Radio apparatus and physical distribution tracking system

Abstract

To provide a radio apparatus and a physical distribution tracking system capable of appropriately switching communication modes by detecting that the radio apparatus is not mounted on an aircraft.SOLUTION: A radio apparatus is a mobile radio apparatus and includes a sensor unit that measures the displacement of the radio apparatus, a transmitting unit that transmits a signal including information about the radio apparatus, a memory unit that stores predetermined displacement conditions in advance and stores a displacement history measured by the sensor unit, and a control unit that controls the communication mode of the transmitting unit based on the predetermined displacement conditions and displacement history stored in the memory unit. The control unit controls the communication mode of the transmitting unit to either a low output mode that suppresses the transmission output of the signal of the transmitting unit to a predetermined value or less, or a high output mode that increases the transmission output of the signal of the transmitting unit above the predetermined value, and when it is determined based on the predetermined displacement conditions and displacement history that the radio apparatus is not mounted on an aircraft, the control unit sets the communication mode of the transmitting unit to the high output mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless device and a logistics tracking system. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional wireless device management method for managing a wireless device in an aircraft by a processor of the device includes transitioning the wireless device from a first mode to a second mode by the processor based on data indicating a change in flight status of the aircraft, where one of the first mode and the second mode is a state of the wireless device in which a transmitter of the wireless device is deactivated, and the other of the first mode and the second mode is a state of the wireless device in which the transmitter is activated. The wireless device is transitioned from a normal mode to a disabled mode upon receiving data indicating the aircraft has taken off, and from a disabled mode to an airborne mode upon receiving data indicating the aircraft has reached cruising altitude (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2012-523987 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, wireless devices loaded onto aircraft are subject to strict restrictions on communication output power to avoid interfering with aircraft flight, and so conventional wireless device management methods change the mode of wireless devices when the aircraft is taking off or reaching cruising altitude.

[0005] However, it is extremely difficult for radio equipment such as wireless devices to detect aircraft movements such as pushback, taxiing, takeoff, cruising, descent, and landing in a timely manner, and it is difficult to meet strict constraints on communication power.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless device and a logistics tracking system that can appropriately switch communication modes by detecting that an aircraft is not in flight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a mobile wireless device comprising: a sensor unit that measures the displacement of the wireless device; a transmitter unit that transmits a signal including information about the wireless device; a memory unit that stores predetermined displacement conditions in advance and stores a displacement history measured by the sensor unit; and a control unit that controls the communication mode of the transmitter unit based on the predetermined displacement conditions and the displacement history stored in the memory unit, wherein the control unit controls the communication mode of the transmitter unit to either a low-power mode in which the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter unit is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, or a high-power mode in which the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter unit is increased above the predetermined value, and when it is determined based on the predetermined displacement conditions and the displacement history that the wireless device is not installed on an aircraft, the control unit sets the communication mode of the transmitter unit to the high-power mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] It is possible to provide a wireless device and a logistics tracking system that can appropriately switch communication modes by detecting that the device is not installed on an aircraft. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a usage mode of a wireless device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a usage mode of a wireless device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a logistics tracking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a wireless device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the wireless device and logistics tracking system of the present disclosure are applied will be described.

[0011] <Embodiment> 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of a usage mode of a wireless device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a state in which an article 50 to which the wireless device 100 is attached is loaded onto an aircraft 10 and transported. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the article 50 to which the wireless device 100 is attached is loaded onto a truck 20 and transported. The wireless device 100 is a mobile wireless device that is attached to the article 50 transported by the aircraft 10 or the truck 20.

[0012] As an example, wireless device 100 is a device that transmits a signal representing location information. Although the signal transmitted by wireless device 100 is not limited to a signal representing location information, a form of transmitting a signal representing location information will be described here as an example.

[0013] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a logistics tracking system 300 according to an embodiment. The logistics tracking system 300 includes a wireless device 100 and a server 200. The server 200 is an example of an information processing device. The logistics tracking system 300 may include a plurality of wireless devices 100. The server 200 is capable of data communication with each wireless device 100 via the base station 30A through the network 30 formed by the base station 30A, receives signals transmitted from each wireless device 100, and manages the location of each wireless device 100.

