Communication terminal, control method, and program

Abstract

A communication terminal is provided with: a reception unit that switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels for each scanning interval, and receives a signal on the selected channel; and a control unit that causes the reception unit to receive the signal during a reception time that spans a plurality of scanning intervals in which a plurality of channels are selected, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication terminal, a control method, and a program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-173871 filed in Japan on October 31, 2022, and the contents are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a scanning time is set as a multiple of a beacon signal transmission interval based on a packet loss rate. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent document 1: U.S. Patent No. 10,499,361B2 Summary of the invention Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the channel as the frequency band of the received signal, the received power may deviate. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the received strength deviates according to the channel, there is a concern that the error in the position positioning based on the received strength of the beacon signal may become relatively large. Moreover, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to suppress the error in the position positioning based on the received strength of the beacon signal, it is necessary to receive the beacon signal for a relatively long time. Therefore, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a communication terminal, a control method, and a program that can suppress the reception time and receive sufficient signals. Solutions for solving problems

[0005] A communication terminal involved in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a receiving unit, which switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receives a signal on the selected channel; and a control unit, which causes the receiving unit to receive the signal during a receiving time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication terminal including: a receiving unit that switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receives a signal sent at a specified interval on the selected channel; and a control unit that causes the receiving unit to receive the signal during a receiving time that is shorter than the scanning interval and the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold.

[0007] A control method involved in one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a process of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal on the selected channel; and a process of controlling the receiving time in a manner such that the signal is received during the receiving time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a control method including: a process of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal sent at a specified interval on the selected channel; and a process of controlling the receiving time in a manner that is shorter than the scanning interval and the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold.

[0009] One method of the present disclosure involves a program that enables a computer to execute: a function of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal on the selected channel; and a function of controlling the receiving time in such a manner that the signal is received during the receiving time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present disclosure involves a program that causes a computer to execute: a process of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal sent at a specified interval on the selected channel; and a process of controlling the receiving time in a manner that is shorter than the scanning interval and the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system. Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmitting terminal. Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of a received signal log according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of reception time and data transmission time. Fig. 9 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the second embodiment. Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal according to the second embodiment. Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a signal received within a scanning interval of each channel in the communication terminal according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12A This is a graph showing an example of temporal variation of reception intensity. Fig. 12B This is a graph showing an example of the time change of the average value of the reception intensity. Fig.13 It is shown Fig.10 A diagram of an example of the processing from step S1001 to step S1002 illustrated in FIG. Fig.14 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the third embodiment. Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of a received signal log according to the third embodiment. Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal according to the third embodiment. Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of a signal received within a scanning interval of each channel in the communication terminal according to the third embodiment. Fig.18 It is shown Fig.16 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the processing of steps S1601 to S1605. Fig.19 This is a diagram showing an example of a signal received by the communication terminal during the scanning interval and the reception time according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 20 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the fifth embodiment. Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 22 Then Fig.21 A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal according to the fifth embodiment. Fig.23 It is a diagram showing an example of a scanning interval and a reception time in a communication terminal according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] (First Embodiment) Reference Figures 1 to 8 In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0013] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system 100. The communication system 100 includes a transmitting terminal 101, a communication terminal 102, and a server device 103. The communication system 100 may include a plurality of transmitting terminals 101. The communication terminal 102 and the server device 103 are connected via a network 104. For example, the network 104 is a mobile communication network, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or the like.

[0014] The transmitting terminal 101 uses a short-range wireless communication method to transmit a signal 111 at a specified interval in multiple frequency bands. Each of the multiple frequency bands is called a channel. The identification information 315 included in the signal 111 represents the identification information of the transmitting terminal 101 that is the transmission source of the signal 111. For example, the identification information 315 of the transmitting terminal 101 is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Device Address. For example, the channels of Bluetooth (registered trademark) include 79 channels, and in the position positioning using the Bluetooth beacon, the signal transmitted on the 37-39 channels among the 79 channels is used.

[0015] The communication terminal 102 switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval, and receives a signal 111 on the selected channel. Further, the communication terminal 102 generates signal data 112 based on the signal 111, and sends the generated signal data 112 to the server device 103. For example, the communication terminal 102 may be a smart watch, a card-type device, a ring-type device, a glasses-type device, a clothing-type device, etc.

[0016] The server device 103 accumulates the signal data 112 transmitted from the communication terminal 102, and analyzes the accumulated signal data 112. Then, the server device 103 outputs the analysis result of the accumulated signal data 112. For example, the signal data 112 associates the identification information of the transmission terminal 101, which is the transmission source of the signal 111, with the reception strength, and the server device 103 locates the position of the communication terminal 102 by analyzing the identification information of the transmission terminal 101 and the reception strength indicated by the signal data 112. In this case, the server device 103 outputs the position of the communication terminal 102 as the analysis result of the accumulated signal data 112.

[0017] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transmission terminal 101. The transmission terminal 101 includes a transmission unit 201 and the like.

[0018] The transmission unit 201 transmits the signal 111 at predetermined intervals in a plurality of frequency bands by short-distance wireless communication. The signal 111 includes identification information 315 for identifying the transmission terminal 101 that is the transmission source of the signal 111.

