Mobile object information providing system and mobile object storage device

Abstract

A wireless tag (12) is provided in a mobile object storage device (1) and stores identification information of the mobile object storage device (1). A wireless tag reader (30) obtains identification information from the wireless tag (12) by wireless communication with the wireless tag (12). The radio wave blocking component (20) is configured to block wireless communication when there is no mobile object (2) in the mobile object storage device (1), and to connect wireless communication when there is a mobile object (2) in the mobile object storage device (1). The wireless tag (12) transmits a signal containing identification information to the wireless tag reader (30) by wireless communication. The wireless tag reader (30) transmits information containing the reception time of the signal and the identification information to a server (40). Based on the information from the wireless tag reader (30), the server (40) detects whether there is a mobile object (2) in the mobile object storage device (1) at the current time and notifies the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mobile object information providing system and a mobile object storage device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-125967 (Patent Document 1) discloses a shopping cart type commodity registration device used by shoppers in stores. The shopping cart type commodity registration device includes a shopping cart body, a commodity registration device, a secondary battery, a power receiving coil, and a power receiving circuit. An identification tag having identification information of the shopping cart type commodity registration device is installed on the shopping cart body.

[0003] When the shopping cart body is stored on the power supply stand equipped with the power supply coil, the power receiving coil is electromagnetically coupled with the power supply coil. The power receiving circuit charges the secondary battery through the power generated by the power receiving coil. A detection unit for detecting the identification tag is provided on the power supply stand. The detection unit detects that the shopping cart type commodity registration device enters the power supply stand or is taken out of the power supply stand.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-125967 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] As shown in Patent Document 1, an identification tag is attached to a shopping cart used in a store, and identification information is read from the identification tag at a storage location of the shopping cart, thereby detecting the return of the shopping cart to the storage location.

[0009] On the other hand, however, in a facility such as a large commercial facility with a large number of shopping carts, identification tags must be installed on all shopping carts in order to manage the shopping carts, which may take a lot of time and effort. In addition, not only the initial cost for introducing a large number of identification tags, but also the cost for maintaining and managing the large number of identification tags may increase.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile object information providing system and a mobile object storage device capable of providing information of a mobile object to a user simply and at low cost.

[0011] Means used to solve problems

[0012] The mobile body information providing system disclosed in the present invention provides information indicating whether there is a mobile body in a mobile body storage device. The mobile body information providing system includes a wireless tag, a wireless tag reader, a server, and a radio wave blocking component for blocking wireless communication between the wireless tag and the wireless tag reader. The wireless tag is set in the mobile body storage device and stores identification information of the mobile body storage device. The wireless tag reader obtains identification information from the wireless tag through wireless communication with the wireless tag. The server is connected to the wireless tag reader for communication. The radio wave blocking component is configured to block wireless communication when there is no mobile body in the mobile body storage device and connect wireless communication when there is a mobile body in the mobile body storage device. The wireless tag sends a signal containing identification information to the wireless tag reader through wireless communication. The wireless tag reader sends information containing the reception time of the signal and the identification information to the server. The server can communicate with the terminal device, and based on the information from the wireless tag reader, detects whether there is a mobile body in the mobile body storage device at the current time and notifies the terminal device.

[0013] The mobile body storage device disclosed in the present invention stores a mobile body, and the mobile body storage device includes: a wireless tag that stores identification information of the mobile body storage device; and a radio wave blocking component that is used to block wireless communication between an external wireless tag reader and the wireless tag. The radio wave blocking component has a box-shaped appearance and is configured to block wireless communication by storing the wireless tag inside. The radio wave blocking component is arranged at a position abutted by the mobile body stored in the mobile body storage device. The radio wave blocking component uses the force received from the mobile body entering the mobile body storage device to expose the wireless tag from the radio wave blocking component, thereby connecting wireless communication.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a mobile object information providing system and a mobile object storage device that can provide information of a mobile object to a user simply and at low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is an overall configuration diagram of a mobile object information providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0018] Figure 3 is from Figure 2 A top view of the wireless communication device viewed in the direction of arrow A.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication device.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication device.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a wireless communication device and a server.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of installation of a plurality of wireless communication devices within a commercial facility.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining a shopping cart storage database stored in a server.

[0024] Fig. 9 This is a diagram for explaining reception of log information.

[0025] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining an empty shopping cart information database.

[0026] Fig.11 This is a diagram for explaining the screen data generation process in the server.

[0027] Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining the screen data generation process in the server.

[0028] Fig.13 A diagram showing an example of a display screen of a terminal device.

[0029] Fig.14 This is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of processing executed in the mobile object information providing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

[0031] <Application example of mobile object information provision system>

[0032] The mobile object information providing system of this embodiment is a system for providing information of mobile objects used in a facility to users of the facility. Hereinafter, a commercial facility will be described as an example of a facility to which the mobile object information providing system of this embodiment is applied.