[0014] The goods 50 may be transported by an aircraft 10 as shown in FIG. 1 or by a truck 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The goods 50 may also be transported by a ship. Transporting the goods 50 by an aircraft 10 is air transport. Transporting the goods 50 by a truck 20 is land transport, and transporting the goods 50 by a ship is water transport. Water transport is transport by a ship navigating the sea, river, etc.

[0015] The items 50 are transported to various locations by air, land, or water transport, and the wireless devices 100 attached to the items 50 also move to various locations. The wireless devices 100 output signals representing location information at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined timing. The logistics tracking system 300 receives the signals transmitted by each wireless device 100 and manages the location (position) of each item 50 to which each wireless device 100 is attached.

[0016] Meanwhile, in the case of air transport, the transmission output of wireless device 100 is restricted for reasons of flight safety of aircraft 10. One such restriction is, for example, compliance with RTCA DO160 Section 21 Category H, which requires a transmission output of 20 dBm (100 mW) or less. Therefore, while air transport is being performed, wireless device 100 switches to a low-output mode that suppresses the transmission output to 20 dBm or less. In an environment where the radio wave intensity of base station 30A is lower than a certain standard, a signal transmitted in the low-output mode of 20 dBm or less is at a level that may fail to be received by base station 30A. In other words, the signal is at a level that fails to be received by base station 30A and cannot be received by server 200 via network 30.

[0017] Furthermore, when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not mounted on the aircraft 10 and that the radio wave intensity of the base station 30A is low, the wireless device 100 switches to a high-power mode in which the transmission output power is increased to a predetermined output power greater than 20 dBm. The signal transmitted by the wireless device 100 in the high-power mode is received by the server 200 via the network 30.

[0018] Under the most stringent conditions, for example, the wireless device 100 needs to be switched to the low power mode when the item 50 to which the wireless device 100 is attached is loaded onto the aircraft 10 and the loading door is closed in preparation for takeoff. Also, under the most stringent conditions, the wireless device 100 can be switched from the low power mode to the high power mode when the loading door is opened after the aircraft 10 arrives at its destination. That is, under the most stringent conditions, the wireless device 100 needs to be switched to the low power mode from the time the loading door is closed until the loading door is opened, during which the aircraft 10 performs operations such as pushback, taxiing, takeoff, cruising, descent, and landing.

[0019] The following describes the specific configuration of the wireless device 100 and a control method for switching the communication mode between the high-power mode and the low-power mode. The wireless device 100 does not detect that the aircraft 10 is flying, but performs switching control based on the reverse idea of ​​setting the communication mode to the high-power mode when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not on board the aircraft 10 and under necessary circumstances. Therefore, the communication mode of the wireless device 100 is basically the low-power mode, and when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not on board the aircraft 10, it switches to the high-power mode. While the wireless device 100 is powered on, it continues to transmit a signal containing information about the wireless device 100 at regular time intervals in the low-power mode or the high-power mode.

[0020] <Configuration of Wireless Device 100> 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of wireless device 100. Wireless device 100 includes a housing 101, a sensor unit 110, a transmission unit 120, a storage unit 130, a control unit 140, an environmental sensor 150, a display 160, a switch 170, a power connector 180, and a battery 190. Housing 101 is, for example, a resin case, and houses sensor unit 110, transmission unit 120, storage unit 130, control unit 140, environmental sensor 150, display 160, switch 170, power connector 180, and battery 190. Note that display 160, switch 170, and power connector 180 are partially exposed on the surface of housing 101.

[0021] The sensor unit 110 is a sensor that measures the displacement of the wireless device 100, and includes an acceleration sensor 111 and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver 112. The GNSS receiver 112 is an example of a position detection sensor. The displacement of the wireless device 100 is, for example, a change in acceleration, speed, or position of the wireless device 100.

[0022] The acceleration sensor 111 detects acceleration accompanying movement of the wireless device 100 and outputs the detected acceleration to an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 141. The GNSS receiver 112 has an antenna that receives signals from GNSS satellites. The GNSS receiver 112 detects the position of the wireless device 100 based on the received signals and outputs the detected position to the MCU 141. The speed of the wireless device 100 can be calculated based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 111 or the position detected by the GNSS receiver 112.