[0019] Figure 33 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 102. The communication terminal 102 includes a terminal storage unit 301, a communication unit 302, a reception unit 303, a time measurement unit 304, a control unit 305, a data processing unit 306, and the like.

[0020] The terminal storage unit 301 is a recording medium capable of recording various data, programs, etc., and is composed of, for example, a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a semiconductor memory, etc. The terminal storage unit 301 stores a scanning interval 311, a channel number 312, a received signal log 313 (see Figure 4 )wait.

[0021] The communication unit 302 is an interface for connecting to and communicating with the network 104. The communication unit 302 transmits the signal data 112 generated by the data processing unit 306 to the server device 103. The signal data 112 is composed of a group of identification information 315 of the signal 111 and reception strength 316 of the signal 111.

[0022] The receiving unit 303 switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval 311, and receives the signal 111 on the selected channel. Specifically, the receiving unit 303 switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval 311, and receives the signal 111 transmitted at a predetermined interval on the selected channel. The number of channels is the number of channels 312. The predetermined interval for transmitting the signal 111 is shorter than the scanning interval 311. Therefore, the signal 111 is transmitted once or multiple times in the scanning interval 311 on each channel.

[0023] The time measurement unit 304 measures the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 .

[0024] The control unit 305 and the data processing unit 306 execute various processes according to the programs and data stored in the terminal storage unit 301 .

[0025] The control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 during the reception time 314 of the plurality of scanning intervals 311 in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected. That is, the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 from the start time point of the reception time 314 to the end time point of the reception time 314. Here, the reception time 314 has a length spanning the plurality of scanning intervals 311, and the plurality of channels are respectively selected during the reception time 314.

[0026] Alternatively, the reception time 314 may be the product of the scanning interval 311 , the number of channels 312 , and a predetermined multiple N. The predetermined multiple N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and is predetermined based on the amount of signal data 112 required.

[0027] The data processing unit 306 registers the identification information 315 included in the signal 111 in the received signal log 313 in association with the reception strength 316 of the signal 111. Furthermore, the data processing unit 306 generates the signal data 112. The control unit 305 and the data processing unit 306 are implemented by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0028] Figure 4 31 is a diagram showing an example of a received signal log 313. In the received signal log 313, for a signal 111 received from a start time point of a reception time 314 to an end time point of a reception time 314, identification information 315 of the signal 111 and a reception strength 316 of the signal 111 are associated with each other.

[0029] For example, Figure 4 The illustrated received signal log 313 shows that from the start time point of the receiving time 314 to the end time point of the receiving time 314, the receiving unit 303 received the signal 111 including the identification information 315 indicating 100 at the receiving strength 316 of -63dBm, -65dBm and -67dBm. Figure 4 The illustrated received signal log 313 indicates that from the start time point of the receiving time 314 to the end time point of the receiving time 314 , the receiving unit 303 received the signal 111 including the identification information 315 indicating 200 at the receiving strength 316 of −70 dBm, −72 dBm, and −71 dBm.

[0030] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 103. The server device 103 includes a server storage unit 501, a communication unit 502, a control unit 503, and the like.

[0031] The server storage unit 501 is a recording medium capable of recording various data, programs, and the like, and is composed of, for example, a hard disk, an SSD, a semiconductor memory, and the like.

[0032] The communication unit 502 is an interface for connecting to the network 104 and performing communication. The communication unit 502 receives the signal data 112 from the communication terminal 102 via the network 104 .

[0033] The control unit 503 executes various processes according to the program and data stored in the server storage unit 501. For example, the control unit 503 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU. The control unit 503 includes a data analysis unit 511, a notification unit 512, and the like.

[0034] The data analysis unit 511 stores the signal data 112 received by the communication unit 502 in the server storage unit 501. Then, the data analysis unit 511 analyzes the signal data 112 stored in the server storage unit 501, and generates analysis result information 521 indicating the analysis result.

[0035] The notification unit 512 notifies a predetermined destination of the analysis result information 521. For example, the predetermined destination is a terminal used by an administrator of the server device 103 or the like, which is different from the communication terminal 102.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment.

[0037] In step S601, the receiving unit 303 selects a channel from a plurality of channels for receiving the signal 111. For example, when the position of the communication terminal 102 is located using a Bluetooth beacon, the receiving unit 303 selects a channel from channels 37 to 39 for receiving the signal 111.

[0038] In step S602, the time measurement unit 304 sets the start time of the reception time 314. In step S603, the time measurement unit 304 sets the start time of the reception time 314 set in step S602 as the start time of the scanning interval 311 of the channel selected in step S601.

[0039] In step S604, the control unit 305 causes the reception unit 303 to start signal reception processing on the selected channel from the start time point of the reception time 314. When the reception unit 303 starts the signal reception processing, the reception unit 303 waits for reception of the signal 111 before receiving the signal 111.