[0033] In commercial facilities, shopping carts are used as mobile objects for carrying commodities purchased by users, namely shoppers. The shopping carts are so-called handcarts, and are composed of a storage basket for loading commodities, wheels, handles, and the like.

[0034] Unused shopping carts are usually collected in a plurality of shopping cart storages provided in a shopping facility. A shopper can go to a shopping cart storage to use a shopping cart. However, if there is no shopping cart in a shopping cart storage, the shopper must go to a plurality of shopping cart storages to look for a shopping cart, which takes time and effort. Alternatively, the manager of the facility who receives an inquiry from the shopper may search for the unused shopping cart, which may increase the workload of the manager.

[0035] In this embodiment, the mobile object information providing system is configured to provide information indicating whether there is a shopping cart in each shopping cart storage area to the shopping customer, thereby reducing the trouble of the shopping customer and improving the convenience of the shopping customer, and reducing the work burden of the facility management person in charge.

[0036] <Structure of mobile object information providing system>

[0037] Figure 1 It is an overall configuration diagram of a mobile object information providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the mobile object information providing system 100 includes a shopping cart storage 1 , wireless communication devices 10 and 30 , a server 40 , and a terminal device 50 .

[0039] (1) Shopping cart storage 1

[0040] The shopping cart storage 1 is installed in a shopping cart storage area provided in a commercial facility and is configured to store a plurality of shopping carts 2. In the shopping cart storage 1, a plurality of shopping carts 2 are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction. The shopping cart storage 1 corresponds to an embodiment of a "mobile storage device".

[0041] (2) Wireless communication device 10

[0042] The wireless communication device 10 is placed in the shopping cart storage area. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication device 10 is arranged in the shopping cart storage 1. Specifically, the wireless communication device 10 is arranged at a position where a part of the shopping cart 2 that has entered the front of the shopping cart storage 1 abuts. The shopping cart storage 1 is provided with a device for moving the shopping cart 2 in a predetermined direction (equivalent to Figure 1 The stopper stops the movement of the shopping cart 2 by contacting a part of the shopping cart 2 (for example, a wheel or a storage basket, etc.).

[0043] The wireless communication device 10 is disposed at a position where a portion of the stopped shopping cart 2 abuts. Figure 1In the example, the wireless communication device 10 is arranged at a position where the front end portion of the storage basket 3 of the shopping cart 2 abuts. The arrangement position of the wireless communication device 10 is not limited to this, and any position may be a position where a part of the shopping cart 2 stored in the shopping cart storage 1 abuts.

[0044] The wireless communication device 10 is configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device 30 using a short-range wireless communication method. In the short-range communication method, for example, a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard can be used. The wireless communication device 10 includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag (not shown). The IC tag corresponds to an embodiment of a "wireless tag".

[0045] IC tags are generally classified into passive tags and active tags according to whether they are equipped with a power source. A passive tag is an IC tag that does not carry a power source and uses radio waves from an IC reader as an energy source to operate. An active tag is an IC tag with a built-in power source. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is configured to include a passive tag. That is, the wireless communication device 10 operates by receiving radio waves from the wireless communication device 30. The IC tag is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag or an NFC tag.

[0046] The IC tag is composed of an antenna, a processing circuit, and a memory. The memory stores identification information (hereinafter referred to as "shopping cart storage location ID") assigned to each shopping cart storage location. The shopping cart storage location ID is read from the memory based on an instruction from the processing circuit.

[0047] Next, use Figures 2 to 5 A configuration example of the wireless communication device 10 will be described.

[0048] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II. Figure 3 is from Figure 2 1 is a top view of the wireless communication device 10 viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the wireless communication device 10 includes an IC tag 12 , a radio wave blocking member 20 , a supporting member 14 , a weight member 15 , a contact member 16 , and an auxiliary member 18 .

[0050] As described above, the IC tag 12 is a passive tag. The radio wave blocking component 20 has a rectangular box-like appearance and stores the IC tag 12 inside. The radio wave blocking component 20 is installed in the shopping cart storage 1. Figure 1In the example, the radio wave blocking member 20 is arranged at a position that abuts against the front end portion of the storage basket 3 of the shopping cart 2 stored in the shopping cart storage 1.

[0051] The radio wave blocking component 20 is configured to block radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12. Specifically, the radio wave blocking component 20 includes flat plate portions 21, 22, 23, rotating shaft portions 24, 25, and buffers 26, 27. The flat plate portions 21, 22, 23, the rotating shaft portions 24, 25, and the buffers 26, 27 are formed of a material that does not allow radio waves to pass (attenuates radio waves), such as iron or aluminum.

