TW201544825A - Beacon apparatus, battery residual quantity notification system, and beacon apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve convenience of a beacon apparatus. This beacon apparatus is provided with a battery, beacon transmission unit, battery residual quantity measuring unit, detection unit, and notification unit. In the beacon apparatus, the battery supplies power. In the beacon apparatus, the beacon transmission unit transmits beacon signals using power supplied from the battery. The battery residual quantity measuring unit measures a battery residual quantity. In the beacon apparatus, the detection unit detects whether there is a subject to be detected, and supplies the detection results. In the beacon apparatus, the notification unit notifies, on the basis of the detection results detected by means of the detection unit, the battery residual quantity measured by means of the battery residual quantity measuring unit.

Description

Beacon device, battery residual notification system, and control method of beacon device

The present invention relates to a beacon device, a battery residual notification system, and a control method for a beacon device. More specifically, it relates to a beacon apparatus for notifying a battery residual amount, a battery residual amount notification system, and a control method of the beacon apparatus.

In the past, small electronic devices such as beacon devices have a function of notifying the user of the remaining amount of the battery by means of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like. For example, a beacon device that always lights up the number of LEDs corresponding to the remaining amount of the battery has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-134206

However, in the above prior art, there is a problem in that the battery life is shortened due to the LED being lit all the time, and the convenience is lowered. In order to avoid such battery consumption, there is also a beacon device that illuminates the LED only when the user operates the mechanical switch. However, if the contact of the switch is worn, the residual amount of the battery cannot be displayed, and the convenience is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the convenience of a beacon apparatus.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and a first aspect thereof is a beacon apparatus including: a battery that supplies electric power, and a beacon transmitting unit that uses the electric power to generate a beacon signal measuring unit that measures the remaining amount of the battery, a detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of the detection target and supplies the detection result, and a notifying unit that notifies the battery residual amount measuring unit based on the detection result The residual amount of the above battery was measured. Thereby, the effect of notifying the residual amount of the battery based on the detection result of the detection target is exerted.

Further, in the first aspect, the notification unit may generate and transmit a new beacon signal including the remaining amount of the battery. Thereby, the function of generating a new beacon signal including the residual amount of the battery is exerted.

Further, in the first aspect, the notification unit may generate at least one of light, sound, and vibration based on the remaining amount of the battery. Thereby, at least one of light, sound, and vibration is generated based on the residual amount of the battery.

Further, in the first aspect, the detecting unit may detect the presence or absence of the detection target by a specific sensor. Thereby, the function of detecting the presence or absence of the detection target by the specific sensor is exerted.

Further, in the first aspect, the specific sensor may be an infrared sensor. Thereby, the function of detecting the presence or absence of the detection target by the infrared sensor is exerted.

Further, in the first aspect, the specific sensor may be a magnetic sensor. Thereby, the role of detecting the presence or absence of the detection target by the magnetic sensor is exerted.

Further, in the first aspect, the detecting unit may detect the presence or absence of a specific wireless signal. Thereby, the function of detecting the presence or absence of a specific wireless signal is exerted.

Further, a second aspect of the present invention provides a battery residual amount notification system including: a detection target; and a beacon device that detects the detection target and transmits a beacon signal; and the beacon device includes: a battery a beacon transmitting unit that transmits a beacon signal using the electric power, and a battery residual amount measuring unit that measures the residual of the battery The detecting unit detects the presence or absence of the detection target and supplies the detection result, and the notifying unit notifies the remaining amount of the battery measured by the battery residual amount measuring unit based on the detection result. Thereby, the effect of notifying the residual amount of the battery based on the detection result of the detection target is exerted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to exhibit an excellent effect of improving the convenience of the beacon apparatus.

100‧‧‧ beacon device

110, 240‧‧‧Wireless Communications Department

111‧‧‧Beacon transmission department

112, 170‧‧‧Detection Department

113, 120‧‧‧Notice Department

130‧‧‧Battery Residue Measurement Department

140‧‧‧Battery

150, 220‧‧ ‧ Processing Department

160‧‧‧ memory

171‧‧‧ Reed switch

172‧‧‧ glass tube

173, 174‧‧‧ ferromagnetic reeds

180, 260‧‧ ‧ busbar

200‧‧‧Communication terminal

210‧‧‧ Input Department

230‧‧‧Display Department

250‧‧‧ memory

300‧‧‧ magnet

501‧‧‧ initial state

502‧‧‧waiting for connection status

503‧‧‧Connected status

S901~S906‧‧‧Steps

S911~S914‧‧‧Steps

Fig. 1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system in the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beacon apparatus in the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a detecting unit in the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication terminal in the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beacon apparatus in the second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a view showing an example of a data structure of a beacon signal in the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a view showing an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon apparatus in the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal in the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the beacon apparatus in the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system in the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beacon apparatus in a modification of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described.

