection unit 120 selects the moving means based on such a correspondence. can.

The AP selection unit 120 selects the access point associated with the transportation means estimated in this way, and includes the selected access point in the selected AP information.

The AP information transmission unit 130 transmits the selected AP information, which is the AP information of the access point selected by the AP selection unit 120, to the mobile device 200.

Specifically, the AP information transmission unit 130 transmits one or more AP information including an access point identifier to the mobile device 200. The selected AP information may be transmitted by the AP information transmission unit 130 while the mobile device 200 is accessing the device location management server 100 via the access point, or may be sent by the mobile device 200 as a download request. The AP information transmission unit 130 may transmit in response.

Further, the AP information may include not only the identifier of the access point but also the latitude and longitude of the access point. Further, a security key (WPA2-PSK, etc.) used in the access point may be included.

The AP information storage unit 140 stores information (AP information) of all or part of the access points connected to the communication network 20. In the present embodiment, the AP information storage unit 140 stores the AP information of APs 31 to 38. AP information is composed of AP identifier, latitude / longitude, installation location details (store name, building name, above ground / underground, etc.), security key, and so on.

The reception AP information acquisition unit 150 acquires the reception AP information composed of the information of the access point on which the mobile device 200 has received the wireless signal. Specifically, the received AP information is the identifier of the access point that the mobile device 200 received the radio signal among the access points included in the selected AP information transmitted by the AP information transmission unit 130, that is, the access point that could be received. , And the timing (time) of receiving the radio signal from the access point.

Further, the received AP information may include information on the electric field strength (received power) of the radio signal from the access point.

The receiving AP information acquisition unit 150 can acquire the received AP information via the access point by requesting the mobile device 200 while the mobile device 200 is connected to the accessible access point. Alternatively, the received AP information acquisition unit 150 may acquire the received AP information autonomously transmitted from the mobile device 200 during the period.

The position estimation unit 160 estimates the position of the mobile device 200 based on the received AP information acquired by the reception AP information acquisition unit 150. Specifically, the position estimation unit 160 estimates the approximate position of the mobile device 200 based on the latitude and longitude of the access point included in the received AP information.

As described above, the position estimation unit 160 may estimate the position of the portable device 200 with higher accuracy by using the electric field strength of the radio signal.

The position information of the mobile device 200 estimated by the position estimation unit 160 is recorded together with the reception timing (time) information and can be provided to an external entity such as a web server. A person concerned (such as a guardian) of the user 50 can recognize the position and the movement route of the mobile device 200 by accessing the web server or the like.

(2.2) Mobile device 200
FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of the mobile device 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 210, an AP information receiving unit 220, an AP information holding unit 230, and a receiving AP recording unit 240.

As shown in FIG. 3, each functional block of the portable device 200 is composed of hardware elements including a wireless communication module, a processor (CPU), a functional module (external IF connection, accelerometer, etc.), a display, and a battery. The specific hardware configuration will be described later.

The wireless communication unit 210 is realized by a wireless communication module and executes wireless communication according to a wireless LAN system. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from APs 31 to 38. The wireless communication unit 210 can receive wireless signals from all APs when the adopted wireless LAN method is supported. On the other hand, the wireless communication unit 210 can transmit a wireless signal to all APs, but the APs for which access is not permitted cannot continue wireless communication without successful authentication.

The AP information receiving unit 220 receives the selected AP information transmitted by the device location management server 100. Specifically, the AP information receiving unit 220 receives the selected AP information via the connected access point, which is the access point to which the mobile device 200 is connected.

The AP information holding unit 230 holds the received selected AP information. As described above, since the memory capacity of the mobile device 200 is the minimum, the size (number) of AP information that can be held by the AP information holding unit 230 is limited (for example, for 5 APs).

Therefore, when the AP information receiving unit 220 newly receives the selected AP information, the AP information holding unit 230 deletes the AP information held up to that point and rewrites the contents of the newly received selected AP information. If there is enough memory capacity, it is not necessary to delete the AP information held up to that point.

The receiving AP recording unit 240 records the information of the access point (received AP information) that the mobile device 200 has received the wireless signal, that is, the received access point. Specifically, the receiving AP recording unit 240 records at least the identifier of the access point for which the mobile device 200 has received the radio signal among the access points included in the selected AP information. As described above, the recorded content may include the timing (time) of receiving the radio signal from the access point and the electric field strength of the radio signal from the access point.

