WO2020121659A1 - Method for setting beacon system - Google Patents

Method for setting beacon system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020121659A1
WO2020121659A1 PCT/JP2019/041953 JP2019041953W WO2020121659A1 WO 2020121659 A1 WO2020121659 A1 WO 2020121659A1 JP 2019041953 W JP2019041953 W JP 2019041953W WO 2020121659 A1 WO2020121659 A1 WO 2020121659A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
beacon
inspection
signal
identification information
beacons
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PCT/JP2019/041953
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
一 丸田
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株式会社Ｗｈｅｒｅ
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Application filed by 株式会社Ｗｈｅｒｅ filed Critical 株式会社Ｗｈｅｒｅ
Publication of WO2020121659A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020121659A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/30—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W64/00—Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a setting method of a beacon system configured by arranging a plurality of beacons.
  • the applicant has proposed a beacon mesh system in which a plurality of beacons are meshed (Patent Document 1).
  • a multi-hop wireless network is formed by a plurality of beacons distributed in a distributed manner, and each beacon has a function of communicating with other beacons installed within the reach of radio waves. It is configured to have and transmit a wireless beacon including its own identification information (ID) to another beacon.
  • ID identification information
  • each beacon in this type of beacon mesh system is not always fixed, but may be movably installed. Further, even when the beacon is fixedly installed, its position is not always known. That is, the fixed position of some beacons is unknown from the beginning, or the fixed position was initially known, but the current position may be unknown due to movement of the installation target.
  • beacons Especially when a large number of beacons were installed, it was often impossible to distinguish between beacons and it was often unclear which beacon was installed at which position. That is, the ID of the beacon and the position information indicating the position where the beacon exists may not be associated with each other.
  • the beacon when the beacon is used by incorporating it into an object such as furniture, tools or articles or in a device, it is difficult to identify the beacon (identify the beacon ID) because the beacon cannot be confirmed from the outside. Furthermore, it has been difficult to easily identify from the outside whether or not the beacon is incorporated inside the object or the device.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a method for setting a beacon system that can easily associate the ID of each beacon with the position information.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of setting a beacon system capable of easily identifying from outside whether a beacon is incorporated in an object or a device.
  • a method of setting a beacon system including a plurality of beacons that are capable of communicating at least between adjacent beacons and are arranged in a distributed manner includes a test beacon whose ID is known as a target of the plurality of beacons.
  • the beacon to be inspected is placed in the vicinity of the position where the inspected beacon may exist, and a signal including an ID is transmitted from the beacon for inspecting, and the beacon to be inspected and a plurality of beacons arranged around the inspected beacon respectively
  • the beacon to be inspected is specified by comparing the measured reception intensities of the above-mentioned transmission signals with each other.
  • a beacon for inspection is arranged in the vicinity of a position where the beacon to be inspected may exist, a signal including an ID is transmitted from this beacon for inspection, and a plurality of beacons arranged around the beacon to be inspected are inspected. Since the inspected beacon is specified by measuring the reception intensity of the signal from the inspection beacon measured by the beacon and comparing the measured reception intensities with each other, it is possible to know the ID of the inspected beacon, It is possible to easily associate known position information with the ID. Further, since it is possible to determine whether or not the inspected beacon exists at a position where the inspected beacon may exist, it is possible to easily identify from outside whether the beacon is incorporated in the object or the device. be able to.
  • -It is also preferable to compare the received intensities of the measured signals with each other and, if there is no beacon whose received intensity is significantly higher than others, to judge that the inspected beacon does not exist at that position.
  • the inspection beacon is installed inside the object or device, and the inspection beacon may be located by connecting the terminal of the inspection beacon to the connection port provided on the object or device. It is also preferable to be arranged at.
  • the object or device is a multimedia outlet and the connection port is a USB port for connecting a universal serial bus (USB) terminal provided in the multimedia outlet.
  • USB universal serial bus
  • the first beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the signal of the measured inspection beacon (of the first beacon). It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength, the ID of the first beacon, and the ID of the inspection beacon.
  • the second beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the measured beacon (of the second beacon). It is also preferable to transmit the signal reception strength, the second beacon ID, the inspection beacon ID, the inspection beacon signal reception strength measured by the first beacon, and the first beacon ID.
  • the third beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the measured beacon (of the third beacon).
  • Signal reception intensity, third beacon ID, inspection beacon ID, inspection beacon signal reception intensity measured by the first beacon, first beacon ID, inspection measured by the second beacon It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for use and the ID of the second beacon.
  • the fourth beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the inspection beacon (of the fourth beacon).
  • Signal reception intensity, fourth beacon ID, inspection beacon ID, inspection beacon signal reception intensity measured by the first beacon, first beacon ID, inspection measured by the second beacon It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for use, the ID of the second beacon, the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for inspection measured by the third beacon, and the ID of the third beacon.
  • the ID of the inspected beacon can be known, the known position information and the ID can be easily associated with each other, and the position of the inspected beacon may be associated with the known position information. Since it can be determined whether or not the inspected beacon is present, whether or not the beacon is incorporated in the object or the device can be easily identified from the outside.
  • FIG. 3 It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of a beacon system as one Embodiment of the setting method of the beacon system of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematically the installation form of several beacons in the beacon system of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows schematically the installation form of each beacon in the beacon system of FIG. It is a perspective view explaining operation in the case of specifying the ID of the beacon in the beacon system of FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure for identifying a beacon ID in the beacon system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a beacon system as one embodiment of the setting method of the beacon system of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows the installation form of a plurality of beacons in this beacon system
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows an installation form of each beacon in this beacon system.
  • the beacon system includes a plurality of beacons 10 to 13 (beacons BE to E) and beacons 14 to 16 that are arranged in a distributed manner to form a beacon mesh, and these beacons 10 to 16.
  • a gateway 17 capable of communicating with the server 16 and controlling its operation in a unified manner, a server 19 connected to the gateway 17 via a network 18, and a server 19 capable of communicating with the server 19 at least via the network 18, It is provided with a terminal 60 that can be carried by an operator who sets the system.
  • Each of beacons 10 to 16 is arranged within the radio wave reach of at least one other beacon.
  • the beacons 10 to 16 have a multi-hop communication function of mutually communicating with other beacons installed within the reach of radio waves, and form a multi-hop wireless network as a whole. ..
  • These beacons 10 to 16 are information indicating the identification information (ID) of the received other beacon, the reception intensity of the signal from the other beacon, the ID of the beacon itself, the state of the beacon, etc. (received from the other beacon. (Including information) etc. to other beacons.
  • the gateway 17 is a device that centrally controls the operations of the plurality of beacons 10 to 16, and includes, for example, an ID that identifies one of the plurality of beacons 10 to 16 and predetermined information (eg, operation control information).
  • the specific information is transmitted to beacons in the vicinity. Further, these beacons 10 to 16 are configured to relay the received specific information to the surrounding beacons and, when receiving the specific information including the ID indicating the self, perform a predetermined process based on the specific information. There is.
  • the server 19 acquires various information obtained from the beacons 10 to 16 of the beacon mesh via the network 18 and the gateway 17, for example, information from the terminal 60 approaching the beacons 10 to 16, and the beacons 10 to 16 The information is output to 16 via the network 18 and the gateway 17.
  • the beacon in this embodiment is incorporated in a multimedia outlet provided on a desk such as a classroom or office.
  • the beacons 10 to 13 (beacons BE to E) are provided with a modular jack for a local area network (LAN), a modular jack for a telephone/FAX, an outlet for a TV and/or a power outlet, and the desks 30 to 33.
  • LAN local area network
  • a modular jack for a telephone/FAX an outlet for a TV and/or a power outlet
  • the desks 30 to 33 are installed in the multimedia outlets 20 to 23 respectively attached to the.
  • the beacon 10 (beacon B) is incorporated inside the multimedia outlet 20 so that its presence cannot be seen from the outside.
  • the beacon 10 is supplied with power from the power outlet part of the multimedia outlet 20, and therefore, as long as the multimedia outlet 20 is supplied with power, the beacon 10 is supplied with power.
  • Each of the beacons 10 to 16 is composed of a BLE type beacon module having a well-known multi-hop communication function, and transmits a wireless beacon including an ID unique to each beacon and a transmission date and time.
  • Each beacon specifically includes, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a beacon information transmission unit having an antenna, an intercommunication unit, and a storage unit.
  • the sign information transmission unit sends a radio sign including a unique ID for identifying the beacon itself based on the information held in the storage unit, and notifies the receiving side device of the proximity.
  • This wireless sign includes date and time information indicating the transmission time. Specifically, it uses a Bluetooth slow energy (BLE) technology using Bluetooth (registered trademark).
  • BLE Bluetooth slow energy
  • the mutual communication unit is configured to perform bidirectional transmission and reception with other beacons and the gateway 17.
