Altitude positioning system

Abstract

To measure altitude of a measurement target object at a low cost.SOLUTION: An altitude positioning system 100 comprises: a first detection unit 10 capable of detecting atmospheric pressure; a second detection unit 20 installed at an altitude different from the first detection unit 10 and capable of detecting atmospheric pressure; a beacon 16 provided together with the first detection unit 10 and capable of transmitting signals within a predetermined range; and a calculation unit 40 that calculates the altitude of a measurement target object based on a first reference barometric pressure value P1n detected by the first detection unit 10, a second reference barometric pressure value P2n detected by the second detection unit 20, and a detected barometric pressure value P3n detected by a terminal 30 that has received the signal transmitted from the beacon 16. The calculation unit 40 corrects the detected barometric pressure value P3n using a reference barometric pressure value P1r at the time of reception detected by the first detection unit 10 when the signal is received by the terminal 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an altitude positioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a measurement system that measures altitude using a barometric pressure sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-66347 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, altitude is calculated based on the air pressure detected by an air pressure sensor installed on the moving object whose altitude is to be measured and the air pressure detected by an air pressure sensor fixed at a predetermined altitude. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the air pressure measured by these air pressure sensors is required to be equivalent. Air pressure sensors that require such measurement accuracy are relatively expensive and require periodic calibration. Therefore, for example, when measuring the altitudes of multiple objects, the manufacturing and operating costs of the system may increase. Furthermore, the specifications of the air pressure sensor installed on the moving object and the air pressure sensor fixed at a predetermined altitude often differ, making it more difficult to correct errors in the measurement values ​​of these air pressure sensors.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a system that can measure the altitude of an object to be positioned at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an altitude positioning system that measures the altitude of a target having a terminal capable of detecting atmospheric pressure, and includes a first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit capable of detecting atmospheric pressure, a second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit that is installed at an altitude different from the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit and is also capable of detecting atmospheric pressure, a signal transmission unit that is provided together with the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit and is capable of transmitting a signal within a predetermined range, and a calculation unit that calculates the altitude of the target based on the first reference atmospheric pressure value detected by the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit, the second reference atmospheric pressure value detected by the second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit, and the detected atmospheric pressure value detected by a terminal that has received a signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit, and the calculation unit corrects the detected atmospheric pressure value using the reference atmospheric pressure value at time of reception detected by the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit when the signal is received by the terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the altitude of an object to be positioned at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which an altitude positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of an altitude positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a graph for explaining a method of calculating the altitude of a positioning target object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an altitude positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First, an advanced positioning system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a situation in which the advanced positioning system 100 is applied, and Figure 2 is a block diagram of the advanced positioning system 100.

[0011] The altitude positioning system 100 is a system for measuring the altitude of an object to be measured, and is used, for example, to measure the altitude of each worker S working in a building C under construction as shown in Fig. 1. The following describes a case where the worker S is the object to be measured, and the altitude of each worker S is measured by the altitude positioning system 100.

[0012] The object to be positioned is not limited to a person such as worker S, but may be an object such as equipment used for work within structure C. Furthermore, the situation in which the advanced positioning system 100 is applied is not limited to structure C such as the building shown in FIG. 1, but may also be a structure such as a dam or a bridge where there is a difference in elevation between the work locations where multiple workers S work. Furthermore, the advanced positioning system 100 may be used as a system for determining the position and behavior of people within a high-rise building or outdoors where there is a difference in elevation.

[0013] The altitude positioning system 100 is a system that measures the altitude of a worker S (target to be positioned) having a terminal 30 capable of detecting atmospheric pressure, and is equipped with a first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "first detection unit 10") that can detect a first reference atmospheric pressure, a second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "second detection unit 20") that can detect a second reference atmospheric pressure, a beacon 16 (signal transmission unit) that is provided together with the first detection unit 10 and can transmit a signal within a predetermined range, and a calculation unit 40 that calculates the altitude of the worker S (target to be positioned) having the terminal 30 based on the first reference atmospheric pressure value P1n detected by the first detection unit 10, the second reference atmospheric pressure value P2n detected by the second detection unit 20, and the detected atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 that has received the signal transmitted from the beacon 16.