<1. First embodiment> [Configuration example of communication system]

Fig. 1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system in a first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system includes a beacon device 100 and a communication terminal 200.

The beacon device 100 is a person that wirelessly transmits a beacon signal. Here, the beacon signal is for communication. A signal transmitted by all communication terminals in the communication system, such as the presence of the beacon device 100. The beacon signal includes a beacon ID (identification information) for identifying the beacon device 100, and the like. Further, the beacon device 100 detects the presence or absence of the detection target and notifies the user of the remaining battery amount based on the detection result.

The communication terminal 200 receives the beacon signal and detects the beacon device 100 based on the beacon signal.

[Configuration example of beacon device]

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the beacon device 100 in the first embodiment. The beacon device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a notification unit 120, a battery residual amount measuring unit 130, a battery 140, a processing unit 150, a memory 160, a detecting unit 170, and a bus bar 180.

The wireless communication unit 110 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal including a beacon ID intermittently (for example, at a fixed interval of several hundreds of milliseconds to several seconds). As a specification of the wireless communication of the wireless communication unit 110, for example, "Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy" which is optimized for ultra-low power consumption is used.

The notification unit 120 notifies the battery residual amount when the detection unit 170 detects that the detection target exists. The notification unit 120 lights up, for example, a color or a number of LEDs corresponding to the remaining battery amount at a fixed time. Thereby, the battery residual amount is notified. Furthermore, the notification unit 120 can also emit light (light bulb or the like) other than the LED based on the remaining amount of the battery. Further, the notification unit 120 may generate a specific sound or vibration based on the remaining amount of the battery by a buzzer, a vibrator, or the like. Further, the notification unit 120 may generate two or more of light, sound, and vibration based on the remaining amount of the battery.

The battery residual amount measuring unit 130 measures the remaining amount of the battery 140. The battery residual amount measuring unit 130 supplies the measured battery residual amount to the notification unit 120 via the bus bar 180. The battery 140 supplies electric power to the wireless communication unit 110 or the like.

The processing unit 150 controls the entire beacon device 100. The memory 160 holds the beacon ID and the like.

The detecting unit 170 detects whether or not there is a subject to be detected. The detecting unit 170 will pass through the bus bar 180 The detection result is supplied to the notification unit 120.

The bus bar 180 is a path for the wireless communication unit 110, the notification unit 120, the battery residual amount measuring unit 130, the battery 140, the processing unit 150, the memory 160, and the detecting unit 170 to exchange information with each other.

[Configuration example of detection unit]

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the configuration of the detecting unit 170 in the first embodiment. A reed switch 171 is provided in the detecting unit 170. The reed switch 171 detects the presence or absence of the magnet 300 as a detection target. The reed switch 171 includes a glass tube 172 and ferromagnetic tongues 173 and 174 which are disposed in the glass tube 172 at regular intervals. The ferromagnetic reed 173 is connected to the power source, and the ferromagnetic reed 174 is connected to the bus bar 180.

In the initial state, the ferromagnetic reeds 173 and 174 are not in contact, and the output indicates that there is no detection result of the low level of the magnet 300. Then, when the user brings the magnet 300 close to the beacon device 100, the ferromagnetic reeds 173 and 174 are magnetized and contacted by the magnetic field of the magnet 300, and the detection result indicating that the magnet 300 is at a high level is output. Thus, the reed switch 171 is one of magnetic sensors that detect the magnetic field of the magnet 300.

Further, the detecting unit 170 may detect the detection target by a non-contact type sensor other than the reed switch 171 (magnetic sensor). For example, the detecting unit 170 may detect the palm of the user, the finger, or the like by the active infrared sensor.

[Configuration example of communication terminal]

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 200 in the first embodiment. The communication terminal 200 includes an input unit 210, a processing unit 220, a display unit 230, a wireless communication unit 240, a memory 250, and a bus bar 260.

The input unit 210 generates an operation signal in accordance with an input operation of the user. The processing unit 220 controls the entire communication terminal 200 in accordance with the operation signal. For example, various applications are executed by the processing unit 220. The display unit 230 is a person who displays a specific information as needed.

The ferromagnetic reed wireless communication unit 240 is connected to the beacon device 100 for wireless communication. The reporter. The memory 250 is such as to maintain a beacon ID or the like. The bus bar 260 is used for the path in which the input unit 210, the processing unit 220, the display unit 230, the wireless communication unit 240, and the memory 250 exchange information with each other.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the beacon device 100 notifies the remaining amount of the battery when the magnet is detected, the user can notify the remaining amount of the battery by simply operating the magnet. Thereby, the convenience is improved.