[0052] Openings are formed on the upper surface and side surfaces of the radio wave blocking member 20. The opening on the upper surface of the radio wave blocking member 20 has a rectangular shape and is covered by the flat plate portions 21 and 22. Figure 3 As shown, the flat plate portions 21 and 22 each have a rectangular shape. The flat plate portions 21 and 22 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction so as to be adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shopping cart enters as shown by arrow A1 in the figure.

[0053] Buffer members 26 and 27 are mounted on the flat plate portions 21 and 22 , respectively. The buffer members 26 and 27 are provided to close the gap between the flat plate portions 21 and 22 and to prevent the flat plate portions 21 and 22 from contacting each other.

[0054] The opening of the side surface of the radio wave blocking member 20 is formed on the side surface facing the shopping cart 2 entering the shopping cart storage 1. The opening of the side surface has a rectangular shape and is covered by a rectangular flat plate portion 23.

[0055] The upper end of the flat plate portion 23 is connected to the rotating shaft portion 25. The lower end of the flat plate portion 23 becomes a free end. The flat plate portion 23 has a first surface 23a forming the inner surface of the radio wave blocking component 20, and a second surface 23b forming the outer surface of the radio wave blocking component 20. A supporting component 14 and a weight component 15 are mounted on the first surface 23a. The supporting component 14 supports the IC tag 12. The supporting component 14 is formed of a material that allows radio waves to pass (without attenuating radio waves), such as plastic, wood, or paper. The weight component 15 is mounted on the lower end of the first surface 23a.

[0056] The contact member 16 is attached to the second surface 23b of the flat plate portion 23. The contact member 16 has a contact portion 17 that contacts the front end portion of the storage basket 3 of the shopping cart 2. The contact portion 17 has a cylindrical shape extending in the horizontal direction.

[0057] The auxiliary member 18 has a circular tube shape and is arranged to cover the contact portion 17. The auxiliary member 18 is configured to directly contact the front end of the storage basket 3 of the shopping cart 2 and rotate around the contact portion 17. Thus, friction between the contact portion 17 and the storage basket 3 can be avoided.

[0058] A rotation shaft 24 is connected to the end of the flat plate 21 on the shopping cart storage 1 side. The rotation shaft 24 extends in a direction perpendicular to the shopping cart entry direction A1. The flat plate 21 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 24.

[0059] A rotation shaft 25 is connected to the end of the flat plate 22 opposite to the flat plate 21. The rotation shaft 25 extends in a direction perpendicular to the shopping cart entry direction A1. The flat plate 22 and the flat plate 23 are rotatable around the rotation shaft 25.

[0060] When the shopping cart 2 is not stored in the shopping cart storage 1, the radio wave blocking member 20 blocks the radio waves sent from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 by enclosing the IC tag 12. Therefore, the IC tag 12 does not work, and wireless communication between the IC tag 12 and the wireless communication device 30 does not occur.

[0061] When the shopping cart 2 is stored in the shopping cart storage 1, the radio wave blocking member 20 enables radio waves to be transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12. Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, when the shopping cart 2 enters the shopping cart storage 1 , the storage basket 3 of the shopping cart 2 moves in the shopping cart entry direction A1 , and the front end portion thereof abuts against the abutment portion 17 of the abutment member 16 via the auxiliary member 18 .

[0062] In this state, when the shopping cart 2 is further pushed in the shopping cart entry direction A1, the abutting portion 17 abutting against the front end portion of the storage basket 3 is pushed into the inner side of the radio wave blocking component 20. Along with this, the flat plate portion 23 connected to the abutting component 16 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A2 in the figure with the rotating shaft portion 25 as the center. Furthermore, through the rotation of the rotating shaft portion 25, the flat plate portion 22 also rotates in the direction of the arrow A2 with the rotating shaft portion 25 as the center. As a result, the openings on the side and upper surface of the radio wave blocking component 20 are opened.

[0063] When the flat plate portion 23 rotates, the support member 14 and the weight member 15 fixed to the first surface 23a of the flat plate portion 23 also rotate in the direction of arrow A2 around the rotation shaft portion 25. At this time, the rotating support member 14 abuts against the flat plate portion 21. The flat plate portion 21 is lifted by the support member 14 and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A3 in the figure around the rotation shaft portion 24.

[0064] When the shopping cart 2 is further pushed toward the shopping cart entry direction A1, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, as the storage basket 3 moves forward, the flat plate portion 21 rotates around the rotating shaft portion 24, and the flat plate portions 22 and 23 rotate around the rotating shaft portion 25. As a result, the support member 14 is exposed from the opening of the upper surface of the radio wave blocking member 20. Since the support member 14 is formed of a material that allows radio waves to pass, the wireless communication device 30 can transmit radio waves to the IC tag 12. As a result, the IC tag 12 operates by the radio waves received from the wireless communication device 30.