[0023] The transmitter 120 includes an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication unit 121. The LTE communication unit 121 includes an antenna, and a SIM card is inserted therein. The communication mode of the transmitter 120 is controlled by the MCU 141 and is set to either a high-power mode or a low-power mode. The transmitter 120 transmits a signal including information related to the wireless device 100. The information related to the wireless device 100 may include displacement information indicating the displacement of the wireless device 100, in addition to an ID (identifier) ​​of the wireless device 100. The displacement information includes position information indicating the position detected by the GNSS receiver 112. Furthermore, the displacement information may include information indicating the acceleration or speed of the wireless device 100, in addition to the position information. Furthermore, the communication unit is not limited to the LTE communication unit 121, and may be a communication unit that communicates using 5G (Fifth Generation) or 6G (Sixth Generation), etc.

[0024] When transmitter 120 is in the low-power mode, the signal transmission output of transmitter 120 is the same whether wireless device 100 is onboard an aircraft or not. Wireless device 100 continues to transmit a signal containing information about wireless device 100 at regular time intervals while powered on. When in the low-power mode, there is no particular distinction between whether wireless device 100 is onboard an aircraft or not, and therefore the signal transmission output of transmitter 120 is the same whether wireless device 100 is onboard an aircraft or not.

[0025] The storage unit 130 stores data representing predetermined displacement conditions in advance, and stores displacements measured by the sensor unit 110 as displacement history. The predetermined displacement conditions are, for example, conditions representing temporal changes in the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicate that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport. More specifically, the conditions representing the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicate that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, include at least one of the following: (1) the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over a first predetermined time period corresponds to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport, (2) a state in which the movement speed of the wireless device 100 is less than the minimum speed of the aircraft 10 in flight continues for at least a second predetermined time period, or (3) the displacement history over a third predetermined time period corresponds to land or water transport. Here, as an example, a description will be given of a form in which the condition representing the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicates that the wireless device 100 is moving by land transport or water transport, includes all of (1) to (3).

[0026] Here, with regard to condition (1), the first predetermined time is, for example, six hours. Moving refers to the position of the wireless device 100 changing over time. Stopping refers to the position of the wireless device 100 not changing over time. The movement and stop pattern due to land or water transport is not a displacement pattern that can occur in air transport, but a movement and stop pattern that can occur in land transport or a change in acceleration that can occur in water transport. This is because if the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over the past six hours corresponds to a movement and stop pattern due to land or water transport, it is considered that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, not by air transport.

[0027] Regarding condition (2), the minimum speed of the aircraft 10 during flight is, for example, 60 km / h, which is the takeoff speed for a propeller aircraft, and the second predetermined time is, for example, 30 minutes. This is because if the aircraft 10 continues to travel at a speed of less than 60 km / h for 30 minutes or more, it is considered that the wireless device 100 is traveling by land or water transport, rather than by air transport.

[0028] Regarding condition (3), the third predetermined time is, for example, 15 minutes, and the displacement history over the past 15 minutes indicates that the transport is land transport or water transport, for example, when there are repeated 5-minute movements and 1-minute stops and it can be assumed that the transport is land transport, or when the location information indicates that the transport is following a highway route even if the transport is continuous at 60 km / h or more and it can be inferred that the transport is land transport. The same applies to water transport.

[0029] The predetermined displacement condition may be any condition that indicates the displacement of the wireless device 100, and indicates that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, and the above-mentioned conditions (1) to (3) are merely examples. In particular, the first predetermined time, the minimum speed of the aircraft 10 during flight, the second predetermined time, or the third predetermined time can be changed as appropriate depending on the region in which the wireless device 100 is used, the type of article 50, the type of aircraft 10, etc. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport by using at least one of the conditions (1) to (3), the determination may be made using one or two of the conditions (1) to (3).

[0030] The control unit 140 includes an MCU 141 and a power supply circuit 142. The MCU 141 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, and the like.

[0031] Based on the predetermined displacement condition and displacement history stored in the storage unit 130, the MCU 141 compares data representing a temporal change in displacement represented by the predetermined displacement condition with data representing a temporal change in displacement represented by the displacement history, and sets the communication mode of the transmission unit 120 to either the high output mode or the low output mode. A specific setting method will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. 5. The MCU 141 also controls the entire wireless device 100. Specifically, the MCU 141 performs processes such as storing the output of the sensor unit 110 in the storage unit 130, transmitting a signal including information about the wireless device 100 via the transmission unit 120, reading data from the storage unit 130, controlling switching of the communication mode of the transmission unit 120 based on the output of the environmental sensor 150, displaying on the display 160, and switching the wireless device 100 on and off by operating the switch 170.