  • this intercommunication unit When this intercommunication unit receives the specific information including the IDs of other beacons, the mutual communication unit relays the specific information to neighboring beacons. On the other hand, when the specific information including the ID of its own beacon is received, the specific information is stored in the storage unit and a predetermined process is performed based on the specific information. Further, the mutual communication unit measures the reception intensity of the received signal and stores the information included in the received signal and the measured reception intensity in association with each other in the storage unit. Furthermore, the mutual communication unit transmits the information held in the storage unit via the network of the beacon mesh in response to the request from the gateway 17. In this case, the information held in the storage unit may include information acquired by the internal sensor or the external sensor of this beacon.
  • a unique ID may be assigned to the specific information transmitted/received between beacons.
  • the mutual communication unit stores the ID of the transferred information in the storage unit once, and when transferring the information, the ID of the information matches the ID of the previously transferred information stored in the storage unit. It may be configured to confirm whether or not to perform the transfer, and not transfer the information if the information has been transferred in the past. This can prevent the same information from being continuously transferred in the beacon mesh.
  • the storage unit is a non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, a flash memory.
  • the storage unit stores a predetermined ID of this beacon, a set value of the radio field intensity when the beacon information transmitting unit transmits the radio beacon, and the like, and stores the information included in the received signal and the signal thereof. The reception strength and the like are stored.
  • Each of the beacons 10 to 16 may include various sensors as internal sensors. Examples of various sensors include a camera, a microphone, a thermometer, a hygrometer, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an electric meter, a gas meter, a water meter, and a measuring instrument. Images, images, sounds, values, etc. are detected by various sensors. Further, various sensors may be connected to each of the beacons 10 to 16 as external sensors.
  • the gateway 17 is composed of, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a beacon communication unit, an information acquisition unit, and a storage unit.
  • the beacon communication unit performs bidirectional communication with any of the beacons 10 to 16. That is, the specific information including the ID is transmitted, and the specific information including the ID is received from any of the beacons 10 to 16.
  • the information acquisition unit acquires predetermined information from a device (not shown) via the network 18 such as the Internet or a dedicated line.
  • the beacon communication unit is caused to transmit the specific information based on the input from the user who operates the gateway 17, and the setting of the beacon 10 is changed. Furthermore, you may acquire specific information from each beacon.
  • the specific information may include IDs corresponding to all beacons, and the same specific information may be broadcast-transmitted only once.
  • the specific information is made to include the number of hops indicating the number of times it is transferred on the beacon mesh network, the hop number is incremented each time the beacon transfers the setting change information, and the number of hops is transferred between beacons a predetermined number of times.
  • the specific information may be deleted from the beacon mesh.
  • the storage unit is a non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, or the like. Further, it may be configured to store the position information indicating the installation locations of a plurality of beacons, operation settings, and the like in association with the ID of each beacon.
  • the server 19 is composed of, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a communication unit, an arithmetic unit, and a storage unit.
  • the gateway 17 and the server 18 may be integrated so as to operate as one control device.
  • the communication unit transmits/receives information to/from the gateway 17 via a network 18 such as the Internet.
  • the communication unit is also configured to be able to send and receive information to and from the terminal 60 via the network 18.
  • the calculation unit performs a predetermined calculation based on the information from the beacons 10 to 16 and the terminal 60. For example, the position where each beacon exists is calculated.
  • the storage unit is composed of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or the like, and may store in advance information about the periphery of the position where the beacons 10 to 16 are installed. If the positions of the beacons 10 to 16 are completely fixed and unchanged, the ID of each beacon and the position information indicating the existing position of each beacon can be stored in association with each other. Each beacon needs to be specified as in the present invention because it is movable and its location changes. Further, the storage unit may store the information received from the terminal 60, or conversely, may be configured to transmit the stored information to the terminal 60.
  • the server 19 can be realized using a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a PC or a workstation (WS), or an electronic device equipped with a computer.
  • the terminal 60 is, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet type terminal, a car navigation device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer (PC), or bidirectional communication equipped with a computer. It is composed of an electronic device, and can be carried and operated by an operator who performs an ID specifying operation of the inspected beacon.
  • the terminal 60 is configured to be connectable to the server 19 via the network 18.
  • the correspondence between the beacon ID identifying each beacon and its position information was sometimes unknown.
  • the correspondence between the ID of each beacon and the installation position may become unknown. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the beacon ID and the position thereof are easily associated with each other by the following setting method.
  • FIG. 4 shows an operation for specifying a beacon ID in the beacon system of this embodiment
  • FIG. 5 schematically shows a specifying procedure in that case.
  • beacon 10 (beacon B) installed in the multimedia outlet 20 of the desk 30 is an inspected beacon whose ID should be specified, first, as shown in FIG. A USB terminal 50 having a built-in beacon 40 (beacon A), which is an inspection beacon having a known ID, is inserted and connected to the USB port 20a provided in the device 20.
  • Beacon 10 (beacon B) existing at the closest position to this inspection beacon 40 (beacon A) and capable of receiving the transmission signal of beacon A measures the reception intensity of the received transmission signal of beacon A, and this beacon A signal (radio beacon) including the reception intensity of the signal of beacon A measured by B, the ID of beacon B, and the ID of beacon A is transmitted by BLE.
  • the beacon B corresponds to the first beacon of the present invention.
  • beacon 11 (beacon C) existing at a position where the transmission signal of the beacon 10 (beacon B) can be received
  • the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured if the beacon 11 (beacon C) can be received, and the beacon measured by the beacon C is measured.
  • a signal (radio beacon) including the reception strength of the signal of A, the ID of beacon C, the ID of beacon A, the reception strength of the transmission signal of beacon A measured by beacon B, and the ID of beacon B is transmitted by BLE.
  • the beacon C corresponds to the second beacon of the present invention.
  • beacon D the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured if the beacon 12 (beacon D) can be received, and the beacon measured by the beacon D is measured.
  • a signal (radio beacon) including the signal reception intensity and the ID of the beacon C is transmitted by BLE.
  • the beacon D corresponds to the third beacon of the present invention.
  • beacon 13 (beacon E) existing at a position where the transmission signal of the beacon 12 (beacon D) can be received
  • the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured
  • the beacon measured by the beacon E is measured.
  • a signal (radio beacon) including the reception intensity of the signal, the ID of the beacon C, the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A measured by the beacon D, and the ID of the beacon D is transmitted by BLE.
  • the beacon E corresponds to the fourth beacon of the present invention.
  • the gateway 17 receives, from these beacons 10 to 16 having a multi-hop communication function, a signal including the ID of each beacon and the reception strength of the transmission signal of the inspection beacon 40 (beacon A) measured by each beacon.
  • the beacon A ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon B, the beacon B ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon C, and the beacon C. ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon D, the ID of the beacon D, the reception strength of the beacon A signal measured by the beacon E, and the ID of the beacon E are received from the beacon E (beacon 13). ..
  • the gateway 17 transmits these received signals to the server 19 via the network 18.
  • the server 19 receives these signals sent from the gateway 17 via the network 18, for example, via the communication unit, and temporarily stores them in the storage unit, and at the same time, the arithmetic unit specifies the beacon ID of the inspected beacon 10. Perform the following calculation.
  • the reception intensities of the beacon A (inspection beacon 40) signals measured by the beacons stored in the storage unit are sequentially compared with each other (step S1).
  • step S2 it is determined whether or not there is a beacon having a reception strength that is significantly higher than the reception strengths of other beacons.
  • step S2 when it is determined that there is a beacon having a reception intensity that is significantly higher than the reception intensities of other beacons (in the case of YES), the beacon having the reception intensity that is significantly higher is specified as the inspected beacon.
  • Step S3 the reception strength of a beacon signal decreases as the distance between beacons increases (specifically, it is proportional to the square of the distance).
  • the beacon having the shortest distance to the beacon A built in the USB terminal 50 inserted in the multimedia outlet 20 is the beacon to be inspected built in this multimedia outlet 20, and therefore, the received strength of other beacons is Beacons that have a significantly higher reception strength than the above are beacons to be inspected.
  • the ID of the specified beacon (beacon B) is read from the storage unit and the ID is transmitted to the terminal 60 (step S4).
  • the position information of the specified beacon is received from the terminal 60, and the ID of the beacon and the position information are associated and stored in the storage unit (step S5).
  • step S2 when it is determined that there is no beacon having a reception strength significantly higher than the reception strength of other beacons (in the case of NO), the beacon is set in the multimedia outlet 20 to which the USB terminal 50 is connected. Is judged not to be built in, and that fact is transmitted to the terminal 60 (step S6).
  • step S7 it is determined whether or not the processing of identifying the ID of another beacon is performed (step S7), and when the ID of the other beacon is identified (in the case of YES), step The processes of S1 to S7 are repeated. When the IDs of other beacons are not specified (NO), the process of FIG. 5 ends.