[0065] As described above, the radio wave blocking component 20 is configured to block radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 when there is no shopping cart 2 in the shopping cart storage 1, and to enable radio waves to be transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 when there is a shopping cart 2 in the shopping cart storage 1. Thus, when there is no shopping cart 2 in the shopping cart storage 1, the wireless communication device 30 cannot perform wireless communication with the IC tag 12, but when the shopping cart 2 is stored in the shopping cart storage 1, the wireless communication device 30 can perform wireless communication with the IC tag 12.

[0066] In this way, the radio wave blocking member 20 is configured to switch the connection and blocking of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the IC tag 12 according to whether the shopping cart 2 is in the shopping cart storage 1. Therefore, by detecting the connection and blocking of the wireless communication, it is possible to determine whether the shopping cart 2 is in the shopping cart storage 1.

[0067] In addition, although not shown in the figure, when the shopping cart 2 is withdrawn from the shopping cart storage 1, the storage basket 3 moves in the direction opposite to the shopping cart entry direction A1, and the flat plate parts 22 and 23 rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A2 with the rotation axis part 25 as the center by the gravity of the weight component 15. At this time, the flat plate part 21 also rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A3 with the rotation axis part 24 as the center. The openings on the upper surface and the side of the radio wave blocking component 20 are covered by the flat plate parts 21, 22, and 23, and the IC tag 12 is stored inside the radio wave blocking component 20 again. As a result, the radio waves sent from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 are blocked.

[0068] In this way, the switching of the connection and blocking of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the IC tag 12 is realized by utilizing the force received by the radio wave blocking member 20 from the shopping cart 2 entering the shopping cart storage 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated circuit for switching the wireless communication for detecting the entry and exit of the shopping cart 2. Therefore, the switching of the wireless communication can be performed with a simple and low-cost structure.

[0069] (3) Wireless communication device 30

[0070] The wireless communication device 30 is set to be located within a communication range of about 10 meters from the wireless communication device. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the wireless communication device 30 is disposed in the shopping cart storage 1. The wireless communication device 30 operates by receiving power from a power source (not shown), and is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless communication device 10 using a communication method in accordance with the NFC standard, for example. In addition, as described above, the wireless communication device 10 is configured to include the IC tag 12 as a passive tag, and therefore operates by radio waves from the wireless communication device 30.

[0071] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless communication device 30. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , as main components, the wireless communication device 30 includes a processor 31 for executing a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 for non-volatilely storing data, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33 for volatilely storing data generated by the processor 31 executing the program or data input via an input device (not shown), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 for non-volatilely storing data, a communication interface 35, and an IC reader 36. The components are connected to each other via a data bus 37.

[0072] The communication interface 35 is an interface for communicating with the server 40. The HDD 34 corresponds to an embodiment of a "non-volatile storage device" for storing reception log information indicating a reception history of response signals from the wireless communication device 10 (IC tag 12). The wireless communication device 30 may include other non-volatile storage devices instead of or in addition to the HDD 34.

[0073] The IC reader 36 obtains the shopping cart storage location ID from the IC tag 12 of the wireless communication device 10. The IC reader 36 corresponds to an embodiment of a "wireless tag reader". Specifically, the IC reader 36 is configured to include an antenna and a processing circuit. The IC reader 36 transmits a request signal to the surroundings via the antenna at regular intervals in accordance with the NFC standard. The IC tag 12 of the wireless communication device 10 receives the request signal sent from the IC reader 36 and operates. The IC tag 12 generates a response signal including the shopping cart storage location ID stored in the memory, modulates it, and transmits it to the IC reader 36. When the wireless communication device 30 receives the response signal sent from the wireless communication device 10 in response to the request signal, it demodulates the shopping cart storage location ID included in the response signal and transmits it to the server 40.

[0074] In addition, regarding the signal exchange between the IC reader 36 and the IC tag 12, the signal exchange is realized when there is a shopping cart 2 in the shopping cart storage 1 through the above-mentioned radio wave blocking component 20, and the signal exchange is not realized when there is no shopping cart 2 in the shopping cart storage 1.

[0075] return Figure 1 The wireless communication device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the server 40 and the terminal device 50. The communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the server 40, and the communication between the server 40 and the terminal device 50 are performed wirelessly. The communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the server 40 can be wired or wireless. The communication between the server 40 and the terminal device 50 is performed via a communication network NW (typically the Internet).

[0076] In addition, Figure 1 In the figure, only one shopping cart storage is shown, but the number of shopping cart storages provided in the commercial facility is not limited thereto. When a plurality of shopping cart storages are provided in the commercial facility, a plurality of shopping cart storages 1 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of shopping cart storages, respectively. Furthermore, a plurality of wireless communication devices 10 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of shopping cart storages 1, respectively, and a plurality of wireless communication devices 30 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of wireless communication devices 10, respectively.

[0077] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a plurality of wireless communication devices 10 and 30 in a commercial facility. Figure 7 Schematically shows a plan view of a commercial facility viewed from the ceiling.