[0032] The power supply circuit 142 is a circuit that converts the power supplied from the power supply connector 180 or the battery 190 into a voltage value to be supplied to the MCU 141 and outputs the voltage value to the MCU 141.

[0033] The environmental sensor 150 is, for example, a sensor that detects environmental physical quantities such as humidity or air pressure. When flying by air, humidity and air pressure decrease as the altitude increases, so it is possible to determine whether or not the item is being transported by air by detecting environmental physical quantities such as humidity or air pressure with the environmental sensor.

[0034] The display 160 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is connected to the MCU 141. The display 160 displays information related to the operating status of the wireless device 100, which is displayed by the control unit 140. For example, the display 160 may display the communication mode of the transmission unit 120.

[0035] The switch 170 is a switch that switches the power of the wireless device 100 on and off, and is connected to the MCU 141 .

[0036] Power connector 180 is connected to power supply circuit 142, and is a connector to which a power cable is connected that connects power supply circuit 142 to a power supply source external to wireless device 100. Wireless device 100 includes battery 190, and by connecting a power cable to power connector 180, wireless device 100 can receive power from a power supply source external to wireless device 100.

[0037] Battery 190 is a rechargeable secondary battery connected to power supply circuit 142. Wireless device 100 uses the power of battery 190 when it is not receiving power from an external power source via a power cable connected to power connector 180.

[0038] The sensor unit 110 does not have to include the acceleration sensor 111. In this case, it is sufficient to detect the speed and acceleration from the change in position detected by the GNSS receiver 112. The sensor unit 110 also does not have to include the GNSS receiver 112. In this case, it is sufficient to obtain the speed and position based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 111.

[0039] Furthermore, wireless device 100 does not need to include environmental sensor 150. In this case, wireless device 100 may control switching of the communication mode of transmitter 120 without using any environmental physical quantity. Furthermore, wireless device 100 does not need to include display 160.

[0040] <Flowchart> FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the MCU 141.

[0041] When the MCU 141 starts its operation, it performs measurements using the environmental sensor 150 (step S1). The MCU 141 acquires the environmental physical quantity detected by the environmental sensor 150, such as temperature, humidity, or atmospheric pressure.

[0042] The MCU 141 acquires the radio wave intensity of the base station 30A via the LTE communication unit 121 (step S2).

[0043] The MCU 141 determines whether the radio wave intensity of the base station 30A is higher than a threshold (step S3). The process of step S3 is a process for determining whether the wireless device 100 is not being transported by air but is being transported by land or water. Therefore, the threshold may be set to, for example, the maximum value that the wireless device 100 can receive while inside the aircraft 10 in flight.

[0044] If the MCU 141 determines that the radio wave intensity of the base station 30A is higher than the threshold (S3: YES), it sets the communication mode of the transmitter 120 to low output mode (step S4). The low output mode is a communication mode in which the transmission output of the transmitter 120 is set to a predetermined value of 100 mW or less. If the radio wave intensity of the base station 30A is higher than the threshold during land or water transportation, the communication mode is set to low output mode because sufficient communication with the base station 30A is possible in low output mode.

[0045] MCU 141 causes transmitting unit 120 to transmit a signal including information related to wireless device 100 (step S5). Transmitting unit 120 transmits the signal including displacement information indicating the displacement of wireless device 100 at a transmission output in the set communication mode.

[0046] The MCU 141 goes into sleep mode for a certain period of time (step S6). After completing the process of step S5, the MCU 141 returns the flow to step S1.

[0047] Furthermore, if the MCU 141 determines in step S3 that the radio wave strength of the base station 30A is not higher than the threshold (S3: NO), it reads the displacement history from the storage unit 130 and determines whether the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over the past six hours corresponds to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport (step S7). That is, the MCU 141 determines whether the condition (1) is met. This is because even if the radio wave strength of the base station 30A is lower than the threshold, it is possible to determine whether the movement is by land or water transport.