<2. Second embodiment>

In the first embodiment, the beacon apparatus 100 detects the magnet to be detected, but the detection target is not limited to the magnet. For example, the specific wireless signal to be detected may be detected. Further, in the first embodiment, the beacon device 100 notifies the battery remaining amount by LED or the like, but may be notified by wireless transmission of the beacon signal. The beacon device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a specific wireless signal is detected and transmitted by wireless transmission of a beacon signal.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the beacon device 100 in the second embodiment. In the beacon device 100 of the second embodiment, the detecting unit 170 and the notifying unit 120 are not provided outside the wireless communication unit 110, and the beacon transmitting unit 111, the detecting unit 112, and the notifying unit 113 are provided inside the wireless communication unit 110. The aspect is different from the first embodiment.

The beacon transmission unit 111 intermittently wirelessly transmits a beacon signal including the beacon ID. The detecting unit 112 detects whether or not a specific wireless signal requesting notification of the remaining battery amount is received. Hereinafter, the wireless signal is referred to as a "notification request". The notification request is wirelessly transmitted by the communication terminal 200, for example, after establishing a connection with the communication terminal 200. The detecting unit 112 supplies the detection result to the notification unit 113.

When receiving the notification request, the notification unit 113 acquires the battery residual amount and the beacon ID from the battery residual amount measuring unit 130 and the memory 160, and includes a beacon signal indicating the battery residual amount information and the beacon ID indicating the remaining battery amount. Send by wireless. The beacon signal containing the battery residual information is transmitted within a fixed time or transmitted a fixed number of times.

Fig. 6 is a view showing an example of a data structure of a beacon signal in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a notification request is received, a beacon signal including a beacon ID and battery residual information is generated and transmitted. Furthermore, when the notification request is not received, a beacon signal including the beacon ID but not the battery residual information is transmitted.

Fig. 7 is a view showing an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The state of the beacon device 100 is classified into, for example, three states of an initial state 501, a waiting connection state 502, and a connection state 503. Here, the initial state 501 is the state of the beacon device 100 before the power is turned on. The connection between the waiting connection state 502 and the communication terminal 200 is not established and waits for the connection request from the communication terminal 200. The connection state 503 establishes the state of the connection between the communication terminal 200 and the beacon device 100 in accordance with the connection type communication protocol.

When the beacon device 100 is powered on, the beacon device 100 transitions from the initial state 501 to the wait for connection state 502. In the waiting connection state 502, if the connection request is received from the communication terminal 200, the beacon device 100 switches to the connection state 503 after replying the confirmation response.

In the connected state 503, if a notification request is received, the beacon device 100 maintains the notification information. Further, when the disconnection request is received in the connected state 503, the beacon device 100 shifts to the standby state 502.

When the notification request is not received in the connected state 503, in the waiting connection state 502, the beacon device 100 transmits a beacon signal including the beacon ID and the battery residual information. On the other hand, in the case where the notification request is not received, in the waiting connection state 502, the beacon device 100 transmits a beacon signal including the beacon ID.

In addition, the beacon apparatus 100 is configured to include the detecting unit 112 that detects a wireless signal (that is, a notification request) instead of the detecting unit 170 that detects the magnet. However, the beacon device 100 may be configured to include both of them. In this case, the notification unit 113 may notify the battery remaining amount when detecting the detection target by any of the detection unit 170 and the detection unit 112.

[Example of operation of communication terminal]

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 200 in the second embodiment. Figure. This action begins, for example, when a particular application for displaying battery residuals is executed in accordance with an operational signal.

The communication terminal 200 determines whether or not a beacon signal is received (step S901). If the beacon signal has not been received (step S901: NO), the communication terminal 200 returns to step S901. On the other hand, if the beacon signal is received (step S901: YES), the communication terminal 200 confidently acquires and holds the beacon ID (step S902).

Then, the communication terminal 200 establishes a connection with the beacon device 100 indicated by the held beacon ID and transmits a notification request (step S903). The communication terminal 200 determines whether or not the beacon signal is received after the connection is disconnected (step S904). If the beacon signal is not received (step S904: NO), the communication terminal 200 returns to step S904.

On the other hand, if the beacon signal is received (step S904: YES), the communication terminal 200 confidently acquires the beacon ID and the battery residual amount (step S905). If the beacon ID acquired in step S905 matches the beacon ID held in step S902, the communication terminal 200 displays the remaining battery amount indicated by the battery residual amount information (step S906). After step S906, the communication terminal 200 ends the action for displaying the remaining battery amount.

[Example of operation of beacon device]

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the beacon device 100 in the second embodiment. This action is initiated, for example, when the beacon device 100 is powered on.