The receiving AP recording unit 240 can provide the receiving AP information to the device location management server 100 while the mobile device 200 is connected to an accessible access point. Specifically, the receiving AP recording unit 240 autonomously provides the receiving AP information to the device location management server 100 based on the request from the device location management server 100 during the period.

(3) Operation of the device position management system Next, the operation of the device position management system 10 will be described. Specifically, the operation related to the position estimation of the mobile device 200 when the mobile device 200 possessed by the user 50 moves will be described.

(3.1) Overall Schematic Operation FIG. 4 shows a state in which the mobile device 200 sequentially receives wireless signals of access points while moving, and executes wireless communication at access points to which access is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile device 200 possessed by the user 50 moves from the school 60 to the home 80. When the mobile device 200 approaches the store 71, it receives a wireless signal from the AP 31 installed in the store 71. Since the AP31 is an access point accessible to the mobile device 200, it can communicate with the device location management server 100.

Here, the mobile device 200 receives the AP information (selected AP information) composed of the information of the access points around the AP31 from the device location management server 100. Here, the selected AP information includes the information of AP31 (# 1) to 35 (# 5).

The portable device 200 holds the contents of the selected AP information, and then sequentially receives radio signals from APs 32, 33, 34, and 35 as it moves. The mobile device 200 records the identifier (# 2 to # 5: BSSID, MAC address, etc.) of the AP that received the wireless signal and the timing (time) at which the wireless signal was received. Thereby, the position (movement route) of the mobile device 200 can be determined.

When the mobile device 200 approaches the store 72, it receives a wireless signal from the AP 36 installed in the store 72. Since the AP36 is an access point accessible to the mobile device 200, it can communicate with the device location management server 100 again.

Here, the mobile device 200 receives the selected AP information composed of the information of the access points around the AP 36 from the device location management server 100. Here, the selected AP information includes the information of AP36 (# 6) to 38 (# 8). As long as the upper limit of the size of AP information that can be held by the mobile device 200 (for example, five APs) is not exceeded, the selected AP information may further include AP information farther than AP38.

Further, the mobile device 200 provides the recorded information (received AP information) of AP31 (# 1) to 35 (# 5) to the device location management server 100 via the AP36.

The device location management server 100 estimates the position and travel route passed by the mobile device 200 based on the received AP information provided by the mobile device 200.

(3.2) AP selection operation example 1
Next, the basic operation flow for selecting AP information by the device location management server 100 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows an operation flow for selecting AP information by the device location management server 100 (operation example 1). As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile device 200 periodically searches for an access point (AP) and repeats the process until it can connect to an AP (for example, AP31) to which access is permitted. (S10 to S40).

When the connection with the AP (connection access point) is completed, the mobile device 200 accesses the device location management server 100 and executes the transmission processing of the allowable number of AP information (S50). The allowable number of AP information is determined according to the size of AP information that can be held by the mobile device 200.

The device location management server 100 receives the allowable number of cases transmitted from the mobile device 200 via the connection access point (AP31) (S60). Further, the device location management server 100 specifies the latitude and longitude of the connection access point and the distance between the connection access points based on the identifier (# 1) of the connection access point (S70).

Here, FIG. 6 shows an example (operation example 1) of a set (AP list) of AP information held by the device location management server 100. "ID" means the identifier of the AP. The "name" is arbitrary, but for example, AP31 of # 1 means that it is installed in convenience store A (store 71). Similarly, AP36 of # 2 means that it is installed in convenience store B (store 72).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the AP list includes latitude / longitude information and distance information between connected access points. The "distance" information indicates the distance between APs accessible to the mobile device 200 in the area for each AP (connecting access point) accessible to the mobile device 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, "distance" substantially means the spacing of connecting access points in the area. The value of "distance" may actually be the same for each prefecture code or each zip code.

The device location management server 100 extracts the permissible number of AP information for the APs installed around the connection access point (AP31) (S80). The device location management server 100 generates the selected AP information provided to the mobile device 200 by extracting the AP information for the allowable number of cases in this way.