[0014] The first detection unit 10 is a unit having a barometric pressure sensor 12 and a data transmission unit 14 that transmits the barometric pressure value detected by the barometric pressure sensor 12 to the calculation unit 40, and is installed near the entrance / exit point where workers S enter and exit the building C.

[0015] The atmospheric pressure sensor 12 is a general pressure sensor that detects atmospheric pressure, and detects, for example, changes in piezoresistance or capacitance as changes in pressure value. The data transmission unit 14 is a short-range wireless communication unit such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and is set to transmit the atmospheric pressure value detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 12 to the calculation unit 40 at preset time intervals. The data transmission unit 14 may be connectable to a network such as the Internet via a base station or wireless LAN.

[0016] The beacon 16 is a wireless tag such as a BLE beacon (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy Beacon), and transmits a signal including a tag ID at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second) within a range of about 10 meters. The beacon 16 is not limited to a BLE beacon, and may be any type of device that can transmit a predetermined signal within a predetermined range from the location where it is installed, such as an active RFID.

[0017] The beacon 16, together with the first detection unit 10, is installed around the entrance / exit point through which the worker S enters and exits the building C.

[0018] Similar to the first detection unit 10, the second detection unit 20 is a unit having an air pressure sensor 22 and a data transmission unit 24 that transmits the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 22 to the calculation unit 40, and is installed at a different altitude than the first detection unit 10. Specifically, while the first detection unit 10 is installed around the entrance / exit of the building C, the second detection unit 20 is installed at the highest position of the building C, as shown in FIG. 1 , that is, at a position where the difference between the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 12 of the first detection unit 10 and the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 22 of the second detection unit 20 is as large as possible.

[0019] The atmospheric pressure values ​​detected by the atmospheric pressure sensors 12, 22 of the detection units 10, 20 are transmitted to the calculation unit 40 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second) via the data transmission units 14, 24. The atmospheric pressure values ​​detected by the detection units 10, 20 may be transmitted to the calculation unit 40 when a transmission request is made from the calculation unit 40 to the detection units 10, 20.

[0020] The terminal 30 held by the worker S (target to be located) is a portable information processing terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and has a barometric pressure sensor 32, a data transmission unit 34 that transmits the barometric pressure value detected by the barometric pressure sensor 32 to the calculation unit 40, and a signal receiving unit 36 ​​that receives a signal transmitted from the beacon 16.

[0021] The air pressure sensor 32 is a general pressure sensor module capable of detecting atmospheric pressure similar to the air pressure sensors 12, 22 possessed by the above-described detection units 10, 20, and the data transmission unit 34 is a wireless communication unit equivalent to the data transmission units 14, 24 possessed by the above-described detection units 10, 20. The signal receiving unit 36 ​​is a short-range wireless communication unit such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and also serves as the data transmission unit 34. Note that the data transmission unit 34 may be connectable to a network such as the Internet via a base station or wireless LAN.

[0022] In addition, the terminal 30 does not need to be a terminal with advanced information processing capabilities, but may simply be a unit that combines a module equivalent to the atmospheric pressure sensors 12, 22 possessed by each of the above-mentioned detection units 10, 20, a module equivalent to the data transmission units 14, 24, and a signal receiving unit 36.

[0023] The calculation unit 40 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and I / O interface (Input / Output Interface). The RAM stores data for CPU processing, the ROM stores the CPU control program and the like in advance, and the I / O interface is used for inputting and outputting information to and from devices connected to the calculation unit 40, for example, for connection to a display unit 50 which is a display monitor and an input device such as a keyboard (not shown).

[0024] Next, a method for calculating the altitude of the worker S (target object) carrying the terminal 30 will be described with reference to the graph shown in FIG.

[0025] The calculation of the altitude of the worker S starts from the point when the terminal 30 held by the worker S receives the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 .

[0026] In Figure 1, a beacon 16 installed together with a first detection unit 10 near the entrance / exit of building C transmits a signal to the surrounding area at predetermined intervals, so when worker S enters building C through the entrance / exit of building C, the signal transmitted from beacon 16 is received by the signal receiving unit 36 ​​of the terminal 30 held by worker S.