[0078] like Figure 7 As shown, a plurality of entrances and exits (front entrance ENTa, east entrance ENTb, parking entrance ENTc, west entrance ENTd) are provided in the commercial facility for shoppers to enter and exit the facility. Shopping cart storage areas are provided near each entrance and exit for gathering unused shopping carts 2. Shopping cart storage rooms 1 are provided in each shopping cart storage area.

[0079] A wireless communication device 10 is provided in each shopping cart storage 1. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , four shopping cart storages 1a to 1d are provided so as to correspond to the four entrances ENTa to ENTd, respectively. Wireless communication devices 10a to 10d are provided in the shopping cart storages 1a to 1d, respectively.

[0080] Unique identification information (shopping cart storage ID) is assigned to each wireless communication device 10 for each shopping cart storage. For example, the wireless communication device 10a installed at the front entrance ENTa is assigned "a" as the shopping cart storage ID, the wireless communication device 10b installed at the east entrance ENTb is assigned "b" as the shopping cart storage ID, the wireless communication device 10c installed at the parking lot entrance ENTc is assigned "c" as the shopping cart storage ID, and the wireless communication device 10d installed at the west entrance ENTd is assigned "d" as the shopping cart storage ID.

[0081] The shopping cart storage location ID assigned to each wireless communication device 10 is associated with the installation location of the shopping cart storage location and stored in the server 40 . Figure 8 4 is a diagram for explaining a shopping cart storage database stored in the server 40. Figure 8 As shown, for each wireless communication device 10, the shopping cart storage location ID and the installation location are associated with each other and registered in the shopping cart storage location database.

[0082] The wireless communication device 30 is configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10 existing in the communication range. The area RGN in the figure schematically shows the communication range of the wireless communication device 30. The communication range corresponds to the signal transmission range of the wireless communication device 30 and has a circular shape with a radius of several meters. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , four wireless communication devices 30 a to 30 d are provided so as to correspond to the four wireless communication devices 10 a to 10 d , respectively.

[0083] Each wireless communication device 30 transmits a request signal at regular intervals. When each wireless communication device 30 receives a response signal transmitted from a corresponding wireless communication device 10, it associates the reception time of the response signal with the shopping cart storage location ID included in the response signal and stores it in the HDD 34. Reception log information indicating the reception history of the response signal is generated in the HDD 34 of each wireless communication device 30. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining receiving log information. Fig. 9 , as an example, the reception log information of the wireless communication device 30a is shown. The reception log information records the reception time of the response signal and the shopping cart storage ID given to the wireless communication device 10a which is the transmission source of the response signal.

[0084] The wireless communication device 30a samples the received signal at a predetermined sampling period (for example, 30 seconds). Fig. 9 In the example, the wireless communication device 30a samples the response signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 10a every 30 seconds. The reception time of the response signal and the shopping cart storage location ID "a" of the wireless communication device 10a are recorded in the reception log information of the wireless communication device 30a.

[0085] Each wireless communication device 30 transmits the communication device ID as identification information of the wireless communication device 30 and the reception log information stored in the HDD 34 to the server 40 at a predetermined period (for example, 3 minutes). At this time, by deleting part of the reception log information already stored in the HDD 34, the memory capacity of the HDD 34 used for storing the reception history can be reduced.

[0086] In addition, each wireless communication device 30 is not limited to being configured to periodically send reception log information to the server 40 according to the above-mentioned prescribed period, and may be configured to send reception log information of the most recent prescribed time (for example, 3 minutes) in response to a transmission request from the server 40.

[0087] (4) Server 40

[0088] The server 40 has a function of managing the shopping cart 2 existing in the commercial facility. As an example, the server 40 is installed in an operating company that operates the commercial facility. The server 40 can be used by a management person who has entrusted the management of the commercial facility to the operating company.

[0089] Figure 6 An example of the hardware structure of the server 40 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the server 40 includes, as main components, a processor 41 for executing a program, a ROM 42 for non-volatilely storing data, a RAM 43 for volatilely storing data generated by the processor 41 executing the program or data input via an input device (not shown), an HDD 44 for non-volatilely storing data, and a communication interface 45. Each component is connected to each other via a data bus 46. In addition, the communication interface 45 is an interface for communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the terminal device 50. The HDD 45 corresponds to an embodiment of a "non-volatile storage device". The server 40 may also include other non-volatile storage devices instead of or together with the HDD 45.

[0090] When receiving the reception log information from the wireless communication device 30, the server 40 registers the reception log information in a database for managing unused shopping carts 2 (hereinafter referred to as an "empty shopping cart information database") stored in the HDD 45. When a plurality of wireless communication devices 30 are installed in a commercial facility, the reception log information of each wireless communication device 30 is registered in the empty shopping cart information database.

[0091] Fig.10 is a diagram for illustrating an empty shopping cart information database. Fig.10 As an example, Figure 7The reception log information of the four wireless communication devices 30a to 30d is shown as being registered in the empty shopping cart information database.