  • the ID of the beacon 10 which is the inspected beacon can be easily known only by inserting and connecting the USB terminal 50, and the known position information of the inspected beacon and this ID can be obtained. Can be easily tied. Further, whether or not the beacon B is incorporated in the multimedia outlet 20 can be easily identified from the outside.
  • the terminal 60 may be carried by an operator who sets the system or may be carried by another person. The operator or the other person may confirm the ID of the beacon to be inspected by the terminal 60. The terminal 60 may check the ID of the beacon to be inspected at any time. Furthermore, the ID of the inspected beacon may be confirmed by a device other than the terminal 60, for example, the server 19 or another device. In that case, the terminal 60 may not be provided.
  • the beacon is incorporated in a multimedia outlet provided in a desk such as a classroom or office, but the beacon of the present invention is incorporated in an object or device other than the multimedia outlet. It may or may not be incorporated in the object or the device. Further, the object or device in which the beacon is incorporated may be provided outside the room such as a classroom or office.
  • the number of beacons installed as a beacon mesh is not limited to the above example. Further, the beacon mesh may not have the multi-hop wireless function. Furthermore, as the beacon communication method, in addition to BLE described above, wireless LAN, infrared (IR), and various other wireless methods can be applied.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Position Fixing By Use Of Radio Waves (AREA)

Abstract

In the present method for setting a beacon system comprising a plurality of beacons that are capable of communicating at least with adjacent beacons and that are disposed in a distributed arrangement: a detection beacon having a known ID is disposed near a position at which a target to-be-detected beacon, from among the plurality of beacons, is possibly present; a signal including an ID is issued by the detection beacon; and the to-be-detected beacon is identified by comparing the reception strength of the issued signal as measured by the to-be-tested beacon and each of a plurality of beacons disposed around the to-be-detected beacon.

Description

ビーコンシステムの設定方法Beacon system setting method
　本発明は、複数のビーコンを配置して構成したビーコンシステムの設定方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a setting method of a beacon system configured by arranging a plurality of beacons.
　本出願人は、複数のビーコンをメッシュネットワーク化したビーコンメッシュシステムを提案している（特許文献１）。このビーコンメッシュシステムでは、互いに分散して配置された複数のビーコンによってマルチホップ無線ネットワークが形成されており、各ビーコンが電波の到達距離内に設置された他のビーコンと相互に通信を行う機能を有すると共に他のビーコンに対して自身の識別情報（ＩＤ）を含む無線標識を送信するように構成されている。 The applicant has proposed a beacon mesh system in which a plurality of beacons are meshed (Patent Document 1). In this beacon mesh system, a multi-hop wireless network is formed by a plurality of beacons distributed in a distributed manner, and each beacon has a function of communicating with other beacons installed within the reach of radio waves. It is configured to have and transmit a wireless beacon including its own identification information (ID) to another beacon.
特開２０１８－０７４２４２号公報JP, 2008-074242, A
　この種のビーコンメッシュシステムにおける各ビーコンは、その設置場所が常に固定されているとは限らず、移動可能に設置されている場合もある。また、ビーコンが固定設置されている場合においても、その位置が常に把握されているとは限らない。即ち、一部のビーコンの固定位置が最初から不明である場合や、固定位置を最初は把握していたが、設置対象の移動などにより現在の位置が不明となってしまう場合もあった。 　The location of each beacon in this type of beacon mesh system is not always fixed, but may be movably installed. Further, even when the beacon is fixedly installed, its position is not always known. That is, the fixed position of some beacons is unknown from the beginning, or the fixed position was initially known, but the current position may be unknown due to movement of the installation target.
　特に多数のビーコンが設けられている場合、ビーコン同士の区別がつかず、どの位置にどのビーコンが設置されているか不明であることが多かった。即ち、ビーコンのＩＤと、ビーコンの存在する位置を表す位置情報とが互いに紐付けされていない場合があった。 　Especially when a large number of beacons were installed, it was often impossible to distinguish between beacons and it was often unclear which beacon was installed at which position. That is, the ID of the beacon and the position information indicating the position where the beacon exists may not be associated with each other.
　また、ビーコンを家具、道具若しくは器物等の物体内又は機器内に組み込んで使用する場合、外部からビーコンを確認できないため、ビーコンの特定（ビーコンのＩＤの特定）を行うことが難しかった。さらに、物体又は機器の内部にビーコンが組み込まれているのか否かを外部から容易に識別することが難しかった。 Also, when the beacon is used by incorporating it into an object such as furniture, tools or articles or in a device, it is difficult to identify the beacon (identify the beacon ID) because the beacon cannot be confirmed from the outside. Furthermore, it has been difficult to easily identify from the outside whether or not the beacon is incorporated inside the object or the device.
　従って本発明の目的は、各ビーコンのＩＤと位置情報とを容易に紐付けることが可能なビーコンシステムの設定方法を提供することにある。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for setting a beacon system that can easily associate the ID of each beacon with the position information.
　本発明の他の目的は、ビーコンが物体内又は機器内に組み込まれているのか否かを外部から容易に識別することが可能なビーコンシステムの設定方法を提供することにある。 Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of setting a beacon system capable of easily identifying from outside whether a beacon is incorporated in an object or a device.
　本発明によれば、少なくとも隣り合うビーコン間で通信可能であり互いに分散配置された複数のビーコンを備えたビーコンシステムの設定方法は、ＩＤが既知の検査用ビーコンを複数のビーコンのうちの対象となる被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性がある位置の近傍に配置してこの検査用ビーコンからＩＤを含む信号を発信させ、被検査ビーコン及びこの被検査ビーコンの周辺に配置された複数のビーコンによってそれぞれ測定された上述の発信信号の受信強度を互いに比較することにより被検査ビーコンを特定する。 According to the present invention, a method of setting a beacon system including a plurality of beacons that are capable of communicating at least between adjacent beacons and are arranged in a distributed manner includes a test beacon whose ID is known as a target of the plurality of beacons. The beacon to be inspected is placed in the vicinity of the position where the inspected beacon may exist, and a signal including an ID is transmitted from the beacon for inspecting, and the beacon to be inspected and a plurality of beacons arranged around the inspected beacon respectively The beacon to be inspected is specified by comparing the measured reception intensities of the above-mentioned transmission signals with each other.
　被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性がある位置の近傍に検査用のビーコンを配置しこの検査用ビーコンからＩＤを含む信号を発信させ、被検査ビーコン及びこの被検査ビーコンの周辺に配置された複数のビーコンによってそれぞれ測定された検査用ビーコンからの信号の受信強度を測定し、測定した受信強度を互いに比較することにより被検査ビーコンを特定しているので、被検査ビーコンのＩＤを知ることができ、既知の位置情報とＩＤとを容易に紐付けすることができる。また、被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性がある位置にその被検査ビーコンが存在するか否かも判別できるため、物体内又は機器内にビーコンが組み込まれているのか否かを外部から容易に識別することができる。 A beacon for inspection is arranged in the vicinity of a position where the beacon to be inspected may exist, a signal including an ID is transmitted from this beacon for inspection, and a plurality of beacons arranged around the beacon to be inspected are inspected. Since the inspected beacon is specified by measuring the reception intensity of the signal from the inspection beacon measured by the beacon and comparing the measured reception intensities with each other, it is possible to know the ID of the inspected beacon, It is possible to easily associate known position information with the ID. Further, since it is possible to determine whether or not the inspected beacon exists at a position where the inspected beacon may exist, it is possible to easily identify from outside whether the beacon is incorporated in the object or the device. be able to.
　測定された信号の受信強度を互いに比較し、受信強度が他に比して大幅に高いビーコンのＩＤを被検査ビーコンのＩＤであると特定することが好ましい。 It is preferable to compare the received intensities of the measured signals with each other and specify the ID of the beacon whose received intensity is significantly higher than the others as the ID of the beacon to be inspected.
　測定された信号の受信強度を互いに比較し、受信強度が他に比して大幅に高いビーコンが存在しない場合は、被検査ビーコンがその位置に存在しないと判断することも好ましい。 -It is also preferable to compare the received intensities of the measured signals with each other and, if there is no beacon whose received intensity is significantly higher than others, to judge that the inspected beacon does not exist at that position.
　被検査ビーコンが物体又は機器の内部に組み込まれており、検査用ビーコンの端子を物体又は機器に設けられた接続口に接続することにより検査用ビーコンが被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性のある位置に配置されることも好ましい。 The inspection beacon is installed inside the object or device, and the inspection beacon may be located by connecting the terminal of the inspection beacon to the connection port provided on the object or device. It is also preferable to be arranged at.
　この場合、物体又は機器がマルチメディアコンセントであり、接続口がマルチメディアコンセントに設けられたユニバーサルシリアルバス（ＵＳＢ）端末を接続するためのＵＳＢポートであることがより好ましい。 In this case, it is more preferable that the object or device is a multimedia outlet and the connection port is a USB port for connecting a universal serial bus (USB) terminal provided in the multimedia outlet.