The beacon device 100 generates a beacon signal including a beacon ID (step S911) and intermittently transmits the beacon signal (step S912). Further, the beacon device 100 determines whether or not the notification request is received after the connection is established (step S913). If the notification request has not been received (step S913: NO), the beacon device 100 returns to step S911 after the connection is disconnected. On the other hand, when the notification request is received (step S913: YES), the beacon device 100 generates a beacon signal including the battery residual information and the beacon ID after the connection is disconnected (step S914), and returns to step S912.

Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system in the second embodiment. The beacon device 100 intermittently transmits a beacon signal including a beacon ID. Communication terminal The 200 confidence flag acquires the beacon ID and holds it (step S901).

Then, the communication terminal 200 establishes a connection with the beacon device 100 indicated by the held beacon ID and transmits a notification request. After transmitting the notification request, the communication terminal 200 disconnects the connection.

After the connection is disconnected, the beacon device 100 generates a beacon signal including the battery residual information and the beacon ID (step S914) and transmits the signal. The communication terminal 200 receives the beacon signal and displays the remaining battery amount indicated by the battery residual information (step S906).

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the beacon device 100 transmits the beacon signal including the battery residual information when receiving the specific wireless signal. Therefore, the user can notify the battery disabled without directly operating the beacon device 100. the amount. Further, since the remaining amount of the battery is notified by the beacon signal, it is not necessary to provide the beacon device 100 with an LED or the like for notifying the remaining amount of the battery.

[variation]

In the second embodiment, the beacon device 100 notifies the remaining amount of the battery when detecting a specific wireless signal, but can also notify the remaining amount of the battery when the magnet is detected. In the beacon apparatus 100 according to the modification of the second embodiment, the battery residual amount is notified when the magnet is detected, which is different from the second modification.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beacon device 100 in a variation of the second embodiment. The beacon apparatus 100 according to the second modification is different from the first embodiment in that the detecting unit 170 is provided instead of the detecting unit 112.

When the detecting unit 170 detects the wireless signal, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the transmission of the beacon signal is interrupted. On the other hand, when the detecting unit 112 detects the magnet, the beacon signal is not interrupted.

As described above, according to the modification of the second embodiment, the beacon device 100 transmits the beacon signal including the battery residual information when the magnet is detected. Therefore, the user can notify the remaining amount of the battery by simply operating the magnet. Further, since the battery residual amount is notified by the beacon signal, it is not necessary to provide the beacon device 100 with an LED or the like for notifying the remaining amount of the battery.

Furthermore, the above embodiment shows an example for realizing the present invention, and the matters in the embodiments correspond to the specific matters of the invention in the scope of the patent application. Similarly, The invention-specific items in the scope of the patent application have a corresponding relationship with the items in the embodiments of the present invention having the same names as the items. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the processing procedures described in the above embodiments can be understood as a method of having such a series of programs, and can also be understood as a program for causing a computer to execute the series of programs or a recording medium for storing the programs. As the recording medium, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, a Blu-ray disc (Blu-ray (registered trademark)) can be used. Disc) and so on.

100‧‧‧ beacon device

200‧‧‧Communication terminal

Claims (9)

A beacon device comprising: a battery that supplies electric power; a beacon transmitting unit that transmits a beacon signal using the electric power; a battery residual amount measuring unit that measures a residual amount of the battery; and a detecting unit that detects whether or not the detection is performed The object supplies the detection result; and the notifying unit notifies the remaining amount of the battery measured by the battery residual amount measuring unit based on the detection result. The beacon device of claim 1, wherein the notification unit generates a new beacon signal including a residual amount of the battery and transmits the new beacon signal. The beacon device of claim 1, wherein the notification unit generates at least one of light, sound, and vibration based on a residual amount of the battery. The beacon device of claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects the presence or absence of the detection object by a specific sensor. The beacon device of claim 4, wherein the specific sensor is an infrared sensor. The beacon device of claim 4, wherein the specific sensor is a magnetic sensor. The beacon device of claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects the presence or absence of a specific wireless signal. A battery residual amount notification system comprising: a detection target; and a beacon device that detects the detection target and transmits a beacon signal; and the beacon device includes: a battery that supplies power; a beacon transmitting unit that transmits a beacon signal using the electric power; a battery residual amount measuring unit that measures a residual amount of the battery; and a detecting unit that detects a presence or absence of a detection target and supplies a detection result; and a notification The unit notifies the remaining amount of the battery measured by the battery residual amount measuring unit based on the detection result. A method for controlling a beacon device, comprising: a beacon transmission program for transmitting a beacon signal by a beacon transmitting unit using power supplied from a battery; and a detecting program for detecting presence or absence of a detection target by the detecting unit and supplying the detection result And a notification program that notifies the remaining amount of the battery based on the detection result by the notification unit.