The device location management server 100 may apply the extraction priority when extracting the AP information for the allowable number of cases. Specifically, the priority of the AP located within the above-mentioned "distance" is set high (1). Also, among the APs located within the "distance", the closer the AP is to the connection access point (current location), the higher the priority is set.

FIG. 7 shows an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 1). The numbers in the figure mean the extraction priority of AP. As shown in FIG. 7, the priority of the three APs (indicated by triangles) located within the "distance" (for example, 2,000 m) is set high. The priority of the four APs located outside the "distance" is set low. In addition, the closer the distance from the current connection access point position (current location in the figure) to the AP, both inside and outside the "distance", the higher the priority is set. If the extraction priority of the AP "within the distance" is higher than the extraction priority of the AP "outside the distance", the priority of the AP "within the distance" and the AP "outside the distance" is not necessarily the connection access point. The closer the AP is from the position of, the higher the priority may not be set.

The device location management server 100 transmits the extracted permissible number of AP information (selected AP information) to the mobile device 200 (S90). Specifically, the device location management server 100 transmits an AP list including an extracted AP identifier (ID) to the mobile device 200. As described above, the AP list transmitted to the mobile device 200 may include the latitude and longitude of the AP or the security key used by the AP.

The mobile device 200 stores and retains the AP list sent from the device location management server 100 (S100).

(3.3) AP selection operation example 2 (AP selection based on the learning result of the movement route)
In this operation example, AP information is selected based on the learning result of the movement route of the mobile device 200 in the past.

FIG. 8 shows an operation flow (operation example 2) of selecting AP information by the device position management server 100. In FIG. 8, the operation on the portable device 200 side is the same as that in the operation example 1, and is therefore omitted. Hereinafter, the parts different from the operation example 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts will be omitted.

The device location management server 100 identifies the user 50 (actually, the contractor) associated with the mobile device 200 based on the identifier (ID) of the mobile device 200 (S110).

FIG. 9 shows an example of a user behavior learning list held by the device location management server 100. "User ID" means an identifier of a user. Here, "A" corresponds to user 50. In addition, the behavior learning list includes "day of the week", "time", and "AP-ID" (AP identifier). The behavior learning list is generated based on the learning result of the connected access point accessed a predetermined number of times or more based on the access history of the user (mobile device 200) to the AP.

The device location management server 100 learns the behavior history of the user (mobile device 200), that is, the movement route, based on such a behavior learning list. Here, the device location management server 100 extracts the AP-ID in which the “time” within ± 15 minutes of the current time is recorded based on the behavior learning list (S150).

In this operation example as well, the device location management server 100 may apply the extraction priority when extracting the AP information for the allowable number of cases. Specifically, in addition to the extraction priority shown in the operation example 1, the AP (behavior history AP) extracted based on the behavior learning list and located within the above-mentioned "distance" is second. The extraction priority of the rank is set. In addition, among the action history APs located within the "distance", the AP closer to the connection access point (current location) is set to have a higher priority.

FIG. 10 shows an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 2). As shown in FIG. 10, the priority of the action history AP (4,5 in the figure) located within the “distance” is set higher than that of the AP located outside the “distance”.

(3.4) AP selection operation example 3 (AP selection according to the moving direction)
In this operation example, AP information is selected according to the moving direction of the mobile device 200.

FIG. 11 shows an operation flow (operation example 3) of selecting AP information by the device position management server 100. Hereinafter, parts different from the above-described operation example will be mainly described, and description of the same parts will be omitted.

The device location management server 100 estimates the traveling direction (that is, the moving direction) of the mobile device 200 based on the history of APs recently accessed by the mobile device 200 (S250).

FIG. 12 shows an example (operation example 3) of the AP list held by the device location management server 100. In the AP list shown in FIG. 12, a "type flag" is added as compared with the operation example 1 (see FIG. 6). The "type flag" defines the assumed means of transportation of the mobile device 200. For example, "walk, car, train" is defined for the AP near the rotary in front of the train station, and only "walk" is defined for the AP in the building.

FIG. 13 shows an image of AP extraction priority in the AP information selection operation (operation example 3). As shown in FIG. 13, the mobile device 200 is moving from AP (3) to AP (1).