　複数のビーコンのうちの少なくとも１つと通信可能なサーバをさらに備えており、信号の受信強度の比較及び被検査ビーコンの特定をこのサーバにて行うことがより好ましい。 It is more preferable to further include a server capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of beacons, and to compare the signal reception strength and identify the inspected beacon with this server.
　複数のビーコンのうちの第１のビーコンが、検査用ビーコンから発信したＩＤを含む信号を受信してこの信号の受信強度を測定し、（第１のビーコンの）測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第１のビーコンのＩＤ、及び検査用ビーコンのＩＤを発信することも好ましい。 The first beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the signal of the measured inspection beacon (of the first beacon). It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength, the ID of the first beacon, and the ID of the inspection beacon.
　この場合、複数のビーコンのうちの第２のビーコンが、検査用ビーコンから発信したＩＤを含む信号を受信してこの信号の受信強度を測定し、（第２のビーコンの）測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第２のビーコンのＩＤ、検査用ビーコンのＩＤ、第１のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び第１のビーコンのＩＤを発信することも好ましい。 In this case, the second beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the measured beacon (of the second beacon). It is also preferable to transmit the signal reception strength, the second beacon ID, the inspection beacon ID, the inspection beacon signal reception strength measured by the first beacon, and the first beacon ID.
　この場合、複数のビーコンのうちの第３のビーコンが、検査用ビーコンから発信したＩＤを含む信号を受信してこの信号の受信強度を測定し、（第３のビーコンの）測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第３のビーコンのＩＤ、検査用ビーコンのＩＤ、第１のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第１のビーコンのＩＤ、第２のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び第２のビーコンのＩＤを発信することも好ましい。 In this case, the third beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the measured beacon (of the third beacon). Signal reception intensity, third beacon ID, inspection beacon ID, inspection beacon signal reception intensity measured by the first beacon, first beacon ID, inspection measured by the second beacon It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for use and the ID of the second beacon.
　この場合、複数のビーコンのうちの第４のビーコンが、検査用ビーコンから発信したＩＤを含む信号を受信してこの信号の受信強度を測定し、（第４のビーコンの）測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第４のビーコンのＩＤ、検査用ビーコンのＩＤ、第１のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第１のビーコンのＩＤ、第２のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、第２のビーコンのＩＤ、第３のビーコンによって測定した検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び第３のビーコンのＩＤを発信することも好ましい。 In this case, the fourth beacon of the plurality of beacons receives the signal including the ID transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of this signal, and measures the inspection beacon (of the fourth beacon). Signal reception intensity, fourth beacon ID, inspection beacon ID, inspection beacon signal reception intensity measured by the first beacon, first beacon ID, inspection measured by the second beacon It is also preferable to transmit the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for use, the ID of the second beacon, the reception strength of the signal of the beacon for inspection measured by the third beacon, and the ID of the third beacon.
　複数のビーコンがメッシュネットワーク化されたマルチホップ無線ネットワークを構成していることも好ましい。 It is also preferable to configure a multi-hop wireless network in which multiple beacons are meshed.
　本発明によれば、被検査ビーコンのＩＤを知ることができるので、既知の位置情報とＩＤとを容易に紐付けすることができ、また、被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性がある位置にその被検査ビーコンが存在するか否かも判別できるため、物体内又は機器内にビーコンが組み込まれているのか否かを外部から容易に識別することができる。 According to the present invention, since the ID of the inspected beacon can be known, the known position information and the ID can be easily associated with each other, and the position of the inspected beacon may be associated with the known position information. Since it can be determined whether or not the inspected beacon is present, whether or not the beacon is incorporated in the object or the device can be easily identified from the outside.
本発明のビーコンシステムの設定方法の一実施形態として、ビーコンシステムの構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of a beacon system as one Embodiment of the setting method of the beacon system of this invention. 図１のビーコンシステムにおける複数のビーコンの設置形態を概略的に示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows schematically the installation form of several beacons in the beacon system of FIG. 図１のビーコンシステムにおける各ビーコンの設置形態を概略的に示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows schematically the installation form of each beacon in the beacon system of FIG. 図１のビーコンシステムにおいてビーコンのＩＤを特定する場合の操作を説明する斜視図であるIt is a perspective view explaining operation in the case of specifying the ID of the beacon in the beacon system of FIG. 図１のビーコンシステムにおいてビーコンのＩＤを特定する手順を概略的に説明するフローチャートである。3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure for identifying a beacon ID in the beacon system of FIG. 1.
　図１は本発明のビーコンシステムの設定方法の一実施形態として、ビーコンシステムの構成を概略的に示しており、図２はこのビーコンシステムにおける複数のビーコンの設置形態を概略的に示しており、図３はこのビーコンシステムにおける各ビーコンの設置形態を概略的に示している。 FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a beacon system as one embodiment of the setting method of the beacon system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows the installation form of a plurality of beacons in this beacon system, FIG. 3 schematically shows an installation form of each beacon in this beacon system.
　図１に示すように、本実施形態におけるビーコンシステムは、互いに分散して配置されてビーコンメッシュを構成する複数のビーコン１０～１３（ビーコンＢ～Ｅ）及びビーコン１４～１６と、これらビーコン１０～１６と通信が可能でありその動作を一元的に制御するゲートウェイ１７と、ネットワーク１８を介してゲートウェイ１７に接続されているサーバ１９と、少なくともネットワーク１８を介してサーバ１９と通信が可能であり、システムの設定を行う操作者が携帯可能な端末６０とを備えている。ビーコン１０～１６の各々は、少なくとも１つの他のビーコンの電波到達距離内に配置されている。特に、本実施形態では、ビーコン１０～１６は、電波の到達距離内に設置された他のビーコンと相互に通信を行うマルチホップ通信機能を有し、全体としてマルチホップ無線ネットワークを形成している。これらビーコン１０～１６は、受信した他のビーコンの識別情報（ＩＤ）、他のビーコンからの信号の受信強度、そのビーコン自身のＩＤ、そのビーコンの状態等を示す情報（他のビーコンから受信した情報を含む）等を、他のビーコンに送信する。 As shown in FIG. 1, the beacon system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of beacons 10 to 13 (beacons BE to E) and beacons 14 to 16 that are arranged in a distributed manner to form a beacon mesh, and these beacons 10 to 16. A gateway 17 capable of communicating with the server 16 and controlling its operation in a unified manner, a server 19 connected to the gateway 17 via a network 18, and a server 19 capable of communicating with the server 19 at least via the network 18, It is provided with a terminal 60 that can be carried by an operator who sets the system. Each of beacons 10 to 16 is arranged within the radio wave reach of at least one other beacon. In particular, in the present embodiment, the beacons 10 to 16 have a multi-hop communication function of mutually communicating with other beacons installed within the reach of radio waves, and form a multi-hop wireless network as a whole. .. These beacons 10 to 16 are information indicating the identification information (ID) of the received other beacon, the reception intensity of the signal from the other beacon, the ID of the beacon itself, the state of the beacon, etc. (received from the other beacon. (Including information) etc. to other beacons.
　ゲートウェイ１７は、複数のビーコン１０～１６の動作を一元的に制御する装置であり、例えば、複数のビーコン１０～１６のいずれかを特定するＩＤと所定の情報（例えば動作制御情報）とを含む特定情報を、周辺のビーコンに送信する。また、これらビーコン１０～１６は、受信した特定情報を周辺のビーコンへ中継すると共に自己を示すＩＤを含む特定情報を受信した場合、その特定情報に基づいて所定の処理を行うように構成されている。 The gateway 17 is a device that centrally controls the operations of the plurality of beacons 10 to 16, and includes, for example, an ID that identifies one of the plurality of beacons 10 to 16 and predetermined information (eg, operation control information). The specific information is transmitted to beacons in the vicinity. Further, these beacons 10 to 16 are configured to relay the received specific information to the surrounding beacons and, when receiving the specific information including the ID indicating the self, perform a predetermined process based on the specific information. There is.
　サーバ１９は、ネットワーク１８及びゲートウェイ１７を介してビーコンメッシュのビーコン１０～１６から得られる種々の情報、例えば、ビーコン１０～１６に近付いた端末６０からの情報を取得し、また、これらビーコン１０～１６にネットワーク１８及びゲートウェイ１７を介して情報を出力する。 The server 19 acquires various information obtained from the beacons 10 to 16 of the beacon mesh via the network 18 and the gateway 17, for example, information from the terminal 60 approaching the beacons 10 to 16, and the beacons 10 to 16 The information is output to 16 via the network 18 and the gateway 17.