[0027] When the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 is received on the terminal 30 held by the worker S, the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30 at the time the signal was received is transmitted to the calculation unit 40 via the data transmission unit 34 as the detected air pressure value P3r at the time of reception.

[0028] The calculation unit 40 receives the detected air pressure value at the time of reception P3r from the terminal 30, stores the detected air pressure value at the time of reception P3r together with the identification ID of the terminal 30, and also acquires, via the data transmission unit 14, the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 12 of the first detection unit 10 when the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 is received by the terminal 30, and stores this air pressure value detected by the first detection unit 10 as the reference air pressure value at the time of reception P1r.

[0029] For example, if the atmospheric pressure value detected by atmospheric pressure sensor 32 of terminal 30 is 1018 hPa and the atmospheric pressure value detected by atmospheric pressure sensor 12 of first detection unit 10 is 1013 hPa when a signal transmitted from beacon 16 is received by terminal 30, "1018 hPa" is stored as the detected atmospheric pressure value at reception P3r, and "1013 hPa" is stored as the reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r. In this way, although the detected atmospheric pressure value at reception P3r and the reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r have the same measurement altitude and measurement timing, different magnitudes of atmospheric pressure values ​​will be stored depending on individual differences and performance differences between atmospheric pressure sensors.

[0030] Once the two air pressure values, the reference air pressure value at time of reception P1r and the detected air pressure value at time of reception P3r, are stored in the calculation unit 40 in this manner, the calculation unit 40 begins calculating the altitude of the terminal 30, i.e., the altitude of the worker S holding the terminal 30.

[0031] The altitude of the worker S holding the terminal 30 is calculated using a relational expression R (see Figure 3), which is a linear expression obtained based on the first installation altitude H1 at which the first detection unit 10 is installed, the current air pressure value P1n detected by the air pressure sensor 12 of the first detection unit 10, the second installation altitude H2 at which the second detection unit 20 is installed, and the current air pressure value P2n detected by the air pressure sensor 22 of the second detection unit 20.

[0032] 3, the relational expression R is a linear expression with the horizontal axis representing the atmospheric pressure value P and the vertical axis representing the altitude H, and the slope is (first installation altitude H1-second installation altitude H2) / (atmospheric pressure value P1n-atmospheric pressure value P2n). Note that the first installation altitude H1 at which the first detection unit 10 is installed and the second installation altitude H2 at which the second detection unit 20 is installed are measured separately in advance and stored in the calculation unit 40 as fixed values.

[0033] Furthermore, the relational expression R is updated as needed in response to changes in the current air pressure value P1n detected by the air pressure sensor 12 of the first detection unit 10 and the current air pressure value P2n detected by the air pressure sensor 22 of the second detection unit 20.

[0034] For example, if the current atmospheric pressure value P1n detected by atmospheric pressure sensor 12 of first detection unit 10 is 1013 hPa, the current atmospheric pressure value P2n detected by atmospheric pressure sensor 22 of second detection unit 20 is 1002 hPa, the first installation altitude H1 is 0 m, and the second installation altitude H2 is 100 m, relational expression R is calculated based on these four values. If the atmospheric pressure drops due to the approach of a low pressure system or the like, and the current atmospheric pressure value P1n detected by first detection unit 10 drops to 998 hPa and the current atmospheric pressure value P2n detected by second detection unit 20 drops to 987 hPa, relational expression R is updated based on these current atmospheric pressure values ​​P1n, P2n and the installation altitudes H1, H2 measured in advance.

[0035] Here, it is possible to simply calculate the altitude corresponding to the current air pressure value P3n detected by the air pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30 using the above-mentioned relational expression R and consider the calculated altitude to be the altitude of the worker S. However, the absolute value of the air pressure value detected by the terminal 30 held by the worker S may differ for each terminal 30 due to individual differences and performance differences between the air pressure sensors 32, and there is a risk that the absolute value of the air pressure value detected by the first detection unit 10 may differ to a certain extent from the absolute value of the air pressure value detected by the second detection unit 20. For this reason, for example, if the absolute value of the air pressure value detected by the terminal 30 held by the worker S is smaller than the absolute value of the air pressure value detected by the first detection unit 10, the calculated altitude of the worker S will be lower than the actual altitude, making it difficult to accurately determine the altitude of the worker S.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, an estimated altitude H3 corresponding to the corrected atmospheric pressure value P3c obtained by correcting the current atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30 is calculated using the relational expression R, and the calculated estimated altitude H3 is set as the altitude of the worker S.