The device position management server 100 estimates the traveling direction of the mobile device 200 (see the arrow in the figure), and sets a high extraction priority for the AP located in front of the traveling direction. Specifically, the device position management server 100 extracts the second rank to the AP located in the range of ± 45 degrees with respect to the traveling direction and within twice the "distance" toward the front in the traveling direction. Set the priority.

The device location management server 100 extracts the target AP-ID based on such extraction priority (S260). As a result, AP (2, 4) can be extracted, as shown in FIG.

(3.5) AP selection operation example 4 (AP selection according to the means of transportation)
In this operation example, AP information corresponding to the means of transportation of the mobile device 200 is selected.

FIG. 14 shows a selection operation flow (operation example 4) of AP information by the device position management server 100. Hereinafter, parts different from the above-described operation example will be mainly described, and description of the same parts will be omitted.

The device location management server 100 uses information on the movement history of the mobile device 200, the time (time required for movement), and the acceleration generated in the mobile device 200, and the means of transportation (walk, car, or train) of the mobile device 200. Is estimated (S350).

The movement history of the mobile device 200 can be estimated by using the time when the mobile device 200 receives the radio signals from a plurality of access points and the identifier of the access point, as in the movement direction of the operation example 3. Further, in this operation example, when the mobile device 200 is provided with a module capable of detecting motion such as an acceleration sensor, the device position management server 100 acquires the detection result of the sensor from the mobile device 200 and estimates the means of transportation. It may be used for.

FIG. 15 shows an example (operation example 4) of the AP list held by the device location management server 100. In the AP list shown in FIG. 15, a "type flag" is added as compared with the operation example 1 (see FIG. 6). The "type flag" defines the assumed means of transportation of the mobile device 200. For example, "walk, car, train" is defined for the AP near the rotary in front of the train station, and only "walk" is defined for the AP in the building.

Based on the processing result of S350, the device location management server 100 extracts only the APs associated with the estimated transportation means, and filters and excludes the APs associated with other transportation means ( S360).

In this operation example as well, the device location management server 100 may apply the extraction priority when extracting the AP information for the allowable number of cases. Specifically, when the estimated means of transportation is "car", the extraction priority of the AP whose "type flag" (see FIG. 15) is defined as "car" is set high. Further, even in this case, the extraction priority may be different within or outside the predetermined "distance" as in the operation example 1.

(4) Action / Effect According to the above-described embodiment, the following action / effect can be obtained. Specifically, the device location management server 100 receives a request for providing AP information transmitted via the connected access point, which is the access point to which the mobile device 200 is connected. Based on the received provision request, the device location management server 100 transmits the selected AP information in which the access point located within a predetermined distance range from the connection access point is selected to the mobile device 200.

The mobile device 200 records the identifier of the access point to which the mobile device 200 receives the radio signal based on the selected AP information transmitted from the device location management server 100. By acquiring the latitude and longitude of the access point based on the recorded identifier of the access point, the position and movement route of the mobile device 200 can be estimated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the size of the selected AP information is limited within a predetermined distance range from the access point (connected access point) to which the mobile device 200 is connected, so that the mobile phone has the minimum memory capacity. The device 200 can also hold the selected AP information. In addition, the AP included in the selected AP information is determined based on the distance range to the next accessible access point of the mobile device 200, so that the mobile device 200 moves to an area where the AP information is not held. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the position of the mobile device 200 cannot be estimated and a situation in which communication via the access point cannot be performed.

That is, according to the present embodiment, the position of the mobile device 200 can be estimated with high accuracy by using the information of the access point even for the mobile device 200 whose functions and performances are limited.

Further, as described above, the size of the selected AP information and the size of the received AP information provided to the device location management server 100 can be reduced, so that the communication time can be reduced. This also contributes to reducing the power consumption of the portable device 200.

In this embodiment, the number of AP information included in the selected AP information is determined based on the size of the AP information allowed by the mobile device 200. Therefore, it is possible to generate appropriate selected AP information according to the performance (memory capacity) of the mobile device 200. As a result, the position of the mobile device 200 can be estimated with high accuracy by using the information of the access point while suppressing the number of AP information provided to the mobile device 200.