　図２に示すように、本実施形態におけるビーコンは、教室やオフィス等の机に設けられたマルチメディアコンセント内に組み込まれている。例えば、ビーコン１０～１３（ビーコンＢ～Ｅ）は、ローカルエリアネットワーク（ＬＡＮ）用モジュラジャック、電話・ＦＡＸ用モジュラジャック、ＴＶ用コンセント及び／又は電源コンセント等を一体的に設け、机３０～３３にそれぞれ取り付けられたマルチメディアコンセント２０～２３内にそれぞれ組み込まれている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the beacon in this embodiment is incorporated in a multimedia outlet provided on a desk such as a classroom or office. For example, the beacons 10 to 13 (beacons BE to E) are provided with a modular jack for a local area network (LAN), a modular jack for a telephone/FAX, an outlet for a TV and/or a power outlet, and the desks 30 to 33. Are installed in the multimedia outlets 20 to 23 respectively attached to the.
　図３に示すように、例えば、ビーコン１０（ビーコンＢ）は、外部からその存在が見えないように、マルチメディアコンセント２０の内部に組み込まれている。ビーコン１０の電源はマルチメディアコンセント２０の電源コンセント部分から供給されており、従って、マルチメディアコンセント２０に電源が供給されている限りこのビーコン１０には電源が供給されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the beacon 10 (beacon B) is incorporated inside the multimedia outlet 20 so that its presence cannot be seen from the outside. The beacon 10 is supplied with power from the power outlet part of the multimedia outlet 20, and therefore, as long as the multimedia outlet 20 is supplied with power, the beacon 10 is supplied with power.
　ビーコン１０～１６の各々は、公知のマルチホップ通信機能を有するＢＬＥ式のビーコンモジュールから構成されており、各ビーコン固有のＩＤと送信日時とを含む無線標識を送信する。各ビーコンは、具体的には、例えば、アンテナを有する標識情報送信ユニット、相互通信ユニット、及び記憶ユニットの機能を少なくとも有するコンピュータを備えている。標識情報送信ユニットは、記憶ユニットに保持されている情報に基づいて、このビーコン自体を識別するための固有のＩＤを含む無線標識を送信し、受信側の装置に対して近接通知を行う。この無線標識は、送信時刻を示す日時情報を含んでいる。具体的には、ブルートゥース（登録商標）を利用したブルートゥースローエナジ（ＢＬＥ）技術を利用している。相互通信ユニットは、他のビーコンやゲートウェイ１７との間で双方向の送受信を行うように構成されている。この相互通信ユニットは、他のビーコンのＩＤを含む特定情報を受信した場合、その特定情報を周辺のビーコンへ中継する。一方、自己のビーコンのＩＤを含む特定情報を受信した場合、その特定情報を記憶ユニットに格納すると共に、その特定情報に基づいて所定の処理を行う。さらに、相互通信ユニットは、受信した信号の受信強度を測定し、受信した信号に含まれる情報と測定した受信強度とを対応付けて、記憶ユニットに格納する。さらにまた、相互通信ユニットは、ゲートウェイ１７からの要求に応じて、記憶ユニットに保持されている情報をビーコンメッシュのネットワークを介して送信する。この場合、記憶ユニットに保持されている情報としては、このビーコンの内部センサや外部センサで取得された情報が含まれていても良い。また、ビーコン間で送受信される特定情報には、固有のＩＤが割り当てられていても良い。このとき、相互通信ユニットは、一度、転送した情報のＩＤを記憶ユニット内に格納し、情報を転送する際にその情報のＩＤが記憶ユニットに記憶されている過去に転送した情報のＩＤと一致するか否かを確認し、過去に転送した情報である場合には転送を行わないように構成しても良い。これにより、同じ情報がビーコンメッシュ内を転送され続けることを回避することができる。記憶ユニットは、不揮発性メモリであり、例えばフラッシュメモリによって実現される。また、記憶ユニットは、予め定められたこのビーコンのＩＤや、標識情報送信ユニットが無線標識を送信する際の電波強度の設定値等を記憶すると共に、受信した信号に含まれる情報やその信号の受信強度などを記憶している。 Each of the beacons 10 to 16 is composed of a BLE type beacon module having a well-known multi-hop communication function, and transmits a wireless beacon including an ID unique to each beacon and a transmission date and time. Each beacon specifically includes, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a beacon information transmission unit having an antenna, an intercommunication unit, and a storage unit. The sign information transmission unit sends a radio sign including a unique ID for identifying the beacon itself based on the information held in the storage unit, and notifies the receiving side device of the proximity. This wireless sign includes date and time information indicating the transmission time. Specifically, it uses a Bluetooth slow energy (BLE) technology using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The mutual communication unit is configured to perform bidirectional transmission and reception with other beacons and the gateway 17. When this intercommunication unit receives the specific information including the IDs of other beacons, the mutual communication unit relays the specific information to neighboring beacons. On the other hand, when the specific information including the ID of its own beacon is received, the specific information is stored in the storage unit and a predetermined process is performed based on the specific information. Further, the mutual communication unit measures the reception intensity of the received signal and stores the information included in the received signal and the measured reception intensity in association with each other in the storage unit. Furthermore, the mutual communication unit transmits the information held in the storage unit via the network of the beacon mesh in response to the request from the gateway 17. In this case, the information held in the storage unit may include information acquired by the internal sensor or the external sensor of this beacon. A unique ID may be assigned to the specific information transmitted/received between beacons. At this time, the mutual communication unit stores the ID of the transferred information in the storage unit once, and when transferring the information, the ID of the information matches the ID of the previously transferred information stored in the storage unit. It may be configured to confirm whether or not to perform the transfer, and not transfer the information if the information has been transferred in the past. This can prevent the same information from being continuously transferred in the beacon mesh. The storage unit is a non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, a flash memory. In addition, the storage unit stores a predetermined ID of this beacon, a set value of the radio field intensity when the beacon information transmitting unit transmits the radio beacon, and the like, and stores the information included in the received signal and the signal thereof. The reception strength and the like are stored.
　ビーコン１０～１６の各々は、内部センサとして、各種センサを含んでいても良い。各種センサとしては、例えば、カメラ、マイク、温度計、湿度計、光センサ、赤外線センサ、電気メータ、ガスメータ、水道メータ、計測器等がある。各種センサによって、映像、画像、音、値等が検出される。また、ビーコン１０～１６の各々には、外部センサとして各種センサが接続されていても良い。 Each of the beacons 10 to 16 may include various sensors as internal sensors. Examples of various sensors include a camera, a microphone, a thermometer, a hygrometer, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an electric meter, a gas meter, a water meter, and a measuring instrument. Images, images, sounds, values, etc. are detected by various sensors. Further, various sensors may be connected to each of the beacons 10 to 16 as external sensors.
　ゲートウェイ１７は、例えば、ビーコン通信ユニット、情報取得ユニット、及び記憶ユニットの機能を少なくとも有するコンピュータから構成されている。ビーコン通信ユニットは、ビーコン１０～１６のいずれかとの間で双方向の通信を行う。即ち、ＩＤを含む特定情報を送信すると共に、ビーコン１０～１６のいずれかからＩＤを含む特定情報を受信する。情報取得ユニットは、例えば、インターネットや専用回線等のネットワーク１８を介して、図示しない装置から所定の情報を取得する。また、ゲートウェイ１７を操作するユーザからの入力等に基づいて、ビーコン通信ユニットに特定情報を送信させ、ビーコン１０の設定を変更させる。さらに、各ビーコンから特定情報を取得してもよい。特定情報内に全てのビーコンに対応するＩＤを含むようにして、同一の特定情報を１回のみブロードキャスト通信するようにしてもよい。また、特定情報にビーコンメッシュのネットワーク上で転送される回数を示すホップ数を含まれるようにし、ビーコンが設定変更情報を転送するたびにホップ数をインクリメントし、所定の回数だけビーコン間で転送された特定情報がビーコンメッシュ上から削除されるようにしてもよい。記憶部ユニットは、不揮発性メモリであり、例えばハードディスクドライブ（ＨＤＤ）やソリッドステートドライブ（ＳＳＤ）、フラッシュメモリ等によって実現される。また、各ビーコンのＩＤに対応付けて、複数のビーコンの設置場所を示す位置情報や動作設定等を記憶するように構成しても良い。 The gateway 17 is composed of, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a beacon communication unit, an information acquisition unit, and a storage unit. The beacon communication unit performs bidirectional communication with any of the beacons 10 to 16. That is, the specific information including the ID is transmitted, and the specific information including the ID is received from any of the beacons 10 to 16. The information acquisition unit acquires predetermined information from a device (not shown) via the network 18 such as the Internet or a dedicated line. In addition, the beacon communication unit is caused to transmit the specific information based on the input from the user who operates the gateway 17, and the setting of the beacon 10 is changed. Furthermore, you may acquire specific information from each beacon. The specific information may include IDs corresponding to all beacons, and the same specific information may be broadcast-transmitted only once. Also, the specific information is made to include the number of hops indicating the number of times it is transferred on the beacon mesh network, the hop number is incremented each time the beacon transfers the setting change information, and the number of hops is transferred between beacons a predetermined number of times. The specific information may be deleted from the beacon mesh. The storage unit is a non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, or the like. Further, it may be configured to store the position information indicating the installation locations of a plurality of beacons, operation settings, and the like in association with the ID of each beacon.