[0037] The corrected atmospheric pressure value P3c is calculated by the calculation unit 40 by subtracting the above-mentioned detected atmospheric pressure value at reception P3r from the current atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30, and adding the above-mentioned reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r. For example, if the current atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 32 is 1014 hPa, the detected atmospheric pressure value at reception P3r is 1018 hPa, and the reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r is 1013 hPa, the corrected atmospheric pressure value P3c is 1009 hPa (= 1014 - 1018 + 1013).

[0038] In other words, the calculation unit 40 corrects the current air pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 by replacing the detected air pressure value P3r at the time of reception detected by the terminal 30 when the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 is received by the terminal 30 with the reference air pressure value P1r at the time of reception detected by the first detection unit 10 when the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 is received by the terminal 30.

[0039] In this way, by assuming that the magnitude of the detected atmospheric pressure value P3r at the time of reception detected by terminal 30 when the signal transmitted from beacon 16 is received by terminal 30 is the same as the reference atmospheric pressure value P1r at the time of reception detected by first detection unit 10 when the signal transmitted from beacon 16 is received by terminal 30, the current atmospheric pressure value detected by terminal 30 is converted into an atmospheric pressure value based on the reference atmospheric pressure value P1r at the time of reception detected by first detection unit 10.

[0040] For example, if the current atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30 is 1014 hPa as described above, the detected atmospheric pressure value P3r at the time of reception is 1018 hPa, and the reference atmospheric pressure value P1r at the time of reception is 1013 hPa, then the corrected atmospheric pressure value P3c will be 1009 hPa. However, if an attempt is made to calculate the altitude of worker S using the uncorrected current atmospheric pressure value P3n (1014 hPa) as is, the altitude of worker S will be an inappropriate altitude that is lower than the first installation altitude H1 at which the first detection unit 10 is installed, whereas the altitude of worker S calculated using the corrected atmospheric pressure value P3c (1009 hPa) will be an appropriate altitude.

[0041] In this way, by correcting the current air pressure value P3n detected by the air pressure sensor 32 of the terminal 30 using the reference air pressure value P1r at the time of reception detected by the first detection unit 10 when the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 is received by the terminal 30, the influence of individual differences and performance differences of the air pressure sensor 32 on the detected air pressure value is eliminated, and as a result, the altitude of the worker S can be accurately determined at low cost.

[0042] The reference atmospheric pressure value P1r at the time of reception and the detected atmospheric pressure value P3r at the time of reception stored in the calculation unit 40 for calculating the altitude of the worker S are erased when the work hours for the day end or when it is confirmed that the worker S has left the building C, and the calculation of the altitude of the worker S by the calculation unit 40 is thereby terminated.

[0043] The calculation unit 40 can also simultaneously calculate the altitudes of multiple workers S and display the altitudes of the multiple workers S together with their identification IDs on the display unit 50. By converting the calculated altitude of the worker S into the floor number of the building C, it is also possible to display on which floor of the building C the worker S is working. This makes it possible to grasp the status of multiple workers S within the building C with high accuracy and low cost.

[0044] According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0045] According to the above-described altitude positioning system 100, the altitude of the object to be positioned (such as worker S) having a terminal 30 capable of detecting atmospheric pressure is calculated by the calculation unit 40 based on the first reference atmospheric pressure value P1n detected by the first detection unit 10, the second reference atmospheric pressure value P2n detected by the second detection unit 20, and the detected atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 that has received a signal transmitted from a beacon 16 provided together with the first detection unit 10, and the detected atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 is corrected using the reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r detected by the first detection unit 10 when the signal transmitted from the beacon 16 was received by the terminal 30.