In the present embodiment, the mobile device 200 can select the access point included in the selected AP information based on the information of the access point that has received the radio signal in the past. Therefore, it is possible to select an access point that is likely to receive a radio signal. As a result, efficient and highly accurate position estimation of the portable device 200 can be realized.

In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the mobile device 200 can be estimated based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device 200 has received the radio signal in the past. Therefore, the access point located in front of the moving direction can be selected. In addition, the means of transportation of the mobile device 200 can be estimated based on the information of the plurality of access points.

As a result, the travel route of the mobile device 200 can be estimated efficiently and with high accuracy. In addition, the above-mentioned situation in which the position of the mobile device 200 cannot be estimated and the situation in which communication via the access point cannot be performed can be more reliably avoided.

In the present embodiment, the device location management server 100 acquires the received AP information including the identifier of the access point for which the mobile device 200 has received the wireless signal from the mobile device 200. Further, the device position management server 100 estimates the position of the mobile device 200 based on the acquired received AP information. As a result, it is possible to realize a location information providing service using the mobile device 200 by a web server or the like.

(5) Other Embodiments Although the contents of the present invention have been described above according to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and improvements are possible. It is self-evident to the trader.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 is assumed, but if it is a wireless communication method that provides a similar communication environment, it does not have to be a wireless LAN. That is, wireless communication in which an access point (which may be called a wireless base station) accessible to the mobile device 200 and an inaccessible access point coexist to form a communication area (cell) having a relatively small size. If it is a method, it may be a mobile communication network (LTE / 4G, 5G, etc.) specified by 3GPP. Further, when an access point (radio base station) is provided, a short-range wireless communication method may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the mobile device 200 is estimated on the device position management server 100 side, but the mobile device 200 estimates the position of the mobile device 200 using the recorded AP information (received AP information). You may. In this case, as described above, the selected AP information provided to the mobile device 200 may include the latitude and longitude of the AP.

Further, the portable device 200 may display the information of the AP that has received the wireless signal on the display, or notify that the wireless signal has been received by an acoustic signal, vibration, or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the mobile device 200 is assumed to be a watching device for children, but the mobile device 200 may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device, a robot, a smartphone, a notebook PC, or the like.

Further, the block configuration diagrams (FIGS. 2 and 3) used in the description of the above-described embodiment show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Further, the means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one physically and / or logically coupled device, or directly and / or indirectly by two or more physically and / or logically separated devices. (For example, wired and / or wireless) may be connected and realized by these a plurality of devices.

Further, the device location management server 100 and the portable device 200 (the device) described above may function as a computer for performing the processing of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device. As shown in FIG. 16, the device may be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

Each functional block of the device (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is realized by any hardware element of the computer device or a combination of the hardware elements.

Processor 1001 operates, for example, an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like.

The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a ROM (Read).
It may be composed of at least one such as Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 1002 may be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, or the like that can execute the method according to the above-described embodiment.

The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk (for example, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, or a Blu-ray). It may consist of at least one (registered trademark) disk), smart card, flash memory (eg, card, stick, key drive), floppy (registered trademark) disk, magnetic strip, and the like. Storage 1003 may be referred to as auxiliary storage. The recording medium described above may be, for example, a database, server or other suitable medium containing memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, or the like.

The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that accepts an input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

Further, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. Bus 1007 may be composed of a single bus or different buses between devices.

In addition, each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advance, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W. -CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi, registered trademark), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth It may be applied to (Registered Trademarks), other systems that utilize suitable systems and / or next-generation systems that are extended based on them.

The order of the processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, and the like of each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be changed as long as there is no contradiction. For example, the methods described herein present elements of various steps in an exemplary order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

The input / output information and the like may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed by a management table. Input / output information and the like can be overwritten, updated, or added. The output information and the like may be deleted. The input information or the like may be transmitted to another device.

The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (Boolean: true or false), or by comparing numerical values (for example, a predetermined value). It may be done by comparison with the value).

Each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be used alone, in combination, or switched with execution. Further, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to the explicit one, but is performed implicitly (for example, the notification of the predetermined information is not performed). May be good.