　サーバ１９は、例えば、通信ユニット、演算ユニット、及び記憶ユニットの機能を少なくとも有するコンピュータから構成されている。なお、ゲートウェイ１７とサーバ１８とを一体化し、１つの制御装置として動作するように構成しても良い。通信ユニットは、インターネット等のネットワーク１８を介してゲートウェイ１７との間で情報を送受信する。また、通信ユニットは、ネットワーク１８を介して端末６０と情報の送受信を行えるようにも構成されている。演算ユニットは、ビーコン１０～１６や端末６０からの情報に基づいて、所定の演算を行う。例えば、個々のビーコンが存在する位置を算出する。記憶ユニットは、例えばＨＤＤやＳＳＤ、フラッシュメモリ等によって構成され、ビーコン１０～１６が設置された位置の周辺に関する情報を予め記憶しても良い。なお、ビーコン１０～１６の位置が完全に固定されており不変であれば、各ビーコンのＩＤと、各ビーコンの存在位置を示す位置情報とを対応付けて記憶することができるが、各ビーコンは可動でありその存在位置が変化するため、本発明のように各ビーコンを特定する必要がある。さらに、記憶ユニットは、端末６０から受信した情報を記憶していても良く、逆に記憶されている情報を端末６０に送信するように構成していても良い。サーバ１９は、ＰＣ、ワークステーション（ＷＳ）のような専用若しくは汎用のコンピュータ、又はコンピュータを搭載した電子機器を使用して実現可能である。 The server 19 is composed of, for example, a computer having at least the functions of a communication unit, an arithmetic unit, and a storage unit. The gateway 17 and the server 18 may be integrated so as to operate as one control device. The communication unit transmits/receives information to/from the gateway 17 via a network 18 such as the Internet. The communication unit is also configured to be able to send and receive information to and from the terminal 60 via the network 18. The calculation unit performs a predetermined calculation based on the information from the beacons 10 to 16 and the terminal 60. For example, the position where each beacon exists is calculated. The storage unit is composed of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or the like, and may store in advance information about the periphery of the position where the beacons 10 to 16 are installed. If the positions of the beacons 10 to 16 are completely fixed and unchanged, the ID of each beacon and the position information indicating the existing position of each beacon can be stored in association with each other. Each beacon needs to be specified as in the present invention because it is movable and its location changes. Further, the storage unit may store the information received from the terminal 60, or conversely, may be configured to transmit the stored information to the terminal 60. The server 19 can be realized using a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a PC or a workstation (WS), or an electronic device equipped with a computer.
　端末６０は、例えば、スマートフォン、携帯電話、タブレット型端末、カーナビゲーション装置、携帯情報端末（ＰＤＡ）、パーソナルコンピュータ（ＰＣ）のような専用若しくは汎用のコンピュータ、又はコンピュータを搭載した双方向通信可能な電子機器から構成されており、被検査ビーコンのＩＤ特定作業を行う操作者が携帯して操作できるようになされている。この端末６０は、ネットワーク１８を介してサーバ１９に接続可能に構成されている。 The terminal 60 is, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet type terminal, a car navigation device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer (PC), or bidirectional communication equipped with a computer. It is composed of an electronic device, and can be carried and operated by an operator who performs an ID specifying operation of the inspected beacon. The terminal 60 is configured to be connectable to the server 19 via the network 18.
　この種のビーコンシステムにおいて、従来は、各ビーコンを特定するビーコンのＩＤとその位置情報との対応が不明の場合があった。例えば、初めてビーコンを設置した際や、一度設置したビーコンを移動させた際には、各ビーコンのＩＤと設置位置との対応関係が不明となる場合があった。そこで、本実施形態では、以下のような設定方法により、ビーコンのＩＤとその位置とを容易に対応させている。 In this type of beacon system, conventionally, the correspondence between the beacon ID identifying each beacon and its position information was sometimes unknown. For example, when a beacon is installed for the first time or when a beacon once installed is moved, the correspondence between the ID of each beacon and the installation position may become unknown. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the beacon ID and the position thereof are easily associated with each other by the following setting method.
　図４は本実施形態のビーコンシステムにおいてビーコンのＩＤを特定する場合の操作を示しており、図５はその場合の特定の手順を概略的に示している。 FIG. 4 shows an operation for specifying a beacon ID in the beacon system of this embodiment, and FIG. 5 schematically shows a specifying procedure in that case.
　ビーコンメッシュ内のマルチホップ通信機能を有する全てのビーコン１０～１６に電源供給がなされており、これらビーコン１０～１６が作動中であるとする。この状態で、机３０のマルチメディアコンセント２０内に設置されているビーコン１０（ビーコンＢ）がＩＤを特定すべき被検査ビーコンであるとすると、まず、図４に示すように、このマルチメディアコンセント２０に設けられたＵＳＢポート２０ａに、ＩＤが既知の検査用ビーコンであるビーコン４０（ビーコンＡ）が内蔵されたＵＳＢ端末５０を挿入接続する。 It is assumed that power is supplied to all the beacons 10 to 16 having the multi-hop communication function in the beacon mesh, and these beacons 10 to 16 are in operation. In this state, assuming that the beacon 10 (beacon B) installed in the multimedia outlet 20 of the desk 30 is an inspected beacon whose ID should be specified, first, as shown in FIG. A USB terminal 50 having a built-in beacon 40 (beacon A), which is an inspection beacon having a known ID, is inserted and connected to the USB port 20a provided in the device 20.
　これにより、検査用ビーコン４０（ビーコンＡ）にＵＳＢポート２０ａを介して電源供給がなされ、このビーコンＡから自己のＩＤを必ず含む信号（無線標識）がＢＬＥにより送信される。 As a result, power is supplied to the inspection beacon 40 (beacon A) via the USB port 20a, and a signal (radio beacon) that always includes its own ID is transmitted by BLE from this beacon A.
　この検査用ビーコン４０（ビーコンＡ）から最も近い位置に存在し、ビーコンＡの送信信号を受信可能なビーコン１０（ビーコンＢ）は、受信したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度を測定し、このビーコンＢの測定したビーコンＡの信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＢのＩＤと、ビーコンＡのＩＤとを含む信号（無線標識）をＢＬＥにより送信する。なお、このビーコンＢは本発明の第１のビーコンに対応する。 Beacon 10 (beacon B) existing at the closest position to this inspection beacon 40 (beacon A) and capable of receiving the transmission signal of beacon A measures the reception intensity of the received transmission signal of beacon A, and this beacon A signal (radio beacon) including the reception intensity of the signal of beacon A measured by B, the ID of beacon B, and the ID of beacon A is transmitted by BLE. The beacon B corresponds to the first beacon of the present invention.
　このビーコン１０（ビーコンＢ）の送信信号を受信可能な位置に存在するビーコン１１（ビーコンＣ）は、受信可能であればビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度を測定し、このビーコンＣの測定したビーコンＡの信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＣのＩＤと、ビーコンＡのＩＤと、ビーコンＢの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＢのＩＤとを含む信号（無線標識）をＢＬＥにより送信する。なお、このビーコンＣは本発明の第２のビーコンに対応する。 If the beacon 11 (beacon C) existing at a position where the transmission signal of the beacon 10 (beacon B) can be received, the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured if the beacon 11 (beacon C) can be received, and the beacon measured by the beacon C is measured. A signal (radio beacon) including the reception strength of the signal of A, the ID of beacon C, the ID of beacon A, the reception strength of the transmission signal of beacon A measured by beacon B, and the ID of beacon B is transmitted by BLE. Send. The beacon C corresponds to the second beacon of the present invention.
　このビーコン１１（ビーコンＣ）の送信信号を受信可能な位置に存在するビーコン１２（ビーコンＤ）は、受信可能であればビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度を測定し、このビーコンＤの測定したビーコンＡの信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＤのＩＤと、ビーコンＡのＩＤと、ビーコンＢの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＢのＩＤと、ビーコンＣの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＣのＩＤとを含む信号（無線標識）をＢＬＥにより送信する。なお、このビーコンＤは本発明の第３のビーコンに対応する。 If the beacon 12 (beacon D) existing at a position where the transmission signal of the beacon 11 (beacon C) can be received, the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured if the beacon 12 (beacon D) can be received, and the beacon measured by the beacon D is measured. A signal reception intensity, beacon D ID, beacon A ID, beacon B transmission signal reception intensity measured by beacon B, beacon B ID, and beacon C transmission of beacon A measured A signal (radio beacon) including the signal reception intensity and the ID of the beacon C is transmitted by BLE. The beacon D corresponds to the third beacon of the present invention.