[0040] In step S605, the control unit 305 determines whether the receiving unit 303 has received the signal 111. If the receiving unit 303 has not received the signal 111 in step S605, the control unit 305 transfers the process to step S607. On the other hand, if the receiving unit 303 has received the signal 111 in step S605, the data processing unit 306 associates the identification information 315 included in the received signal 111 with the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 and registers it in the received signal log 313 in step S606. Then, the control unit 305 transfers the process to step S607.

[0041] In step S607, the time measurement unit 304 determines whether the time of the scanning interval 311 has elapsed from the start time point of the scanning interval 311. If the time of the scanning interval 311 has not elapsed from the start time point of the scanning interval 311, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S605. On the other hand, if the time of the scanning interval 311 has elapsed from the start time point of the scanning interval 311 in step S607, the control unit 305 transfers the process to step S608.

[0042] In step S608, the control unit 305 determines whether the reception unit 303 has executed the signal reception process during the reception time 314. When the reception unit 303 has executed the signal reception process within the reception time 314, the control unit 305 shifts the process to step S611.

[0043] On the other hand, if the receiving unit 303 does not perform the signal receiving process within the receiving time 314 in step S608, the receiving unit 303 switches the channel selected from the plurality of channels in step S609. In this way, the receiving unit 303 receives the signal 111 within the receiving time 314 across a plurality of scanning intervals 311, thereby suppressing the variation of the receiving strength 316 of the signal 111 received during the receiving time 314. Furthermore, since the receiving time 314 is determined based on the number of required signal data 112, the control unit 305 can suppress the receiving time 314 from being uselessly lengthened, and can make the receiving unit 103 receive the signal 111 a sufficient number of times. Then, in step S610, the time measuring unit 304 sets the time point at which the selected channel is switched in step S609 as the start time point of the scanning interval 311 for the selected channel. Then, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S605.

[0044] In step S611, the control unit 305 causes the reception unit 303 to terminate the signal reception process. When the reception unit 303 terminates the signal reception process, it terminates the reception of the waiting signal 111.

[0045] In step S612 , the data processing unit 306 generates the signal data 112 including the group of the identification information 315 and the reception strength 316 registered in the reception signal log 313 .

[0046] In step S613 , the communication unit 302 transmits the signal data 112 to the server device 103 via the network 104 .

[0047] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 103.

[0048] In step S701 , the communication unit 502 receives the signal data 112 .

[0049] In step S702 , the data analysis unit 511 stores the received signal data 112 in the server storage unit 501 .

[0050] In step S703, the data analysis unit 511 analyzes the signal data 112 accumulated in the server storage unit 501 and generates analysis result information 521. When the signal data 112 is accumulated in the server storage unit 501 for a plurality of times, the data analysis unit 511 analyzes the accumulated signal data 112 and generates analysis result information 521. For example, when the server device 103 stores the identification information of the transmitting terminal 101 and the position of the transmitting terminal 101 in association with each other, the data analysis unit 511 locates the position of the communication terminal 102 based on the identification information and the reception strength indicated by the signal data 112. In this case, the analysis result information 521 indicates the located position.

[0051] In the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 102 transmits the signal data 112 consisting of the group of the identification information 315 and the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 to the server device 103, and the server device 103 locates the position of the communication terminal 102, so the processing load in the communication terminal 102 is relatively low. Therefore, in the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment, it is easy to install the communication terminal 102 as a wearable device. As a result, the server device 103 can measure the position of the person wearing the communication terminal 102 installed as a wearable device.

[0052] In step S704, the notification unit 512 notifies a predetermined destination of the analysis result information 521. For example, when receiving a request signal from an administrator of the server device 103 or the like, the notification unit 512 notifies a predetermined destination of the analysis result information 521 at each predetermined timing.

[0053] Figure 8 801a, 802a, 801b, and 802b. The data transmission time 801b and 802b indicate the time when the communication terminal 102 transmits the signal data 112 to the server device 103. The data transmission interval indicates the time from the completion of the process of transmitting the signal data 112 to the completion of the process of transmitting the next signal data 112.

[0054] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication terminal 102 receives the signal 111 during the reception time 314 to transmit the signal data 112 to the server device 103 at each data transmission interval.

[0055] Further, Figure 8 The example of the scanning interval 311 of each channel and the received signal 111 in the receiving time 801a is shown. For example, assuming that the transmission interval is 250ms, the scanning interval 311 is 500ms, and the channels to be selected are channels 37 to 39. Figure 8 As shown, the receiving unit 303 receives the signal 111 received on different channels during a plurality of scanning intervals 311 in which channels 37 to 39 are respectively selected.

[0056] As described above, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment receives the signal 111 received on different channels in the reception time 314 spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311. Although the reception strength varies depending on the channel, the reception strength 316 can be suppressed by receiving the signal 111 in the reception time 314 spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311. Furthermore, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in power consumption by suppressing the variation of the reception strength 316 while receiving a sufficient number of signals 111 in the reception time 314.