The terms "determining" and "determining" as used herein may include a wide variety of actions. "Judgment" and "decision" are, for example, judgment, calculation, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (for example, table). , Searching in a database or another data structure), ascertaining can be considered as a "judgment" or "decision". Also, "judgment" and "decision" are receiving (for example, receiving information), transmitting (for example, transmitting information), input (input), output (output), and access. (Accessing) (for example, accessing data in memory) may be regarded as "judgment" or "decision". In addition, "judgment" and "decision" mean that "resolving", "selecting", "choosing", "establishing", "comparing", etc. are regarded as "judgment" and "decision". Can include. That is, "judgment" and "decision" may include considering some action as "judgment" and "decision".

The terms "connected", "coupled", or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or connection between two or more elements, and each other. It can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two "connected" or "combined" elements. The connection or connection between the elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the two elements are by using one or more wires, cables and / or printed electrical connections, and, as some non-limiting and non-comprehensive examples, radio frequencies. By using electromagnetic energies such as electromagnetic energies with wavelengths in the region, microwave region and light (both visible and invisible) regions, they can be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other.

The phrase "based on" as used herein does not mean "based on" unless otherwise stated. In other words, the statement "based on" means both "based only" and "at least based on".

Also, the terms "including," "comprising," and variants thereof are intended to be as comprehensive as "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein or in the claims is intended not to be an exclusive OR.

Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented as modifications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for the purpose of exemplification and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

10 Device location management system
20 Communication network
31-38 AP
50 users
60 schools
71 stores
80 home
100 Device location management server
110 Network interface section
120 AP selection
130 AP information transmitter
140 AP information storage
150 Received AP information acquisition unit
160 Position estimation unit
200 mobile devices
210 Wireless communication unit
220 AP information receiver
230 AP Information Holder
240 Received AP recording unit
1001 processor
1002 memory
1003 storage
1004 communication device
1005 input device
1006 output device
1007 bus

Claims (7)

A mobile device equipped with a wireless communication module according to a predetermined wireless communication method, and
A device location management system including a device location management server that provides AP information including an identifier of the access point of the wireless communication method to the mobile device.
The device location management server
An AP selection unit that selects an access point located within a predetermined range from the connection access point based on a request for providing AP information transmitted via the connection access point which is an access point to which the mobile device is connected. ,
It includes an AP information transmission unit that transmits selected AP information, which is AP information of the access point selected by the AP selection unit, to the mobile device.
The mobile device is
An AP information receiving unit that receives the selected AP information transmitted by the device location management server, and
Among the access points included in the selected AP information, the mobile device includes a receiving AP recording unit that records the identifier of the access point that received the wireless signal .
The AP selection unit
Based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device has received a radio signal in the past, the means of transportation of the mobile device is estimated.
A device location management system that selects an access point associated with the transportation means. A device location management server that provides AP information including an identifier of an access point of the wireless communication system to a mobile device having a wireless communication module according to a predetermined wireless communication system.
An AP selection unit that selects an access point located within a predetermined range from the connection access point based on a request for providing AP information transmitted via the connection access point which is an access point to which the mobile device is connected. ,
It includes an AP information transmission unit that transmits selected AP information, which is AP information of the access point selected by the AP selection unit, to the mobile device .
The AP selection unit
Based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device has received a radio signal in the past, the means of transportation of the mobile device is estimated.
A device location management server that selects an access point associated with the transportation means. The device location management server according to claim 2, wherein the AP selection unit determines the number of the AP information included in the selected AP information based on the size of the AP information allowed by the mobile device. The device location management server according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the AP selection unit selects an access point included in the selected AP information based on information of an access point for which the mobile device has received a radio signal in the past. The AP selection unit
The moving direction of the mobile device is estimated based on the information of a plurality of access points including the timing when the mobile device has received the radio signal in the past.
The device location management server according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which selects an access point located in front of the moving direction. Among the access points included in the selected AP information, a receiving AP information acquisition unit that acquires received AP information including an identifier of the access point for which the mobile device has received a wireless signal from the mobile device, and
The device position management server according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a position estimation unit that estimates the position of the mobile device based on the received AP information acquired by the reception AP information acquisition unit. The AP selection unit estimates the movement route and movement speed of the mobile device based on the position of the access point included in the reception AP information and the reception timing of the radio signal from the access point, and the movement route and the movement speed are estimated. The device location management server according to claim 6, wherein the moving means associated with the moving speed is selected.

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