　このビーコン１２（ビーコンＤ）の送信信号を受信可能な位置に存在するビーコン１３（ビーコンＥ）は、受信可能であればビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度を測定し、このビーコンＥの測定したビーコンＡの信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＥのＩＤと、ビーコンＡのＩＤと、ビーコンＢの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＢのＩＤと、ビーコンＣの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＣのＩＤと、ビーコンＤの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度と、ビーコンＤのＩＤとを含む信号（無線標識）をＢＬＥにより送信する。なお、このビーコンＥは本発明の第４のビーコンに対応する。 If the beacon 13 (beacon E) existing at a position where the transmission signal of the beacon 12 (beacon D) can be received, the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A is measured, and the beacon measured by the beacon E is measured. A signal reception intensity, beacon E ID, beacon A ID, beacon B transmission signal reception intensity measured by beacon B, beacon B ID, and beacon C transmission of beacon A measured by beacon C A signal (radio beacon) including the reception intensity of the signal, the ID of the beacon C, the reception intensity of the transmission signal of the beacon A measured by the beacon D, and the ID of the beacon D is transmitted by BLE. The beacon E corresponds to the fourth beacon of the present invention.
　ゲートウェイ１７は、マルチホップ通信機能を有するこれらビーコン１０～１６から、各ビーコンのＩＤ及び各ビーコンが測定した検査用ビーコン４０（ビーコンＡ）の送信信号の受信強度を含む信号を受信する。具体的には、本実施形態では、ビーコンＡのＩＤ、ビーコンＢの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度、ビーコンＢのＩＤ、ビーコンＣの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度、ビーコンＣのＩＤ、ビーコンＤの測定したビーコンＡの送信信号の受信強度、ビーコンＤのＩＤ、ビーコンＥの測定したビーコンＡの信号の受信強度、及びビーコンＥのＩＤをビーコンＥ（ビーコン１３）から受信する。次いで、ゲートウェイ１７は、受信したこれら信号をネットワーク１８を介してサーバ１９へ送信する。 The gateway 17 receives, from these beacons 10 to 16 having a multi-hop communication function, a signal including the ID of each beacon and the reception strength of the transmission signal of the inspection beacon 40 (beacon A) measured by each beacon. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the beacon A ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon B, the beacon B ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon C, and the beacon C. ID, the reception strength of the beacon A transmission signal measured by the beacon D, the ID of the beacon D, the reception strength of the beacon A signal measured by the beacon E, and the ID of the beacon E are received from the beacon E (beacon 13). .. Next, the gateway 17 transmits these received signals to the server 19 via the network 18.
　サーバ１９は、ゲートウェイ１７からネットワーク１８を介して送られてきたこれら信号を、例えば、通信ユニットを介して受け取り、記憶ユニットに一端記憶すると共に、演算ユニットによって、被検査ビーコン１０のビーコンＩＤを特定する以下の演算を行う。 The server 19 receives these signals sent from the gateway 17 via the network 18, for example, via the communication unit, and temporarily stores them in the storage unit, and at the same time, the arithmetic unit specifies the beacon ID of the inspected beacon 10. Perform the following calculation.
　まず、記憶ユニットに記憶されている各ビーコンの測定したビーコンＡ（検査用ビーコン４０）の信号の受信強度を互いに順次比較する（ステップＳ１）。 First, the reception intensities of the beacon A (inspection beacon 40) signals measured by the beacons stored in the storage unit are sequentially compared with each other (step S1).
　この比較により、他のビーコンの受信強度に比して大幅に高い受信強度を有するビーコンが有るか否かを判別する（ステップＳ２）。 By this comparison, it is determined whether or not there is a beacon having a reception strength that is significantly higher than the reception strengths of other beacons (step S2).
　ステップＳ２において、他のビーコンの受信強度に比して大幅に高い受信強度を有するビーコンが有ると判別した場合（ＹＥＳの場合）、その大幅に高い受信強度を有するビーコンを被検査ビーコンと特定する（ステップＳ３）。周知のように、ビーコンの信号の受信強度は、ビーコン間の距離が長くなるに従って小さくなる（具体的には、距離の二乗に比例する）。マルチメディアコンセント２０に挿入されたＵＳＢ端末５０に内蔵されたビーコンＡとの距離が最短のビーコンはこのマルチメディアコンセント２０に内蔵されている被検査ビーコンであり、従って、他のビーコンの受信強度に比して大幅に高い受信強度を有するビーコンが被検査ビーコンとなる。 In step S2, when it is determined that there is a beacon having a reception intensity that is significantly higher than the reception intensities of other beacons (in the case of YES), the beacon having the reception intensity that is significantly higher is specified as the inspected beacon. (Step S3). As is well known, the reception strength of a beacon signal decreases as the distance between beacons increases (specifically, it is proportional to the square of the distance). The beacon having the shortest distance to the beacon A built in the USB terminal 50 inserted in the multimedia outlet 20 is the beacon to be inspected built in this multimedia outlet 20, and therefore, the received strength of other beacons is Beacons that have a significantly higher reception strength than the above are beacons to be inspected.
　次いで、特定したビーコン（ビーコンＢ）のＩＤを記憶ユニットから読み出し、そのＩＤを端末６０へ送信する（ステップＳ４）。 Next, the ID of the specified beacon (beacon B) is read from the storage unit and the ID is transmitted to the terminal 60 (step S4).
　次いで、端末６０よりその特定したビーコンの位置情報を受け取り、そのビーコンのＩＤと位置情報とを紐付けて記憶ユニットに記憶させる（ステップＳ５）。 Next, the position information of the specified beacon is received from the terminal 60, and the ID of the beacon and the position information are associated and stored in the storage unit (step S5).
　一方、ステップＳ２において、他のビーコンの受信強度に比して大幅に高い受信強度を有するビーコンが無いと判別した場合（ＮＯの場合）、ＵＳＢ端末５０が接続されたマルチメディアコンセント２０にはビーコンが内蔵されていない判断し、その旨を端末６０へ送信する（ステップＳ６）。 On the other hand, in step S2, when it is determined that there is no beacon having a reception strength significantly higher than the reception strength of other beacons (in the case of NO), the beacon is set in the multimedia outlet 20 to which the USB terminal 50 is connected. Is judged not to be built in, and that fact is transmitted to the terminal 60 (step S6).
　ステップＳ５又はステップＳ６の処理が終了した後、他のビーコンのＩＤを特定する処理を行うか否かを判別し（ステップＳ７）、他のビーコンのＩＤを特定する場合（ＹＥＳの場合）、ステップＳ１～Ｓ７の処理を繰り返す。他のビーコンのＩＤを特定しない場合（ＮＯの場合）、図５の処理を終了する。 After the processing of step S5 or step S6 is completed, it is determined whether or not the processing of identifying the ID of another beacon is performed (step S7), and when the ID of the other beacon is identified (in the case of YES), step The processes of S1 to S7 are repeated. When the IDs of other beacons are not specified (NO), the process of FIG. 5 ends.
　以上の処理により、被検査ビーコンであるビーコン１０（ビーコンＢ）のＩＤを、ＵＳＢ端末５０を挿入接続することのみで、容易に知ることができ、被検査ビーコンの既知の位置情報とこのＩＤとを容易に紐付けすることができる。また、マルチメディアコンセント２０内にそのビーコンＢが組み込まれているか否かを外部から容易に識別することができる。なお、端末６０は、システムの設定を行う操作者が携帯しても良いし、その他の者が携帯しても良い。また、端末６０によって被検査ビーコンのＩＤの確認を行うのは、操作者であっても良いし、その他の者であっても良い。端末６０による被検査ビーコンのＩＤの確認は何時行っても良い。さらに、端末６０以外の機器、例えばサーバ１９又はその他の機器によって被検査ビーコンのＩＤの確認を行っても良い。その場合、端末６０を設けなくとも良い。 By the above processing, the ID of the beacon 10 (beacon B) which is the inspected beacon can be easily known only by inserting and connecting the USB terminal 50, and the known position information of the inspected beacon and this ID can be obtained. Can be easily tied. Further, whether or not the beacon B is incorporated in the multimedia outlet 20 can be easily identified from the outside. The terminal 60 may be carried by an operator who sets the system or may be carried by another person. The operator or the other person may confirm the ID of the beacon to be inspected by the terminal 60. The terminal 60 may check the ID of the beacon to be inspected at any time. Furthermore, the ID of the inspected beacon may be confirmed by a device other than the terminal 60, for example, the server 19 or another device. In that case, the terminal 60 may not be provided.