[0057] In addition, the server device 103 according to the present embodiment analyzes a plurality of signals 111 received within the reception time 314. As a result, the server device 103 can suppress the deviation of the reception strength 316 due to the difference in channels, and can locate the position of the communication terminal 102 based on the signal 111 sufficient for position positioning. Therefore, in the position positioning based on the reception strength of the signal 111, the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment can obtain the signal 111 in a relatively short time, thereby suppressing the increase in power consumption while ensuring the accuracy of position positioning.

[0058] In addition, when the communication terminal 102 moves, the longer the reception time is, the greater the error in the position positioning based on the reception strength of the signal 111. However, since the communication system 100 involved in this embodiment can suppress the deviation of the reception strength 316 caused by the difference in the channel and can suppress the reception time 314 from being uselessly prolonged, the accuracy of the position positioning can be ensured even when the communication terminal 102 moves.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) Reference Figures 9 to 13 The second embodiment is described. In addition, in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. The configurations and processes having substantially the same functions as other embodiments are indicated by common reference numerals and descriptions are omitted, and the points different from other embodiments are described.

[0060] Fig. 9This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 The communication terminal 102 and Figure 3 The illustrated communication terminal 102 is different in that it includes a transmission interval calculation unit 901 and a data processing unit 902 instead of the data processing unit 306 .

[0061] The transmission interval calculation unit 901 calculates the transmission interval 911 when the transmitting terminal 101 transmits the signal 111 and stores the calculated transmission interval 911 in the terminal storage unit 301 so that the number of reception times of the signal 111 in each scanning interval 311 is the same in multiple scanning intervals 311 .

[0062] The control unit 305 according to the present embodiment receives the signal 111 from the reception unit 303 at the transmission interval 911 .

[0063] When the receiving unit 303 receives the signal 111 multiple times, the data processing unit 902 calculates the average value of the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 including the same identification information 315. Then, the data processing unit 902 generates signal data 903. The signal data 903 is composed of a group of the identification information 315 and the calculated average value. Here, the number of signal data 903 becomes less than the number of times the signal 111 is received during the reception time 314. In addition, the number of signal data 903 varies depending on the method in which the server device 103 locates the position of the communication terminal 102. For example, the communication terminal 102 sends the data with the highest strength among the averaged data as signal data 903 to the server device 103, and the server device 103 locates the position of the communication terminal 102 based on the received signal data 903. In addition, for example, the communication terminal 102 may also send a predetermined number of data with relatively high strength among the averaged data as signal data 903 to the server device 103, and the server device 103 locates the position of the communication terminal 102 based on the predetermined number of signal data 903.

[0064] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 Prior to the processing of step S601 illustrated, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 calculates the transmission interval 911 so that the number of reception signals 111 in each scanning interval 311 remains the same in a plurality of scanning intervals 311. Furthermore, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 sets the reception time 314 to an integer of the transmission interval of the beacon × the number of channels. Then, when the reception time 314 is set, the control unit 305 starts the processing of step S601.

[0065] exist Figure 6 When the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to end the signal reception process in the illustrated step S611, the data processing unit 902 classifies the multiple groups of identification information 315 and reception strength 316 registered in the received signal log 313 according to each identical identification information 315 in step S1001.

[0066] In step S1002, data processing unit 902 calculates the average value of reception strength 316 associated with the same identification information 315 for the group classified in step S1001. In step S1003, data processing unit 902 generates signal data 903 composed of a group of identification information 315 and the average value calculated in step S1002.

[0067] In step S1004 , the communication unit 302 transmits the signal data 903 to the server device 103 .

[0068] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of the signal 111 received in the scanning interval 311 of each channel in the communication terminal 102 according to the second embodiment. Fig.11 The reception time 1101 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311 , in which channels 37 to 39 are respectively selected twice.

[0069] For example, when the scanning interval 311 is 300 ms and the receiving time 1101 is 1800 ms, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 determines the transmission interval to be 120 ms or 200 ms so that the number of times the signal 111 is received in each scanning interval 311 is 2 times. Alternatively, for example, when the scanning interval 311 is 500 ms and the receiving time 1101 is 3000 ms, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 determines the transmission interval to be 200 ms so that the number of times the signal 111 is received in each scanning interval 311 is 2 times. Alternatively, for example, when the scanning interval 311 is 1000 ms and the receiving time 1101 is 6000 ms, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 determines the transmission interval to be 400 ms so that the number of times the signal 111 is received in each scanning interval 311 is 2 times. In addition, the receiving time 1101 may be set to a time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311 in which channels 37 to 39 are selected once each. For example, when the scanning interval is 500 ms and the beacon transmission interval is 100 ms, the transmission interval calculation unit 901 may determine the reception time 1101 to be 1500 ms so that each of channels 37 to 39 is selected once.

[0070] Fig. 12A is a graph showing an example of the time variation of the reception intensity 316. Fig. 12AIn the figure, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is reception intensity. Fig. 12A As shown, the range of received strength 316 is different for each channel.