[0048] To determine whether the displacement history of wireless device 100 over the past six hours corresponds to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport, specifically, the displacement history of wireless device 100 over the past six hours can be determined by comparing data representing the change in displacement over time in a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport with data representing the change in displacement over time represented by the displacement history.

[0049] If the MCU 141 determines that the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over the past six hours does not correspond to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport (S7: NO), it determines whether movement at a speed of less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more (step S8). This is because even if the radio wave strength of the base station 30A is lower than the threshold, if movement at a speed of less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more, it is considered that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, not by air transport.

[0050] To determine whether movement at less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more, it can be determined whether or not a state in which movement at less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more up to the present time is included in the displacement history read from the storage unit 130. As an example, whether movement at less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more can be determined by looking at the maximum speed and the duration of the movement state in all displacement history acquired within the relevant time period read from the storage unit 130.

[0051] If the MCU 141 determines that movement at a speed less than 60 km / h has not continued for 30 minutes or more (S8: NO), it determines whether the movement corresponds to land transport or water transport based on the displacement history for the past 15 minutes (step S9). If the displacement history for the past 15 minutes indicates land transport or water transport, it is considered that the wireless device 100 is moving by land transport or water transport, not by air transport. For example, if there are repeated five-minute movements and one-minute stops, it can be considered that the movement is by land transport even if the conditions of steps S7 and S8 are not met. Also, even if there is continuous movement at 60 km / h or more, if the location information indicates a route on a highway, it can be inferred that the movement is by land transport. Furthermore, with regard to water transport, it is possible that the movement is by water even if the conditions of steps S7 and S8 are not met.

[0052] If the MCU 141 determines from the displacement history for the past 15 minutes that it is not land or water transport (S9: NO), it causes the flow to proceed to step S4. In this case, since it has been determined that the item is being transported by air, the MCU 141 sets the communication mode of the transmitter 120 to low output mode. Because the item is being transported by air, the transmission output is set to a predetermined value of 100 mW or less, which is subject to restrictions regarding air transport. Determining that the item is being transported by air is synonymous with determining that the item is on board the aircraft 10.

[0053] Furthermore, if the MCU 141 determines in step S7 that the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over the past six hours corresponds to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport (S7: YES), it determines whether changes in data (environmental data) representing environmental physical quantities detected by the environmental sensor 150 are gradual (step S10). Whether changes in the environmental data are gradual may be determined, for example, by whether the rate of change over time in the environmental data is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Step S10 is a process for determining whether the wireless device 100 is being transported by land or water. Therefore, for example, the predetermined value may be set to the maximum rate of change over time in the environmental data that may occur during land or water transport. This is because changes over time in the environmental data are greater during air transport than during land or water transport.

[0054] When the MCU 141 determines that the environmental data is changing slowly (S10: YES), it sets the communication mode of the transmitter 120 to the high-power mode (step S11). The high-power mode is a communication mode in which the transmission output of the transmitter 120 is set to a predetermined value exceeding 100 mW. Because it has been determined that the device is being transported by land or water, the transmission output is set to a predetermined value exceeding 100 mW that is not subject to restrictions related to air transport. Determining that the device is being transported by land or water is synonymous with determining that the device is not on board the aircraft 10. The predetermined value exceeding 100 mW is, for example, 23 dBm (200 mW), which is the maximum transmission output of LTE cat.M1 and NB-IoT, which are LTE-based standards used in IoT devices.

[0055] After completing the process of step S11, the MCU 141 advances the flow to step S5. In step S5, the transmitter 120 transmits a signal including displacement information indicating the displacement of the wireless device 100 with the transmission output in the low output mode.

[0056] Furthermore, if the MCU 141 determines in step S10 that the change in the environmental data is not gradual (S10: NO), the MCU 141 advances the flow to step S4. In this case, since it has been determined that the device is being transported by air, the MCU 141 sets the communication mode of the transmitter 120 to low-power mode. The low-power mode is a communication mode in which the transmission output of the transmitter 120 is set to a predetermined value of 100 mW or less. Since it has been determined that the device is being transported by air, the transmission output is set to a predetermined value of 100 mW or less that is subject to restrictions related to air transportation. Determining that the device is being transported by air is synonymous with determining that the device is on board the aircraft 10.