　以上述べた実施形態では、ビーコンが教室やオフィス等の机に設けられたマルチメディアコンセント内に組み込まれているが、本発明のビーコンは、マルチメディアコンセント以外のその他の物体内又は機器内に組み込まれていても良いし、物体内又は機器内に組み込まれていなくとも良い。また、ビーコンの組み込まれた物体又は機器が教室やオフィス等の室内以外に屋外に設けられていても良い。 In the embodiment described above, the beacon is incorporated in a multimedia outlet provided in a desk such as a classroom or office, but the beacon of the present invention is incorporated in an object or device other than the multimedia outlet. It may or may not be incorporated in the object or the device. Further, the object or device in which the beacon is incorporated may be provided outside the room such as a classroom or office.
また、ビーコンメッシュとして設置されるビーコンの個数も、上述した例に限定されることはない。さらに、ビーコンメッシュがマルチホップ無線機能を有していなくとも良い。さらにまた、ビーコンの通信方式としては、上述したＢＬＥ以外に無線ＬＡＮ又は赤外線（ＩＲ）、その他の種々の無線方式を適用可能である。 Further, the number of beacons installed as a beacon mesh is not limited to the above example. Further, the beacon mesh may not have the multi-hop wireless function. Furthermore, as the beacon communication method, in addition to BLE described above, wireless LAN, infrared (IR), and various other wireless methods can be applied.
　以上述べた実施形態は全て本発明を例示的に示すものであって限定的に示すものではなく、本発明は他の種々の変形態様及び変更態様で実施することができる。従って本発明の範囲は特許請求の範囲及びその均等範囲によってのみ規定されるものである。 The embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not limitative of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in various other modified modes and modified modes. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.
　複数のビーコンを用いるあらゆるビーコンシステムに適用可能である。 Applicable to any beacon system that uses multiple beacons.
　１０、１１、１２、１３、１４、１５、１６　ビーコン
　１７　ゲートウェイ
　１８　ネットワーク
　１９　サーバ
　２０、２１、２２、２３　マルチメディアコンセント
　２０ａ　ＵＳＢポート
　３０、３１、３２、３３　机
　４０　検査用ビーコン
　５０　ＵＳＢ端末
　６０　端末 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Beacon 17 Gateway 18 Network 19 Server 20, 21, 22, 23 Multimedia Outlet 20a USB Port 30, 31, 32, 33 Desk 40 Inspection Beacon 50 USB Terminal 60 Terminal

Claims (11)

  1. 　少なくとも隣り合うビーコン間で通信可能であり互いに分散配置された複数のビーコンを備えたビーコンシステムの設定方法であって、
    　識別情報が既知の検査用ビーコンを前記複数のビーコンのうちの対象となる被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性がある位置の近傍に配置して前記検査用ビーコンから前記識別情報を含む信号を発信させ、前記被検査ビーコン及び該被検査ビーコンの周辺に配置された複数のビーコンによってそれぞれ測定された前記発信信号の受信強度を互いに比較することにより前記被検査ビーコンを特定することを特徴とするビーコンシステムの設定方法。     A method of setting a beacon system comprising a plurality of beacons which are capable of communicating between at least adjacent beacons and are arranged in a distributed manner,
    An inspection beacon whose identification information is known is arranged in the vicinity of a position where a target inspected beacon among the plurality of beacons may exist, and a signal including the identification information is transmitted from the inspection beacon. A beacon system, characterized in that the inspected beacon is specified by comparing the reception intensities of the transmission signals measured by the inspected beacon and a plurality of beacons arranged around the inspected beacon with each other. Setting method.
  2. 　前記測定された前記信号の受信強度を互いに比較し、受信強度が他に比して大幅に高いビーコンの識別情報を前記被検査ビーコンの識別情報であると特定することを特徴とする請求項１に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 2. The reception strengths of the measured signals are compared with each other, and the identification information of the beacon having a reception strength that is significantly higher than the other is specified as the identification information of the beacon to be inspected. Beacon system setting method described in.
  3. 　前記測定された前記信号の受信強度を互いに比較し、受信強度が他に比して大幅に高いビーコンが存在しない場合は、前記被検査ビーコンが前記位置に存在しないと判断することを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 It is characterized in that the measured reception strengths of the signals are compared with each other, and if there is no beacon whose reception strength is significantly higher than the others, it is determined that the inspected beacon does not exist at the position. The method for setting the beacon system according to claim 1.
  4. 　前記被検査ビーコンが物体又は機器の内部に組み込まれており、前記検査用ビーコンの端子を前記物体又は前記機器に設けられた接続口に接続することにより該検査用ビーコンが前記被検査ビーコンの存在する可能性のある位置に配置されることを特徴とする請求項１から３のいずれか１項に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 The inspected beacon is incorporated inside an object or a device, and the inspection beacon is present by connecting a terminal of the inspected beacon to a connection port provided in the object or the device. The beacon system setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the beacon system is set at a position where there is a possibility of being set.
  5. 　前記物体又は前記機器がマルチメディアコンセントであり、前記接続口が前記マルチメディアコンセントに設けられＵＳＢ端末を接続するためのＵＳＢポートであることを特徴とする請求項４に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 The beacon system setting method according to claim 4, wherein the object or the device is a multimedia outlet, and the connection port is a USB port provided in the multimedia outlet for connecting a USB terminal. ..
  6. 　前記複数のビーコンのうちの少なくとも１つと通信可能なサーバをさらに備えており、前記信号の受信強度の比較及び前記被検査ビーコンの特定を前記サーバにて行うことを特徴とする請求項１から５のいずれか１項に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 A server further comprising a server capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of beacons, wherein the server compares the reception strengths of the signals and identifies the beacon to be inspected. 5. The method for setting the beacon system according to any one of 1.
  7. 　前記複数のビーコンのうちの第１のビーコンが、前記検査用ビーコンから発信した前記識別情報を含む信号を受信して該信号の受信強度を測定し、該測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第１のビーコンの識別情報、及び前記検査用ビーコンの識別情報を発信することを特徴とする請求項１から６のいずれか１項に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 A first beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the identification information transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures reception intensity of the signal, and receives the measured signal of the inspection beacon. The beacon system setting method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting intensity, identification information of the first beacon, and identification information of the inspection beacon.
  8. 　前記複数のビーコンのうちの第２のビーコンが、前記検査用ビーコンから発信した前記識別情報を含む信号を受信して該信号の受信強度を測定し、該測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第２のビーコンの識別情報、前記検査用ビーコンの識別情報、前記第１のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び前記第１のビーコンの識別情報を発信することを特徴とする請求項７に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 A second beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the identification information transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of the signal, and receives the measured signal of the inspection beacon. Transmitting strength, identification information of the second beacon, identification information of the inspection beacon, reception strength of the signal of the inspection beacon measured by the first beacon, and identification information of the first beacon. The method for setting a beacon system according to claim 7, wherein.
  9. 　前記複数のビーコンのうちの第３のビーコンが、前記検査用ビーコンから発信した前記識別情報を含む信号を受信して該信号の受信強度を測定し、該測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第３のビーコンの識別情報、前記検査用ビーコンの識別情報、前記第１のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第１のビーコンの識別情報、前記第２のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び前記第２のビーコンの識別情報を発信することを特徴とする請求項８に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 A third beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the identification information transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures reception intensity of the signal, and receives the measured signal of the inspection beacon. Strength, identification information of the third beacon, identification information of the inspection beacon, reception intensity of the signal of the inspection beacon measured by the first beacon, identification information of the first beacon, the second 9. The beacon system setting method according to claim 8, further comprising transmitting the signal strength of the inspection beacon signal measured by a beacon and the identification information of the second beacon.
  10. 　前記複数のビーコンのうちの第４のビーコンが、前記検査用ビーコンから発信した前記識別情報を含む信号を受信して該信号の受信強度を測定し、該測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第４のビーコンの識別情報、前記検査用ビーコンの識別情報、前記第１のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第１のビーコンの識別情報、前記第２のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、前記第２のビーコンの識別情報、前記第３のビーコンによって測定した前記検査用ビーコンの信号の受信強度、及び前記第３のビーコンの識別情報を発信することを特徴とする請求項９に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 A fourth beacon of the plurality of beacons receives a signal including the identification information transmitted from the inspection beacon, measures the reception strength of the signal, and receives the measured signal of the inspection beacon. Strength, identification information of the fourth beacon, identification information of the inspection beacon, reception intensity of the signal of the inspection beacon measured by the first beacon, identification information of the first beacon, the second Reception intensity of the signal of the inspection beacon measured by a beacon, identification information of the second beacon, reception intensity of the signal of the inspection beacon measured by the third beacon, and identification information of the third beacon The beacon system setting method according to claim 9, wherein the beacon system is transmitted.
  11. 　前記複数のビーコンがメッシュネットワーク化されたマルチホップ無線ネットワークを構成していることを特徴とする請求項１から１０のいずれか１項に記載のビーコンシステムの設定方法。 The beacon system setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of beacons constitute a multi-hop wireless network in which a mesh network is formed.
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