[0071] Fig. 12B 316 is a diagram showing an example of the time variation of the average value of the received intensity 316. Fig. 12B In the figure, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is reception intensity. Fig. 12B As shown in the example, when the transmission interval is the same, by receiving the signal 111 in the reception time 1202 which is longer than the reception time 1201, the number of averaged data becomes larger than when the signal 111 is received in the reception time 1201. As a result, Fig. 12B As illustrated, when the signal 111 is received at the receiving time 1202, the average value of the receiving strength 316 converges more than when the signal 111 is received at the receiving time 1201. In other words, the accuracy can be improved by increasing the number of data. Among them, the longer the receiving time 1101 is, the more the power consumption increases. For example, when the receiving time 1101 is the product of the scanning interval 311, the number of channels 312 and the specified multiple n, if the specified multiple n is too large, the power consumption increases. Therefore, for example, the upper limit value of the specified multiple n is preferably N=5. Further, in the state where the communication terminal 102 is moving, when the server device 103 performs position positioning based on the receiving strength 316 of the signal 111, the longer the receiving time 1101 is, the greater the movement of the communication terminal 102, and the greater the error of the position positioning may be. Therefore, the receiving time 1101 is preferably the time required for the average value of the receiving strength 316 to converge.

[0072] Fig.13 is exemplified in Fig.10 A view of an example of the processing of steps S1001-S1002 illustrated in FIG. Fig.13 In the illustrated received signal log 313 , identification information 315 indicating 100 and reception strength 316 are registered in association with each other, and identification information 315 indicating 200 and reception strength 316 are registered in association with each other.

[0073] In step S1001, the data processing unit 902 classifies the groups of the identification information 315 and the reception strength 316 registered in the received signal log 313 into a plurality of groups 1301 and a plurality of groups 1302. The plurality of groups 1301 are composed of the group of the identification information 315 indicating 100 and the reception strength 316. Specifically, the plurality of groups 1301 are composed of the group of the identification information 315 indicating 100 and the reception strength 316 of -63dBm, -65dBm, and -67dBm. In addition, the plurality of groups 1302 are composed of the group of the identification information 315 indicating 200 and the reception strength 316 of -70dBm, -72dBm, and -71dBm.

[0074] Then, in step S1002, data processing unit 902 calculates the average value of reception intensity 316 for multiple groups 1301 of identification information 315 indicating 100 and reception intensity 316, and generates group 1303 of identification information 315 indicating 100 and -65 dBm as the calculated average value. Furthermore, data processing unit 902 calculates the average value of reception intensity 316 for multiple groups 1302 of identification information 315 indicating 200 and reception intensity 316, and generates group 1304 of identification information 315 indicating 200 and -71 dBm as the calculated average value.

[0075] As described above, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment receives the signal 111 at the same transmission interval in a plurality of scanning intervals 311, and calculates the average value of the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 including the same identification information 315. Then, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment transmits the identification information 315 and the signal data 112 associated with the calculated average value to the server device 103. Thus, the server device 103 according to the present embodiment can further suppress the deviation of the reception strength 316 caused by the difference in the channel, and locate the position of the communication terminal 102.

[0076] (Third Embodiment) Reference Figures 14 to 18 The third embodiment is described. In addition, in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Thus, the configuration and processing having substantially the same functions as other embodiments are indicated by common reference numerals and the description is omitted, and the points different from other embodiments are described.

[0077] Fig.14 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. Fig.14The communication terminal 102 and Figure 3 The communication terminal 102 shown in the example is different in that it includes a data processing unit 1401 instead of the data processing unit 306, and stores a received signal log 1402 (see FIG. 1 ) in place of the received signal log 313 in the terminal storage unit 301. Fig.15 ).

[0078] The data processing unit 1401 calculates a first average value of the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 belonging to each group for a plurality of groups obtained by classifying a plurality of signals 111 including the same identification information 315 based on a quotient of the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 divided by the scanning interval 311. The plurality of groups are groups classified by dividing the quotient of the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 divided by the scanning interval 311 and then divided by the number of channels 312. Then, the data processing unit 1401 calculates a second average value which is an average value of the first average value. Then, the data processing unit 1401 generates the signal data 112 consisting of a group of the identification information 315 and the second average value.

[0079] Fig.15 14 is a diagram showing an example of a received signal log 1402. In the received signal log 1402, the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314, the identification information 315 of the signal 111, and the received strength 316 of the signal 111 are associated with each other. In the received signal log 1402, for the signal 111 received from the start time point of the reception time 314 to the end time point of the reception time 314, the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314, the identification information 315 of the signal 111, and the received strength 316 of the signal 111 are associated with each other.

[0080] For example, the received signal log 1402 indicates that the receiving unit 303 received the signal 111 including the identification information 315 indicating 100 at the time points of 10 ms, 321 ms, 615 ms, 912 ms, 1217 ms, and 1519 ms from the start time point of the received time 314. Furthermore, the received signal log 1402 indicates that the receiving unit 303 received the signal 111 including the identification information 315 indicating 200 at the time points of 53 ms, 360 ms, 655 ms, 958 ms, 1253 ms, and 1555 ms from the start time point of the received time 314.

[0081] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment.