[0092] like Fig.10 As shown, the four wireless communication devices 30a to 30d transmit reception log information together with their own communication device IDs to the server 40 at a predetermined period (e.g., 3 minutes). As described above, the reception log information includes the reception time of the response signal from the wireless communication device 10 and the shopping cart storage location ID included in the response signal.

[0093] When receiving reception log information from each of the four wireless communication devices 30a to 30d, the server 40 registers the reception log information in the empty shopping cart information database. Specifically, the server 40 sorts all the reception log information of the four wireless communication devices 30a to 30d in the order of the reception time of the response signal. The empty shopping cart information database is composed of a table having a column of the reception time of the response signal and a column of the shopping cart storage location ID.

[0094] The server 40 can grasp when a shopping cart 2 was stored in which shopping cart storage 1 and when a shopping cart 2 was used up from which shopping cart storage 1 based on the content registered in the empty shopping cart information database. In addition, by sorting the received log information in the order of the reception time of the response signal, it can be easily grasped whether there is a shopping cart 2 in each shopping cart storage at the latest time.

[0095] The server 40 generates information indicating whether there is a shopping cart 2 in each shopping cart storage location at the current moment based on the information registered in the empty shopping cart information database. For example, the server 40 generates screen data (typically a web screen) indicating whether there is a shopping cart 2 in each shopping cart storage location. Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the generation process of the screen data in the server 40 is explained.

[0096] like Fig.11 As shown, the server 40 first generates display data for generating screen data (WEB screen) using the empty shopping cart information database and the shopping cart storage database stored in the HDD 45 .

[0097] Specifically, the server 40 extracts the most recent reception log information of a specified time from the reception log information registered in the empty shopping cart information database. The server 40 uses the shopping cart storage database to aggregate the extracted most recent reception log information of a specified time for each shopping cart storage, thereby generating data for WEB screen display.

[0098] exist Fig.11In the example, shopping cart storage IDs "a", "b", and "d" are detected within the most recent specified time, while shopping cart storage ID "c" is not detected. Therefore, it can be determined that shopping carts 2 are stored in the shopping cart storage 1 at the front entrance ENTa, the east entrance ENTb, and the west entrance ENTd, that is, there are shopping carts 2 in the shopping cart storage. On the other hand, it can be determined that no shopping carts 2 are stored in the shopping cart storage 1 at the parking lot entrance ENTc, that is, there are no shopping carts in the shopping cart storage.

[0099] The server 40 generates web screen display data based on the most recent reception log information at a predetermined time, so as to include information indicating whether there is a shopping cart 2 in each shopping cart storage at the current time. Next, the server 40 generates a web screen using the generated web screen display data.

[0100] Specifically, if Fig.12 As shown, the server 40 generates an image showing a plan view of the shopping mall, and an object 70 showing the presence or absence of a shopping cart 2 is arranged on the plan view. Fig.12 In the example, an object 70 indicating the presence or absence of a shopping cart 2 is arranged for each of the four shopping cart storages. An object 70 indicating the presence of a shopping cart 2 is arranged at the front entrance ENTa, the east entrance ENTb, and the west entrance ENTd, and an object 70 indicating the absence of a shopping cart 2 is arranged at the parking lot entrance ENTc. Based on the request signal transmitted from the terminal device 50, the server 40 transmits the generated screen data to the terminal device 50 as the transmission source.

[0101] (5) Terminal device 50

[0102] return Figure 1 The terminal device 50 is connected to the server 40 via a communication network NW (typically the Internet) in a communicable manner. The terminal device 50 is an information processing device having a communication function and a display function, and is typically a smart phone and a tablet. The terminal device 50 can be used by shopping customers. In addition, the terminal device 50 is not limited to a portable terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet, but may also be a PC (Personal Computer) installed in a commercial facility.

[0103] The terminal device 50 typically has a web browser. The terminal device 50 accesses the server 40 and displays screen data (WEB screen) on its own device. In addition, the terminal device 50 needs to log in to the server 40 in order to display the screen data.

[0104] Fig.13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the terminal device 50. Fig.13As shown, the server 40 is accessed according to the user operation of the terminal device 50, whereby the terminal device 50 displays the WEB screen on the display. Fig.12 As described in , the web screen includes an image showing whether there is a shopping cart 2 at the current moment for each shopping cart storage. Thus, the terminal device 50 can let the shopper U know in which shopping cart storage there is a shopping cart 2.

[0105] <Flow of mobile object information provision processing>

[0106] Fig.14 This is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of processing executed in the mobile object information providing system 100.

[0107] like Fig.14 As shown, in the wireless communication device 30 installed in the shopping cart storage area, the IC reader 36 transmits a request signal to the surrounding area at regular intervals through the process P1.