[0046] In this way, by correcting the detected air pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 using the reference air pressure value at reception P1r detected by the first detection unit 10 when the terminal 30 receives a signal transmitted from the beacon 16 provided together with the first detection unit 10, it becomes unnecessary to perform a calibration work to make the absolute value of the air pressure detected by the terminal 30 equal to the absolute value of the air pressure detected by each detection unit 10, 20. This makes it possible to measure the altitude of the object to be positioned at low cost.

[0047] Furthermore, the reference atmospheric pressure value at reception P1r and the detected atmospheric pressure value at reception P3r used for correction are automatically acquired by the calculation unit 40 without the worker S or manager having to take the trouble of inputting them via an input device, so correction of the detected atmospheric pressure value P3n detected by the terminal 30 can be performed automatically and easily, and as a result, the altitude of the object to be positioned can be accurately and easily determined.

[0048] The following modified examples are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is possible to combine the configuration shown in the modified example with the configuration described in the above embodiment, or to combine the configurations described in the different modified examples below.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the second detection unit 20 is installed at the highest position of the building C. The installation position of the second detection unit 20 is not limited to this, and may be at any altitude as long as the above-mentioned relational expression R can be obtained, for example, it may be in the middle part of the building C. However, in order to improve the accuracy of measuring the altitude of the object to be positioned, it is preferable to make the difference in altitude between the locations where the first detection unit 10 and the second detection unit 20 are installed as large as possible.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the entrance to building C is located below building C, the second detection unit 20 is installed at a higher altitude than the first detection unit 10. However, for example, if the entrance to building C is located above building C, the second detection unit 20 may be installed at a lower altitude than the first detection unit 10.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the second detection unit 20 is provided in only one location. The second detection unit 20 may be provided in multiple locations at different altitudes, but from the viewpoint of reducing costs and simplifying calculations, it is preferable to provide the second detection unit 20 in only one location.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the object to be positioned is a worker S having a terminal 30 has been described, but the object to be positioned is not limited to the worker S, and may be any object having a terminal 30, for example, equipment to which the terminal 30 is attached and which is used for work within the building C. In this case, it is possible to identify the floor on which the equipment is currently being used. Furthermore, the object to be positioned may be a suspended load to which the terminal 30 is attached, and which is a suspended load that is lifted by a crane or the like. In this case, it is possible to ascertain the altitude of the suspended load while it is being lifted.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100···Advanced Positioning System 10: First detection unit (first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit) 16. Beacon (signal transmitter) 20 Second detection unit (second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit) 30... Terminal 40... Arithmetic section 50...Display section P1n: First reference atmospheric pressure value P2n: Second reference pressure value P3n Detected air pressure value P1r...Reference atmospheric pressure value at time of reception P3r... Detected atmospheric pressure value when receiving P3c Corrected atmospheric pressure value H1...1st installation altitude H2...Second installation altitude H3... Estimated altitude C...Building S Worker (target)

Claims

1. An altitude positioning system for measuring the altitude of a target object having a terminal capable of detecting atmospheric pressure, a first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit capable of detecting atmospheric pressure; a second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit that is installed at an altitude different from that of the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit and is capable of detecting atmospheric pressure; a signal transmission unit provided together with the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit and capable of transmitting a signal within a predetermined range; a calculation unit that calculates the altitude of the object to be positioned based on a first reference atmospheric pressure value detected by the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit, a second reference atmospheric pressure value detected by the second reference atmospheric pressure detection unit, and a detected atmospheric pressure value detected by the terminal that has received the signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit, the calculation unit corrects the detected atmospheric pressure value using a reference atmospheric pressure value at the time of reception detected by the first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit when the signal is received by the terminal; Altitude positioning system.

2. the calculation unit corrects the detected air pressure value detected by the terminal that has received the signal by replacing the detected air pressure value at the time of reception detected by the terminal when the signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit is received by the terminal with the reference air pressure value at the time of reception; The altitude positioning system of claim 1 .

3. the target object is a worker performing work within a building, the terminal is a mobile terminal carried by the worker, The first reference atmospheric pressure detection unit and the signal transmission unit are installed around an entrance / exit portion through which the worker enters and exits the building.

3. The altitude positioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

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