[0082] exist Figure 6When the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to terminate the signal reception process in the illustrated step S611, the data processing unit 1401 classifies the multiple groups of identification information 315 and reception strength 316 registered in the received signal log 1402 according to each identical identification information 315 in step S1601.

[0083] In step S1602 , the data processing unit 1401 calculates a quotient of the elapsed time associated with the same identification information 315 divided by the scanning interval 311 for the group classified in step S1001 .

[0084] In step S1603 , the data processing unit 1401 classifies the classified groups into a plurality of groups according to a quotient obtained by dividing the calculated quotient by the number of channels 312 .

[0085] In step S1604 , the data processing unit 1401 calculates a first average value of the reception intensity 316 of each of the classified groups.

[0086] In step S1605 , the data processing unit 1401 calculates a second average value which is an average value of the first average values ​​for each group.

[0087] In step S1606 , the data processing unit 1401 generates the signal data 112 including a group of the identification information 315 and the second average value.

[0088] In step S1607 , the communication unit 302 transmits the signal data 112 to the server device 103 .

[0089] Fig.17 3 is a diagram showing an example of the scanning interval 311 for each channel and the signal 111 received within the receiving time 314 in the communication terminal 102 involved in the present embodiment. The number of receptions of the signal 111 received on the 37th channel is 4 times, the number of receptions of the signal 111 received on the 38th channel is 3 times, and the number of receptions of the signal 111 received on the 39th channel is 1 time. In this way, in the communication terminal 102 involved in the present embodiment, the number of receptions for each channel is not the same number of receptions, and there may be a deviation, so compared with the communication terminal 102 involved in the second embodiment, the degree of freedom of the receiving time 314 and the degree of freedom of the transmission interval can be improved.

[0090] Fig.18 It is shown Fig.16 A diagram showing an example of the processing of steps S1601 to S1605. Fig.18The illustrated received signal log 1402 registers the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 in association with the identification information 315 and the reception intensity 316 of the representation 100 , and also registers the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 in association with the identification information 315 and the reception intensity 316 of the representation 200 .

[0091] In step S1601 , the data processing unit 1401 classifies the elapsed time, the identification information 315 , and the reception intensity 316 registered in the reception signal log 1402 into a plurality of groups 1801 and a plurality of groups 1802 .

[0092] Multiple groups 1801 are composed of groups of elapsed time, identification information 315 indicating 100, and reception strength 316. Specifically, multiple groups 1801 are composed of groups associated with elapsed time of 10ms, 321ms, 615ms, 912ms, 1217ms, and 1519ms, identification information 315 indicating 100, and reception strength 316, respectively.

[0093] Multiple groups 1802 are composed of groups of elapsed time, identification information 315 indicating 200, and reception strength 316. Specifically, multiple groups 1802 are composed of groups associated with elapsed time of 53ms, 360ms, 655ms, 958ms, 1253ms, and 1555ms, identification information 315 indicating 200, and reception strength 316, respectively.

[0094] Then, in step S1602, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the quotient of the elapsed time divided by the scanning interval 311 for the plurality of groups 1801. For example, when the scanning interval 311 is 500 ms, the quotient of 10 ms, 321 ms, 615 ms, 912 ms, 1217 ms, and 1519 ms divided by 500 ms is calculated for the plurality of groups 1801. Then, in step S1603, the data processing unit 1401 divides the calculated quotient by 3, which is the number of channels 312, and classifies the groups into groups 1 to 3.

[0095] Similarly, in step S1602, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the quotient of the elapsed time divided by the scanning interval 311 for the plurality of groups 1802. For example, when the scanning interval 311 is 500 ms, the quotient of 53 ms, 360 ms, 655 ms, 958 ms, 1253 ms, and 1555 ms divided by 500 ms is calculated for the plurality of groups 1802. Furthermore, in step S1603, the data processing unit 1401 classifies the calculated quotient divided by the number of channels 312 (i.e., 3) into groups 1 to 3.

[0096] Then, in step S1604, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the first average value of the reception intensity 316 belonging to each group, for groups 1 to 3 in which the elapsed time, the identification information 315 indicating 100, and the reception intensity 316 are associated. Specifically, for group 1, the identification information 315 indicating 100 is associated with the first average value of -65 dBm. Also, for group 2, the identification information 315 indicating 100 is associated with the first average value of -64 dBm. Moreover, for group 3, the identification information 315 indicating 100 is associated with the first average value of -74 dBm.

[0097] Similarly, in step S1604, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the first average value of the reception intensity 316 belonging to each group, for groups 1 to 3 in which the elapsed time, the identification information 315 indicating 200, and the reception intensity 316 are associated. Specifically, for group 1, the identification information 315 indicating 200 is associated with the first average value of -79.7 dBm. Also, for group 2, the identification information 315 indicating 200 is associated with the first average value of -81.5 dBm. Also, for group 3, the identification information 315 indicating 200 is associated with the first average value of -86 dBm.