[0108] In the wireless communication device 10 provided in the shopping cart storage 1, the radio wave blocking component 20 blocks the radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 when the shopping cart 2 is not stored in the shopping cart storage 1. In this state, when the shopping cart 2 is stored in the shopping cart storage 1, the radio wave blocking component 20 enables the radio waves to be transmitted from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12.

[0109] When the IC tag 12 receives the request signal from the IC reader 36 of the wireless communication device 30 through process P2, the IC tag 12 operates using the radio wave of the request signal through process P3. The wireless communication device 10 generates a response signal through process P4, and the response signal includes the shopping cart storage location ID stored in the IC tag 12. The wireless communication device 10 modulates the generated response signal through process P5 and transmits it to the IC reader 36.

[0110] The wireless communication device 30 generates reception log information in process P6 when receiving the response signal from the wireless communication device 10. The wireless communication device 30 transmits the generated reception log information to the server 40 in process P7.

[0111] Before communicating with the wireless communication device 30, the server 40 generates a shopping cart storage database ( Figure 8 The location of the shopping cart storage (shopping cart storage 1) installed in the commercial facility is associated with the shopping cart storage ID and registered in the shopping cart storage database.

[0112] When the server 40 receives the receiving log information sent in process P7, it generates an empty shopping cart information database ( Fig.10The server 40 generates screen data (WEB screen) through process P10 based on the shopping cart storage database generated in process P8 and the empty shopping cart information database generated in process P10.

[0113] The terminal device 50 accesses the server 40 in accordance with the user operation on the terminal device 50 through processing P11, and sends a request to send screen data. When the server 40 receives the request to send screen data from the terminal device 50, it sends the screen data (WEB screen) generated through processing P10 to the terminal device 50 that is the source of the request through processing P12. The terminal device 50 receives the screen data through processing P13, and displays the screen (WEB screen) based on the screen data on the display.

[0114] As described above, according to the mobile object information providing system of the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is mounted in the shopping cart storage 1 storing the shopping cart 2, and the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless communication device 30 is switched between connection and disconnection according to whether the shopping cart 2 is in the shopping cart storage 1, thereby being able to detect whether the shopping cart 2 is in the shopping cart storage 1 based on the state of the wireless communication. As a result, it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device on each shopping cart as in the prior art, and thus a simple and low-cost mobile object information providing system can be realized.

[0115] Furthermore, in the mobile object information providing system of the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned structure, the wireless communication device 10 is constituted by using the IC tag 12 and the radio wave blocking component 20, and the radio wave blocking component 20 is configured so as to switch between sending radio waves from the wireless communication device 30 to the IC tag 12 and blocking the radio waves according to whether the shopping cart 2 is present in the shopping cart storage 1, thereby enabling a passive tag to be used as the IC tag 12. Therefore, the wireless communication device 10 can be miniaturized and cost-effective.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above structure, the switching of the connection and blocking of the wireless communication by the radio wave blocking member 20 is realized by utilizing the force received by the shopping cart 2 entering the shopping cart storage 1, thereby eliminating the need to provide a dedicated circuit for detecting the entry and exit of the shopping cart 2 and switching the wireless communication. Thus, the switching of the wireless communication can be performed with a simple structure.

[0117] <Other application examples of the mobile object information providing system>

[0118] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a configuration example using a passive tag as the IC tag 12 included in the wireless communication device 10 is described, but the mobile object information providing system of the present disclosure can be realized even if an active tag is used as the IC tag 12. However, as described above, by using a passive tag as the IC tag 12, the wireless communication device 10 can be miniaturized and reduced in cost, which is advantageous in terms of space saving and cost reduction in a large facility where a large number of shopping cart storages 1 are installed.

[0119] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure of the system that provides information related to whether there is a shopping cart at a shopping cart storage area to shopping customers in a commercial facility is illustrated, but the application example of the mobile body information providing system of this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the mobile body information providing system of the present invention can also be applied to a system that provides information related to whether there is a wheelchair at a wheelchair storage area to users of the facility in a medical facility or a nursing facility. In this case, when there is a wheelchair at the wheelchair storage area, the wireless communication device 10 set at the wheelchair storage area sends a signal. The wireless communication device 30 receives the signal and sends and receives log information to the server 40, thereby, the server 40 can provide the user with information such as the wheelchair at the wheelchair storage area. Alternatively, the mobile body information providing system of the present invention can also be applied to a system that provides users with information related to whether there is a cart at a shopping cart storage area in facilities such as a golf course or an amusement park.

[0120] The embodiments disclosed this time are merely illustrative in all aspects and should not be construed as limiting. The present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0121] Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1, 1a~1d shopping cart storage, 2 shopping cart, 3 storage basket, 10, 10a~10d, 30, 30a~30d wireless communication device, 12 IC tag, 14 supporting component, 15 counterweight component, 16 abutment component, 17 abutment portion, 18 auxiliary component, 20 radio wave blocking component, 21, 22, 23 flat plate portion, 24, 25 rotating shaft portion, 26, 27 buffer part, 31, 41 processor, 32, 42 ROM, 33, 43 RAM, 34, 44 HDD, 35, 45 communication interface, 36 IC reader, 37, 46 data bus, 40 server, 50 terminal device, 100 mobile body information providing system, NW communication network.