[0057] Furthermore, if the MCU 141 determines in step S8 that movement at less than 60 km / h has continued for 30 minutes or more (S8: YES), the flow proceeds to step S10, where it determines whether the changes in the data (environmental data) representing the environmental physical quantities detected by the environmental sensor 150 are gradual (step S10).

[0058] Furthermore, if the MCU 141 determines in step S9 that the wireless device 100 has been stopped for 15 minutes or more (S9: YES), the flow proceeds to step S10, where it determines whether the changes in the data (environmental data) representing the environmental physical quantities detected by the environmental sensor 150 are gradual (step S10).

[0059] 5 includes three steps, steps S7, S8, and S9, for determining whether the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, but it is sufficient to include at least one of steps S7, S8, and S9. This is because it is possible to determine whether the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport by at least one of the steps. Also, the determination of step S10 may be omitted, and the communication mode may be set to the high output mode when a YES determination is obtained in any one of S7, S8, and S9 (step S11).

[0060] <Effects> The wireless device 100 is a mobile wireless device and includes a sensor unit 110 that measures the displacement of the wireless device 100, a transmitter unit 120 that transmits a signal including information about the wireless device 100, a memory unit 130 that stores predetermined displacement conditions in advance and stores a displacement history measured by the sensor unit 110, and a control unit 140 that controls the communication mode of the transmitter unit 120 based on the predetermined displacement conditions and the displacement history stored in the memory unit 130, the control unit 140 controls the communication mode of the transmitter unit 120 to either a low output mode that suppresses the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter unit 120 to a predetermined value or less, or a high output mode that increases the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter unit 120 above the predetermined value, and when it is determined based on the predetermined displacement conditions and the displacement history that the wireless device 100 is not mounted on an aircraft, the control unit 140 sets the communication mode of the transmitter unit 120 to the high output mode.

[0061] The wireless device 100 performs switching control based on the reverse idea of ​​setting the communication mode to the high power mode when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not on board the aircraft 10, rather than detecting that the aircraft 10 is in flight. Therefore, the communication mode of the wireless device 100 is basically the low power mode, and when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not on board the aircraft 10, it is switched to the high power mode.

[0062] Therefore, it is possible to provide a wireless device 100 and a logistics tracking system 300 that can appropriately switch communication modes by detecting that the aircraft 10 is not in flight. While it is very difficult to appropriately detect that the aircraft 10 is in flight, it is relatively easy to detect that the wireless device 100 is not installed on the aircraft 10. For this reason, the communication mode can be appropriately switched by basically setting the wireless device 100 to low output mode and switching to high output mode when it is determined that the wireless device 100 is not installed on the aircraft 10. Furthermore, by detecting that the wireless device 100 is not installed on the aircraft 10, it is possible to both ensure communication stability and comply with the restrictions imposed when the wireless device 100 is installed on an aircraft.

[0063] Furthermore, since the predetermined displacement condition is a condition that indicates the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicates that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, it can be determined whether the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport. The wireless device 100 being moved by land or water transport means that the wireless device 100 is not currently sailing as an aircraft 10. Therefore, by determining whether the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, it is possible to provide a wireless device 100 and a logistics tracking system 300 that can detect that the aircraft 10 is not currently sailing and appropriately switch communication modes.

[0064] Furthermore, the conditions for indicating the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicates that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, include at least one of the following: (1) the displacement history of the wireless device 100 over the past first predetermined time period (for example, 6 hours) is included in a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport; (2) the movement speed of the wireless device 100 remains below the minimum speed of an aircraft in flight (for example, 60 km / h) for a second predetermined time period (for example, 30 minutes) or more; or the wireless device 100 does not move for a third predetermined time period (for example, 15 minutes) or more.

[0065] This makes it possible to more reliably determine whether the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, and to provide a wireless device 100 and a logistics tracking system 300 that can detect that the aircraft 10 is not in flight and appropriately switch communication modes.

[0066] Furthermore, when the radio wave intensity from the base station 30A is high, the control unit 140 sets the communication mode of the transmitter 120 to low power mode. When the radio wave intensity from the base station 30A is high during land or water transport, sufficient communication with the base station 30A is possible in low power mode, and it is possible to ensure a state in which communication with the base station 30A is possible while reducing power consumption. Even when the radio wave intensity from the base station 30A is high, no problems occur even in high power mode if the wireless device 100 is being transported by land or water. However, even when the radio wave intensity from the base station 30A is high, it is conceivable that the wireless device 100 may be installed on the aircraft 10, so it is better to set the communication mode to low power mode to avoid risks.