[0098] Next, in step S1605, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the second average value, which is the average value of the first average value associated with the identification information 315 indicating 200. Specifically, the data processing unit 1401 calculates the average value of -64dBm and -74dBm associated with the identification information 315 indicating 100, which is -67.7dBm, as the second average value associated with the identification information 315 indicating 100. Similarly, in step S1605, the data processing unit 1401 changes the average value of -79.7dBm, -81.5dBm, and -86dBm associated with the identification information 315 indicating 100, which is -82.4dBm, to the second average value associated with the identification information 315 indicating 200.

[0099] As described above, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment distributes the reception intensity 316 according to the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314, and calculates the average value of the reception intensity 316. Thus, even when the number of receptions of the signal 111 in each scanning interval 311 is different, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment can appropriately calculate the average value of the calculated reception intensity 316.

[0100] (Fourth Embodiment) Reference Fig.19The fourth embodiment is described. In addition, in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. The configurations and processes having substantially the same functions as other embodiments are indicated by common reference numerals and descriptions are omitted, and the points different from other embodiments are described.

[0101] The configuration of the communication terminal 102 involved in this embodiment is Figure 3 The configuration of the communication terminals 102 shown as examples is the same.

[0102] The control unit 305 according to the present embodiment causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 within the reception time 314 which is shorter than the scanning interval 311 and in which the number of times the signal 111 is received exceeds a threshold value.

[0103] The data processing unit 306 involved in this embodiment registers the identification information 315 contained in the signal 111 received at the receiving time 314 and the receiving strength 316 of the signal 111 in the receiving signal log 313 in association with each other when the number of times the receiving unit 303 receives the signal 111 at the receiving time 314 shorter than the scanning interval 311 exceeds a threshold.

[0104] Fig.19 314 is a diagram showing an example of the scanning interval 311 and the signal 111 received within the reception time 314 in the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. For example, when the number of times the receiving unit 303 receives the signal 111 exceeds the threshold value, that is, 7 times within the reception time 314 shorter than the scanning interval 311, the identification information 315 of the signal 111 is associated with the reception strength 316 and registered in the reception signal log 313. Here, since the reception time 314 is the time when the number of times the signal 111 is received exceeds the threshold value, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment does not need to measure the elapsed time from the time point when the signal reception process is started.

[0105] As described above, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment does not receive the signal 111 during a time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311, and thus can further suppress the deviation of the reception strength 316. Furthermore, the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment can shorten the reception time 314 compared to the case where the signal 111 is received during a time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals 311, thereby further suppressing power consumption.

[0106] (Fifth Embodiment) Reference Figure 20 to Figure 23The fifth embodiment is described. In addition, in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. The configurations and processes having substantially the same functions as other embodiments are indicated by common reference numerals and descriptions are omitted, and the points different from other embodiments are described.

[0107] Fig. 20 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 20 The communication terminal 102 is shown as an example. Figure 3 The communication terminal 102 shown in the example is different in that Fig. 20 In the illustrated communication terminal 102, a reception ratio control flag 2001 is stored in the terminal storage unit 301. The reception ratio control flag 2001 indicates a value for controlling the reception ratio 2002.

[0108] The control unit 305 according to the present embodiment controls the reception ratio 2002 in the scanning interval 311 according to the number of receptions of the received signal 111 when the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds the prescribed time. Specifically, the control unit 305 controls the reception unit 303 to receive the signal 111 in such a manner that the reception ratio 2002 is increased when the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds the prescribed time and the number of receptions is less than the first number. In addition, the control unit 305 controls the reception unit 303 to receive the signal 111 in such a manner that the reception ratio 2002 is decreased when the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds the prescribed time and the number of receptions is greater than the second number than the first number.

[0109] Fig.21 2101 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. When the control unit 305 starts the process of step S2101, the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 is assumed to be zero.

[0110] In step S2101 , the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 .

[0111] In step S2102 , the data processing unit 306 registers the identification information 315 included in the received signal 111 in the received signal log 313 in association with the reception strength 316 of the signal 111 .

[0112] In step S2103, the data processing unit 306 generates the signal data 112 composed of the group of the identification information 315 and the reception strength 316 registered in the reception signal log 313. In step S2104, the communication unit 302 transmits the signal data 112 to the server device 103.

[0113] In step S2105, the control unit 305 determines whether the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds the prescribed time. In step S2105, if the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 does not exceed the prescribed time, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S2101. On the other hand, in step S2105, if the time elapsed from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds the prescribed time, the control unit 305 transfers the process to step S2106.

[0114] In step S2106, the control unit 305 determines whether the number of receptions is less than the first number. In step S2106, if the number of receptions is less than the first number, in step S2107, the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 in such a way that the reception ratio 2002 increases. For example, the control unit 305 increases the reception ratio 2002 by increasing the reception sensitivity of the signal 111 in the receiving unit 303. The increase ratio of the reception ratio 2002 is, for example, 10%. Then, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S2101. On the other hand, if the number of receptions exceeds the first number in step S2106, the control unit 305 transfers the process to step S2108.

[0115] In step S2108, the control unit 305 determines whether the number of receptions is greater than the second number of times, which is greater than the first number of times. If the number of receptions is less than the second number of times in step S2108, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S2101. On the other hand, if the number of receptions is greater than the second number of times in step S2108, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S2101. Fig. 22 Illustrated step S2201.