Claims

1. A mobile object information providing system, which provides information indicating whether a mobile object is present in a mobile object storage device, wherein: The mobile body information providing system comprises: a wireless tag, which is disposed on the mobile storage device and stores identification information of the mobile storage device; a wireless tag reader that obtains the identification information from the wireless tag through wireless communication with the wireless tag; A server, which is communicatively connected to the wireless tag reader; and an electric wave blocking component for blocking the wireless communication between the wireless tag and the wireless tag reader, The radio wave blocking component is configured to block the wireless communication when the mobile object is not in the mobile object storage device, and to connect the wireless communication when the mobile object is in the mobile object storage device. The wireless tag transmits a signal including the identification information to the wireless tag reader through the wireless communication, The wireless tag reader transmits information including the reception time of the signal and the identification information to the server, The server is capable of communicating with a terminal device, and detects whether the mobile object is currently in the mobile object storage device based on the information from the wireless tag reader, and notifies the terminal device of the information.

2. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 1, wherein: The wireless tag is a passive tag that operates by radio waves from the wireless tag reader. The radio wave blocking member is configured to block radio waves transmitted from the radio tag reader to the radio tag when the moving object is not in the moving object storage device.

3. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 1, wherein: The server includes a nonvolatile storage device storing a first database in which the installation location of the mobile storage device is associated with the identification information. The server detects whether the moving object is in the moving object storage device based on the information from the wireless tag reader using the first database.

4. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 2, wherein: The server includes a nonvolatile storage device storing a first database in which the installation location of the mobile storage device is associated with the identification information. The server detects whether the moving object is in the moving object storage device based on the information from the wireless tag reader using the first database.

5. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 3, wherein: The server generates a second database by sorting the information from the wireless tag reader in the order of the reception time of the signal and stores the second database in the non-volatile storage device. When receiving a request from the terminal device, based on the information of the most recent specified time stored in the second database, the server detects whether the mobile body is currently in the mobile body storage device and notifies the terminal device.

6. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 4, wherein: The server generates a second database by sorting the information from the wireless tag reader in the order of the reception time of the signal and stores the second database in the non-volatile storage device. When receiving a request from the terminal device, based on the information of the most recent specified time stored in the second database, the server detects whether the mobile body is currently in the mobile body storage device and notifies the terminal device.

7. The mobile object information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The radio wave blocking component has a box-shaped appearance and is configured to block the wireless communication by accommodating the wireless tag inside. The radio wave blocking member is disposed at a position abutting against the moving body accommodated in the moving body accommodation device, and the wireless tag is exposed from the radio wave blocking member using a force received from the moving body entering the moving body accommodation device, thereby establishing the wireless communication.

8. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 7, wherein: The radio wave blocking member is provided with an opening for exposing the wireless tag. The radio wave blocking component comprises: a flat plate portion for covering the opening; an abutting member abutting against the moving body; and a rotating shaft portion connected to the flat plate portion, The rotating shaft portion rotates the flat plate portion using the force received by the contact member from the moving body, thereby opening the opening.

9. The mobile object information providing system according to claim 8, wherein: The radio wave blocking member further includes an auxiliary member that covers a contact portion of the contact member that contacts the moving body.

10. A mobile object storage device for storing a mobile object, wherein: The mobile object storage device comprises: a wireless tag storing identification information of the mobile storage device; and an electric wave blocking component for blocking wireless communication between an external wireless tag reader and the wireless tag, The radio wave blocking component has a box-shaped appearance and is configured to block the wireless communication by accommodating the wireless tag inside. The radio wave blocking member is disposed at a position abutting against the moving body accommodated in the moving body accommodation device, and the wireless tag is exposed from the radio wave blocking member using a force received from the moving body entering the moving body accommodation device, thereby establishing the wireless communication.

11. The movable object storage device according to claim 10, wherein: The radio wave blocking member is provided with an opening for exposing the wireless tag. The radio wave blocking component comprises: a flat plate portion for covering the opening; an abutting member abutting against the moving body; and a rotating shaft portion connected to the flat plate portion, The rotating shaft portion rotates the flat plate portion using the force received by the contact member from the moving body, thereby opening the opening.

12. The movable object storage device according to claim 11, wherein: The radio wave blocking member further includes an auxiliary member that covers a contact portion of the contact member that contacts the moving body.

13. The movable object storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The wireless tag is a passive tag that operates by radio waves from the wireless tag reader. The radio wave blocking member is configured to block radio waves transmitted from the radio tag reader to the radio tag when the moving object is not in the moving object storage device.

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