[0067] Furthermore, since the sensor unit 110 is the acceleration sensor 111 or the GNSS receiver 112, it can more reliably detect the acceleration, speed, or position that accompanies the movement of the wireless device 100. Therefore, it is possible to provide the wireless device 100 and the logistics tracking system 300 that can appropriately switch communication modes by detecting that the aircraft 10 is not in flight based on the acceleration, speed, or position obtained by the acceleration sensor 111 or the GNSS receiver 112.

[0068] Furthermore, when transmitter 120 is in the low output mode, the transmission output of the signal from transmitter 120 is the same whether wireless device 100 is on board an aircraft or not. Therefore, when transmitter 120 is in the low output mode, it is possible to stably transmit a signal including information related to wireless device 100, regardless of whether wireless device 100 is on board an aircraft or not.

[0069] <Modification> In the above, a description has been given of an embodiment in which a condition indicating the displacement of the wireless device 100, which indicates that the wireless device 100 is moving by land or water transport, is used as the predetermined displacement condition to be compared with the displacement history. More specifically, the above-mentioned conditions (1) to (3) are used. However, the predetermined displacement condition may be a stop condition in which the sensor unit 110 measures a displacement indicating the movement of the wireless device 100 and then measures a displacement indicating that the movement of the wireless device 100 has stopped. In this case, when it is determined based on the stop condition and the displacement history that the movement of the wireless device 100 has stopped, the control unit 140 switches the communication mode of the transmission unit 120 from the low output mode to the high output mode.

[0070] The above describes exemplary embodiments of the wireless device and logistics tracking system of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 aircraft 20 tracks 50 Goods 100 Radio equipment 101 Case 110 Sensor unit 111 Acceleration Sensor 112 GNSS receiver (an example of a position detection sensor) 120 Transmitter 130 Storage section 140 Control Unit 141 MCU 150 Environmental Sensors 160 Display 170 Switch 180 power connector 190 Battery 200 Server (an example of an information processing device) 300 Logistics Tracking System

Claims

1. A mobile wireless device, a sensor unit for measuring a displacement of the wireless device; a transmitter for transmitting a signal including information about the wireless device; a storage unit that stores predetermined displacement conditions in advance and stores a displacement history measured by the sensor unit; a control unit that controls a communication mode of the transmission unit based on the predetermined displacement condition and the displacement history stored in the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the communication mode of the transmitter to either a low output mode in which the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, or a high output mode in which the transmission output of the signal of the transmitter is increased to above the predetermined value, and when it is determined based on the predetermined displacement condition and the displacement history that the wireless device is not installed on an aircraft, sets the communication mode of the transmitter to the high output mode.

2. 2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined displacement condition is a condition representing a displacement of the wireless device that indicates that the wireless device is moving by land or water transport.

3. 3. The radio device of claim 2, wherein the conditions indicating the displacement of the radio device, which indicate that the radio device is moving by land or water transport, include at least one of the following: the displacement history of the radio device over a first predetermined time period corresponds to a pattern of movement and stopping by land or water transport; the movement speed of the radio device remains below the minimum speed of an aircraft in flight for a second predetermined time period or more; or the displacement history over a third predetermined time period corresponds to land or water transport.

4. The wireless device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets the communication mode of the transmission unit to the low output mode when the radio wave intensity of the base station is high.

5. The wireless device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is an acceleration sensor or a position detection sensor.

6. 2. The radio device according to claim 1, wherein, when the transmitter is in the low-power mode, the transmission power of the signal of the transmitter is equal when the radio device is installed on the aircraft and when the radio device is not installed on the aircraft.

7. the predetermined displacement condition is a stop condition in which a displacement indicating that the movement of the wireless device has stopped is measured after the displacement indicating the movement of the wireless device is measured by the sensor unit, 2. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the communication mode of the transmitter from the low output mode to the high output mode when it is determined that movement of the wireless device has stopped based on the stop condition and the displacement history.

8. a wireless device according to claim 1; an information processing device that receives the signal transmitted by the wireless device and manages the location of the item to which the wireless device is attached; Logistics tracking system.

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