[0116] Next, refer to Fig. 22 , the operation of the communication terminal 102 involved in this embodiment is continued to be described.

[0117] In step S2201 , the control unit 305 adds 1 to the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 .

[0118] In step S2202, the control unit 305 determines whether the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 is greater than a predetermined value. If the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 is less than the predetermined value in step S2202, the control unit 305 returns the process to Fig.21 On the other hand, if the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S2202, the control unit 305 shifts the processing to step S2203.

[0119] In step S2203, the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 in such a manner that the reception ratio 2002 is reduced. For example, the control unit 305 reduces the reception sensitivity of the signal 111 in the receiving unit 303, thereby reducing the reception ratio 2002. The reduction ratio of the reception ratio 2002 is, for example, 10%. Then, in step S2204, the control unit 305 sets the value indicated by the reception ratio control flag 2001 to 0. Then, the control unit 305 transfers the processing to Fig.21 The illustrated step is S2101.

[0120] Fig.23 314 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning interval 311 and a reception time 314 in the communication terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 305 controls the reception ratio 2002 according to the number of receptions in a state where the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time 314 exceeds a predetermined time. Fig.23 As illustrated, the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 within a time shorter than the scanning interval 311 of each channel. Then, after causing the receiving unit 303 to receive the signal 111 on each channel, the control unit 305 causes the receiving unit 303 to decrease the reception ratio 2002 so as not to receive the signal 111 until the channel selected by the receiving unit 303 is switched. Thus, the communication terminal 102 according to this embodiment can better suppress power consumption than the communication terminal 102 according to other embodiments.

[0121] The processing performed in the above-mentioned embodiments is not limited to the processing methods illustrated in the embodiments. The above-mentioned functional blocks can be implemented using any one of the logic circuits (hardware) formed in the integrated circuit or the like or the software using the CPU. The processing performed in the above-mentioned embodiments can also be performed in multiple computers. For example, the processing performed by each functional block of the control unit 305 of the communication terminal 102 can be partially performed by other computers, or all the processing can be shared by multiple computers.

[0122] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may also be replaced by a configuration substantially the same as that shown in the above-mentioned embodiments, a configuration having the same effect, or a configuration capable of achieving the same purpose. In the present disclosure, the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means respectively disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, new technical features may be formed by combining the technical solutions respectively disclosed in each embodiment.

Claims

1. A communication terminal, It is characterized in that include: a receiving section that switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receives a signal on the selected channel; as well as The control unit causes the receiving unit to receive the signal within a receiving time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The signal includes identification information, The communication terminal further includes a data processing unit that calculates an average value of reception strengths of signals including the same identification information when the receiving unit receives the signal a plurality of times.

3. The communication terminal according to claim 2, It is characterized in that further comprising a time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time, The data processing unit calculates a first average value of reception strength of signals belonging to each group for a plurality of groups obtained by classifying a plurality of signals including the same identification information based on a quotient obtained by dividing the elapsed time by the scanning interval.

4. The communication terminal according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The data processing unit calculates a second average value which is an average value of the first average values.

5. The communication terminal according to claim 3 or 4, It is characterized in that The plurality of groups are groups classified by dividing a quotient obtained by dividing the elapsed time by the scanning interval by the number of the plurality of channels.

6. A communication terminal, It is characterized in that include: a receiving section that switches a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval and receives a signal transmitted at a prescribed interval on the selected channel; as well as The control unit causes the receiving unit to receive the signal during a reception time that is shorter than the scanning interval and during which the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold value.

7. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 6, It is characterized in that The control unit controls the reception ratio in the scanning interval according to the number of reception times of the signal when the elapsed time from the start time point of the reception time exceeds a predetermined time.

8. The communication terminal according to claim 7, It is characterized in that In a state where the elapsed time exceeds the prescribed time, the control unit causes the receiving unit to receive the signal in a manner that increases the reception ratio when the number of receptions is less than a first number, and causes the receiving unit to receive the signal in a manner that decreases the reception ratio when the number of receptions is greater than a second number that is greater than the first number.

9. A control method, It is characterized in that include: The process of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal on the selected channel; as well as The step of controlling the reception time so that the signal is received during the reception time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

10. A control method, It is characterized in that include: A process of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval and receiving a signal transmitted at a predetermined interval on the selected channel; as well as The step of controlling the reception time so that the reception time is shorter than the scanning interval and the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold value.

11. A procedure, It is characterized in that Causes the computer to execute: a function of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels in each scanning interval and receiving a signal on the selected channel; and A function of controlling the reception time in such a manner that the signal is received in the reception time spanning a plurality of scanning intervals in which the plurality of channels are respectively selected.

12. A procedure, It is characterized in that Causes the computer to execute: a step of switching a channel selected from a plurality of channels at each scanning interval and receiving a signal transmitted at a predetermined interval on the selected channel; and The step of controlling the reception time so that the reception time is shorter than the scanning interval and the number of times the signal is received exceeds a threshold value.

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